The Only Exception

After my sudden breakdown everything seemed to cool off - for now. I was going to stay at Jacob's house for a few days until they could figure out what they were going to do with the danger I was in. Even though Jake had told them about the problem with Oliver - and I'd gotten hugs and whispers of how they'd all keep me safe, I knew they weren't just talking about Oliver. How? I hadn't a clue, but something in each of their voices told me that it wasn't just Oliver they were talking about.

Jake had been talking to Sam about the bloodsuckers. What he was talking about I hadn't the faintest clue. It must just be another word for something or - whatever, I shook off that thought.

I didn't want to eavesdrop on their conversation any longer so I snuck away from the kitchen and plopped a spot on the couch. Jacob soon came around and pulled me onto his lap while we waited for Sam to give us the 'okay' to get down to the beach. I'd somehow found myself cuddling closer to Jacob. His warmth engulfed me entirely and I felt safe in his arms. He'd kiss the top of my head every once in a while, and the boys would look over to us and start teasing.

"Whoa, you two getting pretty comfortable over there?" Quil asked, licking his lips like he was interested. Jacob groaned and flipped him off which got me to giggle a bit.

After another fifteen minutes of cuddling together, Sam walked into the room and told us we could go. Since we were at Emily's all we had to do was really walk there, and we got to First Beach within the first ten minutes of walking.

I found a spot around the fire, on a log next to Jacob and again I found myself resting comfortably in his arms. Once Sam and Emily had caught up, a serious look came abroad to his face. I began to chew on my lip and waited in anticipation for this so called 'meeting'.

"Alright, so you all know why we are here." Sam began, he folded his arms over his chest and stared directly at Jacob. "Jacob, do you mind telling everyone what is going on."

Jacob cleared his throat and looked around the small circle of guys. "Well, when I found Bray in the forest, I caught a scent from a leech, and they aren't the Cullen's." Wait, what? Scent? Leech? What was going on? And Jacob seemed to answer my thoughts next. "Braylin, I need to tell you something." I gave him an odd look and swallowed.

"Okay, tell me." I whispered.

"You remember the first time you came here, after you moved? And Sam told the legends about the Quileute's and the wolves?" I nodded my head slowly, cautiously. "Well, um, those legends are real. I - along with everyone here, except for Emily, are wolves - though we prefer the term, shape shifter." Silence, that was next. No one talked or made even the slightest sound. All eyes were on me.

I didn't really know how I was supposed to react, so I laughed.

"That's bullshit, Jacob. And you're sick if you think that you can...make that up when you already know what I - have to go through." I ranted on as I pushed Jacob away and pulled myself onto my feet.

"No, Braylin - Jake is telling you the truth." Embry interfered, the other boys nodded - and so did Emily.

I scoffed and shook my head, I walked over the log that I was sitting on and began to walk away from the fire. Jacob began to call me and when he was close enough, grabbed my arm and turned me around. "No, Bray please don't leave. You have to believe me - and I haven't even told you all of it yet."

I sighed and crossed my arms across my chest. "Fine, explain all that you have to." Jacob began to scratch at the back of his neck and cleared his throat. He sure was antsy and nervous to explain something that he was entitled to.

"Remember the story on imprinting?" He asked.

I nodded, "Yeah, how it's like when you see her you feel like she's currently holding you to the Earth, it's -"

"- No longer the gravity holding you down." He finished. "Braylin, I imprinted on you. From the first day that I saw you I fell head over heels in love with you. I saw you and thought, 'God, she is the most beautiful thing put here on this planet,' and I couldn't help but thinking of you every minute of the day."

Why was I now smiling? I shouldn't be smiling - he brought all of this on like my problems weren't as bad. I'm sure that my problems were more deadly than his. Jacob sighed and waited.

"I don't know, Jacob - Jake. Maybe I just need time to -"

"No! Please, you can't have time - I mean, I'd love to give you all the time you needed, but there is a leech running around out there and I can't put you in danger." The look in Jake's eyes showed it all. The passion he had for me, the loving care that he held, and fully adequate interest that shown in his eyes every time he looked at me. I couldn't deny him this any longer.

I sighed, that was all I could do. Jake's warm hands grabbed my face, making me only able to look directly at him. "I can't have you keep running away from me, Braylin. It's breaking my heart, and - and seeing you all bruised and broken makes me want to kill myself because I wasn't there to protect you. I need you in my life, Braylin." He whispered, pulling me closer to him. Just inches away and our lips would be touching.

"Alright, Jake. I'll stay for you." Jake sighed in relief and a wide smile came upon his beautiful, flawless face. Soon his arms were wrapped securely around my waist and I was staring deeply into his dark brown eyes. "So, I am your pro-found love interest am I?" I whispered.

Jake chuckled and nodded, "Yes you are - and if it's alright with you, a few more dates to get to know each other even more, and I'd love it if you'd be mine." His cheesy smile made it all the better. I couldn't help but to say yes and grab him in a secure embrace. "Thank you." He whispered as he kissed my forehead.

After our moment of truth, Jake walked us back to the bonfire where the stares never stopped and the whoops and howls from the guys never stopped. Sam had smacked Embry upside the head for cracking a sexual joke about Emily, and Paul had been punched in the chest for making a comment about Jared and Kim always going at it - as in having sex at every possible waking moment they could get at.

"So, you two lovebirds good?" Quil asked as he shoved a hotdog in his mouth. I smiled down at my hands and hid away the blush that crept to my face. But Jacob was the one who answered for us both.

"Yeah, I think we're going to be doing fine." And that's where I turned to face him and peck him softly on the lips. Paul and Embry made the loudest gagging sounds, breaking up our small moment.

~

When we had gotten back from the bonfire, Jake had taken me back to his house where I met Billy Black - his father, who was a really sweet man who didn't mind me staying for a few nights. Jacob pulled me into his room and smirked when he shut the door.

"Can I kiss you?" Jake asked suddenly. I gave him a questioning look but nodded. He ran a hand through his hair before charging for my lips. He kissed me with passion and hunger equally. I didn't know what to expect with this kiss, but I had to take it all and just enjoy it.

His lips as before were warm and soft and they were very inviting. But I didn't want to kiss him all night, and I didn't want to do really anything - except sleep.

"I'm tired," I yawned, grinning evilly when Jacob's face dropped in shock. "Just give me time, Jake." was all I asked for. It was simple, and he had agreed numerous times that night that he'd follow through.

Once Jake and I were in his bed - nothing crude going on at all, I sighed and turned myself to face him. "Jake?" I began.

"Yeah?" His smile never faltered his face, and his hands never left my waist as he pulled me closer to him to cuddle.

"What's really going on right now?" I asked.

Jacob sighed and shook his head. "Let's wait 'til the morning, alright?" I sighed and nodded to him before pushing myself up into his chest and closing my eyes shut. Even before I got the chance to speak again, we were both out.