Author's Note:

Just so you guys aren't lost when you start the story... I'm starting this story when Bella already figured out Edward is a vampire, based on the legends Jacob told her. They've started spending a lot of time together, getting to know each other. So, at this point, Bella and Edward are both 17 and Jacob is 16 (He hasn't morphed yet). The chapter begins where Edward tells Bella that there's another complication-Billy Black. I'm picking up from Page 233 of Twilight, by Stephanie Meyer. And, since I've mentioned her already, I'd like to add that the Twilight series and the characters are all hers. I've merely put a twist on the original story to create this one. This story is merely for pleasure and no infringement is intended. I own the plot of this story and nothing more. Without further ado, enjoy.

Chapter 1: Why does it always rain on me?

Edward's POV

I stood in the pouring rain with Bella next to me as we both stared at the car infront of us. Even though, it was dark that didn't prevent me from seeing the occupants of the vehicle. The boy in the driver's seat didn't daunt me as much as the older man with the russet skin, and so I paid no attention to him. The older man's face was a memorable one; although it was now wrinkled and resembled a creased leather jacket, I knew who he was. He was the little boy I had met years ago. The boy who had sat regally in his grandfather's arms as the latter discussed the treaty with my sire, Carlisle Cullen. It was the eyes. The surprisingly familiar black eyes that seemed both young and ancient. All my attention was focused on him. William 'Billy' Black. The grandson of Ephraim Black. Instinctively, I knew that he must now be the alpha of the Quileute pack; the rain made it hard for me to distinguish his scent. His 'wet dog' scent. His thoughts, quiet at first turned unpleasant as soon as he recognized me. I wasn't sure whether I should confront him or I should just leave. His scrutiny made me uncomfortable.

I stared at him a little defiantly before turning on my heels and disappearing in my Volvo. Revving the engine, I disappeared from that street within seconds, with the squeal of my tires against the wet pavement.

This complicated things with Bella. I wondered if Billy Black would risk my relationship with her. Could he?

Bella had told me that Billy and Charlie, her father were close. They've been fishing buddies for a long time. Would Billy's influence on Charlie affect my relationship with Bella? Would I allow Billy and Charlie affect my relationship with Bella?

No.

There would be no way I could allow them to do so. Isabella Swan was my singer, and my mate. Her blood, so sweet, had called to me the very first day I saw her. My head spun with desire when I saw her for the first time. She made me crazy.

And when I saw Tyler's truck about to crush her in the parking lot of our school, just the other day, I knew I couldn't lose her. She was too precious.

Thoughts of Billy Black disturbed me as I pulled into our driveway. They were shifters. I assumed that boy in the car had been his son. Jacob. He must be one too. The rain dissipated their stink and I hadn't been able to distinguish them for the mutts they were. But, my knowledge of their ancestry convinced me that the Blacks were a prominent family in the history of the Quileute shifters. That Jacob Black is the pack's little prince, waiting for Daddy to pass on the crown.

As such, he must be kept away from Bella. Shifters were temperamental creatures. Volatile. One wrong move and he could kill Bella by transforming. Their beast could explode at any point; they had no control over it.

I ran upstairs to change before heading back to the Swans. I had developed the habit of watching Bella sleep. Although, I couldn't read her mind, I found her sleeping form very interesting. Especially since she talks in her sleep.

It was endearing.

"Edward," came Esme's voice as she paused at my closed door.

"Come in, Esme," I called from inside my walk-in closet.

"Are you heading out?" she asked sweetly, before folding herself gingerly on the futon in my room.

"Yes," I replied a little mysteriously. I know watching someone was slightly unconventional.

"Watching Bella Swan?"

"How did you know?" I asked, surprised, as I came out to face my 'mother.' Even though, Esme was younger than me in vampire years, I had always considered her as my second mother. We had bonded when Carlisle had found his mate in her, and married her sometime later. Over the years, I found that I wasn't the only one who had a liking for Esme. She was so maternal. Sometimes, I wonder if this was the supernatural talent she had brought with her in her new life. Esme had been a mother once and overcame with grievance for her dead baby, she had committed suicide when Carlisle found her. Her adoration for Carlisle hadn't taken long for it to turn into full fledged love. The sentiments had later been dissected to be that of mates. Vampires could only form a coven with the people they were destined to be with. Their soul mates. The pull between Carlisle and Esme had been present even when Esme had been a child and fell out of a tree; only to be treated by Carlisle who was the local doctor in Ohio at the time.

The bond between mates, I've come to learn was deeper than any other sentiment. That was the reason why I was so sure that Bella was my mate. She made me feel emotions that no other woman had made me feel. I was besotted by her. She was beautiful. Pale skin that was clouded by brown hair with wide brown eyes that reminded me of chocolate. She was slight in her build; she was tiny enough that it reminded me how fragile she was. Especially in the arms of someone like me.

"Wait. Let me guess," I said with a small shake of my head, " Alice?"

Esme gave me a soft smile before nodding. My youngest 'sister' Alice was a seer. She could see the future, and therefore knew our futures almost accurately. Between her powers and mine, we no longer bothered to have secrets...or privacy, for that matter, in the family. And why should we? We spend most of our time pretending to be humans that when we came home, it was refreshing to be able to have full disclosure and sincerity.

" You think she's your mate?" asked Esme, her expression, full of concern and maternal love.

" Yes, I believe so."

" How can you be so sure, Edward?"

" I've never felt the way I do with someone else. Something beckons me. Like fate was pushing me in her direction."

" Not to sound negative, Edward," started Esme cautiously, " but, have you considered the fact that this pull, like you say, is just from her being your singer? Bella is a lovely girl. I would rather you know for a fact before you mislead her."

"Mislead her?"

"Edward, you know how easy it is for humans to fall for vampires? We were made to attract our prey. We are beautiful for a reason."

" I won't mislead her," I promised.

" We have a lot riding on this girl, Edward. She's human. If the Volturi come to know about her knowledge of our kind..."

" I know. I know. But...Esme, she's different."

" Edward, you were my first son. I love you. I support you, but I'm also worried about the rest of my children. I don't want to put them in danger. You know, your brothers and sisters will support you, no matter what. Even Rosalie. We will be behind you, a hundred percent. But, please be careful?" she said, worriedly as she twisted her hands, almost nervously in her lap.

"Always, Esme," I replied, crossing the room to place a kiss on her cheek, " I'll see you tomorrow."

"Goodnight, Edward."

"Goodnight," I replied with a glance over my shoulder, before leaping from my balcony.

The light in the small room that faced the beginning of the forest was on. I could hear the faint rustling of Bella's sheets as she sat in bed, waiting for me to show up, like I've been doing for the past month. The window was open, as usual. Lithely, I swung myself from the tree I was standing on, and landing softly in her bedroom.

Surprised eyes met mine, and I inhaled softly taking in the sweet scent of the woman I loved. The yellow laced curtains moved lightly with the breeze as I took in the sight of Bella sitting in her room, with the wooden floors, the blue wall and the peaked ceiling. The room of her childhood, she calls it. She looked so innocent, like a lost fawn.

"Hi," she whispered as she watched me, lower myself gingerly in the rocking chair that was opposite of her bed, " why do you always sit there?"

" Because..."

"Are you afraid of me or something?"

I laughed softly, " Bella, are you forgetting that I'm the one with the unusual thirst for your blood?"

"No. But, you're always so...distant with me. I'm your girlfriend. Right?"

"Yes. You are."

"Then, come sit with me," she asked, her eyes almost pleading.

Obediently, I complied. Sitting down, awkwardly at the edge of her bed, I watched as she leaned over and laid her head on my chest. I took in a sharp breath. Bad mistake. I drew in her scent and it drove me mad. I squeezed my eyes shut and counted down from ten, backwards.

"Who was that in the car earlier?" I asked, feigning ignorance in an attempt to distract myself from the sudden need of her blood.

"Oh, that was Billy Black and his son, Jacob. Billy is a friend of Charlie's. They live on the reservation. They're Quileutes."

"How old is Jacob?"

"He's sixteen."

" He had a driver's license?"

"Yeah. Jake's been driving Billy around since he was fourteen. Albeit it was illegally then, but it does help that they're family friends with the Chief of Police."

" Why does Jacob have to drive?" I asked, genuinely curious.

"Billy is paralyzed from the waist down. He's been having some health problems. Diabetes. He's stuck in his wheelchair. It's been a couple years now. Jacob learnt how to drive from the older kids on the reservation and drives his father around when Billy needs to come to town."

" That's awful," I said softly as I thought of the boy, " is there no one else who could take care of Billy?"

"No. I don't think so. I mean his wife, Sarah, passed away when Jacob was nine. His twin daughters left the reservation a few years later to go to college or something. It's complicated and I don't know the whole story. But, Jake and I are friends. My first friend since I moved to Forks."

So, Billy Black was not a wolf. Nor was he the alpha of the pack. Did this mean that Jacob was the alpha now? Had he even turned into a wolf yet?

" What does Billy do?" I asked, fishing for more information about the Blacks and the Quileute pack.

" Nothing. He's the tribe chief. They get by from the donations or services provided to them by the tribe. Jacob fixes cars for people sometimes to make some extra cash. He's the one who sold Charlie the truck. He fixed it himself."

" Impressive for a child," I said.

" He's hardly a child. He's sixteen."

"Bella, you need to stay away from Jacob Black."

" What? Why?" she asked as she got up and turned around to face me.

"Trust me when I say that he's dangerous."

" How is he dangerous?"

"I can't say. It's not my place to say anything. Just promise me that you'll stay away from him."

" I'm sorry, Edward. I can't. He's Charlie's best friend's son. How am I supposed to ignore him when he comes here?"

" I don't know. Just find something."

Bella stared at me quietly and made me wish that I could read her mind. It was frustrating not knowing.

" Trust me, Bella. Jacob Black is dangerous," I told her softly.

Author's Note:

Hello again,

This is story is my obsession this summer. I'm currently writing it. I have a general idea how it will end, but the details haven't been worked out yet. On top of that, I have a busy month of July infront of me, so I can't promise for regular updates. But, I will finish this story definitely (and Galactic Tides as well). It's just might take a little longer than it did with my previous story; where the updates were almost weekly!

This chapter is an introduction/prologue to the story. A little foreshadowing if you will. Jacob does make a better appearance in the future, so keep reading. And leave me some reviews. I am very apprehensive about this chapter. I'd love to hear your opinion.

Also, this is not a traditional imprint story, so please be a little patient with the way things develop. I'd just like to point this out right off the bat, so that I don't end up disappointing you guys.

Lisa.