Darkness Begets Dusk

I'm not human. The fear, the dread, the anxiety I had in my heart. It was torture to hide it from Bella, and when she knew, I couldn't tell it was a good thing or not. Now I must look at Max and tell him. It was not a smooth conversation topic to explain. Being a member of the Uley pack, when I began to truly grow into my abilities was a secretive matter. Bella wanted to figure out what was wrong with me, but I ordered her to stay away. Max is a whole other situation.

I had just got into a fight with Edward about his kind, jumping into our region to hunt down that bloodsucker Victoria. "If your kind come on our land again!". Sam had a fit after the exchange and he punched a rock into two. "Jake! You cannot keep instigating fights with the Cullens. It will only create more problems for us all". I knew better than to backtalk my Alpha. He was right despite my lingering anger for Edward.

I was aware that Victoria was now back in town and things going to hell. This young man Riley Biers going missing, and then all of these killings going around Seattle. Sam could easily see the growing situation getting out of hand. "That redhead is making more of them", he said with disgust. I thought Edward and the Cullens were a pain, but a whole legion of bloodsuckers...that's even more chaotic. 

My pack became more alert in response. There were more patrolling our area of Forks and looking for Victoria. If she's the ringleader for these baby vampires, killing her and her ilk could end the issue before it turns into a war. Bella is at least safe with Edward and the Cullens. If they were willing to kill James to save her, I'm sure they would protect her from Victoria.

But then...my concern about Maxwell. He's vulnerable to this entire situation. His father was almost killed by one of them, and it broke my heart knowing that I wasn't able to protect him. Seeing Maxwell cry, it was like being stabbed through the heart. It brought me the same pain when Bella was devastated when Edward had left her. I had a pack meeting with Sam, and asking his permission to tell Maxwell about...us. Sam was pacing back and forth.

I figured it would be simple since Maxwell has always been around, and he was considered a friend of the pack. Sam finally spoke and said, "Jacob. It will have to be a matter of a vote". My hands were shaky about the whole process. The first two people that raised their hands were Jared and Embry. Those two already liked Max and luckily, they were willing to vote, raising their hands in favor. Paul shrugged and raised his hand. Quil, Brady, and Collin raised their hands.

 It was just now Leah and her brother Seth. Leah isn't a fan of Bella, but she didn't mind Max. But Leah is a mystery at times. She was dealing with her personal pain of Sam breaking up with her to be with Em. Seth raised his hand, and just waited for Leah's response. By my shock, Leah lifted her hand in approval. I couldn't contain my happiness, but it was also mingled with fear.

Sam patted my back and said, "The pack approves of your decision. So do I". It was unanimous vote. Sam approached me and said, "Invite Max over, and we can talk about what's next". Emily popped in the room with her hand raised, "Max can come", she said with a smile. We all laughed, and so the next day I woke up with tension. Sure, I was glad that my pack said yes, but then I was afraid of Max's reaction. Would he freak out and never want to see me again? Or will he accepting and be able to keep this secret? 

I don't know, but I gotta see this through. Max's important to me and I want him to be safe. I called him and he was able to spend the day. I got on my motorcycle with him, and I decided to go to La Push. Then the moment came, and I let my truth out. "I'm not human Maxwell". The look in Max's eyes, I dreaded and waited for the worst outcome. Him running away from me and losing him. But then, there was a pause.

He began to cry, and then he said something that made the world flip upside down. "Jake.... Jacob...I'm not human either". I must've fell on my ass in the sand. Maxwell knelt down and said, "Oh my God, Jake! Are-are you okay?".

I lost my balance, "W-what!? Max you're not-" I exclaimed in shock. Max helped me up and repeated the words, "I'm not human as well. Are you okay?". I wasn't sure if I was shocked or just relieved at the same time. But how the hell? What the hell? "D-did you already know that...I wasn't human Max?". Max sighed and said, "Yes...yes I did".

I felt like my heart skipped a beat. How could he know? But then I thought...Bella. "I-I see.." I said. Max touched my hand and said, "I know what you're thinking. Bella did tell me, but my aunt already knew who you were". I thought I would fall over again.

Maxwell told me the "truth" about his childhood and family. Knowing he was gifted with magic, being raised to be normal and living in fear of it as well. His mother, may she rest in peace was his source of education. His own father doesn't even know about it. Miss Janey became his honorary mother and continued to keep his powers hidden. He told me that my father and his aunt were already on "clear" mutual respect about who we are. I was overwhelmed in shock. 

He told me about his family's former allegiance with the Volturi. My mind exploded multiple times with all these reveals. I wasn't angry at him at all; I could understand why. I felt the pressure from my pack and from my father, to keep everything quiet. He was already up to date about Victoria, this Riley Biers, the new vampire threat, and the stray vampire that almost killed his father.

I told him, "Are you okay that I'm a werewolf?". Max asked me, "Are you okay that I come from a family of witches?". He did tell me that he hated the word, and separated himself from it, but his maternal side was a lineage of witches. I said, "Yeah. I'm cool with it". He smiled and said, "So am I". It felt like the two of us could truly breathe. I pulled Max in a tight hug. I felt like I really had a deeper connection with him. "I'm thankful for this moment". 

Max murmured underneath my hug and said, "Me too". The two of us can now be open, now more than ever. I took both of his hands and told him, "Sam has invited you back to the pack". Max's face was filled with fear. He asked me, "I'm not in trouble, am I?". I touched his cheek and said, "No, no! We just want to welcome you officially". Max relaxed a bit and said, "Okay".

I understood his fear of Sam. He is the Alpha, and he is very intimidating. But if you're on his good side, it's a blessing rather than the alternative. So, I took Max on my motorcycle, and we went back to the pack's hideout. I could feel that Max was nervous, so before we went inside, I took his hand and told him. "Do you trust me? I would never lead you or leave you in any trouble". Max took a deep breath and said, "Yes. I trust you. Let's go inside". I still held his hand and we walked inside.

-To Be Continued

Thank you so much for reading!! ~TheeOnly