26.
The air was chilled, a wind-chime swayed and murmured from a corner of the porch. Jacob stood near the railing with Sam's back turned to him. He appeared calm but Jacob felt power rising from him and pressing over his skin.
"I've tolerated you and your renegades when I shouldn't have—cause you are my family," Sam said and rested his hands on the railing next to the stairs. "I let you stay and hunt with us," he went on. "I've even turned a blind on your obsession with the Cullens—you imprinting on that—" he took a deep breath, "that child," his hands were trembling as he spoke. Jacob had his arms on his sides ready to fight at the slightest provocation. Sam pushed away from the railing and turned to face him. Their eyes were on the same level with Jacob just a little taller than Sam.
"When you refused to take the head of the pack—I was forced to be their Alpha," Sam said through gritted teeth. Jacob held his gaze, he stood against his power. From the outside, it was a battle of who gave up first. But inside, it was a tremendous clash of raw waves vibrating the air around them. Jacob knew he could be—and was as strong—maybe stronger than Sam.
"Would you stepped down to let me take over?" Jacob whispered a little out of breath. Sam pressed his lips thin a shadow passed over his face. "I thought so," said Jacob. He withdrew his power and walked to the stairs leaving Sam fuming. He knew he was taking a risk by avoiding conflict, yet again.
"That's not what I'm talking about," Sam called from the porch. Jacob paused in his track, hands in the pocket on his jeans.
"Then what are we talking about?" he asked without turning back. Silence followed. A gush of wind went through the porch, the wind-chime sang. For a second Jacob couldn't feel Sam there. He swirled around. There, hidden in the shadows a pair of eyes glimmered in the nude bulb hanging on the far side by a pole.
"Spit it," Jacob urged. Sam didn't move, his upper body hidden in darkness only his jeans cut at the knees was visible.
"Ok, fine," he sighed. "Either you disband your pack and join me or you leave the reserve," Jacob went cold. He somehow knew it would come one day. He thought he still had some time to get enough money to move away and bring Renesme with him.