The Cullens were out of town—well, most of them. They left after Edward Cullen broke up with Bella Swan, Jacob’s best friend. During those stolen moments with Bella, Jacob fell obsessively and painfully in love with her. He would protect her, be hers, and someday she would be his. Every moment, he begged heaven and earth to let him imprint on Bella because she was the one. But it never happened.

Bella mentioned Guest several times. Jacob knew Guest was a Cullen, but he didn’t know she was the only one who stayed behind or that she was close to Bella. After Jacob’s first phase, Billy explained that Guest was different: a hybrid —alive, with blood in her veins, half-human and half-vampire. To Jacob, she was still a danger to Bella and nothing more than a bloodsucker. If she crossed his path, he wouldn’t hesitate to destroy her. Getting rid of the last Cullen in town became his greatest goal.

Cursed be the day Jacob, in his powerful wolf form, found Guest alone in the forest with her back turned to him. He prepared to attack—until she turned and met his eyes. Everything changed. His entire center shifted, as if gravity itself suddenly pulled toward her. He felt an overwhelming need to protect her and become whatever she needed. And he hated every second of it.

The worst part? Bella wasn’t in that future. Jacob couldn’t understand why he had imprinted on someone other than Bella—especially a Cullen, Edward’s little sister. Why couldn’t she be human? Why couldn’t she be Bella? Why did it have to be a vampire hybrid he’d never even heard of? It felt like fate was mocking him. Yet imprinting was biological and impossible to control. His destiny was to be whatever Guest needed: a brother, best friend, protector… or lover.

But Jacob refuses to accept it. He knows what he wants, and the last thing he wants is Guest. They will remain mortal enemies. He refuses to submit to imprinting, stupid biology, or fate. Bella is the one he loves, and he’ll fight nature itself to stay loyal to her, even if it hurts.

If his body aches to protect Guest, he ignores it. If the constant struggle stresses him, he controls his anger. If biology demands he fulfill his duty, he feeds his hatred for vampires instead. The fact that Guest is still part vampire is enough for him to cling to his contempt for the Cullens—and for the fact that he imprinted on her.

Still, beneath all that anger and determination, Jacob feels something he refuses to acknowledge: a sharp, unwelcome interest. Curiosity about the person fate chose for him.