Mimic | Jacob Black

37. Polarized

ok so like my chapters keep ending up longer than i plan and this one is like 9k words and it didnt really feel right to split up anywhere

my 8k hard limit rule found dead in a dumpster ig

oh well it is what it is

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The wind shook the tent again, and River's body shook with it. Or maybe it was Bella's. Yes, definitely both.

However bad River thought the storm would be, it was much, much worse. The temperature was dropping and he could feel it through their sleeping bag and his clothes. How could it be so cold? How could it continue to get even colder?

"W-w-w-w-what t-t-t-time is it?" Bella asked through her chattering teeth. Her warm breath was godsend against River's neck, even for how brief it was. They were practically glued together in the tight sleeping bag–barely big enough to fit them both, but they weren't planning on separating any time soon. They were each other's only source of heat, alongside River's sleeping bag which he had unzipped and draped over them.

"Two," Edward answered. He sat as far from them as possible, afraid to even breathe on them when they were already so cold. It was hard to see his face in the dark, but his voice was laced with worry, indecision, and frustration.

"Y-y-y-you c-c-c-c-couldn't have p-p-picked s-s-s-somewhere lower?" River asked, keeping his nose buried in Bella's beanie. It felt like it would fall off otherwise.

"I'm sorry. Is there anything I can do?" Edward almost begged. Bella shook her head. Out in the snow, Jacob whined unhappily.

"J-j-j-just g-go," River said.

"He's just worried about you both," Edward translated. "He's fine. His body is equipped to deal with this."

"W-were f-f-fine," Bella said.

Judging from Edward's groan and the muted growl outside the tent, Bella hadn't convinced anyone.

"That's the worst idea I've ever heard," Edward said.

"Better than anything you've come up with," Jacob answered, his human voice startling River and Bella. The sound of the zipper pulling down the tent flap filled their ears. Jacob slid through the smallest opening he could manage, while the arctic air flowed in around him. He gave Edward a smug look. "And let's face it, I am hotter than you." Edward snarled but Jacob was no longer looking at him. Instead, he moved over to River's side and started unzipping the sleeping bag.

Edward's hand was suddenly hard on his shoulder, restraining. Jacob's jaw clenched, his nostrils flaring. The muscles in his arms flexed automatically.

"Get your hand off me," he growled dangerously through his teeth.

"Keep your hands off her," Edward answered threateningly.

"Stop," River barked quickly. No way would he try and make a move to stop them though, he was never leaving the sleeping bag.

Jacob gave Edward a sly smile. "You have no right to tell me whether or not I can touch River."

"But I can tell you not to touch her," Edward said.

"Not if you want her to keep her toes." They all knew Jacob was right. Edward hesitated, then his hand fell away and he slid back to his position in the corner.

"Watch yourself," he warned.

Jacob chuckled, unzipping the rest of the sleeping bag. It wasn't big enough for the three of them, so he instead flattened it out below them as a sort of mattress and slid his arms around them. River didn't unlock his arms from around Bella–and she didn't either–as he rolled further onto his back, leaving her half lying on top of him. It was easier for Jacob to spread his warmth to them both that way, even if he was mostly pressed against River.