✓ | PRIMAL, jacob black ²

chapter four

CHAPTER FOUR

Emily's heart was filled with bittersweet emotions as she listened to Aniya's words, hearing her genuine care and happiness for her friends. It was clear that Aniya was selfless, always putting others' happiness before her own. Emily couldn't help but feel a deep sense of sympathy and sorrow for Aniya's situation, recognizing the sadness in her obliviousness to the truth.

After their time at Sully's, Emily had somehow managed to convince Aniya to exchange contact information, despite her fiancé's orders to Jacob to stay away. It was a secret she had kept from Sam, knowing the extent to which he wanted to keep the girl at a distance.

According to Sam, Aniya played a significant role in aggravating Jacob's already volatile emotions, and the last thing they needed was for him to potentially transform in front of someone they had no connection to. From Sam's perspective, Aniya held only importance as a resident of the town, a facet of their duties as the protectors.

He had deemed Aniya merely a source of frustration for Jacob, and since she was not an imprint, she held no special importance in his eyes. She was just another regular townsperson, unworthy of his time and focus.

Emily held deep affection for the pack and her fiancé, but sometimes she needed a break from it all. She considered herself fortunate to have crossed paths with Aniya, a person who offered her a chance for a different kind of connection. Regardless of the hidden knowledge Emily harbored, she didn't give much thought to Aniya's potential ties to the tribe. Instead, she simply wanted to cultivate a genuine friendship with her.

For Emily, the age difference between her and Aniya was insignificant compared to the comfort and companionship she felt in her presence. Their frequent meetings at Sully's had allowed their bond to grow stronger, much to the notice of Sam, who observed Emily's heightened happiness. Despite his curiosity, he initially avoided prying, until the boys eventually informed him of the reason behind Emily's newfound joy.

Emily knew that Quil was simply a kind-hearted soul, oblivious to the potential consequences of his words. She harbored no ill feelings towards him, recognizing that he had no malicious intent.

The pack had little experience dealing with Emily's anger, so witnessing her fury directed at Sam was a deeply unsettling experience.

Although Sam's intentions were based in protectiveness, his insistence that Emily should cut ties with Aniya had crossed a boundary, leading to a tension-filled evening. The pack could sense the unease in the air as they picked up on Sam's thoughts, which were flooded with Emily's decision to have him sleep on the couch that night.

Sam experienced a mix of guilt and frustration, though not directed at Emily or Aniya, but rather at himself. As he witnessed her face fall and the emotional weight of the situation, Sam felt a sense of heartbreak. He realized too late the profound happiness and satisfaction Emily received from their connection, not only for the friendship with Aniya but also the improved relationship with Leah.

Sam's mind flashed back to the memory of Leah's eruption into their home, filled with anger. He could still hear her words echoing through the room, "You have no authority to determine who Emily can or cannot see. She is not your possession!"

Emily watched the unfolding scene quietly, silently trying to grasp the depth of the situation while simultaneously fighting the urge to smile. She stood back in the kitchen, attempting to conceal her grin.

Leah's voice grew fiercer, her hands clenching tightly as she stated, "You have no conception of how stifling it can be for her. Emily does so much for the pack—she cooks, she tidies up, and she tends to our injuries when my mother can't. She needs her own space away from it all, and you snatched that away from her." The weight of Leah's words weighed heavily on Sam.

Her words cut through the air, filled with firm determination once more, "If you ever dare, and I mean it, Sam, if you even consider telling Emily how to lead her life again, I promise I'll make your life a living nightmare. I don't care if you're the alpha; you hold no authority when it comes to someone who's your fiancé." With a low growl, Leah glanced at Emily, who smiled at her thankfully before swiftly leaving the room, sensing Leah's rising anger and knowing that the next moment could trigger her transformation.

Emily was immensely grateful for the intervention, feeling reassured by Leah's words and support.

Leah's display of anger served as a powerful reminder to Sam, highlighting how necessary it was for Emily to have moments away from them all. He was taken aback not only by Leah's unexpected defense of the girl she used to avoid, but also by the realization that he had been unintentionally depriving Emily of time for herself.

Her impassioned argument struck a chord with Sam. Her points were clear, and he couldn't deny the truth in her words. Despite his position as Alpha, Sam began to see things from her perspective. He realized that he had wronged Emily by imposing his authority over her and taking away her freedom to have her own space.