✓ | PRIMAL, jacob black ²

chapter twenty one

CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

Emily had already begun preparing a meal for the pack when Aniya joined her in the kitchen. Together, they worked in silence, chopping vegetables, stirring pots, and setting the table, the rhythm of their movements was quiet but comfortable. The smell of dinner filled the air, making Aniya realize just how hungry she was. They were nearly finished when Emily glanced over at her and said, "I think the pack should be here soon."

The two of them took a break from cooking, sitting at the table and sifting through Aniya's sketchbook. She felt a strange mix of excitement and apprehension as she flipped through the pages, now filled with her drawings of the Cold Ones, the wolves, and everything she had learned over the past week. She wasn't sure where to start or how to explain it all, but soon enough, she wouldn't have to—because the sound of the front door opening and the loud chatter of the pack filled the house.

Before they could even react, Aniya choked on the water she was drinking. She barely managed to swallow it in time as she looked up, wide-eyed, at the sight before her. The pack had arrived, and most of them were... shirtless. She couldn't help herself. "Oh my god what the hell—" she muttered under her breath, her eyes widening at the unexpected sight. Emily, who had been watching the door too, rushed to her side.

"Aniya? Are you okay?" Emily asked, her voice filled with concern as she rubbed Aniya's back.

Aniya cleared her throat, trying to regain composure. "Why are—" she started to ask, then stopped herself. "You know what? I'm not even going to ask why they're all shirtless," she muttered, shaking her head with a half-amused, half-embarrassed smile. Emily, still laughing softly, gave her a knowing glance.

"Aniya!!" Seth's voice cut through the tension, and Aniya's attention snapped to him. He was grinning widely, his youthful energy radiating through the room as he rushed toward her. The rest of the pack followed behind him, noticing Aniya's presence and sharing a similar look of surprise.

"Oh, hey there," Aniya managed to wave, trying to suppress the blush threatening to rise to her cheeks. She had never been so awkward in her life. She focused on keeping her composure, despite the fact that the majority of the room was filled with shirtless males.

Leah was the last to walk in. She pushed past the guys, shoving them aside with a forceful but affectionate shove, before rushing straight to Aniya with a bright smile and pulling her into a hug.

"Oh, thank goodness you're not shirtless either!"

Leah snorted. Immediately, everyone burst into laughter. Aniya felt her face go redder than ever as she awkwardly chuckled along with the group, trying to pretend she wasn't a little mortified.

The pack members began asking Aniya how she was doing, especially since she hadn't been at school all week. One by one, they approached her, each expressing their concern or offering a playful comment. She did her best to answer them all, but her attention faltered when her gaze landed on Jacob.

He stood off to the side, arms folded across his chest, a look of confusion and wariness on his face. His expression was almost unreadable, but it was clear that he didn't understand why Aniya was there or why everyone seemed to know her so well.

Jacob scanned the room, clearly puzzled by the easy camaraderie between Aniya and the rest of the pack. It didn't seem to make sense to him. He finally spoke up, his voice rough with scepticism. "Aniya? What are you—Sam?" He turned his questioning gaze to Sam as if seeking answers from the alpha. Sam, however, tried not to roll his eyes at Jacob's bluntness. Instead, he ignored the question, walking over to Emily and planting a kiss on the scars along her face. Aniya had already heard the story behind those scars, how they were a constant reminder of the battles she and Emily had both fought and survived.

All around them, the pack was growing more excited, eager to bombard Aniya with questions, but Emily raised her hands, clapping them together to bring everyone's attention back to the matter at hand.

"All right, boys, settle down," she said firmly, though there was still an amused glint in her eye. The room quieted immediately, all eyes turning toward Aniya.

Seth, always quick with a question, spoke up again. "So, why did you call a pack meeting?" he asked his curiosity piqued. Before Aniya could respond, Embry elbowed him, likely reminding him of his wording.

Aniya chuckled, grateful for the lightheartedness. "Don't worry, boys, and Leah," she began, her eyes scanning the group. "I know everything."

The room went silent, the weight of her words hanging in the air. Leah's eyes widened in shock, and she stepped closer to Aniya. "You know?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly. "As in—everything?"

"Yes," Sam said, nodding as he crossed his arms and glanced at the pack. "She knows everything. From the beginning. Right down to the legends."

A hushed murmur ran through the room as the pack absorbed this news. Aniya took a deep breath before speaking again, knowing she was about to explain everything she had learned, everything that had been happening for so long, and everything that still confused her. But just as she was about to speak, Jacob interrupted, his voice sharp and confused.

"How exactly?" Jacob asked, still not fully understanding. "Now, wait—why does everyone seem like friends with Aniya in the first place?" His brows furrowed as he looked around the room at the easy camaraderie that seemed to have developed between Aniya and the pack.

Several of the guys sighed, their patience running thin with Jacob's constant questioning. "Keep your personal problems under the table, Jacob. This isn't about you right now," Paul snapped, his voice blunt. Jacob shot him a glare, but Paul didn't seem to care. The tension between the two was palpable, but for the moment, the pack seemed to be more focused on Aniya.

Aniya took a deep breath, ready to take control of the situation. "So, uh..." She cleared her throat, gathering her thoughts as the pack turned their full attention toward her. "Where should I start?" she asked, her voice steady despite the whirlwind of emotions swirling inside her. All eyes were on her now, waiting for her to explain the full extent of her discovery—the truth about who she was, the legends, and everything that had brought her here today.