✓ | PRIMAL, jacob black ²

chapter thirty three

CHAPTER THIRTY THREE

"Uh, are we really just going to march right up to their doorstep?" Embry asked, his voice quiet as the group moved silently through the dense forest. Jacob led the way, carrying Aniya in his arms with a protective grip. Every time Embry or Leah offered to take a turn, Jacob shook his head firmly, refusing to let anyone else hold her.

There was something that felt deeply, instinctively right about having her close. With every step, Jacob found himself glancing down at her, and each glance made his resolve tighten. He'd always known Aniya was beautiful, but this was the first time he truly saw her—really saw her. Her peaceful face, framed by soft strands of hair, looked so serene despite the turmoil she must be trapped in. Why had he never taken the time to appreciate her before? Why had he always been so caught up in the chaos of his own emotions?

Jacob swallowed hard. He missed her. He missed the girl who had been his rock, his friend before he let everything fall apart. The thought gnawed at him, but he quickly shook it off, focusing instead on the task at hand. He couldn't afford to lose her—not now, not ever.

Leah's sharp voice cut through his thoughts. "Something tells me they already know," she spat, her eyes narrowing as a low growl rumbled from her throat. Jacob followed her gaze and spotted a lone figure standing just beyond the treaty line. It was Emmett, and as usual, a smirk was plastered on his face.

Jacob kept his expression neutral as he approached, though his temper simmered just beneath the surface. "Let me guess," he said evenly, "pixie saw us coming." He forced himself to hold back the usual string of insults that were so easy to hurl at the Cullens.

Emmett folded his muscular arms across his chest, the smirk on his face widening. "Actually no, she can't anyways, but Edward knew you would," he replied, his tone dripping with amusement. "And you wouldn't believe how much I laughed at the thought of you mutts needing our help."

Leah snarled, her body tensing as she prepared to lunge, but Embry grabbed her shoulder, holding her back. With a frustrated huff, she took a step away, though her glare remained fixed on Emmett.

Jacob's jaw tightened, his eye twitching at Emmett's smugness. "So they only sent you?" he asked sharply.

"They only needed me," Emmett said with a shrug, his gaze drifting down to Aniya. "Besides, I doubt you'd try anything stupid when you're the ones begging for help." He tilted his head, his smirk softening into curiosity. "I'm surprised she's one of yours. She doesn't even have that dog smell."

Jacob fought the urge to snap back, taking a steadying breath. "Can we save the insults for later?" he asked, his voice carrying an edge of desperation despite his attempt to sound composed. "We need help. Please."

The word tasted foreign on Jacob's tongue, but the urgency in his voice was undeniable. Emmett's smirk faltered as he recognized the panic underlying Jacob's words. He nodded slowly. "Everyone's at the house," he said. "Including Bella."

Leah stiffened, her lip curling at the mention of Bella's name. Embry winced, sensing the tension radiating from her. It was clear Emmett had brought up Bella deliberately, but Jacob didn't take the bait. His focus remained solely on Aniya.

As they continued walking, Jacob glanced down at Aniya once more, his grip on her tightening. Embry noticed the gesture and patted his shoulder. "Don't worry," he said gently. "Aniya will pull through."

"I know she will," Jacob replied instantly, his voice firm and unwavering. "I won't stop until she's okay." The conviction in his words was so strong, so loud, it wouldn't have been surprising if every vampire in the Cullen house had heard it.

When they reached the Cullen house, Leah came to an abrupt stop. "I'm not going in there," she said flatly, her voice icy. The others didn't argue; they knew how much she hated the Cullens—and Bella—and no one wanted to risk her losing control and phasing.

Jacob carried Aniya inside, his movements deliberate and protective. He ignored Bella completely as he passed her, brushing by without so much as a glance. The silence that followed was thick with tension, though Embry wasn't surprised by Jacob's behaviour.

Jacob placed Aniya gently on a cot, refusing to leave her side even for a moment. His posture was tense, every muscle in his body coiled as if he were ready to spring into action at the slightest threat. He barely acknowledged the presence of the other Cullens, his focus entirely on the girl lying before him.

Edward stepped forward, his brow furrowed in concentration as he focused on Aniya. "It's not clear," he said after a moment, his voice quiet but tinged with concern. "Most of it is muffled, but she's saying one thing over and over: Riley Biers."