✓ | PRIMAL, jacob black ²

chapter thirty six

CHAPTER THIRTY SIX

After Leah's harsh words to Bella, it became clear that Bella was not going to change her decision regarding the upcoming battle. Despite the weight of the truth Leah had laid bare for her, Bella refused to allow Edward to participate in the fight, fearing for his safety above all else. It was a choice that, while protective in her eyes, only ignited a new fire in the pack, particularly in Jacob. The decision to keep Edward out of harm's way, while meant to shield him, only fueled Jacob's growing anger, and he found himself strengthened by it.

It was as though something inside Jacob had snapped. He finally saw Bella for who she truly was—a person incapable of seeing the full picture, cold-hearted in her refusal to accept the risks of her choices. He realized then that Bella would never love him the way he wanted her to. And for the first time, instead of feeling hurt or betrayed, Jacob felt a strange sense of relief. He could close the door on any future he had imagined with her, and something deep within him clicked. A part of him that had been holding on, waiting for her love, was now fully released. Jacob was done. He had let go of the dream he once had of a future with her.

Meanwhile, Aniya was still unconscious, but she was no longer hidden away. She had been taken to the hospital for her own safety, as the pack couldn't keep her isolated forever, especially while her family was in the dark, frantic with worry. Sam, with the guidance of the Elders, had decided that it was time for her family to know the truth about the pack and their secret lives. The decision wasn't easy, but it was made with the understanding that her family deserved to know the reality of what was happening to their, sister.

To their surprise, Old Quil, Sue, and Billy had accepted the truth without hesitation. They understood that it wasn't fair to keep the secrets any longer, especially with the evidence in the form of Aniya's drawings. It was a relief to see the shock and worry in their eyes begin to settle, knowing they weren't being lied to. Her siblings and brother-in-law, too, were compliant and ready to stand by the new knowledge. Aniya's art had always been a part of her world, and it had served as a clear testament to the supernatural forces at play.

The discussion with the Elders had revealed little about why Aniya was in her current state. No one could fully understand the nature of her condition or why she had been trapped in her mind for so long. But they all agreed on one thing: Aniya was in distress, and whatever was keeping her in this limbo needed to be addressed.

As for Aniya herself, even though she was unconscious, she was still aware. She could hear, see, and feel everything happening around her, but she was trapped in a kind of mental paralysis. It was as if her consciousness was separated from her body, lost between the physical and the spiritual. She stood before the endless doors in her mind, each one seeming to lead her somewhere different, and she couldn't figure out which one was the right path. The weight of the uncertainty pressed down on her, as she felt the tension of the ongoing battle between the pack and the enemies looming in the distance.

She could hear the sounds of the fight—the distant roars and growls of the pack clashing with the opposition. It echoed through her mind like a constant hum, a reminder of the chaos unfolding around her. Amidst the confusion, a faint, gentle voice broke through, calling her name. It wasn't loud, but it was clear enough for her to latch onto.

"Aniya," the voice whispered, so faint and distant that it almost felt like a dream. Aniya focused all her energy on it, honing in on the fragile connection. It was weak, but it was enough to pull her out of the fog. She tried to open her eyes, to ground herself in reality, but the flashing images of her dreams overwhelmed her senses, blinding her vision.

The flashes came faster, more intense, sucking the air out of her lungs, trapping her in a cycle of confusion. Every door she tried to approach led to another, more disorienting vision, one after the other, with no clear way out. The voices, the images, and the sensations all melded together, creating a disorienting web that she couldn't escape.

"Aniya," the voice called again, this time more insistently. But the connection remained faint, slipping away just as quickly as it had come. Aniya struggled to hold on, but the flashing images continued to blind her, each one more vivid and suffocating than the last. She knew she needed to fight it, to break free, but she didn't know how. Her mind was a labyrinth of confusion, with no clear way out. She could feel her desperation growing, a sense of urgency creeping in as she fought to stay connected to the voice, to find the right door before it was too late.

But despite the overwhelming pressure, despite the sense of being lost in a world of endless doors and flashing visions, a part of Aniya knew that she had to keep fighting. Somewhere, deep inside, she had to believe that she could find the way out. She had to find the strength to break free before the weight of her dreams consumed her entirely.

...

"Aniya!" The voice rang out sharply, pulling her from the depths of her mind. Her eyes snapped open, and she blinked rapidly, adjusting to the light as she saw her sister standing over her.

Aniya exhaled, her breath coming in a startled rush, and her eyes darted around the room to take in her surroundings. The familiar scent of her bedroom surrounded her, but something about it felt... off.

"God, you're such a heavy sleeper," Anthea chuckled, shaking her head. "You better get up, or you'll be late!"

Aniya slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position, her head still spinning from the vivid images that lingered in her mind. She rubbed her eyes, trying to clear the remnants of her dream. "What the hell?" she muttered under her breath, her voice still hoarse from the confusion that was clouding her thoughts.

Anthea raised a playful eyebrow and wagged her finger at her. "Hey, watch the language, missy!" she teased. "Now, get up. Nick is going to drop you off at school, or if you prefer the bus, that's fine too." With a wink, Anthea turned and walked out of the room, leaving Aniya to gather her thoughts.

Still disoriented, Aniya swung her legs off the bed and let her feet dangle, feeling the cool floor beneath her. She stared at her feet for a moment, the strange dream she'd just had still vivid in her mind. The sensation of being lost in endless doors, hearing that faint voice calling her name—had it been real? Was she still dreaming?

"What a strange dream," she muttered to herself, finally pushing the thoughts away as she stood up from the bed. She took a deep breath and stretched, attempting to shake off the lingering confusion. It felt like reality was tugging at her, but something deep down told her that it wasn't over. That something wasn't quite right.

With a quiet laugh, she shrugged off the remnants of the dream, deciding it was just that—a dream. "Just a weird dream," she repeated under her breath, walking over to her dresser to prepare for the day ahead. Still, as she moved through her routine, there was a small, nagging feeling at the back of her mind, as though the dream was trying to tell her something important. Something she couldn't quite grasp yet.