When my feet hit the ground, it was like my brain still didn't know how I got there. I stood there, dumbfounded as to what to do next. A snarl ripped through the silence, low and guttural.
I flinched.
The pale gray wolf across from me fixed its gaze on mine, lips curled in menace. Every muscle in its body was coiled and ready. I didn't move. Couldn't.
Then, from my left, a deeper growl. I jerked, heart pounding, and shut my eyes.
Stupid. So stupid.
I cursed myself over and over again. What am I even still doing here? I should have used this mission as an opportunity to escape. Riley be damned.
I raised my hands to shield my face, bracing for death. Instead, I felt warmth, soft, tangible. Fur. My fingers curled instinctively, burying themselves in the thick russet coat. The beast vibrates at my touch. When I finally dared to look, I couldn't believe my eyes.
The massive wolf had planted himself between me and the pack, his body a living barricade. He snarled at them, claws pawing the ground, every inch of him daring them to try.
Fear still rippled through me, cold and poisonous, but it was dimmed by something else. A flicker of warmth. Of recognition. I pressed closer to him.
The other wolves parted, like a silent acknowledgment was made. Something I didn't understand fully. A space opened for us. The reddish brown wolf nudged me to move forward.
I moved.
The russet brown wolf leading me kept glancing at me as we walked, as if he was worried about something. Every time he did, I would lose myself in his gaze; my body warmed by his presence. The only thing keeping me moving was the fact that I still had my hand wrapped in his fur.
It was only when I saw where he was leading me that I stopped. I had been so focused on the wolf and the newfound emotion he seemed to have awakened in me. That I didn't even see where I was going.
We were back at the river. Six pairs of eyes stared at us in shock. I moved to run, pulling the wolf with me. His whine hit me like a slap. I froze.
"Sorry," I muttered, pulling away. He whimpered again, nudging me closer and bowing his head for a pet. I complied, flustered.
He hummed in contentment, his eyes half closed in response to my movements. I was so forced on the cute behavior that it took me a moment to even notice the vampire across the river, trying to talk to us.
Damm, I did it again. This is no time to get distracted. I need to find a way to get us both out of here. I stepped in front of Jacob, shielding him on instinct. He whimpered again, tried to nudge me back behind him, but I held up a hand, motioning for him to stop. I don't look back, even as he whimpers, knowing the power of his puppy eyes.
"What do you want?" I asked. My voice came out thinner than I'd hoped.
"We mean you no harm. I'm Carlisle, and this is my family." He jests at the people behind him. All of a sudden, I feel abnormally calm as he continues speaking, "I can see that you were badly injured. We can help with that. Why don't you and Jacob come to our house?"
I glance behind me at the wolf-or-Jacob, as Carlisle calls him. The wolf nods, nudging me forward as if to encourage me.
Jacob padded beside me, his russet fur brushing my hand every few steps, like he was checking to make sure I was still there. I didn't speak. I couldn't. My throat was tight, my mind still reeling from all that had happened.
Carlisle led the way, graceful and composed, like he'd done this a thousand times. The others followed at a respectful distance. Though still close enough to intervene if I were to attack. It was much appreciated. Being sounded by unknown vampires and my injuries were already putting me on edge.
I was surprised that I hadn't attacked someone with how wound up I was. But the moment the anxiety felt like it was about to consume me, an abnormal calm that filled my body pushed it back.
I glance over to see a tall blond male covered head to toe in crest-shaped scars. I shiver at the sight. Accompanied him was a tiny pixie-haired girl. She smiled at me, walking closer even as the taller male tried to hold her behind him.
"Hi there, I'm Alice, and this is my mate Jasper. He might look scary, but he's a sweetheart once you get to know him. What's your name?"
I stopped walking.
The question hit me like a blow to the chest. My breath caught, though I didn't need it. My mind scrambled, reaching for something, anything.
Jacob was the first to react. He nudged me gently with his head, his golden eyes wide with concern. I clutched his fur, fingers curling into the warmth of him like it could anchor me to reality.
"I…" My voice cracked. "I don't know."
The words felt foreign, wrong. But true.
I tried again, digging through the fog in my mind. There had to be something—some echo of who I was before the venom, before Riley, before the hunger. But the harder I searched, the more I realized there was nothing. Just a blank space where a life should've been.
No childhood. No family. No name.
It was like I'd never existed before the change.
Panic bloomed in my chest, sharp and suffocating. I stumbled back, clutching Jacob's fur tighter, my vision blurring with tears I couldn't shed. My knees buckled.
Jacob moved instantly, pressing his massive body against mine, wrapping me in warmth. He curled around me protectively, his head resting against my shoulder, a low hum vibrating through his chest. It wasn't just comfort—it was a promise.
I buried my face in his fur, letting the silence stretch. The others didn't speak. They didn't need to. The forest held its breath with me.
Jacob's presence was steady, unwavering. He didn't flinch at my breakdown. Or pull away.
He stayed.
And slowly, the panic began to lessen. I'm able to make it to my feet with the help of Jacob.
"I'm sorry I didn't mean to hurt you," she says, still shaken by my outburst.
"It's okay… I'm okay." I say softly, giving her a soft smile that didn't fully reach my eyes. I meet Jacob's eyes and nod before we continue making our way to the Cullens' home.