Pov ??
Watching someone sleep was a strange experience. But also oddly relaxing. This was the most normal thing I have done in a while, though in retrospect, I guess not. There were some books on the nightstand.
I heard Alice's voice through the wall, telling me she left them for me and to feel free to try them out. I had readied myself for a boring night, as Jacob had tangled himself around me like I was his personal body pillow and had no thought of moving.
Not that I want to move much, to be fair. Warm as I was under the blanket with him. I had worried at first that he might have a fever. But Carlisle assured me that shifters ran hot, and he was fine. Just... warm. Very warm.
I reached for the top book—something about the American Civil War. Jasper's collection. He was a walking encyclopedia when it came to history, and he didn't hesitate to chime in with commentary as I read. His voice was calm, precise, and occasionally amused when the book got something wrong. Carlisle added his thoughts from time to time, drifting in like a breeze. It was surreal, like having a panel of immortal historians in my bedroom. It was a nice break from my life up until now.
Adding to that, cute snores from Jacob, and I was thoroughly entertained until well into the morning. Their brother came home before Jacob even stirred. He must have been exhausted. I could hear the newcomer's conversation with Carlisle from upstairs.
My peace didn't last.
I heard footsteps—heavy, deliberate—followed by a low, tense voice. From the sound of it, he wasn't thrilled about the current arrangement. Not in the least. And he was even less thrilled to hear I was still here.
His voice rose as he climbed the stairs, clearly trying to provoke a reaction.
"Keep it down," I snapped, my voice cold. "You'll wake him."
I could hear Alice and the others trying to calm him, their voices urgent but restrained. "You're making this worse," Alice warned.
I shifted, trying to sit up, but Jacob's arms tightened around my waist. I froze. Though asleep. He had a firm grip on me. I tried to ease out of his hold without waking him, but it was useless. I didn't want to risk hurting him.
I was stuck.
And then the door opened. I hiss quietly, blocking Jacob from the other vampire.
Alice and Jasper were right behind him, slipping between us like a barrier. The others lingered at the door, tense and watchful.
"Now's not the time, Edward," Alice said sharply, her voice low and urgent. "Let it be. We'll talk once Jacob wakes up."
Edward's eyes burned into mine. "We need to know what he knows. What she's planning. Prove to me that we can trust you—that you're worth keeping around."
His words sliced through the room. Jacob stirred next to me.
Damn it.
He's waking up. I growled back, "Why should I? I don't owe you anything." I nugled Jacob as I spoke. If things turn bad, I need him to be able to defend himself. I should be fine, most likely, based on experience; my ability will trigger if he tries to attack me. Hopefully.
" He has an ABILITY!! Something to do with combat, no doubt, I told you this was a bad idea. Victoria must have sent him here to take some of us out while our guard was down. He can't be trusted. We must take him down now before it-" He yelled. Lunging forward, pushing past Alice. Jasper moved to restrain him, but he was fast—too fast.
I was so focused on Edward that I didn't notice Jacob had woken until he pulled me closer, his body tense, his growl low and dangerous.
"How dare you threaten my imprint!" he snarled.
This was bad.
Jacob was vulnerable in human form. I had to act. I slipped free of his arms, planting myself between him and Edward, my own growl rising in my throat.
"Enough, both of you!" Carlisle's voice rang out, sharp and commanding.
I didn't look away from Edward, but I saw her—Esme—step forward, her expression fierce.
"You do not call the shots here," she said, voice like steel. "I don't care if you're protecting your mate. We've offered them sanctuary, and you will respect that. Now go cool off. We'll discuss this later," she said with the power of an angry mother.
No one moved.
Then finally, Edward nodded stiffly and vanished out the window.
Esme cleared her throat. "I'm sorry for my son's behavior. I'll make sure this doesn't happen again." She quickly ushered everyone out, leaving the room quiet once more.
Only then did I feel it— a small, sharp pain in my arm. I looked down to see Jacob trembling violently, his nails digging into my skin, leaving small cracks. His eyes were still locked on the door. The whole bed shook with the strength of it.
"Jacob, it's over," I murmured, brushing my fingers along his cheek. "They're gone."
His body was still trembling, muscles taut with leftover fury. I brought my other hand up, stroking his face with deliberate calm. "Breathe. In... and out."
I repeated the rhythm like a mantra, my voice low and steady. Slowly, his breathing retired to a steady pace, and the tension began to melt from his frame. He collapsed against me, warm and heavy, like a furnace pressed to marble.
I held him close, letting the silence settle. "This is becoming a bit of a pattern," I said dryly, lips twitching into a half-smile.
He chuckled against my shoulder. "Seems like it. Thanks... I needed that."
Then his eyes snapped to my arm. "Your arm—" His voice cracked with panic as he pulled it into view. "I didn't mean to—damn it, I didn't mean to hurt you. What do we—"
I grabbed his face gently, pressing our foreheads together. "Hey. Look at me. I'm fine. It's already healing."
His panic slowed, eyes locked on the faint marks fading from my skin. "Mistakes happen," I said softly. "Besides, you've seen what I can survive. This barely qualifies." He exhaled shakily, and we stayed like that for a moment—his warmth grounding me, my stillness anchoring him.
"We're in this together, right?" I asked, voice quieter now.
His answer was immediate. "Of course."
Then his stomach betrayed him with a loud, unapologetic growl. He blinked, then flushed, glancing down like he could will it silent.
I raised an eyebrow. "Was that your soul crying out for waffles?"
Before he could answer, Esme's voice rang out from downstairs, clear and melodic: "Jacob, breakfast is ready. Why don't you both come down and we'll take."
I sighed. "We should go. Wouldn't want to test her patience."
He smiled bitterly, tugging me off the bed.