"It wasn't too hard to
figure out that you were
the one. Imprinting on you
only just set it in stone."
In which a shapeshifter and
a witch become unconditionally
and irrevocably in...
𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐎𝐃𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆. chapter thirty-four; Choices " Don't make me choose. Cause it'll be him. "
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As Rowan clung to Jacob's fur, the wind whipped around them, carrying the scent of pine and earth. All she could remember was how she ended up at Jacob's house, desperately explaining the events that had led to Bella's life-altering decision. She recounted the anguish in Bella's voice, the turmoil evident in her every word as she revealed her plans.
Now, as they raced through the forest, Jacob's powerful wolf form propelling them forward, Rowan couldn't help but wonder how they had ended up here. But there was no time for questions or reflection, only action.
Despite the urgency of their mission, Rowan couldn't shake the tears that trailed down her cheeks, mingling with the fur beneath her fingers. They were on a quest to find Bella, to change her mind before it was too late. With each stride, the forest blurred past them, the sun casting eerie shadows across the landscape.
With a sudden stop, Jacob bent down and Rowan hopped off of him. She quickly realized that he was about to shift back, and she turned around with a blush before tossing a pair of shorts for him that she had saved. A few moments later, she felt a tap on her shoulder and turned around to see a shirtless Jacob.
"Look." He said, moving his finger towards the road.
It wasn't long before they caught sight of Edward's sleek car cutting through the small light ahead. The sight spurred them on, a glimmer of hope in the darkness. Jacob pressed forward, walking towards the middle of the road.
Edward's car came to a sudden halt, and the forest was engulfed in an eerie silence. Rowan's heart pounded in her chest as she watched Jacob stride from vehicle. With each step, the tension in the air grew, anticipation hanging thickly between them.
Bella and Edward left the car and into the forest. She waited for them, and in that moment, Rowan felt a surge of determination wash over her. They were here for one reason and one reason only: to convince Bella to reconsider her decision, to choose a different path. With every fiber of her being, Rowan prayed that they would succeed.
"So you're still alive for now." Jacob sneered at Bella, "That's right. Rowan told me everything."
"He thinks it's me keeping you away." Edward said from behind her.
"You stay the hell out of my head." He told him.
"I know you two have something to say to me." Edward began, walking towards them. "But I want to say something to you first if that's alright. Thank you. I'm grateful that you both kept Bella alive when I didn't."
"Sure as hell you didn't." Rowan spat, crossing her arms. "You have no idea what I did for her, all those times I had to comfort her, distract her. All those times I couldn't help but stay awake, knowing that Bella was having nightmares next door. You destroyed her light. And you are about to do it once more."
"I really am still grateful." Edward assured, "But I'm here now. And I'm not gonna leave her side until she orders me away."
"We'll see." Jacob retorted, and Edward began to walk away. The boy quickly hopped down to get closer. "Hey, my turn to talk. I'm here to remind you about a key point in the treaty."
"I haven't forgotten." The vampire said.
Bella looked between the two of them. "What key point?"
"If any of them bites a human, the truce is over." Jacob told her.
"But if I choose it, it has nothing to do with you." Bella said.
"No, I won't let that happen." Rowan said, gaining closer towards them. "Bella you just can't become one of them."
"It's not up to you." She replied, shaking her head.
"You know what we'll do to you." Jacob said, "I won't have a choice."
"Please." Rowan begged, attempting to keep composure.
"Bella, please, come." Edward said, attempting to bring her back to the car.
"Wait." Bella told Edward before walking towards her best friend, grabbing her by the hands. "Rowe. I love you like a sister. So please, don't make me choose. Cause it'll be him."
"Bella." Rowan cried, letting go of her hands as her friend backed up into her lover. You were like a sister to me, my twin flame. But you've made your choice, and I can't change that."
With a weary sigh, Rowan turned away, her footsteps heavy as she began to walk. Beside her, Jacob remained rooted to the spot, his gaze fixed on Bella and Edward with a mixture of defiance and sorrow.
"Goodbye, Jacob." Edward's voice broke through the silence, a somber farewell that hung in the air.
But Jacob refused to accept defeat, his voice rising in defiance. "You don't speak for her!" He declared, his words ringing out with determination.
With tension thick in the air, Edward pushed Jacob, resulting in him being flung backwards and phasing upon landing. Rowan turned around, and rushed towards Jacob to make sure he was alright. After it was clear that he was, he had sprinted back to the vampire.
"Bella get out of here." Edward urged, but she elected to ignore him.
"Stop!" Bella screamed, getting in between the two "Stop! You can't hurt each other without hurting me!"
As the tension between Jacob and Edward reached its peak, Rowan felt a surge of sadness wash over her. With a heavy heart, she knew that their efforts had been in vain, and it was time to accept defeat. Stepping forward, Rowan positioned herself next to Bella, between the shapeshifter and the vampire, her gaze meeting Jacob's with a mixture of sorrow and resignation.
"Let's go." Rowan murmured softly, her voice barely audible above the tense atmosphere. "Come on, let's go back."
Jacob's eyes softened as he noticed the sadness etched on Rowan's face. Without a word, he stepped back and lowered himself, allowing Rowan to climb onto his back. With a silent nod of gratitude, Rowan settled herself into place, clinging tightly to Jacob's fur as they made their escape from the fraught scene unfolding before them.
As they disappeared into the shadows of the forest, Rowan couldn't help but feel a profound sense of loss weighing heavily on her heart. The events of the past few days had left an indelible mark on her soul, and she knew that things would never be the same again.
With a heavy sigh, she allowed herself to succumb to the sadness that threatened to overwhelm her, knowing that the path ahead would be fraught with challenges and uncertainties. But for now, all she could do was mourn the loss of what once was, and brace herself for the trials that lay ahead.
