#thisismeelle

the change didn’t come suddenly. it settled in quietly, like it didn’t want to scare me away.

the way sam lingered after conversations ended. the way his eyes softened when he said my name, then quickly looked away. the way he gave me space without ever making me feel distant.

he never crossed a line. never touched unless i moved first. never made me feel small or unsure.

if anything, he made me feel seen.

𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ

it happens on an ordinary evening.

i laugh at something stupid, step closer without thinking, my shoulder brushing his arm. just barely. just enough.

sam freezes.

not tense. not angry. just still, like the world paused and forgot to tell him what came next.

his breath catches. i feel it more than hear it.

“sam?” i ask softly. “are you okay?”

he steps back, hands curling slightly at his sides like he’s grounding himself.

“yeah,” he says quietly. “just… stay close tonight, alright?”

i nod, even though i don’t understand why my chest tightens at his words.

𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ

after that, everything feels different.

he sits closer when we’re alone keeps his voice low when he speaks to me watches me like i matter more than whatever else is happening smiles when he thinks i’m not paying attention

and i start to feel it too.

a warmth i can’t explain. a pull that feels steady instead of frightening. a sense of belonging that settles deep in my chest.

one night, i finally ask.

“why do you look at me like you’re afraid i’ll disappear?”

sam exhales slowly, eyes fixed on the dark ahead of us.

𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ

sam

because you already changed everything.

i don’t say it. i don’t trust my voice to stay steady if i do.

i’ve carried responsibility my whole life. i know how to lead without letting emotion take over. i know how to make hard choices and stand by them.

but she makes the world quieter.

when her shoulder brushed my arm, something inside me locked into place with terrifying certainty. no confusion. no hesitation.

imprinting.

and the only thing louder than that certainty was the fear of trapping her with it.

so i slow down. i pull back. i choose restraint over instinct.

because loving her means protecting her freedom too.

𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ

y/n

the confession comes late.

the house is quiet. everyone else is asleep. the night feels stretched thin, like it exists only for us.

we sit on the porch steps, shoulders barely touching. the stars are bright, the air cool, and everything feels softer somehow.

sam is quiet for a long time.

“there’s something i need to tell you,” he finally says.

my heart starts racing immediately.

he turns toward me fully, grounding himself before speaking.

“i imprinted on you.”

the words hang there between us.

i blink. “i don’t know what that means.”

“That’s okay,” he says gently. “you don’t have to.”

he looks at me then, really looks at me.

“it means your safety comes first. always. it means i’ll protect you even when you don’t know you need it. it means i’ll love you patiently, without expectations.”

my throat tightens.

“why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“because i didn’t want you to feel like you owed me anything,” he says honestly.

he hesitates, then lifts his hand.

“may i?”

i nod.

his fingers lace with mine, warm and steady, like he’s memorizing the feeling. like he’s grounding himself in it.

“i don’t need an answer tonight,” he says softly. “i just needed you to know.”

i squeeze his hand, my chest aching.

“i think,” i whisper, “i already did.”

𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ

he leans in slowly, giving me time. giving me space.

i don’t pull away.

the kiss is soft and careful, more reassurance than urgency. his lips linger just long enough to make my breath catch. when his forehead rests against mine afterward, everything feels still.

like the world has narrowed down to just this.

just us.

𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ

sam

i have led men into danger without hesitation. i have made choices that carried the weight of lives.

nothing has ever scared me like loving her.

i keep my hands gentle because i never want her to feel claimed instead of chosen. i hold back because i know what my instincts want, and i refuse to let them speak louder than her comfort.

when she doesn’t pull away from my kiss, something in my chest finally loosens.

not possession. not triumph.

peace.

i don’t need to rush. i don’t need to demand.

i will spend my life proving that choosing me is safe.

"Jake!" I ran up to him, excited, we finally found a day where our schedules aligned. Friday, I love Fridays.

" hey, my star" star, a name he gave to me when he was at his lowest

"y'know, you’re like a little star. Always there, even when it’s dark"he whispered, voice shaking, tears streaming down his face, moving a piece of hair out my face, tucking it behind my ear."

" hiii, im so ready for today this week has been so long please take me away" I jokingly curtsy down pointing to his bike, he lets a giggle slip out

"of course m'lady, here's your crown of armor" he hands me the helmet. We hop on and he drives me home.

Jacob black.

the boy I love, so much I'd drop anything for him , does he know? possibly, does everyone else know? yes. it truly is embarrassing on how loud my love is.

I met jack when I was 3, billy brought him to la push, and coincidentally my dad also brought me there, I was playing with the fish and hi being the boy he is.. wanted to im guessing disturbed them somehow.

I shut it down.

"hey no!, these are friends!" " .. can I be your friend too?...I'm jake!" he smiled the sweetest smile at me, of course missing one tooth. "im y/n, sit with me" I pat the side next to me" my heart was most definitely doing 1000000 flips.

it came to a stop, I was home

" hey Jake remember that one time you wanted to swing while holding your ice cream?"

" only because you said I couldn't, and I did"

" yeah for like a minute until you dropped the whole come"

"go inside" he guided me in, with his hand on my lower back.

" oh listen so I was thinking... Ice cream.. or pasta? because I know-

I got interrupted, his phone... its always his phones that interrupts us.

"heading out now, please join Emery and Paul"

he looked down, hesitant

" y/n," he let out with a huge sigh

"we need to reschedule.."

"Jake, really?" I looked at him, confusion and irritation written all over my face, then covered with a smile when I realize he's joking

" I'm serious..I'm sorry, it's a pack promise "

"pack promise?" I let out, trying to hide the disappointment in my voice.

he nods, trying to avoid my eyes by fidgeting with his helmet.

"yeah, sam needs help tonight, nothing big" nothing big? it was supposed to be us tonight..

"I offer him a small smile, trying to stay cool even though my chest tightens. “It’s okay. Go save the world or whatever.” I let out with a sad laugh

and just like that he was gone, again its hurts but I have to understand, its different now. We used to be so close, the closest, but as soon as he had to join the rest he became distant, less close, less Jake...

𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ

The trees were quiet, just the occasional rustle of leaves and snapping twigs under our paws. The moon hung low, casting a soft glow over us, but the only thing that was on my mind was her, how sad she looked, I could practically hear her heart breaking every second.

“So,” Paul said through the pack link, “did you break her heart yet or are you still playing the ‘I’m emotionally unavailable’ game, ?”

" shut up" I growled out , not slowing down.

" No seriously," Embry chimed in, half teasing "you bail on her again?"

I didn't answer at first. My paws pressed hard into the dirt, jaw clenched even in wolf form.

"sam needed someone to cover. I covered. End of story"

"Dude, come on" Paul said " she looked crushed. We passed her house on the way here, lights still on in her room"

That hit harder than I wanted to admit. I stayed silent, but Embry picked up on it.

“You care, Jake. More than you let on.”

“That’s the problem.”

“So tell her.”

I stopped walking and turning my head toward the dark stretch of trees ahead. The silence dragged.

“And what if I imprint on someone else tomorrow? What then? I give her a version of me that was never going to stay?”

“You’re scared,” Paul said flatly. “But you’re also selfish. You won’t let her go, and you won’t pull her close either.”

I growled again, low and warning.

“Alright, alright,” Embry backed off. “But you gotta figure this out, man. She’s not gonna wait forever.”

I didn’t respond. Just started walking again.

But the image of her standing at the doorway with that look of hurt in her eyes stayed with him the rest of the night.

𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ

The next morning, I'm woken up to a simple text.

“Sorry about last night. You alive?

ugh, as if flaking wasn't enough, you had to go and wake me up... at 5:30 am.. thanks Jake.

"now I am, why what's up"

"look outside"

I struggle, leaving the warmth within my bed, and there he is. Outside, wearing what looks like the worst thing to wear in the cold, but also wearing the best goofy smile i've even seen.. my favorite smile, my heart melts.

I lift up the window

"what are you doing outside?"

"still up for that ice cream? maybe a gelato?" he suggests more than ask, letting out a nervous laugh.

"Jake.. yes but its literally freezing"

"you left this at my place last week" he pulls out my puff coat

"alright I'll come down and open the door"

"no no wait hold on" he jumps up on the tree, to my lower roof , then through my window in one swift move.

"Jake what the actual-"

"just a little fun, nothing much. Here, lets go I don't want to waste anytime"

"Jake, they don't open till 7.. its 5: 45"

He pauses, blinking. “…They don’t?”

I cross my arms, trying not to smile. “Nope. Not unless you’ve got a secret key or something.”

Jake scratches the back of his neck, clearly embarrassed. “Okay, well… minor miscalculation.”

I laugh, sitting on the edge of my bed. “So what now, genius?”

He looks around my room, then shrugs like it's the most casual thing in the world. “I mean… I did climb a tree and risk breaking my spine to be here. You could at least let me chill for a while.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You want to hang out in my room at 6 a.m. with no gelato and no real plan?”

“Pretty much,” he smirks, flopping back onto the bed like he’s been doing it his whole life which, to be fair, he kind of has.

I roll my eyes but scoot over anyway. “Fine. But I’m not entertaining you. I’m tired.”

He folds his arms behind his head, settling in. “Didn’t ask you to. I’m just gonna be here. Existing.”

A comfortable silence falls between us. I lay back, eyes tracing the soft shadows moving across my ceiling. I hear Jake breathe out, slow and even. It’s nice. It’s quiet.

Too quiet.

I glance over at him. “Hey, remember when we tried to build a snow fort and you ended up getting stuck in it?”

He snorts. “That was your idea. You said the tunnel needed to be more ‘realistic.’ I was trying to impress you.”

“By getting buried alive?”

“Apparently that was my move,” he chuckles, eyes still closed.

A smile tugs at my lips. “It worked.”

He turns his head toward me then, eyes softer now. “Yeah?”

I nod. “You’ve always had a way of showing up… even if it's at the weirdest times.”

There’s a pause heavy, but not uncomfortable.

Jake shifts onto his side, propping his head up with one hand. “I’m sorry for last night. I wanted to be there.”

I meet his eyes, trying to read between the lines. “You’re always torn, Jake. Between me and... everything else.”

He doesn’t answer right away. Then, quietly, “Yeah. I am.”

That’s all he gives me. And somehow, I understand.

I let out a breath and close my eyes. “Just don’t disappear, okay? That’s all I ask.” the sleepiness reads clearly through my voice

“I won’t,” he whispers.

At some point, I feel his hand brush against mine. I don’t move. Neither does he.

The next thing I know, I’m waking up hours later, sunlight stretching across the room in warm stripes.

Jake’s still beside me, completely knocked out, one arm slung loosely over my waist, our hands still barely touching.

I don’t move. I don’t want to.

Because for the first time in a while… he stayed.

I take time to notice how much I admire him, his structure, eyes, lashes, eyebrows.. many guys get the best lashes

and lastly how warm he is.. its freezing outside and yet here we are, him as warm as the sun. unbelievable.. I could get used to this.

The steady rhythm of his breathing, the way his arm feels like safety draped across me, the warmth he gives off without even trying. It's stupid, but I feel like I’ve found home in this tiny moment.

I glance up at him again, just watching.

His lashes flicker. He stirs slightly.

Then, slowly, his eyes open and they land right on me.

Busted.

“…Were you staring at me?” he mumbles, voice still thick with sleep.

I blush, immediately looking away. “No.”

He smirks, eyes still half-lidded. “Right. Just admiring the wall behind me?”

I roll my eyes. “Shut up.”

Jake stretches a little, yawning. “It’s kinda flattering, you know.”

“What is?”

“That you like looking at me.”

I open my mouth to argue, to say something witty, but he just laughs softly, eyes crinkling. It’s rare that kind of genuine softness from him. And even rarer that he lets it last.

But then it happens.

His phone buzzes from the floor beside the bed.

He tenses almost immediately, like his body recognizes the call before his brain even does.

“…Don’t,” I say quickly, already feeling the moment slipping away.

He leans over, grabs the phone, and I can tell from his face it’s the pack.

“I have to—”

“Of course you do.” My voice is sharper than I mean it to be, and I sit up, pulling the covers with me. The cold rushes in without his warmth beside me.

“Y/N,” he sighs, already standing, grabbing his jacket. “Sam needs help with something on the east line. He wouldn’t call if it wasn’t serious.”

I don’t say anything. I just nod and look away.

Jake steps closer, rubbing the back of his neck. “Last night was… nice.”

I force a smile. “Yeah. It was.”

He hesitates at the door, like he wants to say something more, maybe explain why he always leaves, why it feels like he’s only ever halfway here.

But he doesn't.

He just looks at me, like he's memorizing the way I look in this exact second.

“I’ll see you later,” he says quietly.

“You always say that,” I whisper as he steps out.

And once again… he’s gone.

𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ

The first thing I feel is warmth.

Not the kind from the sun or even the blankets it’s her. She’s still here. Right beside me. Her breathing is soft, steady, peaceful. And somehow, I didn’t ruin it this time. Somehow, I stayed.

I open my eyes slowly and see her looking at me.

She tries to look away, but it’s too late I caught her. She’s doing that thing where she tries to hide her smile behind attitude, and God, I love that about her. Always pretending she’s tougher than she is.

“…Were you staring at me?” I ask, half-asleep, voice raspy.

She blushes. I smirk.

Moments like this soft, slow, real they’re dangerous. They make me wish I could be selfish. That I could stay in this bed, wrapped up in the safety of her sheets, wrapped up in her. She doesn’t even know what she does to me, how hard I have to work just to not give it all away.

But of course, peace never lasts long.

My phone buzzes from the floor, and I already know pack business. Sam’s name flashes on the screen, and everything tightens in my chest.

I glance over at her.

She knows.

“Don’t,” she says, quiet. Pleading.

I hate this. I hate that this is the part where I always become the bad guy. The one who chooses the pack over her, even if it’s not really a choice.

“Sam needs help with the east line,” I say, voice low. “He wouldn’t call if it wasn’t serious.”

She nods, pulling away. Just like that, the space between us is back. The warmth is gone.

“Y/N,” I try, but she doesn’t look at me. Doesn’t even say goodbye.

I stand there for a second, jacket in hand, phone buzzing in my pocket again but I don’t move yet.

I look at her.

She’s sitting there, wrapped in the blanket, trying so hard to look unaffected. But I can see the hurt in her eyes. I alwayssee it.

I wish I could fix this.

I wish I could just say it how badly I want her, how I don’t imprint but still somehow feel like she’s already mine. That I don’t even want anyone else.

But I don’t say any of that.

I just watch her, memorizing her the way she looks right now sleepy, quiet, trying not to break.

This is what kills me.

Not the patrols. Not the danger.

Her.

Leaving her.

“Last night was… nice,” I manage.

She forces a smile. “Yeah. It was.”

I take one step back. Then another.

“I’ll see you later,” I say.

“You always say that.”

And it echoes in my head, even as I close the door behind me. Even as I run through the trees.

You always say that.

Yeah.

And one day, I might not get to say it again.

𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ

I told myself I wouldn't cry.

I really did. But here I am, fists clenched, voice shaking, heart ripping itself apart.. and he's just standing there. Saying nothing, like that's better than the truth.

"this isn't working anymore, Jake" I say barely louder than a whisper. "I cant keep pretending like this doesn't hurt"

he opens his mouth, closes it, swallows hard. "y/n"

"no." I step back. "don't say that. don't say my name like that. Like you're sorry when we both know you'll leave again tomorrow."

He looks at me, eyes glassy but guarded. Always guarded. " I never meant to hurt you."

"But you did," I say voice breaking. "Every time you leave, it hurts. Every time you show up just to disappear again, it hurts. You don't get to keep walking in and out of my life like it means nothing."

His jaw tightens. " It means something. you mean something."

I shake my head. "then why won't you fight for me? why won't you let me in?"

silence. He doesn't have an answer he never has an answer.

So I give him mine.

"im done."

His eyes snap to mine. "what?"

" I cant do this anymore, Jake. I cant keep waiting for a version of you that might not exist. I need someone who chooses me. Fully. Not just when it's convenient."

the words feel like fire leaving my mouth, but they're true. Every single one.

he takes a shake step forward. "You don't mean that."

"I do," I whisper. "I blocked your number. I told billy. I told my dad. I need space. I need peace. I need to stop hoping for something you won't give."

His face falls. The panic in his eyes is real now. Raw.

" y/n, please, don't do this."

"I already did."

I turn, walking away even though it feels like dragging my heart through glass. But for the first time.. im choosing myself."

I don't look back.

𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒱ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ𓏲 ₊˚๑ ꒰ ໑‧₊˚.ꪆ

she's really gone.

she actually walked away. And the worst part is, I let her.

I stood there like an idiot. Like a coward.

I could've said everything. Told how I lover her, how she's the only thing that feels right in this mess of a world. That imprint or not, shes the one I keep coming back to. tea is always been her.

But I didn't

and now? I don't even have the sound of her voice to hold on to.

I call. No answer.

I text. No reply.

I circle her block more times that I'd ever admit. I see her light on. I see her shadow in the window. But the curtain never lifts.

its like she docent exist in my world anymore.

but I exist in hers. I know I do.

and im not letting go.

not this time.

not until she hears the words I should've said the first night I walked away.

"y/n, I love you. I always have. And I'm sorry it took losing you to say it."

now I just have to find a way to tell her, if she'll even let me close enough again."

The thought sits heavy in my chest like a stone. I can already picture her face when she sees me, The guarded look, the small step back, the walls going up before I even open my mouth. She's always been quick to protect her heart, and ive given her every reason to keep it locked up now.

so I start planning.

No big speeches out of nowhere, she'd shut me down before I finished the first sentence.

No chasing her down the street again, she'd see that as desperation, and she hates being cornered.

I need her to feel safe.

I need her to remember the pieces of us that existed before all the broken promises.

I think about the places that meant something to us, the cliff where she dared me to jump first, the dock where she spilled soda all over my shirt and laughed until she couldn't breathe, the beach where I called her " my star" for the first time. If I can get her there, maybe she'll remember too.

but the hard part... is getting her to come at all.

the pack will notice if im distracted, and they'll ask questions im not ready to answer. Paul will probably tell me to "man up" and just tell her already. Embry will keep reminding me that im on borrowed time before she really moves on.

they're not wrong.

the truth is... im scared.

scarred that when I finally get the words out, she'll look at me with that same guarded expression and say its too late.

but I also know this, I've faced more worse things than fear.

and losing her forever?

That's not something I can survive.

so tomorrow...

tomorrow I find her.

tomorrow I try.

and maybe, if the universe isn't completely against me, tomorrow will be the day she lets me close enough to finally make her understand

she's it for me.

always has been.

always will be.

the next morning, im outside her place before the sun's even finished climbing over the trees. The air is cold enough to bite, but I don't care.. I need to see her before she slips away again.

when she finally opens the door, she's already dressed to leave, jacket zipped, hair pulled back like she's got somewhere better to be.

"Jake," she says flatly, I don't have time for this"

"just.. come with me. please. ten minutes"

her eyes narrow. " why? so you can disappear halfway through again? no thanks"

that's not-" I bite my tongue. fighting her right now won't work. "its not like that. I just.. I need to show you something."

she shakes her head. " im not in the mood for another one of your half promises"

and then she steps past me, brushing my arm, walking fast like if she keeps moving, I wont be able to catch her.

I follow her anyway. " y/n, just- listen to me-"

" no, Jacob. you don't get to talk your way out of this one. im done."

her voice cracks on the last word, and its like s knife to the gut. I could let her walk away, I should let her walk away.. that would be the selfless thing.

but I cant.

I grab her wrist gently. "if you walk away right now, I'll never forgive myself. just ten minutes. please."

she freezes, her back still to me.

and for a second, I swear I see her shoulders shake, like she's debating whether to keep walking or turn around.

The rain starts slow soft drops tapping against the dirt road as the sky darkens overhead.

By the time she turns around, it’s pouring.

y/n stands in the middle of the road, soaked to the bone, her breathing sharp and uneven. Her hair sticks to her cheeks, her fists clenched at her sides.

“Why do you keep doing this, Jake?” she yells over the rain. “Why do you keep coming back if you’re just going to leave again?”

Jake stops a few feet away, his chest heaving, rain streaming down his face. “Because I can’t stay away from you!”

“Then why did you?” Her voice cracks, the sound lost in the storm. “Why did you push me away every single time I tried to care about you? I waited, Jake! I waited for you to choose me!”

He swallows hard, pain flickering in his eyes. “Because I was scared!”

“Of what?”

“Of you!” he shouts back. “Of losing you before I ever got to really have you. I thought if I stayed back, if I didn’t get too close, I’d be protecting you from me, from what I am, from everything that comes with it.”

She stares at him, rain dripping from her lashes. “And did it work? Did pushing me away protect me?”

He looks down, his voice breaking. “No. It just broke both of us.”

For a second, all that’s heard is the downpour, the distant roll of thunder, and the unspoken years between them.

“I never stopped caring,” she whispers. “Even when you made it impossible. Even when you kept choosing everything else over me.”

He takes a step closer, his voice softer now, trembling. “You were never second, y/n. You were always first. I was just too blind to admit it.”

She shakes her head, tears mixing with the rain. “You don’t get to say that now. Not after everything.”

Jake moves closer still, until they’re inches apart. His hands hover near her arms, unsure if he’s allowed to touch her.

“I know,” he says quietly. “And I’m sorry. For every time I made you doubt how much you mattered. For every promise I didn’t keep. I was lost, y/n, but I’m done running. Because now…”

He pauses, eyes flicking to hers.

“Now I know it’s you.”

Something shifts , deep and powerful, like the air around them changes. His heartbeat quickens, the rain blurring into silence. The world narrows to her her scent, her breath, her eyes.

like something hit me

It’s overwhelming, electric. My chest feels like it’s being torn open and rebuilt all at once.

gasping, stumbling forward, my hand instinctively reaching for hers.

y/n freezes, eyes widening as if she can feel it too , the pull, the invisible connection that snaps into place between them.

“Jake…” she whispers. “What’s happening?”

He exhales shakily, tears mixing with rain. “It’s you. It’s always been you. I thought fate was waiting for someone else, but it was you, all along.”

The rain keeps falling, warm and heavy, soaking through my clothes until I can barely tell where the storm ends and where Jacob begins. He stands in front of me, breathing hard, his eyes fixed on mine like he is hanging onto something invisible and breakable.

He reaches for my waist, hesitating, trembling. like if he touches me, everything will change. like he already knows it will.

I swallow, step closer, and finally whisper, “I am tired of running from you.”

That is all it takes. His mouth meets mine in a kiss that feels like every moment we never said out loud. His hands grip my waist, pulling me against his warmth. The rain makes our skin slick, our clothes heavy, our breaths shaky. His lips crash against mine with years of held back emotion.

He pauses just long enough for our foreheads to touch. “You have no idea what you mean to me,” he whispers, voice rough.

I want to ask. I want to understand. But instead my fingers curl into the back of his neck, pulling him closer. “I need you to mean it, Jacob,” I whisper. “No more leaving. No more excuses.”

His breath catches. He presses me gently against the fence behind me, his hands steady, his body warm and trembling. His lips brush the corner of my mouth, my cheek, the place beneath my jaw that makes my legs go weak.

Something shifts inside me. Something warm. Something frightening. Something too big for words.

I gasp softly, gripping his shirt. “I feel something. I do not know what it is but I feel it.”

He freezes, chest rising sharply against mine. For a moment he just stares at me like he is seeing something impossible. Then he shakes his head slightly, like he needs to stop himself from saying something.

“y/n,” he whispers. His thumb brushes my cheek, slow and trembling. “I am so sorry I hurt you. I should have told you everything. I should have stayed. I should have chosen you every time, not my fear.”

“Then why didn’t you,” I whisper, voice breaking. “Why wasn’t I enough for your promises.”

His eyes close like the words physically strike him. “You were always enough. You are enough right now. I just never thought I deserved you.”

The rain pounds around us. Thunder rolls in the distance. He steps closer and cups my face with both hands.

“I love you.” It comes out soft but certain. “I love you more than any promise I ever made.”

My breath catches. I want to believe him. I do. But the ache in my chest is still fresh.

“Jacob,” I whisper, tears mixing with rain. “You keep saying pack promises. Pack this and pack that. But what about promises to me. Why were those always the ones you broke.”

He shakes his head, voice cracking. “I am not breaking another one. Not to you. Not ever again.”

He leans in, his forehead pressed to mine, his breath warm and shaky against my lips.

“I promise you, y/n. This time it is real. This time it is yours. No pack rules. No excuses. Only us.”

His voice lowers, barely audible. “A promise stronger than any pack promise.”

My fingers grip the front of his shirt and I pull him in, kissing him again, slow and breathless. His hands slide around my waist, holding me like he will never let go again.

And even though I do not understand why it feels like the world just shifted beneath my feet, I know one thing with absolute certainty.

When Jacob Black makes a promise in the rain one meant for me one spoken through shaking breaths and soft kisses one whispered against my lips like a vow

I believe him.

This time this promise is ours.