It had been three whole months since the wedding. I was numb. I completely shut out any thought of Jacob from my head. I had let myself get attached again. I had let myself...well, let's just say I would never let myself do anything like that anymore. I refused to feel. I was running on autopilot and my family was worried; but I couldn't find it in me to care.
Jacob had, of course, tried very hard to get into contact with me. Every way he could think of, he tried. My brother was furious, he blamed himself for pushing Jacob onto me. Jacob tried more than once to enter our land, Alex lost it each time. I hope Jacob would give up for his own safety, Alex had learned how to fight even faster since the incident.
I knew I was probably overreacting to the entire situation. However, I had tore down a wall for Jacob. It was now rebuilt. I couldn't deal with heartbreak again, I just couldn't. And I never got my dress back.
I sighed and slammed my math book closed on top of my desk. I slid into my pajamas and crawled into bed, determined to fall asleep. I tossed and turned; desperate for a comfortable spot on my bed. I growled and kicked off my blankets. This was pointless. I knew what needed to be done and I had refused to do it for three whole months. I stood out of bed, sliding my slippers onto my feet. Slowly and quietly and snuck out of my house into my backyard. I needed to run. My body ached, no, screamed for the change to take place.
I walked a few yards into the familiar woods, letting my senses take over. I slid my slippers off of my feet and let my feet sink into the wet grass. I let out a sigh of relief. Nature. As I moved to take off my pants, I heard a crack nearby. I immediately froze. My ears strained in the silence to hear what else was out in the woods with me. I was glad I had taken off my shoes, I was quieter in my bare feet. I headed silently towards the noise, my eyes fighting to adjust to the darkness. I paused when a shadow moved at my right. My heart began to race, I began estimating how quickly I could run back into the house versus how strong I was if I were to just change. I decided to stay silent and still, waiting to see what the intruders next move was. I turned my head to the right, but the shadow was gone. I let out a silent breath of relief. As I turned my head forward, I realized the sudden presence in front of me and let out an ear curdling scream. I immediately went on the offense and threw a bunch into what felt like a human nose.
"Ow! Damnit, Calyleigh that hurt!" screamed a familiar voice.
I froze mid-punch. "Jacob?"
"Of course it's me!" He yelled, staggering away from my hand that was still poised for a punch.
I immediately put my hand down, "What are you doing here?" I demanded.
"I was just making sure you were okay. I swear I was never going to make myself known, but when I saw you in the woods tonight, I just, I couldn't help myself, I smelled you and my senses went on fire."
"You were WATCHING me?"
He stared at me coyly, "I just needed to make sure you were okay," he repeated.
I scoffed, "did you have to wait for your precious Bella to get out of the country before you came here?"
Jacob glared at me, "that's not fair Cayleigh."
"Not fair? Not fair? Not fair is you telling me that I am your soul mate, that you will never leave my side, and then FORGETTING about me the minute BELLA is in front of your pathetic face!" I spat. I turned and walked away from him, angrily slipping my slippers back onto my feet. "At her WEDDING I might add." I gave a disgusted growl of disapproval and began to walk away. I was immediately brought to a halt as Jacob's hand caught a hold of my wrist and spun me back around to face him.
"Can you please just hear me out?" He asked, desperation in his voice.
"Give me one good reason why I should."
"Because I am in love with you."
I scoffed, "please."
"Can you please just listen to me!" He yelled.
Eyeing him carefully, I noticed the physical difference in Jacob now. He body was trembling in fight to keep his temper under control. I sighed, "You have exactly three minutes." I snapped, pulling my arm out of his reach. I too, fought to keep my own control on my emotions. I refused to feel. I wouldn't let him hurt me again.
Jacob ran a hand through his shaggy black hair. "The wedding was a huge mistake and I know there is no excuse for forgetting about you. But you have to understand the amount of thoughts and emotions that were running through my head at once. I acted the way I did because she is someone I cared about very much and she was marrying literally my mortal enemy. I was overwhelmed with all of the emotions running back after being without them for so long. I should have never left your side, Cayleigh, and I am so sorry."
I stayed silent, staring at a spot next to Jacob, refusing to look him in the eyes.
He went on, "Cayleigh, after Sam and Seth dragged me away from the wedding, I realized you were gone. It was the final straw, I was so upset at myself that I changed and ran after you, but by the time I got here Alex had known everything and wouldn't let me within a mile of your land."
I took a deep breath, I knew he had tried to get to me, but Alex had left out the details of exactly when he had tried to get to me. Or maybe I just refused to hear them.
"I went back home," Jacob continued, "and I found your dress and belongings on my bed with a note from Sam to have them shipped back to your house.
A growl formed in the back of my throat, I loved that dress.
Jacob gently slid his hands into my own, I fought the urge to snatch them away. I just wanted him to say his peace and leave. It was too hard to be with him and keep my emotions numb. "I know you want nothing to do with me and I can except that, but I just needed to be heard out." He told me. "I belong to you and I will keep my distance, but I can never stay away. I will always be watching you, Cayleigh. I am in love with you and I always will be. Despite what you may think, my feelings have only grown stronger for you since the wedding. If you find someone else, fine, but I will not give up very easily. I just thought you had the right to know that. He let go of my hands and ran a couple feet away towards a hollow tree and then ran back towards me, a package in his hands. He handed it to me, "It's your dress, I remember how much you loved it." He looked down at his feet, "you didn't have to take it off so provocatively." He murmured quietly to himself.
I snatched the package from his hands, "Well it's a good thing that it's none of your business!" I snapped.
"Alright, well I said all I needed to say. You say the word and I'll leave you alone from here on out."
I looked over at him, not sure if I should believe him or not.
"There is just one last thing," he said and I automatically sighed and rolled my eyes.
"Of course there is," I huffed at him, shifting the my weight to my other foot.
Jacob stared at me a moment, the all-too-familiar look appearing on his face. He took one long stride so that he was standing merely inches away from my body. In one swift movement, he had my face in his hands and our lips together. I found myself lost swiftly into the moment. Once I was able to bring myself back to reality, I immediately began to pull away. However, it was no use against Jacob, he wanted the kiss and he was going to have it whether I wanted it or not. He began to deepen the kiss in a way I had never experienced before. To my own dismay, I found myself grabbing the back of his head and letting him continue. After a moment, I was finally able to pull away from him; completely out of breath. I discretely held on to the tree that I was standing next to for support.
"Cayleigh," Jacob whispered and I realized he too was out of breath. The kiss was much more than either of us were expecting. It had opened a set of flood gates that I never knew existed.
"Have you really been here since the wedding?" I asked him.
"I've only been home twice."
"That's kind of gross..."
He grinned, "What are you trying to say?" He asked me curiously.
I returned his smile. He had done it again, he melted the ice that hung close to my heart. I cursed myself as I slid my arms around him, inhaling his scent. Despite how long he'd be away from a shower, he was familiar and warm. "I think you should come back to the house with me and get a shower and change of clothes, it's not healthy to stay out here so long, especially in your wolf form. It's hunting season."
Jacob had frozen when I slid my arms around his waist, but immediately slid his around my own. "And everything else?" He asked in barely a whisper, clearly afraid I would turn and run at any moment.
I pulled away momentarily to look up at him, I nipped at the bottom of his chin, my heart fluttered as I stood on my toes and placed a very soft kiss on his lips. It was the first kiss I had initiated since I was with Jeremy. "I love you, Jacob." I whispered against his lips.
I felt Jacob's lips break into a smile and he leaned in for a harder kiss. I pulled away gently and began to lead him back towards my house. Hand in hand we entered my back yard, smiles on each of our faces. Before we entered my house I turned to Jacob and slugged him really hard in the arm.
"Ow!" He yelped, "What was that for?"
"Don't ever forget about me again, Jacob Black." I told him sternly, my eyes giving away my smile.
He rubbed his arm and shook his head at me, "Never in a million years, Cayleigh." He told me seriously.
The smile left my eyes and hit my mouth, "Good." I told him light-heartedly, and let him into the house.
