Pairing: Jacob/Bella, Embry
Genre: Hurt
Rating: M (Language)
Words: 1437
Beta: Bran
Summary: When half your soul dies, how do you survive?
My mindset music: Lana Del Ray: "Off To the Races", "Blue Jeans", "Dark Paradise", "Radio"
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.
**WARNING: CONTAINS SUICIDE**
Serrated Souls
His warm tender touch cradles her perfect porcelain jaw in his paw of a palm. A roughen callus thumb pad smoothly sweeps over the crest of her cheekbone. She leans into the swaddling stroke to rub her downy cheek in his cupped hand. Nimble fingers brush veiling tresses behind her ear. The corners of his smile lifts to his twinkling eye. Her lips bestow a glamorous grin. Alabaster skin pings pink as she reciprocates the love and devotion mirroring her mate. He gently guides her into a lingering lip lock. Open mouths dance to a harmonious song reserved for lovers. Satisfied he pulls from the chafe kiss leaving her mouth swollen and red.
"Bells, I have to go now honey." His deep voice coos.
"Ah, patrol?" she gives a small smile and dips her chin.
His strong fingers lifts her head high, "I love you, Isabella."
"I love you too Jacob. Will I see you later?" her question swells with heartfelt hopefulness.
"Promise." He swears with a sunshine smile.
He stealthily stalks towards the gleaming glow of the radiant girl sitting lonesome on the sandy ground. Locks of auburn wisps whip across her back with the breeze. Her shirt lashes around her slender frame. She stares over the vast calm ocean as the waves lovingly lap at the embankment. Placid waves roll into itself. The tranquility reflected in the pleasing posture the girl holds. A golden reminisce reserved for when he visits. His feet accepts the invitation before his brain rationalizes the decision. Drawn to the complacent cherub, Embry closes to her left. He scans the strong docile dame with a heavy heart.
"Hey Bella," Embry said with falsified enthusiasm. "Jake asked me to watch after you while he's away." He said with a grinning guise.
The pack understands the serrated separation of bound souls. They encourage and reinforce positive currents from the lost individual. Today the majestic flux flows through him to his ethereal being. Reflexes respond with an electrified genuine grin spread along his upturned jaw. He held his hand out to her.
"Of course," her humor half smile makes him chuckle. Her delicate digits fold around his stability.
He stands solid letting her pull herself to her feet and waits as she dusts the sand from her shorts. She loosens the strands from behind her right ear. The curtain closes over half of her face. Her deadened disfigured arm huddles under her right bosom. Her angelic aura lifts the exposed corner of her mouth upward. His patient pace keeps steady with her hobbled limp. Embry's sturdy pose protective of her. Independence firms her frame. The wolf ghosts alongside her, ready if she needs him. He did not hover instead he chaperons the powerful goddess towards the pack bonfire.
"Thank you, Embry," she said breaking free of his shield and shuffles to the food table.
"Hello, Bella," Emily greeted. "You look well."
"I'm imperforate today." Her charism contagiously spread to the four mates in front of her. They mirror her radiant smile.
(***)
"You promised!" She slanders the syllables with crashes of ceramic china. Shards spray and splatter along the worn wooden floor. The forlorn female angrily limps over the jagged pieces. Splinters slice through her numb soles embedding themselves into her fragile feet. Bella beat her petite fist against his concrete chest. Anger assaulting her senses. Tears traverse over her fuchsia flush face. Her punches pound his dependable torso. "You fucking liar."
The sky eerily echoes the dark desolate dwelling. Fragment flashes of electricity slice through the thick clouds. Thunderclaps ricochet from the surrounding sinister woodlands boomeranging against sensitive senses. Catastrophic claps vibrate the vast landscape. Heavy hearty raindrops punishingly pelt against the unforgiving ground. Cloud masses forcefully flow forward through the chaos. The storm swarms furiously overhead. The voltage flares illuminating eight benevolent brethren who encircle her purgatory. Stoic statues stand rooted guarding their Alpha's mate. Each takes their hour turn to protect the tribe before they swap out with a brother.
Embry returns as the clatter calms inside the den. A brother breaks from the pack to cut a circuit around the tribal lands. His silent strides stop in front of the door. He soundlessly studies the pitiful partition. The wolf whimpers with disarray. Hound hearing allows him to pick up the consistent beat of her heart. Paws pause their pacing as the beast calms the waging war deep inside himself. Forceful fingers grip tight his messy mop atop his head. Her steady rhythmic breathing pacifies the animal as the man continues to rage. Teardrops pour from the disheartened pack mate.
A hand clasps on his shoulder forces a warning roar from the vicious beast.
"Easy, Em. She's sleeping." Sam authoritatively cautions. The luminescent yellow in the wolf's eyes minutely recedes. He offers no other sign of submission. "We were – "
A predator's merciless growl pulsates through his stark sneer, "I'm staying." Embry challenges the artificial Alpha.
The older wolf cups the volatile animal's neck pressing his forehead to his brother's, "Soon Em, but not tonight."
Pack mates disperse into the trees to trail home on Sam's signal. He silently stands beside his brother until prying pack ears could not listen. Sam never directly addresses the brute, "When it's time I'll step aside."
The fiend never acknowledges the other wolf's retreating steps. Savage eyes lurk on the haunted dwelling before him. Wraith wraps the once cheerful cave turning it into a daunting den. Once a colorful home now is an ashen foreboded facade. Doors barred by bleakness. Paint peels from the weather worn wood. Misery shadows the dreary domain in a cloud of depression. The inhabitant's authority keeps the wolves from sprucing up the home.
Embry quietly evades the debris picking up the broken girl carrying her to bed. She snuggles into his warmth. His peaceful purr pushes her into a deeper slumber. He places her in their bed tucking the covers under her chin. "Jacob, please stay," she sleepily mumbles. Footsteps falter at her plea. A woeful whine escapes the dejected wolf. The unbeknownst woman calls for another. Until dawn, he promises himself. He cloaks her petite frame into his larger to swaddle her in his sweltering heat.
(***)
The forest holds a vibrant magic on this autumn day. Vivid reds, gleaming yellows, and luscious greens paint the woodland walls. Sparse clouds allow the bright blue sky to shine. A radiant sun casts dark shadows and shiny surfaces. The wind lightly dances through the tree branches ruffling their coats. Birds sing cheerful lullabies amongst each other. Rope slides back and forth over the limb with the force of the sways. Her hair flies behind her as she soars through the crisp air. She grips tight on the ropes as the scenery magnifies and shrinks with each push. Childish laughter rings through the leaves, "higher Jake, higher," she squeaks. His laugh bounces around them as he complies with her demands.
Embry eavesdrops on the girl as she sits on the tire swing staring unblinking over the gray landscape. She sways with the frigid air. Her body shivers with a jolting jerk as her bare toes skim the dead ground. The girl consciously unbothered as her teeth chatter. The wolf whines as he stomps his paws in the soft earth. Its master holds the lease tight against his protests. Every ounce of self-discipline keeps Embry from charging the girl to demand why she remains out in the wintry weather. Instead he stays in the shadows guarding her. Chuckles cut through to his lupine ears. He wonders what she thinks of on these solitary days.
(***)
Bella Black stands at the bluff's edge captivated by the angry sea. The surf brutally slaps against the rocky base of the cliff. An overcast sky drops a continuous drizzle from above saturating her to the bone. Her drenched nightgown clings to her slim figure. Gusts of wind furiously tosses her mane around her face. Bloodshot eyes rimmed in red, tears long ago dried out causing a drought. Two years ago to the day, she lost everything dear to her. Jacob, their baby, and the functionality of her right side taken by vampires. On that day, Isabella Marie Black died.
She sees him floating on the other side of the drop-off with his hand held out towards her. Her 'Jacob smile' spread wide across his face. With a grin on her face, Bella reaches for his hand stepping into his welcoming embrace.
"Bella!" Embry cries out as he watches her tumble over the edge. Her lifeless body bounces off the jagged rocks until the sea swallows her.
A/N: I write under a different pen name on Tricky Raven. Thank you!