Title: Escape
Genre: Angst or Drama
Rating: T?
Pairing: Bella/Jacob
Words: 536
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.
Prompt: "Where did you get that bruise?"
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Escape
The colorful fliers scattered in her truck, filling her with hope for the first time in a month. She knew the wolf didn't need saving, but maybe he could help her.
Her eyes drifted frantically between the clock on her dashboard and the rearview mirror. Her last minute decision gave her only the tiniest window of opportunity, and she was pushing her truck as fast as it would go. She just had to see him.
Jacob ran out to meet her, shock replacing the frustration, hurt, and anger he'd been living with. He just didn't understand why Bella was keeping her distance, but he had a sinking feeling that bloodsucker had everything to do with it.
She had the door open before the truck had settled, launching herself into his arms. He caught her purely out of reflex, then tightened his hold when he caught a whiff of her hair. "Bells," he breathed quietly, almost reverently.
It took him a few minutes to realize that she was crying. She clung to his shirt—one part of her surprised he was actually wearing one—and sobbed out weeks' worth of fear and hopelessness. Jake's comforting scent and heat reassured her more than words could. He could fix this.
"Shh, honey. It's okay. You're okay." He continued to hold her, rubbing his hands in soothing circles over her back as she shuddered in his strong arms. She was just so relieved that she made it.
When her tears began to slow, he led her down a familiar path to their favorite driftwood log. Her hurried arrival and emotional greeting had all but confirmed his suspicions—that leech was keeping her away from the pack.
Sensing her fragile state, he didn't push for once, just sat beside her peacefully, offering his presence and nothing more. With his solid heat beside her, she began to weigh her options. Edward had been different since they returned from Italy, and she was honestly frightened of what he might do next.
She raised her hands to brush her hair back from her face and attempt to wipe the tears from her cheeks, but Jacob's sharp eyes caught sight of her hidden shame. His fury was not reflected in his gentle hands as they grasped her fragile wrist, pushing her sleeve higher up her arm, but his voice was more of a guttural growl than actual words. "Bells, where did you get these bruises?"
Her eyes drifted shut as he pulled her closer, and more tears fell as he exposed her other arm as well. The watery sunlight seemed to emphasize the black and blue marks that decorated her fair skin. More wolves crept closer as he growled again. "God, Bells, what did he do?"
The pack gathered around her in both wolf and human forms as she spoke of spiteful words, harsh hands, and love lost. She whispered about Italian kings, a damaged truck, a damaged soul. Through it all, Jake never wavered—his love holding her tight.
Above her bowed head, the two alphas' eyes met—the two men who saved her from the pain inflicted by that family of leeches. A slight nod was all that was needed. Cullen was dead.