Chapter 17: Jacob's Obsessive Pursuit

Bella

The morning's embarrassment stubbornly haunted my thoughts as I paced beside Sam. Bo's summons cast a long shadow over what was meant to be a restful Sunday, turning it into a relentless march through memories best left untouched—all courtesy of Jacob. I longed to entice Edward back to the sanctuary of the bed, to wrap ourselves in each other's embrace and let the world dissolve into nothingness. The unexpected exchange of confessions—my admission of love for Edward and his heartfelt reciprocation—should have sent me soaring with joy. Yet, here I was, the euphoria dampened by the day's looming obligations.

"Admiral, I am truly sorry about being present in the living area when you came out... less than fully dressed," Sam's voice broke through, laden with sincere regret.

I let out a sharp exhale, frustration and acceptance mingling in the act. "Captain, please, no more apologies. Edward told you I was asleep. And frankly, I didn't consider my state of dress when I walked out."

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Sam's silent nod of understanding. We halted before the doors leading into Delta Squad's bullpen, the gateway to Bo's office just a short walk beyond. A familiar knot of dread tightened in my stomach, yet I knew I had to shed light on Jacob's motives—why he might be targeting me, why he had issued a threat.

"Admiral Frakes will call me once you're finished, and I'll send someone to escort you back to your temporary quarters," Sam assured me, his voice steady.

The offer was a strange on the secure base, where civilians were meticulously screened at the gate. But the stringent protection procedures did little to quell the unease coiling within me. Perhaps having an escort wasn't about necessity; it was about the comfort of knowing I wasn't alone in this.

Sam's presence at my six was a reassuring constant as I stepped into the bullpen while he remained in the hall. The members of Delta Squad paused their tasks, a respectful silence enveloping the room as I passed. Their gazes were felt rather than seen, a testament to the discipline and decorum of the unit. They didn't come to their feet and salute as I passed given my civilian attire. I was grateful as I didn't think I could return their salutes had my attire been disregarded.

Approaching Bo's office, I was met by Captain Hawthorne exiting the doorway. He straightened to attention, a subtle acknowledgment of my rank. "Admiral Swan," he addressed me with a crisp formality that belied the warmth in his eyes. His smile was one of camaraderie, a silent nod to the shared experiences that bonded us beyond the uniforms we wore.

Bo's attention shifted from the report to me as I entered, the sound of my knock still hanging in the air of the open doorway. "Admiral Swan, how did you sleep?" His question, simple yet laden with concern, caught me off guard.

I settled into the chair he gestured to, taking a moment to gather my thoughts. "Fitfully," I admitted as he rounded his desk to face me. The words that followed felt heavy, laden with new meaning. "It helped having... my boyfriend with me." I paused, the label still new and unfamiliar on my tongue. "Thank you for suggesting I share the truth about last night's incident with him."

Bo's head popped out the office door, calling for someone before turning back to me with a nod. "I'm glad to hear that. Not about the fitful sleep, of course, but that you're opening up to Edward. Sam and Paul had a hunch you trusted him, and I agree. I noticed how you seemed to unwind when he came in the locker room."

His frankness should have surprised me, but instead, it was a welcome anchor in the storm I found myself in.

"Admiral Frakes, Swan," announced a female officer, a lieutenant, from the doorway. "Come in, lieutenant, and close the door," Bo instructed without missing a beat.

He then addressed me with a seriousness that matched the gravity of the situation. "I've asked Lieutenant Merrick to take notes while we discuss last night and the subsequent findings. Any insights you can offer would be invaluable."

~~ Black Cat ~~

Three and a half hours had passed in a blur of questions and memories, leaving me feeling disconnected as I finally stepped out Delta Squad's bullpen. Seth and Leah had been waiting for me. They flanked me, their voices a distant murmur as they chatted about a movie they were eager to see. Their attempts to draw me into the conversation fizzled out by the time we reached the lobby's security checkpoint—a necessary barrier that no one crossed without an escort, unless they were authorized via a badge.

The crisp air hit me as we stepped outside, and I moved on autopilot, my feet taking me toward where I usually parked. It took a moment for reality to sink in—I was 'grounded' on base until the Jacob situation was resolved. With a sheepish twist of my lips, I halted and turned to face Leah and Seth.

"Would you mind just driving me back to the living quarters?" I asked, the request laced with a weariness I couldn't hide. "I don't think I have the energy for the walk."

Seth flashed a set of keys with a knowing look. "Captain Uley anticipated your preference, Admiral," he said, a hint of laughter in his voice.

I mustered a half-hearted laugh, appreciative of the foresight.

"However, you won't be staying on base tonight. We've arranged an alternative," Leah chimed in. "Officers from every squad have volunteered to rotate security at the new location."

My hand instinctively rose to my temple, pressing against the onset of a headache. "And Edward?" I inquired, the thought of him the only thing sharpening my dulled senses.

Leah's smile was a beacon in the fog of my fatigue. "He's already there, waiting for you," she assured me, her words lifting the corners of my mouth in a genuine smile.

~~ Black Cat ~~

As Seth navigated the vehicle through the base's gates and onto the streets of Forks, a coil of tension wound tighter within me. The backseat was shrouded in secrecy, the windows tinted to an opaque black, ensuring any prying eyes met nothing but their own reflection.

I sank deeper into the seat, my eyelids falling shut as if to shield me from the reality we drove further into. With each passing mile, my sense of unease grew, fed by the haunting images that flickered behind my closed eyes—the doll bearing my name, a macabre token of Jacob's obsession.

But it was the message, the one that Bo and Sam had withheld from me last night, that wormed its way into my consciousness and truly sent shivers down my spine:

Star Command cannot protect you, Isabella. I will find you and you'll be mine again to do with as I will. -Jacob

A groan escaped me, the words reverberating in my mind, amplifying the throbbing in my temples. The doll and the message were clear harbingers; Jacob's pursuit was far from over, now that he knew of my return to Forks.