(Bella's POV)
The room was a blur of motion—snarls, crashes, the sickening sound of bodies colliding with brutal force. My pulse pounded in my ears as I fought against the ropes, my wrists burning from the friction. I twisted my arms, desperate to free myself, but the knots were too tight.
The man—my captor—moved like smoke, dodging Jacob's lunges with a fluid grace that made my stomach twist with fear. Jacob was relentless, his massive russet form a force of nature, but the vampire barely seemed fazed. He smirked as he avoided each attack, as if he were toying with him.
"Predictable," the vampire murmured again, his voice calm despite the chaos.
Jacob lunged once more, his jaws snapping, and this time, he caught him—teeth sinking into the vampire's arm. A sharp, guttural snarl ripped from the vampire's throat as he tried to shake Jacob off, but Jacob held firm, his claws digging into the concrete floor for leverage.
Across the room, the fight raged on. Leah and the female vampire were a blur of movement, their fight tearing through what little remained of the furniture. Sam and the others kept the third vampire occupied, their growls and snarls filling the air.
My breath hitched as I saw one of the wolves—Paul? Quil?—get knocked back hard, crashing into the far wall with a painfulthud. He struggled to get up, but the vampire was already closing in.
Think, Bella. You have to do something.
I twisted my wrists, ignoring the burn of the ropes cutting into my skin.Come on. Come on!
With a final, desperate jerk, the ropes loosened just enough for me to slip one hand free. My fingers trembled as I reached for my ankle, where the vampire woman had tucked a knife.
I didn't think. I justacted.
With my freed hand, I grabbed the blade and slashed at the ropes around my other wrist. My hands burned, but the moment my ankles were loose, I was up and moving. My legs were shaky, but I pushed forward, grabbing a broken chair leg from the floor.
The female vampire had Leah pinned, her sharp nails pressing into Leah's throat. Leah's golden eyes burned with rage, but she couldn't break free.
Without hesitating, I lifted the chair leg and swung. Hard.
It wasn't much, but it was enough. The wooden leg slammed into the vampire's back, and for a split second, her grip loosened. Leah took the opening. She surged upward, her claws slashing through the vampire's stomach. A snarl of pain filled the air.
I stumbled back, gripping the chair leg like a lifeline. My heart hammered.I just hit a vampire.
Leah didn't waste the opportunity. She launched forward, her jaws closing around the woman's throat, and with a sharpsnap, it was over. The vampire's body crumpled, motionless.
One down.
My head snapped toward Jacob just in time to see him drive the vampire leader into the ground. Dust and debris flew into the air as Jacob's massive paws pinned the man down.
The vampire was still smirking.
"You're outnumbered," Jacob growled, his voice distorted through the mind link.
The vampire chuckled, unfazed. "Am I?"
He was stalling. I felt it deep in my gut.
Jacob must've felt it too, because he didn't hesitate. His massive jaws clamped down, and this time, he didn't let go. There was a sickeningcrunch, followed by silence.
And just like that, it was over.
The room was wrecked—broken furniture, shattered glass, and deep claw marks across the concrete floor. My chest heaved, my body shaking as the realization hit me.
We won.
"Bella!"
I barely had time to react before Jacob shifted back into his human form, breathless and wild-eyed. His arms were around me before I could say anything, pulling me against his bare chest.
"Are you okay?" His voice was hoarse, raw with worry. His hands cupped my face, his warm fingers tracing my skin as if to make sure I was real.
I nodded quickly, my throat too tight to speak.
His jaw clenched. "They hurt you."
It wasn't a question. His thumb brushed over the rope burns on my wrists, and his entire body tensed. His breathing was ragged, and I could feel the fury still coursing through him.
"They wanted to use me," I managed to whisper. "To lure you here. To get to the pack."
Jacob's grip on me tightened. "They were going to use you asbait?" His voice was dangerously low.
I nodded again.
He let out a slow, shuddering breath, trying to rein in the anger simmering beneath his skin. His hands stayed firm on my waist, as if he was afraid I'd disappear if he let go.
"We need to get out of here," Sam's voice cut in, sharp and commanding. He was back in his human form, standing over the vampire's remains. "There could be more coming."
Jacob didn't move for a long moment. His eyes burned into mine, his expression a mix of rage and something else—something deeper.
Then, finally, he nodded. "Yeah," he murmured. "Let's go."
He pulled me closer for just a second, his forehead pressing against mine, before he reluctantly let go.
Later That Night
(Jacob's POV)
The motel room was quiet. Too quiet.
Bella was sitting on the bed, staring at her hands. The bruises on her wrists stood out against her pale skin, and my stomach twisted with guilt. I should've gotten to her sooner. I should've—
I exhaled sharply, shaking off the thought. She was here. She was safe. That was all that mattered.
"You should sleep," I said softly.
Bella looked up at me, her brown eyes filled with exhaustion but still sharp. "So should you."
I gave her a small smile, but I didn't move. I couldn't. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her in that chair. Bound. Helpless. It made me sick.
Bella sighed, running a hand through her tangled hair. "Jacob," she said quietly, "what if they come back?"
"They won't," I said instantly.
She gave me a look.
I sighed, scrubbing a hand down my face. "If they do, we'll be ready."
She nodded, but I could see the doubt lingering in her expression.
"I'm sorry," she whispered after a moment.
My head snapped up. "What?"
Her eyes shimmered with something raw. "I'm sorry you had to come after me. That I—"
I was across the room before she could finish. "Don't," I said, my voice firm but gentle. "Don't ever apologize for that."
Her lower lip trembled, and she looked away.
I hesitated, then carefully reached out and took her hand. "I willalwayscome for you, Bella."
She let out a shaky breath, her fingers tightening around mine.
For the first time since this nightmare started, I saw something ease in her expression.
And I knew, no matter what came next, I wasn't letting her go.