Chapter Text
Pain.
That’s all Jacob felt. Not the kind that came from a wound or illness-this was worse. His chest ached like it was splitting in two. He wanted to clutch at his heart, to try and ease the stabbing ache, but he wouldn’t give her that satisfaction. Not in front of her.
With one final glance in his direction, Bella-his Bella-walked out the door with that damn pixie leech by her side.
Jacob’s instinct screamed at him to reach for her, to grab her arm and beg her to stay. But he didn’t. He knew it would only make it worse when she turned him down again. So he stood there, still as stone, eyes burning as tears welled up. His body felt like it was punishing him, but he refused to let the tears fall. Not yet. The leech was still within hearing distance.
He snatched the cup off the dinner table and hurled it at the wall. The crash echoed through the house. It did nothing to calm him.
So he used his fists.
He punched the wall again and again until his knuckles were torn and bleeding. Each hit sent a jolt of pain through his hand, bones shifting under the skin-probably broken. Good. It was something he could feel, something that wasn’t just in his chest.
When he looked up, a hole had formed in the drywall, blood spattered around it. He winced. How’s Bella gonna explain that to Charlie?
Then again, Jacob thought bitterly, I don’t care. She’ll figure something out. And if not, maybe Charlie will think one of the leeches did it. Maybe then he’ll finally see how dangerous they really are.
That thought almost made him smile. Almost.
He left the house, not really sure where he was going. He couldn’t go home-couldn’t handle the pity in his dad’s eyes. And he couldn’t phase either. If he did, the whole pack would know in seconds. Know how broken he felt. How empty.
She was happy with me, he thought. I know she was. I gave her everything. What more could she possibly want?
Jacob wandered aimlessly, each step heavier than the last. The night sky above was dark, starless. Fitting.
Eventually, he ended up on a bench in a quiet part of town. The cold didn’t bother him-one of the perks of being a werewolf. His hand was already healing, the pain shifting into a dull, persistent throb. At least he could move his fingers again.
“Are you okay? Are you hurt?” a voice called from behind him.
It wasn’t soft like Bella’s. It was rough, raspy-like the girl had been screaming. Still, it was definitely a girl’s voice.
Jacob turned slightly, blinking at the blurry figure. Only then did he realize he was crying. He wiped at his face roughly, hoping to clear his eyes-and maybe punish himself a little more.
When his vision finally cleared, the girl had already sat beside him. She didn’t touch him right away. Her hand hovered, like she was waiting for permission. When he didn’t pull away, she gently took his hand, examining his bruised knuckles.
She winced as she moved his fingers, clearly checking if they were broken. Luckily, they’d already healed back into place-his knuckles were the only visible damage.
“That looks painful,” she said quietly.
Jacob shrugged. “I’ve had worse.”
“Right. You look like the type that punches things for fun,”
He blinked, startled by the comment-and by her.
She looked nothing like Bella. Her hair was shoulder-length, wild with tight blonde curls that whipped around in the breeze. Her skin was a little tanner than Bella’s, though not quite as dark as Jacob’s. And her eyes-big, gray, and sharp-had a glint of mischief in them. Not innocent, not soft. Bold.
But that wasn’t what made him stare.
A large purple bruise stretched across her neck, like someone had tried to choke her.
“What happened to you?” he asked, the words slipping out before he could stop them.
She gave a short breath, something between a laugh and a scoff. “Guess I could ask you the same thing.”
Jacob glanced down at his bloody knuckles and frowned. Fair point.
“It’s nothing,” she said before he could respond. “I just… pissed off the wrong guy. Not the first time, not the last.”
His jaw clenched. Rage bubbled up inside him. Whoever did that to her didn’t deserve to walk this earth. But he didn’t know her, and the last thing he wanted was to scare her off with the storm raging inside him.
"You got a name?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.
"Jacob. Jacob Black."
She nodded. "Adeline Darlington."
Adeline. It suited her. Tough but elegant.
“Why are you crying, tough guy?” Adeline asked.
Jacob gritted his teeth. “I’m not crying.”
“Mm-hmm. That’s why your eyes are all red. And your nose is running. Kind of gross, actually.”
Jacob snorted despite himself. “You’re annoying.”
“And yet, I’m the one helping your dumb ass.” She mock-gasped, placing a hand over her chest like she was truly astonished by her own kindness.
Jacob rolled his eyes, but the heaviness in his chest lifted-just a little. He wasn’t sure if it was because of her attitude or just the fact that she was here. That she didn’t look at him with pity.
Adeline stood up, brushing off her jeans. “Well, Jacob Black. I’m freezing my ass off, and I’m starving. You coming?”
Jacob blinked at her in surprise. “Where?”
“To eat, obviously.” She raised an eyebrow. “I think you need food and something other than self-hatred to punch.”
Jacob hesitated, glancing down at his hands. His fists curled slightly, but he didn’t feel like hitting anything anymore.
Not right now.
He exhaled sharply, then stood up.
Jacob didn’t know why he followed Adeline. Maybe it was because he didn’t want to be alone. Maybe it was because she hadn’t treated him like he was fragile, like he might shatter at any second. Or maybe it was just because she was stubborn as hell, and he had a feeling she wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Either way, he found himself walking beside her, hands shoved in his pockets, the cold night air biting at his skin-not that he felt it.
Adeline wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing at her sleeves. “Okay, I take back everything I said about not needing a jacket. I’m freezing.”
Jacob gave her a side glance. “You live here. How are you not used to it?”
“Just because I live here doesn’t mean I enjoy feeling like a human popsicle.”
Jacob huffed a quiet laugh. It felt weird, almost unnatural, after the night he’d had. He kept walking, letting Adeline lead the way.
They ended up at a small diner just outside of Forks. It wasn’t one Jacob had ever bothered going to before, but Adeline seemed familiar with it. She didn’t even hesitate before pushing open the door, the warmth from inside rushing over them like a blanket.
Jacob took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of grilled food, fresh coffee, and something fried. His stomach growled, and he realized he hadn’t eaten since breakfast.
Adeline smirked. “Told you.”
He rolled his eyes but followed her inside.
The diner was quiet, only a few late-night stragglers scattered around. A waitress barely glanced at them before nodding toward an open booth. Adeline slid in first, stretching out her legs like she owned the place. Jacob sat across from her, resting his arms on the table.
“So.” Adeline tapped her fingers against the menu. “Are you gonna actually order food, or are you planning on brooding the entire time? Because I gotta say, the tortured, heartbroken thing? Not your best look.”
Jacob groaned, running a hand down his face. “Are you always this annoying?”
Adeline grinned. “Only when I like someone.”
Jacob blinked, caught off guard. She liked him? He barely knew her.
Adeline must’ve noticed his confusion because she rolled her eyes. “Not like that, dumbass. Relax.” She propped her chin on her hand. “I just mean you’re not the worst company. Which is shocking, considering you were having a full-on mental breakdown an hour ago.”
Jacob scowled, but there was no real heat behind it.
The waitress came by, and they placed their orders-Adeline ordering a ridiculous amount of food for someone her size. Jacob raised an eyebrow at her but didn’t comment. If anything, he was impressed.
Once the waitress left, Adeline leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “So. You gonna tell me what happened, or am I supposed to just guess?”
Jacob hesitated, his jaw tightening.
Adeline tilted her head, waiting. She didn’t push.
And maybe that was why, after a long pause, Jacob exhaled and muttered, “Bella left.”
Adeline didn’t look surprised. She just nodded. “And you’re in love with this Bella?.”
Jacob swallowed, staring down at the table. “Yeah.” His voice was barely above a whisper.
Adeline tapped her fingers against her glass. “That sucks.”
“That’s one way to put it.”
She shrugged. “I mean, I could tell you she’s an idiot for leaving you, but I get the feeling you wouldn’t believe me.”
Jacob didn’t answer.
Adeline leaned back against the booth. “So, what now?”
Jacob frowned. “What do you mean?”
“I mean,” she gestured at him, “are you gonna sit around and mope until she comes back? Or are you gonna do something else with your time?”
Jacob didn’t know how to answer that.
Adeline smirked. “Guess we’ll find out.”
The food arrived, and for the first time that night, Jacob let himself focus on something other than heartbreak.
Jacob wasn’t sure when he last enjoyed food, but as he bit into his burger, he realized just how starved he actually was. Maybe Adeline had a point-punching walls and sulking weren’t exactly the best ways to cope. Not that he’d admit she was right.
Adeline, on the other hand, was demolishing her food like she hadn’t eaten in days. Jacob watched in mild amusement as she stuffed a handful of fries into her mouth, chewing like it was the best thing she’d ever tasted.
“You eat like a gremlin,” he commented, smirking.
Adeline raised an eyebrow, still chewing. After swallowing, she pointed a fry at him. “Don’t judge me, Crybaby.”
“Crybaby?”
“Hey, I call it like I see it. You were literally crying when I found you.”
“Are you ever gonna let that go?”
“Not a chance.” She grinned before dunking a fry in her milkshake and taking a bite.
Jacob made a face. “Okay, now that’s just wrong.”
Adeline gasped dramatically. “Excuse you? Salty and sweet is the best combo. Don’t knock it till you try it.”
Jacob shook his head, but despite himself, he was smiling. It was weird-just hours ago, he felt like his world was crumbling, and now, here he was, bantering with a girl he barely knew over milkshakes and fries.
Adeline must’ve noticed his mood shift because she nudged his foot under the table. “You okay over there, Tough Guy?”
Jacob exhaled, staring down at his plate. “I don’t know,” he admitted.
Adeline didn’t push or offer empty words of comfort. Instead, she simply stole one of his fries and said, “Well, at least you’re not crying anymore.”
Jacob chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re unbelievable.”
“I try.”
They finished eating in comfortable silence, the tension that had been suffocating Jacob earlier slowly fading into the background.
When the check arrived, Jacob grabbed it before Adeline could reach for it.
She scowled. “Oh, come on.”
Jacob smirked. “What? Did you really think I’d let you pay?”
“I was the one who dragged your sad ass here.”
“And I ate more than you. It’s only fair.”
Adeline rolled her eyes but didn’t argue further.
Once they were back outside, the night air hit them like a slap to the face. Adeline immediately shivered, pulling her sleeves down over her hands.
Jacob sighed, already shrugging off his hoodie. “Here.”
Adeline blinked. “Huh?”
He tossed the hoodie at her. “Put it on before you freeze to death.”
She hesitated, then slipped it over her head, the sleeves falling past her hands. “This thing is huge,” she muttered, but she looked grateful as she buried her hands in the fabric.
Jacob smirked. “Yeah, well, you’re tiny.”
Adeline scowled up at him. “I am not tiny.”
“Uh-huh.”
She huffed, but her lips twitched like she was trying not to smile.
Jacob glanced up at the sky, his breath visible in the cold air. For the first time since Bella left, the ache in his chest wasn’t unbearable. It was still there, lingering, but it wasn’t crushing him anymore.
Adeline nudged him again. “So, what now?”
Jacob exhaled, stuffing his hands in his pockets. “I guess… I go home.”
Adeline nodded. “Good. And tomorrow, you’re gonna take me on a tour of La Push.”
Jacob raised an eyebrow. “I am?”
“Yep.” She smirked. “You owe me for saving your miserable ass tonight.”
Jacob shook his head, but he couldn’t fight the small smile tugging at his lips. “You’re ridiculous.”
“And yet, here you are, agreeing.”
“Fine. But only because I need to make sure you don’t get eaten by a bear or something.”
Adeline grinned. “Aww, you do care.”
Jacob rolled his eyes but didn’t deny it.