Chapter 5
~ Isabella's POV
"I love you," Jack repeated, his eyes searching mine as if trying to make sure I understood.
"I've loved you for a long time. That's why you have to trust me. I'm asking you to hold on just a little longer for us."
I stared at him, my mind spinning. Love? This was love? My whole world felt like it was tilting on its axis. I wanted to believe him, to believe that this could be real, that I could have a future with him. But at the same time, fear gripped my heart.
"But… how can I trust this? How can I trust you?" I whispered, my voice trembling.
Jack reached out, gently brushing a tear from my cheek. "I know it's hard, Bella. But I promise, I'll protect you. We'll get through this together. Just hold on for a little while longer. Please."
"Please, Bella," Jack urged, his voice dropping to a desperate whisper. "Just say you'll stay. Say you'll wait for me."
I opened my mouth to answer, but the words wouldn't come. After a long, tense pause, I finally nodded, my heart pounding in my chest.
"Okay, Jack. I'll stay. I'll wait for you," I whispered, the words feeling both heavy and light at the same time. The moment I agreed, it was like a weight lifted from my shoulders, and my world brightened with a new sense of hope. Jack smiled, relief washing over his face, and for a moment, everything felt right.
He walked me back home that night, and even though I knew what was waiting for me behind those doors, I felt different. I was no longer alone in my misery; I had Jack. Over the next few days, I endured everything my adoptive parents threw at me. Their harsh words, the chores that seemed endless, and even the occasional slap or shove, I accepted it all, just as Jack asked me to. Because I knew that soon, everything would change.
Jack kept his distance in public, barely acknowledging me when others were around. At first, it stung, but I reminded myself of his promise. I didn't mind, as long as I knew he loved me. When we were alone, it was different. We found stolen moments to talk, to laugh, and even to play around like carefree kids. Those moments were my refuge, my escape from the harsh reality of my life.
And before I knew it, Jack's coronation day arrived. He was turning 21, the day he would officially become Alpha. The entire pack was buzzing with excitement. Preparations were in full swing, and everyone was eager to witness the event. I couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions, pride, happiness, and a bit of nervousness.
When the day finally came, the pack grounds were filled with people. Wolves from all over had come to witness Jack's coronation. I stood among the crowd, my heart swelling with happiness as I watched him on the stage, dressed in his ceremonial robes. He looked every bit the leader he was destined to be, and I couldn't help but smile, feeling proud of him.
As the ceremony began, I couldn't take my eyes off him. Jack looked over the crowd, his gaze briefly meeting mine, and a small smile played on his lips. My heart skipped a beat, and I knew that everything we had gone through was worth it. This was the beginning of a new chapter, not just for Jack, but for both of us.
The day, which had started with so much joy and hope, quickly turned into the saddest day of my life. As the coronation ceremony reached its climax, the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived, the moment when Jack would discover his mate. I watched with bated breath, my heart pounding in my chest. I had never dared to dream that it could be me, a mere human, but a small part of me hoped, and also because he promised me, I was a bit certain that he would choose me.
Jack stood tall on the stage, his eyes closed, concentrating. Suddenly, his eyes snapped open, and they landed right on me. A gasp rippled through the crowd as everyone followed his gaze. My heart soared, my face flushed with a mix of shock and happiness. Could it be true? Could I be his mate?
The murmurs grew louder, people whispering and grumbling, clearly unhappy. "It can't be," I heard someone mutter. "A human as the Alpha's mate? It's unheard of!"
I was called to the stage, my feet moving on their own. My hands trembled as I approached Jack, my mind racing with thoughts of a new life. A life where I wasn't just a burden or an outsider, but someone important, someone loved. My world, which had been filled with so much pain, was about to change forever.
But then, just as quickly as the joy had filled me, it was snatched away. Jack's expression hardened, his eyes cold and distant. He took a step back, lifting his chin with a look of resolve.
"I reject you," he announced, his voice steady but firm. "I, Jack Wilson, the Alpha of the MoonBlood pack reject you, Isabella Watson, as my mate."
The words hit me like a slap in the face. For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
The crowd erupted into shocked gasps and murmurs, but all I could hear was the deafening silence in my head. My heart shattered into a million pieces as his words echoed through me. This wasn't happening. This couldn't be happening.
I felt the world tilt under my feet, my vision blurring with tears. "Jack… why?" I managed to whisper, my voice breaking.
He looked at me with a coldness I had never seen before. "You're human, Bella. You don't belong here. You can't be my Luna!"
Pain surged through me, more intense than anything I had ever felt. I thought of all the moments we had shared, the promises he had made. It had all been a lie. The life I had imagined crumbled before my eyes.
Tears streamed down my face as the reality of his rejection settled in. My whole body felt numb, my heart aching with a pain I didn't think was possible. I had stayed, and endured everything, all for him. And now, I was being cast aside, like I was nothing.
The crowd's whispers grew louder, their eyes piercing me with judgment and disdain. I felt like a fool, standing there in front of everyone, my heart shattered and my dreams crushed.
Heartbroken and humiliated, I couldn't stay there any longer. The pain of Jack's rejection was too much to bear. The whispers of the crowd and the coldness in Jack's eyes echoed in my mind, tearing at my heart. Without thinking, I turned and ran. I needed to get away, to escape the reality that had shattered my world.
I sprinted into the woods, branches scratching at my skin, but I didn't care. I just kept running, my tears blurring my vision. The forest seemed to close in around me, the shadows growing darker with every step. My heart pounded in my chest, matching the rhythm of my frantic footsteps. I had no idea where I was going, but anywhere was better than there.
The trees began to thin out as I reached the edge of the woods, and I burst onto the highway, my breath coming in ragged gasps. My mind was a whirlwind of confusion and pain, and I barely noticed the sound of an approaching car. All I could think about was getting away from everything, Jack, the pack, the rejection, the shame.
Suddenly, a blinding light filled my vision, and I heard the screech of tires against the asphalt. Before I could react, the car hit me with a force that sent me flying through the air. For a split second, there was a strange calmness, a weightless feeling, and then everything went dark.
Just before the darkness completely took over, I saw a figure approaching me through the haze. My vision was blurry, and I couldn't make out his face, but I could tell it was a man. He knelt beside me, his voice urgent and filled with concern, but it all sounded distant like I was underwater.
"Hey, stay with me! Open your eyes!" he pleaded, his hands gently holding my face. His voice was desperate, trying to pull me back from the brink. But everything felt muffled like I was hearing through thick fog. I wanted to respond, to say something, but my body wouldn't obey.
The man's voice grew more frantic, but it was fading away, swallowed by the darkness that was closing in around me. I could barely feel his touch now; everything was slipping away.
In those final moments of consciousness, as the world dimmed to black, I thought about Jack's cold eyes, his cruel rejection, and the dreams that had been ripped away from me. The pain in my heart was unbearable, far worse than any physical injury. I felt my heart breaking over and over again. As I lay there, surrendering to the void, a single thought echoed in my mind: maybe now, I could finally escape this pain.