Ooh-ooh-ooh-ooh, in the Black Sea

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𝕋ℍ𝔼ℝ𝔼 was a long, tense silence as Rain stood there, her breathing heavy, her heart still pounding in her chest. She could feel the weight of everything settling around her, the anger still burning in her veins but beginning to simmer down now that she had said her piece. Without another word, Rain turned and walked toward the door. Before she stepped out, she stopped and spoke, her voice low and firm.

"Don't follow me. Don't talk to me. Not until you understand what you've done." She turned back to Bella, her eyes cold and distant. "And don't expect me to forgive you easily. You've lost my trust, Bella. And that's not something you can just get back."

With that, Rain walked out of the room, leaving Bella behind, her anger still simmering but feeling, for the first time in days, like she could finally breathe.

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Charlie pulled up outside Sam and Emily's house, the headlights of the truck cutting through the darkened trees. Rain sat quietly beside him, her eyes heavy with exhaustion but her heart pounding with anticipation. She hadn't said much on the drive, and Charlie hadn't pushed her. He knew she needed time to process everything that had happened.

As soon as the truck stopped, the front door of the house opened, and Erian stepped out, followed closely by the pack. His eyes immediately locked onto Rain, and without hesitation, she unbuckled her seatbelt and jumped out of the truck, running toward him.

"Erian!" she called, her voice soft but filled with relief.

Erian's arms were already outstretched as Rain ran into him, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck as he caught her effortlessly, holding her close to his chest. He buried his face in her hair, breathing her in, feeling her heartbeat against his. She clung to him as though she was afraid he might disappear.

"I missed you," Rain whispered, her voice barely audible against his skin.

"I've got you," Erian murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to the top of her head. "I'm here. You're safe."

Rain felt the weight of her exhaustion catching up to her as she relaxed into him, her body going limp. Without another word, Erian scooped her up into his arms, holding her securely as he turned toward the house. Rain's eyes fluttered closed, her head resting against his shoulder, feeling his warmth and the steady beat of his heart beneath her cheek.

Emily appeared at the door, smiling warmly at them as she stepped aside to let Erian carry Rain inside. "I've prepared the spare room for her," she said softly, already heading toward the hallway to guide him.

Erian followed Emily, cradling Rain in his arms as though she were the most precious thing in the world. Her breathing had already deepened, and she was slipping into sleep, her body worn out from everything she had been through. Erian gently laid her down on the bed, pulling the blankets over her as she nestled into the pillows.

Rain stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open for a moment. She looked up at Erian, her lips curving into a soft smile. "You're here," she whispered.

"I'm not going anywhere," Erian said quietly, leaning down to brush a kiss against her forehead. Rain's smile widened briefly before she drifted off to sleep, completely at peace in his presence.

Erian watched her for a moment longer, his hand gently brushing a strand of hair away from her face. His heart felt full, like everything was right in the world as long as she was by his side. But then, the scent hit him—faint but unmistakable.

Jacob.

Erian's expression hardened as he stood up slowly, his jaw tightening. He knew that scent anywhere, and anger flared up inside him. Without a word, he turned and marched outside, his eyes sharp and focused as he spotted Jacob standing at the edge of the porch, his arms crossed.

Erian didn't stop. He pushed Jacob hard, sending him stumbling backward and crashing down the stairs. Jacob quickly recovered, his eyes flashing with surprise and anger as he stood up, squaring off against Erian.

"What the hell, man?" Jacob growled, his fists clenched at his sides.

Erian's voice was a low, dangerous growl. "*Our one absolute law is to not harm the ones we've imprinted.* And yet, you put mine in danger." His eyes glinted with fury, his body tense with barely controlled rage.

Jacob glared at him, stepping forward. "I didn't do anything to Rain! I was trying to help—"

"Help?" Erian's voice was a snarl, his body shaking with the force of his anger. "You dragged her into *your* mess. You didn't protect her. You put her life on the line, and for what? To save a girl that is with a vampire? You broke the pack's trust, Jacob."

Jacob's face twisted with frustration. "You don't understand—"

"I understand enough," Erian interrupted, his voice deadly calm now, but the fury in his eyes was unmistakable. "You don't get to risk her life, ever. You think this is about me being jealous? No. This is about you failing to protect someone you swore to keep safe."

The tension between them grew, the air thick with the promise of violence. And then, without warning, they both shifted. Their human forms melted away, replaced by the hulking figures of their wolf selves, fur bristling, eyes locked in a deadly standoff.

Erian towered over Jacob, his massive form radiating power and dominance. His growl echoed through the trees, low and menacing.

"You broke the law, Jacob," Erian growled, his teeth bared. "And now, you face the consequences."

Jacob tried to hold his ground, but Erian's presence was overwhelming. The pack circled around them, watching, but no one intervened. This was between the two of them now.

Jacob's growl faltered, and he shifted back into his human form, breathing hard, his chest rising and falling as he stared at Erian. "I didn't mean for her to get hurt."

Erian shifted back as well, his expression unreadable as he stood over Jacob. Paul tossed him a pair of jeans, which he pulled on quickly, his gaze never leaving Jacob.

"That doesn't matter," Erian said coldly, his voice full of authority. "What matters is that you did. And if you ever, ever, put Rain at risk again, I won't be so forgiving."

Jacob looked away, his shoulders sagging with the weight of his guilt. He didn't argue further. He knew Erian was right.

Without another word, Erian turned and walked back into the house, his heart still pounding with adrenaline but his mind already calming. As he stepped into Rain's room, he saw her lying there, her body relaxed in sleep, a soft smile on her face.

Erian knelt down beside her, brushing his fingers gently over her cheek. Rain stirred slightly, her eyes fluttering open for just a moment, and she smiled up at him.

"I knew you'd come back," she whispered, her voice thick with sleep.

Erian smiled softly, his heart swelling with love for her. He leaned down and kissed her forehead gently, lingering there for a moment as if to imprint his love on her skin.

"I'm never leaving you," he whispered, his lips brushing her hair. "Sleep, Rain. I'll be here when you wake up."

Rain's smile widened, and she closed her eyes again, her breathing evening out as she slipped back into sleep. Erian stayed by her side, watching over her, his heart at peace for the first time in days.

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By: SilverMist707
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