Chapter Text
Chapter One
Jacob leans back against a tree, watching Zia with that easy, half-smirk he always has when he’s trying not to seem too intense, but totally failing.
"Y'know, it's kinda crazy. All this time I thought I had everything figured out that my life was on some path I couldn't change. Then you show up, and it’s like... boom. Everything flipped."
He laughs under his breath, warm and a little shy, scratching the back of his neck like he does when he’s nervous.
"I didn’t even get a choice in it. Didn’t want one, honestly. It's just you’re it for me. Every heartbeat, every breath it’s all tied to you now. Guess you’re stuck with a werewolf, huh?"
He steps closer, his dark eyes catching the light just right, glowing like embers.
"And I don’t want anything else. Ever."
"You okay with that? Because I’ll fight for you. I’ll protect you. I’ll be whatever you need. Always."
Jacob shifts his weight, pulling his hands into the pockets of his jeans, his whole body tense but... expectant. Like he’s waiting for Zia to say something. Anything.
"Whenever you're ready, just... talk to me, alright? I'm not going anywhere."
Zia shrugs, her gaze falling to the floor as if it might hold an answer she can’t find in his eyes. “I don’t know, Jacob,” she says softly, voice trembling with the weight of her uncertainty. “This is all… a lot. You show up in my life like a storm I didn’t see coming, and now everything feels different balance.” She takes a small step back, folding her arms across her chest like a makeshift shield. “I don’t even know what you want from me. What you expect. I barely know you, and yet here you are, talking like I’m supposed to just…what? Understand all of this?” Her eyes finally meet his again, wide with something between fear and frustration. “It’s overwhelming, Jacob. And I don’t know if I’m ready for whatever this is.”
Jacob’s expression softens instantly, all that cocky edge just melts away. He steps closer, but slowly, giving Zia space, his voice low and steady.
"I get it. Honestly... you thinking it’s a lot? That makes sense. I didn’t exactly give you much warning, did I?"
He crouches a little so he’s eye-level with Zia, not trying to tower over her the way he so easily could.
"I don’t expect anything from you. Not now, not ever. Imprinting... it’s not about taking anything. It’s about giving. I’m just here, whatever you need. A friend, a brother, a protector..."
He hesitates, voice going even softer.
"...And yeah, if you ever wanted more... I’d be yours, no questions asked. But that’s your choice. It’s always your choice."
He holds her gaze like she’s the only real thing in the world.
"I’m not rushing you. I’ll wait. For as long as it takes."
Jacob watches her carefully, a hint of nervousness under the warmth, like he’s not sure if she’s going to bolt or stay.
Zia brushed a loose strand of hair behind her ear, a nervous habit she hadn't quite shaken. Her fingers lingered there for a moment before she dropped her hand to her side, eyes flicking toward Jacob and then away again just as quickly. She gave a small shrug, unsure of how to put her tangled thoughts into words.
“I don’t know,” she murmured, her voice quiet but sincere. “Maybe… just be my friend for now?”
She glanced up to see how he took that, then looked down again, her cheeks slightly flushed. “And I guess we could go for walks like dates, or something? But casual. Nothing intense.” Her words came out tentative, like she was still working through how she felt as she said them aloud.
She let out a breath, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “Can we just… take it slow?” Her tone was gentle, almost apologetic. “I’ve got so much uni work piling up, and honestly, I’m still trying to figure out where my head’s at with everything. With you. With… this.”
There was a flicker of something hopeful in her eyes, but it was guarded, held back by the walls she’d built over time. She wasn’t saying no just asking for room to breathe.
Jacob’s whole face lights up not like some huge dramatic grin, but this soft, real smile, like she just handed him the freaking world without even knowing it.
He shifts his stance, relaxing a little now, and rubs the back of his neck again, classic nervous Jacob move. Before stepping just a little closer, close enough she could feel the warmth rolling off him.
"Yeah. Yeah, of course. We’ll take it slow. As slow as you need."
He gives a little chuckle, shaking his head like he can't believe how lucky he is just hearing you say that.
"And hey, don’t even stress about all your uni work. I get it school comes first. You’ve got a whole life you're building. I’m not here to mess that up. I’m just... here. For you. However you need me."
Jacob’s voice drops a little, serious but still full of that easy warmth.
"So, walks that might kinda-sorta be dates, and being your friend. That’s the plan. And if you ever need a study buddy or someone to drag you outside for a break..."
He smiles wider, teasing now.
"I’m basically a human golden retriever. Just say the word."
He kicks a small rock at his feet, looking up at you again like you hung the stars.
"What do you wanna do for our first not-a-date walk? Beach? Forest? Somewhere quiet where you can rant about uni stress without anyone bugging you?"
Zia offered a small, tentative smile, her voice soft as she spoke. “Yeah, I guess we could walk on the beach?” she suggested, the idea growing more comforting the longer she thought about it. She glanced toward the distant sound of the waves, as if already imagining the feel of the cool breeze against her skin. “I love listening to the ocean… it’s calming. Makes everything feel a little less heavy, you know?”
She shifted closer to him, a playful glint beginning to spark in her eyes despite the lingering nervousness. “And maybe afterward, we could grab a bite to eat?” she added, the corners of her mouth lifting into a teasing grin. “I know how hungry you always are.”
The tension between them seemed to ease just a little, her words wrapping around them like a fragile truce an invitation for something gentle and steady to grow between them.
Jacob’s laugh is low and rough, but so full of affection it actually warms the air around Zia. He tips his head back for a second like he can’t even help how happy you’re making him.
"You do know me already," he says, grinning. "I’m basically always thinking about my next meal."
He steps up beside her, close enough her shoulder almost brushes his, but he’s careful not to crowd her, letting Zia set the pace.
"The beach sounds perfect. Just you, me, and the ocean. And yeah, definitely food. If you’re with me, you’re gonna need the energy to keep up anyway."
He bumps Zia lightly with his elbow just enough to make her smile without throwing her off balance and starts walking slow, matching her stride.
"I know this little spot down the coast not a lot of people go there. It’s peaceful. I can grab us something to eat too. Burgers? Tacos? You name it, I’ll get it."
He glances over, that warm, almost boyish look back on his face.
"And don’t worry... tonight’s not about anything heavy. Just walking, eating, and maybe you letting me listen to you talk about all the stuff you’re working on, if you feel like it. I wanna know everything."