Chapter 2: Stalled Bonds
The cool light of early morning filtered through the thick canopy of trees surrounding the Cullen house, casting soft shadows over the wooden floors. Renesmee sat by the large window in her bedroom, tracing absent-minded patterns on the glass with her finger. She had long ago stopped marveling at how her skin no longer left prints—it was just one of the many things about her that wasn't quite human.
A sigh escaped her lips as she glanced at the calendar on her wall. Her last birthday had come and gone just weeks ago, marking the official age of eighteen, though she had reached that milestone physically at the age of seven. Her family celebrated, of course, but there was an unspoken tension lingering in the air, something she couldn't quite shake. Maybe it was because Jacob had seemed... off. More intense, more insistent, since that day.
Her mind wandered back to their latest conversation, where he had all but begged her to consider something more than friendship between them.
"Come on, Ness. We've known each other forever. It's not like this is something new."
Jacob's voice was full of frustration as he paced the living room, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He had stopped short of actually getting angry, but Renesmee could feel the tension radiating off of him in waves. She sat on the edge of the couch, feeling uncomfortably trapped under the weight of his gaze.
"I know we have, Jake," she replied gently, but firmly. "And I love you. You know I do. But... not like that."
Jacob froze mid-step and turned to look at her, his dark eyes searching her face for any sign of hesitation. "How can you not? I've been here your whole life, Ness. I've always been by your side, protecting you, watching over you. We're supposed to be together."
The intensity in his voice made her heart clench. She hated seeing him like this—so sure that things were meant to be a certain way when her own heart didn't agree. She had been rehearsing this conversation for weeks, ever since the unease between them had begun to grow, but nothing could have prepared her for how difficult it was to actually say the words.
"I know you've been there for me, and I'll always be grateful for that," Renesmee said softly, standing to face him. "But I can't be with you the way you want. Not now. Not ever. It's not because of you—it's me. I just... I don't feel that way."
Jacob's jaw clenched, and he dropped his head, running his hand through his short hair. "You don't know what you're saying. This is how it's supposed to be. I imprinted on you, Ness. It's not just a choice. It's fate."
Renesmee bit her lip. She had always known about the imprint—Jacob had explained it to her when she was younger, how it was this deep, primal bond that wolves shared with their destined mate. But that had never sat right with her. She cared for Jacob deeply, but not in the way he wanted. It wasn't fair to either of them to pretend otherwise.
"I know about the imprint," she replied gently. "But I've always wondered if it's really what you think it is. We've been best friends, Jake, and that's what I need from you. You're important to me, but I don't want a relationship based on something that was decided for us. I want my feelings to guide me—not fate."
Jacob's silence was deafening. He stared at her for a long moment, his face unreadable, before finally turning away. "So, what am I supposed to do?" His voice was low, strained. "Just wait? Hope that you'll change your mind someday?"
Renesmee shook her head, tears welling up in her eyes. "I don't want you to wait for something that may never happen. You deserve more than that."
Jacob stood still, the frustration radiating off him in waves. He wanted to argue, to push harder, but Renesmee's gentle resolve was unyielding. She wasn't backing down, and deep down, he knew that.
Finally, he exhaled a long, frustrated breath and nodded. "Fine. I'll back off. For now."
Renesmee's chest ached as she watched him leave the room, her heart heavy with the weight of the unspoken feelings between them. She knew he wasn't truly okay with it—she had felt it in every word he said—but at least, for now, the tension had been eased. At least, for now, they could still hold onto their friendship.
That conversation had been just two days ago, but it still haunted her. Renesmee knew Jacob was only pretending to accept her decision, but his silence afterward had spoken volumes. He had been avoiding Edward since then, keeping his thoughts carefully guarded, a skill he had perfected over the years. Renesmee knew that Jacob didn't want Edward to know how he truly felt—that even though he'd agreed to give her space, his mind was still tangled in frustration, anger, and longing.
Renesmee sighed and leaned her head against the cool glass of the window. She wasn't naive; she understood why Jacob felt the way he did. The imprint had bound him to her in a way that was deeper than any regular connection. But she also knew that her heart didn't mirror his.
She didn't want to hurt him, but she couldn't force herself into a relationship just because it was "supposed" to be that way. She deserved to choose who she loved, just like anyone else. And Jacob, despite his loyalty, wasn't the person who stirred those feelings in her.
A soft knock on her door pulled Renesmee out of her thoughts. "Come in," she called, straightening herself.
The door opened to reveal Esme, her grandmother, with a warm, concerned smile. "You've been awfully quiet today, sweetheart. Everything okay?"
Renesmee forced a smile. "Yeah, just thinking."
Esme crossed the room and sat beside her, gently smoothing Renesmee's hair behind her ear. "I know things have been complicated with Jacob lately. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to, but just know we're all here for you."
Renesmee's throat tightened. She had always loved how Esme could make her feel better with just a few words. "Thanks, Grandma. I just... I hate that things are awkward with him. I know he's hurting, but I can't be what he wants me to be."
Esme nodded, her expression understanding. "It's not easy, loving someone who can't love you back the same way. But Jacob cares about you deeply, even if things aren't how he imagined they'd be. He'll come around. He just needs time."
Renesmee smiled weakly. "I hope so."
Esme pressed a gentle kiss to the top of her head before standing. "Take your time. Don't rush into anything that doesn't feel right."
Meanwhile, Jacob sat alone at the edge of the forest, his hands buried in the cool, damp soil. He had phased into his wolf form earlier, running through the trees at breakneck speed, hoping that the physical exertion would help him burn off some of the anger and frustration that had been boiling inside him since his last conversation with Renesmee. But even now, with his human form restored, the feelings wouldn't leave him.
He had always known it would be difficult, loving someone like Renesmee. She wasn't like other girls—she wasn't even fully human. But he had convinced himself that the imprint was enough. That fate would take care of the rest. But now...
Jacob let out a bitter laugh, running a hand through his hair. She didn't feel the same way. She didn't want what he wanted. He had promised her he'd back off, but the thought of watching her with someone else someday was unbearable. He had been there for her since day one, protecting her, loving her. How could it not be enough?
His phone buzzed in his pocket, breaking him from his thoughts. Jacob pulled it out and glanced at the screen—his father was calling.
"Dad?" Jacob answered, his voice still rough with lingering frustration.
"Jake, you need to come back to the reservation. There's something important going on, and I need you here," Billy's voice came through, calm but serious.
Jacob's brow furrowed. "What's up?"
"It's about your uncle. He's back, Jake. And he's brought someone with him."
Jacob's heart skipped a beat. His uncle? The one who had left the reservation years ago? Why was he back now? And who had he brought with him?
"I'll be there," Jacob said quickly, already rising to his feet.
As he hung up the phone, a strange sense of anticipation filled him. Something was happening, something big. And it wasn't just about his uncle's return. There was something else, something deeper in the air.
Without another word, Jacob shifted into his wolf form and bolted toward the reservation, his mind racing with questions. Whatever this was, it was bound to change everything.