Chapter 5

Moon Forest II

The drive to the Moon Forest was long and silent. Bella could feel Zayn's icy glare from the driver's seat, and she knew he was still upset with her. The truth was, she wasn't all that interested in the Moon Forest itself. She just wanted an excuse to spend time with Zayn, to break through the wall he had built around himself. He had been distant and cold towards her for weeks, and this was her chance to get close to him again.

As they drove, Bella tried to think of something to say to break the tension. But every time she opened her mouth, the words got caught in.

"So what are we doing at the Moon Forest?" Bella asked, her voice hesitant.

"Not 'we,'" Zayn said, his voice flat and cold. "I'm going to the Moon Forest to meet with Jake."

Bella raised an eyebrow. "The same Jake who set us up for the ambush?" she asked.

Zayn nodded. "Something happened," he said. "I know it. Jake wouldn't just betray me like that."

Bella nodded, though she wasn't sure if she believed him. But she trusted him, and didn't press the issue any further.

As they approached the Moon Forest, Bella saw the trees towering over them, their branches reaching towards the sky like outstretched arms. The air was cool and damp, and a soft breeze rustled through the leaves. It was a beautiful, otherworldly place, and Bella felt like she had stepped into a fairy tale.

In the distance, she saw Jake standing alone, waiting for them. He looked distraught, his shoulders hunched and his eyes downcast. As they got closer, he looked up at them, his face etched with worry.

"Hey," he said, his voice hoarse. "You came."

"I...I'm sorry about the ambush," Jake said, his voice shaking. "I...they had my family, and they threatened to kill them if I didn't tell you guys to go there."

Zayn's face softened. "It's okay, Jake," he said. "I understand. I knew you'd never betray us. We'll help you save your family."

Jake looked at him, relief flooding his features. "Thank you," he said, his voice trembling. "I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't come."

Bella stood behind Zayn, taking in the fresh air, when she felt something shift inside her. Her eyes began to glow, and before she knew what was happening, she found herself running in front of Zayn.

An arrow whizzed past, just missing Zayn It struck Bella in the shoulder, and she fell to the ground with a cry of pain. Another arrow flew from the shadows, this time hitting Jake in the chest. He let out a groan as he collapsed to the ground. "They...they found me," he murmured with his last breath.

Zayn's heart raced as he saw Bella fall to the ground. Without thinking, he scooped her up in his arms and ran, his speed breaking the sound barrier.

He reached the car and laid her gently in the passenger seat. He started the car and sped off, his eyes fixed on the road ahead.

Bella was groaning in pain, and as he looked over at her, he saw the blood seeping from her shoulder. "What were you thinking, running into the arrow like that?" he said, his voice shaking. "It was going to hit you! I... I felt it coming, I had to stop it!”

As they drove, Zayn could see that Bella was losing a lot of blood, and he knew they wouldn't make it to the mansion in time. He veered off the road and drove to one of his secret hideouts, where he knew a doctor would be waiting.

He carried Bella inside and laid her down on the bed, and the doctor got to work right away. "Sir, you need to give us some privacy," the doctor said.

Zayn felt like his world was falling apart. "Please," he said, his voice shaking. "You have to save her. Nothing can happen to her."

Zayn paced the hallway for hours, his heart racing as he waited for news about Bella. Finally, the doctor emerged from the room. Zayn ran to him, his eyes wide with fear.

"Is she going to be okay?" he asked, his voice trembling.

The doctor looked at him with a mixture of awe and disbelief. "I've never seen anything like it," he said. "She...she healed on her own. It's unbelievable."

"What do you mean?" Zayn demanded. "Explain yourself."

The doctor shook his head. "Right after I pulled the arrow out of her shoulder," the doctor said, "her wound started to close up on its own. And the most shocking part is, the arrow was poisoned. She should have died hours ago."

Zayn felt his jaw drop. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. It was impossible, it had to be a mistake. But the doctor was clearly sure of what he had seen.

He turned and walked away, leaving Zayn alone with his thoughts.

Zayn took a deep breath and walked into the room, where he saw Bella sitting up on the bed.

"Hey," he said softly.

Bella looked up, her eyes meeting his. She jumped to her feet and ran to him, wrapping her arms around him in a tight hug.

"I thought I'd never see you again," she said, her voice shaking.

"You're okay," Zayn said, his voice thick with emotion. "You're okay."

He held her close, his heart racing with relief.

Zayn led Bella back to the bed and sat down next to her. "Can I?" he asked, gesturing to her shoulder.

Bella nodded. Zayn gently pulled the fabric of her dress aside, revealing the wound. And just as the doctor had said, the skin was smooth and unbroken. Zayn's heart was pounding in his chest.

"It was a silver arrow," he said, his voice hoarse. "No werewolf could heal so fast from a silver arrow, especially one that was poisoned."

He looked at Bella, his eyes searching for an answer. "How is this possible?"

"I don't know," Bella said softly. "I've always been told that I was special, but I always thought it was just because of my silver hair and pale skin. I never thought it could be this."

She looked down at her hands, her eyes full of emotion. "I'm not a freak, am I?" she whispered.

Zayn took her hands in his. "Hey," he said, his voice gentle. "No one's calling you a freak. I'm just so glad you're okay."

He looked into her eyes, his own full of compassion.

Bella's eyes met his, and in that moment, she felt something shift. She leaned in and kissed him, the feeling of his lips was heavenly. She pulled away, her breath quick and her heart racing.

Zayn looked at her, his eyes full of wonder. Slowly, he leaned in and kissed her again, their lips moving together in a perfect rhythm. It was as if time had stopped, and they were the only two people in the world.

Zayn gently laid her back on the bed, his hand trailing down her dress. Bella could feel her pulse quickening, a shiver running down her spine. She looked up at him, her eyes full of longing.

Zayn leaned down and kissed her again, his touch gentle and loving. Bella could feel her desire growing, aching for more.

"Zayn," she whispered, her voice hoarse with emotion.