(Third Person POV)

Jacob Black stared down at the gravestone beneath his feet. He crouched down, allowing his fingers to run over its immaculate marble texture, feeling cool under his fingertips. Gently, he traced the markings carved into the stone.

ISABELLA MARIE SWAN

1988-2007

LOVED BY FAMILY AND FRIENDS

His large shoulders began to quiver in response, the waves of sadness flowing through his body. The russet coloured hands that held an intricate bouquet of black and red roses gripped tighter around the stems, causing the thorns to penetrate his rough, calloused palms. Jacob cried out in frustration from the pain of everything. His best friend was rotting away in the Forks cemetery because of him. If he could, Jacob would trade places with her happily. But it was not his decision to make; fate was the only ruler in the game.

He stood up from his crouching position, hastily wiping away the few tears of contriteness that had escaped the corners of his eyes. What would Bella say now if she saw such a response emanating from him? She’d chide him, most likely, saying something like “Aww, look at that, I made a werewolf cry! Even you’re not so tough like you pretend to be, Jacob Black,” then immediately enveloping him in a hug where her small arms would struggle to fit around his middle. He would have placed his face in her hair and deeply inhaled her beautiful aroma, one of freesia and other unknown flowers. If he did that now, the only scent he’d pick up would be the one of rotting human flesh. Her rotting flesh.

“Why?” Jacob cried, shaking his fist to the sky and heavens above. “Why? Answer me, fiends!” There was no response, obviously. Jacob tried to place his paw-like hand on the gravestone but found he could not as his whole body convulsed with agony and misery. Cruel world should have taken me instead, he thought.

The row of tall, dark skinned males stood in a single line, sadly glancing at their friend, who had become a wreck after the death of their human friend, Isabella. Everyone could feel the anguish tormenting him and it hurt to see someone they considered their blood brother to be ripped up. They all simultaneously turned to face the alpha of their pack, Sam Uley, who sighed and approached Jacob.