A/N: Hi guys, it's been a year or so since my last update and I'm sorry for that. I'm not a very motivated person, and Twilight hasn't been much in my head lately so I've been that much less motivated to update this. And to answer everybody's "Will this be an mpreg story?" I'm sad to say it won't be- I never intended for it to be an mpreg and I'm sure it confused people when Jacob started acting sick but I assure you his symptoms were only from being away from Edward (his imprint). Thank you and enjoy!
7:13AM
It was the next morning, and Jacob woke up not feeling as warm as he normally would- a little cold, actually. It was a nice switch up to having the sweats like he did the past few days he'd been suffering through his unbearable heat cycle. He rustled around in the hard, cold arms that embraced him, eyes opening to see Edward's very awake face above his own.
It was still weird for him to see that face and not feel intense hatred anymore. Just weeks ago, being this close to Edward would've caused him to wolf out without a second thought. He hated the guy, hated his guts since the first day he saw him. But now, it was all different. Everything's changed, and Jacob didn't know if it was for better, or ..
Jacob couldn't even think about Sam exiling him from the pack. He could already imagined how everybody would look at him. With..
"-Jacob." Edward's voice cut his train of thought, and upon looking up, Jacob knew his worries didn't go unbeknownst to the vampire. That Edward had been listening in. That bit still annoyed him, and he knew it always would- that his thoughts weren't his own when he would have to suffer a few minutes around Edward when he wanted to be with Bella, but now.. they both really have to start making changes. Big changes, and changes scared Jacob.
The boy huffed, untangling himself from Edward's arms and sitting up. "It's fine, they're my problem. Not yours." Jacob said, flatly.
"Your problems are my problems now, Jacob." Edward reminded him, loosening his grip on the boy and leaning back. Jacob didn't have anything else to say after that, really. Being with Edward now, not being deprived of his presence, he can finally think straight. Everything right now, is so weird. It seems unnatural, but at the same time, so right. He was determined that if a God or Gods did exist, then they were playing a big 'ole prank on them and laughing at their expense.
The past few days for Jacob had been hell, and he couldn't say how he got through them, but he did. Now, his mind was clear and he could think straight about everything happening. How his pack will react when he finally gathers up the courage to tell them. Or God forbid, they just find out. Dealing with these overwhelming feelings that wash over him- randomly, all day or just all at once.
Jacob hated that he needed to be by Edward, that he couldn't be away for too long before feeling like absolute crap. He resented this imprint, but he could never deny it.
"-Esme's cooking." Edward sighed, and from what Jacob could tell, he hadn't been eavesdropping. Or was just really good at hiding that he was, he wouldn't ever know. Jacob looked up, confused. "Don't you guys, uh-" But Edward cut him off, already knowing what he was going to say. He shook his head. "You know we don't, Jacob- you're her excuse to cook."
The russet skinned boy thought it was weird that Edward's family was taking to this as easily as they were, considering they just found out last night. And witnessed ridiculous amounts of PDA and minor bestiality. Jacob chuckled to himself at that last thought.
"She keeps our fridge stocked in case of .." Edward cleared his throat, "Emergencies." What were emergencies? Bella? Jacob frowned at this, only to himself though.
Edward got up from the futon, looking down at Jacob who hadn't seemed to move at all, even at the mention of food. "Come on, I'm sure you're hungry."
As if. He felt like barfing- well, not really. Two days ago he felt like barfing, today he just felt like he wanted to curl up into a ball and slowly wilt away, or at least until things went back to normal. Which they wouldn't, Jacob reminded himself.
"I'm not hungry." Jacob deadpanned, not even looking up to see his.. God, it sounded weird even just thinking it. It was easier last night, being overcome with that insane onslaught of emotions and hormones. The most confusing part of it all was, he didn't know where he as a human stopped, and where his wolf started. He didn't know which part of him was feeling what and if it's all just the same, maybe.
Last night, though- it seemed so clear. Everything felt right. Kissing him, being embraced in cold arms. He could've died in Edward's arms in that moment and not have cared the least. He was in his own heaven.
And then there's today- he felt more like himself, but confused as fuck, which didn't help matters any.
He'd suddenly remembered how their Tribe Elders would speak of the imprint, even his friends and his dad. How when Sam imprinted on Emily, that his world turned upside down and the only thing that mattered was her. How he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with her, and never doubted it for a second.
Then again, Emily's human.
"Jacob." Edward spoke, his expression somewhat concerned. He seemed to be frowning, and suddenly, Jacob really needed to get some fresh air.
"I'm sorry, I just- I need to go." Jacob excused himself out of Edward's room, despite the protests calling behind him as he made his way down the stairs and past Esme who called out.
"Jacob, honey-" The boy didn't even turn to say goodbye, he just rushed out of the door, and just as Edward made it outside, he saw nothing but a pile of Emmett's clothes Jacob borrowed the night before and the lingering scent of Jacob's wolf leading into the woods.
Edward sighed, but thought maybe some time alone would do Jacob good, despite the imprint clearly demanding that they stay together- he was sure the boy wouldn't be gone for long. He couldn't.
"He'll be okay." Came a soft , reassuring voice behind him- his mother, Esme. She had turned off the stove after finishing up the bacon and eggs she started for the wolf, and Edward couldn't help but feel a little inconsolable. It was obvious the imprint didn't affect him nearly as much as it did Jacob. He wasn't a wolf afterall, not even a human. They were destined to be enemies, and now, to be mates- imprints, for Jacob's kind. It screwed with his head, and his emotions, so he could only imagine how it must feel for someone as hard headed as Jacob.
The times when Jacob was 'Mutt' and he was 'Leech', were so, so much simpler.
Edward groaned, wishing for once he could just go to sleep and relax. Despite popular belief, vampires do miss sleeping. He remembered how amazing it felt to just lay against a cold pillow, wrapped up in his covers until he fell into a deep slumber. Staying awake for the past near century was boring, sometimes.
But he had to get ready for school now, and see the girl who he'd been avoiding for the past few days. He missed Bella, and hadn't wanted to avoid her for this along, but with what's been going on, it didn't feel right. Being with her, felt wrong, and so did being with Jacob.
Nothing was normal anymore, his world has been turned upside down.
10:05AM
Guilt pricked against Jacob's racing heart as paw after paw thudded on the forest floor, scraping up dirt with every stride. He didn't know why he felt bad. Because he was so rude to Mrs. Cullen? Because he left Edward with absolutely no explanation at all?
As Jacob continued running, time passed- and he had no idea where he was going. He was running in circles, probably. Maybe not, the forest was pretty big. He needed time to think, but that'd have to wait until he phased back to his human form. Which would be when he got home, and hopefully his dad wouldn't be there. He needed some time to himself- to think, to understand everything. To sort his feelings, because the line between love and hate is so thin it's hard to place where his heart is right now. A growl ripped through his broad chest, wind stripping through his copper fur as he galloped past the wild life. The birds were chirping, he could hear it so clearly. He could hear the shallow breaths of a near by deer as he slowed down to a stop.
Jacob had been running for a good half an hour with no particular destination in mind. There was nothing on his mind, actually. He did his best at keeping it clear, hoping no one would notice he'd shifted.
Seems his hard work didn't pay off as well as he thought.
'Jake?' A familiar voice resonated through his mind, and he tried blocking the person out. But they were pretty persistent, as it seemed. Shit.
'What Seth?' Jacob mentally sighed as he started to walk again, paw after paw- keeping a rather slow pace towards his house.
'Where've you been?' The voice seemed worried, and Jacob couldn't help but mentally chuckle at how sad Seth sounded. He was like his little brother, and he missed him, no doubt. It saddened him he had to leave, and that this was a secret to even someone he knew, well, thinks he can trust. 'Everyone's been talking, Jake. They're all worried.'
'I know, and I'm sorry. But .. I'm just dealing with some stuff, okay?' Jacob left it at that, not wanting to say too much, as he knew others could be listening. But Seth wasn't like that, so then again, they probably were the only two right now.
'Look, I'm gonna be at Emily's soon- so we'll talk there.' Jacob picked up running then, nearly at his house so he could finally get into some clothes of his own..
But shit, Jacob stopped dead in his tracks. He couldn't go home smelling like a leech. He did run a lot, most of it came off, but it still lingered, and he knew everyone would smell it on him as soon as he walked through the door. There wasn't any near by water to dunk into, so he was placing all his bets on his father not being home right now.
'Alright, I guess... see you when you get her- there. Hope you're okay.' 'I am, Seth. See you soon.'
Jacob sped up again, racing past the trees and even stopping every mile or so to rub himself against a tree to help lift the smell off his fur. As soon as he reached his house, an intense weight lifted from his shoulders when he didn't see any trace of his dad's vehicle.
He walked up to around the side of the house to his a jar window. His dad always told him he should shut his window when he left, someone could break in. Well, today his forgetfullness finally did him some good.
Jacob shifted, standing up right and quickly pushing the window opened and leaping into his room. He didn't touch a thing, not even a towel. He headed straight towards the bathroom and took a hot shower, even stood there for a few minutes, letting the hot water wash over him.
It wasn't long into letting his thoughts and pent up emotions wash over him, that he started crying. Tears flooded his eyes, but it would've been hard to tell considering his face was wet to begin with. He was confused, and angry. Upset that this was how his first imprint had to turn out, and angry... angry that, right now, he misses that stupid. Fucking. Blood sucker.
Jacob's hand balled into a fist, his anger overwhelming him so much he felt his heart was going to explode any second now.
It hadn't even been that long, and he could already feel that familiar tension building up in his heart. Like someone had a hand around his heart and was squeezing it, except maybe not that bad. It wasn't bad, it was just irritating that he couldn't feel as good without Edward as he did with him.
Jacob could revel in the feeling of last night. That split second where all of his pain turned to bliss, the second he tumbled into Edward's arms, knocking them both over. It was the craziest, most amazing thing he'd ever felt. It was so fast. One minute he felt like death itself, and then... he just didn't care, about anything. Except him and Edward, in that moment.
And right now, he wanted to vomit. It was gross, but then it wasn't. He hated the guy, but then he didn't, either.
Why was this so fucking difficult!?
Then it happened. He relieved himself on the floor of the tub, not looking twice at it- he'd throw up even more if he did. Jacob hated feeling like this, and maybe this was what his dad was explaining to him that night when they had the talk. The werewolf shape shifter version of the talk, that is. The 'imprint' talk.
They had covered a few things, some of them really minor, but one really stuck out in this particular moment.
"Trying to fight the imprint can lead to terrible sickness, vomitting and ultimately..." Billy paused, looking seriously to his son. Jacob gulped, and waited.
"Death... if it's fought long enough, son." Billy sipped his coffee. "The imprint is never wrong, it brings two people together for a reason, Jacob. In human terms, they'd call it soul mates. But it's more than that. When you first meet that person, it happens almost immediately. You look at them, and your whole world is changed. And, as you may know- there's no way around it. That's your partner for life, son."
Jacob pressed himself up against the shower wall for a moment, collecting himself. This was impossible, he couldn't do this. He'd fight it until he knew what to do. If he was around Edward- his wolf would just take over, he wouldn't have any say in the matter. He can't control himself at this point, so for now, he needed as much time as he could, away and with the normalcy of his pack, his family and friends.
It was bearable for now, so he'd have to deal. He'd have to call Edward later or something, tell him he was okay, to hear his voice- maybe that'd make it better until he was ready. He knew he just took a complete 180, from lovey-dovey to running out of their house like a maniac.
Jacob sighed, turning off the water and stepping out. He grabbed a towel out of the closet and dried himself off, heading to his room to get dressed and head out to Emily's place.
It was just minutes later that he was ready, and heading out the door. He reached up above their door for the spare key, locking the door before he headed off.
11:30AM
Edward had his first class with Bella, but they didn't talk a lot. The teacher was out, and a substitute was in- and a snappy one at that. Bella just asked him if he'd be over today, to which he obliged to- despite his thoughts jumping back and forth between her and the wolf. He could hardly pay attention, but even then, he ended up finishing the pop quiz the substitute handed out, first.
There was one class left until lunch, and then they'd talk. Well, she'd ask questions, and he'd practically lie in response to everything she asked.
Sometimes he wished he didn't have so much of his humanity in tact. Wished he was a little colder, so he didn't feel like such a terrible boyfriend. And now, terrible imprint. He had two people to worry about now, and definitely some trouble heading his and his family's way, soon. There was only so much time until Jacob's pack found out about his imprint. They weren't stupid, and from what Carlisle's described of shape shifter's, they were very in tune with the other member's of their pack. Especially, the alpha- Sam.
Edward sighed, writing in the last answer to his paper and glancing up to the clock. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1...
"Okay! Pencil's down, hand 'em in." The teacher said, and Edward immediately got up to hand his paper over to the teacher, before heading out. It was time for lunch- and time for Bella, something he'd have to brace himself for. It shouldn't be too much trouble, though. Even at her worst, she was rather underwhelming when it came to her emotions. He didn't mind it, though.
11:47AM
Jacob reached Em's place, finally. Walking up to the house, and seeing all the cars- including his dad's in front of the house, he paused before reaching for the door knob. He was hesitant, nervous and had a bad gut feeling that something was going on. He knew the way he left yesterday would've received some alarming responses, and in turn, a worried Sam and Dad. Fuck, he really didn't know what he was walking in to. Jacob drew in a deep breath, steadying his fast heart beat before walking in the door.
His dad was there. Right there, sitting at the kitchen table with Emily and Sam. Paul was standing off to the side, obviously a part of the conversation they were having, but multitasking and watching TV, too.
Every single eye in the house was on him, and he could've passed out at the sight of everyone staring at him. Just waiting, expecting for him to say something- anything. But words didn't come to him. His mouth dried up, and his arms hung at his sides. His breathing was fast, and all he could hear in the dead silence was his heart beat in his ears.
Suddenly, then- Sam stood up from his seat, both hands on the table as he paced around Billy. Jacob braced himself, for anything, really- but didn't much expect it when his dad's hand reached out to stop Sam in his tracks.
Billy exchanged a short look with Sam, not one Jacob could really decipher well, but it was more than a look. They.. they knew. They knew, fuck. They knew. They had to have known something. Still, Jacob was silent. And finally, the dreaded silence that builded throughout the room was broken.
"Jacob." Billy spoke, softly but stern. He was serious, and if this was obvious to Paul, who left the kitchen to go sit on the couch with the others- Embry, Quill, Jared, Seth and Leah. He could see Seth's worried eyes on him, and he felt a sting press into his heart for the boy.
"Where have you been, son?" Billy strolled forward, the distance between him and Jacob closing in. "Are you okay?"
Jacob took a second to comprehend the words spoken to him, finding himself sort of speechless at the worst moment possible. "I'm.. fine. I just wasn't feeling good, is all. Must've been something I ate, Dad." He lied, and it was obvious- because he could practically smell the doubt clouding through the room from every. Single. Person. Worst lie ever. Shit, Jacob.
"Not feeling good?" Sam bellowed, voice raised loud enough that Jared and the rest in the living room stopped what they were doing, obviously just as frightened as he was. Though he wasn't as scared of Sam himself, as he was of his secret getting out. He was scared of how smart he knew Paul was, and that he knew, sooner or later- he would find out. He was Jacob's alpha, and secrets are nearly impossible to keep in a wolf pack.
"Jacob, not feeling good doesn't excuse your behavior yesterday. We could smell the sickness coming from you- Hell, I could practically feel it. And you want to pass a lie as pathetic as you weren't feeling well?" Sam was closer now, staring directly at him, only a few feet keeping them apart. Sam was angry, he could tell- but there was concern there too, for his pack, and for Jacob's well being, too.
Jacob stared back, directly into Sam's eyes.
"Tell me." Sam asked, his tone was stern and quiet, only meant for Jacob. And despite how leisurely the man was acting, how polite he came off- it was obvious to even the newest to the pack- Seth, that this was an order. Sam, as his alpha, was demanding an answer, and a truthful one at that, and he wanted it at that very moment.
Jacob was at a loss, and looking around the room- he saw his dad's sad face. He couldn't blame him, he put him through a lot. And if it was as easy as just telling him the truth, he would've avoided all of this. Even Emily looked at him- and he knew, of all people, she would be the most understanding. But even she couldn't keep such a secret from her imprint.
"I left.." Jacob began, wondering how he could word it in order to work around his Alpha's order. It was a wolf thing- Alpha's orders get obeyed, no question about it. "Because I didn't feel good." And it was the truth, or at least a sliver of it. Jacob stood his ground, despite everyone else that tip toed around Sam when he was like this. When he pulled out the big guns, Jacob made sure he let him know that he had some, too.
Seth was always so impressed at how Jacob stood up to his own Alpha. He thought it was amazing, and therefore slid right under Jacob's wing the first day he was welcomed into the pack.
Sam's eyes were heavy on him, searching for something before falling back, and, just before returning to his seat beside Emily, he leaned in and quietly said. "There are no secrets in this pack, Jacob." And with that, Jacob could feel how awkward everybody was. The tension was as thick as molasses.
He felt like absolute shit. Lying to his pack, to his alpha- it was terrible act that, luckily for him, was going unpunished. For now.
It seemed Sam believed him for now. A bit skeptical, but believed him none the less. And that, made Jacob feel a million times better than he did five minutes ago. Now, nobody was looking at him, except his dad. The rest of the pack was busy playing video games, and mumbling amongst themselves before Jacob made his way over there.
Walking past his dad, he got one of his 'we're going to have a talk.' kind of look, and he couldn't possibly dread it more than he already did.
"Heeey, dude." Jared smacked Jacob roughly on the back as the russet wolf made his way through the pack, sitting beside Paul who was currently playing against Embry, and beating him senseless, at that. They were playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare and Embry was in the middle of cursing at the controller because it wasn't set up right.
"Do you have this thing set on tactical? When I try to crouc- ugh!" Embry groaned, and Jacob could hear Paul snickering beside him.
"I think he's saboutaging you, Embry." Jared laughed, sitting across from him and Paul, and together with Embry. Seth was on the other side of the room, with his sister Leah- who was actually pretty quiet, for once. Jacob knew she'd have something to say sooner or later, though. She always did.
Jacob was grateful that none of them were making it weird for him- for now. As soon as they all shifted, or anyone of them, really- the onslaught of questions and yelling (from Leah) would ensue and he'd wish he was back in the Cullen's house again.
But he could relax for now, and beside the slight urge to vomit that was lingering from resisting the urge to run right into Bella's school and jump her boyfriend, he was okay. Okay was manageable, for today, at least.
"Soo." Paul started, tossing the controller to Quill as he leaned back into the couch. "What happened to you?" It wasn't like Paul of all people to be worried for somebody, but sometimes it was hard to decipher feelings as vague as worry or concern when you're in a pack full of people who are most definitely concerned. Especially Sam. It was bound to rub off on the others, even Paul, Jacob guessed.
"Just out running. Needed some time to think, some fresh air, you know how it is." Jacob played it all off on his poor excuse of being sick. Everyone seemed to be going with it, but as for them actually believing him- he couldn't say.
Paul didn't really seem fooled, but nodded anyways. Jacob continued, "I asked Bells out." He said, and he didn't know if the shocked gasps sounding throughout the room were more embarrassing than the actual truth itself. No, they weren't- but they were still pretty bad. Everyone knew how much he liked, or well, likes, Bella. Leah would always yell at him, tell him how she was just using him to learn more about their heritage and anything to do with her precious vampires. Embry agreed, just as Paul and Jared did. No one really liked her, except for Seth- he didn't really know her, just knew of her from what the other's said. Which wasn't really a good start at getting to know somebody, but oh well.
"Jakey, Jakey, Jake." Jared shook his head, moving across the room to sit beside Jacob and pat a hand on his back. "She's a lost cause, man."
"Yeah, she's with... them." The sound of disgust in Quill's voice when he said 'them' was dangerous, and Jacob knew just by how everybody else reacted that they felt the same, probably. Why wouldn't they? Why was he suddenly taking offense to his pack. His pack mates were shapeshifters. He was a shapeshifter. And even then, he couldn't help the deep growl trembling throughout his chest and rising in his throat.
Jared grabbed his shoulder, sighing. "I know how ya feel, Jake. But those leeches are her thing. Besides.." Jacob couldn't really care any less about Bella than he did right now. Which was saying something, because he did care for her- but not that way, not anymore. The imprint practically deludes any crush on anyone you had before it. It was a depressing, but none the less real fact.
"You would've known if she was... the one, you know?" Jared assured him, and suddenly Leah spoke up.
"Which she clearly isn't." Her tone was venemous, like it always was when she talked about Bella. She never liked her. Jacob couldn't ever pin point why, either. He assumed it was something along the lines of female rivalry, maybe. But then again, Leah was bitter in general.
The others sort of chuckled to themselves, and Jacob nodded. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
1:47PM
School was about to end, and Edward and Bella had talked everything out at lunch. She was fine with everything. She understood that there were a 'lot of problems between Jacob's tribe and his family', or so he told her. He'd have to remember to mention this all to everyone back home, too. The last thing he needed was for Bella to catch him in a lie. He already had plenty of things to deal with right now, so keeping his girlfriend calm and happy was a high list priority right now.
Just under keeping Jacob calm and happy... which, he couldn't do. And it bothered him.
Soon, the bell rang and he walked Bella to her truck. He apologized for not being able to pick her up, that he slept in late. Bella laughed at his witty humor, and hopped into her truck after placing a kiss to his lips.
"Are you coming over today? I was going to go study with Jessica and Angela- but I can cancel if-"
"No, no." He assured her, leaning in to press a kiss to her forehead before shutting her door. "I'm going out with Emmett and Jasper, anyways." To this, Bella raised a brow.
"Hunting?"
Edward shook his head. "Esme thinks we need more bonding time as brothers. Or, normal brothers, I suppose she meant."
"I'll miss you." Bella smiled, but agreed it was a good idea. She finally headed off after they'd decided tomorrow might be a better time for him to come over. Her dad would be gone on a fishing trip with Billy all day.
He got in his car and headed off towards his house. It wasn't but a few minutes later that he arrived- he had a thing for speeding. Bella thought it was reckless and didn't like it.
Edward snickered. It was rich, hearing that from a girl that ran with their kind. And Jacob's kind too, he supposed.
The second he stepped inside, he was welcomed with the presence of his entire family sitting down in the living room. If Edward had a beating heart in this moment, he was sure it would've leaped through his chest. He closed his eyes, sighing to himself because he knew he'd have to hear Rosalie's criticism sooner or later. Emmett's taunts, and Alice's proud speech about god knows what.
It was the last thing he wanted to deal with at the moment, and so he attempted to make his way up the stairs, until Carlisle flashed infront of him in the blink of an eye.
"Edward." Carlisle was calm and collected, like he usually was and Edward did appreciate it. But it didn't change anything in the end.
"We all need to talk about this." His father's voice was hushed, hoping to find some privacy, even though they both knew that was virtually impossible. It was the thought that counted.
"About?" There was venom in his normally sultry voice. "Me fucking the wolf?" Edward looked towards the others that sat in silence, and back to Carlisle.
Carlisle sighed, fully understanding Edward's anger. But he had to keep his family safe, and that meant keeping them all up to date with what was happening. "We need to talk about last night."
Edward nodded with a defeated sigh and walked back with Carlisle, joining the others and sitting beside his parents.
"Now." Carlisle began with a stern voice. "We've been over the basics." He looked at Edward as he spoke, and continued as he suddenly stood up. "Despite what we thought was just a thousands year old myth, Jacob's kind is in fact able to imprint on our kind. And from what we've gathered, he's yet to share this with any of his pack."
"What makes you think that, darling?" Esme spoke up, whether out of her own curiosity or relevant hope to enlighten the others, Edward wasn't all too sure.
But he listened with anticipation that he'd learn a thing or two tonight about his potential mate's- well, Jacob was practically his mate already, but he thought it too dark to refer to him as such before the deed was even done. He wanted to respect the freedom the wolf had left, as long as time would allow.
"Their kind is much different than ours. Unlike Jacob and his pack, when turned and trained to accord- we maintain great control over our emotions. This doesn't hold true for Shapeshifters. If anything, it's quite the opposite. Their main drive is their emotions, and while that can be dangerous for them..." Carlisle paused. "It can be quite dangerous for us as well."
"So you think they would've broken the treaty?" Alice joined in, sounding concerned. Edward couldn't blame her. They were strong, and experienced, but there were only so many wolves they could take on at once.
Carlisle shook his head. "Not exactly." He sighed, moving to sit down beside Esme- who offered a supporting hand upon his shoulder. "There's only so much I know about their kind just from reading old wives' tales, so take these things with a grain of salt. We need to be ready for anything. Even if a part of me believes all of this will bring greater things for us in the future."
Edward would have remind himself to ask what Carlisle meant by that, but for now. He needed time to think. About Jacob, about Bella.
The others continued talking, but he decided he'd leave their little gathering a bit early in order to save himself some of the sanity he had left. No one seemed to protest as he got up and left for his room. It wasn't as silent as he'd liked, but it'd have to do for now.
5:14PM
It was time for dinner, and as Emily called everyone to the table to eat- Jacob forced himself to keep up with their pace. A pace he once had before he imprinted on a fucking leech and his entire life went straight to hell. The pain had come back. All of it. Every last symptom right down to the nausea which proved difficult for him to look at the food, let alone eat it all the while controlling the overwhelming urge to throw up all over the table.
Jacob loved food, he lived for it pretty much. But today, the thought of putting anything in his mouth would surely result in anything in his stomach to be laid out for everybody to see. No one wanted to see that, so he excused himself after two, maybe three bites.
He was getting weird looks the entire ten minutes he was sat down with everybody. Jared nudged him, teasing and offering to take his food off his hands- something he'd actually agree to for once.
Funny enough, no one took it lightly. Especially not Sam, who got up right after him the second he rushed off to the bathroom.
Jacob was a split second from closing the door before a hand wedged itself between the door and it's frame, pulling it open. Sam, Jacob couldn't speak. He, fuck.. He knew if he did, he'd...
"Jacob." Sam completely opened the door, leaving only a thick air between them and the silence of everybody back in the kitchen.
For a second, the urge to throw up finally left him. He gulped loudly before walking backwards into the bathroom and sitting down on the edge of the tub. He had the sweats, probably long before he realized- and now, the odd looks he was getting from the guys in the past hour and a half made a lot more sense to him as he felt the perspiration dribble down his temple and onto the white tiles of the floor.
"Jacob, what's going on?" Sam urged, getting on his knees and cupping Jacob's chin, pulling his face up to check his eyes. For what, Jacob didn't know. Sam wasn't any kind of Doctor in training as far as he knew, but maybe he knew enough- considering he was an Alpha, after all.
Jacob didn't even notice Emily had followed right behind Sam until he felt a cool wet cloth being pressed against his forehead. It was nice, and reminded him of how refreshing Edward's cold skin would feel against his own. On an average day, his body heat stays around one-hundred and ten fahrenheit.
With Edward, the cold took that away. He was like the cold side of a pillow, but he never got warm. He was a constant freezing temperature against Jacob's fever struck skin. And nothing had ever felt so good.
He hoped he'd be able to feel that again, unless he died from this abnormally hot fever and unbearable ache that vibrated through his bones and muscles. Jacob was tense, and his breath was ragid, just like the first time he had an episode and dashed out of the house like a crazed lunatic.
He called on every ounce of strength he had left in his body to fight this. But he didn't know how much longer he could fight his own imprint. It was as futile as Sam explained to them all. Sam was right, and Jacob hoped it wouldn't come back around to bite him in the ass and cause him to lose his entire pack. His family.
He fought it for them. Not for himself, but there was no point in it anymore if he couldn't even keep it up for a whole 24 hours.
Sam's hand was firm on his chin, and his voice was loud. "Jacob!" He sounded like he was in a panic. Jacob hummed in response, eyes fluttering past the blur so he could focus on the man's face.
"My dad." Jacob groaned. "Call him."
Sam didn't take anytime in asking questions. He was up in a flash, barking orders to someone- Jacob couldn't quite make out who, not that it really mattered in the end. As long as his dad was here.
Sam was back at his side just as quickly as he'd left it. But Jacob couldn't really make out much after he heard the front door slam and a car engine start. He'd plac e any amount of money that he sent Paul. His right hand man. Jacob chuckled to himself, or didn't. It could've all been in his head, really. He was pretty out of it. The only thing he could feel was the cold of the wet cloth on his forehead and cheek.
He grasped the tub hard, body hunched over now that Sam wasn't holding his face up anymore. He attempted to control his breathing. In, out, in, out.
That voice was probably Emily's, or maybe Leah's. Maybe even Seth's. Ha. He'd have to tease him about that later.
"What's happening to him?" Leah screeched, and Quil shhed her. Not the best idea, but whatever.
"Guys, just get back. Give him some air." Sam was clearly distraught, and anger was starting to cloud his judgement. He didn't say anything to the others yet, but he was sure he knew what was going on. All of this seemed so familiar.
He fought his imprint for Emily long enough to bare symptoms, and he'd be stupid to think this was anything different.
"We deserve to know, Sam!" Jared tried, and the look in Sam's eyes could've killed. He was worried for Jacob, but upon realizing what had been happening before his eyes for days... it angered him. He couldn't fathom as to why Jacob would keep this from him, or fight it this long in the first place.
"He's imprinted." Sam finally explained, reaching out to grab the wet cloth that Seth handed to him, pressing it along Jacob's neck. He patted along the hot skin. It was hotter than their usual body temperature, which was in itself, impressive. But only in the sense that Jacob had successfully fought it for this long.
Everyone had their fair share of questions, ones Sam didn't even have answered yet. He was thankful when he heard a door open and the wheels of Billy's wheelchair skid across the wooden floor.
"Where's Jacob?" Sam could hear the anxiety in his voice, and quickly moved over when Billy stopped beside him. Everyone had moved out and into the living room, all but Emily who stood behind the door frame.
"What's happened?" Billy said in a strangeled voice. "Jake."
"All of these symptoms, Billy." Sam started, retracting his hand with the now warm cloth and handing it to Emily. "He's definitely fighting an imprint."
Billy's eyes went wide. He couldn't believe his ears. It was the first time he'd heard of this, and judging by Sam's expression- it was his too.
"My son's.. imprinted?" Billy looked at Jacob, seeing the sweat cover every visible inch of his body. His clothes were drenched and he was trembling hard.
"On w-"
"I'm assuming an unlikely candidate. Someone he hadn't previously gotten along with."
"Well it must be severe for him to fight it this long! As far as we knew, this has been going on for days!" Billy struggled to keep his voice down, but just couldn't help the anger rising up inside of him. To know his son has been in this kind of pain for days, it hurt him to unimagineable lengths.
They both looked at eachother, neither knowing where to go next.
Suddenly, Sam knew what he had to do. It seemed unorthadox, considering Jacob was barely conscious, but it was for the best. They couldn't help him if they didn't understand what it was that was making him resist the imprint.
"Jacob... Jacob." Sam called, and Jacob could hear him. He was as conscious as he would be on a good day, but his time on reacting was shot. His muscles ached beyond belief, but he dug deep and found enough strength to pull his head up and see his father, and Sam.
Jacob made a quiet noise- the best response he could muster up. It all hit him a once, and he didn't know why. The last time, it wasn't nearly this bad.
He could feel familiar hands again, but on his arms this time.
"Jacob." Sam squeezed his arms lightly. "Listen to me. You have to answer me, okay? Try to, Jacob." And he forced a nod, despite his lacking in any physical energy.
"You imprinted, Jake." Sam started, slow at first. Giving him some time- Jacob could only assume- to ease the initial shock of wondering how they knew. But really.
"Who did you imprint on, Jacob?"
It had come to this. It had been something he would've preferred to avoid as long as possible when he found out himself. When his earth fucking shattered and rebuilt all around him within the span of a second. When he imprinted on Edward and wished he could take it back, but all the while feeling like nothing on this earth could make him any happier.
He braced himself for the onslaught of silence that screamed disgust. The gasps and cries because he'd comitted the most heinous act known to their kind. It had to've been. It was really only an assumption. But a rightful one, considering how they all spoke of Edward's kind.
They were monsters. They were dangerous, blood-sucking creatures that were there only for their kind to kill.
And here he was, imprinted to one for life.
Jacob's staggered breathing calmed enough for those two words to fall off his shaking lips.
"Edward Cullen."
N/A: LOL should i apologize for the year long wait for that mean, mean cliff hanger? Maaybe... but the next chapter will be worth it. I promise. :) Thanks for sticking around, guys!