Chapter 9: Bound
Edward's POV
As soon as I had managed to drag a reluctant and seething Jacob into the forest, away from the watchful eyes of the humans, I picked him up bridal style and darted into the middle of the forest; where no one would be able to hear his howls.
"Let me go," he growled, his body shaking in my arms. I knew I only had a few minutes (maximum) before his wolf would explode of his body.
"In a minute," I said, scanning the area for anything that might interfere with his transformation.
"Let me go, Cullen," he hissed as he pounded my chest. When I was certain that the area was safe, I let him go. His feet touched the ground first, and he stumbled across the forest, like he was in a drunken stupor. I followed, keeping a safe distance-staying close to a young wolf as he shifted could be deadly.
A growl escaped his lips, followed by another feral one.
I gulped as I watched him fall down on his knees; the tremors seemed to be getting worse.
His body writhed on the ground in what I assumed was pain. His back was arched from the ground, as was his neck as he let out a howl. There was a soft sheen of sweat on his skin that shone softly under the canopy of the forest. His hands fisted the dirt around him.
"Jake," I whispered. His head snapped to my face and he bared his teeth at me, in a snarl. A snarl so feral that it sent shivers down my spine.
His body convulsed with force once more before I could see his transformation. I saw the muscles elongating in his body as he whimpered in pain; His suit exploded off his back and fell to the ground in shreds before I could see the russet fur explode out of his skin.
I gasped. A gasp that wasn't lost on him. The wolf's massive head snapped to me. I was rooted to the spot. I watched as he sniffed the air and as soon as he caught my scent, his nose twitched instinctively. His lips were raised in a snarl, his brown eyes were narrowed as they stared at my form with loathing.
His thoughts were coming muddled. I could only make out some words in his head. He didn't know what I was. He was reacting instinctively. He was programmed to hate me. Designed to kill me.
Even though, they were narrowed in hatred, his eyes were the same brown that his human form had. I could see his soul, just like I could when he was human. Underneath this monster was my mate. The rush of emotions I felt propelled me forward; albeit cautiously.
I took small cautious steps to avoid scaring him. Across the forest, our eyes met for the first time. Jacob froze.
A small whimper left his muzzle and I stopped in my tracks.
I swallowed the lump in my throat. I tried to listen to his thoughts but they were so disorganized that I couldn't make anything. I caught some words like the 'sun,' 'my world,''gravity.'
"Jake," I said softly as I tried to reach out to him, but he whimpered and turned around and started running across the forest.
Jacob's POV
It was pain like I had never experienced in my life. I could feel something moving inside me, like he was trying to get out, and the only way was for him to rip my body into pieces.
When whatever it was got out of my body, I heard a gasp and smelt an acrid smell coming together from the one source. On high alert, I crouched low and growled at whoever was there. I knew they were bad. They wanted to harm me. I didn't know or understand how I knew it, but I just did.
My lips lifted into a snarl, over what seemed like very sharp teeth. A gasp caught my attention. I narrowed my eyes at the person. I stared at him. The fluid body was familiar. Very familiar.
It was Edward Cullen.
He took small steps towards me; almost cautiously and I wondered why. He never seemed to have problems with randomly approaching and touching me without my permission before.
I stared at him, like it was the first time I had seen him before. Somehow today, it seemed like I was seeing him in a new light.
I noticed how gracefully he moved, lithely and agilely like a feline. Unlike me. His smell was changing. It was a little surprising that I could actually smell him from here...But, I could smell his smell distinctively. The acrid smell was morphing into something. Something I couldn't put my finger on yet.
I continued my inspection of his body as he moved. His face was angular; perfect like a well sculpted piece of marble. In fact, he looked like he was made of marble. His pale skin was smooth, without any imperfections. And even under the canopy of trees, light caught his bronze hair and shone off. His nose was perfectly straight. For the first time, I noticed the purple bruises that highlighted his golden eyes.
My eyes widened as they met his. I felt the wind get knocked out of me. Everything inside me came undone as I stared into his eyes. I felt the earth shift underneath me. My chest rose up and down as I tried to push air into my lungs forcefully. I seemed to have stopped breathing.
I could feel the addiction sucking at me. Trying to make me move and get me closer to him. I didn't know if this was just my imagination but I needed him. There was a glowing heat inside of me; it felt like the sun was rising inside me. I could feel the pull, like he was suddenly my gravity and was the only thing that was holding me to the earth. Actually, it seemed like he was the earth. My earth. My world.
Nothing mattered. Nothing but him. Not my love for my father, not the love for the niece I had recently found, not the love for the best friend/'ex-girlfriend' I had left in Forks, and not even Rebecca mattered at this moment.
Just him.
Only him. Forever.
Edward Cullen.
A whimper escaped my mouth as I realized who was standing infront of me. Everything came crashing down on me, in a deafening sound.
I couldn't take it anymore. I needed to get away. Despite every good judgement, despite every protesting cells in my body, I turned around; away from him, and ran into the depth of the forest.
I ran hazardously across the forest away from Edward; tearing thorough the vegetation. The sounds and smell of the forest seemed more enhanced than usual. I glanced around me-I had no idea where I was headed. Something furry caught my eye as I looked down. I slowed to a halt as I stared down at my feet.
Or what I thought to be my feet. Instead, I found myself staring at..paws.
Paws?
I lifted one of them. This was weird. It seemed like I had full motor control over these paws. But, I was not an animal. I was human. What the fuck was going?
My ears twitched as I caught the sound of running water. I didn't know what I was doing, or why. But, I found myself running towards the sound. The running water was so clearly defined. I could hear so well. I could smell everything. It was as if I've been allergic to something my entire life and then suddenly, I found the cure-sinuses and stuffy nose were gone.
It was like breathing for the first time, hearing for the first time. It was a little exhilarating, but at the same time, I was scared. I had no idea what was going on. How did this happen? Why did this happen?
I had all these questions that no one could answer. Who could I talk to? There was no one here who would understand me, without thinking I needed psychiatric help.
With a few strong ( there was another new welcomed change. The strength) pumps of my legs, I reached the stream, trickling in the middle of the forest. It was really a sight to behold, but I had more important things to worry about.
Cautiously, I approached the stream. I was almost afraid to look in. Gulping, I peeked into the water. Instead of my face staring back at me, I found a dog like creature...A creature that looked close to a wolf.
My chest rose up and down as I forced myself to calm down. This couldn't be right. There had to be a mistake somehow.
I glanced back into the stream; only to find the wolf staring back at me. He-I-was covered in russet fur with floppy ears, except my head was huge. Wolves weren't this big. I've seen wolves in real life. My sisters and I went to the Seattle zoo once. They had a special show of wolves in captivity. Those wolves were comparable to dogs. Me? I was humongous. Great. I was a freak among wolves.
"I wouldn't call you a freak exactly..." came a velvety voice from behind me. A voice so smooth that my lupine eyes slid shut, and I had to prevent a shiver from rocking my body. A deep honey voice that I knew would match those eyes to a tee. A voice that made me want to rip my heart out of my chest and present it to him on a silver platter.
A small yelp escaped my muzzle and I turned around quickly and uncoordinatedly to face the owner.
Edward was leaning casually against a tree, his hands deep in the pockets of his suit pants. My heart almost jumped out of my chest. He looked amazing. Like he was posing for a suit ad.
"Thank you," he said softly as he cocked his head to the side and watched me.
How did he keep doing this? How did he know where I was? How did he follow me so quickly? How did he know this was even me? How can I even talk to him to ask this stuff? I didn't know if I could change back... Or was I stuck in this body forever?
A desperate yelp escaped my muzzle again and before I could blink, Edward was kneeling infront of me.
How did he move so fast?
His hand lifted silently and long, pale fingers tangled in my fur. His hold on my fur was strong, almost primal. Something that confused but pleased me, nonetheless...Immensely.
"Jake," he whispered, his breath cold against my fur.
I whimpered. How could he tell?
" I could pick you out from the rest of the world," he whispered as he nuzzled his nose against my fur; a whisper that I didn't have trouble hearing-not with my new and improved hearing.
"How did he do that?" I wondered, "How did he always know what I was thinking?"
"I can read your mind, Jacob," he said, pulling back to look into my eyes. I felt my heart skip a beat, but I scoffed, which only came out as an whoosh of air from my muzzle.
"Yeah right," I thought to myself.
" Seriously, I can. Think of anything and I'll tell you what you're thinking about," he whispered so fervently that I believed him. Even if it sounded ridiculous, I complied.
I thought of being back in Forks. I thought of jumping off the cliff in LaPush with Embry and Quil. I thought of the rush of adrenaline that filled my body as I dove face first into the water waiting underneath.
Edward described everything word for word, adding a disapproving comment about my recklessness at the end.
This could easily be a coincidence.
So, I thought of the time when my mother took me out to Seattle one day. Just me and her. We went to Pike Place Market, had ice-cream for lunch, went to the Space Needle before ending the day at the wharf. This was my favorite memory of my mother. A memory we hadn't shared with anyone. Not even my dad. Something that made it even more special.
When Edward expressed how beautiful my mother was and how much I resembled her, I was speechless...well, more like stunned, considering I was an oversized wolf and couldn't form words.
"You can actually hear me?"
He nodded, " I can hear you, Jake."
" Have you always been able to hear me?"
"Sometimes it's clearer that others. Right now, I can hear everything. Somehow your wolf makes it easier for me to hear you. Especially now that you aren't freaking out."
" Oh. This was embarrassing."
He chuckled, " Why is it embarrassing?" he asked.
"Because..." " How...how can you do this? How can you read my mind?"
" Do you know what you are, Jacob?"
I blinked in confusion. Did he not have access to my mind? Did he not hear me wonder how in the world this had happened to me? The only time I've ever heard of someone morphing into a wolf was from the campfire legends Old Quil used to tell us when we were growing up.
"Sometimes, legends are based on truth, Jacob," he murmured as his eyes slid away from my face for the first time before they flicked back to my face, as if he was trying to compose himself.
"Are you saying that I'm a werewolf?"
" A shape shifter,"he replied.
" What does that even mean? How did I change into a wolf then? Old Quil said the tribal men were werewolves?"
" You change into a wolf. That's the shape you take when you shift."
"How do you know all this? Are you a shape shifter too?"
"No," he whispered almost shamefully as his eyes slid away from my face again and he stared stoically at the trees behind me.
"Then, how do you know all this? How can you read my mind?" I persisted. Why wasn't he giving me the answers to my questions?
" You already know the answer, Jacob. I'm afraid if I tell you what I am, you'll hate me."
My heart thundered against my ribcage as I took in his words. What did he mean?
"Why? Why will I hate you?"
I waited for his answer, but it never came. Instead, he stared stubbornly at the trees over my shoulder and I felt guilty for asking. Did I hit a nerve?
"How do I change back?" I asked, trying to break the silence.
" I don't know,"he whispered after a moment of silence.
" Edward, how do you know so much about my being a shape shifter?"
" I don't know a lot, Jacob. I know somethings. Sam should be here soon. He will help you shift back to your human form."
"Sam? Sam Uley?"
He nodded.
"Why is he coming? How does he know? Does he know about this? I can shift back?"
" I got Billy to call him. He should be here in about four hours. He can help , you can change back to your human form. That's what differentiates you from werewolves. You have control over your abilities while they don't."
" Full moon?"
"Yes. They need a full moon."
" So? What do we do till then?"
"We wait."
"We?"
"I'd like to wait with you, if you don't mind."
My heart leapt with joy at the thought of him staying behind with me. A feeling I just associated with the familiarity he represented in this strange dimension of my life.
I nodded.
Edward's POV:
Somehow over the next four hours, we had found ourselves seated under a tree. The sky was still covered with dark grey clouds, threatening to explode on us at any point during the night. Jacob was lying on his belly, with his head tucked neatly on his front paws. He was a natural at this-being a shifter. He had tried shifting back to his human form a couple of times, in vain. Exercises that had only resulted in his being frustrated and he had exhausted himself. As much as I wanted him to be fully conscious during what might be the last four hours of our lives together, I needed him to be safe, healthy and alive more. He was exhausted and I had to content myself in watching him sleep.
His mind, although more open in his wolf form, was also tumultuous. He had a lot of questions about his new form. He was confused about everything. Sadly, I had no answers for him. Although, I knew what he wanted from me, I couldn't bring myself to say them out loud to him. So, I pretended to be unaware of the answers.
How was I supposed to tell him that I was a vampire? A cold one, like his legends have told him. His mortal enemy.
A strangled sob escaped my lips as Jacob slept on, soundly next to me. My fingers tightened in the coarse hair that matted his body. He was enormous; as tall as a horse but thicker. More muscular. Somehow, it was hard to believe that the tall, almost lanky body of the teenaged Jacob that I had met and grown to love could fit something this huge inside. A growl rumbled from his throat as he slept, causing a smile to pull on my lips.
A familiar disgusting smell caught my attention and I sat up straighter. I could hear the animal's thoughts. Unpleasant thoughts.
My hands tightened over Jacob's fur, with dread.
As my eyes picked out the form of the midnight black wolf against the outline of the trees, I knew that my time with my mate was coming to an end.
I knew that as soon as I stood up, I would lose all claim over him. I wish I could wake him and tell him. Beg him to consider me as his mate. But, I knew how futile this would be. One day, he would find that one person who's destined to be his. The someone I already loathed because she already had his undying love, his unending faith and...him.
I wondered if that person was Bella. Is this why Alice saw her future disappear in a few months? But, she also saw mine disappear if I didn't give up on him? Was this based on my actions? I didn't want him to be forced to love me because I persecuted him. I wanted him to love me because his soul had chosen me to be his mate. I wanted him to love me because he wanted to. I wanted him to love me because he couldn't imagine his life without me. Not because I stalked him. I had my chance, but it seems like this was the end for Jacob and I.
Grudgingly, I stood up; careful so as not to wake Jacob up. I wanted to speak to Sam Uley in private.
"Sam," I greeted him, my voice tight.
He was repulsed by me and the only indication that he had heard my greeting was the low growl he emitted.
"Can we speak? Man to man? Please?" I pleaded.
After a moment of contemplation, Sam bobbed his large head up and down, before turning around to ran into the forest.
I stood frozen to the spot as I waited for him to come back. I had no idea what I wanted to say to him. He was, as I learnt from Carlisle, the pack's alpha. Therefore, Jacob's alpha. I wanted him to understand my plight. I wanted him to understand that the Cullens were not a threat to him. They never were. But, with Jacob as my mate, my family would never be able to hurt his family.
Soon enough, I was rejoined by a tall, tanned Quileute man. He looked like he was in his twenties. His black hair was shorn close to his skull. Dressed in only a pair of cutoff jeans, he approached me almost wearily. His huge tanned chest heaved with the exhaustion of running from Rebecca's home to the stream and possibly from phasing.
"Hello," I greeted him again.
"What do you want, Cullen?" he snapped as his black eyes slid from my face to the sleeping form of my mate behind me.
" I wanted to talk to you," I replied sensibly.
"We have nothing to talk about."
"Yes, we do. Thank you for coming all the way to Hawaii on such short notice."
"I'm not applying for a job with you," he growled impatiently, " I came because of Jacob," his words, although platonic sent a surge of jealousy thorough my chest.
" And, I appreciate that," I ground out, as I stared at him with equal fervor.
"He's my packmate. Or he will be. Looking after him is my responsibility."
I nodded.
"What do you want, Cullen?" he said impatiently.
" I..." I sighed, " I-I need you to take care of him."
" Excuse me?"
" I said, I need you to take care of him," I repeated as I glanced over my shoulder at the sleeping wolf. I was glad he was fast asleep. I don't think I would have been able to do this with him being awake and having his soulful brown eyes watching me.
"Why do you care? Why are you even here?"
I didn't reply. I didn't know if I should. After a few moments of silence, I sighed, again, " He's my mate," I whispered, swallowing the lump in my throat audibly.
"'Scuse me? " he choked.
"Jacob is my mate," I replied softly but sadly as I looked up to meet Sam's eyes. Something flickered inside of him. Something close to pity as he took my pitiful form standing infront of him, begging for the safety of his pack mate.
"Yes. Well..." he started, before clearing his throat, " Jacob's mate is whoever he imprints on," he finished, harshly and I thought he had plunged a knife in my heart and every word twisted it in a little deeper.
I choked on my venom, and nodded, " I know."
"I guess we have nothing to talk to each other about then. If you don't mind, I'd like to get started and head back home to..."
"To your imprint," I finished, jealousy and venom stinging the last word. How I loathed him for having his mate by his side. Especially a mate who returned his feelings with equal devotion and love.
At the mention of his imprint, Sam's face turned stone hard and his black eyes glared at me; defying me to do or say anything against her.
"I wouldn't hurt you, or Emily. I can't hurt you. Hurting you would mean that I hurt Jacob and I couldn't do that. Not now. Not ever," I replied softly, gazing sadly into his eyes.
He nodded before side stepping me, eager to get on with his pack duties, " Thank you for the plane ticket, Cullen. I didn't have to fly first class, you know." And, with that, he slowly started undressing himself so he could shift back to his wolf form.
I stood back for a minute and watched the midnight black wolf trot over to the smaller sleeping russet wolf. Pangs of jealousy and hurt clawed at my chest as I watched him nuzzled his face against my mate's, trying to wake him up. When nothing worked, Sam nipped his ear. A growl escaped my lips and Sam's black beady eyes came to meet mine before he bared his teeth at me.
Jacob jerked awake from Sam's ministrations. He jumped to his feet with a small yelp, before crouching down defensively. He growled at the midnight wolf infront of him, before the latter took a step back and phased.
"Sam?" came Jacob's confused thoughts. He barked a small, almost relieved bark.
But, before Sam could say anything, Jacob turned around to face me. I straightened up and watched him.
"Edward..." he whispered mentally.
"You need to leave, Cullen," growled a furious Sam. Jacob's head swiveled to meet Sam's eyes in confusion, letting out a small whimper.
"Goodbye, Jacob Black," I whispered softly, letting my eyes sweep his canine form, settling on his sad soulful brown eyes before turning around to leave.
Author's Note:
I couldn't let Jacob not imprint on Edward. That would have been too harsh. Edward would probably have killed himself-he is, as we know, very dramatic. I hope you liked it. I mean, there's still a lot more angst coming up, but now we know for sure Jacob will return Edward's feelings. Don't know when (well..I do :P), but it will happen!
I'd like to add a little disclaimer to this chapter. I did use some of Stephanie Meyers' words when describing Jacob's imprint. So, I'd like to give her credit for her work.
I would love to hear your input on this new development. How did you like it?
Lisa
