Drabble # 11: Once Bitten
Disclaimer: S. Meyer owns Twilight.
I felt bad staying away from the girl I loved, but what could I do? Sam was the alpha and he ordered me to keep my distance. In a way, I could see his point. I would never forgive myself if I suddenly lost it and turned on her, but how I missed her! Trying to lessen the pain of loneliness, I kept myself busy. I patrolled with the rest of the pack; protecting our people and any others within our borders.
That particular day, we caught the scent—that sickly sweet scent that turned us into killing machines. We were made for this; our main purpose—to destroy the cold ones. You know them as—Vampires.
We followed the stench to a meadow, and I groaned inwardly as I also recognized another familiar scent—the unmistakable fragrance of freesia mixed with strawberry—Bella Swan, the girl I was so in love with. Why was she here? Then it hit me, this was the place we had been searching for, before I turned wolf.
The sight before us was chilling to say the least. The vampire was talking to Bella, stroking her cheek. Her heartbeat was a dead giveaway that what he was telling her was not very reassuring. He lifted her hair to one side and as he got ready to strike, we pushed into the clearing. He turned in our direction, his disbelief quickly becoming fear—and he began to tread backward.
At that instant Bella's head whipped around toward me and I looked into her eyes. I suddenly felt a strange intangible pull, like I was a planet orbiting around the sun. I sensed that she could feel it, too. All at once, it started to make sense. I had just imprinted on the one I had already chosen to be with.
The pack was on the heels of the leech immediately. I wanted nothing more than to stay with Bella, but my duty to the cause took precedence. I had to leave her in the clearing.
Chasing the bloodsucker posed no challenge to us. We made short work of the beast. He wouldn't be dining on anyone else ever again.
Our attention returned to the clearing; we picked up the scent of another vamp. When we reached the spot, my blood ran cold as I caught a glimpse of a redhead. She was pulling away from Bella abruptly, her lips stained with blood. My worst fears were confirmed; Bella had been bitten.
Stay with her, the voice of the alpha stated. We'll take care of the redhead.
I phased back and was at her side in a few moments. She had dropped to the ground, writhing in agony as the fire spread through her veins. I never felt more helpless in my life. Her screams pierced my heart. I touched my lips to the open wound on her neck and began drawing her blood into my mouth, hoping to remove the poison.
After spitting out several mouthfuls, I knew there was nothing more I could do to stop the venom from spreading. Her screaming continued as she pitched and rolled on the forest floor.
"Jacob, help me. I'm burning ...! Make it stop, pleeeeaaase!"
I knelt beside Bella, my heart breaking in two as I watched her suffer like that. My dream had become a nightmare. I had imprinted on the love of my life only to have her taken away in the cruelest of fashions—by transforming her into my natural enemy. Her fate was sealed. Humanity would be leaving her behind in a few short days.
Making up my mind then and there, I would keep her with me 'til her heart stopped beating. I would stay at her side 'til the bitter end.
Sam returned to the meadow in human form, and approached me where I knelt. He placed his hand on my shoulder in a sympathetic gesture.
"The redhead is finished. She won't trouble us again."
He looked at my anguished expression, and remarked, "Bella is your imprint, Jacob. I won't order you to destroy her. You're free to make your own decision."
Nodding my head was all I could do; the crushing weight of my heartache rendering me mute.
Sam phased and the pack followed him home, leaving us alone together.
I couldn't bear to have her lying on the ground, her body jerking at the intensity of the searing pain. I lay down and placed her head on my shoulder, brushing the leaves from her hair, and softly rubbing her arm. I hoped that some of my inner strength would pass along to her and give her a measure of comfort. When the pain finally became unbearable, she blessedly passed out. I sat up and crouching beside her, scooped her up in my arms. Cradling Bella to my chest, I trotted back to my home in La Push.
At the house, my dad and Rachel were packed and ready to leave. Sue invited them to stay while Bella was with me, burning in transformation. Her tortured cries would fill our home and make their daily living next to impossible.
Placing Bella on my bed, I tucked the covers around her, memorizing the way she looked at this moment. I walked out to the living room, to see Dad and Rachel off.
"I'll call you when it's over," I said through my tears.
"I'll have Sam escort her to Denali. There's another coven there." Billy looked me in the eye and added, "Son, I know you love her, but when the change takes place, you have to be careful, she won't be the fragile girl you once knew." He reached up and patted my cheek.
Rachel threw her arms around me. "I love you, little brother. Don't take any chances."
I held the door open as Rachel wheeled Billy through to the walkway.
I cooked some dinner while Bella was still out of it. She woke in time to eat, but she was still convulsing in agony, and I had all I could do to get a little juice down her. I lay next to her all night, trying my best to soothe her; all the while my own heart was twisted in misery. The beating of her heart was escalating at a frantic pace, and I knew the end was near. Refusing to sleep, I kept vigil over her. There would be very few precious moments left to share with her. I just didn't want to waste any of our meager time together.
I stayed with her the next day, leaving her side only to catch a little drink here and there and use the bathroom. My appetite was gone; my only need was to be with her. I didn't want her to die alone. Die—I hated that word, but that was what was happening. She was dying, and she would die in my arms! I didn't want to let her go ... but there was nothing I could do about it, except love her up to the moment when she exhaled her last breath.
"Bella, before you leave me ..." I hesitated, choking on the words. "I need you to know how much I love you. Even before the imprint, it was always you. It will always be you. Nothing can ever tear you out of my heart. No one will ever be able to take your place ..."
I sensed her relax a little, and her heartbeat began to slow. This was it! My own heart stopped in my chest and the tears fell. "No, Bella, wait ... not yet ... please, not yet ... can you stay with me just a few more minutes—just a few more minutes, please? God, if you can hear me, can you let me have her a little while longer? I'm not ready to give her up yet," I cried. Holding onto her tightly, I refused to release her.
Her body finally stilled, and she opened her eyes. The red eyes of a vampire did not stare back at me. How could that be? The same liquid chocolate pools gazed intently into mine. I shakily exhaled a long breath, and a sob escaped my lips.
Bella reached out her hand and stroked my face. Her hand was warm, and soft, not cold and stony.
Kissing her face over and over, in relief, I exclaimed, "You came back!"
"I know," she answered. Her expression was one of surprise. "I don't know what happened. The burning began to get less and less, and slowly, I felt this strong pulling sensation reaching out from you, and then the fire was suddenly gone."
I always had this deep seated hatred for the whole imprinting thing. My attitude was now adjusted. If it weren't for the imprint, Bella would be on her way to Denali, leaving me alone and heartbroken.
"Jake," she said softly, "I'm so thirsty; can you get me something to drink?"
I started to stand up. "What can I get you?"
She smiled, warming my heart. "Anything but blood!"
Sitting back down, I clasped her in my arms again. My mouth found hers and we joyously united, moving our lips together fluidly. This was the first of many kisses we would share. She was once bitten, and now she was bidden to be my love for time and all eternity.
A/N: Once again, love conquers all. It can even defeat a Vampire's Kiss.
