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Chapter 17 - Imprint

The room was filled with silence; a moment later, they all heard a pain-filled howl come from the forest.

Seth stood frozen on the spot as he waited for someone to say something.

"That fucking bullshit!" Quil shouted before heading out the door behind Jacob. Embry quickly went out with him.

Seth looked over to Leah, "should we follow him, make sure he's okay?"

"I don't think he will want anyone in his head right now. Give him tonight to cool off," she replied.

"Where's Bella?" Seth asked Billy.

Billy raised his gaze to Seth; the heartbreak was unmistakable in his eyes. "She's at my place. Seth, would you mind driving me home? I'll have a chat with her and send her home."

"Sure," Seth said.

Seth walked behind Billy and wheeled him out the front doors. The pack was giving him sympathetic looks, all except for Paul.

The drive back to the Black's house went too quickly, and Seth was not expecting what he saw.

Bella came flying out the front door, looking clearly distraught.

"Where is he?" she asked, even before they got out of the car. They didn't know what to say.

"Is he hurt? Somethings wrong," she said urgently.

"Bella, he's okay," Billy replied. "Well, there is nothing physically wrong with him. He's just upset."

"What's he upset about? Are you handing me over to the Volturi?" Now Bella was shaking.

"No, of course not. Sam had been given permission for the Cullen's to tell this Volturi about us. We will protect you, Bella."

"So, what's he upset about?" she pleaded.

"He'll be okay, Bella. I'm sure he will talk to you when he's ready."

"Where. Is. he.?"

Seth spoke up, "he's gone for a bit of a run."

"Is he running away again?"

"I don't think so. He won't run away from you," Seth tried to soothe her.

"What can I do?" she asked sincerely.

"Bella, I think you should go home. He will find you when he is ready," Billy said.

"I-I don't have a car," she stuttered.

"Take the Rabbit. I'm sure Jacob won't mind," Billy said, handing her the keys.

"O-okay. Um, I've made the dinners, Billy, and put them in the freezer. There is a casserole in the oven now. It should be ready in a few minutes."

"Thank you, Bella. Do you want to take some for Charlie?"

"No, we have plenty at home. Can you get Jake to call me or come and see me when he gets home? Please?"

"Will do," Billy said as he nodded to Seth. Seth started to wheel Billy inside.

They heard as Bella shut the car door and drove away. Seth was trying to keep himself together. They had already been through so much; they didn't deserve this.

"Are you sure about this, Billy?" Seth asked, opening the front door and wheeling Billy inside.

"Unfortunately, yes. True imprints happen the first time they see their soul mates. We all know that. This type of imprint has happened about half a dozen times in our tribe's history, although not recently."

"It feels like a real imprint," Seth reasoned.

"It may do, to the man. It is half an imprint, but his wolf hasn't chosen her. Eventually, he will override Jacob's decision."

"Maybe he won't imprint?" Seth hoped aloud.

"He is the true alpha, future chief of the tribe; our bloodline must continue on. His wolf will find the best woman for him."

"You know she picked him before he imprinted on her. She said she didn't care and would take any days she could get with him… it's just so unfair to tempt them with this stupid fake imprint. It's cruel."

"Life has not been easy for either of them."

Their conversation was cut off by the timer on the oven going off. Seth grabbed a tea towel and pulled the casserole out of the oven. It smelled delicious.

"She's a good girl," Seth murmured.

Billy sighed, "I know."

Seth headed for the door, "I'd better get going."

"Thanks for getting me home. Maybe give Jake tonight and check in on him tomorrow. Hopefully, he can pull it together soon."

"No worries, I'll keep an eye on him."

Seth wondered home, scuffing his feet as he went. He was in no hurry.

When he finally got home, he showered and went straight to his room. His mum called them for dinner, but Leah didn't come out of her room. Seth tried to chat with his mom, but his heart wasn't in it.

After dinner, he went back to his room. Tossing and turning on his bed, unable to get to sleep. His stomach was still uneasy after the events of the afternoon.

Seth heard a noise coming from Leah's room. He listened more intently; it sounded like she was crying. Seth frowned; Leah doesn't cry. She didn't cry when Sam broke up with her, and she didn't cry when her Dad died.

He got out of bed and knocked on Leah's door, "Lee? Are you alright?" he asked.

"I'm fine, Seth," she called out, clearly trying to hide the croak in her voice.

"Can I get you anything?"

"No, just go to bed."

Seth didn't want to push his luck, so he went back to bed and eventually found sleep.

He woke in the morning to the smell of bacon and eggs. It was good to be home. He bounded out of bed.

"Morning!" Leah called as he walked into the kitchen. Seth stumbled and crashing into the bench.

"What the hell happened to my sister? Where have you put her?" he asked, confused. Leah was not a morning person and had never greeting Seth like that before.

"Shut up, Seth," she said, rolling her eyes

"Are you okay?" he asked, still concerned.

"I feel fine, better than I have in a long time."

"O-okay… have you heard from Jake?"

"Oh, no, not yet. I'll phase in after breakfast and see if he's around."

"Sure, thanks."

After breakfast, Leah tried to contact Jake; he was still a mess, apparently. Leah suggested giving him a bit more time. His mind wasn't a pleasant place to be just yet.

About three in the afternoon, the home phone rang. Seth was playing video games in the lounge. He paused the game and went to answer it.

"Hello?"

"Seth, it's Bella. H-have you heard from Jake? He hasn't c-called, and he hasn't come to see me."

"No, I'm sorry, we've been leaving him be for the moment."

"I'm getting really worried. Something feels wrong."

"He'll be alright, Bella."

"No! I need him. Where is he?" she said before she burst out crying.

Shit. "Okay, okay, I'll talk to Leah and see if we can get him to come and see you."

"Thanks, Seth." She paused, "I'm scared."

"It's going to be okay. Don't freak out. We'll get him to see you."

"Bye, Seth," she said before hanging up.

"Leah!" he called out. She had been in her room most of the day.

"What?" she called out the bedroom door.

"We need to go and get Jake to see Bella. She's freaking out."

"Fine," Leah agreed. "He's had enough time to wallow."

They headed out into the forest behind their house before phasing.

Instantly, they were high with a wave of anger and despair. Seth struggled to stand up under the intense emotions he was feeling.

What are you two doing here? Jake asked them angrily.

Coming to take your sorry ass to see your girl, Leah told him.

Both Seth and Leah were headed in Jake's direction. He was standing not far from Bella's house.

Seth played him the conversation he had had with Bella this afternoon.

I can't do it, Jake admitted in defeat.

What can't you do? Leah asked.

I can't phase back! he yelled. I'm still too angry.

Bella needs you. Seth said quietly.

They had arrived at Bella's house and were standing in front of Jake.

I can't lose her again, he cried.

Oh, who cares what a bunch of stuck up old men think. Leah thought.

Hey! Mum's on the council too.

The other two ignored him.

Do you love Bella? Leah asked.

More than my own life.

Then, fight for her, damn it. Prove them wrong. They said a woman could never be a wolf, and yet here I am.

Can you get her for me? Maybe she can help me calm down.

Finally, a good idea. Leah thought before walking through the trees, phasing and slipping a dress over her head.

She walked up to the back door and knocked.

They all waited silently for a minute; they could hear Bella stumbling around the house and coming down the stairs.

"W-what do you want?" she asked Leah nervously.

"Come with me. Jake needs you," Leah said, without providing any explanation.

She walked across the backyard and into the trees towards the boys.

"Jake!" Bella yelled when she spotted him. She stumbled towards him and threw her arms around his neck. She started sobbing instantly. "What's going on?" she asked.

"Jake's a bit upset at the moment. He's having trouble phasing. Can you stay with him for a bit? You should be able to help him."

"Of course," Bella said with a smile. Red sniffed all over her; her hair, her neck, and down to her stomach. Bella stroked his fur.

Leah phased back in.

Go home, guys. Give me until tomorrow. I'll contact you when I can. Thanks.

Any time, Jake, Seth thought happily. He could feel the difference already in Jake's mood.

Bella watched Seth and Leah turned and walked away.

"Hey Buddy," she whispered, stroking his fur. As soon she saw Red through the trees, she had felt better. When she threw her arms around his neck, she felt at home.

"What's going on, hey?" she asked, obviously not expecting a reply.

Red laid down on his stomach and curled up in a ball. Bella stayed standing and combed her fingers through his fur. She continued stroking his fur along his back, to his tail and then on to his legs.

"Red, honey, you've got to give him back to me. I need Jacob back," she said with a sob.

Red whined and gave her a lick on the neck. Bella smiled but didn't wipe it off this time.

He nudged her with his giant head towards his stomach. She took the hint and sat down between his legs. He curled around her body, and she felt him physically relax.

Bella laid her head back against his chest and listened to his large heart beating.

"I didn't sleep last night. I think you were keeping me up."

Red whined again. "It's okay. I don't suspect you slept either."

She was silent for a few minutes. "Charlie's working a night shift tonight, so won't be home until morning. I think I might just sleep out here, with you, if that's okay?" she asked.

He nodded his head and curled around her tighter.

"I love you," she murmured before falling asleep almost instantly.

Bella woke with large warm arms hugging her. She felt the heat from Jake's body behind her. He must have phased while he was sleeping.

"Jake," she whispered. He jerked his arms before hugging her tighter. She felt him kiss the back of her head.

"Hey," he whispered. "I'm sorry for freaking you out."

Bella rolled over his arms, "where have you been?"

"I've been here, outside your house."

"The whole time?"

"Yeah," he looked ashamed.

Bella sighed, "as much as I enjoy lying in your arms, here in the dirt. Can we go inside? Maybe grab a cup of coffee, and you can talk?"

"Sure," he said.

They stood up, and Bella stretched. She grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the house.

It was very early morning; the sun was only just starting to peek through the trees. Luckily it hadn't rained during the night. Charlie wouldn't be home for a couple of hours, which was good because it appeared that Jake didn't have any pants.

When they got inside, Bella directed Jake towards the shower, telling him she would find him some pants and start breakfast.

Jake headed upstairs without saying anything. His silence worried Bella; he looked so bleak.

While he was showering, Bella pulled four breakfast burritos from the freezer. She threw them in the microwave to defrost before putting them in the oven to crisp back up.

She raced upstairs and went through her Dad's drawer until she found the biggest pair of pants he owned.

As she opened the bathroom door to put them by the sink, she made a mental note to get a few shorts and shirts for Jake to leave at her place for the future.

Back downstairs, she made two cups of coffee and sat down at the table to wait for Jake. A few minutes later, she heard the bathroom door open and footsteps on the stairs.

She got up from the table, and the moment he appeared at the bottom of the stairs, she threw herself at him. He caught her and held her tight.

"Don't you ever do that to me again!" she scolded him.

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

She stepped away from him and pulled him over to the seat. Jake sat down while she went back to the kitchen to get the breakfast out of the oven. She placed three burritos on one plate and one on the other for her. Then, she walked back to the table, and they ate in silence.

Bella was observing Jake and the look in his eyes scared her. She had known something was wrong, but Jake looked like someone had died.

By the time Bella had finished her breakfast and coffee, Jake had inhaled his breakfast. She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the couch. With a shove, he was sitting down, and she curled up on his lap. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her head. They needed to talk, regardless of how painful it might be.

"So?" she prompted, stroking her fingers down his arms.

"I don't know where to start," he said quietly.

"At the beginning, tell me what you discussed at the meeting."

Jake sighed, "first, we discussed the two packs. Everyone seems to be okay with it, well, except for Sam. I'm taking Leah, as well as Seth. He was not happy about that, but the council approved it."

Bella frowned. She really didn't get the whole Sam/Leah situation. Why was he still hanging on to her? But she didn't interrupt him.

"Next, we discussed the Volturi. They eventually agreed that they could be told about the pack to protect you." Jake kissed her on the head again. She didn't miss the word 'eventually' in there. But, she couldn't blame them for wanting to protect the tribe and its secrets above her.

When Jake didn't continue, she had to prompt him again.

"What did you discuss next?"

Jake groaned, "our imprint," he whispered.

"What about it?"

He took a deep breath and slowly let it out before continuing. "Apparently, what we have isn't a normal imprint. It is a Namaak imprint." He paused, and Bella counted his heartbeats while she waited. She counted to thirty.

"It is a fake imprint," he choked out. Bella felt her stomach drop at these words.

"What does that mean?" she whispered.

"Basically, I willed it to happen. It was chosen by me, not by my wolf. And one day… one day I may imprint again…and the bond we have will be broken."

Bella felt her heartache, the ghost of the hole from before, was threatening to rip back open again.

Then she remembered she chose him, even before the imprint.

She turned in his lap and looked into his red-rimmed eyes. The pain was so visible it made her want to cry. She swallowed hard; he needed her right now. It was her turn to comfort him.

"Do you remember what I told Edward the day after," she knew that he would know what day she was talking about. "I told him that I chose you, regardless of an imprint, in spite of the fact that you may imprint someday. I would take whatever I could get with you because any time with you would be worth it, regardless of what the future holds for us. Nothing has changed for me. I still chose you."

With those words, she kissed him. She poured all her love and devotion into that kiss. She turned herself further in his lap until she was straddling him. She kissed down his neck, and he tilted his head for her. "Make love to me," she murmured against his chest.

Jake stilled for only a second before scooping her up and walking slowly up the stairs to her room.

And he did what she asked. He worshipped her body and told her how much he loved her. It was slow and beautiful; he made love to her. Then, when he came, he poured his heart and soul into her, as if this would be enough to hold onto her.

When they were finished, he moulded his body to hers from behind, and he started to cry. Bella felt his body shaking, and his tears fell in her hair. Her tears were silent, an echo of the pain he felt.