Trials of an Imprint/Mate

Forest outside the Quileute Reservation

Edward sped to the cries of his beloved. 'What's going on? He sounds like he's in a lot of pain.' He was right, at that very moment Jacob felt like every muscle in his body was being ripped away from him.

He felt his teeth getting sharper, his mouth was getting longer. He felt like furnace! 'Help Me! Somebody Please!' Jacob opened his eyes and he suddenly felt taller. He couldn't feel his hands. He still couldn't see right; it was all hazy. He smelled something sickly sweet. Instantly he was on red alert. 'Vampire! Cold One! Bloodsucker! Must kill!' Jacob ran towards the sent and then he hit something hard and fell to the floor. He slowly got up. He still hadn't been able to see correctly and was going on instinct. 'Enemy! Must protect tribe!'

Edward slowly stood and saw what he crashed into. It was big and furry; it was a dark russet wolf. 'Shifter! Feels familiar. Smells like Mate. It's Jacob!' "Jacob. Jacob, can you hear me?"

Edward tried honing in on Jacob's thoughts. 'Tribe…Kill…Leech!'

Edward went down on his knees and waited for the inevitable as the sun shone through the canopy of trees above him. "For you, anything."

The wolf's four legs straightened and he stood tall. Finally reaching equilibrium, he opened his dark chocolate eyes and saw something that looked like a diamond. 'So Beautiful.' Jacob's pupils were dilated and he was suddenly grounded. Not even a Level Five hurricane could knock him down, but at the same time, a feather may possibly crush him and that feather's name was Edward Cullen.

'Am I hearing right? Did he just say…?' Edward looked up at the brown-russet wolf in disbelief.

'You are so perfect.'

'My sweet wolf is a liar. I'm not perfect.'

'Yes you are. You are like the moon. Lovely.'

'You can hear me?' Edward couldn't believe that Jacob could hear his thoughts. He cautiously stood up. 'How can this be?'

'You are gravity, my center, my love. You complete me.' Then Jacob woke up from his trance. 'Edward?' Jacob tried to speak; nothing coherent came out. 'What's going on? Why are you so tiny?' He looked down. 'Are those paws?'

"Yes my mate." Edward stepped forward and petted Jacob's snout and scratched behind his ears.

Jacob growled affectionately. 'Did you call me mate? What is that and how can you understand me? I tried to speak before and nothing came out except a few barks.'

"I can read minds, it's a gift of mine. I hear you as clearly as I would if you were speaking."

'And the whole "mate" thing? That's a good thing right,' Jacob asked carefully.

"When I first saw you, I felt a pull and a sort of whole-ness. That is how a vampire recognizes their mate."

'I know that feeling. I have that feeling right now. It was something Edie said. It's my wolf's recognition of its soulmate. You're my imprint.' Jacob tackled Edward to the ground and licked his face. They both laughed. 'I phased! I phased! Now how do I turn back?'

"I don't know. Try thinking of your human form. Two legs, not four."

'Two legs, not four.' He repeated the mantra until he stood naked in front of his imprint. "I did it. I'm human again." He looked into Edward's eyes and felt cold lips on his own scorching hot ones. Their temperatures were so contrast. It felt right; not freezing cold, not scorching hot, as if they were both the same temperature. Jacob hooked onto Edward's lips, never letting go. Edward's hands roamed all over Jacob's body and landed on his perfectly round ass. Jacob gasped in surprise and in need for oxygen. Jacob got up rapidly. He was suddenly very aware of his situation, "I'm naked."

"Yes you are," he bit his lip with his eyes roaming all over the toned russet body in front of him.

'Where are my shorts?' Jacob held on to his package.

'You must have ripped them when you phased.'

Jacob did a double-take. "Was that your voice in my head?"

"I wanted to test it out. We did it when you were a wolf and I wanted to see if it was possible when you were human."

"I guess it worked. Still, what am I gonna do? I can't just walk home in my birthday suit."

"I may be able to help with that." Edie came from behind a tree with jean shorts in her hands.

"Edie! How long have you been there?" He hid behind Edward.

"Just now," she answered truthfully.

"Did you see anything else?"

"No, but I smelled it," she looked up to avoid seeing the couple. "Jacob please put on these shorts." She tossed them at him.

He sniffed them. "These stink woman! Where'd you get them?"

"I smell Emmett," Edward determined.

"I went by the mansion to get something for Jacob when I figured out that he was phasing. You were already here, so I figured it was okay. They're clean by the way."

"They smell so sweet; it makes me want to gag!"

"That would be a vampire's natural scent according to the shifter," she informed him.

He turned to Edward, "but he smells so…good."

"That's the imprint at work," she confirmed then looked at them seriously, "They can't keep you from each other unless they want to literally kill you. Jacob, are you willing to defy tradition to stay with Edward?" She could tell Jacob's head was spinning and Edward could see it all. His love for his dad, his tribe, but also his feelings for Edward. "Listen, you don't-"

"I was thinking about it ever since you told me who he was, what he was, and what I am. I want to protect my tribe from those who do us harm, but what about me? I matter too. I choose you, my imprint." He pulled down his vampire into a searing kiss. Then he heard sniffles. He turned to his friend, "are you crying?"

"No!" She sniffled. "Since you're so adamant, there is a way for you to never be forced into anything."

Quileute Reservation

Embry, Jared, Paul, and Sam were waiting for Edie at the border. Embry spoke, "Edie, are you alright? We heard screams and," he saw who was behind her, "Jake?"

"The screams weren't mine. Take a look." She showed the pack Jacob's his arm. The mark appeared after he turned human again.

"I'll take it from here," Sam motioned Jacob to follow him. "Meet us at my place later."

When they were far enough away, Embry inquired, "How big was he?"

"Huge," Edie answered. "Bigger than Sam."

"Why does he smell like leech," Paul inquired.

"I stole some pants from Emmett and gave them to Jacob." She tried to jog their memory, "The big Cullen?"

"Oh! I still don't get why you go with them when you got us," Jared put in his two cents.

"I want to be with their coven when they move."

"I can't believe you just said that about a bunch of bloodsuckers." He paused. "You're different. You're one of us," he added quickly.

"I am also one of them. Sam and Jacob should be done by now."

They walked for a while and Embry got curious, "when do you think the others will join us?"

"Could be months, it took Jacob that long," Jared answered.

"He is the rightful alpha, though," Edie pointed out. "His change should trigger the others. Quil could be one of us by next week and Leah and Seth right after."

"Shit. That's a big pack."

"Yeah and it's only gonna get bigger, man," Paul concluded.

"What do you mean?"

"Taha Aki only encountered one or two Cold Ones at a time. When the Cullens first came, there were only three shifters, Black, Ateara, and Uley. Only three were needed back then because the Cullens left immediately after. They've been here for two years and came back with two more plus Edie. The pack will grow to accommodate the threat."

"You're saying Edie's a threat?"

"I am a threat," she defended Paul. "He's also right about the pack growing." They reached Sam's house and smelled Emily's cooking. Eventually the boys settled down done eating and Sam cleared his throat.

"Jake has something to say," he announced.

"I'm your new alpha," Jacob stated. The boys cheered and Edie clapped. "Sam will be my beta; he phased first, so he should be. Lastly, I want to set up a meeting with the Cullens."

"Why," Paul asked with his mouth full.

"It's like they say, know your enemy and all that crap."

"Edie, do you think you could inform the Cullens," asked Sam.

"Sure, I'll go after we're done here," she confirmed.

"Good."

Edie sped to the Cullen mansion and the rest went to their respective homes. Jacob stayed behind to talk to Sam. "What exactly do I need to do as Alpha?"

"You basically control everything we do, attack patterns, patrols, you even have a seat on the tribe council."

"I'm on the council," he choked.

"Yes. Speaking of which, we need to contact them about our situation." Sam had called a meeting with the council and within the hour, they were at the center of the reservation. The council included Billy Black, Sue Clearwater in place of her departed husband Harry, Quil Ateara III, and two others.

Billy, as tribe chief spoke first, "Sam, why did you call this meeting?"

"I have news Chief Black."

'Jacob?' His son entered the room with cut off jean shorts and a forest green no sleeve shirt. Billy saw the mark. "Hello Elders," Jacob bowed his head in respect. "I am here to take my place on the council," he looked at Sam for support.

"We accept you Alpha Black," Old Quil spoke. "Come and take your seat. You too, Beta Uley."

"Thank you Elders," Sam said as he sat down.

Billy, finally over the initial shock, spoke up. "If we can get to why we are all gathered here, or did you just want to present our new alpha?"

"No," Jacob responded. "I wanted to ask for your back up when I invite the Cullen family to the border. We have a hybrid in our pack. She eats as we do and only drinks animal blood. The Cullens are 'vegetarians' as well. I believe that we need a better understanding between our families. If not, then we can only learn more about them so we can take them down if needed."

"Beta Uley, do you confer with Alpha Black?"

"Yes, Elder Ateara."

"You have my support," Old Quil assured him. Sue and the other Elders gave their support. Out-voted, Billy gave his as well. The council was dismissed and Billy followed Jacob outside.

"When did you phase?"

"After I left the house today." They walked back to their house in silence, like the calm before the storm. Because once they reached their home, that's what it would be.

Cullen Residence

Edie arrived to see Edward staring out on his balcony. "Hey, did you tell them?"

"No. I'm so ashamed. I couldn't tell my family about the man I love."

"Jacob is struggling with this too. I don't think he's telling his family yet either."

"At least we're both cowards."

"Yeah you two make the perfect pair." They chuckled.

"Sorry you came all the way here for nothing."

"I didn't. I came here to ask the family when would be the best time to meet with the pack."

"Another one of your suggestions?"

"Nope. Jacob's idea." When Carlisle came home, the whole family had a meeting and Carlisle told them all that they'd meet the pack before school started in September. "Wait, two weeks? Alice we need to go shopping!" Edie yelped.

"Eeeee! You are officially my favorite sister," she squealed.

"What about me," Rosalie questioned feigning looking hurt.

"Aww big sis," Edie wrapped her arms around her. "You know she's just kidding. Besides, you're my favorite grease monkey."

"Ha. Ha."

Swan Residence

"Charlie, I'm home!" She saw the note on the refrigerator. 'Got called in. Possible homicide. Could be another "animal attack", I'll keep you posted.'

Edie took a long shower. It was five am by the time she got to bed. There was a bang coming from her window several hours later. "Who…Emmett? Stop trying to break the glass."

He jumped up two stories, "I'm here for our rematch."

"Is Jasper with you?"

"Yup," the blond vampire responded.

"Why haven't you calmed him down? It's too fucking early." She pulled the sheets over her head.

"It's ten in the mornin' darlin'."

"Don't you use that adorable southern accent," she muffled. "Fine." She sped inside her closet to grab shorts and an orange t-shirt. "I'm ready."

"Let's go," Emmett said as he hoisted her over his shoulder and the three of them sped to their backyard.

Cullen Residence

Edie yawned, "Okay. I only have two hours until I have to check in with the new alpha. Let's do this." She got into position.

"A slight change in plans." Edie slumped at Emmett's statement. "It's not just you and me today." Soon, Carlisle, Esme, Alice, and Rosalie joined them outside.

"What's going on? What is this? Esme? Jasper?"

"Don't misunderstand Edie. Our goal is not to intentionally hurt you. We just want to test your strength," Carlisle assured her.

Emmett spoke up, "In our matches, you are holding back. A lot."

"I don't want to hurt you guys. This is crazy," Edie took a step back. "Wait a minute. Where's Edward?"

"You caught us," Rosalie sighed. "I sent him to get some parts for Alice's Porsche in Walla Walla."

"We really do want to test your strength," Jasper stated.

"But we also really want to know about Edward's mate. I can't see him at all and Edward's future became less visible yesterday," Alice interrupted.

"You too Esme," Edie asked the mother figure.

"I need to know! I'm his mother."

Carlisle stepped up, "Here are the rules: you win, your lips remain sealed. You lose, spill your guts."

"You guys really want to do this." They all nodded. "Two legs or four," she conceded.

"Two. We want to keep things as even as possible."

"It's six against one Doc."

"Details, details."

"Alright, come at me." They all came charging in, but we pushed away by Edie's shield. Some landed against rocks, others against trees yards, nearly half a mile, away. Edie taunted and gave them the "come and get it" sign.

First it was Rosalie, being the closest, she went at her claws blazing and aiming at Edie's throat. Edie grabbed both hands with one and made Rosalie eat dirt, "Your technique is too sloppy." Esme was next, her blows hardly reached Edie when she was pushed back to the oak behind her. "Too slow." Emmett was next. He had finished putting back his arm into its socket and was running to tackle her down. When he made contact, he barely succeeded in moving Edie a millimeter. She grabbed him by the waist upside down and placed him above her head, twisted him in the air, and released him into the field. "Your strength is not your only weapon." Alice was the one pushed furthest away. She came at her from behind tried to flip her over by the waist. Edie used her legs to grab Alice's head and pinned her down; burying her three inches deep. "Your gift is making you blind." 'Where are you Carlisle?' He was in the trees. He dropped on top of her, landing them on the ground. Edie used her elbows and the heels of her feet as anchors. She lifted them both up and sent him flying to the top branches of the trees. "You and Esme are too kind in battle." Suddenly Edie's body slumped in hopelessness. Jasper came in from behind her and elbowed her back. Right as she was falling, she used her right foot to push his knee and effectively separating his limb from the rest of his body and he fell. "You have great control over your gift and skills; hubris will be your undoing."

Edward heard the crashes and the thumps from the beginning of the driveway. When he got closer he could hear their thoughts. 'I can't even scream.' Rosalie 'I think she shattered my ribs.' Emmett 'I can feel my head caving in.' Alice 'I can't feel my legs; my spine is destroyed.' Esme 'I feel like I actually need to breathe.' Carlisle 'My leg!' Jasper 'Damn it!' Edie Edward forgot the parts and raced to his family. They were barely standing. Edie was the only one who appeared unharmed. "Who did this," he asked her.

"Edward! Can you get Carlisle from the tree and I'll realign Esme's spine?"

He nodded and grabbed his adoptive father, "Carlisle, how?"

"I'll explain later." The doctor regained his breath and tended to Jasper. Edward picked up Alice from the ground and she signaled that she was fine and stood on her own two feet. Then he went to Rosalie while Edie aligned Emmett so he could heal properly. Soon everyone was standing on their own and Jasper's leg was reattaching itself.

"Somebody explain. What happened?"

"We were testing Edie's strength. It seems we were outmatched," he laughed.

"Yeah, she totally schooled us," Emmett limped.

"I wasn't too hard on you guys was I," she asked timidly.

"Not at all. I think we went way too easy on you," Jasper lied.

"Oh. Well next time, come at me harder."

"I want to test this strength of yours," stated Edward.

"No!" She shocked everyone. "I mean you shouldn't. If all of them couldn't take me on, what makes you think you could," she shakily responded.

"I'll be fine. If it'll make us even, I won't read your mind."

"I SAID NO!" Her voice shook the trees and boulders. "I'm…I have to go meet the new alpha." She sped toward La Push.

"What was that about," Emmett coughed.

"You're coughing," Edward observed.

"Edward, we used full force against her. She didn't even break a sweat. We were a second thought to her. Even I have to admit she's stronger than anyone I've ever met."

"That's not all," Jasper interjected. "She's definitely done this before. The way she moved…she honed in on all of our weaknesses… and exposed them. She would have made five-star general with her skills."

"It felt like she was teaching us to fight better," revealed Alice.

"But for what?" Rosalie wheezed.

Quileute Reservation

'I can't do that again. Not until it's necessary.' Edie sniffed out the area to find that the boys were gathered at the beach. They were playing soccer. "Why didn't you call me earlier?"

Jared answered, "We're just passing the time until you got here."

"What did they say," Jacob asked, getting to the point.

"They said…You cut it already?" She was amazed at his transformation. She admits to herself that she was getting used to his long locks, but this was a nice change, more like how she saw in the future. She carefully touched the ends of his now-short black silky hair.

"It got too hot under all that hair. I mean I know we have like excess body heat, but that was way too much."

"Must be because you're the alpha that it affected you so intensely… Oh right! Doc says he can't meet us until the beginning of September before school starts."

"Cool. That gives us enough time to-" There was a howl coming from the trees. "Quil?"

"He must be phasing. Edie got it right on the money," Embry surmised.

"I need to go. I need to be there to help him," Jacob ran.

"He adjusted fast," Sam pointed out. "Wait Jake, take this." He caught up with him and gave Jacob a blanket.

A chocolate brown wolf was swaying, he didn't know which way to go. This morning Quil was another normal kid on La Push. He was calling Jake to see if he wanted to play some Halo. He felt a slight tremor, but didn't think anything of it. He put away his phone when he saw said best friend outside. His hair was shorter and he had a tattoo like the "Sam Disciples". Then, he saw Embry with a soccer ball in one hand he caught up to Jacob and slapped him on the back with the other. Soon, the other disciples joined them and they looked like they were going to the beach. "He's one of them now too?" He felt his stomach sink to his feet and ran to the forest behind his house. His tears kept falling. "They left me. Both of them." Like with the rest of the pack when their time came, he felt his body tearing apart and his body temperature spiked. "What's happening?" The next time he tried to speak, only barks came out.

"Quil, are you okay," he heard a familiar voice.

'Jake? What's going on? Did you get shorter?' Quil tried to express. 'Why can't I talk?'

"Hold on, Quil. I can't understand you. Listen, just do as I say; think two feet, not four." Quil did as Jacob said and stood bare. Jacob tossed the blanket at him. "That better?" Quil nodded. "It's time to let you in on the secret."

They returned to the beach just as Embry came back too and handed Quil some clothes. "I went to your house to pick these up. How are you feeling?"

"Like I got punched in the stomach. My arm kind of itches too," Quil responded as he dressed.

"It's the mark. You get it after you phase."

"You're all wolves?" He asked the rest of the guys.

"Sorry we couldn't tell you. It wasn't our decision; it was the Elders who told Sam not to let us say anything."

"So Sam is like what? The alpha?"

"Not anymore, Jake is."

"What?! Since when?" He looked up at Jacob.

"Yesterday when he phased."

Sam ended his call. "Sorry to interrupt, that was Edie. She said she and the girls are done whipping us up a quick brunch."

Quil started thinking, "Is Edie a wolf too?"

"Yeah, sort of. She was here earlier, but left for my place to help Emily."

"What's she making," Jared wondered.

"Pancakes, hash browns, sausage, bacon, ham, scrambles eggs, toast, and fresh fruit," when Sam finished listing the many food items, he saw Paul racing ahead of them. "What's the hurry," he yelled.

"Gotta get there before Edie finishes all the sausage!"

"Oh shit! My ham!" Embry followed after him.

Uley Residence

"Soon my pretties, soon you shall realize your destiny and fill my tummy with your deliciousness," cackled Edie.

"Why are you scaring our food, Wicked Witch of the West?" Kim looked over as her friend drooled over the juicy ham and greasy sausage.

"It would be cruel to not inform the doomed of their demise. WA-ha-ha-ha-ha."

"If you say so," Rachel chuckled. The women turned off the burners and filled the trays with mountains of food for the boys.

"I think that's it…and Edie, please leave some meat for the boys," Emily smiled.

"Edie makes no promises," the hybrid announced, raising her fork to the ceiling and plunging it into her sausage and ham sandwich.

She just finished making her first bite when Paul and Embry blasted through the entrance. "No!" they cried. They saw that the ham and sausage trays were nearly half gone and on Edie's plate.

"You cruel mistress! Why?!" Embry slumped to the floor and cried.

"It is harsh fate that has left me sausage-less," sobbed Paul as he went to sit next to Rachel.

"You snooze you lose. Edie makes no apologies," again she announces thrusting her fork to the heavens.

"Edie, what happened to being a lady," asked Kim.

"There is no such thing when it comes to meat."

"I see you got my text," Jacob arrived and sat next to her.

"Yup. Here's your half," she shoved most of her mass to his plate.

"Thanks."

"Why share with him and not with us," Paul questioned.

"Oh Paul," Rachel took out a second plate. "Here, I saved you some." Paul gave her a great big kiss.

"PDA dude! She's my sister."

"Imprint trumps sister every time Alpha Jake." The rest of the pack came rolling in. Jared and Sam sat next to their imprints while Quil sat next to Embry and Jacob. Embry tried to steal ham from Jacob's plate and Quil robbed Embry of his hash browns while Jacob hit Embry on the head.

Then Quil said, "What's that smell?"

"Gotta be more specific," Jared pointed out.

"It smells really good. Like a sweet and an earthy smell battling each other."

"That's Edie dude," Embry replied.

"Yup," she answered.

"I'm also smelling something like really disgustingly sweet. It makes me want to puke."

"That's also me. I was with my other family earlier."

"That smell's Charlie?" She shook her head in reply. "Then who? I thought you lived with Charlie cuz you were on your own?"

"My other family is the Cullens," she lowered her voice and asked Jacob, "you didn't tell him?"

"I thought you would want to," he countered in the same low voice.

"Wait, aren't the Cullens vampires," Quil remembered.

"So am I," she said. "I'm a mix of a vampire and a Quileute wolf."

"Grandpa always said the bite was poisonous. It's not?"

"It is, but those who are strong enough, adapt. Although so far, I'm the only one."

"When did you…I mean how old…um," he was trying to find the right words.

"I'm about seventy years old," she smirked.

"No kidding. Does my grandpa know?"

"Yeah all of the Elders know." She felt Jacob poking her, "Yes my good sir. What would you like from me, your humble servant?"

"Grapes. To be chucked into my mouth my dear lady."

"As you wish," she grabbed a handful of grapes and started throwing them behind her while Jacob caught each one in his mouth.

"Would the lady like a strawberry?"

"Only if the good sir would hand feed it to me."

"It would be my greatest pleasure."

The rest saw the way the two interacted with exaggerated expressions. At first they had watched from a distance, but it had been months and now that Jacob had phased, they were impatient and wanted to know. "You know little brother you complain about the PDA between me and Paul, but you're worse. Are you two imprints or what?" Edie coughed, chocking a bit on the strawberry. Jacob patted her back. "I'll take that as a yes."

"Take it as a no. Edie is not my imprint."

"We're just close," Edie agreed.

"I was sure she was. You were talking to Dad last night about it. I didn't hear everything, but from what I could tell, he didn't like whoever it was. Then I heard Edie's name," Rachel didn't get a chance to finish because Jacob had stormed off.

Edie scowled at Rachel then turned to her hostess, "Thanks Emily for hosting a lovely brunch. Excuse us, everybody," Edie left chasing after him. "Jacob!"

La Push Beach

She found him by the ocean. "What happened?"

"Dad and I got into it last night after we left the council. Did you know I have a seat?"

"I didn't, actually."

"Anyway, I told him I didn't agree with everything he said. When we got home, he asked about what I didn't approve of and I said, 'about the Cullens'. Eventually it got to the point when I just flat out told him who my imprint was and then he said it was your fault that I 'chose a leech', but hey I least I know he doesn't like Ed because he's vampire and not because he has a P where a V should be."

"What else did he say?"

"Nothing. He just went to his room…Do you think Charlie will be okay with it if I stay with you for a few days?"

"I'm sure it'll be fine," she sat next to his right side and leaned against his bare shoulder, "parents do the craziest things and sometimes you think that they're being outright stupid. My mom was always sick and even knowing she didn't stand a chance, she put herself in front of a vampire to save me and Grandma."

"You never told me that," he whispered and leaned his head on top of hers.

"Kids don't like to remember when their parents died Jacob." She looked to the rolling waves.

"Yeah I get that," he responded thinking of his own mother.

Cullen Residence

What to do? What to do? To the human eye, it looked as if there were a ghost or invisible man in Edward's room. However the rest of the family could see him running around searching on the internet, consulting tour books, and calling establishments to reserve a spot. Whether or not he would actually use those reservations was a different story. Edward was in his own world trying to make a perfect outing for his first date with Jacob.

"Edward, stop," Alice pleaded. "Rose and I are here to help."

"I appreciate your wanting to assist me, but I'm not going to tell you about my mate just so you can-"

"Shut up, you frantic man," chastised Rosalie. "We already know he's a wolf."

He slumped on his leather chair. "How did you figure it out?"

"I can't see what I've never been," Alice explained.

"We knew what he was, but not who and we're going to keep it that way until you both think the time is right," Rosalie told him. "As a wolf, he has his own issues about this and we all get it."

"Of course everyone knows. Thank you all for caring about me," he spoke normally, knowing the rest of his family could hear.

"Any time, now what does your mystery wolf like?"

"Forget it. Even if he says yes, I can't ask him in a way that won't make him think that I want to keep him a secret. I can't even cross the border."

"You don't need to," Alice said. "I saw you at Charlie's house in two minutes." Edward raced out before she finished informing him.

Swan Residence

Edward landed yards away from the two-story house and he heard his wolf's voice yelling in pain. He rocketed inside, not even thinking that Charlie might be there. He saw his Jacob holding his slightly purple cheek and wincing. "Who hit you?" He held him gently while holding in his anger.

"It's nothing, only a book." 'Edie…'

"Edie did this?!" He turned to her.

"It's not my fault," she defended. 'He made me do it.'

"He 'made you' throw a copy of War and Peace at him?"

"It was supposed to be her hand," Jacob interrupted. "She said a book would hurt less."

"Why did you make her hit you?" Edward kissed the now healing yellow-bruised cheek and Jacob blushed.

'We smelled you,' Jacob thought; he was too embarrassed to say it out loud, 'and she was trying to calm me down because I was… panicking.'

'Why were you panicking?' Edward responded his thoughts.

'I didn't… know what I would say to you when you arrived. I didn't want to…bore you.'

Edward caressed Jacob's cheekbones with his thumb. 'You have the most interesting mind I've ever seen; I could never be bored.'

Jacob turned a deeper shade of pink. They both leaned in for a kiss when Charlie came in the living room. "How and why are you in my house?"

"Chief Swan," Edward reluctantly pulled away. "I was on my way to see Edie when I heard a scream and I rushed inside."

"Relax Edward, I know about you and Jake."

"Know about us?"

"Yeah the Romeo and Juliet of Forks."

Jake snorted and Edward gave him the stink eye. "I was just joking," Jacob tried to placate his imprint and rubbed his back up and down; it seemed to soothe him.

"Yeah, well…," Charlie began "I'm on my way to a crime scene. Jake you can take make yourself at home."

"Wait," Edie spoke, "I'll walk you out." She closed the door behind them. "Is it another animal attack?"

"Yeah. Sixth one in the last two months. Their suspecting a serial killer now. The FBI wants to get involved."

"FBI?" She looked at the window looking into the living room then at Charlie. "Is your Taser charged?"

"Yeah and I also have your gift attached to my holster. I'll be fine Edie." He ruffled her hair. Since the attacks have increased, Edie had given a portable flamethrower to Charlie. Charlie wanted to know how she had one, but decided it was best not to ask too many questions.

Before he touched the door handle, she pulled him into a human-tight hug. "Come back Charlie." 'Come back to me,' she had forgotten about the mind reader inside the house in that moment.

The mind reader and Jacob were watching them from the window; eavesdropping on the conversation. "Has Edie ever talked to you about her and Charlie's relationship," he asked while facing the alpha, his nose suddenly too close to Jacob's.

"She said they found each other under unusual circumstances," his breathing was ragged and his voice cracked.

"Found each other? Do you think their relationship may be more than they're leading us to believe," he put his hands on Jacob's waist. They were slowly sneaking under his shirt in smooth and deliberate movements.

"I don't think so. They don't seem like they are," Jacob leaned in closer; their noses were touching. There was a slight hiss from the connection.

"So you don't think their feelings for each other are romantic or sexual," Edward now had Jacob's back against the slightly cracked doorway. His hands now reached the shifter's chest, his cold fingers are now playing with his nipples.

"No. They're not like that at all," Jacob's hands were now on the globes on Edward's lower back.

"Are we like that?" His leg was now pressed against his groin, moving it to cause friction. It was working, he could feel Jacob's erection fighting the jean fabric.

"I-I…" Jacob's lips were now ghosting over Edward's and his hands were groping his ass. His eyes were now closing and he pushed that extra inch for contact.

Outside, Charlie hugged Edie back with his full force. "I will," he pulled away "Don't worry about me so much. I'm not the chief for nothing." He got into the cruiser and she waved good-bye and walked inside where she saw the boys in a compromising position against the doorway.

"Oh my God!" She covered her eyes.

'Damn it!' 'So Close!' Both teens thought.

"I'll give you two some privacy later. I just wanted to talk about what the police have found," she stated.

"Yes it is really disturbing," Edward said.

"The FBI! Do they really need to be involved," asked Jacob incredulously.

"Normally no. The killings have not crossed state lines yet. The state police need to get a chance to have crack at it, but they wouldn't have to if the fucking Volturi actually did their job," Edie sniped.

"The guard wouldn't let it get this far, but no one ever knows what really goes through Aro's mind," Edward reminded her.

"Who's Aro? And what's a Volturi," Jacob interrupted.

"The Volturi is the biggest coven in our world," he explained. "Their guard is supposed to be the vampire equivalent of police officers and Aro along with Marcus and Caius, are their leaders and in turn, ours. The coven itself is like the royal family in the vampire world; to be near them is to mean a great honor or horror, depending on the situation."

"So they're basically like our Elders except a lot older, a lot more deadly, and slightly eviler."

"Aro is ambitiously evil; an absolute monster," Edie added.

"We need to talk to Carlisle about this," said Edward silently agreeing with her. "Jacob, would you mind walking me out?"

"Sure," he opened and closed the door behind them. "Did you want to ask me something?" Two cold lips were on his all of a sudden. Jacob bulged his eyes, but then closed them in acceptance of the kiss. He opened his mouth slightly, inviting the vampire in. The tongues were battling for dominance; it was the alpha wolf versus the resilient vampire.

"You owe me dog. Don't think you can escape this time," he smirked playfully as he rutted himself against Jacob.

"You think so, leech," he moaned.

"It's your fault."

"My fault?"

"I can't resist a meal when it's right in front of me." They stared at each other in lustful silence. "However that is not the discussion I wanted to have. I was wondering if you would do me the honor of going on a date with me this Saturday."

"Saturday? Sure. Where are you taking me?"

"It's a surprise," Edward gave Jacob a final oxygen depriving kiss and sped away.

"Tease," he breathlessly smirked. Jacob stayed the rest of the week with Edie and Charlie, anxiously waiting for his first actual date with Edward. Speaking of the devil, there was a knock at the door. "Hey Bloodsucker."

"Hello Mutt." The two exchanged pleasantries and Jacob climbed into Rosalie's red Porsche. They drove for a while until they ended up in a field near the edge of a cliff overlooking Forks. Edward cut the engine and at vamp speed he set up the generator, white screen, projector, and wireless connection to his iPad. He climbed back into the car. "Sour Punch Straw?" He offered.

"Thanks. What are we watching?" Jacob scooted closer to him.

"Whatever you want. I have an infinite amount of movies that I have accumulated over the decades."

"Underworld?"

"I can't tell whether you're being serious or not."

"Why not?" The movie played and there were comments from both guys about how wrong the details in the movie actually were and then they reached the part in the movie where Michael was bitten by Lucian and was morphing. "Do you think that's what Edie really looks like underneath her skin?"

"I doubt it. The lycans in the film are not the same as you; they're more like Children of the Moon." The movie had ended and Edward turned on his Chopin playlist. "Have you ever seen her wolf form?"

"No. Have you?"

"No."

"From what the guys tell me, she's a white wolf and very beautiful."

"Speaking of the pack, did you tell them about us?"

"I didn't. They obviously know I imprinted, but they think it's on Edie."

"I can see why. You two are very close. I might even be jealous if I didn't already know you. What did you end up saying?"

"Nothing. I mean I told my dad, but that didn't go very well."

"And that's why you're staying at the Swan residence," he said matter-of-factly. "I haven't told anyone either. My family knows that you are a Quileute and that you are male, but everything else is still a mystery." Edward wrapped his arm around Jacob and pulled him closer.

"They practically know. Why haven't you told them?"

"I honestly don't know," he confessed while looking at the sky above them. The clouds made it next to impossible to see the stars. "I'm not embarrassed," he looked into Jacob's eyes "you have to know that."

Jacob smiled in response, 'Thank you.' "I guess the same goes for me, but there's the whole you being a vampire thing hanging over my head. Truth be told, if I hadn't known before I transformed, I would be fighting this." He motioned his hand back and forth between them.

"Because of the stigma of being mortal enemies right?"

"Yeah. I mean Dad hasn't talked to me at all since I told him about you." 'I'm afraid of what my pack will think.'

'Because I'm a man or because I'm a vampire,' Edward asked silently.

'Both.'

"I can't tell you how to make your choices, but I can run with you as you make them." He received a kiss from Jacob as a reward.

"That's for not controlling me. I've had enough people in my life pulling strings because of what they thought was best for me." The couple packed everything up and headed back to the Swan house. Edward took a whiff of the air.

Swan Residence

"I think your father is waiting for you."

'What do you think he wants?'

'How should I know? He's your father.'

'Yeah, yeah.' He got out of the car. "Would you mind waiting for me? Just in case."

"Of course, I'll be near." Edward drove off and Jacob went inside to face the music. Everyone was in the kitchen. Billy Black had already turned his chair to face the doorway towards the stairs. He had come to bring his son home. A week was enough time away. "Hey Dad."

"Come on Kiddo, I need to show you something I got in the squad car. I think you'd really want to see this," Charlie cajoled Edie, leaving the tribe chief and his son alone.

The Black men stayed still silently; neither knew where to begin exactly. "I want you home Son," Billy came right on out and said it.

"I've been going home Dad."

"You know I don't just mean the reservation."

Jacob conceded, "I want to come home too."

"Come on then grab your stuff and let's go."

"Wait a minute. Don't you remember why I'm even here?" There was a pregnant pause. "Unbelievable."

"You can't expect me to welcome that parasite into my home."

"No, but I thought at least you could be understanding. He's my imprint, Dad. I'm not expecting that you two go fishing together or whatever, just give him a chance."

"Jake he's a vampire. You need to understand the danger."

"Of course I understand!" Jacob huffed.

"You don't. If you did you wouldn't be so…tolerant. Even if he is your imprint."

Jacob slumped down to the kitchen counter. "I've known what he was for a long time; even before the whole wolf thing."

"You knew?"

"Yeah. Edie told me because no one else would tell me why every time I looked at him or even thought about him I felt so disgusted and… jovial at the same time. No one would tell me why I couldn't spend a day without talking to him or why my entire brain was filled with little things that reminded me of him. No one told me that I could feel this way."

Billy was experiencing a bit of déjà vu. "You care about him." It wasn't a question. Billy looked straight at his son and said it. "I know that look; I've seen it every time I saw myself in the mirror when your mom was alive."

"Dad he is so annoying in the best way," Jacob smiled. "He wants to get your blessing to be with me. To date me. I told him no one does that anymore."

"They didn't even do that when I was your age." They laughed. "Look, I'll admit I overreacted. I just want you home kid. Your sister is suffocating me. Just tell me what needs to happen."

"I want him to come on the Rez. I want him to meet my family."

"Speaking of family…have you told them yet?"

"I don't know how," Jacob expressed. Billy stayed the night in Charlie's room and Jake took his usual spot in Edie's bed. While Jacob and Billy were having their talk, the duo were of course listening in.

"I wish I could hear like that all the time. Could help me in the long-run," Charlie contemplated.

"Yeah but then you'd either have to grow fur or an appetite for human blood," she joked.

"How does it taste?" Edie gave Charlie the what-the-fuck look. "Out of curiosity."

"I've never tasted it. I think it has something to do with Kah."

"Your werewolf side."

"I told you shifter not werewolf, but whatever floats your boat…Would you ever want to become one? A vampire I mean."

"The idea of living forever sounds insane."

"Ok," she smiled. "Good-night."

"Night."

She followed Edward's scent to her room and found herself confronted with two stoic faces and crossed arms.

"What's wrong?"

"We need to go back to the house," Edward stated.

"No. I'm calling the pack. We'll meet at the border," Jacob intervened.

"Is that really necessary," Edie asked.

"Alice had a vision. We're going to need the pack now."

"Why?"

"Victoria. I'll explain it later. Jake?"

Jacob finished the last phone call, "I'm set. We'll meet at the border." He climbed out the window, "I'll see you soon."

Edward began to follow him, "aren't you coming?"

"Yeah," she replied. They sped to the border.