Jacob walked silently down the path, eyes intent. The sickly stench of vampire wafted through the air -- drawing him as it repulsed him. He growled, a low, loathing sound. He waited. A sudden blurred shape flashed in the corner of his vision. He was on top of it before it had time to move an inch. It threw its face up to meet his gaze.
Jacob stared. Her clear blue eyes held his -- and neither of them moved. He studied her face. She was pale -- and her skin had an icy perfection even more white than the average vampire. Her long golden red hair spread out around her on the autumn leaves.
Her voice surprised him -- soft and musical.
"Are you going to get off me?" She asked, eyeing him.
He shuffled off her.
She got up. She was long and slender -- only four inches below his own height in his human form.
His eyes were fixated on her; unable to look away.
"I've heard of your kind, I," She paused, cocking her head at him, "Just thought it was a story."
So did everyone else, He thought.
Her eyes flickered.
"You reek."
He growled. So do you, he thought.
"Why didn't you kill me?" She asked curiously after a pause. "I have no doubt you could have."
Jacob swung his face away, ashamed.
"What?"
He rolled his eyes at her.
"Well then," Her face went cold, "Change so you can answer me."
He trotted into the trees. When he re-emerged, she didn't look surprised.
"I didn't kill you -- because I can't." He replied flatly.
"Why not?"
He used every ounce of his self-control; failing miserably. He was furious with himself -- furious with the lack of control over his own mouth.
"I've imprinted." He blurted.
"Excuse me?"
"I really don't want to explain it right now."
"I really just want you to explain what you just said."
"No."
She didn't hesitate. "You'll tell me, eventually." She said, without cockiness or doubt. Simply as a fact.
"Probably." He said softly. He couldn't do this. He wouldn't. Cate was ALWAYS first...both of them. No matter what...
"Where do you live?"
She was so perfect to him. It was as if he'd found the matching puzzle piece -- she simply fit. He didn't have any idea how or why.
"I live in La Push."
"And the Cullens?"
"Near Forks."
"I've come to speak with them."
"Why?" Every word was forced. It hurt to cover it up. All he wanted to do was sweep her into his arms. But he refused this raging impulse because of her. Cate.
"I'd like to speak to the one called Bella."
"Why?" Again. Forced.
"She can feel emotions that are lost to me...I'd like to know how."
"Huh?"
"I lost love when I...changed."
"You can't feel love?"
"I don't know. I no longer feel for my previous love. He was a vampire as well."
"What's his name?"
"Harley."
"I've never of heard of him."
"I wouldn't think so. He's not very significant." Her voice was bitter. She was silent, and he didn't reply. She was studying his face. "I have no idea why I'm telling you this."
"I do that to people."
"Figures." She was still searching his face- as if looking for something essential.
"What's your name?" He asked softly.
"Roxy."
It was a beautiful name -- he fell in love with it the second it left her mouth.
He turned away -- fighting a perilous battle within himself. Unwinnable.
"Cate will be needing me." Even her name was sending horrible waves of guilt down his spine.
Her face went expressionless. "Cate?"
"My daughter."
"Oh."
"I'm not married." He couldn't help it -- he couldn't control saying it.
"I see."
"What?"
"You're just very young."
"She's adopted." The words didn't sound right coming out of his mouth. As if it wasn't the right description.
"Wow."
"Yeah."
She turned toward the setting sun. "I have to go."
"Why?" His voice cracked and she turned to look at him in confusion. He kicked himself mentally.
"The Cullens," she said quietly.
"Of course."
"Your name?" It was demand.
"Jacob. Jake."
"Fine then. Goodbye Jacob."
"Goodbye."
When she left, Jacob felt things he refused to. NO, he told his screaming instincts. CATE. She was gone, but his obligation to her would be intact until he died.
ROXY.
CATE.
ROXY.
CATE.
The battle was uncontrollable. Why couldn't he just STOP? It had happened so suddenly her eyes what was it about them that had just triggered everything? Jacob tried with all his might to wipe away the strange emotions to no prevail.
But the most frustrating thing to him was simply
How could he have imprinted on a vampire of all things when his promise to Cate, the deceased love of his entire life, was burnt into him like a fresh wound?