Imprinted

Chapter 10

Jacob

Destiny opened the door. It seemed like deja vu when she opened it, sporting a shower towel again.

"Jacob, don't you have something better to do than catch me in the middle of my shower?" she demanded.

"Sorry, I didn't know you were... showering."

She rolled her eyes and waved me inside.

"This time, I'm going to finish my shower. There's a collection of movies in the cabinet beneath the TV. Choose whatever and I'll come down in ten minutes."

Destiny wasn't in any hurry to get back to the bathroom, but I was in a hurry to get to the living room before I did something embarrassing. I whistled when I saw the flat screen haning on the wall. Beneath it was an equally large glass cabinet, sporting a Hollywood Video store's worth of movies. There were innocent PG movies all the way to rated R. I honestly didn't think Destiny actually watched the DVDs, because there were no uneven rows. All of them were in a straight line, untouched. I settled for watching "Romeo and Juliet," even though I was sure I wasn't going to pay any attention. Although, by looking at the cover, it looked modernized and everything. I rolled my eyes. Leonardo DeCaprio was Romeo. Figures.

I was really getting into it. There were guns instead of swords, and the modern touch made hearing the lines sound cheesy. I loved cheesy movies.

Juliet was talking to Romeo when Destiny came in, reciting the lines. She was wearing a lovely pink top with black jeans. I tried not to think too much about what they did for her body.

"Hey, Destiny, you look... good," I said.

"Thanks. I'm surprised you chose this movie. I didn't think of you as an English literature kind of guy."

"Hey... Guns!" I pointed at the screen.

Destiny laughed and sat next to me on the couch.

A little while into the movie, Destiny started to recite the lines of Paris as he and Romeo start to fight.

"Paris was a good choice," she said suddenly. I looked up at her in shock. I watched the movie enough to understand what she said.

"No, he wasn't," I argued. "Nobody should be forced to marry someone they don't love."

Destiny gave me a sarcastic look.

"Then what is imprinting?" she demanded. When I didn't answer, she continued. "I'm sure Bella didn't want this. I know that Leah didn't."

Damn Leah, I thought. Damn her!

"Destiny..." I felt angry tears and I don't know why. "Des, it was nobody's fault but mine. I led Bella to believe I'd imprinted, and when I found out I was wrong..." I shook my head. Damn, Destiny was right! "Destiny, you can have choices, if you want. Bella did, and she always had. Destiny, if you feel like there's no other choice but me, you're wrong. I won't force your hand."

"Jake, I know you won't. But that's what I'm saying. Have you ever experienced a love so powerful that as soon as it ends, you're tumbling into darkness? Jacob, imprinting does that to you. Bella had choices, but she stuck to you. I have choices, but I want to run with you. I feel like if I leave..." Destiny looked down sharply.

"Destiny?" I asked. She held her chest tightly, like Bella did almost four years ago. I took her arms and pulled them away. "Destiny, are you crying?"

Destiny looked up at me.

"Yeah, I'm crying. I don't want anybody to be hurt. What if that leech got to me? What would that do to you?"

"Destiny, if Victoria got to you, I'd kill myself."

"NO! Jacob, don't say that. Please, promise me. You will never even think of death if I die."

"I... I promise, Destiny. I'll swear by it. But you have to promise me the same thing, okay?"

Destiny shook her head.

"Des, you made me promise. It's only fair."

She sighed and nodded.

"I promise, Jacob Black, that I will never think of death if you... leave me."

"Good. And Destiny?"

"Yes?"

Our faces were too close. I could feel her breath.

"Can I issue one Alpha command?"

"What is it?"

"Kiss me?"

"That's not a command, that's a question," she laughed, but she crushed her mouth to mine. And as we kissed, I swore I was holding Bella.

Destiny

"Kiss me?"

I began to laugh.

"That's not a command, that's a question," I giggled. But I kissed him anyway.

His lips were familiar. I'm not stupid, I know they were the same lips Bella Swan kissed, but the kiss felt familiar.

Jacob's arms tightened, bringing me closer.

That's when I realized why it was familiar.

Not just familiar, but the same.

My new lips, Destiny's lips, expected something different. More love, or less. Crushing force or barely touching. Gentle caresses or squeezing me tight.

But no. Jacob was not creating a new kiss for Destiny. He was giving Destiny Bella's kiss. Jacob was kissing me exactly the same.

The world crumbled to dust. My heart shattered. And then, Jacob did one thing to destroy ourselves completely.

"Bella," he murmured against my lips.

That was it. I froze. Jacob's eyes fluttered open and he stared at me, uncomprehending. Then, as we continued to stare, his eyes went wide.

"Des, I... I'm sorry... Destiny, I don't know why-"

"I'm sorry, Jacob," I allowed the Bella in me to say, apologizing for the pain I've caused him, and the confusion. I ran out of the room and up to my bedroom.

I shut and locked the door, closing away my heart. Jacob still loved Bella. I looked wildly around the room. Everything reminded me of Jacob.

The warm fire in the fireplace. Jacob was my personal sun.

The shag carpet was rusty brown. Jacob's beautiful skin and fur was that same color.

There was a picture of a wolf hanging above my bed, symbolizing the cause of our pain and misery.

And the bed...

I fell on top of it, letting the room blur with my tears.

The bed had black bedsheets. Black.

Black eyes, black hair, Jacob Black.

I felt my heart break. I thought the world was turning upside down. It hit me like waves. And then, it stopped. I was drifting into unconsciousness.

Jacob

Bella kissed me back. I held her tighter.

"Bella," I murmured. Then she froze. I pulled away, feeling extreme joy as I saw the rich, wavy mahogany strands of hair fall to cover beautiful chocolate brown eyes. Her pale skin was flushed. Her face was etched in pain. It looked like she was about to cry.

I blinked, and the illusion dropped.

Straight black hair. Black eyes. And copper skin.

Destiny.

"Des, I... I'm sorry... Destiny, I don't know why-" What could I tell her? I just said Bella's name while kissing her! I'm no girl, but I know that's bad for a relationship.

"I'm sorry, Jacob," she spat, tears forming in her eyes, as she got up quickly and ran upstairs. I heard the door slam and her heartbroken sobs. I've done it again.

With that, I got up, turned off the TV, and ran outside to phase.

Pain ripped me apart. I still loved Bella. What is this doing to me?!

I tossed my head up and howled my heart out.

AN: Okay, I officially think I've lost it. How many of you agree?

Oh, and don't worry about Bella. She just fainted, without supernatural help. Especially not from Jasper. She'll wake up soon.

mrsnessieblack