Chapter 10

(Jacob's POV)

Could there really be something stronger than an imprint?

The thought ran through his dreams and he had never felt more alone. He was walking through this endless void for what seemed like an eternity until a light shone, blinding him with its brightness. He squinted his eyes until they adjusted to the sudden change and he felt his eyes widen as well as his jaw drop in awe. The surroundings reminded him of a paradise one was never to see until they crossed over from this world and the vegetation was unbelievable with so many different species of flora, each with a different shade of beauty, that it made Jacob's head tilt as it overwhelmed him. He sat down upon thick, green grass that was beside a crystal pond with water so pure, you could see straight to the bottom. He watched a species of fish that he knew as the Coy, swim around gracefully, as he filled his lungs of the fresh, clean air and sighed in relaxation before he closed his eyes to the soft breeze flowing across his warm skin.

"Hello Jacob," a light, airy voice said behind him.

His eyes quickly opened before turning around to find the voice's owner, only to find a beautiful maiden standing in its place and Jacob's eyes drank her in with excruciating detail. Her skin was a smooth, flawless shade of creamy brown and her long hair, almost reaching the floor, was the color of wheat in the fall and shimmered in the bright light like spun gold. Long, dark, thick lashes framed her almond-shaped eyes that were a strangely familiar shade of brown, breathing warmth and wisdom to anyone that happened to be caught in her gaze. She wore an elegant, white dress that cut off at the shoulders, showing her creamy skin before narrowing at her waist and flowing out around her legs. Her hands were folded in front of her and she reminded him of an angel from heaven, except her wings were nowhere to be seen.

She chuckled. "No, I am no an angel but thank you for the complement."

Jacob was shocked speechless. How in the hell did she know that?

She smiled sweetly and said, "Come Jacob, walk with me," before starting to walk away.

He was compelled to follow so he quickly rose so he wouldn't get left behind. They walked through the Garden of Eden replica and he saw the flowers bloom, reaching out their petals to her as she passed. From a distance, Jacob could see a dark blue area that he figured to be a body a body of water and he was right. It was a huge lake with a mound of land in the middle like an deserted island in the middle of this miniature sea. Jacob saw her step into a small boat that was docked on the shore and turned to look at him, beckoning him to her without a sound. He walked over to the small boat and sat on the bench before he picked up the oars and began to row.

As he dipped the oars into the dark, unsettling water, he watched he woman as she stood at the bow, staring across the water at a tall, ancient willow tree that looked like it had been growing for an eternity. He gazed into the water and the difference between the lake and the small pond was evadent. The pond was clear and free and full of life where the lake was dark, so dark and empty that it sent chills of fear down his spine. In no time at all they finally reached their destination and Jacob jumped into the chilly water to secure the boat onto the shore before she elegantly stepped her bare foot onto the soft sand and walked towards the willow. Its branches gently parted as she came closer, letting her enter their secret place and fell closed behind her with a soft whoosh.

Jacob folled behind her, trying to shake off the chill the cold water was giving him before taking his tanned arm to sweep the light branches out of his way and step forward to let them fall behind him. The bright light was gone and for a few seconds, he thought he had gone blind but his eyes quickly adjusted to the dim lighting. The many branches of the willow blocked out the light so effectively that only slivers of light were able fight there way through. He saw the woman standing beside the willow's trunk, placing her hand on the rough wood before turning to look at him with an expression of curiosity as the slivers of light beamed around her like a meteor shower, stunning him once again.

"I've been waiting for you Jacob," she said.

"How do you know my name? How did you know what I was thinking...who are you?"

She chuckled. "So many questions," she said with a smile," but who I am is of no importance but you...you are very important."

Jacob looked at her quizically as he cocked a brow.

Her eyes softened. "I know who you are Jacob. I know what you are, what you feel, what you think...what you suffer."

Her words calmed him and terrified him all at the same time as he gulped nervously.

"Don't be afraid Jacob, I am not here to hurt you, only to warn you. There is an important decision that you must make because not only will the life of your kind depend on it, but yours will as well."

"What do you mean? I-I don't understand."

She tilted her head to the side. "Dear Jacob, oh how you have suffered. You lost yout mother at such a young age and when your father had that accident, you had to grow up so fast." She shook her head and her long tresses swayed back and forth with the motion. "And when the first woman you fell in love with choose a dead, bloodsucker over you, a living, breathing body full of love, no wonder that you have felt so alone."

"What are you talking about? How do you know about my mother and Bella?" Jacob demanded.

The beautiful maiden looked at him with sadness etched in her brown eyes. "Let me ease your pain Jacob...please....let me," she said as she stepped away from the willow's trunk and began to walk towards him.

He started to back away as her beautiful features became more wolf-like in appearence. "Let me ease your pain Jacob, I can help you find peace."

His heart started to race as her eyes darkened to a deep red and her claws extended to a deadly length. He turned around and ran out of the willow's embrace to have the sunlight blind him so he didn't notice that he had reached the edge of the island.

"Jacob!"

He dug his heels into the soft sand to stop himself from falling into the dark, deep abyiss that was the lake and quickly turned around, only to find himself alone. There wasn't a sound in the air and the sudden silence sent his nerves on edge as his breath came in ragged pants.

"You cannot escape me Jacob," a voice whispered in his ear and he spun around to face the empty shoreline and the neverending surface of the lake. "I know how you confused you must be as well."

The comment stunned him. "What do you mean?"

A chuckle rang through the air. "Don't play dumb with me Jacob, you know what I am taking about. All you have known is your precious imprint and the bond it gives you but you...you are feeling things that you shouldn't...for another woman. Oh how confused you are, your brain tells you what you know but your body and soul are telling you things that you don't. Don't try to rationalize it...all you're going to do is make it worse for yourself."

She was pissing him off and confusing him all at once, creating a mixture of feelings swarming inside of him. "Shut the fuck up, you don't know shit."

Her laugh flowed on the breeze. "But I do Jacob and that fact that I'm right scares he shit out of you. Don't you understand? Our destinies have been written way before our time and we live them like a storybook. Your destiny was originally meant to be with your imprint but from just a single moment in time, it has been altered and intertwined with another's. This kind of occurance is a rarity among our kind for our destinies have already been preplanned by our ancestors."

Among our kind? What???

She chuckled again. "Isn't it obvious? I wonder where I get it from?"

Jacob turned back to face the willow and saw the woman before him. Her apperence had returned to its natural state and she her hand brushed her golden hair behind her hair. As he saw her now, she tugged at a distant memory that was screaming in the back of his head, that he couldn't reconize. Her brown eyes stared playfully back at him and her smile poked at his heart in a way that a child would do to her father but she was either the same age as him or a little bit older so he was once again...confused.

She smiled sweetly and walked so she stood in front of him. "I can help you. I have a gift that will grant your deepest wish. Do you know what it is?"

"No. You have the answers to everything so why don't you tell me?"

She gently laid her hand on his cheek. It felt slightly cool against his warm skin as she leaned close and whispered in his ear,"It's something you have always wanted...the second half to your soul."

As the last words left her soft, pink lips, she pushed him, sending him into the water. He tried to swim, tried to reach the surface but the light from the sky darkened as he sunk deeper and deeper into the depths until there wasn't any light at all...just darkness.

"We will meet again and I hope you will have made the right choice. Enjoy your gift Jacob, for I can take it back if it so pleases me," she said on a laugh.

Her words flowed through his head and he felt paralyzed with the edges of his conscience starting to fade from the lack of oxygen; however, once his lids closed and he felt himself slide into oblivion, his body was jerked through some barrier and oxygen was pushed through his lungs.

He opened his eyes but closed them again as he coughed his heart out and sucked deep breaths into his sore lungs and throat. He slowly opened his eyes to notice a tile floor beneath him and he turned onto his back but closed his eyes from the light shining above him. He sat up and blinked a couple of times, trying to get rid himself of the colorful dots that flashed before his eyes. He looked around and saw nothing but darkness. It was like he had been thrown into some big ass hole with no way out and nowhere to go. He stood up and stretched. He was tired of all this crazy and just wanted to go home.

"Uncle Jake?" a small voice asked.

His eyes widened as he looked down. "Nessie?"

She smiled up at him and turned to run away, her bronze curls bouncing with her movement. "Come catch me Uncle Jake, I bet you can't catch me!"

"Nessie! This isn't the time to be playing games...Nessie!" He yelled as he chased after her into the darkness, following her small body like it was a lifeline. He finally caught up to her and picked her up in his arms.

"You got me!" she said with a smile as she wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed.

Jacob wrapped his arms around her small body and held her tight. "Yes I did."

"Uncle Jake?"

He felt her arms loosen from around his neck and he loosened a bit to look at her. "Yes?"

Her chocolate brown eyes held sadness in their depths. "Don't be afraid Uncle Jake, it's going to be ok. I'm not going to be mad at you...you don't have to be alone anymore."

He looked at her with a confused expression. "I'm not alone. I have you and my pack and excellent friends that happen to be your family. I can never be alone."

Nessie sighed softly and spoke as if she were someone far older than her years. "I meant in here," she said as she tapped the part of his chest that protected his heart. "You don't have to be alone in here."

Jacob looked at her with sadness in his eyes. "Don't worry about my heart. I have you, in time that will all go away...and what's this about you being mad at me? What did I do?"

Nessie put each hand on the side of his head and looked deep into his eyes. "I love you Uncle Jake, with all my heart but there is something better for you out there and you know it. Don't worry about me, you deserve love too."

Jacob was confused. "What are you talking about?"

She sighed. "I didn't want it to be this way but you have to move on and grown up Jacob. You are not a little kid that can afford to ponder away his life on a dream that will never happen now. The door of opportunity has opened in front of you and I'm begging you to not be stupid and let it slip away."

Jacob's eyes widened as Nessie started to fade away in his arms. "Nessie!"

"It's okay...you're going to be okay, I promise."

"NO! Don't leave me! I was supposed to be with you...fate meant it to be YOU!"

She smiled. "Fate is a very funny man and works in the most confusing ways. I love you Jacob but goodbye," she replied before she vanished from his arms. He slid down to his knees and put his hands on the ground in front of him. He squeezed his eyes shut as tears flowed freely from them to leak onto the ground as sobs racked his body. Nessie left him, Bella left him, he was truely alone now and he felt so hollow inside that the pain just vibrated to an intensity that was unbareable. His sobs were coming in short pants and they died away when he felt a soft hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to see Kasey staring back at him.

She looked at him, not with pity or criticism, but with caring and another emotion he couldn't pick out. She fell to her knees beside him and wrapped her arms around him. He leaned into her embrace and in that sudden act of selflessness; he felt the ache in his heart start to fade. He sucked in a breath as her soft lips touched his neck and he turned around to face her. She lifted her hand to his face and caressed his cheek as she leaned closer to kiss away his tears. Jacob wrapped his arms around her and looked into her eyes, slowly leaning forward and pressing a kiss to her soft lips. He felt the electricity underneath her fingertips as she slid them down her chest to his stomach, feeling his muscles tighten from her touch. She scooted her body closer to his and he could feel her soft breasts on his chest as he tightened his arms around her. He moaned into her mouth as one hand slid up to the back of her head, fisting his hand in her thick, long, blonde hair and she wrapped her hands around his neck. He broke the kiss and laid down, taking her hand in his before and pulling her down on top of him. He moaned softly as she looked down at him and took her hand to caress the side of his face before sliding her thumb over his lips. He closed his eyes for a second and opened them slowly, looking into Kasey's blue-green eyes...and the gray sky behind her.

That was just a dream? he asked himself as he wrapped his arms tighter around her waist. He saw desire burn in her eyes as they darkened to a forest green and he released her from his arms to slid his hands up and down the sides of her soft, supple body. One kiss...would it be so bad? he asked himself as his eyelids drooped and lifted his head, stopping a few centimeters from her own. She sighed as her hands curled into his shoulders, the slight pain causing pleasure shoot thought his body and a moan to escape from his lips. He lifted his head closer to her, feeling her cool breath brush his skin and her eyes started to close as she leaned forward, about to press those lush, soft lips against his when a noise shattered his dream-like state. He flung her on her back, covering her to protect her as the noise faded away.

As soon as he was sure it was safe, he lifted himself onto his hands and knees. He looked down at Kasey's face and his traitorous eyes looked at her lips before returning his gaze to hers. He felt his face redden with embarrassment but was shocked when she lifted her hand against his. He closed his eyes before leaning into her hand, seeing her face even though his eyes saw darkness. She gulped nervously and he lifted himself up and stood up straight before he extended his hand to her. She sat up and looked at his hand cautiously before laying her hers in his. He closed his hand around hers and lifted her up with hardly any effort; watching her dust herself off and remembering exactly where his hands had touched her, wanting more.

She looked up from undre her long, thick lashes and her eyes spoke what her lips wouldn't...that she wanted more as well. Her gaze dropped to the ground and he walked over to her, taking one hand to lift her chin up to look him in the eyes. Jacob heard her faint heartbeat speed up at his touch before he lowered his mouth to press his lips against hers but just before they connected, another crash echoed through the forest, ruining the moment once again. His instincts had pulled her close to him so her body was pressed against his with his arms wrapped tightly around her.

She sucked in a deep breath before pushing him away. "That noise seems to come from the Cullens' home," she said. "We should go back and check it out."

Jacob felt something unusual when she left his arms that made his heart ache inside. He ignored it and nodded before they started back into the forest's depths. He heard her sigh as they continued in silence. He knew something was wrong because the expression on her face showed confusion and insecurity.

"Kasey," he started, "I'm sorry about back there. I shouldn't of pushed myself on you."

Silence.

He walked beside her and felt the electricity jump across his skin every time their arms touched. Her silence disturbed him more than any violence she could muster and he asked her if she was okay...only to be answered with silence once more.

"Kasey?" he asked once again.

Her eyes blinked a couple of times before lifting to gaze into his eyes. "Yes?" she asked.

"Did you hear me?"

Her eyes lowered. "No, I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention."

He sighed. "I asked if you were okay. You haven't said anything since," he paused, "we left."

She gave him a warm smile. "I'm fine. I just tend to go off into my own little world some times."

Her smile made him feel warm so he couldn't help but smile in return. "Well, maybe you can take me with you one day," he teased

She laughed. "You don't want to go in my head, it's more off a nightmare than a dream."

He saw grief in her eyes and was about to ask her want she meant but another large noise echoed, distracting him. She took off towards the Cullens' house and Jacob was close behind her.

"You do know that you won't be able to keep up with me. You're too slow," she teased with a smile.

He smiled. "I can keep up with you just fine."

Her laugh rang in the air like light bells. "Yeah...NOW and that's only because I'm jogging. Try and keep up with me now pretty boy," she said as she sped up, disappearing into the forest.

Jacob quickly took off his sweats and secured them to his calf before sprinting into the forest as well. He narrowly missed trees and roots that blocked his way before eying a fallen tree blocking the path. He ran up to it and leaped over it, phasing in midair before landing on his feet and speeding up, never missing a beat. The wind was flowing past him and the details were a blur. He found the scent that was quickly starting to become an addiction and he was released from his wooded prison when he jumped out of the forest to run along side her.

Told you that I can keep up, he said smugly.

"Yeah? But you also had to phase...so either way I win."

They laughed as they continued to run; living in the moment and in no time at all Jacob smelled the familiar scent of vampire enter his senses. He paused for a moment and saw Kasey run past him, to arrive in the back lawn of the Cullens' residence. He phased back and dressed quickly only to hear the war cry of a very pissed off female the he was guessing to be Rosalie.

"EMMETT!" screeched a high female voice and Jacob watched the man in question walk quickly around the corner of the house with terror written all over his face but once he saw us, it faded away like the breeze.

"You're not going to hit me with anything are you?" he asked Kasey playfully.

Jacob felt his face redden as he stood behind her. She turned to see him and a smile appeared across her face.

"Naw, I don't think so, "she started,"but if you don't hurry, I'm sure that whoever screamed your name will."

He saw the terror return to Emmett's eyes but it quickly faded to a teasing, playful tone that for some reason annoyed Jacob.

"Oh but baby, I always have girls screaming my name so that's no surprise to me."

Jacob looked at him like he was from another planet but saw the glint in Kasey's eyes tat told him the she was going to lay it on him...hard.

"Really? Because I'm pretty sure that scream was more of anger and frustration than pleasure...so for future purposes, all I can say is that you should work on your technique more because what you're doing now sure as hell ain't working."

Emmett's jaw dropped and Jacob couldn't contain his laughter, his reaction was priceless. These were one of those times that he really wished he had a camera phone on him and looked down at Kasey, gasping for air and wiping the tears released from her laughter. The laughter died away instantly when the blond-haired she bitch walked around the corner with her

hands fisted at her side and Jacob knew she was about to blow when he saw her golden eyes filled with fury.

Emmett noticed us staring over his shoulders and he gulped nervously before slowly turning to face the woman that he extremely pissed off. "Hey babe, it wasn't what it looked like," he started but she quickly interrupted him.

"Shut the fuck up!" she yelled at him and Jacob had to contain himself from laughing like some retarded nerd. "I leave you and Edward alone for one day and you crash my 1968 Dodge Charger! What the fuck is wrong with you?! It took me thirty fucking years to find one in perfect condition!"

She was furious and Jacob thought to himself that it was times like this when he had to look back and pride himself on how much he could piss Rosalie off but he had to give his props to Emmett. This was the probably the most pissed he had ever seen her and it just made it all the better to see the male vamp look as if he was about to get eaten alive.

Emmett raised his hands in surrender as he cautiously walked towards his girlfriend.

"Babe, I'm sorry for wrecking your car and I will do anything to make it up to you," he said as he gently touched her arm.

Suddenly, in the blink of an eye, Rosalie grabbed ahold of his pale, muscluar arm and spun him around before letting him go, sending him flying. He's at the thirty, the twenty, the ten, the nine and TOUCHDOWN! Ladies and gentleman...Rosalie Hale!

Jacob could see Edward laughing his ass off at his thoughts and he tried to contain his own laughter as he saw Emmett get tossed into a tree like a ragdoll.

"Damn, don't that look familiar," Kasey asked sarcastically and Jacob couldn't help but

chuck at the memory. He slid his right hand into her back pocket of her jeans and heard her breath catch as he whispered "Sorry," into her ear. He saw a light blush seep onto her slightly tanned cheeks.

"Okay, you have been forgiven...for now," said Rosalie as she turned around and headed around the house, towards the garage. Out the corner of my eye, I saw Emmett glare at her back before he stuck out his tongue like a little kid. He walked back over to us and Kasey put her hand on his pale shoulder.

"See, what did I tell you?" she said. "You need work on your technique and hopefully, this wont happen again."

Jacob snickered and Emmett glared at her with humor in his eyes before he walked away. "Oh and Emmett?" she started.

He turned to look at her. "I guess Jacob ain't the only one that got thrown into something by a girl huh?"

He smiled at her comment before turning back around, flicking her off as he walked away.

"I know you want to, but I don't think your master would approve of it," she yelled out

to him and his laugher echoed from within him as he turned the corner.

Jacob smiled at her comment that was meant to defend him and his eyes jerked to the forest near the front yard. It was Seth and he looked at Emmett before turning his eyes to Kasey. She waved to him and he waved back with a smile that he knew meant that he was into her.

That thought didn't settle well with Jacob so he lowered his lips to where he saw her

pulse beat at the base of her creamy neck. Her skin felt like cashmere and it wasn't cold but it was a little chilled against his warmer lips. She sucked in a shaky breath as he took his hand out of her pocket to rest it on her hip and he squeezed the soft skin underneath her clothing.

He lifted his head and saw her eyes a little dazed and he smiled at her before walking

away, leaving her standing there all wide-eyed. He walked up towards the front of the house, passing Seth on his way and for a moment their eyes locked, acknowledging the silent challenge between them and as he walked away, Jacob smiled to himself that his opponent had no chance.