The Imperfect Imprint {Jakeward}

Paul hung up the phone where he stood closely beside Emmett in the living room. He had called Stiles- who was freaking out because he wasn't answering his phone during practice- and told him of the vampire army on its way. Naturally, Derek was with him and they promised to be on the next flight to Seattle. Along with several of their pack. Merry Christmas folks. The rest of the pack was all lounging around the house, exhaustion clear in all of their minds.

"I don't like that they're involving themselves," Paul murmured to Emmett. "There are more than enough of us without them." Stiles is only human... I think he forgets sometimes. Running with wolves makes him forget his vulnerability, he's fragile, Paul thought worriedly, a little crease between his eyebrows.

"Did you expect any less? They're both fighters. They protect what they love," Emmett said fondly, proudly even. Paul nodded his agreement, but neither one of them liked it.

Emmett's thoughts related to his mate being anywhere near the army were protective,  concerned, and a little excited. I wanted to roll my eyes at my fun loving brother. I don't like it- not one bit. I wouldn't survive if he got hurt because of something my family got messed up in. But I suppose we're all family now. Who am I kidding? It'll be a cake walk. It'll be fun to fight along side Derek. It'll be fine. I would have to keep an eye on them both, as would Jasper. Having their mates here with such a massive threat could cause to be a major distraction.

"We're all going to be fine," Jake spoke up so the other two could hear, so the whole pack could hear, but his words were directed at me as well. "This is going to be fun," he grinned at Paul, who returned the action. I scoffed at their childish behaviour about something so utterly serious.

"A newborn vampire army bred with the sole purpose of killing my mate is the complete opposite of fun," I gritted through my teeth. Jacob sighed, patting my shoulder lightly. You'll come around when we're ripping them to shreds. "Well- you're right about that at least. It will be satisfying, if nothing else."

Although part of me thought of Carlisle, and his constant reluctance to take any life- no matter what form it was in. He had already been thinking of it, the dismay obvious in his thoughts. This army was likely made up of innocents- people who didn't understand what was going on, why they were doing the things they were doing. Would it be wrong for us to slaughter them without thought? Yes- they're after my mate. That fact alone had me murderous, the animalistic vampire side swimming just beneath the surface. But under whose orders? Who is the real guilty one here? Would I be a monster for killing the 'innocent' vampires that were under orders to kill my mate?

"I always am," Jake smirked cockily. Right- I'm always right. I only rolled my eyes at him. He wound his warm, muscular arms around my torso and pulled me in close. The heat from his body warmed my cold skin in the most comforting way I had ever felt and momentarily distracted me from our current problem. He gave me his biggest, best puppy dog eyes as he thought, you know you love me. If it were possible for me to melt, I would have.

"Of course I do," I murmured, cupping his cheek affectionately. There wasn't a single doubt about that fact.

Even though I'm excited to take on an army of vampires bent on destroying me? He thought. Perhaps I could save everyone the trouble and take them on myself... I growled loudly as Jake realized what he had just thought. I retract my previous thought. Back to business. You love me despite my insanity and horrible ideas?

"Despite it all, it seems," I grumbled, but my lips had turned up at the corners and he knew I didn't mean the tone.

I was focused on the wolf in my arms, but caught Bella's words in Larkin's thoughts where they were laying in his room. What about Charlie? And Billy and Sue? She had asked. She was right of course, and I couldn't believe we hadn't considered it. At least- I hadn't. We haven't really sat down and talked strategy yet either though. But perhaps that's because my concern was solely for the boy in my arms. Whose stomach was currently grumbling.