The Imperfect Imprint {Jakeward}

Chapter 3: Playing hooky

"What did I do?" Jacob asked innocently.

"You know exactly what you did," I seethed. He just gave me an innocent smile in response. Fine, two can play at that game, I thought.

I pulled Bella into my arms and kissed her, deeply. I drew out the kiss and allowed my hands to explore her body a little- knowing the wolf was watching my every move. Ugh, gross! I bet he just wants to sink his teeth into her. How does he not break her? He wondered in his mind. I pulled away and grinned at him menacingly.

"It's not without difficulty. Although, it takes a lot less restraint than it does for me to not tear you to pieces," I said dangerously.

"Edward!" Bella gasped, another feather light swat placed on my arm.

I broke eye contact with the infuriating mutt and met Bella's frown with a soft smile.

"I would never hurt him Bella," I said reassuringly, petting her hair. Liar, Jacob thought, and I shot him a smirk.

"Well? Are you coming?" Jacob addressed Bella, climbing onto his bike and holding out a helmet for her. She grinned at him and accepted the invitation, pulling the helmet over her brown hair. She kissed me quickly and tucked herself onto the seat, winding her arms around his body.

I looked at Jacob pointedly. As if he could read my mind I heard his response in his thoughts. She'll be safe with me, I would never let anything happen to her. I nodded at him and watched as they zipped away.

I hated to admit it, but I did trust the guy when it came to keeping Bella safe. Can he do it as well as I can? No. But I've seen his mind. Bella is pretty much all that matters. Our minds are very similar in that sense. I would rather she stayed with me to keep her safe, but I know how stubborn she is. There's no point in arguing, she'd find a way to do what she wants no matter what. I heard Rose's thoughts from across the lot. Why does Bella do that to him? It's just cruel. Stupid mutt. I ignored her comment. Bella wasn't doing it to hurt me. Not intentionally anyway. She loved him, and she loved me.

I made my way into the building to attend first period, which was English. Bella could afford to miss that class, she excelled thanks to her love of reading. I was still irritated at her departure. Alice and Jasper had the class with us, and I sat with my siblings as the bell rang. I had been caught up in my own thoughts and came out of it to pick up on their conversation.

"Did he say when he might be coming?" Alice asked Jasper. He shook his head quietly.

He's doing well, he's told me he successfully transitioned to our way of life. It'll be nice to see Larkin. Jasper was thinking.

"Who's Larkin?" I wondered out loud. I'd heard his name in Jaspers thoughts a few times before, but didn't really pay attention.

Jaspers eyes met mine and he answered me internally. A nomad I know, Larkin Birch, probably been a vampire for around 50 years. He mostly lives in Canada, it's where he's from. He's switched to animal blood and he's doing well. He said he's planning a visit soon.

"Is he safe?" I asked, thinking of Bella.

"Yes," he answered out loud. Or I wouldn't allow him near Forks. He finished in his head. I nodded. I trusted Jasper's judgement. He knew how dangerous vampires could be better than most.

"I haven't seen anything bad happening, I think he should be okay," Alice added, trying to reassure. But her thoughts didn't add up, they were on another subject entirely. She was filling her head with images of... clothes? I frowned as I searched her expression.

"Alice?" I questioned, making her meet my eyes. She looked at me innocently.

"Yes, Edward?" She asked nonchalantly. Her thoughts were filled with dresses. I narrowed my eyes at her.

"Is there something you're keeping from me?" I asked, watching her thoughts and facial expression carefully.

There was a brief flash of who I assumed to be Larkin standing in front of Bella, and they were smiling at each other. But it was quickly covered up by more dresses.

"What was that?" I asked with interest.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she said petulantly. My eyes narrowed suspiciously again.

"Alice-," I started, but she cut me off.

"There's nothing to tell Edward," she hissed, the teacher looking our way.

I sighed and let it go. Alice would tell me if something was wrong, or if anyone was in danger. And if she didn't want to tell me something, there would be no getting it out of her. All of the women in my life were so incredibly stubborn. The rest of the class droned on, and my thoughts were elsewhere. On this Larkin Birch. He had chocolate brown hair that was similar to my own hair style- shorter on the sides, long and tousled on top. He had thick, dark eyebrows over two orange irises. The orange must be because his body was still in transition from human blood to animal blood. He had a strong, square jaw and plump pink lips. His nose fit into his face perfectly, not too big, not too small. Like any vampire, he was good looking. Maybe him and Bella would become friends? Perhaps that's why they were smiling at each other so warmly.

The bell rang, signalling the end of the period. I waited at Bella's locker, but she still wasn't back from her ride with Jacob. I called her phone once, but got no response. A moment later she sent me a text.

Still with Jake. Won't be at school today. See you tonight!

I glared at the device in my hand. Did she have no regard for my feelings? She was just with the dog this weekend, why did she need to spend the whole day with him again? I wished for the thousandth time that I could read her thoughts just like everyone else's.

Was this pay back for what I had done? For leaving her alone? Is she intentionally hurting me? Is she planning on leaving me for him? She always said she felt like I would disappear, like I was too good for her. And I suppose I had proved her right, in a way, by leaving. But there was no way for me to really know what her intentions were. With everyone else, I could read their minds and know. Know what I'm in for and how they really feel. But with Bella, I was completely blind. I had to trust her. Did she still love me? She said she did, but I didn't know anymore.

What if she loved Jacob more? I've been telling myself that if she chose him, I would let her go. I would be okay with it. Happy even. But would I? Is that what I really wanted? I love Isabella Swan. Don't I?