The Imperfect Imprint {Jakeward}

Can vampires go into shock? I thought to myself.

"No." Edward answered me out loud, in a flat voice. "I just- I just need a minute..." I didn't know vampires could stutter either.

I shifted on my feet nervously, not really sure what I expected. But it wasn't this. Maybe anger? Denial? Silence is not fair- not when he can read my thoughts and I can't read his. For the first time, I wished I could read his mind too. What is he thinking? Is he freaking out? It appeared that way on the outside. His dark eyebrows were drawn together, his perfect mouth in a hard line. One of his slim hands was in his bronze hair, the other resting on his hip. His golden eyes were glazed, immersed in his thoughts.

"What does this mean?" He asked quietly, his eyes still not focusing on anything.

"What do you want it to mean?" I retorted in a whisper, still watching him wearily.

"I don't know," he breathed, clearly confused. "I mean, yesterday, we hated each other's guts and you were trying to take the love of my life away from me. And now-," he stopped when he heard what I was thinking, tilting his head as he tried to read my expression.

And now I've imprinted and I'm in love with you instead. Everything has changed for me. But you still love Bella. Of course you do, I get it. The imprint works both ways, but that doesn't mean you want to be with me. Of course it doesn't. I'm so stupid! I should have known. Before he could crush my heart even more, I spun on my heel and phased. I felt the heat shiver over my body and my front paws landed on the cool ground, digging into the dirt. I heard Edward yell my name behind me, but knew he wouldn't follow.

He won't cross treaty lines. That would mean war, and if I knew the vampire at all, he would never risk the safety of his family like that. Although he doesn't currently know that the pack can't touch him now- that he's off limits. He would be safe. I pushed all thoughts of him, my imprint, from my mind. If he doesn't want me, I need to find a way to live with that. How could I expect him to drop everything- to love me- just because I had imprinted on him? I needed to get away from here, far away. I shook out my fur, trying to shake the thoughts from my head.

'Jake? What happened? Did you speak with Edward?' I heard Sam ask. But he already knew the answer in my thoughts. Despite wanting to push them away, there was no hiding from the pack mind.

I suddenly realized it wasn't just Sam; but Seth, Paul and Embry as well. I cringed at what they would think of me, my brothers. I had the support of my alpha, but that didn't mean they would be just as accepting. The wolf that imprinted on the vampire, on the enemy. I could only imagine the hatred, the disgust. What if they weren't okay with the other part? The part where I'm a guy and he's a guy?

'Jake, we would never judge you' Seth thought, hurt.

'You can't help who you imprint on Jake, it's okay. We're brothers no matter what' Embry thought. I sighed with relief.

'Everything will be okay Jake' Paul thought, and I was surprised at his words. Paul's my brother, but we've never been close, or gotten along all that well. I expected the most resistance from him.

'The pack knows what it means to imprint, no one would ever judge you. We're family' Sam said with force, and I knew it was true. I don't know what I had been so worried about it. They're my family. They know every single thought and secret I have. When someone knows you that intimately, there can't be judgement. Only support and understanding. I heaved another sigh of relief.

'Thank you. But I need to get away for a while- Edward is with Bella and I need to accept that. I'm going to stay in wolf form, you'll know I'm safe. I just need to run. Let dad know for me?' I thought, addressing them all. They saw the resolve in my thoughts and knew not to argue, not even Sam.