The Imperfect Imprint {Jakeward}

I trudged up the ramp to the front door of our small red house, not looking forward to what was probably waiting on the other side. I took a deep breath and held it in as I slowly turned the knob and opened the door. Sure enough, dad was sitting there waiting expectantly. Sam must have called him when I was back. The look on his face was stern, but it soon melted into one of relief and I let out the breath I had been holding. Phew.

"Jacob Black! Where have you been?!" He demanded, and I winced at his tone. He might look relieved... but he's definitely still displeased.

"I just- I- I needed to go for a run," I said guiltily, although I wasn't lying.

"Because you imprinted on a Cullen?" He asked uncertainly. Wasted no time with that question, did he?

"Yes," I mumbled, taking a few moments to meet his eyes. "Yes okay?! I'm in love with my best friends vampire boyfriend!" I snapped in annoyance. Like I wasn't already dealing with enough... now he's going to give me hell too?

"What are you going to do to the mutt that imprinted on the blood sucker? Huh? Are you gonna kick me out of the house? Or even better, kick me off the reserve all together," I seethed, my hands shaking as heat shivered through my body.

"Jake- calm down," my dad said in a calm voice. "Think about Edward and take a deep breath."

"Oh yeah- that's gonna help! I could barely control my breathing around him 30 minutes ago!" I exclaimed sarcastically. But it was working. I pictured his golden eyes and his soft smile and felt myself relaxing instantly.

"There. Now can we have a civilized conversation?" My dad asked incredulously. I rolled my eyes and sank into a chair at the table.

"Continue," I said, waving a hand at him and rubbing my temples tiredly. I need sleep.

"Jake- I'm not upset," he said simply. I looked up at him in surprise.

"What?" I asked, completely dumbfounded.

"An imprint isn't something you can control son. I know that you didn't chose this- it was completely out of your control in fact," he responded. He let that sink in and then continued. "If the tribe magic of the pack picked Edward for your mate, who am I to argue?"

"You're- you're not mad that I imprinted on a vampire? A male vampire?" I asked in confusion, narrowing my eyes at him.

"Come on Jake- when have I ever been like that?" He asked, hurt in his voice.

"Oh please! You don't approve of me hanging out with Bella because she's with one of them! You never have!" I accused.

"That's not true! I was just worried about her- and you," he defended, his voice rising. My body deflated at his words. Why am I trying to fight with him?

"I'm sorry," I said quietly. His face softened.

"Don't be sorry- this is a lot to adjust to," he said calmly. A massive yawn escaped my body and dad looked at me sympathetically. "Go get some sleep."

I nodded tiredly and headed to my room, but at the last minute decided I should probably take a shower first. I stumbled into the small bathroom and turned the shower on to get the water heating. It took awhile in this little old house, but we were all used to it by now. I maneuvered my way around the bathroom easily despite the fact that I am much too big for the space. I could do it with my eyes closed. Actually... I probably already had at some point. Most mornings before school my eyes were barely open by the time I started my bike. I stuck my hand under the running water and found it was warm enough. I stepped under the stream and almost immediately began to relax. Nothing could calm a person down like water running over their body. I found myself wondering if vampires had to shower... I decided probably not. They don't sweat or anything, so why would they have to clean themselves? There would be nothing for them to clean off.