Chapter 5 - Imprint

Patrolling was starting to drain Jacob faster than he expected. Especially when the pack currently only consisted of five shapeshifters.

Moving silently through the forest, it was his and Embry's turn to patrol, their heightened senses alert to the slightest disturbance. The ground muffled their footsteps, and the air was thick with the fresh scent of pine and earth. 

How long do you think until Quil joins us? 

Embry's voice echoed in Jacob's mind through their telepathic link. 

Jacob mentally sighed, his muscles tensing slightly as he remembered the confusion and irritation he felt before his own transformation. 

I don't know, man. I just hope it's soon. It sucks keeping secrets from him. Not knowing is the worst part.

Embry agreed, his massive wolf form moving gracefully beside Jacob. 

Yeah, I felt like crap leaving both of you guys in the dark. But it's the tribe elders and Alpha's orders. We can't just tell him.

That stupid gag order. He had spent avoiding Bella and cutting her off harshly because of it. He felt like a complete shit after. He understood now how hard it had been for Embry. 

I get it. I really do. I just hate that he has to go through this. Who knew myths and legends were—

Their conversation was cut short when a sudden, nauseatingly sweet scent hit their nostrils. It was unmistakable—the scent of a vampire. Jacob's hackles rose, and a low growl rumbled in his chest. 

Leech! West side of La Push Beach.

Jacob communicated with a snarl, his tone urgent. Without hesitation, he threw his head back and let out a long, piercing howl to signal the rest of the pack. The sound echoed through the forest, a call to arms that would bring the others running.

Embry was already at Jacob's side.

Let's go! He urged, his voice taut with anticipation.

They dashed through the forest, their powerful legs eating up the ground with ease. Every muscle in Jacob's body was coiled and ready, his mind focused solely on the hunt. The scent grew stronger, mingling with the salty tang of the ocean as they neared the beach.

The rest of the pack had finally caught up with Jacob and Embry. 

Stay sharp. It's your first time facing a vampire, so be ready for anything. Sam commanded.

Paul scoffed, his arrogance coming through clearly. 

One leech? We've got this.

Jacob, filled with adrenaline, agreed. He needed to unleash his piled up anger somewhere and a blood sucker was just the perfect punching bag. 

As they rushed past the trees, Sam, leading the pack, growled menacingly. Jared, who had the best sense of smell among them, alerted the pack. 

There's two humans with the vampire!

Multiple curses echoed in their minds as they sped up, their determination fierce. 

The pack surged forward, driven by the scent of the vampire that lingered in the air. Jacob's russet-colored fur bristled with anticipation; his muscles coiled, ready to unleash their full force. The leech was ahead, and the pack moved with one goal: to eliminate the threat. Sam led the charge, his black form a dark streak against the forest backdrop. Jacob followed closely, every instinct honed in on their prey.

As they neared a desolate meadow, the sight that greeted them was unexpected. The blood sucker stood, his eyes wide with confusion and pain, but what caught Jacob off guard was the sight of two girls—one he recognized instantly.

Bella! He called out in his mind. Relief and anger surged through him in equal measure. She was there, but she was in danger—again. 

Paul snarled, his disdain evident. 

Of course it's the leech lover. Figures.

Embry glanced at the other girl beside Bella. 

Who's that?

The other was a stranger, but the girl's hair drew Jacob's attention. Her silver-blonde hair glinted in the fading light, and she stood with a branch? Wooden stick?—whatever it was—raised, as if it could defend them against the vampire.

What the hell is going on here?

Jared's thoughts echoed through their minds. 

She's protecting the leech lover, she got balls, I like her. 

Paul noted, his thoughts tinged with admiration.

The vampire's voice rang out, tinged with anger and astonishment. "What did you do? What are you?"

The pack slowed, revealing themselves, their growls filling the air.

The leech was already getting back up, his eyes darting between the wolves and the girl. 

Jacob felt a surge of anger and protectiveness. But there was no time to figure out who the girl was; their priority was the vampire. Sam gave the signal, and he lunged at the vampire, leading the pack in a coordinated attack.

The pack moved as one, Jacob followed, his eyes locked on the leech, who was already looking battered and confused from whatever had happened before they arrived.

He couldn't help but slow down when he came close to Bella. Couldn't help but wonder if Bella would recognize him in his wolf form. 

She stared back at him with shock and fear. 

Shit. He didn't like that kind of look directed at him. 

He looked away, causing him to glance at the girl beside her.

Jacob's eyes only caught hers for a split second and the surrounding seemed to fade away instantly. 

All he could see was dark blue irises with a hazel ring, entrapping him in place. Time seemed to freeze. The world around him faded into a blur, and all that existed was her. 

Jacob felt a tug deep within him, a pull that went beyond anything he had ever experienced. His heart, his soul, his very being seemed to reach out towards her. It was as if an invisible thread had connected them, binding them together in a way that was both profound and unbreakable.

In that moment, nothing else mattered. Not the vampire, not the pack, not even Bella. Just her. Her presence filled his senses, he felt an overwhelming urge to protect her, to be with her, to understand her.

The connection was instantaneous, like a bolt of lightning that struck him to his core. His wolf howled in euphoria and urged him to claim their mate.

Mate. Imprint. Mine.

Holy shit. 

He imprinted. 

He'd heard about it, but experiencing it was something entirely different. He couldn't tear his gaze away from her, feeling an overwhelming sense of warmth and belonging.

His wolf instincts roared back to life as the black wolf—Sam—let out a whimper, thrown aside by the vampire. Jacob's attention snapped back to the danger at hand. He turned to join the fray, but not before seeing the girl—his imprint—guiding Bella away.

As he fought, his mind kept drifting back to her, to the inexplicable connection they shared. He knew he had imprinted on her, that she was his future, his everything. She was his and he belonged to her. The realization was both exhilarating and terrifying.

The leech's snarls filled the air, but Jacob's mind was a chaotic storm. Fresh from imprinting made him overly anxious and sensitive. Anger surged through him. His imprint had been so close to a vampire. The thought of what could have happened if they had been a second too late drove him to the brink of madness. His wolf growled deep within him, the sound resonating with his rage and fear.

The pack felt his turmoil. Their focus wavered, and they stumbled under the weight of his emotions. 

Calm down, Jake, Jared's voice was soothing. She's safe. 

Sam's authoritative growl pierced through Jacob's haze.

Focus, Jacob!

Sam's voice was a commanding presence in his mind. 

Kill the vampire first!

Jacob forced himself to concentrate. Sam was right. The vampire was still a threat, and they couldn't afford to let their guard down. The pack moved in unison, their combined strength overwhelming the vampire.

The blood sucker fought viciously, but he was no match for the pack's fury. Jacob tore into him with a ferocity fueled by his anger and the need to protect his imprint.

Finally, the vampire's struggles ceased, and the scent of burning vampire filled the air as they destroyed his remains.

Jacob stood over the ashes, his chest heaving with exertion. The pack gathered around him, their thoughts a mix of sympathy and concern. Two of them knew what he was going through; each of them had experienced the protective instincts that came with imprinting.

She's safe now. Sam said, his tone softer but still firm. 

We'll figure out who she is, but for now, let's get back to the rez.

Welcome to the club, Jake. Jared teased, but his thoughts were full of genuine support.

Jacob nodded, his mind still swirling with thoughts of the girl. He didn't know her name, didn't know anything about her, but he knew one thing for sure: he would do anything to keep her safe. The pack turned and headed back through the woods, their solidarity a silent promise to protect their own.