JACOB
No matter what he did, Jacob Black couldn't escape the crushing weight of his abominable secret. On the surface, everything seemed normal: for the past four weeks, he'd attended school and kept up with his work at the garage, repairing engines and scrubbing grease. But inside... inside he was boiling with a new, overflowing fury that was eating away at his soul.
Sam, his alpha, had taught him the basics: how to breathe when everything burned, how to fake calm in front of others, how to breathe to soothe his rage. But knowing it and achieving it were two very different things. Jacob wondered, sometimes with painful naivety, if things would ever go back to the way they were. Though deep down, he knew that hope was more of a wish than a reality.
What worried him most now was his friend Quil. The only one in the pack who hadn't gone through the transformation yet. He noticed him withdrawn, confused... but above all, terrified. He feared becoming one more member of "Sam's cult." Every time he ran into him, Jacob felt an unpleasant sensation of guilt. He wanted to talk to him, tell him the truth. The same happened with Bella. However, the secret he carried was too big. It wasn't just his. It was ancestral, tribal, visceral. It ran through his blood from generations back. And for that very reason, there were things he simply... couldn't say.
—Jake!
Embry's recognizable voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He was still in the school parking lot, his motorcycle engine rumbling softly beneath him. He turned the key and got off, turning toward his friend.
Embry had parked his car just a few steps away. When he approached, he greeted him with their usual handshake.
—I have news— he whispered, in a conspiratorial tone—On my way here, I ran into Quil's grandfather. He told me it's already started.
Jacob's eyes widened in surprise.
—He really told you that?
—That... and that you could fry an egg on his forehead—Embry joked, with a half-smile—It won't be long before he transforms. Finally, the pack will be complete. Isn't that great?
Jacob needed a few seconds to process the information. He felt relief... and worry in equal measure.
—I guess...—he sighed with a gesture of discouragement.
Embry frowned.
—What's wrong? I thought you'd be happy.
—Of course I'm happy— he replied, rubbing the back of his neck—But I'm also worried about how he'll take it. He's terrified.
Embry's expression twisted involuntarily.
—He'll get over it when he knows the truth. Just like we did.—He grabbed his shoulder and gave him a mischievous little smile—Wanna bet?
Jake laughed for the first time that day.
—I think I'd rather keep my money in my pocket.
—Cheapskate!—Embry teased with feigned indignation. They exchanged a couple of friendly punches, then started walking toward the entrance, blending in with the rest of the students. Around them, some stragglers were sneakily passing cigarettes behind the cars. The morning air smelled of nicotine, dampness... and something else.
An intense, familiar scent. Slightly altered, he looked around. And then, even before Embry said anything, he understood.
—Speaking of cheapskates...—Of course, that hadn't been a happy comment at all.
In the distance, three female figures were making their way through the students with that rehearsed grace that only some knew how to master. Serious, elegant, untouchable. They were Quinn Foster, Morgan Berry, and... Lana Caldwell. The last one, a queen without a throne who distilled pride, sarcasm, and a beauty as sharp as her tongue. Embry called them "The Sanderson Sisters," and Jacob couldn't agree more. But what he wasn't willing to accept was that one of them — that one in particular — was now his imprint.
Since last night, to be exact.
At first, when he'd passed by the broken-down car, he hadn't recognized her. She was wearing casual, simple clothes; none of the almost cruel elegance she usually flaunted. But when the lightning briefly illuminated the scene and their eyes met, Jacob felt the world crumble beneath his feet. A brutal disconnection. As if, in that exact instant, his center of gravity had shifted. It was no longer the earth holding him up. It was her.
For that very reason, he couldn't stop feeling miserable.
It made no sense to him. Of all the girls around him, did it have to be her he imprinted on? It had nothing to do with looks, though Lana was undeniably attractive, even with her cold attitude and venomous tongue, it was her essence that disturbed him. Her way of classifying people as if they were objects: useful or disposable, expensive or cheap, worthy or insignificant. The opposite of Bella Swan, who didn't judge, didn't hurt, didn't shine to crush others. Bella was tenderness. Lana was edge.
Jacob wished with every fiber of his being that he'd been wrong, and that his true imprint was Bella. That fate would allow him to love who he wanted, and not who instinct pointed to.
—Can you stop?—he said suddenly, breaking the silence.
Embry looked at him surprised. He was in the middle of one of his usual rants criticizing the school's "Three Witches," but this time, Jacob wasn't accompanying him with his customary laughter.
—Stop what?
Jacob just shook his head, overwhelmed, trying to keep it from affecting him.
—It doesn't matter. I'll explain later.
And with that, he walked away down the hallway, leaving his friend alone, too confused to keep talking.
●●●
In the shed, Jacob was patiently adjusting parts on an old motorcycle he and Embry had scored a few days back. Between school and night patrols, free time was scarce, and this stolen moment from duty felt like a poorly managed luxury.
Maybe that's why, he thought with regret, it had been a terrible idea to confess his imprinting to Embry. His friend hadn't stopped hounding him for a second.
—Look, maybe it was just confusion— Embry insisted, trying a new tactic —Maybe you thought you imprinted on 'her,' when really it was just a... hormonal reaction.
—I thought we'd settled this.
—We would have, if you showed even a spark of common sense. But apparently, that's obviously not happening. Why don't you try to remember a little?
—I remember perfectly—Jacob replied, drying his hands on a greasy rag. —There's not a single instant I don't think about it. That's why I'm telling you it wasn't confusion: I'm imprinted on Lana.
His face showed no doubt, only contained fury. But Embry didn't pick up on it. He was shaking his head, alarmed, as if what he'd just heard was a terrible tragedy.
—No, no, no... This can't be real. Do you know how you'll end up? Like a damn hermit! No friends. Seriously Jake, the last thing you need is to be with this girl.
Jacob restrained the urge to explode. He understood Embry's reaction. Because deep down, he felt just as lost himself.
Suddenly, the sound of a motor cutting off interrupted their argument.
"Bella" Jacob thought immediately.
—Look, I don't want to talk about this anymore— he huffed. But then he realized his friend wasn't paying attention to him. Instead, he had his gaze fixed on a point outside the shed, over his shoulder.
—I can't believe it— Embry murmured.
Jacob turned, and stood stunned, unable to believe what he was seeing: There, standing next to a car, was Lana Caldwell, and she looked just as surprised as he was.
—What are you doing here?—they asked in unison, with genuine consternation.
—I live here— Jake confessed—What are you doing here?
Lana crossed her arms.
—I heard this place does repairs. —she responded with a sharp tone.
Jacob and Embry exchanged a look of uncertainty.
—Who told you that?—Jacob inquired.
She rolled her eyes.
—What does it matter? Is it true or not?
Jake considered the comment before finally nodding. He watched as her jaw tensed, she muttered something under her breath, and turned on her heel to head back to the car with steps that crackled with rage.
—Wait!— he yelled, running to catch up with her.
—What the hell do you want, Black?—she threw at him, poison in her eyes. Jacob took a deep breath. Again. How could he feel such an urge to strangle her... and at the same time, want to protect her from the entire world?
—Let me change your tire.
—No way!—She went around him to continue on her way, but he stepped in front of her again.
—Your car won't survive another trip.
Lana let out a bitter laugh.
—And now you see the future? Oh, right... ever since you and your little friends joined that weirdo boy cult. You know what? I don't trust you or your 'predictions.' So just leave me alone!—With that, she spun on her heels, got in the car, and within seconds, peeled out and disappeared down the street.
Jacob stared at the road where she'd gone, his arms trembling; rage burning in his eyes. Over his shoulder, he realized Embry was watching him from the shed.
—Do me a favor— he said without looking away from the empty road.
—What do you want?
—Tell my dad I'll be back late. I have to take care of something.
Embry took a step forward.
—What are you talking about? Where are you going?
This time Jake didn't answer. Embry advanced another step toward him.
—Wait! Jake!
But he didn't respond. He ran to the front of his house, hopped on his motorcycle, released the lock, and without thinking twice, roared onto the road.
His rational mind begged him to stop. His heart, on the other hand, pushed him toward her.
And the only thing he could think was:
"Damn it..."