Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, the original plot, characters, and settings are all property of the original author. I am in no way affiliated with the original author. I'm just playing in the sandbox. :)

Also, as far as I know and remember IDreamofEddie is the original creator of the name God of War as used for Jasper. It is used a few times in my story here, but my Jasper has a different name. ;)

Author's Note: I hope you enjoy!

DANCING WITH DEMONS

I loved her

Not for the way

She danced

With my angels

But for the way

The sound of

Her name

Could silence

my demons.

~Christopher Poindexter~

Chapter 1 - Jasper's PoV

Peter had kicked me out of the main house, telling me he needed alone time with his wife and 'my brooding ass was a cock-block'. So I had found myself wondering the streets of San Antonio, Texas on a cloudy spring day. I had walked to a random park and found her by chance.

I would have never noticed her if it hadn't been for her heartbeat. The woman was under the huge magnolia tree, her back against the tree and her legs bent in front of her, a light brown leather backpack sat beside her. She sat incredibly still for a human as she read the book that was in her hands. She had dark brown hair, that framed her oval face and fell down the side of her arm, almost to her waist. Her skin was lightly tanned but still pale enough that I could see the blood coursing through her veins. While the sight of her did entice feeling of lust in me, I didn't want to eat her.

Her eyes looked up from her book and she spotted me. I was certain she couldn't see me well enough to tell my eye color from the distance between us, but her emotions showed she found what she could see to be attractive. She gave a soft smile and then went back to her book.

I was mesmerized by the sight of her. Her lean, long legs were encased in dark skinny jeans. Her shirt was a dark red and loose around her body, it hung off one shoulder, revealing her delicate collarbone and the curve of her shoulder. She was beautiful. I picked out the scent of her blood from the others in the park and let out a soft growl. She smelled heavenly, a mix of honeysuckles and apples with a hint of something spicy I couldn't name. Her scent seemed to fill all of senses and I knew.

She was mine, and I would have her. Forever.

At that moment the sun chose to shine down along the pathway that separated us, and I was stuck in the shadows of the branches of the cluster of trees I stood under. I watched the woman, my mate, stand and begin to walk in the opposite direction. The sun stayed out long enough for me to lose sight of her, but I followed her scent out of the park and through town, careful to keep in the shadows in case the sun decided to make an appearance again.

She had gone into a theater near the river walk. I entered the building lobby and took the stairs to the private balconies above. The woman had gone in the back, but others were gathered on and in front of the stage. I waited and watched until she emerged from the right of the stage. She had changed into tights, a leotard, and a short loose skirt. Each of the dancers warmed up on the stage before the woman in charge started the practice. As I listened I heard her soft, sweet voice and learned her name was Cora.

I kept hidden in the shadows of the third floor private balconies as I watched her and another man stay on the stage as the other ten moved off. The music started with them across the stage from each other. I knew the damn song, Charlotte had made Peter and I watch it with her on video and go to the theater to see it live. It was from the phantom of the opera, All I Ask of You.

As the song continued they danced closer to each other, finally coming together in the middle of the stage. He reached for her outstretched hand, her body balancing on the ball of one foot, her other leg stretched straight behind her as she leaned toward him. When he gripped her wrist, she pushed off the floor and he swung her around, her back was softly arched as she was swing in a circle several times, before he gently lowered her to the ground. She sprang up quickly, and leapt away but he followed.

It was hard to contain my jealousy as I watched Cora dance with the human man, and even though I didn't feel any lust coming from either of them, I couldn't help but want to hurt him for putting his hands on what was mine.

I could not make a scene here, it would not be possible to get away with meeting her here, there were too many people, and my eyes were glowing red from my recent hunt through the rougher part of town. Besides, she did not lust for the man she danced with. Sure, there was affection and the strong emotions of friendship, but she did not want to fuck him. That made the demon inside me mildly calmer as I watched her.

She was graceful like I had seen no human be before. She glided across the stage, and I was sure she captured the attention of anyone who watched her for even the briefest of seconds. I didn't know how I was going to introduce myself to her, but I had to know her, and soon.

I left the theater only once the practice was over and Cora had left. Being careful to stay out of her sight, I followed her if only to watch her for just a little longer. When I saw that she was safe at her home, a small condo in a decent part of town, did I return to my own residence.

Peter was on the porch waiting for me when I reached the yard. He gave me a devilish smirk "So there I was, enjoying the time I got to spend fucking my wife when all of a sudden I just know that we need to prepare for a human, and I stop. Frozen, dude. Char was still going strong, and there my ass was, flabbergasted, 'cause you ain't never brought food home before, and as suddenly as that thought hit me, I just knew that she wasn't gonna be your next fuck and dine. I finally snapped out of it when Char bitch slapped the fuck out of me. So, my question for you is what the fuck, man?"

Throughout his ranting I sat down in the wooden rocking chair and propped my feet up in the porch railing. I shrugged as he stared at me, waiting for my response.

"I found her."

"Her?" He questioned, and then his eyes widened and his eyebrows shot up. "You mean her? The one woman who will finally erase that terrible cockblocking brooding emo shit from your psyche."

"Fuck you, but yes. I didn't exactly meet her, but I saw her, and she saw me from across the park."

"And why the fuck didn't you say hello?" Charlotte asked as she came flying out of the house to stand near enough to be in my face.

"Because the sun chose that damn moment to pop out and she walked away." Before Charlotte could interject to tear me a new one I continued. "But I followed her to a theater where she was practicing with her ballet company. I checked the marque on the way out, she performs this Saturday night. It's a semi formal event, some fundraiser deal, so that gives you three days to find a dress, sugar."

Charlotte squealed, pecked me on my cheek, and then darted back into the house. Peter gave me one of his trademark smart ass grins and mimicked my position in the second chair. "What's she look like? I hope it ain't nothin' like that short ass little psychic pixie that fawned all over you when we first met with the Cullen coven."

I laughed at the thought of Alice, the tiny vampire who poured her desire out to me and claimed she had envisioned us together. Her visions made her confident, but she wasn't very physically strong. I didn't desire a companion who couldn't be my equal in every way, and I had no need for a vampire fuck buddy, and especially not one who looked like a young boy instead of a woman. Alice was nice, pleasant, smart, and witty, but she lacked the curves and assets that attracted me, she was the definition of the word petite.

Cora, on the other hand, attracted me in every possible way. "She's beautiful, Peter. I would have never noticed her if I had not heard her heartbeat in the park. There were hardly any people out, since it was overcast, and she was sitting under a tree perfectly still. She's got dark hair, long, and the most gorgeous blue eyes I've ever seen. She's small, but damn does she have a nice set of tits. I..."

"Have it bad already and she don't even know your name," he finished for me.

"I do know her name, Cora, but damn Pete if I don't know what the hell I'm gonna do. It's not like she's a vamp and she knows. She's human, a human with a life, a career, and that should mean something, but damnit if I'm not a selfish bastard and don't give a damn if I steal her away from it. I just don't want her to hate me, to fear me, for what I am, for who I am, and I'll be damned if I don't know how to approach her."

"Hey, ma'am, and lay on that southern accent thick, my name's Jasper and you're my mate, and I'm an empath that can give you the best fuck you'll ever have. Oh, by the way I'm a vampire and I'm going to bite you and turn you so that we can live together forever," Peter said in that sarcastic, smartass tone that made me want to smack the hell out of him.

I swung my arm out and my hand connected hard with the back of Peter's head. "You're smartass mouth's gonna get you killed one day."

He chuckled. "I only worry about my life when Ares comes out to play, Jasper don't scare me - that much."

It had been a long time since someone had called me Ares, the Greek God of War, a moniker Maria had given me during my time spent controlling her newborns and fighting to keep her territory in the late 1800's. When Peter found his mate, Charlotte, I let my brother in arms leave to go north, to a peaceful life and leave behind the warring bloodbaths of the South. Aro Volturi and a select few of his guard had arrived in the early 1920's to destroy Maria. Upon seeing me in action he had struck a deal with me.

Aro and his brothers, Marcus and Cauis, and I reached the agreement that a larger spread of control was needed to maintain the secrecy of vampires and to control the ones trying to start territory wars. He had already made a deal with one of his own former members and two others, one a coven of animal drinkers, and another with a nomad that dated back to the Revolutionary War. Eleazar would watch over Alaska and western Canada. Carlisle Cullen and coven would maintain order over the western states, and Garrett to the northeast and along the Atlantic coast. I was to control the south.

Peter and Charlotte had returned two days later, and Peter said he only returned because he knew he had too. We were a coven by the bond of my venom, and I considered them family. They agreed quickly and willingly to help me in keeping peace and the secret in the south. Aro arranged a meeting so that the three North American Leaders could discuss boundary lines and meet each other. At the time the Cullen coven consisted only of Carlisle, his mate Esme, Edward the mind reader (he didn't care for my thoughts), and Rosalie Hale, she had made it clear she was not a Cullen. Garrett was an easygoing, but a fierce fighter. I respected Eleazar, Carlise, and Garrett, and liked Esme and Rosalie well enough, despite Rosalie's standoffish and bitchy personality. Her deeper emotions told me that she harbored memories of some terrible event, so I didn't call her out about being a bitch. Edward I couldn't stand. The Cullen coven had grown once Rosalie's mate Emmett was changed, and Alice joined them after having a vision in the early 1930's. Most recently added to the coven was Isabella, or Bella as she preferred, Edward's mate. I had not met the girl, and was curious what kind of person would be attracted to Edward.

The first few decades had been rough as we adjusted to this new role and communication. As we started the communication with Aro and the Volturi was frequent, as we reported uprisings and challenges to my authority, but now it had become rare that we reported to Aro about any serious matters, but there was always a monthly check-in. Our communication was originally letters and now short phone calls.

Several of the Mexican and Texan warlords had tried to overthrow my power and position, but they all failed. None had ever been able to defeat me in a fight. Word spread quickly that I had been all of Maria's power and the Volturi had taken her out of the picture, other than the occasional vampire that wanted to challenge me to a fight. No one had tried to overthrow me in at least fifty years, but that didn't mean I didn't have enemies.

Having a mate was always a weakness, but that would not stop me from being with Cora, and I would fight for her to the death. I had not even spoken to her, yet I knew I would love her for the rest of my days.

Peter and I sat on the porch in companiable silence until my phone rang. I pulled it out of my pocket and answered. "Hello, Carlisle. How has Bella adjusted to being a vampire?"

"She's been doing fairly well. A slip several months ago, and the two when she was less than a year, but you knew of those. Otherwise, she seems to enjoy the animal diet. Edward has taken her to Montana to deal with a nomad. I was calling to ask you if you had received the invitation to the annual Volturi Ball?"

I chuckled. "You're worse than your wife sometimes, friend. The letter is on my desk, opened it yesterday afternoon. You are hosting this year, I see. Did you place Alice and Esme in charge of decorating and orchestrating, or did they tell you they were?"

"You know they knew they were planning, and I've always known they wanted to host one of Aro's yearly parties. They even agreed to have human blood available. I've hardly seen Alice, she's been busy sketching ideas and plans in her studio. Esme has been searching themes and colors. The house is a event planning headquarters right now."

"I can only imagine. Any other news? Surely, the invitation wasn't the only reason you called?" I asked.

"Emmett and Rosalie were in Colorado and heard word the Benito is spreading rumors that he is going to overthrow you. I was calling to inform you in case you or Peter had not picked up word," he replied seriously.

"We had not, I appreciate the call, Carlisle."

"We shall see you then in October, unless we should need to speak sooner. Goodbye, Jasper."

"Bye, Carlisle."

"Trouble?" Peter asked.

"Possibly. I'm going to keep a close eye on my mate until it is settled."

Peter and I discussed strategy and logistics of what Benito could be planning and how to stop him before he started. Our only problem was the lack of knowledge where he was at the moment. That was easy enough to discover from sources, then we could take him out for good. I had let him live after the southern wars and the Volturi's reform. I would not make the mistake of letting him go twice.

"If Benito is planning to start shit with you, do you think it's a good idea for you to be following your human mate around?"

He made a good point, but I would not let that stop me from keeping an eye on her. I had not claimed her in any way, and she was free to be taken by another man, human or supernatural, so I could not let that happen. Cora was mine and I would have her soon, but I wanted her to want me. It was rare for a vampire to find his mate in a human, hell it was rare for vampires to find their mates. The Cullen's were an anomaly in our world in many ways, Alice being the only member not a mated pair. Among the Volturi only the three Kings and a few members of their older guard had mates. I did not know how Cora would respond to me, I wondered if she would be able to feel the bond I felt to her, the connection of souls. Peter had tried to explain the deeper bond that I could not feel through their emotions, but I did not truly understand his words until now.

"What's it like? Being mates? Is it like the bond between a vampire and their sire?" I asked as we watched the water lap at the edges of the great river.

Peter shrugged. "It's only the same in that there is a connection, but the bond is so much more complex, deeper, stronger. I'm not an empath, but with Charlotte I can feel her, if she's hurt I hurt, if she's upset I know, if she's happy then I feel like the king of the world. I have no other desire than to see that she is safe and happy for the rest of our lives. She's the center of my world, I ain't never had the urge to die for someone else, but I'd die for her, I'd kill anything that tried to hurt her. Hell, if something ever happens to her, I won't be far behind. I can't live without her now that I know she's mine." He touched his fist to the center of his chest and pushed gently. "It's like a string is attached here and connected to her, I can feel the pull to be near her, to have her in my arms. It's an ache when we're apart, and the strongest bond - the best feeling - when we are together."

I could feel the connection to Cora already, the aching need to take her in my arms and keep her there. I needed her, but I wanted her to want me from more than just the mating bond.

The next day Peter and Charlotte left to handle a rogue vampire in Alabama while I handled business at home and watched over my mate. She worked at a small cafe during the morning and then spent her afternoons getting lunch and reading a book in the same park I had first saw her before going to the theater to practice for several hours with her group. The first night the dancers went out to eat as a group and then out for drinks at one of the local bars. The second night she went out with only Collin, her main dance partner, and what I could tell, very good friend. They went straight to a bar and I sat far enough away and out of sight that Cora would not see me. I could hear her and the man speaking from my position across the bar, and the pull in my chest eased a little at being able to be nearer to her, being able to see her from across the room.

"So when are you going to admit that you are madly in love with Sallie?" Cora teased him as she picked at her French fries on her plate.

Collin chuckled. "I'm not. When are you going to find another man? You can't still be hung up over Steven."

I bit back a growl at the mention of her and another man, this Steven.

"I'm not," she replied to him in the same snippy yet playful tone he had used with her. "Steven and I broke up on mutual terms, Collin, you know that."

"Mutual my ass! That dickhead cheated on you, lied to you about it, and then you found out when side bitch told you she was pregnant."

"And Steven made the smart choice of manning up and taking care of his kid."

I couldn't see her expression, but Collin raised an eyebrow in challenge to her nonchalant brush off of Steven's behavior and choices.

"Fine," Cora huffed. "Steven didn't make any choices, I told him to get the fuck out of my life and to go take care of his bastard. I wasn't very nice about it, but give me some credit. I had just discovered that my boyfriend of three years got another chick pregnant. I think I was entitled to be pissed off."

"Didn't say you weren't," Collin said, raising his hands. "I'm just saying I think it's time you found a new man."

"Oh really? And who do you suggest?"

"Matt likes you."

"Matt only wants to get his dick wet, and I'm not game for that. God, Collin, if you're going to set me up, at least pick someone who can hold a decent conversation, or at least someone who reads more than Playboy."

Her friend laughed hard and she joined him. "I think I'm good in the man department right now. There isn't anything wrong being single, and maybe that's what I need for a while. I can focus on dancing, become the principal ballerina of our company, continue to work toward getting into the American Ballet Theater."

"You know Martha is going to name you the principal ballerina. You practically already are. You are the lead in all but one dance, and you aren't even in that dance. That makes you the principal ballerina."

"Yeah, okay. I need another drink."

Collin flagged down their waiter and they both ordered another drink. Cora seemed to prefer mixed drinks that involved tequila and Collin stuck with beer. I continued to watch over Cora until she and Collin left. Once she was safe inside her house and asleep, I returned to my home and waited for Peter and Charlotte to return.

He had called to say they had dealt with the vampire easily, who had been feeding on a small child when they found him. Charlotte had flown into a terrible rage and ripped him to pieces before Peter could question who had created him. They were crossing into Louisiana when he had called me and after a detour to hunt they would be home.

Peter found me in my office when they arrived a few hours later. He reported the events and I recorded them in the black ledger book. We had perfect memories, and I would not forget what he had told me, but it was an old habit to record the day's events. I had done it as the leader of a group of men during my human years in the confederate army, and I had seen my father do it at the end of each day to record the happenings on the farm.

I stayed at the house for the day until it was time to get ready to see Cora's performance. Peter and I were both dressed in black suits and Charlotte had bought a dark burgundy colored dress that clung to her ample curves. With the amount of lust Peter was shooting off when he saw his wife, I was surprised we made it out of the house on time. Charlotte had gone to purchase private balcony seats for us after I had told her about Cora and the theater.

We drove to town in my SUV and I gave the keys to the valet that was standing out front. The man at the ticket booth took our tickets and directed us to the same balcony seats I had been using the past days to watch Cora. When I gave Charlotte a questioning look she only smiled and replied. "I may have scented out the place before requesting certain seats. You seemed familiar with this spot, and it must give you the best view. I have to say it's quite nice."

Charlotte sat down in one of the middle chairs and patted the two chairs on either side of her. "Sit, boys. And you point out your woman when she comes out."

After several more minutes the lights dimmed and the curtain rose. The group of dancers were positioned on the stage, and I pointed out Cora, who stood in the middle of the v formation. All of the dancers were on stage for the first two songs, then only the girls, before a number with the men of the group. The director of the group took the stage with a little girl that was wearing a light pink tutu and couldn't have been more than five years old.

"Thank you for coming tonight to help support the young dancers of our community. Our ballet company has worked with a partner studio for years to teach young girls and boys the art of dance. My daughter's favorite activity is to join me at my dancers' practices and mimic their steps. She tells me often, as many of the children at our partner studio do, that she wants to be a ballerina when she grows up. This next piece is completely unrehearsed by the dancer and my daughter. This is a favorite activity we wanted to share with you. I hope you enjoy the rest of the evening, and I thank you again for your continued support."

Cora came out on stage, moving in a quick flurry of her feet and stopped a couple feet from the little girl. "Hello, Rachel." Cora waved with a smile.

The girl said hello and waved back. "Would you like to dance with me?" Cora asked.

Rachel quickly responded with a nod as the music came on. Cora did a short plié. Rachel mimicked her in an awkward one of her own. Cora moved her feet apart and after Rachel moved hers, she pliéd again, deeper this time. Next she jumped up, crossing and uncrossing her feet in midair. The girl continued to mimic Cora as she kept jumping before she took a leap to the left, landing en pointe. She raised her left leg high behind her stretching her arms out wide. When she lowered her leg she spun in a circle, and then took several leaps across the floor as the music became faster.

The crowd clapped and cheered as the little girl echoed each move Cora made across the stage with an adorable five-year-old effort. When the dancing was over Cora walked to Rachel and took her hand. They walked to the center of the stage and then took a bow. The humans clapped and cheered louder for the pair. Peter let out a whistle, but I just sat and watched my beautiful mate. It was a shame she would never be a mother, watching her with the young child had been... stirring, a strange longing. It was something I knew we would never experience, but the desire to see her pregnant with my own offspring was there, dormant inside some once human part of me that meeting her had awoken.

There was another dance, a faster paced one that involved three pairs of partners. I wondered, as I watched Cora, how exhausted she would be later in the evening after dancing all night. She had a huge smile on her face, and her emotions stood out to me among the sea of others and I focused on them. Dancing was her passion, and she was damn good at it.

After the song ended the curtain closed for intermission.

"Oh, Jasper, she's gorgeous, and those moves. Beauty and grace," Charlotte gushed.

"She is beautiful, I wonder how she tastes?" The question came from behind us and I whipped around to growl at the vampire standing at the curtained entrance to the balcony.

Benito was tall, but not so tall as I was, and he had dark hair and deeply tanned skin despite having become a vampire. He smiled cockily at me and I snarled lowly.

"She's mine, and you'll never find out how she tastes," I hissed.

He chuckled and shook his head. "I wondered why you were following a human female around. You paid such close attention to her, that you never noticed that you were being tracked. You say she is yours, but the bitch is unmarked. Anyone who took her could claim her as theirs, and she is free to take."

Peter and Charlotte growled lowly from behind me, echoing my own deep, menacing, rumbling. "I've left you alive for this many years Benito, touch her, look at her, and I will kill you."

He laughed again and then tipped his hat, taking a step back to leave. "It's good to see you again Major. Take care."

Peter waited a few seconds and then followed him, returned two minutes later. "He left with two other vamps. Cora is backstage with the other dancers, there are no other vamps, she'll be back onstage in two minutes. We'll finish the show and then go home and think of a plan."

"I won't leave her unprotected. I will stay to finish the show. Go home, get the truck and then go get everything she will need for the house, that we don't already have. I know you don't like her, but call Alice, she was around Bella when she was still human. She will know what to get. The bedroom closest to mine shall be hers. I'm taking her tonight."

Peter shook his head. "She'll hate you for kidnapping her."

"I don't care if she hates me, as long as I know she is safe in my possession."

"You say that now, but you'll-"

"Do as I say! It wasn't up for debate, it was an order soldier and you'll fucking follow it. Now."

Peter nodded swiftly and grabbed Charlotte's arm before leaving quickly. I sat back down, tense, angry, and, though I hated to admit it, slightly scared. I did not want anything to happen to my mate, I had only just found her. She didn't even know me. I kept my eyes trained on her as the curtain rose and the last songs echoed through the theater. As soon as the curtain fell I left my seat and made my way through the shadows to the back where Cora was being greeted and congratulated by friends.

I waited for her to change and collect her stuff, and then followed her to her car and then her home. I snuck in through the sliding glass door of the porch while she showered. I roamed her apartment silently while I listened to her dress and prepare for bed. When she emerged from her room I was already hiding in the shadows where she would not see me until I approached her. She retrieved a glass, filled it with water from her freestanding tank, and then took a drink. I pushed aside my desire as I watched the muscles in her throat move. When she set the glass down and turned to go back to her room, I emerged to block her way.

When she looked up and saw me I felt the instant fear before the sudden shock of realization that she had in fact seen me once before.

I flashed forward and clamped my hand over her mouth, being careful to not hurt her, before she could scream. I sent her a large dose of lethargy, knocking her out, and scooped her into my arms. Luck was on my side, and I passed no one as I left her apartment. I stuck to the dark back streets that were deserted at this time of night of good citizens, and moved to quickly for the lowlifes to take notice.

Charlotte and Peter were waiting at the door when I entered with Cora. I placed her on the couch and then slowly drew back the lethargy I had been pumping into her. They stood off to the side, where I would be the first thing Cora would see, but in a position where they could easily see her. Cora slowly opened her eyes and then quickly scrambled into a sitting position Her eyes found me and she let out a short scream as her heart skipped a beat and then took off racing. When she caught sight of Peter and Charlotte she scooted as far back on the couch as she could go, and took a deep breath. A burst of confidence rang through her terror and apprehensive curiosity.

"Where am I? Where did you take me? Why?"

I took a step forward and her confidence disappeared while her fear spiked. I stopped and spoke as calmly as I could to her. I sent out a small trickle of calm and her nose scrunched up in confusion.

"You're safe. I will not hurt you. I swear to you, you are safe with me, and with my brother and sister-in-law."

"I don't even know you, I certainly don't trust you! You kidnapped me! Let me leave!" She stood up from the couch with a burst of determination and adrenaline, but stopped as suddenly as she had started when I moved in a blink to stand in front of her.

"You are safe from harm here, but you will not be allowed to leave," I said firmly, staring down at her. From our close proximity her honeysuckle and apple scent that had that spicy undertone was much more overwhelming, and I could feel the warm heat from her body. I wanted to take her in my arms and ravage her, but her emotional tenor was balancing on the edge of control of self verses fight or flight, and I didn't want her to hurt herself fighting against me. I also didn't exactly want to knock her unconscious again either. "You are free to roam the house and I will show you your room if you would like to be alone for a while."

"Am I allowed outside? Or am I a pet that is restricted to the house?" She was extremely snarky and bold at the moment, but she shrunk back from me when I looked down at her with a raised brow in challenge. I hated her use of the term pet, but I knew she had no clue of the meaning of the word in the vampire world. She was not a dog or cat that a human would keep, and I would never treat her the way a vampire would treat a human pet.

"No, you are most certainly not a pet, and you a free to explore the yard if you choose."

She was quiet for a moment and moved to sit back down, putting about three feet of distance between us. She took a slow, deep breath and then looked up at me. "Can I go home?"

"No."

It was in that moment that I felt the thin ribbon of hatred weave through her emotions, and tears welled in her eyes. To give my mate credit, the tears did not fall as she took shaky, shallow breaths. Peter's words resounded in my memory. She'll hate you for kidnapping her.

"My name is Charlotte, why don't I show you where your room is?" Char said as she stepped forward. She looked at me for permission and I nodded. "Follow me dear." She motioned to Cora and my little mate quickly, but with anxiety and fear rolling off her in waves, followed behind Char as they left the living room and went back toward the foyer before turning right down the short hallway. On the right of the hallway was my room, and Cora's was on the left. It would allow me to keep a close watch on her, but also gave her space of her own. I wanted her to come to me, not be forced to be in close proximity with her kidnapper.

I listened carefully as Charlotte opened the door to the room she had decorated and prepared in the short time she had this week. She had ordered clothing, bedding, towels, and other things online while on her mission with Peter and tonight she had rushed to gather the needed toiletries and food items Cora would need until Charlotte could return to the store and buy what Cora wanted or requested.

Charlotte told Cora that the room was hers and she hoped she liked it. Cora was silent as she wandered around the space slowly. It had a large walk in closet that Charlotte had filled with clothes similar in styles to the ones that Cora wore that she had made me describe. The bathroom was simple, but nice with a sink and small vanity, a toilet, and a walk in shower.

She didn't respond to Charlotte as I heard her sit on the bed. I slowly made my way to her room, but didn't make myself known since Charlotte began speaking again. "I think you'll get used to living here. I promise that Jasper, Peter, and I won't hurt you. We just want to keep you safe."

"Kidnapping someone isn't my idea of keeping them safe," Cora hissed angrily back at Charlotte.

"You're right, but Jasper had his reasons, and I'm sure in time he'll explain himself. He's a good man, and you are safe here. Nothing bad will happen to you. You're free to explore the house, Peter's and my room is on the second floor on the left, you go up three steps, so you'll know it's ours. Jasper's room is across the hall, but the other bedrooms are unoccupied. The library is across from the living room, big double doors, you can't miss it. Jasper said you liked to read."

"He was watching me, wasn't he? I saw him earlier this week at the park."

I decided to come into the room at that time and Cora's heart sped up as she stared at me.

"Yes, I saw you at the park, and yes I was watching you, but I still do not intend to harm you. I took you to keep you safe from someone else who was going to hurt you. I... I did not want to kidnap you like this, but I must keep you safe. This room is yours, I will not come in here again without your permission, unless you try to leave, and I assure you, you will not be able to escape me, so it's best if you do not try."

She shook her head. "Then I'd like you to leave me alone." When Charlotte made no move toward the door, Cora added, "Both of you."

I shut the door behind Charlotte, giving Cora an I dare you to challenge me look. I heard the window slid open seconds later and turned back to the door quickly. I threw it open and caught her arm as she crouched to slid through the window.

The growl that rumbled in my chest could not be helped. I did not like to be challenged, and I refused to let my mate out of my grasp and safety. "I told you not to try to leave."

She cried out in surprise at being caught and tried to squirm out of my grasp. I tightened my hold on her, wrapping both of my arms around her torso, pinning her arms to her sides. "Do not fight me, Darlin', you won't win, and I've already sworn to you that I would not hurt you, but I refuse to let you go. You are mine, Cora, and I will not let you be in danger."

"I'm not in any danger! My only danger is you, the one who already broke into and took me from my apartment! Let me go!"

I released her arm, gently shoving her to sit down on the bed, and stood close enough to discourage her from moving. I stared down at her, and she glared right back. Her emotions a blend of anger, hate, stubbornness, defiance, with an only slightly lessened from early strand of fear, and despair.

We stared at each other and if she noticed that my eyes were red, she did not comment, and her heart did not stutter from its rhythmic pattern in her chest. I took this time to study her more closely. She had strands of a lighter shade of blue in her stormy blue eyes, and her skin was smooth and flawless except for the tiny scar near her right temple. I remembered quite vividly the feel of her in my arms. She was thin, but athletic and fit with long slender legs. When she stood my lips could easily press against the top of her forehead. Compared to my 6'4" height, I estimated she was about 5'8".

"If this is my space, I'd like you to leave," she said with a streak of bold confidence.

"I will, as soon as I'm sure you aren't going to try and dip out the window again. I'll give you a little warning, Darlin', I said I would not hurt you, and I won't, but I can still punish you. I don't like the thought of it, and I figured you would enjoy a room with a view, but there is a lovely space in the basement that has no windows at all that would suit you fine as well, I can always lock it from the outside to keep you in. Aside from being unable to leave the property, as of right now, you are free to explore the house and yard. I'd hate to take that privilege from you and keep you locked up."

Her fear spiked at that comment and she looked down at her hands while she thought before turning her eyes back up to me. "Fine. I'll be a good little pet and stay."

The part of myself that was my humanity, Jasper, the man I was before the war, and the warrior I became with Maria, both of them, wanted to laugh at her streak of defiance and snarky tone. Ares though, Ares was furious at the idea of our mate thinking she was anyone's pet. He and I may want to fuck her like an animal, but the thought of her being some other male vampire's pet was enough to drive him to come very close to the surface.

Her heart beat picked up speed and she scooted away from me to the middle of the bed with a whispered "what the fuck". I knew my eyes were black, but I could not control the anger that I felt at her words. I leaned over her and growled low and deep. "You are not a pet. You remember that, and remember it well. Whatever that word means to you, I assure you, it does not mean the same to me. I may have kidnapped you, and I may refuse to let you leave my home, but you are not my pet."

She nodded slowly and I moved back from hovering over her. "Good, now Darlin', don't try to leave again." I left her room, leaving the door open behind me this time, and made my way to the living room where Peter and Charlotte were watching a movie.

We sat in silence for a good portion of the movie while I listened to Cora slowly explore her room and closet. She was not making any move to leave, and I would catch her before she did, but I still listened carefully to her movements around her room. She closed the closet door and went to the bathroom to explore that space before going back and lying on her bed.

"How's she feeling?" Peter interrupted my thoughts and I looked at him and that damn knowing smile.

"Scared, worried, anxious, a little curious, but mostly upset and frightened."

He nodded and the smile turned into a smirk. "And how does she feel about you?"

I growled at Peter, and he leveled his gaze to me. "I warned you, if you took her tonight she would hate you."

Before I could speak Charlotte interrupted. "Peter, leave him be, you would have done the same thing if someone had threatened me and I was human, and you know it. Jasper, it can't last forever. Give her time to get over the fact that you did in fact kidnap her from her life and have told her she will basically not leave your presence. If she's your mate, which we both know she is, she'll come around eventually."

"Right, I'll take your word on that, Char. I'll be in my room for the night, I need to let Aro know that the missing human that will be reported soon in my area is in my possession."

"Don't forget to tell him she's your mate!" Peter included as I walked out of the room.

I stopped between my door and Cora's, which she had shut and listened. I could tell she was still lying on the bed, but what bothered me the most was that she was sobbing as quietly as she could. The sound was muffled by a pillow, but it was loud to my ears, too loud. I wanted to take her in my arms and comfort her, even the war hardened part of me ached to hear her sorrow. As much as I desired to take her pain away, with my touch and my ability, I knew humans well enough to know that they needed to work out their emotions, any influence I had on her emotions tonight would only be temporary. The moment I stopped taking her pain away it would come back and she would feel worse.

So, instead of entering her space, which I had promised not to do unless she forced me by escaping, I turned and went to my own room. The room was large and spacious. My wooden desk sat against the right hand wall when you first entered. After the desk were two oversized chairs and a coffee table that were arranged near the fireplace. The bed sat against the far left wall facing the fireplace across the room.

With a heavy sigh I pulled my cell phone from my pocket and sat in the chair at the desk. I scrolled through the contacts and then dialed Aro.

"Goodevening, Jasper. This is an unexpected contact. I do hope everything is alright in your area," Aro said the second he picked up the line.

"All is fine. I am calling tonight to give you a warning before word reaches the news and you and the Kings. There will be reports of a missing girl in my area, and I'm already aware of her because I was the one who took her. I discovered she was my mate and have been following her to find the right time to introduce myself."

"Oh... That's very exciting news!" Aro interrupted. "And I have a reason to believe that you took the young woman?"

"Yes, that was not my original plan, but she was threatened. We have been in contact before about a vampire named Benito."

"Benito? Yes, I remember him. He fought against you in the southern vampire wars, pardoned him once we changed the government."

"He threatened her and I took measures to insure that my mate was safe. As for now, I have kept my word to him that he would remain alive, but if he makes a move to hurt her or threaten me again I will take end him."

Aro sighed. "I completely understand your need to protect what is yours. I do hope that we will get to meet her at the ball in October."

I chuckled. Aro was worse than a high school girl when it came to gossip and the need to meet with and know about everyone under his reach. "Well, to be honest, Aro, I don't think I'm she's my biggest fan right now, but I hope that changes before October."

It was his turn to chuckle. "Well, that is only late May, you have four more months before October. I'm sure in that time you can win your mate over with that wonderful, intriguing southern charm."

We shared a laugh and I decided it was time to wrap up the conversation so I could check on Cora. "Well, Aro I shall keep you informed of any new occurrences in my area, and I look forward to seeing you and yours in October at the Cullen residence."

"I look forward to the event, and meeting your mate, Jasper. Keep in touch." Aro ended the call with the same words he always did and I set the phone back on the desk.

I listened carefully to my mate across the hall. Her breathing was even and her sobs had stopped. I stood and slowly made my way across the hall. Just as my hand touched the doorknob, Charlotte stopped me. "Uh huh, no sir. You promised her you would not enter this space without her permission or if she was escaping, and she is neither escaping nor has she given you permission. I'll check on her and tuck her in, you can go sit with my obnoxious husband."

I nodded and stepped back as Charlotte opened the door, giving me a saucy wink before shutting the door in my face.