She left in the early morning, just as the sun was rising and the people of Volterra were beginning to fill the streets. She kept herself hidden within the shadows of the buildings as the locals offered her whatever they were currently selling; meat, bread, vegetables. She paused briefly at a stand, eyeing up a dark plum cloak, the color nearly black. As her fingers ran over the fabric, the softness surprised her.
"Ah, I see you're appreciating my newest masterpiece! For you, just $250. It's the finest cotton and inside, the best silk." Her red eyes roamed over the quality of the cloak, truly it was beautiful. She slid off her current cloak, letting it fall where it may as she slid the new one over herself.
The saleswoman, short with greying hair nodded her approval. She reached down to grab the red cloak that the young woman before her had been wearing and as she stood up right there was a pale hand extended to her, money in hand. "You can keep the change."
And as quickly as she arrived, she was gone. Leaving the older man with the red piece still in hand.
XxX
The young vampire didn't care for flying, honestly the thought alone made her tense, but it was the fasted way to Texas.
"Welcome to Pisa International, how may I help you?" The clerk behind the counter was tall, dark short hair and blue eyes. His voice was thick with his accent, but Amelia understood him clearly.
"One way flight to Austin, Texas." She slid her passport and ID to him, he smiled despite her short response and quickly typed her information into the computer. Her nails taped idley on the counter, knowing it would be a long flight. The clerk gave her her identification back along with her ticket and boarding pass.
"You have a great trip Ms. Whitlock."
XxX
24 Hours Later
XxX
Amelia sauntered off the plane without stopping at the baggage claim. Her eyes had darkened to a near black. Her throat burned and everyone within the airport looked like a snack. She paused at the sight of a phone, checking her pocket for some change she quickly made a phone call. It rang twice before going to voicemail. She hissed low in her throat, feeling agitated.
"Peter, I'm in Austin. I'll be there shortly." She slammed the phone down with a click, seeing the handle now held a crack.
XxX
Across the country, Jasper paused. He felt something in the pit of his belly light up with excitement. He couldn't quite explain it as his body turned to face the South. Peter and Charlotte instantly came to mind.
"Jazz? Hello?" A small hand came into view, his attention being directed back to Alice. Her thin shirt and jean shorts were pelleted in dirt, her feet bare. "Yes?" She gave him an odd look before a smile broke across her face. "I turned around and you weren't chasing me anymore. Don't you wanna play?" The slight tilt of her head hinted at her lust which he could both feel and smell all over her. Her hands were gripping his bare sides, her eyes traveling over his naked torso and dirty jeans.
Just a moment ago, he was very excited for the game of cat and mouse. Sex was always so much better with foreplay, but now as he felt a tug towards his extended family, his mind was on other things.
"Honey, I think I need to make a phone call."
XxX
Peter had known that Amelia would be leaving the Volturi soon to return to him and Charlotte. And as the voicemail ended he knew any second, Jasper would be calling.
"Cute lil' mama had a swag like mine
She even wear her hair
Down her back like mine
I make her feel right
When its wrong like lyin'"
Jasper's number appeared, Peter's smile growing. He let it ring a little longer, letting Framing Hanley's Lollipop play.
"Hello?"
"Peter, I think I'm going to be paying you a visit here shortly. I have a couple things to take care of, but I'll be seeing you soon."
"Yes, Sir." Jazz hung up, making Peter laughed almost hysterically. "Charlotte, baby, we're gonna be having some company."
XxX
Amelia had stopped about an hour outside of Juno, Texas, finding a rather well built man to feed off of. He tasted like protein powder and apples. The blood was thin and almost watered down, but it would hold her over until she could go hunting again. She hid the body in a dumpster and finished her trek to Peter's home which was located up on the side of a mountain.
Charlotte saw her first, making her way outside to greet her with a huge smiling cracking across her face. "Hi, Sugar!" Amelia gave a half hearted smile. "Hey, Char." They embraced briefly, Charlotte giving Amelia a once over. Her torso was hidden by the cloak, a pair of dark wash jeans and tan cowboy beats on her feet. Her pitch black curls were loose and messy, a strained look across her face.
"Are you alright honey?" Amelia just nodded, not feeling the need to talk. She felt a level of exhaustion she hadn't felt in a long time. "Is Peter around?" Charlotte tangled her arm with Amelia's, guiding her into the house. "He's inside, said we should be expecting you."
XxX
Charlotte left to go into town, wanting to pick out a couple pieces of furniture for the guest bedroom that needed to be filled. Giving Peter a kiss on the cheek and quick goodbye to Amelia, and she was gone.
Amelia tugged her cloak off, revealing a Pierce the Veil band shirt beneath. She sunk into the soft coach as Peter sat across from her in his recliner. Amelia released a sigh, a look of tension crossing her face.
"I think Aro is going to come for me." Peter gave her a slanted grin, nodding his head. She groaned, her hands covering her face.
"You know, you, Alec & Jane are his prized guards. He isn't going to just let you go." Amelia chose to ignore the statement, knowing it was true. Aro was definitely coming for her, and she was ready.
"You should feed, darlin'. On something fresh and sweet." Peter licked his lips, his own eyes a bit dark. Amelia sat up a little straighter, a serious expression crossing her face. "You didn't tell the Major I was comin', did you?" Peter laughed, his head falling back. "Darlin' why would I ever?"
Amelia growled, low in her throat as lightning cracked above the house. "Because you know too much, I'm sure you already know how this fight will turn out, with or without him being here. And you know why I have avoided my maker since the moment you came back for me. Do not play games with me Peter, I'm in no mood."
Peter was unafraid of her threats, throwing his hands up in a mock surrender. "Amelia, Amelia, I haven't nor will I inform Jasper of your arrival to mi casa. Now, why don't we go for a hunt? It'll calm us both down."
She watched him for a long moment, seeing a thick amount of honesty in his face and words. She nodded, knowing the body builders blood simply hadn't fulfilled her.
XxX
Jasper and Alice were in there bedroom, going back and forth for the hundredth time it felt like, about if or when they would go visit Peter and Char.
"Alice! Why are you bein' so unreasonable? Peter and Charlotte are family, and if I want to visit them, then I will!"
Alice glared daggers are her husband, feeling hurt and almost betrayed as she knew exactly what would happen if he went to Texas. "Jasper, please, don't go." He extended his empathy, feeling her sadness, hurt, betrayal? "What the hell aren't you telling me?" Jasper had closed in on her, watching her back away against a wall. Her hand were up, pressed firmly into his chest.
"I don't want to talk about it!" He growled, deeply, almost darkly as his golden eyes exploded into orbs of onyx. Alice's fear spiked, making her freeze. "I will not ask again. The fact that this argument has escalated to here, has me floored."
She took in a slow, unnecessary breathe, steadying herself. "If you go to Texas now, you will meet your mate." Tears glazed over Alice's eyes, her arms wrapping tightly around Jasper's waist. "Please don't leave me."
Jasper felt his arms curl around his wife, giving her comfort for just a moment. "How can you be so selfish, Alice? If this was you, you know I'd let you go." As his words hung thick in the air, he released her and moved around the room to grab his duffle and pack some clothes.
Alice stood sadly, sinking to sit on there bed by the headboard. She hugged a pillow to her chest, watching him toss a couple books and important papers from there safe into the bag. "I'll have Jenks send you divorce papers in the next few days."
"Jasper, please! I love you…" He paused, sitting on the bed as he held her hands tightly. "I want you to feel something." Jasper gathered up the emotions of Edward and Bella whom were downstairs playing with Nessie. He projected all of there love, devotion, and joy onto Alice, watching her already tear filled eyes shine brighter.
"This is what it feels like to be with your mate, Alice. Don't you want that one day? Don't you want that for me? If you gave a damn about me, you wouldn't ask me to stay." After a long moment, Jazz pecked her cheek goodbye and left before she could respond.
XxX
Amelia entered the spare bedroom, the walls being a dark brown with a rusty trim. The twin bed was resting under the window with a small night stand beside it. On top of the night stand was a lamp made of deer antlers. The vampire chuckled to herself as she glanced to the other side of the room, settling her cloak over the chair of a small vanity.
She sat on the edge of the bed, running her fingers through her curls. Her mind kept turning to the Major, her undead heart clenched at the thought of him. Despite going on a hunt with Peter, Amelia found herself tired. She stood making her way to the vanity, giving herself a once over. Her eyes were a dark crimson, slight bags forming under them. Amelia couldn't explain her exhaustion, she'd been feeding well, aside from the body builder.
Amelia heard a soft tap on the open door, seeing the dirty blonde vampire standing in the doorway. She stood up, pushing hair away from her face. "How're you feelin' darlin'?" Her arms crossed, feeling insecure and almost vulnerable.
"I'm fine." He gave her a slanted smile, leaning his shoulder into the door frame. "Liar, liar, pants on fire." Amelia's eyes narrowed, feeling her spine tense. "What do you know?"
Peter shrugged, his lower lip curling slightly. "What do I know? I know you're exhausted, you're constantly thinkin' about you know who. And I damn well know those two humans you fed off of didn't do nothin' for you."
Amelia couldn't deny it. She'd left Volturi to get away from Aro as well as return to the Major. Yet all these years had passed, no doubt he'd forgotten about her. She was sure that he was happy with his wife. "Does it matter? He don't even know I'm alive." She turned away from him, moving towards the window.
He watched her, seeing the curls tumble over her shoulder as she rubbed at the side of her face. Peter walked towards her, bumping her hip with his. "Y'know, I don't think that'll matter once he sees you."
Amelia wanted to laugh, she wanted to think everything would be fine if she saw him again, yet the more she thought about it, she didn't want to see him. She didn't want to ruin his marriage or his family. He deserved to be happy, he deserved everything after the wars.
The male to her left tsk'ed his tongue, his bright red eyes rolling. "You left the Volturi to be with him. Why're you trying to stop yourself? Why won't you let yourself be happy?" Amelia growled softly, her eyes turning dark. "Because it doesn't matter if I'm happy, it's always been about him."
Peter paused, his eyes unmoving as he stared into her own. He broke first, shaking his head. "Don't you understand? He isn't mated to Alice, but he will be mated to you, if you bother to try."
"How can I, Peter? He hasn't seen me since 1934! And he just left! He left the army, he left Mexico! He just…"
"He left you. That's why you're so hesitant. Honey, he didn't know you were his mate. He was going through a lot in the time before he left. If he'd known, he'd never have left you. If he'd known." Peter paused, hearing Amelia hiss as it began to rain rather violently. "It doesn't matter if he'd known, 'cause he didn't and he won't. It just doesn't matter, Peter."
Peter's brows furrowed, hearing Charlotte come inside in a hurry. "Peter! I need you to help me unload the truck." He paused briefly, giving Amelia a sad look before he left.
Amelia hugged herself tighter, trying to forget the past as it came barreling to the forefront of her mind.
XxX
It was 1933, Amelia was just twenty years old. She was a ballet dancer, her body toned and ridgid with muscle. She'd just finished a show, it was about the tragedy of war. She was meeting the audience, smiling and accepting flowers, signing scraps of paper and old newspaper articles that covered the show.
Afterwards she'd slipped on her pea coat and started her trek home. She'd been walking for a few minutes before she heard something. Almost like feet dragging across pavement. She hadn't pause, quickly making her way home. Her parents were out, no doubt. Rarely staying home as they attended her and her sisters recidals.
Amelia couldn't shake the feeling of being watched despite knowing she was alone. She made her way upstairs, removing her coat as she was about to take a bath. The hair on the back of her neck stood on end before she screamed. Her world went black, and when the color returned, she was in a very different world.
XxX
Jasper had said his goodbyes to his family, Alice refusing to come down and part ways on a good note. The Cullens just wanted him happy, so they hugged and sent him on his way. Jasper drove down the winding roads of Forks, Washington in his black Silverado pick up. He could feel a tug in the pit of his belly leading him to the South.
He couldn't believe he was going to meet his mate. Would he know her? What would she look like? He considered this and more questions as his mind turned back to Peter. Did Peter know? Why wouldn't Peter tell him?
The empath thought back, way back to when he turned Peter and up until he and Charlotte ran. They ran because they were mates and they knew Maria would kill them both. In her army, in the South, there was no room for love and mateship.
XxX
Two Days Later
XxX
Amelia and Charlotte rolled onto the grass, Charlotte stradling Amelia as her fist came down to connect with the elemental's jaw. Amelia's head moved just in time, flipping Charlotte's to the side as she rolled onto her feet. The pair exchanged a handful of blows before Char was tossed into a rather large timber, the trunk of the tree having a firm indent in its side.
Charlotte's hand went up in surrender, giving Amelia the win. Amelia reached down to pull Charlotte off the ground, patting some of the dirt and dust off her forrest green top and jean shorts.
"That was a good fight girls. Anyone wanna do another in a tub of mud and bikinis?" Peter's grin was almost wicked at the thought, receiving two firm punches to the arms, one from each woman. "Alright, I see that was a dumb thing to ask."
"No, honey, really?" Charlotte and Peter shared a look, Char's mostly disapproving before she leaned up to kiss him. Amelia couldn't stop the eye roll as she made her way to the pool, sliding her maroon sweat pants off her hips to reveal her navy swim shorts. Ignoring the couple as they collapsed in the grass several yards away, she shedded the white t-shirt that covered her bikini top.
She grabbed her waterproof iPod shuffle off the patio table, seating herself on the last step of the pool. Amelia removed her ponytail holder, placing her earbuds in and played Somewhere I belong by Linkin Park.
When this began,
I had nothing to say
And I'd get lost in the nothingness inside of me
(I was confused)
And I let it all out to find that I'm not the only person with these things in mind (inside of me)
But all the vacancy the words revealed
Is the only real thing that I got left to feel (nothing to lose)
Just stuck, hollow and alone
And the fault is my own,
And the fault is my own
The words weighed heavily on her heart, making her mind travel back to her beginning in the wars. She simply wanted to forget, her body moving forward to slip under the water and sinking into its depths.
I want to heal, I want to feel,
What I thought was never real
I want to let go of the pain I felt so long (erase all the pain 'til it's gone)
I want to heal, I want to feel
Like I'm close to something real
I want to find something I've wanted all along
Somewhere I belong
Amelia moved slowly, finding herself dancing within the water. She could remember her final dance, the Art of War, it had been called. Her toes touched, keeping her legs together before her right foot slid away and dragged along the bottom of the tiled pool, making an arch as she turned a full one-eighty.
And I've got nothing to say
I can't believe I didn't fall right down on my face (I was confused)
Looking everywhere only to find that it's not the way I had imagined it all in my mind (so what am I?)
What do I have but negativity?
'Cause I can't justify the way everyone is looking at me (nothing to lose)
Nothing to gain, hollow and alone
And the fault is my own,
And the fault is my own
"It is my fault I'm alone. I stayed away from him, hell I even pushed Peter and Char away and they're the ones that saved me." The heaviness in her chest almost felt as if it was crushing her soul now, the desire to see him making her skin burn. "No, I won't. I can't." Her left hand came up, as if reaching for the sun, standing on her tiptoes as she moved to her left, falling dramatically; the water slowing her down.
I want to heal, I want to feel,
What I thought was never real
I want to let go of the pain I've held so long (erase all the pain 'till it's gone)
I want to heal, I want to feel
Like I'm close to something real
I want to find something I've wanted all along
Somewhere I belong
As she rested her weight onto her hip, she crawled forward, her hands coming together as she flipped back onto her feet gracefully. Her body twisted and turned, her movements mimicking the mock fight she had all those years ago.
I will never know myself until I do this on my own
And I will never feel,
Anything else until my wounds are healed
I will never be
Anything 'til I break away from me
And I will break away, and find myself today
Her hands came together as if clutching a blade that had been stabbed into her chest, her hand tugging it free as she imagined the fake blood splattering across another dancers face, the blade entering his jugular. He dropped dead, her hand remaining over what once was a heart that beat wildly, freely for the love of dance. Amelia fell forward, over the 'dead' dancer.
I want to heal, I want to feel
What I thought was never real
I want to let go of the pain I felt so long (erase all the pain til it's gone)
I want to heal, I want to feel,
Like I'm close to something real
I want to find something I've wanted all along
Somewhere I belong
I want to heal I want to feel like I'm,
Somewhere I belong,
I want to heal I want to feel like I'm somewhere I belong
Somewhere I belong
The elemental could feel herself suffocating under the water, not from the water itself, no, but from her own emotions. They were running rampant in her mind, her soul. She couldn't turn them off. Her soul screamed, begged, 'please, go to him', but she refused.
Another song came on, but suddenly it was too much. The words echoed inside her, 'Somewhere I belong'. Ha! She belonged nowhere.
Amelia found herself struggling under the weight within her chest, dragging herself out of the water. She gasped as she broke the surface, crawling on the pool steps as her hair covered her face. Peter's hand wrapped around her upper left arm, pulling her out of the water entirely. She couldn't form words as he pulled her earbuds out and pushed hair out of her face.
"Are you alright, honey?" Amelia couldn't explain, couldn't form words as Charlotte wrapped a towel around her shoulders. The elemental was quiet, her body tense as she was made to sit on her backside. Her head shook, "no", making Charlotte's eyes fill with worry.
"You're gonna die without him, sugar. Your aura is tainted in black." Charlotte spoke softly, her hands holding the towel together at Amelia's front.
Amelia said nothing, shrugging the towel off as well as Char's hands. She stood abruptly and made her way inside. Peter and Charlotte shared a look, a knowing, yet very sad look. There wasn't anything they could do for her if she rejected her mate.
XxX
Jasper felt his chest tighten as he was about two hours outside of Juno. There was a pinch of pain, just about where his heart was. He felt a mix of doubt and worry, even shame. He knew these weren't his emotions, the pain in his chest wasn't his own. No, it was his mate's.
The empath knew whatever bits he was feeling, it could only be a fraction of what his mate was going through. And as he grew closer to finding out just who his mate was, he knew they would need heeling and so much of it.
XxX
Amelia had curled up in her bed, the comforter tucked in around her. Her dark curls were still soaked, resting over the damp pillow. The elemental felt as if her chest was being crushed from the inside and she couldn't make it stop. Outside she was mildly aware that the once beautiful day was being ruined by rain and thunder, the ground shook idly as she tossed and turned.
Charlotte knocked on the closed door, entering without Amelia's response. The small blonde haired vampire sat herself on the edge of Amelia's bed, near her pillow. She didn't speak, simply placing her hand on Amelia's head; massaging her fingers into the thick mess of hair.
"Char, how can I face him after everything that's happened?" Charlotte waited, seeing if she'd say more. "Y'know, before Peter and I had even acknowledged our bond, I trusted him entirely. And, that day when Jasper was supposed to execute me, Peter looked at me and he just said 'run'. One word, honey, and I knew I didn't need to doubt him."
She paused, seeing if Amelia might speak. She didn't. "Maybe all you need is one word, honey. One look, one touch. Jasper is your mate, he will understand you in ways no one else will. You just need to give him that chance. Peter and I will be right there with you."
Char gave Amelia's shoulder a squeeze before she stood up and left the elemental alone with her raging thoughts.
"It's been too long. I'm too broken for him."
XxX
Jasper had sped his way up the mountain, noticing the turn of weather made him raise a brow, but he couldn't ponder on it. His mate needed him and they needed him now.
The moment the house came into view, Jasper saw Peter waiting for him outside in the wind and rain. Usually, Peter held his signature smile, but not today. No, instead he looked concerned and almost scared for what was about to happen.
The empath exited his vehicle, making his way to Peter. "It's not good." Jasper almost glared at Peter with a 'no shit sherlock' look, his gaze turning up to the sky as the darkest clouds were hanging over the house. Though before Jasper could ask, Peter pipped up. "Your mate is quite powerful, and right now she can't control her emotions let alone her gift."
Jasper didn't bother asking because in truth, it didn't matter. He needed to be with her, and now. The empath made his way inside, passing Char with a curt nod. He took the stairs two at a time, letting the mating pull guide him to her.
When he found the door closed, he didn't knock, instead going straight inside. On the bed was a small body curled under a chocolate brown blanket. Her hair was laid out over the pillow, her form almost appearing to shiver.
He closed the door behind himself, watching as the body on the bed twisted and moved closer to the wall. Jazz sat on the bed, his hand resting on her shoulder. He could feel her body still entirely, sending out a wave calm and peace for her.
XxX