Jasper POV
The evil pixie is radiatin' malice and envy, but I'm puttin' my foot down. This little belle is the best thing I've found in my very long life, and I'm not about to let her go. The Cullens can kiss my lily-white ass.
Bella stops short beside me, and her emotions send me reeling before I can gather myself. Disappointment, jealousy, and possessiveness overshadow her previously steady emotional cocktail I have already grown used to. Who is this amazing human? First she wants to protect me, now she wants to possess me? She doesn't know it yet, but she already does.
"Going somewhere, Jazzy?" The voice that has annoyed me for the past fifty years apparently grates on my Bella's nerves as well, since she cringes when Alice speaks.
"Yeah, Ali, I sure am. Takin' this little darlin' for a drive. Prob'ly go see my brother. My real brother." I tip my head, feeling her annoyance level rising with each deeply accented word.
I'm not sure what my belle did to snap me out of the haze I've been in for the past few decades, but I am havin' a little too much fun trying to get a rise out of Alice. She hates my real personality, my accent, even the clothes I wear when I'm with Pete and Char. Judging by the lust I feel from Bella and the smell of her arousal, she has a slightly different opinion.
"Ugh, Jasper. You sound like a stupid hick. Cut that out," Alice whines, wrinkling her little nose up like she smells shit on my boots or somethin.
A sharp wave of anger is the only warning I get that my little belle is about to explode. I hold her back with one hand to keep her from injuring herself in case she decides to physically assault Alice.
"Who the hell do you think you are? You're such a bitch! Why the hell should he care what you think about him or where he goes?" Uh oh. Don't say it Alice, I ain't ready to explain this shit yet...
"He's my husband, you little tramp! You better watch how you speak to me if you know what's good for you," Alice hisses out dangerously, or as dangerously as she is capable of sounding. She still sounds a bit like a child's squeaky toy.
I'm ready for the shift in Bella's emotions this time, so her shock and disbelief don't bowl me over too bad, but the hurt and betrayal she feels is physically painful to me, and I have to suck in a breath to steady to my nerves. Guess I won't be goin' out of my way to piss off my little mate anytime soon; that shit sucks.
"What the fuck, Jasper? Is she crazy?" Her big brown eyes are pleadin' with me to refute the claim, deny the pixie bitch, and carry my belle off into the sunset. I can't lie to her though.
"Yeah darlin', she's bat-shit crazy. I'll explain everythin' in the car though, okay?" See, there's a big difference between lying and avoiding the question. Well shit, now Eddie's coming in fast, and I need to get my girl outta here. But she's not through talking it seems.
"Why does it matter to you what Jasper does anyway? You're the one fucking your brother!"
Silence. The kind of absolute silence only the immortal can pull off. No breathing, no heartbeat, no movement whatsoever. Alice and I are frozen and Edward is shocked and terrified to come any closer. He better be scared shitless. The soft, warm hand in mine is the only thing holdin' the Major at bay.
Is she fuckin' right, Eddie? You been takin' what don't belong to ya?
Suddenly, faster than human speed, Eddie is in my face. "No, Major, I have been taking what belonged to me all along! Your so-called wife is my fucking mate." He takes a deep breath, and all hell breaks loose.
Bella POV
I had no idea what these people were talking about, but I was pretty sure the prissy boy just appeared out of thin air. While we were talking I had noticed a few things. Jasper and the little bitch were standing perfectly still, inhumanly still, like statues. The longer I held Jasper's hand, the warmer it got, but I also noticed it was very hard and smooth- like stone, instead of flesh. I brushed my fingers against his once more and confirmed my findings. Their eyes were another suspicious thing. They started out the same golden hue, but as we argued they got progressively darker until they were pitch black now.
Just as I was wondering what the hell a mate was, I was suddenly pushed behind Jasper and pressed close to his hard stone back (and damn nice ass, if I do say so myself). He was growling, actually growling! Like a bear, or a lion, or something! The prissy boy was in front of him, growling too, and the tiny girl was holding him back with strength she didn't look like she possessed.
Jasper's phone started ringing, startling me, and I realized my heart was racing a mile a minute, and I was breathing heavily as I clung to Jasper's shirt. "Darlin'? Bella? Can you reach in my pocket and answer my phone for me? I have a feelin' I know who it is, and it's pretty important."
Seriously? That sounded like a bad pickup line, but one I was gonna take advantage of either way. I slowly slid my hand around to his pocket and slipped it inside, feeling carefully for his phone. When I found it, I pulled it out and slid it open. I didn't say a word before the person on the other end of the line started talking.
"Hey Sugar, you and the Major need to head out now. You're Eddie-boy's singer and he ain't gonna last much longer. Jas- bring my little sis home ASAP."
The voice sounded a lot like Jasper's, warm and soothing, with that same sexy accent. I heard a buzzing sound that I first thought was the phone, but soon realized it was coming from Jasper and the others. They were... talking? I don't know. It sounded like talking but much quieter and faster than I could understand. Suddenly the prissy boy swayed on his feet and to my complete disbelief, the girl lifted him in her arms and took off running into the woods. Or at least I think they went to the woods, I couldn't see them because they left so quickly.
Jasper took a deep breath and slowly turned to face me. I couldn't read his expression as he reached to gently take his phone out of my hand. "You ok there, darlin'?"
Was I? Physically I was still in one piece, but mentally was a whole other story. I had no earthly idea what the hell was going on, and I was beginning to wonder what these people actually were. It was clear they weren't entirely human. Jasper's hand gently raised my chin to meet his now-golden eyes. He searched my face for something, but I'm sure my expression was puzzled or blank.
He must not have found what he looked for because he sighed, sending his cool breath across my face, and shook his head a little. "Look, Bella, I can tell you anythin' you want to know. But can we just get out of here first? It's kind of important for us to get as far away from here as fast as possible. Do you trust me?"
I stared into his earnest gaze, finally able to answer at least one of his questions. I didn't know how, or why, but I knew unequivocally that I did indeed trust this man. I trusted him with my heart, with my life, with my very soul. Nodding, I took his hand and answered him firmly, "I do."
Jasper POV
Her complete certainty as she looks me square in the eye fills me with a warmth that reminds me of hot Texas summers and sneakin' a kiss behind the barn. My newfound joy in Bella is enough to overshadow the rage and disbelief I feel from what my so-called wife and brother just told me. Those two have been together from the minute we showed up on the Cullens' doorstep, but the meddling bitch wouldn't tell me because she saw that I would be unstable and ruthless if I learned of her betrayal. Well, no shit.
I mean, it's not like it bothers me that much now, but I did love her way back then. Peter and Char just couldn't understand my struggles with feedin', so I followed the pixie like the dumb beast that I was.
Once the glamour wore off, I started testin' her. I'd take a trip down to Peter's and meet some of his friends, then come back and see if she cared. She never once got upset, so I figured I'd go with it. I had the best time when we lived up in Alaska- I could always count on Tanya to take care of my needs. That's what men did back in my time. I just had no idea my wife was steppin' out on me as well.
I push down the bile of those traitorous emotions and focus my attention solely on the beauty before me. Now that I've found her, I can't imagine ever wantin' more than she could give me. I'm definitely a one-woman man from here on out.
Her eyes are wide and innocent, staring deep into my soul, trying to flush out my secrets. She doesn't realize I'll gladly tell her anything she wants to know, just as soon as I get her away from the danger that is Edward. What are the odds that my gorgeous human mate is also that little prick's singer? Only my life...
Wrapping my arm around her shoulder, I lead her to her beat-up old truck. I know we'll need to use the truck to stage our deaths, but I'm glad I get a chance to drive it, and I think she'll be pleased when she sees my red Chevy. Handing her up into the cab, I let my fingers trail across her upper thigh, gauging her reaction closely. She draws in a sharp breath as her face heats with that tempting blush I know I am going to miss very soon.
Her heart rate speeds, but her emotions and scent tell me it's from desire, not fear or discomfort. The smell of her arousal is pure and untainted; I have to suppress a growl when I realize my belle is still untouched. While I am grateful for that revelation, it is definitely something we shall have to rectify very soon.
I walk to the driver's side and settle into the seat as a wave of nostalgia washes over me. Pete had a truck just like this that he stole from one of his meals. We took it out on some back roads and taught ourselves how to drive like the humans; it was one of my very last memories with them before I left with Alice.
Bella's curiosity hits me and I meet her gaze, still wearing the smile that my thoughts brought to me. "My brother and I learned to drive in a truck just like this one," I tell her softly.
Her surprise hits me just before her startled, "Oh!" I guess she's caught off guard by the very normal answer to her unspoken question. "What's his name? Your brother?"
My earlier wrath is completely erased when I think about the fact that I am leaving today to spend the rest of my eternity with my mate and my brother. I know in my heart she will love him as I do, and won't treat him like trash the way the holier-than-thou Cullens did. Charlotte will finally have a true sister, and I will never again suffer the pain of loneliness and isolation that have been my constant companions for the past few decades. "Peter. His name is Peter," I finally answer. "His wife's name is Charlotte."
Her insecurity leaks out as soon as I mention my sister and I quickly shoot her some reassurance. "They will love you, I know it. That is somethin' I can promise you with absolute certainty." I hold her gaze trying to convey my conviction with my eyes, as well as my gift. Her acceptance and trust soothe an ache in my soul I never realized was there; she truly is my other half, my better half.
When she nods I feel a burst of determination, and then I'm shocked when she reaches across the seat to take my hand in hers. She oozes doubt and embarrassment as she drops her eyes to study my fingers, but I'm bursting with joy, pride, and even a hint of love. I don't try to hide my smile, and I softly stroke the back of her hand with my thumb as her soft skin warms my own.
We're almost to her house when I realize she feels no curiosity about how I know where she lives. Instead, she is concentrating deeply on something, and slowly building her resolve. I receive no further warning when she asks, "You're not human, are you?"
AN: Thank you so much for your interest and support so far! I hope this little story lives up to your expectations.