Chapter 2: Acceptance

Quick Authors Note: You may see Bella and Isabella. Jasper calls Bella by her full name as such since Carlisle introduced her name and he feels that's what she should be called.

Previously on Seeking Freedom:

"I want to be changed, but Edward feels as if he will be damning my soul." Edward glared down at Bella and hissed softly. Jasper turned his attention to Bella. "Isabella, would you like me to change you?" Bella opened her mouth and Edward growled. "No. She cannot be changed. I will not damn her to this life!" Jasper growled. "You will watch who you speak to boy. I do not tolerate that in my camp. If you seek my help, then shut the hell up."

Jasper concluded he did not like this Edward one bit. Glancing at Bella once more, he turned away. "Follow Me."

He heard the footfalls falling behind him and a set of uneven ones. He walked up to his compound and turned swiftly facing The Cullens once more. "My people are not like you. They are not as civilized as you are. They do not tolerate pussyfooting around. I rule here and although you are guests in my home I would appreciate it if you treat me with respect and I will do the same. I am going to introduce you and your names are unimportant. My people are not meant to harm you but if they see fit, it shall be for good reason. They do not go against me." Jasper's red eyes lingered on Edward's slouched form.

He turned once again and Bella couldn't help but feel a sense of familiarity. His red eyes didn't scare her like most. They were hard and uncaring...but to her it was fascinating. Walking through double doors sat a long black marble table with small white specs. The chairs were a black leather with golden legs. The room was a dark wooden brown that was almost as big as the living room back in Fors. Sitting around the table were a few vampires all wearing dark clothing. Red eyes immediately zeroed in on Bella. Jasper blocked the view seconds later.

His voice was sharp and made no room for discussion.

"These are guests. As you can see they are nothing like us. Do not taunt, but do not let their superiority make you feel inferior. The human..is to not be looked at, sniffed, or made a meal. If a head on her hair is harmed you will answer to me. I will rip your teeth out one by one, with your tongue following next. I will show you no mercy. Are we understood?"

The vampires looked anywhere from the human who smelled like the most appetizing meal.

"Yes Major." They chorused.

"Leave." In seconds, they were gone. Jasper turned back towards The Cullens and looked at each of them. "I have a few rooms I can show you. You are not prisoners. You may leave whenever to hunt and do what you usually do. I do require intel on this Victoria. Isabella, we have an on hand chef..he's a vampire but he knows his way around a kitchen. If you'd like, I can send someone to grab a list of what you like to eat. I will surely make sure it's to your satisfaction." Bella smiled in thanks and nodded. Alice handed her a piece of paper and a pen.

Jasper then led them down a long hall way which held empty rooms. "Take your choosing. None of them have beds except mine, so Isabella you can stay in there. Just please do not touch anything. The other rooms are furnished with couches and a table or two." Jasper opened a door to his room and looked at Bella expectantly. She nodded in approval. The Cullens watched on quite wary, all except Alice.

"She will be fine. No harm will come to her here. But I do advise that if you would like to wander around, let me know as I'll escort you. My people may have heeded my warning, but some will test me and I do not want you to be hurt." He watched as Bella sat a bag down on the floor and sat on the edge of the bed slowly. "Thank you Major. I appreciate everything you are doing for me and my family." Jasper nodded and looked toward the remaining Cullen in the doorway. Edward.

Jasper cocked his head to the side studying him. Something brushed him the wrong way. "She will be fine here Edward. I keep my word. No harm will come to your mate." Edward looked away at the word and studied Bella who was writing a list a foods. Walking past Jasper, he sat frowning at the items he saw. "I may come in during times of the day as my office is set up here." Bella nodded and gave a shy smile and another thank you. Jasper then closed the door and walked away, but not before hearing the conversation that started at his absence.

"Bella love, please be careful. That Major is a dangerous man. I can't read him." He could feel Bella's agitation and heard her sigh softly. "Edward, you can't just go digging around in people's head. That's impolite and an invasion of privacy. He's offered to protect us from a problem we created. We should be grateful."

Edward growled softly and redirected his gaze towards Bella's list. Jasper could feel the disapproval rolling off him in waves. "You have a poor choice in food. You need to get wheat and not white. You know the cereal is not healthy. Where are your celeries and carrots? Jesus Bella, have I taught you nothing about nutrition?" Jasper could now feels Bella's anger and hurt. "Edward, I am not a child. I eat what I like. Now give me the damn paper!" Jasper could smell the salt of her tears and had to move away as this was not his battle even though his mother taught him to never let a woman cry.

Walking to the edge of his balcony that looked over the camp he sighed. He didn't really know what to do with an emotional human. He was curious though as to why Edward didn't change her or even the leader. Things would be much easier and what in God's name were they thinking leave an devestated mate alive? There was more to this than Jasper could see. He heard his door slam shut and looked to see Edward running out to the wildlife.

Looking back, Bella popped her head out looking for Jasper. He decided to walk instead of using his speed as he did not want to startle her. "Yes?" Her brown eyes blinked up at him and he could see the slight hurt in them. His eyes narrowed as blood was smelt. "Are you hurt?" He scanned her over to see her knuckles quite bruised and a tad bloody.

"It's nothing. I um hit Edward. Here's my list. May I use your restroom? I'll take care of my hand there. Though, I might need help wrapping it. Is Carlisle in his room?"

Jasper folded the list into his shit pocket and walked in his room. He opened a desk in his drawer and found gauze. Walking over to the bathroom, he led Bella inside and turned on the water. Bella followed and Jasper softly grabbed her hand. Hold still please." Bella did as told and Jasper did his job quickly and efficiently. "All done. You must be careful. Anyone roams these halls. It was careless of your vampire to leave you here bleeding."

He noticed her shrug and watched as he long hair slightly swayed. "I'm his singer." Click. There it was. All the information Jasper needed to put this puzzle together. But there was something still not adding up.

"I see...I will take this list and have these for you in an hour. Anything you want in particular tonight?" Bella's eyes sparkled as she named her favorite dish. "Shrimp Alfredo." He nodded and moved towards the bedroom. "I will retrieve you for dinner. Your family may join you." Jasper was about the close the door when a warm hand on his arm stopped him. He stared at it for a moment and flicked his eyes over to Bella. She blushed and removed her hand quickly. "I'm sorry. Could you tell whoever it is to ignore everything on the list except the scratched out ones?" He nodded and closed the door. He stared at his arm once again and closed his eyes. She was so warm.

Taking out the list Jasper could see what she was talking about. Everyone of the items were crossed out except for:

Celery and carrots

Wheat bread

Raisin Bran

Low fat yogurt

Jasper furrowed his brow in disgust. Low fat yogurt? Jasper gave the list to his operative and sat at the table and relayed Bella's message. He grabbed his folder and worked on his files.

The Major was a working man, not just harsh and violent. He was cold and calculating to his very best. But something about Miss Isabella grabbed at him hard. Especially her relationship with Edward Cullen. He could say he doesn't care the way Edward treats his human but even Jasper knew it wasn't right. The girl needed to eat and what was scraped out was actually pretty good. She had filling meals that would keep her satisfied.

But Jasper was still curious as to why Bella didn't have another member of her family change her. He hummed and glanced to see his operative came back with Bella's items. The cook then made about making Bella's meal in record time. Once done Jasper decided to collect the human.

Walking back towards his room, he heard the one named Alice speaking with Edward. "You can't just starve her Edward! She's not fat, she's beautiful! You'll starve her out! What is wrong with you?! Why don't you just change her? Or let Carlisle do it if you can't?" Jasper didn't hear Edwards response, but he felt Alice's shock, hurt and disappointment. He didn't have to wait long to know something went down between Edward and the human.

"You did what?! Do you want The Major to kill you? No he might not care for Bella like we do but still! You can look and tell he will not tolerate disrespect period! Even if it is towards Bella! She's human! You could have killed her!" Jasper decided to see for himself what happened. Knocking on the door, Jasper cracked it open. "Isabella? Your dinner is ready." He could heat sniffiling and smell the salt of tears.

He walked in to see her sitting on the bed. Her eyes were red and her hair looked in disarray. "Are you alright?" Bella nodded. Jasper's red eyes studied her for the moment. "Your dinner is ready." Bella nodded in thanks and followed him out.

Leading her to the table, he pulled out her seat. "Your family will be here shortly." Bella smiled in thanks. As her food was brought out, so did the remaining Cullens save Edward and Alice.

The family made small talk, and Everything was well until Carlisle asked the damned question...that one question Bella did not want to answer.

"What happened to your neck?"