PETER POV

My knower had told me on the way back from our hunt that Char and I would definitely want to be present for this situation coming up. It was going to get real interesting real fast and it would put Jasper into a tailspin.

We had hurried back to the house, arriving just moments before the guard did.

Now normally, I would do everything in my power to avoid any and all members of the guard. But this time, I wanted to find out what my knower was talking about. I thought this could get really interesting. Especially with the way he was acting. A page of history was going to be reopened and Jasper's history would come back to haunt him? Cryptic? Yes. Fun? Maybe.

Oh boy, my knower had it dead on the money! Jasper had a little sister when he was human? He never told me about that! I guess he just missed her too much to talk about her. But it looks like his little sister is the one that everyone talks about as Lady Isabella. She's one scary lady.

But she doesn't seem so scary around Jasper. Almost as if she's a little girl who just wants her big brother to take care of her. Unusual vampire. She has the bluest eyes I've ever seen. When Edweird, Rosie, and Pixie Bitch went apeshit over her, Jasper was ready to fight them to protect her.

He had pushed her behind him and stood in front of her. Then, she stepped out from behind him and laughed at them. All three of them. She made fun of them as if they were nothing. What a sight! I think I'm falling in love with her. Funnier yet, I think Char's falling for her too. But then we realized that Emmett was forming a mating bond with her. And she liked it. I guess we have two new members of our little coven now.

I can't help but laugh over the way he initiated contact with her for her to test his loyalty to the Volturi. He put his hands on her waist where her shirt had ridden up when she hugged Jasper and then slid them around to her back to pull her in closer. And, judging by her reaction, she liked what she saw in his mind. She laid a lip-lock on him that made both Char and I jealous.

The blonde looked like she was about to spit fire and brimstone from her eyes. (Would have been cool to see.) She moved as if to attack Isabella and had actually tangled those perfect nails in the lady's hair before Jane stepped forward and lay her ability on the table, making Blondie writhe in pain. Unfortunately, Blondie couldn't get her fingers untangled from the lady's hair fast enough and the nails tore off as she went down.

"Jane," the lady said gently. It really is something to watch even one of the witch twins work. Of course, the other was watching Alice and Eddie-boy, ready to defend his sister if they attacked. Not that I think she actually needed defending. I know that she can apply her talent to multiple targets if she wants to.

"Yes, Lady?" Jane asked with a look of supreme innocence on her face.

"That's enough."

"Master said we were to defend you with our lives if it came to that." Jane's response told everyone in the room just how highly the lady was regarded by the Volturi.

"I said that was enough."

"Yes, Lady." Jane left off torturing Blondie.

"Emmett, did you see what that little bitch did to me? She was torturing me!" Blondie all but shrieked as she pulled herself to her feet. "What are you going to do about it?"

"You were trying to attack Lady Isabella. Did you think the Volturi would send someone defenseless? Did you think such a thing wouldn't have its own penalty?"

I watched as Isabella shook her head, sending Blondie's nails flying from her hair. She looked at Jane. "Did they all come out?"

"I believe so, Lady. Would you like me to check?"

"Please, Jane." Isabella went to drop to one knee but Emmett went down first.

"Allow me to provide you a seat?" he offered as he took her hand.

Isabella giggled and sat down on the one knee he offered her as a place to sit. Jane stepped around behind her and ran her fingers gently through the lady's hair almost like a comb. When Jane was certain that all the nails were out of the Lady's hair, she gently braided her long blue-black hair before placing a tie at the end of it. "Thank you, Jane."

"My pleasure, Lady. Is there anything else I can do for you?"

"No. No, thank you."

I watched as she lay her head on Emmett's shoulder and smiled. She looked so at peace in that moment that, had I not known that she was one of us, I would have sworn she was about to fall asleep right there on Emmett's shoulder.

"Emmett, who's the one who saved you from that damn bear?" Rosalie screamed. Isabella didn't move. She behaved as if she had no worries.

"You did, Rose. But you know what, the bond never really took between us. I can feel the bond between the Lady and I."

"She's mine," snarled Eddie. I couldn't believe his audacity. And seeing the look on Char's face, she couldn't believe it either.

Of course, he got put in his place when he moved as if to take Isabella from Emmett only to find both Felix and Demetri in the way. "You will not touch the Lady. The choice is not yours to make. The bond is in place and it appears to be quite strong."

"She was to be my mate," Eddie insisted. He tried to push past the two only to discover that he wasn't as strong as he thought he was. "Isabella, you will come to me, now!" he ordered. Like he actually believed that she would listen to him. I always thought he was actually an idiot and now he's proving it.

Jasper POV

Edward dares order my little sister around? Who in the hell does he think he is? I growled low in my chest but I didn't have anything to worry about.

Emmett wrapped his arms around Bella and held her tight for a moment. Then, he whispered into her ear that he would be right back. She stood from her place on his knee and moved out of the way, closer to me where she knew that should trouble arise, I would be able to help. He stood up and stepped around Felix and Demetri.

"She is not your mate, you little toad!" he growled right into Edward's face. "She is MY mate. And there is nothing you can do about it. You know this and it just pisses you off that you don't get your way this time."

"Emmett, do not think to challenge me. You know that I can out-think you on every level."

"Not today you can't, brat," whispered Bella. She moved to face the combatants head on.

"Edward, the only reason you can out-think me is because you read my mind," Emmett said, not letting Edward get to him.

'Good move, Emmett. Don't let him get to you. If he does, he's already won.' My thoughts were plain as day on my face. But Edward gave no sign that he could hear them. He was focusing on Emmett.

"I can't hear your thoughts. Why can't I hear your thoughts?" He turned towards me. "I can't hear yours either, Jasper. What's going on?"

"You can't hear their thoughts because I am shielding them," Bella said. "It's not a hard thing to do. I'll make sure that this is a fair fight. Although, I'm more than certain that Emmett will win. He has a great deal of brute strength. You don't have it the way he does."

Well, that was no joke. And with as much as Emmett pulled both of us into playing those Rainbow Six video games, I knew that Emmett had some ideas about strategy. He wasn't as I good as I was but he wasn't stupid about it either. A little work and he could be pretty damn good at strategy.

Emmett looked at Edward hard. "Did you want to fight me for her? Now that you know it'll be a fair fight?" Edward looked at Emmett then at Bella.

"Stop blocking me! He doesn't need you protecting him."

"I am only making this a fair fight. After all, reading his mind is cheating. Would you agree, Jane, dear?" She turned her head just enough to catch a glimpse of Jane's smirk out of the corner of her eye.

"Of course, Lady. Using any ability like mind reading is definitely cheating."

Emmett looked at Edward and charged. I had to admit, seeing Emmett's - um - enthusiasm for defending my little sister made me appreciate the interest he had in her. He would be able to keep her safe when necessary. Although I had little doubt that my baby sister was more than capable of taking care of herself. Not to mention the fact that obviously the Volturi held her in high regard, high enough to send the best of the guard with her for this, assured me that Bells was safe anywhere and everywhere they sent her. But I really would love to know how it is that my little sister is a vampire and yet still has the Whitlock eyes.

I could remember her saying that only Whitlocks could have eyes that blue. Of course, she usually followed that by saying that it wasn't fair that I got the "pretty blond hair" to go with them while she got the blue-black hair. She never liked her hair but what she didn't realize was that I love the combination of the hair and eyes. It always made her look so exotic. If she hadn't been my sister, I could have fallen in love with her.

Don't get me wrong. I love my sister dearly. So much that when I found out she had disappeared after getting word that I was missing and presumed dead, I never spoke of her to anyone again. I had never even told Peter and Charlotte. And I considered them family.

Anyway, when Emmett hit Edward, the sound could have been heard in Olympia. The thunderous crack of the two coming together rattled every window in the house. A couple even shattered. Esme gasped when she saw the impact and cringed when she heard the glass shattering in some of the windows.

Carlisle immediately wrapped her in his arms, shielding her from the fight as much as possible. Seeing the distress the fight was causing Esme, I decided this needed to end before they destroyed the entire house.

I started sending lethargy towards Edward first, thinking that if I could calm him down, Emmett would follow out of respect for my sister. As Edward started slowing down, Emmett backed off and started drifting back toward Bella without even looking. He was at least paying attention to his opponent.

Once Edward was down, I kept the lethargy on just enough to keep him docile as Bella stepped forward and took his bare hand. I felt her anger spike as she read him. "You dared touch my brother's wife when they were still married? And yet you wish to claim me as your mate? Who do you think you are, Edward? Just who do you think you are? I can see the mating bond between you and this pixie whore! You two deserve each other for what you have done to my brother!" She pulled back and let go of him. She walked back to Emmett and placed a hand to his chest. She inhaled deeply and let the breath back out, tension visibly leaving her body. Emmett's hands went to her waist as if to anchor her to him.

"Lady, are you well?" Felix asked her softly from one side as Demetri moved to the other.

She took another deep breath and let it out before she spoke again. "I am. However, both Edward and Alice show no loyalty to the Volturi. Therefore, they are, from this moment on, counted as rogues. If ever their intentions turn to betrayal of the Volturi, they will be hunted down and destroyed. I spare their lives at this moment out of respect for you, Carlisle, given your bond to the Kings. However, know that my threat is not an idle one. If they ever seek to completely betray the Volturi and this act of kindness, they will be hunted and destroyed and it will be a long and painful destruction."

"Lady, I thank you for the chance to redeem my children. Will you test Rosalie now?"

"I will." She walked over to Rose and held out one hand.

Apparently, Rose had been suitably impressed by Bella's abilities, including being able to control the witch twins. She meekly put her hand in Bella's. After a moment, Bella let go of Rose's hand and wrapped her arms around Rose in a hug. Something I had rarely seen anyone do with her. Even Emmett had rarely gotten a hug from his wife.

Rose actually hugged Bella back. "I am sorry, Lady. I didn't mean to behave so badly."

"Actually, you probably did. But you did so to try to protect your family. I will not fault you for that much. I actually thank you for thinking to protect those who have taken care of you since you came into this life." Bella stepped back from Rose. "In fact, even though I know he can take care of himself quite well, I thank you for the attempt to protect my brother and for bringing me my mate. My gratitude for that will never fade." And with that simple phrase, my sister stepped back into Emmett's arms as if she'd been born to that spot.

I couldn't get over the happiness I felt from Emmett once Bella was back in his arms. It was an amazing feeling. So content. So peaceful. I hadn't felt that feeling since the last time I'd been around my sister back when we were both still human.

It was at that moment that I noticed Felix looking at Rose as if she were everything to him. Rose was returning the look as if she had just noticed him. Oh, this ought to be good! Rose is mated to Felix. Of course, being in Italy Rose would have all kinds of options for top fashion if she so desired. Plus being with a top member of the guard would give her all kinds of benefits.

I knew that they wanted me for a member of the guard but I just didn't want to go back to that kind of life. Not again. I was there once and it led me to a very bad place. That was a place I didn't care if I never saw again. It was dark and vile and I wouldn't let myself become that creature again. Especially not in front of my little sister. She had been my saving grace for so many years.

When I felt at my lowest, I just had to summon up her memory and think about how she would feel if she saw what I had become in order to bring myself back under control. Stop myself from being a complete monster.

Peter looked at me and nodded. He understood where I was coming from. He remembered that dark time in my existence. Remembered how vicious and cruel I could be. Char all but shivered, remembering that time as well. I had been dreadfully cruel to her especially during that time. And yet she had forgiven me. Especially once she knew how long I had been trapped with Maria at the time. Char was very forgiving toward people who were sincere with her.

Rose walked toward Felix. "My name is Rosalie Lillian Hale. And you are?"

"I am Felix. A trusted member of the guard. A good friend to the Lady. It is my honor and distinct pleasure to meet you, Miss Rosalie." He took the hand she held out and bowed over it, kissing it gently.

"Thank you, Felix. You may call me Rose if you wish."

"I may. But I do like your full name. It is as beautiful as you are."

"Then you certainly may use it if that is what you want. I have never had anyone appreciate my name like that.."

"That is because they were blind to you. I will not say that Emmett is blind entirely, only to your beauty and grace." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and steered her away from the scene of Emmett and Bella together.

I could feel the astonishment of both Esme and Carlisle as they watched everything unfold the way it was. I found myself wishing that I could find my mate. But who was to say I wouldn't meet her when I went elsewhere. I wasn't sure that I would be staying with Carlisle and Esme right now. They would probably feel responsible for Edward and Alice and insist that they stay and begin working toward their redemption.

Peter and Char walked over to where I was standing and just stood with me for a moment. "Major, I guess it's just the three of us again."

"I guess so, Peter. I guess so."

"What are you going to do?"

"I was thinking some time in Texas sounded pretty good. Maybe just run a while and see where I end up. I don't know yet."

"Jasper." Bella's voice was moving closer to me. "Would you come to Volterra? Visit with me for a bit? Help Rosalie and Emmett settle in?"

"I never could refuse you, sis. I think I could do that. Would it be alright to bring Peter and Charlotte along?"

"I think we could handle that. But he needs to remember to be careful who he pulls pranks on around there. The kings would not take kindly to his style of humor." She had looked straight at Pete at that point.

"Who me?" Peter asked, a look of innocence on his face. I knew that look. It was always intended to put someone at ease until he could pull a prank on them.

Suddenly, his head flew forward as two hands had slapped him hard in the back of the head. "Owww! What was that for?"

"Because both your wife and I know that look. You will not prank anyone while we are in Volterra. Am I understood, Captain?"

Peter snapped to attention at my tone. He had always responded well to orders. And while I knew it would drive him crazy not to prank anyone while we were there, (not like he wasn't already crazy but you know what I mean) he would obey my order. "Yes, sir!"

Emmett and Rosalie went to their room and packed quickly, returning in just moments. I had packed a few days ago, after finding out about Alice and Edward. I had gotten divorce papers filed and packed, planning on heading for Texas for at least a little while.

Then, Peter and Charlotte had shown up saying that he had been told he needed to be here. I didn't understand it then and even less now. But I know better than to question his 'knower'. It's never been wrong before.

But was it right this time? We would have to wait and see. I could only hope this wouldn't turn out to be a mistake.