Disclaimer: SM owns the characters - I am just playing with them for a while
A/N: I would like the thank Hammerhips for all her wonderful Beta work over the past seven chapters. This is the last chapter she has worked on, and I have added extra after her viewing – so any mistakes are mine.
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Day after day, school carries on and summer break becomes closer…I'm dreading the monotony of the break with nothing to distract me or to keep my mind if I hate being at schoolat least it diverts my mind.
Edward's mood is slowly becoming blacker and blacker; he'seven snapping at Alice. Edward is constantly at Bella's side, telling her what to do and what to wear, and treating her like a child. I have felt her frustration levels rising until today; he's pushed her buttons once too many times. I feel her anger rising, and look up towards Edward's room, waiting…waiting…waiting. I have been anticipating something happening for a while and finally it's come to a head. Concern… Anticipation… Jubilance.
"You are not my father! Only Charlie has the right to tell me what I may or may not do," Bella yells as she strides out of his room, slamming the door in his face. She is shaking with rage as she marches down the stairs toward me.
Edward appears at the top of the stair case, "Bella, don't go." He begs, his hand reaching out to her.
She snaps back, "I've had it with you today so I'm off to see Charlie. Don't bother coming over tonight – I'm going to be busy."
My hands quiver with the rage that is pulsing through Bella, and I realise Edward is also enraged. I dart over to Bella and put myself between her and Edward as I try to dig up an ounce of calm to counter their tempers before the anger rampant in the pair of them pushes me over the edge as well. Footsteps approach from behind me and I pull in a scenting breath. It's Carlisle, thank heavens. I reach out and grab hold of his calm which provides me with a source to balance my emotional self before I start to reduce Edward's temper. Carlisle enters the room taking stock of the scene before him, and rapidly moves next to me to block Edward's view of Bella entirely.
Edward keeps glancing between Carlisle and I, as we shield Bella from his view, his eyes darken as he realises we are there to prevent him getting to Bella. Carlisle starts to pacify Edward, talking calmly to him, guiding him away from Bella, as he indicates for me to remove Bella from the situation. I extend my hand and gently clasp hers as I guide her out of the door, keeping myself between her and the threat. "Can I give you a lift somewhere?" I ask. As soon as I touch her hand, I feel the warmth start enveloping me, changing my mood and calming my heightened ire.
"Nope, but would you mind coming with me in my truck? Let me know when we are out of range?" Intrigued, I get in the passenger side and she starts to drive carefully down the drive. When we reach a safe distance from the house I let her know. "I'm heading to La Push Community Center, so let me know when we reach the treaty line. I don't want to stir up the pack tonight as well." She hesitates and then continues,"Can you keep a secret from Edward?" She looks at me, biting her lip.
I grin cheekily at her "Oh yeah darlin', I have plenty."
Bella looks impishly at me and says,"Every Wednesday I attend the police training center at Port Angeles…" Her voice trails off. "I've trained with them since I arrived here and before in Phoenix, with the force down there… as a favour to the Forks Police chief." She raises an eyebrow at me as she continues. "I've just completed my instructor's qualification in unarmed combat."
I was stunned, and then I remembered Phoenix. She shouldn't have survived the beating James gave her. I raise my eyebrow back at her and just ask, "Phoenix?"
"I may appear clumsy, but it's mostly when I am being fussed over. Edward makes me lose my confidence in myself – I don't know how it happens..." She shakes her head, "It doesn't make sense – I've trained since I was five in a variety of martial art forms. Dad used to use me to bring a little humility to each new class from Seattle." She shrugs her shoulders, "Anyway, not many of the others can fight me but there is always a few down at the community center each evening. They help me deal with my frustration with Edward in a controlled manner. I used Yoga as my excuse the other day but it's actually how I clear my mind as I prepare to fight."
I look at Bella with admiration, "Would you show me at some point?Perhaps I can show you some techniques that will aid you should you decide to fight a vampire again." I say raising my eyebrow enticingly, "There isn't much you can do to harm us, but I can at least show you how to avoid standard attacks and what to look out for to preempt an attack to gain you time
I am suddenly hit with overwhelming happiness. "Really, you would teach me?" Bella exclaimed.
"Of course. I'd be honoured to assist in aiding you." I look up, and sigh, "I best get out here Bella darlin'!" As she pulls over I open the door and swing out, "Have a fun evening!" As I touch the rim of my imaginary cowboy hat I say, "And don't be concerned about him turning up tonight. Alice and I will be close by your home to ensure you get the break you want!"
Her gratitude and relief rolls over me as she speaks up, "Thank you Jay. I'll sleep well tonight knowing you're there."The warmth of her reply is almost physical
I climb down from the truck and watch as she drives onto the reservation, reassured that for a while at least, she is protected by the treaty. I run back to her house and climb into a large tree just inside the tree line. I find a perfect branch two thirds of the way upthat'ssheltered by the branch above and broad enough for me to relax on. I lay back, looking at the sky as my thoughts drift over all the new information I've learned tonight.
Alice had hinted at something special about Bella but I never would've guessed that our clumsy friend was faking it, that she was more like me than she realises. I start pulling up my knowledge of current martial arts to try and figure out which ones she practices and to figure out how she could use her knowledge and ability to combat a vampire, to allow me time to get to her side to protect her. I consider the fighting styles I have witnessed in battle and in territory attacks since I left the south and realise that it all boils down to the same thing—no vampire will ever expect a human to be able to dodge an attack or to be able to fight off our mesmerising looks. But then again, no vampire would expect her to still be alive with that bite mark on her arm. If she was being targeted she needs to be able to fight off our hunting charisma…
I feel my anger thought of her being attacked again stirs a fury within me that I haven't felt in years. My fingers clench into fists, chips of bark are crushed in my palms as my fingers dig into the branch. That is it. I leap down from my branch, undo the buttons on my shirt, and bare my neck and chest to the air. Tree by tree I mark the territory with the scratches that signify Whitlock, adding my scent, and some of my venom to the scratches. I create a wide territory into my already marked area, but ensuring the house it marked as mine. Each supporting pillar of the porch is scented and marked, adding to the multiple Cullen scents already present. "No vampire would willingly cross a Whitlock territory…" I growl out.
The Major snarls to me, "More the fool for them if they do. We always defend our land…Even against the Volturi!" His burning fury at the prospect of Little One being hurt escalates further as we consider the risks to her, the Law, and her knowledge of our world. Our anxiety flairs—she should be dead or turned under the law. A spiral of worry, fretfulness, and anxiety starts to spin until I feel his strength take hold of me, wrap around me. It's security, safety… I feel my consciousness being pushed deeper within the Major, barely aware of him pulling out my mobile.
Maj. PoV
I push myself to the surface fully, the release of being absolutely in control almost overwhelming for a brief moment, before I wrap Jay deep enough within myself to keep him unaware and to stop his out of control emotions running loose. I pull out the mobile phone and pause briefly as I plan my actions.
I quickly dial Peter's number and wait for him to answer.
"Hey Jay, how are you brother?" Peter's smiling voice answers.
"As well as I can be, Brother," I drawl, listening to Peter's reactions at hearing my voice. I smile at the sharp intake of breath and the sound of swift movement becoming stationary.
"Major, sir, is everything all right?" I feel a flick of concern wash over me from Peter as his worry raises further.
"Peter, I have added Forks to our territory, in particular Isabella Swan's residence and the surrounding land. I want her to receive our coven crest and to be added officially. She is marked by a vampire." A snarl slips out at the memory of the bite on her wrist. "She needs our coven's protection or she will never survive." I debate on what else is needed. "Jay has noticed something odd about Edward's relationship with her but he isn't sure... But I am. Edward isn't mated to her—he isn't feeling the pull and she isn't feeling it either. I remember Char and your first meeting; Char felt it immediately, as a human, as did you. We just didn't understand what it was then." I pause, drawing a breath, and then I give the order, "Protect the Coven Peter. Do what you must!"
"Yes,Major." Peter's voice sounds joyful. "I'll do what I must! Thank you!"
I shake my head to myself, "You've been waiting for that order, haven't you?" A smile spreads over my face.
Peter chuckles, "Only for a decade or five, Sir. It's how I knew we would survive the army. I saw you giving that order with your hand to your ear, striding back and forth in a forest looking so carefree compared to back then – I just knew…"
I was speechless. His gift is amazing—but to be holding on for five decades. Love swelled up in me until I was fit to burst and I said, "Thank you Brother." I pushed the feeling to him and I heard his gasp. My smile grew, "Peter, Jay isn't aware of this conversation. I will let him remember when he needs the information but that won't be for a while. He is still feeling the loss of Alice from his life, trying to patch that hole…"
Peter responds, "OK Major, I will keep it quiet until situation demands it. Until next time Brother!"
"Thanks Peter - we will speak soon." I press the end call button and tuck the phone into my pocket. I look over towards Isabella's home and I can't resist it any longer. I stride over to the back porch and sit down against the wall breathing Charlie's and Isabella's scent in, luxuriating in the sensations of contentment her scent brings me—brings all three of us.
The evening passes calmly and slowly, 'I have put the wheels are in motion and all I have to do is wait, I am good at waiting,' I smirk to myself. I start to sense Jay becoming active once more. His emotional state is balanced, relaxed, and calm.
Jay's presence moves closer to the surface as he starts to become aware of where we are and what we are breathing. "Ah how I do love her scent – it makes me so relaxed, so centred. Do you feel it too, Major?"
A smile spreads over my face, "Yes, Jay. It's just so right, isn't it? It feels so good to just sit here and relax." I sigh, "I suppose we should start heading into the tree again. I can hear Charlie's car heading this way." I stand up and make my way to the tree I have adopted, leaping up to my branch. I look over the mess Jay made of it and make my way over, smoothing out the marks and turning them into carvings. As I finish carving, I let go of my hold over the body, allowing Jay to slip back into his place.
PPoV.
I stand there looking at my phone in disbelief. After so many decades, I finally hear the reason for the order—Isabella. A smile breaks across my face. Brunette … I wonder if she's the same one? They did combine to protect her… I wonder what the Major isn't telling me. I stride across to the table and pull out the Whitlock letterhead and my ink pen. Two letters I think.
As I start writing the first, Char walks over and tosses the newspaper on the table. "Have you seen the headlines? I think you and I need to go hunting tonight!"
I look up, taking in the main story, and then glance at the date. I shake my head – exactly as I saw it, it's all starting to come together. I guess I best wrap the gift. "Ok Char, I need to write these letters first." She glances at the table and notices the salutation I had already written and giggles.
"Are you ever going to give him a break?" Char asked. "Personnel Department?" She shakes her head in incredulity.
"It's better than Complaints Department!" I snigger, remembering the last letter I addressed to Marcus.
I prepare my ink pen cleaning the nib, ensuring the ink flows freely and start to craft the letter, taking the time to ensure that each letter is perfectly formed. Once it is complete, I allow the ink to dry while I dig out his business card and a spare disposable mobile phone knowing that he never carries one himself, I grin to myself, it's a standing joke between us that he is never contactable except via the main switchboard – which I refuse to use… never know which nosy vampire will be listening in. Pfft. I box them up into a parcel and seal the letter using wax. I wrap the letter and box with brown paper and affix the packing label, placing the parcel to one side while I compose my letter to Isabella.
I introduce myself, Charlotte, and the coven to her on behalf of the Major. I skim over certain vital details such as his connection to Jasper. That is his story to tell… and I ask her to accept a method of communication with us, my old mobile. I include our Coven Crest and explain why it is so important that she wears it. I sign it off "In Duty and Honour"—the Major's words which we have all adopted to honour him, especially when he is not with us.
I slip into the study and quickly search for Chief Swan's address. Personal details are always accessible if you know where to look. I lift the jewellery box from my drawer and briefly open it. The Major's scent washes over me making my senses tingle and come alive. I smile to myself - it's perfect for my needs. I close the box and slip it into the box containing my old mobile—it's been programmed with the Coven's numbers.I also include pictures of all of us for Isabella so she will know us on sight… The letter is placed on top, the parcel wrapped, and the label is stuck on. I glance out the window—plenty of time to get to the courier office before closing.
"Char, are you ready?" I holler as I head out to the truck with my parcels.
