Millie woke up a little over four hours later, feeling much better. She sat up and stretched her body, flexing the foot that had been severed and found that it moved, but there was still plenty of soreness that caused her to grimace a bit. She rose to her feet, being careful of her healing foot, when she heard a knock at the door.
"Come in," she answered, and Charlotte stepped into the room looking somewhat sheepish. Millie gave her a questioning look.
"How long have you been out there?"
"A couple of hours," Charlotte replied. "The Major wanted me to make sure you were protected." Millie's eyes softened a bit, and while normally she would have been annoyed at that, she decided she would give him a break in this instance because of what had happened with Laurent.
"Is Jasper here?"
"No, he went hunting along with Peter."
"Again?" Millie demanded impatiently. "Was he hurt in dealing with Laurent?"
Charlotte gave her a pointed look. "He's the God of War suga, Laurent wasn't able to lay a single hand on him, though I'm sure he wished otherwise."
"Was it Peter then?"
"No, no." Charlotte let out a light laugh at that. "I wouldn't be here if that was so, they went hunting for you." Millie was taken aback at her words but nodded thoughtfully. Well that was sweet of them, she thought cheering up a bit.
"Where?" Inwardly, she admitted to herself that she didn't want Jasper away from her right now.
Charlotte gave her a soft encouraging smile. "He'll be back Millie, don't worry," she assured her, and Millie forced herself to relax.
"Okay," she agreed when she caught the scent of a human and realized that Bella was downstairs. Charlotte saw her expression and stepped aside as Millie rushed downstairs to where the rest of the Cullens were. Carlisle, Emmett and Esme were one of the sofas, while Rosalie reclined sulkily in the love seat. Bella sat next to Alice on the opposite sofa. She looked quite distressed and worried and Millie felt the stirrings of sympathy for the girl. She took a seat in the chair and waited impatiently for the conversation to begin.
"Millie," Esme greeted with a warm and welcoming smile. "How are you dear?"
"I'm doing much better," Millie answered truthfully, giving the Cullen matriarch a warm smile. "Anything of importance happen while I was out?" She looked around the room. "Outside of Laurent of course." Either he was dead or tortured and no doubt begging for death.
"We have a meeting with the wolves, later today," Carlisle said, his expression grave. "They aren't too happy with what happened in the forest."
"Why were they after Laurent though?" Bella asked.
"They don't like vampires on their land," Emmett growled. "With the exception of us, they see vampires as an enemy to be destroyed."
"Werewolves." Bella shook her head. "This must be what is going on with Jacob and that cult of Sam's," she spat out the latter's name bitterly.
"This Jacob a friend of yours I take it?" Millie questioned curiously. Bella sure loved her supernatural creatures.
"Yes, he's my...well he has kept me grounded these pasts few months," Bella admitted, and there was an uncomfortable silence around the room.
Charlotte appeared and took a seat casually on the arm of Millie's chair. Alice shifted somewhat and shot her a glare which Charlotte didn't even deign to acknowledge. Millie returned the glare on her behalf though. This was beyond petty now.
"Well, maybe they should have thought twice before attacking us," Charlotte drawled and Millie looked at her in alarm.
"Attacked?!"
"Suga, what did I tell you?" Charlotte gave her a knowing look. "We were with the Major, and before they could even attack us, he sent them crashing to the ground with his gift."
Millie couldn't say anything to that. She felt sick to her stomach and there was no help for it.
"And even if we didn't have his gift, we could have taken them," Emmett boasted, buffing his large chest up. Rosalie glared at him and shook her head.
"Emmet, no," she said with a scowl. "Those wolves obviously can harm our kind. They were trying to kill Laurent!"
"I think they kill humans as well," Bella interjected angrily. "Charlie has been talking about how hikers have disappeared by a "bear". Now we know it's the wolves."
"The wolves are dedicated to preserving human life, Bella," Carlisle informed her. "They would never kill humans, without great cause."
"If hikers have been disappearing, then it was probably Laurent wasn't it?" Alice questioned, a frown upon her face.
"He hasn't been down here that long though," Emmett said, with a grimace.
"Is he dead?" Millie blurted out.
There was silence in the room before Emmett spoke up. "Yes," he said, looking her straight in the eye.
"And what did y'all learn from him?"
"He was up to no good," Charlotte answered and Millie raised an eyebrow at her. "Peter told me about him afterwards, and well, it's true: he was consorting with Victoria who is seeking vengeance against Bella and Edward."
Bella flushed, and Millie could hear her heart pick up in pace. Alice reached out and wrapped her arm around Bella in comfort.
"And the irony of ironies is that Edward left Bella," Rosalie spat out angrily and Bella flinched at her words. "So, this bitch is wasting her time."
"Rosalie." Esme glared at the blonde lithe vampire in disapproval.
"She's grieving the loss of her mate Rosalie," Alice snapped back. "Logic isn't obviously a factor for Victoria."
"My scent!" Bella protested, her eyes wide with fear. "It will lead to the house where Charlie is! He'll be in danger!"
"Millie, could you erase the trail again?" Carlisle asked.
"I can," she affirmed. "Though it may not do any good if Victoria herself has been down scrounging around here."
"We need to set up a watch for Bella and her father as well," Carlisle declared, looking around the room.
"Great, two protection details," Rosalie hissed under her breath.
"Should we do it one by one, or do you think working in pairs would be better?" Esme asked.
"Pairs are always the better option." Came a deep southern accent, and everyone turned to see the Major and the Captain with a few thermoses. The Major turned his fierce gaze on Millie, assessing her before tossing her one of the thermoses, which she caught with ease and a small smile.
"Are they?" Emmett scoffed. "I could handle Victoria alone," he boasted arrogantly.
"You have brute strength, and your size is an advantage," The Major acknowledged him. "But you don't know how to actually fight a vampire. In fact, none of you do outside of Peter, Charlotte, and Alice."
"I never took Victoria for a fighter either," Millie pointed out.
"If she isn't, then someone who knows how to fight has an actual advantage over her," he said brusquely. "Laurent informed me that Victoria has a gift."
This threw Millie by surprise. "Oh really? That's news to me," she said skeptically. She didn't know Victoria long, but a gift? Millie had been aware of James gift, why not Victoria's?
"It's what she intended, as it gives her an advantage."
"What is this power of hers?" Emmett asked.
"A sort of enhanced form of self-preservation. She knows when there is danger and whether the place she runs to is safe for her or not."
Emmett let out a low whistle of appreciation which earned him a glare from several people in the room.
Millie let out an annoyed sigh. "And I bet this is how she escaped when James was destroyed." How could she have been so unaware? And not to mention, she had been such a terrible judge of character when it came to Laurent, Victoria, and James.
"Yes," The Major replied stoically.
"And Washington must be an excellent place for her gift," Millie mused aloud. "All those forests, caves, rivers, nooks, and paths that provide her with multiple options."
"Yep," Peter agreed.
"So then, perhaps we should lead her elsewhere," Millie suggested, turning towards her mate. "Out in the open so to speak with limited options."
"Yes." The Major smirked at her, clearly pleased at her thinking. "All we need is bait." Here he turned to Bella, who looked up at him in fright and surprise.
"Me?" She echoed.
"Yes, you girl," he retorted, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"That's too dangerous!" Alice protested, glaring furiously at the Major.
The Major clearly didn't give a damn what she thought as he kept his focus on Bella. "Well?" He prompted, somewhat impatiently.
"Yes, I'll do it," Bella replied, lifting her chin slightly. "Anything to make sure she doesn't come back here and hurt Charlie in the process." Millie had to give it to Bella. She had courage, and clearly cared about her family.
"Good, we will speak more about that later," The Major said, before Bella interrupted again. "Wait!" All eyes were focused on her as she rose to her feet, her face filled with determination and fire.
"Millie," she began, by addressing her. "I remember what you said to me before Laurent, and I want you to know that I choose becoming a vampire over death."
That was pretty quick. "Are you positive?" Millie questioned. "I'm sure no one will begrudge you thinking about it for a couple of days."
"I'm sure," Bella said fiercely, but then she became a bit unsure. "However, I know what Edward thought and I know I'm not universally liked, so I want to put it to a vote." Millie pursed her lips at that unhappily.
"Well, I think me, and Charlotte will step out for a bit," Peter announced and two quickly left. Millie turned to leave when the Major caught her hand.
"I do value your opinion as well, Millie," Bella said before turning towards Alice.
"I think of you as my sister already!" Alice chirped as she hugged Bella tightly. "My answer is yes."
"Yes," The Major remarked coolly. "Jasper wouldn't have to worry about not killing you, and the danger is averted in regard to the law if you become a vampire."
Millie could tell that Bella was shocked at her mate's word, but she nodded before turning towards her.
"Yes," she said simply and left it at that.
"No." Her head turned in the direction it came from though she couldn't be surprised since Rosalie had made it abundantly clear that she didn't like Bella.
"It's true that we have the law hanging over our head and it needs to be dealt with," she stated softly, surprisingly without anger or bitterness. "This is not the life I would have chosen for myself and I wish there had been someone to vote no for me."
Bella lifted her eyebrows but said nothing and turned to Emmett, who swept her up into his large arms. "Hell, yes!" He boomed good-naturedly.
"Yes, you are a part of this family Bella," Esme chimed in with a loving smile.
"Edward would obviously vote no," Alice interjected with a roll of her eyes.
Everyone turned to Carlisle who meditated in silence before rising to his feet and approaching Bella.
"This family has been in turmoil for quite some time," he began, looking around the room carefully. "Edward left you, but it was at great cost to himself and he barely checks in with the family." Bella's eyes widened at his words. "I don't know what he would do if you died, and that worries me as a father for a son." Millie could barely refrain from rolling her eyes at this statement. That fool Edward wasn't even here! Why was he being taken into account?
"However," Carlisle continued. "There is the law, and you have made your choice Bella, so my answer is yes." He gave her a reassuring smile before continuing. "I will change you myself if that is your desire."
Bella let out a sigh of quiet relief and nodded.
"However, it will wait until after graduation and you have settled your affairs in order." The head of the Cullen coven said albeit a bit sternly.
Bella nodded grimly. "I can deal with that."
"We know you can," Emmett snarked. "What's Edward going to do?"
"Never mind that fool," The Major brushed it aside. "It's been decided and if he interferes it will be unpleasant for him." Millie at this point decided to open her thermos and drink from it. It tasted like grizzly bear which was decent enough for her taste.
""We need to deal with the wolves," Carlisle said grimly, glancing at the clock.
Peter and Charlotte appeared again, and Millie rolled her eyes at a grinning Peter, who's gift had no doubt let him know they could return.
"Should we all go?" Esme asked, worry etched on her lovely heart shaped face.
"Yes, let's show these wolves that we are a force to be reckoned with!" Emmett growled.
"I want to come," Bella demanded. "The treaty concerns me as well!"
"Bella werewolves are dangerous!" Alice protested. Millie couldn't disagree there, they were a force to be reckoned with.
"I've been with Jake this whole time and he hasn't hurt me, nor has anyone else from the reservation," Bella calmly pointed out before turning to Carlisle.
"I need to come," she pleaded, and Carlisle nodded reluctantly before turning to the Major. "What do you think? Should we all go?"
"You, me, Peter, Charlotte, Alice, Emmett, and Bella," he responded, and Millie gaped at him in anger and shock.
"What? No!" She protested, reeling back when she wrongly stepped on her still healing foot and gasped.
"Millie!" Bella exclaimed, her eyes wide with worry. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," Millie snapped, a bit harsher than she intended. The Major crossed his arms across his chest and gave her a pointed look.
"Fine," she growled angrily, knowing he was right. "This won't ever happen again though."
...
The Major waited patiently in the middle of a clearing along with Carlisle, Bella, Emmett, Alice, Charlotte, and Peter. He had changed into more comfortable clothing that wouldn't hinder him if it came down to a fight. Peter and Charlotte along with the other Cullens followed suit.
The sound of a truck was heard though it was some time before it entered the clearing and pulled to a stop. One man, a heavy-set Quileute man with grey hair, exited the driver's seat and walked around to the passenger side and helped out another man into a wheelchair onto the grass. The Major watched them curiously, wondering why they would come alone, when he saw that they weren't.
Before they even came into sight, he detected their scent in the air and watched as five giant wolves came from the forest and stopped just at the ledge that was over the clearing. They were clearly the protection for the two men.
"Damn," Emmett said appreciatively, exchanging glances with Alice who looked a bit more than irritated at the werewolves' presence.
"Welcome," Carlisle began as the two men approached, but stopped, keeping a decent distance between them.
"You attacked members of this tribe," Billy Black began, his entire countenance cold.
"Your wolves turned on us and were going to attack," The Major pointed out coldly. "We didn't even lay a hand on them." That was technically the truth, and it was far more a charity than they deserved. Growls rumbled from several of the wolves behind the two men and Billy Black held his hand up and there was silence.
"You didn't," Billy agreed frostily. "But you did do something leech."
"I do not want there to be a fight," Carlisle interrupted, shooting the Major a frown which he ignored. "What happened was a misunderstanding, nothing more."
"There won't be unless you break the treaty," The other man spoke up. "We've come to talk to you about the vampire you took from us."
"Laurent," Carlisle clarified. "He is no longer alive, I'm afraid."
"You killed him?" Billy raised a black eyebrow in surprise.
"He was a loose and dangerous end," The Major informed him. "He was running interference on behalf of another vampire who is trying to kill the human girl."
A russet colored wolf let out a growl. The Major watched as Bella looked at the wolf with a feeling of surprise, worry, and anger. Interesting.
"Another vampire?" Billy exchanged a glance with the man next to him. "Is it the black woman that was in the woods with him?"
The Major barely bit back a snarl at his words. His captain shot him a concerned glance, but he paid no heed to it. He didn't give a damn what they thought. He would never tolerate even the slightest suggestion that Millie was a threat to be dealt with it.
"No, that's Millie, she's Jasper mate and follows the same diet as we do," Carlisle explained firmly. "She only attacked Laurent because he tried to kill Bella."
Billy turned his head towards Bella, who stepped forward a bit. "You didn't heed my warning," he stated flatly, and Bella shook her head. Of course she didn't. The girl had never even showed the slightest hint of intelligence or wariness when it came to vampires or danger. Jasper had the right of it when he once suggested that Bella should die after Edward had exposed the coven.
"The Cullens are good," she protested. "Your warning wasn't needed, and your treaty is gonna cause a major problem."
"Oh, and what is that problem?"
"If I am not changed, then the Cullens will be found guilty of breaking the law and we will all die," Bella spat out rapidly, her eyes flashing, and her body tense.
"Die? By whom?" The second man questioned.
"The Volturi, Harry," Bella breathed out. "They enforce the law for vampires, and no one is to know the secret unless they are to be changed."
"The treaty says it is forbidden for the Cullens to bite or kill any human," Harry said harshly. "Is it our problem that the Cullens flouted their own laws? They knew the deal and it still stands."
"Interesting," Alice piped up in a false cheerful voice. "Because if I recall, it was your son, Billy Black, that told Bella everything about what we were." More growls erupted from the wolves and Billy's eyes flashed in anger. "That was a violation of the treaty and we overlooked it because Jacob didn't know any better."
"We are asking for a courtesy here," Carlisle pleaded.
"Would you have gone looking for answers, if that boy Edward, had not done what he did in the school parking lot?" Harry asked, looking at Bella. It was a fair question, and the answer angered him even more. The more he thought on it, the more the Major thought that he might go and hunt down Edward and deal with him accordingly.
"Probably not, considering I would be dead," Bella said wryly. "And is it really any of your business if I chose to become a vampire?"
"The treaty makes it so," Billy said coldly. "And we will not bend it."
"Let's put that aside for now," Carlisle said, as tensions were rising between the two groups. "Before it even comes to the Volturi, there is Victoria to consider."
"I see," Billy said. "She is this "other vampire"?"
"Yes. She and her mate James tried to kill Bella last year and James was destroyed as a result."
"And she wants revenge? The old tales talk how vampires become vengeful when their mates die," Harry remarked.
"Precisely. She's pale and young and has flame colored hair," Carlisle described. "She also has a gift that allows her to evade danger easily."
"We will be on the hunt for her then," Billy said gruffly. "We will watch for her on our lands, and you will watch for her on yours."
"Agreed," Carlisle said, and with that the meeting was over. And it hadn't done much good either. They would have to go around the wolves in regard to Bella or make them see sense somehow.
He followed the rest of the group back to the house. As soon as he stepped through the door, Millie appeared, looking irritated. The Major said nothing and swept her up into his arms and strode to his room.
"Jasper!" She scolded, but he felt her acceptance and she leaned her head into his chest for comfort. He could feel she was still annoyed with him over his earlier actions, but the Major didn't regret them and neither did Jasper for that matter.
"Where are Esme and Rosalie?" Why was his mate alone by herself? He bit back a growl in severe irritation.
"They went hunting." He sat her down on the bed. "Now, what happened?" She questioned.
"The wolves won't allow Bella to be changed," he explained sourly. "Not that their opinion really means shit, but it involves the treaty and we rather not have a war with the wolves."
"Damn it."
"Precisely."
"Anything good come of the meeting at all?" Millie questioned, exasperated.
"They agreed to look for Victoria on their lands," The Major grunted. "It's enough in that regard, I suppose."
"Well, I..." Her eyebrows furrowed, and he felt her worry, frustration, and concern.
"What is it?" He asked, letting his voice soften just a bit. Or maybe it was Jasper coming through?
"Bella is going to and from school and no doubt from that Jacob she hangs out with." Her frown deepened. "It is one thing to make her trail imperceptible because she then left Forks. But now, she will be going back and forth from her house and school and where ever else she goes."
"Tell me Millie, when you use your gift, what are you focusing on?" He asked, genuinely curious. "The person or the trail?"
"Well, when it comes to me, I just focus on myself," Millie answered, giving him a questioning glance. "Then my power will negate automatically, so I don't even have to erase my trail, I won't leave one period." He felt some of her confusion. "By the way, how did you find me?"
The Major smirked at her. "My gift is in the physical realm, so when I couldn't pick up your scent, I simply pushed my gift out like a radar." Others may not be able to find her, but he always would and it was only fitting.
"Fascinating," Millie said, a look of awe on her face and in her tone. "Has your gift always been so powerful?"
"Years of practice," he answered arrogantly, cupping the side of her face with his hand.
"Well, I can't say that I have worked constantly with my gift, though it is certainly useful," Millie said a bit sheepishly, leaning into his hand. "Being a vampire already gave me an advantage and the skills and strength needed to take care of well plenty of enemies that almost always were human."
"You need to learn how to fight and how to extend your gift."
"So, teach me then." She rubbed her cheek against his hand and let out a soft sigh. "You know if the two of you would merge, it would be better for you," she said softly and the Major stiffened at her words.
"Merge?" He repeated scornfully, dropping his hand. Even Jasper didn't agree with that! Why would he?
"Hmm." Millie gave him a pointed look. "I know the two of you don't believe it, but you are parts of the same man."
"Drop it Millie," he growled wanting to hear no more of it.
"Stubborn man," Millie chided, but she dropped it and they sat in silence for a bit.
"You know," she began. "It would be so much easier if it was the summer, then we could have an excuse for moving Bella, preferably out of Forks."
"Where?"
"Maybe down South." Millie gave him a shy smile. "I do miss my home and we could visit."
"With a newborn?" Newborns were difficult, unpredictable, and dangerous. A lifetime of the Southern wars had given him more than enough experience with them.
"I'll have you know, that Cameron just finished his newborn year with us, without incident," she retorted, pride in her voice.
"While there are some disadvantages, Forks does provide an advantage," he reminded her. "Less sunlight, plenty of terrain with without humans around."
"True," she admitted, before crashing into the pillows on the bed. The Major then decided after giving her another look over that she was more than safe at the moment, and he allowed Jasper to take over again.
Jasper ran a hand through his golden hair before turning to his mate who was looking at him in surprise.
"Jasper?" She asked carefully.
"Well you refer to us both by that name darlin, so technically yes," he said, grinning at her. She let out a huff and rolled her eyes.
"You know what I mean!" She said, before rising up halfway to her knees and wrapping her arms around his shoulders and leaning her head on the crook of his neck. Jasper (and the Major) loved these moments and never took them for granted, considering the pace their relationship was. He wanted more, and vampires were usually such physical creatures that it was difficult to hold back, but Millie wasn't ready, and he would respect it.
"How is your foot?" He asked softly, the thought of Laurent laying a hand on her enraging him again. His death had been drawn out, but it still wasn't enough.
"It feels better, there is less soreness. A few more days and it will be as good as new!" Millie assured him. She leaned forward and kissed his cheek to his complete and utter shock.
"What was that for?" He asked, dumbfounded yet pleased to the core. She let go of him and sat next to him. Her emotions were a whirlwind of love, affection, and contentment.
"You're my mate," she said with a small smile. Jasper returned it and leaned over and kissed her cheek. He felt her emotions flare up, a mixture of happiness, confidence, and lust.
He gave her a smirk and a raised eyebrow, and if she was still human, she probably would have blushed.
"No fair, that's cheating," Millie grumbled, and he laughed.
"I never promised to play fair, darlin." He grinned and she playfully swatted him on the arm.
"Major!" Came Peter's voice through the house and Jasper looked at the door in irritation. Trust Peter to interrupt a moment of progress with his mate!
"What?" He snapped as his brother came striding in, a smug look on his face.
"You owe me another game of life," he said, and Jasper growled at him in agitation.
"Did your gift tell you I didn't want to be disturbed?" He demanded.
"Nope," Peter said cheerfully, and Jasper began analyzing the various ways he could launch Peter through the window. Millie burst into a fit of giggles and rose to her feet.
"I could do with a bit of cheer right now," she said in between giggles. "Of course, if you are up for another player?"
"Of course!" Peter beamed at her and Charlotte came in with the board game and a grin on her face. Jasper rolled his eyes and let out a groan.
"You wouldn't have dared to try this stunt with the Major," Jasper grumbled, wondering if he should summon the Major once more to deal with Peter. Millie let out another peal of laughter and Charlotte joined in with her as well.
"Your damn right I wouldn't," Peter quipped with a smug look. "You don't need a stupid captain," he said, and Jasper felt his lips tug up in a smile.
"Alright, alright." He gave in with a shake of his head. "Set the game up and let's commence with your ass getting beat again."
"Well you know I know shit, Major," Peter said smugly as Charlotte set the game board on the table in his room. "And well, my gift is telling me otherwise."
"How about a bet on that?" Millie asked, as she walked over. "I think your full of shit Peter."
Jasper let out a laugh at that. "Don't bet too much darlin, that asshole could be right for once."
"Okay. Fine," Millie agreed with a grin. "A good five dollars will do, what do you say Peter?"
"You're on," Peter said with a grin and the four set down to play. Jasper wouldn't have traded that moment for anything else in the world.
AN: Hey everyone! Sorry it took so long to get this chapter out, but it is finally here! Hope you enjoyed it and thank you as always to everyone who left a review, favorited, or followed this story!
