I know - its been ages since my last update but I finally got to posting this.

Alice POV

I followed Charlotte out of the house to a nearby wood. There was not much wildlife around these parts since Jasper had not realized it would be needed.

I knew Charlotte wanted to talk to me without Jasper but could not see what exactly she was going to say since she kept changing her mind. I doubted it was on purpose though.

When we had run a good few miles she stopped and turned to me. "Why did you come?" she said simply enough.

"I came to save Jasper." I replied with equal simplicity

"And in so doing you lead to his demise."

I stared at her – what was that meant to mean?

"Look, in order for Jasper to effectively lead this coven he cannot be sympathetic, show any form of kind or loving emotion when he's around the recruits, and he definitely cannot let his emotions temper his decision."

"I saw what you said to him to push him back into his old ways." I revealed, although I was sure to keep all accusation from my tone – I did not fault her for it.

"It had to be done/" she defended anyway.

"I know, and I agree with you. I may not like the things he's done since you met up with him but they were necessary. Just as there are many things he will do in the near future that are necessary and as long as he makes the decisions that lead to those actions because of necessity I will support him."

"But the question is whether you'll encourage him?"

"Encourage him?" I repeated, nonplussed.

"Jasper is different around you, calmer and more refined. Even if you do not speak against something he may refrain from a certain decision because he knows sub-consciously that you would not like the outcome."

"I will do whatever I have to. If I feel that a certain decision will better serve the aims of this venture I will, where necessary, encourage him towards that decision."

She was taken aback by this "So you won't try to stop him drinking human blood?"

"No"

"Or turning humans?"

"As long as its necessary, no"

She nodded, "then we may stand a chance."

We heard a small group of deer nearby and my mind turned to the hunt, we were slowly making our way back when Charlotte spoke again.

"You know you are technically now the highest ranking member in the coven barring Jasper?" she asked conversationally

I nodded – I had suspected as much when Charlotte said I'd assume my traditional role. She slowed to a walk and I mimicked her.

"Despite this, the others in the coven won't respect you straight off, they'll feel you don't deserve your position since you only just arrived"

"What difference does that make?" I asked - the others, as far as I was aware, had very little to do with me.

"A lot. There will be times where you will need to give orders and without their respect they will not carry them through properly. They won't out rightly disobey you at first-"

"At first?" I questioned

"When you fail to discipline them they will get worse and start to blatantly disobey and contradict you." she replied before continuing her earlier sentence "but even doing a half job can affect the odds. There's also the possibility they will dessert during a battle, not to mention Jasper constantly destroying the newborns for being rude to you or about you, behind your back, will not be in our best interests."

"So what should I do."

She seemed to consider this seriously before replying

"Prove you're a better fighter. Give into your baser instincts - act like a vampire rather than a human and show you are willing to use a firm hand when necessary."

She then came to a halt and turned to face me. I could already see what was about to happen and I didn't like it. I began to unconsciously back away from her.

"That, there is the problem." she said, nodding to my retreating feet "you cannot back away from them like you're scared." I made a concerted effort to stop moving.

"I'm not scared." I countered "I just don't like where this is going."

"Like it or not, you need to do this. You cannot afford to risk hesitating in front of the newborns."

"But you're not a new born." I argued. I hated the way she was pressing me into a corner.

"No, but if you can deal with me you will be able to deal with them." she took a step towards me.

"You're pushing me into a corner." I said and this time anger edged the words.

"Then do something about it!" she practically shouted "Why are you allowing me to get away with this? You're my superior, you're well within your right."

I knew what she wanted me to do but how could I bring myself to do it? She let out a feral growl and her words from earlier ran through my mind – give myself into my baser instincts.

"Maybe you are as weak as they believe." she goaded, turning away.

That was it, letting my instincts take over, I backhanded her. She didn't try to fight me, instead allowing herself to sprawl on the ground despite the fact my blow was not really hard enough to knock her over before jumping back up to stand before me.

"Next time, less hesitation would be good." she said cheekily and this time I didn't hesitate and sent her sprawling for a second time.

When she rose before tuning on her heel and I could've sworn I saw a flicker of a triumphant grin before her hair whirled forward to conceal her from view.

What do you think? To anyone who does not like this side of Alice (to quote my beta) "this war, she cant be all happy and bubbly all the time" and she definitely wont be in some of the chapters to come, but I will try to still show a lighter side of her where ever it fits with the story.

Some random news: I'm getting myself a laptop!!! So that means more regular updates! (Normally I have to share with the rest of the family which is why it takes me so long to do new chapters). And I got a new, less stressful, job that leaves me a lot more free time than my previous position so thats even more time to write!

As always reviews are what makes me want to write more so REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW. Please?