Jasper's POV


I was lying on the bed with Alice in my arms when I heard a commotion outside. An accented female voice begging to see Carlisle.

I sprang off the bed and looked out the window, Edward had her pinned down but she wasn't fighting him; probably to prove she was un-hostile.

I thought loud and clear enough to know my brother would hear me.

Edward, let her up. I'll be down soon.

I turned away and pulled the closet open, stepping into some underwear and then pulling on a pair of wind pants.

Alice sat up, "Should I come, too?"

I didn't want her to leave the room. I didn't want to because if she was here I had to come back with her for at least a little bit.

She took my silence wrong and started to get off the bed.

I snapped quite too harshly, "No! Stay right there."

She smiled a little bit, she understood. She always did.

Sitting back under the covers she promised, "I'll be waiting for you."

I mussed my hair so it looked a little more presentable (though it never really does anyway) and went downstairs, opening the back door and stepping outside.

The female sprang to her feet quickly and Emmett snarled a warning. I just smiled as I saw her eyes snap onto my bare chest, where my scars were glittering in the sunlight.

Oddly enough, I realized I could not feel what she was feeling. Perhaps she was concealing it.

"Why did you come here?"

She held out her arm, uncurling her fingers to reveal a dainty, familiar, white-golden wedding ring with an oval diamond.

"Esme asked me to deliver it to Carlisle. She was heart-set on him having it just incase…"

I coldly finished her sentence, "Incase Ajani defeats her."

Her face lit up with surprise, even though I could not feel it, "How do you know about him?"

I frowned, "That's not important. I have a question for you: what is your gift?" She must have one, no person can hide themselves from me so thoroughly.

She smiled, "I negate other's powers. None of yours will work on me."

Edward muttered, "Makes sense now."

I ignored him and went back on topic. Carlisle would really appreciate Esme's ring, and I didn't mind if this female was the one to give it to him.

Edward, will you bring him over please?

Edward disappeared and I warned the female in a low growl, "Carlisle is not well, so if you value your existence, you'll be gentle with him."

Soon Carlisle and Edward retuned. The female smiled at him, and spoke softly, as if to a young child.

"I have something for you, Carlisle. It's from Esme, she sends her love back home."

She handed him the ring and he took it with a shaky hand, staring down at it with mournful eyes. I felt his wave of misery and sorrow and before he had the chance to break down I wrapped my arm around him and forced him to be peaceful.

He sighed contentedly and swirled the ring around his fingers with a smile as he leaned against my chest.

"Jasper, are you going back with her?"

Peter's question caught everyone's attention.

The female asked, "What does he mean?"

I asked, first off, "What's your name?"

She introduced politely, "I am Agwang, a good friend of Esme over these last few weeks."

I asked her, "Agwang, if I requested you take me back to your coven to speak with your leader, what would you say?"

She smiled, "I see no problem with that, Adaeze is always willing to talk. Will you be coming alone?"

I shook my head, "No, I will take Carlisle and one other person with me. But I want time to decide who. Charlotte, Edward, would you two mind taking our guest for a hunt?"

Edward sparked with displeasure, but he sighed, "Come with me."

She smiled at me before following him away. I motioned to Tanya and gently pushed Carlisle into her arms before I returned to the room with Alice.

I sat on the bed, where she lay impatiently in a short nightgown.

I lay beside her and snuggled close to her, wrapping my arms around her back as she nuzzled my chest.

I asked, "So, who's coming with me and Carlisle?"

She laughed, "You haven't decided yet, I can't see."

I sighed and pressed my nose against her hair. I would take her in a second, but I know I couldn't.

I can't risk bringing anyone who would loose their control if I die.

So that automatically cuts out her, Edward, Emmett, Peter, Charlotte, and Garrett.

Rosalie and Kate's bad tempers would only cause trouble.

So I have to decide Tanya, or Bella.

Bella should be here for Alice, she will need her closest sister while I am gone, to who knows where, facing my death.

Alice smiled, "You chose Tanya."

I smiled back, "I know, thanks."

She squeezed me tightly and asked, "When?"

I set my hand on the back of her head and pulled her into a kiss. It lasted just a second, but the tenderness between us was incredible.

Like she was fragile, like kissing her too hard was going to break her. And on her end, she acted like I was a precious paper that would tear if she applied too much pressure.

Not everything has to be fierce and desperate to get the point across.

I didn't need to speak to let her know the answer. I don't think I would be able to say it, that I was leaving now.

Maybe for the last time.

I walked over to the closet and pulled on a shirt, not bothering to button it.

I paused at the door to turned and take one final look at her, giving a moment for our eyes to meet the last time.

She whispered sadly, "Come home to me, soldier."

We both smiled the tiniest of bits before I went down the stairs. Everyone was glaring at Peter, who glared right back. Tension was very high.

I groaned, not in the mood for this nonsense, "What did I miss?"

Bella reported, "Peter has a 'gift' for you."

She pointed to an unconscious human lying under a tree.

I growled, and he hastily explained, "Calm down, Major. He's just a homeless man, nobody will miss him. You need to be as strong as you can be, you need human blood inside of you."

I snarled, "Peter if you don't go put him back your going to regret it."

He eyed me warily before sighing, "Fine."

I frowned, just as a precaution, "Rosalie, go with him and make sure the human remains unharmed."

She gazed sadly at me for a long second, "Okay. Come on Peter."

My friend picked up the human and hesitated as he walked past me. "Good luck, Jasper." Turning his head he sprang after Rose into the forest.

Bella slipped into the house, probably to sit with Alice. Soon the hunting part returned, and I sprang to my feet. I would never be able to tear myself away from her if I didn't leave right now.

"Tanya, Carlisle, come with us."

Tanya led Carlisle by the hand and followed me as I stalked into the forest.

Carlisle asked, after a while, "Where are we going, Jasper?"

I smiled at him, "We are going to get her back, Carlisle. Your going to see her again."

The fire in his eyes was like nothing I have ever seen before. He clutched gently onto her ring and followed silently as we began to run.

I fell back to follow Agwang and motioned for Tanya.

She pulled up beside me and I hinted, "If the plan is to fail, take Carlisle home. Wait for Alice to decide what happens next."

I was trying my best to tell her that in this pack, my mate is my beta.

No, not my beta.

She's my alpha female, my equal.

If I die, Edward, who I suppose would be the beta, will run off to his death and lead the family with him.

Alice will be smart enough to wait for Marcus and the others who are coming to help.

Tanya understood, because she promised me, "I'll do that, Jasper. Don't worry."