Chapter 9: A Whitlock on the Horizon

"Jasper." Bella said his name with name with no confusion or fear. Jasper was different than she remembered. His hair still the same honey blonde curls but his eyes made him look more..feral. They were a bright red with specks of gold. He wore western clothes with cowboy boots.

He looked relieved to see her. "Bella. May I come in..I don't have much time- is there someone here?" He cocked his head to the side and was instantly in her doorway creating a protective barrier between the human and the unknown.

Angel emerged from the shadows, his face betraying nothing. "I appreciate you trying to protect her but she's safe with me." Bella moved around Jasper with a small smile on her lips. "Jasper, this is Angel. My mate. We met a few months ago. He saved me from a couple of vamps. Angel, this is Jasper. Now, why are you here and is that bitch following you?"

Jasper was stunned. He didn't expect to find a true vampire living with his brothers ex-girlfriend, nonetheless her mate. But it's Bella we're talking about here...danger like a moth to a flame.

"Nice to meet you. I've been away from the Cullens since after your party. I've been with my coven Peter and Charlotte. Peter knows things, not like Alice but he just knows shit. Anyway, he told me to head here and help you when Victoria comes which should be soon. If the calculations are correct The Cullens should be here in about four hours."

Angel hummed pulling Bella close, not comfortable with the proximity between Bella and Jasper. "Then you need to leave. Your scent can't be here. Hunt, scope out. I'll give you my number so you can call to check in. I have a few members of my team with me...they are off limits. Understand? I will kill you if anything happens to them, especially the girl." Angel knew how innocent Fred could look which made her an easy target but he and Spike would have a field day if anything happened to her.

Jasper nodded and as quickly as he came, he was gone. "You didn't tell me Jasper was a human drinker." Bella looked at him with a small smile and said, "that's because he wasn't when I last saw him. Calm down big boy. Everything is fine." Angel sighed and led Bella to the bedroom sitting on the edge of the bed. He pulled her down to his lap. "You don't understand. Every woman I have ever had in my life was ripped away from me. Darla, Buffy, Kate, Cordelia, and almost Fred. Used against me in some way and force. You are everything to me Bella. If I were to lose you, then I would truly have no reason to be here. I've found you and I'll be damned to let you go."

Bella turned in his arms to face him. She said nothing but hoped to convey what she could in her eyes. Angel leaned down and kissed her lips slowly. "We need to be prepared."

True to Jasper's words a knock sounded at the door 4 hours later. Bella walked to the door, not sure what was coming at her. Angel was behind her all the way, a blade in his hand. He nodded at Bella, giving her a que. As planned she opened the door stepping back quickly as Angel pulled in the first thing he got his hands on. Shoving the body against the wall, he was face to face with a golden eyed boy that looked the age of 17 or 18.

"Well you're certainly not Victoria..." "No, I'm Edward...how do you exist?" His eyes flickered over to the small petite presence standing behind Angel. "Bella! Thank god you're okay! Let go of me..I came for Bella." He looked at her desperately. "We need to get you out of here..she's coming and I can keep you safe." Bella ignored him completely glancing at Carlisle. "You mind?" Bella nodded towards Edward and Carlisle understanding the silent request walked towards Edward with an irritated sigh... "Son..just listen please. You can't do this to her. If you would stop and think..you have a knife to your neck which is actually cutting your skin and a true vampire at your neck ready to attack you for posing an attack on his mate."

Angel stepped back moving to Bella's side. "We have a plan to get rid of Victoria, we need to make her believe Bella is here in her own. By tomorrow night she should be here. What do you propose?"