A/N I am really sorry for not updating in forever and I'll definitely understand if you want to beat me to a bloody pulp for taking so damn long. I've just been really busy with my job and college! But I will hopefully be able to update more now that it's summer. Okay, I won't ramble on too long, so without further ado, the next chapter! Keep in mind that with this time frame, we are currently in the mid 1940s. And you guys are going to hate Jasper in this chapter…a lot.

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight, SM does.

Previously

Maria smirked down at her, seeing that she was still weak. "Now are we clear?"

Before she knew it, Bella was on her feet and she was forcing her shield to wrap as tightly as it could around Maria, giving her the allusion that she was suffocating when it obviously wasn't possible for a vampire to do so.

Maria was still panicking, however, her eyes widening in fear.

Bella smiled at her evilly. "No, Maria. We are not clear. Now I'll tell you what you are going to do. You aren't allowed to punish me any longer and I promise I will stay here until our debt is paid. You will not boss me around and don't even let the thought enter your head that you have any control whatsoever over me. In return, I will make sure that the entire South is yours, and once that has been accomplished, I'm leaving and you are never to come after me or my family again. Now are we clear?"

Maria nodded frantically and Bella released her with a smirk. "Oh, and don't call me your Captain anymore, I think I deserve a promotion. The name's Major Whitlock." And with that, she walked out of the tent.

Chapter Nine: A Severed Bond

Fifty years later

Today was finally the day that Bella could get out of Maria's clutches. It had taken years, but city by city, Maria had gained control of northern Mexico entirely along with the southern portion of all states that lay below the thirty degrees North latitudinal line. In order to hopefully clear the way for Bella to leave when the time came, she had suggested to Maria that she post trusted men at the largest cities in order to maintain control and make sure no territories were lost to competitors. Maria had thankfully agreed and her domain functioned more strongly than she had ever anticipated.

With the newborns that Maria turned, Bella had trained them harshly and with little mercy. The sooner they were trained, the sooner they would be able to fight and thus win Maria more and more territory. Damien had been promoted to Captain by Maria, as if it was a favor to Bella. Bella could really care less, she had feelings for only one person, but she decided to humor her.

It was to Maria's tent that she now ran to, wrinkling her nose in disgust as she saw two newborns having sex where almost everyone could see them. Clearing her throat loudly, she smirked internally as they immediately broke apart, rushing to gather their clothes.

When they looked up, Bella gasped when she saw that they weren't both newborns at all. One of them was a long pale-blond haired female who had shown some promise in training. But it wasn't her that shocked Bella; it was the male that stood next to her. Damien.

She couldn't stop the hiss that escaped her lips and the wave of anger that rushed over them, causing a hush to come over the camp. They knew to be quiet when their Major was so enraged.

Damien, for the first time since he'd met her, felt terrified of her and tried his best to calm her. "Bella…"

She growled loudly, her eyes turned black with her fury. Grabbing him by the front of his shirt, she threw him twenty feet away from her before stalking towards him again. When the female tried to attack her, Bella's anger washed over her wave after wave until the newborn cowered in fear.

Bella turned her attention back towards Damien, spitting out her words. "You dare to disrespect me by fucking that newborn in the open!" She lifted him up again and bared her teeth against his neck. "You have five seconds to give me one reason why I shouldn't rip your head off right now."

Damien choked out a whispered answer that caused her eyes to widen until she quickly controlled her expression. "You will wait in my tent with your bitch until I decide your punishment. As for her, she will be burned as soon as Maria and I conclude some business. Dismissed."

Looking around at the audience that had gathered, Bella glared at all of them. "While I am speaking with Maria, none of you are to disturb us, am I clear?"

Few questioned her. With the mood their Major was in they knew that if they moved one toe out of line, they could all be destroyed. It had certainly happened before.

One of the male newborns apparently did not get that message and stepped forward cockily. "But what if.."

With a blur, she had him dismembered and burning within 60 seconds before turning to them again. "Am I clear?"

Smirking at the resounding, "Yes, Major!" she turned on her heel and swiftly entered Maria's tent.

Maria was poring over a map of North America, little red flags turning the southern region completely red, representing her territory. She looked up with an evil grin. "Ahh, Major Whitlock, you are even better than your brother in keeping my army in line. I've always said that women do such a better job than men. They have too much of an ego if you ask me." Her smile widened. "But I am sorry to hear that your companion has not been faithful to you. I would be only too happy to dispose of him and find a much more suitable replacement."

Bella frowned and settled herself into a chair. "He will be dealt with accordingly by myself, thank you. Now cut the bullshit, you know why I'm here. I believe our agreement has now been concluded and I will be leaving tonight."

Something flashed in Maria's eyes before she put on a somber expression. "Oh my dearest Isabella, I am well aware that you have and I have no qualms with releasing you. You have served me well. But before you leave, I do have something to show you."

Bella rolled her eyes, knowing that she wouldn't let her go that easily but fully prepared for whatever was about to be thrown at her. "What is it, Maria? I don't have all night."

Maria's gaze turned calculating and she stood up, circling behind her. "I won't keep you long, I just wanted to ask you something." She leaned over to whisper in her ear. "Haven't you found it strange that your brother and Peter have never once tried to come back for you? After all these years?" She straightened up and walked until she was facing her once more.

Her eyes narrowed. "What are you trying to get at?"

Maria shrugged. "Nothing, mi soldada. But if they truly loved you, surely they would have tried to rescue you before now. Have you ever considered that maybe they no longer care for you, are happier without you…perhaps don't want you in their lives?"

Bella was trying but failing not to let these words sink into her head. Maybe they didn't want her. Jasper was probably tired of trying to protect her and Peter had shown that he wanted nothing to do with her romantically. She was broken, what was there for them to want? Is it possible that they thought this way about her? She shook her head. "No! You're wrong."

Maria smiled. "Am I?" She rummaged under some papers that were scattered across the table and slammed two black and white photographs in front of her. "Do they look as though they are missing you?"

She looked down and saw Jasper with a short-haired woman. He looked happier than she had ever seen him. In the other picture, she saw Peter and Charlotte, locked in what looked like a lover's embrace.

Maria put her hand on her shoulder. "They look more than happy without you Major. Almost as if they are better off without you. They wouldn't accept someone as damaged as you into their lives. You should stay here with me, here we accept you. Here we are all broken in some way. We can rule the south together, you and I. And we would be unstoppable."

Bella shook off her hand and stood up. "I am NOT interested in ruling anything with you and it takes a lot more than a couple pictures to convince me that Jasper and Peter have forgotten about me."

Maria sneered at her. "Very well, Isabella. But don't come running back when you discover that I was right all along."

Peter sighed as he buried the body he had just drained. It had been fifty years since he had last seen his mate and his gift had yet to give him any inkling as to when or if he would ever see her again. To tell the truth, the only thing his gift had told him was to be waiting in this small town located in New Hampshire. He had no idea why, or for what, but his gift had rarely led him astray before, so he decided to trust it. So he built this cabin in the middle of the woods and waited.

That had been six months ago.

It had been six months since he had any contact with his kind, and that was merely a passing curious nomad. He could admit it, he was lonely. No Jasper. No Charlotte. No Bella.

Jasper had traveled along with him and Charlotte for ten years, but over time, Peter could see that he continued to go through the same emotional turmoil he had gone through when they hunted in Maria's encampment. Without Isabella they were both miserable and Jasper could no longer stomach even killing the murderers and rapists.

Peter could only sympathize for so much and was happy when he sensed a brighter future for his brother and closest friend.

Flashback

They had just finished hunting, and though Jasper was clearly still thirsty, he had only drained one human. The almost haunted look in his eyes expressed that he would not feed on another. Seeing this, Peter motioned to Charlotte to leave them alone for a bit and walked over to his brother.

"Jasper, it's time for you to leave us, brother."

Jasper looked at him sharply. "I'm not leaving you! Until Isabella joins us, you are the only family I have left. Why are you asking me to go?"

Peter returned his glare just as fiercely. "It is getting harder and harder for you to feed as we do, I can see it. I have a feeling that you need to leave us, continue to go north, and you will find what you need. When the time comes, Isabella will find both of us, I'm sure of it."

Jasper grudgingly nodded. "Your gift better be right about this."

Peter's eyes twinkled. "It's never been wrong before."

Jasper sighed and gave Peter a rough hug before turning to leave.

End of Flashback

Peter hadn't seen Jasper since then, and he couldn't deny that he didn't miss his oldest companion.

As for Charlotte, ten years ago, she had met her mate in a tracker named Demetri who worked for the Volturi. She was quite an addition to the gifts their rulers had already acquired. He laughed quietly to himself as he remembered their parting.

Flashback

"Oh Peter, you must come visit sometime!"

Peter shook his head. It wasn't very likely that he would want to come in contact with the Volturi willingly.

Demetri stood in the background, sharing an understanding look with him.

Charlotte sighed. "I guess not. Well, I'll definitely miss you Pete."

She pulled him into quite the exuberant hug and in all the excitement, neither of them heard the click of a camera behind them.

End of Flashback

Shaking away his reminisces, he headed back home, absentmindedly brushing his fingers against the lock of hair he still carried around with him everywhere.

Six Months Previously

Jasper smiled as he watched his wife dance around the living room, rearranging little tidbits here and there, humming along to the tunes on the radio. Carlisle was at work, and the rest of the Cullens had taken off to hunt. It was just him and Alice and he reveled in the calm while it lasted.

It was times like these that made him so happy that he had wandered into that bar so many years ago and followed her to the Cullens. Though he struggled with their diet, he felt so much better now that he no longer had to kill humans. There was no fear, no anger, that overwhelmed the feeling of satiety he got from feeding.

Jasper had told the Cullens about his past, but something held him back from mentioning his sister or Peter to them. Perhaps a part of him wanted to keep them to himself, in order to preserve their memories in his past, rather than to bring something up that would only upset him. He had no idea if his sister had broken free from Maria, or how Peter was doing. A selfish part of him didn't want to know, afraid that it would somehow interfere with the peaceful life he had created for himself.

The only physical memory that he kept of his sister was the book containing her letter to him and the lock of her hair. He had secretly made a brown leather bracelet that entwined their hairs in a braid and had a small silver clasp that connected their initials together. J&BW. Whenever he looked at it, he thought of her.

Luckily the other Cullens asked no questions about it, due entirely to the fact that it was hidden behind the long-sleeved shirts he often wore to hide his scars. Only Alice saw it, but she had never asked about it either.

Jasper was drawn from his musings when he heard the crash of glass breaking and he looked up to see that Alice was frozen in a vision.

"Alice? What are you seeing?" He flitted over to her, and placed his hands upon her shoulders.

Alice answered him in a monotone, her eyes still unfocused. "I see you speaking to someone, but I can't see who they are. It's in the forest, and the sun is just beginning to set. Your eyes are red..you must have just slipped up, and…you seem angry."

Jasper looked into her eyes. "Can you tell if they're human or vampire? Are they a threat to us?"

Alice shook her head. "I don't know. I just know that it will happen soon."

Bella angrily entered her tent, knowing that Maria had to be wrong, but a small part of her believing it. She was stopped short when she saw Damien and the newborn on their knees and facing away from her, in the ultimate submissive pose. She had almost forgotten that she had ordered them to wait for her here.

She frowned at the pair. "You have created quite the problem for me." She paused. "You may face me."

Damien and the newborn quickly turned around but remained on their knees.

Damien was the first to speak up. "Bella, please!"

She raised an eyebrow at him. "You may have been my lover for some time, but you will address me correctly when in the presence of…underlings."

He bowed his head. "I apologize, Major."

Bella nodded and moved to sit down in a chair, her fingers tracing the lining of the stitching. "Normally, when a high ranking officer's chosen…companion is caught messing around with another, they are both burned immediately. Are you prepared for those consequences?"

Damien once again opened his mouth to speak but she shushed him. "A simple shake of the head would suffice."

He and the newborn both shook their heads in the negative.

"No? And why ever not? You may speak, Captain."

His eyes pleaded with her. "Please, Major. She is my mate and I apologize for so openly disrespecting you, but-"

She interrupted him once more. "Are you not aware that mates are not allowed in Maria's army?" She turned her attention to the newborn. "You, what is your name?"

The newborn, clearly terrified, answered shakily. "S-Serena, ma'am."

Bella smiled slightly at her. "In cases like these, I would be expected to destroy both of you, but seeing as Damien has been such a good friend to me, I offer a perhaps more preferable solution."

As soon as Bella's expression had softened, Damien immediately stood up and pulled his mate to her feet. "What was with all the song and dance, Bella?"

She stood to her feet as well. "I was merely waiting for certain eavesdroppers to leave and report to their Mistress what I'm sure was very pertinent information."

Bella walked over to the pair and Serena fearfully backed away. "Oh stop, girl. I am not going to harm you. Quite the opposite in fact." She lowered her voice slightly. "Would you like a chance to be free from Maria, free to be mates and wander the world freely?"

Damien looked at her sharply. "Who in this camp doesn't? What are you getting at?"

She smiled daringly at him. "My services for Maria are no longer needed, and I am leaving tonight. If you asked me nicely, I could be persuaded to take you and your mate with me."

Damien looked down at his mate and back at her. "We're in."

Bella grinned. "Good. Meet me at the borderline in half an hour…and make sure you aren't followed."

Bella had been traveling north with Damien and Serena for several days and she knew that it was time for them to split up. Though her emotions were somewhat tempered by being mated, Serena still looked upon Bella with mistrust, knowing that she and Damien had been in a sexual relationship. It was causing problems with their bond that had just the day before erupted into a fight between Bella and Serena. Serena had been beyond reason, and Bella had tried very hard not to hurt her too much, not wanting an enraged Damien on her hands as well. The fight was only ended when Damien had bit Serena on their mating mark, which was a very surefire way to get her calmed down quickly.

But it was only so long before other fights would break out and Bella knew that with such a young mate, Damien needed to be alone with Serena.

They were a mile away from the northern border of Utah, and Bella decided that this was the perfect place to part ways. She signaled for Damien and Serena to stop running before coming to a halt.

Damien looked at her questioningly, scanning the area around them for a threat. "What's wrong?"

Bella smiled sadly at him. "It's time for us to split up. You have a newly mated newborn on your hands and in order for you to stay under the radar, I need to leave."

He frowned, knowing that she was right but not wanting to part from her, thus leaving her alone. He pulled her into a tight hug. "I'll miss you, Bella. And thank you for everything that you've done for us." With a kiss to her head, he backed away, keeping one eye on a hissing Serena.

Bella eyed her warily. "Travel only at night and only feed in areas where humans won't be missed. The farther north you go, the safer you'll be, but be careful."

Damien nodded. "You be careful as well."

She smirked. "Aren't I always?"

It wasn't too hard to find Jasper; she need only follow the bond of her maker.

A vampire felt two bonds, one to their maker, and the other to their mates. One merely had to concentrate on the bond, and want to find who was on the other end, for it to point them in the right direction. Few vampires wanted to know their maker; others already knew and didn't want to find them. The pull could be pushed to the back of a vampire's subconscious and pretty much ignored without much effort until attention was paid to it. The pull one had to a mate could not be felt until said mate was discovered.

But she had a dilemma. The pull she felt to her mate and to her maker led her in two different directions. Unsure of why this was, she had decided to follow the pull to Jasper first, and then on to Peter. This was based primarily upon her decision to choose her family over love.

And so her search ended at the largest house she had ever encountered. She stayed hidden, high in a tree that offered the perfect vantage point into the house. She was extremely wary of approaching the house because she sensed the presence of six vampires inside other than her brother. Her time with Maria had taught her to remain cautious.

She was easily able to see inside as it seemed that the back portion of the house was made of some sort of glass. The vampires seemed harmless enough, though with a sharp gasp, she realized that they all seemed to have strange yellow eyes. Perhaps they weren't vampires at all?

She scrutinized them more deeply; one caramel haired vampire appeared to be drawing something on a sketchbook. In another room that consisted almost entirely of books, was a blond-haired vampire, who seemed to be in deep thought. In the next room...

Bella quickly averted her eyes from an almost frantically mating couple. She wrinkled her nose. Surely they would refrain from doing so where anyone could see them?

Her attention was then captured by three vampires that were arguing in the parlor room. With an excited smile, she saw that one of them was her brother, Jasper. He seemed to be arguing with a copper-haired vampire, while the raven-haired vampire she had seen in Maria's picture had her hand on Jasper's arm, clearly attempting to calm him. Bella scoffed. Didn't the silly girl know that such showy affections would only irritate him more? She would do better to distract him with witty words, or a playful fight.

But to her surprise, Jasper visibly relaxed enough to gently lift her hand away with a soft smile, with only a slight glare towards his opponent. Who was this man who was so quickly calmed down from such a fury? What powers did this girl hold over him?

Several more words were exchanged before he exited the house, running right past where she perched. This was even more astonishing. Her brother too distracted from his thoughts to notice her presence?

Curious, she quickly leaped from tree to tree to follow him, silently landing each time. She followed him for many miles, as he took his anger out on random trees and rocks.

He suddenly came to a stop and stood frozen, apparently sensing something she didn't. Adjusting her position, she looked in the distance and saw a human, clearly limping from some sort of injury. She rolled her eyes. Humans were always injuring themselves.

Turning her attention back to Jasper, she saw that he wasn't even breathing and was instantly confused. What was the matter with him? Sure, the human appeared to be innocent, but if he was thirsty, he should go ahead and drain him. It wasn't as if anyone would know that the man had died from anything other than some peril of the wilderness.

And yet he still stood there. Almost as if he was afraid of the mere human.

A gust of wind blew in their direction and Bella inhaled deeply. The man smelled utterly delicious. How could Jasper resist?

The man in question had somehow stiffened even more before he was a blur of movement. In seconds, his teeth had sunken deeply into the man's flesh and he took long, frantic gulps of the man's blood before he was drained completely.

The man fell from his arms and simultaneously, Jasper seemed to be no longer ruled by his senses. He looked down at the human and gasped. "What have I done?"

Bella could restrain herself no longer and swung down from the tree. "What do you mean? You have killed for your sustenance; I do not understand why you are in such anguish."

Jasper's eyes immediately locked with hers and he snarled. "I have harmed an innocent human and you ask me why I am so affected? This man probably had a wife, children even, and I have ended his life! And yet here you stand so haughtily before me, with your red eyes!"

Venom tears filled her eyes and Bella snarled at him. "There is nothing wrong with my red eyes! I harm only the criminals, but if I happen to have an accident it isn't the end of the world. Jasper, why are you behaving this way?"

But he was blinded by his fury. "You are disgusting to me! Your eyes are yet another reminder of how much I have failed in this life. Leave and never come back!" His last words came out in a deafening snarl.

Bella's mouth opened and closed. She could not understand why her brother wasn't welcoming her into his arms right now. There was no love in his eyes, only hatred. What had she done to make him hate her so? Maybe Maria was right, and there was no room for her in his life. He clearly had created another family to replace her. His words were constantly repeating in her head. Disgusting. She was disgusting, wasn't she? No man would ever want her when even her brother couldn't stand the sight of her. Peter was probably off somewhere, living happily with Charlotte now that he was free of her. She was nothing but a burden and she should have destroyed herself long ago. She was worthless. Disgusting. She was nothing.

Her pain, worthlessness, and anguish, washed over every breathing thing for miles, several humans falling dead, their bodies not being able to handle the depth of her emotions. The Cullens had collapsed in their homes from the pain. Jasper fell to his knees before her.

With a shuddering breath full of emotion, Bella said one last thing to her brother, bending down to speak into his ear. "I am sorry for whatever I have done to hurt you. You are right, I am disgusting and worthless. I will follow your wishes. You will never see me again."

And with that, she ran, taking her emotions with her. Jasper was not able to stand until she was miles away, and with her disappearance, reason entered his eyes and he collapsed again as something snapped within him. Shaking with sobs, he couldn't stop saying, "What have I done?"

A/N First things first, a link showing Jasper's bracelet is on my profile if you guys would like to see it. Back to business. Jasper is an asshole, and he didn't mean what he said to Bella, he had just slipped and the first thing he saw was someone with the very red eyes that he abhors showing himself. He didn't even realize that it was his sister until she had left. Next chapter, we'll see how Jasper deals with what he's done and what happens to Bella. And if you leave me enough reviews I might reunite a certain someone with their mate next chapter….So review please!