Wasteland

Chapter 12

Disclaimer : Still don't own Twilight.

"Are you out of your mind?"

I let out a small chuckle. "You'd be surprised how many times I've been asked that particular question lately." And if someone had told me a dozen years ago that I would be here, asking a clan of werewolves to join me in a fight that I had little to no hope of winning, I would have called that person crazy. Without a single doubt.

And yet here I was, standing in the rain on the Quileute border. It wasn't long after Jacob had found me that the rest of the clan followed. The looks on their faces when they saw me would've been hilarious under any other circumstances. Not that I could blame them; how often do you have a vampire, covered in battle scars, show up at your door for no apparent reason?

"I still don't see why we'd risk our necks in a fight with the most powerful vampires on this planet, just so you can get your girl back. Especially when it was her decision to join them in the first place." Sam scowled at me as he crossed his arms against his chest.

From the corner of my eyes, I caught sight of Leah as she moved closer. "Well, look at it this way." I explained. "We vampires don't imprint, but that does not mean we do not have soulmates. If we're lucky enough, we'll find someone who's just right for us." I shrugged a shoulder nonchalantly. "Just like you have your Emily, I have Alice."

The sudden burst of anger coming from Leah was staggering. My hands curled into fists involuntarily before I got my control back. If it was one thing I hated, it was my talent. Feeling people's love was one thing, but feeling their anger as if it were my own wasn't something I enjoyed.

As I returned my gaze to Sam, I knew I had struck the right cord. He pressed his lips into a thin line as he scowled at me still, but his emotions pretty much screamed the inner struggle he was having. He knew what it was like to find the right one. Just like Leah knew how it was to lose that special person.

"Love or not, it doesn't mean we want to go die for your cause!" Jacob suddenly shouted from where he stood, a few paces behind his Alpha. "What's in it for us?"

"Knowing the Volturi won't be coming after you shapeshifters if they learn of your existence would be the greatest piece of mind I could get, were I in your place." I returned my gaze to Sam. "Don't think I am lying when I say this. They pride themselves in having "rare specimens", as they put it. It's why they're so strong; they get vampires with the strongest talents to join them. Wether it's by consent or force, it doesn't matter to them. They always get what they want, in the end."

Sam's scowl only deepened. "They collect, so to speak, vampires with the strongest talents. So why would they want shapeshifters?"

"Why not? Think of them as children; the more toys they have, the happier they are." I heard Jacob grumble something about not wanting to become a circus freak, and I stiffled a sudden urge to laugh. At least one of them understood what I meant.

"Think about it." I pushed a wet lock of my hair away from my eyes, mentally cursing the rain. "Just remember that it's also better for all of you if they're pulled off their high horse. You know where to find me when you make your decison."

I nodded my farewells, turning my back to the group of werewolves, and made my way back to where I left my car. Well, not my car, but Tanya's. Heaving a sigh, I climbed in and slammed the door shut. I would have a lot of explanations to give back home.

I took my time driving back, not wanting to give Bella's father an excuse to arrest me. Sure, it was his job to stop people speeding across the town like crazy, but I simply wasn't in the mood to have to dazzle my way out of a speeding ticket, of all things.

It wasn't long though, before I was pulling into the driveway leading to the Cullen house. To my surprise, Tanya stood waiting for me on the porch. She crossed her arms tightly against her chest when she saw me climb out of the car and glared at me with all her might.

Did I ever mention the woman intimidates me? Well, she does. She's easily one of the prettiest women I ever set eyes on, vampire or not, but her tempter is something you do not want to provoke. I swear, Rosalie's anger is nothing compared to hers. I was more than thankful that she rarely ever got mad.

Only problem being that she was angry at the moment. Most likely at me.

"Tanya, I apologize. I shouldn't ha- -" My words were cut short as she scoffed, glaring up at me. I frowned in confusion and was about to ask what exactly was the matter when I caught the scent of other vampires besides the Denali clan coming from inside the house. I wasn't given time to wonder about it as Tanya screeched at me.

"You brought us here to fight the Volturi?" Her words rang in my sensitive ears. "The Volturi!? What were you thinking, Jasper!" She threw her hands up in an exasperated manner before continuing. "Well, that's an obvious answer. Obviously, you weren't thinking!"

I sighed, and took a few deep breaths before answering as she continued to mumble about me being insane. "Tanya, please. Listen to me. Who told you what, exactly?" I was the only one who knew of the whole plan, and I had left almost as soon as the Denali clan had arrived. She had said it herself; Carlisle hadn't explained why they were asked to come here.

"Bella told me of your foolish plans." She scowled at me, and I returned the gesture. Bella only knew parts of the whole picture; everything she had said had no doubt led to this very moment. Sometimes I really wished I could strangle the girl with my bare hands.

"She barely knows anything about this, Tanya. There's no use trying to get the whole picture if there's huge chunks of knowledge you don't have." I sent out a small wave of calm, and immediately, I saw her shoulders relax. "Please? Allow me to explain everything before you make your decision?"

She shot me another glare, more out of annoyance than anger, and nodded. "Fine."

I gave her a small smile. "Thank you." I caught the unknown scent coming from the house again and frowned as I turned my gaze to the open door. "Who else got here?"

"Two nomads from Europe. They're a weird pair, if you ask me. And another nomad from England." She grumbled. "Peter and Charlotte were here, but they left to go hunt. They should be coming back before nightfall." She shot me a sideways look. "Are you planning on inviting the entire vampire population over for tea or something?"

I chuckled briefly. "Something like that. Go on in, I'll catch up with you in a few moments and I'll explain everything."

She left me standing alone on the front porch, closing the door behind her. I sighed and looked up at the dark clouds still pouring rain down on the small town, but my thoughts were far away.

Alice, I hope you're well. Just hold on a little while longer, love. I'll get you back, one way or another.

I won't give up on you.