***Thanks for all the responses. We broke 1000 and I couldn't have been more shocked over that. This was supposed to be a little o/s. So, THANKS!
***Thanks to Lady Tazz, TwiCarol and Jasper's Darlin' Kathy.
Bella
As soon as I opened my eyes, I knew he wasn't here. I felt his absence almost as strongly as I did his presence. The sensation made me gasp for air. I shot up into a seated position, hopped out of bed and started looking for my things. I needed to get out of here before I went crazy.
"Slow down, sugar," Peter said.
"Oh!" I screamed. "What are you doing in here?"
Damn, quiet vampires.
"Keepin' track of you," he said.
"He left," I said. "Why would he leave me here?"
"Look, get a hold of yourself 'cause I can't calm you down the way J can."
"I don't want you to calm me down," I said. "I don't want anything from you or him for that matter."
I couldn't believe that after all of that kissing and 'we belong together Bella' crap, he'd leave. How could I have been so friggin' stupid!
"He's comin' back," he said. "Just had a little business to tend to in Alaska."
"Alaska? What the hell's so important in Alaska that he had to sneak out the window in the middle of the night?"
"Actually, it was more like 5 am and he went out the front door." He smiled.
"Whatever! I'm leaving," I informed him.
"Umm, yeah, no you're not," he said.
"Excuse me?"I didn't think it was possible, but there was someone actually ruder than Jasper. Was it some kind of southern vamp code?
"Jasper asked me to look after you until he gets back and I can't do that if you're not here."
"Well, I don't give a rat's ass what he asked you to do." I threw my shoes on. "I don't answer to him and I really don't care what he wants."
"You don't think so, little one?" He laughed. "By the time he gets back here, you'll be so taken by him you won't know what hit you. You'll be beggin' for him and wanting to do whatever he says."
"Like that'll ever happen." I laughed.
"Keep laughin'," he said. "You'll see. It's a consuming feeling and you'll have no choice but to comply."
"I'm not a vampire, so I don't feel things the same way you do." I was lying through my teeth. My heart hurt, my insides were jumping and my head was spinning over the loss of Jasper.
"Right." He nodded his head because he didn't believe me for a second. "Look, Char's all excited about making you breakfast, so clean up and come downstairs."
"Stop telling me what to do," I demanded. "Who do you think you are?"
"The Major's second in command," he said. "And, he's asked me to do something for him, so I'm doin' it. And, some snotty little human is not gonna stand in my way."
"Peter!" Char screamed from downstairs. "Leave Bella alone."
"Come down and eat," he said a bit softer. "For Char?"
I nodded.
I didn't see the harm in eating before I left.
I went downstairs and ate more than I had in months. It was the best meal I think I'd ever had and it was nice having someone cook for me for a change. I could get used to this.
"Where did you learn to cook like that?" I asked.
"I've been around a long time," Char said. "And, Peter gives in to my every whim. You should see the kitchen I have back in Texas."
"What do you do in it?" I asked.
Peter laughed.
Char smiled at him.
"Oh," I blushed.
"Well, I cook in there too," she said. "I used to make all these gourmet meals and throw them out, but now when I cook I give the food to homeless people."
"Really? You feed random humans? Is that like fatting up the Thanksgiving turkey before you eat it?"
"Jasper felt guilty about feeding from some homeless people a few months ago, so now he makes me feed them," she explained.
"Well, that's sorta sweet, isn't it?" The thought of Jasper wanting to make up for feeding from homeless people made me miss him even more.
"Fuckin' perfect." Peter rolled his eyes.
"Maybe you should accept that Jasper doesn't want to feed from humans," I said. "That's why he came back here. He knew he wouldn't be able to here. This was a safe place for him."
"She has a point," Char said. "And, she's defending her man."
"Look, I'm not here to discuss Jasper's diet," he said. "He's a big boy and he can hunt any way he wants to. He can drain 'em or brood over them. It's his life."
"Well, he doesn't have to lose anymore, err, sleep over me."
Peter and Char just stared at me.
"Well, you know what I mean," I said. "I'm not sticking around here and waiting like some love sick teenager. He left and so can I."
"No!" Char said. "Don't leave."
"I have to," I said. "And as a woman you should understand."
"Bella," Peter said.
"Oh, you do know my name." I smiled.
"Yeah, I'm just not used to naming my food source." He smirked.
I liked him, but I wasn't gonna admit that out loud. His ego was already too big.
"Cut Jasper a break," he said. "You have no idea how unusual this is. A vampire and a human usually don't mix. He'll be back soon. He really has no choice."
"He could have said goodbye," I said. "Left a note, a text, sent a carrier pigeon?"
"This isn't some high school love story," he said. "When he comes back, you'll see."
"Maybe," I said. "But, he knows where to find me. I gotta go."
"You're not leavin'," he said. "Jasper asked us to look after you and I ain't gonna fail him."
"Well, I'm not gonna cooperate," I said, standing my ground.
I learned that in therapy.
"Bella," Char said. "Please excuse my husband. We're not used to communicating with your kind and he is fiercely loyal to Jasper which means he's now extremely protective of you."
Peter nodded in agreement.
"I appreciate it, but it's not needed," I said. "I have enough protectors and as a matter of fact my friend Jake is on his way to come and get me. I texted him before breakfast."
"Text him back and tell him not to come." Peter growled. "I don't want to hurt anyone."
I giggled.
"What's so funny?" Before I could answer, Peter and Char crinkled their noses and headed for the door.
My ride must be here.
I walked out to the front porch to find Jake standing in human form with the entire pack close behind him in wolf form. It was actually beautiful to see.
"You ready, Bells?" he asked.
"What the fuck is this?" Peter asked.
"My friend Jake." I stepped around them and headed for Jake. "I didn't tell you he was a wolf?"
"Bella," Peter yelled. "You're not leaving with him."
"You don't think so, little one?" I smiled.
"Oh!" Char said. "I like her. Can we keep her?"
"Tell the Major I'm done waiting!" I said. "If he wants me, he'll have to come and get me."
Peter smirked and simply said, "I'll deliver the message."
Jake drove me back home and then came inside. I knew I had some explaining to do.
"Jake," I said. "Thanks for the rescue."
"It was hardly a rescue," he said. "I didn't get to kill one of them."
I shook my head.
"What's going on Bella? Where's Jasper?" he asked.
"Alaska." I plopped down on the couch and felt the loss. "He'll be back."
"How can you be so sure? How do you know he's not pulling an Edward?" he asked.
"He wouldn't do that. It's different this time," I said. "It has to be different this time."
"What do you mean?"
"The only way for me to describe it, is like when you explained that whole imprinting thing to me," I said. "It's a pull you can't ignore. When he looks at me I lose my breath and want to give in to him completely. I want to do what he asks and make him happy. I want what he wants in that moment. And, it's not like I'm giving in or doing something I don't want. I've been missing something my entire life."
He nodded.
"After what happened with Edward, I didn't think I'd ever feel again, but in this one week with Jasper, I've felt more than I have in my whole life. He's everything to me and the crazy thing is neither one of us has even admitted anything to the other. But, it doesn't have to be spoken. Can you understand or have I just totally lost my mind?"
"Sam was right." He shook his head. "I thought he'd lost his mind."
"Sam was right about what?"
"When we came to get you the other day, he told me I needed to back off. What was happening between you and Jasper was inevitable. He called him your mate."
"That's what it's called for a vampire, but how did Sam know?" I asked.
"He said he could tell by Jasper's posture, the way he stepped in front of you to protect you from me and how he looked at you. Sam compared it to our imprinting, too."
"So then you get it?" I asked, wanting him to confirm I wasn't nuts.
"Not personally, but I've heard the thoughts of the others and I know what it's like for them, so if you say that's what you're feeling for Jasper, then I won't interfere. I just don't want you to get hurt again."
"Me either, but it's like I have no control," I sighed. "That's a little scary."
"So, if you're so attached to him, why did you leave the house?" he asked. "Why didn't you wait for him to come back?"
"Because when I'm with him, all normal thoughts go out the window. When I'm close to him, I want to be whatever he needs me to be. I'd do anything for him. But, when I woke up and he was gone, it hurt. I know he had his reasons, but by me leaving, well, it's like I can still be me. You know? I can't lose myself again. Not even for my mate. If that's what he is."
"Good for you, Bella." He flashed me that brilliant smile of his.
"Thanks for getting it," I said. "And, for everything you've done for me."
"You've done a lot for me too," he said. "And, just because you've joined the other side, it doesn't mean I won't still be here for you."
"There doesn't have to be any sides as far as I'm concerned," I told him. "I'm still Bella and I'm still human."
"But, for how long?" he whispered.
Jake spent the rest of the afternoon with me and we had the best time. We had ice cream, watched a movie and talked for hours. But, when Jake left an overwhelming sadness came over me. How long would I know this life? I knew in my heart, I would go wherever Jasper went. I didn't have a choice.
The next two days, I tried to go about my daily routine, but I had trouble focusing. If I knew where he was in Alaska, I would've tracked him down myself, but that wasn't going to happen. I guessed that was why vampires made better mates for one another. As a human, I didn't stand a chance at finding Jasper. So, I had to wait.
I was kicking myself now for not exchanging cell numbers with him. How ridiculous was that? We were supposed to be mated, but I had no way to reach him.
Mated?
That was such a strange word. And, to be honest, I didn't think I even fully comprehended it yet. Jasper had a lot of explaining to do when he got back.
I got ready for bed and then settled in with a book. I had no intention of reading it, but I was trying really hard to keep my mind off him. The more I thought about him leaving, the angrier I became. And, as each day passed, the more anxious I felt. I didn't like this feeling at all and I refused to let myself slip back into that place. The one place I swore I'd never go back to. I would fight for my sanity.
I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself. It seemed to be working because I felt this warmth come over me and I smiled because it reminded me of when Jasper used his gift to manipulate me. It was always such a peaceful feeling, but how the hell did I do it?
Maybe it wasn't me at all.
That pain in my chest, that deep ache was suddenly replaced with everything good and special. It wasn't complicated or tainted. It was pure and perfect. I slowly opened my eyes and saw him standing over me.
"Hello, darlin'." He smiled. "Miss me?"
***Drabble in Peter's POV next.
