Chapter Twenty One

Jasper

I was relieved once we got Charlie away from Forks and not only because I could withdraw leaving him to his suffering at last but I was concerned about being so close to the wolf pack. They only needed the slightest hint that one of us had transformed Charlie to take revenge on any of us they could find. Charlotte drove at first until we were well on our way then Charlie woke up and she was forced to pull over into a thicket of trees. I'd met quite a few newborns in my time and Charlie was running true to form. He was disorientated, confused, and very, very angry. There was no point in trying to reason with him so I hit him with a heavy dose of lethargy and then while he was reasonably docile I took him to hunt in the woods. His body would be craving blood and if possible I wanted to at least start him off on animal blood, that way once he calmed down naturally he would have a choice. I knew from my own experience that once you'd tasted human blood nothing else would quench your thirst entirely but it could be brought under control with strong will power. We came across some elk and I lifted the lethargy so Charlie could hunt efficiently. Watching him as he worked his prey I realised that if I were still with Maria I would be watching him closely with a view to giving him a command once he became manageable, he was a natural hunter.

Once I could see the blood had calmed him enough to leave him in Charlotte's care I hunted myself, taking his pain had almost drained my strength and I was only too aware that I had another fight, if not a physical one, when we reached the Whitlock ranch. Charlotte had decided it would be better not to warn Peter of his guests beforehand and I knew she was afraid he might disappear before we arrived, Peter could be really stubborn when he wanted to. As I ran back to the car I thought about Bella. I would have liked to see her again but I understood she had moved on, we did her no favours but at least I felt that Emmett and I had repaid our debt to a small degree, she was alive and close to marrying her love and I wished her all the best. Perhaps once Charlie was calm and controlled she might want to visit him although I understood how difficult that would be unless her husband knew about us and something told me that was a secret she would carry with her to the grave. That thought gave me the chills, the idea of a world without Bella Swan, she had shone light and warmth into at least one weary soul and I knew every one of us would remember her long after she ceased to be.

I checked my phone as I reached the car to find Charlie sitting talking to Charlotte. He was still agitated but not enraged, at least for now. There were two messages from Emmett, one to tell me that he'd attended the funeral and spoken to Bella. It seemed her mothers words about an engagement were over optimistic, Bella had broken the relationship off altogether and that made me feel a whole lot better. The other told me he was on his way home and would check in again once he got back to the house.

As Charlotte got into the back with Charlie my phone went off and it was touch and go if it set him off again in a rage but he calmed enough for me to chance answering it.

"Emmett? You got home then? I hope Rose isn't giving you too hard a time"

"Jazz you got trouble, big trouble. Alice just warned me the wolf pack know about Charlie. They'll be on your trail soon for breaking the treaty."

"Thanks for the heads up Em, once we get to the ranch it will be easier to defend ourselves."

"Rose and I would join you but that's not all the bad news. The wolves have Bella. They blame her for bringing Victoria here and her fathers death, not to mention his new state as a vampire and the death of two pack members."

"You have to get her away from them Em, you know how volatile they are. She could get seriously hurt. Wont her mother report her missing?"

"Her mum has flown back to Florida. It sounds like they had a huge row and Bella stayed in Forks. What do you want us to do if we can spring her?"

"Give me a few minutes. I'll try to rustle up some support for you."

I cursed roundly and heard a low snarl from the back having forgotten Charlie would have heard every word.

"Take me back. We have to get Bella away from the wolves."

"There's no point taking you Charlie. You aren't disciplined enough. You'd be a danger to Bella too. Don't forget she's human, your natural food source."

I saw him struggling with himself but he was strong enough to understand and accept my words and eventually he just nodded.

"Anyway most of the pack will be after us which makes it easier for the others to spring Bella."

I rang Garrett but he was still in Mexico and that was just too far, we needed to act quickly so I dialled Darius number and waited hoping he was in a cooperative mood, which wasn't often.

"Major! Its been a long time. I'm taking it you need something?"

"I do. How long would it take you to get to Seattle?"

"Seattle? Why?"

"I've got a problem with some of your favourite creatures."

"Werewolves? I doubt it there, no you mean the shape shifters don't you? What have they been up to?"

"Its a long story and I don't have time for the details but they've kidnapped a human girl for something I did, I turned her father."

"Oh, wasn't that enough to break the treaty Carlisle agreed with them? Naughty Major."

"Emmett and Rose are flying to Seattle to try and get her out but I think they might need some professional help."

"Flattery will get you everywhere but why aren't you flying to the rescue if you're so concerned?"

"Because the rest of the pack are on my tail. I'm headed for the Whitlock place with the father and Charlotte now."

"No Peter? Don't tell me he's still upset with you? Its like trying to talk sense to a toddler. Kick his butt from me will you. I can be in Seattle fast, I'm in Portland now. I had a small engagement there so it's worked out well for you. I'll meet the others in Seattle and we'll sort it from there. If we can get the girl out do you want us to join you?"

"No, I think you should find somewhere safe to stash her until I get the problem sorted out. I'm going to try a few others, Garrett's going to join us so that's a help."

"Garrett and Peter? Rather you than me Major. OK I'll let you know what happens and, Major...be careful."