Chelsea's Chains

***Alec's point of view***

"Well, I guess it all started a few months ago, shortly after Demetri saw Bella at a night club." I began hesitantly.

Jasper growled lowly at the mention of Demetri but I continued my tale.

"Aro had been intrigued by Bella and Jasper's deflection from the Cullen coven. He sought out information about you two. After a few months he knew all that he could from rumors. That Jasper was from the south but had joined Carlisle's coven. He also found that Bella was an extremely well controlled newborn. He assumed it was because of Jasper's influence and past experience with them. Anyway, he wanted to get them to Volterra using any means needed and assembled a special team in order to do it. A few elite guards were chosen, and my sister and I were chosen to lead them."

Several of them let out hisses and low growls. Carlisle quickly shushed them. When they had all fallen silent he bid me to continue.

"So we were training extensively, during one session Chelsea was knocked totally unconscious. While her mind was busy trying to heal itself, her gift was out. If you don't know, her ability is to affect relationships. She can choose to strengthen or weaken relationships or even completely sever them. While she was out, I was no longer bound by her gift. My mind was unaffected for the first time in centuries and I didn't like what I had become."

"What happened when she was in control again?" Carlisle asked.

"When she was in control again, so was her gift. Only I wasn't affected by it as I had been. I could see through it. I felt it come over me again but not as strongly. I was able to ignore it and make my own decisions. Most of the guard is under her control. The only ties I had left was my beloved Jane, my twin sister. Yet she didn't seem to wake as I did. It took me weeks to realize the change in me was because I was no longer affected by Chelsea and I was no longer bound to the Volturi. I then realized why Jane had not woken, she had never been affected, and her loyalty to Aro is real. She has twisted and warped herself to what he wants from her out of her own free will. I was horrified that Jane had not needed to be affected but had allowed me to be."

They all looked shocked and angry. I continued on, I didn't need their sympathy, just understanding and patience.

"I know you won't believe this but Jane use to be a very sweet girl. We loved each other very much and I took care of her before Aro. He has twisted our love into something false, an imitation of the way we use to be. My sister really does enjoy her gift, she is truly sadistic and loves the pain she inflicts on others. I couldn't do it anymore, and I can't just sit back and watch her do it either. I knew she wouldn't leave with me, so I hid my distaste for them behind my indifferent mask and waited for Demetri to return from tracking you guys. When he did he told me only the two males were at the house. That the rest of you had disappeared and were openly defying Aro's request. I quickly made my way to the white house but I had missed you, I followed you to the airport and tricked the people behind the counter into telling which plane you had caught."

I paused and took in their reactions; they were listening with open minds it seemed.

"I also caught a plane to New Zealand but I didn't use that airport. I traveled to New York to catch a plane. When I arrived here, I began tracking vampires and eventually I found my way to the smaller island."

Now that my tale was done, I was hesitant to ask my request again in front of them all.

"I do not wish to return to them. I would like to make my own decisions and enjoy the rest of my existence without fear of them. I beg you to allow me to stay."

I waited for them to judge me; to once again be cast out. I didn't know who would answer but when the beautiful brunette smiled, I couldn't help but return it. I knew then that everything would be okay. I released a breath I hadn't known I was holding.

***Jasper's pint of view***

As Alec told his story I could feel how truthful his words were. He couldn't be lying. I could also feel my family's suspicion evaporate to be replaced with sympathy and compassion. My mother was already softening and wishing desperately to comfort him.

When he asked to stay I immediately turned to gauge Carlisle reaction. Before he could speak Bella smiled brilliantly and offered him a room on the third floor, it was between Edward's and Alice's. I was surprised that we hadn't even discussed it but I knew that it was Bella's house and her decision was ultimately the only one that mattered. She met my stare unblinkingly, smiled coyly and sent "Trust me" telepathically to me.

I could never deny her anything, especially my trust. So I accepted that she knew what she was doing. I nodded in agreement. He seemed elated that he would be allowed to stay and I could feel him relax. He quickly gave us a rundown on the current Volturi guards and their special talents, along with names, descriptions and abilities. Information about their new training program and as much as he could guess on Aro's dire need to see Bella. Even why he might want the whole family to be in his grasp. I could bet his guesses were pretty close to the mark, especially after knowing of Aro for centuries.

After he had finished his briefing, Alice volunteered to see him to his room, and Edward joined them so he could listen in on Alec's thoughts when he was alone. After a brief discussion with Carlisle we quickly made our exit.

I couldn't wait to know Bella's reason for allowing Alec to stay with us. We returned to the cottage and as soon as the door was closed. I kissed Bella hard, pushing her up against the wall and picking her up so that she could wrap her legs around my waist.

The nerves and panic of the day began to fade and we were both relaxing into the comfort of each other's presence. I pulled back enough so that I was far enough that we could talk and not be too tempted to continue our previous activities while we were still as physically close as possible.

"I let him stay because he really needed our help, he is giving us all the tactical information we need on the Volturi and he is going to be very special to our family, very soon."

I listened to her response and while I wasn't totally at ease with him being so close to my mate, I would allow him to stay as long as he wasn't a danger to my love. However, I would be keeping a close eye on Alec Volturi.

I wondered why he would be special to our family but I wouldn't press for information. She would tell me when I needed to know and enjoy watching me figure it out until then.

My thoughts turned somber as I realized I would also need to keep an eye on my brother. He was feeling a lot of possessiveness, jealousy, bitterness and anger. I know he would never harm Bella or me, or any member of our family but he would soon make a move on my Bella in an attempt to reclaim her and the true battle for her love would begin.

I hoped our love was strong enough to face all the trials that were coming towards us. Aro, Victoria, and the nostalgia of her first true love.

***Bella's point of view***

I had successfully been dodging Edward for days; keeping myself busy with the house, the workers, Alec and of course my love Jasper.

However, I knew I couldn't hide from him forever and it would only be a matter of time before we had our little heart to heart. I hoped we would both survive, literally. I feared that I would kill him every time he came to near. I didn't want to inflict any emotional or physical damage on him and I hoped he felt the same.

I knew one of us would lose it and it would turn into an argument. I don't want any of us to hurt anymore. I know one of us will and I have grimly accepted that it will be Edward who is hurt the most. I cannot be that girl that he loved. The sooner he realizes it the better off we will all be. The sooner the healing can begin… again.

***Jasper's point of view***

Bella and I had spent another beautiful night together and we once again found ourselves watching the sun rise, wrapped in each other's arms. She needed to drop off the new plans for the manor so I jumped in to the shower while she was gone.

I could feel her serenity all the way to the construction site; she was slowly making her way back, enjoying the morning. Suddenly her emotions shifted to nervous, afraid and angry. I feared that Alec had finally attacked. I grabbed my jeans, not even bothering to dry myself and raced away to save my girl.

As I got close enough I was able to identify the source of my sweet angel's fear. Edward.

They seemed to simply be talking but quickly it turned into a full blown argument. Bella was beyond furious, while my brother was hurt and confused.

"I told you how sorry I am, why can't you forgive me?" His voice was filled with tears he could never shed.

"I do forgive you, Edward. I forgive you for everything." Bella was exasperated and trying to regain her calm. I guess she had already told him several times.

"Then why won't you take me back? Why don't you still love me? I can't believe you betrayed me with my own brother! What happened to you!? What happened to us?" I growled, he was shouting at my love and my darker side was displeased. I couldn't believe Edward was shouting at a lady.

I was seeing red but I held myself absolutely still to see what Bella would do.

"What happened to me? Betrayed?" Her voice was calm and steady but her fierce gaze belied her gentle tone. I was instantly terrified for my brother. "You left me Edward. I was broken and alone to face the dangers you left me in. Danger you had sworn to protect me from. I wanted to die, every day was a struggle to keep my promise and stay alive for Charlie. It was too late though. I had died that day in the woods, the moment you had walked out of my life. I was a zombie and I was dying, being driven insane by Laurent's venom. Jasper saved me, brought me back to life, and reanimated the corpse that wore my face. He made me strong, beautiful, and graceful. He allowed me to be able to look after and protect myself. I no longer need to be looked after or guarded from danger, he understands that. I don't need or want someone dictating my life and keeping things from me. I now have the strength and speed that rivals your own."

Bella tore apart a few trees and crushed a boulder. She really was calm but I could feel the darkness within her welling up. Her wild nature was slowly creeping to the surface. If she attacked the weaker Dagda, he wouldn't stand a chance.

"If you could just give me a chance I could prove to you that nothing has changed." Edward desperately cried.

Bella went totally still for a split second before the Arazil demon broke free of her careful control and exploded out of her. She began shrieking and loudly snarling at my brother.

"I am not your Bella any longer. She died. She is stone cold dead. Everything has changed, Edward. Everything." She was trying to reign in the demon.

Edward was shaking his head, denying her words.

"I will show you the truth." She dropped the shield from her mind and showed him everything. His weak spirit shrank back from the demon residing within his only love and he finally realized why Bella and I were truly meant for each other.

I had always hidden the demon from him and he never understood that I was a real demon while he was an imitation. He believed he lacked a soul but his wasn't as inherently evil as we were.

***Edward's point of view***

I was waiting for Bella to be alone to speak with her. So when she went to take blueprints to the building crew and Jasper took a shower, I seized the chance.

I could smell her sweet scent before she entered the clearing but once she spotted me, she froze. A light breeze brought her scent towards me and I could detect a hint of my brother's scent mixed with her sweetly floral one.

I was exceedingly hurt to have my love standing rigidly before me looking startled and fearful; smelling of fresh sex while my brother scent clung to her. I pushed it all aside to pled with her to take me back.

"Don't you love me anymore?" I asked dreading her answer. She sighed.

"I will always love you. It is just not the way I did. Edward, you are my first love and always will be, nothing will ever be able to change that but Jasper is my eternity. The truth is you are in love with a memory, I am not that girl and you no longer know me. I cannot pretend to be someone else for all of time just to make you happy."

"I told you how sorry I was, why can't you forgive me?" I was aware of another presence. I guess if you speak of the devil he appears because Jasper stood off to the left of the clearing we were in the middle of. That is how I now thought of my brother, the demon who stole my innocent angel.

I continued to plead with Bella, trying to make her understand and forgive me. She needed to know that I wouldn't get over her. She was my someone, forever.

She spoke calmly and it scared me, I could see the stormy fury swirling in her eyes. Her words cut me like knives. My Bella couldn't be gone, couldn't be dead. She stood before me. I needed to make her see.

"If you could just give me a chance. I could make you see that nothing has changed." She went totally still like a marble statue before she began screaming. I was so shocked, I couldn't hear her words at first but I figured it out when she dropped her shield and showed me everything from the first time she saw me to the meadow, my face as I told her I loved her, as I saved her from James, dancing at prom, the birthday party, my face over the days that followed, my face as I harshly told her I didn't want her; flashes of Laurent, Jacob and Jasper. Riding motorcycles and hanging at the beach with Jacob. Making love with Jasper, the change, her first hunt, the island, the family, me, and she finally showed me the Arazil demon that lived within her, hiding deep in her soul.

I no longer doubted our souls, she had showed me not only hers but mine as well. I believed Bella could never be soulless. She was too beautiful and pure, even being tainted by the demon's blood and having it simmering within her. I felt defeated. I could never understand her demon. My Dagda spirit shied away from her inner monster. I still loved her but even though she had put the shield back up, I could still feel the darkness in her and the pleasure she had felt in scaring me.

I could hear the purring of the demons inside both of them; they were truly mated and she and I could never be. Their souls recognized the connection and responded to each other with a sense of satisfaction.

Even with all the love she still felt for me there was no way to compete with her love for Jasper. I didn't want to see it, but there was no denying it. I couldn't stand for it to be true but when her shield was down, I could see everything and I knew I no longer held her heart.

The human Bella may have loved me best but she was no longer human and no longer mine. This filled me with sorrow but I quickly turned it into resolve.

I had always promised to do what was best for Bella, no matter how much it hurt me. I had thought my leaving was for the best and I was gravely mistaken. Now I would face the consequences of my actions. I would never leave her again; I would stay no matter what it cost me. I would stand beside her, being the best friend I could to her and a good brother to Jasper. I could only hope that my love would eventually fade enough to morph into a brotherly love. I doubted it ever would but I would be here in case she changed her mind. I could gracefully step aside as I had always promised myself I would.

I wondered if I couldn't have the one I wanted, my first true love, would I be forced to spend eternity alone. No, I may not have a mate but with the love of my family and our friends, I would never have to be alone or lonely.

Even with my heart breaking, I was finally thankful for this life, I felt real hope and was excited for the future.