Chapter 25: Wager

Riley led us North to a hunting area that was one of the many places the Denali clan rotated through. We had come here to hunt because Riley had told Emmett that the largest bears he had ever seen where polar bears. Emmett jumped at the chance to take one down.

'He'll never get over that first encounter,' I thought with a sigh.

"Are you excited about taking down a polar bear, Emmett?" Riley asked.

"Emmett is just competitive. He claims that Jazz and Edward always cheat because of their gifts. He and I are pretty evenly matched up, so he doesn't get to win as often as he'd like. He also has a vendetta against bears," Peter said.

"No way are we evenly matched up! I've beat you more times then you've beat me." Emmett protested.

"Kate is quite competitive, maybe you should challenge her," Riley said. I noticed that his emotions were peaking with mischief.

'What is Riley up to?' I thought.

"She's a girl. I can't fight with her that's just wrong," Emmett said.

Edward ran up along side me and we continued on together. As discreetly as possible Edward slipped his hand into mine and shared the memory of what Riley was thinking.

Emmett and Kate are sitting at a table and arm wrestling. The back of Kate's hand was close to touching the wooden surface of the table. Emmett was smiling broadly and looking smug, but then his expression changed and Emmett was laying flat on his back.

'What the hell?' I thought.

'Kate has a gift. She's able to generate an electric field around her body and shock anyone who touches her,' Edward replied in his thoughts.

I couldn't help but grin as I thought up my evil plan to pay Emmett back for the biting Edward during sex incident. It was a shame I couldn't get Peter, but he would too easily suspect something. Emmett was so much more trusting. I quickly slipped my hand out from Edward's grasp.

I put on a straight face and made sure my emotions were in check. "Hey Emmett, I think you should challenge Kate to an arm wrestling match. She is a vampire after all, but if you're too afraid to lose to a girl..." I said, and just left it hanging out there for him to bit.

"I'm not afraid. I'll challenge her when we get back," Emmett quickly responded.

'Way too easy, but need to make sure he is committed before I let it go.'

"You don't have to do that Emmett. We won't hold it against you," I added.

"I want to, but don't want to upset her when she loses," Emmett said.

"Kate's a big girl, she wouldn't be that upset. Besides I doubt she'll lose. She's never lost an arm wrestling match yet," Riley replied.

'Nice baiting there, Riley,' I wasn't totally sure he'd hear me, but either way he should be congratulated.

"Really? I guess I'll be the first to change that," Emmett said with a huge smile.

'Too easy!' I thought.

"Never lost a match?" I asked.

"Nope, never," Riley replied.

"Emmett, how about a little wager," I said.

"Bring it little brother," Emmett said.

"Emmet, I'm older then you," I snapped.

"Whatever," Emmett said.

"If Kate wins, then you have to buy me a Jaguar XK120," I said. I'd been eyeing that car for months, and really wanted to buy it.

"Not going to happen. What do I get when I win?" Emmett replied.

"If you win," I qualified. "What do you want?"

"An all expenses paid week in Paris with Rose," Emmett replied.

"You're on," I said and extended my hand. Emmett took my hand and we shook on the wager.

"Do you all wager like that often?" Riley asked.

"Not often, but there is little else to do with our money," Peter said, which resulted in a smack to the back of the head from me.

"What did I say?" Peter asked as he rubbed the back of his head.

"It's rude to talk about money," I said.

"We don't wager often because there is little of interest to wager on. There are also certain people I don't wager with any more because they cheat," I said the last part while looking pointedly at Edward.

"It was so worth it," Edward grinned and licked his lips.

"Ugh!" Riley said. "I need to figure out how to turn off this new ability. I don't need to know about my brother's sex life."

"That's nothing. You should hear them when they are actually having sex. Fuck me harder, Jasper," Emmett said imitating Edward's voice.

"Can't be worse then having to listen to you and Rosalie and the sounds of the furniture and walls you break while having sex!" Edward replied.

"Well at least we're not like Peter and the pixie, which are constantly eye fucking each other when you look at them," Emmett added.

"Hey! We do not eye fuck each other," Peter complained as he tackled Emmett to the ground. They began to wrestle with each other.

"Oh my God! I'm not going to be able to look at either Alice or Rosalie again without getting these mental images popping up in my head," Riley complained.

"Now you know how I feel," Edward said as we continued on leaving Peter and Emmett behind.

"Hey, wait . . . Hmpf," Peter started to say but was tackled by Emmett knocking the air from his lungs.

We continued on and ignored the two idiots as they play fought behind us a distance. We walked ahead a few miles, but when Peter and Emmett hadn't caught up Edward decided to go check on them. Riley and I stayed behind to wait for them to catch up.

"Sorry, about that back there," I said after Edward had left.

Riley sighed. "I'm sorry. It wasn't the conversation so much that bothered me."

I wasn't sure if I should prompt him to tell me what the issue was or let it go. Riley didn't know me and there was no reason for him to confide in me. I decide to take a chance and offer an ear to listen.

"Do you want to talk about what is troubling you? You don't have to, if you don't want to," I said.

"It's silly, never mind I said anything," Riley replied.

"It's not silly if it's bothering you. Whatever you say stays between us, well and Edward since he can probably still hear our thoughts out this far," I said.

Riley remained silent and I took that to mean he didn't want to talk about it. I caught the scent of a lynx and thirst flared up. I headed North in the direction of the scent with Riley beside me. He stayed close until we caught the animal a half mile further into the forest. I indicated that he could have the kill if he wanted, but he shook his head no.

'I hunted a few days ago. Go ahead, he's all yours,' Riley projected.

I quickly took down the large cat and drained it. The burn in my throat was now abated, and I felt much better. I turned to see Riley perched on a fallen tree. I quickly joined him and decided to press the issue.

"Tell me what's bothering you. You're emotions are all sad, and I don't like sad emotions," I said.

"I'm not sure what it is that's bothering me," Riley said, and I quirked an eyebrow in challenge to his statement.

Riley sighed, "I see you're not so easily fooled."

"I'm over one-hundred years old. You're going to have to try harder then that to fool me. Now, what's wrong," I replied.

"I feel alone in a way. Carmen and Eleazar have each other, and while they do look out for me I feel out of place. Tanya and her sisters look out for me too, but I'm not really close to any of them. Especially not close like Tanya would like," Riley said.

"You don't have anyone to confide in, or someone who gets you?" I said.

Riley nodded his head. "You and Edward were close while growing up?" I asked.

"Yes, very close. I guess when you share close quarters with someone you grow attached to them," Riley said with a laugh.

"In a way you have him back now. I know it won't be the same as when you were growing up, but he's back in your life," I said.

"I know that, but I also see how Peter, Emmett, Edward and you all interact. It's hard to admit this but I'm envious of that connection. I haven't had any connection like that since that night I didn't come home," Riley said sadly. I could feel the hurt and pain in his emotions that was caused that night.

"I think that is one place where I can relate," I replied. Riley quirked an eyebrow at me, and he was now curious.

"Earlier in this life I was alone too, but at the time I was not fully aware of what I was feeling. It took me a long time to realize that things were not as they seemed. I had been lied to and used because of my gift and abilities," I said.

"You said you were part of the southern wars, is that why you were changed?" Riley asked.

"Yes," I said. I turned by body so that I could face Riley, and at the same time I rolled up the shirt sleeve on my left arm.

"There is a reason I wear long sleeves," I said as Riley looked on with amazement, horror and sadness at my scars. He had seen some of them earlier, but I don't think he had truly realized how scarred my body really was.

"What happened?" Riley asked, but I'm sure he knew the answer.

"I was changed during the Civil War. I joined the Confederate Army in support of States Rights. I was seventeen at the time, and rose quickly through the ranks. When the first battle of Galveston occurred I was nineteen and the youngest major in all of Texas," I slipped my backpack off and then reached inside and pulled out Michaela's bible. I had come into the habit of carrying it with me everywhere I went lately. It made me feel like she was still with me in a way. I opened it to the spot where she had placed the photo of me, and handed it over to Riley.

"This is really impressive," Riley said as he looked at the photo before handing it back to me.

"I had a short, but very promising military career. People listened to what I had to say and it helped me immensely. My father always said it was charisma, but now I know it was something more."

I put the photo back in its place inside of Michael's bible. Riley noticed what the book was and gave me a questioning expression.

"It belonged to my sister, Michaela. It's one of the most important reminders I have of the gift she gave me," I said. I couldn't help that my eyes watered at the thought of my sister. I smiled and continued on with my story.

"I had negotiated a temporary agreement with the Union commander to evacuate the women and children from the town. My commanding officer took the opportunity to evacuate the troops as well, but I only learned this afterward. It took most of the day to organize everyone and it was after dark by the time the first group was settled in Houston."

I looked off into the distance as memories of that night flooded back to me. "We didn't have much time to get everyone evacuated, and with that in mind I headed back to Galveston. On the road back I stopped to offer my aid to three women. I had thought they were stranglers from our group, but that was not the case."

I looked back at Riley, "Maria, Nettle and Lucy, those were their names. Maria was the leader. I had been taught to respect and treat women kindly. Though my instincts told me to run my upbringing kept me there."

I sighed and rubbed the bit mark on my neck as if it still hurt. In a way it would always still hurt because of what I had lost, but I had to sometimes remind myself that I had gained much in exchange.

"There was a time in my life when I hated Maria for what she did to me, but then I look at Edward and I realize that I never would have met him or be part of this wonderful family. Maria taught me to fight, and I've never lost a fight. Every one of the vampires who bit me, except for Maria, are nothing more then a pile of ashes."

I smirked as I thought about Edward biting me. "Oh and Edward…"

Riley groaned when I added that last part.

Sorry." I chuckled, and then continued.

"I was her chief lieutenant and her lover for many years. She told me that this life was all about the war and I believed her. She manipulated me and used me because I was a superb tactician, I could defeat any vampire who tried to take me on, and I could control a large army of newborns with my gift." I had been a fool to believe her so easily, but I knew that anyone in my position would probably have done the same.

"Despite there being as many as thirty people around me at any given time I felt alone. I thought for a time that I loved Maria, but I learned it was only lust I felt for her. I never felt true love until I met Edward."

"I didn't have a real friend until Peter became part of Maria's coven. Peter was changed because of me, and by me. He's never been angry about it and he's seems happy with Alice. I can't change what happened, and I don't think I would if I had the opportunity."

"I thought there was a connection between you and Peter. You kind of treat him like a little brother, but there seems to be a bit more," Riley said.

I laughed, "We think of each other as brothers, and we have for a long time. Peter, however, is the grandson of my human brother, Nicholas," I said.

Riley looked at me stunned.

"I didn't know that when I changed him, and I may never have found out if it wasn't for my sister Michaela," I added.

"Is she a vampire too?" Riley asked.

"No. Michaela lived a full human life, and passed away a few years ago. It's a long story for another time," I said before he could ask more.

"Did Peter know who you were when you changed him?" Riley asked.

"No, it wasn't until a few months after his change when Maria called me Major Whitlock that he put it all together. He kept quiet about it until he and Alice showed up at our home in New Hampshire a decade ago," I answered

"I guess you can relate in a way to how I feel, but I think that you may have had it worse then me," Riley said.

I shrugged. "It's the past. I am happy now. I have this great family that loves me and is filled with the most amazing and pleasant emotions I could possibly wish to be immersed in."

Riley was silent for a moment. "I had talked to Eleazar about going out on my own a few months ago. He told me that the decision was mine to make, but I've been a little afraid to go out on my own."

"I can understand that too. Not knowing what was out there and being told it was only war made me fearful in a way to be on my own. I knew I could take care of myself, but the life I had with Maria was all I knew at the time.

"I want to see the world, but I don't want to do it alone. I thought about asking Tanya or one of the others to go with me, but I don't want to give Tanya the wrong idea," Riley said, and I quirked an eyebrow.

"Tanya has a thing for me," Riley said.

"Oh, I see. You don't return those feelings I take it?" I replied.

"I thought you were an empath?" Riley laughed.

"I am, but I don't go poking around in the emotions of others if I can help it. I don't poke around in the emotions of my siblings unless it's necessary. I know Rose and Emmett love each other by their actions, not by their emotions," I said.

"No, I don't return her feelings. We've discussed it and she's giving me space, but I know she still hopes that one day I will change my mind," Riley said.

"When you find that special person I'm sure you'll know instantly that they are the one for you," I said.

Riley smiled and then turned serious again. "Do . . . Do you think . . . Never mind," Riley said quickly and turned away from me. I grabbed his shoulder and turned him back to face me.

"If you're asking for a travel companion, then I'm sure that Edward would agree to go with you." I said.

Riley shook his head, "I couldn't do that to you or Edward. I know how Carmen and Eleazar feel when they are away from each other. I was asking . . ."

"You were asking for both of us to go with you?" I said, and Riley nodded his head. Part of me thought there as something different he wanted to ask, but I could have been reading him wrong. I didn't know Riley well enough to be sure.

"In a way you seem to get me, and you are also Edward's best friend and mate. I really want to know the person who makes my brother happy. I also want to try and make up for the many years we've been apart," Riley said. He appeared completely sincere about this, so maybe I had read him wrong and this was what he meant.

"Edward and I have wanted to see the world for some time now. I think this would be the perfect opportunity," I said.

Riley smiled excitedly at the prospect of traveling the world. "Where would we go?"

"Anywhere we want to go. We could see the Tower of London, the Pyramids, the Pantheon, Yellowstone, the Great Wall of China or anything else our hearts desire. We can see as much or as little as we want," I replied.

"I need to speak with Eleazar again to be sure it is still okay for me to go off on my own for a time. I'm sure he'll say yes, but I feel I should speak with him before hand," Riley said.

"Let Edward and I know when you are ready to go, and we can make plans," I replied.

Everyone was in the same spot where we had left them several hours earlier. After Edward, Emmett and Peter had finished hunting our little outing turned into a huge wrestling match. Riley also joined in the fun, but ended up with a torn shirt and got caked in mud.

"Oh my God! What happened to you?" Carmen said as she rushed over and started fussing over Riley. She reminded me of Esme, or a very over protective mother.

"Emmett . . ." Before Riley could finish speaking his thoughts a loud smack rang out. Emmett was cowering beneath a very angry looking Rosalie.

"What the hell were you thinking?" Rosalie demanded.

"He . . . he . . . tackled me," Emmett stuttered.

'Damn that boy was seriously afraid of her.'

Peter started walked backwards toward the door at this point.

"Why did you tackle him?" Carmen asked Riley.

"Peter told me to do it," Riley said, using his best manipulative expression.

"Peter Whitlock, don't you dare try and sneak away," Alice said with a menacing tone.

Five foot nothing Alice stalked over to six foot-two Peter and glared up at him. She reached up and grabbed hold of his right ear and pulled him down so that he was eye level with her.

"Ow . . . Ow . . . Alice . . . Stop . . ." Peter complained.

"You tore your shirt, and you got mud on your pants!" Alice growled at him.

I couldn't help it and burst out laughing. Alice turned her head toward me and appraised me from head to toe, but she didn't find anything out of place and my clothes were impeccably clean. She huffed and turned her attention back to Peter.

Alice's anger was suddenly replaced with excitement and amusement. The change was so quick it felt like whiplash. "Excellent idea Kate," Alice said.

I looked over to Edward for an explanation. "Kate has come up with a way to teach Emmett, and Peter, a lesson about picking on Riley."

Everyone looked at Kate waiting for her to explain her plan. "It's quite simple. One of you will arm wrestle me. If I win, then the two of you will accompany all of us women on our next shopping trip together that Alice is planning. If for some reason I should lose then I'll catch each of you a polar bear."

"Emmett volunteers," Rosalie said with a smirk.

'Did she know about Kate's gift?' I thought.

"Oh, she knows," Edward laughed.

"Rose, sweetheart, Kate's a girl. I can't arm wrestle a girl!" Emmett whined. Rosalie's eyes narrowed at Emmett, and he cringed back.

"Are you afraid of losing, Emmett?" Kate asked.

"No, I just don't want to upset my mother," Emmett said.

I turned toward Esme to see her response. "Carlisle and I are putting five hundred-dollars on Kate." Esme replied.

"There goes that excuse, you pussy!" I challenged with a huge smirk.

"Fine, but Rose and I will be enjoying Paris on your nickel this time next week!" Emmett declared.

"I have a feeling that I'll be driving my new Jaguar next week," I replied with a cocky smirk.

"I want a ride in that Jaguar!" Kate said.

"You just need to beat Emmett, and I'll happily let you take it out for a drive," I agreed.

"No problem. Right this way Emmett," Kate said as he walked out onto the back porch. She continued on until she reached a large tree stump that sat near the end of the forest line. Everyone followed behind Emmett.

Emmett and Kate took their places on each side of the tree stump and Tanya walked over to do the count down and referee.

"Don't hurt him too bad," Tanya said.

Kate looked over to Rosalie. "Kick his butt. I want to see that Jaguar."

"Rose! I can't believe you're not rooting for me!" Emmett complained.

"Sorry, love but a Jaguar is much better then a week in Paris," Rosalie replied.

"Get ready," Tanya said.

Emmett and Kate grasped hands while staring each other down. Edward chose that moment to share a vision that Alice had about this little challenge.

Kate and Emmett were locked in a close match at the start, but Emmett soon had the edge and he was getting cocky. Kate smirked as her hand neared the flat surface of the stump. She looked over at me before turning back to Emmett. "Enjoy your Jaguar, Jasper."

I was distracted from the vision as Kate's words echoed those that I'd heard in the vision. The next split second the back of Emmett's hand made contact with the opposite side of the tree stump and he was flat on his back on the ground beside it.

"What the hell was that?" Emmett said when Kate released his hand.

"You got hit by a bolt of lightning. You must have pissed off Zeus," Riley said with a smirk.

Emmett rubbed the back of his head and gave us all an odd expression like he didn't realize he'd been zapped, and everyone burst out laughing. "I guess we'll need a rematch."

Everyone was laughing so hard I was having a hard time keeping myself from falling down and rolling around laughing. If I'd been human, I'd have been crying from the fits of laughter I was feeling. I hung onto Edward to keep from falling, but that only intensified his laughter.

Rosalie who was also laughing walked over to Emmett. "Emmett, honey, I love you, but sometimes you can be so dense. Kate is gifted, that zap was not lightning."

Everyone was calming down, but then Emmett spoke. "Oh, then what was the zap that I felt?"

Another round of hysterical laughter ensued, but this time I slumped back against Edward who held me up. "Emmett, Kate zapped you. Her gift is being able to create the illusion of an electrical field around her body," Edward said.

"Oh... Wait! You cheated!" Emmett declared.

"You didn't specify any rules. All is fair game," Kate stated firmly.

"I want the Jaguar in a deep forest green and the convertible model," I said.

Emmett mumbled something so low that even with my vampire hearing I missed what he said, and then he stalked off to go sulk.

"Is he going to be ok?" Kate asked with worry as she watched Emmett disappear into the forest.

"He'll be fine when he's done sulking. My childish husband hates to lose," Rosalie replied.

"Emmett is very competitive. He'll go sulk, find a bear or two to fight then he'll be fine." Edward added.

Everyone started to drift back toward the house, and back to their previous conversations.