Here's an extra long chapter to say that I'm sorry it took me this long to update. Paranormal Host just took up all of my time and inspiration. This story is finally what I wanted it to be from the beginning. After much thought I decided that the true beginning to this story is just going to be another story completely that I've already started but will wait to upload. Have a good day ya'll (:
Important note: Since fan fiction has suddenly started enforcing their ratings I can't actually write explicit sex scenes. That doesn't mean they won't be written, they just wont be uploaded here. The next chapter will contain NC-17 content but the chapter uploaded here will only be M by fan fiction standards. I will post the link to the 'fun' chapter when that is uploaded. It's a tumblr blog and can be viewed from practically any device because the code is super simple. Enjoy this chapter now (:
Jasper bounded down the stairs to head to the empty chamber where the brothers usually held their meetings. He was met with the site of his brother Peter and his mate Charlotte. They were engaged in a private conversation when he broke into the room with a gigantic smile on his face. They acknowledged him with a smile as he made his way to them.
Bella was coming home today. He didn't know when he had started calling Volterra that. It was somewhere in between the Peter-Charlotte fest and this morning. Peter and Charlotte's arrival had happened three days ago and the place had been lit with a sort of excited happiness since then. Jasper couldn't help project his emotions especially after yesterday when they had had a break through with Gregory.
Peter, himself and Jackson had somehow extracted the information they needed without torturing the vampire. Now that they had what they needed he couldn't wait to get all their plans in motion. He was planning to let the brothers know that they knew their secrets and to move forward and create a more stable plan. Everyone knew though that when it came down to the battle, the first thing to go was exactly that; the plan.
Jasper gave Peter a brotherly hug and kissed Charlotte's hand. "If you kiss your girl like that no one will be safe from you tonight cowboy," Charlotte winked and then laughed at Peter's growl.
"That's not cool man," he said bringing his wife into him and away from Jasper. He couldn't help but just smile and fill the room with their excitement and joy. "When's your girl supposed to show up?" Peter asked.
Jasper's grin became wider, "She called an hour ago, they arrived in Pisa. They'll be here any minute." He had done exactly as Bella asked and delivered her message to Alice, Edward, Jackson, Gregory and the Brothers that now included Carlisle. Gregory and Marilyn however had created a sort of team now. Edward had overheard Marilyn trying to convince Gregory to not help so Jasper had had a quick talk with her.
She was either to leave and endure his wrath when they did win the war or stay and keep out of the way only to help when needed. She agreed to stay out of their way after a huge argument with her mate that had left the downstairs of the castle a mess. Jasper had only rolled his eyes and continued to train. With Jackson and Peter by his side training vampires, they knew that they could take on anything. Especially now that they knew what to take on.
Jasper paced the room while Edward, Alice and Gregory joined them in the chamber. Jackson was taking care of some business with the other vampires who had recently arrived a day before. They were gifted but that didn't mean much to Jasper. He needed them to be able to fight.
He knew that he was burning a hole into the ground with his pacing but he couldn't help it. He felt a pressure in his chest like the ghost of his heart was trying to beat. He didn't know how to explain it but he knew Bella was close.
"That's your connection," Peter said and everyone turned to look at him. "That's how you know she's your mate." Jasper nodded and then looked at Edward. They had come so close. It would have been Edward who would have felt that connection and not him. He felt conflicting emotions coming from Edward but before he could say anything about it the doors opened and Jackson walked in. Instantly Edward's emotions became annoyed and frustrated.
They still didn't like each other much but they were much more civil now that they weren't fighting in training.
Jackson made eye contact with Jasper and walked over to him. He felt uneasy and unsure. "I finished with the new arrivals."
"Did they handle the training well?" Jasper asked wondering if that was why Jackson's emotions felt off.
"Very well actually. They're good fighters," Jackson could hold a straight face and nobody would know what was really inside. Half the time Jasper didn't even know because of Jackson's power.
"Then what's wrong?" He asked finally getting to the point.
Jackson looked away and made eye contact with Alice. Jasper got an uneasy feeling and was prepared to step in and stop him from making a mistake. "I was talking to the seer about what we need," he said, "she says she might know how to help us."
Jasper rolled his eyes and walked over to Alice who had the decency to look like she hadn't heard the conversation. He crossed his arms and looked at her sternly, "So you think you can help?"
"I know so," she said in that same tone of voice he had always hated. She always felt like she should have a part in everything just because she could see the future, just because her visions never failed.
"No tricks, no games, no maybes," Alice took a page out of Jasper's book and rolled her eyes at him. "Alice, there are life's on the line. Do you think you can honestly help?"
At that her face and her emotions took a serious tone, "Of course, I would be out looking for help if Bella hadn't insisted I stay for this meeting." Jasper refused to tell her that Bella hadn't insisted because he didn't want to start an argument.
"We'll talk more about this when she arrives," he said. They waited a few more minutes until all of them were as quiet as could be. Jasper jumped when he heard the receptionist from downstairs greet an arrival party. He broke through the doors again and waited for Bella at the top of the stairs.
When he saw her he didn't think he just ran to her and pulled her into his arms. She was more beautiful than he remembered and her lips were softer than the last time he had kissed her. He spun her around on the spot not bothering to mind his manners in front of the vampires that were flanking her. He felt her smile into their lips and she broke apart from him. Later she whispered as she took him in.
He touched his lips to hers one last time before properly looking at her. Her eyes were as bright as they could be even though she had just traveled miles and miles to be here. Her hair was in a ponytail and he tugged the ends of it slightly. A promise to her to pay better attention to it later. She was dressed in a red blouse and tight jeans that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her cape was wrapped around her and tied at her neck. Her pale skin and the cape contrasted dramatically and all Jasper could think of was taking her right then and there even if that meant having an audience.
Bella/Jasper
She let him run his eyes over her as she ran her eyes over him. It must have all happened in five seconds but to Bella it felt like a million years. She stepped away from him because he was starting to project and she was sure her guests would not appreciate it if they started some kind of orgy at the entrance to the chambers.
"Jasper I'd like you to meet some vampires," he turned around as he brought her closer to his body. "You remember Demetri, Chelsea and Alec." Jasper nodded at them and sent them all some gratitude for keeping his mate safe. He would forever be in their debt. "I think you met Tristan and Jessica briefly." He had. They were the other two vampires that Aro and Marcus had sent to help bring the shield. They didn't have any powers but they had been great fighters and Jasper had been pissed off to have lost them.
"Of course you remember Alexander," Alexander came up to Jasper and bowed slightly. Jasper backed up feeling slightly shocked. Bella knew because apparently Jasper was having trouble keeping emotions to himself today.
"Jasper, long time no see." Jasper smiled but it didn't seem genuine, "can I just say how shocked I am that you weren't asked to sit next to my brother and Marcus."
"Carlisle was a better fit," he said and looked at him as if to dare him to continue.
"Sure sure," Alexander said and looked at Bella, "I'm going to go talk to the better fit and the other two to tell them we have arrived. Cheerio."
Bella nodded and shrugged her shoulders at a bewildered Jasper. "Last but not least, this is Michael, Lucia and her mate Benjamin."
She waited for Jasper to take them in but didn't have to guess his emotions. He bowed slightly to Michael the maker and nodded appropriately to Lucia and Benjamin. It seemed that Jasper was picking up proper vampire etiquette. 10 years ago she would have laughed at that but she knew that some vampires took hierarchy to a whole new level and to them it matter how they were greeted and Michael didn't seem pleased that Bella and Jasper had practically jumped each other in his presence but she couldn't give two flying fucks about it.
"Michael is both Lucia's maker and Benjamin's," Bella informed Jasper even though he already knew. "Alec," she said when the formalities were over, "I would like you to make our guests feel at home until the brothers are ready to meet with them."
"Alec," Michael said speaking up for the first time, "No no I much rather have Tristan cater to us." Jasper felt Tristan's anger hit him hard and he tugged at Bella's hood softly to let her in on Tristan's emotions. He felt her struggle with her decision but nodded in agreement. Tristan was angry and resentful now but all of it was directed at Michael instead of Bella.
"This way," Tristan said breaking from the group and leading them to the other side of the castle. Michael followed closely behind him but Lucia and Benjamin lingered for just a second. The whole time they had been there they had not spoken or looked away from Bella and Jasper. At first Jasper thought they were looking at them both but he had been wrong.
"It's okay," Bella said in a whisper too low and too fast for Michael to hear. Lucia nodded and took her mate's hand in hers and followed her maker. They watched as the Amazonian beauty strutted behind her maker. Jasper had to admit she was gorgeous and exotic. He had never seen a vampire like her before but the tough exterior didn't fool him. She was naive and skeptical of everything and he could feel every wave of insecurity coming off of her.
"What was that?" Jasper asked when the Brazilian coven was too far to hear them.
"Remember how she wouldn't come unless she met with me?" He nodded and took her hand in his while Demetri, Alec and Chelsea went to the chamber. "Well apparently Edward spent some time in Brazil after he left me and told another vampire about me. How I could block him from hearing my thoughts. This vampire spread it around that a human could keep a vampire out and somehow it got to Lucia. She thought that she was the only one who could block and she became intrigued with me. But I was only a human, she didn't know I had been changed.
Somehow the news of the Volturi's impending war spread to Brazil and she heard about me again. A vampire who could block but the news didn't say if I could just block thoughts or if I was like her. When Alexander went to meet her and she asked about me she insisted on meeting me. Michael was angered that his child would consider rebelling against him and that's why it took us so long to come. He had to warm up to me but she was good to come since the first week."
"Why is she so attached to him?" Jasper asked even though he already knew the answer. Hadn't he been the same way with Maria? He didn't know any other life, he didn't know he could be his own person.
"She doesn't know anything but the kingdom he created for her in Brazil but she's starting to question him. Trust me, the only way he's getting out of this castle is in ashes."
"How are you so sure?" he asked pulling her closer. He was already done with this conversation. He wanted her upstairs, naked, and moaning under him.
She shrugged and kissed him on the cheek, teasing him, "I just have a feeling, besides I promised Benjamin I would light the fire myself."
The mention of Lucia's mate put the brakes on Jasper, "Why? Isn't Michael his sire as well."
"Mhmm," Bella said nibbling the underside of Jasper's jaw, "he broke the bond decades ago but stayed because Lucia didn't want to leave. Now that she's exposed to the world around her and the possibility of a better life he and I think we can convince her to break away."
"You're becoming allies with another vampire," he said slightly unfazed by her breath under his ear, "Are you sure they're mates?"
"Why? Are you jealous," she said rubbing her body a little harder against him. He growled as he picked her up and smashed their bodies against the concrete wall; successfully making a dent.
"Maybe," Bella wrapped her legs around him as she played with his hair at the nape of his neck, it would never grow back to the blond locks he used to have but she was okay with that. "Maybe I don't like that you spent a month with Benjamin," he carefully bit her where nobody would see under her cape, "Alexander," he was careful again not to leave a huge bite mark, "or Alec, even Demetri."
Bella laughed in spite of feeling extremely turned on, "I love your jealous side."
Someone cleared their throat at the top of the stairs but Jasper refused to separate from Bella. She however looked up at the stairs and found Demetri standing there. "Yes?" she asked.
"I heard my name," he smirked when Jasper growled and sneaked a glance up but kept his head down so that Demetri couldn't see the love marks on Bella's neck, "Also the brother's are ready to meet with you two."
He walked away with that same devious smirk plastered on his face and a happy hop in his step.
"Can't we just bail and go to our room?" Jasper asked kissing Bella's healing bites. He had been careful not to let his venom seep through so that she wouldn't kill him for those later.
"No…" Bella said reluctantly as she put her feet back on the ground. She traced her fingers along Jasper's jaw and wondered why she hadn't just fallen in love with him instead of Edward. Why couldn't Alice have seen Edward in her vision instead of Jasper? Why couldn't she have been Jasper's singer from the beginning? She took Jasper's hand in hers and led him over to the chamber without saying another word and instead she sent her love and affection through their bond and his gift. They hadn't said it out loud yet but with his gift, they didn't have to.
As soon as they entered the room everyone's attention was on them. Aro, Marcus and Carlisle were not in the room yet but Bella was used to that. Aro didn't wait around for anyone, he was the last one to make an entrance.
Bella looked around and she found the only vampire she didn't know. Alice, Edward, and Gregory were there along with some of the high ranking guard. Then there was a vampire that blended in perfectly with everyone else but stood out all at the same time. She assumed he was Jackson so she walked over to him and smiled. "Jackson?" she asked. He nodded and slightly bowed to her. "When we're done here I want you to find a vampire named Tristan. Ask him anything you need to know about Michael; the shields maker to seem as authentic as possible. Is that okay?"
"That is perfectly fine with me Miss Swan," he said bowing again.
Bella cringed at the mention of her last name which she hadn't used in years. Despite Charlies last name being near and dear to her heart, that part of her life was over. She had gone by Volturi since she didn't want anything to do with the last name Cullen anymore. Volturi had been her only option.
"I no longer go by that name," she said politely and avoided all eye contact with the Cullen's in the room, "if you insist on calling me by my last name then you should know it's Volturi now, otherwise call me Bella."
"I apologize," he said smiling and looking not at all apologetic. Bella sighed and instantly searched for Jasper who was standing behind her giving her some space to talk with Jackson. She reached for his hand and held it tightly in her own. She was trying not to be the bitch she knew she was yearning to be. Not that being Aro's child or protector had gotten to her head or anything she just wasn't used to not being in some kind of power position around here. She could already tell that the ranks were disappearing around here. According to Emmet, Jasper had taken on a leadership roll with the majority of the vampires, Jackson danced to the rhythm of his own drums, and Aro and Marcus had retreated into the shadows and watched as everyone else prepared to fight.
She didn't know where to fit in around here and she wasn't about to be Bella; Jasper Whitlock's mate. Two vampires walked in just then and Bella knew from the scents that lingered near Jackson that these were of Peter and Charlotte. They had been in the chamber before them but not when they had arrived. Bella assumed the reason for them leaving was in their hands. A small wooden box that the female carried with her as if it were a child.
"Bella," Jasper said giving her hand a squeeze, "this is my brother Peter and my sister Charlotte." Despite having created them Jasper didn't seem to treat them as his children. Bella could feel love and protection coming from him the nearer they got.
"I'm so glad to finally meet you Bella," Charlotte said handing her the box she was holding, "when we heard you arrive I remembered that we had brought this for you. It's a music box that Peter gave to me in Houston after we left Maria's…..when we started our life together," she said instead.
Bella opened the beautifully crafted box and found a little wooden ballerina dancing along to the soft sounds of faded music. Time had certainly had an effect on the wood and on the battery of the recorder.
"This is so beautiful," she said but extended it back to Charlotte, "I can't take this. This means so much to you, it belongs to you." Charlotte shook her head and pushed it back.
"I've had my time with it. It's time to pass it on," she took Peter's hand and encouraged him to back her up.
"She's right. Now you go ahead and take the box Missy. You enjoy it you hear?" Bella laughed and gave the box to Jasper. She hugged Charlotte and Peter surprising them both. If she could cry she would. Nobody had given her anything in 10 years as meaningful and beautiful as what Charlotte and Peter had given her.
"You told me she wasn't sappy," Bella heard Peter say to Jasper and she laughed some more. They talked about their time in the castle and her time in Brazil for a while before Bella felt a tug deep inside her. It was the bond that had grown over ten years of loyalty and love for her maker. She stopped in the middle of telling them about a hunting trip in the Amazon to look to the side where she knew they would enter in seconds. Seeing as the rest of the room had been silent or else submerged into their own conversations they heard her stop and stared at her before they felt the three vampires nearing the room.
The doors opened to reveal the three brothers that now included Carlisle. Bella was so excited that she nearly ran all the way to Aro at vampire speed before slowing down. She knelt in front of him and took his hand to touch it to her forehead. A sign of respect that she had learned a few years ago while traveling. When she stood she saw something on Aro's face that she rarely ever witnessed, at least not a genuine one. A crooked beautiful smile. She jumped up and hugged her maker like she hadn't seen him in years.
The Volturi didn't behave like the Cullen's. They didn't go on hunting trips together or sit around and discuss their emotions. They weren't an open family with traditional values. They were organized vampires who went through plans logically and coldly because that's what was required to maintain a strong government for all vampires. They may not have been humans in thousands of years but she had brought a sense of humanity back into the castle.
Marcus had loved his mate and killed for her. Aro had created a coven and although he could have eliminated his brother from the beginning to stop him from slowing down his progress, he had not. Despite his cold demeanor and taunting attitude toward other vampires, Bella knew that underneath all that lay a creator of great things. She had always believed that there was more to Aro but he didn't allow himself to show it in case others thought of him as weak.
So she breathed a sigh of relief when he hugged her back strongly. She pulled away and hugged Marcus who knew how to show emotion without making it obvious. He didn't have to hug anyone or punish them to teach them a lesson or two about humanity. He smiled at her as she went to Carlisle next. She extended her hand even though everything inside her screamed no. She knew her place in this castle. Even if she wasn't as highly regarded as her mate she was still in the guard and her loyalty was clear.
Carlisle shook her hand as she quickly curtsied. Behind her the rest of the high ranking guard showed their respect to the brother's but not as kindly as she had. By the time they were done she was back with Jasper facing the front where the three brothers now sat. It was a bit unnerving to see the chair that once housed Caius be used by Carlisle. He looked strangely at home in the black robes and gold chair.
"Bella," Aro said and she stepped forward and away from Jasper, "Did all of our guests arrive safely?"
"Yes, they're on the other side of the castle guarded by Tristan."
"And what is your plan?" he asked while his hands created some sort of triangle. He always did that, it was his way of 'getting down to business.'
Bella stole a quick glance at Gregory and then back at Jasper, "For both Lucia and Gregory to guard you. Preferably Gregory's shield would go around all three of you," she paused and looked at Marcus and Carlisle, "and Lucia would protect you specifically Aro."
Aro nodded and straightened back out, "is there anything else you can tell me about her gift? Gregory's power is strong enough to encircle the entire castle. He can surely protect us all together."
"I have no doubt that Gregory can create a safety net for a peaceful gathering but there should be no shield around the rest of us if it comes to a fight. Lucia can wrap independent shields around whomever she chooses as well as protect a group. She has agreed to protect me, Jasper, and the part of the guard she has met. I'm sure that if I talk to her she will agree to protect more. She can also directly change someone's desire to attack but then she wouldn't be able to concentrate on the shields."
"So what you're saying is that it's one way or another," Aro asked.
Bella nodded, "Yes."
"Does her power have a weakness?" Aro asked and Bella's spiddy senses tingled. She felt Jasper's gift slowly reach her back, almost like a soft caress. They hadn't agreed yet to reveal their knowledge about Aro's secret so she wouldn't do it now. She knew that Aro still hoped for a civil agreement but it was wishful thinking.
"She hasn't shown one what's so ever," she said, "but I'm sure that her maker will be a factor. Jackson has agreed to help on that front. He will not be a problem much longer."
"Very well, is there anything else we need to discuss?" Oh yeah thought Bella but she held her tongue. She wanted to talk to the group alone first.
"No, not that I'm aware of." Aro nodded and looked at Jasper urging him to step forward.
"I am pleased with your work Whitlock, you have trained some of my best and made them far better than I could have imagined," Jasper muttered a quick thank you. "However I know that your recent bonding with my child will not be in my best interest should this all turn deadly."
Bella and Jasper looked at each other shocked but they had prepared for this. For the possibility that Aro would want to separate them or kill one of them. Bella knew that he wasn't above this but if the past was an indication that Aro didn't kill those that he loved then she was safe but she didn't know about Jasper.
"I'm no coward," Aro said standing up and walking around his brothers, "if Rimush decides to use force then I will face my maker. Don't worry about protecting me Jasper. I would hope that you, Bella are wise enough to put yourself before your mate and before me."
Jasper didn't have to be a mind reader to know that Bella would put herself last. The question was, who would she put first?
"Aro-" Bella started to say but was interrupted by Aro's hand suddenly in front of her.
"I'm not finished," Aro said taking her hand in his, "I don't have a chance to live if I face my maker alone, I understand that. An army, two other brothers, you- it will delay him yes, but my venom travels through your veins. You will not die, you will not protect me. If it was up to me you wouldn't be there at all. Had this happened 9 years ago I would have kept you locked away in a tower far away but I know you my child, you would not have that." Bella shook her head furiously, venom pooling around the rims of her eyes; the same venom that Aro had spoken about seconds before. "I demand that no one come to my aid if I find myself facing my maker."
He spoke to the whole room but looked at Bella with gleaming red eyes, "Do you understand?"
"Yes," she whispered. It was like the first day Jasper had seen her all over again. A simple demand and an unwilling compliance.
Aro let go of her hand and turned to walk away from the room without waiting for his brothers. Marcus left through the front and Carlisle stayed. Jasper assumed he was in on the secret that everyone knew about already. It was like a high school drama. Aro didn't know that they knew.
Jasper took Bella into his arms and stroked her hair until her emotions calmed. She pulled herself away and smiled at him delicately. The room was broken up into small groups discussing things that Jasper had no interest in. Bella looked to the front of the room as if she expected someone to walk in. Jasper furrowed his brow and looked at her strangely. A second later Alexander walked in with a big smile plastered on his face.
Had Bella known that Alexander would come in through the door before anyone else even felt him?
"Hello, what have I missed?" Alexander asked immediately having everyone's attention. Bella walked up to him and hugged him quickly.
"There are some of you who don't know this vampire yet. He is Alexander, Aro's biological brother." There was a silent gasp that traveled through the small gathering of vampires. They knew by now that Aro had a brother but it always shocked Jasper a bit when he remembered that it was in fact, Alexander.
"Where were you?" Jasper asked crossing his arms.
"Keeping tabs on me now are you Jasper?" Alexander asked smirking and putting a protective arm around Bella.
"Where were you?" Jasper asked again.
He rolled his eyes and walked Bella back over to him, "If you must know mother, I was keeping Tristan some company. God knows that Michael can be a stick up that boys bum. No pun intended, or is it?"
Bella punched Alexander in the arm quickly and death glared him. Jasper now knew where that anger had come from earlier. He had had no idea.
"Why don't we hurry this along," Bella asked walking over to Gregory, "I want to hear it from you, you saw them didn't you."
Gregory looked taken aback. He had been lounging in the back listening to everything go down. He didn't think he would be approached so rapidly.
"Yes I saw them."
"How many?" Gregory looked at Carlisle and then back at Bella.
"At least 10, that's a lot of magic. Those witches were making the werewolves stronger and drawing humans into the camps."
Bella nodded and then looked at Carlisle like Gregory had. "Has Aro done anything about this?"
Carlisle shook his head, "No, he doesn't think it will be necessary. He plans to break his bond soon and then hopes that Rimush will lose interest. He thinks that he's gone this long without power, that he's only doing this to torture him. He doesn't think Rimush actually wants all of this."
"Either way, these witches are a threat. Do you know any that could help?" Bella asked.
Before Carlisle could answer Alice spoke up, "I do."
Jasper could feel Alice's feeling of elation almost overpower Bella's annoyance.
"How?" she asked spitting the word.
"Before I met with Jasper I ran into some witches that wanted to help me with my visions. They gave me some pointers and told me I should meet with a vampire witch in the US that could help me more. I never did because I was busy with my new life."
"But you know where this vampire witch is?" Bella's annoyance grew with the mention of Jasper. It was like Alice was trying to shove something in her face.
"Mhmm…" Alice said her elation picking up, "I know where she was last and I can check there. If she's not there anymore I can check with the other witches, perhaps get them to help."
Bella nodded but didn't want to think about why Alice felt the need to help.
"It's for Carlisle," Edward said. Bella hadn't spoken to him since New York and his voice was like a bucket of cold water on her skin. It brought back memories and things she didn't want to think about. And it also reminded her to guard her thoughts better this time. "Carlisle is in the line of fire now."
"Whatever," Bella said, "you can go with Alice-"
"No," both Jasper and Jackson said at the same time. Jasper looked at Jackson and he hoped this wasn't some plot to get alone time with his ex wife. Jasper was going to volunteer Alec or Demetri, someone who would ensure Alice's return.
"I'll go," Jackson said. His response was met with another no from Jasper and one from Bella.
"You're helping with Michael," Bella said, "someone else will go with her."
"I can go by myself," Alice said looking exasperated.
"I'll go," said a voice from outside that Jasper instantly recognized as Rosalie. "Sorry I couldn't help but listen to you guys as I walked by. I'll keep an eye on her and bring her back." Rosalie crossed her arms and smiled devilishly at Alice.
"I don't have a problem with that," Jasper said and there was a mumbling of agreement except from Alice.
"Now that this issue is resolved you can go," Bella said and pointed at the door for Alice to get the hint. She took off slowly, hugging Carlisle and Edward before being escorted out by Rosalie. Rosalie gave Bella a small nod and took off behind her sister.
Bella turned back to Gregory and eyed him, "Were the werewolves you saw the ones you protected?" He shook his head no and looked sad. Bella sighed and asked Demetri to come near. "If we allow you to go and convince your werewolves friends to come do you promise to keep working on your shield?"
"That's IF they agree to help," Bella cocked her head to the side and crossed her arms while Gregory rectified, "I'll ask them of course but only because none of you saw what I saw."
"Will you go with him Demetri?" Bella asked.
He agreed but Jasper was getting restless. He was losing more and more fighters and he still hadn't seen how Demetri fought.
"Be back soon. Don't take more than a week," Jasper said. He felt Demetri's annoyance, "If you're gone longer than that and someone on Rimush's side notices they'll think something is up and it'll cut our short time even shorter."
"Okay Whitlock, your way. Come," Demetri motioned for Gregory to follow him. They both left just minutes after Rosalie and Alice. Now the group was even smaller.
"Please don't send anymore people away," Jasper asked Bella, he pleaded with his eyes and his emotions. He wanted to go to their room and reunite, he was done with the vampire politics for the night.
"I can't think of anyone else to send away," she smiled and uncrossed her arms.
"Actually," Carlisle said breaking up the silent conversation they had taken up, "there was something I wanted to propose."
"What is it?" Jasper asked feeling like he wouldn't like what Carlisle was going to say.
"In the interest of seeing where my family stood with the pack back in La Push I called Sam, the pack's leader." Jasper had to cross the room faster than he ever though he could to stop Bella from launching at Carlisle or doing something crazy. She didn't move but her shield immediately went up and her hands clenched. "We spoke about the treaty and decided to dissolve it. This war takes precedence over a life that has already been shed."
"Whose Charlies or mine?" Bella growled.
Carlisle looked sympathetically at her but didn't answer. "Apparently when Victoria's army visited Forks someone from the guard saved a life from the pack and that members family that had crossed into the fighting zone. They remained in debt and they wish to help to free themselves of that."
"Well isn't that mighty nice of them," Alexander pipped in. "But I thought you said they were shifters not werewolves Belly."
"Are you serious?" Jasper mumbled while Alexander ignored him. He hugged Bella tighter to his side.
"They are but that doesn't mean they're incapable of defending themselves." She wasn't clenching her fist anymore but she still looked angry, something Jasper now feel.
"Edward and I were thinking about training them and using them to take out the witches on Rimush's side. Shape shifters have a certain kind of magic within them. It's what allows them to change at will instead of on a certain day of the month. We believe they may not be as susceptible to the witches magic as we are."
"Then ask them to come," Bella said, "we'll train them."
Carlisle nodded and asked Edward to come with him while he made the phone call. Peter and Charlotte walked over to Bella and Jasper. They looked as exhausted as they both felt.
"We can ask some vampires from our days in the wars to help, some of them were naturals." Peter looked eager which made Jasper's decision to bring him out and risk his life worth it.
"If you think they'll agree."
Peter took Charlotte's hand and walked out of the room. The only people left in the room now were Jackson, Alec, Jessica, and Chelsea. Of course Alexander was still there trying to size up Jackson but Jackson was ignoring him. Jasper had a feeling there was something Alexander wasn't telling them.
"You three," Bella asked referring to the rest of the guard, "create some sort of commotion and relive Tristan for the night. Ask Jane to look after our guests."
"Not it," Jessica and Chelsea said immediately. The task of who would notify Jane was left up to her brother. He groaned and walked out the room as if someone had sentenced him to the gallows.
"I love when you boss people around," Jasper whispered into Bella's ear so that Jackson and Alexander wouldn't hear him.
"Well I'm off," Jackson said leaving Alexander to follow him from behind with an unanswered question about how he got his hair to stay stick straight. Bella had to agree that Jackson was attractive. He almost resembled Jasper in a way.
"Is it weird how much he looks like you but I can't say how," she asked turning back to her mate and putting her arms around him. Alone at last.
"That's probably his gift working on you," he said kissing her softly. "Every guy here has the hots for you."
"I don't care about every guy here, I care about you." She pulled softly at the hair on his neck while she admired his beautiful golden eyes. Those were the eyes she remembered from Jasper Cullen. But this was Jasper Whitlock. A major, her mate, a leader. "I miss your red eyes, is that bad?"
"You are sappy," he said laughing at her pout, "but I miss them too." She looked at him weirdly but he didn't want to elaborate right now. They would talk about that and many other things later. For now though, the last thing he wanted to do was talk.
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