Bella's POV
"You need to calm yourself," I told Jasper and he let out a grunt in return. "The battle is over, you don't need to act like the Major, not anymore."
"She's right," Rose agreed from the front seat.
Jasper huffed again.
"I can't just turn it off," he responded. "Plus I still need to deal with Edward."
"No, you don't."
"Edward was ordered not to leave your side during the battle and he did."
"Jasper, my mate," I pulled his head so that he was looking into my eyes. "I agree with you." Jasper's features softened momentarily until I continued. "But it was his mate. He left because he wanted to save his mate. If it was anyone else it would have been unacceptable, but you cannot punish him for saving his mate. Now forget about it."
"Fine," Jasper huffed once again, but I was just glad that this matter seemed to be settled. "I'm not looking after his mate though."
"What?" I asked him confused.
"His mate is a newbor-"
"Her name is Bree," I cut him off.
He let out a sigh. "Bree is a newborn," he corrected himself. "She's less than a year old. Edward is not equipped to deal with a newborn on his own."
"Maybe not," I agreed. "And with Peter and Charlotte away you may be the person with the most experience, but then you've got to think of Carlisle. He's successfully raised four newborns, so you're probably not even Edward's first choice."
Jasper tensed at that revelation, but didn't speak.
"And if you are asked, or if there comes a situation where you're needed then you'll help willingly because it's the right thing to do."
"Okay, what the hell happened to you Bella?" Rose whistled from the front seat. "I mean, I know you've never really been scared of Jasper, or taken any of his shit, but this is different. You're actually telling him what to do... I don't know."
"Do you want me to hurt her?" Jasper asked me and I frowned at him.
"No."
"Our relationship is complicated," Jasper told Rose, never taking his eyes off me. I thought he was going to continue, but he just stopped.
"Jasper respects my opinion," I told Rose, trying to explain it to her. "He's still channeling the Major right now and because of that he acts more... Impulsively." Jasper scoffed at my choice of words. "He knows he can always say no, but he knows that I'm right."
I caught Rose's eyes in the rearview mirror and she smiled proudly at me. I winked in return. Being kidnapped for two years may have hinder me in some ways, but there was one thing I knew for sure and that was my mate, Jasper. I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head on his chest. I was physically drained. We were heading back home, to Forks. The past week we had been preparing for the battle against Victoria, and then we had the actual battle, then I had to chase Jasper across the country. I was officially exhausted and it didn't take long for me to fall asleep in the safety of my mate's arms.
We hit a bumpy road and I reluctantly woke up. I was so content right now. James and Victoria were dead. The demons of my past had been defeated. Sure I was still sick and I was going to die, but that didn't matter because Jasper had promised to change me. Looking into my future and seeing an eternity by his side was just more than I could have ever hoped for when James doomed me.
"What are you thinking about?" Jasper asked me curiously as I pushed away from him and stretched. I hit my plastered arm on the back of the seat, but managed not to make a noise. Jasper caught my flash of pain though, we'd deal with that later.
"You," I told him smiling. "How lucky I am to have you now and forever."
"I'm the lucky one," Jasper responded.
"Urgh," Rose shuddered from the front seat as she pulled up in front of the Cullen's. "Don't do that in front of me."
"Rosie," came Emmett's excited voice as he pulled the car door right off its hinges before picking up his mate and hugging her tightly.
"Urgh," I imitated Rose's voice the best that I could. "Don't do that in front of me."
She pulled away from Emmett and flipped me off. I definitely liked Rose.
"Emmy, I'm okay," Rose told him. "I missed you so much, baby."
"Urgh," Jasper said as he joined my side.
"Aren't you glad we don't have pet names for each other?" I asked him. I knew I was glad.
"Yes, muffin," Jasper replied and I started laughing.
"Muffin, muffin?" I questioned in between laughter. Yes, I was definitely glad we didn't have pet names, especially if Jasper thought that muffin was a good name.
"Oh, Jasper," Esme gushed as she came down the stairs, Carlisle at her side. "I'm so glad you're back." She brought him into a hug. He hesitated momentarily, but quickly gave in.
I could feel Jasper's regret and apologies, he was projecting. I noticed this is what he did when he wanted to express something that he couldn't come to voice out loud.
"It's okay, son," Carlisle told him proudly and I saw Jasper step back at that remark.
"How are Peter and Charlotte?" Esme asked him, but Jasper didn't respond. I decided to speak for him.
"Alive," I told them and the worry dropped from their faces. "They will be staying away for a while, but they will return. Speaking of, where is Alice?" I really needed her to buy me a phone without the others knowing.
"She's on the Reservation with her mate," Esme told me.
"She's been looking out for Charlie for you, but you really should see him soon. We told him you survived the battle, but he wants to see you for himself," Emmett informed me. "I think he thinks we secretly changed you into a vampire," he let out a laugh. I nodded my head in response.
"I will head there shortly. What about Edward and Bree?" I asked and Jasper let out a growl, but I just glared at him until he stopped.
"Edward made contact. He called us and told us that he will be returning shortly. He's having trouble dealing with Bree," Carlisle answered and Jasper had a smug look on his face.
I caught sight of Rose and I nodded my head at her. She understood me better than Jasper at times. She took my cue on board and smacked Jasper hard enough that he faltered on his feet.
"What the hell was that for?" Jasper asked her enraged. Rose just turned her attention to me.
"Jasper, language," Esme told him softly and he glared at her before looking at me expectantly.
"Are you coming to see Charlie with me or are you staying here to calm down?" I asked him and he looked at me confused.
"I want to see Charlie too," he answered.
"Okay, let's go," I held out my good hand and he grabbed it within his own.
We made it into the forest and as soon as we were out of earshot Jasper forcefully pinned me up against a tree before running his nose along my neck.
"Stop bossing me around," Jasper growled into my neck before pressing himself into me. Oh yeah, he was definitely turned on.
"Why?" I whispered back as I ran my hand down his back, resting it just above his ass. "It's just so much fun to do. Plus you're being a Major ass," I told him before giving his ass a hard squeeze and slipping out of his grasp.
"Bella," he spoke, I turned around. "I love you."
"I know," I responded. His eyes were pitch black and although he probably did need to hunt, I knew that they were black because of me. I would tease him for now. He knew I wasn't ready, not yet, but with every day that passed I was getting closer.
"Let's go see Charlie, then maybe we can have some fun on the way back." I opened my emotions up to him and sent him my lust. He fell into line straightaway. He pulled me onto his back and took off towards the reservation.
We walked into the Clearwater's house hand in hand. I looked up and saw Alice and Leah on the couch, they were laying in each other's arms. I smiled at that. It didn't last long because Alice jumped up and started examining Jasper, it was akin to what a mate would do after they were separated for a while, but I let it go. Alice was not a threat to me, but Leah didn't seem to have that same outlook.
"Get away from him!" Leah snapped as she jumped to her feet. "You're my mate, not his." She let out a growl and Alice automatically stepped back.
Jasper got a cocky look on his face before pulling Alice back into his embrace. Leah fumed, I rolled my eyes. If he wanted to challenge a werewolf I would allow him to. He could deal with the consequences. I had a sudden thought, perhaps this was the new Jasper. It wasn't the Major who sought revenge for Maria's death, it was Jasper. And now Jasper was acting strange, it wasn't that I minded it. It was odd definitely, but it was somehow a mash up of him and the Major, but not the best mash up it could be. I would leave it be for now.
I left them be and walked into the bedroom where Charlie was staying, he wasn't there. I frowned. I headed out of the house. I passed Jasper on the way and he still had a hold of Alice, he was just daring Leah to do something, but she was wisely staying put. I stepped down the front steps and looked around. I saw Sam and a group of young pups standing around him, I headed straight over to him.
"Bella," he let out a hiss.
"Sam, a pleasure as always."
"Good to see you're still breathing," he grunted out.
"For now," I teased him before changing tact. "Where's Charlie?"
"Beach," came his short reply.
I figured that was all I was going to get from him, so I left him be. I headed for the beach and it appeared that all the elders were there. It seemed as though they were performing some kind of ceremony. As I got closer it all became clearer. Charlie and Sue were standing together, hand in hand. They were getting married, or bonding, I didn't know what the tribe's equivalent to marriage was. As I walked closer I pushed out a large shot of panic, Jasper was by my side in an instant. He was angry, but once he realized I wasn't in any danger he calmed down. I nodded my head and he looked up and saw the ceremony. A smile came onto his face. I grabbed his hand and walked closer.
As I got closer they all stopped and faced me. Charlie's face paled and he looked at me concern. "Send him my love and acceptance," I told Jasper and he did this. Charlie smiled at me and everyone went back to the ceremony. I came a little closer so that I could hear, but stayed back so that Jasper wouldn't scare them off.
Once I stopped, Jasper wrapped his arms around me from behind and we just watched the ceremony contently. I knew what this meant. Charlie was officially a part of the tribe now. There would be no consequences for his knowledge of the vampires, not anymore. The Volturi couldn't kill him, not without a fight to the death from the wolves. Plus, as a bonus, he got to spend the rest of his life with Sue. I smiled. I was so glad that he was happy.
"That will be us one day," Jasper spoke his thoughts out loud by accident it seemed, but before he could cover it up I spoke.
"It will," I agreed as I grasped his hand tightly.
I could feel his love and happiness surround me, it was a nice feeling.
The ceremony finished, but we stayed where we were. It wasn't long before Charlie approached us, a worried look on his face. I allowed him to speak his part.
"Bella, I'm so glad you're okay. I'm sorry you had to find out this way, but I love Sue. This doesn't mean I forgotten Renee or anything like that."
"Charlie," I spoke, "Dad. I'm happy for you, trust me, and this wasn't a shock. I could see just how much you loved Sue. You belong here, dad, with Billy, Sue and the wolves. It's okay."
"But what about you, Bella?" He finally raised his concerns. "You can't live on the Reservation with me and I can't leave Sue by herself."
"Charlie," Jasper spoke quietly. "Bella always has a place in my family. She is welcome to live with us if that's what she pleases and you know that we will look out for her."
He nodded his head in acceptance.
"Hey," I said as I stepped forward and brought Charlie into a hug. "This isn't goodbye, you're with the wolves now. Plus aside from us, the two families are tied together forever now. Alice and Leah. There will come a time where we will merge, you know this, but for now we wait and we visit each other."
Charlie nodded his head in acceptance, but I could feel Jasper's confusion. I had a plan, a good one, but Jasper would not approve, so for now he would be kept in the dark. But it brought the Cullen's and the wolves together, which would work out well for all involved. Jasper was still fuming at my lack of response, so I turned to him.
"Soon, my mate," I promised him before turning back to Charlie. "Enjoy the rest of your day with Sue," I told him, "and remember I'm just a phone call away. Alice will give you the number once I get it."
"I love you, Bells," Charlie said bringing me in to a hug. "I'm so glad you're doing better."
"Me too, dad. I'll talk to you soon," I pulled away.
Jasper pulled me onto his back and I waved at Charlie with my good hand, then we were gone. I was so happy for Charlie and I allowed Jasper to feel this, he sent his happiness back to me. We were running through the forest, but Jasper suddenly stopped, pulling me from his back.
"What?" I asked him confused, he replied by hitting me back with my own lust from earlier. I watched as his eyes turned black. "What am I going to do with you?" I asked him. "I have a vampire for a mate."
"I can change you," Jasper spoke seriously.
"Not yet," I told him and he frowned. "I'm sixteen." He still didn't seem to understand. "You were changed when you were twenty... I would prefer to be closer in age to you," I smiled at him, he was still reserved. "Plus, the older I get the less chance there will be that l have to repeat high school over and over again."
"But," he tried to protest.
"But nothing," I replied. "Answer me this, have I held you back from anything with me still being a human?"
"No."
"Exactly." I sent him the lust he gave me back and he cocked an eyebrow at me. "I want to give you something," I told him, keeping up my lust. He eyed me carefully. "You've been good this past week, you deserve a reward, don't you think?" He didn't respond, but he nodded his head eagerly. "Do you trust me?" he agreed. "Will you do whatever I say with no arguing?" he nodded his head once again. Good.
I took a few steps back before charging Jasper, I dodged to his left, but he never moved. His concern and confusion hit me, but I kept on running.
"Catch me," I told him. "Catch me and receive your prize."
I heard him emit a low growl and then I heard him approaching. I ran faster before shielding myself completely, he wouldn't be able to hear me or smell me now. I jumped over a fallen down tree and stopped. Lying in wait, just out of view. Jasper approached full speed and as he jumped over the tree I extended my shield, throwing him away from me before taking off again.
Jasper was soon on my trail again. I kept on throwing up walls behind me, making him dodge them. I spun around once I hit the river. He was charging me again. I threw up another wall and he hit it. As he stumbled I threw out my shield, throwing him back into the forest before stalking him. I came across him lying on the ground, not moving. I approached him carefully. He had some scratches on his face and he was leaking venom. When I got close enough, Jasper jumped up and I fell back in fright. I managed to protect my broken arm, but my other arm got scratched up.
Jasper landed on me fully, hovering above me, before resting his weight on me fully. He felt my pain and his features immediately softened. I didn't allow him to calm down though. I grabbed his head and pulled his lips to meet mine. I kissed him fiercely, pouring everything I had into that once kiss. Jasper returned it with just as much passion. I pushed his shoulder and he allowed me to be on top. I broke the kiss and began licking the scratches on his face, lapping up his venom. It still tasted bad to me, but I relished that it wasn't just Victoria's venom killing me, not anymore.
Jasper's wounds closed up way too quickly for my liking, but I directed him to the small scratches on my arm and he licked up the blood greedily. I could feel his lust again and I reached down. I pushed my hand underneath his jeans and grabbed him tightly. Jasper lost control and his teeth extended, before I knew it he had latched on to my arm and he was drinking my blood. I pumped him a few times before pulling his jeans down, exposing him. I grabbed his free hand and used his fingernails to cut his neck before I latched on and lowered myself down onto him.
I was still wearing my jeans, but Jasper seemed to be relishing the rough feeling on him. I picked up my pace as we both sucked harder, taking as much of the other into us as we can. I could tell Jasper was close because he started grunting, but I was still off. Jasper sensed this and he hit me with all of his lust. As soon as he fell over the edge, I did as well. His mouth unlatched from my arm and he let out a loud growl. The wound on his neck closed and I licked it lovingly. I didn't call out, but he could clearly feel my emotions. Once he calmed down he licked my wound clean and closed it before holding me tightly and purring contentedly. I reached up and ran my hand through his hair. I opened up my emotions and allowed him to feel them all.
"I want her blood," I heard someone say and my head shot up to see Edward and a smaller vampire. Her eyes were red and she looked hungry.
Jasper pulled me to him and let out a warning growl.
I watched as Bree dropped down into a fighting stance. Edward tried to hold on to her, he tried to reason with her, but he didn't know what he was doing it seemed. I could feel Jasper trying to get me off him without hurting me, but I pushed him back down. I could handle Bree. I looked up at Edward, I was his singer after all and I could see that he was struggling also. I bent down and kissed Jasper once more before pulling my shield around me fully, cutting them all off from me, scent and all.
Jasper was the first to recover and he pulled me back down and buried his head in hair. Edward calmed down next and turned his attention to Bree. Bree was still in a fighting stance, but she looked confused. I saw her sniffing the air, trying to smell me, but she got nothing in return.
"I'm Bella," I told her and she eyed me warily. "Yes, the one you were told to kill, but you can't." She still looked crazed, but she was listening to me. "Only Jasper can bite me."
"Jasper bit you?" Edward's anger hit Jasper, but I responded before Jasper had a chance.
"You have your mate now, Edward," I warned him. "I understand that I am your singer and because of that I will try and shield my scent as often as I can, but everything else, the love, the lust, the longing you feel for me, it stops now. You have been warned. Any funny business and I will not hold Jasper back. Understand?"
Jasper glared at him and Edward nodded in agreement, but he didn't look happy about it. I wondered how he was dealing with a newborn as his mate, not well I suspected.
"Leave us be," I growled at Edward. "Bree," I softened my tone, "welcome to the family, I'll see you shortly."
It seemed as though Bree wanted to say something, but Edward pulled her away before she could speak.
"I really hope they bring out the best in each other," I sighed as I turned my attention back to Jasper.
"I really wish they hadn't interrupted us," Jasper countered.
"Well, we're alone now," I told him mischievously as I stood up. "Round two?" I asked him and I saw his eyes darken. "Give me ten seconds," I told him before running off into the forest. It was so much fun teasing him like this and I could only imagine how much fun it would be for real. When I was no longer breakable, when I was able to hurt him and him me only to be able to take care of each other's wounds. I was looking forward to it, but I could wait.