Jasper's POV

"Why do you keep your shield in place?" I asked Bella as I hovered above her. "You have nothing to fear here. Peter soundproofed the whole room."

"I know, it's just out of habit. I'm sure it won't be a factor soon," Bella replied. I looked down at her, she was so beautiful.

She was covered in bruises and each one stood for my inability to be gentle with her. My chest and arms were also covered in faint scars from when Bella marked me with my fingernails. I don't know how much time had passed since Bella and I had arrived at the Ranch, but I didn't care. Our room was completely blocked off from the outside world. Bella still had her human moments, taking time to eat and bathe herself, but we never left our little bubble.

The door finally opened and I let out a warning growl.

"Major, Isabella," Peter spoke and I whipped my head to face him. He was standing near the door, head cast downwards, hands clasped together in front of him. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but your potential guards have begun arriving."

I rolled my eyes, fucking duties. I just wanted to stay with Bella. My mate let out a small laugh, clearly enjoying my pain.

"How long has it been?" I asked Peter. I didn't want the guard arriving before the Ranch was finished.

"Five days, sir."

Five days? Bella and I had been dead to the world for five days? Well, shit. I guess I couldn't deny his request then.

"Continue," I prompted him, pulling away from Bella, making sure she was covered by the quilt, before facing Peter.

"All the walls are in place and the structure is complete. The main areas have been decorated and furnished, but the guard's rooms have been untouched. Several vampires have arrived either to pledge their allegiance, or to have a chance to join your guard. I've held them off, but they are getting restless. I brought some clothes for you to put on. I'll gather the vampires and put them in the courtyard out back."

"We will be there soon," I told him and he left our room. I gave my mate one last kiss on the lips before getting up from the bed. "Duty calls, my mate," I told her and she pouted, hitting me with her lust. "There will be time for that later," I promised her. "But for now we need to lead, this was your idea after all."

"I remember," Bella replied, getting up. She let out a groan as her muscles protested.

I quickly grabbed the clothes Peter had left me, thankful to see that it was just a pair of jeans, and black shirt and some cowboy boots. Bella was the same, jeans, a shirt, and some boots. I got dressed at vampire speed, just as I finished Bella hugged me from behind, her naked body pressed up against me. I let out a groan.

"Come on, Bella," I told her. "I wasn't the one who decided this fate for us. Get your ass in the shower and get dressed. I'm going to check the security footage in my study, see who is here, so I can be prepared."

"Okay," Bella accepted, kissing my lips before disappearing into the bathroom.

I watched her disappear until she shut the door behind her. I knew she was still careful about her privacy, but she didn't need to be in this room as it was completely secure. She would learn that in time though, so I would leave her be. I walked into my office. It was still bare, but it had a computer set up on the desk. I turned it on and waited for it to start up. Once it did, I found the security camera program and focused on the courtyard. It was filled with six vampires. I could see Peter and Charlotte talking to Carlisle. And Rose and Emmett came out of a door, fixing their clothes and righting their hair. I would need to assign them a room of their own soon, especially if they were staying.

There were ten vampires in total, plus Bella and I. It was a good start. I knew we could get more once we cemented our position of power in this new world. I just hoped that the vampires here were loyal and held some potential. I studied them as I waited for Bella to finish getting ready. Looking at them all closely, watching what they did, reading their lips. There were only four I didn't know, but one looked familiar. Bella finally finished and appeared in the doorway.

"You ready?" she asked me.

"Let's do this," I agreed, standing up. "Remember, my mate, we are equals and you are to act and speak however you wish."

"Okay," Bella accepted and I could feel her pride.

We exited our room for the first time since we arrived five days ago, hand in hand. We walked down the four flights of stairs and ended up in the main room. I was shocked at what I saw and so was Bella. I could feel her awe and amazement. It was completely finished and Peter had done a good job. The walls were a rich golden color and the furnishings were a burgundy red. I turned my back to the entrance and looked up at the great room. Towards the back, high above, was a crest, the Whitlock crest I assumed.

"I can't believe it," Bella spoke, looking at the crest. "I did a crappy drawing of that in my notebook. I was just playing around, I didn't know they were going to use it."

"I like it," I told Bella as I studied it. It held a big 'W' for Whitlock in the center. Hidden partially behind the letter was a shield, split in two. A fierce and wild looking cat, a mountain lion perhaps, was on one half, and an large eagle was on the other half. There was also three words written on a scroll of paper that wound its way through the bottom of the 'W', Strength, Valor, Justice. "It's perfect."

Something above the Whitlock crest stood out to me. It was a big oil painting of Bella and I. I didn't know how it got there, I assumed Garrett must have painted it whilst he was in Alaska with his mate. Bella and I were standing side by side, my arm was around her back and our eyes were locked. We looked so happy and you could see the love we held for each other. It looked good, a little too intimate, but it was better than all the Volturi portraits I had seen. It actually showed that we weren't giant asses. The pictured was framed with an expensive looking gold frame. It was all very fitting and it would be the first thing any of our guests saw. It was good.

I pulled Bella away from the portrait with the promise that I would ask Garrett to paint another one for our room. I could feel the vampires impatience, so we needed to get a move on. I walked up the stairs to the second level on the left side of the house and walked towards the balcony that overlooked the courtyard. "Are you ready?" I asked Bella and she nodded her head. I held her hand and walked through the doors, making our way out on to the balcony. We reached the edge and stood side by side. The vampires below quickly noted our presence and gave us their full attention.

"For those of you who don't know, I am Major Jasper Whitlock and this is my mate Isabella Swan Whitlock. You will refer to us as The Major and Isabella unless you are told otherwise. We did not wish to rule part of the vampire world, but the Volturi forced our hand. My mate and I promise that we will rule the Americas fairly and make it a safer place to live. I spent a century fighting in the Southern Vampire Wars and I never lost a fight. I know just how bad a vampire's life can be and I promise that all fights over territory and property will be dealt with swiftly." I paused, hoping that Bella would take over.

"Yes, I am human," Bella started and there were a few shocks. Bella's shield was firmly in place, so they couldn't sense her. "I was forced into this world by a sadistic vampire, and his mate. The male killed my mother, kidnapped me and held me hostage for two years. I did nothing to deserve this fate, but that doesn't mean that I will not embrace it. I vow to do my best and to make the vampire world a more peaceful place, and in turn I will protect the humans that need it. Any human mistreatment, like my own for example, will result in death for the vampire in question and most likely the human as well, no exceptions. We will be strict, but we will always be fair."

I sent her my pride, she was doing well.

"Isabella and I are the rulers. We have two second in commands. Peter and Garrett." I made a motion for them to join us on the balcony. They left their mates and stood behind Bella and I. Garrett on my side, Peter on Bella's. Any orders that come from these two can be trusted as they will only act on our wishes. Today we are assembling a temporary guard. If you are accepted you will be put on a trial period. If we don't find you suitable or you wish to leave, then you are free to do so. No one will be here against their will. Who wishes to join?"

Seven vampires took a step forward.

"This will be easy for those of you we already know, the others, you will have to prove yourselves. Rosalie, you are accepted and you will be Isabella's personal guard. Emmett, you are accepted and you will temporarily be in charge of justice. I say temporarily for reasons that you already know. Kate and Charlotte, you are both accepted. Your mates are in a high position of power, so you will report to them, unless otherwise stated. You," I said as I pointed to a female vampire who had big brown curly hair. "State your name and your business."

"My name is Maggie," she said taking a step forward. "I am part of the Irish coven, with Liam and Siobhan. Siobhan is my sire. I am here because although I like my coven and I do fit in with them, I need a change. They are mated, so I am always the odd one out. I also have a gift and I feel as though I am wasting it. I want to do something good with my life."

"What is your gift?" I asked her.

"I can detect lies," she answered. Well that was a good power to have.

"A test?" I asked her and she nodded her head. "Firstly, everything you've heard from me and my mate today, truth or lie?"

"Truth." Good. I only did this for effect, showing the other vampires that we were being truthful.

"I will tell you two things, one lie, one truth. You tell me which one is the lie and you will be accepted."

I could feel her resolve. I could tell that she really wanted this. I would use my power and see if I could trick her into making a mistake.

"I have a unbreakable family connection with a shape shifter," I told her forcing distrust and deceit into my words. "I once severed my own spinal cord when I was with Maria," I told her, deciding on a half-truth and focusing all my thoughts on the time I severed my spinal cord in the mudslide with Bella. "Which is the lie?" I asked.

I could feel her confusion, this was good. Hopefully she would be able to see through my manipulation and come out on top. I knew that if she did then she would most likely never be wrong.

"The second one is the lie?" she questioned.

"Are you sure?" I asked.

"Yes," she said more firmly this time.

"You are correct," I informed her, "and you are accepted."

"Major, can I ask what you did? I've never been so unsure before."

"He is an empath and she is a shield." An unkempt vampire spoke, stepping out of the shadows.

"Alistair," Carlisle greeted him excitedly. "I never expected to see you here, old friend."

"I am a tracker, they need a tracker," he said simply.

"But you don't like others," Carlisle spoke concerned.

"I can live in the mountains, far away from everyone else."

"Major," Peter spoke and I turned my attention to him. "I got word from Demetri. Once the bonds were broken he was set to run, but his friendship to Felix and his loyalty to the guard are keeping him in place. There is a chance we could convince him to join us though."

I turned from Peter and focused back on Alistair. I had heard about his ability to track inanimate objects and I knew that everyone overlooked this, even him.

"Alistair, a test?" I questioned him and he didn't even reply. "A police cruiser, VIN number 1M8GDM9AXKP042788, where is it located right now?"

Alistair didn't move a muscle, but I could feel his concentration.

"Quileute Indian Reservation, Forks, Washington. 57 La Push Road, Clearwater residence," he answered, and just like I expected, his power was much more greater once it was focused correctly.

"You have been accepted. Demetri is a non-issue unless the circumstances change. Alistair, if you wish to reside in the mountains then you can do that, but we will make up a room in the attic for you in case you ever wish to be closer. Who's next?"

"My name is Randall and I'm a close friend of Carlisle's. I don't hold any gifts, but I would like a chance to see if this is the life I would want to lead."

"Randall is not very old, but he is always eager to learn, loyal too," Carlisle spoke up for his friend.

"You are welcome to stay and observe," Bella spoke up. "We will discuss at a later date whether or not you will be accepted into the hierarchy."

"Thank you, Isabella," Randall replied, bowing his head before stepping back.

"Last?" I questioned and a strong female stepped forward with dark skin and dark hair.

"My name is Mary. I befriended the Cullen's in 1937, in Forks, Washington. They intrigued me, but I didn't share their values on human life, so I left. Ever since I've been on my own. I enjoy the solitude, but like Randall, I would like to see if this is the life for me. I have no special gifts."

"Tell me about you and Randall," Bella demanded softly, picking up on something I clearly overlooked.

"There is nothing to tell," Mary immediately answered. "We met on the way here and discussed the change in power. We hold the same hopes, that this will be our future, that we will never have to be alone again."

"Maggie?" I questioned.

"It is the truth," she answered. Good, that was good. I wasn't sure if they were mates yet, but they were drawn to each other.

"You can have the same deal as Randall then. You are welcome to stay and observe and we will discuss the matter further at a later date. Okay, seeing as we're done I will open it up for questions as I'm sure you're all a little curious about how things will work."

"I have a question," Mary spoke quietly. "Are we expected to change our diet to match yours?"

"No," I answered firmly. "Each vampire is free to make their own decision. If you chose to switch your diet then we will need to be notified before you make any decisions. Me, for instance, I'm keeping up the animal diet and I know for sure that Peter is keeping his choice of humans. It does not matter. Those who are hunting animals can hunt nearby as long as they bury their kill. Those of you who wish to hunt humans are only allowed to hunt up North in Calgary, unless other permission is granted. And I don't think I need to tell any of you this, but being detected by humans is not a thing we want, so clean up after yourselves or there will be consequences."

"If you have any problems at all," Bella spoke up and I could feel her impatience. "You will bring the matter to Peter or Garrett, not us. If they are indisposed, bring it to their mates. You are not to address us at all, unless we are in a setting like this and we are talking freely to you. We are still new to all this, so there will be a few kinks, but we will work through them. I am still human, so I must retire to my room with my mate. Thank you all for your allegiance, we won't let you down."

I put my arm around Bella and held her close to me. I could feel her fatigue, hunger, and her ever present lust.

"Peter will show you to your rooms," I told them. "The right side of the house is off limits to you all, as the rooms belong to my mate and I, and our families. You are welcome to the rest of the house and any suggestion you wish to make can be brought to Peter. Once you've been shown your rooms you can decorate them how you wish. Us Cullen's have a rule, rooms are sacred and another vampire cannot enter them without permission. It's worked well for us and we will be employing that here. If you enter another vampire's room without permission you will be punished as deemed fit.

"Alistair, I want to ask one thing of you. I know you have connections to the Volturi and that you know about our fight with them. Please inform everyone here on all the facts so that they do not underestimate the power or standing of my mate. I wanted to show everyone here how powerful Isabella's shield is, especially for her still being a human, but she is tired, so it will have to wait."

I scooped Bella up into my arms and ran to our room.

"The rest of the Cullen's will be here shortly to help finish off the house," Peter spoke from behind me.

"All of them?" I asked.

"Except Leah."

"That's fine. Have Rose keep an eye on Edward and Bree when they arrive. And, Peter, do not disturb us unless it's completely necessary, that or a whole twenty four hours has passed. I trust you to handle everything in our absence."

"I understand," Peter replied. I only just heard him reply before I closed the door to our room tightly, shutting out the rest of the world.

"Eat something," I prompted Bella, "and then get some rest. I'll find the perfect way to wake you up once you've rested."

I could feel her acceptance.

"Jasper," Bella spoke and I turned to face her. "I think this is going to work out well, for both of us." I smiled at her determination. I knew it would, as long as she was by my side. Our hierarchy was starting to form and we were surrounded by good people with good powers. We would no doubly rule the Americas with strength and fairness.