Freedom of Choice 15
Several days after their training session, Amelia and Bella spent every available moment training her shield. Bella enjoyed the training, she found Amelia's methods of training intense; but in her heart she knew that it was important to keep pushing her comfort zone. Today they were in her room at her fathers house, some of her most emotional moments with Edward happened here. Just thinking about how much he loved to talk about owning her and keeping her as his tool for control, it sent shivers down her spine. Looking over at Amelia, she was currently sitting on the floor looking up at her friend. Shaking her head, she knew what Amelia was going to say, that dealing with positive and bad emotions will help her channel her shield. Taking a moment to center herself, she closed her eyes and was able to quickly find her shield. It has been easier over the last 3 days.
As her shield came forward, she easily manipulated inside her mind, hardening it. This was the easy part, her goal now was to push it out of her mind and around her body, as her mind held firmly onto the the shield she pushed it outwards towards, soon enough she could feel it like a second skin on her face, once she held it there for a while, she was able to move it down her neck. She felt it slide down her whole body, at first it was a light tingle and it felt wobbly, eventually she was able to hold it and harden it. Once she felt it around her entire body, she slowly opened her eyes, she didn't want to lose concentration. Her eyes found Amelia, and she could see her friend smiling.
Amelia watched with fascination as Bella's shield moved outward, there was a light shimmer, she was proud. It took about a week of practice and she was finally able to get the shield out. Seeing Bella open her eyes, and at that moment Amelia knew that she was able to hold her shield. "Great Job." Leaning back against her forearms she grabbed a pen and carefully chucked it towards Bella.
Flinching at the pen, but it didn't hit her head. She stared at the pen that was hovering right in front of her face. "Holy Shit!" Bella squeaked.
"Well, well, look who's got a badass shield!" Amelia was excited for her friend.
Bella actually had tears running down her face.
"Hey, Bella, what's wrong?" she asked.
Wiping her face, "Nothing's wrong, I'm just so damn happy that I actually can help a bit. At least with training I can keep someone off me, that might be enough for someone to get to me."
Amelia stood up and walked over to the bed, "I'm glad you found something for yourself. No one can take it from you. Keep practicing for now, just focus on keeping it around your body, holding it for as long as you can, once we are done with Victoria, we will focus on pushing your shield."
Bella stood up and quickly fell back down on the bed. "Woah head rush."
Amelia eyed her friend, understanding what just happened. "That's the fatigue, it happens when you exert your gift, it will take practice to build up the stamina for it. What works for me, eating more proteins, and every moment you can sit quietly pull the shield up and keep it as long as you can. You love reading, so do it while you read as well."
"I can do that. So what are we going to do for the rest of the day?" she questioned.
An almost evil smirk graced her lips, "I was thinking about going to the spa today. Full of waxing and massages."
Bella stiffened at the thought of going to a spa. "And why would I torture myself?"
"Torture is such a horrible word, but in truth, I am going because 1. I like not having to shave, 2. Incase of an emergency changing, better to be prepared instead of having bushy eyebrows." Looking at her nails. It was a sad truth, that there was a chance that both or one of the girls could be hurt during the battle. Amelia didn't want to take a chance that she could be caught unaware.
Bella didn't think about that, "I'd like to go with you, in case the worst happens, I don't want to change into a yeti!"
Laughing with her friend, Amelia got up and headed down the stairs with Bella in tow, sending a quick text to Char and Jasper, she let them know that they were going to the spa in Port Angels. Her phone binged from Jasper telling her to have fun.
Jumping into her truck Amelia and Bella headed out.
Garrett was pacing back and forth, his mind was racing a million miles a minute. Ever since he started courting Bella he's felt high strung. Everything in his body was telling him to claim her as his, but didn't think that she would appreciate him throwing her over his shoulder so that he could have his way with her. Catching himself in the reflection of the windows, he looked like a crazy person. Running his hands through his hair, "Fuck."
Jasper could feel his friend going through turmoil, "Garrett, relax man, she's safe with Amelia, and when she gets back, tell the girl you have feelings. Trust me, it will work out."
Zipping downstairs Garrett looked at his friend. "I'm trying to trust you here, but I feel antsy, I mean how do you know that she's your mate?"
Putting his book down, Jasper looked up, "I felt drawn to her, at the time I was married to Alice, I was confused. Freaked out even, but when it came to light that Alice was lying, I stopped avoided her, but she had some balls man, I cornered her, and she pretty told me to knock it off, I told her that she's too sexy for that, so she took a knife and cut the tip of her finger and told me to taste it."
"Seriously?" Garrett knew Amelia, but damn that was insane.
Jasper laughed at his friend's face. "Yea I know. A small part of me knew that if I didn't do it, she wouldn't let me claim her even if we were mates. So I nutted up bro."
Garrett wondered if Bella would do something like that? If she did, would he be able to handle her blood without changing her before she was ready. Or worse, what if she wasn't his.
Jasper could feel the war in his emotions. "I know that there is a chance she isn't yours but what's going to be worse, finding out now, or falling further for her then finding out after her change that you can never be more than companions?"
The growl that escaped his mouth was vicious, it was very lucky for Garrett that Jasper was understanding and didn't take that personally. Jasper looked at his friend, "So I guess that is something that would piss you off. So man up, ask the girl for some blood, know for sure."
"Fuck you Jasper," but rubbing his hand over his beard, "I guess I will have to speak with the little lady when she gets back from being preened."
Rolling his eyes, Jasper knew that this was going to be complicated if she wasn't his mate.
Bella felt great, even though getting waxed kind of hurt, she felt great, her legs, arms, and crotch were all trimmed and pretty. Sitting in the truck with Amelia, she couldn't believe that she had a good time.
Amelia could sense something was going on with her friend, "What's up buttercup?"
Leaning back in the seat; "It's Garrett, I like him a lot, we have a great time, and I enjoy kissing him, but the problem is that I don't want to get attached to someone that might not be mine in the long run. Kind of like the wolves, dating one knowing that at any moment they could meet their imprint, it's scary."
"I could understand that you have issues, Edward definitely did a number on you. If you really want to know if Garrett is yours, let him taste your blood, he won't hurt you, just cut your finger a bit, and go from there, it's quick, easy, and then at least you'll know. Best case, he's yours, worst case, you have a guy that will be kind to you until you meet your mate or he meets his. Either way, you'll have someone that cares about you."
Making their way towards the Whitlock home, Bella was making her decisions on how to deal with Garrett, "Amelia, is that how you and Jasper knew that you were meant to be?" she asked.
"Yes, I was scared, didn't know what to expect, but I'm glad I did it. I have great sex, but as time is going on, we are developing our relationship. I'm grateful." Amelia truly was happy that her and Jasper's relationship while sexual was developing emotionally as well.
The remaining ride home was quiet, but not uncomfortable. Soon enough they were in front of the home. Amelia looked over at her friend, "Just do it. Do you want me in the room in case?"
Nodding, "Just you please. I don't know how I would react if I'm not… you know…" her sentence didn't need to be completed. Amelia understood.
Walking into the house, Jasper zipped over to his mate, giving her a deep kiss. "Hey Darlin', you have fun?"
Moaning into his kiss, "Yes we did, where is Peter and Char?"
Keeping her wrapped in his arms, "They are with the Cullens, Peter's knower was going off, so he's following it where it leads."
"Sounds good. I adore you my sexy Texan, but you need to get out. Bella and I have an experiment to conduct, and you sir, are a distraction." Kissing his lips.
Laughing back at her, "OK, I know when I'm not wanted. Come on Garrett, let's get out of here."
Garrett looked down at the brunette holding his hand, he didn't want to let her go.
Bella was scared, but knew that she had to do this. "Actually Jasper, I need Garrett here." She couldn't look him in the eye.
Amelia gave her friend a small smile, and she looked back at her mate. He instantly understood.
Eyeing Garrett, he could see that he was nervous too. A quick kiss, and he ran off towards the Cullens, perhaps his presence will help Peter suss out his itch.
Bella gasped realizing that she was now alone with Garrett, well not completely alone, Amelia was here.
"Garrett, I like you, I am feeling things for you that I didn't think I would feel anytime soon, but I don't want to get more involved with you until I know exactly what it can be. Friends or Mates." she was babbling, but she had to get it out, "I want you to be my mate, I do, but I'm scared."
Looking over at Amelia, she indicated for her to come closer.
Walking over to her friend, she pulled the pocket knife she used on herself when she challenged Jasper.
Bella extended her hand towards Amelia, but kept eye contact with Garrett. "I need to know, do you want to know?" she asked him.
Garrett couldn't believe that she was willing to do this, but if he was being honest, he wanted to know too. "Of course my dear, I'm ready whenever you are."
Amelia pulled her gift towards her hands, she wanted it at the ready incase she needed to knock Garrett off. Not that she felt that was going to be required, but vampires are vampires.
Taking Bella's hand, Amelia poked the tip of Bella's finger, carefully putting the knife away, she stepped back and let Bella take control of this herself.
Looking up into his ruby eyes, she took a deep breath and handed him her hand. Closing her eyes, she waited for his reaction to her blood. She could feel her hand being lifted to his mouth, his cool lips encircled her finger.
Garrett could smell her blood, it was sweet, it made his mouth water, but it didn't make him hungry. As her finger with the blood entered his mouth, his body reacted immediately. MINE!Pulling more blood into his mouth, he almost came in his pants, taking her finger out of his mouth; he looked at her, and he could see that she was staring at him.
"Garrett, what does this pulling mean?" her voice filled with hope.
Tucking her hair behind her ears, "It means, you are mine, you're my mate. It means that if you don't kiss me right now, I'm going to throw you over my shoulder and take you upstairs before you're ready."
Reaching up, Bella grabbed his neck and pulled him towards her. The two kissed deeply, Garrett was purring, Bella was moaning.
Amelia tried to give them a little privacy, but after two minutes of heavy kissing and some petting, Amelia coughed. She couldn't help but giggle seeing the two of them jump apart.
Garrett would have blushed if his body was capable. Bella, did. She was as red as a tomato.
"I'm glad this all worked out for you two. So here's a thought, why don't you two stay here in the house, I'll head over to the Cullens, and you enjoy what you're feeling."
Bella let go of Garrett, and hugged Amelia. "Thank you for your help."
Kissing her temple, "I didn't do anything sweetie, this was all you. Enjoy."
Turning towards Garrett, "I love you as my best friend, I'm happy for you, treat her with respect."
Amelia looked back at her friends, and seeing the two of them stare at each other, she knew that Bella was about to be a very happy woman. Jumping in her truck, Amelia floored it to the Cullens.
Twenty minutes later, she was walking into the home, "Jasper? Pete? Char? You guys here?"
It was Rose that appeared in the entryway, "Hey Rose, what's up?"
"Nothing much, the Whitlocks are with Alice, something about an itchy knower." Rose walked with Amelia towards the living room, she could see that Emmett was playing some video game, Esme was reading a book, and Carlisle well, he wasn't around, so he was either at the hospital or upstairs in his study.
Amelia made herself comfortable on the couch, playing with Emmett for about an hour or so, but soon enough, she could see that Rose perked up, looking up towards the stairs, she saw Jasper's face. He looked like he was ready to kill. "Major?"
Staring at his mate, "They are coming the day after tomorrow, Alice … " he stopped speaking because he was afraid of projecting his anger towards his mate, "She knew that they were coming since yesterday, but didn't want to warn us because she wanted you to die. She actually thought that with you gone she would be welcomed back in my bed." His words were nothing but growls.
Slowly getting up, Amelia walked towards her mate, "I'm fine, I'm here, Peter's knower picked it up in time, we call the wolves, we set the trap, we kill them all." She had confidence in her mate, with his leadership they would be successful.
Jasper grabbed her, pulled her close to his chest, "No one will take you from me." It was a declaration.
"PETER, BRING HER, SHE DIES NOW!" Major could no longer contain his rage, it was time for Mary Alice Brandon to be nothing more than a pile of ash.
Moment's later, Peter held a flailing Alice, she was begging, almost pleading for them to spare her. Carlisle was done in moments after hearing her scream.
Char had a fire going in the backyard, the Major dislodged himself from his mate, and stalked towards his ex-wife. "I told you Mary Alice, I would kill you if you ever lied to me."
No more words, Jasper launched himself at his ex, swiftly removing her head. The pain was etched into her frozen face, he looked into her hollow eyes, "BURN IN HELL YOU FUCKING BITCH!" With that, he threw her head into the fire, her body soon followed.
Everyone was quiet, waiting. No one dared to approach him. Even Amelia stood still, she wasn't afraid of her mate, but she knew that he needed to focus and come back to himself first.
He turned back towards the Cullen's and his mate, "It is time to fight for our lives. Get everything in order, Rose, Esme, go get Garrett and Bella, Peter, contact the wolves, Char and Emmett run the perimeter, we need to be on alert. GO NOW!" he barked.
"And what should I do Major?" Amelia asked her mate.
His black eyes turned towards her, "You are not leaving my side until we have you secured in the mountains tomorrow."
Major Whitlock was ready for war, he almost begged for the mayhem. Victoria had no idea who she provoked. Death would be very painful for her.
Turning towards his mate, he could see that she too was ready. He would protect her with his life.
There was much to do, and he needed to focus, walking to the house, he grabbed Amelia. "Are you ready my mate?" he asked her.
"I'm with you Major, Always."
War was coming to Forks.