A/N: Soooooooo, I'm sick, five weeks behind in my classes that wrap up in three weeks, so consider this to possibly be my last update for two-three weeks while I explode my brain trying to get shit DONE. Because I will actually become homeless without financial aid for next quarter - hahaha
=^.^=;;;
LOL kill me.
Not beta'ed – blah blah blah. I didn't even read over it. I'm so stressed but I love you, so here we are.
Jessica was pacing the Cullen home when the rest of the family arrived. Garrett looked exhausted, slumped against the wall as though he had spent days fighting off ravenous werewolves.
"How do you not see it?" Jessica all but shrieked at her mate. "Why is it so fucking hard to believe?"
"Miss Jessica–"
"Don't you even start with that 'Miss' business!" she exploded. "Don't think I don't notice you only say it when you're upset with me!"
"What's going on here?" Esme interrupted them, alarmed by the mated couple.
"Garrett fails to see how absolutely right I am about–"
"Miss Jessica–"
"Are you fucking kidding me right now? Really?!"
"My lovely, foul-mouthed mate thinks that-"
"Missing people! A dragon!" Jessica explained shrilly, gesturing her arms wildly. "She's eating them!"
"Shit," Jasper breathed, dropping onto the couch.
Rosalie's jaw dropped in horror. "Is that even possible?"
All eyes flicked to Carlisle as he tried to come to some sort of logical conclusion.
"I–, well–, I can't see bones being compatible with our system, but–"
"See!" Garrett cut in, excited that someone was on his side.
"He said but!" Jessica countered quickly.
"Yeah, 'but' what?" Emmett asked breathlessly, eyes wide with excitement, hardly able to believe the conversation the family was having.
"Well, it's possible that she could–"
"Don't encourage her nonsense!" Garrett shouted, pulling at his hair in frustration.
"Garrett," Jasper snapped, holding up a hand. "Let Carlisle finish."
Esme gestured that it would be best if everyone sat, and one by one, everyone but Jessica, who was busy pacing the room and muttering to herself, complied.
Carlisle ran his fingers through his hair to smooth it down and began mouthing words silently. "Well," he finally started, "it's possible. I mean, we have never seen anything like this before."
"Do we assume that this dragon had been able to become one as a human?"
"And if so," Rosalie murmured quietly, "were they enchanted like Bella's family or genetic like the wolves?"
"We can assume they wouldn't have been exactly like Bella," Carlisle explained. "For one, we know Bella can't be changed by venom. Secondly, as far as we know, she can't shift into a dragon."
"So, there are probably other biological differences," Jasper concluded.
"Exactly. That being said, we can't possibly know what this dragon had been capable of as a human. It's possible they can only become a dragon now that they've changed and have been exposed to our world."
"Worst case scenario, then," Jessica finally cut in, pulling at her sweater sleeves as she processed, "is that The Dragon ate the human bodies whole. Best case, she sucked them dry and spit out the bones?"
Esme shuddered, horrified at the very notion.
"Wait a second!" Jessica shouted, excitement building as the speed of her pacing increased. "The Dragon wants Bella, right? So, what if she wants her so she can make another dragon?"
No one answered her, not really following her logic.
"I mean, there's no way she can know that Bella can't be changed, right? As far as security measures go, she can't have possibly been close enough to have overheard that, yeah? That's why she wants her!"
"If your theory is correct, then Bella is in serious danger," Rosalie pointed out slowly, watching for her brother's reaction.
Jasper mentally and emotionally reached out to the pull of their mating bond, hoping to feel her. He sprang into action and flitted out of the front doors a moment later. He was well into the woods, and only just caught Jessica's next words.
"The thread–, it's thin," Jessica noted with alarm. "I don't know what that means."
Bella's claws dug deep gouges into the earth as she changed from one animal to another, racing through the tribe's land. She flew over rivers too large for her uncle to cross in one jump and took to the forest floor once more. Finally, somewhere outside of Bremerton, she lost Peter and was able to circle back, flying the rest of the way to the rendezvous point.
As she approached the tree line, Bella paused to shift back and clothed herself- it wasn't as if she couldn't protect herself as a human, and if she did end up needing to shift, tearing her clothes would probably be the least of her concerns. Being able to talk was far more important.
Stepping slowly onto the beach, her keen eyes swept across the rocks and sand, waiting for any sign of movement, or wrongness. For the first time since her breakdown, Bella felt the stirrings of anger; anger that The Dragon had requested she meet at Crescent Lake, tainting the memories she made with her mate so many months ago.
A guttural growl built in her throat, the sound carrying across the water. "Show yourself."
The Dragon didn't waste time, and unveiled her massive form, watching her from the outcropping of rocks overhanging the water. "Iz," she rumbled with a chuckle.
"How dare you," Bella snarled, suddenly furious. "You don't get to call me a name you stole from my mother's journals. You don't get to call me anything."
The Dragon studied the shifters face, grinning defiantly, her tail flicking in annoyance much like a cat would.
"You wanted to talk, so talk," Bella spat. "I'm tired of being toyed with."
"Not toy- ed," The Dragon spoke, the word drawn out as though she wasn't used to speaking.
"Are you kidding me?" the shifter shouted, temper flaring, claws emerging where her fingernails were, startled by the energy coursing through her.
It's been too long since I've shifted. How could I forget I needed to?
She took a steadying breath, trying to keep herself together long enough to figure out what was going on, the animal inside of her clamoring to get out in her fury.
"First, you send some lackey vampires to creep on me at school, then more to kidnap me! Do you know that they attacked us?"
The Dragon roared, rearing up and throwing her head back. "Dis- obedience!" she tried to explain.
"They killed my best friend!" Bella screamed, stalking forward, her jaw extending, nose broadening, resembling a mountain lion more than she did a human. "She had to be turned and you're God damn lucky she's still here, or you would be dead by now, size difference be damned." Her last words were almost lost among her teeth, long as they had become. Bella's body angled forward, resembling the ruthless predator she felt on the inside.
"They disobeyed," The Dragon tried again, clearly distressed.
"How does that make it better?" Bella roared, unable to believe the gall. "I haven't been able to safely leave my home in weeks! What about this situation possibly justifies everything that has happened?"
"Need- you," The Dragon tried to explain, sadness in her voice. "Change you."
"What do you need me for?" Bella pushed, stalking forward angrily.
"Jus- tice."
The shifter froze, not sure she heard correctly.
"You want justice? Then why create situations in which people I love deserve justice in turn?"
"Not- this way." The Dragon shook her head back and forth.
"Oh, it wasn't supposed to go down like this? Then how exactly was it supposed to go?" Bella snapped sarcastically.
"You join- me," The Dragon pled. "Need you."
"Why on Earth would I help you?" Bella shrieked, registering a tug on her mating bond.
"In danger," the beast gasped. "You."
"I'm only in danger from you!" Bella roared angrily.
The sound of a vampire running through the trees reached them.
"Coming!" The Dragon protested. "I can- save you!"
The shifter laughed in response. "You think I'm danger because my mate is coming?"
It was The Dragon's turn to freeze, surprised by the knowledge. "Mate? Cullen?"
"Yes," Bella snapped. "My mate is Jasper Whitlock, an adopted son of the Cullen family."
The Dragon had the sense to look terrified and in the next second, vanished completely. Aside from the shattering of rocks plopping into the water below, there was silence, not even the flapping of her wings could be heard.
Alice arrived home only to find that outside of Garrett, the house appeared to be empty.
"What are you doing here?" she asked curiously, eyes roaming up and down his beautifully sculpted, rugged body. "Have you come to fight?"
Garrett took in her artfully disheveled black hair, examined the impeccable grey slacks and black blouse without a single tear, laughter in his eyes. "Did you run here?"
"Of course, I ran here," Alice rolled her eyes. "Not all of us rampage around like shaggy mountain men."
Jessica flitted down the stairs and pinned the small vampire to the wall. "Watch it," she snapped.
"What the? Jessica?" Alice choked out against the hand pressed to her neck. She wasn't starving for oxygen, but it certainly impeded her ability to speak.
Garrett blew out a breath. "Yeah, she's a little territorial, I think." He flicked his eyes to his mate. "Jess," he whispered gently. "You'll have to moderate yourself differently with the small Miss Cullen; she knows not what she does."
The newborn held Alice to the wall for a few more seconds before releasing her grip and allowing the vampire to drop to the floor.
"So, you're one of us now," Alice said flatly, looking up at the girl from the floor.
"Yes, I'm one of you now," Jessica answered her waspishly. "It was that or bleed to death."
Alice's demeanor changed, and she looked at the girl with sad eyes. Having watched plenty of freshly turned vampires battling their feelings and impulses as they tried to comprehend how much they've actually lost, she could empathize.
"I'm sorry," Alice whispered.
Expecting a fight, Jessica was disarmed by the response and huffed out a breath instead. "Yeah, well, dying would have been worse, right? Well, actually dying. More than this. A more final death. Wait, it would be worse. Right?"
"Probably," Garrett answered with a grin and squeezed his mate's hand. "Well, Alice, if you don't mind, now that you are home, the two of us ought go feeding. Are you able to hold down the fort?"
Alice noted the darkness spread under Jessica's eyes, and realized she must be quite thirsty. "Yes, I suppose, I–."
Jessica took off, Garrett not far behind her, leaving Alice to look around the living room and wonder where exactly everyone was.
Just how much have I missed?
Bella managed to pull herself back from her terrifying form by the time her mate found her, her emotions slowly beginning to ebb. He pressed his hands to her face, trying to make eye contact with her.
"Why?" his voice cracked with fear and pain. "Why did you leave without telling me?"
Bella didn't seem to be able to tear her eyes from the ground, filled with shame that she was the cause for Jasper's worry.
"I'm sorry–, I wasn't even think–."
She was cut off as he wound one arm around her back, the other around her waist, and pulled her body tightly to his. "I didn't mean to scare you," she breathed, gripping him back.
Bella turned her face up to look into his eyes and was startled to find she was gazing into the endlessly dark eyes of The Major. She leaned forward slowly, her warm breath ghosting along his lips, testing the waters, and was reciprocated instantly.
His hand was at her hair in a flash, twisting and pulling her close. His lips were rough, sucking and nipping hers every time he pulled away. The Major, who feared nothing, was desperate to prove to himself that she was still there, that he hadn't lost her.
She felt a surge of urgency and had her mate pinned against a tree a moment later, reaching her hands up to twist into his hair, trapping his face to hers. Eyes closed in bliss, Bella wasn't able to comprehend how exactly The Major got the upper hand: she felt a thick tree trunk up against her back, his lips and tongue traveling down the column of her neck.
"Fuck," Bella gasped. "I love you so much," she whispered.
"I love you," The Major growled back. "And you are mine."
Bella's chest rumbled in response, a grin twisting her lips. "As you are mine."
The moment was interrupted by the sound of their family heading for them.
"What the hell were you thinking?" Peter asked angrily. "Char is stuck back at your house with Charlie and who knows what the hell could happen with all of us spread out!"
"Stop," The Major turned his piercing gaze to his second.
Emmett angled himself in front of Rosalie, as Carlisle did the same with Esme. On a subconscious level, neither trusted the tense atmosphere, nor the clear presence of The Major.
They feel her. They can feel that The Dragon was here.
Peter froze to the spot and pressed his lips into a grim line. "Just because she's your mate doesn't mean what she did was–."
The Major's eyes narrowed, and Bella felt a shift in the air; he was sharing his anger and influencing Peter's fear to understand just how serious he was being. "Enough," he ordered with finality. "There are more pressing concerns than yours, mine, or anyone else's feelings."
Esme stepped forward, hands raised, a broad smile on her face. "Why don't we all take a moment to cool down," she suggested.
While she certainly didn't feel compelled or ordered to do so, Bella nodded at her. "I think that's a really good idea." She looked down at her leggings and top, noting tears along the seams from where her body had strained against the fabric. "Maybe we could head back to the house so I can get some clothes to change into."
Maybe we can get the Hell out of this overly exposed clearing and regroup to plot since we can't tell who or what is listening.
Esme took the hint. "Yes, let's all go home. Bella can catch us up there."
Carlisle's pager went off, signaling the hospital needed him. He frowned at the group. "I'll have to catch up on this later." Without waiting for a response, he had taken off.
The Major frowned, clearly upset, but didn't have a chance to clue Bella in before the rest of the family headed home.
"Dammit, Lottie! My daughter's missing and you can't keep me here!"
"You can't follow where she went, Charlie."
"Care to explain yourself?"
Charlotte pointed to his recliner, indicating he should sit down so they could have a discussion.
Charlie harrumphed as he settled into his recliner, glaring at Charlotte petulantly.
Charlotte sat down on the couch adjacent and came to a decision.
"You're going to need to level with me, Charlie."
"About what?" he asked a little too innocently.
Charlotte's eyes narrowed, as though she were trying to bore through Charlie's skull with her mind.
Their silent stare down lasted almost a minute until Charlie broke. "Alright! Jesus! Can you just pretend to breathe again?"
Charlotte grinned triumphantly and tucked her legs under herself excitedly and waited for him to begin.
"I know you're not human," Charlie whispered quietly.
"How?"
Charlie rubbed the arms of his arm absentmindedly, apparently deciding what exactly he could share. "I was fifteen when my mom passed. My older brother was eighteen and took care of the bills and such. He moved away within a year, but kept the house in his name and sent money back.
"I started spending more and more time on the reservation, with the Black family," he looked at Renee's long-time friend, assessing her appearance. "There are a lot of legends about your kind, and a few others. For you, Pete, and the Cullen's, it's the eyes, the skin, hiding from the sunlight."
"Ah," Charlotte didn't deny his observations. "So, how exactly are you okay with Bella's boyfriend?"
"You mean her mate?" Charlie asked, shocking the vampire, her mouth hanging open. He grinned, feeling satisfaction at the confirmation. He thought for a few moments before continuing. "Long while back, my brother had a run-in with something supernatural. He became obsessed and made it his life's work to take down everything truly evil he could; turns out he and his boys are real good."
Charlotte looked confused, still wondering as to how this information could possibly make him feel safe about his daughter. "And?"
"And, as soon as the family moved to Forks, I reached out for information. Learned a lot."
"What exactly do you know about Jasper, then?"
"You mean, why aren't I afraid of The Major for Bells?"
Charlotte grinned guiltily. "Yes."
"Well, for starters, Pete was his second, and the two of you never harmed Renee or Bells," he paused again, wondering how to continue. "Do you know what happened when Jasper left the Southern Wars?"
Charlotte gulped, afraid of the answer. "We didn't risk asking him; he wasn't in a place to talk about it."
"Well," Charlie smiled broadly and shifted in his seat, excited to share the news. "Jasper didn't leave any alive. At all. I mean, the head bitch got away, but she burned for it later. And do you know who delivered her punishment?" He was positively gleeful.
Charlotte was hanging on his every word and shook her head in the negative.
"Rosalie."
"Are you serious?" Charlotte squealed. "We always thought the army had just fallen apart when he defected!"
"Nope."
"Damn," she answered admiringly, her face in awe. "I knew I liked that girl."
Charlie settled back into his chair, finally done dishing the gossip. "And my final reason for not worrying about Bells:"
Charlotte didn't breathe, didn't move a single muscle, eyes not betraying the feelings of panic that suddenly clenched in her chest.
"Well, she's just like her mom."
Bella froze outside of the Cullen house, truly taken aback by what she was seeing. Streamers and fairy lights had been strung in a corner of the living room, a long side table covered with a pink cloth topped with a beautiful arrangement of gift bags and wrapped boxes. A large, handwritten banner along the top of the display read: "I'm Sorry I Was So Horrible And I Love You All".
Alice stood to the side, a nervous smile spread across her face. "Hello! And I'm sorry!" she whisper-shouted to the group enthusiastically as though it were any other sort of party. "Oh," she paused, her face falling as she eyed Bella. "You're here?"
The Major's eyes darkened, and his presence asserted sufficiently enough that the slight girl pulled back with fear. "Yes, she's here."
"Long story," Esme answered her daughter gently and strode forward, taking Alice into her arms. "I'm so glad you're home, Sweetheart."
The little vampire closed her eyes and breathed in her mother's scent, finally feeling home. "I've missed you so much," she whispered into Esme's ear. "All of you," she clarified, as she pulled away. "So, what have I missed?"
Each member of the family looked from one to the other, not quite sure how to summarize. Thankfully, Emmett seemed up to the task. "Murders, and shapeshifters, and a dragon, oh my!"
"Oh, and, granted you already know, Alice, can't forget the part about the Volturi," Bella pitched in darkly.
The Major shifted toward Bella and growled lowly, protectively, and pulled her body close to his. "And don't forget the part where you're my mate."
"What?" Alice shrieked excitedly. "Are you serious?" She paced back and forth for a moment. "Oh! Because I can't see you!"
Bella was surprised by her reaction, having feared the worst and smiled. "Exactly."
"Well, I'm glad you're part of the family; it makes it less awkward that I got you a gift too!" she gushed, then paused, frowning. "It just isn't here yet. Art takes time," she nodded wisely.
"Thank you?"
"So," Alice gestured to the table, "I got something for everyone except Pete and Char, and Jess and Garrett since I didn't know of the arrival." She whipped out her phone and, fingers flying so quickly Bella didn't know how she managed to not break the thing, she set to rectifying the misstep.
"It really isn't necessary, Dear," Esme tried to reassure her clearly distressed daughter and reached to grab her shoulder.
"Yes, it is," Alice answered with a warm smile. "These aren't I'm sorry gifts," she continued, studying her family's faces. "They're because I wanted to. Because I saw them and thought of you, and I want you to have that," her voice cracked.
Looking at her family out of the corner of her eye, Bella saw that no one else caught the undercurrent of her words. Something to remember her by.
"That was really nice of you," Rosalie offered to break the silence. "You seem a lot more–"
"Less dour!" Emmett cut in happily, not considering how his little sister would take his assessment.
Esme froze and braced for the reaction but was pleased to find her daughter was laughing.
"Yeah, I suppose so."
"Because he's gone?" Rosalie asked quietly.
Alice spent a few moments lacing her fingers together and apart, together and apart, together and apart, her face thoughtful.
"I'm less burdened, now."
Esme looked truly remorseful and motioned for everyone to sit down. Peter, who had been waiting on the sidelines to jump into talks about Bella's private meeting huffed a sigh and acquiesced, flopping onto a chair and folding his arms.
"We have time," Esme told him gently. "This is important too." She directed her attention to Rosalie. "Rose, why don't you grab Bella some clothes so she can change?"
Rosalie was gone in a flash, and back just as suddenly with a pair of dark jeans, and a soft grey, tie-front shirt.
Bella took them gratefully and scuttled off for the bathroom. "Wait for me!" she called back. She changed quickly and was happy to find a padded sports bra, underwear, and socks wrapped inside the jeans. Better yet: not only was the top extremely comfortable, but the jeans fit her perfectly.
I'll have to ask Rose where she got these.
She returned quickly and sat down on the loveseat, pulling her mate with her. After he was settled, she ran her hand up and down his back soothingly. He smiled at her gratefully and wrapped his arm around her.
"Okay," Alice said, her voice sounding mischievous. "You two are disgustingly cute."
Bella blushed, flatted by the compliment, and glad to welcome back such a radically changed Alice.
"So, what did you mean, Dear?" Esme prompted her daughter gently.
"I- it was- every single time I had a vision, he saw, and he tried so hard to steer our lives without ever realizing that the bad things, that danger could actually come to be simply because he meddled," she explained with a sigh. "Then there was the fact that he's so very young. His immaturity made him the most dangerous person in the house, in terms of outing us or bringing the Volturi down upon us. So, I did what any sister would do."
"You took it upon yourself to take care of him," Esme realized, a devastated look on her face. "I just thought you two were close."
Rosalie and Emmett looked guilty for never realizing just how much of Alice's time had revolved around keeping their brother in check.
"I mean, we were. It just wasn't-"
"Reciprocated?" Bella suggested.
"Exactly. And I've learned that you're supposed to give to family without expecting in return, but it eventually began to feel like- if I was always looking out for him, he never had to fear failure. The fact that I kept cleaning up messes made it all the easier for him to create them."
"I'm so sorry, Alice," Esme reached forward and pulled the pixie into a tight embrace. "We truly had no idea."
"I know," she answered sadly. "I wanted to tell you, but whenever I thought about it, Edward would make an even bigger mess of things."
"He kept you busy," Emmett said angrily.
"That's very manipulative," Rosalie continued her mate's train of thought with a grimace. "I'm really sorry that happened."
Jasper, who had yet to speak nodded once at the small vampire, indicating his acknowledgment of her struggles.
The Major's grip on his mate tightened reflexively as Alice turned to address her with an extremely uncomfortable look on her face.
"I do just want to say, Bella," that I'm very sorry for how I treated you. I know I was so rude, especially when you tried to include me, even when you didn't know me."
"Thank you, Alice," Bella answered, her mouth dry with confusion. "I forgive you."
Alice looked about ready to cry with relief, and The Major relaxed his hold: he had been waiting for her response to determine his own reception.
"I do too," Emmett and Rosalie answered at the same time.
"Jinx!" Peter exploded, happy to find a way into the conversation. "And I forgive you too, Shortie."
The sound of a text message arriving on Peter's phone was followed almost immediately by the reappearance of Garrett and Jessica; the latter of which looking expectantly at Peter's phone.
At his Second's tensing posture, The Major snapped back into alert. "What is it?"
Peter sighed and tossed his phone to the floor, clearly exasperated. "Charlie knows and demanded Char bring him here."
"Knows what?" Jasper asked, voice sounding detached in his quest for information.
"Us. Izzy."
Bella pushed a lock of her hair away from her face, trying to wrap her mind around the implications.
"Well, duh, he knows about Bella," Jessica said with a roll of her eyes.
Bella stilled her movements and looked up to her friend. "What do you mean?"
"Uh- are you serious?"
"Yes!" Bella, Rosalie, and Emmett said at the same time, startling her.
"What is your dad's nightly routine?"
"How is that relevant?" Bella asked, confused.
"Trust me," Jessica pushed her impatiently.
"Okay, fine. He eats dinner, watches something on the TV, then heads to bed."
"No, what specifically, after he turns off the TV," Jessica clarified, growing excited as Bella neared the clue.
"Uh-, well, he checks the patio and front door to see if they're locked."
"And," the vampire pushed, bouncing from foot to foot.
Peter looked about ready to throttle her, but the rest of the family watched on, wondering where exactly she was headed.
"He turns on the porch light?"
"Yes!" Jessica exploded, thrilled her friend finally got there.
Bella was bewildered by her friend's behavior. "Well, again, how is that relevant?"
"Almost every single sleepover we've had, Charlie has done this: except for two. Can you guess when?"
Bella was still stumped, not drawing any sort of connection.
"Dude. Your dad leaves it off around the full moon."
"He doesn't want to add to the risk of anyone seeing me," Bella realized, her throat growing tight with the emotion.
"That's really thoughtful," Esme remarked with a smile.
"It's a very 'dad' thing to do," Jessica confirmed with a nod.
"Wow," Bella fell back against the couch cushion, only just realizing how close she had been to jumping out of her seat. "That's just- wow."
Headlights flashed across the windows, sending shafts of light flashing through the living room. Esme stood to open the door for the visitor and suddenly very nervous, Bella scooted into the far corner of the loveseat and tried to make herself as small as possible.
"Babyvamp," Peter looked at Jessica. "Disappear upstairs. It'll probably be too much for Charlie right away."
"I'll go with you," Garrett offered himself quickly.
Jessica nodded and the two vanished up the stairs without needing to be told twice.
The Major eyed his mate and gently removed her from the defensive position she had taken. "You can do this."
His statement left no room to argue; it wasn't meant solely as support, rather a simple fact.
Bella nodded and readjusted herself to sit next to her mate, only slightly closer than most couples might at a parent's house. Their posture conveyed confidence and security that didn't waver once the door opened, and Charlie's eyes found her.
"Alice," he noted her presence immediately. "No Edward?"
"No," Alice confirmed and shifted in her seat.
"Where's Carlisle?"
"He's at the hospital," Esme explained. "Please, have a seat, Charlie. I'll get you a drink and we can talk."
Charlie sat in a chair adjacent to Jasper's position on the loveseat and studied the pair. "I have to be honest; I'm angry."
Bella paled, the old fear she had felt after first arriving to Forks, that she would somehow disappoint her father, crept back in. Every set of vampire eyes flicked to her like a spotlight, highlighting just how nervous she was.
"I couldn't tell you about me!" she burst into tears. "I wanted to, I wanted to for so long, but I couldn't. Mom made me promise not to tell anyone, and every time I thought about telling you, something stopped me."
Charlie's face fell as he realized how Bella had interpreted his words. "I'm not angry that you didn't tell me about you. I'm angry that no one told me something more was going on. Not even the tribe thought to fill me in once they started getting phasers again."
"I'm sorry we didn't tell you," The Major offered Charlie sincerely, feeling the frustration the man was expressing, but catching the underlying fear.
Esme returned with a tray containing a kettle of hot water for tea, two empty mugs and one full of what smelled like coffee. Two tea diffusers were situated next to small jars of loose-leaf tea alongside sandwiches cut diagonally into quarters, and a plate of cookies. "I don't know if you're hungry, but I don't think Bella has eaten," she remarked quietly.
Charlie looked relieved as his daughter reached forward to grab a plate to dish herself.
"Tea?" Esme asked her softly, wanting to calm the girl.
"Yes, please," Bella answered her gratefully. "The chamomile would be great, thank you."
Esme plopped the tea diffuser into the mug and poured water over it while Charlie looked over the tray.
"Decaf?" he asked hopefully as he inhaled the velvety richness.
"Of course," Esme murmured with a smile. "I don't remember much of my human life, but I do know that caffeine this late in the evening isn't a good idea."
The easy reference to her human life eased the urgency in the man. He heaved a sigh of relief while he fixed himself a mug, taking comfort at the vampire's willingness to share information. Once he had settled himself, the family began sharing the story, from confusing beginnings, to the attack on Bella and Jessica.
Jessica chose that moment to descend from where she had been hiding with Garrett, squeezing his hand for support as they entered the living room.
The blood drained from Charlie's face as he processed what he was seeing. "Jessica Stanley," he whispered hoarsely.
"Yes," she confirmed and took a seat next to Emmett.
"Everyone thinks you died. Your mom thinks you died."
Jessica's eyes filled with venom and she swallowed reflexively. "I did die, Chief Swan."
"The only way to keep her here," Garrett spoke to Charlie for the first time, catching his gaze. "Was to change her; so I offered."
"You found them?" Charlie connected quickly. "Where were you all?" he asked, his voice raw with emotion.
"We were attacked by vampires that were cloaked by a gifted vampire," Bella reminded him. "Not even I know it was coming."
"We were totally cut off from our senses," Rosalie explained sadly. "We couldn't smell Jess, we couldn't see them, and we couldn't hear them."
"It was terrifying," Emmett admitted, much to everyone's surprise. "What?" he asked, taking in their faces. "I'm allowed to be afraid of things."
"Aw," Jessica nudged him in the side. "You're such a brother."
"So, how do we proceed?" Charlie asked. "Wait. What about the treaty?"
"We didn't break it," The Major interjected. "The treaty stipulates that our family can't bite anyone: we didn't bite Jess. Garrett did."
"Lieutenant Garrett Glover. It is a pleasure to meet you, sir," Garrett extended a hand to the chief, who outside of a brief pause filled with confusion, accepted the courtesy.
The heat appeared to be somewhat off Jessica's change, and to bring them back to the topic at hand, Bella mentioned, "Also, you should know that I was bitten."
Charlie's eyes grew round and Bella was ninety-nine percent certain that coffee was going to spew out of his mouth from the shock. Instead, he choked on the warm liquid and sputtered a, "but you're not-"
"No," she answered with a smile. "Apparently I can't be changed."
The conversation drifted back to more recent developments, and thankfully, Charlie was out of coffee by the time the family had gotten him caught up to the discovery of theft and return of Renee's journals, the conclusion that Bella was a target and the very dragon-filled present.
Bella settled back in against her mate's side, a fresh mug of tea in hand. "There was one more journal; I think she broke in to leave it," she shared her suspicions. "Otherwise, you all would have seen the message."
"That's true," Esme sighed, her eyes fluttering shut. "So, we do have gaps."
The Major tensed once more and looked to her face to catch her gaze.
Bella could see the fear, the frustration, the anger, and the love, so much love, fighting for dominance in his deep, dark eyes. She raised one hand and ran her thumb gently along his jaw to his ear, the way he had thousands of times hers. Cupping his face with her warmth, she allowed him a moment to feel as supported as he made her feel; as though he could rest, could set down the weight that settled upon him.
His expression softened, and with a deep breath, he collected himself and returned to the conversation.
Their interaction hadn't gone unnoticed by Charlie or the rest of the family. Alice, in particular, was analyzing their interactions, apparently fascinated.
Emmett coughed and pressed forward, "anyway, Chief-."
"Charlie," Bella's father reminded him.
"Anyway, Chief Charlie," Emmett answered, eyes twinkling. "Bells decided to go and meet up with said Dragon."
At Charlie's horrified expression, Bella raised her hands up to defend herself. "Wait, before you freak out, you should read the message."
Charlie's lips disappeared into a thin line of disapproval. "Well, where is it?"
"Uh- I don't have it."
"I read it," Charlotte cut in and prepared to recite it.
"Hello, Isabella.
I have returned the journals to you in a show of good faith in the hopes you would be willing to meet with me.
I'll be at Crescent Lake - you still remember the way, don't you? Wednesday evening, 8 o'clock."
Charlotte's words were met with a reddening of Bella's face, and a ringing silence. "She was spying on me. Even then," she struggled to speak the words as the animal inside demanded that she hunt the bitch down.
How many of our private moments has she studied?
The Major realized where her thoughts had turned and as she began to shake with reawakened energy, stood and held out his hand to her.
Charlie looked alarmed, worried she was going to take off.
"She just needs a few minutes," Peter informed him firmly.
"How would you kn-"
"Dad," Bella cut in, feeling her eyes changing, the struggle to keep herself together growing evident.
He looked at her in wonder, then down to her hands where claws were lengthening and nodded his understanding.
Jasper led her to the safety and privacy afforded by the War Room without another word. Bella yanked off her clothes the minute they were inside and allowed the shift to happen. Her body snapped so quickly into form, that it almost hurt her muscles and bones.
The mountain lion left in her place needed to run, demolish the forest, tear the throat out of The Dragon, and protect her family. Able to think somewhat logically, she realized there was nothing in this room she could risk destroying and settled on pacing, snarling, and roaring with frustration.
The Major let her vent, understanding the need to express every side of her nature. In his steady calm, the anger left her quickly as she realized that what she felt was violated; any number of her private, intimate moments with Jasper could have been stolen by the observation of another. With a final whine, she padded over to her mate and shifted back as the tears began to fall from her eyes.
He reached for her immediately and wrapped his arms tightly around her shaking body. Once again, he didn't tell her it was okay, because it wasn't.
"I'm so tired of hiding."
"We shouldn't have to be, darlin'," he whispered gruffly. The Major pulled away to look at her face. Finding her gaze directed to the floor, he tilted her chin up and waited for her to look him in the eyes.
The fury that burned in his pupils captured her undivided attention. Suddenly, there was only The Major; everything else faded away.
A dark grin spread across his face and in the next second, Bella's body was slammed against the wall. The Major pressed one hand between her legs, where her slick arousal was already spreading.
She reached for his belt but he was suddenly on his knees, pulling her a step forward to taste her. The Major slid her legs up and over his shoulders the way he had in the shower, allowing the weight of her body to press against his face for optimal pressure.
The girl squirmed and arched her back against the wall as his cold lips pressed kisses between her folds, a surprised gasp escaping her mouth. The Major's tongue swirled firmly around her clit, the smooth firmness sending shocks to her every nerve and hardening her nipples painfully. He was desperate to bring her to climax, to relieve even some of her tension and brought two fingers to her center.
Bella choked on a breath of air, the sudden addition of his fingers jolting her body into motion. She rocked her hips back and forth, grinding on The Major's face, sliding his tongue just where she needed it. Body shaking, heart pounding, Bella raced toward her climax and was just shy of finishing when he sucked her clit between his lips, his tongue flicking the tip.
He allowed his teeth to gently graze the delicate flesh, and with this surprising sensation, Bella shattered on her mate's face, her gasping cries blessedly silenced by the thick walls of the War Room.
Still riding out intense aftershocks, Bella hardly noticed as she was hoisted back up until she felt her mate's hips between her legs. She leaned more heavily against the wall and spread her thighs to allow him entry.
She expected him to take her swiftly, but The Major eased his rigid, thick shaft slowly into her heat, every centimeter creating a feeling of fullness that brought her closer to coming again. Pausing only partly inside of her, he leaned forward to lick and nip at her neck.
Bella's hips bucked automatically in response to the sensation, slamming her pelvis against his, taking the rest of his length in one go.
The Major growled with pleasure and approval at her responsiveness and began to thrust into her rhythmically, but not nearly as hard as she would like. Realizing it was a sort of taunting request, she met him, thrust for thrust, taking him fully inside of her.
The Major pressed into her so hard that her back was flat to the wall. Placing her arms on either side of her, Bella pushed off it, adding resistance, allowing his cock to fill her deeply, roughly with every thrust.
Needing more, she arched her back, using her shoulders to keep herself propped up and gripped his lower back, jerking him forward with each motion.
Bella felt her body tighten and was filled with the sudden need to rub on the floor, on sandpaper, to do anything she could to escape her skin. With one final, desperate cry of pleasure and frustration, she came around her mate, her nails raking down his back and leaving leaking trails where she drew venom.
The Major pounded his thick shaft into her, her muscles contracting deliciously around him until, pressing down on her shoulders to shove himself as deeply as he could, he came; a cold, wet eruption that filled her completely.
Bella's body was locked against his, spasming around him, and with each contraction, she was hit with a wave of pleasure that was every bit as intense as the actual orgasm. The Major waited for her to come down, kissing her neck while she caught her breath.
"You're amazing, did you know that? I feel so much better."
"Happy I could help," The Major rumbled into her ear with a smile. He lowered his mate to a stand and knelt to clean the their fluids from her inner thighs, moaning in arousal at the taste and scent of her.
"Fuck," she gasped, unable to keep her pelvis from rocking her forward onto his face. "You trying to wind me up again, Major Whitlock?"
"Maybe," he laughed against her thigh before continuing his journey to her center. "But we should probably get back before someone comes looking."
Suddenly remembering that her father and the rest of her family were in the house, Bella was mortified. "Oh, my God!"
"It's fine," he told her confidently before giving a final swirl of his tongue, cleanly removing the evidence of their joining. "Sound-proofed, remember?"
"That's not what I'm worried about," the shifter hissed back, her eyes wide.
"What, then?" he asked, his eyebrows drawing together in confusion.
"Your gift!"
The Major froze, only just realizing where her head had gone. "We should probably prepare ourselves to walk in on an orgy."