Bella had hoped to clear the area, but Jasper had caught her very quickly. She stopped, her eyes wide, and she took several steps back as he advanced towards her.

"I'm not gonna harm you suga," he said simply. "Even before, at your birthday party, I had no desire to harm you; it was purely instinctual. You were right about the cause of it."

"Is it true, though? About you being a confederate soldier?" She looked straight into his hard gold eyes. She didn't remember Jasper being this way when she was human. He was harsher and colder. And he scared the hell out of her.

"It is," he said bluntly. "I joined the cause and was promoted to a Major, but then I grew sickened of it, and I resigned. I have never owned slaves or used them either."

Bella didn't know how to feel at his explanation. She was mentally exhausted at the moment, so she nodded slowly.

"I'll leave that alone for now," she said, crossing her arms. "What makes you so sure that we are mates?"

"The pull," the Major stated, taking another step towards her. "All mates feel the pull when they discover one another."

"Maybe I didn't feel one though," Bella challenged defiantly. "So that means we aren't mates." If her heart still pumped blood, it would have been racing by now.

"Liar," he growled, taking another step. "You felt it, and you forget; I can feel your emotions, Bella."

Bella looked away. "I'm not ready to have sex if that's what you want." She knew how it went when mates found one another. It was sorely tempting, but no, she wasn't ready, not emotionally, and not mentally.

"Yes, I want you, suga, but I would not force you." His eyes had softened a bit.

Bella bit her lip and nodded. "Well, you're in for quite the wait."

There was a sort of emotion in his eyes, perhaps amusement? He held out his hand. "Very well then, come on."

Bella hesitated before placing her hand in his. It was warm and bigger than her own and steady. He led her back to where the rest of the group remained.

There was a commotion, and once again, Edward was the cause of it. Still armless, he flailed about in a clear temper tantrum. Carlisle and Esme were attempting to calm him down, but it didn't seem to be working. Alice and Rosalie were gone, and the Denali where gathered together at a distance.

Edward caught sight of Bella with Jasper, and he started to flail and scream even more. It was a sight that tugged at Bella's heartstrings.

The Major let out an irritated growl, and suddenly Edward let out a scream before slumping to the ground unconscious.

"Thank god," Peter huffed, clearly annoyed. "Couldn't stand that nonsense, and Kate over there didn't want to shock him."

"What a fucking fool," The Major growled as Esme cradled Edward, and Emmett retrieved Edward's arms and brought them to Carlisle.

The rest of the Denali approached, albeit somewhat cautiously.

"I've never seen Edward act like that before," Tanya said softly, her eyes filled with pity as she looked at Edward.

Kate snorted. "More like an idiotic boy doesn't get his way and resorts to manipulation, violence, and a temper tantrum."

"How long will he be like that?" Bella asked, looking up at Jasper.

"Ten minutes," he answered, looking down at Edward in disgust. "Give or take."

"He hasn't been the same since the night of your birthday party," Carlisle said sadly, looking at Bella, who looked away at his words.

"I don't love him anymore," she said quietly. "And he chose to leave, just as you all chose to follow." He flinched at her words, but Bella refused to soften words with him.

"So, what now?" Tanya asked, looking around warily.

"Major?" Peter asked, looking at Jasper expectantly.

"Wait," Bella interrupted now, curious. "Where exactly do you live now?"

"Texas," The Major answered.

"One of the sunniest places in the United States?" Bella scoffed in disbelief. "And I don't want to leave, not now, they are helping me with my gift."

Suddenly, everyone's attention focused on her.

"Gift?" The Major repeated, raising a golden eyebrow at her. Bella turned away from his god-like face and addressed the rest of the group.

"I'm a mental shield," she explained calmly though inwardly, her emotions told a different story. "I've been working on them with Kate and Garret."

"Interesting," Carlisle mused thoughtfully. "It would explain why Edward couldn't read your mind when you were human."

"Yes," Bella said slowly. "It would explain that, and I would like to work on expanding my gift." She looked at Jasper expectantly, folding her arms across her chest.

The Major stared at her for several long moments before nodding. "Fine," he said, though it was clear that he didn't like it. Too bad.

"Whipped," Peter snickered though he quickly stopped after the Major gave him a look that sent chills down Bella's spine.

"Why don't we head back to the house, while the Cullen's get Edward back together in one piece," Tanya said, with a slight wince at the double meaning of her words.

"Sounds good." Anywhere else was better than where she was at the moment. As they walked back, Bella looked up at the Major, an immediate question popping into her mind.

"You're so different from Jasper," she began uneasily. "They call you the Major, why?"

"I am apart of Jasper, though I am not always here," he answered stoically. "I am as one would call it, his "alter ego," and I take over when it is necessary."

"What was necessary about the situation with Edward?" She asked quietly. "I'm sure you could have kicked his ass as Jasper."

There was a slight tugging at the Major's lips, and Bella thought it might have been the beginning of a smirk. "Yes, that is true, but I am more efficient and ruthless. And you are my mate, and you were in harm's way. I wasn't about to tolerate that."

"Wait, so are you my mate or is it Jasper or-"

"Both," he cut her off. "We are the same person, just different parts suga."

"When will Jasper come back?"

"Soon," Was all he said, and they fell back into silence as they reached the house.

Once they were inside, Bella grabbed the Major's hand and led him to her room. She ignored Peter's snickering, and Charlotte scolding him and closed the door behind them.

"I am so angry with you," Bella huffed as she turned to face him. "But I don't want you away from my side," she hesitated. "Not now."

The Major gave her a searching look, and then there was a curious change about him, and his features relaxed somewhat, and his eyes brightened.

"Jasper," she breathed, and he nodded, albeit a bit sheepishly. "Hey, darlin."

"Do you remember what happened?" She asked curiously.

"Always."

"Well, that's good, at least." she sat on the edge of the bed. "would you ever have imagined someone like me as your mate?"

Jasper gave her a solemn look. "A vampire can have anyone, whether man or woman as a mate. It doesn't matter; the only requirement is that they are a mature adult."

"Hmm," She motioned to herself with a flick of her hand. "And the fact that I am black?"

"In the 19th century, in my human days, I would have been surprised as I would never have expected it, and such relations were frowned upon." He grimaced. "Now? No, it doesn't surprise me."

"Who changed you?" Edward had only told her Carlisle's story, and it had been pretty dark.

"A woman named Maria," he answered. "I was headed back to Houston when I came across her and two other women with her named Lucy and Nettie."

"Did she drain you and fail to make sure you were dead?" Bella thought back to her own transformation. It had been all the more painful due to Laurent's sloppy mistake.

Jasper shook his head and folded his arms across his muscular chest. "No suga, she changed me so I could serve her in her army."

"Army?" Bella repeated, confused. "What army was this?" Did Jasper have a thing for wars or something?

"A vampire army," there was a flash in his eyes, and she knew it was a sore subject for him. But Bella wanted to know. He was her mate, after all.

He saw her confused look and continued. "They are a southern thing if you can call it that. Vampires fighting one another for food and territory, it was bloody and dangerous."

"And this Maria wanted you to fight for her territory?" She was baffled by this. There were plenty of humans to kill and drain, why fight over it?

"Yes, with my gift and training, I was her second in command, the major of her armies. She would change about fifteen or twenty newborns, and I would train them to fight, and they would serve until their newborn year was over."

"She wanted them when a vampire was at their strongest," Bella stated, horror filling her as the realization dawned on her.

Jasper nodded grimly. "Yes, there were a few like me, who survived past the first year, but they were either very good, gifted, or both."

"How long were you apart of this army?" She asked quietly.

"Until the 1930s."

"Jasper," Bella breathed, her eyes wide. More than half a century living a hellish life and delivering hell to other vampires and humans.

"One day, a man I had changed, Peter, had grown attached to a newborn named Charlotte. As her first year approached, I was getting ready to destroy her along with another batch of newborns when Peter shouted for her to run and ran after her." He let out a heavy sigh and ran a hand through his golden hair. "I let them escape."

"So, you hadn't entirely forgotten your humanity," Bella murmured, and he nodded. "I grew depressed, and the lifestyle was gradually taking its toll on me. Then one day, Peter came back and told me of a different lifestyle in the North."

"Was he a vegetarian as well?"

Jasper shook his head. "No, Peter and Charlotte hunt humans, but instead of fighting over territory like in the South, they traveled together, avoiding other vampires and hunting criminals. Seeing an out, I took it and left with Peter and headed North."

"How did you come to meet Alice?" Bella asked quietly, ignoring the flash of jealousy that shot through her.

"I came across her at a diner, where she was waiting for me," Jasper said, crossing his arms across his chest. "She was waiting for me there and had seen me coming, of course."

"She thought the two of you were mates?" Bella asked, raising an eyebrow.

"No, but she had seen our paths intertwined, and we had decided to become companions, and we lived as husband and wife for the next several decades," he answered, arching an eyebrow. "You know we aren't together anymore, right, darlin?"

"I figured, why do you ask?" Bella asked.

"I can feel your emotions, Bella, and I can feel the undercurrent of jealousy," Jasper said softly.

Bella stiffened and cursed inwardly. "I can't help that," she said, her frustration seeping into her tone. "It's instinctual."

"I know," Jasper said gently. "After your birthday party, Alice and I separated, and I left the Cullen's and returned to my own coven."

"Peter and Charlotte?"

"Yes, I sired them both in the Southern Wars."

"Oh," Bella said, somewhat surprised. Given his past and issues with self-control, she hadn't thought he would be able to change people.

"How did you become a vampire?" Jasper asked, his eyes brimming with curiosity.

"Did they tell you about Laurent and me?"

"I heard that particular piece of news," Jasper growled, his eyes narrowing dangerously, and Bella felt a shudder run down her spine, though it wasn't out of fear. "What happened afterward?"

"He didn't kill me, so I wound up going through the change," Bella informed him. "I killed him while I was a newborn."

"Good for you," Jasper said, his eyes flashing. "It's no less than he deserved."

Bella let out a slight laugh. "I agree, though Victoria is still somewhat of a problem, I think." She frowned. "I'm gonna have to deal with her."

"You know I wouldn't let anything happen to you, right?" Jasper asked as he crossed the room and sat down next to her. "Victoria would be dead before she could even lay so much as a fucking finger on you."

"Is that you talking or the Major?"

"Both," he answered readily, and Bella found she did believe him, even if she was still somewhat wary.

"Before Laurent died, I well, I kinda tortured him," Bella admitted sheepishly, and Jasper gave her a smirk that she found very attractive.

"A smart decision and one that I wouldn't judge you for," he said pointedly. "I would have done the same, though my techniques probably differ from yours."

"Well, I found out that he had been spying on Victoria's half, watching my movements even when I was human and reporting back to her."

"And he killed you because of Victoria," Jasper stated grimly.

Bella shook her head. "No, he decided that on his own. He told me that Victoria had wanted to do the honors, but he was going to kill me because he was thirsty, and I just happened to come across him."

They both paused as they heard voices and the approach of footsteps. Jasper was on his feet, his expression thunderous. "Edward," he growled, and Bella scowled.

"Jasper, I don't want the two of you fighting," Bella said, crossing her arms and giving him a pointed look.

"He'll be fine if he keeps his hands to himself," Jasper growled, and Bella rolled her eyes.

"Let me handle it," she said, rising to her feet. "Edward needs to get it through his stubborn head that we are done."

They walked downstairs to where several Cullens and Denali greeted them. They all gave her various looks that Bella didn't feel like giving a damn about.

Edward was there in front of Carlisle and Esme, his expression a mixture of anger and despair. "Bella!" he said, rushing forward when Carlisle grabbed his arm.

"Don't, Edward," he warned as Bella stopped at the bottom of the stairs.

"Could Edward and I have some privacy?" Bella asked when suddenly a huge growl erupted behind her, and Bella turned to see Jasper a few inches behind her, his handsome face twisted in anger.

"The Major is going to make an appearance shortly," Peter remarked with a snicker, and Charlotte shot him a glare. "What, woman? You know it's true!"

"This isn't funny, Peter!"

Bella whirled around, and sure enough, Jasper's eyes were darker than usual. "Calm down," she said with a frown. "Nothing is going to happen."

"It's not you, I am worried about," Jasper said coldly, his eyes trained on Edward.

"Edward will be the gentlemen he always claimed to be when I was human," Bella retorted, giving Edward a scathing look. "Won't you?"

"Of course, Bella!" Edward said, and there was pain in his golden eyes. "I would never hurt you!"

Bella bit back the obvious retort and turned to Jasper. "Go, it'll be alright, I promise," she said calmly, and Jasper finally turned his gaze towards her and then nodded. He walked down the steps and gave a sharp jerk of his head towards Peter and Charlotte, who immediately followed him out the door. The rest of the Cullens and the Denali followed as well.

Bella crossed the room and sat on one of the couches and motioned to the sofa across from her. "Sit," she demanded, and Edward reluctantly took a seat where she indicated.

"Now, before we begin, I should say it is more than likely that Jasper is right outside the house, so no matter what, you need to stay in control and over there."

"I'm not going to hurt you, Bella, you are my life," Edward said softly, and Bella bit back an irritated growl.

"But you already have in the past, so how can you say something like that now?" She demanded angrily. Who was he kidding?

"I know what I did was wrong," Edward said with a wince. "And I'll spend the rest of my life making it up to you, please believe that."

"Making it up how?" She scowled at him. "Even if you made things right, I am never getting back together with you."

"Bella, you don't know how long I have waited for you," Edward breathed, his face twisted in agony. "You are my life."

"No, I am not," Bella said sharply. "Can you listen to me for once?"

Edward said nothing, and Bella took that as her cue. "I don't want to be with you, Edward," she said firmly. "Can you respect that?"

"Bella, you can't expect me to just walk away like that!" Edward protested. "That would be making the same mistake twice, and I won't do that!"

Bella stared at him for several long moments. "You're making a mistake right now, Edward, and it's not even a new one, it's called not listening to me."

Edward went to argue, and she cut him off. "And by the way, what the hell was that with Jasper?"

"What do you mean?"

"You knew Jasper was a confederate soldier long before this, didn't you?"

"Yes, I knew but-"

"So why did you bring it up now?" Her voice was cold. "It is something I should and do want to know, but that wasn't the reason you told me now, was it?"

Edward looked down before slowly meeting her gaze. "I am so sorry, love," he said quietly. "I shouldn't have done that."

"No, you shouldn't have," Bella said, her voice rising slightly. "Besides what of your own past Edward? Or did you forget that?"

Edward frowned in confusion. "My own past? I wasn't a Confederate soldier, that was the previous-"

Bella gave him a long disgusted look. "Be careful there with the condescension Edward," she said acidly. "I know what century the civil war was in."

"Then what are you talking about?"

Bella scoffed. "Oh, come on, Edward! You used to be astonished at how smart and intuitive I was when I was human; you don't think it ever came across my mind that a vampire born in the early 20th century may not have been raised with modern views?"

Edward gaped at her in pure shock. Bella rose to her feet, thoroughly pissed off and emotionally exhausted.

"We are over, and in case you have forgotten, or you can't respect my answer, remind yourself that I already have a mate," Bella snarled. "It'd be in your best interest to stay away from me because we are over, and this conversation is too."

With that, she gave him one last searing look before storming outside where the others were. As she suspected, Jasper was right outside, leaning against the wall, his entire body tense even if his pose was somewhat casual. Peter and Charlotte were giving her wide-eyed, curious glances, and the Cullen's and Denali were there as well, though the former group had more awkwardness and uneasiness to them.

"Kate," Bella said, ignoring everyone and focusing on the gifted Denali sister. "I would like to train tomorrow afternoon if you don't mind."

"Of course," Kate said, giving her a worried look. "But, are you alright?"

"As much as can be expected," Bella said coolly. "Don't worry about it."

"Bella?" She turned her head to see Alice approach her cautiously. Some best friend she had turned out to be.

"Has your visions told you what my response is going to be?" Bella asked, and Alice gave her a shocked look, but she nodded slowly. "Then save it, I'm not in the mood for any more talks at the moment." She turned her head towards Jasper. "I'm going for a hunt; I want to be alone."

His eyes narrowed, but he said nothing, and Bella took off. She didn't even think about the direction she was going; she just had to get out of there and clear her mind.

...

Jasper watched Bella go before turning to Peter. "I told you she will be fine, and you know I know shit major, so just relax," Peter said, and Jasper nodded. He didn't like it, but considering all that had happened, he knew Bella needed the time to herself.

"So, what do we do now?" Emmett asked, looking around at all the vampires that had gathered.

"We?" Jasper repeated, and Emmett gave him a sheepish look. It had been a long time since he had spoken to any of the Cullens, and he wasn't in the mood to change that. He straightened up and walked into the house, where he came across Edward, sitting on the couch, his emotions a mixture of agony, despair, self-loathing, and anger.

A bed of your own making. Jasper thought darkly, knowing that Edward would hear his thoughts. Edward's head snapped up, and he shot to his feet, a snarl on his face.

"Edward, I don't need the Major to kill you," Jasper said softly, but maliciously. "I was a trained and deadly fighter long before he even came, so don't you start with that shit."

"It's wrong, and you know it!" Edward snarled, sinking into a crouch.

Jasper gave him a heated glare. "Wrong? It's a mating bond, you dumbass. You lived all those years with the Cullens, and you knew from their thoughts what it was like, so how can it be wrong?" And he was quite sure that if it had been the other way around, Edward wouldn't have argued against it at all. Fucking hypocrite.

"You don't deserve her!"

That wasn't something that Jasper disagreed with at all. "No, I don't, but I'm not about to deny a mating bond. Accept it, Edward, because if you don't and you keep trying to screw with Bella, I'm gonna kill you, and it won't be a quick death, I promise you that." He felt the Major rattle the cage that kept him bound, and he gave Edward a sadistic smile.

Edward took a step back, fear and horror running through him as he heard Jasper's inner thoughts.

"Well?" Jasper prompted, crossing his arms across his chest.

"She's the love of my existence! I saw her first!"

"And then you left her, you fucking idiot. And she told you she doesn't want you," he paused. "Regardless of whether I'm her mate or not."

"She doesn't understand, she believes I don't love her, but I do!" He sneered. "And you can feel my emotions, Jasper, you can't deny my true feelings!"

Jasper shrugged and rolled his eyes. This damn idiot. "It doesn't change what you did do. And if you were so smart, you'd know that even the people that love you can hurt you, not that I really consider your type of "love" to be good after what happened, but you get the point." He gave Edward a cruel smile. "Or would you like me to send you a dose of Bella's current feelings towards you?"

Edward stared at him, the rage rolling off of him in waves, but Jasper knew if it came down to a fight, it would be over within mere seconds. He made to leave when Jasper interrupted him. "Stay close to the house, Edward, if you know what's good for you." He kept his mind purposefully blank as Edward stared at him in confusion and anger.

The door opened, and Peter and Charlotte entered, wary of the two of them. "It's fine," he told his captain and lieutenant. "Edward knows his place."

Edward rushed out the door, but he didn't go too far as Jasper could still sense him within range. "Report, captain," he demanded, turning to address Peter fully.

"Nothing yet, Major," Peter said casually. "Though I think everything will turn out alright in the end. Aren't you glad I convinced you to come up here?"

Jasper gave him a look torn between exasperation and affection. Peter was an obnoxious jackass, but he was his real brother, and he loved him.

"I'm happy that you finally found your mate," Charlotte said pleasantly. "I hope we left a good impression on her."

Jasper's lips quirked up into a smirk. "I don't think you'll have to worry about that, Charlotte. Compared to Edward, how could you not?"

AN: This chapter took forever, and I do apologize for it! And while this is a Bella's POV story, I decided to throw in a bit from Jasper's perspective at the end, and I might do so again. I hope y'all enjoy this chapter! Thank you, everyone, who left a review and followed or favorited this story!