Sorry for the lenghty wait, folks! I hope you're all doing good, and not going mad due to the quarantine. Also thank you so much, 'The man is always taller' passed 60,000 hits! You're the best, guys!

In this chapter we'll see the BEGINNING of the operation against the newborn army. I hope you'll like it, and also remember to check out at the end of the chapter, I have something for you ;)


BELLA POV

Hey, Bells. How're you?

"Hey Dad. I'm good, having fun here. How's back there at home?" I ask my dad, smiling as I lay on my bed. Caius and Jasper are outside training with the guards, but they should be back soon.

All good. I miss you and your cooking, but Sue is doing the best she can.

"You've been spending a lot of time with Sue these last weeks, haven't you?" I say.

Yeah… well, she needed comfort after what happened with Harry, and I guess she simply found that comfort in me… that's all. I'm just helping… he mumbles, and I laugh.

"Yeah, yeah. I don't doubt it" I snicker.

Alright, alright kiddo. Enough about me. How's the vacation going? Is Jasper alright? he asks.

This is our cover. Jasper is visiting his older 'family' in Texas and he wanted me to come. Charlie wasn't really sure, but when we told him that I had broken up with Edward and that Jasper wanted me to go with him also to get my mind off things he was convinced. He still wants daily updates on my so-called vacation. "He's fine, he's sunbathing now" I invent on a whim, "Yeah, everything is good here. I still can't manage to tan, but that's not new" I joke, and he guffaws.

Yeah, nothing new. How long 'till you come back? I hope you know that now.

Since we didn't know when we would be back at the time of our departure, we had told him we didn't know and that we would tell him once we arrived and settled. He was back to being suspicious—his cop-senses coming to the surface—but thanks to some of Jasper's mojo he was convinced. We have managed to put off telling him for a week now, but I think it's safe to say now.

"Ten days, then we'll come back" I say, waving at Jasper and Caius when I see them coming up the stairs. Caius smiles at me grabs a new linen black shirt and some black pants and goes into the bathroom to shower. Jasper goes to sit on one of the chairs, smiling at me. His shirt is all dirtied and his jeans are muddy and venom-splattered. Ugh.

Good to hear, kiddo. Can't wait to have you back. The house is empty without you.

I smile while looking heavenward, "I miss you too Dad. Bye" I say.

Bye Bells. Take care.

I put the phone back on the nightstand and plug in the charger. Then I stretch on the bed. I look at Jasper, "How did the training go?"

"It went good, sugar. All the guards know what ta do now. We'll defeat Maria. I'm positive" he says with the outmost confidence.

"I have no doubt, with you and Caius at the head of the operation."

"Yeah, 'bout the operation. Let's wait until both Caius and I are all clean and then we've ta talk" he says, seriously, and I nod. What could we need to talk about?

As if on cue, Caius steps out of the bathroom. His hair are still damp, a towel is slung around his shoulders, and he looks strikingly… domestic like this. "Your turn, Major" he says.

Jasper grabs a t-shirt and a pair of jeans and goes in the bathroom. I look at Caius.

"What do we need to talk about? Everything is fine, isn't it?" I ask worriedly.

"Yes, Bella. Nothing is wrong. Don't worry. Let's wait for the Major to shower and then we'll explain everything, I promise" he says, patting my back reassuringly.

I lean back on the cushions of the bed, trying to relax, but my mind keeps thinking about what could possibly be wrong. My nerves are spiking, and just as I think I might start sweating from nervousness a wave of calm settles my emotions. Jasper takes care of me even when he's showering. I push back a wave of love and thankfulness, and he sends me his love back.

Not a minute later he is out of the shower, his hair messy and damp, his t-shirt clinging to his muscles and the jeans falling perfectly on his beautiful hips—Swan, concentrate.

"So what's wrong?" I immediately cut to the chase. The two vampires laugh at me, but then they sit near me on the bed.

"Nothin' is wrong, darlin'. We wanted ta talk 'bout the attack" Jasper says.

"Are they going to attack soon?" I ask, leaning forward. Caius shakes his head, "No, that's why we wanted to talk with you about this. We were thinking it might be best to surprise them and attack first. Thanks to your last report we were able to reconstruct the exact structure of Maria's camp," he says, smiling proudly at me, "And so we were able to train the guards accordingly. What do you think?"

I'm speechless. I never thought that my reports could be so useful. "Well, I'm glad I was able to help. I think it's a solid plan, but won't they expect us to attack somehow?" I say.

"Yes, but that's where our previous strategies come in handy, sugar. We ain't gonna attack them directly, but rather sneakin' up on 'em" Jasper says, a malicious glint in his eyes. I can tell he loves all this planning and strategizing. This is what he was born to do, and what he excels in. He's a warrior, my warrior.

"How?" I ask, barely able to speak due to the breath-taking pride in him that fills me. I send him waves of it, and he actually staggers. It lasts only a second, then he smiles at me. "Thanks darlin', I appreciate yer pride. Anyway, I felt Stink come spyin' on us last night, when we were startin' our trainin'. I managed ta recognize his emotions—a bit different from the guards' ones. That's why I waited ta train" he says.

Stink is how I christened that vampire with the vile smell—that only I can sense, obviously. I have a feeling I'm not going to like this plan.

"Please, tell me you aren't going to say that our plan consist in having me lead the guard to the camp by following the trail of Stink" I beg, looking pleadingly at the two smirking men in front of me. Their smirks turn to apologetic smiles, and I groan, burying my face in the pillows. "Have you got any idea how bad Stink smells?" I ask rhetorically, my voice muffled by the pillow.

"You said he smells, and I quote, like 'decay, fermented bacteria and the guy's locker room at Forks' if I recall correctly" Caius says, chuckling. I glare at him and he raises his hands in mock innocence.

"And you want to subject me to that torture!" I whine.

"Darlin', this is the only way we can sneak up on them. They won't even think 'bout us following Stink's trail, since we can't smell it. Only you can. We wouldn't ask that of you if it weren't our only chance" Jasper says, taking my hand in his and giving me the most heart-warming puppy eyes I've ever seen. I stare at him for a second, but it's enough for my resolve to crumble. "Fine" I grumble.

Both men smile and kiss my cheek. "Take a nap and eat somethin', darlin'. We leave in two hours" Jasper says, ruffling my hair.

2 hours later

Fully rested and sated, I put on black cargo pants, a long sleeved tight black top with a hood, and a pair of black boots. I put my hair into a military bun and quickly join the others outside. I see that Jasper is dressed like me, while Caius and the guards are wearing their usual cloaks.

"Are ya ready?" Jasper asks me. "Nervous, but I'm ready" I answer truthfully. He smiles softly at me, and I look into his eyes. His eyes have begun to darken in the last couple of days, and he told me that that's because he's reaching the complete merging with the Major, something that will probably happen while we're fighting. He told me that once that happens, the God of War, Ares, will be free once again. I personally can't wait to meet him.

"Let's go. We're all set. Bella," Caius says, turning to me and putting his hands on my shoulders, "This is your moment. Concentrate and lead us" he says. His voice is strong and full, and in his tone I see the Warrior King he truly is.

I nod and turn, going in search of Stink's trail.

Someone up there must be looking in my direction, because I find his trail within seconds. His vile scent fills my nose, and I scrunch my face in disgust. I raise my hand, signalling the others that I found the trail.

I sniff around, feeling the guard coming to stand behind me. The trail is easy to follow—I can't possibly miss this stench—but I try to determine if he took some other paths or not. It seems this is the only trail in the vicinity, so I start to walk.

My steps are quick and sure, and I swiftly reach a small natural cave in half-an-hour. "He stayed here" I say, "Here the smell is incredibly concentrated."

Caius nods to a couple of guards, and they speed inside the cave. I circle the rocks that make up the cave, trying to see if there is another trail of his stench. "Nothing, Master" I hear one of the guards say.

"I can't smell another—" I start, but stop myself mid-sentence when I sense a light trail. Stink's smell is lighter, but still recognizable. It must be a few days old.

"Bella?" Caius inquires, looking at me with his brows furrowed.

"There is another, smaller trail here. It's a few days old. It's very light" I murmur back.

"Can ya follow it?" Jasper says, looking at me with a grim expression on his pale face. His eyes are darker by the second. I nod, turning back to sniff again the trail. "Follow me" I say, and the guards promptly resume their formation behind me, Caius and Jasper at the front.

This trail is much more difficult to follow, and sometimes I need to stop and wander around a bit to catch it again, but after another long hour I eventually reach the end of the trail.

There he is. Stink. Jasper stopped me just in time not to get too near. Caius is gesturing to his guards, and they spread all around him. Thanks to binoculars I can finally see him. Stink is a lanky vampire, with short brown hair and dull eyes. His face is long and with sharp edges, and his fingers are long and slim like a spindle. He's wearing a ratty shirt that once was white and even rattier jeans. No shoes.

"Does Maria always keep her spies dirty like that?" I asks Jasper, who is crouched beside me. He nods, "She sends 'em ta do a job and when they come back the whore already has another mission for 'em. She doesn't care 'bout their appearance. She only cares 'bout those who frequent her bed. Usually her right hand men. Or women" he tells me.

"How's the merging going?" I say, to relieve a bit of the tension in the air.

He smirks, "Good. It's nearly done. My eyes will become completely black once I become the God of War again. My memories will finally be complete and I'll be able to use the full strength of my abilities once again."

"Sounds cool" I murmur. "What's Caius doing?" I ask then.

"He's waitin' for the perfect moment to strike, doll" he tells me, and my heart flutters, despite the situation, when he calls me 'doll'. If he senses it he doesn't let it on.

We wait another minute in silence. Then chaos erupts. Guards pop out of every corner and surround Stink, who is looking around wildly, trying to find an escape route. But Caius is too good to let him escape. There is no escape route.

JASPER POV

Bella did a good job. She tracked Stink magnificently, her body sinuous and lithe as she scaled the rocks to follow the trail. So fuckin' sexy.

When we find him he's completely unaware of what's gonna happen, and that plays in our advantage. I can feel myself comin' closer to bein' complete once again, and I pray that it'll happen when we're in battle. That way I, as Ares, will relieve some anger against the enemy and not against some random friendly vampire, or worse, Bella. I can't even think 'bout what I would do if I hurt Bella.

Caius gives the signal, and all the guards come poppin' out of the creeks they were hidin' in. Stink is surrounded, and when he vainly tries ta escape Demetri readily catches him. Bella follows me when I walk up to him. My inner beast purrs in delight when she stands behind me. She's ours to protect.

"Howdy, Stink" I mock-salute him, smirkin' at his fleeble attempts at an escape.

"I'm not Stink, I'm Steve" he growls. A spark of amusement comes from both Caius and Bella.

"Well, whatever yer name is, Stink" I sneer, "Ya gonna die today, but not before ya answer to a few of my questions."

I push a cocktail of submission, fear and apathy at him, and he sags in Demetri's hold. I grab his hands and make him look at me. If he were human, he woulda shit his pants already.

"Do you know anythin' 'bout Maria's plans?" I growl.

His answer is a stammerin', "N-No."

I tighten my hold on his face, "Ya lyin'."

Another wave of submission and compliance and "S-She wants her Major back, she said. She said she will gain control over the entirety of America with both him and Kai at her service. She said she will attack in a few hours today, at downfall" he chokes out.

I sneer at him, "Tell me 'bout Kai" I spit out the vile name.

"H-He can control minds, and he's immune t-to some gifts."

That makes me pause. I can feel nervousness comin' from Bella, and I place a hand on her hip to reassure her. "Do ya know anythin' else?" I growl, and he shakes his head wildly. His black eyes are full of fear as I angrily rip his head off with a snarl.

I stalk to a nearby rock, Bella and Caius followin' me. I perch myself on it, while Caius orders his men to patrol the area and Bella paces in front of me nervously. "Our plan might not work if he's immune to Jane's gift!" she exclaims.

Caius put a steadyin' hand on her shoulder. "I know. We need to figure out something, and soon. Downfall is in just three hours. We don't have much time" he says, lookin' at the horizon.

Within my peripheral vision I can see Jane talkin' with some lower guards. Their eyes are flashin' between her and Bella, lust slowly buildin' inside them. I'm tired of this shit. I push them all a wave of angry warnin' and their eyes snap to me. The males go back to patrollin' and keepin' watch, the lust gone, but Jane is pissed and angry.

I'll have Aro read her once we're back. I'm tired of her petty attitude towards Bella. She ain't gonna harm a single hair on her beautiful head.

I turn back to Caius and Bella, both still thinkin' 'bout a possible plan. But I already have one. I'm just not so keen on usin' it. "I think I've got a solution, but y'all won't like it" I say.

Bella perks up immediately, ever the optimistic one. "What is it?"

I take a deep breath. "Maria wants me. If I can fool her into believin' I betrayed y'all to ta go back ta her, I can get closer ta Kai and kill 'im" I say.

Caius cracks his neck, "That could work, but how to make sure she won't drag you back in her bed and leave Kai to kill us all?"

"This is the part ya won't like. I hate it, also, and I really don't wanna use this plan if we can," I say, but Bella comes closer, puttin' a hand on my knee, "Jasper. You told me yourself that war isn't pretty, that we must make difficult choices. Don't worry."

She's so fuckin' adorable. And ultimately right. This is war, we don't have the luxury of time right now.

"Ya right as always, sugar. I planned an takin' ya, Bella, with me as an offerin' of peace."

A moment of silence and then "What?" Caius hisses.

"Calm down, Caius. Let Jasper explain" Bella says, despite the fear swirlin' in her emotions.

"Thanks, darlin'. I planned of takin' ya with me and offer ya as a token ta that Kai fucker. He'll take ya ta his tent, while Maria will take me ta hers, and then ya'll have ta kill 'im. Given what ya told us o' Kai, it's likely it'll go like this. Ya'll kill im', ya'll shot me an emotion—maybe accomplishment—and then I'll kill Maria and roar to startle the newborns and alert Caius that he can attack."

Both Bella and Caius are seriously considerin' this. I don't wanna put Bella in danger, but this is the only way. He'll drop his guard around her and she'll strike, as will I with Maria. It's time ta end this once and for all.

"I don't like this plan, but I think it's the only one we've got" Caius says, rubbin' his temples with his fingers.

"I agree. I'll do what I can to end this" Bella says, fear and determination in her emotions.

I sigh, then steel myself. This is war. We must do what we must do. "Very well. Then let's go. Caius, call your guards. We're leavin'."

CAIUS POV

I really don't like this plan. Bella is like a little sister to me now, and I don't fancy the thought of putting her in this kind of danger.

She's following another one of Stink's—or rather Steve's—trails and we are rapidly approaching Maria's camp. I can tell that she is tired and scared, but she's pushing on. I admire her for this.

"I think we should stop here" Bella says, sliding down in a sitting position behind a rock. I spy the camp a couple miles ahead.

Both me and the Major nod, and he says "Bella, are ya sure ya wanna do this?"

She smiles at him, but even I can tell she's nervous. "Yeah, it's the only plan we've got. It'll work."

The Major sighs, "Then it's better we prepare ourselves. You have somethin' under the uniform, dontcha?"

She nods, "Just a sport bra. Why?"

"'Cause it's better if Maria thinks that I manhandled ya. Ya should have yer shirt torn up and yer pants dirty and ripped. As if ya fought with me. Ya shoulda leave yer shoes here, too."

I like this plan less and less, but Bella is ready to do anything to destroy Maria.

As she removes her shoes and the Major proceeds to rip her clothes, I start spreading out the guards. "You all remember the formations we trained in. Spread around the camp in a two mile radius from where the camp is. No newborn must survive. Destroy everything that comes across you. No prisoners and no mercy" I bark at the guards, and they immediately do what there are told.

I turn back to the Major and Bella, and I see that they are finished with their preparations. Bella looks like hell. Her shirt is hanging on her shoulder by a miracle, her blue sport bra completely visible, and her cargo pants are ripped in multiple places. Her predisposition to bruise easily is helping us, because the few bruises she caused herself while training in Volterra are still prominent on her skin. Her hair are in disarray, and I have a terrible suspicion the fear in her eyes is not manufactured.

I walk up to her, refraining from putting my hands on her shoulders as to not leave my scent there. "You'll be fine, Bella. We'll protect you. You saw yourself that there is a fire in almost every corner of the camp, and you also saw that Kai has a few candles in his tent to torture newborns with. Only, this time you'll be the one torturing him. Have faith in us and in your abilities. You'll be safe" I say, trying to reassure her. she smiles a small smile, and then she straightens up.

She cracks her neck and fingers. "I'm ready. Let's go kick some ass."

JANE POV

Fucking Major had to ruin my plans, I think as I walk to the spot Master Caius assigned me. I was convincing the guards to have a turn at Bella in the mayhem of the battle, but they were reluctant. Apparently, everybody likes that small little cunt. What they see in her is beyond my comprehension. She's just a useless bloodbag and a warm pussy to pound in. Nothing more. She doesn't deserve the Winter Rooms, I do.

Another plan forms in my head. In war, there are always casualties. I smirk to myself, catching the attention of my brother beside me. in these past weeks we have drifted apart due to the inexplicable love he has for the human, but during this time I realized that I need nobody else. Not even my twin. I'm powerful alone. When my mate will come I'll be his equal, or he'll submit to me. Everybody will submit to me but the Masters when I'll finally be in the Winter Rooms.

Alec smirks back, thinking that I'm excited for the battle. And I am, truly. Even more so when I know that that cunt Isabella is going to perish here.

I'll make sure of it.


Jane is planning something, but don't worry: the Major and Caius will protect Bella. Also, I'm thinking about doing a part of the next chapter in Kai's POV. What do you think? Let me know in the reviews what you think about this idea, but also about Jasper's plan, the Major and Jasper's merging, Bella's relationship with Caius, Jane's bitchiness or whatever you want! REVIEW!