Guess who's back? Yeah, it's me :)
Sorry for the long wait, but these times have not been easy on me or my family. I lost a family member, school was crazy and I also experienced depression, so I decided to dedicate more time to myself and I can say that I'm better. I started writing this chapter two days ago, and I apologize if it's not as exciting as you hoped it would be.
I also decided to open a writing account on IG. If you feel like it, you can follow me also there (I post writing memes, prompts and advice): medusawriter
This account is realtively new but it's something I cherish and I'd love to share this love with y'all. Thank you for you continuos support and enjoy the chapter!
BELLA POV
No way. No friggin' way.
My mind refuses to acknowledge it, but my soul and heart know that it's true. Jasper is my mate, my other half.
"What's going on?" Charlie suddenly appears at my shoulder, scaring the crap out of me.
Jasper is the one that speaks. "Nothin' Chief. Bella and I were just talking and she overreacted."
At that last word, I glare at him. I see my father frowning. "Son, I really want to believe you, but Bella is not the type to overreact. Even when on her period" he tells him.
I was really happy that my father defended me until that last sentence.
I turn my glare to him. "What the hell, dad?! Why did you say that!" I say.
He chuckles, and I realize he isn't really annoyed with Jazz. "Sorry Bells, I just had to toy with you a little. Sorry, kids, but I have to go. Another case in Seattle, and they need my help."
"What happened?" me and Jasper ask at the same time.
Charlie sighs. "I can't disclose the details, but eight people were found dead, apparently killed the same way Jessica was." He rubs his temples. I can see the toll this takes on him and it makes my heart ache.
I feel a hand slip through mine, and warm comfort fills my soul. I look at the hand holding mine, going up the strong arm that belongs to the beautiful man who is looking at me with such genuine worry that my heart melts.
"Um, yeah" my father's uneasy mumbles break the atmosphere, "Yeah, I'll leave you two to talk… and Jasper, don't make Bella overreact" he says, then makes a quick retreat.
Both me and Jasper laugh at his antics, but soon we turn serious again. We don't let go of each other's hands, but we make some space between our bodies. His red eyes are barely visible under his contact lenses, but I remember their bright colour and how sweetly they look at me.
It's as if the knowledge of being mates completely changed my view of him. My eyes linger on his face. His blonde hair frame his handsome features like a golden halo, his sharp features scream danger and hardness, but his eyes are deep, expressive and—only towards me—filled with love and adoration.
Before I can blink, Jasper tugs our joined hands. I am suddenly surrounded by his manly scent, his arms like a blanket around my figure. "My Bella" I hear him whisper over and over, taking deep breaths to taste my scent.
"Jasper… why didn't you tell me?" I ask him. Now, his refusal to let me go near Victoria makes more sense, but I'm still determined to help someway.
"I didn't want to overwhelm you, darlin'. Besides, I haven't known for long."
"You still won't let me help with Victoria, right?" I say to his chest.
He sighs heavily, patting my head. "I'd prefer it if you wouldn't help. Ya could get hurt, my darlin'. I don't want that" he tells me, kissing the crown of my head.
I hug him tighter, "But I want to help" I suddenly rip myself out of his arms, startling him. "I'm perfectly capable of helping! I could be the bait, or something. She wants me and I don't want more people to die, so why won't you let me help?"
"Darlin'…"
"Don't 'Darlin'' me. I handled myself just fine with Maria and Kai. I'll do as you say—there's no doubt you're more experienced than me in this—but please, let me help" I plead.
I can see his resolve slowly crumble, but then suddenly his eyes become black as coal—the contact lenses having melted completely—and he starts snarling. My heartbeat spikes, and before I can blink he turns me and places me behind his back.
He drops in a crouch, snarling even louder, while keeping one arm behind him, holding my waist.
My eyes panic while searching for a threat, but thankfully I don't have to. The threat comes to us.
"Well, well, well… how nice. Aren't they so sweet Riley?" says an obnoxious voice.
Victoria's fiery red hair are the first thing I notice as she steps forward, followed by a younger male—probably my age. His eyes are black with thirst, and even I can see his hands trembling. I take an educated guess and decide that he's trembling due to the effort of not ripping me to pieces and feasting on my blood.
Not that I'm complaining.
Victoria's eyes survey the picture me and Jasper present, or should I say the God of War?
"Little Bella, this is surprising" she smiles acidly at me, "You are with Jasper now? How sad it must be for poor Edward" she croons.
I smirk. "Suddenly interested in Edward, Victoria. Did you forget James so fast?" I snark back.
I can feel Jasper's burst of humor a millisecond before Victoria's growls fill the silence.
"How dare you, you little bitch. It's your fault he's dead!" she screams.
"Mine? Honey check the info you got. I was withering on the ground with your dear James' venom in my veins at the time of his demise. Besides, how could a human kill a vampire? You didn't have much faith in his abilities if you think I could have killed him" I say matter-of-factly.
Riley is still staring at me, but I can see his eyes slowly receding back to a dark red. Probably Jasper's influence.
Speaking of Jasper. I send him a small dose of readiness and aggression, hoping he gets the message. A deep rumble is the only response I get. He's still ready to pounce.
And pouncing he does, quickly punching Victoria in the face, sending her crashing back into the treeline, then going after Riley with impressive speed.
He is so sexy.
No, wait. This is not the moment, Bella.
As he is fighting with Riley I quickly weight my options. Running inside is not an option, I'm not going to abandon my mate, so I can only try and fight, build a fire or call reinforcements.
A startling cry of pain makes me jump. Riley's head rolls on the grass, his face set in an expression of horror.
Build a fire it is.
Thank God we have no neighbours.
As Jasper growls and launches himself at Victoria, colliding with her with the strength of two boulders, I quickly put together a small pile of (relatively) dry wood, grabbing a tampon from my bag and lighting it on fire before tossing it in the middle of the wood. Thankfully I remember the lessons a boring old woman gave us on how to camp safely. I remember her guttural voice as if she were here with me: "When you'll get older and go camping, remember to always bring at least a spare tampon, they're much easier to set on fire than wood and will allow you to start a fire even if the wood isn't very dry".
My eyes fall on Jazz and Victoria. They're moving faster than my eye can see, but I can see Jasper slowly gaining the upper hand. Victoria's growls and shrill screams pierce my ears.
With a shudder, I pick up Riley's head and throw it in the fire. Immediately, his body starts convulsing and shaking. I jump back, a gasp of surprise leaving me. Jasper turns, hearing my gasp, and loses focus for one second.
Victoria, albeit crazy, isn't an idiot. She sees the opportunity to escape from Jasper's deadly hold and she takes it.
She quickly frees herself from the headlock he has her in and flees, faster than the wind. Surprisingly Jasper doesn't pay attention to her, instead he quickly burns the rest of Riley's body and comes to hug me.
"Are ya okay, sugar?" he asks, his Southern drawl lovely on his lips.
"Yeah, but why did you leave Victoria to come to me? You should have killed her" I tell him, gripping his impressive biceps. My hand comes in contact with cold skin. Victoria probably ripped the sleeves of his shirt off during the fight.
He smiles sweetly, kissing my forehead. "Bella, Victoria is nobody. Ya my priority. Not her, I can always kill her later, now that we know she's behind all of this."
I scrunch my nose, "I knew from the beginning, but okay. All that matters is that you're okay."
"Fine, little one. You were right" he laughs.
The screeches of tires makes us turn to my driveway, where a massive Jeep is now parked. My ginormous brother jumps off the jeep and comes to us, a big grin on his face.
"Yo! What did I miss?" Emmett's booming voice makes me smile. "Don't you just look so cute and romantic there" he smirks, "I could almost be fooled but I can smell Victoria here. Is that her?" he nods to the fire.
"No, she got away, but Bella was right. She's the one behind all of this. I ended her side chick" Jazz points to the flames, "She'll probably be more careful now."
"What?! Why didn't you call? I could have helped y'all" Emmett complains, pouting adorably. How can someone so big look so cute is still a mystery to me.
"Sorry, we didn't think about it" Jasper says. I did, but that's not the point.
Then something registers in Emmett's brain. "Wait, but what are you two doing in each other's arms" he wiggles his eyebrows.
I didn't even realize we are hugging. Humor radiates out of my face. "Well, Emmy-bro, I'm huggig my mate, what else" I smirk.
"Your WHAT?!"
How was it? Let me know in the reviews, and remember to follow me on Instagram ( medusawriter) if you want! Gaia xx
