A/N: We're getting closer to BelSper/Jella. Originally, I thought it would be this chapter, but it didn't flow that way. I go where the muse takes me.

I don't own Twilight.

I have no beta.

Previously

I followed Master Marcus to his study and sat down on the chair in front of his desk. I was curious about why he needed to speak to me.

"I wanted to speak to you in private regarding something I learned about last night. When I looked at Aro's bonds last night, I couldn't help but notice a few others. The one bond that I saw was the brightest and the strongest bond I have ever seen. There was a bit of fraying around the edges but was obviously healing. Jasper, Bella is your mate."

JPOV

I sat there in silence for a few minutes trying to digest what Master Marcus just told me. It all made sense. I don't know why I didn't see it before now.

From the moment Edward brought Bella into our lives, I have struggled with an obsession with her. I was drawn to her in a way that I have never felt toward anyone else. I was always eager to be in her presence. She had a calming effect on me which only drew me to her more.

While I have always thought that Bella was a very beautiful girl, I worried about how easily she was misled by Edward. At the time, I was bothered by her lack of a backbone and her refusal to stand up for herself. I honestly felt that Bella's passiveness was going to be the death of her.

Unfortunately, I was married to Alice at the time. My hands were tied, so there really wasn't anything I could do to help her. By that time, I had already been suspicious of Alice and Edward and was concerned about Bella's safety. So I chose to stay hidden in the background always watching but never participating.

Leaving Bella killed me. I felt so bad that the entire family just up and abandoned her without even saying goodbye. Knowing Bella to be a very sensitive soul, I just knew we broke her heart. It had always been my intention as well as Emmett's to go back to Forks to see her. We were just waiting for the right time to do it so that wouldn't make Alice and Edward suspicious.

The day Emmett showed me those videos of Bella on YouTube practicing her martial arts was a day I will always remember. Bella had become a strong confident woman. She was glorious.

Getting to see her compete in the competition was amazing. Bella was an incredibly gifted martial artist. Her skill and speed were astonishing. Just watching her with her bo staff was an enormous turn-on. There have been many times since then when I had imagined how well Bella would be able to manipulate an entirely different staff.

I had such a hard time trying to control both my thoughts and emotions. I didn't want Edward to pick up on anything for fear of how he would respond. Edward was always childish and bratty and would not hesitate to take his attitude out on Bella simply because in his mind he was superior to her.

As it turns out, I didn't need to worry. When Alice and Edward insisted on going to talk to Bella I was suspicious. I knew for a fact that they weren't sorry for what they had done regardless of the bull shit they were spewing to the family. As usual, Carlisle went right along with what Edward wanted.

The pride I felt in Bella when she essentially told the family to fuck off was immense. This Bella didn't take anyone's bull shit and had no qualms in calling people on it. The erection she gave me when she outright told Alice she was lying was unexpected.

I just can't believe I didn't see it. "It makes total sense. I have always harbored an enormous attraction to her, but I just never put two and two together."

"That's not at all surprising. You were married at the time, and even your subconscious thoughts knew that you were unavailable to pursue her," Master Marcus explained which made a lot of sense. "You're a man of honor, Major. You would never have done anything as long as you were married."

"You're right. I wouldn't have. Even though I was unhappily married and looking into a divorce even back then, I would not have done anything until my marriage was dissolved," I admitted.

"Well, now you are available to claim your mate which shouldn't be too difficult. You both have a very strong bond with each other," he said with a smile. "Just be prepared for Caius to give you the 'if you harm her' talk. He loves her very much and will be overprotective."

"I know, but she's worth getting threats over," I grinned. "Thanks, Master Marcus, I appreciate this talk," I said giving him a bow of respect.

I left Marcus's office and went in search of my yet-to-be-claimed mate. Bella has made herself at home here and the entire guard is enamored with her. She's got all of them eating out of her hand.

This castle was huge. Bella could be anywhere. I could hear her giggling and Emmett's loud guffaw, so I just followed the sound with my ears. I should have known they would be in the game room. I also should have known that Emmett once again wrangled Bella into playing a video game.

When I entered the room, I saw Bella and Emmett sitting side by side on the floor playing Mario Kart on a Nintendo Wii. The guard was sitting all around them cheering on Bella. Poor Emmett didn't have his own cheerleading squad.

"Yes! Jaz man is here to cheer me on," Emmett said loudly while not taking his eyes off the screen.

"I hate to break it to you, Emmett, but I've seen Bella kick your ass in Dead By Daylight. I already know she has some mad skills. My money is on the sure winner," I told him not feeling sorry at all.

"You all suck!" Emmett pouted.

Bella did her scary laugh again and the guard cracked up. Hearing a laugh that freaky come out of such a beautiful woman was unexpected. That is what made it so funny. You just don't expect a human girl to have an evil cackle.

"Come on, Bella! I've got a thousand dollars riding on this," Felix cheered.

"Who the hell did you find that was dumb enough to bet against Bella," I asked.

"It was Afton," Alec replied before Felix could bother to respond. "He hasn't officially met Bella yet. Honestly, he thinks all humans are useless and incapable of doing even the simplest things."

"Sounds like a dumb ass to me," Bella pipped in. "Does he know that he was once a human?"

I snorted at Bella's reply. She always said what she was thinking now. It was a welcome change in her behavior.

"I would have to say no to that. He walks around here like one of the masters gave birth to him or something," Demetri responded with an eye roll. "He's the vampire equivalent to a snob."

"Dude, that's fucked up," Emmett added just as Bella ran him off the track. "You'll pay for that Belly," he threatened.

"Call me Belly again and see what happens," Bella replied with a sneer. She really hated being called Belly.

"Belly!" Emmett yelled while trying to get his Mario to pass Princess Peach, Bella's character, on the course.

Bella was concentrating on the game trying to stay ahead of Emmett while dodging his attempts to lock on to her. Suddenly, Bella used Bullet Bill which increased her speed so much that she finished the race before Emmett and she did so in record time.

"What the hell? How did you get a Bullet Bill? That's not fair," Emmett whined.

"Quit your whining and take your loss like a man," she chided.

"I have to say it, Bella," Alec said while laughing. "You are the coolest human I have ever met."

"I concur especially since you helped me win a thousand dollars," Felix said in agreement.

I turned to look at Alec and Felix when I picked up feelings from them that weren't exactly of the friendship kind. It would seem that the two of them had developed a crush on my mate. I can't fault them for feeling that way. Bella was an incredibly beautiful woman. However, I'm going to have to nip their crushes in the bud as soon as possible.

"Well, Emmett, it's been real, and it's been fun, but it hasn't been real fun cause you whine too much," Bella said trying to give Emmett a shove which didn't work.

"Ha!" Emmett yelled childishly. "You can't shove me."

"Of course, I can't, you lardo ass. Besides, I have other ways to get to you, Emmy. Don't you worry about that," she laughed while getting up off the floor.

"What the hell, Bella? I'm not fat. This is solid muscle," Emmett replied as he gestured to his body.

"We've discussed this before, Emmett. Just because all your muscle is between your ears is no reason to gloat," Bella snorted.

"You are such a bully," he accused.

The twins, Demetri, Felix, and I just stood there watching Bella and Emmett go at each other's throats. Every time it looked like Emmett dissed her good, Bella would turn around and pull something out that just nailed him. The two of them really were siblings in all but blood.

"Watching those two arguing is hilarious," Jane whispered with wide eyes. "Even Alec and I don't argue as those two do."

"It's funny but you know they are both enjoying it. They like the challenge the other presents," Demetri quietly pointed out.

"I don't have to sit here and take this, you know?" Emmett yelled in a huff.

"Fine, then stand up and take it," Bella replied gesturing for him to get off the floor. The scene those two were making was hilarious. The rest of us were laughing hard which may partially be my fault for sending out humorous vibes.

"Do you two know how loud you are being?" came Charlie's voice from the doorway. We all turned to see Bella's dad and the brothers standing there watching the comedy show going on.

"Nope," Bella replied without a bit of shame.

"Charlie, your daughter is picking on me," whined Emmett.

"Seriously, you overgrown baby, you're tattle tailing on me. All you're doing is proving to everyone that I am right when I call you a big baby and an overgrown child, you whiner," Bella sniffed.

"Charlie, are you sure you and Bella aren't related to Emmett?" Demetri asked. "This," he said waving his hand back and forth between Bella and Emmett, "Screams siblings."

"I can tell you with complete certainty that Mr. McCarthy is of no relation to me, but he could very well be related to the Swans through Charlie's mother's side," Caius pointed out.

"I'm going to look into that. After my change, I only went home once to check on my baby sister who Bella just happens to remind me of," Emmett said as he gave Bella a gentle noogie.

"What did I tell you about the hair?" Bella asked angrily as she turned toward Emmett.

"You told me to keep my filthy paws off of it," Emmett repeated.

"I hate to break this up, but I need to speak to Bella. It's important," Charlie said as he looked at Bella. You could tell they were having a silent conversation.

"I'll entertain you guys later,' she said as she followed her dad out of the room.

"Jasper," Master Caius called out. "Come with me," he ordered while walking away. I quickly followed him. The sounds of Emmett chanting that I was in trouble followed me out of the room.

I had a good idea of what Caius wanted to discuss with me. Master Marcus must have told him that Bella was my mate. I was about to get threatened.

CHPOV

I was in a meeting with the three brothers when my phone went off. I took a glance at who was calling me and I could barely hold back from cursing. After five years of nothing but silence, Renee called.

She turned her back on my daughter five years ago when Bella was dealing with her abandonment issues. The bitch made it quite clear that she didn't give a damn about anyone but herself.

"It's Bella's mother. I have to take this," I told them as I swiped the phone to answer. "What do you want, Renee?"

"I want to talk to our daughter. I tried calling her cell, but there's a message that says that her number is out of service."

"That number is out of service. Bella got a new phone and a new number."

"Then give me her new number," she demanded.

"You don't get to make demands, Renee. I will inform Bella that you called and would like to speak to her. It is up to her whether or not she wants to speak to you," I said barely able to keep myself from verbally eviscerating her for what she put Bella through in the past.

"What do you mean it's her decision? Just put her on," the bitch ordered.

"Stop playing dumb, Renee. I will give Bella the message. I hope for your sake that you apologize for what you did because there is nothing to hold Bella back from tearing into you. Goodbye, Renee," I said just before hanging up on her. "You know, I should have listened to Bella when she told me to change my number. I kept it just in case there was an emergency."

"That unpleasant female was lovely Bella's mother," Aro asked.

"Unfortunately, though she never really was much of a mother," I said. "Bella is going to be pissed."

"There's no time like the present. I have to have a word with Jasper, so I'll go with you to the game room," Caius offered.

"I'll come with you two. I want to see what Bella and Emmett are up to," Aro said with a chuckle. "They really do argue as siblings do."

"I might as well tag along. Bella has brought so much life back into this drafty old castle," Marcus said as he followed us on our way to the game room.

We were standing in the doorway for a few minutes, just watching the way Bella and Emmett interacted with each other. When it was suggested that Emmett may be related to us it had me thinking. He really does act like he was Bella's older brother.

After I told Bella that I needed to speak to her, she followed me to my room. I know that vampires can hear everything but I felt that what I had to tell Bella would go over better if we had some privacy. Either way, I knew for a fact that Bella was going to be pissed.

I was currently seated across from her in one of the armchairs that were seated in front of the fireplace. "Bells, I'm going to cut to the chase. Your mother called when I was in a meeting with the brothers."

I watched as my daughter's countenance darkened. "What did she want?" Bella asked through tightly clenched teeth.

"She claims to just want to talk to you," I replied.

"You don't believe her. Why?" I asked

"It's been five years since she turned her back on you. Suddenly, she calls and acts like no time has passed and like she didn't do anything wrong,' I explained.

"Fifty bucks says that she needs money," she said.

"I'm not losing fifty dollars, especially since you're probably right."

"Fine, I'm going to call her now. I can't promise that I won't be telling her off," she warned. She pulled her cell out of her pocket and dialed her mother's number. After three rings, Renee answered. Bella immediately put the call on speaker.

"You called," Bella said.

"Oh, Bella, I am so happy to hear from you. I have missed you terribly," Renee gushed.

"You missed me so much that it took you five years to contact me," she said with a roll of her eyes.

"Of course, I missed you. You're my daughter."

Bella snorted. "I was your daughter five years ago when you said that you were washing your hands of me."

"I don't know what you want me to say, Bella," Renee snapped.

"How about you cut the bullshit and tell me what you really want," Bella said angrily. She was starting to lose her patience.

"Alright, fine, have it your way. I need money. I'm about to lose the house, and I need $15,000 to prevent it from happening," she admitted.

"You have a husband. Ask him," Bella said.

"Phil divorced me three years ago," Renee answered quickly.

"Since I know that Phil is not an asshole, that means you screwed up. What did you do?"

"He caught me in bed with another man. It's really his fault. He spent all his time on the road with the team and always neglected me. I have needs, you know. So I took care of it."

I was not at all surprised that she cheated on Phil. She did the same thing to me when we were married. By the looks of it, Bella wasn't surprised either.

"Well, that's too bad. Phil was a good guy. It seems to me that you brought this mess on yourself. Why should I bail you out?"

"You owe me, you little bitch. I had to pay for you growing up. It's time you pay me back," screamed Renee.

"What I owe you would land me in jail. But my daddy taught me better, so I will only say this. Karma is a bitch," Bella said and hung up on her. Next, she blocked Renee's number and I followed suit.

"I'm sorry, kiddo."

"It's not your fault, dad. Besides, I have you. I don't need her, and I never did," she said as she walked over to give me a hug. "She was never anything more than an egg donor."

I was proud of my little girl. She handled her egg donor perfectly which was really a relief for me. Renee's toxic attitude will no longer hang over either of our heads ever again.