*hello everyone! I apologize for the lack of updates recently. I have been transitioning my family and relocating to another part of the country these past few weeks. It has been difficult, but our new home is beautiful, my husky loves the space, and I'm excited for the next phase in our lives! I hope you are all doing well! For those of you who are still reading this story, thank you for staying! For those of you who are new, welcome! This Chapter will be the 1st of a set that will all tie together nicely hopefully. We will be reading more of Jaspers thoughts in this one. If you all like it, please let me know!*

***trigger warnings in this chapter. Brief mention of kidnapping via drugs. ***

She should have stayed home she decided. It was as if the universe had conspired against her. As she sat on the cold hard ground, tied to a tree with her mouth gagged, she could only think on how she had gotten to this point. She must have been drugged, because she was still having trouble focusing. Her vision started to spot before she slumped against her binds once again.

The day had started in as good a way as any for not having slept well the night before. Lily had tried to calm her brain down, but found that she just couldn't get everything she had been researching out of her head. Add to the fact that graduation was only a few weeks away, she felt jittery. There was energy under her skin that wanted to crawl out, as if she was attached to a live electric wire.

True to his word, Jasper had managed to acquire a note for Lily from his father that he had passed along to Alice in case Lily needed it. After sitting through first period, Lily took advantage of his generosity. As she was gathering her things to head home, she noticed Jasper waiting in the parking lot. Thankfully, it was another gloomy day whether wise so he was able to be out and about without fear of turning into a disco ball.

"Hey Darlin', I'm glad you decided to take my advice" he said warmly, taking her books and bag from her to carry.

Lily tried to smile up at him but felt it looked more like a grimace.

"You were right. I slept awfully, and I feel even worse today. Thank you, by the way, for the get out of jail free card from your dad."

"No problem" Jasper responded before hesitating.

"I…. I have a request to make but I have no right to make it."

This confused Lily, but she trusted Jasper. She couldn't say fully how or why, but he felt like home. Safety. He also made her feel things she was in no way shape or form ready to admit deep in her core.

"Shoot" Lily said, trying to sound playful, despite the knot forming in her stomach.

"My brothers and I are all going hunting together tonight. With the threats from the other vampires in the area we have been putting it off. Edward doesn't trust Bella not to do something stupid and is having Alice throw a slumber party. Rose is going to be there as well, and has informed me that if you leave her alone with Bella she will put salt in all your potted plants."

The horror that flashed across Lily's face at the thought of Rose doing that to her poor plants made Jasper laugh for a moment before he continued.

"Doll, I doubt she would do that. You know how she is. Anyways, I would feel better if you were there too. I know you can protect yourself. I just…" Jasper sighed. "I jus' don' wanna risk you getting' hurt."

Lily noticed his accent came out whenever he was having any extreme emotion. He did a decent job of hiding it, but she supposed some things were just harder to break than others.

"Jas, I love Rose you know that. But Bella and I had another argument yesterday and it all honesty I'm not really in the mood to deal with her. I'll go, but could you spare me from Alice for a bit? I honestly just want to sleep. I don't feel good at all."

Jasper hesitated for a moment as they had reached his car. Closing his eyes for a moment, he wrapped Lily up in a gentle hug. Even through his thick sleeves she could feel the chill from his skin. The hug however filled her with warmth, comfort, and instantly made her relax. It didn't last long, but it was wonderful all the same.

"Doll, I'll make sure Rose keeps Bella and Alice away and shenanigans down to a minimum for you. I just want you safe and feelin' better."

Lily smiled before stepping into the passenger side of the car. Jasper closed the door behind her. Lily fell asleep shortly after they had started driving.

She woke to Jasper gently picking her up from the car. Lily was disorientated at first, before looking around to realize that she was already at his home.

"Alice already stopped by the house to pick up your things. You'll be staying in my room if that's alright? You can keep napping there if you're still tired" Jasper said gently.

Lily just nodded her head before relaxing against Jasper's chest as he carried her. She had never been this close to a boy, but it felt right in every way. He felt like home.

Jasper made it up the stairs and to his room without jostling her, which Lily appreciated. After tucking her in, he hesitated before gently touching the top of her head in a soft caress. Lily was already asleep again at that point, but it helped to soothe the ache in Jasper's chest at having to leave her behind.

He wasn't the biggest fan of the animal blood diet, or being a vegetarian as his family joked. Truth be told he felt stronger when he had human blood. His gift was easier to handle. He picked up on everyone's emotions, regardless of how hard he tried to remain cut off from them. While there were more humans for him to be around, vampires felt emotions at a much deeper level. Edward's blood lust for Bella had been causing him issues for so long now he almost forgot what it felt like to not be hungry.

Being around Lily, his sweet gentle angel, was a balm to his tired soul.

She was nothing but goodness, strength, and an unwavering ability to persevere that he couldn't help but admire. He knew he shouldn't have, but he had his people look into her childhood. Some of the court cases were locked, but that was only a minor stumbling block to overcome.

He refused to bring it up with her, as he wasn't even supposed to be aware of her past without her having told him herself, but Jasper just couldn't help himself. He knew it wasn't right. He had disrespected her privacy. But the emotions that had been rolling off of her had driven him to try everything in his power to help her.

Edward was an asshole.

He felt that only he was entitled to have a human mate, that only he had the self-control to keep Bella safe. Jasper knew that in Edwards mind he was nothing more than a ticking time bomb. A liability for the family. It hurt, knowing someone who was supposed to be your family felt that way about you, but then again Edward had always been a bit of a self-imposed pompous asshole.

Lily was his just as much as he was hers. It was a two Way Street, a piece of string that tied them together for all eternity. He didn't feel as if he had any right to control her the way Edward seemed obsessed with controlling Bella. He just wanted her happy above all else. Happy, safe, and free. He refused to even attempt to keep her contained.

While his nature screamed at him to stay with her, his gifts helped him to understand more of what she needed. What she needed most was sleep and peace at this moment.

Jasper didn't know how he was going to bring up letting her know they were fated. Mates. He knew she had an inkling that they were connected, but it wasn't the right time.

He didn't want her to feel as if she didn't have a choice. She would always have a choice as far as he was concerned. He would like to see anyone just try and prevent that from happening. He had more money, power, strength, and connections than people realized. He was Jasper Hale. The Major. Anyone who thought that they could even contemplate taking away any sort of freedom or happiness of his little mate would find out just how far he could go to keep her happy.

He smirked as the Major shown through his eyes at the thought of some unsuspecting idiot trying.