The next day I wake up by a light knock at the door. I open my eyes groaning and look around the room after my mate. He's not here?
"Come in." I say and Jane comes in through the door with a huge grin on her face.
"Master Marcus asked me to tell you that you two wont see each other until the ceremony and that you will need to eat lunch soon. Once you're ready the girls and I are here to help you get ready." She winks and leaves again. I stretch out on the bed, extremely pleased that this is my wedding day. I'm finally going to be completely his. I jump out of bed, dressing in casual clothes as I'm going down to the kitchen to eat. When I'm finished I walk out in the corridor and head towards the kitchen.
"Bella?" A familiar voice asks me after just a few steps and I freeze, turning around to meet the familiar face of Jasper. I squeal and run into his arms, hugging him tightly. He chuckles surprised and starts to ask me something when a loud growl is heard and I feel the burning gaze of my mate. We both freeze and I hold my breath.
"Marcus…" I begin slowly, gently, and he growls threateningly. I let go of Jasper slowly and back away a few steps from him.
"Turn around Isabella." Marcus growls possessively and I hesitate. "NOW." He roars and I shiver from his anger.
"It's our wedding day, Marcus, we are not supposed to see each other." I whisper and he growls even louder, making me whimper slightly as I bare my neck in submission. I'm not afraid of him but I know he is the dominant.
"NOW ISABELLA!" He roars and I spin automatically, taking in the sight of my mate completely consumed by his beast. "Walk to our bedchamber, I will deal with you shortly." He demands when he is sure he has my submission. I start walking towards our chamber, towards him, and when I'm half a step in front of him I hesitate, earning a death glare from him, making me whimper softly.
"My mate, I plead for your understanding. This vampire and I are solely friends, barely that, and he is already mated. He has no claim over me and will never have." I whisper so quietly I can't even hear it as I keep my head bowed in submission and my shoulders hunched. I feel more than see him stepping closer, only half a centimeter separating us.
"Is this truly your belief, my mate?" He asks in a slightly calmer tone, but it's one of disbelief. I jerk by his tone, nodding slowly, but feeling the pain grow inside of the thought that my mate does not trust me.
"Is she telling the truth, Major?" He asks even more coldly, obviously not talking to me but I don't know who he is talking with.
"I have no claim and wish no claim over her and it is likely she believes my companion is my mate." Jasper responds and I feel confused by it, but my focus still lies on my mate's anger and distrust in me. Marcus closes the small space between us by pulling me flush against his chest, my body automatically molding to his. He has one arm wrapped possessively around my waist as his other hand presses my head towards his chest with smoothe but demanding caresses.
"My mate." He breathes, love in his tone again and my body relaxes completely into his hold. He still wants me, loves me. My mate is not too upset. "You know you are mine and will forever be, don't you?" He asks and I nod, wrapping my arms tightly around his waist, seeking his comfort. He purrs softly to comfort me as he begins to lick my mark. "I'm not upset with you anymore, my mate. It was clearly a misunderstanding." He explains while he continues his gentle reassuring. "The Major is unmated. He and the Seer are only companions through this existens. I now realise that you were completely unaware, surely you must understand you can not have bodily contact with him now until we are mated?" He asks. I still feel slightly confused but nods.
"May I ask a question, my mate?" I whisper silently and he hugs me tighter.
"Oh please Isabella, my mate, do not submit to me completely as of now. My beast has gone back into hiding." He assures me. I relax slightly and look up to meet his eyes. They are full of love and worry. "Do you forgive me for jumping to conclusions, my mate? I can not bear to think you are fearing me." He whispers pained and my eyes widen as I shake my head.
"There is nothing to forgive, Marcus, and I would never fear you, only submit to you." I assure him and he purrs at me, holding me slightly tighter.
"What was your question, love?" He asks as he caresses my cheek and I smile sheepishly.
"Who's the Major and the Seer? I have no idea of who you are talking about?" I question and a smile spreads over his lips.
"Oh my Bella, sometimes I forget that you are so young." He sighs. "Jasper Whitlock, or as you know him, Jasper Hale is the Major and Alice Cullen is the Seer." He explains and I look surprised at him, then I turn around in his embrace to face Jasper. Jasper smiles gently to me, his eyes scanning my body for something… injury maybe?
"You and Alice aren't mates?" I ask surprised. Marcus' grip tightens around my waist, but Jasper just chuckles, shaking his head.
"No, Alice helped me get away from my life before we came to live with the Cullen's. I'm sure your mate will explain it to you someday, but we are not mates. We are only companions, our bond isn't strong enough to be even an eight of what the two of you have." He explains and I nod understandingly, but surprised.
"Come darling, let's get you some lunch. I'm afraid we have to postpone the wedding until tomorrow." Marcus whispers in my ear and I sigh.
"I assume we do." I say and he nods solemnly against my neck before he straightens and pulls me tightly to his side.
"Let's go and get you some food." He says and starts leading me down the corridor. Right beside Jasper, Marcus stops and looks seriously at him. "You may join us as long as you don't try to make any claim on my mate." He says, Jasper bows his head gratefully and follows us to the kitchen.
"So Jasper, what are you doing here?" I ask and he sighs deeply.
"When Alice came back home she said Edward had been killed and you had been kidnapped… I felt it was more to the story and came to investigate. I'm also considering joining the guard." He explains and I smile at him as I get seated at the kitchen table.
"That's not exactly what happened. Edward is dead but I'm not kidnapped." I explain. He smiles at me, looking between me and my protective mate who is cooking me something to eat.
"I know." He says and I grin at him.
"Can I explain everything, Marcus?" I ask and he nods. I take a deep breath. "I guess I should begin with saying that Demetri is my brother. He was changed about five years ago and I went to look for him. I found Volterra and lived with Marcus and the others for a while before I moved back." I pause, letting him think about the information. "When I came to save Edward, Demetri explained that Edward had gotten me addicted to vampire pheromones and was planning to wait for my blood to mature…" I stop, seeing the surprised and angry expression on Jasper's face.
"He did what?" He growls before I have time to warn him and instantly Marcus is holding him in a death grip. I sigh.
"Marcus let him go. He isn't threatening or growling at me." I say tiredly and Marcus does as I say, slowly, but warns Jasper with a threatening growl.
"Anyway we were going to make Edward believe I was killed but then I looked into Marcus' eyes, and well, we are true mates. Edward tried to attack and Marcus let me decide whether or not Aro and Caius would kill him." I lower my gaze and fiddle with my fingers. "I told them to do it." I whisper. I feel Jasper stepping closer and then pausing. He sends me some comfort and understanding as well as pride.
"I would give you a hug but well…" His point is made by Marcus' growl. I grin at him and send him my gratitude.
"Are the others well?" I ask and he nods.
"They are… they are coming here in an hour for the wedding." He says and I smile widely.
"They are mated, aren't they? Except Alice I mean." I ask giddily. He chuckles and nods.
"Yes, they are." He assures me. I smile over at Marcus, who is smiling pleased as he places the plate before me. He has made an omelette.
"Thank you." I peck his lips gently as he gets seated next to me.
"You're welcome, my mate." He whispers in my ear and I roll my eyes at him. I know very well what he is doing with all the possessive terms of endearment. I finish eating and we chit chat a little then I get up and kiss Marcus gently.
"I'm going to my room for a while. I want to freshen up." I declare and they nod understandingly so I walk back to my room, without any mishappens.
