It's been so long since I wrote this story, however, I believe this is where I started after the compilation was published

Chapter 4

?POV

I'm headed back to the Washington area after visiting an old friend. If you could even call her that. I catch the whiff of a scent that has haunted me since the first time I smelled it. I then catch my first glimpse of her. Sitting in a truck in the parking lot of a restaurant. I was just about to approach her when I smell Maria and the scent of another vampire. What the fuck is she doing here? Apparently, checking to make sure I'm out of her territory. Well, unfortunately, bitch, I'm not leaving now. Especially, when I came to you for help, and you fucking turned me down, after making my life a living hell, to begin with. So fuck you very much, Maria. I then see the little bitch get out of the truck and go into the restaurant.

"I've waited this long, I can wait as long as it takes to get you where I want you, bitch," I whisper low to myself, as I watch her sashay her perfect little ass into the restaurant. Not to mention I need to feed this fucking newborn. I wish I had that fabled God of War Maria goes on and on about. Some fucking sword she swears can tame fifty newborns without moving a muscle. Shit, I'm having a hard enough time with just this one.

"C'mon, newborn. Let's find you a suitable meal."

JASPER'S POV

Peter and I take a flight from Seattle to Las Cruces, New Mexico. It's where the shifter pup says she went. While we are on the plane, Peter is looking nervous.

"What is it, Captain?"

"Major, I have a feeling we may be too late."

"Then as soon as we get off the plane, we need to pick up her scent quickly. I want to prevent her from getting into Maria's hands if at all possible." Peter just gives me a nod, but I can still feel his trepidation.

I admit I am worried as well. The pup tried calling her, but she didn't answer. At the time, the Captain was sure she was still safe, but now, I'm not so sure.

I've been holding a shirt from her laundry basket that was bathed in her scent. Ever so often, I take a whiff of her magnificent scent. The smell of freesia, vanilla, and spice, along with her strawberry shampoo. It so calming, yet it makes my mouth fill with venom, but not as a meal.

I also took one of the pictures from her wall, among other things I thought I may need. The picture is of her and the mind-reading man-child. How could he be so stupid? I would have changed this beautiful woman had it been me. All vampires are selfish beings. I'm sure he loved her, how could he not; but if it had been me, I wouldn't have waited to sink my teeth into her beautiful neck, as I buried my cock so deep in her warmth. I had to stop this train of thought. My jeans were becoming increasingly uncomfortable, and we still had a while on this flight.

I stare at her picture, as I hold her shirt to my nose and inhale deeply. I hope this is the one time, the Captain's gift hasn't failed him. I want to make this beautiful creature mine.

I'm so enthralled by my thoughts of her, I don't even realize we are landing. Peter nudges me to put on my seatbelt. Asshole. It's not like we need them, but I guess we do have to keep up the human persona. Her scent is the only thing keeping me sane right now. I wouldn't be able to take much more of the human emotions, or the smell of their blood if it weren't for her scent.

Once the plane taxis and we are allowed to disembark, we go straight to baggage pick up. Even though her scent isn't fresh, and so many humans scents cover it, I can still smell it in this enclosed area. I follow it to the rental car counter.

"Excuse me, sir," I ask the agent. "I'm working for the Town of Forks Police department on a missing person's case. Can you tell me if you've seen this young lady?" I ask, as I quickly flash the badge I swiped from Bella's house and pull out her picture. I'm sure it belonged to her father and thought it might help. I would show it to Bella as proof I came on behalf of Carlisle.

"Yes sir, as a matter of fact, I rented her a truck a few days ago. I remember because she was a gorgeous woman, but she looked so sad. I wanted to ask her to dinner." I had to suppress a growl. The Major was screaming in my head. Get back fucker, before I rip your throat out, She's MINE! It wasn't until Peter put a hand on my shoulder that I realized I was shaking. I had sent so much fear into that rental agent fucker, he was cowering on the floor.

"Can you give us a description of the vehicle, and tell us if she happened to mention where she was staying?" Peter asked the rental pussy, as he steps forward and pushes me behind him. I decided to give the rental agent some calm and confidence before he pissed himself.

"Sorry, I don't know what came over me," the pussy started. "The vehicle I can help with, unfortunately, I'm sorry I don't know where she's staying. God, knows I wish I did," I hear him say under his breath. This time a soft growl did rumble low in my chest. Peter turns to me with a scowl. "Major, fuckin' behave yourself," he says too low for human hearing. I just sneer back at Peter. The pussy finally comes back with the file for the rental for Isabella Swan. I see the picture of the 4x4 truck she rented. Peter thanks him and we exit the rental car agency.

"Major, she's a beautiful girl, every man is going to think so, you can't go around scaring the be-Jesus out of everyone just because they are attracted to her."

"Is that so, Captain? Are those your words of wisdom for today? Because I seem to remember quite a few times, I've had to pull your ass off of some half-fuck, for just looking at Charlotte." Peter just stands there with his mouth open, with that stupid deer caught in the headlights look.

"Yeah, just as I thought," I say as I turn to walk away.

"Well Major, you see, what had happened was…." I just shook my head. I stopped paying attention to Peter as I caught Bella's scent in the wind. I ran as fast as humanly possible until I came upon a hotel. The area was fresh with her scent. I figured this was where she was staying. I pulled the same badge deal and gave the same story to the front desk clerk. She confirmed she was staying at the hotel, but refused to tell me a room number. Unfortunately, I need to use my vampire allure on this human woman. I needed to know my mate was safe. I then asked for a room on the same floor.

I decided I wanted to freshen up. I wanted to look my best for my first meeting with my mate. We went up the elevator, and her scent was strong. She apparently just recently left the hotel, as her smell was strong in the lobby as well as the elevator. Once we got to the floor, I scented out her room. As I suspected, she wasn't there. I couldn't hear a heartbeat coming from the room.

Peter and I quickly found our room. We took quick showers and got dressed. Peter was dressed in his signature black jeans, cowboy boots, and hat, with a western style black and white checkered shirt. I was going a little more stylish. I chose a slim fit black suit, with a black shirt. I put a red pocket square in my suit jacket, but no tie. I combed my hair back, glad Charlotte had recently given it a trim.

We decided to walk, instead of taking a taxi so we could pick up her scent easier. Soon, we spotted the truck in the parking lot of a little Mexican restaurant. I could feel she was there. Peter and I walked in and took seats at the bar. Peter ordered a whiskey, and I ordered a beer on tap.

Suddenly, I spotted her. My God, she's beautiful. My long dead heart threatened to beat as I looked at her. The picture I'd memorized didn't do her any justice. Though she did seem a bit thinner as if she hasn't been eating. But I guess after being depressed over losing the love of your life, it was somewhat expected. At least she was eating now. I'd have to change that. Like I said, I like my women with curves. Though, she still had them, and, oh my, did she. Her full chest, and hips just right for gripping, legs that looked like they went on for miles. I could almost feel them wrapped around me, and shit… again, I had to stop this train of thought. It's been a while since 'lil Major had any action, and he was about ready to bust out of my pants just thinking about the little darlin' at that table. I noticed she had a nearly empty Margarita glass on her table.

I asked the bartender to send her over another from me. I saw the bartender call over the waiter and hand him the frozen drink. I wanted to rip the waiter's arm off as I saw Isabella grab his arm. He then pointed at us. Isabella then turned and looked directly into my eyes. Those big beautiful doe eyes were looking right at me. I gave her my signature half smile and tipped my beer to her, but she turned around too quickly for my taste.

"She's frightened, Major," Peter said. I just rolled my eyes. No shit, Sherlock! Uhh, Captain, empath here. I sent her a healthy dose of calm and trust. But they bounced off of her like a fucking rubber ball. Oh yeah, she's definitely a shield.

I hear her whisper to the waiter to show her to the bathroom. She drops money on the table before the waiter escorts her to the ladies room. I would wait for her to return and speak to her when she decides to leave. After a few minutes and she didn't return, I became increasingly worried.

Peter suddenly yanks me by the arm and is pulling me out the door. I almost spill the last of my beer as he does so.

"What the fuck, Peter?" I growl at him.

"They are taking her now, Major. She slipped out the window and was accosted by some of Maria's goons. As soon as we make it to the alley, I hear my mates plea.

"Please, Victoria. I'm tired of trying to outrun my fate. Please, just make it quick, then I can be with my Edward." I hear the sweet voice of my Isabella.

I roar at those words and come to a halt in the alley as I see a woman with fire red hair has Isabella pressed up against the wall with another younger vampire male; not quite a newborn, but just under a year old. I'm just about to launch on them both when I'm stricken immobile, and so is Peter.

"So, this is the little winch you've been begging me to help you destroy, huh Victoria?" I hear the sickening sweet Spanish accent I wished to never hear again.

"But I see you did even better. You've brought me back my sword. Alejandro, let them go," I see a tall Mexican vampire step from behind Maria. His eyes changed from a steel blue to fire red, and suddenly I'm able to move again.

"Major, I always knew you would return. And I see you've brought your second-in-command back with you. My you've changed, but still as handsome as ever. What brings you back to my neck of the woods?"

"You know, just a little change of scenery. I actually thought you'd still be in Mexico," I told her never taking my eyes off Isabella.

"I was just getting ready to have a little fun with that pretty little thing when she escaped me. I came to look for her and ran into these two dipshits." Maria looks between Isabella and me as if she's not sure she believes me. She then walks over to Isabella and eyes her up and down. I know that look. She wanted to see if Isabella can be of use to her.

"She is a pretty little thing, isn't she? I can see why James wanted to play with her. I'm sure she will make a nice little pet for the camp." I have to suppress a growl at Maria's words. I can't let Maria know that Isabella means anything to me.

"Maria, I was just thinking the same thing myself. I will make you a deal, if you let me have her as my personal pet, the Captain and I will come back willingly. But first, I have to let my new coven know I won't be returning. Otherwise, The Cullens will come looking for me." I say pointedly looking directly at Isabella. I see the recognition on her face at the mention of the Cullens.

"NO, NO, NO, NO, NO!" the redhead screams like a fucking banshee. "She's mine! I want her destroyed for what she did to my James!" Victoria continues to rant. Stomping around like a two-year-old having a tantrum. I concentrate and direct enough fear only towards Victoria, she cowers away from Bella.

"You listen to me you little bitch. If that James weren't such a disgusting pig of a man-whore, he wouldn't have gotten himself in the mess he did. I gave you to him as a favor for his tracking services. The fact you couldn't keep him satisfied says as much about you as him, you disgusting, childish, cunt," Maria says to Victoria as Maria snatches Victoria up by the mess of red hair. As soon as they both are distracted, Isabella runs to Peter and me. I see Alejandro's eyes turn a steel blue again to try and stop her, but nothing happens. Isabella continues running to us. She stops as soon as she is safely behind us. She places her warm hand on my lower back, and I am immediately engulfed by her gratitude, but something else that feels like a warm blanket has been placed over me.

"Well, my, my, my. It seems I have finally found the treasure I've been looking for all these years. I finally have my shield," Maria says, and I immediately know that's the warmth I feel surrounding me. Isabella has engulfed us in her shield.

"Destroy them and take the girl!" Maria commands Alejandro. His eyes immediately turn fire red again but begin to glow. I try to send him fear, but it only bounces back on me. I realize my gift won't escape the shield.

"Isabella, I need you to lower your shield," I tell her.

"I—I—I don't know how. I didn't even know I had one," she nervously tells me.

"Maria, call your goon off. Like I said, we will come willingly. You know I am your sword, and now you have your shield. But she doesn't know how to use it. Let us come back, and I will train her how to use it. We will fight for you." Maria thinks on my words for a few seconds.

"Alejandro," is all Maria says. At the same time, she snaps Victoria's neck, pulls her head off and tosses her body and head to the newborn that's standing watching the whole thing submissively. Alejandro immediately engulfs them in flames with his eyes. While that happens, I pull out my phone and send a quick text to Dr. Cullen.

To: C. Cullen

From: J. Whitlock

Target has been acquired, but have run into complications. Mission has gone haywire. Have Char contact backup. Unfortunately, I will be in Mexico. Charlotte will know what to do.

I then crush the phone in my hand and drop the pieces to the ground in case the Cullens or anyone try to call back. Isabella is looking over my shoulder as I do this.

"So Carlisle really sent you?" Isabella whispers so low, and softly, if it weren't for vampire hearing, I would have missed it, luckily Maria was too busy to catch it.

"Yes, but you mustn't let Maria know this. Please just follow my lead." I feel her let out a breath and nod as she rests her head on my back. Her warmth seeps into me. I now understand the selfishness of Carlisle and Edward to a degree. I could get used to the beautiful woman's heat, against my cold flesh. I know for sure this is my mate. Like Edward, I would lay down my very life to protect her. But, I will not put her through that again. No, I think I'll stick around for eternity with her.