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Author's Note: Phew. This chapter had me sweating bullets. I'm still a little apprehensive on the final product, but I think it's a keeper. Thank you for reading! Special thanks to my reviewers, favorite(rs), and followers! I hope you enjoy this next installment!
The Soldier
Chapter Three: "The Whitlock"
Two rows of venomous teeth lodged into her upper-arm. The fresh sting bestowed by Peter Whitlock, the undead rancher. He locked scarred arms around her waist. The goal was to push the soldier into the mud – minus one limb. His intent wasn't malicious. In fact, Bella asked for the spar. However, the blonde vampire didn't do anything halfway. After nine days of rigorous training, he refused to coddle her. "You're a Whitlock," he claimed. The statement held weight. After spending time with Peter, the immortal learned the surname's history. Whitlocks represented the most lethal warriors in the United States.
A sickening crack joined the fight. Bella's left arm landed on the ground, wiggling. She ignored the odd sensation of detachment. Instead, the immortal used the space to break from Peter's hold. Once removed from his grasp, she swiped a leg beneath him. Of course, he jumped from the attack, but the soldier prepared for his landing. Darting right, Bella threw her body into his muscled form. He tumbled onto the ground; she followed him. Long legs wrapped around his torso, locking-in his arms. Immediately, she bit into his neck. The sweet taste of venom tickled her tongue. Bella growled, appreciating the victory. She had never overcome Peter Whitlock – Jasper's prodigal son.
They remained still, accepting the turn of events. The southern wind blew against their statuesque bodies. Eventually, the call of her arm overruled the pleasure of battle. Bella rose from the soil and retrieved the sparkling appendage. Before meeting the rancher, her arm had displayed a single bite. Now, several glittered across its surface. "Battle wounds," Peter called them. Apparently, it was a Whitlock's badge of honor. To walk amongst vampires with crescent scars meant formidability.
Carefully, Bella reattached the arm. A thin mark tattooed around the area of separation. Despite the dismemberment, the soldier enjoyed their skirmish. She had needed the assurance. If the vampire could overpower the retired captain of a newborn army, she could easily travel as a nomad. Her goal to search for the police officer had not changed; she needed to find him. The browns of the man's eyes held answers – soothed her soul. Why couldn't she remember his name?
"Your wheels are turning," Peter commented, dusting off his Wranglers.
The soldier wanted to confide in the rancher. He had proven himself trustworthy, but an unknown emotion deterred her. Since arriving onto his land, Bella spoke very little. She maintained a practical distance from Peter – unless to spar. As for the rancher's mate, the immortal had no opinion. Charlotte Whitlock avoided her like the plague. Whenever Bella entered the house, the southern belle scampered outside. Her blatant discomfort solidified a discharge date. The soldier vowed to leave their territory after fourteen days. Unfortunately, Bella still needed information. If she didn't overthrow the nonsensical feeling, her questions would remain unanswered.
"Want some help?"
"What do you mean," Bella asked, confused.
"Well, there's something you don't know about me," he smirked. "I have a talent for knowing shit. For example, I know you lost your virginity to a werewolf."
"What—what," she sputtered.
"Surprised, Sugar? Well, I've got more! Let's see," he paused, tapping his chin. "I know that you've broken fifteen bones. I know your favorite book is Wuthering Heights. I know you're leaving in five days to search for your father. I know…."
"My father," the soldier interrupted, "the police officer?"
Peter shrugged, "My sixth sense doesn't linger on the details."
The immortal allowed the words to soak; her mind whirled around the newly discovered information. Could the kindred spirit be her dad? "Yes," she thought. Their blood-tied relationship explained the protectiveness. However, why did she recall Renee and not him? Bella felt no love towards her mother. Then again, her memories might be insinuating something. Since awakening, she only remembered a handful of people: Renee, Jacob, James, Victoria, and the Cullen Coven. "Pain," she concluded. Each of them had harmed her, emotionally or physically. Their offenses established in her psyche.
Renewed, Bella approached the rancher on a different topic. She needed to understand her maker's bond. Its pull stretched across the Pacific Ocean. Though the connection seemed harmless, the soldier feared its possibility. The immortal knew nothing about the scavenging vampire – even his appearance. The fiery carnage had blinded her vision. She could only recall the hunger in his eyes – endless pits of black. If the bond was two-sided, he could track her. Bella dismissed running; she was a Whitlock. However, the mysterious immortal represented a potential threat. Acknowledging the danger had urged her to train with Peter.
"It sounds like a gift," he offered. "Unique too."
"So, you don't have a bond with Jasper?"
"Not like that, Sugar. Our bond is built through hardship. To me, it sounds like your sire can manifest bonds in his children – keep tabs so to speak. It's a handy gift. If he wanted to create a newborn army, they'd be under his thumb.
"Of course," Peter continued, "you might've been his first kid. Most likely, he didn't know about his gift until you began to turn. I reckon that's why he didn't kill you. Once the venom started running its course, the bond took hold. Probably scared him shitless."
Bella nodded. "Do you think he'll hunt me down?"
"Sugar, he's a dumbass. He should've found you when your heart stopped beating. You're fucking lucky that the bunny munchers broke the law. If they hadn't provided you with basic entail, you'd be a pile of ash. The Volturi would've hunted you down like a prized buck," he surmised. "However, I'm thinking the fucker will come to his senses. He'll probably look for you in a few years."
"I'll just have to be prepared," she stated.
"I doubt he'll harm you. You're his prodigy – his kinfolk. Vampires are feeling creatures. Our emotions run deeper than humans. Even without the fucked-up bond, he would still want a relationship with you."
"Well, he has a sucky way of showing it."
Peter's boisterous laughter lightened the mood. He snuck an arm around her shoulders, leading her towards the house. As expected, Charlotte scrambled out the backdoor before they stepped onto the porch. Her sudden departure didn't damper the rancher's mood; his laugh transformed into a chuckle. Quickly, Peter navigated them into the house, drawing her into an office. With a tilt of his head, he motioned the soldier into a sturdy seat. A laptop sat in front of her.
"If you're leaving in a few days, you need to prepare for the trip," he advised. "I know you like motorcycles. Shop online. We'll pick-up whatever suits your fancy.
"You should order some gear too. We can't have your ass sparkling down the freeway. Buy a helmet, jacket, and some gloves. Also, you might consider buying new clothes. You look like you've been tumbling in the mud with a grizzly bear."
"Yeah, yeah," Bella sassed. "Thanks for everything, Peter."
"That's what family's for," he grinned. "Holler if you need anything!"
Alone, the soldier revisited the earlier discussion. Excitement vibrated through her body. After years of disorganized thoughts, she finally felt centered. Peter absolved her ignorance and provided closure. Now, the nomadic lifestyle seemed like an adventure. Bella planned to submerge herself into civilization. Someday, the immortal would thank Jasper Whitlock. He had gifted her a new life, a brother, and hope. Bella vowed to uphold their family honor. After all, Whitlocks took care of their own.