Wasteland

Chapter 11

Disclaimer : I own Twilight! ...No, I'm lying. Stephenie Meyer owns it.

Warnings : Some Bella-bashing. This chapter contains spoilers for Breaking Dawn.


"Maybe the pack would help?"

I barked a laugh, pun intended, at Bella's words. I crossed my arms against my chest as I leaned against the wall, wishfully hoping it would somehow put more distance between myself and the human. She didn't seem to get the message that I needed space and remained on her seat at the kitchen counter, swinging her feet like a bored child.

She really had to be out of her mind. It was the only explanation I could think of that made any sense. She knew Edward was gone to South America to try and locate the nomads who would hopefully join us in the upcoming war. Yet she came to the house, where only I remained behind while Rosalie and Emmett were out hunting.

The only vampire in the whole family who had very little self-control around humans. Couldn't people get peace in their own houses anymore?

"And what makes you believe I would want their help?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. She frowned at me, crossing her own arms stubbornly before she answered. "Because they exist to fight vampires; exactly what you're planning to do. Why not get the most help you can? Either way, if the Volturi is coming here, they'll be wanting to fight anyway."

I scoffed. "Whoever said they were coming here?" I winced as soon as the words were out, realizing I had said too much. But it was too late. Bella sat up straighter, her hands clutching the sides of her seat. "They're not coming to Forks?"

"No. You said it yourself; we're attacking them. So logically, why would they be coming here?" Seriously, how daft could one get?

I was thankfully interrupted by the sound of a car pulling into the dirt road leading to the house. Ignoring Bella's questioning look, I walked out of the house and waited. It wasn't long before I knew it wasn't any of our usual visitors; they were driving much faster than any normal humans would've.

The car pulled into the meadow and stopped in front of the porch where I was still standing. All four doors opened, and I couldn't help but smile as they stepped out. The Denali clan had arrived.

"Jasper!"

"Hello Tanya. Kate, Carmen, Elezear, Irina. Welcome."

Tanya walked closer, her strawberry blonde curls quivering with her steps and embraced me. "It's been so long!" I awkwardly returned the embrace. "It sure has.", I agreed. She pulled away and looked over my shoulder. "This must be Bella!"

I didn't look behind me and simply nodded, gesturing vaguely between them. "Bella, meet Tanya of the Denali clan. Tanya, Bella." The other four vampires stepped closer, looking at the human behind me curiously and I repeated the introductions just as quickly.

"Where are the others?" Eleazar asked, stepping closer. His emotions betrayed just how anxious he really was. I couldn't blame him; he had been a part of the Volturi long ago, and although I hadn't told any of them we would be attacking his ancient family, he wasn't looking forward to fighting anyone. I wondered how he would react once he learned of the whole plan. I took a moment to look at the dark haired vampire before answering. "Edward has gone to South America to search for friends who might help us, while Carlisle and Esme are going to England, Ireland and Europe."

"What about Rosalie and Emmett?" His mate, Carmen, asked. I pressed my lips into a thin line before answering her. "They've gone hunting for the moment, but they won't be joining us in this."

"What! They would turn their backs on their family on an important event such as this?" Outraged, Kate shook her head. Family was one of the most important things there was, in her opinion, after all, even if she didn't know who we were supposed to be fighting against.

"I gave them the choice to join me in this, Kate, the same as I did to you. Their decision is theirs alone. If they changed their mind, I would welcome them with open arms, but if they decide to stay out of this after all, I won't hold it against them."

"I still say you should ask the pa—" A low growl escaped my lips as I whipped my head around to glare at Bella, cutting her off before she could finish her sentence and ruin everything. It wouldn't be a good idea to mention the pack in front of Irina, not after those same werewolves had destroyed Laurent, with whom she had grown quite attached to. I was surprised she had come with the others in the first place.

Bella shot me a quizzical look, and I could imagine the same expression on Tanya's face as she spoke. "Now, now, Jasper. Is that any way to treat your brother's girlfriend?" She giggled. I looked back at her and she became serious as she changed the subject. "So what is the plan exactly, Jasper?"

I had only explained the bare minimum to them over the phone, only saying another clan wanted to do us harm. I shook my head. "I'm sorry. I can't explain everything right away. I haven't even made up my mind on anything specific yet. It's safer that way." Tanya only looked at me in confusion, but I couldn't bring myself to tell her. How weird would it look, to tell someone you can't exactly trust your own soulmate because she might unwillingly betray you to your enemies?

I saw Bella huff in annoyance from the corner of my eye, no doubt wanting to bring up the werewolf subject again. That sent my brain reeling. Of course! A grin appeared on my face, and everyone's emotions turned to confusion around me. I turned to Bella, causing her to take an involuntary step back when I suddenly reached out to grab her shoulders. "Thank you! Why didn't I think of this before?"

She blinked quickly a few times, no doubt wondering if I had finally lost it and mumbled. "Um, my pleasure?"

I whirled back to Tanya and the others, ignoring the weird looks they were giving me. "I have to go. I know what to do now. I'll borrow your car, if you don't mind. I'll be back as soon as I can. In the meantime, make yourselves at home!"

"But Jasper!" I vaguely heard Tanya protest, but I was already slamming the car's door closed and pulled out of the driveway. I accelerated down the dirt road, and down the highway at a dangerous speed. Seriously, why hadn't I thought of this before? Bella's scent had been distracting me, I supposed, not allowing me to think of the situation clearly. It simply wasn't like me to not look at things from all angles possible.

The answer I had been looking for had been so obvious all along, it was almost painful.

The buildings were a blur as I drove through town, and had Bella's father seen me drive that way, he wouldn't have been happy. Not one bit. I couldn't help the grin on my face as I got nearer to my destination, the houses becoming further away from each other until only the thick forest stood to each side of the road. Not a moment too soon, I was there, and pulled the car to a stop.

I stepped out, slamming the door shut behind me and walked the short distance seperating me from the boundary. Planting my feet firmly on the imaginary line, I waited. A small breeze blew down the road, and I smelled him before I even heard his approach. I tried my best not to grimace at the horrid scent.

I smirked as he emerged from the trees next to the road. "Hello, mutt."

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