**I am writing this chapter in third person.**

Jasper sat perfectly still, letting the truck drive forward with his foot barely putting pressure on the gas; his heart felt tight and soar as his mate cried in the seat, only inches away from him. His right hand gently came to rest on the back of Avira's skull, his fingers tangling into the thick waves of her hair. Jasper could feel her suffering and because of the bond that was forming between them, it hurt more, it burned more intensely; it was tearing him apart.

"Avira let me influence you." Her head shook 'no' and she went silent, though in her silence; her pain became heavier.

With a heavy sigh, Jasper pulled up to a small cabin that was about twenty miles from the main home on the property, it was solid wood and held everything they needed inside.

Avira sat up as Jasper pulled his fingers carefully from her dark tundrels, she glanced around the area as Jasper came up to open her door. His hand was out, offering to help Avira from the cab of the truck; she took it hesitantly.

She followed him silently into the cabin, it smelt of brand new everything and she couldn't help but wonder if Peter had set up this cabin just for them. It was clean and the furniture was covered with fresh plastic and the floor had been swept recently.

Jasper closed the door with a light thud, his hand curling around hers. "You know you're safe with me."

Avira nodded and her trust washed over him like a wave and that made him feel more at peace.

"I can't change the past, but I can build us a beautiful future."

Small amounts of self-hurt hit Jasper, she was holding back remarks, things she wanted to say and his potential reactions had hurt her. He tugged Avira close, fingers grazing over the side of her face in a light, barely there manner.

"Maybe you can't forgive Peter or I for what happen, but I hope you can move on. It hurts me to see you suffer, I want my mate happy." Jasper gently stroked ends of her hair, Avira's steady gaze on him.

"I just need some time." She barely whispered the words, the venom in her eyes burnt lightly and she blinked it back, resting her forehead against his shoulder.

Jasper relished in the softness of hit mate, in the warmth he could feel from her, despite how cold humans found vampires; they felt warm and soft and oh so good, to each other.

In his content state, Jasper purred softly and the gentle hum of it made Avira snuggle deeply into his chest. Jasper's fingers curled on her hip and his lips kissed up along her the side of her throat; where her blood once beat. He could see the bite mark upon her jugular, half covered by the collar of her leather jacket.

"I hope you know, I love you." The words seemed to hang in the air, Avira could hardly believe she said them and the shock at her realization sunk into Jasper's system rather slowly. Jasper's warm breathe tingled along her neck and just under her earlobe as his hands skimed along the edges of her clothes. "I love you, too."

He kissed across her skin and the closeness of her wasn't enough; he felt the urge to claim her, He Wanted Her.

"Jazz, please... I'm not..." Jasper could feel her submissive demour taking over; like it had in the wars. Even if she didn't want to or wasn't ready, she gave in for him... because of him.

He stopped himself, his arms simply embracing her as he buried his face against her shoulder.

"I won't force you. I'm sorry." Avira wished she could cry, to relieve the stress from her body; to let it out. Her arms embraced Jasper tightly, her fingers digging into his side and hip.

"I wouldn't hate you for it... the pull is strong. I just don't want to be holding back when we finally mate... I know I'm hurting and I want to forgive you before we... bond." She took a deep breathe, she was shaking lightly, fearfully. She was afraid that she couldn't or wouldn't be able to be a good mate for him, and she loved him and only wanted him to be happy.

"I know. I can wait."

For a few silent moments, they stood against each other, inhaling each others scent; calming themselves.

Avira pulled away first, exploring the one bedroom. It held extra clothes in both her style and Jasper's. The bed was a king and it fit up against the wall nicely. There was a shower and a seperate garden tub, no toilet as it wasn't needed.

Jasper could hear his mate moving around the room, he wanted to follow, but instead sat himself in the loveseat. He flicked on the TV despite his mind being else where. There were books along the wall to his right, it was a small shelving unit, but it held enough.

The cabin was silent aside from the noise of the TV, and the pair were content in it.