Chapter Nine - For the One We Love
APOV –
I ran through the forest, feeling the exhilaration of the hunt. I laughed from pure delight, I felt Jasper's hand and my shoulder and I twirled around only to meet a vision that certainly wasn't of my beloved.
The coven stalked through the clearing, its leader a young woman of about nineteen with brownish black hair of Mexican origin and burgundy eyes in plain sight…Maria. She hissed and…
"Alice? Are you all right?"
Alice snapped out of the vision instantly, instead focusing on Jasper, his wild hair nearly covering his eyes.
"I'm fine Jasper, it's just…"
"Just what?" Edward asked, with the rest of the family behind him.
"Maria." Jasper tensed. He tried to hide it, but I knew that he hadn't completely gotten over her. "She's got a coven, and she's coming here."
"Maria's coming here?" Jasper punched a tree, and was about to give it another beating when a rustle in the leaves interrupted him.
"Of course, Jas. I'd never leave you alone too long." Maria leaned languidly against a tree trunk, her coven surrounding her like guards which I supposed they were to a person like Maria.
I automatically went into a defensive crouch, the other Cullens joining me. 'This woman had no right to Jasper.' I told myself 'I will fight her for him."
"I'm sorry but Jasper is with us now. But you're welcome to stay as guests." Carlisle told her calmly, contrasting with the fierce energy that lit her face.
"I know, but how he lives on a diet of pests I have no idea." She turned to Jasper and drew him close. "Be with me, I need you." She whispered "We could be like before, all powerful and unstoppable. Just say yes."
That was the final straw. I leapt through the air like a dart with only one purpose, to kill my rival.
She crouched and gave a command to her 'guards'. They instantly joined her and my family joined me, ready to fight for the one we love.