Chapter Sixteen

Peter

When they came back hand in hand I was relieved, I didn't like the idea of trusting this woman whoever she was, just on her own word. Char explained they were mates but I wanted to be able to see for myself. He certainly looked the same but then again he didn't. Something was different about my friend and it took a while to realize it was his demeanour, the agitated tense expression was gone from his face, he looked relaxed but even more he looked at peace. They walked up the steps and he stopped, smiling at my expression,

"It's OK Peter, this is Bella and she didn't eat me. Bella is my mate and I want to introduce her to the rest of the Whitlocks."

I looked down at the hand she had offered me and slowly I took it and shook it briefly,

"You'll understand if I'm a little wary Bella only I don't like or trust the Volturi and by your own admission you were one of them only a little while ago. The Major means a lot to me so I'll be watching you. Don't let him down and don't hurt him or I'll come gunning for you and if you think Aro Volturi is scary you ought to see me when I'm riled."

The Major didn't look happy but Bella smiled,

"Fair enough Peter at least I know where I stand with you. I won't hurt him, I couldn't, but I'm glad he has you to look out for him"

I stepped aside to let them in the house to meet Charlotte but I followed and I stayed close enough to act if anything happened. He looked back at me but I shook my head, there was no way she was getting my seal of approval until she proved she deserved it.

Charlotte.

I smiled at my friend when he came in, Peter had given her a rough ride but I was sure she was the one for The Major so I held my hand out first,

"Hello Bella its good to meet you. Forgive my husband, he's a little cynical"

"No I'm just fucking careful. She looks sweet and cuddly, innocent even, but then so does a baby tiger until you upset it, then watch out for claws and fucking teeth. I want to know a lot more about Bella Swan before I'm happy."

I rolled my eyes at him, he wasn't usually so unconvinced when my gift told me things were right but then he'd always been overprotective of The Major and he wasn't going to change now. Bella had better watch her step with him while he was on high alert. When the introductions were over Peter sat watching as The Major told her what he'd been doing since he last saw her, it wasn't until then that I got the connection, Bella was Edward Cullens singer, the human he had fallen for then abandoned after the incident at her birthday party that resulted in The Major finally breaking free of Alice Cullen. But she was rumoured to be dead, I would have to ask them what had happened in reality but not for now, the two were bonding as they shared the experiences they had missed in each others life. Peter watched warily and I wasn't sure if he liked Bella any more than he had Alice, we would see but I hoped for The Majors sake that he came down in favour of Bella or things could turn ugly very fast as they had done before when Peter attacked Alice verbally.

Jasper

I could feel Peters distrust but I could also feel Bella's love and devotion and I had to go with my heart, wherever it led me. The heat in my chest was one I had never experienced before, it flooded my cold body with tendrils of fire warming long cold flesh and making me feel truly alive again.

"So Bella that's my sorry story, a wanderer until we heard Maria was looking to recapture us and that's why we killed her, bringing you into the picture."

She had seated herself at my feet her arms around my knees and her eyes on mine and she smiled again.

"I'm glad you came back to your friends, I hate to think of you wandering alone, we're not meant to be alone"

"So what have you done since letting us escape from the Volturi? Not that I'm suspicious or anything, I just don't like unexplained absences, they make me extremely fucking jumpy"

I tensed but Bella merely squeezed my leg as if to tell me everything was fine and turned to look at my friend.

"I went to see if my father was still alive, I had no idea how long had passed since I was bitten."

"So you went back to Forks? Was he still there?"

"Yes, a very sad and lonely figure who visits my grave twice a week to chat and locks himself away in the house the rest of the time"

"You found out all that so quickly? Well done Sherlock"

"Not alone, but I ran into an old "friend" who filled me in and I saw Charlie"

"Who?"

"My dad, Charlie Swan. I saw him at the grave and I met Jacob Black, he told me the rest."

I stroked her hair,

"You saw the wolf boy?"

"Yeah, not such a boy any longer but still looking younger than he should but I remember that while the wolves are in animal form they don't age so I guess that's why he still looked so much like the Jake of old."

Peter

She was answering any questions I threw at her so far but then I tried a more direct attack,

"So what did Aro promise you if you took us out?"

"My freedom to travel and find my mate. Ironically he made it easy for me by sending me straight to the person I was going to look for. Once I saw Jasper I knew it was him so I used my gift to throw Alec's back at him, allowing you to get away."

"So, you got us, do you plan on turning us in for another reward?"

"Peter I have my reward right here in Jasper, there's nothing Aro could offer me worth more. I have my freedom too and there's nothing else I need or want. You don't have to believe or trust me and you can watch me as closely as you like but you wont see me deceive Jasper now or in the future. But there is something you can do for me"

"Oh yeah and what's that? Take a fucking hike? Give you some space?"

"No, take me to hunt. I don't know this area and I don't want to make things difficult for you in any way. I'm going to ask Jasper to teach me to hunt animals but I'm too thirsty at the moment"

The Major got up pulling Bella with him,

"I can take you to hunt and once your thirst is under control, I'll teach you to hunt animals with pleasure"

"I know sweetheart but I think Peter would like the opportunity to grill me some more without you watching over me"

I smiled,

"You're smarter than I thought Bella Swan. Come on"

She kissed the Major and followed me out.