A/N: Here it is! The chapter that everyone has been waiting for! Just wanted to say a big thank you to my faithful reviewers so far, y'all make my day. I love all your theories and opinions. Y'all rock! (Yes, I'm kissing butt now, you'll see why at the end of the chapter) ;)
And, on with the story...
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story line, SM owns the characters I'm just having fun with them.
Jasper POV
Forks, Washington
I finished burying the mountain lion I had drained and sat back against a moss-covered tree, enjoying the solitude of my early morning hunt. Just as I got comfortable, the shrill ringing of my cell phone brought me out of my musing and back to reality. I sighed as I looked at the name- Alice. "What's up, Alice?"
Where are you? Are you talking to Sam again? You just disappeared.
Just as she finished speaking Sam came walking into view with a smirk on his face- proud of himself for sneaking up on me. "Yes, Alice. He just walked up." I managed not to break my phone as I snapped it closed, cutting off the call.
"She sure is nosy for someone who ain't your woman." Sam loved calling me out on Alice's tight leash.
"Yeah, well, which woman is running your life today? Your lover or your imprint?" I could dish it to him as well as take it.
"Both. Why else would I be out here hiding in the woods with the likes of you?" He kept his joking tone but I could feel his frustration and despair leaking through.
"You wanna talk or spar?" As I waited for his answer I thought back to the beginning of my strange friendship with Sam, the werewolf who had become my closest confidant over the past two months.
~Flashback~
We were out hunting as a family about a month after we moved to Forks when I ran across a strange smell. It had a distinctly canine flavor to it but was horribly off-putting as well. I followed the trail and ended up face to face with a huge black wolf. But it wasn't his size or smell that drew my attention- it was his emotions. I had been hunting animals for over 60 years now and had never once felt any kind of emotions from one. But the giant wolf in front of me was radiating confusion, anger, hatred, and crippling fear. We stared at each other for a full minute before he started backing up and growling fiercely. I felt the family run up behind me, most of them putting out shock, except for two. Alice had a strange mixture of fear and malice. She shook it off as she ran up and looked between me and the wolf. Carlisle had shock, but also recognition and awe. "Levi?" he whispered. The wolf whipped his head and stared at Carlisle, his anger melting away to disbelief and resignation. He shook his head at Carlisle in a very human gesture and made sounds like he was trying to speak.
Carlisle turned to me and said, "He must be a descendent of the last wolf pack. He looks exactly like Levi Uley." When Carlisle spoke the name I felt recognition and hope from the wolf. Carlisle turned back to him and asked, "Is this the first time you have phased?" and to my shock the wolf nodded his head again.
"Ok," Carlisle said, turning to the family, "we need to give him some space, all of us being here is hard on his instincts. Just go back to the house while I talk to him and see if I can get him to phase back." The family all left except for me and Alice. Alice was still glaring at the wolf and Carlisle finally told her to go home.
I really didn't like the idea of leaving my father alone with the giant vampire-killing wolf so I stood my ground and dared him to order me away. He glanced at me and sighed, and then said, "You might actually be able to help, Jasper. The young wolves are ruled by anger and he needs to be able to calm down in order to change back. If your power works on him you could get him calm faster."
I nodded and turned to the wolf who had been watching us and said, "Hey, I'm Jasper. I have the power to sense and control emotions and if you would like I can send you some calm to help you get back to your human self." He looked at me for a long minute before finally nodding his head. I started low and slowly built up the level of calm and peace I was sending him. The air seemed to shimmer and suddenly we were staring at a very naked Native American boy who looked to be about 18 years old. His long hair was tangled and full of leaves and sticks, and his body was covered with mud from the damp forest floor. I whipped my shirt off and offered it to him but he wrinkled his nose up and waved me off.
"So I guess all the fucking legends are true, huh? You're really cold ones and I'm stuck on this damn reservation as a wolf for the rest of my life." he sounded so broken I had to wonder what he would be giving up for this new life. In a way I understood how he felt. I had plans of my own before Maria ripped me out of my old life and threw me head first into a new nightmare.
Carlisle and I talked with Sam for an hour or so before he headed back to the reservation to talk to his elders. This was the first of many meetings between Sam and I. We talked about everything in our lives and found ourselves to be kindred spirits. Finding out that Alice couldn't see the wolves made our friendship that much more important to me. I could talk to Sam about anything without fear of Alice seeing it and calling me out in front of the family. Alice had thrown a fit when we got home, trying to demand that we move again so her visions wouldn't be blocked but Esme put her foot down this time. The Forks house was her favorite place to live and she didn't plan on leaving anytime soon.
~End Flashback~
Sam finally spoke up and said, "I had a big fight with Emily. She yelled at me again about how horrible I am for dumping Leah and how I was tearing her family apart. I got so mad for a minute I almost phased right next to her. I had to close my eyes and center myself like you taught me and then she went and slapped me. I just jumped back and barely made it out the door before I exploded. I'm scared to death I'm going to hurt her one day, I don't know why she doesn't understand all this. She feels the imprint just like I do!"
This imprint stuff was really tough for Sam. I could sympathize with him but I couldn't really empathize, despite my gift. I don't know what I would have done if Peter had rejected me when I first turned him. It was unthinkable to me. Sometimes I wondered if it would have been easier if I had lost him then, at the beginning, than losing him later, after all we had shared.
"I don't know what to tell you. I'm obviously not the expert on keeping hold of your soul mate." Sam knew all my sordid history, and while he kept most of his opinions to himself, I could tell he was sympathetic to Peter. It was the height of irony since Sam's whole purpose in life was to destroy human drinking vampires.
"Yeah, well, hello pot, my name's kettle. We're a sad pair aren't we?" he laughed but there was no humor in it. This fight must have really rattled him. "Can we talk about something else?"
Could I? I needed to talk to someone and he was my only option if I didn't want the family to know. Nodding, I plunged right in. "I think Peter is coming here."
He whipped his head around and looked at me in shock. "What? Why do you think that?"
"I've noticed the past few days that my mating pull is getting easier. The only reason I can think of is if they are coming closer. I haven't said anything to the family yet, but if he comes and asks me to leave with him I'm going to go." Wow, that was freeing to say. Maybe it was because of who I was talking to. The family always shot down my talk like that. They didn't want me giving up all my "hard work" and becoming a savage again.
Sam was giving off a mixture of sadness and pride. "I'm glad you're finally willing to man up and fight for your mate. Do you think the family will give you any trouble?"
"Yeah, probably. Alice hates Peter and Carlisle isn't thrilled with him either. He thinks Peter stole his son away, but I think Edward had one foot out the door before we showed up. This lifestyle really isn't for everyone."
"Yeah, I can understand that. I know I'm supposed to hate what you are but right now you're the only friend I've got who truly understands what I'm going through. If you can be my friend whether I have fur or skin, I'd like to think I would be open-minded enough to stay your friend no matter what color your eyes are." His admission shocked me speechless for a minute.
"Are you serious? I can't believe a shapeshifter who lives to protect humans would be more understanding than my own father. That's really saying something isn't it?"
"Yeah, just don't let the tribal elders know I said that, ok? They're all noble and shit." With that, the tension melted and we fell into our usual comfortable banter.
Walking home later I was intercepted by Rose about a mile from the house. I could sense her worry and determination before I could see her. "What's up Rose?" I truly loved my sister but she could be royal pain in the ass if she got it in her head to call you out on something.
"I'm worried about you, Jasper. You've been even more quiet than normal the past few days. And Emmett says you haven't played x-box with him at all. Is something bothering you?" I think our years of pretending to be twins gave her an insight to me that the rest of the family just didn't have. Maybe it was just the fact that she cared about me, as a person. She was my biggest supporter in the family, always defending me when Alice had negative visions about my control. And she badgered me at least twice a year to leave and go seek out my mate. I knew if I did leave with Peter I would have her full support.
I wish could tell her about my feelings but I can't risk the rest of the family knowing so I just shrugged and said, "It's nothing. Just feeling a little down. Missing Peter again."
Predictably she replied, "God, Jasper, just go already! If it bothers you this bad you just need to go find him! I don't know how you can live without your mate for so long. I can't go a day without Emmett!"
"Rose, we've been over this. If he wanted me, he would have come for me years ago. I won't force myself on him if he no longer loves me!"
"That's bullshit Jasper and you know it. You're just a coward. Whatever, we have to be at school in an hour, I'm going to get ready." With that, she turned and flounced off in a huff.
I sighed and continued on to get ready for another boring day pretending to be human.
Bella POV
The past few weeks of planning and traveling were all coming to a head today. Edward and I were enrolled in Forks high school as juniors (I was the extra smart younger sibling who skipped a grade- Eddie thought this was hilarious) and we were leaving the office with our new schedules in hand. Peter had insisted that we have all the same classes, and I gritted my teeth while he dazzled the secretary into agreeing. In a flashback to my first school experience, he left the office and headed straight for the trees. He was planning to mask our scent until lunch and Eddie was going to monitor their thoughts so we didn't cross paths before then. The only thing that was uncertain was whether he would be able to keep his shield off of Jasper until then- he was fighting himself hard to cover Edward instead of Jasper.
We made it through the morning fairly unscathed. The entire school was staring at us; it really was a credit to the Cullens' self-centeredness that they didn't notice us before lunch. Apparently Eddie and I were both hot commodities and we were fighting off suitors from the moment we walked in. Well, I was fighting off suitors and Edward was simultaneously playing the protective older brother and scaring away boys, while flirting with all the girls and collecting phone numbers. "Edward, you know you have to pace yourself. If you don't, you'll fuck the whole school before the end of the week and then we'll have to leave." I teased him during biology, our last class before lunch.
"And if you don't watch your language then Peter will get a call from a pissed off teacher before the end of the day." Damn, he always has a come back. Stupid eternal teenager.
We took our time heading to the cafeteria to make sure the other vampires arrived ahead of us. My nerves shot up before I locked them down and went into battle mode. Edward held the door open for me and I could almost hear the cheesy music as the wind blew his hair back and he paused and scanned the room with a smirk on his face. "After you, dear sister." he said with a slight bow.
The Cullens' heads all whipped around at the exact same time and I got my first look at my yellow-eyed mate. Objectively, I saw that he was sinfully handsome, with a deceptively innocent boyish face. His golden curls looked so soft and I briefly wondered what it would feel like to run my hands through them. His eyes were wide and his mouth open in shock as he locked eyes with me. I knew that if Peter had lifted his shield he would surely smell our mate's scent coming off me. I was surprised by how much I was drawn to him; my body seemed to be almost pulling me in his direction. Only Edward's hand on my elbow was keeping me in place.
"Come on Bella, let's get some lunch." I turned to see the annoyingly hyper blonde girl from my English class trying to pull Edward and I toward the lunch line. Edward kept his hand on my back all the way through the line and when we sat at Jessica's table, he put his arm on the back of my chair.
"So, Jessica, who are they?" he asked, pointing to the Cullens.
She leaned forward, eager to share the gossip and started in, "They're the Cullens. They all live with Dr. Cullen but they don't really talk to anyone here at school. The blonde ones are Rosalie and Jasper Hale, they are twins, and I think they're just foster kids. Emmett and Alice are brother and sister but they were adopted so their last name is Cullen. The really freaky part is, Rosalie and Emmett are together. Like together, together. And they live together. It's just weird."
"So the other two are single then?" Edward asked. Jessica's face fell, assuming he was interested in Alice, but she continued with a little less enthusiasm, "Yes, they are, but don't bother with them, they don't date. They've turned everyone down who has asked."
With that, I looked at Jasper and smirked. "Oh really? Well, lucky for me, I like a challenge." I hopped up, knowing Eddie would follow me, and walked right over to sit in Jasper's lap. I tried to ignore just how good it felt to be this close to him, as I turned to him and said, "Hi. I'm Bella Whitlock. It seems we have a mutual love interest. But you wouldn't know anything about that would you, Jasper Hale?"
Jasper started to answer but tightened his arms around me when Alice hissed, "No! It's not possible! I saw you die- TWICE! Ugh, that stupid wolf has my visions so screwed up I can't see anything now-" She broke off and I saw Edward looked furious as he had his hand locked around her arm like a vice. He growled low and pulled her up from her chair.
"You're coming with me. Peter needs to know what the hell you have been up to all this time. Jasper, this affects you too. Outside, now." I watched as they walked at slightly faster than human pace straight out the door.
Jasper still hadn't moved and he finally whispered in a broken voice, "Is he here? Is he really here? Or is this just some sick joke? You smell like him." As he said this he tucked his head in my neck and breathed deep. I had to fight back a wave of arousal, but damn, he was gorgeous and he smelled almost as good as Peter. I steeled myself as I hardened my voice and pulled away as best I could.
"Of course I smell like him. He's my mate. He holds me in his arms every night while I sleep." I felt Jasper shudder against me and he finally raised his head to look me in the eye. The pure misery in his golden eyes melted my resolve.
"Can I see him? Does he want to see me? Does he hate me?" his voice broke and he choked on a sob at the last question. Before I could answer I got a text from Eddie- Get your ass out here NOW!
"Come on, let's go. I have some things to say to you later but I'd like for you to find your balls first." This finally got a reaction from the remaining Cullens who were now choking back laughter.
"Mind if we come along?" Rosalie asked. "I've been telling him to go find Peter for years. I'm sorry I didn't push him harder. It's really nice to meet you, Bella."
"You too. Now, we better get outside before Eddie comes back to get me. He seemed pretty pissed about something."
"Eddie?" Emmett broke in with another laugh, "He lets you call him Eddie? Did the prude finally loosen up?"
Now it was my turn to laugh. "Eddie is about as far from a prude as you can get. Come on, you can catch up with him later. Jasper needs to talk to my mate now."
Jasper POV
My mind was running a mile a minute and my body had yet to catch up to it. I was in complete information overload. My life had turned completely upside in the past ten minutes of lunch. First this gorgeous brunette walks in, with Edward Cullen of all people, looking like sex on legs in those tight jeans and a fucking Van Halen t-shirt. I was shocked when I felt myself drawn to her; I hadn't been attracted to anyone since I met Peter. I didn't hear anything that was said around me until she marched right up and sat herself down on my lap, introducing herself as Bella Whitlock. What the hell? As I took a breath to answer her I was stunned again. Wrapped around her fresh strawberry and honeysuckle fragrance was the very distinctive honey and cinnamon of my mate.
While one part of my brain was focusing on just how well those scents blended together, another part heard Alice say something about this angel being dead- wait, what? She knew my mate was in trouble and she didn't tell me? Whoa, my mate? Where did that- oh my god, this girl is my mate. And Peter's mate, and he's here. He has to be here. He wouldn't let her come alone. He wouldn't let another mate go would he? "Is he here? Is he really here? Or is this just some sick joke? You smell like him." Without a thought I ducked my head down to breathe in their scent. I didn't realize I had spoken aloud until she answered me.
"Of course I smell like him. He's my mate. He holds me in his arms every night while I sleep." I couldn't stop my shudder, I was right- he had chosen her. He loved her, and stayed with her, instead of me. Did I even have a chance now? I worked up enough courage to raise my head and look in her chocolate brown eyes.
"Can I see him? Does he want to see me? Does he hate me?" I had to choke back a sob as I spoke the words that twisted deep in my gut. I couldn't breathe as the possibility of losing Peter forever was staring me right in the face. I was aware of the others talking around me and I think they might have been making fun of me, but nothing else mattered but my mate, and the girl who was claiming him as her own. I moved robotically when she stood up and pulled on my arm to make me rise.
My body seemed to act without me thinking as I draped my arm across her shoulder and tucked her in close to my side. I heard her sharp intake of breath, followed by a surge of lust, and then her arm snaked around my waist and she tucked her hot little hand into the back pocket of my jeans. She leaned in and whispered softly, "Don't think this is me accepting you or anything. I'm just making sure the rest of the school knows you're already spoken for." I felt hope begin to blossom somewhere deep in my chest. She hadn't learned yet that she can't lie to me.
I fought back a smirk as I leaned over and whispered in her ear, "Whatever you need to tell yourself, darlin'. Your body and your emotions betray ya though." Rose whipped her head around and smiled at me as my Southern accent came out for the first time in years. Based on the scent of Bella's arousal, she was pleased as well.
We walked out of the cafeteria and slipped into the trees surrounding the school. I held tighter to Bella as I picked up Peter's scent and my nerves shot into overdrive again. A few seconds later we broke through the trees and I stared into the crimson eyes of my mate for the first time in more than 60 years.