I felt my mate's body relax as I threw my arm around her waist. She looked like a beautiful angel when she slept, and wasn't carrying around any of that hate or anger she always seemed to possess. She may have been at her most vulnerable when she slept, but I would never play dirty. That necklace she wore, would have to come off eventually, even though I was making progress with her without using my control.

She was still sound asleep when I awoke. Shifting on the bed, I grabbed the phone and dialed a number I hadn't needed in over fifteen years.

"Masen."

"It's Whitlock. I need some information."

"What kind of information?"

"I need you to find out all you can on Isabella Swan. Her ancestry, everything."

"I haven't heard you this angry since we took out that witch."

"Exactly. Now get the information."

I hung up and turned to see that my mate was just beginning to stir. She sat up, looking around before her eyes landed on mine and fear appeared on her face. She knew that she would be punished for what had happened the night before, and I was planning on taking pleasure from this. This time, I would not be so lenient on her.

"Get dressed and go upstairs. You will make yourself a salad and nothing more."

"Jasper, I-"

"Now, Isabella."

She quickly ran up the stairs, leaving me alone in the room. I sighed, running my hands over my face, as I attempted to calm myself down. If I couldn't control myself, I would end up harming my mate more than necessary. That was the last thing I wanted to do. Gaining her trust was the only thing I wanted at the moment. Especially, if I was going to allow her to keep that damn necklace and stone.

As soon as I felt more in control, I went upstairs to find her at the counter, eating her salad. There was a reproachful look in her eyes as she looked up at me.

"I warned you, Isabella. If something happens, even if it's not your fault or not something that you can control, you get punished."

"Bite me, Jasper," she snapped, standing up. It took all my willpower to remain where I was. "I am not a pet. Or was I mistaken when we discussed mating in school? We were told that females were more submissive if we were to be with your kind, but they would treat us with respect and care for us. We were told that they wouldn't force us the way you've been forcing me." I could see tears staining her face as she shook in fury. "Was that all a lie?"

I walked over and stroked her cheek, staring down at her with hardened eyes. "Isabella, I am not like others of my kind, as you put it. I am more strict and demanding. I will give you everything you wish, but only if I have your complete submission." She opened her mouth. "I will tell you of my past soon enough. Now, we have to work on your cooperation."

"But-"

"Isabella..." She looked down as I spoke her name. "You do not know what is involved in a relationship such as ours, because you have never known a true relationship." I kissed her forehead, before pulling away. "I have some... acquaintances who will be here soon. They are in a mated relationship, and Charlotte will be able to assist you in accepting your destiny."

"Charlotte?" she repeated, looking at me in confusion. "The same one you mentioned when you were compelling me to stay the night?" I nodded in confirmation. "So she's actually a per... vampire?"

"Yes, Isabella, she is a vampire. She is a good acquaintance of mine." She lowered her eyes once again, though I could see thoughtfulness in them. "What are you thinking about, Isabella?

She bit her lip. "What does being mated to a vampire mean?"

"Didn't you learn this in school?" I felt my lips twitch as her cheeks flushed, and she opened her mouth. "Being my mate means that you do as I say, when I say it. You tell me if you think that there is something I should know, or something that could place you or someone else at risk. You-"

"I-I got a call." I felt my eyebrow raise at her outburst. She backed away in fear, afraid that she had angered me. "I-I'm sorry."

I stepped forward and grasped her wrist. "What was this call?"

I knew that I was scaring her, but I had been around enough to have enemies. If someone had found out about her before I'd had time to bend her to my will, they could convince her that I was just using her and possibly harm her. Having her harmed would be the worst thing that I could think of happening. If she was a vampire and was killed by one of those damn hunters, that would be something else, but if she was killed by one of my enemies...

"Isabella, who called you?"

"I-I don't know." I could see the water filling her eyes-I believe humans call them tears-as her body shook. "She... she said that she was a friend. She said... she said that someone would be mad at her."

I gripped her wrist tighter. "Did this person give you a name?"

"Sh... she said that you wouldn't hurt me if I did what you said." Smart girl. "She said that she knows what it's like..."

I shoved her away from me, before I could do any permanent damage. Running my hand through my hair, I grabbed my phone and dialed Peter's number.

"What do you want?"

"Tell Charlotte I expect her here tomorrow at sunrise, at the latest."

"Jasper, what is going on?"

"Your mate decided that it would be fun to call my mate not once, but twice."

"Charlotte, get in here now!" There was a pause. "I'm sorry, Jasper. I swear that I had no idea."

I hung up and turned to Isabella, who I hadn't noticed was on the floor. She stared up at me in fear as I walked forward and crouched down in front of her.

"This isn't your fault, Isabella," I whispered, crouching down next to her. "You will not be punished for the call." I touched her cheek, only to have her cower in fear. "I did not mean to shove you to the ground, Isabella. Are you alright?" She nodded, looking away from me, though I could see water streaks on her cheeks. "You're crying?" I touched her cheek, feeling the water. "I didn't mean to make you cry."

"Don't touch me." I pulled my fingers away, feeling the loss of her.

"Isabella..."

"Don't." She stared up at me with hatred in her eyes—a look I had never seen Charlotte give Peter. "I just want to go home. I want to see my family. I want to go out with my friends and have fun. Why can't you understand that?"

I reached out and rubbed her arm, attempting to comfort her. "Isabella, do you remember what we discussed? Do you want to be alone? That's what will happen if you return to your family." She shook her head and I knew for certain that this would always be a sore spot. I could always use this fear to my advantage. "Your father's a cop. He will eventually die. That human and the female vampire both have their mates. They won't want you anymore. You will be alone, if you return."

"I don't want to be alone," she sobbed, staring into my eyes. "Don't leave me alone."

I scooped her into my arms. "I won't leave you, Isabella." She shook her head in denial. "I would rather die than harm you."

"You... you shoved me."

"I know." It was then that I realized what she needed. "I was angry and I knew that I would harm you more if I kept a hold of you. I apologize for what I did." I placed my chin on the top of her head. "Now, let's get you cleaned up, and then we need to talk."