Chapter Twenty Four

Bella

I knew things were going to be awkward but although Charlotte tried to make me feel welcome Peter just sat and watched. Deciding I'd go to bed and leave him to have it out with Peter I thanked them and went upstairs opening and closing the bathroom door so they would think I had gone in. Then I sat down by the stairs to listen to the conversation.

"Major I think you've flipped out. What the fuck were you thinking? Falling for a human girl is one thing, love em and drain em, but falling in love with one, mating with a human girl. The Volturi will go fucking nuts if they find out. She's a human for fuck sake and you brought her here. I know we're friends but Major, she's a temptation in our own home. You need brain surgery. Fuck her if you need to, then drain her and we'll help you dispose of the body. I just hope no one knows you brought her here".

I'd heard enough, Peter was right, this was insane. A vampire like the Major in love with a mere human? Would he listen to his friend? Could he really give up his life for one with me? I'd missed a few words but hearing my name mentioned I paid attention.

"Bella is my life Peter. I am in love with her, she is the one. I'm just sorry you feel the way you do. I'll get her and we'll leave".

Charlotte stopped him. "Excuse me, but can I say something?"

The collective NO was very loud.

"Well I'm going to anyway. Peter, the Major found his mate at last. Does it really matter that she's human? Its his choice not yours. She seems to know what she wants, otherwise why would she have run away with him. Its nothing to do with us and you will watch your mouth while she's here. Major, if you feel that way about her and you've told her so then it's obviously right. Have you?"

There was a silence,

"Not exactly"

"Fuck, I knew it".

Peter" she hissed.

"She's told me how she feels and it's the same way I feel about her".

"OK. You need to explain everything to her. Then if she's still happy she's welcome to stay and if she's not I'll take her back home myself. Agreed?" Charlotte sounded very definite

Jasper must have nodded,

"Good. Now you go hunt and you" she must have pointed at Peter, "Go keep him company. Now."

I heard the door go and got up very quietly.

"Bella, they've gone. You can come down again now".

Curses she knew I'd been listening.

"I really need to talk to you alone but I'll come up if you prefer".

I walked slowly down the stairs. "Did they know?" I asked.

She shook her head, "No too busy with their pissing contest I think. Come and sit down".

She patted the seat beside her and I sat down gingerly.

She smiled at the look on my face. "Confused?"

I nodded.

"Well don't take any notice of Peter, he talks before he engages his brain. He'll work it all out but it was a bit of a shock when you arrived. We waited years for the Major to find his other half but he never even bothered to look, then a few years ago he got really depressed and left us to roam the country with some nomads we came across"

I interrupted her, "Victoria and Laurent?"

She nodded, "And lo and behold he runs into you. He comes back to us and he's just different, not so sad, so hard on himself. He wouldn't tell us anything but it was obvious that something had changed in his life. He disappears for months at a time and every time he comes back its as if a layer of his armour has been peeled away. Then he just ups and disappears without a word in the middle of something. The Major never leaves in the middle of a job so we knew something big was happening. Peter knew there was trouble coming and I think you just shocked the hell out of him. How long have you known the Major?"

"Some months but only really the last few weeks when he started making contact with me."

"And what do you know about him?"

"Enough. If you're trying to put me off with horror stories then don't bother. I've already heard he's the bogey man so many times its getting boring."

"Sorry, I wasn't actually. I wanted to tell you a few things I'm sure your other informants left out. He's loyal, brave and a good friend to have in a tight corner. He'll repay all the trust you put in him with interest and I've never found a more confused and lonely individual in all my years wandering the Earth. That surprises you doesn't it?"

I nodded, "In a way but not totally. I know he'd look after me and I know he loves me but I also know he hasn't the faintest idea how to act with me."

She laughed, "Well you got him nailed pretty much."

I felt better after talking to Charlotte and went back to bed able to sleep at last.

Peter

I'd had little luck talking sense into the Major so came back for support from Charlotte.

"It sounds like a shit storm following you Major. So what do we do now? You've got the red-head psycho looking for you and the Volturi. Are there any psycho's out there who don't have you on their hit lists? Only I'd really like to know if I'm going to be sitting with my back to the wall for the rest of my fucking life or if its just short term. You do know if we have to start kicking ass and taking names we're going to be at the top of Aro's shit list?

"I have no choice Peter, I have to protect Bella whatever it takes. You don't have to get involved unless you want to".

"Excuse me Major, just in case it had escaped your notice she's here at our place, that makes it our problem too".

"We can go if you'd feel safer".

"Fuck you Major. When did I ever walk out on you?"

"Never which is why I came to you in the first place".

"Yeah well, I'm allowed to bitch a little".

"You never stop bitching Peter so could we take it down a peg or two, you realize Bella can hear every word we're saying".

"Jeez, is she that thin-skinned?"

"She's feeling a bit uncertain and you aren't helping things Peter".

"Well excuse me I'm sure. Actually she's pretty cool, you could have done a lot worse. So as I said, what's the plan?"

"We need to keep her safe which means getting rid of Victoria first".

"OK so where the fuck is she?"

"No idea but I think we can draw her out if we can leave a trail pointing this way".

"Do you think she'll chance it if she knows you're here? She knows how good you are after all".

"Maybe not but I thought I'd let you lay the trail, she doesn't know how good you are".

"You want me to lead Victoria here by laying a scent trail for her?"

"Yeah because it needs to be done sneakily and you're the sneakiest bastard I know."

I smiled, "Yeah I am. OK let's get something of Bella's to use".

"Thanks Peter".

"That's OK you'll owe me Major".

"I'm sure you'll get it back one way or another".

"Too fucking right I will".

"We'd better hunt if were going to have a human in the house for a while. I'll get stuff to lay a trail when we get back"".

Char nodded and kissed the Major on the cheek,

"She's good for you Jasper, look after her. We'll be gone till morning so make yourself at home as usual. Bella's gone to bed so you'll have the place to yourself".

"Or not, as the case may be" I quipped and got slapped on the head for my pains as we left.

Jasper

As soon as they left I went upstairs to see if Bella was really asleep. I guess I just couldn't keep away from her, if truth be told. She lifted her head as I walked in to the bedroom,

"Hi there, I hope you don't mind being alone with me Bella".

I shook my head, "No, why should I?"

"Well lets see, you are in a house out in the wilderness alone with someone who is not only a killer but planning on yet another murder and who feeds on human blood. How about that for starters?"

"But you wont hurt me, the murder you are planning is to save me so that isn't a problem for me, I love the feeling of freedom this place gives me so that isn't a problem either".

"That still leaves my food supply" I pointed out".

Bella

"Yes, it does. I motioned him up closer so that we were almost touching and he stiffened. Then quite deliberately I lifted my hand, wrist uppermost, to his face, holding it so my veins were just under his nose. He took my hand and pushed it down to the bed.

"Bella please don't ever do that again. Remember you are a human and very vulnerable, never trust anyone in my world not even me".

"You wont hurt me" I replied with conviction,

"Perhaps not intentionally, but if you were to cut yourself and bleed I can't promise you that I wouldn't be overwhelmed. Vampires are dangerous even the ones who only feed from animals. Whatever they tell you, it's a risk. Please remember this, its vital to your survival and I don't think I could live without you".

I needed her to understand how dangerous her position was, how truly vulnerable she was here in my world. I knew I could theoretically change her and then I wouldn't need to worry any longer but, and it was a big but, I had to know it's what she really wanted. I wouldn't be responsible for making anyone live as a vampire without a fully informed consideration. I couldn't be without her but she had to understand all the ramifications of becoming a vampire and my mate.

Bella

I didn't know why Peter had decided to help us but he had. He sorted through my clothes to find a good strong scent which was a bit embarrassing. I'd never had anyone sniff through all my clothes, especially not a guy and one I didn't know well. He took two shirts and some socks, I drew the line at underwear!