Chapter Thirty Nine

Jasper

We left that night taking two cars, Peter and Charlotte following me as we sped north. Charlotte's friend was keeping us up to date with what she heard and so far no one was doing anything. It all hinged on the decision of the guardians leader. Which meant we could be in time to help if his decision didn't go our way, I rang Carlisle Cullen to give him a heads up but they were already aware of their possible danger.

"Have you decided what you'll do?"

"Not yet. Garrett will go off alone I suppose and he may not even be implicated, its us the Quileutes really want not him. Rose and Emmett are away and I've suggested they stay away from us and get as far from any guardian reservations as they can although its difficult as we don't know which ones have guardians."

"And Bella?"

"Ah Bella. Well she's with us for now but I'm not sure she'll stay if Garrett leaves, they've become quite close"

I felt a kick in the pit of my stomach at those words, Bella close to Garrett? Did that mean she had fallen in love with him? Was it possible for a mate to recognise another man as a possible companion? Could Charlotte be wrong? Were my own feelings at fault? I needed to see Bella again, speak to her and find out how she felt about Garrett.

"Are you still there Jasper?"

"Yes I'm here"

"I know things didn't go well when we met but I am grateful for all your help and for saving Bella. This warning was something you didn't need to do."

"I'm on my way to you now Carlisle"

"You are? Why?"

"Because if the verdict goes against you I think you're going to need some help."

"We wont fight unless forced to do so. I'd rather find another way."

"I don't think the Quileutes are going to give you a choice Carlisle. They want you and your family dead."

"Then perhaps its better if you keep your distance I don't want to be responsible for any unnecessary deaths."

"I think that's my decision to make don't you? Perhaps I feel there's something worth fighting for."

"Well I guess as a warrior you would think that way but I can't and I'd rather you didn't come here Jasper."

He cut me off at this point and I was glad I'd been alone in the car because I could see Peters reaction only too clearly, he'd say "Fuck the doctor and his family, lets turn back" and although he wouldn't neither would he stop bitching for the rest of the journey and I wanted time to think. I had to decide what to do about Bella. Did I stand back and allow her to choose Garrett? Did I tell her how I felt and throw myself on her mercy or did I take my rival out of the equation? Once upon a time there would have been no doubt, I would simply have killed Garrett but not these days. I was sick and tired of the fighting, the death, and I wanted some peace just like everyone else.

Carlisle

When Garrett and Bella went out I hunted Esme down in her work room to get her advice,

"Jasper said he was on his way here? I assume he thinks the decision will go against us but why would he care about helping us? We didn't exactly make him very welcome did we? What will you do Carlisle? Should we leave now before anything happens? Its Bella I feel sorry for, she's struggling as it is and moving her again will only make matters worse. You know she's getting far too involved with Garrett and I think it might be my fault at least partly."

"Your fault Esme? How's that?"

"Well I led her to believe it was Garrett who had changed her to save her life."

"Why?"

"I honestly don't know. I guess maybe I thought he would be better for her as a role model than Jasper."

"Well we know Garrett and apart from his diet I don't have a problem with him, live and let live."

"I think Bella is going to try human blood Carlisle and if she does that will be my fault for not getting between them more."

"Esme, Bella will find her own way and I do understand that a diet of animal blood doesn't suit everyone.

"But think how Charlie will feel if his daughter starts hunting humans for food."

"Well that's something we will deal with when and if it arises. I'll speak to Garrett when they get back but for now we must decide what's best for us. I think we should stay here until we find out what the Guardian leader decides. If he goes against us then I guess we'll have to run. At least Rose and Emmett are out of the firing line."

"Are they? How do you know they aren't being watched even now? We don't know the Quileutes and their friends are going to be content to wait for a decision from their leader."

"They will, its how their system works but if it makes you feel better I could try to reach their leader and put our side of the argument but remember, if the tables were turned how much notice would the Volturi give to anything the Quileutes had to say?"

"Please Carlisle, try. I don't want to spend my life on the run from the guardians."

"Very well I'll try and in the meantime we will guide Bella as much as possible. Where are Alice and Edward by the way? I haven't seen them."

"They've gone, Alice says she can't see the outcome of the Quileute leader conference and she's not waiting around to be picked off by the wolves if it goes badly. She doesn't like Garrett and she hates Bella being here, she thinks Bella is putting us in more danger than is necessary."

"And of course Edward agrees with her?"

"Of course, what else did you expect? They are mates after all."

Bella

I was excited at the prospect of a night in town with Garrett, I wanted to experience life as a vampire not just hide out at the Cullens rental house. I knew Esme was unhappy, she thought I'd start slaughtering humans under Garrett's influence but it wasn't like that. I just wanted to experience a vampires life through different eyes and I trusted Garrett to look after me, he was my sire after all. Esme had explained that created a special bond, that he was responsible for ensuring I could function in the human world without putting our world at risk of exposure.

We ran into town through the trees and across fields and it was wonderful, the feel of the wind whipping my hair back, the scents of the night, and all the sounds, the tiny night creatures scurrying about their business but going silent as they sensed us. I thought nothing could be as wonderful. Once in town we sauntered about hand in hand like all the other couples and even drew some admiring glances, especially from the girls. I thought this should make me feel jealous but it didn't and I wasn't above checking out some of their dates although I never saw anyone as handsome as my escort. He left me browsing in a late night book store while he went to hunt. I wasn't quite ready to see a human die to provide him with a meal although I was drawn strongly to try human blood for myself.