Chapter Forty Six

Jasper

From the state of Bella's shoulder and neck there was at least one wolf still on the prowl but was it one of the Quileutes? If so then either they were acting independently or Johnny H had made his decision but I thought if that were the case Peter would know. I was confused by Garrett's actions but now wasn't the time or place to interrogate her so I helped her into the car.

"Stay there a moment, I just need to tell my friends what's going on"

She nodded but I knew she was weak from thirst and not really listening. Peter appeared peering in the window,

"Well she's cute I'll grant you but what the hell happened?"

"I'm not sure, a rogue guardian I think but she needs to feed"

"Smells like she already did"

"Apparently Garrett gave her a blood shower."

"Is that some kind of kinky foreplay?"

"I have no idea but I intend finding out soon. First we have to find her some blood."

"Animal please"

Her voice was weak but she was aware of what she wanted

"Are you sure about that?"

She nodded,

"I don't want to become a human hunter."

"OK, Charlotte will stay with you and we'll find something for you"

Charlotte slipped in beside Bella and Peter and I set off looking for wildlife,

"Why is nothing ever fucking simple with you Major? Now I'm on fucking Bambi patrol, why can't you just meet a nice girl, settle down to a normal vampire life hunting humans?"

"No idea Peter but this is my life now and maybe its fate that I should change my mate only to find out she hunts animals too."

We caught an elk and carried it back for Bella who fell on it hungrily while we watched from a safe distance bearing in mind she was a newborn.

"Have you noticed anything strange?"

"Did you have something in particular in mind? You're gonna have to qualify strange"

"Yeah, she's hurt and weak admittedly but she's too calm by far. You sure this is the girl you bit Major?"

"Positive, how could I forget her?"

"Then there's something really fucking strange going on. Did she recognise you?"

"She said she did but I'm not sure. Remember after she woke up I doubt she'd remember anything too clearly."

Bella

The blood made me feel instantly better and I soon drained the poor creature deciding this kind of blood was fine, I didn't want human blood even if it were donated. I listened to my saviour as he talked to his friends. I knew I was strange even by the Cullens standards but I couldn't help it, I wasn't full of rage or crazy for blood like most newborns, maybe something about me was wired wrongly. Then I heard something that made me stop, the friend had asked if his friend was sure I was the girl he'd bitten! That didn't make any sense, I remembered vaguely being attacked by a wolf but nothing after that until I woke up three days later to find Garrett at my side. Esme told me he had saved my life, that he was the one who had bitten me, changed me into a vampire, but if she was telling the truth then why did these people think otherwise? I had recognised him as one of the people who had tried to save us but who really was my sire and if it wasn't Garrett then why had everyone, him included, allowed me to think he was? If it hadn't been Garrett then it might help to explain why I had such conflicting emotions. If this man were my sire why had he left me to the Cullens and Garrett and why was he here now? My head was spinning with all the memories, thoughts, and confused images whizzing around in it.

Jasper

I could feel Bella's confusion and realised that having overheard our conversation she would be wondering what was going on but before I could approach she threw away the drained elk carcass and walked slowly over to us. I was relieved that the wounds she had sustained were finally healing and smiled at her encouragingly,

"Feeling better?"

"No, not really. I don't understand"

"What don't you understand Bella? Why I left?"

"Rewind a bit. I remember being attacked by the wolf while I was still human and running but the next thing I actually have any memories of is waking up a vampire with the Cullens and Garrett. Esme told me he was my sire and he let me go on thinking that but he didn't change me did he?"

"No, I did. You were dying of massive blood loss so I bit you and started the transformation but I was forced to leave you. The Cullens didn't believe I'd done it to save your life. Garrett told them he thought I had attacked but then felt guilty so I bit you and pretended that had been my aim all along."

"Yeah you could say they ran The Major out of Dodge but he couldn't help himself, he had to come back for you"

"Why would they lie to me about my sire?"

"I guess they didn't like my reputation and thought I was a bad influence on you."

"But that wasn't their decision to make. They lied to me."

"I can't tell you any more than that Bella, if they had other reasons they kept them to themselves."

Bella moved closer and I could feel the tension radiating from her in waves but I didn't see the punch coming and it knocked me backwards with its force while Peter roared with laughter,

"You bastard, you bit me and then you left me with the Cullens. You abandoned me"

I rubbed my jaw astounded and having no idea how to answer Bella's accusation, I had abandoned her and that was unforgivable. What could I say?

"And you"

She pointed a shaking finger at Peter,

"Shut it or I'll give you some of the same."

Peter stopped laughing but it was a struggle for him as Bella looked almost comically angry.

"Why are you here now?"

"I felt you were in trouble, the sire bond I guess so I came to make sure you were OK."

"Well I'm fine so you can crawl back under whatever rock you call home"

"Bella please, I know I was wrong to leave you but I didn't lie about it."

"No, you left that to the Cullens, well guess what I don't need any of you. I can look after myself just fine and if I ever see you again it will be way too soon."

She turned and then she was gone and as I went to follow Charlotte took my arm shaking her head,

"She's angry and hurt Major. I think you should give he some time to cool off or it might be more than a punch next time."

"Where is she going Charlotte? Back to the Cullens? To Garrett?"

"I doubt it. I don't think she knows who to trust any longer but if you pursue her it will only make matters worse. Give he some time. She'll find her way back to her fathers I guess."

"You think she'll be safe alone?"

"Fuck yes, an angry tiger would think twice about taking on that little hell cat. You know something, Major, I think you might have met your match at last."

I really wanted to wipe the smile off his face but I needed my friends and he was right.

"Maybe I should contact the Cullens, tell them what happened, they can look out for her."

"What the fuck for? She's not going back there now she knows they are liars."

"Peter's right. Bella will go home to her family. If you want to check on her I suggest you go to Forks and wait for her to turn up there."