AN: For anyone wondering why Bella isn't changing from the claiming bite on her neck, Jasper didn't insert any venom in the wound, just like he marked her chest earlier in the story.

Preparing to Change

"I'm going to take my mate back to her father's house to gather the things she wants to bring with her into her new life," Jasper announces, leading you gently to the door.

"Yes, do that," James snidely gives 'permission'.

Jasper narrows his eyes, but chooses not to respond. Instead, he hurries you out the door and into his car. You watch him carefully, waiting until you are safe from being watched or overheard. After about five minutes, the tension flows out of his body, and you both heave a sigh of relief.

"Is it safe to talk now?" you verify. He smiles and nods, giving your hand a gentle squeeze.

"How the hell did Caius know about the Quileutes?" you grumble.

Jasper gives you a half-smile and informs you, "The Volturi received an anonymous tip from a male vampire earlier this morning. They immediately called me to discuss it with me. Of course, I explained the truth about the shifters to them, so they know the Quileutes aren't Children of the Moon like the caller implied. Originally, the accusation Alice and James intended to levy against the Cullens was exposure of our kind to humans and aiding the humans in developing weapons to use in warfare against our kind. Apparently Alice decided the treaty would carry more weight and be more believable. Of course, the fact that we thwarted the scientific development she was funding at several of the compounds to create those types of weapons may have been a factor in her decision. After all, due to our interference, her labs have been unable to produce the weapons she ordered, and the only weapons the humans have developed on their own that are strong enough to hurt us are more dangerous to the human race than the vampire one. Once Alice found out about Sam and Leah, they became her plan B."

"So, Caius isn't really coming to try the Cullens for treason?" you confirm.

Jasper grins and shakes his head. "No, of course not, but that was the reaction James and Alice were seeking. They needed to draw the Volturi into a war against the Cullens. Remember, that's the whole purpose they've been working toward all these decades. Now they will begin to assemble the soldiers to fight against the Volturi. They needed Carlisle as the figurehead for their side to make the other covens willing to stand against our rulers. Everyone who knows Carlisle trusts him. They know he is caring and compassionate toward everyone, whether human or supernatural, and that he has absolutely no desire to rule the vampire world. Thus, they feel comfortable in supporting him, knowing he would never call on them without just cause."

"But we're not actually fighting the Volturi, right?"

Jasper smiles and agrees, "No, I was sent here to protect Carlisle from Alice's and James's machinations. Instead, we will join forces with the Volturi against those who have been working on arranging this coup."

You nod, then ask, "So what about James and Alice? How much longer do we need to allow them to think they are in control? I hate that Carlisle and Esme are hurting the way they are right now. How could Carlisle be so complacent and trusting of James and the changes?"

Jasper smiles slyly and squeezes your hand again. "Don't worry, darlin', Carlisle is aware that something isn't right. He sent me his emotions in the clearing, projecting his suspicion, concern, disbelief, and unease. I communicated back that he was correct, but to accept the situation as is for now. He knows I will inform him of the truth as soon as I can do so safely. So right now, he is behaving passively but observing everything sharply, gathering evidence and giving James and Alice enough rope to hang themselves."

"Thank goodness!" you exclaim. "I couldn't understand why he was letting James take over like that."

Jasper admits, "Alice slips whenever she gets complacent in believing she has everything safely under her control. Carlisle recognized Edward's careful wording of his 'confirmation' of her visions. His suspicion sharpened, followed by a shocked recognition and understanding as he realized Edward was confirming only that it was what Alice was showing him in her thoughts and not that the vision was real or true. Carlisle is a lot smarter than Alice thinks he is. She and James have greatly underestimated him, as many of our kind do, thinking the lack of bloodlust and unprecedented calm are indicative of weakness."

You smile in relief, happy to know everything is still under control.

"As for how much longer James and Alice will be allowed to maintain their delusions, I'm taking you somewhere safe for your change. Once you've completed your transformation and are no longer so vulnerable, we well confront those bastards together, along with our family. That will give them enough time to contact their leaders and set everything in motion, believing they have everything going according to plan. We have been undermining them all this time at every opportunity, but we will finally be able to eradicate the last of their allies and strategies once they reveal themselves."

You cheer excitedly, leaning over to give Jasper a quick kiss.

"Now gather all the things you want to bring with you into this new life," Jasper encourages, escorting you into Charlie's house. "We need to go ahead and store them now, just in case. I plan to initiate your change tonight."

"Okay," you agree, a bit nervous in anticipation of the impending pain. "But there's something I want Carlisle to do, either just before or shortly after you bite me."

"What is it? Is this about your hymen? Don't worry, I'll take care of breaking it and sealing the wound while you're changing," he offers with a smirk.

You blush and shake your head. "No, silly. It's actually a lot more complicated. I'd like him to remove one of my ovaries and freeze the eggs."

He stares at you as if you've lost your mind. "Why?!"

You sigh and ask, "Can I please just wait and explain it to both of you at the same time? I really don't want to go over this more than once."

He furrows his brow and continues to stare at you without commenting.

"Please?" you plead.

He huffs and agrees, taking out his phone to notify Carlisle.

"Don't tell him what I want, just that I want him to be there," you warn, not wanting to give Alice or James any ideas. "You can tell him about the actual procedure once you know he's not going to be overheard."

Jasper rolls his eyes at you, but doesn't comment.

Leah bursts into the bedroom and demands, "Okay, you're going to have to explain this to me too, girlie. I was running beside you in the woods on the way here and was following along with the conversation just fine up until this last bit. You aren't seriously thinking you're going to be raising a child or something do you? Because I love you, but I just don't think human children and vampires are a good mix on a 24/7 basis."

You give Leah a dirty look, but she doesn't back down.

"I mean, I know you aren't going to be selling them for the money, cuz even though you could get a lot for them, I know the Major is already loaded. You're not going to be donating them to science, and unless they're some kind of sick delicacy like vampire caviar, I'm drawing a blank."

"Shut up, Leah," you growl, shuddering. "That's disgusting."

"So is eating blood," she mutters.

"Oh, please, I know you guys sometimes hunt and eat in wolf form," you retort. "You're consuming blood then too, along with the raw meat, and it doesn't seem to hurt your digestion any."

Leah grimaces and groans, "Don't remind me. It really grosses out my human side, though it doesn't seem to bother the guys at all."

"Ha! So much for all the bloodsucker comments," Jasper laughs. "Wait until I tell the others."

"Do you have to?" Leah whines. "Emmett'll have a field day."

Jasper takes the bag you've packed with the few items you've collected that hold sentimental value, mainly photographs, and escorts you back to the car, tucking the bag into the trunk.

xxxxxxx

Carlisle finally arrives at the house Jasper had taken you to for your change, bringing all the necessary medical equipment in a borrowed ambulance. You take the time to explain everything you know about hybrids, Nahuel, and Joham, worrying you might forget parts of it during your change. Both of the vampires and Leah are blown away, not realizing it was even possible. Once you've told them everything you can think of, they agree to preserve your eggs, just in case you and Jasper decide you want to have a child together later.

Looking into Jasper's eyes you confess, "I would've liked to have our first child growing inside of me and have developed a special bond with him or her in utero, but there's no time with this war on the horizon."

Jasper's eyes melt and he fills you with his love and adoration. "I would've liked that too, darlin', but I can't risk anything happening to you and the danger of keeping you human right is too high to even consider it. I promise I will love any child of ours just as much if he or she grows inside another vessel. The baby will still be our child, chosen by us to share our love, and that's all that matters."

"I love you, Jasper!" you exclaim joyfully, kissing him deeply.

He eagerly returns your kiss, murmuring words of love against your lips. "I love you too, Bella. You're my everything."

Carlisle quickly preps for surgery, while you two are declaring your devotion to one another. As soon as you're ready, he uses nitrous oxide to knock you unconscious, hoping it will help with some of the pain. You're rapidly sent into dreamland as you inhale the gas, hoping it will be more effective than the morphine was.

xxxxxxx

AN: Who's ready for James and Alice to finally get their comeuppance?