Chapter Nineteen

Jasper

I knew Alec was attacking me and there was nothing I could do to protect myself from his gift but as the seconds ticked away and nothing happened I saw Aro turn to glance at Alec as Marcus and Caius exchanged a knowing look.

"Alec?"

"I don't know what's wrong Aro, it's not working"

Bella's brow furrowed then she smiled and moved even closer to me before speaking,

"No Aro, no one harms my mate"

Aro's eyes widened in understanding and Marcus barked a laugh,

"It seems you have created a Monster you cannot control brother."

Aro glowered at him,

"Is this your doing Bella? Are you shielding The Major?"

Bella kissed my cheek before replying with laughter in her voice

"Yes I think I am Aro. That should tell you that I've made my own decision as to my mate. I choose Jasper.

A warmth spread through me at her words and the beast inside roared his victory, she was mine and I was hers.

Bella

I could see Aro thinking desperately of a way to keep me in his control but there was no way. I was my own master and no one could force me to do anything, or harm me or my mate. As the sense of victory and power expanded in my chest my smile grew broader,

"Your boy will find a suitable mate I'm sure, but not me Aro. Not me!"

Clutching Jaspers arm tightly I looked at the other two Brothers,

"Thank you for your hospitality but I think I'd like to leave Volterra now. I have a new life to get used to thanks to Aro and I'd like to be left in peace to enjoy it."

Jasper turned and kissed me,

"Come on darlin' I think we've outstayed our welcome."

I turned my back on them scornfully, aware they couldn't hurt me or my mate. As Marcus had said Aro had created me but he couldn't control what he'd created and he now had a deadly enemy. He'd stolen my human life from me and I vowed he would pay for that outrage.

Peter

When The Major came back he had a smiling girl on his arm,

"May I take it this is the beautiful Bella Swan we came to save?"

She held a hand out to me,

"Thank you. I think we'll be leaving now though"

I looked at The Major in surprise but he too was grinning so I shrugged and we walked slowly through the empty corridors out into the evening air of the Town Square. I saw three figures watching from one of the upper windows and the one in the middle looked decidedly fucked off.

"So, who's going to let me in on the joke?"

"Once we're out of the town Peter"

I could wait that long so we walked out to where I parked the car, climbing in the driver's seat as the other two got in the back

"So I'm the fucking Chauffeur now?"

"Just drive Peter and I'll tell you a really good story."

I drove as The Major filled me in on what had happened with Alec and the other Volturi.

"You mean Bella is a shield?"

"Not just a shield for herself Peter. She covered me, and Alec was most upset his little gift was rendered useless."

"It worked on Alec? Fuck that is strong."

"It sure is. So Peter, what do you think of my Bella?"

"Your Bella?"

"Yes"

As she said it I felt the truth, so Alice had been right! I wondered when she'd seen this?

Bella

All the sounds and sights filling my senses was overpowering and I fed off Jaspers calm thoughts to stop myself from screaming, but my throat was burning again. I remembered my attack on the Human in Volterra and turned to him,

"I need you to show me how to hunt animals, I don't want to be a murderer of Humans."

He nodded,

"Are you thirsty now?"

I nodded touching my throat.

"Peter pull over I need to take Bella hunting"

Peter pulled over to the side of the road and took a book out of his pocket,

"Have a good time kids and behave, Daddy will be waiting here with the taxi when you get back."

I looked back at him as we disappeared into the trees,

"Does Peter hunt Humans?"

"Yes, his choice, but he goes for the Scum Bags in Towns and Cities. He's a good friend"

"Oh I wasn't criticising, just asking. How did you know where I was, and what I was?"

"Eleazor told Carlisle and he got hold of Peter who contacted me. Alice told Carlisle that we were mates and that I needed to find you."

"Alice? Your Alice?"

He laughed,

"Not my Alice, she and I parted company a while ago."

"So where have you been?"

"Travelling mostly, wandering aimlessly I guess but never far from Peters place as if I knew I would be seeing him soon"

"Why didn't you go there when you and Alice broke up if he's your friend?"

He told me the story of Alice's visit to the Whitlock place as we walked hand in hand through the forest then he stopped and put a hand up to silence me. I listened and heard a low thumping sound coming from up ahead

"What's that?"

"That my darlin' is your first taste of animal blood."

"Well, not quite"

I told him quickly about the stray dog and he nodded,

"Let your instinct take over like you did then. It will be easy, now off you go"

"Alone?"

He looked at me slightly bewildered

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"Yes why not?"

"Newborns are usually very protective of their kills."

"You think I might attack you?"

"Well you wouldn't be the first"

He rolled his sleeve up and I saw more of the scars I'd first seen in Volterra. The texture of his skin and his scent became overwhelming and I curled around his body feeling the heat of his desire as well as my own.

"Ah Bella, feed first."

I sighed and stepped back,

"OK, but after?"

He nodded and turned me towards the sounds again.

Jasper

Bella was the most remarkable newborn I had ever experienced, she was controlled, cool and calm most of the time. The only newborn thing about her was the way she was easily distracted but I didn't mind that. It was me she was interested in just as I wanted her. I watched as she moved ahead, giving her enough space so that she wouldn't feel crowded as she tracked her prey. There were four deer ahead, three females and a Stag and I wondered how many, if any, she would catch. I'd seen how fast she was but it was different when trying to catch a timid creature that could move almost as fast and take evasive action. Seeing them in the clearing ahead I stopped to watch my mate. She crouched very low then took a single step and sprung on one of the deer catching another with her other hand. Instead of feeding immediately she ran for the other two and took the female down but missed the Stag. Looking after it she shrugged and turned to me,

"Dinner is served"