Disclaimer. All publicly recognizable characters, settings etc., are the property of their respective owners. The original characters, ideas and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended. I only do this for fun. – B

Attempting to Covet

A/N: If you have any questions or comments about the story, post them in my reviews and I will answer them in my next Author's Note at the bottom of the next chapter! I hope you enjoy the story!

Chapter 3
(Edward's POV)

All people's thoughts will be in italics -

I came to standing in the middle of the forest surrounded by at least a dozen animal carcasses. My clothes were torn, my hair had leaves and twigs sticking out of it and I was covered in blood.

What happened to me?

Think man, think! What is the last thing I remember...Bella's Birthday party! That's it! I was standing next to her with my hand on her back as she was opening her plane tickets to Jacksonville that Carlisle and Esmé gave to her for us to visit her mom. I remember she cut her finger and then...nothing. It's blank from then on.

Do I even know when it is?

It's light outside but it looks to be around twilight. I wonder what happened and why I can't remember anything and how I got here. I picked up my phone out of my pocket and went to check the time and date. Dead. Crap! Well, better start burying the bodies of all these animals incase hikers or someone come upon them.

I was brought out of my work when I smelled Emmett and Rose approaching.

"Edward," Emmett nodded and I nodded back at him.

'I should kill him after what he did' - Emmett

'I knew it! I just knew this shit was gonna happen. She was always too good for him anyway' - Rose

"What do you guys mean 'what I did last night?' What happened, anyway? How did I get here? How long have I been gone and where are we?" I asked starting to get a little panicky.

"Well first off I owe you this." Rose said as she approached me and then slapped me rather hard across the face. I turned my head back to look at her and narrowed my eyes at her.

That was for what you did to Bella you bastard! I don't care what state of mind you were in or what you do or don't remember.

I wasn't surprised for her sticking up for Bella in the slightest. I've known for a while now that Rose never hated her and has been trying to protect her in her own ways. With Rose's difficulty with this life and losing everything she's ever dreamed of, I can understand why she would want Bella to say away from our family so she can have all that she couldn't.

I looked past Rose at Emmett and he was looking at us with his fists clenched almost like he was waiting for me to make a move.

"Well, how about sharing with the rest of the class what's going on, then and answering my questions." I demanded in a hard tone.

Rose backed up to stand next to Emmett and grabbed his arm. "Well, I guess I will start from the beginning and give you the cliff notes version. Bella was opening Mom and Dad's gift and sliced her finger on the paper. Your eyes turned pitched black and as Jasper went to take a step back to be safe, you threw her into the glass table where the cake, glasses, and plates were. The Major came out in Jasper and he charged at you and you threw him into your piano and hunched over Bella. Emmett and I went to restrain Jazz because we thought that he was trying to attack Bella but once he clarified that he wasn't we let him go. It took him to point out to everyone what was really going on for everyone to really notice. Nobody believed it at first until you growled at anyone who would make too loud of a noise or try to step forward. He was trying to tell you that Bella was safe, but needed to get her stitched and bandaged up. Everyone else except Carlisle and Esmé understood, so Jasper calmed you down enough so that you could speak to us. You said her blood was made for you as your singer. That with her silent mind and all you wouldn't have to hear her thoughts as you drained her. You said that no one else could have her blood and that it was ridiculous, that there was no way that you loved her. That she was just your food, which couldn't be loved; just as a human couldn't love theirs. You told us that our mind tricks (thoughts) and words won't fool you and you won't let her blood get tainted by us among other things. Then you bit her jugular. Jasper ran at you and pushed you off Bella. You guys fought and you lost an arm." Rose explained. Emmett started growling since the beginning and hasn't stopped since.

I was horrified. I was speechless. I didn't know what to think. I looked down at the scar on my shoulder where my arm had been fused back on. I knew I was a monster. We need to leave. We need to just pack up and get out of here and leave Bella to her life. I won't take her soul from her to change her and it clearly is too dangerous for her to be around us anymore… especially me.

"Edward?" Rose questioned me after being silent for too long.

"We are leaving." I said blatantly

"What are you talkin' about, bro?" Emmett looked over to me and asked.

"When I get back, we are going to have a family meeting. We are leaving Forks and Bella. It's clearly too dangerous for her to be associated with us. This is the second time she almost died by one of our kind and I'm not risking a third." I explained.

"We can't do that Edward." Rose sighed.

"What do you mean, 'why not'? Who are you to tell me what we can and can't do regarding Bella? You, of all people. I understand that you don't want to move Rose, and I'm sorry to say that you were right. Bella never should have been brought into this family. It's not safe for her." I argued back.

'Damnit, Edward! It's not that easy. We can't leave Bella anywhere, but with us!' - Rose

"What do you mean Rose? You're not making any sense!"

'Man, he's really not gonna like this.' - Emmett

"Well man," Emmett started as we walked looking at the ground and then up ahead. "Jasper got you pinned down and held you there. Then he called us over to take you out to hunt, so we weren't there for the rest, but we left your arm back at the house, because it took both of us and both hands to get you outta there. Dude, you got some strength on you when you're in full-out animal mode. You were squirming all around so we needed both hands to keep a grip on you. We hunted a bit around Forks, and then Ali tracked us down with your arm. I got you pinned down once you were a little calmer to the point where you knew we weren't a threat. While your arm was getting reattached Alice filled us in on what was happening." He paused.

'Shit, I don't know if I can finish. He's gonna be hot!' - Emmett

"Finish, Emmett!" I growled to him.

Fuck...Emmett

"She said that there wasn't anything that could be done to save her while she was still human since you got her jug man. Jasper had to change her. I'm sorry man. It's been two days so far and we are in Canada near the border of Idaho and Washington. Just a couple hours away, it's not too far." Emmett finished.

I was seeing red. I couldn't concentrate. Poor Bella...she must hate me! How could they do that to her? How could I do that to her?

I took off running for the house. Rose and Emmett were hot on my heals the whole way. No one spoke to me and I didn't speak to them. They left me with my thoughts.

I ran up the front steps of the porch and walked right through the front door. Everyone, except Bella, Carlisle and Jasper, were in the living room and Alice was on the bottom step waiting for me.

I walked towards the stairs with every intention of walking past her and following Bella's scent to one of the bedrooms where I assume Carlisle and Jasper were with her? Jasper? Why is he with her? Why would they allow him in the room with her? His control is the weakest of all of ours, regardless if she is going through the change. It was so silent in the house I was starting to panic. She should be screaming right now!

Alice stood up and put a hand on my chest to stop me as I tried to pass by her, stopping me in my tracks.

We need to talk Edward...Alice

I looked at her. "Now is not the time Alice. I need to see Bella first." I said as I tried to push past her.

She stopped me harder this time.

"No, now!" She countered. We need to have a family meeting.

"No! I am not just going to sit down here now and have a family meeting at this moment! I need to go up to see my Bella first! There is no reason it can't wait until later! She must be so scared going through this right now and I should be up there with her!" I argued back at her.

"She is fine, Edward, and no, this CANNOT wait until later. Jasper will be up there with her while we speak." Carlisle said coming down the stairs towards me.

"But -"

"No but's, Edward! As your father, and the head of this coven, you WILL do as I say? Is that clear?" Carlisle said raising his voice all the way. I had never seen Carlisle act this way.

Reluctantly, I nodded my head and walked into the living room. I scanned everyone's thoughts on regards towards what could be so important that this couldn't wait.

'This is going to be so sad,' - Esmé

'Gotta love karma' - Rose

I' love when she's on her hands and knees and I have my hands on her hips hittin it.' Emmett

'She better do this gently. I'm so disappointed in her' - Carlisle

'Divorced? How could he? I wasn't ready! Did the past 50 years mean nothing? I love him.' - Alice.

Divorced? Her and Jasper? How much did I miss around here? I'm sure he will call it off once he's had time to think but why would he do that in the first place? I scanned Jaspers thoughts upstairs.

'I dare somebody try to come in here. I will rip their throats out.' - Jasper

What the...why is Jasper being so overly protective of Bella.

"Carlisle, what's going on? I hear Jasper's thoughts upstairs and he's thinking about ripping anyone apart that tries to get into the room with him and Bella. He's growling up there like he's sending out a warning!" I snapped.

'Here we go.' - Carlisle

"Well, Alice has some things she needs to explain to you." He said while Esmé handed me a clean change of clothes.

"I'm sorry, Edward. I didn't see anything about her cutting her finger or you attacking. I am not sure why, but the vision never came. Also, it's like the further into the change she gets, the harder it is to see her. I can't see anything beyond her waking up from the change." Alice said.

"Ok, that's concerning, but can be discussed later. Is that all or is there more Alice? I don't have time for this." I said trying to hurry this along so I can get upstairs to Bella.

"No, that is not all. I also wanted to explain some things to you." Alice started.

"Maybe you should sit down Edward." Esmé asked me. Ok, something is definitely wrong and it's like all of them are trying to block their thoughts from me with meaningless topics inside their heads.

"No thanks. I'll stay standing. Continue Alice." I told them.

"Alright, well Jasper and I were never mates." she said.

"Okay...and this has to do with me, how?" I asked her. This is getting ridiculous. I don't see how this involves me and where she is going with this.

"It has to do with you because Bella is Jaspers mate." She said in a soft voice almost whisper like.

"WHAT? You're kidding right? This has to be some sort of sick joke! A punishment for what I did to Bella last night. That wasn't me! I didn't mean anything I said while my animal was out. I'm sorry! He can't be her mate! She's mine!" I countered out. There's no way in hell this is true. I love her and she loves me. She can't be with him.

"We're sorry, Edward, but what Alice said was true. She knew the whole time." Carlisle spoke gently.

"How? Why would you say that she was mine if she was Jaspers?" I screamed at Alice.

"B-because I wasn't ready to give him up. I didn't want to be alone. I still haven't seen my mate and I still love him" Alice stuttered out.

"This is bullshit! No...I'm going upstairs to see Bella!" I said as I started to walk from the living room.

"You can't do that, son." Carlisle said putting a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged it off.

"And why not?" I sneered at him. His eyes got big at that. I never disrespected Carlisle in any way.

"Because the Jazz-man won't let anyone in there." Emmett said standing from the couch. "Can't you hear him up there? He won't let anyone even on the third floor steps without getting loud."

"He's right, Edward." Alice said. "I've seen it."

I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed. "I need to get out of here for a while and think. I'm going to go up to Denali for a bit. I'll be home in a couple of days. This is just too much to take right now." I said walking to the bathroom to change.

"I've got a bag packed for you right here, Edward." Alice said.

I just glared at her. If she thinks this is all fine and dandy, then she has another thing coming. They all do if they think that I am just going to willingly surrender Bella up to the biggest monster out of the whole family.

I came out of the bathroom and tossed my torn, bloodied clothes into the trash and walked past them all and slammed the front door.

(Jasper's POV)

It should be any minute now. Her heart is beating out of her chest faster and faster. She arched her back as I let go of her and backed up off the bed and stood a little out of the way. The rest of the family is lined up along the back wall furthest away from the bed. She fell back down on the bed and her heart started to slow down. Then suddenly, it stops.

Everyone was holding their breaths waiting for her to open her eyes. I watched as Bella took in a deep breath then her eyes shot open. Everyone gasped. Under her thick dark lashes, her eyes were the brightest blue I'd ever seen. They were almost an Ice blue.

At the sound of our gasps she sprang off the bed into the corner of the bedroom in a crouch eyeing us. Now, she has always been a beautiful girl as a human, but this girl was breath-taking! I have never in my existence seen or even imagined a girl this beautiful. Her skin was pale and she seemed to almost glow. Her long brown hair seemed to have darkened quite a bit and was a couple shades shy of black, which came down to above her waist. Her features seemed to have sharpened and filled out in all the right places with a lovely hour-glass shape with legs for days. And she grew to about 5'7 which was perfect height for my 6'3. She was glorious! It seemed everyone was taken aback by the lust in the room mixed with jealousy and envy from Alice and Rose. And she was mine! I felt the pride well up inside of me as I took in their reactions and a smug smile lit up my face.

"Bella, Darlin?" I said taking a small step towards her with my hands in a submissive position while maintaining eye contact with her. She let out a low warning growl and her eyes darted to mine. "Do you know who I am?"

She studied me closely and then slowly stood from her crouch. Recognition and relief dominated her confusion. She took a small step forward, almost testing to see what my reaction would be. When she saw none, she darted towards me and flew into my arms as I wrapped my arms around her beautiful body.

"Jasper," Bella sighed, nuzzling her head under my chin. She had the most musical, bell-like voice that sang to me in their own special melody.

"Yes, darlin, it's me baby." I said chuckling in relief. I pulled her back and cupped her face in my hands and looked into her eyes. "You're so beautiful."

Embarrassment coated her emotions. Then the next thing I know, a beautiful light pink blush colored her cheeks a bit...

"Bella, you're blushing!" I said to her astonished.

"Well, of course I'm blushing. You know I've always done that as a human." She told me.

"Darlin," I sighed. "Vampires don't blush."

Her eyes got real wide at this. "Is that bad?" She asked as panic shot through her.

"No," I said as I rubbed my thumbs over her cheeks where the blush was formed. Her skin seemed several degrees warmer than ours. How am I just noticing this? "It's beautiful." I finished to which she smiled as he blush spread a little.

Behind us, Carlisle cleared his voice. Bella's head shot towards him and a growl came from her throat in panic. She remained quiet for several seconds studying each of their faces.

"Carlisle?" She asked.

"Yes, Bella." He replied. "How was your change?"

"Painful, for the most part." She said as she turned her head to me. "I knew you were with me the whole time and was keeping most of my pain at bay. Your stories and kind words kept my mind busy, so thank you for everything. I appreciate you reminding me to think of my human memories. I wouldn't want to forget any of you or my close friends or Renée or...Charlie! What does he think happened to me?"

Carlisle looked to me and I nodded. I turned to look Bella in the eyes and took her hands in mine. I took a deep breath and said "We had to fake your death. Alice called the night of your party and told Charlie that the family was taking you to Seattle for your birthday over the weekend. She called early this morning saying that you and Edward got into a fight so you were on your way home by yourself now rather than tonight. Early this afternoon they called in a car accident and your truck was staged with a corpse inside and lit it on fire. We just got the call a few hours before you woke this evening that you were presumed dead at the scene. We wanted to give your friends and family closure."

Sadness and understanding went through her while she nodded her head.

"You must be thirsty, Bella. Jasper, why don't you take her to hunt?" Carlisle suggested.

"Wait, wait, wait!" Alice bounced. "She has to see herself first!" She didn't even wait for an answer as she darted out of the room and came back with a full length mirror and held it up. Bella approached it slowly, and then stopped to take herself in.

"My eyes?" She asked.

"I'm not sure, Bella. I've never seen a vampire with blue eyes before. I know half-breeds get human eye colors but you weren't born a vampire with a human mother. You were changed. It seems that you are a very special vampire." Carlisle answered.

"Can't ever blend in and be normal." She muttered.

"Well, I think there kick ass, Bellsy!" Emmett boomed with a dimpled smile lighting up his face.

She turned and smiled at him. "Thanks Em."

"No problem, lil sis. You're definitely a full-blown hottie!" He said. Rosalie smacked him on the back of his head. "Owe woman! What do you want me to say? There's no denying it, so why try?" She just shook her head and rolled her eyes at him.

"Ok, well before Emmett gets in anymore trouble, why don't you two go hunt. I know Jasper hasn't fed the entire time that Bella's change was taking place and Bella is a newborn, so you must be thirsty right?" Carlisle asked.

"Um, it feels like there's a little bit of a tickle at the back of my throat, but nothing like I've heard." Bella responded touching her hand to her throat. I was shocked. Through this whole ordeal now that I think about it I haven't felt blood lust coming from her. I've never seen a newborn in more control. Yes, Bella is definitely special.

"Really? That's intriguing." Carlisle said to himself.

"All the same, Bella, I think that just to be safe you should come hunting with me. I would really like the company and I have a few things I'd like to explain to you in private, if that's alright?" I asked her. I thought about it, and I figured the best thing to do would be to come out right and explain everything to her about us and our plans for her first year in Texas. Plus, I didn't want to go too far out without her and not have her understand the mating pull and why she is feeling the pain in her chest. It was agreed that I will be the one to tell her.

"I would love to go hunting with you, Jasper. Will you show me?" She asked in her musical voice, a small smile playing on her face.

"Of course. It's quite instinctual actually, but I will show you the basics." I told her holding out my hand for her to take. I pulled her over to the window and told her to watch. I stepped out the window and jumped down from the third story to the ground. I landed on the balls of my feet, then straightened up and turned to look up at her and took a step back.

"Come on, Darlin! Your turn!" I said smiling.

She looked down at me uncertainly. "I'm scared. What if I fall?"

"Then I'll catch you." I smirked.

"You'll catch me if I fall?" She asked.

"Always," I smiled. She had no idea how true that statement was.

She stepped out the window and jumped down mimicking my landing with a little 'ha!" as she landed.

"Very good, Bella! That was actually quite graceful, even for a vampire!" I told her sincerely.

She smiled at me. "I've never been called graceful before."
"You're that and so much more." I said holding out my hand for her to take. She blushed and took it in hers as that familiar electric jolt went through our hands as it always does when we touch.

We took off running together into the woods. Her tinkling laugh as she ran made me smile to myself. I have to admit, I am nervous about the upcoming talk about us. I was afraid she would reject me and go back for Edward. Speaking of which, I am surprised she hasn't mentioned him yet. I'm sure she will as soon as we sit down and talk. I also need to tell her about my past, especially if we are going to Peter and Charlotte's. I know she sees my scars and they have a bunch as well but she hasn't showed any fear as normal newborns or any vampire for that matter have when they first see them. She couldn't have noticed them while she was still human. Her eyes were still too weak for that, but to a vampire it is like a neon sign that screams danger! She has a right to hear about all of me before she makes her decision to keep me as a mate. Regardless of how we are meant to be together and the physical aspects of it, I don't want it to be a forced thing I throw on her. I want it to be her choice. I don't know what I will do if she rejects me. Figures. The infamous Major of the Southern Wars is scared of his mate. Peter would never let me live this down.

My cell phone buzzed then that moment. I took it out and noticed it was a text message from peter.

'Got that right, Major' it said. Fucker. I laughed to myself. Bella looked at me questioningly, but I just shook my head.

Once we got pretty far out to where we shouldn't run into the occasional hiker, I slowed us down to a stop. I walked behind Bella and put my hands on the sides of her shoulders. I bent my head down to her neck letting my breath hit her ear. Bella shivered and I felt her lust spike and I inwardly smirked.

"Listen carefully, Bella." I said as I continued to breathe on the side of her neck, moving my head back and forth from her shoulder and ghosting over her ear with my lips. "Close your eyes." She did as I asked and her breathing started to pick up as her lust level started to rise again. "Now, what do you hear?" I asked her as I placed a light kiss on her neck.

"I can hear the birds' miles away. I can hear the leaves and the branches bending in the wind. I hear the occasional twig snap in the distance. And I hear... heartbeats." She said.

"Good," I whispered in her ear. "Now, what do you smell? Tell me when you find the one that smells the most appealing to you."

She took a deep breath in and I felt her blood lust spike.

"Northwest; I hear several heart beats and two different scents." She replied.

"That, my dear, is a small herd of deer and there is a cougar stalking them. A tip for you, the carnivores taste much better than the herbivores." I told her as I lightly traced my fingers down the sides on her arms and lightly set my hands on her waste. "All you have to do now is let your instincts take control. Ready?" She nodded. "Good... now go." And at that she took off through the trees towards her prey.

I felt intrigued so I decided to put off my own hunt and watch her take down her first prey. I followed her scent through the trees but kept my distance. I as soon as I saw her, she was behind a tree stalking the cougar who was too focused on the deer to notice. I jumped in a tree to watch from up high so she wouldn't see me. She then crept out from behind the tree, and jumped and landed on the back of the cougar and snapped his neck. She bit into the animal's neck and clutched him to her tightly as she drank deeply. When she was finished I watched in surprise as she placed a kiss upon the cougars head. I couldn't stay away anymore. I'm sure my eyes were black as night after watching her hunt. She was magnificent. She hunted with such beautiful precision and grace.

I hoped out of my tree and made my approach to her. Her head snapped in my direction and she jumped up in her crouch. I stopped where I was and held my hands in front of me submissively.

"It's just me sweetheart." I told her. She stood from her crouch and I finished my approach to her. "That was amazing Bella." I said as I walked around her in a circle letting my fingers lightly roam down her arm, across her lower back, then back up her other arm as I finished my circle assessing her. I then let my fingers roam up her neck and cupped her face and brought my other hand to her neck. "It was so majestic, and graceful. Not a drop of blood or tear on that beautiful white outfit of yours."

She started blushing that beautiful pink again and smiled timidly. "Thank you," She said slightly embarrassed.

"Now darlin, let's finish our hunt. We will get you fed and then myself. I think it is important we stick together for now while we hunt in Forks. Once we're in Texas, we will be able to separate since the land we will be hunting on is private and we won't have to worry about running into any hikers or hunters."

"Texas? We're leaving Forks?" She asked surprised.

"Yes darlin. To Forks, you are dead, and it is more secluded in Texas where we will be. I will explain everything after we hunt. I actually have a few things I would like to discuss with you if you don't mind." I asked.

"Of course we can talk. Everything is okay isn't it?" She asked as her nervousness spiked.

"Calm down Bella. Everything is fine. I just want to talk to you about our future plans and so forth." I reassured her as she calmed down slightly.

"Ok." She said quietly. I then grabbed her hand took off towards a small group of Elk I smelled in the distance.

A/N: Hey Everybody! Bella, here. I hope you guys like my story so far. This was my first FanFic story I had ever written, so let me know what you think! The next chapter is going to include Bella's POV which will be her reaction to finding out the plans for the future and learning that yes in fact she heard right. They are mates and she will learn all that entails. Peter and Charlotte will also be making their appearance in the next chapter! I hope I get plenty of reviews and suggestions for stories! I will definitely be going through them and working on as many stories as I can for you guys! Thanks for everything and your support!

If you have any questions or comments, post them in my reviews and I will answer them in my next Author's Note at the bottom of the chapter!

To see more, go to either page: Xo BellaItalia oX or Xo Bella's Collaborations oX

Check out my other stories!

'Attempting to Covet' (REVISED)
'Dhampir' COMPLETED!
'Far Fetched Realities'
'Mirror Image'
'Other Worldly Beauty'
'Dhampir: Broken Moonlight' (SEQUEL)
'Perplexing Revelations'
'Unimaginable Outcomes'
'Pretexting'
'You Promised Me Forever
'The Heart's Desire'
'Intricate Beauty'
'Never What It Seems'
'The Major'
'Twilight ReVAMPed'

Check out my Collaboration's as well!

'Flashbacks'
'Unbreakable Faith'
'The Alpha's Mate, Crystal'
'Letting Go and Giving In'
'The Chronicles of the Fallen'
'Elemental Bella'
'Death is Only the Beginning'
'Fear Doesn't Rule You'
'Instinctual Reactions;
'How You Make Me Feel'
'Undisclosed Desires'

If you enjoyed this story so far, check out some of my other stories on my FanFiction page! Also, I am still accepting Twilight stories that involve Jasper/any female leads or Bella/selected male leads if anyone is looking for a Beta Reader. I will make exceptions on the characters depending on the plot. I am also now accepting Phantom of the Opera FanFictions that include Erik! I will also be accepting Bones featuring Agent Seeley Booth, Dawson's Creek, Titanic FanFictions featuring Jack, Snow White and the Huntsman featuring Snow White or Eric (the huntsman), The Ghost Whisperer that feature Melinda and Law and Order SVU that feature Elliot. I will accept OC characters as well depending on the other lead character. PM me for details!
- Bella'Xo
Xo BellaItalia oX