Chapter Thirty One
Bella
Jazz and I sat on the sofa while the others perched themselves on chairs and in Edwards case leaned against the wall.
"Well, here we are. I'm waiting"
Carlisle smiled at my less than enthusiastic welcome,
"Bella, Jasper, thank you for agreeing to see us. I'm glad you found your place in our world Bella. Even if it wasn't with the son we expected. Have you made any plans on where you will live or what you will do with your new life?"
"Why do you ask Carlisle?"
"Just curious Bella. I did wonder if you might consider joining us, after all Jasper is already part of the Cullen family."
Jazz went to jump in but I shook my head,
"I'm sorry Carlisle but I think you are mistaken. Jasper stopped being a part of the Cullen family when you rejected him. He is a Whitlock and has his own family, a family I'm proud to be a part of"
Carlisle didn't react but Esme nodded sadly,
"I thought you might feel that way Bella. I'm very sorry for the way we treated Jasper and how we allowed Edward to take over your life. I think he felt when you risked your own life to save him from the Volturi that you and he would be together for ever, your ties bound more tightly by your actions."
"I don't think Edward really gave it any thought Esme. He saw what he wanted and just assumed I would want the same too, he never asked me about anything, just planned it all out for me. I couldn't be the mate of a man who feels the need to control every facet of my life. I needed space and he gave me none."
Edward spoke up then.
"Why didn't you tell me this Bella? We could have worked things out together"
"There was no together Edward, I was an appendage, something to be ordered around, a pretty doll to be wound up and pushed in the direction that best suited you. I really don't want to discuss this any further Edward, I gave you my decision but as always you thought you could bulldoze over my wishes, my feelings, well its too late. I just hope you don't do the same to the next girl you fall in love with."
"I will never love another Bella, only you"
"Then you'll be alone a very long time Edward."
Jasper
I wasn't a particularly vindictive man but I was enjoying Bella's words to Edward. Even Carlisle appeared taken aback by them but Esme at least understood where Bella was coming from. All this happened because she and Carlisle didn't stop Edward, whatever he wanted, whatever he did, it was always Edward who came first. He was always right, even when he forced us to abandon Bella in Forks. I didn't think he'd given up on Bella for one second but he would find me in his face if he tried anything now, not to mention an extremely annoyed Bella herself. She was handling this meeting well but I could feel the anger hidden inside, if only Edward, and Carlisle to a certain degree, knew how much danger they were in right now. I was keeping Bella calm and focused on getting through this meeting without killing anyone but it was hard and it would only take a small misstep by any one of the Cullens to set her off.
Bella
The rage that had started building inside was being kept under control but not by me, it was Jazz my mate who was keeping me controlled and I was thankful. I didn't want to attack Esme or even Carlisle but Edward, he was another matter entirely. I thought ripping his head off would be just the wake up call he needed, it was an intriguing idea.
"I don't think we have anything more to discuss Carlisle. I'm sorry it came to this but Edward and I just didn't make for a partnership. I miss the rest of the family but while Edward is with you I couldn't visit, it wouldn't feel right."
Edward stood up straighter on hearing this,
"Oh, not only don't you want me any more you want me out of the family too. Did he put you up to this Bella? He was always jealous of my place in the family."
"What? Are you going to add idiocy to your many dislikeable traits Edward? I don't care if you stay with the Cullens or not and I'm capable of making up my own mind about who I see and who I choose."
I could feel the anger growing and stood up,
"I think you'd better go Edward before I do something I should regret, but wont."
Jasper
I watched as they filed out, Esme looking unhappy and Carlisle thoughtful while Edward looked downright angry. Things hadn't gone the way he'd hoped. Bella was pacing the room muttering to herself,
"I think we should hunt"
She looked at me biting her lip in an attempt to keep her temper and nodded,
"Yeah now, before I chase after them and do what I really feel like doing. Smash his stupid brain to a pulp."
We left via the fire escape, I thought it best as there were a lot of humans around and Bella was only keeping it together on a wing and a prayer, even with my help. As we ran I heard her scream of vexation, she really loathed Edward Cullen and that made me feel good, I'd always thought he was too egocentric and manipulative but he'd finally met his match in my mate.
We hunted and once she'd drained two deer Bella finally calmed down enough for me to stop influencing her.
"Sorry Jazz I shouldn't have lost it back there."
"Bella you're a newborn and remarkably controlled. I felt like kicking his teeth down his throat myself."
"Do you think we've heard the last of the Cullens?"
"I doubt it. Edward isn't used to being turned down but now you are a vampire too and my mate there's little he can do about it."
"I hope you're right, if he tries anything else I wont be responsible for my actions."
Bella
We flew to Denver the following day, the flight was hard for me among all the humans, especially as I was still angry at Edward. If I hadn't had Jasper's help I think there could have been a massacre and I knew he was glad when we landed. As soon as we were out of the terminal and on our way out of the city he turned to me,
"You did well Bella"
"No I didn't. If not for you I might have killed everyone on board that plane."
"But you didn't. You're more controlled than any newborn I've ever come across"
"I need to hunt Jazz"
He pulled over and we went in search of prey in the woods, feeling free at last I ran on ahead, enjoying the speed and exhilaration of the wind whipping through my hair. Jazz was soon out of sight and I felt truly free for just a second before missing him. Then I smelled something, a wonderful scent that had my mouth filling with venom, there was prey up ahead. I slowed to a walk then crouched down to look through the bushes. Two men sat outside a tent chatting with beer cans in their hands. Before I could stop myself I had sprung out to attack. The first man stood no chance against me and I was drinking his blood as the other stood up with a horrified scream and picking up his rifle aimed and fired before I could throw the empty body of his friend aside. I felt the heat and impact of the bullet but it didn't save him. As I finished drinking from his throat Jasper ran into view shouting my name. He stood watching as I threw the second body aside and put a hand to my shoulder where the bullet hole was already healing.
