Chapter Thirty Three

Charlotte.

We waited in anticipation for Jasper's return, having been unable to stop Bella's kidnap. When he found out, which would be any minute, the gates of hell would open and The Major would ride out with death at his side. I'd seen it before and had hoped never to see it again but there was no alternative. His mate had been stolen from him and he wouldn't rest until she was back at his side and her kidnappers dead and burning. We'd beaten him back to find Garrett badly injured in the snow and now we heard as he broke through the trees, his scream was that of an animal in agony and I braced myself.. The trees rippled with the speed of The Majors passage and he stopped before us, his eyes black as night and shining with an almost maniacal rage. His hands were shaking and he was breathing heavily.

"What happened?"

His words were forced between gritted teeth.

"A helicopter, Carlisle and Edward Cullen along with what must have been Bella's father. Garrett was here but he couldn't stop them."

"I'm sorry Major, I did try to stop them"

The Major looked at Garrett's damaged face and nodded,

"Bella?"

"She was asleep, I think Carlisle may have drugged her or she'd have been struggling."

He nodded and turned to Peter.

"You coming?"

He nodded and Garrett and I joined them.

"Where will they go?"

Garrett shrugged forming words slowly as his gunshot wounds started to heal,

"Back to Forks first but I think Carlisle will realize how much danger his family is in so they'll run. Charlie is great friends with the Quileutes so they might go there for protection, if not then they'll stay with the Cullens I think."

"Forks then"

We set off running, the snow whipping up at our passing and hiding our tracks as soon as our feet left them. Headed for a confrontation and someone was likely to die, at least one person, Carlisle had physically taken Bella so he would be top of Jasper's hit list. I'd seen this before and nothing, no man, would stop the Major until he reached his goal, anyone getting in his way would be cast aside dead or alive, it mattered little to him.

Bella

I woke up feeling dizzy and sick and the floor was moving strangely, what was going on? I opened my eyes but everything was a blur, a spinning blur, so I shut them again and instead listened for a clue. My chest hurt as if a hot knife were being thrust into it, digging at the place where Jasper's presence should be and I panicked, sitting up suddenly with a gasp of fear. I was in a helicopter with Carlisle, Edward, Esme, and Rose. There was someone else but he didn't fit with these, Charlie!

What had happened? I tried to get up but Esme and Rose held me down firmly.

"Its OK Bella. Keep still, we're nearly there now."

"Where? Where am I? Where's Jasper, Peter, Charlotte?"

I heard my own voice getting louder and more scared.

"Its OK Bella, you're safe with us."

"Safe? Where am I? I have to go back, now. Dad make them take me back. I can't leave him."

Charlie turned around and I saw the stubborn look on his face.

"Go back? Over my dead body. Do you have any idea how much danger you were in?"

"I know how much danger you'll be in if you don't let me go. I have to go back. Where are you taking me?"

"We're going to Denali Bella. You'll be safe enough there for a while and once you calm down and think rationally you'll know we did the right thing. Your father's been really worried about you."

I glared at Charlie,

"You did this? I told you I couldn't come home, why did you come for me? Dad I have to go back."

He shook his head,

"Not gonna happen Bella. You got mixed up with some very dangerous people but you're out of it now."

I shook my head, hot tears running down my cheeks, frustration and worry vying for first place in my brain.

"Carlisle explain to my dad that I have to go back. I can't leave, I promised Jasper"

"You had no right to promise that animal anything Bella, he's a psychotic killer. He would have killed you."

"I don't think so Charlie" Esme interrupted but dad talked over her.

"Whatever the Cullens say, you are safer away from him. Now we're going to Denali then Carlisle is going to help me find a way to stop this Major. It sounds way past time someone did."

I shook my head again, emotions choking the words in my throat. I tried to get free of my two gaolers but it was of course impossible. In the end I stopped trying and closed my eyes again, a scream of anguish breaking free of my lungs as the pain in my heart increased the further I got from Jasper. I felt a stinging sensation in my thigh and a blackness settled over me, I wasn't asleep but I couldn't move or even think clearly. I could hear their voices as if from a long way away.

"She's hysterical Charlie, I just gave her a mild sedative, we can't risk her doing anything silly while we're in the air."

"OK but I don't like giving her drugs."

"Only until we get to Denali, she'll be safe to have a screaming fit then if she needs to. I have to tell you Charlie that I don't think you'll get anywhere talking to her. Its gone too far for that"

"And what's that supposed to mean?"

"I think she and Jasper have bonded,"

"What the hell does that mean? Has he abused my daughter?"

"No Charlie it's a mental thing not physical"

"Thank God for that. She'll get over him"

"I don't think so Chief Swan"

Rose's voice was very quiet but firm.

"If she and Jasper Whitlock have bonded then they'll find a way to be together"

"Over my dead body"

"If that's what it takes."

She picked up my hand and squeezed it,

"We're acting too late."

Then I heard Edwards voice.

"She'll come to her senses Rose, she just needs time. Now she's away from those creeps who call themselves his friends she'll see what he's really like."

"Edward you're an idiot, always have been, always will be."

"Rosalie"

Esme chided her daughter but Rose was right and I giggled. I heard a disgruntled noise from Edward before the voices stopped for a while. When I was next really aware of things we were on the ground and everywhere was cold and white. Had they taken me back to Jasper? I heard female voices I didn't recognise then a mans voice which sounded unhappy.

"Carlisle, you weren't entirely open with me when you rang. Of course you are always welcome, but to bring two humans and one bonded with The Major is inexcusable and reckless. You have now put our family at risk too and just how are we supposed to keep him from killing us all?"

"Let me go"

My words were a mumble but I saw the face of the man as he leant over me,

"Bella, can you hear me?"

I nodded slowly,

"Do you know where you are?"

I tried to form the word but my brain had turned to mush so I just nodded again.

"Why is she drugged?"

"I was afraid she might start a scene as we flew, it'll soon wear off now. Eleazor we had no choice but to help Bella's father. The Quileutes told him about us and he threatened to expose us if we didn't help him, what were we supposed to do?"

"He knows about us? Great, we're now in danger from the Volturi too. Why didn't the Quileutes take them in?"

"Too dangerous for the tribe."

"Well someone has a brain. I won't allow you to put my family at risk. You just leave now."

"And go where Eleazor?"

"I don't care, just away from here. I can tell you this, if she wakes up fully you will have more on your hands than just a frightened and angry human female."

"I don't understand"

"No I know you don't, Bella has a gift and if she discovers it and how to harness its power you could all be dead. Never mind about waiting for The Major to appear. Take her back or leave her somewhere for him to find but get away from her before you get killed Carlisle."