Enjoy! This is mostly Bella's dream and a little bit of her waking up, but I thought it was a good place to end.

CHAPTER NINE

BELLA'S POINT OF VIEW

Here I was, face to face with the angel uncloaked to be a vampire. I looked into his eyes that still shone red from the last subconscious instance.

"Isabella, I see my boy Jasper has revealed our little secret to you."

I shook my head in confusion, not understanding. "Excuse me Major, but aren't you Jasper?"

He responded with a short, abrupt laugh. "He likes to pretend I'm not." After a short pause, he tilted his head and asked, "Would you like to hear the story?"

Considering it for a moment, I debated the pros and cons in my mind. I would love to hear more, but I didn't know if this was how I wanted to find out. "Thank you, but I think I should wait until you- Jasper- both of you are ready to tell me," I explained, giving myself a headache.

He nodded, and returned his gaze to the door… Watching for the next intruders, I presume.

"Are you- are you expecting someone?"

He turned to me, and sent me waves of security. "There are very few people stupid enough to come after the mate of the God of War. You are safe, Isabella."

I almost choked, frantic after hearing his words. "Excuse me? What did you say?"

Smiling, he sat down next to me and ran a hand through my hair. "Don't tell me you didn't know."

I was still stumbling over my thoughts, much less capable of forming a proper sentence. Carlisle had informed me of the vampire mating rituals. There was supposedly a moment where everything clicked, and there was unbearable pain in the chest each time a mate was far away. The soul knew its mate, and there was a gripping pull towards that person. A hole in the heart only filled by their presence. Mate connections were supposed to be stronger than the abilities of life and the boundaries of death.

How could it be that I was the mate of such a marvelous man? Was I ready to have a mate? Did I even want a mate? Did this mean I was to become a vampire?

While I mulled these thoughts over, he lifted my face to meet his eyes. "I can feel how I make you feel," he ran a thumb across my cheek. "I can feel how you get anxious without me, during the day." The thumb traced my lips. "And I can feel how that anxiety has dulled now that I can be with you while the sun is up." His thumb lingered on my lips, drawing himself closer. "You must know we belong together."

Like the military man he was, he didn't wait for permission. He took what he wanted, but in a way that made me feel more cherished than any person or item in the world. As his lips crashed onto mine, I understood so much more about the world. I understood what it meant to die to yourself to love someone else. I understood how men and women could promise each other forever and mean it- something I had always struggled with. I understood the fact that in one moment, one single touch with another person could change your entire perspective on life.

While my eyes closed, I saw an entire world of possibilities. I saw flashes of screaming color, yet so soft that its allure crept up on me all at the same time. I saw a bright sunrise, and a warm sunset to match it. I could feel all of his emotions and passions pouring into me, multiplying my own.

The kiss ended far too soon when he tore himself away, leaving me breathless. He smirked upon seeing my reaction. "Do you still doubt that we're mates?"

My head was spinning, and I couldn't even process his words as my mind reeled from that kiss. While I mulled over his question, he pulled me close to his chest. "Do you feel how peaceful it is when we're together this way?" He then let go, and moved a few steps away. My anxiety climbed 10 notches. "And now when we aren't touching, there is a dull ache in your core, isn't there?"

I weakly nodded, not caring what I was agreeing to as long as he returned to his place next to me. He did, and did so with a somewhat startling and completely arousing growl. "Answer me, Isabella." He commanded, taking my face into his hands.

Feeling the overwhelming love and devotion coming from his touch, I smiled. "Yes, Major. I understand."

He smiled proudly at my answer, and the power of his affection brought me to my knees. I was in shock over how much this angel cared for me. It was unlike anything I had ever known. With an abusive father, and no friends growing up… This kind of attention blew me away. I felt tears spring to my eyes, and that's when he sunk down to my level.

"What have I done to make you cry? Is Charlie back?" He asked, looking over his shoulder and remembering all the other times he had wordlessly wiped away my tears from my father.

"No… I just…" I trailed off, unable to speak out of gratitude. So I simply sent him all of my emotions- awe, thankfulness, and unworthiness.

He looked at me sternly. "Isabella, I want to make one thing clear. You are my mate, and you are more exquisite than any other woman I've ever laid eyes on. I don't ever want you to feel unworthy. Do we have an understanding?"

I simply smiled and repeated my previous words. "Yes Major… I understand." And I pulled him closer to me, earning a chuckle. He dipped his head towards mine and kissed me once more. It was still astonishingly perfect.

Once he drew his mouth from mine, he sighed contentedly. "I've been waiting 18 years to kiss you like that."

When my face showed my surprise, he whispered, "Happy birthday, Isabella." With that, he released me back into consciousness.

Stone cold arms were around me, and I snuggled deeper into them hoping to somehow be lulled back to sleep. Back to those feelings of being desired and loved- who knew they actually existed? I smiled into my rock-hard pillow, remembering the kisses of the night with his split persona. I was still entirely confused about the whole thing. They were clearly the same person, so why did they choose to live separately? The Major spoke as if it were Jasper's doing, like he was just a figment of Jasper's imagination that was kept locked in a cell. So why did I have a lifetime with the Major that Jasper couldn't remember?

And most of all, why did I not feel the miserable pull in my heart now that I wasn't with the Major? Did it mean I was Jasper's mate as well, and so I was still with him? Did Jasper feel that way about me? Did I feel that way about Jasper?

I looked up at his face, studying me intently with two honey colored eyes. The way they made me melt told me that yes, I very well did. I struggled to keep my head up as I remembered his gift of empathy, knowing he would feel my not-so-friendly desires. I wished more than anything there was a way to block him, just this once, until I was ready to talk.

His face scrunched up in confusion. "How did you do that?" He asked, annoyance coloring his words.

"Do what?"

"I was starting to sense a new emotion from you, and then you just shut it off."

What? Had my wish come true? Did the fates suddenly decide I had enough torture and cut me some slack? I blushed, burying my head back into his chest. "I'm sorry." I mumbled, offering no explanation.

He laughed. "No you aren't. But it's okay."

I lifted my face up and smiled at him.

"Do you remember what today is, Bella?" He asked, a smile playing on his lips. There was excitement dancing in his eyes. Apparently he had something planned for the day.

I nodded. "I believe you just reminded me that it's my birthday."

He sighed, frustrated. "What else did I tell you, Bella?"

I looked down and took a preparatory breath. Here we go… I knew I had to tell him about the conversation. There was no way I could avoid it forever, especially taking my newly discovered feelings into account. But there was also no way of knowing how he would react. Would he be angry at me? At the Major? Disgusted? It was impossible to know. While I mulled my diction over in my head, he spoke again.

His deep, husky voice caught me off guard. "Or shall I ask what the Major told you?"

Hey guys! So my birthday is tomorrow and I don't know if I will have the chance to update all day. Don't be too frustrated if I don't post! :) I will do as much as I can. I'd also like to tell you guys about another story I started last night. It's called The Orphanage, and it takes on a lot of colors that I think will turn out pretty well. Go check it out if you have the chance!

Love you guys so much.

-loverunknown