Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight and the characters contained in this story – I own nothing.
Warning: This story is full of bad words and graphic content, please do not read if that bothers you or you are under the age of 18. You've been warned! *pulls down her reading glasses to give you a stern look*
Thank you all so much for your words of comfort and amazing reviews! I can't tell you how much it means to me. *wipes tear* You are the best readers ever for sticking with me through this – thank you! xoxo
This chapter reads a bit like an emotional roller coaster with a lot of ups and downs, so hang on and I'll see you at the end...
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Esme glanced at us all briefly, but her eyes were immediately drawn to the-little-tree-house-of-horror.
"My lord, I didn't think Garrett was telling the truth, who would have?...I mean," Esme trailed off as her eyes continued to peruse the sight in the trees. "What the fuck is that suppose to be?" she gasped in horror, holding a hand over her chest. All of us gasped as well, well with the exception of Bella, who didn't know that Esme very rarely swears. Like fucking ever.
"Esme!" Emmett scolded her in disbelief.
"Don't 'Esme' me, Emmett...answer the damn question," she demanded, looking a tad frightening, I might add.
"That's our house! Peter and I are building it – what do you think? Nice, huh?" Emmett asked, beaming like a proud toddler over his creation. Yeah, they were definitely staying here. Rope or no rope. Hell, I'm pretty sure Rose and Char would find a way to cut that damn mate-pulling rope before they'd live in that thing.
"House? Your house?" Esme questioned, a strange look crossing her face. It was sort of scary to be quite honest. I was waiting for her head to swivel around 360 degrees, thereby completing the whole horror themed package.
Emmett nodded eagerly.
"You plan to live," she began, pausing to clear her throat unnecessarily. "In that?"
"Yup!" Emmett bellowed excitedly, clearly not seeing her increasing distress. I sure felt it, though.
Esme began frantically pacing, pausing every few seconds to stare at the-little-tree-house-of-horror in disgust, fear, and anger.
"Oh hell no! My babies are not living in that...that thing! Why I ought to go back there and slap some sense into that man, I swear – what the hell is he thinking, forcing my babies to live in the woods for heaven's sake...and oh my god, are those nails rusty?"
She turned on her heel and stared us all down, before spying the blueprint the girls had setting on the forest floor, held down with four large rocks. She dashed over to it and studied it for a moment before an indelicate snort escaped her lips. I don't think I've ever heard Esme snort, ever. It was like we entered some alternate reality. Who the hell was this woman? And more importantly, why did she think she still had the right to refer to us as her 'babies'? Or maybe she was only referring to Emmett and Rose, I didn't know - and I didn't fucking care.
"Whose brilliant idea was the jacuzzi tub?" she asked bemused, glancing up from the blueprint awaiting our answer.
"That was Rosie's," Emmett grumbled, still reeling from Rose's verbal beating earlier.
"Rosalie?" Esme repeated in bewilderment. "But that doesn't make any sense. She has a masters degree in engineering; surely she would know that there was no way it could hold that amount of weight..." Esme mumbled to herself. Once again, we all heard every word. Vampire hearing has it's advantages and disadvantages. Right now, Rose was squirming under Emmett's glare – clearly a disadvantage. I see he finally put two and two together – well, with some help from Esme, anyway.
"Rosie, care to explain yourself? She's right...you would have known it wasn't possible – so why did you ask for it? Hmm?" he asked her, crossing his bulging arms over his muscled chest. Rose gulped.
"Uh, well, I uh...I forgot?" Rose squeaked, unconvincingly. His narrowing eyes told her,"Run"...and that's what she did. He took off after her; her peels of laughter echoing through the trees only minutes later as he caught up to her. I don't even want to know what they were going to do. Make up sex was big with them – hell, sex over anything was big with them. My cock flipped over to his other side in frustration, attempting to adjust himself into a more comfortable position.
"A king sized bed...like there would be room for that – whose the hell idea was that one?" Esme snorted once again.
Peter gasped and his eyes snapped to Char's. Took him long enough.
Char didn't even bother trying to defend herself, she simply took off running like Rose had – Peter hot on her heels, yelling something about just what he was going to do to her 'small' breasts when he caught her. I tried to tune him the fuck out. I really didn't want to hear that shit. It was bad enough hearing and feeling them when they were together – add in my sexual frustration and I was not in the mood. My cock flipped back over angrily, punching his Kama Sutra pillow and creating a small dent in the cover – he just couldn't find a comfortable position no matter what he did. Though I imagine using a book as a pillow isn't a very good idea... He glared at me. But what did I know?
"Way to clear a room, or...well, whatever that thing is," Bella murmured, her lips twitching in amusement.
"Oh my!" Esme gasped with a hand over her dead heart. "Did I do that?" she asked innocently – far too innocently.
"What's going on, Esme?" I sneered at her, cutting to the chase. I was an idiot, yes...but no fool.
"I needed to talk to you," she replied simply, looking hopeful that I wouldn't turn her down.
"There's really nothing to say..."
"Please..." she cut me off. "Please, just let me explain some things, alright? Then you can tell me to leave...if that's what you really want," her voice cracking on the last part.
"Fine then, go ahead," I told her coldly, gesturing impatiently with my hand for her to get the fuck on with it. I really wasn't interested in what she had to say. She had said her piece when she fucking sided with the others.
Bella elbowed me in the side - hard. "What?" I hissed at her, rubbing the spot she elbowed. Fuck, her strength was crazy. No wonder Edward was curled up on the floor in so much pain. Although, unlike him, I didn't deserve it.
"Be nice – she's like your Mom or something," she hissed back at me. What the fuck? Just whose side was she on? Is she forgetting what happened? I owe Esme nothing – not anymore.
"It's alright, dear...Jasper's never really viewed me that way – but thank you for trying," Esme said sweetly, patting Bella's arm lightly. Bella smiled sadly back at her before leveling me with a frown of disapproval.
It wasn't entirely true. No, I'm not like Edward, Alice, or at times, Emmett – a child who needs scolding and constant parenting. I'm a man, I make my own decisions and I deal with the consequences of those decisions. I take full responsibility for my actions. But, I wouldn't say that I've never viewed her as a motherly type figure – she has been that for me in the past. However, it's a moot point because she sat there and agreed with their choice to kick me out. Where the fuck was the motherly figure then? Where the fuck was her concern for me? Mate or no mate, she could have at least defended me to the others. I can't exactly forget that; I won't forgive it either. And I didn't care.
"I'm so sorry, Jasper," Esme stated sadly. Her golden eyes were warm and blazing with the truth I could feel emanating behind her words. "I'm sorry that I sided with them. I knew in my heart that you wouldn't - couldn't - have harmed Bella. I saw the way you looked at her – I knew that you had a connection that went beyond what was told to me. I knew the truth, Jasper...but please try to understand; Alice claimed you would hurt Bella if you stayed and I just...I couldn't risk the chance, however small it might have been, that she was telling the truth and let Bella go through that – not like I had to," she choked out, her eyes welling with venom.
Bella gave me a questioning look and I shook my head. Esme's past wasn't my story to tell. I did, however, have a strong desire to dig up her long ago, dead and buried human husband and grind his bones to dust for what he put her through. Her reasoning's were understandable, and yet it simply wasn't enough. The fact that she claims she knew the truth, that I wasn't a threat to Bella; that their whole reasoning for kicking me out was invalid but still, she let it happen – as if I meant nothing to her. I preferred it when I believed she really thought I was capable of what they accused me of. At least then, it didn't hurt so damn much. How could she? It was betrayal – betrayal from someone I...no, no I still don't care.
I'm an empath for fuck's sake, I know exactly what I'm feeling and it's not caring no matter what Garrett says. No, I don't care...but I was hurt...and angry.
Esme actions hurt me. Carlisle's actions angered me. Both were warring with each other for domination over me. Anger mixed with hurt; hurt heated and fueled the anger, mixing into a volatile cocktail just waiting to ignite.
"You said you knew I wouldn't harm her...so how could you just let this fucking happen? How, Esme...tell me how you could just sit there and not fucking defend me, if you knew?" I seethed, shaking slightly in my effort to gain control over my emotions. Every muscle tensed with the sheer anticipation of lashing out at something, anything. Bella laid a comforting hand on my arm and I felt her presence wash through me like a warm and gentle sighing breath – she was like my own personal empath. It was nice for once to have someone to return the favor.
"I'm so sorry, I was wrong, Jasper – so wrong!" Esme cried out before holding her palm over her mouth to contain her sobs.
"You were wrong about something else as well," I informed her, leveling her with a glare that made her cringe before continuing, "I did consider you a mother," I paused, "But I was wrong, too, you see...because a mother would never have turned her back on her child the way that you did to me."
And as I watched Esme crumble to the ground in front of me from my words, for the first time in my vampire existence I felt the completely foreign sting of a single unsheddable tear.
Fuck! Garrett was right – I cared.
Bella flinched beside me as she too watched Esme fall apart before our eyes. I cared. It was such a shocking revelation. I never for a second thought I cared. I always thought I could walk away at any time and not feel anything in regards to them. I was wrong – because right now watching her on the ground sobbing - it hurt me as well. I cared. I fucking care. Maybe I wasn't as in tune with my emotions as I once thought. I was a shitty empath.
I stepped closer to her and knelt down in front of her. I wasn't really sure what to do or how to fix anything in this fucked up situation. She was curled in on herself, her head bowed before me. I placed my hand on the top of her head. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that – I didn't mean it."
"You did mean it and I deserved it," she whispered brokenly, her head lifting slowly to meet my gaze. God, what have I done to her? She looked shattered. I broke her. Was I any better than Carlisle in this moment?
"I shouldn't have said it. He's your mate, you had no choice but to side with him," I stated, attempting to absolve her of some of her guilt, albeit half-heartedly. She still deserved to feel guilty.
She scoffed angrily. "Tell me, Jasper...if Bella wanted to kick Peter or Char out of your family, what would you do? Would you let her?"
Would I? Abso-fucking-lutely not. I glanced over to Bella and she knew the answer to that before I even spoke, and she was completely fine with it.
"No, I wouldn't."
"That's right, because it would be wrong. She's your mate and you love her but even so, you wouldn't let her hurt the people you care about because of that fact. You'd stand up to her," she told me, her gaze shifting between Bella and I.
"And if Jasper were to want to do something stupid, you would stop him – wouldn't you, Bella?" she questioned.
Bella chuckled. "Yes, yes I would," Bella nodded, looking amused. I rolled my eyes. That would never fucking happen. My cock scoffed as he pulled his position list from inside his 'pillow' and began using it as a make-shift blanket. I was seriously beginning to worry about him.
"Carlisle is my mate, yes – and I love him, so much. But he did a stupid thing and he hurt someone I love and care for very much," she said giving me a pointed look. "So don't make excuses for me. You're right about all of it, I don't deserve the title of mother – what I did was horrible and unforgivable. I should have stood up to him, to all of them. I should have fought for you, Jasper, and I am so, so sorry," she said, hanging her head in shame.
Esme was inherently a good woman. Being an empath gives me a unique insight into others that you just wouldn't see otherwise – that part of being an empath I was quite good at, I just sucked at the personal analysis - apparently. I did, however, know that Esme wouldn't hurt anyone, not intentionally. Still, her actions had hurt and it would take me some time to recover fully from that sting, if ever.
I nodded, but said nothing. I really wasn't sure what more to say.
"Can you ever forgive me?" she asked, so softly I barely heard her.
Could I? I believe I could...eventually...
"Just give me some more time," I told her. Me asking for time...how fucking ironic.
"Will you come home now, Jasper?" she pleaded with me.
"Home, Esme? And where is that exactly, huh?" I questioned incredulously. I eyed the-little-tree-house-of-horror..I had planned to say that this was my home, but decided against it after looking at the thing once again. Creepy just didn't do it justice.
"It's still your home too...come back, please. Let me fix this!"
"Are you forgetting that he kicked me out of said 'home'?" I asked, shaking my head. I may be able to somewhat understand where she was coming from with her past fears – but Carlisle has no such fucking excuses. He wouldn't be asking for my forgiveness – because he felt he was right.
"No, but I can tell you that he feels horrible about what he's done," she replied, a deep frown etched on her face.
It was my turn to snort.
"He does, Jasper – I assure you. He hasn't been himself lately – always so stressed, but he won't talk about it – not even to me...not to anyone. I'm so worried about him," she said, bowing her head this time in despair. Her shoulders began to shake violently as she completely broke down before my eyes once again. Fuck!
Bella knelt down next to her and wrapped a comforting arm around her, while I sat there in front of them frozen. Esme melted into her and Bella fully embraced her, shushing her cries and sobs against her. I'd never seen Esme take comfort from anyone besides Carlisle. Not like this, anyway. She was always so strong – but right now, she just looked so fragile, so broken. And it wasn't just me that had broken her. She was broken before any of this even happened – how did I not see this sooner? Oh right, I was dealing with Alice.
Carlisle...what the fuck is up with him? Does he not realize he's hurting his mate now with his behavior? I wonder how he would feel if he knew my mate had to comfort his because he's being an ass...
"I know what you are thinking, Jasper – please don't tell him about this. I don't want him more upset than he already is, please," Esme begged, gently pulling herself from Bella's embrace to face me fully.
"Esme..."
"Garrett is trying to talk to him now but, maybe you could talk to him as well?" she asked me, looking so very hopeful. Why the fuck would I talk to him? He kicked me out. I'm pretty damn sure he doesn't want to talk to me. About anything.
"I'm sorry, but I think that would be a very bad idea," I told her firmly, standing up and walking over to Bella; I pulled her up and held her close to me. Her scent filtered into my lungs and her touch traveled through me, she was like a drug – a very addictive drug. I needed her like I needed blood, like I needed...actually, I didn't need anything else...except sex. Yes, sex would sure be fucking nice. My cock pulled his 'blanket' up over his head.
"If you change your mind..." Esme trailed off, still looking hopeful.
"I can't...I'm sorry," I told her, not really feeling sorry at all. Carlisle could go fuck himself. In truth, I felt compelled to help them both; if only because of the woman now standing before me. I would consider it – I just didn't let her know that. I didn't want to get her hopes up. Besides, maybe Garrett would find out what his fucking problem is and then my assistance wouldn't be needed after all.
She sighed heavily but nodded in understanding. "Well, since you won't come home – I'm going to run to town for supplies and I'll be back shortly."
"Be back? Supplies?" I questioned in confusion.
"To build your tree house," she stated, as if it was obvious. "No way are any of you living in...," she stopped to stare once again at the thing Peter and Emmett built. "In that. So tell them to tear it down – dear lord, please tell them to tear it down – and I'll build you a proper tree house," she said with a nod before taking off back towards the house.
She didn't even wait for our response – I guess she wasn't taking no for an answer. I wasn't sure how I felt about her helping us with our accommodations, but then I glanced at the-little-tree-house-of-horror once again and decided I'd just keep my mouth shut and let her help this time. My cock peeked out from under his 'blanket' at that, apparently he felt I didn't keep my mouth shut near enough. Dick. I was doing the best I could to get us what we both want so badly...it's not my fucking fault!
He clearly disagreed as he began tearing off scraps of his position list to use as tissues for his non-existent tears. Spare me the fucking dramatics. He scowled and curled up further under his position-list-blanket and onto his pillow-book, pieces of 'tissue' littered around him – I had to wonder how we got to this point of frustration and depression. It all seems like just a day ago that we had a naked, pink, wet pussy grinding against us in a tree – fuck, those were the good old days.
The others arrived back a few minutes later, the scent of sex oozing heavily off of them. They at least had the decency to look a bit sheepish about it. They knew I was frustrated. I think it was pretty damn obvious at this point. I pulled a hand roughly through my hair in an attempt to stop myself from kicking the shit out of Emmett and Peter. I didn't want to feel their emotions of contentment and sexual satisfaction. I wanted to feel my own, damn it.
Bella curled into my side and placed a kiss to my ear... yup, still worth it.
Peter and Emmett began to pick up the supplies laying around on the ground and I stopped them, letting them in on Esme's plan to help. They weren't pleased to say the least, but Rose and Char hugged me gratefully at that bit of news. They were also glad to hear that Esme apologized. Rose thought Carlisle had been acting strangely as well; more so recently.
I couldn't believe I hadn't seen the signs myself. If I'm honest, I guess I just didn't look – or care...well, that's not true. I do care, apparently. Perhaps I was being a little too self-involved and not paying attention to what was happening right in front of me – I had become complacent living the human facade.
Peter and Emmett were pouting – hugely – while dismantling their creation; I swear you could hear the wood groaning in pain as they did so, but I was chalking that up to my own imagination. Their mates tried to cheer them up but all they received were grunts and nods every so often. Fucking cry babies. They just got laid, they had no right to fucking pout. One might say that I was pouting by thinking that way...but I dare the person to say that out loud, to my face... Yeah, I didn't think so.
Sexy Vampire,
I'm falling in love
So just bite me baby
And drink all my blood
Oh yeah
Sexy Vampire,
I'm falling in love with you
'Cause you need my plasma more than I do...
What the fuck is that?
Five pairs of vampire eyes snapped to Peter's phone in his holder at his waist. He sheepishly took it out and then huffed when we all continued to stare at him in shock. "What? Now I can't have ring tones either?" he asked incredulously. I tried to imagine the Volturi hearing his ring tone - something tells me Aro would not be amused. Unfucking believable.
He looked down at the id and then hit three different buttons on the keypad to finally answer the call...
"Peter's anonymous advice hot-line, this is Peter. Before we begin, what's you first and last name?...
"Peter, it's Jacob, I.. ," Jacob's voice began to rush out impatiently.
"And your last name?" Peter interjected calmly, ignoring Jacob's tone.
"It's Jacob, Peter!" Jacob panted into the phone.
"Yes, well, if your last name is also Jacob then I'm afraid we can't help you here at the anonymous advice line. You'll need to call 1-900-555-MENU for the 'Kill me now' line, dedicated to helping people with humiliating names instead. If you are simply refusing to tell me your last name, then I will need to refer you to the non-anonymous advice hot-line, where you will need to provide your social security number instead," Peter replied calmly, showing no hint of any recognition that he knew it was indeed Jacob. It was rather fucking amusing, I had to admit.
"For Christ's sake, it's Jacob Black!" Jacob gritted out. You could literally hear him grinding his canines in frustration. Peter has that effect on people.
"Ohhh! Jacob! Well, why didn't you just say it was you?" Peter asked, a devilish smirk crossing his face. He really does love to fuck with people.
"Oh my fucking god," Jacob mumbled to himself, though we heard it clear as day. "I did," he said louder into the phone.
"You did now," Peter stated innocently. "So, how can I help you? Because remember what I told you, Jacob...you have to use lotion when you are doing it so many times to avoid the chaffing..."
"Dude," Jacob groaned in embarrassment. "That's not why I'm calling this time...listen, something has happened," Jacob said, sounding slightly out of breath. I thought werewolves were in shape – apparently not. I'm not sure I even want to know why he is out of breath – especially if he had to talk about chaffing and lotion with Peter. It just better not have anything to do with images of my mate again. I tried hard not to growl at the thought.
"Really? So the lotion helped then?" Peter asked, arching an eyebrow at my growl. Yeah, I couldn't fucking help it.
"Would you fucking listen to me! It has nothing to do with that! And it's bad, Peter, really bad," Jacob growled, finally losing his patience. I had to give him credit, he lasted a hell of a lot longer than I would have.
"What's wrong?" Peter asked, truly curious now.
"Jasper's girlfriend killed someone..."
"For the last time, she's not my fucking girlfriend!" I growled loudly, causing Bella to flinch and tense defensively. I shook my head at my stupidity and tightened my hold on her, rubbing soothing circles on her hips with my thumbs and sending her some calm – silently apologizing for scaring her.
"Okay, then the fucking redhead who you don't know, killed someone – Mike Newton to be exact! Jasper, she tore out his throat and left him in front of your house like some twisted offering."
"Mike Newton...isn't that the boy who took Bella's truck?" I asked Rose. See? I could remember names when it counted – okay, sometimes anyway.
"Yeah, that's him," she replied nodding.
"Jacob, was Bella's scent detectable on Mike at all or at his home?" I asked, hoping I was wrong, but knowing I probably wasn't.
"Yes, her human scent was at his house. It wasn't strong but we could vaguely smell it, like she had been near there at some point," he answered. "Why? And what do you mean he took Bella's truck?"
"He stole Bella's truck the day she was bit by that nomad I killed. Rose and Emmett found it at his house where he was hiding it, hoping to play the hero and bring it back to her," I informed him.
"Jasper, man...I hate to ask again cause I know you are going to be all kinds of pissed at me but...she certainly sounds like a jealous ex...are you sure you don't know her?" he asked seriously. Even Jacob caught on to the fact that she must have tracked Bella's scent to Mike. She would have to be very good at tracking to do so...gifted. There's no other way she could have found that tiny lingering bit of Bella's scent from her truck otherwise.
Bella growled at Jacob's insinuation.
"I'm sure," I growled myself. "But you are right – the fact that she killed the boy who had Bella's truck and the fact that she was at the house and had my shirt, can't be coincidence. She's hunting," I stated in resignation. Peter and Char shot me worried looks before turning their worried gaze over to Bella. Yes, they knew exactly what I meant. We'd seen it before. Mike's death wasn't necessary, she would have known Bella wasn't there just from the scents left over near the Cullen house. She knew Bella was no longer human from that alone. No, Mike's death had a very different purpose – it was her way of challenging us. I was just grateful she didn't follow Bella's scent to Chief Swan. I'm not sure Bella could handle losing her father right now, she's just finally come around to accepting everything.
"Hunting? What...like for more blood?" Jacob asked naively.
"No, Jacob...she's hunting for vengeance," I informed him, and the others who weren't in the know about these types of situations.
"Vengeance for what?" Jacob and Bella asked at the same time.
"Darlin', imagine if someone were to hurt me...imagine how you would feel if that happ-..." I didn't get to finish, she had lowered into a crouch in front of me while eyeing each one of the others hostilely. Logically, she knew they were no threat to me, yet she still took on a hostile stance with the mere thought of someone harming me. This was bad – very fucking bad.
I haven't told her about Maria yet...what will she do when she finds out? Fuck! My eyes darted to Peter and his widened in response to the look on my face – it said it all. For the first time in my existence, I was scared. Scared that my mate would try to track down Maria once she found out what she had done to me. It was never a problem with Alice, which should have been a large hint as to our mating status...I just assumed it would be the same with Bella. Garrett's not the only one learning not to assume today.
"Major, could we speak to you in private for a minute?" Peter asked, motioning to himself and Char – who also wore a similar wide-eyed look.
"Sure," I mumbled. Bella growled at Peter and Char and wouldn't let them anywhere near me.
"Baby, it's okay. It was just hypothetical, remember? No one is going to hurt me," I assured her, gently pulling her away from them and to my side. It was more for their protection than anything else.
"No one hurt you?" she demanded, searching my body and face for any signs of recent harm. Her eyes lingered on a few of my bigger scars and I knew...it was only a matter of time before she asked about them – I could see her eyes narrow slightly as she studied them further, trying to determine what could have caused some of the ones that clearly weren't bite marks.
"No, Bella, no one hurt me," I lied to her, tacking on the 'recently' in my head to make me feel better about doing so.
She nodded and looked a bit sheepish once she snapped out of her protective instinct. "Sorry," she murmured, glancing over at Peter and Char apologetically.
"It's okay, B...I understand," Char assured her sweetly.
"The redhead...she was with James? That's what you mean, right?" Bella asked me.
"Yes, his mate."
"And she's coming after you, for killing him? For saving me?" she pressed on, her growl hanging on her lips.
I didn't want to tell her that it wasn't just me she would be after. She would go after Bella first and foremost before she came for me. In fact it could be years before she went for me - she would ultimately want me to suffer the loss of my mate, the same way that she had. Not that she would succeed with any of it - but she would try.
I nodded wordlessly instead.
"Well she won't succeed, I can guarantee that," Bella growled, venom coating her luscious lips. She looked so fucking hot that I temporarily forgot what I was scared about. Temporarily.
Peter motioned into the distance with a slight tilt of his head, an action that did not go unnoticed by Bella.
"Jasper, is everything okay?" Bella asked, looking between the three of us suspiciously. Jacob was still on the line with Peter, but he remained silent except for his heavy exhalations into the receiver. No doubt listening to our exchange attentively.
"I just need to discuss something with them for a minute, darlin', everything is fine – we'll be right back, okay?" I told her, placing a kiss to the top of her head and taking a deep breath of her scent to calm me.
She stared at me, before moving her critical gaze to Peter and Char. Her eyes flickered over them as she took in the anxiety in their stances. I felt like we were undergoing a lie detector. Thank god I can't sweat.
Bella snapped her eyes back to mine and leaned up to kiss me briefly before nodding and walking over to stand with Rose and Emmett. "Hurry back," she said, her eyes and emotions giving me not one hint as to what she was thinking.
Peter, Char and I took off – going just far enough away to be out of hearing range before stopping.
"What is it, Major? I've never seen you look that way before," Peter asked immediately, his normal calm and carefree demeanor completely gone.
"Maria," I growled out. "I haven't even told her about Maria yet."
Char gasped and Peter swore under his breath. "Who's Maria?" Jacob asked through the phone.
No one said a word.
"Hello? Who's Maria, Jasper?"
Silence...
"Peter?"
Silence...
"Okay, what the fuck is going on and who the hell is Maria?" Jacob growled.
"She's a sadistic bitch, that's who the hell she is," Char finally answered, her gaze never leaving mine.
"O-kay...vampire, I take it?" Jacob persisted. For fuck's sake, would he just shut up? My life is about to shatter because it isn't just death that brings about the need for vengeance in a vampire when one's mate is hurt. Emmett never needed revenge against Royce, the man who ended Rose's human life - Rose took care of that well before Emmett came around. Esme's husband...well let's just say his death was suspicious, though Carlisle has never confirmed nor denied that he had any involvment with what happened. Peter...
"Char, you didn't go after Maria and Peter's your mate...maybe Bella won't..."
"It's not the same," she interrupted. "I was there with him – it's just not the same. Bella will see it differently. She'll want - need - vengeance for what was done to you," she said sadly, her eyes glazing with venom as she looked at me. NO! No, no, no!
"Peter?" I addressed him, hoping he would argue against her point. Please...
"She's right, it's not the same - we went through it together and, to an extent, I was able to protect Char from Maria's more sadistic tortures and protect her when we went in battle which soothed my need for vengeance somewhat. That's not to say, I haven't fucking craved a chance to rip that bitch's head off and dance around her pyre for what she did to my mate - but I've pushed that need back as best I can over the years, for Char's sake. As she has for mine.
"We'll just have to contain her, Major...for as long as necessary. You know I'll help you, we all will," Peter replied. He was trying to sound like he believed that was possible. That we would be able to contain a vengeful Bella – but his emotions gave him away. He was feeling the same as Char – he was pratically mourning my mate... I hated him in that moment.
If it was just Bella against Maria, I'm not sure what the fucking outcome would be. Maria is a seasoned fighter – one of the best out there and she has centuries of experience behind her. However, Bella is unlike anything I've seen before in combat. I believe it would be an even fight – would be, but then, Maria never does anything alone. No, it wouldn't be even...because Maria doesn't get her fucking hands dirty – ever. It would be her fucking army against my mate.
An anguished roar filled the air and it took me a moment to realize it was from me. No way in hell would I let Maria or one of her minions kill my mate – no way in fucking hell! I did not physically survive her evil just to end up having her take my soul. No, I wouldn't fucking let it happen.
"Someone tell me what is going on, right now!" Jacob demanded.
Peter cocked an eyebrow at me. "Keep watch over Bella's father, Jacob - put the pack on high alert; she'll hurt more of Bella's acquaintances if she gets even a hint of her scent on or around them. You call Peter the very moment she leaves the area," I ordered.
"Not if we catch and kill her first," Jacob growled. "But what about this Maria? Is she a threat to Bella too?
"I'm all for that, Jacob - it would save me the fucking hassle. Now go do your job and let me worry about the rest," I said quickly before signaling Peter to end the call. I wasn't going into my history with the mutt.
Peter hung up on him before he could respond.
It appears I would need to talk to Carlisle after all. James' mate will be headed here soon enough - I wasn't counting on the wolves for anything - and we need to be prepared for when she arrives. I won't let her touch a hair on Bella's head, no matter the cost. Once she's taken care of, then we'll find a way to tell Bella about Maria – there has to be a way.
"I need to go to the house and talk to Carlisle," I said, ignoring their looks of pity.
"Major..."
"Don't," I growled, my lips pulling away from my teeth. I didn't want their pity - I wanted the Peter and Char who survived with me. The ones who never gave up.
Peter nodded his head in understanding, but I caught the look he shared with Char.
"I need to get back to my mate," I stated. "Not a word about Maria to her or around her, am I understood?"
"Of course, Major," Peter agreed immediately.
Char said nothing.
Peter glanced over to his mate and groaned. "Char, stay out of it, please?" he whispered to her frantically. She shook her head and stared me down.
"Char?" I demanded, my voice only accentuating the silence surrounding us. The forest was still – as if waiting on baited breath for the air to fill with our heated words.
"I would never do anything to endanger Bella, she's family and I care for her, but...you are going to tell her, right, Jasper?" she asked, an edge to her voice – it was full of accusations. "Because you wouldn't foolishly try to keep such a huge part of who you are from your mate, right?"
"If it will keep her safe then..."
"Then what? You'll lie to her? For how long? Are you insane, Jasper?" she spewed, pacing back and forth in front of Peter as he watched our interaction warily.
"What am I supposed to do, Char? I can't let this happen – so no, I won't tell her if we can't find a way around this," I told her. I had no problems with lying to Bella if it meant she would be safe, safe with me.
"You've been hanging around Alice and Edward far too much," she sneered, stopping in her tracks to glare at me.
"What exactly do you mean by that?" I growled taking a step toward her, not liking her tone one fucking bit.
"I mean you sound just like them...manipulative, condescending...controlling," she blurted out angrily.
"I just want her safe! For fuck's sake, I'm not trying to control her – I don't think I could even if I wanted to anyway," I yelled back at her, really trying to remember that this was Char - and I didn't want to hurt her.
"No, you couldn't. That's the thing – she was meant for you. She's strong, smart...you won't fool her, Jasper – and you're an idiot if you even try. You are going to make this so much worse – please listen to me, you have to tell her."
"Not now, not until I have some reassurance that I won't lose her," I stated firmly.
We stood there staring each other down silently, the fast thumping heartbeat of a large buck the only sound nearby.
That is until a familiar voice joined in...
"What's going on?" Bella asked softly.
Three vampires jumped in surprise, a sight that would have been comical if it weren't for the tension still hanging thickly in the air. How the fuck did she sneak up on us?
As if she knew what we were all thinking she explained, "I came in from the east, downwind. I alternated between the ground and the trees so you wouldn't hear steady footfalls approaching, and once I got closer I stayed in step with the heartbeat of the large buck that is half a mile south of here. Though I admit that I considered detouring and making him a meal at one point, and if he was human - I don't think I'd have been able to resist."
Jesus. We all gaped at her in pure fucking awe.
"Now tell me why you are keeping secrets from me?" she demanded. Shit. Shit. Shit.
"We're not..."
"Cut the bullshit, Jasper...I knew when you were lying about a way for vampires to die before Alice even opened her bitchy mouth and I know you are lying to me now – so you can stop, you aren't fooling me," she growled angrily.
Char shot me a smug look. Fuck! I was cornered and I would have to tell her the truth – but I couldn't tell her the truth.
"You want the truth, Bella?" I asked, completely rhetorically.
She gave me a look that made me cringe. Right, when the hell did I become afraid of my mate?
"The truth is, I can't tell you yet. I know how that sounds and you are just going to have to trust me on this. I can't tell you and I can't explain further," I told her, being as truthful as I could be with her. It was asking a lot, and I wasn't sure if she was there yet. Trust was something earned, and let's be honest, I've fucked up with her from the start - I wouldn't blame her if she didn't trust me now. I just didn't know what to do if she didn't.
"But you will tell me soon?" she questioned without skipping a beat.
"Yes, I promise that I will tell you, darlin'," I vowed.
"Okay, then – I trust you," Bella stated simply before turning around to leave.
"Wait, where are you going?" I stopped her.
"You didn't sound like you were done talking...staring, whatever the fuck you all were doing. So I was going to head back – are you done?"
I looked to Peter and Char and they both nodded. There really wasn't more we could do other than try to come up with a plan to stop her from taking off when I did tell her.
"We're done here, let's head back, baby," I said, stepping towards her and embracing her hand with mine. I brought it up to my lips and kissed it, my tongue darting out to taste her skin briefly. My cock twitched, causing the 'tissues' to flutter around him like confetti, only he didn't win anything and he was glaring at me. I was seriously considering some anger management counseling for him as well.
We ran quickly back to our waterfall, hand in hand. Peter and Char followed silently behind us – though I could tell they were brainstorming, as was I.
Upon arrival, I found Esme had returned with loads of supplies. There was enough wood to build an entire fucking mansion and I had no fucking clue how she managed to get it out all here so fast - nor did I ask. Emmett and Rose were helping Esme move things around, but nothing had been built yet.
"We need to go to the house, I need to talk to Carlisle," I informed Esme.
"Really, Jasper?" Esme asked excitedly, clearly getting the wrong idea.
"It's not about that, Esme. We have a bit of a situation and I need to inform him about it, so we are all prepared," I told her curtly.
"Oh. Are you okay, Jasper? Can I do anything?" Esme asked, ignoring my tone and looking up at me with sincere concern.
"I'm fine and I'm not sure yet," I replied, less curtly. I was trying.
"It's too bad Alice is gone, she should be helping you to make up for what she did," Esme mumbled to herself as she bent down to pick up a two-by-four. What the fuck?
"What was that? Alice is gone?" I demanded, grabbing her arm and causing her to drop the wood with a thunk.
"Uh, yeah, she left the day she talked to you – she was pretty upset when she returned and a little while later she said she needed some distance. Edward had a fit and was going to track you down, but Carlisle stopped him before he could. He told Edward that we had done enough damage and we should leave you be. Carlisle also encouraged Alice to leave, come to think of it," she replied, her brows furrowing in confusion as she thought about her mate's most recent actions.
"Where did Alice go, did she say?" I pushed for information, ignoring the million other questions running through my mind at the moment. Like, why the fuck would Carlisle stop Edward, the golden boy? Why would he encourage Alice, his pride and joy, to leave?
"I don't know – she just said she'd call and not to worry, that everything would work out and that she had a plan..."
I didn't need to hear anymore and with Bella's hand still locked with mine, I took off pulling her along with me.
I think it's time Carlisle gave me some fucking answers.
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AN:
I agree, Jasper! Oh, and while you are at it, find out where Alice went, would ya?...Any guesses on what is going on with Carlisle?
So, do you think Jasper was too harsh with Esme or not harsh enough? I will say that it was difficult for me to write that part. Honestly, with everything going on with my own Mom, I just wanted to have them to hug and make up right away - luckily, I resisted that urge. Please don't hate me for making Jasper cry (sort of), he needed to see that he was in denial - and boy, was he in denial. So if his sometimes confusing thoughts read like he was trying to convince himself he didn't care - then I succeeded.
***Peter's ring tone: Oh Oh Oh Sexy Vampire by Fright Rangers. You have to check out the link in my profile - there is definitely lots of sexy vampire in it. It's to die for. hehe There is also a link to a pic of Emmett and Peter's creation which I won't comment on.***
Please leave me some love, like, or hate (if you must) and let me know what you thought. Have a Happy Thanksgiving everyone! ;) Btw, one of the things I'm thankful for is... you!
On a side note that nobody will probably read because I won't shut up: I don't have a beta and I was wondering if you guys think that I should get one? I'm very hesitant to get one because I'm a very picky person. My husband says I'm OCD - whatever. What do you think? Is it bad? Should I seek professional help? =P