Chapter Ninety Five

The Major

Before leaving I had taken the sim card out of the cell phone and thrown it out the window, let them track that down! As Bella slept and I drove north I tried to think of my new life, a new life with my mate, a life as Jasper Whitlock not The Major, if we survived the Volturi that was.

The only person who knew of the cabin was Peter and I could trust him not to betray me, he might feel inclined if Charlotte was threatened but then I knew the Cullens and they wouldn't allow anything to happen to her. Charlie wasn't a threat being a human and Bella's father although he wouldn't be my greatest fan! Darius of course wouldn't go against Carlisle Cullen's wishes so my biggest worry was the Volturi.

Demetri would find me eventually but who would the Volturi find to face me? The guard were tough, they had to be, but only Alec or Jane could possibly stand a chance against me and I had a secret weapon against their gifts. One I had guarded jealously over the decades. I could send Jane's pain back at her, have the little bitch writhing on the ground and Alec's gift took time to build up, time in which I could send him enough lethargy that he wouldn't be able to work his black magic.

Even Felix couldn't stand against me but they wouldn't stop trying and if they sent enough I would be overwhelmed eventually so it meant keeping one step ahead of them for as long as possible. For now the cabin held the best chance of some respite and possibly a safe place to change Bella, after all now we were mated I had no choice but to change her.

She began to stir and finally sat up much to my regret, I had enjoyed the closeness, the first time I had been close to a human woman, or any woman come to that, in years. I found her nearness gave me a sense of peace and a respite from what I knew was to come.

"Are we getting close?"

I smiled and stroked her cheek,

"Not too far, are you hungry?"

"I am but I don't want to slow us down. I really need a comfort break."

I cursed inwardly, why hadn't I thought of that, of course she did.

"I'll pull in at the next truck stop, you can get something to eat too."

"What about you? Surely you must need to hunt?"

I have to say she rather threw me with the natural way she spoke about my needing to feed considering my diet. I think she must have seen the consternation in my face because she smiled at me and squeezed my hand.

"I know what you are Jasper, I know what you are and you live on. I can't expect you to change everything."

"Maybe I'll hunt while you eat but I won't talk about it Bella, it just doesn't seem right."

For the first time I felt ashamed of my diet and vowed to do something about it. Perhaps this Cullen could help me, if that is he didn't help Bella's father try to kill me. Could I defend myself when it meant killing her father? Now that was a question I couldn't answer, all I could do was pray that it didn't come to that.

I dropped Bella off at the truck stop with enough money to buy whatever she needed and arranged to pick her up again in an hour. That should give me time to quench the raging thirst in my throat. A thirst that hadn't been helped by the scent of Bella's blood, after all we hadn't any facilities to wash after our passionate encounter and making love to a virgin always involved a certain amount of blood being spilled.

I drove a few miles further then stopped outside a bar just off the highway and waited for someone to come out. It didn't take long, an elderly man with a beer gut staggered out and fumbled in his pocket for his keys as he approached a huge old truck with hunting lights on a bar across the top. I was on him in seconds and drained him in a few more but it was all I could do to force the blood down.

Knowing I would be going back to Bella, would be kissing her lips with mine that were stained with human blood. This was going to be a real problem until Bella was turned. Deciding I had to do something I went inside the bar and bought a beer using it to swill my mouth out as I left and spitting most of the disgusting tasting liquid out on the parking lot. It wasn't perfect but it was better than the alternative.

Bella

I felt his absence as soon as he drove out of sight but decided the best thing I could do was to get something to eat, buy some sodas and snacks for later and hopefully grab a quick wash in the rest room. I was aware I smelled of Jasper and I knew I was bloody but there had been nothing I could do about it at the cellar. I went into the small store first and bought some wipes, soap and a new tee shirt although John Deere wasn't my first choice of slogans.

It was better than my own which was torn and looking the worse for wear. Then I went into the diner ordered a burger and fries and a large coffee and went quickly into the rest room to freshen up. I was sore but at least I was able to clean myself up with the wipes then washed my face and hands and looked in the mirror. I didn't look any different, or did I?

There was a light in my eyes that hadn't been there before and I knew it was the result of my bonding with Jasper. I wondered where he was and if he had found something to quench his thirst. I knew what he was doing but I couldn't find it in my heart to condemn him for it. As I ate I kept looking out the window and was relieved when I saw him pull in just as I finished.

I paid up quickly and ran back to him smiling as he held his arms open for me. We kissed and he wrapped those strong arms around me,

"I missed you darlin'."

"I missed you too but did you..."

He nodded stopping my words with a finger,

"Please, I don't want to talk about it."

I nodded my understanding although he had no need to be embarrassed and we climbed back into the truck and headed off once more.

"Do you think we're being followed?"

"I think it's possible, especially as Darius is involved, he's good, very good."

"I'm not so worried about Darius if he's with my dad, I'm more worried about the Volturi."

"I know your father and the Cullens won't hurt you Bella but they might try to take you from me and I don't think I can allow that, not now."

"Don't worry I won't let them take me from you."

"Actually Bella I'm more worried about your father trying to kill me. After all I forced him to kill you."

She looked at me in horror,

"But you saved me, that makes a difference."

"Not necessarily, especially as I left your father believing you were dead and I'd disposed of your body. Besides which I tortured him."

"But you aren't that person any longer Jasper, you've changed."

He turned to me stroking my cheek again with the back of his hand,

"I know you believe that and I really hope you are right but I will not allow him to hurt you or me. I will defend myself Bella, I'm not about to allow anyone to attack me, not even your father."