A/N: I just want to say a quick thank you to everyone who's reviewed this story so far. And for all your favs and follows! You guys are awesome!

Enjoy! xoxo

– Bella's POV –

Listening to Jasper tell his story had been difficult. I wasn't afraid of him, nor did I judge him for the things he'd done to survive. I don't think I could be prouder of him. To have endured all he had, and come out the other side, with his sanity intact was commendable.

I wouldn't have been able to do it.

Compared to all he'd been through, my time with Edward seemed insignificant. Trivial. It was nothing more than a little boy playing with a mouse. While Jasper had been fighting in battles, waging war and slaughtering thousands!

It put a lot into perspective.

I don't think I've ever really suffered the way my mate has. I've never had to fight for my life, or endure torture or pain the way he has. I've never had to kill to survive. My experiences with Victoria have been minimal compared to all Jasper's been through. She rarely, if ever, gets closer than a few miles! There's never been a fight or confrontation. Every year I receive an old-fashioned greeting card from her, but that's the extent of our communication. She's waiting for something. For what, I don't know!

I've managed to live my life, as best I can, without worrying too much about her. My mate didn't have that luxury.

The difficult part came when he spoke of his Sire and all the ways she'd tortured him. I knew then I would not rest until that bitch was ash at my feet. If it took days, weeks, months, years, decades, or centuries, I will end her.

How about days? I don't have the patience to wait decades like Vicky. I want the bitch to suffer now. And I'm not opposed to a little torture.

I'm not a patient person. And we're already on our way to Mexico. What's a quick pit stop?

My mate wasn't quite as enthusiastic as me. And it seemed neither was his Coven.

Our Coven. Now we've mated, we're part of a Coven.

"Y-You want to k-kill Maria?" Alice asked, looking paler than usual.

"She hurt my mate. I won't stand for that!" I growled. "Maria's time on this earth is limited."

"Uh, Suga," Char said gently, "don't take this the wrong way, but do you even know how to fight?"

I looked over at her and frowned.

We are mated to The God of War. Do they think us weak?

Probably not. They just don't know us yet.

"Yes, I know how to fight," I assured her, well, all of them actually. "As I don't have a defensive gift to lean on, my mentor suggested learning how to defend myself. He taught me how to fight in various vampiric styles, and I've also learned several forms of martial arts. I'm also proficient in weaponry."

"Weapons?" Alice frowned. "Against a vampire?"

"Mm." I nodded. "Most vampires don't realize various specialized weapons can be used against us. We're taught the only thing that can kill us is fire and the only thing strong enough to tear us apart is another vampire. While that is true, there are other species in the world, such as shifters, who can kill vampires. Crushed shifter bone, fangs, and claws, make excellent weapons. Their hair can be made into jewelry that's useful in evading certain gifts like yours, Alice."

Alice looked horrified. But the others all seemed curious and, in Jasper's case, proud.

"Who's your mentor?" Peter wondered.

"His name is Garrett," I told them. "Lovely man," I sighed, "We've known each other for years."

Not to mention he's gorgeous, adventurous, sexy, fun, and he's great in bed!

A low growl rumbled through Jasper's chest as he pulled me closer to him and gently nipped at my throat. "Mine." He whispered in my ear.

Smiling, I turned into him. "Garrett's mated now. To a woman named Kate."

Also great in bed.

Very true. Though all the succubi sisters are excellent lovers, I think Kate is my favourite. The things she can do with her tongue . . .

Jasper was nodding. "We know Garrett. If there's anyone I'd trust to teach you to fight—besides myself, Pete, or Char—it would be Garrett. He's an excellent warrior."

"The Cullens consider the Denali Coven to be their cousins," Alice added. "Though we haven't seen a lot of Kate since she and Garrett mated. When we do see them," she sighed, "Rose and Esme have been badgering them to get married in some lavish ceremony."

I frowned. "Kate and Garrett are already married."

"They are?" Alice's eyes widened in surprise.

I nodded. "They got married in Vegas about thirty years ago. I was there. With Tanya, Irina, Carmen, and Eleazar." I told them with a shrug. "It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. We were in Vegas. We were drunk. One thing led to another," I shrugged.

Best not to mention the rest of that trip . . . I don't think our mate wants to hear the sordid details of the threesome that followed the happy couple's nuptials. . .

True. I guess that's all over now. The Major isn't the type to share.

Are you?

You know I am. I've shared many partners over the years.

No. That's not what I meant. Okay, let's put it another way. Are you willing to share Jasper with another female?

A growl rumbled through me. "Never." I hissed.

Then why should he share you with another male?

Jasper shifted closer to me, wrapping his arm around my waist. "Darlin'?"

Okay. I see your point. Sharing is officially off the table. I guess this means we'll have to say goodbye to our subs. There won't be any more sexy-kinky time. No more BDSM clubs. No meetups. No playrooms. No pets. No friends with benefits. No random sex with humans. No late-night booty calls. No sex while feeding. Just boring vanilla, missionary sex.

Oh. Dear. God! What have we done?

We mated.

To a former Cullen.

The sex was good. Okay, better than good. It was the best sex of my life so far. But that was the mating bond finalizing. Emotions were running rampant. I was so aroused there was a river between my legs! Our bond was forming. My body was reacting to my mate, calling to him because we were separated. It won't be like that the next time.

And who's to say, Jasper Whitlock, formally known as Jasper Hale, is into anything remotely fun in the bedroom?

We didn't even get to the bedroom! He took us on the foyer floor for all the neighbors to hear.

Well, actually, I kinda enjoyed that part. But I don't mind having sex in public or being watched or overheard.

I'm a kinky kinda gal.

Teeth gently nipped my earlobe. "Come back to me, mate," he whispered. I turned in his direction, enjoying the feel of his mouth on my skin. "Where did you go?" He wondered, brushing his lips across my temple.

"I was just thinking about this mating business and everything that's going to change now," I told him.

I couldn't lie to him. Mates don't lie. It's impossible. I tried it earlier, wanting to test it out. But the only thing that came out of my mouth was the truth. At least I know he'll never be able to lie to me. Not directly, anyway. I'm sure there are ways around it, I just haven't figured them out yet.

My eyes shifted to my father who was suddenly very interested in the ceiling. I suppose, if the situation were reversed, I wouldn't want the details of his relationship with Alice, either.

"We can discuss this later," I told Jasper. "When we're alone. It's not important now."

I turned to Peter. "Where's Freddy?" I asked. "Jasper said you and Char intercepted him before he could interrupt our initial meeting."

Pete grinned. "Great guy! Stinks to the high heavens, though!"

I nodded. "That's his gift. Repulsive magnetism. He makes others feel physically repulsed by him and unable to think of him for a time."

Pete nodded. "He was kinda bummed you're now mated, but he said to call when things settle and he'd love to stay friends."

A low growl began to rumble in the back of Jasper's throat.

Peter held his hands up in surrender. "Just friends, Major. He seemed like a good kid and understands she's off the market now. Plus, we told him a little about yer reputation; he ain't stupid enough to go against ya."

Men. Inside me huffed.

I leaned into Jasper, pressing a kiss to his jaw. "Feddy's my oldest friend," I told him. "He's a good guy. He knows better than to come between a mated couple."

"When was he turned, Suga?" Char asked.

"Around 2006," I answered. "A few months after me. But I didn't meet him until 2017."

Jasper nodded and then quickly changed the subject, asking, "I need to know who yer protectin' the Cullens from, Darlin'."

Might as well get it over with. He needs to know. He's in danger now, too.

"Victoria," I answered.

A snarl came from my mate as he lunged off the couch and began to pace.

Pete and Char were looking confused so I explained about the baseball game, running from James, and the ballet studio.

"James and Victoria were mated." I finished. "She wants revenge for his death. That's why Laurent was in Forks. She sent him to check up on the Coven and see if they were still protecting me, then report back to her. But I stumbled upon him while he was hungry and well," I sighed, "we all know how that ended."

With us in a pine box!

"I'm guessing it was the shifters who intervened and killed him but I'm still not sure how I ended up six feet under. I wasn't dead. I was in transition. How could they not know that? How did all of you miss it? I was transitioning into a vampire, still very much alive, and you were all burying me!"

Yeah. I was a little pissed about it.

Trust me, waking up after the transition in a box, six feet beneath the earth, is not a pleasant experience.

Sensing my emotions, Jasper stopped his pacing and came to sit beside me again, wrapping his arm around my waist to offer comfort and support. I leaned into him, enjoying the feel of his body against my own.

"Let me tell you, no newborn wants to wake up beneath the earth! Trapped in a fuckin' box! Can you imagine, just try, to imagine what it sounds like down there, to a newborn, who's not used to enhanced hearing!"

Jasper's arms tightened. "I know, baby." He whispered, brushing his lips across my temple.

There was more to that, but I was too worked up to ask him right now.

The rest of them were all staring at me in shock.

"I saw your body, kiddo," Charlie said softly. "I had to identify you. Your mother was a wreck. She couldn't handle it. I must've stared at you for half an hour. You were definitely dead!"

Alice nodded. "Carlisle checked, too. Your death was suspicious. We wanted to be sure you weren't turning. He said there wasn't a mark on you, not even a bitemark and you had no pulse." She looked up at Jasper. "Would he have lied to protect Edward?"

Jasper shook his head. "I would've felt it."

"Oh, for crying out loud." I sighed. "People, use your brains! Carlisle must've lied. If I was killed by a bear, wouldn't there have been marks? Bitemarks? Lacerations? Cuts? Bruises? Broken bones? Parts of me missing!"

I'm starting to wonder how these vampires made it this far. Do any of them use their brains? Or is it just an extension of their heads?

They all stared at me, again, in shock.

I sighed again. "Okay. Tell me this, did you know how I was killed before Carlisle checked up on me?" I asked.

"Yes." Alice nodded. "He had to wait until the funeral home was empty, sneak in, and then check on you."

"So, he knew before he saw my body, that I'd supposedly been attacked by a bear, much like Emmett when Rosalie found him," I said slowly.

"You think Carlisle knew you were in transition and still let us bury you?" Dad asked.

"How could he not?" I asked. "He knows what a bear attack looks like. He's a doctor! Plus, he would've seen Emmett's injuries. But my skin was flawless. Why? Because I wasn't attacked by a bear. I was in transition!"

"The son of a bitch knew!" Charlie roared. "That bastard knew my daughter was in transition and he left her there!"

"Maybe," Jasper said, shocking me.

"What do you mean, maybe?" I growled, turning to face my mate.

"I agree, Darlin', it's suspicious. Carlisle should've known you weren't attacked by an animal just by yer appearance. But maybe he didn't want to question it or maybe he spoke with the shifters and they told him the truth about what happened. Until we ask him, we ain't gonna know for sure. There could be a logical reason for all of this."

I hate when he gets all logical on us.

I'll concede, Carlisle could've been told the truth and didn't want to upset the family or, more likely, Edward.

"Okay, Mr. Smarty Pants," I smiled, "how do you explain my heartbeat?" I asked. "I assume, a doctor as well trained and educated as Carlisle would know how to check for a pulse. If he'd done that, he would've known I was alive, not dead!"

"Not if you didn't have a pulse." Peter grinned.

"Come again?"

"I think yer a shield, Suga Bean," Peter told us. "And while you were in transition it activated and tricked everyone into thinkin' you were dead!"

I frowned and shook my head. "But I'm not a shield, Peter. Eleazar says my gift is Form Manipulation. I'm able to manipulate my body to change my traits, attributes, appearance, abilities, and even my species. Reverting from vampire to human or I could be both, a hybrid vampire-human. I don't have a shield. I'm not even sure what that is really."

I'd already explained my gift to them, at least partly, but they all still looked confused. Even Charlie was scratching his head, trying to make sense of it.

"Tell me again what you can do, Suga." Char requested. "I'm not sure I understand how it works."

"Right now, I'm able to alter my form in three ways," I explained. "I can be a full vampire, with all the vampiric traits. Everything you guys can do, I can, too." I told them. "I can revert to my human form. Or I can be a combination of the two; a hybrid vampire-human. Recently, I've learned how to alter just one aspect of my body while in another form, like my eyes."

To show them, I changed my eyes from brown to the natural red of a vampire.

"That's amazing!" Dad cheered. "You can blend in wherever you go!"

I nodded.

"Like a chameleon," Peter whispered, his eyes wide.

"Can you change other things?" Alice wonder. "Like, make yourself have blue eyes instead of brown?"

"Eleazar doesn't think I'll ever be powerful enough to change to that extent. And, admittedly, I don't spend a lot of time practicing. He said it probably wasn't worth the time and effort." I shrugged.

"He said that?" Pete questioned. "That you shouldn't practice?"

I nodded.

It's always seemed odd to me. He was so certain, so convincing . . . but then, I kinda . . . forgot about it . . .

"Is it possible she has two gifts?" Char wondered, looking toward Peter and Jasper who were staring at each other, looking a little worried.

"It's unusual . . ." Jasper said, turning back to the conversation. "I've never heard of a vampire having more than one power."

"What if it's all connected to her shield?" Peter suggested. "The same gift just applied in different ways. It would explain how she was able to fool a vampire into believing she was dead."

"That means," Char frowned, "while in transition, her shield would've been powerful enough to hide her heartbeat, the sound of venom moving through her veins, her temperature, the sound of her lungs expanding, as well as hiding all the physical changes happening to her."

Dad looked at me then. "Did you feel any pain when you were transitioning, Bells?"

"At first," I nodded, "but then it was like taking a long nap."

And then waking up in a coffin.

"Charlie's change was the same way." Alice smiled. "He felt nothing due to his shield protecting him!"

I shook my head. "I don't think it can be just one power. If it was just a shield when I revert to my hybrid or human form, would I be able to eat and digest human food?"

They all stared at me with wide eyes.

"You eat?"

"Human food?"

"And it's not disgusting?"

I shrugged. "Only in my hybrid or human forms," I explained. "In my vampire form food is as disgusting to me as it is to you guys."

"If she's able to manipulate her physiology . . ." Jasper frowned, "is a shield capable of that?"

"Can we see, Suga Bean?" Peter enquired.

I took a deep breath and reverted to my hybrid form. My body warmed. My skin darkened just a little. There was a flush to my cheeks. My heart began to beat. My lungs expanded.

"Hybrid," I told them.

Then I changed to my original, human form. My heartbeat slowed significantly. My eyes reverted to their deep, chocolate brown. And, of course, I lost all that supernatural beauty. I was just a normal, regular human.

"Human."

"In your human form, are you vulnerable to attack?" Peter asked. "Your temperature has risen. I can see the flush to your cheeks, so is there blood in your veins? And if so, what happens to it when you revert to your vampire form? And do you have venom?"

I smiled. "In my human form, as far as I know, I'm as vulnerable as a regular human. My strengths, weaknesses, etc. are all on par with a normal, average eighteen-year-old girl," I told them. "My temperature is higher and my heart beats faster in my hybrid form than in human form. And no matter the form I take, I have blood and venom in my veins."

Their eyes all widened in shock. Again.

"It's hard to explain." I sighed. "I think, no matter the form I take, my blood and venom flow side by side. But as a human, the blood works harder and the venom takes a backseat, so to speak. As a vampire, it's the opposite. But in my hybrid form, the blood and venom work parallel to one another, in sync to maintain both sides of my form. I'm sure there's some fancy scientific explanation for it, but I'm no scientist."

"Maybe it isn't science," Char grinned, "maybe it's just magic."

"You think Bella's a witch?" Alice asked.

"No. But, think about it, we're supernatural creatures capable of amazing acts!" Char explained. "My mate just knows shit! We don't know how or why; the information just pops into his head. Think of all the vampire gifts you've seen, all those with something a little extra, maybe there's no explanation for it, it's just part of the magic that created vampires."

To me, it made sense to take out the science and call it what it likely is, magic. After all, we're vampires. As far as I'm aware, nobody knows how our species came about, when, why, or what made us this way. Why couldn't it be magic?

"Even so, it could be dangerous," Peter worried.

"My mate ain't dangerous, Pete," Jasper growled.

Well, that's debatable . . .

"I don't mean yer mate, Major," he shook his head. "I mean her gift could be dangerous to herself. How long can you maintain your human form?"

"I don't know." I shrugged. "I've never needed to utilize that form. I prefer to live in the middle or as a vampire, rather than revert to human form."

"Ah. I see what yer sayin'," Jasper nodded in agreement.

"Well, I don't!" I huffed.

"Unless it is necessary, Suga Bean, I would suggest not pushin' it," Pete advised. "If there's venom in your system, who knows what'll happen if you remain human for too long."

Oh. I see. The venom could become an issue. That was a good point. One I'd never even thought of.

I'm surprised Eleazar didn't consider the implications!

"C-could you have children?" Alice asked, looking . . . what was that? Not hopeful she was . . .

Worried. Concerned.

"I don't know," I answered. "I don't have a menstrual cycle in any form. But it has been suggested that if I remained in my human form, I might begin to have a menstrual cycle again and would be able to conceive. But I've never put it to the test."

"Did Eleazar suggest you could have a menstrual cycle if you remained human, Darlin'?" Jasper asked.

"No. It was Carmen and Tanya. Eleazar was pissed they'd suggested it at all. He insisted it was far too dangerous to attempt such a thing."

Peter was nodding. "In this case, I agree." His eyes darted from me to Jasper and back to me. "Who knows what'll happen to your body if you remain human indefinitely? With venom in your system, it could take a serious toll on your human body or worse, kill you!"

I'd considered that, too. Even if I am a supernatural being, I don't know the extent of my human form or what might happen to me if I remain that way for an extended time. I've never felt the need to put my human form to the test.

"Plus, Suga, your scent is exquisite." Char purred, inching closer to me. "That alone could be dangerous. You'd have to remain completely isolated while your body readjusted and then during the length of your pregnancy. And who's to say it would be a normal human pregnancy? Neither you or Jasper is human. You'd need round-the-clock care with a doctor of Carlisle's caliber and control because anyone other than your mate will likely lose control if they're exposed to your lovely scent for too long."

Everyone's eyes began to darken as my scent filled the room. Jasper growled, preparing to defend his now human mate. Quickly, I reverted to my vampire form before things could get out of hand. As soon as I did, my scent changed, and everyone relaxed.

"Oh, wow. I forgot how good you smell," Alice whispered, shaking her head.

"That was stronger," Jasper shifted closer to me. He leaned into my side, burying his nose in my hair. He was the only one not a danger to me. Even my own father looked ready to lunge.

Jasper's our mate. He'll never be able to hurt us. No matter our form or how good we smell.

I guess my human scent is more potent now than it was when I was human. Either that or Edward downplayed the intensity of my scent.

A lot.

"Maybe it is two gifts." Peter ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know enough about shields. Maybe it's possible a shield can alter her body the way Bella can, but, as I said, I don't know. There is someone we could talk to, but there's always a risk."

"What kind of risk?" I asked as Jasper nodded in agreement, apparently already knowing.

"The more people that know about you, the bigger the target on your back," Peter answered. "Power, in our world, ain't always a good thing, Suga Bean."

"Especially if someone like Maria were to find out about yer gifts, Darlin'," Jasper added. "A warlord would stop at nothin' to get ya."

Pete nodded. "With trainin', imagine what she could be capable of, the kinda spy she could make."

A low hiss came from my mate.

"If Maria gets wind of this, you know she'll come. She won't be able to resist havin' The Major and his mate under her thumb."

"So, here's a thought, how about we don't do that?" I suggested.

"Don't you wanna know, Suga?" Char wondered.

"Not really." I shrugged. "I've remained under the radar for this long. I can do what I can do. It's not dangerous. I'm not a threat to anyone. I'm not on a quest for power. I see no reason we need to go looking for answers we might not even find. Why take the risk?"

"She has a point," Charlie agreed. "Why go looking for more trouble when we've got enough on our doorstep already?"

All eyes turned to Jasper. As the Alpha of our Coven, he had the final word. But for some reason, he was hesitating.

He took my hand in his. "I need to know, Darlin', do you want children?"

What is it with these vampires wanting kids? No thank you! I am a vampire. I'm not a baby-making machine!

Maybe Jasper wants to have children. If he does, I'd have to at least consider it.

We would?

Of, course we would! I wouldn't deny him something he might want!

"Do you?" I wondered.

"Once upon a time, it was my dream to be a father," he told me. "But then I became a vampire and that dream vanished."

"Now it's a possibility . . ."

He shook his head. "I don't think it is, Darlin'," he said softly. "From everything we know, it sounds like too much of a risk to your body and health. I will not risk your life that way, Isabella. Not if there's a chance you could be harmed, or worse killed!"

"This world, our world," he continued, "is no place to raise a child. We're vampires. No matter how you look at it, we're killers. I don't believe we're supposed to be parents. I say we leave procreation to the humans."

I leaned forward and kissed him. "I agree." I smiled. "I believe we should let humans be humans. We're vampires. And as you said, our world is far too dangerous for a child."

"But is it somethin' you want?" He pushed.

"No," I said, unequivocally. "I spent my whole human life taking care of my mother. I decided, long ago, children weren't for me. No matter my species."

Jasper nodded, looking relieved by my words. "In that case, I agree. Unless we have a good reason, we can hold off researching Bella's gift. But I do agree with Peter," he turned to me, "whether it's one gift or two, you are a shield, Darlin', and you need to learn how to use it."

I frowned. "Wouldn't Eleazar have seen that when he read me?"

Just a thought, but has it ever occurred to you that Eleazar did see our shield and just didn't tell us?

You think he lied? But why?

I don't know. Here's another thought, what if Eleazar has already told the Volturi about our power? He is a former member. Would he have told them?

"Darlin'?" Jasper worried. "Your fear and anger just soared . . ."

"Is it possible Eleazar has already told the Volturi about me?" I asked. "And that he lied about seeing my shield so I wouldn't know?"

A snarl left Jasper's lip. "Pete!"

Peter remained calm, despite Jasper's fury. "As far as I know, Eleazar hasn't mentioned you to anyone in the Volturi. But he did lie to you, Suga. You have far more power than he ever told ya. With practice, you'll not only be able to change yer form but yer appearance, too. And I imagine, it ain't gonna take ya long to learn to harness this gift. Yer imagination is the limit where this gift is concerned!"

All this time, I've been wearing wigs and makeup and I could've just changed my appearance!

"As fer your shield," Pete sighed, "Eleazar knew what kinda power you'd have the moment ya met! Yer shield is fuckin' powerful, Bella. Both mental and physical. And the things you can do will be fuckin' epic."

His dark eyes shifted to Charlie then. "He lied to you, too, Charlie." He sighed. "Eleazar told you your shield was weak, it ain't. You can do far more than just protect your mate. Like Bella, you'll be both a mental and physical shield. With training, my guess is, both you and Bella will be formidable on the battlefield!"

So, the bastard lied to us!

Not just us, he lied to Charlie, too. He purposefully left us vulnerable. But why?

Does it matter?

Yes and no. I'd like to think he didn't do this just for the hell of it. He must have a reason!

Doesn't matter. No matter his excuses and reasons, nothing justifies leaving us weak and vulnerable! At any moment we could've been attacked! What if we'd been unable to defend ourselves?

Okay. I see your point.

There's something else I've been thinking about. The Denali Coven know our story. They know Charlie Swan is our father. They know we lost him. They know the guilt we went through. So, why did none of them ever tell us he's alive?

A snarl ripped through me. "Son of a bitch!"

"Who, kiddo?"

"The whole lot of them!" I growled.

"Lot of who?" Char frowned. "Who're we talking about, Suga?"

"The Denali Coven." I clarified for them. "They knew. About you. My story. Alice said they were cousins of the Cullen Coven. You guys must've seen them in the last eighty-five years, yes?"

"Of course." Alice nodded.

"Then why did none of them tell me my dad is alive?" I hissed.

Alice opened her mouth, frowned, and then closed it again. Dad did the same.

"Somethin' feels hinky, Major," Peter hissed. "I dunno what it is but Suga Bean makes a damn good point. Why didn't anyone tell her Charlie was alive? Why keep them apart all this time? Why lie about their gifts? For fuck sake, if it wasn't for Garrett training her, she would've been left completely defenseless!"

Unlike the rest of the Coven who were all furious, Jasper was eerily calm. It was a little unnerving. And kinda sexy.

Well, then, that confirms that.

Confirms what? Uh-oh. What are you planning? I know that look, Isabella.

Four things: 1) We have a shield, how powerful that shield is, is yet to be seen. 2) We never trust anyone but Jasper ever again. 3) Every vampire seems to be out for themselves. Something I feel I should've learned long before now! And 4) Eleazar Denali has just been added to my shit list and will soon find himself in a world of trouble.

Perhaps he should have a chat with Eddie and find out what happens to little boys who piss me off!

So, Bella's pissed. Not that I blame her! I wonder what Eleazar's up to?

Next chapter we'll get into the Victoria situation a little more. And spend a little one-on-one time with Bella and Jasper! Big things are coming! xoxo