– Jasper's POV –
Bella drank two more bags of blood before insistin' Pete should drink the third. That certainly isn't newborn behavior! Though she wasn't wrong. After his, uh, injury he needed the blood to help replenish the venom he'd lost and help him heal.
She offered me a blood bag, too, but I declined. I've spent the last four days feastin' on her Nectar, I was feelin' a little sloshy.
Once they'd both had enough blood, we sat down at the dinner table to enjoy the meal we'd cooked together.
"Fuck me," Pete groaned, takin' another bite. "Oh, fuck me." His shoulders slumped. He was lettin' off waves of happiness, contentment, and satisfaction. "Oh, fuck. How the hell have we lived without food, Major?"
"I have no idea!" I mumbled between bites.
We ate quietly, all of us enjoying the delicious food.
When our plates were empty and our bellies full, I looked over at Pete. "What did The Fates tell you earlier?" I wondered. "Was that about Bella's feeding habits or was there more?"
"There was more. They just suggested waitin' until Cupcake was fed before we talk about the other stuff."
"What other stuff?" Bella wondered, taking a sip of her wine.
"When they spoke, it was like everythin' opened to me! Everythin' I'd missed during our sex-a-thon."
I sighed. "Look, I said I was sorry . . ."
He reached across the table and squeezed my hand. "I know, Major. It ain't yer fault. The Fates knew somethin' like that would happen, they just chose not to warn me."
"What did they tell you?" I asked, wantin' to know what the fuck was goin' on. "Is it the shifters? Charlie?"
"Not yet," he shook his head, "they ain't gonna be a problem until after the New Year. A few things hafta happen before we can deal with those fuckers."
"Like what?" Bella wondered.
Pete grinned. "You, my little Goddess, are vastly more powerful than we realized. The gifts you possess come from two different sources. The Fates don't know much about the power you've inherited from yer mother. But they were able to tell me yer powers will only be unbound when yer fully mated with all of yer mates."
"But you don't know what those powers are?" I asked.
"Not entirely. As we've already discovered, Bella can read relationship bonds and see someone's true intentions toward her. If, like with me, the light surroundin' them is bright white, their intentions are pure. The darker the color the more corrupt and dangerous they are to you."
"That's what we figured," Bella agreed.
"Even more impressive, The Fates tell me you can augment or negate another's power." His eyes shifted to me. "That's how you were able to project lusty vibes seven miles to the cottage! Bella was unconsciously enhancin' yer power!"
So, she can make someone more powerful by enhancing their gift. Or do the complete opposite and turn their gift off! That could come in useful! I can certainly see how a gift like that could be utilized in battle, especially if we're going up against a powerful adversary like Incubus Charlie!
"As we've already seen, there's a sexual component to yer Nectar. Somethin' in the Nectar makes those who drink from ya horny as hell," Pete chuckled.
Makes sense, Bella thought. If vamps are horny and happy, they're not starting wars, killing innocents, or plotting to take over the world.
Is that yer plan, Kitten? The Major wondered. To keep the vampire world fuckin' on an endless loop?
She shook her head. No. There's more to life than just sex and pleasure. A happy, healthy vampire needs to be fulfilled and satisfied in all parts of their life. But there will be a lot of sex.
"Is it Bella they have to fuck?"
"Not unless she wants that and is willin'. But they'll likely try as she's already beneath them and half-naked, which is why one of her mates should always be present durin' feedin' time."
We've seen how her Nectar affects others and how quickly a feedin' can turn sexual. The situation could easily become dangerous if Bella doesn't want to share her body with whoever is feedin' from her. Edward is the perfect example. When he first fed from her, he lost all control of himself. Not that he had much control, to begin with!
"I don't think that'll be a problem," Bella said lightly. "I was human when Edward drank from me. He was out of his mind with bloodlust and his inner beast had taken control. It was a unique situation."
"Kitten . . ."
She held up her hand, stoppin' whatever The Major was about to say. "Please remember, I'm no longer a weak human. I'm stronger now I've transitioned. And I don't think we'll run into a problem like Edward again, especially once you begin my training and I'm capable of protecting myself. However," she squeezed Peter's hand when he went to speak, "I do not wish to be left alone with anyone or allow anyone to drink from me without, at least, one of you present. I would prefer both of you but I understand that may not always be possible."
"So, yer okay with us bein' with ya?"
She sighed. "We talked about this before I turned, Major. I don't feel right about sharing my Nectar or my body without at least one of you present. In a sexual situation, I believe it should be both of you. But I'll settle for just one of you when I share my Nectar."
I can live with that.
Me, too. The Major agreed.
Bella turned to look at Pete. "How was I able to give you two the ability to eat human food?"
"No idea. The Fates don't know. They're aware of what's happenin' and what's comin', but," he grinned, "Momma Earth is above their paygrade, so to speak. They ain't privy to all she's done or what she's plannin'."
"They theorize," he continued, "yer infusing life back into us. Givin' us back what was lost when we transitioned into vampires. Neither you nor Momma Earth, can cure vampirism and make us all mortal again; that ain't possible. But ya can change aspects of what we are. Like givin' us the ability to eat."
Bella nodded her head. After a moment she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. I couldn't hear her mother talkin' to her, but I knew she was, I could almost feel Bella's mind processin' the information.
"It's more than that," she said softly. "Mother has given me the power to alter vampirism. Essentially allowing vampires to blend into the human world and co-exist in ways not even the Cullens have been able to achieve. As you said, Peter, I can't cure vampirism—that's not possible—but I can alter your species. I'm not sure the extent of that power but Mother says in time I could . . . wow . . . I—I could . . ." she trailed off, her eyes opening in shock.
"Could what, Darlin'?" I wondered.
She looked back at me. "Mother says I'll be able to alter your bloodlust. I might, in time, be able to eradicate the burn in your throat and lessen your hunger."
"You can take away our bloodlust?" Pete questioned. "But, how is that possible? We're vampires, we need to feed."
"No, not take away," Bella said clearly, "you're vampires, you need blood to survive. That will never change. You could eat as much human food as you want, but blood will always be your main source of nutrition. Mother says I'll be able to lessen your bloodlust. So that the burn in the back of your throat is gone. Maybe even take away the feeding frenzy that happens the moment you get a whiff of human blood."
"Sort of like desensitizin' our instincts when we're near blood."
Shrugging, she said, "I guess. Mother says, my Nectar can, over time, massively diminish a vampire's thirst for blood, therefore, there won't be a need to continuously hunt and kill." Her eyes shifted to me. "You're the perfect example, Cowboy. You haven't left my side in thirteen days . . ."
"Longer." I realized. "I haven't hunted, at all . . . in . . ." I frowned, thinkin' back. "I went five days before you walked into my study and we left Forks. That was twenty-two days ago . . . "
Holy fuck.
"And I'm assuming that's unusual?"
"For the animal blood diet, yes." Peter nodded. "If you drink human blood you can go longer, not much longer than a month, though."
"And yet, Jasper's eyes don't have even a fleck of black in them . . ."
Holy fuck.
Peter grinned. "Because he's consumed vast quantities of yer Nectar!"
Holy shit. This was . . . fuck me . . . I knew she'd be powerful, and special, but I didn't expect this! She had the power to change the entire vampire species. To alter our thirst for blood! To change how we feed and, ultimately, to save lives!
"To create a utopia." I looked over at her, to see her dark eyes gazing back at me. "If world domination is still what we want," she shrugged, "with our combined gifts, your prowess, and tactical know-how, Pete's connection to The Fates, and my Nectar, it won't be hard. Plus, in time, I'll be able to implement other changes to make life better for vampirekind."
I agreed. It would be easy to overthrow the Volturi and take control from there. It'll be easier still if the members of the Volturi consume her Nectar and bow to us! That would give us a guard of over two hundred strong. All ready, willing, and able to protect their Goddess.
"Is this what ya want, Darlin'?" I asked, reachin' over to take her hand in mine.
She smiled. "This is what I was put on this earth to do," she said, with so much conviction in her voice. "There's an evil rising," she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "Mother can feel it coming. And so can I. Something is trying to cause chaos and darkness." Her eyes opened and she looked back at us. "I was put on this earth to stop what's coming. To alter vampirism. And to save, not only the supernatural but also the human world."
"She's right." Pete nodded. "The shifters. Charlie. Findin' Ren. Cupcake discoverin' she was born from The Earth; it ain't a coincidence that it's all happenin' now. Somethin' big is bein' put in motion and if we don't stop it now, it'll succeed and we'll all perish! And, I dunno about you, Major, but life is just gettin' good, I ain't ready to leave this world."
"Do either of you have any idea what's comin'?" I asked.
Pete shook his head. "Not even an inkling!"
"My gut is telling me Charlie—or Kallias, whatever you want to call him—has something to do with it," Bella mused. "He's either the one in charge or he's working for someone we don't know about yet. Either way, he's involved."
"What makes ya so sure, Darlin'?"
"I don't know," she shrugged. "Instinct, maybe. He knows more than he's telling the shifters. I don't think he has any intention of handing me over, as we thought. I think he's going to use me to get whatever he wants, just as he's using the shifters. But that's just speculation, I don't have any concrete proof."
Speculation or not, it was a damn good possibility. But we needed to be sure. I don't wanna take Charlie out and then realize he had partners or masters.
I looked over at Pete. "What was the second source of Bella's gifts?" I asked. "You said her gifts come from two sources. Her mother was the first but what was the second?"
"The Fates." He smiled. "When you were born," he said, lookin' to Bella, "they gifted ya a very powerful shield. Both mental and physical. And only limited by yer imagination."
At least she has somethin' to keep her safe if we're ever separated! I want to work on her shield right away, Whitlock!
Agreed.
"That's why Edward can't read my mind," Bella smiled. "My shield keeps him out of my head. But what does 'limited by my imagination' mean?"
"It means, ya can protect yerself and others against mental and physical attacks, but also use yer shields like force fields. Think of it like a protection bubble or bubble of safety," Pete grinned. "You could create a defensive sphere around whatever or whoever ya want to protect. But with yer imagination, it could go further than even that! Use yer shields as armor. Turn it into a weapon and use it to cut through yer enemy. Use it as a concussive pressure blast and incapacitate yer enemy. If ya can, crush yer enemy within' yer shield. Use it telekinetically. If ya can imagine it, the possibilities are endless."
Fuck me. That was a lot of power.
I could already see the wheels turning in Bella's head as she contemplated how she'd utilize her shields in the future.
"We need to train . . ."
"Agreed." Pete nodded. "But before we start trainin' or plannin' our next move, the Cullens need to officially join us. I suggest individual bottles of Cupcake's Nectar like we did with Char and Ren. I'll deliver 'em to the cottage and then bring the Cullens back so you two can question Alice and figure out what's goin' on with her."
I agreed.
The Cullens needed to be dealt with before anythin' else could happen. Despite what they all think, not one of them has a lot of control, and a few of 'em have already proven they have no control when it comes to the scent of my mate's Nectar. Even if she fed 'em two at a time, it could still lead to a sexual situation, like with Char and Ren, and I ain't in any rush to share her with the members of a Coven I don't trust.
I agree, Whitlock. The Major stated. Better to have them fed before they meet with our mate. Fuck, it could result in an orgy! And we don't have time to keep stoppin' to fuck and feed! Save that fun fer when we've got a big enough army to protect our Goddess!
Standin' from her seat, she offered me her hand. "C'mon you two, I'll pump while we finish this conversation. It's not a long-term solution, though. Eventually, they'll need to drink more and it'll be easier and quicker to have them drink directly from me.
With a grin, I scooped my mate up and carried her into the living room. Sitting on the sofa, I placed her in my lap and claimed her lips in a heated, passionate kiss.
For the next hour, as Pete and I fed our Goddess strawberries and assorted fruits, she pumped her golden Nectar into glass milk bottles.
The bottles weren't big, maybe four ounces each. But it would be enough to keep the vampires under control fer our initial meetin'.
When it became too much fer Pete—watchin' her pump her Nectar, seein' it fill the glass jars, his cock standin' at attention—Bella pushed his head between her legs.
"Pleasure me, Peter," she moaned. "And don't stop until I tell you."
He didn't hesitate.
Now I'd have to scent and mark her again. Though, from the look on her face when she reached out to me, she knew exactly what she was doin' and what we'd be doin' when I get her alone.
"Little minx," I purred, capturin' her lips in a searin' kiss.
Her hand wrapped around my cock, but I wasn't in the mood to be jerked off. I broke our kiss and gently pushed her head towards my achin' erection. "Suck me, mate," I smirked. "And don't stop until I tell ya, little Goddess."
She smiled and took my length into her warm mouth.
Fuck. If we keep this up, we'll never get anythin' done!
– XOXO –
While Bella was distracted in the haze of our love-makin', Pete slipped out to deliver the bottles of Nectar to the cottage. At least, I thought she was distracted. Turns out, despite keepin' her attention on me—and makin' me believe she hadn't noticed Pete's absence—she had. As soon as he returned a vicious snarl left her lips and she turned her black eye on him.
He looked a little frazzled. His eyes were black with arousal, the bulge evident in his jeans. His shirt was torn and his hair mused. As Bella rode me, her fingers ripped through his jeans, sendin' scraps of material flyin' across the room.
"Mine!' She snarled.
"All yers Cupcake," he purred, brushin' his fingers through her hair.
"Then why do you smell like her?" She spat viciously.
That was a damn good question. Why the fuck did he come back to us smellin' like Alice? I can't imagine Pete would do anythin' to jeopardize his relationship with Bella. He's not that kinda man. And he certainly wouldn't do anythin' stupid after the way she reacted to his previous misstep.
That, however, didn't mean Alice wouldn't do somethin'.
"Cuz you and The Major are fuckin' like bunnies and projectin' again. I had to take the bottles of yer Nectar to the cottage. When I got there everyone was in a state of frenzy, fuckin' each other. As soon as that damn midge saw me, she jumped me. I pushed her off, told her no, and got my sparkly ass outta there as quickly as my legs could carry me! This," he indicated to his aroused manhood, "is all because of you two. Nobody else."
He was tellin' the truth. There wasn't an ounce of dishonesty in him. There was, however, a lot of fear aimed at his new relationship with Bella. Perhaps he was worried she'd reject him? But deeper than his fear was a whole heap of revulsion and horror. I wasn't sure what that was about, and I wasn't gonna ask him right now while my lovely mate is ridin' my cock and growlin' at Pete.
Without a word, Bella took hold of Peter's dick and brought him into her hot little mouth, makin' him moan. Fer a moment, I honestly thought she was gonna bite his dick off! But, thankfully, she didn't.
As she sucked him, she rode me and I fed from her lovely breasts, enjoyin' the taste of her arousal in her Nectar. It was fuckin' bliss!
As much as Pete wanted to—as much as he begged—Bella seemed to have no interest in taking their sexual relationship further than oral right now. I felt for him, I did, really . . . even as I was buried deep inside of my mate's heat . . . I could feel how much he wanted to thrust into her warmth. He ached for it. And I can't deny every time he made her orgasm and she called out my name, I felt a little thrill of excitement go through me.
That's wrong, isn't it?
By the time we were all sated, Bella's belly was grumblin' once again. A quick look at the clock told me it had been almost six hours since she'd last eaten. After what we'd been doin', I wasn't surprised she was hungry again!
"Cowboy," she purred in my ear, "as much as I love this, I need to eat before the Cullens come to visit."
I need to make a better effort to take care of her needs. She's lost a lot of Nectar in the last five days. I'm not surprised she's so weak.
More like fourteen days, Whitlock! The Major growled. We were feedin' from her durin' her transformation, too. And I agree, ya do need to be takin' better care of her!
Hearin' him, Bella cuddled closer to me and breathed his name. "Major . . ."
Soon, my little Kitten. I'll be with ya soon. Fer now, let Jasper take care of ya.
"All right, my love. What can I get for you?" I brushed my lips across hers one last time before slowly easin' myself outta her hot, tremblin' body. I'm pretty sure I heard Pete whimper as our little Goddess lay on the floor, her legs spread, her lovely body on display, her sweet, beautiful pussy open and wet . . .
Fuck. I'm gettin' hard again . . .
As soon as we were separated, I felt the need to be buried inside of her once again, but I resisted that urge. My mate was hungry and I needed to care fer her!
"Could you hand me my kimono, please? I think it'll be easier on you two if I remain clothed . . ."
"Good idea," I said, handin' her the white silk kimono as Peter inched closer to her, black eyes locked on her bare pussy. "Peter," I growled.
With a growl of his own, he looked up at me. "Our mate is hungry. Her needs come first. Always."
Another growl came from him.
Crossin' my arm over my chest, I looked back at him, starin' him down. I could feel The Major, lingerin' at the periphery of my mind, edgin' closer as I held Pete's gaze, a low rumblin' warnin' growl in my throat.
Peter was the first to break.
Without a word, he got to his feet and offered Bella his hand, helpin' her up and then dressin' her in the kimono while I watched over them.
The whole thing—as short as it was—had me wonderin' how multiple males were gonna mate with the same female. Was The Major right and there'd need to be a hierarchy? Or would we bond as brothers and unite as her mates, comin' together to love and protect her? Even if we did come together, would there still need to be a hierarchy?
It was instinct fer me to take control. That's who I've always been. It's who I'll always be. But Pete is an Alpha in his own right. And I imagine Bella's other mates will be, too.
Maybe I'm overthinkin' it.
Maybe the answer will be obvious when we find out who her other mates are.
Maybe it'll be easier and less complicated once she and Pete are fully mated and she's been marked and claimed by him and The Captain.
I could feel Bella's desire to ask what the hell had just happened between me and Pete, but she remained quiet and calm as I offered her my arm and led her into the kitchen.
This time, Bella taught us to make spicy roasted chickpea avocado toast. She found chili paste in the pantry and arugula in the fridge.
I enjoy cookin' with her and learnin' how to make her favourite dishes. I watched as she cut the avocado and then mashed it in a bowl, addin' salt, pepper, and a splash of lemon juice. I toasted the bread while Pete got the chickpeas out of the oven when they were cooked. It was simple, quick, and tasted delicious. A little on the spicy side, but I found I didn't mind the heat.
"Tell me about these bonds yer formin' with those who drink from ya, Darlin'," I asked as we ate, gettin' Pete's attention, too.
She paused and looked up at me. Swallowin' what she'd just put in her mouth, she took a sip of her water. "It's a submissive and loyalty bond," She answered. "Anyone who drinks my Nectar becomes completely loyal to me and by extension, you and, I would assume, my other mates. But the nature and intensity of the bond seem to depend on the person."
I nodded.
"I won't know the extent of those bonds until I can see the others. I need to be able to read them. I think," she frowned, lookin' out the window, in the direction of the cottage where our guests were. "I think I might have a variation of your gift . . ."
"Oh?"
"I can feel the emotions of all those who've tasted my Nectar," she told me. "Perhaps it's like an extension of the bond I'm forming with them. For example, I can feel that Carlisle, Emmett, Esme, and Rosalie have just consumed my Nectar. But Alice hasn't."
"She's refusin'?"
"I guess." She shrugged. "I can't feel her at all, which means she hasn't drunk my Nectar. She has to be willing. That's important. I can't force anyone to drink from me. It must be their choice."
That made sense. Peace had to be a choice. We couldn't force it. Though, it didn't mean we had to give all the information. There were always loopholes and ways around free will. My guess is, it's easier to refuse Bella's Nectar when it's outside her body. But when she comes face to face with someone—so far anyway—nobody has been able to deny her. Likely, Alice will be the same. She has very little self-control; I doubt she'll last long once she's in Bella's presence.
"Edward's controlled, but he'll need to feed from me soon," she told me. "I think being around the Cullens is affecting him. He's struggling with something. I'm not sure what or why. He's . . . huh, he's feeling guilty . . ." she looked back at me. "Why would he be feeling guilty?"
I shrugged. "With Edward, it could be anythin', Darlin'. He may be over a century old but deep down, he's still an angst-ridden, hormonal teenage boy."
"At least he's not the same Edward he was in Forks. Hopefully, my scent won't affect him the same way now I have Ichor running through my veins."
"The Fates say it won't," Pete assured her. "Yer scent is still gonna be potent to him, but ya ain't at risk of him killin' ya anymore."
That was good to know.
Bella nodded. "My Nectar already seems to have had a profound effect on him. Maybe now he's lost his virginity he'll loosen up a little and embrace his desires and needs."
I hoped that, too. But I wasn't gonna hold my breath. Not where Edward is concerned. I've never known anyone as stubborn as him!
It seemed like her Nectar was creatin' bonds between her and whoever drinks from her. Submissive bonds, but also loyalty bonds. It's also creatin' a link between them, similar to a Sire Bond. I wonder if it's changin' the bonds they already had?
"What else can you tell me, Darlin'?"
"Not much. My bond with Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, and Rosalie is still very weak and won't get stronger until they've had more of my Nectar," she said. "Oh, but I do know they've recently fed. On blood. Animal, not human."
"You can feel that?" Pete asked, shocked.
"Yeah," she nodded. "I can still feel their hunger, too, likely because they're not feeding from their natural food source."
That was correct. The hunger would never completely fade until they fed from human blood. Animal blood just doesn't nourish and satisfy the body like human blood.
"Char and Edward have fed, too. Human blood. Not animal. They're satisfied and there's no burn in their throats. Carlisle is upset Edward is feeding from humans, but Edward isn't paying him any attention. He's eager to come home. Happy. Excited. Oh, and aroused. Huh, and now he's back to feeling guilty . . ." she sighed and met my eyes. "He's feeling guilty because he's aroused!"
That didn't surprise me. Not with Edward's morals and beliefs. Or after the way Carlisle has treated his progeny. I've often wondered if Carlisle influenced Edward's decision to remain celibate. Was that all his own doin', or did Carlisle encourage Edward's traditional, Victoria-era morals?
"We'll talk to Ed once we've dealt with the Cullens and Alice," I promised her. "How's Ren?"
Bella laughed. "I think she's high. I'm getting a lot of euphoria from her."
Pete chuckled. "Maybe it's all the lust from the others."
Bella was more deeply connected to them than I realized. To know all of that, at such a distance. It was amazin'!
And worryin'. Will she become overwhelmed by it as more drink from her?
"Maybe that's why The Fates gifted me with a shield," she said, followin' mine and The Major's train of thought, "not just for protection but also for my sanity."
I nodded. "Once this meetin' with the Cullens is over, Pete and I will start trainin' ya and figurin' out yer gifts. You'll need to learn ways to block out the onslaught of emotions or it'll drive ya insane. Trust me," I grinned.
She nodded in agreement.
"Can you change the emotions, Cupcake?" Pete wondered.
"Uh, I don't know," she frowned. "I'm not sure," she shrugged. "I didn't think to try. I just figured I could feel them and that was it . . ."
"When yer ready, you could give it a try," Pete suggested. "I'm also wonderin' if ya can feel our emotions because we've consumed yer Nectar or if yer empathic like The Major . . ."
Bella looked at me and then back at Peter. "You think I somehow gained Jasper's gift when he turned me? Is that even possible?"
I nodded. "It's possible. Carlisle thinks we bring somethin' with us from our human lives. I was charismatic so I became empathic. Ed could easily read people so he become telepathic. Carlisle was a compassionate human, so that was enhanced when he turned."
"Sometimes that's the case, with somethin' like compassion, or Esme's ability to love endlessly," Pete told her. "But in most vamps—especially those who're gifted—the venom of yer Sire is what matters."
"The Major venom runs through yer veins, Cupcake," he continued. "It's what changed ya and brought ya into our world. It would make sense that ya inherited his gift, even if it's just part of his gift or an aspect of it. When we're turned, we take after our Sires, inheritin' all sorts of things from them, like newborn babies inherit things from their parents. It's the same fer us."
"Right now," Pete frowned, "Jasper's venom is flowin' through yer veins. In a typical newborn vampire, the venom in their veins doesn't become their own until all the blood in their body has been destroyed."
"That's why newborns are so strong," I added. "They have human blood in their veins not just in their bellies."
"But, yer a different matter, Cupcake," Pete told her. "Ya ain't a typical newborn. Yer human blood has been turned into Ichor, so I don't know when or if the venom in yer veins will ever change. It might never become completely yers and you'll always share that connection with Jasper. That could be why The Fates keep tellin' me ya need more of Jasper's venom. Maybe it's to replenish or somethin'? I ain't sure," he shrugged.
Bella nodded and then sighed. "And I suppose it's too much to ask for someone in the know—either The Fates or my mother—to just give us the answers?"
Pete and I chuckled.
"Probably," I agreed with her. "But we'll figure it out as we go. I want to start yer trainin' as soon as possible. I won't leave ya defenseless."
"You mean like teaching me how to fight and stuff?"
"That's part of it, yes."
With a nod, she said, "I'll give it a go. Not sure how good I'll be at it, but I'll do my best."
I smiled and leaned forward to kiss her softly. "That's all I ask, Darlin'."
"Once we've dealt with the Cullens and Alice, I think we need to discuss our plans for the future," she said, her eyes dartin' between us. "Perhaps even bring Char into our discussions. Ren, too, maybe. They might both be able to offer something we haven't considered and, knowing your history, I'm sure Char is an excellent fighter. She could be useful in teaching the females of our group."
I agreed.
The sooner we deal with the Cullens and Alice, the sooner we can move on to other problems.
Power and leadership in our world never interested me. Not when I was with Maria. Not afterward. I could've easily taken it back then, without much concern fer my Sire. But it ain't somethin' I yearned for like others of my kind.
Now though . . . I gotta admit, there is somethin' incredibly sexy and thrillin' about the idea of takin' control of this world. It wasn't gonna be easy, we'd likely come against some kind of resistance eventually. But with the power we have at our disposal, it wouldn't be that difficult, either.
I'm lookin' forward to seein' the Cullen's on their knees beggin' fer my mate's Nectar!
Fuck that. The Major chuckled darkly. I'm lookin' forward to seein' Aro Volturi and his brothers bowin' to our mate, beggin' to worship her . . . pleadin' fer their lives . . .
There was that to look forward to . . .
The three kings would be easy to take out. None of 'em can fight fer shit, save Caius. Marcus might have some knowledge and experience, but that man has been dead inside fer a millennium. He's just waitin' fer someone to take him out. I can't see him puttin' up a fight. Aro . . . well, there's a reason he's surrounded himself with a powerful guard. Gettin' to him will be a matter of gettin' to the guard first.
The only one that might stand a chance against me is Demetri. I have a great deal of respect for that vampire. For the better part of two thousand years, he's singlehandedly trained and led the guard. He's seen countless battles and won them all. As far as I know, there's no better tracker in the world. And the man is a vicious warrior in his own right. I've seen him take down his enemies. Unlike the three Volturi brothers, Demetri doesn't need a guard to protect him. He's one of the few vampires who might be able to give The Major a run for his money.
In the back of my head, The Major growled. If he thinks he can take us on and win, I say we let him try! The Greek Casanova might be able to take you. He might even be able to take me. I ain't entirely convinced he has it in him, though. But even if he can, we both know he won't last two minutes again The God of War. And if that fight happens, our old friend back here will use Demetri's obliterated carcass to send a message to everyone in Italy!
You better be damn sure that's what you want, Whitlock. Take Demetri out and the guard will fall to their knees. But remember, you'll be forced to take his place. And as soon as word spreads that Major Jasper Whitlock, The God of War, is the new leader of the Volturi guard, you'll have to defend yer new position at every turn. Our enemies—of which there are many—will crawl out of their hovels just to get to ya! Is that somethin' ya want?
Well, that was a surprise. Are you sayin' you don't want to fight Demetri, Major?
I swear, I could hear the evil grin in his tone. I'm sayin' it could be a better tactical move not to fight Demetri but to try and form an alliance with him. That way, he can lead the guard while we deal with the rest of the bullshit comin' our way. Plus, keepin' him around gives us a better advantage in the long run. Think of the big picture, Whitlock. Look at the experience that man has. He knows this world better than anyone. He's been policing it fer two thousand years! If there's someone we want on our side—more than anyone else—it's Demetri. If he's willin'.
I frowned. Is it possible to avoid the fight?
I dunno. It all depends on how willin' he is to work with ya versus how much power he wants. If he wants power fer himself, he'll need to be dealt with immediately. But, if he's willin' to work with us—maybe even steppin' up and takin' on a bigger role than what he's doin' now—it's the better tactical move, especially regarding his skill and knowledge.
I agreed it was the better tactical maneuver. Takin' out Demetri would mean I'd have to lead and train the guard. And that ain't a life I want to go back to. But it all came down to how willin' he'd be to work with us. I'd be open to formin' a partnership of sorts so neither of us has to submit to the other. But, again, it all depends on Demetri. If he's not open to our plans and wants to take power fer himself, it'll likely come down to a fight between us and that could be a problem. I ain't as confident as The Major seems to be.
"Why would it be a problem?" Bella asked.
I looked over at her.
"Who is this Demetri guy?" She asked. "Why would you need to fight him?" She demanded, her anger beginnin' to rise. "Why would you take his place in the guard? Why would you have to defend your position? And how exactly do you obliterate a vampire and use its carcass to send a message to all vampires in Italy?"
Oh fuck.
I keep forgettin' she can read my mind!
A/N: I kinda love this chapter. We get some answers and more questions, but we're slowly making our way to the Cullen's arrival. They'll officially join the party in chapter 28!
Let me know what you think! I love reading all your comments. You're all amazing! xoxo