A/N: This one is long. Really long. It got away from me a bit.

I am going to touch on Jasper's human past in this one so keep that in mind. There are mentions of abuse and rape. But no details.

Also, please keep in mind I'm British. I'm not very good at American history but I have done some research so hopefully, this sounds realistic for the time.

– Bella's POV –

"Uh, Cupcake, we're about to have a situation here . . ."

I frowned and looked over at Peter, then over at Char who seemed to be struggling. She was shaking. It was subtle, barely noticeable, but there. Her black eyes were locked on me and as I turned to face her, they darted down to my breasts.

Ah. I understood.

"It's okay," I assured her, my voice sounding softer than I'd ever heard. Almost hypnotic. "Please don't hold back. I can feel how much you want this. Holding back will only make it worse. And believe me, we don't need another repeat of Edward."

I looked back at my mate, waiting for his approval.

It's all right, my beautiful mate. This needs ta happen. We'll talk about our plans fer world domination later.His deep voice purred through my mind. "Let's make ya more comfortable."

As Peter darted out of the room, Jasper lifted me off his lap and led me to the sofa where Charlotte and Renee sat together. The two women parted as I joined them. As soon as my ass was on the sofa, a low growl reverberated through Renee . . . or maybe it was Charlotte, I'm not sure. Either way, someone growled.

Before Renee—who was licking her lips and practically salivating—could pounce on my breasts, Peter returned and shoved a mug full of Nectar under her nose. At the same time, my kimono was torn from my body and Char's lips descended upon my breasts.

Renee whimpered as she drank from her mug, but she remained still and didn't attempt to join Char, though it didn't look easy for her. Her glowing eyes remained locked on my exposed breast, which I quickly covered.

Unlike Peter and Edward, I didn't feel a sexual pull toward Renee. I could feel her link with Charlie crumbling as my bond with her formed and strengthened. But it wasn't sexual. I had no desire to be fucked by her or assert my dominance sexually.

She was mine. There was no denying that. This gorgeous woman beside me belonged to me. Any thoughts of her being my mother were eradicated from my mind as she drank my Nectar. This was not Renee, my mother. She was no longer the woman who'd raised me and tried her best to love and care for me. This was Ren the succubus. In my mind, and as I looked over at her, she was an entirely different creature.

I had a feeling that, if I ever did allow her to drink directly from me, it would be like a mother nursing her child. That's how I felt toward Ren. It's the way I've always felt towards her, really. Even as I was growing up, I had to be the caretaker in the relationship while she got to be the carefree child. Now, that bond was accentuated. Ren is a young succubus—just a baby succubus, really—and I was suddenly feeling very maternal towards her.

It's not at all what I was expecting but it did feel right. At least for us.

Despite Ren not drinking directly from me, our bond snapped into place, faster than ever before. It was a little startling. Like letting go of an elastic band and it catches your finger. It stings and surprises you.

Growls and purrs were coming from the two women. Charlotte stroked my inner thigh, her fingers inching closer and closer toward my center while Ren stroked Charlotte's hair and caressed every scar she could.

Despite not feeling a sexual pull toward Ren, I did feel that pull toward Charlotte. I wanted to rub myself all over her and make sure everyone knew she was now mine.

While they drank, I leaned back on the couch, resting my head on the cushion. Standing behind the couch, Jasper bent forward and brushed his lips across mine.

It didn't take Charlotte long to have her fill of my Nectar. Not nearly as long as Peter or Edward. I wondered if that was because she'd already tasted my Nectar and didn't need as much.

When she was finished, she lifted her head from my breasts. Her eyes were black with lust as they met Ren's glowing orbs. In an instant, the two women came together in a clash of growls, teeth, and tongues.

A loud snarl came from behind me as Jasper quickly lifted me off the couch and out from beneath the two women.

It was a little disorientating to be moved so quickly and I swayed in Jasper's arms. Luckily, he still had hold of me and I didn't topple to the floor as the room spun.

"Sorry, Darlin'." He brushed his lips across my forehead. "I weren't expectin' them to mate so savagely."

A loud snarl came from Ren as Charlotte's jeans were torn from her body. In the next second, Ren had her spread eagle on the sofa, her head between Charlotte's legs. Charlotte threw her head back and moaned. Her fingers grabbed hold of Ren's hair, keeping her face buried between Charlotte's legs.

"Oh, fuck . . ." Charlotte moaned and then gasped at something Ren did. I couldn't see. Whatever it was, it had Charlotte's eyes rolling into the back of her head.

I wanted to give them some privacy, but I also wanted coffee and breakfast. My stomach was rumbling and I felt a little drained after feeding the two women. It was unfortunate that the room was so open. Wherever we went in this section of the house, Charlotte and Ren were visible.

"Next time, I think we should do this in a more private setting. Somewhere away from the coffee."

Jasper chuckled and took my hand in his, leading me out of the room with Peter trailing behind us. "I figured Char and Ren might react differently to ya, but I weren't expectin' that."

"Cupcake's relationship with Ren won't ever be sexual," Pete said, taking my free hand in his. He lifted it to his lips, pressing a tender kiss to the back of my hand. "Happy birthday, Sweet Pea."

I smiled. "Thank you, handsome."

We turned a corner and, to my great surprise, there was another kitchen. And it was gorgeous! Bigger than the one we'd just left. A real gourmet kitchen with beautiful cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and a massive kitchen island that looked perfect for rolling pastry.

As soon as we entered, I could smell the freshly brewed coffee. Ignoring everything else, I went straight to the pot and poured myself a cup.

Hmm. I wonder; when I go through, whatever transformation is coming, will I have to give up food and coffee? I can't imagine it. Never eating. Or enjoying a hot cup of coffee.

As the question lingered in my mind, I somehow just knew that I'd always be able to eat. Food would always play a big role in my life. Coffee, too.

Huh. I wonder how I knew that?

"Feel better, Darlin'?" Jasper asked, wrapping his arms around my waist as he leaned forward to kiss my throat.

"Mm. This is excellent coffee." I took another sip, ignoring the scolding heat.

"Thank you."

I looked up from my cup to see Edward exiting what looked to be a butler's pantry wearing a white apron with a bright pink floral design. It was short, and frilly, with a pink sash. Matching oven mitts were sticking out of the pocket.

He wasn't wearing a shirt, and his legs were bare, making me wonder if he was wearing shorts. Or . . .

Oh, yep.

He's naked.

As he turned around to grab something from the counter behind him, I saw . . . everything! Yup. Edward Cullen was cooking in a pink frilly apron and nothing else!

"Nice apron, Ed," Jasper commented pouring himself a cup of coffee as I added a dash of sugar and almond milk to mine. Jasper preferred his coffee black. No sugar. No milk. Just strong and black.

Is it weird that I find that sexy?

"Thank you." Edward smiled, not seeming at all bothered by his attire. "It's all Charlotte could offer me. She insisted I needed to cook covered up."

"Ed's embracing his inner nudist," Peter commented.

"Seriously?" I asked, shocked. I never would have pegged Mr. Uptight as a nudist.

"Yes, my Goddess," he breathed. "You've helped me tear off the shackles and embrace my true inner self."

"And your true inner self is a nudist?"

He turned to face me and dropped to his knees as Jasper wrapped an arm around my waist. "My true inner self is a man who wishes to bow to his Goddess and submit his life and body for her and her True Mate." He bowed his head, closed his eyes, and let out a deep sigh as he relaxed. "I am yours, my Queen," he vowed. "I pledge my whole self—my body, my honor, my heart, my loyalty, my gift, my mind, my choices, my pleasure, my pain, my everything—to you and your True Mate."

Oh boy. What the fuck do I say to that?

I looked over at Jasper, unsure.

He ain't lyin', Kitten. The Major's voice rumbled through my mind. All I can feel from him is his undying devotion to ya. And by extension me.

I sighed and leaned into his embrace. My instincts were telling me this would keep happening. But, to ensure peace in the supernatural world, it was necessary. In time, as more people feed from me, Edward's behavior will become the norm!

I get the feelin' all of this is gonna get worse once you've been through whatever change is comin'.Jasper mused. Doesn't seem like we have much choice in the matter. The Fates or The Earth brought you here fer a reason we just . . .

His thoughts trailed off as his eyes shifted to a grinning Peter and then to Edward who was aroused. Again.

Seems he likes being on his knees.

"Fer fuck sake," Jasper growled. "Get off the fuckin' floor, Ed, and finish yer task. When we decide it's time to discuss yer role in our relationship, we'll let ya know. Until then, you'll speak only when spoken to." He then turned to Peter. "What the fuck do you know?"

Peter grinned and took a seat at the breakfast table. Jasper and I followed him, sitting on the opposite side, so we were facing each other. "I can tell ya, I now understand why I was given this gift. And the role it and I will play in yer future. I know, tonight yer transformation will begin after you two mate fer the first time and The Major bites ya. But," he grinned, "anythin' after that, is a complete mystery to me."

"Why?" I wondered. "Why all the secrecy? Why can't someone just tell me what the hell is going on?"

"Honestly," he sighed, "I ain't sure The Fates even know what yer becomin'! They're big on free will. They ain't ever gonna tell ya outright what ya need to do. Their job is to guide ya as best they can and let you choose which direction ya go. But, until yer changed, they're as blind as we are."

In a way, that did make me feel better.

"What happens if Jasper doesn't bite me tonight?" I wondered.

I felt bad for asking the question when Peter suddenly cringed and doubled over in pain.

Jasper snarled. "Pete!"

Peter held up his hand as he grit his teeth. "Nothin' good, Cupcake. Nothin' good," he hissed. "Shit that fuckin' hurt!"

Feeling bad, I left Jasper's side and sat in Peter's lap, enjoying the way his body curled around mine as his pain began to ebb.

"What did you see?" Jasper asked, almost reluctantly as I stroked Peter's curly blonde hair.

Peter's dark eyes moved from me to Jasper and then back to me. "The end," he spoke. "You were brought here fer a reason, Bella. There's a great evil beginning to rise," he told us. "If ya choose to ignore yer destiny the supernatural world will crumble into chaos, and thousands will die. Humans will eventually be enslaved and used as blood bags or sex slaves. The world will dissolve into an unending blackness. Death. War. Anarchy."

"Do ya know who this evil is, Pete?" Jasper growled, sitting up a little straighter. His shoulders were tense and his eyes were hard.

Peter leaned into me, burying his head in my neck. "No," he whispered. "Just that it's comin' and if we ain't ready, we'll all perish."

I think we should discuss those world domination plans, Cowboy.

We will, Darlin', Jasper thought, after you've eaten.

I nodded in agreement.

With a kiss on Peter's forehead, I moved to sit beside my mate as Edward began setting out bowls of oatmeal and a fruit platter. He refilled our coffee cups and then hurried back to the stove where he was making pancakes.

I could get used to Edward waiting on me hand and foot.

Especially if he was going to insist on being naked. It was his personality I didn't care for. Physically, and sexually, I've always been attracted to him. Edward naked was certainly a sight to behold.

And as it turns out, that boy can cook, too!

– XOXO –

After breakfast, Jasper and I got dressed and he took me on a tour of the house. Well, not house. It was more like a log cabin/luxury mansion. The place was huge! With dozens of bedrooms, two living rooms, two kitchens, and two dining rooms. It had a massive ballroom. A western-style bar. Game room. Movie theater. Performance stage for when you feel like putting on a show! A hair salon and beauty parlor. It also had two regulation bowling lanes and a basketball court! It sat on over a hundred acres of land. Had access to a massive lake for fishing and the forest for hunting. There were stables for horses as well as pastures for grazing and an old-fashioned red barn.

One of my favourite rooms, besides the library, was Jasper's art studio. The room was massive with floor-to-ceiling windows and artwork covering every square inch of wall space available. He had two desks, one that was covered in sketches he'd done over the years.

"Who's this?" I wondered, staring at one of the paintings that caught my eye. They were all so beautiful, but there was something special about this one. It wasn't anything fancy, rather simple compared to some of the more abstract pieces. It was two children. A boy, he couldn't have been more than eight or nine, and a little girl around six. They were dressed in rags, their feet bare, their dark skin dirty.

"They look so sad . . ." I whispered. It was obvious they were from the same period as Jasper which meant they were likely the children of slaves.

Jasper came up behind me, a frown upon his handsome face. "I wish I could remember," he admitted, staring at the painting. "I know I've seen them. Their faces are so clear in my memory . . . I just . . ." he shook his head, "I can't reach the memories anymore."

"You said your family had slaves, maybe these two are their children . . ."

Jasper shook his head. "Momma hired only females. Back then, slaves weren't viewed as human, and most females were forced to have children to keep the slave population from declinin'. It was economics back then; the more slaves an owner had, the wealthier he was. Therefore, he'd force his female slaves to conceive, either by him or another slave, and reap the benefits down the line by either addin' to his workforce or sellin' the child at auction."

"But your mother hired only females?"

He nodded. "Momma had the biggest heart of anyone I'd ever known," he smiled. "She was a woman beyond her time. She saw what was happenin' to these women and she wanted to help. Even if she could only do that by givin' them a safe home, wages, clean clothes, and food. It sounds wrong to say it, like I'm suga coatin' how bad it was back then, but Betsy, Annamarie, Abigail, Louise, and Ethel were," he shrugged, "family."

"When I was about fifteen or sixteen, we were on the brink of war. Times were gettin' harder. Money was tight. Most people were tryin' to ignore the changes that were bein' implemented. I remember comin' home one evening with one of my sisters, we'd been in town for something, I don't remember," he shook his head, "there was light in one of the barns and as we got closer we realized it was fire. I sent Effie to get momma and I went to get the horses outta the barn."

He took a breath and reached for my hand. Feeling that he needed the comfort, as he stared at the picture on the wall in front of us, I leaned into him, wrapping my arms around his waist.

"The fire was bad, but I managed to get the horses outta the barn. I was just leadin' one out when I spotted her." His eyes closed. "L-Louise . . ." he shook his head, "she was just twelve years old," he whispered. "Momma thought of her as one of her daughters."

I squeezed him against me, offering what little comfort I could while he reminisced.

"One of the men," he spat, "from town came to visit momma while Effie and I were out. He'd been pestering her fer a while and she finally turned down his proposal. I guess he wasn't happy about that so he decided to take out his frustration on Louise. She was beaten, raped, and then left for dead in the barn, which he set on fire to try and scare momma into accepting his marriage proposal."

"Was Louise okay?"

He shook his head. "No, Darlin'. Louise died in labor, giving birth to her rapist's child."

I turned into him, burying my face in his chest as tears filled my eyes. "She was twelve . . ."

"Didn't matter back then. Twelve or fifty, Louise wasn't seen as a person, as a woman—someone to be cherished, protected, and loved—she was nothin' to them but a slave."

"Did anything happen to the man?" I wondered though I didn't hold out much hope.

Jasper's arms wrapped around me, holding me tight against him before letting me go. "He disappeared," he said, a hard edge to his tone. "Never bothered momma again. Nor anyone else."

I looked up at him, wondering if he'd done something. Or perhaps one of his uncles, or someone in town.

"Did you—"

He pressed a soft kiss to my lips. "Shall we continue with the tour?" He asked, taking my hand in his. "There will be plenty of time for you to look through my artwork later."

I nodded, sensing he wasn't going to elaborate right now. Maybe not ever.

It was hard to imagine sixteen-year-old Jasper who cared about these women—enough to possibly do something to Louise's rapist—joining the confederacy a year later. It was even harder to imagine his mother allowing such a thing. From what he's said, she seemed like a very kind-hearted, progressive woman. Especially for the time.

Though, I suppose, he might not have had a choice in the matter. If boys and men didn't join, their families were often ostracized by society. Maybe he was forced into it. Maybe he did it to become a high-ranking member of the army and thought he could make a difference in the world. Or maybe there was an entirely different reason. Maybe there's a story there, too.

Maybe one day, when he's ready, he'll share it with me. But I can wait. I know the man I've mated with is good and kind. He has a past. It's not all rainbows and sunshine. He's lived through some of the worst times in history. It's raw and it's real. It's not pretty or comfortable. It just is what it is.

– XOXO –

Moving on from our tour of the upstairs, Jasper took me downstairs. The basement was the massive wine cellar. My mate and Peter have a secret passion for wine. Though neither of them has been able to drink it, they've collected some of the rarest and most expensive bottles in the world.

The place had everything. Including a twenty-car garage! Who needs twenty cars? Peter set up his workshop in the garage. He works on restoring classic cars and reselling them to make a profit.

Charlotte works from home, too. She's a freelance art illustrator and in her spare time, she enjoys making jewelry and indulging in various crafts. She has her own store on Etsy and sells her beautiful creations.

Jasper writes! He's written hundreds of novels during his long life, all under various pseudonyms. I can't wait to curl up in a comfy chair and read one of his books!

The home was also equipped with every security measure known to man and the supernatural. That was the biggest reason Jasper wanted to bring me here; it's the safest home he and his Coven own.

That was a surprise, too.

This wasn't just Peter's home. It belonged to the entire Whitlock Coven and acted as their home base. Each member, and the entire Coven as a whole, have homes all over the world. But it's this one that they've always kept as a home base if they need the extra security, for whatever reason.

The only place safer is Volterra. The Volturi army is two hundred strong and has never been defeated. But they've never stood against my mate. According to Peter, The Major could take the whole army singlehandedly. From what I've seen so far, that wasn't hard to believe.

"Where else do you have homes?" I wondered as Jasper showed me around the grounds.

It was a little chilly out, but it was so nice to be outside in the fresh mountain air.

There was an outdoor pool, but they rarely used it due to their sparkly skin. Also, tennis courts, a mini golf course, and a garden where Charlotte tended to her flowers. She has quite a green thumb.

"All over," he smiled. "Texas, and Montana, a penthouse in New York City, a villa in Spain, a cottage in Surry, England, and a flat in London. We have homes in Europe as well; France, Germany, and Switzerland. And then apartments in Greece and Austria. And several small islands."

I stared at him in shock. "You own islands? As in plural? Like more than one? Where?"

"We, Darlin', we own islands," he corrected. "Everythin' that is mine is now yers, too. And yes, more than one island. Some are tiny, barely inhabitable but a good investment. Some bigger."

I nodded.

"There's one off the coast of Brazil," he told me. "One near the Caribbean. One near Malta in the Mediterranean. And a recent purchase off the coast of Athens."

I was stunned.

"Do you travel a lot?" I wondered.

"Not as much as I'd like," he admitted. "There's a lot of the world I haven't seen and a lot I'd like to do."

I smiled. "Like what?"

I was fascinated. I've always wanted to travel the world and see everything I possibly could. That's the thing about being human. The world is like Disneyland, I think. There's so much to see and so much to do, you need more than one lifetime to accomplish everything. Well, at least it's that way for me. I know not everyone wants to travel all over the world. And that's fine. To each their own. But I want to see it all!

Seems Jasper's the same way.

We talked for hours about our dreams and hopes for the future. We matched up pretty well, too. One of my biggest desires was to live in London. I've always found England to be fascinating and saturated in history. There's so much to learn and so much to see. Plus, the weather's pretty conducive to vampire life.

Jasper, on the other hand, wanted to live in Greece. One place a vampire probably shouldn't go, what with the endless sun and all. But I promised him, one way or another, somehow, we'd figure out a way to live there, too.

"It won't matter what you are, Darlin'. Vampire or whatever yer becoming. We'll always be together. That's all that matters. That we're together."

I sighed and leaned into him.

We sat on the porch swing, looking out at the many, many acres. It was so beautiful here. So quiet and peaceful.

I knew he was right. And, to be honest, I preferred whatever I was becoming—even though I don't know what that is yet—to being a vampire.

Knowing there was another way to spend eternity with my mate—without giving up all the things I love about being human—was the best feeling in the world.

It did, however, make me feel a little selfish. Here I get to keep all the things I love about being human—food, sleep, food, cake, coffee, sleep, yep, that about covers it—and my mate and my vampires never got that choice.

How is that fair?

It makes me sad that they miss out on so many wonderful things that life has to offer, because of what they become against their will.

"What makes you think ya won't be able to do somethin' to change that?" Jasper asked, startling me with his question. I'd forgotten he could hear my thoughts, too.

I frowned. "What do you mean?"

He looked down at me and gently brushed his fingers across my jaw. "Darlin', fer the first time in a hundred and fifty-eight years, I ate human food without havin' to barf afterward! I got to have dinner and breakfast with my mate. I'm lookin' forward to coverin' every inch of ya in whipped cream and lickin' ya clean."

Biting my lip, I squirmed in my seat, flushing with a sudden wave of desire.

"We know yer gonna have power," he continued. "Fuck, I can feel how powerful yer becomin'! What makes you think ya won't be able to change other things or other vampires?"

I'd never thought of that.

I'm not sure how I managed to change Jasper's physiology. Something inside of him must've been altered for him to be able to eat solids. But I've got no idea how I did it! I just really wanted to share a meal with him. Like a normal, regular couple.

"Maybe that's it," he smirked. "Yer desire. You willed it and so it was."

I frowned. "You think I have some kind of . . . wishing power? Like a genie?"

"No, not wishes. Will power," he corrected. "We'd have to get Eleazar to read you, but it makes sense. You wanted to share a meal with me and by sheer willpower alone, ya gave me the ability to eat solids."

Holy shit.

"So, if I wanted something bad enough, by sheer willpower alone, I could make it happen?"

"Only if I'm right. I could be wrong."

Yep. That was terrifying.

I could accidentally wish someone dead! Or say I'm having a bad day and tell someone to go to hell! Will they go there?

I didn't like the sound of that!

"Maybe it's something simpler," I suggested. And less terrifying. "Like digestive manipulation. Or some kind of physiology manipulation. Or some branch of life force manipulation."

Jasper was looking at me like I'd sprouted another head.

I shrugged. "Superpower Wiki. I read a lot."

He smiled and kissed the top of my head. "I think the only way we'll know fer sure, is if we speak with Eleazar."

I nodded.

"We'll need to get the Denali's here to feed from ya anyway." He shrugged.

"So, we're doing this then?" I asked. "The whole world domination thing."

He grinned and moved me so that I was suddenly straddling his lap. I could feel his arousal pressing into my core as he shifted beneath me.

"It turns you on," he whispered, brushing his fingers through my loose hair.

"You too." I smiled.

"Mm." He nodded. "Powers never interested me before, even when I was in the South. I just did what was expected of me to stay alive. I didn't care much about the territory or Maria's desire to expand and rule."

"But now?" I wondered. "Something's changed."

"I think it's you, Bella," he admitted. "You bring out a side of me I didn't even know existed. And, truthfully, I think, together, we could do it. But I sure ain't lookin' forward to goin' up against a powerful Coven like the Volturi."

"No offense, Cowboy, but if they're so powerful, they aren't doing a very good job upholding your laws and the secrecy of your kind, are they?"

He smirked. "Why do you say that, Darlin'?"

"Isn't it obvious?" I asked. "I know from Alice that, other than Carlisle, you're the oldest in the Cullen Coven, which means the Southern Wars must've been going on for at least the last century."

"Longer. At least two centuries, I believe."

I nodded. "So, your government is allowing this to happen. They're needlessly risking innocent human lives and exposure of your kind by not interfering and putting a stop to it. Pete said they have a guard of over two hundred and they've never been defeated. So, they're powerful enough to get the job done."

"They are," he agreed.

"Yet, they sit on their assess and allow it to continue. Why?" I asked.

He shook his head. "I don't know, Darlin'. A few years after I left, back in the forties, I believe, they sent a team to put a stop to it. For a time, Everythin' in the south was quiet, but we all know it started back up again when the Volturi left. And we all know to give that area of the world a wide birth and leave 'em to it."

"Well, that'll need to change," I said, decidedly. "Then there's the other issue . . ."

"Which is?"

"Carlisle."

Jasper frowned. "What about him?"

"Maybe you can explain it to me because I sure as hell don't get it," I admitted. "If it's so important for you to keep your secret, and it's the Volturi's job to uphold the law and ensure that humans are left in the dark, why do they let Carlisle practice medicine?" I asked. "Why are five vampires, who don't blend in very well, allowed to attend high school?"

"The entire Coven is risking exposure every day," I went on. "And for what? So you can pretend to be something you aren't? What's the point?" I asked. "Why take the risk? It's needless!"

Jasper nodded. "I know. I tried to tell them but, as always, I was shut down by Edward and Alice insistin' we needed to attend school to keep an eye on the humans and ensure we weren't drawin' attention to ourselves."

I stared at him. "That's ridiculous! We all know teenagers aren't the most reliable. Your first line of defense should not be a building full of prepubescent, hormonal, gossiping idiots!"

It's like they don't know anything!

Maybe they all lost brain cells during the transformation. And why they don't listen to the only one with sense in his head is infuriating!

"That'll need to change, too," I insisted. "No more high school for anyone. College is fine, but to keep a low profile, online classes would be preferable. That's not always possible, so we'll limit it to only one or two members of a Coven attending at once."

"Works fer me." Jasper nodded. "I have no intention of ever goin' back to school. Maybe, later in life, I'll go back ta college. I think it's important to keep up to date. The world's constantly changing and we need to keep up with the times."

I agreed. "So," I sighed, "we are doing this then?"

He smirked. "Baby, I think we've already begun. Ed's completely loyal to ya. Pete's on board and eager to please ya. Char and Ren are with us. Once the Cullen's get here, they're all gonna want a taste of ya. And I know," he lifted his hips to press himself into me, "I feel how much ya want it, too."

I squirmed and pressed down onto him, moaning softly. "I want you," I whispered.

"Mm. But ya want this, too. It arouses ya." He pulled me closer, brushing his lips across my throat. "It turns me on, too, my mate. To see what yer capable of now, and ta know what you'll be capable of once yer changed . . . we both want it, so why deny ourselves the pleasure, the power, and the glory?"

I sighed.

I don't care about the power Jasper can sense coming from me. The power I can feel building within me. I would happily give it up to spend eternity with my mate. That's all I want. To be with him.

Oh, hell.

Okay.

Power and domination don't sound bad, either.

I have to admit, I love that Edward's only thought is of pleasing me. And there's a big part of me that wants to give in, let go, and take him. My body aches to make him mine. It turns me on to see him on his knees. To hear him call me his Goddess. But, the part of me that's still human, that hasn't yet changed, wonders if this is right. Am I just as cruel and sadistic as Charlie by allowing this to continue?

"No," Jasper growled softly. "Ya ain't that monster. And ya never will be. The difference between Renee's enslavement and Edward's submission is he is willin'. Ya didn't take him by force. He forced himself on you!"

"Yes, but I called to him," I argued. "Well, actually, my breasts did. They have a mind of their own, you know."

"Mm. Yes, they do." He smiled. "Hypnotic beauties. No man or woman can resist."

"Exactly. That's not consent that's taking someone by force. Hypnotizing them."

"It's a fine line," he agreed. "But ya ain't cruel. Ya ain't sadistic. Ya ain't monstrous. And given the choice, I don't think anyone of 'em would go back to how they were before ya shared yer Nectar with them."

"There ain't an evil bone in yer body, baby. I can sense that," he told me. "Power, it ain't good or bad. Power is power. It's neutral. My gift could be used fer nefarious purposes. Hell, on more than one occasion, it has been! But that doesn't make my gift innately evil. It's the user's intent that dictates how the power is perceived."

I sighed and rested my head on his shoulder. "What if it all goes to my head?" I asked. "We're talking world domination here! And it turns me on!"

He chuckled. "Not world domination. Just supernatural domination. To keep us safe and to stop whatever evil is comin'. I think it's necessary. And I think you and I will make good leaders. Plus, we'll have help. Pete's with us, as are The Fates. They wouldn't be backin' ya if they weren't sure you and I were the ones fer this job. And, well, as fer the power turnin' ya on," he smirked, "that's natural, Darlin'. We're supernatural creatures. Power makes us horny!"

As he wagged his eyebrows at me, I couldn't help but laugh.

"Yer light, Darlin'. Pure and beautiful. And that ain't ever gonna change."

"He's right, you know." I looked up to see Charlotte and Ren stepping onto the porch.

After their morning, they looked refreshed and happy. Charlotte's eyes were back to crimson, indicating she'd recently fed. Ren's eyes were glowing, too. I assumed that meant she was well-fed.

"You are not Charlie," Ren said fiercely. "That man is pure evil. You, my darling daughter, freed me!"

Pulling her sweater off, I saw that the golden swirling tattoos that had once covered her skin were now gone. Her skin was flawless and perfect. Not a blemish or mark.

"But you drank my Nectar. That means you're mine now."

She nodded. "Yes. But the difference is, I willingly drank your Nectar, Isabella. You offered. You did not force me," she told me. "I accept you and your mate. I wear your mark with pride. I choose to bow to you both as my Master and Mistress. Of my own free will. My body, my pleasure, my life, my soul, and my loyalty are yours! Given to you freely."

"I offer you the same," Charlotte said sweetly. "My unwavering loyalty. My body. My pleasure. My pain. My life. I give these to you of my own free will. I know that you will guide us and lead us. You are honest and brave and good."

With a smile, Charlotte hopped onto the porch railing directly in front of me and sat down. Ren took a seat on the Adirondack chair beside me and Jasper.

"I'd like to share my story with you, Bella. It's not easy for me to share this . . . but, you need to know." She took a deep breath. "I know why the shifters are hunting you," she told us.

As she spoke, Peter appeared on the porch. He moved to stand beside Charlotte, wrapping an arm around her as she took his hand in hers.

Their bond was so strong, unwavering. But there was no romance there. Just a fierce loyalty, respect, and love for one another. I'm not sure how I knew that. I just did. I felt it.

She took a deep breath. "My name," she began, "my birth name was Charlotte Beatrice Swan."

. . .

. . .

. . .

And once again, mind completely blown . . .

A/N: We're going deeper and deeper into the crazy with this one!

So, to recap: Edward is now a nudist. He's pledged himself to Jasper and Bella.

Ren and Charlotte have also pledged their loyalty to the couple.

Ren and Bella will never have a sexual relationship. But their relationship is changing and strengthening now Ren has drunk Bella's Nectar.

We went a little deeper into Jasper's human history.

And we're well on our way to achieving world domination.

Up next, is Charlotte's story.