A/N: Look at this! Three updates in one week! I'm excited about this chapter! Enjoy! xoxo

– Bella's POV –

I didn't bother getting dressed to go down to breakfast. I wrapped myself up in a white silk kimono with lace detailing on the sleeves and shoulders. It felt lovely against my bare skin.

Jasper wore a pair of low-waisted, ultra-thin, white pajama pants. They were so thin, if he wasn't wearing underwear, I'd be able to see his manhood! He also had on a white button-down pajama shirt with a few of the buttons left undone and his sleeves just slightly rolled up his arms.

"Did I miss a button?" He asked, looking down at himself as I took in the sight of him.

"No." I smiled. "But maybe I can make a little alteration." I quickly unbuttoned the shirt to reveal his scarred, bare chest. "There. Much better." I smiled, leaning forward to brush my lips across the scar above his heart.

He sighed and ran his hand through my loose hair. "I can't Darlin'. I hafta stay covered up. It's disturbin' to see my scars."

I looked up at him, frowning. "Disturbing for whom?" I asked, gently. I didn't want to push him to do something he didn't want but I had no problem with his scars and if someone was making him feel uncomfortable it needed to be dealt with. Immediately.

He sighed. "When I first joined the Coven, Carlisle suggested I remain covered as it made the family, especially the females uncomfortable to see my body."

Okay. Now I was pissed.

"That's why you never wear T-shirts," I realized. "Or roll up your sleeves! And button your shirts to the collar!"

He nodded. "I never wear shorts or go barefoot. I don't go swimming or vacation with the family." He sighed, looking down at his hands. "He'd likely suggest I wear gloves if it didn't draw unnecessary attention."

There were six scars on his hands, even more up his arms and littering his chest. I knew, with my ordinary human eyes, I couldn't see the full extent of his scars. He'd been careful to hide them from me so far, but from what I could feel beneath my fingertips every time I touched him, the damage done to my mate was significant.

His scars told me he could protect me. That every enemy who thought to destroy him had failed and died in their attempt. They told me he was strong, possibly the strongest and most powerful vampire in the world.

But to the rest of the vampire race who could clearly see the remnants of his former life, they told a different story. His scars were a neon beacon warning anyone who came across him that he is dangerous. Powerful. strong. To be feared and avoided at all costs.

Maybe it's because I'm his mate, I don't know. To me, his scars only enhanced his beauty. There's nobody sexier than my Jasper. The way he moves. The way he speaks. The way his thoughts always lead back to me. The way he protects me. I have every faith that he would never harm me or an innocent. But I also know, anyone who comes against us will face an entirely different man than the one standing before me now.

Taking his hands in mine, I pressed a soft kiss to the scar between his thumb and index finger, and then another to the one on the inside of his wrist, enjoying the way his body trembled at my touch. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. Nobody should ever have that much power over you, my mate."

My feelings toward the Cullens Coven were slowly mounting. How dare they treat him this way! It made me so sad that these people—who claimed they were his family!—made him feel inadequate!

I ran my hands up his chest, loving the feel of his body. His skin wasn't perfectly smooth, it was textured. There were grooves and bumps and even little divots carved out of his flesh. Even if I couldn't see the torture inflicted upon him yet, I knew he'd severely downplayed his past.

"Please don't hide from me, Jasper," I said, leaning into him to brush my lips over his collarbone as my fingers slid lower on his belly. I could feel every scar beneath my fingertips as I caressed him. Every ridge. Every bump. Every indentation of teeth marks. Every slash of a blade strong enough to cut through vampire flesh.

It makes me so sad to know he'd suffered so much pain in his life.

And angry.

Very angry.

Angry at his Sire for treating him this way. For turning him to be a pawn she could use and manipulate. For putting him in so much danger. For allowing him to be hurt in her crusade to gain territory!

Angry with Alice for not treating him the way he deserved to be treated. For using him. I'm convinced he was nothing more than arm candy and a bodyguard to her! Humans see him as beautiful. The supernatural world sees him as dangerous. With him around she was always safe and protected.

Angry with Carlisle and the rest of them for everything they did to make him feel inadequate! How dare they cause him even more pain! Could they not see that as an empath—not only could he feel all of their emotions towards him—but he needed more love and attention than other men?

It takes great strength to possess a gift like empathy and he needs a partner who'll stand strong beside him. A partner who can nurture him and love him, who can hold him up when the onslaught of emotions becomes too much.

As I continued gently caressing his scars, his whole body shuddered in response. I wasn't sure if it was due to my touch or if his scars were sensitive. Perhaps it was both.

"I think you're perfect, just the way you are," I told him.

His eyes snapped open and he looked back at me. Shock billowed out of him. "Y-You don't think I should . . ."

I pressed my finger to his lips, shushing him. "I think you should wear whatever makes you happy," I told him. "And if anyone says any different, they'll deal with me."

The moment I saw how much damage the Cullen family has done to my mate I knew we would never again live with them.

It was bad enough that Alice treated him like her personal Ken Doll and dictated what he could or couldn't do, but to find out Carlisle had purposefully asked him to cover his scars because they made the others uncomfortable was despicable.

It made me wonder what else they'd done that I don't know about.

Jasper let out a breath as he pulled the white shirt from his body and tossed it onto the bed, leaving his chest completely bare. Then he pulled me into his arms and kissed me.

"Yer sure, Darlin'?" He asked, his lips brushing against mine.

"You're my mate," I said fiercely. "To me, you're perfect," I repeated my earlier words. "I don't see your scars as something to fear. They're a badge of honor. They tell your story. They tell others you've survived. That you are strong, fierce, a warrior."

I held out my left arm, showing him the bitemark he'd left there six months ago. "I may only have the one, but this one came from my mate. It shows I, a human, survived a vampire attack. I wear it with pride. With confidence. Knowing that no matter where I go or what happens to me, there will always be a piece of you with me. And tonight, when you take me to bed and mark me as your mate, I will wear every one of those marks with as much pride as the first."

"It's a little different . . ."

"Of course, it is." I agreed. "Your scars tell an entirely different story. But it's a story that led you to me. All that you've been through—the good and the bad—made you into the man who stands before me. And he is a wonderful, warm, kind, compassionate, powerful man. He is mine," I growled. "Every part of you belongs to me. Just as I belong to you. And so help me—"

Jasper's lips were suddenly on mine and I was being brought into his body. He kissed me long and hard. It was a kiss full of passion, need, and love. The emotion swept through me and surrounded me, coiling around every inch of my body and heart as it flowed out of him.

When we parted, he pressed his forehead to mine. "I love you too, my fierce little mate," he whispered.

I sighed happily. "I love you." I breathed, reaching up to kiss him one more time, smiling as I did.

When Jasper tensed in my arms, I broke our kiss as he sighed. "It's time we head downstairs, Darlin."

"Are you okay with this, Cowboy?" I questioned.

He sighed and leaned forward, pressing his forehead against my own. "Would you think less of me if I told ya I was?"

His arms wrapped around my waist, holding me against him and I felt his manhood stiffen against my belly.

I smiled. "I like it, too," I admitted. "As long as you're with me," I told him. "It didn't feel right to be with Peter when you weren't there."

"I know, Darlin'. Pete told me he wanted to go further but knew I'd likely rip him to shreds if he did," he told me. "Truth is, I like watchin' ya. And bein' there with ya turns me on, too."

I'm glad we were both on the same page.

"My Nectar seems to seriously change a vampire's personality," I mused.

"Or brings out their true personality," he suggested. "Pete and Ed had the same experience but with different results. Ed's gone totally submissive, and Pete's the same as he's always been. But he's always been true to himself. What ya see is what ya get with him. Whereas Ed was tryin' to be somethin' he ain't."

Deep inside, I knew he was partially correct. But there was something we were missing. I just had no idea what that was yet.

"Maybe Renee has answers," he mused. "Right now, she and Pete are our best option."

I nodded.

"C'mon then," I took his hand in mine, "let's go meet Charlotte and introduce you to my mother."

– XOXO –

Jasper led me into a large living room-dining room combo. In front of us, there was a small kitchen. Massive log beams crossed the ceiling. There was a gorgeous log fireplace that was lit and kept the room toasty warm. Everything was dark, cherry wood, except the floor, which was a very light creamy wood. I've got no idea the name of it, but it was perfect. It had an elegance about it, mixed with a log cabin feel.

Sat on the sofa directly in front of the fireplace were two women. But I had no idea who either one of them were. I assumed one was Charlotte, but who was the other? And where was Renee?

"Bella Darlin', I'd like ya to meet Charlotte," Jasper introduced. "Char, this is my mate, Isabella."

"Please, call me Bella." I smiled.

"It's so wonderful to meet you finally!" Charlotte's smile was broad and full of hope and happiness. "Peters told me so much about you, honey! I apologize for not getting up to greet ya, but I fear if I get any closer, I'm not going to be able to hold myself back much longer."

Charlotte was gorgeous. Petite and young—no older than nineteen—with long dark mahogany hair. Her bright red eyes stood stark against her porcelain skin, but they suited her. She wore a pair of ripped skinny jeans and a white, sleeveless silk cami. I could just make out the bitemarks on her bare arms and littered across her shoulders. The bite marks on her skin didn't distract from her incredible beauty. If anything, they enhanced it. She didn't hide, either. I liked that. She was confident and brave. She survived.

My eyes shifted back to Peter who sat in the armchair. They were both barefoot and comfortable. At home. Not putting on airs, as the Cullens would have. This is how they were. Casual. Happy. Content with their lot in life.

"Who's this?" I wondered, looking back at the two women on the sofa. "I thought you said my mother was here." Turning to Peter. "Where is she?"

He frowned and pointed to the gorgeous blonde sitting beside Charlotte. "She's right there, Cupcake."

I looked back at the women. "Pete, I think you picked up the wrong woman." I frowned. "I don't know who that is, but she is not my mother."

Pete looked at the woman in question, then back at me. "Yer sure?"

"I think I'd know my own mother!" I told him. "Renee does not have white-blonde hair. Pointed ears. Horns. Or golden eyes with an elongated pupil! She is not covered in glowing golden markings. Nor does she have a fuckin' tail!"

Don't get me wrong, whoever she was, the woman was gorgeous. I don't think there was a single flaw or blemish on her light honeyed skin. Her deep red lips were pouty. Her eyes were sultry. Her white blonde hair flowed down her back. She was tall. Statuesque. Curvaceous. With large breasts. Everything about this woman—yes, even the tail and horns—screamed sex Goddess!

But she was not my mother!

"You can see me," she whispered. Even her voice was different. Low. Sultry. Smooth as silk.

"Of course, I can see you, you're sat right in front of me." I looked back at Jasper. "What's going on?" I asked him, then looked at Peter and Charlotte. "Where's Renee?"

"It's already started," the strange woman whispered, shaking her head.

"What's already started, Suga?" Charlotte asked.

"The transformation." She sighed. Her eyes went to Jasper. "It won't be long now. Before the clock strikes midnight, you'll need to mark her as yours. The way a vampire marks his mate to finalize your bond."

"That'll turn her?"

"Not into a vampire, but it will begin her transformation."

"And why should we believe you?" I demanded. "I don't even know who you are!"

Her bright golden eyes shifted back to me. "I am Renee, Bella," she said kindly. "You're just able to see me as I am and not the illusion I've been forced to wear for the last eighteen years."

"I—I don't understand." I sighed, feeling overwhelmed. "What illusion?"

Taking my hand in his, Jasper guided me to the armchair across from Peter and to the right of the couch where my mother and Charlotte were sitting. He pulled me down onto his lap, wrapping his arm around me.

"You remember what you used to see when you looked at me?" Renee asked, shifting so she was now facing me. "Medium height. A little on the plum side. Mousy brown hair. Dull blue eyes. Nothing memorable. I was just an average woman."

I nodded.

"That's how your friends see me right now," she told me. "But because your power is growing—a lot faster than I expected—you're able to see through my illusion. To see my true appearance."

You know, oddly enough, what she was saying made a lot of sense.

Plus, she'd recently drank a bottle of my Nectar and I could feel the bond between us trying to form. It wasn't there yet, she'd need more of my Nectar for it to form completely, but there was a slither. And with that slither came the knowledge that she wasn't lying to me.

"She's tellin' the truth, Darlin'," Jasper said, gently squeezing my hand.

"Your true appearance?" I asked, not following. "What does that mean?"

Her bright eyes swept across the room. "I am a succubus, Isabella," she told me. "A real succubus. Part demon. Not a vampire succubus, like the three sisters in Denali. I do not need blood to survive. I feed off the sexual energy created by two lovers." Her eyes shifted from me to Jasper, and then back again. "And your little tryst earlier was a nice snack. The sexual energy you and your mate create tastes almost as good as your Nectar."

That explained a lot. Like my entire childhood!

"That's why you were always so . . . provocative . . ."

She laughed. "I suppose that's one way to put it, yes," she agreed. "I had to constantly feed to maintain my control and strength. Humans are not as sustainable as the supernatural, which means I had to feed more often."

I nodded. "Like a vampire feeding on the blood of animals. They need to feed more often because it's not their natural food source."

"Exactly." She smiled. "And, well," she sighed, "as you grew older, I needed to feed more often to keep my succubus at bay."

I frowned. "Why?"

This was all fascinating. First vampires, then shifters, now succubi. I wonder what else is out there.

"Because you're a beautiful female, Isabella," she answered. "And as you grew older, you became even more beautiful."

"I don't understand . . . why would that be a problem?"

"By nature, succubi are incredibly vain creatures. We can be jealous, bitter, and oftentimes vicious when it comes to other females. And we are not meant to raise children. Occasionally we'll procreate, but that's rare. If we do give birth, we keep the males and send the females away, or, more often, kill them."

"That's horrible!"

"That's life as a succubus." She shrugged. "Females grow to be beautiful and they become competition," she explained. "When I was born, my mother attempted to drown me. Thankfully, my father was there to stop her. He took me away and I was raised by my grandmother, far from my mother's territory."

"So, Grandma Marie wasn't your mom, she was your grandmother."

Renee smiled. "Yes."

"But, wasn't she human?" I frowned.

"No." She shook her head. "My mother is a succubus. But my father is a warlock, which is why I'm able to cast illusions. It's not a typical succubi trait but one I inherited from my father's side of the family. Grandma Marie is a witch."

Witches and warlocks, too.

"When you were young, we faked Grandma Marie's death. You were starting to wonder why she wasn't getting any older. And, keeping up the illusion of an old frail woman was beginning to wear her down. Physically, she's only in her twenties!"

Good lord. My grandmother or I guess great-grandmother, is just a few years older than me!

"So, she's still alive?"

Renee smiled. "Oh yes. Witches and warlocks are immortal, just like the rest of us."

"Why can't Jasper, Peter, and Charlotte see what you look like?" I wondered.

"It would be too dangerous," she answered. "You and The Major haven't finalized your mating bond yet. Peter and Charlotte are not yet claimed by you, either. Nor am I. Until you claim me as yours and take possession of me, I still belong to my Master."

I didn't like the sound of that.

"Your Master?" I frowned.

She nodded. "If he summons me, I will have no choice but to go to him." She sighed. "I am not a free succubus, Isabella. I am owned."

"By who?" I growled. "Who the hell would do something so awful? And why would it be too dangerous for Jasper to see you?"

"Natural Succubi are incredibly allurin', Darlin'. More so than any vampire," Jasper said gently. "Just her mere presence would put us all on our knees. Unless a succubus is claimed and owned, they're, uh, blood is like catnip to vampires."

"It's meant to be divine," Peter stated. "I ain't ever tasted succubi blood myself, but I know a vampire who did. Poor fucker. Spent the best night of his life with a succubus, then drained her dry, and by mornin', he was gone."

I gasped. "He died?"

Peter nodded.

"Succubi blood is toxic to vampires," Charlotte explained. "Their blood may be the best thing we've ever tasted, but it'll send a vampire insane and slowly burn them from the inside!"

Holy crap!

"Wait," something occurred to me then, "hold up, is that why Edward is so drawn to my blood? Because I'm part succubus?" I asked. "Charlie's human, right?" I frowned. "But then . . . you raised me, and you said succubi usually kill their female offspring . . ."

Renee sighed. "Charlie isn't human either, sweetheart. He's an incubus."

O.M.G! I have two demon parents.

Okay.

I can handle this.

I'm a demon.

At least that answers one question.

"And," Renee's eyes shifted to Charlotte, who took Renee's hand in hers. She looked back at me, her shoulders slumped, "Charlie and I are not your biological parents, Bella."

. . .

. . .

. . .

I think I'm going to need a minute.

. . .

. . .

. . .

"Y-You're not my mother?" I whispered.

"No." She shook her head. "And Charlie is not your father."

. . .

. . .

. . .

Maybe one more minute.

. . .

. . .

. . .

A/N: It's getting good!

So, to review, Renee is a succubus. A real one. Not like the Denali sisters who're more like really horny vampires. Charlie isn't human either. He's an incubus. We'll learn more about succubi and incubi in the next chapter. And neither Charlie nor Renee are Bella's biological parents.

What do you think so far? Are you confused yet? If you have any questions or need clarification on anything, please don't hesitate to ask!

If anyone is interested in seeing what I visualize while I write, check out my Pinterest page BlueBubbleBurst03. All the storyboards are there for your viewing pleasure.

See you all in the next one!