A/N: Ready for some answers? This chapter, 17, and 18 are packed full of information. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask or send me a message on Facebook and join the page. BlueBubbleBurst. I recommend joining the FB Page, not the group because I'm more active on the page and it gets updated regularly. Enjoy! xoxo

– Bella's POV –

There's nothing better than waking up after a long sleep on a little slice of heaven. Damn. This mattress is like sleeping on a cloud! Oh! And the pillows. I wriggled to get comfortable, bringing the thick duvet up over my nose. It was heavy and warm and felt so soft!

But nothing could compare to waking up nestled in the warm embrace of my mate. His strong arms were wrapped around me. I could feel his face buried in my hair as one of his hands was flat against my hip, keeping me pressed against his bare chest.

Wriggling, I hooked one leg over his and felt him twitch as my thigh brushed against his groin.

When I peeled my eyes open, the first thing I saw was windows. We were surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows on every side. Lifting my head from Jasper's chest, I saw that we were on the second floor. Outside was a blanket of fresh snow. In the tree closest to one of the windows were birds happily singing their song and, off in the distance, two little deer were frolicking and digging for food.

It was like someone had plucked me out of the real world and set me down in a Disney movie.

Only with more nudity.

"Good mornin', my mate." Jasper pressed a soft kiss to the top of my head.

Without moving, I looked up at him. "Good morning." I smiled and then sighed. "I need a human moment," I told him, wriggling out of our warm, cozy bed.

Fuck. It's cold.

I'm pretty sure there's no swearing in Disney, either. That's bad Princess etiquette.

Without bothering to get dressed, I headed into the adjoining bathroom to do my business and freshen up.

We arrived at Pete's gorgeous Colorado mountain lodge late last night. I couldn't get a good look at the place because it was so dark. But I could see that it was massive. After the long flight and then the even longer car ride up the mountain, I was exhausted so Jasper took me straight up to bed when we arrived. Though, I think he was more interested in having me all to himself, rather than letting me sleep. As soon as we were alone, I was naked and he had his face buried between my legs.

I can't blame him. Our mating is still so new. It took a lot of strength and willpower for him to allow Edward and Peter near me.

Having two grown men and Edward suckling at my breasts the entire time we were in the air and then on the road wiped me out, drained my breasts, and did a real number on my mate's patience.

For a little while, it felt wonderful to be completely drained and tapped out, and not to have someone attached to my breasts! But that feeling didn't last long. After spending some one-on-one time with my mate, reaffirming our bond, and a good night's sleep, my breasts were full and swollen again. And now I'm aching to feel someone suckling from me.

I was right about Edward. As soon as he had his fill and our bond cemented itself, he settled and calmed. He was finally able to stop masturbating and gain some control over his dick. Not much, mind you—he is, after all, a one hundred and twenty-one-year-old man stuck inside the body of a hormonal seventeen-year-old boy—but he was no longer humping everything in sight, so I figured that was as good as we'd get.

He was, however—as I predicted—extremely submissive. Nothing like the Edward I've come to know and loath. This Edward was tentative, gentle, and sweet. He obeyed Jasper without a second thought. He no longer argued or whined about not getting his way. He wasn't conceited, cruel, or violent.

I could see myself coming to enjoy this side of him.

While Peter drove, Jasper and I were able to tell Edward about our mating bond and how that came about. I didn't want him to think I'd purposefully set out to hurt him. He listened with an open mind and accepted what we were telling him without hesitation. He was genuinely happy for us.

It seemed, as far as Edward was concerned, there'd be no more drama with him.

He told me about the draw he felt to my blood and how it had only got worse after the ballet studio. He felt extremely possessive and jealous after both James and Jasper tasted me. His inner vampire wanted to drain me dry and fuck me senseless while he was doing it but Edward had been fighting with himself for the last six months.

It was a struggle he so desperately wanted to win, but he was losing hope.

I couldn't understand why he didn't just tell someone. But he'd pointed out that he couldn't. His monster, as Edward called it, wouldn't allow him to tell anyone. And if he had told the family of his weakness, he'd have to admit he isn't as strong as he's made himself out to be.

From what I could tell, Edward's inner monster was closely connected to his ego.

He didn't want to admit defeat and tell the others he was just like them. He wanted to be special. Superior. Truth is, he is special! As far as we know, he's the only vampire who's been able to withstand the pull to their Singer's blood and not kill them! If you ask me, that's pretty damn impressive.

Jasper told him that none of them would have seen him as weak. He probably would've been teased by Emmett for a bit and Rosalie might've sneered something, but at the end of the day, they were all in the same boat when it came to their diet and their control.

Edward also apologized for what he'd done to Jasper. He admitted he never should have sent Jasper away, nor should he have pushed Carlisle to agree with him.

To be honest, Jasper didn't seem all that phased by being forced out of the Coven. But then I saw him with Peter and I realized why. He wasn't one of them. His heart had never left the Whitlock Coven. So, leaving the Cullens wasn't a big deal to him.

Edward's past behavior wasn't excused. He still had a lot of making up to do where Jasper and I, and the entire Cullen family, were concerned. But he was on the right path.

I knew, after our conversation, given time I'd forgive him for the last six months. It wasn't entirely his fault. A lot of it was his vampiric side and his nature coming to the forefront. I'm his Singer. My blood appeals to him more than anyone else's. The fact that I'm still alive is a miracle. If Edward didn't have the strength he does and the desire to prove himself to Carlisle, I likely wouldn't have made it out of our biology class the first day we met.

I am incredibly lucky and grateful he managed to control himself for so long.

He's still struggling with the pull to my blood. As long as there's blood in my veins, I don't think that'll ever go away.

Jasper said that, even when I'm a vampire, my scent will still draw Edward to me. I will always be his Singer, even when there's no blood in my veins. My scent will be heightened and Edward will be attracted to it. But, as a vampire, and a mated female, it'll be easier for him to control himself.

After Edward drank from my breasts, his inner beast calmed significantly. He can no longer hear his inner beast roaring in his head, making demands, or trying to take full control of him. It's like, the more he drinks from me, the quieter that side of him becomes.

Is, whatever I'm producing, eliminating the more primal side of a vampire? Or is it just affecting Edward because I'm his Singer? Since drinking from me, his inner beast is all but disappeared. Or, at the very least, been stamped down into the recesses of Edward's psyche to allow Edward, the man, full control over himself.

On the other hand, that isn't what happened with Jasper. If anything, The Major, Jasper's primal side, has become stronger. From what I've observed, and what he's told me, it's almost like Jasper, the man, and The Major are merging to become one man, rather than two distinct personalities.

It's different with Peter. Unlike Jasper and The Major, The Captain is Peter. Peter is The Captain. As far as I know, nothing has changed for Peter since he drank from me.

Whatever this golden liquid is, it's got some serious side effects.

Thankfully, one of those side effects is Edward's diminished desire to kill me. He accepts Jasper as my mate and he understands we will never be together romantically. He's accepted Jasper as his new Alpha and has declared his loyalty to both of us!

Edward admitted he still desires me and wishes to be with me sexually. Seems I wasn't the only one fighting an attraction when we first met! I never would've guessed that by the way he was acting. Who knew the prude was having sexy fantasies about me, too?

Jaspers made it clear, there will be no sexual relationship with anyone but him until I'm a vampire and he's fully claimed me. Which is fine by me. I wouldn't have it any other way. And shocking us, Edward seemed fine with that, too. Hell, he even encouraged Jasper to turn me as soon as possible!

I could hardly believe his turnaround. It was baffling, but also a huge relief! The Edward I've known for the last six months is not the same boy I first met in biology class. He's also nothing like the good, kindhearted boy Jasper and the others have told me about. I'm looking forward to getting to know the real Edward!

Once I was finished in the bathroom, I crawled back into bed with my mate and snuggled into his warm, naked body.

It was nice to wake up in his arms and have a little quiet time with him. As strange as it sounds, because we haven't been away from each other once since Peter's arrival, I've missed him.

It's been just the two of us since our bond manifested and being around others, even just Edward and Peter, was a little overwhelming. Especially when all I wanted was my Jasper.

Being able to project my thoughts to him was a surprise. But I have to admit, I enjoyed it. It felt like another piece of our bond was clicking into place as our minds opened to one another.

Now, not only could we share our emotions back and forth, but our every thought, too. It was a very intimate bond. And, though Jasper didn't, I accepted it easily. I think, at first, Jasper was a little put off by the Mind Link, perhaps even opposed to it. I put that down to his history with Edward.

It can't be easy constantly monitoring your thoughts around a person who takes great pleasure in ferreting out all your deepest, darkest secrets and then sharing them with anyone who'll listen.

But I am not Edward.

My mate's thoughts, no matter what they are, will always be safe with me. I'm not going to monitor him or tell everyone what he's thinking. I'd hate to think someone was sharing my most private thoughts with everyone. How horrible!

I assured him, and promised him, whatever goes on in his mind will never be shared with anyone else. But I think it'll take time for him to relax around me and realize he can trust me with his thoughts. And that's okay. We have time.

As we traveled, I enjoyed listening to his mind process and work. I enjoyed it even more when his thoughts constantly slipped back to me, as mine always do for him.

Thankfully, I couldn't hear anyone else! Only Jasper. I pray to the Gods that it's not going to change. I do not want to be telepathic!

"Happy birthday, baby," Jasper whispered, brushing his lips across my temple.

I smiled. "Thank you."

"I'm afraid I don't have a present for ya, Darlin'."

"I don't need presents," I assured him, brushing my lips across his chest. "But," I looked up at him and smiled, "there is one thing I'd like. Well, there are two. But, from what I've been told, we have to do the first thing before we can do the second. And," I smiled, "I'm ready to do the second thing. I can't believe it's taken me this long to realize it . . ."

"Bella, Darlin'," he frowned, "what are ya talkin' about?"

"Oh sorry. I was babbling." I smiled. "I want to become a vampire. Today." I told him. "And then when I'm stronger I want you to take my virginity and make love to me so we can finalize our bond."

He paused for a moment, looking a little worried. "You wouldn't rather wait until Carlisle arrives?"

Worry, fear and pain shot through me as my heart squeezed in my chest. Did he not want to turn me? Was this going to be Edward all over again?

No.

No.

No.

I shook those thoughts off as ridiculous. Jasper is nothing like Edward. We've both accepted our bond. It's a bit late for second thoughts.

Sensing my emotions, Jasper's arms tightened around me as he pulled me closer to him. "Oh, baby. No," he purred. "Shh. Nobody else's venom will ever be inside of ya but mine, Isabella," he assured me. "But if there is somethin' wrong with ya, shouldn't we wait until Carlisle can run some tests?"

That did make sense. I suppose.

Though, if there was something wrong with me, wouldn't his venom heal me?

I didn't get the chance to voice my question before there was a knock on the door. Without waiting for a reply, the door swung open, and Peter strolled inside looking damn delectable.

My, oh my, he looked good!

He wore only a pair of black silk pajama pants that sat low on his hips. His chest was left completely bare and I could just about see the numerous scars littering his skin. He didn't have as many as my mate, but they were still a prominent feature marring his skin.

He was carrying a tray of empty milk bottles.

Jasper growled. "Pete!"

Peter rolled his eyes. "Relax, Major. Neither of us is exactly the shy delicate type. Fuck. I spent half the trip back sucklin' on Cupcake's sweet tits achin' fer her to take my cock between her legs."

He wasn't the only one aching for it.

Another growl left Jasper's throat.

Don't growl at me, handsome. You want him as much as I do.

His growl cut off as he pressed himself into me a little more. I smiled, feeling his arousal.

See? I giggled. I know that isn't for me, Cowboy. Shall we tell him to strip and join us for a morning snuggle?

Jasper cleared his throat unnecessarily as his dick twitched against my thigh. "What can we do for you, Peter?" he asked. "And what's with all the empty milk bottles?"

Peter set the tray of bottles on the bedside table and sat on the edge of the bed, closer to me than Jasper. "There are a few things we need to discuss. First off, there ain't anythin' wrong with ya, Cupcake."

"Nothin' wrong?" Jasper snarled. "My mate is producing an unknown substance that's addictive to vampires! And changes our base instincts. It certainly ain't breastmilk. Yet it comes from her breasts. It changes color. When I drink from her there's blood in it! When Ed drinks from her it's gold! When you drank from her it was gold with a vein of blood in it! That ain't normal, Pete!"

Ah, yes. When Peter first drank from me, the liquid was sold gold and sparkly. But, sometime during our journey to Colorado, it changed to have a vein of blood running through the golden liquid. But as soon as Edward drank from me, it went back to solid gold.

"Yer right, Major. It's all a part of what she's becomin'," Peter stated. "Once she's turned, it ain't just gonna come from her beautiful breasts, either."

Okay. What the hell does that mean?

I sat up, pulling the duvet with me so I didn't flash Peter and finish what we started on the plane. My mate moved with me, wrapping his arm around me, and bringing me back into him.

"What do you mean, once I'm turned it won't just come from my breasts?" I asked.

"From what my shit's tellin' me," he began, "what yer producin' is called Nectar. And it's just a sample of what you'll taste like after yer transition."

Nectar.

Okay. That made sense. Edward had used the word a few times. Jasper, too.

"And, as I said, it won't just come from ya breasts. When yer turned, all of yer fluids will taste divine," Pete explained.

"So," I sighed and voiced the question that had plagued my mind since Jasper first drank from me. "When I become a vampire, I'll still be able to share my . . . Nectar with Jasper?"

Peter took my hand in his. "Cupcake," his crimson eyes met mine, "ya ain't gonna become a vampire."

Jasper snarled. "My mate ain't stayin' human, Peter!"

"I never said she would, Major," Peter said, remaining calm. "All right," he took a deep breath and squeezed my hand, "I can't answer all yer questions. So, let's get to the person who can."

"The person who can?" I frowned. "There's someone who knows what's happening to me?"

"Hopefully," he nodded. "Ya ain't gonna like what I'm about to tell ya, Cupcake. But it was a choice between ya bein' upset with me fer a little while, or devastated, vengeful, and then grieve fer years to come. And blame yerself fer somethin' that ain't yer fault."

I frowned, unsure what the heck he was talking about.

Jasper growled. "What the fuck did you do, Pete?"

"While I was flyin' the Whitlock jet to pick ya up, I sent Char on a mission to find and bring Renee back here."

"Renee?" I frowned. "As in my mother, Renee?"

He nodded. "She's downstairs with Char."

Holy crap!

"Is she okay?" I asked. "Has something happened? Is she hurt? Did Charlie or the shifters . . .?"

"Now she's here, and safe, she's fine," he assured me. "But if we hadn't intervened the shifters would've got to her, taken her back to Forks, done despicable things ta her, and then handed her off to Charlie and," he shook his head, "I ain't gonna go into the details of what he was plannin' to do ta her. Yer just gonna hafta trust me when I tell ya, it's better she's here."

Through the bond that manifested between me and Peter when he drank my Nectar, I could feel his honesty. But that wasn't the only thing I felt. I also felt his disgust, worry, and anger.

Whatever he'd seen or just knew, it was awful. And I didn't need to know the details.

"Does she know?" I asked. "About all of this? Vampires, me, the shifters, Charlie . . ."

Peter sighed and nodded. "She knows. But I'm gonna let her tell ya the details. She's told Char a few things and I know some . . . yer gonna need ta hear it fer yourselves. And she'll be able ta answer some of yer questions . . ."

I nodded.

"Ya mad?" He cringed.

I smiled. "No," I told him honestly. "You were right. If something happened to her, I'd feel awful. She may not have been the best mother, but she's the only one I have and I would never wish for something bad to happen to her. If we can keep her safe, we should."

I meant every word. If something bad was going to happen, we should do something to stop it if we can. I would never wish for someone to be harmed because of me. And, Peter was right; if something happened to my mother—despite what she's put me through in the past—I'd be devastated and vengeful.

No matter what's happened, she's still my mother. And if anyone thinks they're going to harm her, they'll have to go through me first.

Granted, right now, as a human, that threat isn't terrifying against the likes of vampires and shifters. But I won't be human forever.

Jasper squeezed me closer to him and kissed my temple.

Peter smiled. The tension left his shoulders as he relaxed, though he didn't let go of my hand. "There's a lot we need ta talk about today, Cupcake. I'm afraid it ain't gonna be much of a birthday celebration."

I wasn't all that concerned about my birthday. We've covered my craptastic childhood. My birthday has never been high on the list of priorities for me or my parents.

I shrugged. "That's fine. We can celebrate when our enemies are dead."

Pete smirked. "She's perfect fer you, Major."

Jasper laughed and kissed my temple again. "Yes, she is," he murmured against my hair.

"Renee and Char went grocery shoppin' yesterday so there's plenty of food fer ya. And whatever else ya need, we'll order it or one of us will take a trip down the mountain so neither of ya hafta leave. I think you two should keep a low profile until we're ready to face the shifters. No need to risk bringing danger to our doorstep until it's time."

Jasper nodded in agreement. "What's with the milk bottles?"

Pete smirked. "Ya still got that breast pump, Creampuff?"

I nodded. "Yeah."

"I'm guessin' ya ain't gonna want yer mom suckin' on yer tits . . ."

My eyes widened. "Humans are going to be affected by my Nectar as well?"

He sighed. "Seems yer momma ain't as human as everyone thinks . . ."

"Then what the hell is she?" I asked, bolting upright.

As I moved, the duvet slipped, exposing my breasts. Peter's eyes were immediately drawn to my chest and, of course, as soon as he looked at them I began gushing Nectar everywhere.

Damn it!

I swear, these damn things have a mind of their own!

A low, intimate growl came from Peter's throat. I saw him swallow and then he was across the room, his back pressed against the glass.

"Trust me, Beansprout, yer gonna want to fill as many of those little bottles as ya can so we can start passin' 'em out, lest ya want us all on yer tits fer the rest of the day."

Hmm.

Well. I wouldn't say no to that . . .

I could feel the need to feed Peter. But I was also aware of the two females downstairs that hadn't drunk from me yet. Even knowing one of them was my mother did not affect my desire to bring her into my bosom and offer myself to her.

She needed to drink.

They both do.

It was of the utmost importance that they drank from me.

"It'll help fer when the Cullens arrive, too," Peter went on, shifting back. The bulge between his legs grew bigger and harder as he gazed at my exposed breasts. "Fuck," he breathed, his hips bucking.

"Leave Peter. When my mate is ready, I'll bring her downstairs. Do not come back," Jasper spoke. The command and dominance in his tone had more Nectar leaking from my breasts as my arousal surged.

Did he know how sexy that was?

Peter was out of the room before Jasper had finished his sentence. And as soon as the bedroom door closed, my mate had me on my back, his mouth on my breast devouring my Nectar as his finger plunged inside of me and his thumb rubbed circles into my clit.

"Jasper . . ." I bucked, needing more of him.

"Soon, my beautiful mate," he promised, placing one last kiss on my breast.

Before I could protest, he was out of bed and back with my breast pump.

"As much as I'd love to spend the whole day drinkin' from ya and finally claimin' ya, Pete was right," he sighed. "Charlotte and Renee need to drink from ya. The bond needs to be forged with them, too."

His eyes met mine and I nodded in agreement. Whatever this bond was that was forming between me and whoever drank from me, it was important. Vital.

I knew having them drink my Nectar from one of the milk bottles would appease their need to drink directly from me, so they don't attack as soon as we meet, as Edward and Peter had done. Not having vampires lunging for my breasts would be nice. But I wasn't sure it would be enough. I hoped it would because having my mother drink directly from my breast was going to be all kinds of awkward! I guess, only time would tell.

Watching my mate attach my pump to my breast was erotic. And I couldn't help the moan as he switched it on and it began tugging at my nipples.

His lips brushed across mine and then he began kissing his way down my body until he was between my legs.

I gasped as he pushed my legs apart, settling between them. His eyes lifted to meet mine. "You always get so wet when one of us drinks from ya, my love," he purred, his eyes lowering to gaze at my entrance. I could feel the heat of his breath on my wet, swollen skin. "Pete said yer Nectar would come from all yer fluids . . . can I taste ya, Bella?"

I found it very erotic how he always asked permission or encouraged me to tell him what I want before he ever did anything sexual.

"Yes," I breathed, nodding my head.

My back arched and I gripped the duvet as his tongue found my clit and began slowly licking me. His skilled fingers teased my outer lips. Gently massaging me as he feasted.

With Jasper at my core and my breast pump on my nipples, it took mere minutes until I could feel the orgasm building in my belly.

"Jasper!" I cried.

A low continuous purr rumbled in his chest, sending vibrations through me, which only added to the pleasure. Before I was ready for it, my release hit, crashing into me with the power of a freight train. My whole body trembled as pulse after pulse washed through me.

It was so much better by his hand—or his mouth, in this case—than my own. Wave after wave of pleasure rippled through me, causing my Nectar to gush out of me.

I'm not sure how long the pleasure lasted. Could've been minutes, hours, or days for all I knew. I didn't care. As long as his mouth was on me, nothing else mattered as I rode out the ecstasy.

I relaxed back into the mattress as the final mini-aftershock wrecked through me. Jasper kissed his way up my body, licking and nipping at my torso and the underside of my breasts.

When I opened my eyes, he was above me, staring down at me.

"Yer beautiful when you cum, my Bella." He breathed, leaning down to press his lips to mine in a sensual, heated kiss that I had no interest in stopping anytime soon.

A/N: This chapter ran really long so I split it into two. Up next, Renee!