Edward's theme for this FF is going to have to be Eye for an Eye by Mac Quayle. There's something truly sinister and ominous about it and the scene that's unfolding below fits it pretty perfectly. I love it.

Side note: A friend who read my stories told me I was evil for all my twists and playing with reader's emotions lol. What can I say? It's fun! *insert evil laugh*


Edward stood motionless beyond the tree line, hidden deep within the shadows as he watched the Mercedes parked on the side of the road. Red lights flashing on and off repeatedly as the couple inside shared an intimate moment.

The lights reflected off his black eyes while Bella and Jasper's voices reached his keen hearing, but only their muffled cadences could be detected. He couldn't get too close. Not yet. Not when he still had so much left to do.

A deadly calm overtook his senses just before the anger could come and rule his actions. Stopping him before he rushed over there, hauled Jasper out of the car and ripped his head clean off. Hearing Bella's horrified scream as he killed and tore her mate's body limb for limb. He could almost see it now and it made him grin with a dark sort of depravity, rejoicing in taking back what was his—

Edward growled in annoyance, his voice low and unrecognizable as he asked into the darkness, "You again?"

What's wrong with you? Have you completely lost your mind? That's Bella. It's Jasper, your brother! Stop this now! A voice that was his own and simultaneously wasn't, screamed from within his mind. Fighting to get out, clawing his way through the abyss that was Edward's quickly vanishing soul. He grinned, a cruel and sharp smile that was truly disconcerting as he pushed the voice down, down, down.

Until it was silent.

Finally.

"You found them," Footsteps approached, and Edward pushed aside all of his inner turmoil as he turned away from the car in time to see Victoria making her way towards him.

"I have. Did you find what you were looking for?" He eyed her red lips-which were tainted by the blood of her most recent victim-gleamed under the moonlight.

Victoria grinned wickedly as she sauntered closer, "Oh yes. I did. Would you like a taste?"

Edward stepped forward as she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down until their lips met. The taste of blood on his tongue enticing him even more and within the blink of an eye he had her pinned to the tree, his hand splayed against the bark while the other gripped her waist possessively.

Victoria moaned as their tongues danced together, lost to her new lover's lust. Unaware that he was no longer looking at her as his sharp gaze focused on the human girl sitting in the car that finally drove away. His dark eyes were depthless as they watched the red lights fade into the night.

But the thrill of the hunt was ever present and it made him love every second of it.

"You should act now. While you have the chance," Victoria murmured into his ear, her voice, though lovely, reminding him of a snake hissing, readying for an attack. "I'll even let you take the first bite."

Edward's hand went to her wild mane of red hair and pulled harshly, making Victoria gasp and laugh in delight as she looked at him. He claimed her mouth again, savage and hungry until he finally pulled away. No longer tasting the blood on her mouth and thus having no use for her.

He released her and stepped back, turning his back on her as his dead eyes stared at the forest ahead, "Not yet." Hands tucked in the pockets of his jeans and walking further into the woods in the opposite direction Bella and Jasper were heading, with Victoria trialing after him he said, "We have one more thing to do before I reunite with my family."

"And then what?" She snapped, looking over her shoulder towards the empty road as rain started to trickle through the leaves above.

Edward's lip curled up, faint traces of red swirling in his onyx gaze like blood swimming in the black sea, "We hunt."


Bella sat on the couch, tucked between Jasper and Rosalie as everyone gathered around the living room. The air was tense, not a single member of the family seeming to relax for a moment. Alice stayed by the window, gazing absentmindedly out into the night.

When she finally snapped out of whatever vision she'd seen, Alice released an abrupt hiss, "Nothing. I can't see him!"

"Alice?" Carlisle walked up to his daughter, frowning in concern as he clasped her shoulder. Alice turned into her father's arms, frustration and worry evident on her pixie-shaped face.

"I don't know what he's doing. It's like he's playing with my gift, finding ways to go into blind spots. He knows it will mess with me. But why? Why is he doing this?"

Bella's hands closed in fists, suddenly growing more nervous the longer it takes Edward to make an appearance.

"He's going to show though, you said so yourself," Emmett said from where he was standing by the window on the other side of the room, arms crossed and eyes alert.

"It hasn't changed yet..." Alice murmured however, she was clearly disturbed by being kept in the shadows.

"Do you know what he wants?" Everyone turned to face Bella who'd been silent the entire time.

Alice nodded, "I think he wants to try to make amends."

"Amends," Rosalie snarled, standing up as if unable to control herself anymore. The blonde's anger towards her brother was palpable, even to Bella as she said, "He should have stayed away longer than a few weeks if he really wanted that."

"Rosalie," Esme murmured softly, pleadingly.

"No! What he did...it's unforgivable, I know you all agree with that."

"Whether we do or not," Carlisle supplied, "there's nothing we can do now. If he's coming, we'll have no choice but to see him. Knowing, Edward, he isn't likely to walk away."

"I could change that real quick," Rosalie spat to no one in particular.

"We'll handle it," Alice said as she walked over to her fuming sister. Determination laced across her usually happy, jovial demeanor, "together as a family."

While everyone gathered together to discuss how they would handle Edward should he begin stirring trouble, Bella stood up and wandered to the balcony. Standing by the sliding doors, she wrapped her arms around herself and closed her eyes. How could things have turned out this way? It seemed like a lifetime since she met the brooding yet kind Cullen boy in biology class. Bella could still recall the way he'd been so adamant in protecting her from James and the nomads that she would have never thought him to be this...deceitful.

As much as she didn't want to feel it, guilt swirled in her chest, but not for long.

Strong arms wrapped around her waist and Jasper's chest pressed against her back, his chin resting on her shoulder before whispering in her ear, "Tell me."

There were so many meanings behind those two words, but she understood them. Felt them in her heart.

Tell me what's on your mind.

Tell me you want to leave.

Tell me what you want.

She did the first, not quite ready to voice the second or third. Especially not the third when it all seemed to involve Jasper–being with him all the time, kissing him until she was breathless and craving more, just...sharing everything with him. It was so strange being so attached to him. This aching need to be close and know that he was beside her, touching her. Looking at her. Understanding her the way he always did. So different from what she had with Edward. What she thought was love seemed so far away now that she was experiencing something completely new with Jasper. As if he was a long lost part of her she'd only just regained.

"I feel guilty," She murmured as she rested her cheek against his while still gazing out into the forest surrounding the house, "maybe I started all this. If I hadn't involved myself so much with all of you..."

"Stop it," Jasper said while turning her around to face him. His fingers gripped her chin and lifted her face, "Regardless of what happened with Edward, you're here because of what you mean to us. To me. Feeling guilt isn't going to change that."

Bella splayed her hands against his broad chest while inhaling his sweet scent, "Okay."

"Okay?" He asked with a smile, tilting his head forward until his lips were barely grazing hers. He found it incredibly amusing to feel her embarrassment as her eyes flickered closed, trying to inch away slightly. Jasper kept his arm wrapped around her waist, not budging one bit as he asked, "Shy, darlin'? Really?"

"Jazz..." She breathed, "everyone is going to see."

"They already hear us. So I say they already know all there is to know," He said as he kissed her lips once, twice. Stealing two quick kisses that were innocent and yet, held so much meaning that it left her blushing harder, resting her forehead against the center of his chest to hide her red face. Jasper merely chuckled as he wrapped her up in his arms. "Oh we're shy now, huh?"

Emmett let out a short whistle that only increased Bella's blush as she glared at him. Rosalie, despite the permanent scowl on her face, rolled her eyes with amusement while Alice seemed to shimmy with happiness. Carlisle and Esme looked to one another, an unspoken communication between them as they positively beamed with joy.

They're happy...for us?

Bella was surprised to find that not one member of their family seemed to oppose their relationship. It was so odd, so unexpected, but incredibly heartwarming. Granting her a little more confidence to stare longingly into Jasper's eyes and hold him. Unafraid of what was to come.


It was late into the night when Edward's presence finally made everyone stiffen, save for Bella.

Jasper stood from where he sat beside Bella, shifting so he was facing the doorway. Emmett and Carlisle stood stoically on either side of the couch while Rosalie released a faint snarl.

The front door opened slowly before footsteps clicked against the hardwood floor, ascending the stairs. Alice and Esme looked at each other, exchanging wary glances before Edward stood in the living room.

Jasper clenched his teeth as the stench of blood, human and animal, reached him. A potent yet familiar smell he didn't like. The human scent wasn't of blood though he realized as he looked at Edward's black eyes. He hasn't fed on a human. Not yet anyway.

Edward looked at the empath, hearing his thoughts clearly and grinning as he repeated his words, "Not yet."

"Edward, what are you doing here? I thought I made myself clear you were not to return," Carlisle said with all the authority the leader of the coven could muster. Though Jasper felt the ache only a parent could feel for their child, a loss so great it was difficult to ignore. Jasper knew that no matter how powerful Carlisle's bond had once been with Edward, his father would undoubtedly protect Bella regardless.

They could all hear Bella's heart rate increasing by the minute since he appeared and Jasper tried to focus on keeping her calm when Edward finally looked at her. His voice was melodic and smooth like velvet as he drawled, "Hello love."

Bella flinched but slowly lifted her gaze up to look him in the eye.

Jasper watched Edward walk around the living room with his hands tucked in his pockets, eyes alert and unwelcoming as he tracked his every move. A predator watching its prey.

"I wanted to come back. See my family."

"Family? That's funny, last I checked you were more than willing to destroy it when you hurt Bella," Rosalie snapped as she glared at him over her shoulder when he walked past, as if he were patrolling the entire room.

Edward's eyes narrowed on his sister before regaining his composure.

Jasper couldn't describe it—the emotions he felt from Edward were so...foreign. Detached.

But it wasn't intentional, no, this was what he's become.

Wherever he's been and whatever he's done, it changed him.

Edward sighed, looking at Bella with eyes that bore too much interest for his liking.

"You're all right, I have changed. For the better I'd say," Edward said in the tone that seemed too rehearsed, too calm and placating to seem sincere. "I wanted to come and apologize for my behavior. It wasn't...I wasn't myself. Disgracing us for my actions and betraying your trust was truly a mistake I'll forever be repentant for, Carlisle."

"I'm sorry, was that an apology? It didn't sound like it." Rosalie challenged. Jasper was inclined to agree with the half-assed apology that seemed as false as the grin on Edward's lips.

"It isn't us you shouldn't be apologizing to, Edward." Carlisle said, frowning at the boy in concern before glancing to Bella.

"Ah yes, you're right. How insensitive on my part," He said before turning and striding across the room, "Isabella, I—"

That's close enough, Jasper conveyed his thoughts with a cold command and a wave of warning.

Edward slowed, directing his gaze to the empath before looking back to Bella. His nostrils flared as he took a breath and realization made him fight off a grin. A wicked thing that made Bella tense as she rose from the couch and stood close behind Jasper.

Jasper could hear her breathing increase and he slid a hand behind his back, glad that she immediately reached for it. A silent yet powerful gesture to remind her he was still here, and he wasn't going anywhere.

"So you've fallen for it, have you?" Edward murmured, shaking his head with an incredulous laugh. Emmett and Alice both stepped forward on either side of the vampire with grim expressions.

"Fallen?" Bella whispered.

"I mean it isn't that hard fooling you, I shouldn't be surprised. But that's why I'm here, to help you my sweet Bella."

A low growl resonated within Jasper's chest, "Stop it. Whatever this is, stop."

"Or what? The Major is going to come out and play?"

"Edward..." Bella shut her eyes, shaking her head as anxiety began to bubble up, overwhelming her. "Please—"

"That sounds familiar. I forgot how fragile you sound when you plead with me. Did you know when that blush appears on your cheeks and your heart rate increases it makes your blood smell...so enticing."

Jasper gritted his teeth as he looked over his shoulder to Bella, her eyes were filled with unshed tears and wide. Petrified. He saw it before his gift picked up on it, as if Bella tried to fight it off. Tried to be brave.

Rage was a silent killer inside Jasper as he gently released Bella's hand and turned to face his brother. His brother who looked utterly unfazed by what he'd just said, what he implied.

"I don't know how you do it, Jazz," Edward was in front of him in a flash, taking Bella by surprise as she stumbled backward. The former didn't so much as flinch, glaring at him closely from where he stood tall.

Had it not been for Esme wrapping her arm around Bella's shoulders she would have fallen. Her fear fed Jasper's increasing fury as he glared at the man before him. His eyes once a warm amber now turned black as night, darker than Edward's own eyes.

"Managed to fool her into being with you when she has no choice whatsoever. Did he tell you the truth yet about why you can't seem to be apart?"

Bella released a shaky breath as Esme moved her away from her two sons, as if knowing what was about to unfold, "What are you talking about?"

Jasper bared his teeth just as Carlisle placed his hand on Edward's shoulder, "Son, enough. There's no need to play games. Leave, you need to leave or I will make you. This isn't good for Bella," Not a suggestion but a command. There was a cadence in Carlisle's voice that betrayed the soft gold in his eyes.

Edward ignored his father completely as he said, "You didn't tell her she's your mate? Oh Jasper that's cruel, playing with her this way."

Any ounce of self control Jasper had snapped as it should have the moment he walked into this house.

Unleashing an onslaught of distraught onto Edward, Jasper surged forward and yanked on the collar of his shirt before Carlisle could do a thing. Bella gasped as Jasper shoved him back until Edward's body collided with the wall on the other side of the room. The wooden beam cracked with the force as Edward grimaced, grabbing Jasper's arm before he could continue pushing him into the wall.

Edward snarled as Jaspers other hand shot out and grabbed his face, pressing his cheek against the now cracked paint on the wall.

"You fucker, I should rip you to shreds for what you did to her." Jasper hissed, close enough he could bite Edward's head clean off if he wanted to.

"Go ahead," Edward groaned as Jasper pressed his hand down harder on his cheek. The sound of porcelain cracking echoed in the room, his skin cracking the longer Jasper kept him in place. "They'll never forgive you. Not even Bella."

"Jasper, please," Bella murmured though she remained between Esme and Rosalie who was quick to go to her as soon as Jasper went after Edward. Jasper looked over his shoulder, his eyes feral even as he found her looking at him with an uncertain gaze, "It's not worth it."

He felt her calm them. Not because she was calm, but because she wanted to give him this—peace and to bring him down from the fury still boiling inside himself.

If you so much as touch her again, you're dead to me, Jasper said before shoving him away. Leave before I really do kill you regardless of how everyone else feels. You're nothing of mine now.

After lying for so long and taking advantage of Bella's emotions, Jasper knew repairing his relationship with his brother was close to impossible.

It wasn't because of his romantic involvement with Bella, though that sparked a flame of jealousy he wasn't proud to admit. It was because out of everything that mattered to Jasper, his bond with Edward had been precious.

His best friend.

Confidant.

Brother.

All of it erased by a single lie, and then after...what he did to Bella was a line crossed Jasper didn't think he could ever let Edward go back over.

Jasper turned his back in him and walked back to Bella who seemed relieved beyond words that he was alright. That he hadn't done something he would have regretted.

Emmett and Carlisle guided Edward towards the door, the former grabbing hold of his arm as if to prevent him from going after Jasper.

"Oh I almost forgot," Edward said as he stopped despite Emmett's grip tightening. Edward flashed that familiar crooked grin once more as he spoke to Bella, ignoring the fissures on his marble skin, "when was the last time you saw Charlie? He didn't look too good last I saw him. Maybe you should head over there soon?"

"Edward, what—" In an instant, Edward shrugged Emmett's hand off and rushed past the others, running down the stairs and disappearing while Bella caught up to what he'd just said.

Charlie.

She paled as she turned to face Jasper, "What does he mean by that?"

"Emmett, Rosalie, go with Jasper and make sure Charlie's alright. Bella-"

"No," she stepped away from Carlisle, eyes wide in alarm, "I'm going too."

"Bella, I–" Jasper started only to stop when he finally caught her eyes. Felt what she was feeling.

Confused.

Upset.

Betrayed.

All because he hadn't told her they were mates. Because Edward had to poison something beautiful between them with his hateful words and ego. He hadn't wanted it to be this way. He wanted to tell her when he felt Bella was ready, probably would have told her tonight once everything was over. Now it was too late.

"I'm going," she said with more conviction. "You can't stop me from going. And you shouldn't. I have a right..." her voice caught and she turned before he could reach for her. Storming out of the living room with Rosalie in tow, the latter granting him a sympathetic glance.

Running a hand over his face, Jasper swallowed down the curse that threatened to slip and without looking at anyone else in the room, he followed after his mate.

Now wasn't the time to worry about what Bella was thinking.

Not when Charlie's well-being was at stake, and for Edward's sake, he hoped he was safe.


Thanks for reading x