Short and sweet but an update at long last!

Chapter 8

"Hop on," Bella said, patting the space behind her on the infamous motorcycle he'd heard so much about. She'd finally, somehow, gotten her license. As he'd promised, Charlie had restored the motorcycle to her.

Jasper flinched dramatically as he came down the drive to meet her. "Fuck. I'm gonna die, aren't I?"

"Oh relax, I've got my license and everything, remember? Besides, you can't die."

"A theory that will be tested today."

"This was the deal, remember? If you guys are gonna get involved in this supernatural battle, I get to drive you around."

"Today," he clarified, swinging his leg over the seat and settling in behind her. "You get to drive me around today."

She waved her hand. "Details. You ready?"

Jasper scooted closer and wrapped his long arms around her waist. "Ready," he whispered, his frozen breath tickling her ear, his cold body flush against hers.

Her cheeks flamed. "Do you want me to crash? Seriously!"

His laughter was drowned out by the roar of the engine as she took off down the road.

His whole family stood before him, waiting. Waiting for him to teach them how to take down the newborn army headed their way. Just as Maria's newborns had stood waiting for him to teach them how to be killers or waiting for him to kill them. "Fuck," he muttered. He clenched his hands into fists a few times, then commanded in a louder voice, tinged with authority he hadn't used in over a century, "Emmett! You're first."

His youngest brother swaggered forward with a cocky, smug grin. "My pleasure."

Jasper smirked. Maybe he could find just a little enjoyment in this after all.

As predicted, Emmett rushed him straight on. Jasper easily used Emmett's own momentum to shove him back and watched as his younger brother flailed mid-air before landing on his back. He heard Bella and Alice laughing, and even Rosalie giggled as Emmett leapt up to glare at Jasper. "Again!"

"I'm afraid that will have to wait," Carlisle interrupted them, and they turned to see eight large wolves emerge from the trees.

As always, Jasper was amazed by the sight of them. He suddenly felt a competitive spark flare in his chest and he noticed Emmett staring down the wolf he could only guess was Paul. Jasper elbowed him sharply in the ribs. "Hey!" Emmett hissed.

"Now's not the time," Jasper said sharply, and he saw Emmett clench his jaw before relaxing his shoulders and giving him a nod.

Edward was translating between the wolves and Carlisle. "The newborns are a great deal stronger than us, because human blood lingers in their tissues. Our kind is never more physically powerful than in their first few months of life. My son, Jasper, has the most knowledge out of all of us about how to defeat them."

Carlisle stepped aside, leaving space for Jasper to step forward to address the wolves. Jasper focused on being calm and controlled. He always felt he was better suited as a second in command, and now to be in the spotlight like this left him feeling more vulnerable than he would've liked. He unconsciously tugged his sleeves down over his wrists as he stepped forward. "Carlisle's right, that's why they were created. A newborn army don't need thousands like a human army. An' no human army stands a chance against 'em. The two most important things to remember are never let them get their arms around you. They'll crush you. And, never go for the obvious kill. They'll be expectin' that. And you will lose." He stepped back, calling for Emmett once again as they squared off across from each other. He nodded to his brother. "Don't hold back."

Emmett grinned. "Not in my nature, big bro."

Bella watched Emmett lunge at Jasper again, and her jaw dropped when her boyfriend was suddenly nothing but a blur. She had never seen him move that fast. Emmett threw punches and tried to grab him but he missed every time. Emmett leaped for Jasper who all but disappeared, reappearing seconds later with his teeth positioned just above Emmett's throat. He released him, keeping a hand on his shoulder, then faced everyone else again. "Never lose focus," he said, "an' never turn your back on your enemy."

An impressed rumble arose from the wolves. Bella watched him with a prideful ache. His skills were unmatched but she'd seen what he had to endure to earn them.

A large wolf approached, nuzzling her shoulder. "Hey Jake," she smiled, running her hand through his fur as they both watched the vampires continue to spar, Jasper overseeing each match and offering advice and critiques. "Someone's gonna get hurt. Someone might even…" she shook her head, unable to say it. "I saw newborns in Houston. It was so awful. We barely made it out."

Jacob nuzzled her again and she leaned against him. "Thanks."

Jasper approached as the sun was starting to set. He gave them both a small smile. "We're done for the day. Thanks for comin', Jacob."

Jacob dipped his head in a nod before turning to rejoin the pack. Jasper took Bella's hand as they began to walk back to her motorcycle.

"How you holdin' up, darlin'?"

"Fine, I guess. Are you sure there's nothing I can do to help?"

"Your scent will distract the newborns, just like it did in Houston. Their hunting instinct will take over an' lead them right to us, an' we'll be ready for 'em."

She nodded, falling in step beside him, memories from their brief time with the newborns closing in like a dark cloud. Jasper stopped and pulled her into his chest. "It won't be like that again," he said, his voice sure and steady. "I promise. We'll be ready this time."

She buried her nose in his shoulder, inhaling his scent and letting his calm sink into her soul. "Isn't Edward the mind reader?"

"Wasn't too hard to figure out were the darkness came from. Been wrestlin' with it myself all day."

Bella tilted her head to look up at him. "Do you want to talk about it?"

Jasper shook his head. "Not now. All I wanna do now is be somewhere with you, away from all this."

"Sounds good to me."

They ended up at their spot by the creek. Bella sat with her back pressed up against Jasper's chest, his arms around her. Her mind was still reeling with thoughts of the upcoming battle, but she tried to push them out of her mind. She couldn't help but see some similarities though. "I think it's Victoria."

"Pardon?"

"I think it's Victoria," she said again. "She's building an army like Maria. The newborns, whoever was in my room… they're all her puppets."

He frowned. "Alice woulda seen-"

"Unless she knows about you guys. She could be letting someone else make the decisions. Like you were Maria's second."

Jasper's body went rigid as the pieces clicked into place. "Oh my God it's Victoria."

"We've gotta tell everyone."

"Let's go."