Chapter Thirty-Four:

Edward.

Immediately grabbing anything I can to cover myself up with. I grabbed a pillow and shoved it against my chest.

I'm sure he still got an eye full though.

Edward and I locked eyes. He gave me a creepy smirk. He just read my mind. Glancing down at Jasper I felt humiliated and uncomfortable. Jasper picked up on this and snarled at him, rightfully so.

Why had he still not left?

"We'll be having a family meeting soon," Edward said dismissively.

Jasper was shaking, every muscle on his back was defined, tense. He let out a growl that seemed to vibrate within me.

"No need to be so hostile Jasper" Edward said mockingly.

He snarled in response, still not moving from his position.

He moved his eyes from Jasper to mine, I felt his intense gaze move from my eyes to my neck, then back up. He smirked. It made me very uncomfortable. I felt like a piece of meat.

"She's still unclaimed," Edward said, almost happily.

Jasper POV.

Once he uttered those words, I moved, snarling as I tackled Edward. Grabbing him by the neck, squeezing. He just openly challenged me for my mate. As if he could actually take me on.

I watched in satisfaction as cracks began to form on his neck where my hand is.

Giving one last growl I threw him down. Turning to face the other vampire I sensed. "Carlisle?" I asked.

He approached me cautiously, when we were an arms length away, he placed a comforting hand onto my shoulder. "Your mate needs you. Go to her".

I nodded, walking back to my room I saw Ally still on my bed, my pillow still wrapped around her chest. "Are you okay?" I asked as I sat down near her.

She didn't respond at first, scooting closer to me she wrapped her warm arms around me. Squeezing gently, she said quietly "I am now".

After a few moments of silence, she broke it. "Jazz, what did Edward mean that I'm still unclaimed?"

I stood up and closed my bedroom door. Walking back to her, I bend down and grab the pile of clothes. Handing her, her shirt and bra so she can feel more comfortable.

After she puts her clothes back on, I sigh, taking a seat next to her on the bed again. "It means that I haven't left my mark on you yet. It shows other vampires that you're mine. That you can't be harmed. And if you are, it's a death sentence. It's why we stay away from claimed mates."

"Oh" she says, taking everything I just said in. "So, why don't you just mark me then?" she follows after.

"Because it's not as simple as just biting you. There are other factors that come into play with it." I paused. "It's instinctual for us vampires. But I wanted to wait with you since you're human. I didn't want to scare you off" I say sheepishly.

Grabbing her hands I continue to explain. "If I bite you, it'll inject mating venom. Your body will respond first, even if you're against it. Your body will want to complete the bond through sex." I finished.

I watch as her face brightens in a cherry red color. "Oh" she says looking up at me through her lashes. "Is it painful for you?" she asks.

"What?" I ask her.

She blushes, embarrassment floods her. "Does it make you, umm. Uncomfortable that you haven't marked me yet?"

My instincts scream at me every day that we need to fully mate. I know I can turn into something our kind needs to kill. But I can't tell her that yet.

When our kind meet our mate and don't mark them soon, we'll slowly go insane. With the need growing every day to mark them, to complete the bond. We can only go on for so long before we turn feral.

I chuckle. "No darlin', it doesn't."

A few moments pass before I hear Carlisle call for a family meeting. "Darlin', we'll need to continue this conversation some other time. Carlisle just called for a family meetin'."

She nods and stands. Waiting for me I presume. I stand with her and offer her my hand. Walking out of my room and downstairs we meet up with the rest of the family. I make sure to keep Edward in my line of sight the whole time.

He won't be getting anywhere near my darlin' girl any time soon.

Carlisle starts out "Welcome everyone". Clasping his hands together, he continues "it has been brought to my attention that we all need to discuss family values again."

Everyone let out a collective sigh, but nodded.

"Edward, Jasper" Carlisle called out.

I didn't feel comfortable leaving my mate alone. Scanning the room, Rose and I locked eyes. She understood.

Leaning over to Ally I told her to "go over to Rose and Emmitt." She nodded, and made her way over to the couple.

Still feeling on edge, but satisfied if anything happens, knowing that they would keep her safe. I walked up to Carlisle and Edward. Suppressing a growl that tried to claw its way from my chest.

"Now Jasper, I know you felt threatened by Edward. But we don't attack other members of this coven. Do we have an understanding?" Carlisle started off.

Major began to rattle in his cage, knocking down mental barriers. I began to push him back.

"That little twat! He openly challenged us for our mate! And he's just letting him get away with it!" Major began yelling at me.

"I know, I know. If we kill Edward, we'd be kicked out of the coven. And our mate likes this coven. As much as I want to get rid of him completely, I want to keep our mate happy." I say back to Major.

Major grumbles, but on the pretense of upsetting our mate he quiets down, receding to the back of my mind.

"Yes, we do Carlisle" I say slightly strained.

Focusing his attention on Edward, Carlisle was about to talk when Edward cut him off before he even had a chance to talk. "Yes Carlisle we have an understanding".

Carlisle nodded in acceptance. Turns his attention to the rest of the family. "I don't want anyone to interact with Bella Swan. That includes you too Edward. She mustn't know about our existence."

Edward gives off a growl, under his breath.

Carlisle sharply turns his head to Edward. They lock eyes, and he goes into a submissive stance.

Calming himself down Carlisle refocuses on the group, "let's take it to vote".

Everyone but Edward raises their hand. "With that settled. The meeting is over". Carlisle says.

"Edward, let's go talk in my office" Carlisle says sternly.

Edward POV:

Following Carlisle, he shuts the door behind me. I already know what he wants to talk about. But I'll let him say it.

"Isabella Swan must not know about us. You can't give her any more hints. You may interact with her, but you must keep it as human as you can." he says.

Scoffing, I turn to leave. "We're not done here yet" he says. Facing him again, I cross my arms around my chest. Patience was never a strong skill of mine.

"You also need to leave Jasper's mate alone. She's not up for challenge. While we all know she hasn't been marked yet, it's not an excuse to openly challenge one for their mate." Carlisle says sternly.

Why would I want that worthless blood bag whore anyway? Seeing her today only made me want Isabella more.

I nod in understanding, faking sincerity.

"Glad we had this talk, son" he says, placing his hand on my shoulder, giving me a compassionate smile.

Exiting his study, I will have Isabella. A sickening smile forms.