The Descent
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 12
“You two are despicable,” Rosalie sneered as Alice and Edward entered the family room. Emmett pulled her closer with an arm around her shoulders and whispered to her as Esme and Carlisle glanced up from a book they’d been reading together.
“Why would you say such a thing, Rosalie?” Carlisle asked as the two being discussed took seats together on a couch, Alice looking particularly fragile as she tucked herself in close to Edward’s side.
Rose scowled. “You have ears Carlisle. Surely you heard what just went on upstairs?”
Carlisle glanced at his mate before looking back at Rose. “I did, but who are we to deny them their shared comfort? They both lost their mates and…”
Rosalie cut him off with a hiss. “Lost their mates?!” She scoffed. “He left his human willingly and she”—Rose gestured to Alice disdainfully—“gave Jasper the boot! You make it sound as though their stories are tragic and not of their own doing, which is hardly the case.”
Edward scowled. “What would you know of any of it? I love Bella but left her to keep her safe and allow her to have a happy, normal life and Alice gave up Jasper to keep this family safe. He was unstable, and I’m sure I need not remind you, we voted as a family to ask him to leave, it wasn’t just Alice.”
Rose tensed, but it was Emmett who spoke. “Rose and I didn’t want him gone, that was all you and Alice, and like always, Carlisle and Esme went along with whatever you two want.”
“Yes, because the two golden children could never be wrong, could they?” Rose asked, her tone resentful while meeting her sire’s eyes.
“Rosalie, sweetheart, they have gifts that we can scarcely comprehend the workings of. If they say certain actions must be taken for the safety of this family, how can I disregard their counsel? Even you must admit, they’ve kept us from some very close situations over the years?”
“Really, Carlisle? Have they? Who’s to say some of those situations haven’t been deliberately manufactured to produce their desired outcome?”
Alice finally spoke up, her eyes glittering with moisture and her tone sad, “Is that how you truly think of us, Rose? After all these years? I love Jazzy. He is…oh god, it hurts my heart to talk about him, but he is beyond amazing and I miss him…every day. And you know I couldn’t lie about that and get away with it. Not with him. He would’ve known—would’ve felt it. Even he knows I love him, but another thing I know is, he doesn’t love me; not really. He was fond of me, but that’s as deep as his regard was. He had his reasons for that, and it was something I understood and accepted. I was willing to do that because it was the only way I could have even a little part of him.” She stared down into her lap and Edward rubbed her back before pulling her close in a hug.
“It’s okay Alice, it’ll all be okay,” he murmured against her spiky hair. She smiled wanly and Rose narrowed her eyes at the pair.
“You may have felt that way about him, but I’m not sure I buy the rest. You both were so quick to act this last time, and I have to wonder, why? It just doesn’t make sense. I mean, Edward, you were so willing to risk everything for a chance at the human, while still being unwilling to change her. Why? You know, if the Volturi ever find out about her, we’re all in a world of shit, right? And for what?” She looked at her sire again. “If they were so concerned with our safety, they would’ve stayed far away from Bella Swan, especially when she started to get curious, but that didn’t happen and now we find ourselves in this mess; and yes, it’s still a mess. She might be changed now, but we left her, human with no intention of ever fixing the situation. They’ll see that as guilt. You know this.”
Carlisle nodded. “I can’t deny the truth of what you say, Rose…”
A gasp from Alice cut him off mid-sentence and everyone waited for her to come out of an obvious vision before speaking. “What did you see, Alice?” Carlisle asked when she snapped out of it and shared a look with Edward.
She looked at Carlisle. “Jasper. He’s in Texas, and Bella is with him.”
They all stared at each other until a smirk curled Edward’s lips. “You know…I believe I just thought of something that would absolve us of our guilt…”
~o0o~
The bar was packed and noisy, and it took me some time to adjust to the sensory overload as we sat in the out-of-the-way booth Jasper had led us to when we’d arrived.
We’d been in Texas for two weeks now and Jasper’d decided we needed to get out and do something, so here we were in Peter’s favorite bar/dance hall.
Jasper’s arm around me and his familiar scent was a comfort, not to mention the fulfilling hunt he’d taken me on before bringing me here. Not that the scent of humans got to me. It was more the sound of their hearts beating that amped me up. Still, it was controllable, especially since I was so full it was almost uncomfortable, but I guess that was better than potentially losing my shit in a packed dance hall. “How ya doin’ Bella?” he asked lowly against the shell of my ear as Peter signaled the waitress over to the table and ordered.
“I’m okay, Jay. Not like I haven’t been out in public, but the bar in Italy wasn’t nearly this noisy. It just overwhelmed me there for a minute, but I’m fine now.”
Just at that moment, every voice in the place screamed out the word ‘bullshit’ in response to a song blaring from the jukebox and I cringed. “Damn, how do you guys stand it?”
Peter smirked at me and set a shot of tequila in front of me. “Down a few a’ these. It’ll take the edge off.”
He was right, of course and about six or seven shots later—I wasn’t really keeping count—I was feeling pretty good and laughing at a story Peter had just recounted about a much younger, human Jasper. “He really smoked the whole pouch?” I asked with a grin while shooting a glance at Jasper, and Pete nodded.
“He did. Only reason I remember it was ‘cause it was the only time I ever saw our Pa that spittin’ mad. Was the only time I ever saw him wear out Jasper’s ass end too, since he did it there and then instead a’ takin’ him out back like he usually did.”
I looked over at Jasper who’d just taken a sip from his whiskey and he nodded. “He sure did darlin’. Strapped me good that time, but I reckon I deserved it,” he finished with a smirk. “Although, I recall Peter gettin’ his share durin' his childhood too.”
My eyes were wide as I stared between the two chuckling males. “Don’t look so shocked, sugar,” Charlotte said as she patted my hand. “It was a common thing back then, especially with rowdy boys and I’m sure these two were a couple a’ hell raisers.”
I shook my head. “It’s just…my parents never hit me as a punishment…ever. It’s hard to imagine, much less laugh about.”
Pete smirked. “Could explain why you’re so sweet and my brother’s such an asshole…”
I laughed as Charlotte smacked Pete on the back of his head. “You got no room to talk, Peter Whitlock. You’re both cut from the same cloth.”
He pulled her close and kissed her soundly. “You love me anyway.”
Jasper grabbed my hand and pulled me up out of the booth. “Come on darlin’, let’s dance.”
Pushing our way through the crowd, he spun me around and pulled me in close in the middle of the dance floor, our bodies moving in time to some sweet country song about lost loves and pick-up trucks. I think there was even something in there about a faithful dog too. I laughed and looked up into Jay’s face. “God, I stay around here much longer, I’ll be chewing hay and learning how to spit. This place is like another world entirely.”
He glanced down, the amusement he felt not obscured by the muddy-brown contacts we all were sporting for our night out. “Chewin’ hay?” He pulled me even closer, our bodies aligning perfectly together as he leaned down, his voice a velvety rumble in my ear as he continued. “I could think of many things I’d rather ya do with that pretty mouth, sugar.”
He placed a kiss just under my ear and my head rolled back, a low moan leaving my parted lips as my center clenched, just from the sound of his voice and a simple kiss. “Fuck, Jay, how do you do that?” I asked, my tone a bit accusatory when I recovered and looked up at him.
He breathed out a laugh as he expertly guided us around the packed floor, never missing a beat. “Do what?”
With one hand, I reached down and palmed him through his snug jeans, the packed crowd and low lights obscuring my boldness. “Don’t play stupid, Major. It’s unbecoming.”
Sucking a breath through his teeth, he growled lowly and nuzzled just under my ear as he answered. “Keep that up sugar, and I’m gonna fuck ya hard against that back wall.”
I smirked and nipped at his neck while playing my fingers through his hair. “And this would be a punishment, how?”
He began to maneuver us toward said wall when I felt him tense, his head snapping up as his sharp eyes searched the crowd. Then I smelled it: Vampire, and not any I knew, at least on this side of my existence anyway. “Jay?” I muttered before looking in the direction his gaze was locked on.
“Shit,” he muttered as my eyes widened then narrowed at the sight of the entire Cullen clan as they arranged themselves around a table, looking very out of place in their straight-laced, upper-crust designer clothes.
Jasper continued to dance us back to that back wall and I snorted at how ridiculous the Cullens looked in such a setting. I had to wonder at that point, if there was ever a place where they didn’t manage to stick out like a sore thumb. If there was, I’d never seen it.
Jay leaned against the wall and pulled me close. “What’s got you so tickled?” he asked, his voice so low I could barely hear it as he buried his face in my neck, his hands sliding into the back pockets of my well worn jeans to cup my ass.
I glanced across the room as a waitress took the Cullen’s order and chuckled. “Just that they blend in about as well as a nun at Ozz-Fest.”
He laughed before placing a hot, open mouthed kiss right above his sire mark, drawing an instant moan from me as I clung to him.
“What do you think they want, Jay?” I managed to ask while hitching one leg around his to get some friction where I needed it.
He shrugged, cupped the back of my head and sucked on my bottom lip before slanting his mouth over mine to kiss me deeply and my knees went weak as his talented tongue played against mine. When he finally broke the kiss, he mumbled, “Not a fuckin’ clue, but whatever it is, they ain’t gettin’ it.”
Just then, Peter and Charlotte danced up and took up a spot next to us. “Looks like the squirrel munchers are here, Major,” he said with a smirk.
Jasper shot his brother a look. “I noticed.”
“You gonna invite ‘em back for a chat?”
Jasper sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I reckon I will. God knows they probably won’t leave us alone until I do.”
Charlotte wrinkled her nose and Pete shrugged. “Probably not.”
I drew back and Jasper grabbed my hand. “Let’s get this over with then.”
With a firm hold on my hand, Jasper made his way over to their table and stopped and I did my best to avoid eye contact as they all stared until Carlisle cleared his throat. “Jasper, Bella,” he greeted somewhat grimly.
I wrinkled my brow and looked around their table, my eyes wide. “Do I know you?”
Jasper squeezed my hand as amusement danced through his eyes while the Cullens—Edward in particular—looked stricken. “You don’t remember us?” he asked and I shook my head.
“No…should I?” I looked up at Jasper, an expression of what I hoped was supreme innocence and confusion on my face and he played along, thank fuck.
“It’s all right, baby doll. Nothin’ to worry over,” he said while smoothing some hair back from my face and I smiled brightly at him.
“Oh, good, because I don’t know them at all.” Then I leaned up on my toes and whispered in his ear loud enough for them to hear, “They’re kinda weird lookin’ Major.”
Alice and Edward scowled, Pete stifled a snort—or tried to—while Char smirked and I felt a spike of humor come off Jasper before he managed to shut it down. “Shh, baby doll. That wasn’t nice. Remember your manners or I’ll have to spank ya when we get home.”
Lust, heavy and cloying, shot through me at that suggestion, but I had an act to keep up so I plastered on a pouty face and glued myself to his side while tucking my face against him. “I’m sorry Major. I’ll be a good girl, I promise.”
Jasper’s nostrils flared and his eyes darkened as he cupped my face. “Oh, I know you will, sugar. Now hush while I speak to these fine folks.”
I bit my lip and gave him my best theatrical good girl nod and his lips twitched as he tucked me into his side and turned back to the gobsmacked Cullens. “I reckon y’all are here to talk. My truck’s outside. Follow us back to our place and we’ll talk there.”
Once we were in the truck and on our way, Pete shook his head as Charlotte laughed. “What in the blue fuck was that, Bella?”
I smirked and shrugged a shoulder. “I dunno. Just felt like fucking with them, I guess.”
Pete pulled Char into his side and chuckled. “Long as ya realize it could backfire. They might just decide ya need rescuin’, poor, innocent thing that ya are.”
I peeked over at Jasper and he glanced at me. “Did I screw things up, Jay?”
His fingers tapped at the top of the steering wheel. “Nothin’ we can’t handle.”
Pete piped up, “True. The day we can’t deal with the squirrel munchers is the day we deserve to get our asses kicked.”
I was feeling guilty now though. “Yeah, but it’s trouble you guys don’t need.” I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. “I’m sorry. I should’ve thought better of it. Should I come clean when we get there?”
Jasper smirked. “Nope. You’re gonna play it out now, darlin’. ‘Sides, I’m kinda lookin’ forward to givin’ ya that spankin’ for being such a naughty girl.”
The lust spiked in the cab of the truck, bouncing back and forth between Jay and me, and Peter groaned. “Damn, you two. Scale that shit back, would ya? I’d rather not be feelin’ shit like this around my little brother.”
Jasper shot Peter a glare and Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Peter Whitlock. Don’t you go startin’ this up again. I don’t wanna have to put your arm back on again.”
“Ya might have’ta pry my boot from his ass,” Jasper grumbled and I scooted over close to him, tucking myself under his arm as he pulled me close. Peter grinned but wisely kept quiet for the rest of the drive.
We pulled up into the circular drive in front of the house and got out of the truck as the Cullens stepped out of their rented SUV. Emmett whistled as they all gazed, slack-jawed, at the house. “Damn, bro. Quite the place you have,” he muttered as the posted guards came smartly to attention.
Jasper cocked a brow. “What’d ya expect? A shack?”
“Frankly, yes,” Edward grumbled but a sharp glance from Carlisle seemed to shut him up as we all climbed the steps to the front entrance.
Jasper opened the double doors and stood aside to let everyone pass. I chose to stay at his side and didn’t miss the dirty look Alice shot me on her way by.
Peter and Char led everyone to the massive living room where they all took seats just as Jasper and I walked in. Jasper led me over to his favorite chair and pulled me into his lap where I curled up against his chest as Peter offered everyone something to drink. They declined and so, when Peter took his seat next to Char, Jasper didn’t waste any time, looking straight at Carlisle as his fingers absently played with a lock of my hair. “Okay, what’s this all about?”
Carlisle raised a brow, but before he could speak, Edward started in. “You two!” He shot from his seat and began to pace. “You’re causing Alice pain! She’s seeing horrible visions of your antics and it has to stop!”
Jasper’s brows inched up with every word that spilled from Edward’s mouth. “Antics, Edward? And I do believe I addressed my question to your leader, boy. Take a seat.”
Emmett snickered and Rose snorted as Carlisle held up a hand, cutting Edward’s angry retort off. “He’s correct, son. Sit down, please.”
Edward looked at his sire in disbelief before finally slumping into the seat next to Alice with a scowl.
Carlisle looked back at a smirking Jasper. “He’s partially correct. We are here because of these disturbing visions. They are debilitating to poor Alice. Not only has she seen your hunting habits of late, she’s had to witness your less than savory…activities with Isabella and certain other females, which in turn subjects Edward to seeing the same. It’s been very painful for them both, to say the least.”
The more the blond coven leader spoke, the more I tensed. Shit! Just the thought of the two voyeurs watching Jasper and me had me shuddering in Jasper’s arms. There was no fucking way I wanted Edward getting an eyeful of me…of us…doing that! Knowing him, and how he used to watch me sleep…he was probably using it as spank material. The thought made me sick. Closing my eyes, I leaned into Jasper’s hold and took in big breaths of his calming scent, just wishing there was a way to keep them out…
“What the hell just happened?!”
I heard Carlisle sigh. “Edward, what now, son?”
“Jasper! One second I could hear him just fine and now I can’t! It’s like he’s gone completely! Not that it’s not a welcome loss,” he sneered.
I opened my eyes and looked around the room to see Peter with a knowing smirk on his face as he watched me. Carlisle, too, was looking at me quizzically. “What?” I asked in my most innocent little girl voice, just to keep up with the game I’d started at the bar. In all honesty, I really did wanna know why they were eyeing me like that. It was creepy.
“She’s a shield,” Carlisle muttered. “I had suspected…”
Edward looked at him sharply. “What does that have to do with Jasper?”
Carlisle was still staring at me as he answered absently. “She’s protecting her ma…”
“He’s not her mate!” Alice startled everyone by practically shrieking at her coven leader before he could finish his sentence. She shrank back into Edward’s side as everyone in the room focused on her. “I mean, she’s Edward’s mate, so she can’t possibly be Jasper’s.”
Pete snorted in disgust at that.
As they were all discussing this, I could feel Jasper getting more tense by the second until he finally spoke up, his tone resolute as he cut through the chatter. “I’m her sire, not her mate.”
His words struck a place in me that just…fucking…hurt and I hopped up out of his lap, glad that I no longer had that instant response of tears to such strong emotions. “I belong to no one, if you must know,” the sound of my voice quieting them instantly. “And I’m right here. Did no one teach you people it’s rude to talk about someone as if they’re not even present?” I stared down at the floor for a beat before catching Charlott’s eye. She looked sad, yet understanding. “I need some air. Don’t—follow—me,” I finished with a glance at Jasper who met my eyes with a blank expression. After the barest hesitation, I flashed to the front door and out into the sparse woods surrounding the house where I took off running.
Before too long, I found myself sitting on a high rock shelf, staring out over a small valley dotted with grazing cattle under the light of a full moon. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I registered how beautiful the sight was, but my main thoughts were a swirling mess of hurt, anger and self-pity as I went over all that had happened in my life and how unfair I thought it all was.
Somewhere along the line I concluded I should have begged Laurent to drain me. I smirked bitterly. That or maybe I should have had the guts to make some of those cuts a little deeper and done the job myself. Fucking coward…
Now, I didn’t have that luxury, and dying by fire…well, fuck…let’s face it, that’s some painful shit; something I wasn’t desperate enough to try…yet. I may revisit that option at some point, but it wouldn’t be today.
“Fuck!” I yelled as I chucked a rock as far as I could, scaring the shit out of most of the cows below as they beat it outta that peaceful little valley as if the hounds of hell were after them. And who could blame them? I was the world’s deadliest predator, even if I wouldn’t touch them with a ten foot pole. They smelled like shit and I was betting they tasted ten times worse.
“Fuck,” I muttered in a lower voice, now wishing like hell I could cry, just for the physical release the act usually brought, not to mention the fatigue. Yeah, nothing like crying yourself to sleep to vent all those pent up emotions…
Speaking of emotions… No, damn it! I just couldn’t think of him right now. I was too hurt. Too pissed. Too humiliated. Just…yeah, not going there…
I rubbed at my temples and kicked a rock over the ledge as my thoughts continued, whether I wanted them to or not.
While it’s true, I’m not technically his mate, I had thought we were trying… I had thought there was something genuine there… The least he could’ve done was keep his mouth shut and let them think what they will, but no, he had outright rejected me and that hurt like hell. Almost worse than the stressed mate bond I had with Caius, which, now that I thought about it, had been becoming easier to bear, not worse.
I wonder why that is.
Absently, I rubbed at my chest, pondering this for a moment before my head snapped up at a very familiar scent.
No way…it couldn’t be…
Just then, my ears picked up the sound of footsteps—the whispery kind that only a very graceful vampire can make—and the scent—that intoxicating, addictive scent—only strengthened, but I didn’t turn to look…I couldn’t, even as my whole body began to hum with his presence.
“Hello Isabella.”
“Caius…” His name was no more than a whisper on a breath from my lips as I felt him take a seat behind me, his arms enfolding me against his strong chest as his warm lips met the skin of my neck.
“I’ve missed you so,” he breathed between kisses and I melted against him, my arms covering his as he held me.
He felt so good…so safe…so right, and I turned my head, his lips finding mine instantly in a kiss so perfect, my heart would have burst had I been human.
I drew back when the kiss ended, my eyes searching his and he smiled and it was genuine, beautiful. “There you are,” he murmured before slanting those warm, satin lips over mine once again, the taste of him drawing a throaty moan from me as his tongue dipped and played between my eagerly parted lips.
Soon enough though, my mind took over and questions flooded me causing me to pull back, ending the kiss as I turned to stare out over the little valley that was now host to the beginnings of a spectacular sunrise. “What are you doing here?” I asked, still holding his comforting arms around me as he rested his chin lightly on my shoulder.
“We have dealings with the Whitlocks. I and my brothers came to conclude a transaction, but when I stepped out of the vehicle, I caught your scent and followed. I had to see you. You’re all I’ve thought of since you left me. The ache…have you felt it?” he asked, nuzzling his face into my neck, and a pang of guilt shot through me. I had felt it, of course, but being with Jasper had dulled it into background noise. Something I’m sure wouldn’t have been possible without his constant presence.
“Yes, I felt it,” I finally admitted. “But I was doing all I could to ignore it.”
“Understandable,” he conceded solemnly. “Still, I had hoped…”
I smirked as bitterness welled within me. “You’d hoped I’d be ready to cave to your whims?”
He hissed lowly and nipped at his mark on my neck, drawing me up short. “My feelings can never be likened to mere whims, Isa, make no mistake.”
I don’t know what it was about that little nip, but it certainly served to bring home the gravity of the situation. Put simply, I now felt like shit for hurting him. “I’m sorry,” I murmured and he pulled me in close again, soothing me with tender kisses and gentle strokes of his velvet tongue along my neck as a deep purr vibrated in his chest. It worked like magic and I sighed, tilting my head while relaxing into his hold.
Soon, my eyes fell closed and a sigh of pure bliss escaped me. He just felt so right…made me feel so safe. So easy… It would be so easy to surrender and return with him…be happy with him…
And then I thought about his wife…
Tensing, I pulled away from him and stood to pace away while running both hands through my hair. “I can’t do this… We can’t do this.” I stopped and looked at him where he now stood facing me.
He looked desperate and frustrated. “Why not?”
I growled. “You know why not! I can’t live like a whore! A woman on the side, constantly in the shadows, not the honorable wife, but the other…the one everyone sneers at and whispers about! I’m worth more than that, Caius!”
He stepped forward and I stepped back. “It would not be so, my heart, I swear it. You would be revered as my mate. You would be honored! Respected! I vow it!” He pulled me into his arms and cupped my face, his hands trembling, yet so gentle, something I never expected from the proud, fierce King. “Please Isa, give me a chance to prove myself?” He leaned down, his lips brushing over mine…once…twice, the contact so light, yet enough to pull at my very soul and I surrendered, burying my hand in his hair as I pulled him down and deepened the kiss.
Moments later, I ended it, resting my forehead against his as we stood there, holding each other. My heart was now breaking as I thought about Jasper. He’d been there for me…saw me through it all and never wavered and I knew—I knew he needed me more than Caius ever would.
How could I abandon him after all of that?
The short answer was, I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. He meant too much to me and even though he had his moments of being withdrawn, I knew I meant a lot to him too.
No, I just couldn’t do such a thing to Jay. He deserved more than the hand he’d been dealt in this life too, and I refused to be another person in his life to screw him over.
Opening my eyes, I stepped out of Caius’s arms while looking into his eyes. “I can’t,” was all I said and watched as his eyes filled with pain before closing as his head dropped. “I’m sorry,” I whispered before turning and running back to the house.
When I got there, my heart was aching so badly, all I wanted was to find Jay and wrap myself around him…lose myself in him for a time…soak up his familiar comfort.
It was with this singular purpose in mind that I searched, first amongst the crowd gathered in the living room. When I didn’t see him there, I ignored the calls from Peter and Char and flew up the stairs to Jasper’s rooms where I threw open the doors.
“Jay,” I said before freezing at what I saw.
There on the bed was Jasper with the most gorgeous, naked blonde straddling him, her platinum hair in loose curls that cascaded over her shoulders and back as she turned to stare at me from over her shoulder.
“Who—who are you?” I stuttered stupidly and she smirked.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m Athenadora, Jasper’s mate.”
“You two are despicable,” Rosalie sneered as Alice and Edward entered the family room. Emmett pulled her closer with an arm around her shoulders and whispered to her as Esme and Carlisle glanced up from a book they’d been reading together.
“Why would you say such a thing, Rosalie?” Carlisle asked as the two being discussed took seats together on a couch, Alice looking particularly fragile as she tucked herself in close to Edward’s side.
Rose scowled. “You have ears Carlisle. Surely you heard what just went on upstairs?”
Carlisle glanced at his mate before looking back at Rose. “I did, but who are we to deny them their shared comfort? They both lost their mates and…”
Rosalie cut him off with a hiss. “Lost their mates?!” She scoffed. “He left his human willingly and she”—Rose gestured to Alice disdainfully—“gave Jasper the boot! You make it sound as though their stories are tragic and not of their own doing, which is hardly the case.”
Edward scowled. “What would you know of any of it? I love Bella but left her to keep her safe and allow her to have a happy, normal life and Alice gave up Jasper to keep this family safe. He was unstable, and I’m sure I need not remind you, we voted as a family to ask him to leave, it wasn’t just Alice.”
Rose tensed, but it was Emmett who spoke. “Rose and I didn’t want him gone, that was all you and Alice, and like always, Carlisle and Esme went along with whatever you two want.”
“Yes, because the two golden children could never be wrong, could they?” Rose asked, her tone resentful while meeting her sire’s eyes.
“Rosalie, sweetheart, they have gifts that we can scarcely comprehend the workings of. If they say certain actions must be taken for the safety of this family, how can I disregard their counsel? Even you must admit, they’ve kept us from some very close situations over the years?”
“Really, Carlisle? Have they? Who’s to say some of those situations haven’t been deliberately manufactured to produce their desired outcome?”
Alice finally spoke up, her eyes glittering with moisture and her tone sad, “Is that how you truly think of us, Rose? After all these years? I love Jazzy. He is…oh god, it hurts my heart to talk about him, but he is beyond amazing and I miss him…every day. And you know I couldn’t lie about that and get away with it. Not with him. He would’ve known—would’ve felt it. Even he knows I love him, but another thing I know is, he doesn’t love me; not really. He was fond of me, but that’s as deep as his regard was. He had his reasons for that, and it was something I understood and accepted. I was willing to do that because it was the only way I could have even a little part of him.” She stared down into her lap and Edward rubbed her back before pulling her close in a hug.
“It’s okay Alice, it’ll all be okay,” he murmured against her spiky hair. She smiled wanly and Rose narrowed her eyes at the pair.
“You may have felt that way about him, but I’m not sure I buy the rest. You both were so quick to act this last time, and I have to wonder, why? It just doesn’t make sense. I mean, Edward, you were so willing to risk everything for a chance at the human, while still being unwilling to change her. Why? You know, if the Volturi ever find out about her, we’re all in a world of shit, right? And for what?” She looked at her sire again. “If they were so concerned with our safety, they would’ve stayed far away from Bella Swan, especially when she started to get curious, but that didn’t happen and now we find ourselves in this mess; and yes, it’s still a mess. She might be changed now, but we left her, human with no intention of ever fixing the situation. They’ll see that as guilt. You know this.”
Carlisle nodded. “I can’t deny the truth of what you say, Rose…”
A gasp from Alice cut him off mid-sentence and everyone waited for her to come out of an obvious vision before speaking. “What did you see, Alice?” Carlisle asked when she snapped out of it and shared a look with Edward.
She looked at Carlisle. “Jasper. He’s in Texas, and Bella is with him.”
They all stared at each other until a smirk curled Edward’s lips. “You know…I believe I just thought of something that would absolve us of our guilt…”
~o0o~
The bar was packed and noisy, and it took me some time to adjust to the sensory overload as we sat in the out-of-the-way booth Jasper had led us to when we’d arrived.
We’d been in Texas for two weeks now and Jasper’d decided we needed to get out and do something, so here we were in Peter’s favorite bar/dance hall.
Jasper’s arm around me and his familiar scent was a comfort, not to mention the fulfilling hunt he’d taken me on before bringing me here. Not that the scent of humans got to me. It was more the sound of their hearts beating that amped me up. Still, it was controllable, especially since I was so full it was almost uncomfortable, but I guess that was better than potentially losing my shit in a packed dance hall. “How ya doin’ Bella?” he asked lowly against the shell of my ear as Peter signaled the waitress over to the table and ordered.
“I’m okay, Jay. Not like I haven’t been out in public, but the bar in Italy wasn’t nearly this noisy. It just overwhelmed me there for a minute, but I’m fine now.”
Just at that moment, every voice in the place screamed out the word ‘bullshit’ in response to a song blaring from the jukebox and I cringed. “Damn, how do you guys stand it?”
Peter smirked at me and set a shot of tequila in front of me. “Down a few a’ these. It’ll take the edge off.”
He was right, of course and about six or seven shots later—I wasn’t really keeping count—I was feeling pretty good and laughing at a story Peter had just recounted about a much younger, human Jasper. “He really smoked the whole pouch?” I asked with a grin while shooting a glance at Jasper, and Pete nodded.
“He did. Only reason I remember it was ‘cause it was the only time I ever saw our Pa that spittin’ mad. Was the only time I ever saw him wear out Jasper’s ass end too, since he did it there and then instead a’ takin’ him out back like he usually did.”
I looked over at Jasper who’d just taken a sip from his whiskey and he nodded. “He sure did darlin’. Strapped me good that time, but I reckon I deserved it,” he finished with a smirk. “Although, I recall Peter gettin’ his share durin' his childhood too.”
My eyes were wide as I stared between the two chuckling males. “Don’t look so shocked, sugar,” Charlotte said as she patted my hand. “It was a common thing back then, especially with rowdy boys and I’m sure these two were a couple a’ hell raisers.”
I shook my head. “It’s just…my parents never hit me as a punishment…ever. It’s hard to imagine, much less laugh about.”
Pete smirked. “Could explain why you’re so sweet and my brother’s such an asshole…”
I laughed as Charlotte smacked Pete on the back of his head. “You got no room to talk, Peter Whitlock. You’re both cut from the same cloth.”
He pulled her close and kissed her soundly. “You love me anyway.”
Jasper grabbed my hand and pulled me up out of the booth. “Come on darlin’, let’s dance.”
Pushing our way through the crowd, he spun me around and pulled me in close in the middle of the dance floor, our bodies moving in time to some sweet country song about lost loves and pick-up trucks. I think there was even something in there about a faithful dog too. I laughed and looked up into Jay’s face. “God, I stay around here much longer, I’ll be chewing hay and learning how to spit. This place is like another world entirely.”
He glanced down, the amusement he felt not obscured by the muddy-brown contacts we all were sporting for our night out. “Chewin’ hay?” He pulled me even closer, our bodies aligning perfectly together as he leaned down, his voice a velvety rumble in my ear as he continued. “I could think of many things I’d rather ya do with that pretty mouth, sugar.”
He placed a kiss just under my ear and my head rolled back, a low moan leaving my parted lips as my center clenched, just from the sound of his voice and a simple kiss. “Fuck, Jay, how do you do that?” I asked, my tone a bit accusatory when I recovered and looked up at him.
He breathed out a laugh as he expertly guided us around the packed floor, never missing a beat. “Do what?”
With one hand, I reached down and palmed him through his snug jeans, the packed crowd and low lights obscuring my boldness. “Don’t play stupid, Major. It’s unbecoming.”
Sucking a breath through his teeth, he growled lowly and nuzzled just under my ear as he answered. “Keep that up sugar, and I’m gonna fuck ya hard against that back wall.”
I smirked and nipped at his neck while playing my fingers through his hair. “And this would be a punishment, how?”
He began to maneuver us toward said wall when I felt him tense, his head snapping up as his sharp eyes searched the crowd. Then I smelled it: Vampire, and not any I knew, at least on this side of my existence anyway. “Jay?” I muttered before looking in the direction his gaze was locked on.
“Shit,” he muttered as my eyes widened then narrowed at the sight of the entire Cullen clan as they arranged themselves around a table, looking very out of place in their straight-laced, upper-crust designer clothes.
Jasper continued to dance us back to that back wall and I snorted at how ridiculous the Cullens looked in such a setting. I had to wonder at that point, if there was ever a place where they didn’t manage to stick out like a sore thumb. If there was, I’d never seen it.
Jay leaned against the wall and pulled me close. “What’s got you so tickled?” he asked, his voice so low I could barely hear it as he buried his face in my neck, his hands sliding into the back pockets of my well worn jeans to cup my ass.
I glanced across the room as a waitress took the Cullen’s order and chuckled. “Just that they blend in about as well as a nun at Ozz-Fest.”
He laughed before placing a hot, open mouthed kiss right above his sire mark, drawing an instant moan from me as I clung to him.
“What do you think they want, Jay?” I managed to ask while hitching one leg around his to get some friction where I needed it.
He shrugged, cupped the back of my head and sucked on my bottom lip before slanting his mouth over mine to kiss me deeply and my knees went weak as his talented tongue played against mine. When he finally broke the kiss, he mumbled, “Not a fuckin’ clue, but whatever it is, they ain’t gettin’ it.”
Just then, Peter and Charlotte danced up and took up a spot next to us. “Looks like the squirrel munchers are here, Major,” he said with a smirk.
Jasper shot his brother a look. “I noticed.”
“You gonna invite ‘em back for a chat?”
Jasper sighed and ran a hand through his hair. “Yeah, I reckon I will. God knows they probably won’t leave us alone until I do.”
Charlotte wrinkled her nose and Pete shrugged. “Probably not.”
I drew back and Jasper grabbed my hand. “Let’s get this over with then.”
With a firm hold on my hand, Jasper made his way over to their table and stopped and I did my best to avoid eye contact as they all stared until Carlisle cleared his throat. “Jasper, Bella,” he greeted somewhat grimly.
I wrinkled my brow and looked around their table, my eyes wide. “Do I know you?”
Jasper squeezed my hand as amusement danced through his eyes while the Cullens—Edward in particular—looked stricken. “You don’t remember us?” he asked and I shook my head.
“No…should I?” I looked up at Jasper, an expression of what I hoped was supreme innocence and confusion on my face and he played along, thank fuck.
“It’s all right, baby doll. Nothin’ to worry over,” he said while smoothing some hair back from my face and I smiled brightly at him.
“Oh, good, because I don’t know them at all.” Then I leaned up on my toes and whispered in his ear loud enough for them to hear, “They’re kinda weird lookin’ Major.”
Alice and Edward scowled, Pete stifled a snort—or tried to—while Char smirked and I felt a spike of humor come off Jasper before he managed to shut it down. “Shh, baby doll. That wasn’t nice. Remember your manners or I’ll have to spank ya when we get home.”
Lust, heavy and cloying, shot through me at that suggestion, but I had an act to keep up so I plastered on a pouty face and glued myself to his side while tucking my face against him. “I’m sorry Major. I’ll be a good girl, I promise.”
Jasper’s nostrils flared and his eyes darkened as he cupped my face. “Oh, I know you will, sugar. Now hush while I speak to these fine folks.”
I bit my lip and gave him my best theatrical good girl nod and his lips twitched as he tucked me into his side and turned back to the gobsmacked Cullens. “I reckon y’all are here to talk. My truck’s outside. Follow us back to our place and we’ll talk there.”
Once we were in the truck and on our way, Pete shook his head as Charlotte laughed. “What in the blue fuck was that, Bella?”
I smirked and shrugged a shoulder. “I dunno. Just felt like fucking with them, I guess.”
Pete pulled Char into his side and chuckled. “Long as ya realize it could backfire. They might just decide ya need rescuin’, poor, innocent thing that ya are.”
I peeked over at Jasper and he glanced at me. “Did I screw things up, Jay?”
His fingers tapped at the top of the steering wheel. “Nothin’ we can’t handle.”
Pete piped up, “True. The day we can’t deal with the squirrel munchers is the day we deserve to get our asses kicked.”
I was feeling guilty now though. “Yeah, but it’s trouble you guys don’t need.” I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. “I’m sorry. I should’ve thought better of it. Should I come clean when we get there?”
Jasper smirked. “Nope. You’re gonna play it out now, darlin’. ‘Sides, I’m kinda lookin’ forward to givin’ ya that spankin’ for being such a naughty girl.”
The lust spiked in the cab of the truck, bouncing back and forth between Jay and me, and Peter groaned. “Damn, you two. Scale that shit back, would ya? I’d rather not be feelin’ shit like this around my little brother.”
Jasper shot Peter a glare and Charlotte rolled her eyes. “Peter Whitlock. Don’t you go startin’ this up again. I don’t wanna have to put your arm back on again.”
“Ya might have’ta pry my boot from his ass,” Jasper grumbled and I scooted over close to him, tucking myself under his arm as he pulled me close. Peter grinned but wisely kept quiet for the rest of the drive.
We pulled up into the circular drive in front of the house and got out of the truck as the Cullens stepped out of their rented SUV. Emmett whistled as they all gazed, slack-jawed, at the house. “Damn, bro. Quite the place you have,” he muttered as the posted guards came smartly to attention.
Jasper cocked a brow. “What’d ya expect? A shack?”
“Frankly, yes,” Edward grumbled but a sharp glance from Carlisle seemed to shut him up as we all climbed the steps to the front entrance.
Jasper opened the double doors and stood aside to let everyone pass. I chose to stay at his side and didn’t miss the dirty look Alice shot me on her way by.
Peter and Char led everyone to the massive living room where they all took seats just as Jasper and I walked in. Jasper led me over to his favorite chair and pulled me into his lap where I curled up against his chest as Peter offered everyone something to drink. They declined and so, when Peter took his seat next to Char, Jasper didn’t waste any time, looking straight at Carlisle as his fingers absently played with a lock of my hair. “Okay, what’s this all about?”
Carlisle raised a brow, but before he could speak, Edward started in. “You two!” He shot from his seat and began to pace. “You’re causing Alice pain! She’s seeing horrible visions of your antics and it has to stop!”
Jasper’s brows inched up with every word that spilled from Edward’s mouth. “Antics, Edward? And I do believe I addressed my question to your leader, boy. Take a seat.”
Emmett snickered and Rose snorted as Carlisle held up a hand, cutting Edward’s angry retort off. “He’s correct, son. Sit down, please.”
Edward looked at his sire in disbelief before finally slumping into the seat next to Alice with a scowl.
Carlisle looked back at a smirking Jasper. “He’s partially correct. We are here because of these disturbing visions. They are debilitating to poor Alice. Not only has she seen your hunting habits of late, she’s had to witness your less than savory…activities with Isabella and certain other females, which in turn subjects Edward to seeing the same. It’s been very painful for them both, to say the least.”
The more the blond coven leader spoke, the more I tensed. Shit! Just the thought of the two voyeurs watching Jasper and me had me shuddering in Jasper’s arms. There was no fucking way I wanted Edward getting an eyeful of me…of us…doing that! Knowing him, and how he used to watch me sleep…he was probably using it as spank material. The thought made me sick. Closing my eyes, I leaned into Jasper’s hold and took in big breaths of his calming scent, just wishing there was a way to keep them out…
“What the hell just happened?!”
I heard Carlisle sigh. “Edward, what now, son?”
“Jasper! One second I could hear him just fine and now I can’t! It’s like he’s gone completely! Not that it’s not a welcome loss,” he sneered.
I opened my eyes and looked around the room to see Peter with a knowing smirk on his face as he watched me. Carlisle, too, was looking at me quizzically. “What?” I asked in my most innocent little girl voice, just to keep up with the game I’d started at the bar. In all honesty, I really did wanna know why they were eyeing me like that. It was creepy.
“She’s a shield,” Carlisle muttered. “I had suspected…”
Edward looked at him sharply. “What does that have to do with Jasper?”
Carlisle was still staring at me as he answered absently. “She’s protecting her ma…”
“He’s not her mate!” Alice startled everyone by practically shrieking at her coven leader before he could finish his sentence. She shrank back into Edward’s side as everyone in the room focused on her. “I mean, she’s Edward’s mate, so she can’t possibly be Jasper’s.”
Pete snorted in disgust at that.
As they were all discussing this, I could feel Jasper getting more tense by the second until he finally spoke up, his tone resolute as he cut through the chatter. “I’m her sire, not her mate.”
His words struck a place in me that just…fucking…hurt and I hopped up out of his lap, glad that I no longer had that instant response of tears to such strong emotions. “I belong to no one, if you must know,” the sound of my voice quieting them instantly. “And I’m right here. Did no one teach you people it’s rude to talk about someone as if they’re not even present?” I stared down at the floor for a beat before catching Charlott’s eye. She looked sad, yet understanding. “I need some air. Don’t—follow—me,” I finished with a glance at Jasper who met my eyes with a blank expression. After the barest hesitation, I flashed to the front door and out into the sparse woods surrounding the house where I took off running.
Before too long, I found myself sitting on a high rock shelf, staring out over a small valley dotted with grazing cattle under the light of a full moon. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I registered how beautiful the sight was, but my main thoughts were a swirling mess of hurt, anger and self-pity as I went over all that had happened in my life and how unfair I thought it all was.
Somewhere along the line I concluded I should have begged Laurent to drain me. I smirked bitterly. That or maybe I should have had the guts to make some of those cuts a little deeper and done the job myself. Fucking coward…
Now, I didn’t have that luxury, and dying by fire…well, fuck…let’s face it, that’s some painful shit; something I wasn’t desperate enough to try…yet. I may revisit that option at some point, but it wouldn’t be today.
“Fuck!” I yelled as I chucked a rock as far as I could, scaring the shit out of most of the cows below as they beat it outta that peaceful little valley as if the hounds of hell were after them. And who could blame them? I was the world’s deadliest predator, even if I wouldn’t touch them with a ten foot pole. They smelled like shit and I was betting they tasted ten times worse.
“Fuck,” I muttered in a lower voice, now wishing like hell I could cry, just for the physical release the act usually brought, not to mention the fatigue. Yeah, nothing like crying yourself to sleep to vent all those pent up emotions…
Speaking of emotions… No, damn it! I just couldn’t think of him right now. I was too hurt. Too pissed. Too humiliated. Just…yeah, not going there…
I rubbed at my temples and kicked a rock over the ledge as my thoughts continued, whether I wanted them to or not.
While it’s true, I’m not technically his mate, I had thought we were trying… I had thought there was something genuine there… The least he could’ve done was keep his mouth shut and let them think what they will, but no, he had outright rejected me and that hurt like hell. Almost worse than the stressed mate bond I had with Caius, which, now that I thought about it, had been becoming easier to bear, not worse.
I wonder why that is.
Absently, I rubbed at my chest, pondering this for a moment before my head snapped up at a very familiar scent.
No way…it couldn’t be…
Just then, my ears picked up the sound of footsteps—the whispery kind that only a very graceful vampire can make—and the scent—that intoxicating, addictive scent—only strengthened, but I didn’t turn to look…I couldn’t, even as my whole body began to hum with his presence.
“Hello Isabella.”
“Caius…” His name was no more than a whisper on a breath from my lips as I felt him take a seat behind me, his arms enfolding me against his strong chest as his warm lips met the skin of my neck.
“I’ve missed you so,” he breathed between kisses and I melted against him, my arms covering his as he held me.
He felt so good…so safe…so right, and I turned my head, his lips finding mine instantly in a kiss so perfect, my heart would have burst had I been human.
I drew back when the kiss ended, my eyes searching his and he smiled and it was genuine, beautiful. “There you are,” he murmured before slanting those warm, satin lips over mine once again, the taste of him drawing a throaty moan from me as his tongue dipped and played between my eagerly parted lips.
Soon enough though, my mind took over and questions flooded me causing me to pull back, ending the kiss as I turned to stare out over the little valley that was now host to the beginnings of a spectacular sunrise. “What are you doing here?” I asked, still holding his comforting arms around me as he rested his chin lightly on my shoulder.
“We have dealings with the Whitlocks. I and my brothers came to conclude a transaction, but when I stepped out of the vehicle, I caught your scent and followed. I had to see you. You’re all I’ve thought of since you left me. The ache…have you felt it?” he asked, nuzzling his face into my neck, and a pang of guilt shot through me. I had felt it, of course, but being with Jasper had dulled it into background noise. Something I’m sure wouldn’t have been possible without his constant presence.
“Yes, I felt it,” I finally admitted. “But I was doing all I could to ignore it.”
“Understandable,” he conceded solemnly. “Still, I had hoped…”
I smirked as bitterness welled within me. “You’d hoped I’d be ready to cave to your whims?”
He hissed lowly and nipped at his mark on my neck, drawing me up short. “My feelings can never be likened to mere whims, Isa, make no mistake.”
I don’t know what it was about that little nip, but it certainly served to bring home the gravity of the situation. Put simply, I now felt like shit for hurting him. “I’m sorry,” I murmured and he pulled me in close again, soothing me with tender kisses and gentle strokes of his velvet tongue along my neck as a deep purr vibrated in his chest. It worked like magic and I sighed, tilting my head while relaxing into his hold.
Soon, my eyes fell closed and a sigh of pure bliss escaped me. He just felt so right…made me feel so safe. So easy… It would be so easy to surrender and return with him…be happy with him…
And then I thought about his wife…
Tensing, I pulled away from him and stood to pace away while running both hands through my hair. “I can’t do this… We can’t do this.” I stopped and looked at him where he now stood facing me.
He looked desperate and frustrated. “Why not?”
I growled. “You know why not! I can’t live like a whore! A woman on the side, constantly in the shadows, not the honorable wife, but the other…the one everyone sneers at and whispers about! I’m worth more than that, Caius!”
He stepped forward and I stepped back. “It would not be so, my heart, I swear it. You would be revered as my mate. You would be honored! Respected! I vow it!” He pulled me into his arms and cupped my face, his hands trembling, yet so gentle, something I never expected from the proud, fierce King. “Please Isa, give me a chance to prove myself?” He leaned down, his lips brushing over mine…once…twice, the contact so light, yet enough to pull at my very soul and I surrendered, burying my hand in his hair as I pulled him down and deepened the kiss.
Moments later, I ended it, resting my forehead against his as we stood there, holding each other. My heart was now breaking as I thought about Jasper. He’d been there for me…saw me through it all and never wavered and I knew—I knew he needed me more than Caius ever would.
How could I abandon him after all of that?
The short answer was, I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. He meant too much to me and even though he had his moments of being withdrawn, I knew I meant a lot to him too.
No, I just couldn’t do such a thing to Jay. He deserved more than the hand he’d been dealt in this life too, and I refused to be another person in his life to screw him over.
Opening my eyes, I stepped out of Caius’s arms while looking into his eyes. “I can’t,” was all I said and watched as his eyes filled with pain before closing as his head dropped. “I’m sorry,” I whispered before turning and running back to the house.
When I got there, my heart was aching so badly, all I wanted was to find Jay and wrap myself around him…lose myself in him for a time…soak up his familiar comfort.
It was with this singular purpose in mind that I searched, first amongst the crowd gathered in the living room. When I didn’t see him there, I ignored the calls from Peter and Char and flew up the stairs to Jasper’s rooms where I threw open the doors.
“Jay,” I said before freezing at what I saw.
There on the bed was Jasper with the most gorgeous, naked blonde straddling him, her platinum hair in loose curls that cascaded over her shoulders and back as she turned to stare at me from over her shoulder.
“Who—who are you?” I stuttered stupidly and she smirked.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m Athenadora, Jasper’s mate.”
DISCLAIMER: Twilight and its inclusive material is copyright to Stephenie Meyer. Original creation, including but not limited to plot and characters, is copyright to the respective authors of each story. No copyright infringement is intended.