The Inauspicious Beginnings Of A Prince
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 18
Everyone turned shocked attention to the entourage that entered the clearing.
Bella furrowed her brow at the peculiar cloaks they all wore; the three at the forefront in the blackest of black.
She noticed how they seemed to glide. The description of simply walking just didn't fit with the fluidity of their movements. Not only did they move with uncommon grace, but she could swear their eyes were red, some brighter in shade than others, but most certainly all red.
Bella gasped a bit as Jasper moved forward to quickly engulf a beautiful, but decidedly stressed looking woman, in his arms.
She didn't seem to care about all the blood either; her purpose singular as she clutched to him a moment and then began to fuss over him, inspecting every inch.
Bella's brows shot up as she heard their exchange.
"Jasper! My precious child, what have they done to you?! Are you alright? Are you hurt? Let me see! No, don't you roll your eyes at me my son. I will make sure you are fine, do you hear?"
Jasper gave a long-suffering sigh as she continued, running her hands over his face, neck, arms and chest, even as he protested.
"Mother, really, I am fine!"
She looked at him then with a bit of a scowl on her beautiful face.
"You are not fine! I have heard from your father what they have put you through! They arrested you and put you in a cage like some animal! And now this! Fighting wolves! Your father has terrible scars from wolves!"
She fairly threw herself back into his embrace, clutching to him, hiding her face as her shoulders shook with her distressed sobs.
"I told Caius not to let you come here! You're still so young! How could we let this happen?!"
Jasper laid his head over on her golden blonde head and spoke tenderly to her.
"Mama, I am fine, I swear to you. I'm sorry to have worried you so, but I've come to no harm, as you can see. Father made sure that I am well trained and able to take care of myself, and I bested the wolf without injury."
He cupped her cheeks and looked into her sad eyes.
"Mama, please don't cry. I can't stand it when you cry."
She nodded and clutched him to her again. "I will be fine now that I know you're alright, but just the thought of losing you terrifies me my precious son."
Jasper shot his father a pleading look and Caius smirked at him, but mercifully intervened, taking his wife in his arms as he also eyed his son for injuries, albeit more discreetly than his wife had.
He then surveyed the group that was now scattered around the clearing, eyes zeroing in on the lone human.
Jasper felt the shift in his fathers emotions instantly and braced himself for the coming discussion, for he knew one was forthcoming sooner rather than later.
He caught his fathers gaze and Caius spoke.
"My son, it seems as though a serious discussion is in order. I will expect you to be ready for it in one hour. Make yourself presentable and your uncles and I will be at the Cullen's residence."
Jasper's demeanor changed in an instant. He knew a direct order from his King when he heard it.
Bowing formally, he answered, "Yes Father." and made his way to his room to ready himself, disregarding, for the time being, the very puzzled looks he received from Bella and his brother.
Just as he was putting the finishing touches on his formal Volturi attire, there was a knock on his door.
He knew who was there by the two varied hearts beating, and he sighed. He didn't have time for their questions at the moment.
When his father gave an order as his King and not his father, he knew better than to defy or disrespect it by being late. He loved his father too much to dishonor him in any way, and he would not do so now. They would just have to wait for answers, but he bid them entry regardless.
Bella found her breath catching in her throat at the sight that met her eyes when she entered Jaspers room with Peter beside her.
He was dressed in some sort of formal looking attire. It resembled something she had seen one of the British royals wearing once except this leaned heavily toward dark shades; blacks, grays and reds. The only jewelry she could see was a heavy gold pendent on a chain about his neck, laying neatly upon the dark red shirt he wore beneath a black overcoat. It was a very intricately designed capital V encrusted with diamonds and rubies and was very beautiful.
He met her eyes in the mirror and then looked down, straightening his already immaculate cuffs.
Before she or Peter could voice any of the many questions swirling around in their turbulent thoughts, he spoke.
"I regret that I am unable to address any of your concerns at this time as I have been summoned by my Father and King."
He turned to face them then, all regal bearing and formality.
"I will, however, do so later after I am given leave by my King. Until then, I ask that you remain here Bella. For your sake, please heed my request."
He looked at his brother then. "Peter, you may go back to the main house or stay here with Bella, the choice is entirely yours."
They both watched in silent astonishment as he then donned a black cloak that matched perfectly the ones worn by the strange guests, turned on his heel and departed without another word.
Bella blinked and then slowly shook her head. She was feeling as though she had fallen down the rabbit hole and everything she knew as fact one day ago was now blown to bits and replaced by total insanity.
Now that Jasper had left the cottage, the panic she had expected to hit earlier, crashed into her like a tidal wave dragging her under and making it impossible to regain any type of hold to remain upright.
Her breathing began to accelerate and her eyes teared up and she was sure she would have dissolved into hysterics for all that she had seen this day except for the strong, warm arms that encircled her, pulling her into a familiar chest.
"Bella, It's alright. It'll all be okay. You're safe and I'm safe and we're gonna be alright, I promise. Jasper won't let us down. We just have to have faith in him. He's never let me down in my life Bella and he's never let me get hurt, even when he had to take a bullet for me. He won't let anything bad happen to us Bella. I swear it."
He could see she was calming as he spoke so he moved them to sit on Jasper's bed so that he could see her face.
She still looked a bit panicked but not to the point of hyperventilating any longer.
Then he saw a look of determination take over her features and he braced for what he knew was coming; questions. Questions that he fervently wished he didn't have to answer, but knew he would have to in his brother's absence.
However, he knew that he couldn't answer the one she would undoubtedly want answered the most; the question of what they are.
Jasper always told him that no humans could ever be told and even the Cullen's had reinforced that rule. He could not betray the secret of his species. He would not. Not even for someone as nice as Bella had been to him.
"Peter", she pinned him in a hard gaze, "just what the fuck are you two? And no bullshit. I need to know. I need to know just what can do what I witnessed out there today. What can fight like that and destroy a huge fucking wolf in a matter of moments without a scratch on him to show for it? And I'm not even touching on the weirdness that is a guy morphing into a giant dog in mid-air!"
She ran a hand through her hair and let out an hysterical laugh. "Jesus, just what have I stumbled into?"
She looked at him expectantly and he fidgeted, wringing his hands as he desperately tried to think of what to say.
He jumped a bit when she spoke again, this time with more force and volume.
"Peter! Quit trying to think of how to craft a clever answer and just tell me damn it! What are you? I could swear that I saw fangs on Jasper just before he fought Jacob, now tell me!"
Peter sat there quietly for a moment, his vampire mind examining every aspect of this situation in rapid succession and he found himself feeling an emotion that was a rarity for him.
He was becoming angry.
How dare this human girl yell at him and demand his secrets?! He was the superior being here. His brother had told him this many times and he had seen proof of such countless times throughout his life.
As a matter of fact, he could have her dead in less than one beat of her weak human heart; her sweet blood sating his thirst within another. He felt his body respond to his thoughts and anger and his fangs descended, his eyes darkening to a perfect jade.
He was on her within the next moment, pinning her to the bed with his whole body as he took in the exquisite scent of her blood where it was strongest; her velvet soft neck.
He ignored her as she questioned what he was doing, choosing instead to concentrate on the feel of her soft petite body against his in a way he had never felt another body, especially a female, before.
He found his anger ebbing away only to be replaced entirely by another foreign feeling; passion.
His breathing shallowed and quickened until he was almost panting in need. Need of what he knew not, but the tightening in his groin was becoming uncomfortable as he nuzzled her neck with his lips and nose and instincts took over as he began to rut against her, finding a place between her legs most inviting.
Bella's mind whirled as he nudged himself between her legs and began to rock against her center.
God help her, but it felt good despite her terrified mind telling her this was so awfully wrong.
This wasn't her Jasper after all, but his twin Peter.
She began to struggle and he simply pinned her hands above her head seemingly without effort, as he continued to rock and nuzzle and purr.
Her eyes flashed open in the realization that he was indeed purring like some big cat, and it was yet another thing that she would question when she wasn't busy being appalled at herself for enjoying this.
She felt sharp points against her skin now and they scraped as he dragged his lips and tongue along, taking in what she would later realize was droplets of her blood.
He quickened his pace then and she moaned despite herself as she could feel the beginnings of an orgasm build.
She cursed her traitorous body as tears escaped her eyes from the conflicting emotions, even as warmth spread from her center in a sudden burst, her orgasm drawing a startled gasp and sob from her.
She felt him seize up then, a gutteral groan escaping him as warmth and wetness seeped through the denim of his jeans while he sucked on her neck.
He kissed and nuzzled her neck and murmured out, "Are you alright Bella? I didn't hurt you did I?"
She didn't answer.
She couldn't.
There was too much going through her mind.
In one moment she felt violated and in the next, she felt herself the betrayer for having enjoyed it.
She spied the door through her tears and did the only thing that made sense at the moment; she shoved his now compliant body off of her and ran.
~o0o~
They watched her run from the cottage, her distress clear for any who looked to see.
"I told you that if we kept quiet and were patient, this would happen and it has. This, dear brother, is your opportunity. If you want her, then go and get her, but you must be subtle. She is deeply in love with Jasper and that will take much time and patience to overcome, but I have seen that it's possible and through me, so have you. You could be so happy with her Edward. Be careful not to mess it up by going too fast or pushing her."
He furrowed his brow.
"But she's not my mate Alice, even though she's perfect for me with her silent mind. How do I overcome that?"
Alice growled lowly in her frustration.
"If you would just learn to listen to me when I speak Edward, we'd all be much better off! I told you. It's a matter of careful wooing and patience. She will see you in time as the perfect companion. Admittedly, you will not have the benefits of a mate bond, but you will develop deep friendship and she will come to rely on you as long as you are sure to avail yourself to her any time she needs someone. She must be changed after all because she has seen too much. Caius is telling Jasper as much as we speak. It's either that or death for her and Jasper won't let that happen, no matter that she will no longer be able to face him because of what's happened with Peter."
Edward nodded and jumped from the tree they had perched themselves in to watch events unfold and see which direction fate would ultimately take them.
For Edward, this day was momentous indeed, for fate had smiled upon him at last this day.
For now, due to the decisions made and the paths chosen, it was the first day of his path to marriage. Marriage to Isabella Swan.
Everyone turned shocked attention to the entourage that entered the clearing.
Bella furrowed her brow at the peculiar cloaks they all wore; the three at the forefront in the blackest of black.
She noticed how they seemed to glide. The description of simply walking just didn't fit with the fluidity of their movements. Not only did they move with uncommon grace, but she could swear their eyes were red, some brighter in shade than others, but most certainly all red.
Bella gasped a bit as Jasper moved forward to quickly engulf a beautiful, but decidedly stressed looking woman, in his arms.
She didn't seem to care about all the blood either; her purpose singular as she clutched to him a moment and then began to fuss over him, inspecting every inch.
Bella's brows shot up as she heard their exchange.
"Jasper! My precious child, what have they done to you?! Are you alright? Are you hurt? Let me see! No, don't you roll your eyes at me my son. I will make sure you are fine, do you hear?"
Jasper gave a long-suffering sigh as she continued, running her hands over his face, neck, arms and chest, even as he protested.
"Mother, really, I am fine!"
She looked at him then with a bit of a scowl on her beautiful face.
"You are not fine! I have heard from your father what they have put you through! They arrested you and put you in a cage like some animal! And now this! Fighting wolves! Your father has terrible scars from wolves!"
She fairly threw herself back into his embrace, clutching to him, hiding her face as her shoulders shook with her distressed sobs.
"I told Caius not to let you come here! You're still so young! How could we let this happen?!"
Jasper laid his head over on her golden blonde head and spoke tenderly to her.
"Mama, I am fine, I swear to you. I'm sorry to have worried you so, but I've come to no harm, as you can see. Father made sure that I am well trained and able to take care of myself, and I bested the wolf without injury."
He cupped her cheeks and looked into her sad eyes.
"Mama, please don't cry. I can't stand it when you cry."
She nodded and clutched him to her again. "I will be fine now that I know you're alright, but just the thought of losing you terrifies me my precious son."
Jasper shot his father a pleading look and Caius smirked at him, but mercifully intervened, taking his wife in his arms as he also eyed his son for injuries, albeit more discreetly than his wife had.
He then surveyed the group that was now scattered around the clearing, eyes zeroing in on the lone human.
Jasper felt the shift in his fathers emotions instantly and braced himself for the coming discussion, for he knew one was forthcoming sooner rather than later.
He caught his fathers gaze and Caius spoke.
"My son, it seems as though a serious discussion is in order. I will expect you to be ready for it in one hour. Make yourself presentable and your uncles and I will be at the Cullen's residence."
Jasper's demeanor changed in an instant. He knew a direct order from his King when he heard it.
Bowing formally, he answered, "Yes Father." and made his way to his room to ready himself, disregarding, for the time being, the very puzzled looks he received from Bella and his brother.
Just as he was putting the finishing touches on his formal Volturi attire, there was a knock on his door.
He knew who was there by the two varied hearts beating, and he sighed. He didn't have time for their questions at the moment.
When his father gave an order as his King and not his father, he knew better than to defy or disrespect it by being late. He loved his father too much to dishonor him in any way, and he would not do so now. They would just have to wait for answers, but he bid them entry regardless.
Bella found her breath catching in her throat at the sight that met her eyes when she entered Jaspers room with Peter beside her.
He was dressed in some sort of formal looking attire. It resembled something she had seen one of the British royals wearing once except this leaned heavily toward dark shades; blacks, grays and reds. The only jewelry she could see was a heavy gold pendent on a chain about his neck, laying neatly upon the dark red shirt he wore beneath a black overcoat. It was a very intricately designed capital V encrusted with diamonds and rubies and was very beautiful.
He met her eyes in the mirror and then looked down, straightening his already immaculate cuffs.
Before she or Peter could voice any of the many questions swirling around in their turbulent thoughts, he spoke.
"I regret that I am unable to address any of your concerns at this time as I have been summoned by my Father and King."
He turned to face them then, all regal bearing and formality.
"I will, however, do so later after I am given leave by my King. Until then, I ask that you remain here Bella. For your sake, please heed my request."
He looked at his brother then. "Peter, you may go back to the main house or stay here with Bella, the choice is entirely yours."
They both watched in silent astonishment as he then donned a black cloak that matched perfectly the ones worn by the strange guests, turned on his heel and departed without another word.
Bella blinked and then slowly shook her head. She was feeling as though she had fallen down the rabbit hole and everything she knew as fact one day ago was now blown to bits and replaced by total insanity.
Now that Jasper had left the cottage, the panic she had expected to hit earlier, crashed into her like a tidal wave dragging her under and making it impossible to regain any type of hold to remain upright.
Her breathing began to accelerate and her eyes teared up and she was sure she would have dissolved into hysterics for all that she had seen this day except for the strong, warm arms that encircled her, pulling her into a familiar chest.
"Bella, It's alright. It'll all be okay. You're safe and I'm safe and we're gonna be alright, I promise. Jasper won't let us down. We just have to have faith in him. He's never let me down in my life Bella and he's never let me get hurt, even when he had to take a bullet for me. He won't let anything bad happen to us Bella. I swear it."
He could see she was calming as he spoke so he moved them to sit on Jasper's bed so that he could see her face.
She still looked a bit panicked but not to the point of hyperventilating any longer.
Then he saw a look of determination take over her features and he braced for what he knew was coming; questions. Questions that he fervently wished he didn't have to answer, but knew he would have to in his brother's absence.
However, he knew that he couldn't answer the one she would undoubtedly want answered the most; the question of what they are.
Jasper always told him that no humans could ever be told and even the Cullen's had reinforced that rule. He could not betray the secret of his species. He would not. Not even for someone as nice as Bella had been to him.
"Peter", she pinned him in a hard gaze, "just what the fuck are you two? And no bullshit. I need to know. I need to know just what can do what I witnessed out there today. What can fight like that and destroy a huge fucking wolf in a matter of moments without a scratch on him to show for it? And I'm not even touching on the weirdness that is a guy morphing into a giant dog in mid-air!"
She ran a hand through her hair and let out an hysterical laugh. "Jesus, just what have I stumbled into?"
She looked at him expectantly and he fidgeted, wringing his hands as he desperately tried to think of what to say.
He jumped a bit when she spoke again, this time with more force and volume.
"Peter! Quit trying to think of how to craft a clever answer and just tell me damn it! What are you? I could swear that I saw fangs on Jasper just before he fought Jacob, now tell me!"
Peter sat there quietly for a moment, his vampire mind examining every aspect of this situation in rapid succession and he found himself feeling an emotion that was a rarity for him.
He was becoming angry.
How dare this human girl yell at him and demand his secrets?! He was the superior being here. His brother had told him this many times and he had seen proof of such countless times throughout his life.
As a matter of fact, he could have her dead in less than one beat of her weak human heart; her sweet blood sating his thirst within another. He felt his body respond to his thoughts and anger and his fangs descended, his eyes darkening to a perfect jade.
He was on her within the next moment, pinning her to the bed with his whole body as he took in the exquisite scent of her blood where it was strongest; her velvet soft neck.
He ignored her as she questioned what he was doing, choosing instead to concentrate on the feel of her soft petite body against his in a way he had never felt another body, especially a female, before.
He found his anger ebbing away only to be replaced entirely by another foreign feeling; passion.
His breathing shallowed and quickened until he was almost panting in need. Need of what he knew not, but the tightening in his groin was becoming uncomfortable as he nuzzled her neck with his lips and nose and instincts took over as he began to rut against her, finding a place between her legs most inviting.
Bella's mind whirled as he nudged himself between her legs and began to rock against her center.
God help her, but it felt good despite her terrified mind telling her this was so awfully wrong.
This wasn't her Jasper after all, but his twin Peter.
She began to struggle and he simply pinned her hands above her head seemingly without effort, as he continued to rock and nuzzle and purr.
Her eyes flashed open in the realization that he was indeed purring like some big cat, and it was yet another thing that she would question when she wasn't busy being appalled at herself for enjoying this.
She felt sharp points against her skin now and they scraped as he dragged his lips and tongue along, taking in what she would later realize was droplets of her blood.
He quickened his pace then and she moaned despite herself as she could feel the beginnings of an orgasm build.
She cursed her traitorous body as tears escaped her eyes from the conflicting emotions, even as warmth spread from her center in a sudden burst, her orgasm drawing a startled gasp and sob from her.
She felt him seize up then, a gutteral groan escaping him as warmth and wetness seeped through the denim of his jeans while he sucked on her neck.
He kissed and nuzzled her neck and murmured out, "Are you alright Bella? I didn't hurt you did I?"
She didn't answer.
She couldn't.
There was too much going through her mind.
In one moment she felt violated and in the next, she felt herself the betrayer for having enjoyed it.
She spied the door through her tears and did the only thing that made sense at the moment; she shoved his now compliant body off of her and ran.
~o0o~
They watched her run from the cottage, her distress clear for any who looked to see.
"I told you that if we kept quiet and were patient, this would happen and it has. This, dear brother, is your opportunity. If you want her, then go and get her, but you must be subtle. She is deeply in love with Jasper and that will take much time and patience to overcome, but I have seen that it's possible and through me, so have you. You could be so happy with her Edward. Be careful not to mess it up by going too fast or pushing her."
He furrowed his brow.
"But she's not my mate Alice, even though she's perfect for me with her silent mind. How do I overcome that?"
Alice growled lowly in her frustration.
"If you would just learn to listen to me when I speak Edward, we'd all be much better off! I told you. It's a matter of careful wooing and patience. She will see you in time as the perfect companion. Admittedly, you will not have the benefits of a mate bond, but you will develop deep friendship and she will come to rely on you as long as you are sure to avail yourself to her any time she needs someone. She must be changed after all because she has seen too much. Caius is telling Jasper as much as we speak. It's either that or death for her and Jasper won't let that happen, no matter that she will no longer be able to face him because of what's happened with Peter."
Edward nodded and jumped from the tree they had perched themselves in to watch events unfold and see which direction fate would ultimately take them.
For Edward, this day was momentous indeed, for fate had smiled upon him at last this day.
For now, due to the decisions made and the paths chosen, it was the first day of his path to marriage. Marriage to Isabella Swan.
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.