The Inauspicious Beginnings Of A Prince
by Laura Spudzmom
Chapter 23
Alice nearly reeled with shock as visions began to race through her mind with near blinding speed. What the hell was going on and more importantly, who was responsible for this latest onslaught that was assailing her? Even more disconcerting were the big black holes that began to appear in these visions. That could only mean one thing; the wolves. Somehow, the wolves were becoming involved.
With her head held in her hands, she struggled to sort and make sense of the visions that came through just before all the black holes and she was able to make out one recurring theme. Carlisle was involved in all, and he was murderous in every one.
Her head snapped up, a smile of pure evil and malice overtaking her face.
Looks like it was time for her to seek out her coven leader for a little chat.
~o0o~
Paula tensed as she heard the quiet whisperings of vampire footsteps approaching. Scenting the air she relaxed somewhat as she realized the vampire that approached was without scent, which meant it was either Jasper or his quiet twin, Peter.
Nervousness shot through her at the thought of her mate. She had yet to really speak to him and she wasn't quite sure how to broach the subject. Somehow 'Hey, by the way, you're my mate' just didn't seem to cut it. She rolled her eyes at her inner monologue and sagged into a slouch.
Jesus, at this rate, they would never get together. Damn good thing they were both immortal. With her sudden onset shyness and his innate introverted nature, it's a wonder they noticed each other at all. Who knows? Perhaps the universe would fold in on itself when they finally spoke? She laughed to herself quietly, shaking her head. It looked as though she was about to find out because he was about to arrive at her little clearing any second.
Peter slowed as he approached a small clearing that he could just make out through the trees. She was there. He could feel her; nervousness and…...was that excitement? He shook his head in confusion. Why would she be excited? Especially if she had figured out that it was him approaching. Jasper was the exciting and dynamic personality of the two of them. He was just quiet and shy Pete, the one that never had much to say, or at least that's how everyone perceived him and he was content with that for the most part.
He shrugged to himself. Well, except for when it came to girls. He wished that he was more like his brother when it came to girls.
This brought to mind Paula and apprehension knifed through him. He liked her and couldn't seem to get her out of his mind, but to actually talk to her? He just hadn't found the courage until now, and this was only because he was so very troubled by what was happening around him, otherwise he was sure, he would have maintained his silent observation of her for who knows how long.
Entering the clearing slowly, he made some deliberate noise. He didn't want to startle her.
"Hello? Paula?"
She turned toward him and smiled, patting the rock next to where she sat in invitation. "Come, sit with me."
He climbed up, a slight blush suffusing his cheeks, and sat down quickly before he lost his nerve.
"I...I wanted to talk to you about some things I have noticed going on in the house."
He met her eyes.
"Troubling things. Hidden feelings. I don't know who else to turn to. Jasper is busy tending to Bella and I don't really trust anyone else….ex….except for you. I'm not sure why, but I feel that I can trust you." He looked down again quickly, hiding his deepening blush.
She touched his arm gently and his head snapped up.
"I'm glad that you feel that you can trust me Peter. I won't betray your trust, I promise you."
He looked down, nodding. "My father isn't being honest about his feelings, especially toward my twin." He locked his gaze with hers. "He hates him Paula. I mean, really hates him. He's not just mad at him and will get over it. Especially so since he destroyed Edward. My father has felt nothing since then but deep pain and pure hatred."
He looked at her again. "It's chilling Paula, that my own father can even feel such things, much less for my twin. And then there's Alice. She is hiding so much from everyone in the house. I don't believe that she's noticed me watching her but I have been and she scares me. She's malicious, especially towards my brother and Bella. She was happy when Edward did what he did to Bella Paula! I saw her smiling until she masked it. I think she's planning something and it's not good. I have no proof, but it's just the feelings that I get from her….."
He trailed off as Paula grabbed his hand, looking into his startled eyes earnestly. "I believe you Peter. You don't need to convince me. I've witnessed the tension for myself but I haven't known what to do about any of it. I still don't really, but I do know that we need to protect your brother and Bella as best we can."
She looked down for a moment in thought, her head snapping up in sudden realization. "Who was in the house when you left Peter?"
He searched his memory. "Well, my father, my mother was in her garden, Alice was in the living room the last time I saw her and I'm not sure where Rose and Emmett were. They've stayed away a lot since just before Edward was destroyed. The Kings and their guards all went hunting because they're all leaving tomorrow…." He nodded. "I think that's it."
Paula's eyes widened. "Shit. That means that Bella's alone in the house with your father and Alice."
She stood, grabbing his hand, intending to haul ass back to the house when a very familiar voice froze her in her tracks.
"Jesus, but you are harder than hell to find woman!"
She spun around, dropping Peter's hand in the process, and launched herself at the tall vampire standing at the edge of the clearing.
"Garrett!"
He laughed as he caught her, mock choking sounds coming from him as her arms and legs wrapped tightly around him, her hug fierce.
"Where the hell have you been? It's been what, five years since I've seen you?!"
He peeled her off and leaned down, grasping her chin as he gave her a sweet lingering kiss.
She smiled while looking into his eyes as he broke the kiss.
"Yeah, it's been about five years I'd guess." He shrugged a shoulder. "You know how it is. Get to wandering and seeing interesting shit and different people…."
She grinned. "Yeah, I do know how that is."
She saw Garrett's eyes focus on something over her shoulder and spun around intending to make introductions, but froze for a moment, shocked by the dark look that Peter was directing at Garrett. She'd never seen such a look on Peter's face. Jasper's certainly, but never Peter's.
"Um, Pete, this is my good friend Garrett Williams. Garrett, this is Peter Cullen, Carlisle and Esme Cullen's son, well one of them anyway. He has a twin but he's not here right now. You'll meet him later. His name is Jasper Volturi."
Garrett's eye's widened. "Little Prince Jasper is his twin and Carlisle's son? How the fuck did that happen? I met him when he was just a little thing in Volterra and he was the spitting image of his father Caius, evil little smirk and all!"
She laughed. "I know, I was there, remember?"
He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. "Shit, that's right, huh?" He looked up at her again. "But still, how did that happen? Carlisle's kid raised as Caius' kid?"
Paula gave Peter a sidelong glance, seeing that his dark mood hadn't changed any and turned to Garrett. "Can the explanations wait until later? We were just on our way back to the house and in a bit of a rush. I'll try to explain everything to you later, but for now, we need to check on Jasper's human mate. She was left alone with Carlisle and Alice and it's not a good situation."
His brows shot up, but he nodded. "Sure, I guess. Makes me wonder what kind of shit storm I've stumbled into here though."
She moved toward Peter and Garrett fell into step with them. "Garrett, you have no fucking idea. Just don't say anything of any significance to anyone for now until we talk away from this place and don't trust anyone."
He shot her a shocked look. "Not even Carlisle?"
She scoffed. "Especially not him. Just trust me on this until I get a chance to tell you everything I know and suspect."
He nodded. "You got it."
Walking into the house, Paula was relieved to see Bella, in perfectly fine shape, serenely watching a movie on the flat screen.
She looked up when the trio walked in. "Hi Paula, Pete." She gave them a tentative smile, one that was a shadow of her former smile.
Paula smiled back at her, a pang of sadness shooting through her for all that Bella had to struggle with, these days especially.
Turning and gesturing at Garrett, she made the introductions. "Bella, this is my old friend Garrett, Garrett, this is Jasper's mate Bella."
Bella laughed quietly at that as she shook Garrett's hand. "Sorry, I don't mean to laugh, but I'm just not used to the term 'mate'.
He chuckled. "Yeah, that's a bit of vampire crazy that I've been fortunate enough to avoid so far."
She smirked at him. "Anti-female there Garrett?"
He grinned wickedly. "Oh hell no. I love females. Just not on a full-time monogamous basis."
Paula looked at Peter as he scowled, his lip curling up a bit to show a razor sharp fang at Garrett's comments, just before he raced up the stairs and into his room.
She was genuinely shocked. This behavior was truly out of character for the gentle soul that she had come to know through observation and she knew that she needed to talk to him, sooner rather than later.
"Hey Garrett? Do you mind staying in here with Bella while Peter and I have a talk? We shouldn't be too long."
He shrugged and flopped into a chair. "I don't mind as long as Bella is okay with it."
They both looked at Bella, who raised her brows and smiled at Paula. "He doesn't pee on the rug or anything, right?"
Paula broke into choked laughter as Garrett rolled his eyes. "Well it's been a few years and I've learned not to, so I think you're safe."
Bella smirked at him and changed the channel while shrugging a shoulder. "I don't mind at all then. I just didn't have a rolled up newspaper handy was all."
Paula nodded, still chuckling as she headed up the stairs to Peter's room, concern taking over her mind once again.
Knocking lightly, she called out. "Pete, it's me Paula, may I come in?"
She certainly wasn't prepared to be yanked into a suddenly open doorway and she was even more shocked to be pinned against the back of the door after he slammed it closed, his expression intense.
"You're mine, do you hear me?" He growled out just before kissing her fiercely.
Her eyes remained wide in shock for seconds before she allowed herself to be lost to his kiss, eyes slowly sliding shut as her lips and tongue moved in perfect sync with his, the sensation and taste of him almost overwhelming her.
So this was what it's like to kiss and be kissed by your true mate?
She moaned. It was heaven, she thought, as her hands tangled in his golden curls; curls that she had dreamed of running her fingers through since the day of her arrival here.
He broke the kiss, his hot, wet mouth traveling down her jaw to her neck in a trail of sensation. She tilted her head giving him full access and he sucked on a sensitive spot, just above the curve of her shoulder.
~o0o~
Lemon Alert
~o0o~
He murmured against her skin. "This spot right here is where I will mark you, but only after I fuck and fill you."
So saying, she gasped as he ripped her shirt and bra off in one swift movement with his free hand that wasn't still pinning her to the door. Her pants were next and didn't fare any better but she didn't care at this point. She was just glad that he was still kissing her.
She gasped as he spun her around, running one hand down the center of her back, the sound of a zipper the only warning she had before he entered her, swiftly and powerfully, a brief scream tearing past her lips as she threw her head back.
He was whispering in her ear then. "You are mine Paula, do you hear me?"
She nodded and moaned as he thrust into her, picking up such a pace that she had to push against the wall to counter the power behind his thrusts.
She moaned and panted through the all-consuming feelings rushing through her.
He was fucking magnificent, literally, and she nearly laughed with the euphoric feelings overtaking her through his ministrations.
Here she was, almost as old as the dirt beneath their feet and she had never experienced a fuck such as this.
Her eyes rolled and she threw her head back as the tightened coil within her burst out in a kaleidoscope of lights behind her clenched eyelids as she screamed out his name in raw satisfaction.
She heard a feral, window shaking growl and barely had a second to brace herself when she felt his fangs sink in deeply, right where he said they would, marking her as his, forevermore.
She smiled, her head hanging between her hands still braced against the wall, as she damn near passed out.
Fuck if it wasn't always the quiet ones.
Alice nearly reeled with shock as visions began to race through her mind with near blinding speed. What the hell was going on and more importantly, who was responsible for this latest onslaught that was assailing her? Even more disconcerting were the big black holes that began to appear in these visions. That could only mean one thing; the wolves. Somehow, the wolves were becoming involved.
With her head held in her hands, she struggled to sort and make sense of the visions that came through just before all the black holes and she was able to make out one recurring theme. Carlisle was involved in all, and he was murderous in every one.
Her head snapped up, a smile of pure evil and malice overtaking her face.
Looks like it was time for her to seek out her coven leader for a little chat.
~o0o~
Paula tensed as she heard the quiet whisperings of vampire footsteps approaching. Scenting the air she relaxed somewhat as she realized the vampire that approached was without scent, which meant it was either Jasper or his quiet twin, Peter.
Nervousness shot through her at the thought of her mate. She had yet to really speak to him and she wasn't quite sure how to broach the subject. Somehow 'Hey, by the way, you're my mate' just didn't seem to cut it. She rolled her eyes at her inner monologue and sagged into a slouch.
Jesus, at this rate, they would never get together. Damn good thing they were both immortal. With her sudden onset shyness and his innate introverted nature, it's a wonder they noticed each other at all. Who knows? Perhaps the universe would fold in on itself when they finally spoke? She laughed to herself quietly, shaking her head. It looked as though she was about to find out because he was about to arrive at her little clearing any second.
Peter slowed as he approached a small clearing that he could just make out through the trees. She was there. He could feel her; nervousness and…...was that excitement? He shook his head in confusion. Why would she be excited? Especially if she had figured out that it was him approaching. Jasper was the exciting and dynamic personality of the two of them. He was just quiet and shy Pete, the one that never had much to say, or at least that's how everyone perceived him and he was content with that for the most part.
He shrugged to himself. Well, except for when it came to girls. He wished that he was more like his brother when it came to girls.
This brought to mind Paula and apprehension knifed through him. He liked her and couldn't seem to get her out of his mind, but to actually talk to her? He just hadn't found the courage until now, and this was only because he was so very troubled by what was happening around him, otherwise he was sure, he would have maintained his silent observation of her for who knows how long.
Entering the clearing slowly, he made some deliberate noise. He didn't want to startle her.
"Hello? Paula?"
She turned toward him and smiled, patting the rock next to where she sat in invitation. "Come, sit with me."
He climbed up, a slight blush suffusing his cheeks, and sat down quickly before he lost his nerve.
"I...I wanted to talk to you about some things I have noticed going on in the house."
He met her eyes.
"Troubling things. Hidden feelings. I don't know who else to turn to. Jasper is busy tending to Bella and I don't really trust anyone else….ex….except for you. I'm not sure why, but I feel that I can trust you." He looked down again quickly, hiding his deepening blush.
She touched his arm gently and his head snapped up.
"I'm glad that you feel that you can trust me Peter. I won't betray your trust, I promise you."
He looked down, nodding. "My father isn't being honest about his feelings, especially toward my twin." He locked his gaze with hers. "He hates him Paula. I mean, really hates him. He's not just mad at him and will get over it. Especially so since he destroyed Edward. My father has felt nothing since then but deep pain and pure hatred."
He looked at her again. "It's chilling Paula, that my own father can even feel such things, much less for my twin. And then there's Alice. She is hiding so much from everyone in the house. I don't believe that she's noticed me watching her but I have been and she scares me. She's malicious, especially towards my brother and Bella. She was happy when Edward did what he did to Bella Paula! I saw her smiling until she masked it. I think she's planning something and it's not good. I have no proof, but it's just the feelings that I get from her….."
He trailed off as Paula grabbed his hand, looking into his startled eyes earnestly. "I believe you Peter. You don't need to convince me. I've witnessed the tension for myself but I haven't known what to do about any of it. I still don't really, but I do know that we need to protect your brother and Bella as best we can."
She looked down for a moment in thought, her head snapping up in sudden realization. "Who was in the house when you left Peter?"
He searched his memory. "Well, my father, my mother was in her garden, Alice was in the living room the last time I saw her and I'm not sure where Rose and Emmett were. They've stayed away a lot since just before Edward was destroyed. The Kings and their guards all went hunting because they're all leaving tomorrow…." He nodded. "I think that's it."
Paula's eyes widened. "Shit. That means that Bella's alone in the house with your father and Alice."
She stood, grabbing his hand, intending to haul ass back to the house when a very familiar voice froze her in her tracks.
"Jesus, but you are harder than hell to find woman!"
She spun around, dropping Peter's hand in the process, and launched herself at the tall vampire standing at the edge of the clearing.
"Garrett!"
He laughed as he caught her, mock choking sounds coming from him as her arms and legs wrapped tightly around him, her hug fierce.
"Where the hell have you been? It's been what, five years since I've seen you?!"
He peeled her off and leaned down, grasping her chin as he gave her a sweet lingering kiss.
She smiled while looking into his eyes as he broke the kiss.
"Yeah, it's been about five years I'd guess." He shrugged a shoulder. "You know how it is. Get to wandering and seeing interesting shit and different people…."
She grinned. "Yeah, I do know how that is."
She saw Garrett's eyes focus on something over her shoulder and spun around intending to make introductions, but froze for a moment, shocked by the dark look that Peter was directing at Garrett. She'd never seen such a look on Peter's face. Jasper's certainly, but never Peter's.
"Um, Pete, this is my good friend Garrett Williams. Garrett, this is Peter Cullen, Carlisle and Esme Cullen's son, well one of them anyway. He has a twin but he's not here right now. You'll meet him later. His name is Jasper Volturi."
Garrett's eye's widened. "Little Prince Jasper is his twin and Carlisle's son? How the fuck did that happen? I met him when he was just a little thing in Volterra and he was the spitting image of his father Caius, evil little smirk and all!"
She laughed. "I know, I was there, remember?"
He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head. "Shit, that's right, huh?" He looked up at her again. "But still, how did that happen? Carlisle's kid raised as Caius' kid?"
Paula gave Peter a sidelong glance, seeing that his dark mood hadn't changed any and turned to Garrett. "Can the explanations wait until later? We were just on our way back to the house and in a bit of a rush. I'll try to explain everything to you later, but for now, we need to check on Jasper's human mate. She was left alone with Carlisle and Alice and it's not a good situation."
His brows shot up, but he nodded. "Sure, I guess. Makes me wonder what kind of shit storm I've stumbled into here though."
She moved toward Peter and Garrett fell into step with them. "Garrett, you have no fucking idea. Just don't say anything of any significance to anyone for now until we talk away from this place and don't trust anyone."
He shot her a shocked look. "Not even Carlisle?"
She scoffed. "Especially not him. Just trust me on this until I get a chance to tell you everything I know and suspect."
He nodded. "You got it."
Walking into the house, Paula was relieved to see Bella, in perfectly fine shape, serenely watching a movie on the flat screen.
She looked up when the trio walked in. "Hi Paula, Pete." She gave them a tentative smile, one that was a shadow of her former smile.
Paula smiled back at her, a pang of sadness shooting through her for all that Bella had to struggle with, these days especially.
Turning and gesturing at Garrett, she made the introductions. "Bella, this is my old friend Garrett, Garrett, this is Jasper's mate Bella."
Bella laughed quietly at that as she shook Garrett's hand. "Sorry, I don't mean to laugh, but I'm just not used to the term 'mate'.
He chuckled. "Yeah, that's a bit of vampire crazy that I've been fortunate enough to avoid so far."
She smirked at him. "Anti-female there Garrett?"
He grinned wickedly. "Oh hell no. I love females. Just not on a full-time monogamous basis."
Paula looked at Peter as he scowled, his lip curling up a bit to show a razor sharp fang at Garrett's comments, just before he raced up the stairs and into his room.
She was genuinely shocked. This behavior was truly out of character for the gentle soul that she had come to know through observation and she knew that she needed to talk to him, sooner rather than later.
"Hey Garrett? Do you mind staying in here with Bella while Peter and I have a talk? We shouldn't be too long."
He shrugged and flopped into a chair. "I don't mind as long as Bella is okay with it."
They both looked at Bella, who raised her brows and smiled at Paula. "He doesn't pee on the rug or anything, right?"
Paula broke into choked laughter as Garrett rolled his eyes. "Well it's been a few years and I've learned not to, so I think you're safe."
Bella smirked at him and changed the channel while shrugging a shoulder. "I don't mind at all then. I just didn't have a rolled up newspaper handy was all."
Paula nodded, still chuckling as she headed up the stairs to Peter's room, concern taking over her mind once again.
Knocking lightly, she called out. "Pete, it's me Paula, may I come in?"
She certainly wasn't prepared to be yanked into a suddenly open doorway and she was even more shocked to be pinned against the back of the door after he slammed it closed, his expression intense.
"You're mine, do you hear me?" He growled out just before kissing her fiercely.
Her eyes remained wide in shock for seconds before she allowed herself to be lost to his kiss, eyes slowly sliding shut as her lips and tongue moved in perfect sync with his, the sensation and taste of him almost overwhelming her.
So this was what it's like to kiss and be kissed by your true mate?
She moaned. It was heaven, she thought, as her hands tangled in his golden curls; curls that she had dreamed of running her fingers through since the day of her arrival here.
He broke the kiss, his hot, wet mouth traveling down her jaw to her neck in a trail of sensation. She tilted her head giving him full access and he sucked on a sensitive spot, just above the curve of her shoulder.
~o0o~
Lemon Alert
~o0o~
He murmured against her skin. "This spot right here is where I will mark you, but only after I fuck and fill you."
So saying, she gasped as he ripped her shirt and bra off in one swift movement with his free hand that wasn't still pinning her to the door. Her pants were next and didn't fare any better but she didn't care at this point. She was just glad that he was still kissing her.
She gasped as he spun her around, running one hand down the center of her back, the sound of a zipper the only warning she had before he entered her, swiftly and powerfully, a brief scream tearing past her lips as she threw her head back.
He was whispering in her ear then. "You are mine Paula, do you hear me?"
She nodded and moaned as he thrust into her, picking up such a pace that she had to push against the wall to counter the power behind his thrusts.
She moaned and panted through the all-consuming feelings rushing through her.
He was fucking magnificent, literally, and she nearly laughed with the euphoric feelings overtaking her through his ministrations.
Here she was, almost as old as the dirt beneath their feet and she had never experienced a fuck such as this.
Her eyes rolled and she threw her head back as the tightened coil within her burst out in a kaleidoscope of lights behind her clenched eyelids as she screamed out his name in raw satisfaction.
She heard a feral, window shaking growl and barely had a second to brace herself when she felt his fangs sink in deeply, right where he said they would, marking her as his, forevermore.
She smiled, her head hanging between her hands still braced against the wall, as she damn near passed out.
Fuck if it wasn't always the quiet ones.
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.