The Right Way To Turn
by wizardtho
Chapter 02:
I must have fallen asleep some point soon after we started the trip, because when I woke, Char was whispering to Peter. “Do you think we should wake her? She might need the restroom or food.”
Peter hummed softly, then placed a kiss on my forehead, “If my meter's not off, she's already starting to wake. Let's just give her a minute to gain her bearings, then we'll see what happens. You need to stop for gas, right? If so, we can take care of that and Kitten's needs all at the same time.”
I whispered sleepily, “Sounds like a plan to me, as long as you stop soon. If not, my bladder might burst. That won't end up being a fun scenario for any of us.”
Char chuckled as Peter kissed my forehead again. I took stock of myself then blushed as I realised my position on top of Peter. He cooed, “Nothing to be embarrassed about, Kitten. You started whimpering and crying out in your sleep a bit ago. Your pain was radiating into your chest, I think, because as soon as I changed position with you, you calmed.”
I nodded, feeling the pain in my collarbone, “It's my collarbone. It's spreading quicker, but it would still take over a year from now to complete at this rate. My arm is in constant pain now, but it's still manageable, plus I know that it's nowhere near fully changed. Everything has to connect before the final part happens to change me.”
Char gasped, but Peter shushed her with a look before he promised me, “I know, Kitten. We won't let it happen that way. As soon as Major reaches the safe house, he'll flood you with venom to make it go faster.”
I shook my head, “He won't be able to do it alone, Peter. If my research is right, I'll need to be flooded with four times the amount of venom normally used, and that's if the change is done the right way... wrists, neck, over my heart, inner thighs and ankles.”
Both of them swore at that, then Peter said, “We'll make sure, I promise. We won't let you suffer more than absolutely necessary.”
It was less than five minutes later that we pulled into a gas station, so I started bracing myself for moving away from Peter. It was a slow process, and Char went with me, but it still hurt like a bitch. I ended up crying while I tried to take care of necessities, then Char had to get me back out to Peter before it got any worse.
He looked like he was ready to cry, too, as he wrapped me back up in his embrace. It hurt too much to speak, though, because not only did my arm feel like it was being torturously ravaged in flesh-eating acid, but my collarbone and whole shoulder blade did, too.
Char got us back on the road after running in at a quick human pace to get me some food and drinks. As soon as I was able to speak again, I choked out, “My shoulder blade and collarbone... so much pain. Don't think I'll be able to move once it hits my spine, Peter. I might need both you and Char then.”
He hushed me as he gently pressed his free hand to my shoulder blade, further easing the pain, “Shh... just rest. We've got you. We'll only need to be in the truck for another 2 hours max, until we reach the safe house. Char can help you get in an ice bath once we get there, if you think it'll help.”
I shook my head minutely, “Too soon. Has to be after it hits my legs or the bites are made. If not, it'll make it worse later.”
He kissed my forehead in acknowledgment, then it wasn’t much longer before I was able to rest.
The next time I woke, it was to Peter pulling out his phone. He answered it softly, “Yeah, Major, she's safe in my arms. You need to hightail it, because Kitten's pain is becoming worse... It's spreading slowly still, but at a faster rate than before. Her whole arm, all of her shoulder blade, her collarbone on that side... Yeah, Major, it's bad. She can only manage right now, because she's sleeping on my chest, with my free hand on her shoulder blade... M'kay, we'll see you then. I'll try to find out about the research in the meantime.”
After he shut his phone, Char whispered, “How soon can he be there?”
Peter shook his head slightly, then said, “Needs to stay for the memorial, for appearances. He already warned the wolves that he was leaving, as well as what the Cullens tried to pull. They think the accident was real, though, so that the mind reader isn't tipped off by their thoughts at the shindig.”
I let out a groan as I tried to shift, then chuckled weakly, “That probably pissed the pack off something fierce.”
Peter kissed my forehead, “Sorry, Kitten. I didn't mean to wake you... but, yeah. Major said they were ready to take them out at the first opportunity. Finding out that you were slowly changing without the Cullens taking responsibility... well, lets just say that several of them were phasing right out of their clothes.”
I nodded, then told Peter that I needed to try to eat. He slowly sat up, turned us to where we were sitting in the middle of the back seat with me still wrapped around him, then Char handed him back a bag. He laid it on my good side, then opened it for me.
I dipped my hand in to pull out the first thing my fingers touched, which was a king sized Rolo package. I hummed, “I owe you a kiss, Char. Damn, do I love you right now. Tell me that the rest of that bag contains not a bite of health food, and I'll find a way to take you lingerie shopping.”
Peter groaned, but Char chuckled, “I guess we get a girls day then, Sweets, because that bag has nothing but soda, iced coffee, and junk food.”
I moaned as I chewed on a Rolo, then told Peter to dig into the bag to find the coffee. He chuckled as he found a bottle of Mocha Frappuccino, because I hummed and snatched it from him as soon as the lid was popped.
After I downed the Rolos, a large bag of Funions, a small bag of doritos, 2 King packages of Reese's Cups, a 1.5 liter bottle of Dr. Pepper and the coffee, I sighed in content. Peter chuckled, “It's a good thing we picked up all that food, Char. Kitten ate like they'd been starving her.”
I nodded, “They kept feeding me all of this healthy shit that had no flavor. The only time I ate what I wanted was when they let Jasper watch me while they hunted. Let me tell you, Peter... if tofu is as nasty to a t-bone person as animal is to a vampire, I don't know how Jasper managed to do it. That shit's just nasty.”
They both cracked up, then Peter said, “Make sure you tell that to Major, Kitten... and yeah, it's that nasty. Your control on animal blood isn't as stable, either.”
That just baffled me. Why would the Cullens put humans at risk like that? “If your control is better on human blood, then why wouldn't they switch to donated? I mean, they claim they don't want to kill, and donated blood means that neither animals or people would be dying for them to feed.”
Char laughed, “There's your answer to that question, Peter.”
I asked what she meant, so Peter grinned down at me, “I was wondering why I was stockpiling mass amounts of donated blood at the safe house lately. Looks like you and Major are going donated, Kitten. We will too, until you can have a glass of blood in front of you without it making you edgy.”
I smiled, then asked, “You really think Jazz will switch?”
He tapped his temple with a smirk, “Don't you worry, Kitten. Major will be jumping off the Bambi train real quick-like.”
I settled my head back on Peter's shoulder, then whispered, “How long until we're safe? How long until Jasper can come?”
He hummed, “About 20 minutes until we're inside the gate, but probably a day and a half before Major will reach us. He has to stay for your memorial, which is scheduled for evening. Since it's about 11 pm now, we might hear from him again soon after we arrive. I'm sure he wants to hear your voice for himself.”
I nodded as I closed my eyes, “I feel the same. I miss him already.”
Peter hummed as he carefully rocked us, then soon I was dozing off again.
I startled when I heard the gate, but Peter shushed me, telling me what was happening. I calmed considerably, whispering, “Sorry... it's just that I have this weird feeling.”
He hummed, then asked in a whisper, “What do you mean?”
I shook my head slightly, “I don't know. It's almost like something's going to happen... like Edward will find out. I feel like he's going to be coming for me. It's an almost sick feeling in my stomach and my hair standing on end.”
Char gasped slightly, then said, “Peter, that's the same feeling you get whe-”
He cut her off, “I know, Char. We'll alert Major as soon as we get her settled. I think there's something special about you, Kitten... that you should start listening to those feelings. Just keep us informed, so we know what's happening, alright?”
I nodded as I wrapped my good arm tighter around Peter.
When we pulled into a clearing and Char parked, Peter immediately said that he wanted to get me out of the stuffy truck. He wanted me comfortable inside. I sighed in response, “God that sounds good. I think I'd like to change clothes, if Char wouldn't mind me borrowing something.”
They both chuckled as Char said, “No need, Sweets. You have your own wardrobe. We've been planning this since Major called, remember?”
I grinned widely at that. As soon as Peter started walking us to the front door, I heard Char giggle loudly, then Peter turned us so that I could see what was happening.
When my eyes caught sight of Char being lifted and swung around in a circle by a dark-haired male in blue jeans and a gray t-shirt, I couldn’t help but grin, “Alright, you two. How am I supposed to meet your mate, Char, if you suck his face off before I have a chance to see all this handsomeness you kept telling me about?”
I felt Peter chuckling underneath me, but I swear Char would've been blushing if she could. She practically drug him over to where Peter was standing with me wrapped around him, then said, “Sorry, Sweets. Aaron, this is Bella, the safely-rescued friend of Major's. Sweets, this is my handsome mate, Aaron.”
I stuck out my good hand as I said, “Sorry it's the wrong hand, but my other one's currently in the process of changing, so it hurts like a bitch. Peter, here, is keeping me calm though.”
He whistled low, then took my hand in both of his, “Nice to meet you, Bella. Don't think twice about it being the wrong hand. You just let Peter help you. Do you mind me asking how far it's progressed?”
I shook my head, offering, “All of my shoulder blade and the muscles that go along with it, my collarbone on that side, my whole arm and hand. It's starting to edge down the front of my chest on that side, too. Right now it's just at the prickling stage, but that's how all the other spots started, too.”
He gave me a curious look, “Prickling?”
I nodded, “Do you remember the pins and needles sensation when your foot fell asleep, then you tried to walk on it as a human?”
He thought for a long minute before nodding, so I said, “It's like that, but more intense. Peter's coolness helps the rest of it, though, so it doesn't feel like I was submerged in flesh-eating acid.”
He winced, then said, “Yeah, that's a good way to describe the change. Let's get you inside to see if we can't get you semi-comfortable, little changeling.”
When we walked into the house, I about croaked. “Holy shit, Peter. I thought you told me this was a safe house!”
He chuckled, “It is, Kitten.”
I shook my head disbelievingly, “This isn't some run-down, hole-in-the-wall safe house, Peter. This is a fucking masterpiece.”
Peter hummed as he kissed my shoulder tenderly, “Glad you like it, 'cuz this is your home now. Would you like a tour now or later?”
I winced at the feeling of my bra strap aggravating my shoulder, then said, “Umm... I think I need Char's help for a minute. My clothes are becoming severely uncomfortable, so I'd like to change into something a bit less irritating.”
He nodded, then walked me passed the main stairs to a set of double doors.
After Char opened the doors, we followed her to a dresser, where she pulled out a cute but soft-looking Playboy Bunny pink/black tank and boxer lounge set. She asked if I wanted help cleaning up a bit, so I nodded hesitantly. She pulled out a matching pink pair of boyshorts with black trim, then headed to the bathroom. “Guys? This looks an awful lot like a master bedroom. Why are my things in here?”
Peter said, “I knew you'd need Major close for a bit, Kitten. The house is his, and this is his room. He's already reinforced that you were to be placed with him, so there won't be any fussing out of you.”
I nodded, then saw Char filling a basin with cold water as well as a couple of drops of soap. When she was done, Char looked at Peter, saying, “Alright, Mister. Time for you to wait in the bedroom.”
Peter slowly let me down, but didn't let me go. “Make sure you hold her to you and wipe down her back first. Keep as much contact with her arm and shoulder as you can.”
I chuckled, “Peter, she knows. She's been with us the whole ride. It'll be fine, alright?”
He tilted my chin up to look at me worriedly. I hugged him tightly with my good arm, then slowly disentangled myself from him. It hurt like fucking hell, but I was able to grit my teeth to keep quiet.
Peter was out the door in the next second, then Char asked as she wiped my face gently, “Rip these, right? Blink once for yes, twice for no.”
I blinked once, so Char nodded, “I'll be quick, Sweets. Just let me do all your moving for you.”
Char kept her word about being quick, but by the time she was half-way through, I was already in tears, practically biting through my lip to stop my screams. I started panting through my gritted teeth, then Char stepped it up so that she was working at vampire speed.
She hurriedly finished, patted me dry quickly, then rushed to get me dressed while still being careful. I let out a whimper as the fabric slid over my changing arm, making Char wince, “Oh, God. I'm so sorry. We'll be done in just half a minute.”
Thirty seconds later, she was situating my shorts on my hips and calling for Peter at the same time. He pulled me up into his arms the instant Char's hands left me, cooing, “Let it out, Kitten. Don't hold it in, because it's just making you more tense. Just let it out now. I've got you.”
As soon as I was completely settled in his arms, I let go. I couldn't have stopped it if I tried. He crawled up onto the massive bed, laid us to where we were facing each other with my changing arm up, then called Char to lay behind me. They both held me tightly.
I barely even heard Aaron ask after a minute, “Is there anything I can do?”
Peter nodded slightly, “Take my phone. Text Major. Kitten needs to hear him. Just text him the 'emergency: call' code. My phone's in my back pocket.”
It took several minutes before I felt a slight vibration against my hip where Peter's hand was, but I couldn't stop crying, even though I knew Jasper was calling. Peter answered it right away, saying, “I don't think you're going to be able to stay for the memorial, Major. Kitten needs you something fierce right now.”
He held the phone to my ear, then I heard Jasper say, “Hush now, My Sweet Girl. I'm already on my way. I couldn't bear the thought of being so far away from you right now.”
I choked out, “It h-hurts... s-soo muchh, Jazz. Ple-ease h-hurr-ry. Need y-you.”
He cooed, “I know, Sug. I'm hauling ass, so try to rest. Hopefully I'll be there before you wake.”
I couldn't even say anything else as the pain rippled through me. I barely heard Peter ask, “What are you in?... He's got the Hayabusa, Char, so have Aaron open the smaller garage for him. That way he won't have to wait. How long, Major?.. Alright, text Aaron's phone when you get close. He'll meet you at the gate so you don't have to stop. Just hurry, and make sure you aren't tailed, because Kitten said something earlier about a feeling she had. It felt the same as when I get that feeling that we call the crew together for, Major.”
I think they said a few more things, but the pain was blissfully starting to fade into the background from their hold on me, so I let my fatigue take over.
When I woke again, it was to a sharp pain in my spine, like someone had literally crushed it before pouring molten lava in its place. I gasped and arched as a piercingly agonized scream was forced out of my chest, “Aaagghhh! Please! Make it stop! Make it stop! MakeItFuckingStop! OhGodPlease! Jaaasperrr!”
My words echoed around the room and back into my ears as a gut-wrenching sob left me, then I heard Peter coo, “He's coming, Kitten, I promise. He just pulled in. I'm gonna switch to behind you, so Major can hold you tight, alright?”
I whimpered an agreement before sobbing for Jasper all in the same breath. I didn't even get to take another breath before I felt Jasper wrap himself around the front of me tightly.
I sobbed, clutching him tightly, then slowly felt the pain starting to ease a small amount. When it was enough for me to speak, I choked out, “Please make it end, Jasper. Please.”
He shushed me, “Shh, I'm here now. Just hold on, Sweet Girl.”
I faintly heard, “Four times more,” then, “Wrists, neck, heart, inner thighs, and ankles,” so Peter must have been filling Jasper in.
Jasper whispered after another second or two, “Isabella, can you listen to me for a minute?”
I whimpered as I choked out an agreement, so he said, “I can do it. My body is making an extreme amount of venom right now. I think it's instinctively trying to make you better. Do you still want Char and Peter to help?”
I shook my head, “I want it to be you, Jazz. If you need help, let Peter.”
After he agreed and sent everyone out of the room, he kissed my lips softly, assuring me, “I'm going to make it better now, Sweet Girl. I promise. Just hold on for me for a few minutes, so I can make all the bites.”
He kissed my neck, then I felt a shit load of pressure as his teeth sliced through. After a minute he licked the wound, then slid down to pull my tank to where he could bite over my heart. He kissed the spot, then bit.
He turned me onto my back after he licked that spot, repeated the kiss/bite/lick process to the other side of my neck, then both of my wrists and ankles followed. He carefully spread my legs, kissed my inner thigh, then moaned as he bit hard on my femoral artery. It was another minute before he was sealing the wound and placing a line of kisses along the artery. He did the same to my other inner thigh, then I slowly started to feel the pain washing away like the tide at the beach. It was an incredible feeling, so I soaked it up as Jasper shifted us so that I was laying on his chest.
After several minutes, I sighed as the tension melted, whispering, “Relief. Will you ask someone to fill the tub with cold water and ice, please?”
He nodded, then I asked, “Will you go with me? I don't feel... I can't be away from you.”
He nodded again, then I heard him softly calling for Char.
I must have fallen asleep some point soon after we started the trip, because when I woke, Char was whispering to Peter. “Do you think we should wake her? She might need the restroom or food.”
Peter hummed softly, then placed a kiss on my forehead, “If my meter's not off, she's already starting to wake. Let's just give her a minute to gain her bearings, then we'll see what happens. You need to stop for gas, right? If so, we can take care of that and Kitten's needs all at the same time.”
I whispered sleepily, “Sounds like a plan to me, as long as you stop soon. If not, my bladder might burst. That won't end up being a fun scenario for any of us.”
Char chuckled as Peter kissed my forehead again. I took stock of myself then blushed as I realised my position on top of Peter. He cooed, “Nothing to be embarrassed about, Kitten. You started whimpering and crying out in your sleep a bit ago. Your pain was radiating into your chest, I think, because as soon as I changed position with you, you calmed.”
I nodded, feeling the pain in my collarbone, “It's my collarbone. It's spreading quicker, but it would still take over a year from now to complete at this rate. My arm is in constant pain now, but it's still manageable, plus I know that it's nowhere near fully changed. Everything has to connect before the final part happens to change me.”
Char gasped, but Peter shushed her with a look before he promised me, “I know, Kitten. We won't let it happen that way. As soon as Major reaches the safe house, he'll flood you with venom to make it go faster.”
I shook my head, “He won't be able to do it alone, Peter. If my research is right, I'll need to be flooded with four times the amount of venom normally used, and that's if the change is done the right way... wrists, neck, over my heart, inner thighs and ankles.”
Both of them swore at that, then Peter said, “We'll make sure, I promise. We won't let you suffer more than absolutely necessary.”
It was less than five minutes later that we pulled into a gas station, so I started bracing myself for moving away from Peter. It was a slow process, and Char went with me, but it still hurt like a bitch. I ended up crying while I tried to take care of necessities, then Char had to get me back out to Peter before it got any worse.
He looked like he was ready to cry, too, as he wrapped me back up in his embrace. It hurt too much to speak, though, because not only did my arm feel like it was being torturously ravaged in flesh-eating acid, but my collarbone and whole shoulder blade did, too.
Char got us back on the road after running in at a quick human pace to get me some food and drinks. As soon as I was able to speak again, I choked out, “My shoulder blade and collarbone... so much pain. Don't think I'll be able to move once it hits my spine, Peter. I might need both you and Char then.”
He hushed me as he gently pressed his free hand to my shoulder blade, further easing the pain, “Shh... just rest. We've got you. We'll only need to be in the truck for another 2 hours max, until we reach the safe house. Char can help you get in an ice bath once we get there, if you think it'll help.”
I shook my head minutely, “Too soon. Has to be after it hits my legs or the bites are made. If not, it'll make it worse later.”
He kissed my forehead in acknowledgment, then it wasn’t much longer before I was able to rest.
The next time I woke, it was to Peter pulling out his phone. He answered it softly, “Yeah, Major, she's safe in my arms. You need to hightail it, because Kitten's pain is becoming worse... It's spreading slowly still, but at a faster rate than before. Her whole arm, all of her shoulder blade, her collarbone on that side... Yeah, Major, it's bad. She can only manage right now, because she's sleeping on my chest, with my free hand on her shoulder blade... M'kay, we'll see you then. I'll try to find out about the research in the meantime.”
After he shut his phone, Char whispered, “How soon can he be there?”
Peter shook his head slightly, then said, “Needs to stay for the memorial, for appearances. He already warned the wolves that he was leaving, as well as what the Cullens tried to pull. They think the accident was real, though, so that the mind reader isn't tipped off by their thoughts at the shindig.”
I let out a groan as I tried to shift, then chuckled weakly, “That probably pissed the pack off something fierce.”
Peter kissed my forehead, “Sorry, Kitten. I didn't mean to wake you... but, yeah. Major said they were ready to take them out at the first opportunity. Finding out that you were slowly changing without the Cullens taking responsibility... well, lets just say that several of them were phasing right out of their clothes.”
I nodded, then told Peter that I needed to try to eat. He slowly sat up, turned us to where we were sitting in the middle of the back seat with me still wrapped around him, then Char handed him back a bag. He laid it on my good side, then opened it for me.
I dipped my hand in to pull out the first thing my fingers touched, which was a king sized Rolo package. I hummed, “I owe you a kiss, Char. Damn, do I love you right now. Tell me that the rest of that bag contains not a bite of health food, and I'll find a way to take you lingerie shopping.”
Peter groaned, but Char chuckled, “I guess we get a girls day then, Sweets, because that bag has nothing but soda, iced coffee, and junk food.”
I moaned as I chewed on a Rolo, then told Peter to dig into the bag to find the coffee. He chuckled as he found a bottle of Mocha Frappuccino, because I hummed and snatched it from him as soon as the lid was popped.
After I downed the Rolos, a large bag of Funions, a small bag of doritos, 2 King packages of Reese's Cups, a 1.5 liter bottle of Dr. Pepper and the coffee, I sighed in content. Peter chuckled, “It's a good thing we picked up all that food, Char. Kitten ate like they'd been starving her.”
I nodded, “They kept feeding me all of this healthy shit that had no flavor. The only time I ate what I wanted was when they let Jasper watch me while they hunted. Let me tell you, Peter... if tofu is as nasty to a t-bone person as animal is to a vampire, I don't know how Jasper managed to do it. That shit's just nasty.”
They both cracked up, then Peter said, “Make sure you tell that to Major, Kitten... and yeah, it's that nasty. Your control on animal blood isn't as stable, either.”
That just baffled me. Why would the Cullens put humans at risk like that? “If your control is better on human blood, then why wouldn't they switch to donated? I mean, they claim they don't want to kill, and donated blood means that neither animals or people would be dying for them to feed.”
Char laughed, “There's your answer to that question, Peter.”
I asked what she meant, so Peter grinned down at me, “I was wondering why I was stockpiling mass amounts of donated blood at the safe house lately. Looks like you and Major are going donated, Kitten. We will too, until you can have a glass of blood in front of you without it making you edgy.”
I smiled, then asked, “You really think Jazz will switch?”
He tapped his temple with a smirk, “Don't you worry, Kitten. Major will be jumping off the Bambi train real quick-like.”
I settled my head back on Peter's shoulder, then whispered, “How long until we're safe? How long until Jasper can come?”
He hummed, “About 20 minutes until we're inside the gate, but probably a day and a half before Major will reach us. He has to stay for your memorial, which is scheduled for evening. Since it's about 11 pm now, we might hear from him again soon after we arrive. I'm sure he wants to hear your voice for himself.”
I nodded as I closed my eyes, “I feel the same. I miss him already.”
Peter hummed as he carefully rocked us, then soon I was dozing off again.
I startled when I heard the gate, but Peter shushed me, telling me what was happening. I calmed considerably, whispering, “Sorry... it's just that I have this weird feeling.”
He hummed, then asked in a whisper, “What do you mean?”
I shook my head slightly, “I don't know. It's almost like something's going to happen... like Edward will find out. I feel like he's going to be coming for me. It's an almost sick feeling in my stomach and my hair standing on end.”
Char gasped slightly, then said, “Peter, that's the same feeling you get whe-”
He cut her off, “I know, Char. We'll alert Major as soon as we get her settled. I think there's something special about you, Kitten... that you should start listening to those feelings. Just keep us informed, so we know what's happening, alright?”
I nodded as I wrapped my good arm tighter around Peter.
When we pulled into a clearing and Char parked, Peter immediately said that he wanted to get me out of the stuffy truck. He wanted me comfortable inside. I sighed in response, “God that sounds good. I think I'd like to change clothes, if Char wouldn't mind me borrowing something.”
They both chuckled as Char said, “No need, Sweets. You have your own wardrobe. We've been planning this since Major called, remember?”
I grinned widely at that. As soon as Peter started walking us to the front door, I heard Char giggle loudly, then Peter turned us so that I could see what was happening.
When my eyes caught sight of Char being lifted and swung around in a circle by a dark-haired male in blue jeans and a gray t-shirt, I couldn’t help but grin, “Alright, you two. How am I supposed to meet your mate, Char, if you suck his face off before I have a chance to see all this handsomeness you kept telling me about?”
I felt Peter chuckling underneath me, but I swear Char would've been blushing if she could. She practically drug him over to where Peter was standing with me wrapped around him, then said, “Sorry, Sweets. Aaron, this is Bella, the safely-rescued friend of Major's. Sweets, this is my handsome mate, Aaron.”
I stuck out my good hand as I said, “Sorry it's the wrong hand, but my other one's currently in the process of changing, so it hurts like a bitch. Peter, here, is keeping me calm though.”
He whistled low, then took my hand in both of his, “Nice to meet you, Bella. Don't think twice about it being the wrong hand. You just let Peter help you. Do you mind me asking how far it's progressed?”
I shook my head, offering, “All of my shoulder blade and the muscles that go along with it, my collarbone on that side, my whole arm and hand. It's starting to edge down the front of my chest on that side, too. Right now it's just at the prickling stage, but that's how all the other spots started, too.”
He gave me a curious look, “Prickling?”
I nodded, “Do you remember the pins and needles sensation when your foot fell asleep, then you tried to walk on it as a human?”
He thought for a long minute before nodding, so I said, “It's like that, but more intense. Peter's coolness helps the rest of it, though, so it doesn't feel like I was submerged in flesh-eating acid.”
He winced, then said, “Yeah, that's a good way to describe the change. Let's get you inside to see if we can't get you semi-comfortable, little changeling.”
When we walked into the house, I about croaked. “Holy shit, Peter. I thought you told me this was a safe house!”
He chuckled, “It is, Kitten.”
I shook my head disbelievingly, “This isn't some run-down, hole-in-the-wall safe house, Peter. This is a fucking masterpiece.”
Peter hummed as he kissed my shoulder tenderly, “Glad you like it, 'cuz this is your home now. Would you like a tour now or later?”
I winced at the feeling of my bra strap aggravating my shoulder, then said, “Umm... I think I need Char's help for a minute. My clothes are becoming severely uncomfortable, so I'd like to change into something a bit less irritating.”
He nodded, then walked me passed the main stairs to a set of double doors.
After Char opened the doors, we followed her to a dresser, where she pulled out a cute but soft-looking Playboy Bunny pink/black tank and boxer lounge set. She asked if I wanted help cleaning up a bit, so I nodded hesitantly. She pulled out a matching pink pair of boyshorts with black trim, then headed to the bathroom. “Guys? This looks an awful lot like a master bedroom. Why are my things in here?”
Peter said, “I knew you'd need Major close for a bit, Kitten. The house is his, and this is his room. He's already reinforced that you were to be placed with him, so there won't be any fussing out of you.”
I nodded, then saw Char filling a basin with cold water as well as a couple of drops of soap. When she was done, Char looked at Peter, saying, “Alright, Mister. Time for you to wait in the bedroom.”
Peter slowly let me down, but didn't let me go. “Make sure you hold her to you and wipe down her back first. Keep as much contact with her arm and shoulder as you can.”
I chuckled, “Peter, she knows. She's been with us the whole ride. It'll be fine, alright?”
He tilted my chin up to look at me worriedly. I hugged him tightly with my good arm, then slowly disentangled myself from him. It hurt like fucking hell, but I was able to grit my teeth to keep quiet.
Peter was out the door in the next second, then Char asked as she wiped my face gently, “Rip these, right? Blink once for yes, twice for no.”
I blinked once, so Char nodded, “I'll be quick, Sweets. Just let me do all your moving for you.”
Char kept her word about being quick, but by the time she was half-way through, I was already in tears, practically biting through my lip to stop my screams. I started panting through my gritted teeth, then Char stepped it up so that she was working at vampire speed.
She hurriedly finished, patted me dry quickly, then rushed to get me dressed while still being careful. I let out a whimper as the fabric slid over my changing arm, making Char wince, “Oh, God. I'm so sorry. We'll be done in just half a minute.”
Thirty seconds later, she was situating my shorts on my hips and calling for Peter at the same time. He pulled me up into his arms the instant Char's hands left me, cooing, “Let it out, Kitten. Don't hold it in, because it's just making you more tense. Just let it out now. I've got you.”
As soon as I was completely settled in his arms, I let go. I couldn't have stopped it if I tried. He crawled up onto the massive bed, laid us to where we were facing each other with my changing arm up, then called Char to lay behind me. They both held me tightly.
I barely even heard Aaron ask after a minute, “Is there anything I can do?”
Peter nodded slightly, “Take my phone. Text Major. Kitten needs to hear him. Just text him the 'emergency: call' code. My phone's in my back pocket.”
It took several minutes before I felt a slight vibration against my hip where Peter's hand was, but I couldn't stop crying, even though I knew Jasper was calling. Peter answered it right away, saying, “I don't think you're going to be able to stay for the memorial, Major. Kitten needs you something fierce right now.”
He held the phone to my ear, then I heard Jasper say, “Hush now, My Sweet Girl. I'm already on my way. I couldn't bear the thought of being so far away from you right now.”
I choked out, “It h-hurts... s-soo muchh, Jazz. Ple-ease h-hurr-ry. Need y-you.”
He cooed, “I know, Sug. I'm hauling ass, so try to rest. Hopefully I'll be there before you wake.”
I couldn't even say anything else as the pain rippled through me. I barely heard Peter ask, “What are you in?... He's got the Hayabusa, Char, so have Aaron open the smaller garage for him. That way he won't have to wait. How long, Major?.. Alright, text Aaron's phone when you get close. He'll meet you at the gate so you don't have to stop. Just hurry, and make sure you aren't tailed, because Kitten said something earlier about a feeling she had. It felt the same as when I get that feeling that we call the crew together for, Major.”
I think they said a few more things, but the pain was blissfully starting to fade into the background from their hold on me, so I let my fatigue take over.
When I woke again, it was to a sharp pain in my spine, like someone had literally crushed it before pouring molten lava in its place. I gasped and arched as a piercingly agonized scream was forced out of my chest, “Aaagghhh! Please! Make it stop! Make it stop! MakeItFuckingStop! OhGodPlease! Jaaasperrr!”
My words echoed around the room and back into my ears as a gut-wrenching sob left me, then I heard Peter coo, “He's coming, Kitten, I promise. He just pulled in. I'm gonna switch to behind you, so Major can hold you tight, alright?”
I whimpered an agreement before sobbing for Jasper all in the same breath. I didn't even get to take another breath before I felt Jasper wrap himself around the front of me tightly.
I sobbed, clutching him tightly, then slowly felt the pain starting to ease a small amount. When it was enough for me to speak, I choked out, “Please make it end, Jasper. Please.”
He shushed me, “Shh, I'm here now. Just hold on, Sweet Girl.”
I faintly heard, “Four times more,” then, “Wrists, neck, heart, inner thighs, and ankles,” so Peter must have been filling Jasper in.
Jasper whispered after another second or two, “Isabella, can you listen to me for a minute?”
I whimpered as I choked out an agreement, so he said, “I can do it. My body is making an extreme amount of venom right now. I think it's instinctively trying to make you better. Do you still want Char and Peter to help?”
I shook my head, “I want it to be you, Jazz. If you need help, let Peter.”
After he agreed and sent everyone out of the room, he kissed my lips softly, assuring me, “I'm going to make it better now, Sweet Girl. I promise. Just hold on for me for a few minutes, so I can make all the bites.”
He kissed my neck, then I felt a shit load of pressure as his teeth sliced through. After a minute he licked the wound, then slid down to pull my tank to where he could bite over my heart. He kissed the spot, then bit.
He turned me onto my back after he licked that spot, repeated the kiss/bite/lick process to the other side of my neck, then both of my wrists and ankles followed. He carefully spread my legs, kissed my inner thigh, then moaned as he bit hard on my femoral artery. It was another minute before he was sealing the wound and placing a line of kisses along the artery. He did the same to my other inner thigh, then I slowly started to feel the pain washing away like the tide at the beach. It was an incredible feeling, so I soaked it up as Jasper shifted us so that I was laying on his chest.
After several minutes, I sighed as the tension melted, whispering, “Relief. Will you ask someone to fill the tub with cold water and ice, please?”
He nodded, then I asked, “Will you go with me? I don't feel... I can't be away from you.”
He nodded again, then I heard him softly calling for Char.