The right mate.

Chapter 12; The return (edited)

Point of view: Bella

In the past two days, Jasper and I had been enjoying each other's company in every way possible. We had talked a lot about our past, our favorites things to do, and everything else that made us understand more about each other. I had the opportunity to watch Jasper with Nessie; see him acting around her like she was his own. It filled my heart with deep love for him, because it felt so natural and somehow, I wished she was his, so that we wouldn't have to deal with the family's return.

We had spoken about a lot of things, like what we would tell the family when they would finally return, or how to act around them at first. We had decided to keep it to ourselves until someone notices the marks on our necks. It was simpler this way. We didn't really have a plan, since we wanted to see how they would react, but mostly how Edward would react.

We had not said the magic three words yet. It wasn't because I didn't feel them, and I knew that Jasper felt the same, but we were waiting for the right moment, waiting to see how things would turn out with the family's return. The important thing was that both of us knew the real feelings of the other and I knew this would be enough to get me through it.

However, I still felt like I hadn't had enough time alone with my mate. Those 7 days had been too short and there was still so much to learn about each other; so much that I wanted to do with him still. My mind had not had enough time to process everything that needed to be processed. I had lived 2 years of my life thinking that Edward was my end game, while not knowing that was the worst mistake I had ever done.

But I had mostly not had time to prepare myself for the return of the family, which was right on time on the morning of the seventh day. It only took one look at the man I had thought I loved, for me to realize that there was nothing left apart from rage and pain. He had been manipulating me for years and had hurt my mate in the process and this was not something I was ready to forgive.

It was definitely a good thing that Edward could not read my mind, but I was still scared that he would read Jasper's. He had been very good at hiding his thoughts from him in the last few years, but it would only take one slip, and this would all turn to shit. At least, the marks on our necks were barely noticeable. It was more our scent that were different, since we had been blood sharing, which was something very intimate that only mates would do to each other.

Little did I know that the Cullen would be bringing bad news from their trip to Italy. When they entered the house, I was sitting in the living room with Nessie. Jasper had fled for hi room as soon as he had heard the car on the gravel road. Edward came to me instantly and took me in his arms, hugging me tightly and I returned it, so I wouldn't raise suspicion.

Jasper came down the stairs shortly after. His facial expression was calm and nonchalant. He pushed a wave of calm towards me, sensing my anxiety. He finally said hello to everyone, before everyone sat down to hear the news. I could see their faces grave and stress, which made me instantly nervous, because I was expecting the worst.

Carlisle was the first to break the silence. "The Volturi are coming here." My head snapped so quickly towards him; I could have broken it if I had not been a vampire. "What?" I said, panic rising inside me like a tsunami. Carlisle seemed defeated and Alice started to explain. "Aro didn't think seeing my visions was enough. He wants to see Nessie in flesh to make sure we didn't lie. But I think it's more to satisfy his curiosity."

It was now my turn to sigh in defeat, not knowing what to do with the information. Jasper talked next, breaking me away from my thoughts: "Well, in that case, we need to prepare ourselves. If they are not satisfied by what they see, they might attack. We need to be ready to fight back." I knew by the tone of his voice that it was the Major talking. His voice was stern and focused.