Jasper's pov
I couldn't stop shaking, my whole body was filled with overwhelming pain . . . as always, Zander did his job well. Stumbling, I made my way to the tent, crawling inside when my legs gave out on me.
"You were with him . . . what did he do to you?"
I ignored the anger and jealousy in Carlisle's tone, I didn't feel like dealing with emotions that came too little too late, so I just moved past him and carefully lay down on my cot.
"Answer me! What did he do to you?!"
"You don't want me, isn't that what you said Carlisle? You walked away from me and now you want to act like you care, because Zander's here?"
"You belong to me, Jasper!"
"I wanted to. When he was training me and my body was in so much pain it was all I could do to move, I wanted you to comfort me . . . to tell me everything would be alright, but instead you pushed me away like it was too much to treat me like a mate."
"Because I couldn't! How could I look at you . . . comfort you when I knew that he was torturing you and that I was under orders to do the same thing?! How could I look you in the eyes when I knew you were going to end up hating me?! That's why I pushed you away when you begged me to make everything alright, because I knew nothing would ever be alright between us again?!"
" I . . . I didn't know. "
"No you didn't. You could never know the depths of love and pain I've felt because of you. I love you enough that I was willing to step aside and let you have the happiness with Lonny that you couldn't have with me and I love you enough to put up with your anger and abuse in order to protect you from our master's wrath . . . and I love you enough to forgive you even now, because I know I could never survive without you by my side."
"Are . . . Are you saying ___________?"
"Yes. As long as I am living, I will never leave your side again."
Forcing myself to stand, I slowly made my way over to Carlisle and knelt down in front of him, lowering my head in submission. Carlisle lifted my head and I shivered when he gently pressed his lips against mine.
"I'm sorry Carlisle . . . I should never have played favorites when it came to you and Lonny. I knew both of you loved me in your own way, but all I could think about was the fact that you seemed so willing to hurt me and how you could turn away from me so easily. I truly thought you hated me and . . . and you admired that kid so much, I____________."
"I only admired him because his strength reminded me of you. I could never replace you."
I let out a whimper, ignoring my pain as I wrapped my arms around him and he gently stroked my back assuring me that I was secure.
"Carlisle."
"Hmm?"
"I want to tell you the truth about my past."
Taking Carlisle's silence as agreement, I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and slowly began to force out the words that I had hidden for so long to come out.
Zander's POV
Staring at the beauty in front of me, it's easy to understand why Derrick couldn't let him go. He's such an idiot, why wouldn't he mate with such an exquisite creature . . . because of some stupid story told by a pathetic old man who allowed himself to be killed? A low growl threatened to escape me at the thought that such a coward shared even the smallest drop of blood with me, to be given such perfection, and still choose an inferior mate that weakens his pack . . . Ayden is so much better off with me. He let out a whimper, catching my attention as his body continued to shift from its wolf form to its human one, an effect of the drug and silver in his system. I really should have punished Jasper much worse, but most of my attention was focused on Ayden . . . I couldn't wait to get the chance to train him. The shifting finally stops and I inhale as I find myself staring into the most beautiful violet eyes I had ever seen.
