Damaged. // Jasper Hale

Chapter 45

I woke the next morning and saw Seth was gone. I sat up and stretched, my back and shoulders cracking, before standing up. I changed into my black skinny jeans, grey long sleeve shirt, black vest and my snow boots. I put my beanie on my messy hair and walked out of the tent to see Bella talking to Seth. "Hey Seth" I said walking over and scratching his head.

"Where's Jacob? Did he already..." Bella said as Edward walked over to us. "Not yet. He's checking to see if the woods are clear before he goes" Edward said. Seth ran off and I sighed as I crossed my arms. "I'm really sorry about last nigh. That couldn't have been easy for you" Bella said. "Definitely won't make my list of top 10 favourite evenings" Edward said.

"You have a list?" Bella said. "All 10 I spent with you. Number one is when you said you'd marry me. Mrs Cullen" Edward said and Bella laughed awkwardly. "This is the 21st century. I at least wanna hyphenate my name" Bella said. "You're marrying him?!" Jacob said and I saw him standing a few meters away.

"Jake, I....You knew he was listening!" Bella said angrily. "He deserves to know" Edward said as Jacob walked away. "Jake stop!" Bella called and was about to walk after him when Edward grabbed her arm. "Bella let him""Don't!" Bella snapped cutting Edward off. He let her go and she ran after Jacob.

"Was that really necessary?" I said and Edward sighed. "I mean you did that to one up him because of last night didn't you?" I said and Edward turned to me. "He was going to find out soon anyways" Edward said trying to defend himself. "That's not the point Edward. Jacob is Bella's best friend. I think she wanted to tell him herself" I said before walking back to the tent.

I packed all my clothing into my bag and zipped it up before walking outside the tent to see Seth come back. "It's starting" Edward said and I bit my bottom lip as I grabbed Bella's hand in mine. "Jacob just got there. He's good" Edward said. "Is Jasper ok?" I said anxiously. "Yeah. He's fine too" Edward said looking at me and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Someone's hurt?" Bella said worried as she gripped my hand. "She's close. I can hear her thought" Edward said and I gasped slightly. "Seth go" Edward said and Seth ran off. Bella pulled me with her to Edwards side. He pulled me to the other side of him and put his arm protectively in front of me. "She knew we weren't there but she caught my scent. She knows Elise isn't there too because she wasn't with Jasper. She knew you'd both be with me." Edward said.

"She found us" I said shakily. "She's not alone" Edward said as we heard someone approaching us. Riley Biers walked out from the trees and I shrunk behind Bella. "Riley...Listen to me" Edward said as he approached us. "Victoria's just using you to distract me. She knows I'll kill you" Edward said and suddenly Victoria appeared on the tree in front of us.

I gasped and gripped Edward's arm as Bella squeezed my hand. "In fact, she'll be glad she doesn't have to deal with you anymore" Edward said and Riley stopped in his tracks. "Don't listen Riley. I told you about their mind tricks" Victoria said turning to him. "I can read her mind. So I know what she thinks of you" Edward said.

"He's lying" Victoria said. "She only created you and this army to avenge her true mate, James. That's the only thing she cares about. Not you" Edward said and Riley turned to look at Victoria. "There's only you. You know that" Victoria said trying to convince Riley. "Think about it. You're from Forks. You know the area. That's the only reason she chose you. She doesn't love you" Edward said.

"Riley...don't let him do this to us. You know I love you" Victoria said and Riley turned back to Edward shaking his head slightly. He looked at us before taking a few steps forward causing my fear to grow. "You're dead" He said softly before running towards us only to be tackled by Seth. Seth wrestled with Riley before snapping off his arm causing Riley to scream out in pain.