they/them 23

Suddenly Jasper tensed up causing Y/n to lift her body off his and follow hi u s gaze. That’s when the smell of Bella hit her. Rolling her eyes she sighed. “Here she is little miss Florida” Jasper half heartedly chuckled. He Began to open his mouth before a hand being slapped over it. Y/n motioning to shush.

“Are you sure they are actually in love?”

“Bella”

“I mean Jasper looks like he’s in so much pain”

“Jasper always looks like that”

“And Y/n she just looks so perfect and like everything she does is a calculated move”

“Bella”

“No Edward she’s always looking to check if someone’s watching”

“Bella can you hear yourself”

“I don’t think they love eachother Edward i really don’t”

“Bella drop it”

“No Edward, They don’t even seem to like being in eachothers presence. I never see them together”

“You never see them alone either”

Bella clearly forgetting about the heightened hearing the Vampires possessed. Began Slamming into her future In-laws.

Jaspers heart dropped. All he’d ever wanted was for people to know how much he loves his wife. Bella saying those things hurt the empath a lot. He quickly sped off with out saying a word.

“Jasper” Y/n shouted. “Jaz”

Y/n sighed deciding to give him his space before entering the house. She walked in seeing Alice and Issy. “I’m guessing you heard” Issy spoke first her English accent purring. “It’s not true” Alice reassured the vampire. “Alice i’m not stupid. I know but Jaspers took it hard he’s sped off somewhere” Y/n began to walk over to the two Vampires. “I told you Bella’s a jealous girl” Issy nudged her wife. “stop” Alice whispered.

“There you are” Edward smiled walking in with Bella. “I wanted to show Bella some of your paintings” he told the married couple. “Hey Alice,Issy,Y/n” Y/n didn’t respond instead she walked further into the room sitting on the sofa to ‘read’ a magazine.

“Why’d did you say those things?” Y/n closed her magazine. Bella froze. “I mean are you that unsatisfied by Yourself and Edward’s relationship that you start making troubling little fantasy’s about mine?” Y/n stared at the human.

“You wanna know what i found so funny about your little observations?” “hmm?” “You said i’m always looking over to check if someone’s watching, i am your right. But forgive me if this is left field but have you totally lost your mind and forgotten the fact we are literal blood sucking vampires? Oh and the fact that we could be exposed any second?” Edward began to intervene.

“Y/n come on you know she didn’t mean it”

“Really because she sounded pretty set”

“you have no idea what love is Bella, your 17 years old. You have no idea what lays await for you and love in the future” Y/n walked away.

“Jaspers left” Alice told Edward. “What?why?” Edward turned to his sister perplexed. “Edward, Jaspers trying really hard” Issy spoke. “He tries so hard everyday, He worships the ground Y/n walks on and what Bella said was abit of a kick in the teeth don’t you think?” Issy gave the human girl a small glare.

“Now i’ve got to go find my husband, Please refrain from upsetting anyone else Isabella” Y/n sped up the mountains searching for Jasper. She found him. Sitting on a Rock. Watching the horses a field away run around.

“Hey Jaz” Y/n said sitting next to him on the rock. “hi” he quietly spoke. “Wanna talk about it?” Jasper thought about refusing to but he couldn’t. “I don’t want you to think i don’t love you” Jasper sighed. “I love you so much it’s almost painful. You consume my mind, Your in everything i do. When i’m talking to other students at school i’m waiting for you to join because you would love the topic. When u go to the store and i see something i have to get it because it reminds me of you. I spent 80 years suffering until i met you and i can’t even show it” Y/n had never seen her husband so upset by a few words. “Jazzy” she played with bits of his hair “ i know you love me you idiot” Y/n let out a laugh. “So does everyone else, Just because Bella said some stupid things once again doesn’t mean anything” Jasper cracked a small smile. “She does have a habit of that huh?” Y/n grinned grabbing his hand. “Home?” Jasper nodded as they both sped off.

“Jasper im-“ Bella was cut off by Jasper stepping back. “I’d prefer it if you didn’t speak to me” Jasper said before moving up the stairs. “Someone’s rubbing off on him” Emmett chuckled. “He needed it” Y/n nudged the boy. “He’s defiantly whipped i’ll tell you that” Y/n rolled her eyes. “And your not?” Emmett held his hands up. “Hey how can i not be” Rosalie grinned. “Another reason to hate Bella Yay” Edward sent the three vampires a glare. “Don’t glare at me Edweirdo, Your the reason she even met us”

She had met him in the school parking lot, when he picked up a dropped notebook she hadn’t heard fall. His golden eyes had met hers, full of curiosity, caution, and something else that she couldn’t quite place.bSince then, he’d been around. A lot.

Sometimes he sat near her at lunch. Sometimes she’d catch him watching her during class, head tilted like he was trying to solve a mystery. She didn’t mind. He never spoke at her. Never got impatient. He just… watched. Then one day, he signed something.

Badly.

“My name is… Jasper?” He looked almost apologetic, his fingers fumbling. It was clumsy, but the effort made her heart stutter.

She smiled and signed back. “Close enough”

That's how it started...

Jasper didn’t just learn a few signs to flirt. He learned entire sentences. He practiced fingerspelling until it was smooth. And when he needed help, he turned to the one person he trusted for quiet, unwavering support.

“Esme?” he asked one evening as they sat in the living room. “Would you mind helping me with something?”

Esme smiled gently, always pleased when one of her children came to her with something meaningful. “Of course, what is it?”

“I want to learn more sign language. I’ve been studying on my own, but I think I need actual help”

Esme lit up. “For y/n?”

Jasper nodded once. “I want to be able to talk to her. Really talk. Not just ‘hello’ and ‘how are you.’ I want to know how to say everything”

Esme smiled warmly. “I could help you with grammar and facial expressions, too. You’ll catch on quickly I'm sure”

From the couch, Emmett let out a dramatic sigh. “Ugh, look at you. All soft and romantic”

Jasper didn’t even flinch. “You’re just mad because I’ve got better manners”

Emmett gave his usual shit eating grin. That grin that said he was definitely up to something. He stood, cracking his knuckles. “I know some sign language, too, you know”

Jasper sighed and turned to his brother, raising a brow. “Do you?”

Without missing a beat Emmett grinned like a troublemaker and held up his hand - Middle finger.

Jasper groaned. Esme rolled her eyes, smacking his arm. “Emmett Cullen!”

“What?” he said, laughing. “that is a useful sign!”

~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~

Y/n noticed Jasper improving. Fast. He used more complex signs now, “I missed you,” and “You look beautiful today”

He started asking her real questions, not just how her day was. “You like to draw?” he signed one afternoon at school.

She nodded, signing back, “Sketching. Sometimes painting.”

Jasper’s eyes lit up. “Show me sometime?”

She could feel the effort in his fingers, the sincerity in every sign, even if it wasn’t always perfect. But what mattered most was that he never looked at her like she was a puzzle. He looked at her like someone he wanted to understand.

One day, they sat together on the porch of the Cullen house, the forest just beyond the trees. “Why did you learn?” she asked.

Jasper paused. The wind ruffled his honey-blond curls, but he stayed perfectly still otherwise. Then he signed, “Because I’ve never heard your voice. But I want to hear everything you have to say.”

Her throat tightened.

He reached out carefully, fingers brushing hers before he signed again. “I’ve lived a long time in silence, too. Not like yours. But a silence in here” He tapped his chest. “Then I met you”

She felt the tears before she realized they’d gathered. She blinked fast, looking down at their hands. He noticed. Slowly, Jasper reached out again - not with words, but with his touch. His hand closed gently around hers. And she understood, even without a sign.

He cared. He saw her.

Later that night, Jasper signed something new. Something she hadn’t seen from him before. “I love you”

Her heart stilled.

She smiled, then signed it back. “I love you, too”

~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~✿~

From the house window, Emmett was watching with binoculars. “Aw,” he whispered dramatically. “Young love”

Her boots hit the edge of the clearing, brown eyes - borrowed from her mother, something innocently human and ancient in them, catching the sight of the vampires already waiting. Emmett waved first, Rosalie smirked like she always did when her best friend walked in like she owned the world, and Edward gave her a polite nod.

Then there was Jasper. He stood near the tree line, posture military straight, golden hair tied back, eyes shadowed. There was always something simmering beneath his surface. She could feel it. Since the moment they met, when that heat had bloomed low in her belly, the imprint branding itself into her DNA like wildfire, she’d known there was more to him. He was the quietest storm she’d ever seen.

But tonight, something had shifted.

The moment their eyes locked, the man she’d slowly grown closer to - curious Jasper with his lingering glances and soft-spoken manners was gone.

The Major stood in his place.

--------( ....... )--------

“You’re not holding back today,” he drawled, thick Texas twang curling over his tongue like smoke. His eyes, no longer gentle, bore into her like blades. “Good”

Her brows lifted slightly. “You expecting me to run?”

“No,” he said, stepping forward into the ring of moonlight cast over the clearing. “I expect you to fight like the animal you are.”

The growl that simmered in her throat was instinct. Not the shift - not yet, but close. “You have no idea what I am”

A smirk curved his lips, cold and dangerous. “Darlin’, I’ve smelled enough blood and war to know when somethin’ dangerous walks into my camp”

She cracked her neck, fingers twitching. Her body heated under his gaze - half rage, half instinctual attraction she couldn’t quite suppress. It wasn’t Jasper anymore. This was the man who’d torn through newborn armies in the South, the one who’d dragged Maria’s enemies into the dust.

And she was aching for him.

The first strike came fast. She shifted partway—only claws and eyes, enough to dodge and counter without letting the wolf take over—and the Major was there, always one step ahead. He grabbed her arm mid-swipe, twisted, and threw her. She hit the ground hard, rolled back onto her feet, and lunged again.

This time, she got under his guard - just barely. Y/n used her weight to bring him down. They hit the grass in a tangle of limbs, his cool hand closing around her throat. Not tight. Not yet. “You’ve got bite,” he whispered, eyes locked on hers. “But you’re fightin’ yourself more than you are me”

“I’m fighting the part of me that wants to roll over for you,” she hissed.

That made him freeze. Something in his face shifted. Slower, darker. And then - there he was. The Major leaned in close, breath ghosting her lips. His voice, when it came, was a low growl of possession.

“You felt it too”

It wasn’t a question. She didn’t speak, just held his gaze. The imprint - silent and sacred - had been burning in her bones since day one. But now, under his stare, under this version of him, it ignited.

His lips brushed hers, not a kiss, not really. More like a claiming. “You’ve been hidin’ from me,” he murmured. “But I ain’t him right now. I ain’t the gentle boy who plays nice for the Cullens. I’m the part of him you were made for”

Her breath caught in her throat.

“Jasper doesn't know what to do with this bond,” he continued, voice low, hand tightening ever so slightly on her throat. “But I do”

She shuddered beneath him - not in fear. In recognition.

“You gonna run now, little wolf?” he taunted, releasing her throat just enough to slide his fingers along her jaw. “Or are you gonna let me show you what a real soldier does with his mate?”

~~~~~~~~(.......)~~~~~~~~

Later, when the training ended and everyone else slipped into the night, she stayed behind.

The stars came out. The air cooled.

And she stood beside Jasper - not the Major now, not entirely and watched the trees sway in silence. “I met him tonight,” she finally whispered.

“I know,” Jasper replied, voice quiet. “And he liked you”

She turned to look at him. “Do you?”

His lips quirked, eyes warm again. “More than I should. But I think it’s too late for ‘should,’ don’t you?”

Her fingers found his. A brush, a claim. “No turning back now,” she said.

“No,” he agreed, his thumb stroking the back of her hand, “there’s only forward”

And from the shadows of the forest, the Major watched silently from within his mind, waiting for the day she’d stop holding back and fully choose him, too.

~~~~~~~~(.......)~~~~~~~~

They trained every night.

Jasper didn’t ease up on her - not when she sparred against Emmett or Rosalie, and certainly not when he stepped in himself. The Major lived in his bones now, more than Jasper wanted to admit. And she? She didn’t flinch from him anymore. She rose to meet him. Every time their bodies clashed, every time they circled one another with teeth bared and power simmering under the skin, the bond between them twisted tighter, hotter.

The imprint wasn’t quiet anymore. It sang in her chest - fierce and aching and ancient. And it screamed in his. He felt it most when she shifted. Not fully. Just enough - claws, eyes, fangs. She wasn’t like her brother. She was something special, a line of shapeshifter meant to mate with warriors, not run in packs. He knew now. She hadn’t been made for Sam or La Push.

She was made for him.

~~~~~~~~(.......)~~~~~~~~

The night before the battle, Jasper found her sitting alone on the rooftop of the Cullen house, legs dangling off the edge, watching the stars.

“You’re quiet tonight,” he said as he joined her.

“I’m always quiet before a fight,” she murmured, eyes reflecting the moonlight. “I don’t like pretending it’s going to be fine”

He looked at her then - at the way the wind moved through her hair, at the stillness in her hands, at the sadness she wore like a second skin. “I want you to stay behind,” he said softly.

Her jaw tensed. “No.”

“Darlin’ -”

“No,” she repeated, eyes cutting to his. “You don’t get to tell me to sit out because you’re scared.”

He stared back at her. For a moment, his mouth opened - then closed again. She softened, just slightly. “You don’t think I feel it too? The way the imprint gets tighter the closer we get to danger? The way it pulls like a cord between us when you're gone too long?”

“I ain’t used to this,” he admitted. “This... bond. It’s not just want or love. It’s need. It’s ownership”

She leaned into him, her voice barely above a whisper. “Then claim me. Not just in training. Not in the shadows. For real. Here. Now”

The Major stirred behind his golden eyes, and Jasper pressed his forehead to hers, rough fingers curling under her chin. “After this,” he whispered. “We survive this, and I will”

The battle came with body parts and screams.

Victoria’s army moved like rabid ghosts across the river, newborns fast and wild. But the Cullens had trained for this. She had trained for this. Rosalie and Emmett fought back to back. Edward stayed with Bella. And Jasper - the Major led the front line like a phantom of war.

She tore through two newborns within minutes. Shifted halfway, claws and strength and inhuman speed carrying her like a storm through the chaos. Somewhere across the field, she felt Jasper - his emotions like sonar in her chest, guiding her when she couldn’t see.

And then she felt it: his pain.

A blow to the ribs. A newborn that got too close. She ran. The air split with her growl. She launched herself over a fallen tree and landed between Jasper and the newborn that had pinned him, claws slashing, teeth snapping, fury unleashed. The newborn shrieked, but she was faster. Stronger. Made for this.

When the final body fell to ash, the clearing was silent except for breathless gasps and the crackle of burning limbs. She dropped beside him, fingers searching his ribs. He hissed, but managed a smile. “You came for me,” he rasped.

“You idiot,” she snapped, brushing blood from his mouth. “You were supposed to watch your blind side”

He caught her wrist, grounding her. Then he said it - without fear, without hesitation. “You’re mine”

She stared at him, heart pounding. “And you’re mine”

He pulled her down, kissing her with every ounce of heat and pain and promise he had left. The bond clicked into place like a lock turning.

~~~~~~~~(.......)~~~~~~~~

Weeks later, the forest was green again. The newborn threat was gone. Bella’s life was moving toward her decision. And the wolves had returned to the reservation.

But not her.

She stood in the Cullen home now—not just a guest. Not a stray. Jasper’s mate.

Rosalie tossed her a smirk as she passed the living room. “He’s in the field. Won’t shut up about you.”

She smiled, tugged on her jacket, and headed out. When she found him, he wasn’t training. He was sitting in the tall grass, sun breaking through the clouds in golden shafts. “I missed you,” she said as she reached him.

Jasper looked up, eyes soft. “Come here.”

She sat beside him, the wind dancing through her hair. “Still not used to this,” he said quietly. “Havin’ a mate. Feeling like something’s right”

She leaned against him, resting her head on his shoulder. “You’ll get used to it”

“Promise me something,” he said after a long pause.

“Anything”

“When it gets hard - when he comes out again—don’t run”

She looked up at him. “I never have”

His lips brushed her temple. “Then stay. Forever”

"Did you know that predators have front-facing eyes, but prey normally have eyes on the side of their faces?" You ask Jasper as you scan your textbook. He had agreed to help you study for an upcoming test. "It's because the prey has to be able to look out for danger."

Not only is evolutionary bio not your strongest subject, but your professor is an asshat so you really can't afford to fail this test.

"I did," he mumbles as he highlights a section that he thinks you should go through again. "Did you know that when two animals make eye contact, the first to look away is the submissive?" Jasper asks back.

"That's gotta be BS, right? What if one just doesn't want to look at the other's ugly mug?" Your retort is weak, but your tone has the confidence of a straight, cis, white man who's telling you what your own name means.

Jasper lets out a small, huffed laugh and finally looks up at you, warm gold meeting e/c. "I don't think animals think that way, darlin'."

"Are you an animal whisperer?" You snark, crossing your arms with a cocked eyebrow.

"Do you really think it's not real?" He gets back on topic. When you shake your head, he turns his chair towards you before doing the same to your own so you both face each other. "Really? Then, let's test that theory, hm? You seem pretty confident in yourself, so what's the harm?"

"I seem pretty confident because I am pretty confident." You mark your place and shut the textbook.

He chuckles with a small shake of the head. Leaning back in his chair with one arm thrown over the back, Jasper says, "Let's play a game."

"We're supposed to be studyin-" "It's a science experiment."

When you fall back against your seat, he continues. "We'll make eye contact, we'll stare at each other, and the first to look away loses. And if you lose..." he smirks a little, "you lose a piece of clothing. Best out of five wins."

You chew on your lip as you mull it over. You're confident that you can keep eye contact. And the submissive thing is bullshit, anyway, so it's not like your pride will take a hit. "So, strip poker but with a staring contest?" He nods.

"Exactly."

"...okay."

You meet Jasper's warm golden gaze, determination etched on your face. There's no way you're going to lose this little game of his.

"I know what's going to happen. You're going to give in; you can't take the pressure." You ignore him, zeroing on a small fleck of dark gold in his eyes to ground your thoughts.

As the seconds tick by, you resist the urge to look away, focused solely on holding Jasper's stare. His voice, low and smooth, sends shivers down your spine. "That's a good girl, keeping those pretty eyes on me."

Your breath catches at the sudden praise, your lips parting in a small, silent gasp. You won't let him distract you that easily, though. You're in it to win it.

Jasper's long, slender fingers drum lightly against his jean-clad thigh, drawing your gaze for just a moment before you force yourself to look back into his eyes. His lips curve into a knowing smirk.

It takes you a second to realize. "...fuck!"

"That's my round, darlin'." He goads.

With a small grumble and more force than necessary, you all but rip your socks off and throw them at his head. He catches them before they even get close. You're less coordinated in your attempt to dodge them, and all you can do is grumble more when they hit you square in the middle of your face.

"Stop looking so smug - there's still plenty of time for me to whoop your ass." You can't decide if you want to wipe that dumb-ass, unfairly charming smirk off his equally handsome face or if you want to pull him in and kiss him silly. Probably both... Yeah, both is good.

Jasper's eyes gleam with amusement as he watches your continued huffing and puffing. He leans back in his chair, his fingers still tapping against his leg.

"Don't be so sour, darlin'," he grins, his voice low and velvety smooth. "The game's just getting started."

You narrow your eyes at him, determined not to let his distracting voice and looks throw you off this time. "Just shut up and start the next round, Whitlock."

He chuckles, the sound rumbling deep in his chest, and leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he holds your gaze. The air crackles with tension as you both refuse to back down, each daring the other to be the first to look away.

The seconds tick by, the only sound the quiet rhythm of your breathing. You can feel the weight of Jasper's stare, intense and captivating, drawing you in. Your pulse quickens, palms growing sweaty, but you refuse to lose again.

Just when you think you might actually win this round, Jasper's lips curve into a slow, predatory smile. "You know you want to look away. You want to give in, to submit; it's in your DNA. C'mon... Just look away, prove what we both already know: that when it comes down to it, you'd do nothing but roll over and show your belly..."

You roll your eyes in a subconscious attempt to ignore how his words, no matter how much they were shit talking, made your heart leap into your throat. With a triumphant smirk, Jasper declares, "My round again."

"That's not fair! You shouldn't be able to annoy me into losing!" You lie through your teeth about the true effect he's having on you.

Barking out a laugh, he says, "The only rule was that we can't look away. We never decided talking or touching were off limits. You lost fair and square, sugar, so lose an item."

"But-" "Three seconds before i decide which one," he interrupts with a cheeky grin. "and you might not like what I choose... Three. Two-" You let out a frustrated groan, quickly removing your shirt and tossing it to the side. His laughter only serves to further stoke the flames of your competitive spirit. "There we go! Good girl."

"I thought we're supposed to be studying." You try to feign nonchalance as you sit there, bra exposed and with only three items left. Technically, you're tied in terms of clothing remaining, but it's also not lost on you that it's currently 0-2 in Jasper's favor.

"We are studying; this is a science experiment, remember? Unless you're ready to admit that you're wrong AND that you're submissive. That would be quite the win on my end." Well, shit. Now you can't back out. You'll be damned if you let him have something to hang over your head.

"Just you wait, Whitlock," you snap, trying to regain your focus for the next round. "I'm just getting warmed up."

You narrow your eyes at Jasper, determined not to let him fluster you again. The stakes are higher now, but you've got this.

Taking a deep breath, you meet his gaze once again. The tension in the air is palpable as you both refuse to back down.

Jasper's lips curl into a challenging smirk, his long fingers still tapping a steady rhythm against his thigh. You force yourself to focus solely on his eyes, blocking out everything else.

Seconds turn to minutes as you hold his stare, your heartbeat thundering in your ears but you refuse to waver.

Just when you think you're finding a groove and might stand a chance at winning, Jasper leans forward, his voice low and sultry. "You're doing so well, darlin'. But I can see it in your eyes - you're starting to crack."

A shiver runs down your spine at his words, but you grit your teeth and push on. You will not lose this round, no matter what underhanded tactics he tries.

The room fills with an intensity that almost makes it hard to breath as you continue your silent battle of wills. Jasper's gaze is unwavering, a predatory gleam in his eyes that makes your breath catch and waver.

Jasper's hand suddenly moves, his fingers slowly inching up your thigh. Your eyes widen and your pulse quickens but you refuse to look away.

"Good girl," Jasper acknowledges, his cool touch burning through the fabric of your jeans. "Just keep your eyes on me."

His fingers continue their slow, tantalizing trek up your thigh, causing your breath to hitch in your throat. His gaze is electric, drawing you in despite your best efforts to maintain composure. Your heartbeat thunders in your ears, but you refuse to break eye contact, stubbornly holding his molten stare.

"Jasper…" you breathe, unable to keep the quiver out of your voice. His lips curve into a knowing smile, fingers inching higher.

"That's it, darlin'," his voice is low and velvety smooth. "Just focus on me. Don't look away. It should be easy for you, right? You're a strong, dominant girl, after all."

The temptation to give in, to let your eyes slip shut, is nearly overwhelming. But you dig deep, summoning every ounce of willpower to maintain the intense eye contact.

Jasper's hand reaches the waist of your jeans, his fingertips dancing along the sensitive skin just above. Your pulse quickens and a shiver runs down your spine.

"J-Jasper…" you stammer, grip tightening on the arms of your chair.

His eyes shine with a predatory gleam as he watches you. "C'mon, sugar. Just a little bit longer… You can do it. Keep those pretty eyes on me.

"Or you can look away, let me take these pants off." he adds with a self-satisfied smirk.

You know you're teetering on the edge, your resolve rapidly crumbling under the onslaught of his touch and his words.

The seconds stretch on, the tension in the room palpable. Jasper's fingers continue their torturously slow ascent, and you find yourself struggling to keep your focus on his eyes.

His fingers dance along the underwire of your bra, "And after that, I'll pull those panties off of you with my teeth; maybe dive right in and see if that pussy tastes as good as I think it does." Your eyes flutter shut as a white-hot spike of arousal shoots straight to your core. He pulls his hand away and when you reopen your eyes, you see a triumphant grin has spread across Jasper's face. "That's my girl." Your eyes widen as you realize - you've lost. Again.

"You've got two chances left. Still think you're going to win?" Jasper asks. "I'm sure you can do it. Right? You can turn it around. Round 4."

As you settle in for yet another round, he gets in another jab. "You're gonna break. You're going to and it's going to be really fast."

His hand returns to your thigh; this time it only takes a second for him to reach the hem of your panties, his fingers dancing along the elastic. You swallow harshly, but keep his gaze. "You're not even trying to fight it; you're just letting me touch you."

"You're gonna keep looking me in the eyes when I move your panties to the side and slide my fingers in, aren't you?" Your breath hitches. "No, don't lose yet. Come on, look at me. Don't look away, I don't want you to look away." It's hard to fight against the urge to hide your face but you manage. You can feel how hot your cheeks are, and you can only imagine the expression on your face.

"Good girl," Jasper murmurs. "Don't look away. Don't you dare look away." You start to squirm a little, clenching your thighs desperate for some friction. "Why are you turned on?" He teases, his fingers still threatening to dip under the thin fabric. "Is it because you're submissive and you like losing? There's fight and flight, but you... you freeze. And you're gonna let me take what I want."

He finally tugs your panties aside and dips two fingers into you. your teeth dig into your bottom lip as you try to focus. You're so wet you swear you can feel it dripping down towards your ass. Fuck this is embarrassing but you realize you'd rather die than stop now; you want this. You want to just let go and let him take and take and take.

You crave his touch, crave to be used by him.

Jasper's fingers crook up into a spot that has stars dancing in your vision. Somehow you manage to just barely keep your eyes on him.

"C'mon, don't lose. I only have three pieces of clothing; you can still win this..." he taunts. "Don't look away, don't look away. Don't look away. Don't lose. Come on, look at me in my eyes. Good girl- don't look away."

"There it is..." He muses, pressing his fingers into your g spot as your back arches away from your chair and a debauched moan rips from your throat. "You lose again, darlin'." He brings his hand up to his mouth to clean your arousal off his fingers.

You let out a frustrated whine, your chest heaving as you try to catch your breath. Jasper's smug grin only infuriates you further - he's clearly enjoying this power he has over you.

"That's not fair," you pant, your body still tingling from his touch. "You're cheating."

Jasper chuckles, leaning back in his chair as he examines you hungrily. "Darlin', I don't need to cheat to make you submit to me. You want this just as badly as I do. Like I said earlier- we never agreed 'no touching'."

You can only glare half-heartedly at him, knowing he's right.

"Hey," Jasper ducks his head to catch your eyes as you look at the ground to avoid his gaze. "You got one more. It's the last round. You're still in this; you can still win. You've got to get at least one piece from me. you can't lose every time - that would just be pathetic..." You go to smack his arm, but he avoids it.

With a resigned and frustrated sigh, you unhook your bra and let it fall to the floor. "Let's get this over with already." you grumble. you want this to end partly to stop the embarrassment of losing this badly, but mainly because the sooner this is over, the sooner you can fuck him.

As the final round starts, Jasper reaches up to grab your chin, tilting your head up to barely brush his lips against yours. His eyes never leave yours as he asks, "Why don't you just look away on purpose so I can take these off and fuck you?"

His other hand reaches down to press his thumb against your clit, causing your eyes to shut as you let loose a shaky moan. "Oh- you lost..." The grin he gives you can only be described as devilish.

Faster than you can process, he is picking you up by the thighs and setting you on the table.

True to his word, he drops to his knees between your legs and. after pressing a few possessive kisses along your belly and the apex of your thighs, he takes your panties between his teeth and starts to slide them off of you.

You shudder with anticipation as Jasper's cool breath ghosts over your most intimate area. With painstaking slowness, he tugs your panties down, revealing your glistening cunt. His eyes never leave yours, molten gold boring into your very soul.

A playful smirk graces his perfect lips as he tosses the flimsy fabric aside. Calloused hands caress the soft skin of your inner thighs, urging them to part further. You comply willingly, heart racing in excitement.

Jasper hums appreciatively, drinking in the sight of your exposed cunt. Leaning in, he trails feather-light kisses along your dripping folds, teasing you mercilessly. Just when you think you can't take the anticipation any longer, his talented tongue darts out, parting your swollen lips and delving deep.

An involuntary moan escapes your lips as pleasure courses through you. Jasper sets an agonizingly slow pace, savoring every twitch and tremble of your body. His hands grip your hips, holding you steady as he explores every inch of your most sensitive area. "Fuck, I knew you'd taste amazing..." His low groan vibrates against you and forces another small gasp to leave you.

Jasper's skilled tongue continues its agonizingly slow exploration, eliciting more breathless sighs and whimpers from you. His grip on your hips tightens as he senses your growing desperation for release.

With a low growl, he suddenly picks up the pace, licking and sucking with purpose. Your back arches as the coil of pleasure tightens, bringing you closer and closer to the edge.

Just as you feel the first tremors of your impending climax, Jasper pulls away, leaving you panting and aching. He gazes up at you with hooded eyes, a smug expression on his face.

"Not yet, darlin'," he murmurs, his voice dripping with dark promise. "I have other plans for you."

Jasper's hands grip your hips firmly as he effortlessly maneuvers your body, guiding you to bend over the sturdy table. A gasp escapes your lips at the sudden change in position.

With your upper body pressed against the cool surface, you feel impossibly exposed and vulnerable. The long-forgotten books and scattered papers crinkle under your weight as Jasper's powerful frame looms over you, his presence radiating a primal dominance.

A shiver runs down your spine as his fingers trail along your spine, eliciting goosebumps in their wake. Leaning in close, he places a series of searing kisses along the back of your neck, nipping and sucking at the sensitive skin before pulling back and undressing.

Trembling with anticipation, you arch your back, silently begging for more of his touch. Jasper growls low in his throat, the primal sound sending a shiver down your spine. His large palms slide up your sides, calloused fingers caressing the curve of your waist.

You whimper, desperate for him to finally fuck you.

Jasper chuckles, the deep rumble of his voice sending sparks of desire through your body. "So impatient," he murmurs, his breath hot against your ear. "Don't worry, sugar, I'm just getting started."

Jasper's grip on your hips tightens as he slowly, teasingly, presses his body against yours. You can feel the hard lines of his muscles and you ache to have him inside you. His hands slide up your sides, caressing and exploring your body.

Finally, after what feels like ages, he lines his cock up with your sopping pussy and starts to press in.

You gasp, arching your back as the head of his cock teases your entrance. "Jasper!" You moan, shuddering with anticipation.

Slowly, agonizingly slowly, he slides into you, inch by delicious inch. You feel every millimeter of his legnth as he fills you up, stretching and claiming you. His grip on your hips tightens, and you can feel the way his forearms bulging as he struggles to maintain control.

"Fuck," he growls, finally bottoming out inside you. He holds still for a moment, his lips pressing against your neck as he regains his breath.

Then, without warning, he begins to move, pulling almost all the way out before plunging back in with a force that takes your breath away. Over and over, he thrusts into you, his hips slapping against yours in a rhythm that is both primal and possessive.

You drop your head to the table, letting out a long, keening cry as you feel his cock hit your sweet spot, sending waves of pleasure coursing through your body. "Jasper!" You cry out, your voice echoing in the room.

His hands move to your breasts, tweaking and pinching your nipples as he fucks into you harder and faster. You can feel the heat building between your legs, the sensation growing more intense with each passing moment.

"I knew you were a submissive little thing," he says between grunts. "We could've gotten here a lot quicker if you had just dropped the act earlier, darlin'." You can feel his shit eating grin against your shoulder.

"Really?" you gasp out, body sliding against the table with each thrust. "You want to argue about that now?"

His chuckle is low in your ear. "Just making a point, sugar." Jasper presses a kiss to the space just behind your ear before leaning back and fucking into you harder.

The rough wood of the table bites into your shoulders, but you don't care. All that matters is the feeling of him inside you, claiming you.

"Jasper," you moan, your voice filled with pleasure and desperation. "I need… I need you to cum inside me." You beg, your back arching impossibly more as he reaches around to toy with your clit.

He picks up the pace even more, slamming into you over and over again. "Almost there, doll," he says, his voice rough with lust. "Just wait for it."

You clench around him, trying to draw him deeper inside you. The sensation is almost too much to bear, but you're so, so close.

You feel your body tense and then release in a wave of pure pleasure. Your muscles clench around Jasper's cock, milking him as you experience your orgasm. A loud moan escapes your lips, and your hips buck against the table unconsciously. Sweat beads on your forehead, and your skin feels flushed with heat.

As your climax subsides, you feel a cool rush between your legs. Jasper's release. He groans deeply, his body shuddering against yours.

After a minute of him staying plastered to your back, keeping you bent over the table, you feel him slowly pull out of you, and you can't help but whimper in disappointment.

"Don't give me any of that, doll," Jasper gently chides. He scoops you up in his arms, cradling you against his chest. You wrap your legs around him, holding onto him tightly. The chill of his skin against your heated sex is comforting, soothing the ache.

He carries you to the couch, setting you down gently before standing up and pulling his boxers on and heading into the kitchen. While he's gone, you take the opportunity to catch your breath and compose yourself. When he returns, he has a damp cloth. He gently cleans between them, his touch soft and careful as he wipes up the remnants of your tryst. Neither of you speak as he cares for you, reveling in the comfortable silence that blankets the both of you.

But what you loved most were the quiet moments. Like now, sitting in the forest, high up in the trees. You perched on a branch, swinging your legs, and Jasper leaned casually against the trunk below.

“Thought becoming a vampire might even things out.” you teased, grinning.

His drawl wrapped around you, warm and unhurried. “Sugar, you could be ten feet tall and I’d still find a way to look down at you with all the fondness in the world.”

You scoffed, though the venomous blush rising to your cheeks betrayed you. He moved before you could react and plucked you from the branch, holding you easily against him.

“Jasper!” you yelped, though you clung to him instinctively.

He smirked, leaning down until his lips brushed yours. “What? I like havin’ you right here. Feels natural.”

You huffed, though your fingers curled tighter into the fabric of his shirt. “I could’ve gotten down on my own, you know. I don’t need a six-foot-three cowboy hauling me around like a sack of flour.”

“Mmh,” he hummed against your lips. “But you look awful cute when you’re mad about it.”

Your retort died in your throat when he leaned in, pressing a kiss to your temple with infuriating tenderness. His hands settled under your thighs as he adjusted his hold, keeping you cradled against his chest like you weighed nothing at all. For all your vampire strength, you weren’t immune to the way his arms felt like they’d been made to cage you in.

“You’re impossible.” you muttered, but the words softened into a laugh when he dipped his head to rest his forehead against yours.

“And you’re tiny. My tiny terror. Can’t even climb a tree without me comin’ after you.”

You swatted his chest. “I could knock you on your ass if I wanted.”

He raised a brow, amusement flickering in his golden eyes. “Is that a challenge, darlin’?”

Before you could answer, a loud wolf-whistle split the clearing. Emmett was doubled over laughing a few yards away, Rosalie watching with thinly veiled irritation. “Get a room!” Emmett hollered. “Or a ladder for them, Jazz!”

The growl Jasper gave in response was low and dangerous, causing Emmett to throw his hands up in mock surrender. Still, Jasper didn’t set you down. If anything, his hold tightened, as if daring the world to try and take you from his arms.

“See what I put up with?” you grumbled against his chest.

- You smelled so good, so tempting... it was torture for him. If the situation wasn't so dire, he would be proud of his self-control. He didn't pounce on you when you stepped back, nor did he pounce on you when you scraped your ankle against a rock.

- But he knew for damn sure that if you ran, he couldn't hold back from his triggered instincts. He had to stop you before he did something stupid.

- "Angel, don't move." He breathed, his voice heavily strained. He forced himself to stay in place, not stalking toward you.

- Jasper was immensely thankful you actually stopped moving, because he was feeling himself slip. God, he was going crazy.

- He wanted nothing more than to sink his teeth right into your jugular and drink every last drop from your sweet little body. But he knew it would kill him. Even if he went through the nine rings of Hell, he feels like it won't be enough punishment for killing the most gentle soul he ever met.

- No, no, he loved you too much to ever raise his hand or voice against you. He would cut off his own arm before he committed such a horrendous act.

- "I'm dangerous. You have to go. Now." He hissed, limbs shaking.

- You stared at him, devoured with worry for your friend. He looked paler than usual, which said a lot about his state. Jasper's chest was heavy, but curiously, you didn't notice the sound of his breath coming out. What was going on? How did you not notice before ?

- "Dangerous... how ?" You breathed.

- He swallowed thickly, and his eyes softened; a veil of helpless sadness hooded his eyes. "I'm... I'm not a good person... I have a… thirst. A sick, twisted thirst."

- "It... it can't be." You felt so incredibly idiotic to think he could possibly be anything but human.

- Jasper's heart ached as he watched you stare at him and down. He knew you were scared and confused, and the sight hurt him more than his godforsaken struggles. The need to soothe you was strong, but so was his fear of unleashing his hunger.

- For the first time in forever, the young man felt his eyes actually tear up. He just loved you so much, and now he had to watch you drift away from him. He was probably selfish; he knew you should be running from him for your safety. But the pain of letting you go was too great; it hurt too much.

- You noticed his tears; of course you did. Over time, as you spent more time together, you became more attuned to Jasper's emotions, much like he had been able to do with you.

- "J-Jasper…" You called out, stepping carefully toward him. Not like you would a dangerous monster, but a scared, wounded child. "It's okay..."

- "No... no, no, it's not, I—" He stepped back. He was acting like prey, prey to his own needs. Even to him, his warning seemed halfhearted. It wasn't okay; nothing was! You were too sweet, you smelled so good, and he adored you so much he could die again-

- Gently, you cupped his cheeks, your thumb running across his soft cheekbones. Jasper's eyes widened. He didn't realize you were so close, but what surprised him the most was the fact you were still alive.

- Your pretty eyes still shone with worry, your soft heart continued to beat, your delicate skin remained unbroken, and all your delicious blood kept running through your veins. Jasper's thirst for your essence has vanished.

- "Angel..." He whispered, tears escaping his eyes. Your kind hands brushed his chestnut-like hair out of his face gently so he could see how much you trusted him. How much you loved him.

- "I don't fully understand what you are, I'm sorry... But I think that's okay. I love you, Jasper, as you are." You smiled warmly, meaning every single word.

- Jasper swallowed thickly and nodded. He tugged you close, wrapping his arms around your waist. With his newfound strength, he buried his head in the crook of your neck.

- "Thank you, angel... I swear no harm will ever come to you. Never... it would kill me." He breathed against your skin, making a little shiver run down your spine.

- Unconsciously, he inhaled the smell of the thin flesh of your throat. His eyes darkened, and his lips pressed a kiss on your skin.

- His hunger didn't vanish... let's just say it... changed a little bit :)

- Your livelyness brought out his own. He wasn't as expressive but he felt almost... eager to face the next day.

- Jasper watched how you brighten up when you see your favorite desert in the cafeteria. So any time it is served, he would grab one, of course not eating it and placed it on your table when you were distracted.

- But it was something else that made the young man's heart melt for you. Something unexpected.

- You see, somedays were harder than other for Jasper. Flashbacks, anxiety would plague his thoughts, dragging him down to meet his darkest needs. And as if to punish himself, he would drag himself through pain, as best as he could.

- Running into trees, rocks, mountains, distracting himself from his gruesome nature. He ran all the way to Seattle, rain pouring down, drenching him to the bone. Miserary clawed at his back, his legs and heart, making tumble against a wall in a random street.

- People passed by, and thankfuly the wet concrete restrained his nose enough to not attack anyone, but nobody stopped to help either.

- It reminded him the time he spent after the Southern vampire war. Once again alone, with no one he could reach for help. And he didn't. You did.

- "You're okay ?"

- His eyes darted up to him suddenly at the sound of your voice. Both of your gaze softened as you recognized each other. You held an umbrella above his head, neglecting your own self.

- Jasper didn't respond, you didn't hear his voice that night. You didn't know how to help... so you gave him your umbrella left him and hummed. "I'll call your father, okay ?"

- Disbelief coursed through as he watched you kneel beside him as you called the hospital to warn Carlisle and waited with him until Esme came to pick him up.

- He watched you the whole time. The droplets of water caught in your curling lashes, your slow breathing making your chest rise and fall reminding how human you were. But this time the knowledge didn't light his hunger, it made him thankful. Thankful you were alive, well and healthy and here by his side.

- It made him both feel incredible joy and warmth and a nagging sadness and dread. If anything were to happen to you-

- The moment the thought grazed his mind, his hand reached out and pulled you to his side. How foolish he had been. Of course he had to fall for a human. Life had never been kind on him, now have it ? But maybe he could suffer through it easier now... if you were a part of his life.

- You two waited this way, cheeks dusted in a delicate pink as you kept your hands tucked on your lap, not knowing what to think. But for that moment, it didn't matter.

- You two kinda pretented it didn't happen. On your part you weren't sure how to adress it, as for Jasper... He was just way more focused on you to really about what happened. He enthralled by you, completly enthralled.

- From now, you were his angel and he was dead set on making sure you felt nothing but happiness.

- He still didn't talk to you but now he was a gentleman through and through. He opened doors for you, reached for a book on a high self for you, bringing you your bag when you forgot it, followed you home.

- It would be a lie to say you didn't notice his intentions. You caught him bringing you cake, you caught his glances, you caught the way he would take this hallway over any other just to brush passed you. You were bubbly, not daft.

- Obviously, Jasper's power came in handy when making sure you content, safe and happy. It brought you to your first real conversations.

- It was right before an important test. You were stressed out of your mind, not mastering the subject at all. Sitting on a bench in the school yard, you tried knock your lessons in your brains an hour before facing the real exam.

- That's when he approached you. Gently, to not worsen your state by an unwanted fright before standing in front of you.

- "You're okay ?"

- And the same you comforted him, he stuck by your side. Jasper didn't want to alter you emotions, tho he yearns to make your happiness a certainty, he knew you deserved sincerity and control over yourself.

- "It's okay to be unsure sometime... but you're bright as candle light, you'll do great." He smiled, knowing and warm. His hand gently envelopped yours and his thumb caressed your knuckles.

- You noticed the worrying coldness of his hand but didn't mention it, instead choosing to drink in his reassurance.

- The test went way better than you expected and now spending time with Jasper was now more easier too.

- The previous awkard atmosphere was gone, you two laughed together, studied together and spend most time out of school together.

- He learned how you enjoy watching stars but how here in Forks the clouds restricted that hobby. So, with little care for his recent neglected hunger, he decided to guide you above the heavy clouds, up in the mountains, at night.

- However, Jasper, in his devoted affection, forgot to eat. And god... your blood smelled so good. His self control had be surprisingly irreprochable but this time he was just so hungry.

- His feet carried him to you slowly, stalking you. Seeing you turning around didn't stop him but his eyes focused on yours.

- "Jasper... your teeth..." He heard your voice as his precious angel stepped back slowly, clearly scared.

- God... what now ?

When you said you had the sweetest, most trusting husband in the world, it wasn't just a lie like other women told. You were serious. Jasper Hale was seriously the softest, cuddliest, most gentlemanly killing machine on earth.

Being the most protected woman in Washington or even in the world was a wonderful feeling. You never had any doubts in your husband, despite the horrible things you'd been through with him and his family. He treasured you, respected you, catered to all of your needs, and really was a perfect Southern gentleman, just like he'd told you he was the day you met him.

You'd just been married after being together for years. In fact, the plan was to turn you as soon as a solid window of time allowed. But, of course, danger and turbulence with Bella had disturbed your plans. You were still human and still fragile. You would've thought he was going to hover over you at all times, like Edward did Bella. But it was different. It helped that he could feel when you were scared or uncomfortable, but Jazz was comfortable at a distance, trusting you in your ability to identify a dangerous situation and be smart about needing help. And when you did need him, he eliminated the threat swiftly and effectively, reminding you and everyone else just how deadly he was.

The current threat was the newborn army. Most definitely organized by Victoria, it held a certain amount of weight, a palpable danger. Jasper had been tense lately -- he could feel the unease of everyone around him. And you, his human mate, were directly in danger, at risk of bloodthirsty newborns every time you were alone.

He'd recently decided that now, while things were so risky, you'd be by his side under constant protection. Knowing the threat and knowing Jasper's story, his experience with newborns, you didn't complain. You just followed your Major's orders.

Today, you were in the clearing, listening to your husband teach the family and the Pack about how to defense and offense. You couldn't lie, Jazz was dangerously hot like this.

Jasper Hale was never louder than necessary. He didn’t bark orders or boast about his skills. He simply moved and spoke with such controlled confidence that the entire clearing naturally stilled around him.

He stood at the center of the field, broad shoulders squared, golden eyes scanning everyone like a quiet commander taking stock. The tension in his jaw only made him look more dangerous. His shirt sleeves were rolled up to his forearms, exposing pale, scar-marked skin that shimmered faintly in the weak light -- reminders that he'd lived through so much violence and survived.

His hair was windswept, messy from combat demos, strands falling over his forehead. Somehow, that only made him hotter.

When he moved, he was all precision: a blur of muscle and reflex, striking with the speed of someone who didn’t hesitate. He never wasted energy. Every movement was elegant, efficient.

There was something deeply attractive about the way he balanced that lethal force with his gentlemanly calm. He wasn’t showing off, he was teaching. Guiding. Protecting.

“Newborns don’t think. They react. You use that. Wait for them to lunge -- then redirect their momentum.”

“Don’t aim for the head first. You want the arms, the legs. Disable them. Then finish it.”

“Stay low, keep your center of gravity under control. Don’t rely on brute force if you don’t have to.”

“Speed isn't enough. You gotta predict. Anticipate. That’s how you outlast ‘em.”

“Rosalie, you’re telegraphing. I could see that from a mile off.” (a soft smirk, drawing a glare from Rosalie)

“Don’t swing wide, Emmett. This isn’t a bar fight. That move would’ve gotten you killed a hundred years ago.”

He didn’t raise his voice, didn’t need to. That Southern drawl carried low and smooth, just loud enough to demand attention. You could tell he was holding back, like every part of him was wired to snap, but he was too controlled, too good, to let it show.

Watching Jasper fight was like watching a storm gather in the distance: quiet, beautiful, and inevitable.

Could be anyone. Wolf or vampire. They were quickly and strategically disarmed, usually with one move. It was like Jasper could tell exactly what they were going to do before they did it -- because likely, he could. He could feel whether they were cool headed, overconfident, agitated, restless. He was truly formidable. It was incredibly sexy to you.

Every once in a while, Jasper could feel your stares. He could feel your feelings of.. affection.. too. He tried to stay focused, his eyes locked onto whoever he was speaking to or whoever was swinging at him, but you could tell he knew. A crooked lift of his lip in a slight smirk would expose him.

Now, he stood facing off with Paul.

You'd never liked Paul. He was temperamental, cocky, arrogant and out of line any time you'd talked to him or been around him. But he was part of the pack and needed to be trained, so he was here.

Jasper could immediately feel your discomfort. His golden eyes met yours knowingly, reassuringly, in an attempt to soothe you. You felt yourself calm down considerably before you leaned back against the log, sighing.

He turned back. Paul was already snarling, fur prickling up in confidence and aggression. He hated vampires, whether they were fighting for the same cause or not. He wouldn't take it easy on Jasper, not that it mattered. Jasper never needed anyone to be careful, never needed to take it easily. He was almost sure that if Paul could, he'd go for the kill.

You swooned at Jazz. His face was still calm, staring down at the beast with anticipating eyes. Relaxed stance. He nodded, curving a hand to show Paul that it was time.

“Give it your best.” He said, one final statement, before Paul growled.

Paul lunged, massive wolf body coiled with muscle and teeth.

Jasper shifted just enough to the side, one pale hand shooting out to catch Paul by the ruff of his neck. He used the wolf’s own momentum to slam him to the ground, pinning him with one knee between his shoulders.

His voice was low, unbothered: “Far too predictable. A newborn would've snapped your neck,” he said. “You need to think it through before making an attempt. You have to be better than them -- more patient, more measured.”

Paul snarled and bucked under him, forcing Jasper to release him. The wolf twisted, hackles raised, and launched again with a furious roar.

Jasper didn’t flinch. He waited, eyes cool, then sidestepped at the last second, hand flashing out to catch Paul’s foreleg mid-swipe. With a sharp jerk and a twist of his hips, he threw the massive wolf onto his back, sending him sliding into the treeline.

Jasper leaned in slightly, voice calm but firm.

“Again. But try learning this time.”

With a furious roar, Paul gave it one more shot.

He jumped into the air, not taking Jasper's advice, not thinking, but heading for the southern man full force. With an audible and disappointed "tsk," Jazz landed another blow, a final push, intended for teaching. The blow made contact, once again sending Paul towards the trees. He barreled into them, knocking two over.

Jasper turned around to the group, using it as a teaching example.

“That's why you have to think. Control yourself,” he explained, gesturing towards the direction he'd flung Paul. “They're stronger than you and far more excited to fight. Even more excited to kill. You can't be sloppy.”

While Jasper was explaining, Paul got angrier and angrier.

He hated being beaten. Hated being embarrassed. Hated being talked back to. And hated vampires.

You sat across the clearing, watching him get up from the trees. His teeth dripped with spit, a permanent snarl etched onto his glaring face. His paws were heavy in the dirt.

And the direction he stalked? It wasn't towards Jasper.

It was towards you.

He was angry, embarrassed, and wanted to teach Jasper a lesson by terrifying you. Of course, by pack law, he wasn't allowed to touch you. But scaring a vampire's mate seemed to be equal punishment for the embarrassment.

Your eyes widened as you straightened off the log. Paul got closer and closer, drool dribbling off his teeth and lips, looking positively murderous. He was now within five feet of you, paws crossing the grass in enormous strides.

Jasper’s voice faltered for half a second as he felt the shift in you -- the jolt of fear, sharp and cold.

His golden eyes flicked immediately to you, then the aggressive, snarling wolf right in front of your face. Less than five feet now, pushing you back, making you cower against the wood log.

Jacob spoke from behind Jasper first.

“Paul! Stop!”

It was too late. The damage had already been done. Jasper was angry now.

Jasper didn’t explode.

He didn’t shout, didn’t bare his teeth or make a scene.

He simply went silent.

So silent that even the wind seemed to still in the trees.

And in that breathless, deathly quiet, he moved.

One blink and he was no longer in front of the pack or your family. He was between you and Paul, standing nose-to-snout with the enormous wolf, whose growling abruptly cut short at the sudden presence of something far, far more dangerous.

Jasper’s hand shot out, not to strike, but to press, flat and firm, against Paul’s fur covered shoulder, holding him back like he weighed nothing at all. His voice came low and dark, quieter than anyone had ever heard it.

“Foolish dog.”

Paul snarled, tried to shove forward -- instinct, fury, shame. He didn’t make it an inch.

With one hand still on Paul’s shoulder, Jasper’s other came up in a blur -- grabbing the wolf by the scruff of the neck and slamming him into the earth with a crack of force that shook the ground.

Gasps, footsteps, and whining from the pack echoed behind you.

Jasper didn't look at anyone else.

“I gave you every chance,” he said, voice thick with venom now, words curling with Southern fire. “I trained you. I warned you.”

He leaned into the wolf's snarling face again, letting him snap and growl at him, unfazed. His eyes were deadly, but his face was relatively relaxed.

“You won't make it on the field if this is how you present yourself,” he hummed, squeezing tighter onto Paul's body. “I cared at first. But now?”

Paul growled and twisted. Jasper slammed him down.

“I'm almost certain this world could use one less insolent mutt.”

The threat in his words wasn’t shouted. It was drawled, cold and certain, landing heavier than any yell could have. Paul let out a strangled, furious snarl, thrashing harder beneath Jasper’s unyielding grip. Dirt and grass tore up under his claws.

Jasper didn’t even blink. His golden eyes stayed locked on the wolf’s, steady and unflinching.

“You think you’re ready to fight newborns?” he asked, tone dipping almost to pity -- almost. His fingers tightened just enough to make Paul yelp. “You can’t even manage your temper.”

He waited for the next lunge. When Paul tried to twist again, Jasper slammed him down harder, making the ground quake.

“You’re sloppy. Predictable. And worst of all?” Jasper dropped his voice to a harsh whisper.

“You’re willing to threaten something of mine to save your own pride.”

Paul went still beneath him at that. Breathing hard. Growling, but with a tremor that wasn’t all rage.

Behind them, the clearing had gone silent. The pack frozen. Cullens unmoving. Even the wind felt like it held its breath.

Jasper’s lip curled faintly, not quite a smile.

“Consider this your only warning.”

He held Paul down one second longer, driving the point home. Then he stood smoothly, brushing the dirt from his hands like he hadn’t just manhandled a half-ton predator into submission.

“If you ever step foot near her again,” he drawled, Southern lilt dark as pitch, “I’ll put you down myself.”

He let that promise hang in the frozen air.

Then he turned, utterly calm, and walked back toward you without another glance at the wolf.

His cold hands met your skin immediately, gently nudging you into a standing position and smoothing your clothes out. He searched you silently for injuries -- you prayed he didn't find a single scratch. Even if Paul hadn't done it, he'd still pay the price for it.

Jasper’s touch was careful, almost reverent, as though he feared he might hurt you just by being too rough. His cold fingers brushed along your arms, checking for any sign of bruising. He smoothed your hair back from your face, golden eyes scanning you with laser focus.

“Hold still for me, darlin',” he murmured, voice lower now -- gentler, but still taut with restrained fury.

You swallowed hard, letting him fuss over you. His thumb grazed your jaw, tilting your face toward the light to check for any marks.

Nothing. Not a scratch.

He exhaled, slow and shaky despite the careful control on his face.

“Good,” he muttered, more to himself than to you.

His hands lingered at your waist, gripping you just enough to anchor himself. He didn’t look back at the pack, didn’t even acknowledge the others. For Jasper, in that moment, there was no one else but you.

As he felt you relax against him, Jasper’s hold softened even more. His thumbs brushed soothing circles at your waist, the cold of his skin forgotten in the warm hush between you.

“That’s it,” he murmured, southern lilt a low rumble only for your ears. “Easy now, sugar. I’ve got you.”

He dipped his head just low enough to press his lips gently to your forehead, leaving his lips there for a few seconds and letting his eyes flutter shut. Grounding himself. The tension bled out of him by slow degrees, like smothered coals on a fire being put out.

One of his hands drifted up to cup your cheek, wiping the startled tears from under your eyes.

“No more cryin’, sweet angel. He’s never gonna come near you again.”

Once you were sufficiently comforted, Jasper returned to the training session, but decided that he wasn’t going to do any demonstrations. For the rest of the day, you’d be by his side where he could focus on you.

However, Jasper was a practical and respectful man. A warning always came before he broke loose.

Jasper didn’t raise his voice or even turn fully away from you. He just lifted his head enough to look past you, eyes finding the pack’s leader with that glint of cold command still in them.

“Sam,” he called evenly.

Sam’s ears flicked forward in wolf form, body tense, watching every move. No one had much to say, just stared. Emmett and Edward watched cautiously, awaiting a fight to break out.

Jasper’s jaw flexed once before he spoke, his tone unyielding.

“You’ll be down a pup if you ever let one of yours so much as growl at her again,” he asserted, tone cutting through the air like a knife. “She’s human. If you’ve forgotten your rules, if you’ve forgotten the treaty, I can be your reminder.”

He didn’t wait for an answer. Didn’t need one.