Chapter Text
Being alone wasn’t always this hard. When he was with Maria, he was far too focused on mere survival to worry about shit like that. Being around Peter and Charlotte made him feel like a bit of a third wheel, but it really wasn’t too bad, their happiness was refreshing. When he found Alice, it was so nice. Neither of them were mated, but they could pass as a mated couple, and that made them safer. And when they reached the Cullens, the only true pair were Carlisle and Esme. And wasn’t that a lovely change? No feeling like a third wheel, but still surrounded by happiness and safety. The diet was difficult to stick to, and he felt constantly starved, and sure, Carlisle (and any authority figure really) made him profoundly nervous, but he was happy. For the first time, truly, consistently happy.
But their return to Forks changed that quite a bit. Jasper still cared about his coven, in his own way, but he felt isolated in it. He couldn’t help but wish they had decided to go to another college, instead of Peninsula. His closest, only true friend Alice found her mate with a fragile human girl named Bella, who he had nearly killed several times before the psychic finally turned her, under threat from Volterra. Rosalie and Emmett both found their mates with werewolves, Leah and Paul, which was completely unheard of up until that point. And when the Volturi came for Alice, and they required witnesses, Edward had bonded with the nomad Garrett, and though they were not mates yet, it was clearly heading that way. And Jasper was happy for them all. Truely. He just felt a bit lonely.
Which was why, when Maria asked to meet him on neutral ground north of her territory for a bit of catching up, he leapt at the opportunity. He still held affection for her, despite what she had put him through. And he appreciated having one person whom he doesn’t have to share with anyone else. Even if she was a vicious warlord who made his undead life hell for nearly a century. Out of that environment, she was really quite lovely.
As he approached their meeting place, Jasper could feel her emotions reaching out to him, welcoming and warm, with a bit of nervousness. He brushed that aside, certain it was due to their separation and her worry about how they would react to each other. He smiled when he saw her, the soft glow of moonlight playing across her dark skin in a way that was all too familiar.
“Cariño,” She murmured, stepping forward on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his cheek, “It has been too long. I am glad to see you again.”
His grin widened at the affection in her voice, falling easily back into his role with her. Jasper leaned down to speak with her, as if she had her own field of gravity. “Yes ma’am, it has. I’ll be honest, I was rather surprised to receive your invitation. It seemed more than a bit out of nowhere.”
At his words, her emotions turned stormy, and he took a step back, unsure if she would become angry with him for misspeaking. Instead she sighed and shook her head, looking up at him sadly. “I suppose it was out of nowhere. They designed it that way, I am sure, to make certain your Alice couldn’t predict it.”
His stomach dropped, a coldness creeping over him. “Predict what? Maria, what did you do?”
“She made a very practical deal. You, in exchange for our wholehearted support in her efforts to claim southern territories.” A deep voice called from the darkness. As Jasper turned to face that area, four people in all too familiar grey cloaks stepped forward, making their way towards him and Maria. Old instinct took over, and he immediately dropped into a crouch in front of her, automatically protecting his sire even as her betrayal burned into his soul.
“Please don’t make this any more difficult than it has to be. You know you cannot win,” A different voice spoke this time, androgynous and quiet, and he identified it as coming from the smallest figure. One of the twins, he was certain, and he was quickly vindicated in that thought. “If you come with us quietly, everything will be easier. I’m not nearly as fond of these struggles as my sister.”
“What could you possibly want from me?” Jasper snarled, backing away from both them and Maria. “I haven’t broken any rules.”
“No, you have not,” The first voice told him, which he realized belonged to Felix when he lowered his hood. As the others did the same, he recognized Demetri, Santiago, and Alec, all fanning out around him. His eyes darted between them all as Felix continued to speak. “However, you are incredibly useful to us, and honestly I see no reason to lie to you. Aside from her mate, who would be very difficult to isolate, you are the closest person to Alice Cullen. Aro hopes to use you as leverage to bring her into the fold. In addition, your skills as a fighter, strategist, and empath are remarkable. Have no doubt, Jasper Whitlock, you will be valued just as much as your dear friend. Now come along. It’s a very long journey.”
After a breath he turned to his betrayer, his own personal Judas to demand an explanation. “Maria...How could you do this?” He asked his maker, betrayal replaced with a deep sadness in response to her own.
His sire took a step towards him, causing him to jerk away. “Jasper, I know you do not see it now, but going with them is the safest option. Your coven would have you fight against them. You will never win, and I do not want to see you killed.”
“No!” Jasper snarled, deepening his crouch and baring his teeth. “Fuck you. Fuck all of you. I’m not coming with you. I’m not going to be your pawn. I’m not going to help you capture Alice.”
At his words, Alec sighed, rolling up his sleeves and extending his hands, shimmering fog trailing out of them and towards Jasper. “Fine. We can do it the hard way then.”
And then the world turned off.