Creatures of the Night | Jasper Hale ✓

What Lies Ahead 1.6

Jasper's POV

Marianne or Mary Swan. The fragile human was now fast asleep in one of the few guest rooms in our home... our sanctuary away from the human world. 

Before our move to Forks, weeks before our arrival, Alice had a vision of my mate. With a mind reader and an empath secrets are hard to keep; so I quickly found about my future partner. When we arrived in Forks on that first day, we spotted her immediately in the cafeteria. Only one key detail was off, she was human. 

At that point I had more than a few recent slip ups; I would not make our family need to relocate again. It was decided: I would avoid Marianne at all costs. She would remain human and I would keep my distance so she could live a full, promising human life; it worked for 2 years. With her sister's arrival, Alice had a vision of Marianne's death whilst Edward was hunting; we followed Edward's scent Alice taking the Volvo and me on foot. 

I had inadvertently saved her - she ran straight into me and I didn't feel the need to drain her dry.  And her first words to me, I was supposed to die. I could feel her emotions a mixture of panic, shock, relief... but also terror. 

I thought she believed us to be monsters. Which was partially true - she thought Edward was a monster - but she had a nuanced view that the rest of the family were somehow less of a threat to her. The two years I had spent avoiding her had run it's course; she knew about our secret. Whether or not she has feelings for me I now have an obligation to protect her; it's our secret that put her in danger. If a nomad or the Volturi discover her... 

Watching the slow rise and fall of her sleeping form I couldn't help but wonder if a 'relationship' was even possible for us. I was utterly enamored with this human. Alice had seen her become a vampire, but the thought of her untimely death was a hard pill to swallow. 

As if on cue, I hear Alice's near silent footsteps approaching. I give one last glance at Mary before moving back out into the hall, "She's asleep." 

Alice gave me a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes, I could feel something was off. I thought back to Mary's suspicions - did Alice see something -  and her feeling of a looming threat. 

"Tell me," I speak with urgency. 

"Jasper, she's going to die." 

"When? Where? How?"

"I can't be sure on the time, there's a storm that night. She's in the hospital, respiratory, she's coughing up blood and looks like death. Carlisle is there to confirm her condition. She... she doesn't want to turn." 

"Your visions are subjective," I assert confidently, hoping to will my delusion into existence. 

"Jasper, you and I both know it. She told you herself." 

I take a step back, leaning against the wall, "It's not meant to be like this. She wasn't supposed to be human." 

"This doesn't mean she won't end up turning. She could change her mind," Alice tried to comfort me. I suppose we could only hope that we wouldn't have to say goodbye to Mary forever. 

"What do I do?" 

"She can't know."

I shook my head, "It's not meant to be this way. What do I-"

"Jazz be her friend. Don't distance yourself from her, she will need you."

~ ~ ~ 

The next morning I left just after breakfast - Esme and Emmett enthusiastically attempted cooking for me, I had not seen Alice or Jasper until I called I Charlie to let him know I would be on my way home. 

"Good morning, Mary," Now seeing Jasper during the day his scars were practically invisible, I had to really focus to make out the faintest outline of the crescent scars. So much hidden pain. 

"Hi, thanks for staying with me," I give him a small smile. 

"Do you want me to drive you back home?" 

"Sure." 

He put my bag in the car before returning to the house, "Do you mind?" 

"Do I mind what?" 

Suddenly, Jasper had me cradled I was pressed against his cold chest and I let out a surprised scream, "Jazz!" 

"Too much?" 

"A little more specific warning next time, just take me home you weirdo." 

He carefully helped me into the passenger's seat and we drove in comfortable silence to my house. 

"Jasper Whitlock Hale, listen closely" I muster my best stern tone as we roll up to the drive way. 

"Oooo the full name, I'm listening." 

"Do. Not. Pull that cradling stunt in front of Charlie. I don't know if bullets can kill you, but he will most definitely shoot to kill if he sees you do that."

He smirks, "You have my word, ma'am." 

Jasper gets out of the car, opening the passenger door and effortlessly lifts me out of the car. He helps me walk up the walk way where I can now see Charlie waiting inside with the screen door propped open. 

"Good morning, sir." 

"Jasper," My dad acknowledges, now having stepped outside to assist me. "How was your sleepover, Marianne?" Jasper takes this second to go back to the car to grab my bag. 

"Okay, aside from the broken bone. Alice had a lot of activities planned, next time she should print an itinerary, it would probably be more enjoyable if I knew what was coming," I chuckled. 

"Here you go, Mary, I'll see you in school. Take care, Chief Swan," Jasper waves after placing my bag in the front entrance. 

Charlie closes the door behind us, "I set up a makeshift bed for you in the living room, I think at least for a few weeks you should avoid going up and down the stairs."

I nod, "Thanks, dad."

There's a brief pause, I can feel the interrogation coming. 

"Anything going between you and that boy?" 

I fervently shake my head, "Dad! He's just a friend." 

"Sure, sure. Whatever you say," He grumbles. "Do I need to put you on birth control?"

"Dad!" I roll my eyes. "I'm physically wounded and now you're going to emotionally torment me, your doting eldest daughter?" 

He holds his hand sup in surrender, "Okay, okay. But I'm not becoming a grandfather any time soon."