*𝐈𝐟 𝐈 𝐜𝐚𝐧'𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐍𝐚'𝐯𝐢, 𝐢𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐁𝐨𝐥𝐝*

-𝐀𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬'𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐯-

"How did you find me?" I asked him. "Layla called me earlier about where you were," Jasper replied as his hands clenched on the steering wheel. Layla must have felt my fear.

"What? I thought you two didn't like each other," I asked.

"We do, but when it comes to you, we agree to join forces to protect you," Jasper replied. "Protect me? From what?" I asked.

"Not hard to guess," Jasper replied as he drove up to the restaurant.

I got out as Jessica, Austin, and Angela exited the restaurant, Austin's arm was around Angela. Edward's car pulled up behind me as Bella got out. Bella approached us.

"Where were you two?!" Jessica asked us.

"We left you a message." "We waited, but we were starving -," Angela added as they saw Edward and Jasper behind us, climbing out of their car. They freeze.

Jasper walked up to me and wrapped his arm around me, Austin smirked at me.

"Sorry for making Alexis late," Jasper told them. "She ran into me and we got talking."

"I - we - understand. We were just... leaving, so --," Jessica stuttered. The two girls start to go and Bella is forced to go with them. "Okay, well. Thank you," Bella told Edward.

She started to follow the girls.

Edward is torn, then stops her. "Maybe I should make sure Bella gets something to eat," Edward told them. "......If you'd like. Then I could drive you back myself."

"That's so... thoughtful," Angela agreed.

"Thoughtful," Jessica echoed. "I could eat," Bella agreed. As he guides her off, the two girls share a look and a noiseless scream of excitement.

"Jasper, why don't you eat with Alexis?" Angela suggested.

Jasper pulled me as well as I laughed at Austin's face. Angela give me a wink, Austin whispering 𝐌𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐱𝐚 𝐬𝐢. Jasper walked me over to the deck.

(Mate)

A dramatic waterfall shimmers behind them. A waitress walked up to us as we sat down. "What can I get you guys?" She smiled flirty at Jasper. I had to hold back as she looked at me in disgust.

"Alexis will have the creamy carbonara,"

Jasper said as he looked at me, looking for clarification. The waitress' smile faded as she realized that Jasper wasn't even going to look at her.

"And a slice of Schiacciata Fiorentina" I smile.

"It will be out soon," she said as she walked away. "I don't have enough money," I told him. "Who said the beautiful lady was gonna pay," Jasper said with his southern drawl.

I snickered. "What a charmer," Jasper chuckled, tipping his imaginary hat.

After a while, she placed a steaming plate of creamy carbonara in front of me and nothing in front of Jasper. She left without a word. "You're not eating? I mean. You are paying" I asked.

"I'm on a special diet," Jasper told me.

"Like South Beach?" I asked, Grace told me about that diet. "Not exactly," he replied. I looked at him curiously as I took a sip. "So how 'bout some answers?" I asked. "Maybe," Jasper replied.

"How did you know where I was?" I asked.

"I didn't," Jasper replied. I sighed. "Were you following me?" I asked.  "I feel very protective of you," Jasper told me. "So that's a yes?" I asked.

"Yes, I followed you. I tried to keep my distance...until you needed help," Jasper replied. "From what? I mean, you said that Kelsey and you decided to 'join forces and protect me," I asked.

"There are things you don't know even existed," Jasper hesitated.

"When you bumped into me, I felt your fear." "You felt my fear?" I repeated. Jasper nodded as I looked around. "Can you tell what everyone in here is feeling?" I asked.

Jasper nodded as he looked around.

"Busy, horny, selfish, horny, horny, and love," he replied as he looked at me. "And you, true love. Right now." I blushed, smiling. "I don't know what to do with you," Jasper continued.

"You seem like... a..." He trailed off "This is wrong," He lowered his voice.

The waitress came back bringing me the Tiramisu glaring at me. I ate it in silence. "Jasper....," I said as he got up. "You're cold. We should go," Jasper asked.

He pulled me up before I can ask any more questions.

"Hold on!" Jasper stopped, looking at me as I turned to the hostess. "Can I please have a 6 cannoli box to go" I smiled as the hostess nodded. After about 5 minutes, she came back.

"That'll be 15.99" the hostess smiled, handing me the box.

Before I could get my card out Jasper handed her his card, the hostess nodded at him, taking the card. I turned to him. "I could have gotten them Jasper"

"I'm not letting you pay for anything when your with me"

I blushed as Jasper said that, the hostess handed him his card, smiling at us.

"You make a cute couple, have a great night" I blushed as Jasper smiled, nodding his head to the hostess. We got into Jasper's car as it sped along the two-lane highway.

I glanced at Jasper, thinking if I should ask him more questions but he seems to be wrestling with his thoughts, smiling softly.

"I think I'm warm enough now," I said.

As I reached for the heater dial he did as well. Our hands touched. And held a moment too long. An electric current ran, connecting us.

I can hear the sound of the wind, calling for him, the whispers of Eywa in my ears confirming he's my mate, the reason why she sent me here. I know he heard it too, his face says it all.

Now I know what Austin was talking about.

I wonder how Angela will take the news about him and Angela being mates and us being a type of blue alien. "Your hand, it's still cold," I noticed as he pulled his hand away, but I kept looking at it.

"I can turn the heater back on if you're cold-" My attention shifts outside to flashing police lights.

As we drive past the police station, a sheriff's car pulls away. Mom and Dad's car is parked out front. "My parents are here late. Something must have happened,"

I said as Jasper pulled over Edward's Volvo pulled up as Jasper and I climbed.

Bella and Edward climb out. Edward and Jasper then saw a second car next to the cruiser.

"That's our father's car. What's he- ?" Edward said as we looked inside. In a pool of light, a distressed Mom, Dad, and Dr. Cullen study photographs and evidence.

As they wrap up their discussion, Dr. Cullen puts a sympathetic hand on Charlie's shoulder, then exited the police station looking grim.

"Carlisle. What happened?" Jasper asked.

"Waylon Forge was found in the woods out near his place. I just examined the body," He replied. Edward darkens. Bella was horrified as I gasped, putting my hand over my mouth.

"He died? How?" Bella asked. "Animal attack," Dr. Cullen replied.

"The same kind that killed the security guard down in Mason?" I asked. Edward, Jasper, and Dr. Cullen trade a look, subtle, but Bella and I caught it. Mom, Dad, and I traded a look as well.

Knowing it wasn't an animal. "Most likely," Dr. Cullen replied.

"So it's getting closer to town," Bella looked at me. "Waylon lived all the way down on Queets River. 75 miles south," Edward told jet. "But that's -," I started to say.

"Bella, you should go inside," Mom told her. "Waylon was your father's friend."

Bella walked to the door but looked back to see them conferring quietly, gravely. There's more to this. Mom and Dad pulled me inside, hugging me.

"𝐍𝐠𝐚 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐦𝐢̀ 𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐲𝐚̈ 𝐭𝐚𝐰𝐭𝐮𝐭𝐞 ,𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐧𝐢̀𝐡𝐚𝐰𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐱𝐚𝐧, 𝐤𝐚̈ 𝐦𝐢̀ 𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐲𝐚̈ '𝐨𝐧 𝐲𝐞'𝐫𝐢̀𝐧 𝐭𝐚𝐦?" Mom whispered into my ear, only I could hear her, I nod.

(You have been in your human form for too long, go in your form soon okay?)

"We have to stay. We won't be able to drive you home" Mom told me, talking normally as Jasper walked up. "I can talk her home. Mr. And Mrs. Eason" Jasper spoke up.

Mom and Dad smiled at him. "Thank you, Jasper," Dad said, letting me go.

"See you at home, I'll save some cannolis for you " I walked over to Jasper getting into the car. The ride there was silent.

-𝐋𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐫-

Austin, Layla, and I were playing video games. "Stop cheating!" Layla said as they played Resident Evil 2. I laughed as Layla died again. Layla raged quit, Austin and I died laughing.

"Omg! My side hurts!" I leaned back as I laughed.

I chuckled as we calmed down, I turned to Austin. "Hey Austin, Have you told Angela yet?" I asked as Austin turned to me. "Not in person, No but I did text-"

Before he could finish his sentence Angela busted in.

"You guys can turn into blue aliens?! NA'VI" We all shared a look before laughing at her. "I wasn't expecting that reaction" I sighed as I got up. Austin gave Angela a grin as he threw candy at her.

Layla shrugged as she sat down.

"How are you feeling Angel?" Austin asked Angela as she sat next to him. Austin wrapped his arm around her. Angela took his braid, looked at it, playfully wrapping her hair around it.

"Okay, a little shocked," Austin nodded. "Slightly envious" we chuckled

"I heard this voice before I read your text" Angela looks at Austin. "It was like whispers" we all share a look, smiling. "You heard Eywa" I told her as she looked at me, confused then shocked.

"Eywa? Like the All-Mother of pandora!?" Angela asked as we nodded .

"Show me! Please!" I laughed as I turned, towering over them. My tail wrapped around her hand. Angela gasped in awe, chuckling. Angela had her hands out, watching my tail move in her hands.

Austin turned, wrapping his tail around her, pulling her into his lap, looking down at her.

Angela looked up at him, giggling when Austin nuzzled his head against hers, his hair falling in her face. Angela watched us, she looked at Austin's queue.

"Do y'all have different names?" Angela asked as Layla turned, smiling at her.

"We do. My real name is 𝐋𝐞𝐲'𝐫𝐚" Layla smiled. "My real name is 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐢 and Austin's real name is-" "𝐀𝐭𝐚𝐧'𝐞𝐤𝐨" Austin smiled down at Angela, Angela chuckled as she looked up at all of us.

"You guys are very tall" we chuckled at her as we turned human.

"Can you guys teach me Na'vi? Can I visit pandora? Will I be able to turn Na'vi too?" Angela asked a lot of questions, I chuckled. "We'll see what we can do, our parents will have to talk to Grace"

I smiled as Angela's eyes widened slightly.

"Grace? As Grace Augustine?!" I nodded, chuckling as Angela asked more questions, which Layla and Austin answered.

I picked up my phone as I heard someone text me. It was Bella. "Hey, can you open the computer?" I asked. Austin grabbed my laptop and put it in front of us, everyone could see the screen.

"Why? What's wrong?" Layla asked as I looked up.

"Cold Ones". "Cold ones?" Our eyes widened as we read. "Holy shit..." Austin said as they looked at me. "Jasper is...?" Angela said as I nodded.

...

I leaned back as I took in that information. I'm in love with a vampire. My mate is a vampire!. "I guess we should tell him?" I nodded at Austin. "No" Dad walked in, leaning against the door frame.

"Angela, it's an honor that you know. Don't tell anyone please" Angela nods, smiling. "Let's keep it a secret. Not even Jasper's family"

I nodded as Dad left. "Can you teach me some Na'vi?" Angela asked again as Austin nodded, chuckling.

-𝐍𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠-

I walked back upstairs to grab my bag to see a note. It was from Jasper.

'My Darlin', My love. My Alexis. I will be waiting for you at school. Alice told me about you finding out. Until then, my love'

-𝐉𝐚𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫

I laughed lightly at the nicknames. I get ready to talk to Jasper. My family knows that he's a vampire. We decided to not tell him about us, to keep us both safe.

Layla told him about her tho, I don't see how that's fair but dad said not to.

I smiled as I headed downstairs. I saw Bella sitting at the table with Austin and Angela as I grabbed a cup of yogurt.

I put some bananas, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries in a mason jar with the yogurt.

I ate it as we followed Bella to her truck. She drove us to the school as she didn't say anything. We knew she was going to confront Edward about him being a vampire.

As I climbed out, Bella stood next to the truck as I saw some of my classmates from Theater.

Layla, Austin, Angela, and I walked over to them as they welcomed us. I looked around and saw Jasper and his siblings arrive. Jasper waved over to me as my classmates squealed.

Layla and Austin nodded at Jasper as I walked up to him.

I motioned for the woods as we walked. I stopped at a tree as Jasper stood behind me.

"You're impossibly fast. And strong. Your skin is pale-white, ice-cold. Your eyes change color. And sometimes you speak like... you're from a different time," I turned to face him now.

"You never eat food, or drink, or come out in the sunlight. And you said no to the beach trip only after you heard where it was. Because of the treaty"

This last registers with him. I stepped closer to him.

"How old are you?" I asked. "Nineteen," Jasper told me. "How long have you been nineteen?" I asked. "Just over a hundred years," Jasper answered. "Wow," I gasped.

"I know what the Cold Ones are. What you are."

"Say it. Out loud. Say it," He asked ".....Vampire," I said as I realized what danger I could be getting in.

Jasper grasped my arm as he walked somewhere. "Where're we going?" I asked. "Up the mountain. Out of the cloud bank. You need to see what I am," Jasper told me.

"What I look like in the harsh light of the sun."

"What?!" I exclaimed. "No! Won't the sunlight kill you?"

"Myth. You need to see the truth," Jasper told me. Jasper stopped abruptly and effortlessly scoops me up into his arms. "Hold on," he told me as he flung me onto his back... and starts running.

Jasper picked up his pace faster and faster.

I clung to his back as it seems he'll collide with the trees, but he avoids them with supernatural grace.

It's frightening, nauseating, and intoxicating. "Are you afraid!?" Jasper asked me. "No!" I replied. We climbed in altitude, higher and higher, above the fog layer.

It feels like a was flying, like flying an Ikran but closer to the ground.

Finally, up ahead, the forest's edge approached, and a clearing is beyond. The sunlight was white hot beyond the trees.

We were about to emerge from the shadowy darkness, but suddenly, I found myself sitting on the ground, against a tree. All was silent. I was dizzy as I tried to regain my equilibrium.

Then I realized I'm alone.

"Jasper? Where are you?" I asked as I rose, then steps just beyond the fringe of the ferns into a meadow.

A perfect circle of swaying grass, wildflowers, and buttery sunlight. I heard a stream nearby. I looked around and finally saw Jasper with his shirt open, standing nearby in the shade of some trees.

He watches me cautiously. I took a step toward him, but he held up a hand. I waited.

Finally, he takes a deep breath and steps out of the shade.

"This is why we don't show ourselves in sunlight...," Jasper told me as the sun hit him. His skin sparkles as if embedded with thousands of tiny diamonds.

He was magnificent, shimmering, like a statue carved from glittering crystal.

He moves toward me.

"This is what I am," Jasper told me as he nears me. I didn't recoil as I looked at him. "You're no monster," I replied. "You're like a freaking beautiful diamond statue."

Jasper smiled as he walked toward me.

He pulled me to the shade.

"Beautiful? I'm a killer, Alexis," Jasper told me. "I've killed people before." "It's your choices that make who you are," I reminded him.

"My choices?" Jasper repeated. "I chose to stay with my creator and helped her kill many people. All for her greed for power. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"How were you turned?" "I crossed paths with a certain Immortal, Maria," Jasper explained.

"I was riding back from Galveston after evacuating a column of women and children... When I saw her. Being the Southern gentleman I am, I immediately offered her my help."

I imagine the events. "Mm. Lovely," one of the women looked at Jasper.  "And an officer."

"You better do it yourself, Maria," the other woman added. "I can never stop once I'm started." Maria stepped closer.

"What is your name, soldier?" Maria asked. "Major Jasper Whitlock, ma'am," Jasper had replied. "I hope you survive," Maria responded.

"You may be of great use to me." "And she bit me," Jasper told me. "It was agonizing. As if all hell froze over me." He moved the collar of his coat to reveal a moon-shaped scar.

"This is where she bit me," Jasper added as I fingered it.

"Why did she bite you?" I asked. "She needs an army," Jasper replied. "An army?" I asked. "An army of what?"

"Newborn vampires," Jasper answered.

"Maria wanted to control all of the South. I became her second-in-command. Back then, armies were common in the South. There were constant and brutal battles. Maria won every battle. She was smart and careful. And she had me."

He clenched his hands. I saw him teaching an army of newborn vampires.

"My ability to control emotions helped her well," Jasper continued. "She had me train the newborn vampires. And an endless occupation as she never lets them live past the first year."

"The first year?" I asked.

"We are strong during that time," Jasper responded. "Our human blood still lingers." "And how did she get rid of them?" I asked, not wanting to know.

"It was my job to