empathy

FORTY-SIX

They watch the three vampires glide into the field. Each one of them undeniably beautiful.
It's two man, one with darknskin and dread locks, who's taking the lead when the other one with an unbuttoned shirt and long blonde hair falls back.

He does look really attractive. Maybe even more so than the others, but that's just Anastasia's opinion.

Her eyes fall onto the red haired woman, the hair lighter and not as glaring as the burgundy of her eyes. But it harmonies well with each other.

Completely Anastasia's type in women. Something about red hair just really does it for her.

"We thought we heard a game," the leader speaks up, his French accent surprising Anastasia. Oh, that's just hot.

It's not the French accent people have today, it's different even though she can't point out what it is that differemsizes them.

"I'm Laurant. These are Victoria and James."

Jasper sends her a quick, unimpressed look from his place next to Carlisle. And if he didn't know it any better, he'd say jealousy is forcing itself to the surface. But he does know himself well enough to know it's possessiveness.

It bothers him more than her opportunity to have a threesome with his sister's. He doesn't know these people and he doesn't trust them. And the blonde one especially seems like her type.

Not that he doesn't trust her. He does. But she's still human and it's completely mundane to not be as focused on your partner than it is for vampires. Jasper only sees her, he doesn't want to see anyone else, she is all he needs. But that's just not the standard for humans.

Simply winking at him, Anastasia turns her attention back to the strangers.

"I'm Carlisle. This is my family. My wife, Esme. Emmett, Rosalie, Alice, Aurelia, Jasper, Anastasia, Edward and Bella."

"Do you have room for a few more people?"

"Actually, we were just finishing up. But we'd certainly be interested another time. Are you planning to stay in the area for long?" Carlisle asks them.

"We're headed north, in fact, but we were curious to see who was in the neighbourhood," Laurant points out. He seems nice enough. "What's your hunting range?" he quickly adds, casually.

"The Olympic range, here, up and down the coast rangers on occasion. We keep a permanent residence nearby. There's another permanent settlement like our up near Denali."

That conversation is way too casual for Anastasia's taste. It makes her bored and a little tired. Tired enough to want to yawn, which probably wouldn't very good. Though, weirdly enough, that has her need to yawn even more.

Feeling a sense of calm wash over her, she looks up to Jasper, who hasn't turned to look at her. It would be too suspicious and quickly getting that, she straightens her posture again and puts on her well trained mask of indifference.

Anastasia happily tunes out the conversation, the words reaching her brain but not managing to stay there.

Feeling a breeze in the back of her neck, she refrains front shuddering too much and merely watches as James' head twirls towards them. Bella, specifically.

"What's this?" Laurant asks in surprise, although it is hard to hear over Edward's growls. "She's with us," Carlisle replies as he tries to remain his calm.

"You brought a snack?" "I said she's with us."

"But she's human."

Resisting the urge to look over at Japser, not wanting to draw too much attention to herself or him for that matter, she rather does her best to keep her posture. And her nerves.

"It appears we have to learn about each other," Laurant points out. He does not sound hostile at all but the way James is almost crouching, ready for an attack has both Isabella and Anastasia scared for their lives.

Even with the latter not knowing why he doesn't seem to show any interest in her. She's grateful for that.

"Indeed." Honestly, nobody thought Carlisle's voice could get this cold. But they're threatening his family, they're threatening the happiness of his son. A happiness he has worked very hard for and still has not quite reached.

"But we'd like to accept your invitation. And of course we won't harm the human girl. We won't hunt in your range, as I said."

"We'll show you the way. Esme, Rosalie..." Carlisle makes a quick break as he glances at Jasper, who shakes his head. "Aurelia," he decides instead.

"Let's go, Bella."

Jasper makes his way over to them as well, his hand brushing against her lower back for a moment before he is letting go of her again.

James is already suspicious, he can feel that much. He doesn't need him finding out.

"What about...?" Bella tries off, her head turning slightly so she can look at Anastasia.

She can't be serious.

"There's another one," James's lips curl into a vicious smirk, his red eyes glaring holes into her green ones.

She's too proud to look away.

Anastasia glanced at Jasper when he lets out a deep growl himself. An inhuman sound that is nothing but weird. It's dangerous, vicious and animalistic.

The gold of his eyes darkens and he doesn't even try to fight the major as he takes control. Not good.

Not good at all.

Taking a small step in front of him, her hand takes his and she lets him walk slightly into her back instead. One hand still in hers and the other coming down to her waist.

Honestly, she wouldn't mind him ripping the other one to shreds. Just maybe not here where a fight would break out, maybe not around his family and especially not in front of her.

She's not sure how well she'd take Jasper ripping a vampire apart. She doubts it to be pretty.

"Let's go," he forces out instead, his eyes still glaring at the other blonde as he leads her back to her car.

Emmett goes with them while Esme joins Edward and Bella.

"Wanna be hulk," Anastasia speaks up and takes the keys Jasper has gives her earlier out of her pocket, throwing them at him. "You drive. And don't you dare break her."

Despite the circumstances Emmett grins happily and jumps in, making Anastasia wince at the force he used before she lets the major help her in the back before he joins her as well.

Her head leans against his shoulder and her hand slips back into his as he kisses the top of her head.

"So, what happens now?"

"I'll get you somewhere safe. And then I'll kill them," the major deadpans. "Them?" she frowns. "The woman, she's his mate."

"But she didn't do anything."
"No, but his death will rip her apart."

Glancing down at their intertwined hands, Anastasia just stares for a moment, not replying to what he just said. What is she to reply to that?

--- -- -

Hello guys

I apologise for not posting in forever but I've had a trip with school and now I'm currently on holiday.

Because of this I am also writing on my phone, so please bare with me

I will try to update over the next month but I can't promise you anything because the WiFi is really bad and slow and I don't want to use my data.

Anyways, I hope you guys had/have/will have a lovely holiday as well or very non-stressful days at work.