*Jasper’s POV
I told Peter about Annabell wanting to play hide and seek. Even though I thought it was a joke and I took Peter’s laugh as a confirmation. However, on Saturday morning Annabell got up early and quickly got ready, waiting for him to show up. When he did, I understood that it really wasn’t a joke. And so I was pulled into a game of hide and seek. At first I wasn’t sure and didn’t even hide. When Peter warned me that she’ll be angry about it, I hid myself at least a little.
Annabell found me right away of course, so the next round I tried harder. Nevertheless, she found us both every time and started to complain that we’re not trying. That certainly was not the case. No matter how well we hid, she found us. I doubted even seeing person would find us, but she did.
“It’s your turn to hide now.” Stated Peter after complaining in return, about her being too good.
Remembering how well she can hide. Or more like sneak around and escape. I reminded her to not wander too far away. The threat was still very much real and present at the most unexpected times. It was also one of the reasons why I took a mention of this game as a joke, thinking they couldn’t seriously want to fool around, hiding in the forest when there might be an enemy lurking around, hiding too. But I was wrong.
“You’re it.” Declared Annabell, giving me a mischievous grin and folding her arms while she waited for me to start counting. It got me worried and excited at the same time. I took Peter’s advice to my heart a while ago and learned to listen out for her heartbeat. Little did I know that it wouldn’t help me now. Not long after I closed my eyes and started counting, it felt as if Annabell disappeared. I couldn’t hear her nor feel her emotions. I opened my eyes at the surprise but she was still standing there, grinning like a moment ago. So I closed my eyes again and resumed counting. This will be harder than I thought… Crossed my mind.
I finished counting and looked to the spot Annabell stood before. This time she was gone. I looked around but didn’t see her anywhere near so I slowly made my way between the trees, trying to spot her or hear her again. She promised to stay close… I was trying to push away thoughts about her not keeping her word and browsing deep forest alone but I couldn’t find a trace of her.
I didn’t see Peter either, which gave me a tiny hope that if she did go further into the forest, he was keeping an eye on her. When suddenly… he fell from a tree a few meters ahead of me. What the fuck…? He not only fell from a tree, straight on his face, he was gasping for air as if he was drowning with how hard he was laughing.
“Well… that’s one.” I commented, watching my brother and wondered what in the world was wrong with him.
“That doesn’t count!” He shouted, still lying on the ground, laughing. “Bro, if you knew…!” Shook Peter his head. “I couldn’t hold onto the damn branch anymore as I was trying to not laugh out loud!” He could hardly talk and was apparently unable to stand up, clutching his stomach in a fit of laughter.
“Dude, just what are you doing?” I asked, slightly taken aback. “Wait. If you’re here, where’s Annabell?” I was growing concerned again while scanning the bushes around him, hoping to catch a glimpse of her. But Peter just punched ground in a new fit of laughter instead of a reply.
“Gi-gi-gimme… a … sec.” He got out. Frowning, I waited for him to calm down. It took him several minutes. “You seriously don’t know where she is?” Questioned me Peter, finally standing on his feet while still chuckling here and there.
“Would I ask if I knew?” I retorted, getting annoyed.
He attempted to keep a straight face for a bit. “Did you notice she always found you first? You should be able to find her too. Even when she’s hidden by her shield.” He managed it for a few seconds and then burst out laughing again, slapping his thighs.
I scowled at him, thinking. He was right. Every time we were hiding, Annabell first found me and then Peter. I concentrated and tried closing my eyes. She couldn’t see, nor had my talent to feel others’ emotions, yet she found me so easily. “I can feel your presence around me.” That’s what she told me before and she always recognized me…
I imagined her presence the way she made me feel. She was my warmth and light. Slightly shocked I realized that I truly can sense her too. My sight and ability to feel what she felt, when she allowed me to, kept me from noticing it before. She really was close as promised. Focusing more… Her warmth- “Annabell…” I breathed out as my eyes shot open in disbelief and I saw Peter’s curious look turn into a grin.
*Annabell’s POV
“Are you even trying to hide?” It was quite funny at first how bad they were at hiding from me but now I was getting frustrated. I seemed to find them too fast every time, as if they didn’t really try to hide at all.
“Of course we are.” Laughed Peter. “You are too good at this. You’ve always been. It’s your turn to hide now.” He complained.
“But don’t go too far away, ok?” Demanded Jasper, giving me an idea.
“Don’t worry, I’ll stay close. You’re it.” I grinned at him and waited for him to start counting, meaning he’d have closed his eyes. The moment I covered myself with a shield to hide my emotions and the sound of my breathing and heartbeat, I could hear Jasper pause in surprise before he continued. I went behind the corner of my house and waited. When he started searching and I sensed him moving further away, I quietly followed him. I got right behind him and was careful to not touch him, but now I could predict his movements and not let him see me.
He walked through the trees for a while as I shadowed him and I covered my mouth with my hand to keep from giggling, sensing we were getting closer to Peter. Suddenly there came a sound as if something fell on the ground close by and it was followed by Peter’s nearly hysterical laughter, coming from the same spot. “Well… that’s one.” Muttered Jasper. Apparently taken aback.
“That doesn’t count!” Shouted Peter between fits of laughter. “Bro, if you knew…! I couldn’t hold onto the damn branch anymore as I was trying to not laugh out loud!” He got out of himself. Don’t you say another word, you traitor! I warned him silently, frowning, unsure whether he could see my face or not.
“Dude, just what are you doing?” Jasper paused. “Wait. If you’re here, where’s Annabell?” He asked and I could hear a hint of worry in his voice. Right here and safe, darling. I thought, smiling, while Peter obviously wasn’t able to talk.
“Gi-gi-gimme… a … sec.” He stuttered, trying to calm down. “You seriously don’t know where she is?” He then questioned Jasper, while still occasionally chuckling. Don’t you dare…!
“Would I ask if I knew?” Grumbled Jay in response.
“Did you notice she always found you first? You should be able to find her too. Even when she’s hidden by her shield.” Pointed Peter out. No! Come on! My only advantage…I couldn’t believe he spilled it out for him. If Jasper found out on his own, it would be fine. But not like this. Pissed off, I balled my hands in fists.
Jasper stayed quiet and I knew it’s just a matter of seconds before he figures it out. The moment I turned to make a run for it, I heard him whisper my name and knew it was too late. I managed to get barely three steps away before he caught me around my waist. “There you were…” He chuckled. “I think I told you, you can’t outrun me, love. Or do you wish for me to chase you again?” Whispered Jasper by my ear while gently brushing my hair back from my shoulder, before his lips lightly touched my neck.
The pleasurable shiver from his touch, caused my anger to evaporate and I rested my back against him, tilting my head to give him better access. I remembered his words well and my heartbeat quickened. Jasper’s lips slid across my skin down to the crook of my neck where he kissed me and then they traveled back up to my ear. “Why did you try to run?” He inquired.
It reminded me that we’re not alone and some of my anger returned. “Because this wasn’t fair! Peter told you how to find me…” I was frowning again and annoyed I freed myself from his hold to scowl at the culprit, who was just stupidly laughing this whole time. “Now I have lost my only advantage.” I admitted in a quiet voice.
“I’m glad I can find you like this.” Jasper tried to cheer me up. Gently holding my hand.
Giving him a small smile I had a better idea. “Pete, you ruined it, so you are it now. I’d like to see you find me without the connection Jasper has.” I challenged him.
His laugh died down at once. “Wait, Annie! No, I didn’t mean… Come on!” He pleaded with me. “I could hardly find you as a kid, girl. How am I supposed to find you now? You got better!”
“That’s your problem. You shouldn’t have told him.” I dismissed his arguments, putting my hands on my hips and waited for him to start counting.
“Well, if you don’t have anything better to do today…” I heard him mumble as he went to the house and started counting. I turned around and wanted to go hide, when Jasper grabbed me, lifting me in his arms.
“I’d certainly know of something better.” He chuckled and took off. Not too far he suddenly leaped up and I found myself sitting in his lap on some branch of a tree.
“Jay!” I gasped. “Will this really hold us?” I was not doing well with heights. Especially when I had only a small, unstable or breakable stuff supporting me in there. And Peter fell off of a tree just a moment ago. I would fare differently than him though. Although I was only guessing how high I really was right now.
“Of course it will. But even if it doesn’t, I won’t let anything happen to you, my love.” Stated Jasper softly, pulling me closer in his embrace. “If you fall, I’ll catch you. But I’m not about to let go of you, so you can relax, angel.” His soothing deep voice reassured me and Jasper rested his forehead against mine.
“I’d like to visit mom today…” I whispered. “I haven't been there since the day I found out that Peter came back.” Since Jasper came to my life I slowly stopped feeling lonely and when I got injured I couldn’t go either. Now it’s been weeks and it made me feel a little guilty. Especially since…
“Visit mom?” Asked Jasper confused.
“Yes.” I smiled sadly at him. “It's the second anniversary of her death today… She always loved the place in the forest too, even though she didn’t have time to go with me often. So I spread her ashes around the pine tree…” It’s not like I could put her into a cemetery anyway. “She loved nature the same way I do. I just wish I’d known what she was thinking, trying to keep me from finding my mate.” I frowned. Because that was ultimately what she did.
Making me forget about the supernatural would prevent me from learning about Jasper. “If mom wasn’t killed, I’d never remember…” Jasper just silently listened to me, gently stroking my back. “Why am I allowed to have only one of you?” Putting my arms around him, tightly embracing him I reassured myself that I’m truly not alone. “I never knew my father. Neither of them. And if I still had my mom, I’d probably never get to be with you like this…”
“I’m here, my beloved.” Jasper caressed my cheek. “Life was very unfair to you. But we’re together now. Everything is going to be alright." I felt him kiss the top of my head and was happy for having a mate like him. "Do you want to go now or wait for Peter to find us?”
I totally forgot about Peter for a moment. “Would serve him right if we just left…” I muttered. Then I sighed. “I’d like to go now. Can you send him a message that he can stop searching, please?”
“Of course.” Jasper kissed my nose and sent Peter a message before jumping down with me in his arms again. I let him carry me to the pine tree, where we paid our respects together and then we walked home hand in hand.
"Do you remember the surprise for another day I mentioned?" He asked when we were almost back at my house. "It's another day today, angel. I'd like to take you on a date tonight." Jasper seemed unusually nervous.
"I'd love to." I smiled at him, squeezing his hand.
Out of the blue he stopped walking. "What is she doing here this early again?" He asked, obviously annoyed.
"Who?"
