Forever and Always

Forever and Always: Chapter 15

Violet's POV

The reverie broke off as I was suddenly pulled out of Jasper's mind. It was a harsh feeling that left me breathless.

"Violet- please. That's enough."

I forgot my selfish pain at the sound of my mate's voice and was instead filled with a brand new, unfamiliar pain.

Jasper's voice was thick with unshed tears and a raw, naked agony. Feeling heartbroken, I sat up on the bed and took his hand.

"Jasper, I'm so sor-"

"Stop Violet. Please don't finish that word. I don't want sympathy." His shining eyes begged me to understand, taking the bite out of his words. And I did understand. After all, I knew what it felt like to be looked at with pity. After my parents had been killed, it was almost as if I knew nothing else other than the sympathy of other people. They would come by our house bringing flowers and condolences cards with an addition of pure, unscathed pity in their eyes. Oh, how I hated that look even though deep down, I knew it was good-natured.

"I love you, Jasper." That was all it took. Just those four words and he visibly relaxed, his shoulders slackening and his jaw unclenching as my fingers brushed over the line of his lower lip. "I love you and there is a reason why we are mates."

Jasper couldn't seem to look up for a moment. Then, quietly, he asked, "Why?"

I let my hand trail down his lips to his chin, tilting it up as I reached it. For a moment, I simply observed my beautiful mate with his haunted ice blue eyes and raven black hair, wondering how such a work of art could possibly be mine. There was no questioning it. I was extremely lucky to have Jasper as my mate. Then I considered his question.

"The reason we are mates, Jasper, is because we will always understand each other. I know how resentful you can become when everyone looks at you with that one same look in their eyes because they feel sorry for you. Believe me, I know. People still look at me like that even today."

"Because of... Your parents?" Jasper asked hesitantly.
I smiled sadly and nodded. "Yes. My parents were killed when I was nine." I shifted on the bed, resting my chin on my elbows. "You know, the pity is bad, but what's worse is the realisation that I don't even know how it happened, or by who. These questions eat away at me. Maybe I could've saved them, y'know?" I blinked away the tears that had filled my eyes and the lone tear that had fallen.

"Oh no, baby." Jasper pulled me to his chest, forcing himself to be strong so that he could comfort me. ""You can't think like that. It will only make you hate yourself."
"At one point, I did hate myself. I came close to..."
"Shit, Vi. Please tell me you didn't."
"Jas, if I did, I wouldn't be here today."

He exhaled a breath, although my comment had been pointedly obvious. "I just... It hurts too much to think of you ever feeling so helpless that you would even think of ending it all." He pulled me closer to him, and I felt him shaking. His hand was pressed securely into my hair almost as if he thought I would disappear if he let me go. "But Vi, you have me now. And I love you enough for the both of us. We've both been through a lot, but you're right. We are mates because we were made to stick together."

"Jasper? Will you protect me?"
He stared at me earnestly, and I thought that I had never seen anything more beautiful. "I would give my life for you, Vi. And if I have to, so be it. You're worth it."
Tears filled my eyes and we reached for each other, meeting half-way in a loving kiss. And finally, as we showed our love, Jasper allowed his pain to overflow. The salty taste of tears flavoured our kisses, and I wasn't even sure whether they were mine or Jasper's. I didn't even know what the difference was anymore. Slowly but surely, we were becoming one. I liked the idea of merging into one with Jasper.