Soon enough, which was too fast in Jasper's opinion they made it Lousiana. It was nighttime when they finally arrived in New Orleans, so the night scene was in full swing. Jasper watched his little white-haired mate look around in vast wonder, her maroon eyes shining brightly at all the wonders around her. He remembered her telling him she hadn't been to Orleans since a few years after it was founded in seventeen-eighteen by the French. It had been a cute history lesson. Once he had gotten over a few minor issues.

"Did you know New Orleans was originally called La Nouvelle-Orléans when it was founded by the French under the direction of Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville? Also known as Sieur de Bienville?" She told him sitting in the passenger seat of the car he had decided to get in order to lessen their chance of being seen. Besides, this was much slower than running. Just what he wanted.

He looked to her amused, "Can't say I did darlin'."

She hummed looking down at the phone in her hands, it was Jaspers' phone as she didn't carry one. "I met him once, you know."

"Did you? And what was he like, hm?" He asked curiously.

"I think he was a man of acquired taste, there's no doubt he did a lot, it wasn't just New Orleans he founded. He also asked for my hand once." She replied amused by the faint growl that followed.

"Oh hush, I didn't marry him. I had no desire to marry a man who only wanted me because I was an "exotic beauty" as he put it. I was to be nothing more than a pretty thing on his arm."

"Well you are an exotic beauty, does that mean you'll be the pretty thing on my arm?" Jasper smirked in her direction as she hit his arm.

"That was in seventeen-twenty-one, I stayed until seventeen-twenty-three, after the hurricane in seventeen-twenty-two before moving on to Italy."

"Italy? Did you see the Volturi?" he inquired one part curious and one part worried. He didn't want his mate anywhere near them if he could help it.

Rhea looked up from the phone and raised a brow at him "Of course I did agapi mou, and it's not the first time I've seen them."

Jasper gripped the steering rather hard, Rhea frowned when she saw this and put a hand on his. Instantly he calmed and laced their fingers together resting their joined hands on her thigh.

Her thumb drew patterns on the back of this hand "Is something the matter?" She asked him.

Jasper licked his lips in thought "It's just the idea of you near them, well, they can be quite cruel when need be. And the thought of you anywhere near three ruthless vampire Kings, it scares me." He admitted to her, the thought of her torn to pieces terrified him more than anything.

She smiled gently at him "My dear, you have nothing to worry about. I've known the Kings for a long time. I have lived with them for nearly a century or so at different times. They are ruthless to those who deserve it, but to their friends, they are nothing but pleasant."

He frowned and tightened his fingers around her own, the thought of her being 'friends' with them. Well, his mind didn't conjure up nice images. But if they were vampires she trusted, then for the sake of her he would tolerate the thought.

"Do you hate them?" She looked curiously at him, "I know many do."

"I don't hate them darlin' they're our Kings for a reason, and they have kept us safe for many many centuries. And while I agree with some things and respect their rules, there are also things I don't agree with."

"Hm," she seemed in thought before she spoke up again "But is that not the same with any monarchy? We may not agree with our government, but they are there to keep those who need to be kept in line and to remind us that there is indeed a higher power watching over us. And those who step out will be dealt with swiftly before they can endanger us all."

Jasper chuckled, "You're right. And for you, I will learn to tolerate them."

Rhea smiled, "We will go and see them one day, and then you will not just tolerate them for my sake. You may, perhaps, come to like them. Demetri, I believe you will like."

"The tracker?"

She chuckled, "Yes, agapi mou, the tracker."

Jasper hummed and placed a kiss on the back of her hand "Perhaps."

Merely a couple hours later they had arrived in New Orleans. He gave the rental car back, and now they were walking the crowded streets. Jasper had text Peter to let him know he was back and that there was someone he wanted them to meet. Of course, the fucker already knew and told him they were already at home waiting.

"It's so different than it was before." She told him as a lady came up to her and put lei necklace around her neck a dragged her over to where a bunch of people were dancing. Jasper stood off to the side and gave her a soft smile when she looked over at him with sparkling eyes.

She danced for a few minutes before escaping and made her way back to him with a giggle. Rhea laced their fingers together as the continued down the street, she refused an older lady with a smile who offered to read their palms for them before turning to Jasper.

"I remember when this city was just wooden huts, with the occasional stone structure. Men in uniforms use to walk these streets often, and loud drunken laughter would spill out from the pub. It's different now, with shops and houses everywhere, the lights and loud noises. A city of magic and mystery." She chuckled as a pair of young teen girls ran past them laughing.

Jasper let go of her hand and instead wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close to his side, "Much can change in two hundred and fifty or so years darlin'."

Rhea hummed in agreement "Where are we meeting your friends? Peter and Charlotte right?"

"Yes, darlin' and we're meeting them at their house. It's not too far from here, couple more minutes." He told her squeezing her side.

She stopped and twirled a white lock of hair around her finger and looked up at him through her lashes "Do you think they'll like me?" she asked him shyly.

He lifted her chin so he could look into her eyes, he didn't need his gift to know she was nervous "I guarantee they'll love you Darlin', there's no need to worry." He gave her a sweet kiss before they carried on.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

When they arrived, Rhea took a deep breath and squeezed his fingers. He chuckled lightly and squeezed back. Before he could even knock on the door, it was flung open, and a blonde head screeched "You're finally here! I've been so excited to meet you ever since I heard that Jasper finally found his mate!"

Jasper raised a brow in amusement as Rhea smiled at who she now knew to be Charlotte. Soon a darker blonde male grabbed the woman from around her waist and put one hand in front of her mouth before speaking in pure amusement "Char, maybe ya should let 'em in? I'm sure the Major would appreciate that." Charlotte rolled her eyes but agreed as Peter moved the two of them out of the way.

Jasper led Rhea into the living room "Try not to overwhelm her Charlotte." He told her with amusement.

Charlotte huffed from within Peter's arms "I'm just excited, it's just like finally ya know?"

Jasper gave her a nod "I know."

Peter let her go and immediately Charlotte was in front of Rhea holding out her hand to shake "Hi, my name is Charlotte, although I'm pretty sure you already know that. Call me Char; It's a pleasure to meet you. I just love the color of your hair!"

Rhea gave the younger vampire woman a smile and shook her hand "It's a pleasure Charlotte, I'm Rhea and thank you, Jaspers' told me a bit about you."

The woman in question gave Jasper a hard look "All good I hope."

Jasper raised his hands "I didn't say much, I figured you'd prefer that."

Peter chuckled "Ya got that right, the damn woman never shuts up."

Charlotte smirked and looked to her husband, "Darling, as soon as there's nothing to be said I shall not speak, until then, best watch it." She pointed a finger threateningly at him.

Peter rolled his eyes "Yeah, yeah." He brushed her words and threat off.

Jasper smirked, "You're in for a lot of shit Captain."

Peter smirked back "So are you Major." He said looking pointedly at his new mate.

Rhea giggled "It's only because of us woman that you men are even remotely functional. I guarantee neither of you would last a week without us. It's already known, that woman rule and well, you men..." She left the ending hanging.

Charlotte let out a laugh, "I like this girl Jasper, she's a keeper for sure."

"Great, 'nother Charlotte," Peter mumbled. Charlotte turned swiftly and smacked him across his head.

"Woman." He growled.

She rolled her eyes before turning back to Rhea "I would offer you something, but you know," She flashed a grin, "Blood? We keep a few packets in the fridge."

Rhea laughed, "Sure, that sounds nice."

Charlotte's grin widened "Perfect! C'mon, let's leave these men to themselves and have ourselves a chat."

Rhea nodded and turned to Jasper who smiled gently down at her and pecked her lips "Have fun Darlin'." She gave him his favorite smile before following Charlotte into the kitchen.

The Captain came and stood by the Major, "She's a pretty thing you got there Major. Much better looking than the last one."

Jasper smirked, "I know."

Peter wiggled his eyebrows and a naughty grin crossing his lips and said quietly so the woman wouldn't overhear "So, how is she in bed?"

"That's for me to know and you never to find out." Jasper punched him in the shoulder grinning.

Peter let out a loud laugh, "That good huh? Finally get yourself some real pussy there Major Whitlock?"

That was an obvious jab at Jaspers ex-wife, and the man knew it, he rolled his eyes "Still gettin' more than you ever had," He smirked.

A snort was his reply, "I don't go for pixies. I like my woman busty and blonde." His eyes seemed to glaze over for a moment, probably remembering one of his many sexual activities with Charlotte.

Jasper let out his own snort which seemed to bring the Captian back. Who immediately gave him a grin before he turned serious.

"Have you heard anything from 'em?" He asked. Both of them knew who he was referring too.

Jasper shook his head "No, and I'd prefer to leave it that way. The less they know, the better."

Peter went quiet briefly, "I get the feeling this won't be the last time you hear from 'em. I'd enjoy the peacefulness while it lasts."

Jasper sighed as Peter grinned, "Sorry Major, I just know shit."