Alice was running full speed toward the Cullen mansion. She had been on a short hunt at midnight, feeling antsy, like she should be seeing something, but the vision wasn't coming. She decided a little deer blood might take the edge off. The stronger she was physically, the better her gift worked. She had just finished burying the second deer carcass when the vision hit. It wasn't what she expected. The detail wasn't completely clear, but fuzzy like antennae television. And there were some big black holes. The last time she felt this frustrated over a vision, Bella had been pregnant with Renesmee. Alice grimaced at the memory and the month that had followed, and then smiled, knowing that all worked out as it was meant to be.
Another vision, a little clearer this time, struck Alice as she thought of how her family had become even closer because of Renesmee. Finally, a third vision, still rife with holes, came across more clearly, and Alice dropped to her knees. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. If she could cry, the tears would have streamed down her face. On the fourth vision, Alice was on her feet, and at a speed that would have rivaled Edward's, she made her way home.
Edward, Bella, Jasper, Emmett, and Rosalie were sitting at the dining room table having a family meeting. Carlisle had managed to whisk Esme away on an overnight trip to the mountains under the pretense of an early Mother's Day present. Mother's Day was a week away, and the family wanted to do something special for Esme. She was the glue that held the family together, after all. Although she wasn't chronologically much older than any of them, and in vampire years, she was younger than most of them, she just had a natural maternal instinct. Her gift was unconditional love and compassion. She clearly remembered the lost child from her human years, and while the loss of that child is what ultimately led her to her immortal life, she was able to channel that love into her "children" that were perhaps bound to her more by venom, than blood. Although, there was certainly a blood bond among them, as well. They were vampires, after all.
Unfortunately, the group was coming up empty handed for the perfect gift for their mother.
"Why don't we send them to Isle Esme for the summer," Emmett suggested with a shrug.
Jasper disagreed. "Not gonna happen, man. The hospital is understaffed, and Carlisle can't get the time off. Besides, trying to get Esme to leave Renesmee for two months would be like trying to separate peanut butter and jelly. And according to Ness, it can't be done."
The group chuckled at that, as Renesmee was currently a PB&J fanatic. Coming in only a close second to grizzly blood.
Edward nodded and Bella chimed in. "Besides, Edward and I haven't finished replacing the bedroom furniture in the master suite. It's one thing to know that your bedroom was destroyed by your youngest son and his wife. It's quite another to have to see it." Bella kicked Edward under the table. Edward hung his head in mock shame, and then with a less than apologetic smirk he muttered "at least we cleaned up all of the feathers…" Emmett howled with laughter, while Bella kicked Edward again. Harder.
Before anymore comments could be made (or kicks could be delivered), Alice burst through the door, looking unusually disheveled and unnecessarily out of breath. "Edward, your phone is going to ring in five minutes. You must take this call. I don't know everything, there are still holes in the vision, but you and Bella are going to need to go Denali. Tonight."
Edward stood and started for back door to head for the cottage he and Bella shared. Motioning for Bella to join him, his phone started a generic ring and an unknown number popped up on the screen. Before he could answer, Alice caught his attention. "Edward, you'll need to take the car."
Edward closed his phone with a load snap as he and Bella walked at a human pace toward the cottage. He was rigid and stiff, his shoulders squared, his jaw clenched. Bella had heard every word of the conversation between Edward and Eleazar. Unlike her husband's reluctant behavior, she felt an ache in her heart that didn't beat. An understanding in the soul she knew she had.
"Edward, you know we have to go. We have to help." Bella spoke quietly and smoothed her hand down Edward's arm, taking his hand and giving a gentle squeeze. Edward jerked his head up and down, and added a small "hmmmm" in acknowledgment. After a few more steps, he looked seriously at Bella. "We can't take Ness with us, you know." It wasn't a question.
Bella sighed. "I know. She'll be fine here with the family. Jacob can even stay in the cottage with her. He's probably got her in bed already, anyway. I don't like the idea of being away from her in such unknown circumstances, but her safety is paramount. I just want be back in time for Mother's Day. I'd hate to miss our first one together"
Edward wrapped his arms around Bella's waist, not quite as tense, now, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "We'll be gone at least a week, love. Do you have any idea how long it will take to get the dog stench out of the furniture?"
Relieved at the bit of levity Edward showed for the moment, she reached up, bit his ear firmly, and then whispered, "Don't worry about that. We'll just have to overpower his scent with our own. One evening fucking on every surface of our home should alleviate most of the problem."
"Oh love," Edward growled, tightening his hold on her and running his hands over her perfect ass, "your problem-solving skills are legendary. Now, I suppose we should tell Jacob the plan, and go pack."
Edward and Bella drove the Volvo into Canada and caught the Alaskan Highway, heading West toward the Denali National Park. A couple of hours from the Denali clan's home, they decided it was prudent to stop and hunt. The task that was coming could be challenging to both of them, regardless of Edward's experience and Bella's super self-control. Taking a nearly non-existent road into the heart of the preserve at 3:00a.m., traffic was desolate and the couple felt safe that the car would not be seen and wildlife would be plentiful with Spring well underway. If they were being honest, they were hoping to snag a large Brown Bear that they could share. Exiting the car, they hooked hands and started a slow jog to stretch their legs unnecessarily, enjoying the close, physical contact that sitting for hours in the car did not allow.
About a mile in, the couple caught the scent of their desired meal choice. Releasing hands and picking up speed, they raced another three miles into the forest. Not wanting to startle the bear, Bella and Edward stopped in their tracks. Bella lowered her shield, showing Edward her intended plan of attack. Edward nodded sharply, and jumped high, catching a branch nearly 50 feet off the ground, and took to the trees. Bella soundlessly navigated the ground, following the flowing river that would lead them to where the bear was fishing for its own meal. Once she was about 20 feet from the bear, Bella let her senses take over. She focused on the scent, visually targeted the large animal, bared her teeth, and let out a loud growl. The bear turned at the noise, recognized the threatening creature before him, but did not hesitate to lung toward the fierce predator so close to him. Just as the bear reached to swipe at Bella, Edward dropped from the tree, landing squarely on the bear's shoulders. Without pause, Edward wrapped his arms around the bear's neck, and with one solid twist, the bear went down. Bella watched her husband prepare the meal. She had a human thought that after so many years of avoiding fishing with Charlie, she quite enjoyed the sport now. After all, she was the baited hook, and Edward had just reeled in dinner. A sharp laugh erupted at the visual in her head, but it was cut off as she saw her husband's eyes go black, his mouth open widely, and his teeth sink swiftly into the jugular of the bear. Bella responded. One small leap and she landed on the other side of the bear's neck and joined her mate is sating their thirst. The bear was large; approximately 400lbs, and would provide enough sustenance for both of them for at least a few days, even in the most challenging situation.
Bella and Edward locked eyes and drank eagerly. As the bear started to run dry, the monster that killed its prey felt another hunger emerge as he watched his mate emaciate the bear only two feet away from him. It happened every time they hunted together, but rarely were they truly alone in such situations. The monster was full from his meal. Now he wished to claim his mate. Removing his mouth from the bear and never taking his eyes from the woman across from him, he stalked around the bear, coming up to where Bella crouched low on her knees. As she pulled the lasts dregs of blood from the bear, she felt that special energy that flowed between her and Edward spark in intensity. Before her head came up, Edward was behind her on his knees. He caged his arms around her, landing his hands on the bear for leverage. He skimmed his nose up her neck, taking her earlobe between his teeth, he ground out three directives.
"Don't move. Don't cum until I tell you. You are mine!"
Wetness seeped between Bella's legs before he even touched her. Feeling equally as possessive and needy, Bella knew her mate was in the dominate position and would not challenge him now. The punishment would not be worth it.
Edward lifted Bella's torso further up onto the dead bear, ran one hand across her chest, feeling her nipples already hard as rocks, moving to shoulder blades, and down her back, over her ass, and into the hot crease between legs. Even though the denim of her jeans he felt her arousal. Their shared meal had been foreplay enough and she was willingly subservient. At vampire speed Edward ripped the jeans from both of them, lifted his mate's hips over his thighs and drove his diamond cock into her tight cunt. Her heat, the dripping wetness, allowed him to glide easily, and the monster drove him forward, fast and hard. There was no apology in his mind for using and connecting with her in this primal way. There was no need for any apologies. Her own monster wanted it, as well. He drove harder and faster, hitting every nerve ending in her body. She moaned. She writhed, although he held her hips in a vice grip. Still she needed more and he was not providing that extra she need.
She growled…."Edward….more….I…I…need more…."
He snarled. "Not yet, pet. You are mine." And so his mantra began. "Mine, Mine, Mine, Mine…"
She replied in turn." Yours, yours, yes, yes, yours….more…oh…more…"
Edward reached around and started to roughly stroke her clit between his finger and his thumb, at the same time collecting a layer of her wetness on his hand. Just as her walls started to flutter, he released her pussy, yet continued his punishing thrusts. He moved his arousal covered hand to her ass, and started coating her smaller, tighter hole. They had yet to actually have that animalist sex, but both the monster and the man knew that the time would come one day soon. As soon as she was well lubed with her own juices, Edward lifted her ass higher, his forearm holding her up at the base of her belly. He used that wide hand and long fingers to start working her clit one more time. Using the thumb already on her ass, he thrust the well-lubed thumb into her ass.
"Is this "more" enough for you, pet," Edward demanded. Bella couldn't respond. She was now on sensory overload. Her mouth was open, but no noise came out. Every muscle in her stomach and lower was clenching and quivering, and Edward and his monster were ruthless. Pumping his dick into her wet heat, his thumb into her ass, and flicking her clit non-stop. He knew it was coming to an end as she bore down and captured both his thumb and cock in vice grip of involuntary muscle contractions.
Five more frenzied pumps and Edward was done. "Cum now, Isabella! Now, now, now!" She did, and he followed. More growls and snarls flew from their chests and mouths, as Edward poured his venomous cum into his mate's womb. As they rode out their climaxes, Edward pushed Bella forward, and they both collapsed soundlessly onto the bear that had been both their meal and the catalyst for this primal mating ritual.
Back at the car, Bella and Edward shoved their ruined clothes into a spare empty bag, a grabbed clean clothes from their suitcases. As they pulled back onto the Alaskan highway, Bella looked out the window and pouted a bit. That bear would have made a great rug for the area in front of their fireplace. Bella would have liked to have repeatedly made love to her husband on that bear. When Edward questioned her silence, she easily lifted her shield to show him her thoughts. Edward groaned at the site of Bella's fantasies.
"Love, you know we just can't this time. There are too many unknowns. But I promise, the next bear we take down, will spend its eternity on our hearth."
Edward and Bella pulled up to Eleazar's house in the early morning hours. Eleazar and Tanya were already on the porch waiting. Some things were just too intense to handle continuously in an enclosed structure. Edward and Bella walked toward the house and their cousins, holding hands in a show of solidarity. The four vampires hugged briefly, and then Edward jumped metaphorically into the fire.
"So, Eleazar, who was it?"
"Demetri." Eleazar answered succinctly.
Bella raised an eyebrow. "And the girl?"
Tanya let out a sigh before responding. "Her name is Lydia. The saddest part is that she truly loved Demetri. Had we known immediately, we would have brought her to Carlisle. But Demetri just dumped her here. Eleazar and Garrett took off after him and held him by throat until he told them the whole story. Eleazar and Garrett destroyed him. We didn't tell Lydia immediately, in case we could save them both…like you and Bella," Tanya paused with a sad smile, "but I think deep down she already knew, and she convinced Carmen to tell her the truth.
Bella hugged Edward closer, and looked to their cousins. "Is there anything else we should know before we go in there?" Carmen walked out the front door just as Bella asked the question, and bowed her head before responding. After a moment, she raised her eyes and flitted contact between Edward and Bella. "Yes. You need to know it all, but we don't have much time. I fear she will deliver in the next few hours. A decision must be made."
Edward gestured toward the two porch swings. They all sat, and Edward prompted, "Ok, Carmen, we're ready to hear it."
Carmen nodded. "Demetri showed up a week ago with Lydia in tow. He said he had found his mate in this human girl shortly after the battle in Forks. Apparently, Aro had told Demetri and Alex to stay behind in the States for a short while, just to ensure that none of us who stood with you on that field were following them. Aro was quite concerned about Romanians in particular, you know. Anyway, Alex waited two weeks before returning to Italy. Demetri was told to remain another two weeks. He met Lydia on a small farm when he was looking for his next meal. Lydia was home alone that day. He intended to drain her, but then apparently a more devious plot formed in his mind. After leaving Forks with no harm done to our clans, especially the Cullens, Demetri was livid. He wanted two outcomes from the Forks intervention. He wanted you destroyed, Edward. He wanted you as his mate, Bella."
Neither Edward, nor Bella were truly shocked by the revelations. Edward had heard Demetri's rabid thoughts many times since his trip to Italy. Except, when Bella was human, Edward knew that Demetri would have settled for her blood. On the field that winter day, Edward heard Demetri's more lustful thoughts about his wife. He knew Bella also recognized the heated and penetrating sweeps Demetri made over her body. Demetri's thoughts had also betrayed his disbelief that any vampire could have the control to physically mate with a human and not kill them. Truly, Demetri was pissed off that Edward Cullen had not only managed the task, but also had the one thing so many vampires wanted. Edward had sired his own child.
Carmen continued. "Demetri took advantage of Lydia. You could say he "woo'd" her. He told her they were meant to be together. He told her he loved her. He told her they were soul mates. He said he could make all of her dreams and wishes come true. Oh yes, he dazzled her."
At the word "dazzle" Bella would have blushed if it were possible. How many times had Edward dazzled her when she was human. Edward chuckled, not needing the hear her thoughts on this to understand her flustered reaction. Bella cleared her throat and looked at Carmen. "Right, he dazzled her. What next?"
Carmen frowned. "He took her physically. Oh, he didn't force himself. She definitely gave in willingly, because she believed that he loved her and that they were mates. The problem was that he didn't have the experience to care for a human. He kept at her with his vampire stamina. He didn't feed her frequently. By the time he brought her here, she was suffering from malnutrition and dehydration. And she was very pregnant. We were the closest existing family that could care for her needs. He assumed since we were family with the Cullens that we would know exactly what needed to be done to get the baby delivered safely. Of course, we had to tell him that we had no knowledge of Renesmee's birth or Bella transformation. Outside of your family, Edward, I dare say that Aro is the only one with that intimate knowledge. Even Nessie's invasive gift doesn't give us all of the details of what needed to be done."
Edward winced and nodded sadly, and indicated that Carmen should continue.
"We settled Lydia in for a nap, and then tried to reason with Demetri. He told us he was expected back in Italy, and that he couldn't take Lydia with him for obvious reasons. He said we should take care of things the best we could, and fled. Eleazar and Garrett gave chase, knowing there had to be more. When they finally caught up with Demetri the next day, Demetri came clean. He admitted it was a means to gain power. He just wanted what Edward had. He held no feelings at all for the girl. Whether she or the child lived or died was of no consequence to him. He knew there might be some punishment once he returned to Italy, but truly believed that Aro would show mercy when he understood Demetri's weakness. Eleazar and Garrett knew they couldn't allow Demetri to go back to Aro. He might forgive that weakness, but he would also know that another half-vampire could exist, another human knows our secret, and it would land the Volturi on our doorstep. We couldn't risk another potential confrontation so soon. We do not believe it would end peacefully."
Bella shook her head in confusion. "What weakness could Aro forgive so easily, Carmen?" Edward sucked in a sharp breath. He heard Carmen's answer before she spoke it aloud. "You, Bella. You were his weakness. And you need to be prepared before you go in there and meet Lydia. Bella, she looks almost exactly like you."