Hi again, this chapter doesn't strictly follow the corresponding chapter in twilight so keep an open mind :)
As usual Stephanie Meyer would be shocked and appalled by my use of her characters.
CHAPTER 2: OPEN BOOK
"Here kitty, kitty" the cat reared it's head and bolted from the herd of deer it was stalking. I jogged alongside the cat for a while before pouncing on him and ripping open his jugular. Cat's were much more fun to hunt than bears, faster runners and less gamey. I dusted myself off and patted the head of my prey "good kitty."
I headed home in a much better mood than when I left school. Emmett was at the door. Here we go. His thoughts were as loud as the sex he and Rosalie have. So, you have a thing for fish? A low growl rumbled in my chest. Alice says Bella's your mate. My growls got louder. "That's incorrect Emmett, I have no mate"
But Alice saw-
"I don't care what she saw, I am not going to get attached to her. God man, have you even smelt her?"
Hey, I avoid the Swan's. He backed away, their smell makes me gag, I didn't even think it was possible for us to gag. Although, you have to admit, she is funny for a human. I couldn't stop the chuckles as I remembered her falling down. "I'll admit she is funny, you should see her in gym." Emmett's full bellied laugh echoed through the house. "I think I will Bro, I think I will."
One down... from the thoughts swirling around the house I knew this wasn't over, they weren't even blocking me! I sped past them, trying to avoid becoming the Halibut of their jokes. Sighing, I flopped on my couch. In my direct eyeline was a can of tuna with a red bow. Damn them! I threw the can through the glass wall, they can fix it, I am too busy brooding.
I couldn't help but wonder if Mike ever had to put up with this. Probably not, he seemed like a well rounded chap. Was is really worth trying to be his friend? True we had exchanged platitudes and he had thought me a nice enough fellow, but was he going to be in danger from us? What if Jasper took a snap at him? What if the Infernal Swan ended up getting him crushed with a bolder, it happened all the time on those cartoons. My mind flashed with images of all the ways the Infernal Swan could maim Mike.
By the time the sun came up I was a paranoid mess, my normal brooding had morphed into full on neurosis, clearly a sign I needed to take a break from it. I needed to check on the Infernal Swan, find out just how dangerous she is. I cringed as I thought of her smell, this was either going to make me accustomed to her stench or make me insane, it would be worth it to keep Mike safe.
Alice stopped me at the door "you can't watch her today lover boy, it's sunny. I see you scaring the crap out of her when she sees you sparkling outside her window." Oh. Damn. I could use this time to plan, I only needed to watch the Infernal Swan for 24 hours, after that I would be free to monitor Mike for illness, injury and so forth. "It's going to be sunny for the next five days, you can check on them at night. Why would you want to check on Newton anyway?"
"He's close to Bella"
"Wow, when you want to stalk someone, you're thorough."
"It's not stalking Alice, it's monitoring the safety of key individuals" my voice was beginning to turn into a hysterical shriek. Time to kill the conversation. "Say how's Jasper doing with the whole not killing people?" She growled "leave him out of this, he's trying as hard as he can." She stormed off, perfect. Jasper wasn't really that bad, he worked hard at being a vegetarian, but it didn't help when people put him down. I sent a wave of apology to him "hey Jazz, go hunting with me?" I felt the little wave of sadness he emitted, poor guy.
We ran at a steady pace. "Look, Jasper, I'm sorry about my flippant comment. It was the only way I could get Alice to back off."
"That's OK man, I couldn't feel any maliciousness coming from you but it's hard not to be depressed on this diet."
"You're telling me, at least you have fornication. I just have my standard 10 hours of nightly brooding." He laughed, more relaxed already. "Seriously Jazz, you're doing well. I remember how hard it was getting back from my rebellious days. Carlisle and Esme have a few bite marks from my teething issues" he grinned "I can imagine, I just wish there was something decent to sink my teeth into."
"How about the mating mark? Apparently that's normal for couples."
"Alice doesn't want me to ruin her skin" a little wave of depression hit me. "I don't know what she sees in me Edward"
"She loves you in her own way Jazz, she's just very insecure." He nodded. "I just wish I wasn't making life harder on her."
"You're not. How about hanging out more with the rest of us, maybe she'll see that and relax a little. You're mine and Em's brother, you feel that but maybe Alice needs to see that." He nodded.
We headed towards home "Edward, what's happening with you and Mike?" I took a deep breath "he's very nice to me, actually sees past the vampire and sees who I am underneath. I worry about him though, he keeps some rather risky company. The Infernal Swan girl could end up injuring him or the damn Stanley girl could give him crabs again." He looked stunned for a second before shaking his head and resuming the mind block. Everyone in the house, out of courtesy, kept their thoughts blocked from me by keeping a song at the forefront of their mind. This also ensured their privacy, something which was a relief to me as well.
Today Jasper's song of choice was Bon Jovi, Living on a prayer. "You like Mike?" Jasper's tone was strange "Of course, he's a genuinely nice person. I was hoping I'd have a schoolyard chum."
"I definitely think you'll find him a good mate." Jasper smiled, seemingly giddy. "I think so, I think a school mate is exactly what I need." Jasper laughed, clearly glad I'd found some company. "Just don't tell anyone yet Jazz, Esme might go overboard and scare him off." He nodded, still chuckling. He was a good brother.
That night I stealthily crept to the tree outside Bella's window. Even out here the smell hit me like a semitrailer. I peered into her window, hoping she was decent. By modern standards she was. I made myself as comfortable as possible. A difficult task for one sitting in a tree, being bombarded with the smell of fish. I expelled all the air out of my lungs, my body cried with relief. Thank god air was unnecessary.
The Infernal Swan was wrapped in her blankets, I was astonished. Somehow the blankets had fashioned themselves into a noose around her neck. Clearly this girl was a danger magnet. I'd have to keep nightly watches on her and Mike. I debated with myself, do I try unravelling her from her noose or do I watch and see what happens? My olfactory senses screamed to leave her, let nature take its course. On the other hand Carlisle would be ashamed if he knew how I'd left an innocent to die. My phone vibrated, Alice had messaged me "Save her you moron!"
Damn it! I crept through her window and slowly eased the blankets from around her, careful not to touch her skin. She was quite pretty when she was asleep, she simultaneously let out a loud snore and passed wind. I tried not to laugh, I really did but it was impossible to hold it in. I rushed out as fast as possible, wondering if she was distantly related to Emmett, I could imagine him passing gas a lot as a human. Alice met me at the doorway with Emmett "you're correct Edward, they are related." The confused look on Emmett's face was enough to get me laughing again, Alice explained "Emmett, Bella is you Great Grand Niece." He beamed at us, still wondering why I was laughing I stuttered out "Em must... join... me... tomorrow. Bella's funnier in her sleep than Gym class." I knew for sure he'd appreciate the toilet humor.
Sunday came and went, I sat on the grass of my meadow missing Mike. It had only been a day and a bit, but the prospect of the next three days without him hurt my chest. I had to see him tonight, I couldn't afford Bella to distract me like she did yesterday. I ran back asking Emmett to look after Bella tonight so I could monitor Mike. He was curious why I'd prefer Mike over Bella, but didn't question me too much.
I ran through Forks, wanting to get to Mike's house before the pain in my chest got too bad. I sighed in relief as I saw the house in the distance, the light was still on in his bedroom. I sat beneath his window listening to him moving around. I hoped he'd go to sleep soon, he had school tomorrow and I didn't want him too tired. It was 1 am, didn't humans need more sleep than that? I heard his breathing deepen, but his heart sped up. Strange, I wonder what he's doing. I peered into his mind seeing images of him and Bella in a compromising position and shuddered. I searched for her heartbeat in his room, scared he might be taken advantage of. He was alone, his mind was fixated on her breasts. I had thought he was unattracted to her, I guess the concussion she gave him had made him delirious.
His mind moved back into reality. He was alone in his room, masturbating. I felt myself harden. Maybe I'm attracted to Bella too? I couldn't help but wonder. I couldn't stop looking as he moved his hand at a furious pace around himself, I too started to feel a tingling. Wow, Bella must really be attractive when her smell wasn't in the way. It had been a long time since I had felt so aroused, I sat on my hands not wanting to touch myself. That would be rude, it was bad enough I was sitting outside his window listening to him. God, I'm a dirty old man. Maybe I should have taken Tanya up on her last salacious offer, then I wouldn't have to feel this compulsion.
Mike cleaned himself off. I definitely should make my way over to Alaska before I make a fool of myself. A succubus is definitely what I need. I listened to his breathing slow down and heart beat become steady. By 4 am I was sprinting towards Alaska. I messaged Carlisle "gone to Denali, need the rest of the week off."
I ran through the day, sticking to the forest and making it to Denali by sundown on Monday night. Tanya was there to greet me. "Edward, how can I help you?" Her voice was breathy. "I came to visit for a few days, I hope that's OK?" She smiled and went to hug me, suddenly noticing my problem. I felt her lips gently kiss my own and didn't stop her. She was surprised I was allowing this, but I urgently needed release. I hadn't felt this way for a very long time. She took me by the hand and lead me slowly to her room.
The walls to her room were decorated with gold and red tapestry, her bed was made of dark stained wood and covered in black and burgundy sheets. My nerves were at an all time high. This would be the first time I'd give myself to anyone. I knew my parents would be turning in their graves if they saw me entertaining such a lady, but my need was dire.
Her lips met mine once again and she slowly unbuttoned my shirt. "Edward, you're shaking."
"Sorry"
"Nothing to be sorry for, I'll help you relax." I felt her hand on the zip of my trousers, my mind instantly went back to Mike in his bedroom thinking about Bella. Her hand wrapped itself around me, much like Mike had done to himself and I jumped in shock, slowly easing myself into the rhythm of her strokes. The tingling sensation became unbearable and I groaned out "please Tanya, I need more." She smiled wider and let my pants fall to the ground. With one shaky hand I tried to remove her clothing. I teared a fair bit of it, but whether from nerves or desperation I couldn't discern. She pushed me lightly onto the bed and ground down on me. I wilted. We looked at each other in shock "that's not supposed to happen Edward." I was a failure, I mumbled sorry once more.
Tanya redressed and watched me. I sat on the edge of the bed with my head in my hands, thoroughly ashamed. "Talk to me Edward, tell me why you felt the need to come to me." I stuttered through an explanation of sitting at Mike's house, listening to him fantasize about Bella. "Edward, I want you to think about Bella, concentrate only on her. The way her body moves or the curves of her body." I thought about her breasts in Mike's fantasy and felt myself twitch. Tanya nodded at me, smiling sympathetically. "Now, tell me about Mike. What does he look like?"
After an hour of me explaining every detail available about Mike she looked down. Another jolt of embarrassment went through me, here I had been sitting; naked as the day I was born and now my problem had returned. "I know what you're problem is Edward" I instantly perked up, well the parts that weren't already perky. "You don't have a problem-" I cut her off, "but you already said you knew what my problem is?"
"I did, but it's nothing bad. I think you need to spend sometime thinking about everything. I want you to concentrate on thinking about Mike and how you feel about him, your physical reactions as well as your emotional." I nodded, not understanding where she was going with this. I tried to explain to Tanya "I've been alone for a very long time, I don't feel lonely around him." She nodded her head, venom in her eyes. "Why are you sad Tanya?"
"I'm not sad, I'm just glad you have someone in your life now Edward, I felt bad for you around all those mated couples. That's why I wanted to be with you, to take away your pain." I hugged her and kissed her on the cheek "I hope you find someone who truly appreciates you Tanya, thank you. I'm sorry I couldn't be that someone and I'm sorry for disrupting you like this." She hugged me back, "whatever you feel Edward, go with it. Don't judge yourself by the standards you or anyone else in your family grew up in. You deserve happiness. Now get dressed" she swatted me on the backside and left me alone to find my dignity.
Making my way down stairs I caught up with the rest of the Denali coven. Eleazar patted me on the shoulder while the ladies hugged me in welcome. I was lucky to have them and even luckier to have Tanya as someone I could confide in. She certainly knew how to read men.
I lay in the sunshine after hunting with the sisters, we basked in the warmth of the sun reflecting off the snow. We may not have been able to feel the warmth, but it was still a pleasant experience. I thought more about Bella, there was something adorable about her, but with her disastrous luck I couldn't decide whether she was the lamb or unknowing slaughterer. There was so much innocence about the girl, she was pretty yet oblivious of the issues teenagers faced. It was endearing. The only problem was her scent, if I could get past that maybe I could see myself with her. Something didn't sit right, seeing her as a potential love interest. I felt like I was trying to fit a round peg into a square hole. No, Bella just didn't fit with my idea of the 'one'.
Mike seemed interested in her, maybe by befriending her I could cement my friendship with him. That is if I haven't driven her away. She must have been terrified when she saw me glaring at her. I guess it was slightly unfair to judge her over something she couldn't help. At least if I befriended her I could keep others out of the path of her danger. I was just being a good Samaritan. I had come to a decision, it was time to head back to Forks. I hadn't missed much school, I would get back to school one day after my siblings.
I thanked the Denali's for their hospitality and hugged Tanya for her help. She was disappointed I hadn't thoroughly sorted out my feelings but was confident I would understand everything in time. I started the run home, enjoying the breeze against my skin and the smell of the trees around me. Running was the most relaxing thing for me to do. I would catch up with my family and then be able to check on Mike and Bella before school started tomorrow.
I arrived home just as the others returned from school. Emmett affectionately twisted me into a pretzel, his mind updating me on what I'd missed. He had watched Bella nightly and confirmed she had "The Famous McCarty Bear Belly" I queried whether he meant beer belly, apparently not. All the McCarty's through time were blessed with superior flatulence skills. Emmett was indeed a proud ancestor. A cringe replaced Rosalie's usual scowl, she was thankful she hadn't known Emmett that well as a human. Undoubtedly she would have had a hard time dealing with his human frailty and bowel motions. Then again, she wasn't as delicate as she looked. All she wanted was to keep the humans out of our lives, she didn't want anyone else to feel the pain she did from overzealous males who reminded her of her terrible rebirth to snide females who reminded her of her peers as a young girl. She didn't want to rob them of their chance at a life she never got.
Jasper was next to tell me he was glad to see me, he wanted some brother bonding time. I patted him on the back and agreed to go on a hunt. I hugged Esme and Carlisle and promised Alice I'd change my clothes into something less worn when I returned. In her mind she thanked me profusely for being there for Jasper, she was relieved. I whispered to her "no problem, he's my brother and I will always be there for him." She gushed in her mind and sent me off to hunt with Jasper.
We made plans to tackle the Mike and Bella situation, he agreed both required my attention and suggested becoming accustomed to Bella's scent. My nasal passages balked, but it did make sense. He handed me a jar of menthol chest rub "Edward, line your nostrils with this, it should cut down the smell." Thank god, I needed all the help I could get. I let Jazz get the mountain lion and I went after the herd of deer.I wasn't very hungry and Jasper had been around humans all day.
School started off as painful as usual, but there was a little ray of hope in the afternoon. Jasper's menthol trick worked, my nose was lined in menthol chest rub, diluting the smell of fish. I was polite to the Infernal Swan, hopefully leading me to the foundation for friendship. Unfortunately, she was persistent and perceptive, all the more reason to keep an eye on her. Her observations varied from astute to obscure. I kept trying to read her mind, I wasn't successful. I couldn't predict her actions either, she was too much of an enigma.
She observed I would be a great reader of people, I didn't understand what she meant by that. I was able to read people, but anyone would be if they had lived as long as I had. Even without my gift I could see the paths in life that humans took through the actions mirrored by their predecessors. Bella didn't know that about me, how could she? I teased her a little, she became irritated by my presence which thoroughly entertained me.
My school day was made complete when she nearly hit Eric Yorkie's rust bucket of a Toyota in the parking lot. In the background of all of this Mike had seen me trying to get along with her. He smiled as she snapped at me and laughed as she nearly hit the Toyota.
For the first time I was looking forward to going to school tomorrow.
