An: Peter is a mix of arrogance and charm. He's not accustomed to human behavior. After all, he's nomadic and only associates with them on occasion. It still doesn't mean he's not being a little bit of an ass, but rest assured, Bella isn't gonna stand for it.

Like I said previously, Peter will have a gift. Of course, it's a non-canon gift (since he doesn't have a gift in the Twilight Universe and I'm not ripping off IdreamofEddie's brainchild). In addition, Bella has dark hair and hazel eyes. Plus, although she's still has a shield, it'll be coupled with a host of others-all of which are classified as one overall gift.

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"Insanity runs in my family. It practically gallops."
Cary Grant

*Twilight is the sole property of SM.*

Chapter 3-Familial Ties

Peter

I held out my hand to take hers, desperate to touch her ivory skin again, yet also entirely afraid of the rather innocent gesture, as well. Hell, she terrified me. Yes, big ole' war-ravaged Peter Whitlock was terrified of a tiny human. I would've gladly faced the fiery fury of the bitch of the South rather than wait for the approval of my little mate. My enthusiasm and overbearin' personality weren't an easy pill to swallow on the best of days, and my brother would've been the first to throw me under the bus. I was fuckin' flounderin'.

Isabella dropped her eyes and stared at my outstretched fingers—an olive branch to my heart. She paused, her hand hovering over mine for several (excruciating) seconds. Then she sighed. Just when I thought the pavement would likely crack and swallow me whole, she dropped her hand into mine, wrapping her silky digits around mine—a smirk pulling at the corners of her lips.

I took a deep breath and melted into a puddle on the pavement.

When I had asked her name, I wasn't prepared for her to blindside me with such a saucy retort, nor was I ready to be challenged by her equally impressive wit. The woman was an enigma, a beautifully, sinful puzzle, sent from heaven to destroy my beautiful, chaotic life and set it afire. She had burned away my walls and constructed me anew. I wasn't entirely certain I was equipped for such radical change, but she had unwillingly arrested my soul. So, consequently, wherever she went, I would undoubtedly follow.

As if my life wasn't excitin' enough, I had been gifted the orneriest and most lethal brother on the planet. Now, fate had issued me another truly charismatic member to my family. The girl would eat me alive. Then, if that wasn't enough, I could add in Emmett… Lord help me!

A broad smile spread across my face, triggerin' a wicked twinkle in her eyes (something I wasn't sure she was aware that her body had exhibited), which in turn, elicited a deliciously, painful response in my groin. Fuck, if vampires had circulation, my jeans would've cut off mine! I swallowed thickly as I stealthily appraised the real estate, allowing my eyes purchase of her body, immediately in love with her soft curves, ample bust, and slender legs—legs that were currently showcased under her tiny skirt.

Oh, God! She's killin' me!

My heart, amongst other things, swelled when I realized she was just as affected by my presence and I was hers, and the thought threatened to override my rational mind. Miss Isabella was my perfect match in every way, and when our eyes met, I was rendered speechless— mesmerized by the doe-like orbs that curiously studied mine in return. Those hazel eyes, framed with thick, dark lashes, were so expressive that I would've gladly drowned in their depths. She blinked and said lashes caressed her high cheekbones, continuing to fan my lust like a forest fire.

Countless words bubbled to the surface as I clawed my way out of the sea of lust, each as ridiculous as the ones that proceeded them. I truly feared stuffin' my boot in my mouth. So, with careful consideration, I chose to keep silent and slowly slid my hat back on my head, dipping the brim downward with reverence.

She blushed at the gesture and unconsciously licked her lips—lips that reminded me of pink chablis that grew outside the window of my childhood home. A guy had to wonder if they were just as silky-smooth as the petals on those flowers. Please let me find out, soon! The blood flushed everything from her cute, dimpled cheeks to her ample bust line. Gah! Her body's reaction to mine set me afire and deliciously spread throughout my hardened veins, awakenin' something that hadn't been used in years. And that something was now dictatin' my rational mind.

Drunk on lust, my disobedient tongue broke free of its confinement, rebellin' against me, matchin' her retort with equal ardentness. "Oh, darlin'. I'll gladly accept the challenge."

She grimaced at my words and tensed, her hazel eyes loosin' their spark. She lightly slid her fingers from mine and looked away. "Vying for my affection is a dangerous thing, even for a vampire. One that I beg you not to attempt. Just being in my presence is unsafe. Deep inside, I can see you are a decent person, Peter Whitlock, and I don't want to see you get hurt." She reached up and lightly traced her fingers across my cheek, leavin' a fire trail under her fingertips. "Those who associate with me, more often than not, find themselves dead. It's in your best interest to pretend that I never existed."

The young woman dropped her hand rather abruptly and bit her bottom lip, silently beggin' me to heed her warnin'. Then, just as swiftly as she was thrust into my life, she was suddenly gone, scurrin' down the alley as though her very life depended on it. The woman had rendered me speechless. She asked me to wipe her from my memory. As if that could ever happen, it was inconceivable. Ludicrous even. How could anyone forget his or her own mate?

My Isabella didn't know it yet, but my brother and I were the kind-of fuckers the devil had on speed dial. The girl was runnin' from someone, and bein' the sneaky bastard I was, I intended to find out who, one way or another. She'd soon learn the Whitlock men didn't allow any vampire to threaten what belonged to them, and anyone who attempted as much, would find themselves strung up and slowly peeled apart like tissue paper. This woman wouldn't be lucky enough to get a swift execution, as I planned to take my time and toss the still twitchin' fragments of cold flesh in a carefully constructed pyre. I wanted to feel the fullness in my groin as I watched that pansy-assed motherfucker roast like the Stay Puff marshmallow man.

As I watched my mate slowly scamper away, my inner demon began rattlin' in his cage, uncomfortable with the distance between us. I had little choice but to lose him from his cage and allow my predatory senses to commandeer my rational mind. Seconds later, I had my quarry locked against my chest in an unbreakable hold. I tossed her ebony curls over one shoulder and leaned my lips against her ear. Venom pooled in my mouth as I nuzzled my nose against her pulse point. I took several deep breaths to center myself, reignin' in the instinctual need to claim my mate. Her breath hitched as my cool breath slithered across her delicate skin. She squirmed in my arms, inadvertently rubbin' her sweet little' body against mine. I damned near moaned.

My little escape artist was drivin' me utterly insane. Outside of a guttural growl, my lips had trouble formin' coherent words. "Miss Isabella," I breathed, "did ya' really think I was gonna let you push me away? Darlin', ain't nobody gonna kill me unless I roll over and let 'em."

She turned her head and looked me square in the eye. "How can you know that? Victoria has an impeccable sense of self-preservation and has avoided capture for years. She seems to know where I am every second of the day. No matter where I go, she's there, taunting me. Please don't make her angry. I can't bear to watch anyone else suffer because of me," she wailed.

My mate had another thing comin' if she thought I was gonna let her push me away. She was mine. I'd waited far too long to let her slip through my fingers.

I growled under my breath and spun her around, leanin' in close enough for the brim of my hat to rest against her forehead. She tried to pull away, obviously uncomfortable under the intensity of my gaze, but I had to make her understand that I would protect her and be safe doin' it. I gently caught her chin between my thumb and forefinger, turnin' those beautiful hazel eyes back to mine.

"Don't 'cha worry your pretty lil' head about me, ain't nobody but my brother and my sire been able to take me down. This Victoria is obviously infatuated enough to toy with ya', and that makes her weak, predictable. She'll come back for ya' at some point, and when she does, I'll kill her. I'll tell ya' about my past real soon and you'll understand why I'm such a cocky bastard."

"Peter, she and her newborn army swept into town and murdered eleven werewolves, who were coincidentally keeping me safe. Victoria will never stop."

So, the bitch liked to make armies, huh? Well, how very fortuitous that it had once been my job to destroy them.

Tears brimmed in those fathomless depths, and my heart broke as she continued to shake.

"Neither will I. However, I might need a couple more hands if she comes after you with another army. My brother and his family currently reside in New York, so it looks like you and I are takin' a road trip. Miss Isabella, until we can catch the bitch, I ain't lettin' ya' outta my sight. And I understand if ya' don't like that thought of me orderin' you around, but it's my duty to keep ya' safe. I leave nothin' to chance."

Her eyes narrowed into slits as she pondered my words. I knew she was seconds from blowin' her top, but I couldn't concern myself with that now. Even though I craved her love and adoration, her safety was far more important, now. Perhaps, in time, she would see fit to forgive me for my assertiveness. I hoped that was the case, if not, I had an eternity to persuade her. Peter Whitlock always won over his audience.

Just as I had expected, the little minx whipped out her claws. She pulled out of my grasp and took a swing at me. I dropped my hands and smiled widely, allowin' her to take another swing at me. I laughed and stepped back centimeters from fingertips, which spurned her anger like gasoline.

"Ok. Let's play, kitten," I purred, motioning her forward with my finger. "You're gonna have to try harder than that, if ya' wanna play with the big boys, sweetheart."

My mate scoffed at me and advanced on me again. This time, I didn't allow her to counterattack and pinned her tiny arms to her side. "What 'cha gonna do, darlin'?"

She took a deep breath and kicked at me, missin' me by a country mile. "Fuck off," she growled.

Her attempt at intimidation had the opposite reaction, her tiny kitten growl only served to turn me on further. Was that even possible? "Mmm. As tempting as that sounds, kitten, I'm gonna have to pass on your offer. Later, perhaps, 'cause I'm runnin' a lil' behind tonight. I told my family I'd be in New York hours ago, and you're bein' difficult."

"You arrogant asshole!" I smirked at her retort. "You're going to kidnap me for my own safety? Well, guess what asshat? I've been taking care of myself for eight years and I'm still breathing! Sure, I have a psycho bitch after me and she's dangerous as all hell, but I'm managing the best I can. I don't need a man, vampire or otherwise, to protect me. And, I sure the hell not going with you to New York. I have a job."

I grinned. "I have money. Any more excuses?"

Her fiery temper made me hornier than Hell. Her touch was like a brandin' iron, scorchin' me from within. My inner demon was rattlin' in his cage again, just achin' to get out. I hadn't had sex in so long, I swear I almost cummed in my drawers.

"Peter, you can't just waltz sexy little ass into my life and dictate what I can and cannot do, just because you have some supernatural connection with me. Which I think is a load of horseshit, by the way. You aren't the first vampire to tell me I was his mate. How long will it take for you to get tired of me and leave me, too?" she feverishly demanded.

I released her arms and cupped her face, dwarfin' her tiny features with my hands. Her eyes were a mixture of fury and sadness, and I felt like a complete jackass. "Darlin', I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…What I meant to say was… Fuck, this ain't easy for me. It's not like there's a vampire manual about matin'. My emotions are all over the place, and I don't know which is up." I lamented, droppin' my head in shame. "But, I want 'cha to know one thing, Miss Isabella, I ain't ever gonna leave ya'.

"If you'd have just asked me, I might've understood your position," she said, brushin' my hands from her face and crossin' her arms over her chest in defiance. "I make my own choices, Peter. I hate pushy vampires who feel the need to control me cause I'm human, fragile. The bitch is toying with me, just waiting for the perfect opportunity to kill me because my ex-boyfriend killed her mate. Then the arrogant bastard left me for dead, without even considering my feelings on the subject. He left for my own good cause of the dangers associated with his kind. His own brother took a snap at me, for Christ's sake. But instead of comforting me, he decided he was bored with me. He said I didn't belong in his world and it'd be as though he never existed. Well, that didn't happen. Our relationship was just a load of horseshit and I paid the ultimate price for simply being his pet."

"Well, kitten, the fucker doesn't deserve to even share the planet with you. Someday, I beat the shit outta him for leavin' ya' alone. I might even burn a certain appendage."

I was graced with a small smile.

"Darlin' I sorry for tellin' ya' what to do. Will ya' come meet my family? My brother will absolutely adore you. I think you'll like him, too. All of them. They are far more civilized that I am, that's for sure."

Isabella took a deep breath and let it out, lookin' a little resigned. "You want to take me to a den of human drinking vampires? Are you crazy? I thought you wanted to protect me?"

My lips curved into a huge grin, and I could barely stifle the laugh that coiled in my chest. I understood how she'd come to that conclusion. The Cullens didn't drink from the blood of humans, but I hadn't had a chance to clarify that vital piece of information.

"Like I said, my family are civilized vampires. They only drink from the blood of animals, so I assure you, you'll be quite safe in their presence."

A gasp slipped from her lips and she threw her arms in the air, causin' me to jump at the reaction. "Fuck me six ways to Sunday!" she shrieked. "What the ever loving fuck? Goddamn it! The Cullens? Really? Those assholes left me to die, caused the deaths of one hundred and fifty-seven innocent people, and you want me to willingly subject myself to more pain? Well, you can shove that idea up your ass, Peter Whitlock."

My eyes grew wide. My mind was alight with the sheer influx of information. I was processin' it at lightnin' speed, barley able to comprehend it all, but one thing stood out above the rest. Somebody took a snap at my mate!

Whoever it was will loose a fuckin' limb!

Well, what do you think? Questions? Concerns?