Chapter Four
EPOV
Every dream. Every wish. Every unrelenting fantasy came down to this very moment. Standing in front of my family and peers, I would take that last step that would cement my future. It all surrounded this small beautiful female standing in front of me. She would bring me happiness, love, comfort and most importantly, stability. It was well known that Panther males were both volatile and unstable until they found their mate to balance out their overwhelming emotions. Males were considered the dark and female's were the light.
My eyes flickered over to my mother and sister. They were seated to the left of me and were both crying tears of joy. My mother, Esme, knew how hard these last eighteen years had been for me. To have my mate so close to me and not be able to reach out to her, had me angry and miserable, most days. She was overjoyed that I could now be happy, with my mate by my side. Hopefully, my mother would take Bella under her wing and make this situation a lot less intimidating for my young mate. Emmett stood at my side, acting as my side man.
I glanced over to the right and nodded my head at Bella's parents. Charlie acknowledged my sign of respect, with a nod of his own. He was entrusting me with his daughters life. A duty I would take very seriously. Bella's mother was crying too. But I have no doubt it was caused by a different reason than my mothers tears. My mother was gaining another daughter. Renee was losing one. I focused my attention back on my father as he begun the words of the claiming ceremony.
"Brothers and Sisters"
"We come here today to witness the joining of these two mates"
"To honour their commitment to each other"
"To bless their union with happiness and peace"
"Today we stand and watch as these two halves become a whole"
"The male and the female"
"The earth and the sky"
"The moon and the sun"
"The dark and the light"
"Two separate entities coming together to bond as one"
Carlisle addressed the crowd, his voice ringing out, the ritual words loud and clear. Carlisle turned to the side and faced Edward.
"Edward Cullen, do you promise to protect and love your mate?"
"Promise to remain loyal and faithful?"
"Promise to ensure all her wants and needs are met, until the moment your body enters the earth and your soul reaches the sky?"
"I promise", I answered. My voice clear with promise and victory.
Carlisle than turned to Bella and recited the the same words to her. She lifted her head and nervously glanced at her mother and father. I don't know what she saw on their faces, but she turned her head back to me. I watched as her lips formed the words, that I had been longing to hear for eighteen new years.
"I promise", She pledged. Her voice saturated in resignation.
"With the power entrusted to me by Mother Nature, God and the Community, I now officially bind you as mates." My father address both the community and us.
The crowd erupted into cheers and claps, but I could barely hear them over the sound of my rapidly beating heart. Excitement, anticipation and a little fear, were the predominate emotions flowing through my body at that moment.
My father shook my hand and congratulated me, while my mother and sister made their way to me. Bella's family joined us , shaking my hand and pulling me in for hugs. They all did the same for Bella. She remained shy and quiet, during both families show of happiness. My father stepped in front of us and drew back the crowds attention.
"Edward and Bella, will now shift to their Panther forms and proceed into the forest for the next three days. This is where they will complete their bond and their physical being's and spiritual being's will join as one. During this time, Edward and Bella shall not be disturbed." And just like that, the community had been dismissed.
Bella had already begun to shift and by the time my attention had left my father, I was staring at a ebony, black female Panther. Bella's chocolate brown eyes stared back at me. The depths advertising her fear and vulnerability. Than she shot away from us and disappeared into the lush, thick forest.
I thanked my family again and exchanged a few words with my father and turned back to where I had watched Bella disappear, only moments before. Shifting into my Panther form, I slowly padded into the forest opening, completely confident in my ability to track her. Not only had I eighteen new years to become accustomed to her particular scent, but I was a highly trained hunter. I lifted my muzzle into the air and inhaled. Searching out her scent, amongst the forests natural smells. Scenting the direction she had taken, I pushed off of my hind legs and propelled myself towards her.
I followed her scent deeper and deeper into the forest until, I came upon a small clearing, where her scent suddenly came to a stop. Her scent was so close, wafting into my nose and lungs. It was so intoxicating, that I felt slightly light headed. I looked up and there she was, lying flat along a thick tree branch, her long black tail swinging down, back and forth.
Flattening my ears back and dropping my front legs down to the ground, I arched my back and wiggled my hips from side to side, hooking my tail at her. It was an invitation to play. It was in a Panthers nature to want to play and not many could resist the temptation, once presented with it. Bella took the bait. Her whiskers twitched and she pounced down onto the forest floor in front of me. Her eyes twinkled when they met mine and than she took off running.
I gave chase, catching up to her within seconds. When I saw the opportunity, I pounced, gently taking her to the ground with me. Bella recovered faster than me and was back on her feet and running. We played this game many times round. Bella running and me chasing and playfully rolling her to the ground. Bella tried to elude him, but this time when I pounced on her, I captured her shoulder with my sharp teeth.
Bella yelped and struggled. She fought against my hold, but I just applied more pressure with my mouth. Her angered yelps had now turned into cries of distress. I opened my mind to her, using the telepathic path available to Panther's when in their form. I tried to sooth her into submission.
"Be calm, my love. I would never hurt you," I told her gently. I lowered my weight onto her back, my body stretching out along hers. My heavier body allowed for me to hold her down better, while not releasing my grip on her shoulder.
"Shh, you have nothing to fear, beautiful. I will always love you and protect you. Your my life now, you've been my life since you were seven days old. Submit to me." I tried to reassure her, while applying more pressure with my mouth.
When Bella only struggled more, I changed my tactics. A strong rumble vibrated through my chest and a loud growl hissed out between my teeth. It was a singular growl. One only males use when demanding submission from their female. Once females heard this particular growl, they were helpless, but to obey. Bella's struggles ceased and her head bowed down and hid in her front paws. A quiet sob escaped, but I was too preoccupied with the overwhelming feelings of my victory over her, that I didn't hear her cries.
I took my chance while I had it and as soon as my teeth had released her shoulder, I had my mouth latched onto her neck. I bit down, piercing her skin. I was careful to miss her jugular and and arteries, applying just enough pressure to leave my mark behind. Bella could only yelp at the pain as I marked her for all to see.
I withdrew my teeth and lapped at the wound until it was clean and the bleeding had stopped. My domination and victory over her, matched with the sight of her wearing my my mark, heightened my arousal levels, until my body was shaking and my muscles felt too tight for my body.
I released a soothing purr and rubbed my body along the length of hers. I nuzzled at her head and neck, trying to coax her stand up. Bella eventually relented and raised herself up off the ground. I stared into her glassy brown eyes for a moment, trying to convey my love for her through my eyes. I moved forward and touched my nose to hers, keeping eye contact the entire time. I slid my face to the side and rubbed it up and down the side of her face. Cheek to cheek.
It was a gesture of affection. I continued to rub and purr along her, touching noses and releasing my scent all over her. I slid my body back and forth along the length of hers and playfully entwined my tail around hers. I continued doing this, taking as much time as she seemed to need, before I felt her body slowly start to relax. Once I was satisfied that she was relaxed and her nervousness had disappeared for the time being, I pushed my head against her shoulder, until she started to take steps backward. I nudged her in the direction of the cabin that would be our home for the next three days. It was there, that we would complete the final stage of the bonding.
My body vibrated with excitement and anticipation. I had gained her submission, now to gain her trust. Over the next three days I would take her body as many times as I would see fit, giving her as much pleasure as I could in the process. But I would also take the next three days to get to know my mate. Yes, her body, submission and trust would be mine. Gaining her heart, would take some more time.
Hello, there again.
So they are officially mates! Woo hoo!
So, I wrote this up last night, and you maybe luck that if I'm not two tired I can write the next chapter before I fall asleep. I also want to write the next chapter for The Battle Rages On. That way you can get the next chapters tomorrow night. But that all depends on if the ZZZZ's catch up with me.
Come on and give me some love and review. I like to know what you guys are thinking about the story and characters.
Until next time
Nickyw88
