All things Twilight belong to the Awesomely Awesome Stephenie Meyer.
Chapter 8 - Denali
Our first couple of days after we'd arrived in Denali weren't spent in the house, Edward had wanted to show me so much, so we'd spent a majority of our time running through the thick forests. It was so peaceful and quiet and I'd known that there couldn't be a human around for miles. I couldn't image anyone venturing this far off the path. The thick forest were the perfect cover for us, even when the bright sun hit the snow, the canopy of leaves prevented the the rays and reflections that would cause our skin to shimmer like a diamond.
Kate had been right, there was a vast amount of hunting opportunities here. The caribou and moose roamed freely and were plentiful as they grazed amongst the trees. We even saw a couple of grizzlies down by the river fishing. Everything was so much more beautiful than I had imagined, even Edward's apt description hadn't done it justice.
I watched the bears cumbersome movements as the hopped through the running water. the were amazingly agile for their size. This excited me, I wanted to see Emmett and Edward in action. I knew there were no mountain lions here, but I was guessing there was as much enjoyment in a grizzly as there was in a lion.
"I'm curious." I said breaking the silence we had been keeping as we drank in our surroundings.
We had stopped in a clearing on the mountain when I finally built up the courage to ask about Edward, Emmett and the bears. I looked over the river that flowed at the bottom, there was grizzly stomping around in the water, obviously frustrated at his lack of success. I let my words settle between us as I watched. I knew he wanted me to continue the statement.
"About?" Edward finally asked, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. The touch sent a jolt of electricity through me, I couldn't get enough of the feeling that ran through me when we were close like this.
"Well, do you remember that conversation we had when I finally discovered what you were."
"We had a lot conversations after that." he chuckled. "Is there one in particular?"
"Yes, it was about hunting." I nodded at the grizzly at the river.
A large smile spread across Edward's face as he wrapped his arm around my waist. He knew what I was referring to.
"Does this include Emmett?" he asked. His lips brushing my cheeks lightly, distracting my train of thought.
"Mmm Hmm." I hummed, unable to form words because of his close proximity.
"I think that can be arranged." he said. His fingers brushed my chin, as he directed my face to meet his. I let him guide me.
As soon as our eyes met, a jolt of emotion took over me and my lips crashed onto his with such ferocity my instincts took over, I would never have believed how much I'd missed out on while I was human, the strength and conviction behind his kisses were filled with so much passion and hunger now it sent my mind spiraling out of control.
There was more passion that I could have ever imagined, it ran through me like a bolt of lightning. my body arched and twisted to get closer to his. I was hungry for him, it had been too long since we'd been alone like this.
My body moved without command and I found myself straddling his legs as our kiss deepened. His arms, still around my waist, pulled me closer to him. I was crushed against his body in the most intimate way possible. We were melting into one another. Our breaths became one as we deepened our touches.
Yes, I had missed out on so much as a human, the movements of this deity were so filled with heat and longing now, his touch, so intimate, I couldn't get enough, it was like a hunger that could never be satisfied.
One of his hands moved up to cup my face as a new level of passion waved through us. My hips ground gently causing a friction between us, I moaned gently into his mouth as the euphoric feeling coursed through me. Everything about this sent a pleasant fire through me, pushing my senses to the brink of explosion. The new sensitivity heightened every touch and every yearning, there were so many more levels to this experience now.
The waves of lust crashed over me as my hands ran down his chest, I was heading towards my goal. I wanted him so badly it ached, I felt the yearning as it contracted and released the muscles of my most intimate center. It was a need only he could fill, we hadn't had much time alone since my transformation and this moment, although far from perfect in location, felt right, natural, unavoidable.
Edward's groan of pleasure sent a frenzy through me, I was eager to please, I needed that, it was a driving force in me now. His lips coasted gently to my neck as my head fell back loosely on my shoulders, my back arched towards him, it felt so natural, his hand fit perfectly in the nape of my neck, supporting my head as he hungrily kissed, licked and sucked on my exposed skin.
My hands continued down to his waist, gently shifting the fabric of his sweater to expose his belt. His lips moved to the skin below my ears sending another wave of excitement through me, a gentle sigh of a moan escaped my lips and I surreptitiously removed his belt.
His lips parted from my skin as he felt the leather shift. He moaned my name creating more spasms of ecstasy to run through me. This perfect creature was calling my name is this most intimate moment and it awoke something in me, I could no longer keep my movements slow, the need for him was too great, it was as though I would cease to exist without this most animalistic need.
"I want you." his whisper sent a breath of air across me, causing my body to throb, the feeling started between my legs and spread through me like a wild fire.
I unbuttoned his pants quickly, but I needed his lips on mine, I was hungry for his taste. One of my hands hand wound around his neck and my lips met his again. We crashed together, need pushing us on. My hand continued to the zipper while the other cupped the back of his neck.
Edward growled lightly, and froze.
"What?" My strangled whisper escaped my lips, filled with every emotion I was feeling. My breath came in small pants, created by the excitement that ran through me.
Then I felt the presence. There was someone close by.
"Sorry," The soft angelic voice pulled my attention towards the west. There, not looking the least bit remorseful, was Tanya. I swallowed my urge to verbalize the string of profanities that ran through my mind. A scream of frustration was building through me as the fire of my passion refused to simmer. The throbbing of the ache I had began to become painful, I needed the release.
Tanya's sweet smile made her intentions very obvious, she'd wanted to break up this little two person party. I didn't need to read minds to know that. Edward's head fell gently to my shoulder as he caught his breath, I could feel anger run through him in a form of a shudder. I fought to keep my anger reined in, there was no point in antagonizing the situation further. The damage was already done.
"Really, I didn't mean to intrude, I just wanted to hunt with you." Tanya feigned her chagrin and looked towards Edward, his face still buried between my neck and shoulder. I tried to stop myself from rolling my eyes, I could see right through her little charade, and as much as I wanted to ask Edward what she was thinking, there was no way to ask, she was close enough to hear any exchange between us.
Our breathing was still haggard as we tried to collect ourselves. My body was still craving his touch but I had to try and push the sensation back and dull it, there was absolutely nothing I could do to satiate the urge now, Tanya obviously wasn't leaving. I could still feel Edward's excitement on the inside of my thigh, I couldn't move. What a situation to be in.
"Tanya," Edward said, his velvet voice layered with texture. "Can you give us a minute please?"
"Oh. Right, sorry." This was the first honest moment Tanya had shared since walking up on us. she seemed genuinely embarrassed about her ogling it seemed.
Tanya rocked on her heels and looked for somewhere to disappear, I was sure she would still be in hearing range, she'd want to know our reaction. I watched her disappear through the trees. As soon as she was out of eyesight my body fell limp against Edward's chest.
"She did that purposely." I whispered. Edward's head was still on my shoulder so I knew he'd heard me. "Do I even want to know what she was thinking?"
Edward sighed and lifted his head. His golden eyes were still full of the passion we'd been sharing. They looked like pools of molten gold as they moved with his emotion.
"She kept her mind hidden from me, which makes me agree with your assessment, she purposely interrupted us."
"Hiding her mind?"
"She was over-thinking her embarrassment, she knows I can hear her thoughts, but she would slip up."
"Why though, why did she want to intrude on us like that?"
Edward raised his eyebrows.
"I guess I wasn't so far off base after all." I said, rocking back to sit on Edward's thighs.
"It appears not. I'm sorry, Bella. I never considered she would still be interested."
I sighed. "Do you still consider the way I regard you absurd?"
Edward laughed and kissed my neck.
"I promise, we will finish this. I refuse to be interrupted again."
I grinned at him. Since I had been transformed into an immortal, we had been waiting for a perfect opportunity to consummate our marriage completely, but, time, location and circumstance had been against us. The build up was becoming unbearable. Each time we tried, we'd been interrupted, but there had been no interruptions that were intentional until now.
"This is so frustrating." I growled, laying my head on his chest.
He smoothed my hair down my back and kissed the top of my head gently. I knew he felt the same, he'd didn't have to say it out loud.
Tanya was still waiting for us so we had no choice but to move now. Edward lifted me from his legs and stood up, setting me on my feet. Rearranging his clothes to conceal his slowly receding excitement, he picked up my hand and headed towards where Tanya was waiting.
The hunting trip didn't take long, neither Edward or I were in the mood to linger, especially with Tanya tagging along. My anger and frustration had dulled with my thirst, but Edward was still angry. He hadn't expected Tanya's continued affection towards him. I had always known in the back of my mind that there was still an interest. Vampires have long memories, and as easy as it was to compartmentalize emotions, they were always there, just like memories.
As much as I hated to admit it, I couldn't blame her, Edward was one of the most amazing men in existence, it was only natural that others would be attracted to him. Unfortunately, it wouldn't stop my jealousy from rearing it's ugly head. I trusted Edward implicitly, but I couldn't, and wouldn't, allow myself to trust Tanya. I doubted she'd ever been denied anything. This made me wonder about the lengths she would go to in order to get what she wanted. These thoughts plagued me as we traveled back towards the house.
Alice was outside waiting for us when we finally approached, her large amber eyes scanned the three of us.
"Alice?" Edward asked as we stopped in front of her. "Who?"
"It's no big deal, just a drifter." she sang, her eyes raking over the clothes I had managed to pick for myself this morning.
"Then why are you out here?" Edward asked, but his eyes closed almost instantaneously as Alice thought through her reasoning.
"What?" I snapped. Not knowing was getting frustrating and the back and forth between Edward and Alice's mind was testing my already worn patience. I was hitting my limit for the day.
"Bella, you and I are going to your closet. I can't allow your vampiric debut while you're dressed like that."
Tanya snickered beside me, but Alice shot her a death glare. She hadn't intended it to be an insult. Tanya stopped immediately and excused herself.
"Sorry, Bella. I wasn't thinking." Alice apologized, her eyes still following Tanya. "I also didn't know what was going to happen when she left to meet you. You hadn't made that decision until long after she left, I had no time to stop her."
I closed my eyes trying to hold in the laugh that was brewing, Alice had a way of apologizing that made me forgive her instantaneously. Her humor was beyond me. I never seemed to feel the embarrassment of the situation around her, we were to close to let something like that bother us. Edward rolled his eyes.
"Who is this drifter?" Edward asked, moving closer to me.
"Just someone passing through, he caught our scent as he crossed over the southern ridge. He came in for a closer look, I saw him and alerted everyone. Carlisle and Eleazar met him about five miles out and brought him in."
Edward nodded and visibly relaxed. It was evident that he trusted Carlisle's opinion. He nodded at Alice, obviously another silent question that I would never hear.
"So, Bella. Why don't we go change, and Edward can meet our new friend?" Alice suggested, hope covering every inch of her beautiful face.
I rolled my eyes. "Fine, but make it snappy."
I knew that Edward would be more relaxed if he could check out the situation before bringing me into it. I'd known him long enough to realize that. It would never matter whether I was a human or a vampire, he would always feel the need to protect me.
Alice took my hand and dragged me away before I had a chance to give Edward a parting kiss. I smiled at him and blew him a kiss as Alice flew towards the house with me in tow.
We made it to mine and Edward's bedroom without seeing anyone, I wasn't sure where the occupants of the house were hiding but I was sure they were near, the scent of our guest was strong in the large living room, and relatively new, as were Carlisle and the others. Their scent disappeared towards where the garage was situated. Alice was moving too quickly for me to pick up anything more. We made it up the three flights of stairs in seconds.
Alice flew through our door and pushed me on the bed as she rummaged through our closet. I watched her work.
"Bella, have I taught you nothing?" she sighed exasperated. "You packed all of your casual clothes."
"I wasn't expecting company." I shrugged.
Alice rolled her eyes and darted from the room without another word. I fell back into the bed and stared at the pale ceiling. I could feel the soft bed adjusting under me to mold itself around me, it was a comforting feeling because it reminded me of our large ornate bed at home. One that I had slept in as a human, the one I had made love to Edward in, the bed I was changed in.
I shook off the memory, and shuddered as I remember the pain with perfect clarity.
"Okay, I have narrowed it down to three choices." Alice sang as she breezed into the room. I should have known she would have packed some things for me. I propped myself up on my elbows to view my options.
"Alice, are you insane?" I asked laughing. "I know we don't feel the cold, but a dress?"
Alice sighed and threw the dress, that had matching heels and a cashmere wrap, onto the couch. She held up the last of the options. Both options were still entirely too over-the-top for the middle of nowhere, but a lot more acceptable. I agreed to a figure hugging sweater and designer jeans, which of course came with matching heels.
"Not my first choice, but you'll still look great, Edward loves that color blue on you."
"Does it still have the same effect?" I asked pulling the sweater over my head and arranging it so it was straight.
"It does. You were light skinned to begin with."
I laughed and looked in the mirror. The sweater emphasized ever curve in my body. It made me a little uncomfortable to think about, but as soon as I was away from a mirror my insecurities fell away. It wasn't that I didn't like the way it looked, I loved that my body was more defined. It was my stubborn human insecurities that were the problem, I still couldn't see the beautiful creature in the mirror as me.
"You look gorgeous." Alice sighed and began playing with my hair. "I was going to put it up, but it's so pretty, I think it'll look better down, don't you think?"
"Whichever, I trust you." I smiled.
Alice rolled her eyes but ran her fingers through my hair quickly, my hair fell over my shoulders looking rich and warm with the slight natural curl that it had kept. I would have to learn her secret, I could never get my hair to cooperate the way Alice did.
"Okay, you're ready to go."
"Thanks, Alice. I will have to pay attention one day, you have a talent with this kind of thing." I said fluffing my hair once more for good measure. I didn't really buy into the whole beauty and fashion world but I had to give credit where credit was due. The girl had a gift.
Alice beamed at me and looped her arm through mine guiding me out of the room.
The family and guest were gathered in the game room that was nestled neatly above the garage. The furniture and atmosphere was a little less formal here and there were plentiful activities, Edward and Emmett were playing a video game on the large screened television, both goading one another as they gained an advantage. I stood behind the couch silently as Alice danced away to greet Jasper.
"Winner plays Bella." laughed Emmett as he rammed his car into Edward's.
"You're on." chuckled Edward as he hit Emmett car with such precision it span out of control.
Emmett corrected himself quickly and followed Edward through the computer generated city. Edward dodged the other cars that drove at regular pace with ease. Their concentration was fascinating to me, their eyes darted around the screen as their hands pressed the button and maneuvered the small joysticks with no thought at all.
Edward coasted over the finish line and slid to a stop facing the oncoming traffic, he was waiting for Emmett who was a tenth of a second behind him. Emmett laughed as he plowed his car head on into Edward's.
"At least I finished with Finesse." he laughed. Handing me the remote.
Before I could take it from his hand, Edward pulled me onto his lap.
"How about you meet our guest first, Love?" he whispered kissing my neck. That burning gold was behind his eyes again and I could feel my stomach tighten.
He stood up and set me on my feet in front of him, he was in a playful mood now that there was evidently no danger. I liked him like this, and I had vowed to myself that we would grow old this way. Laughing and playing. It made me happy to see him relaxed.
Alice jumped in his spot and stole the game controller he'd put down on the couch next to him. I hadn't seen her coming from across the room, and Jasper was stood looking stunned as his wife grinned at him. It seemed everyone was a little more relaxed than usual.
Edward and I walked hand in hand toward where Tanya, Kate and Esme were talking to our guest.
"Soren," Edward said quietly.
The guest turned to face us, his handsome face was filled with curiosity as he looked at me. I was taken aback by his features, each were so pronounced, but there was an angelic glow about him. I immediately felt comfortable around him.
"Soren, this is my wife, Bella. Bella, this is Soren."
"Good to meet you." I said offering him my hand. I knew there was a timid smile in place I could feel the muscles as they formed it. I stepped back and wrapped my arms around Edward's waist and leaned my head against his chest. There was a slight tingling in my head that was distracting me, but I pushed it to the side and tried to ignore it.
Soren was watching me carefully, his eyes were wide as they ran across my face. It was almost as though he were looking for something. I waited patiently wondering was what was distracting him. Although, his smile was held in place all the while.
"Interesting." Soren laughed. "I hope you don't mind that I tried, Edward."
Edward laughed and kissed the top of my head. "No, it's fine. I told you."
I looked up at Edward and back at Soren.
"Soren has a gift." Edward chuckled tightening his arm around my waist. "One I'm glad doesn't work on you, Love."
"I can create an atmosphere of love between two people and manipulate it, but I access it through the mind. I plant a seed and watch it blossom." Soren grinned raising his eyebrows.
"That sounds dangerous." I commented, pulling Edward a little tighter against me.
"Ah, yes it is, it can also be very helpful and advantageous in the right situations. There are, unfortunately, limitations though."
"You say unfortunate Soren, but I'm sure those you enchant aren't so negative about the limitations." laughed Edward.
Soren nodded his head in agreement and smiled at me. I knew I must look a little confused.
"You see Bella, the illusion only works if I am within a mile of the person being bewitched."
"A mile?"
"Yes, I tested it once, if I step out of the boundaries the illusion is broken, but only while I am out of that perimeter."
"So the illusion will stay as long as you will it to or are within a mile?"
"Exactly."
I raised my eyebrows and looked up at Edward. My mind was whirring with activity as I went into conspiracy overload.
"Forgive me if I'm being rude, Soren." Rosalie said stepping towards me. "But how exactly is that advantageous to you?"
"That's a good question, Rosalie. You see, people do strange things for love, even a mere illusion of it. It's a powerful thing. I don't like to use it in that context, but on the occasions that I needed it, it has proven to be a most helpful asset. It can also diffuse dangerous situations rather effectively."
"Can you create the opposite emotion?" asked Kate, she stepped forward and grinned.
"Unfortunately, I haven't as of yet, but I continue to try."
That would be even more dangerous, I considered as Kate and Rosalie threw insignificant questions at him.
"So," Kate asked, a large mischievous grin on her face, "If I asked you to make me attracted to Rosalie, could you do it?"
Soren laughed heartily and nodded. "Would you like a demonstration, Kate?"
Kate looked to Rosalie, "Are you game?"
Rosalie laughed enchantingly and looked to Emmett. "You up for the competition, Em?"
Emmett's laugh filled the room as he dropped the game controller and jumped the couch in one nimble leap. Edward's audible groan meant that Emmett's imagination was working overtime with the visual. I tried to hide my grin.
"You couldn't pay me to miss this." He added stopping by Rosalie's side. Rosalie rolled her eyes and nodded at Soren and Kate.
Edward tightened his arms around my waist. I was sure he was listening to Soren organize his mind or perhaps it was Emmett's over visualizing. I laid my head on his shoulder and watched as he gazed at Kate. The room was silent now and all attention was on the small blond vampire that stood next to Soren.
Kate exhaled musically as though absolutely nothing had transpired, she still looked a little expectantly at Soren. He smiled and nodded knowingly. Kate shrugged her shoulders and looked around the room. Her eyes locked on Rosalie and she smiled sweetly, there was a longing in her eyes that you would normally see on Jasper's face when he surreptitiously watched Alice. It was a look of pure, untouchable love.
Rosalie shifted back a little as Kate stepped forward. Emmett laughed lightly and stepped away from his wife.
"This is strange." Rosalie laughed. Kate sighed at the sound of her voice. "Okay, more to the point this is creepy. Can you stop it?"
Soren nodded and closed his eyes. Kate's eyes gained back their normal focus and she grinned stopped dead in the middle of Soren and Rosalie, her eyes were wide with wonder. Tanya's eyes flickered around the room and stopped on Edward briefly before moving on. I felt my skin crawl and my mind seethed. I didn't care what I had to do, I never wanted Tanya left alone with Soren within a mile of my husband.
"That was intense." Kate laughed looking at Soren. "I knew that I shouldn't have those emotions towards my cousin, but there was absolutely no fighting it, every thought was consumed with Rosalie. The way her hair moved when she looked at Emmett, they way her eyes widened with the way I watched her. It was bizarre."
"I second that notion." Rosalie laughed. Shuddering gracefully.
I had never been more glad my mind was untouchable, but it didn't take away the uneasy feeling that had settled in me with the look Tanya had given Edward. It seemed that he'd been naive in thinking she would no longer harbor any affection for him. I tried to look past it, but my stubborn streak decided to step in and help the little green monster flourish.
"So, how about that game?" I asked looking up at Edward who was still laughing at the demonstration. His eyes shifted to me and saw the discomfort I was trying so hard to hide. He kissed the tip of my nose and nodded.
I wouldn't be letting him out of my sight.
A/N: I am so cruel, these poor kids have been married for a month with no sex, so when I finally relent miss strawberry blond decides she would intercept. They will have full unadulterated fun soon, ;0)
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