A/N: I don't own it.
I am sorry this took so long to get out. I have been chipping away at it over the past few months. My RL would bring a 500lb trucker to tears. I still don't have a set schedule for updates. Thanks for all the patience.
I have no beta. All mistakes are my own.
MPOV
"I am sorry to interrupt, but we really need to continue. I'm sure I don't speak for myself when I say that I am eager to get the redheaded bitch taken care of," Sam spoke up.
I bowed my head in acknowledgement. "You are quite correct. The sooner this mess is handled the better off everyone will be." I turned to my Isabella saying, "We can speak after this meeting, if you are in agreement, mia cara."
She smiled brightly at me while nodding in approval. "I look forward to it," she said sweetly.
Turning back to the Alpha, I began to tell him of my guards' recent discovery. "She is quite bold and very secure in her evasive ability. She spied on them without hesitation or any concern with being caught. Fortunately, they were able to get a hold of her scent. Also, she has been identified as a former coven member of another one of my guards."
"We pretty much speculated all of the already. What more can you tell us?" Sam inquired.
"I spoke with my brother and fellow leader, Aro, about her putrid scent. He believes as I do. Since her soulmate was destroyed, he soul is dying. She has a singular mind set now, and there can be no reasoning with her. She is more like a rabid animal now than anything else."
"Isn't is normal for a vampire to lose their mind when their mate dies? We were under the impression that her behavior was normal for your kind," Sam inquired.
"While it is normal for a vampire to seek vengeance against the one who ended their mate's existence, it is not normal for a vampire to be this unbalanced. Also, Isabella did not destroy her mate. How could she have? She is still human. Victoria is lashing out illogically," I clarified. "She is focused on Isabella due to the fact that her mate was trying to hunt her. He lost that hunt as well as his life. Since Isabella was closely connected to James, at least in her mind, Isabella is the one she has set her sights on."
"Okay, I think I understand that part. I mean no disrespect, but we have been taught that vampires do not have a soul," the alpha questioned in confusion. Several grunts of agreement could be heard from the other shifters.
I chuckled briefly still finding amusement in this popular yet clearly incorrect assumption. "I am aware that there is a popular belief that once a vampire is turned, he loses his soul. However, that is grossly inaccurate. We may no longer possess a beating heart due to the effects of our venom, but the venom does not affect our souls as some would believe. We are very much in possession of our souls. We would not have mates if that was not so. This is why Victoria's soul dying is so dangerous. Our mates help to anchor us, anchor our sanity. Since Victoria's mate was destroyed, she no longer has that anchor. Many vampires have lost their sanity simply because they were never able to find their mates. I do not jest. This is a very precarious situation we find ourselves in," I sternly emphasized.
The shifters became agitated with this informations and rightfully so. Sam ordered them to calm themselves down in order to not accidentally shift. They all seemed to grasp the seriousness of the situation.
"So her brain is fried and stuck on killing Bella?" Sam questioned with widened eyes.
"Exactly so," I replied. "Couple that with her ability to evade any attack and she has become an unhinged but deadly opponent."
Sam shook his head and with a wry grin and replied, "We all knew this wasn't going to be a simple take down situation. Given how she has managed to get by all of us, we'll be lucky if she's caught within the next month."
Nodding my head in agreement, I said, "Hopefully, with all of us working together as one cohesive unit, we'll be able to keep Isabella protected and capture the rogue." I looked over to my mate, watching as she laughed at something the female shifter said to her. A intense feeling of protectiveness coursed over me. This was a feeling I had not felt in what seemed like eons.
"Sam, if I may, I would like to mention to you that since Isabella is my mate, I will, naturally, be extremely protective of her. Her safety is paramount to me, even over the need to capture this Victoria. With that said, I cannot be held responsible should there be any more incidents in regards to her and her well being. The mating instincts are overpowering to my kind. Our mates are always are first priorities. I hope you can understand this."
The alpha waved away my concern. "No worries. We have a similar reaction to our imprints. They are the center of our universe. We would react the very same way you did when you discovered what Jacob had done. All I know is that if anyone dared to harm my imprint, they would not survive much longer. At least our two races, if you can call them that, have that in common," Sam responded understandingly.
My gaze lingered on my mate for a few moments more. I was eager to be done with all of this unpleasantness so that she and I could get to know one another and build on a relationship. It seems all the patience I once had abandoned me.
While I still suffer from a tad bit of disbelief over having another mate, I cannot help but thank the fates for their perfect timing. I must also remember to thank Didyme. Surely, she was sent to give aid when I needed it most.
I returned my attention to the alpha and continued on with our meeting. For now, getting further acquainted with my mate would have to wait. Securing her safety took precedence over all else.
BPOV
Listening to Marcus and Sam discussing Victoria was disconcerting to say the least. Knowing full well that she had it out for me was unsettling at best. But hearing Marcus describe her as a rabid animal put me in an intense state of unease. Now I have images of Victoria frothing at the mouth and growling loudly coursing through my mind. It was creepy. I guess it all fits since she already looks the part.
I turned toward Leah when I felt her nudge my shoulder. She wore a goofy grin as she waggled her eyebrows at me. I rolled my eyes in amusement.
"So, Bella, how does it feel to have that hottie with a body looking out for you? You can't possibly feel put out by it," Leah asked while looking back and forth between me and Marcus.
I giggled, "It's no hardship at all. In fact, I am rather enjoying the attention." I looked back over at my mate, catching him staring at me. I gave him by biggest smile, hoping to convey to him how I truly felt with just my body language. He smirked in return and then looked back over at Sam and continued on with their conversation.
"Geez, you've got it bad. Normally, you would be up in arms over anyone hovering over you regardless of the reasons why. You're so stinkin' independent. Just between us and everyone else here, I can't blame ya," she said with a conspiratorial wink. "I can certainly see all of that appeal of having that particular vampire god looking out for you."
I turned to look at her, my mouth was opened in shock at her bluntness. Really, I ought to be used to it by now. She always says what she's thinking. She also always says what everyone else is thinking as well.
"Really, Leah, can you try to keep the drool to yourself. I don't want your slobber to get all over me," I teased in response, pretending to shy away from her.
"No worries, my dearest BFF, for I see that you have enough of your own drool to go around," she joked. Laughing at her own joke, she grinned at me like a loon.
I laughed at her. "Why don't you just keep publicising it then?" I asked.
"There's no need for that," she said waving off my reply. "Anyone who has ever looked at you lately can see it."
"I am not that bad," I blushed. "Besides, it's like you said, you can't blame me."
I looked back over at Marcus to see a small grin cross his lips as he continued his conversation.. I swear I will never get used to vampire hearing. There are no secrets when they are around. Plus, the shifters are just as bad.
"Hey, on the serious side for once, are you at all bothered by Marcus handing Jacob his ass?" Leah asked me quietly. We both looked over at where Jake was sitting up against a tree, nursing his broken arm. Knowing how quickly the shifters can heal, I wasn't concerned at all for his well being. Frankly, he's lucky to still be alive.
"Honestly, I am not at all bothered by it. I did warn him multiple times to cut the crap out. As far as I am concerned, he asked for it. Besides, he'll be all healed in no time. He got off easy," I said matter of factly while shrugging my shoulders. I really had no issues with what Marcus did. Jake was warned and chose to lose control of his temper. If he's smart, he'll learn to control himself. His out of control temper may get him killed.
"Truth! I think he got the point, or at least I hope he has. If not, he may lose a limb next time. Can you imagine him running around on all threes?" Leah laughed. I joined in at the picture her words conjured up in my head. We both turned to look over at the vampire guard as we heard some of them snicker at Leah's joke. "Hey, would you look at that? Vampires do have a sense of humor," she said in shock.
I snickered at her surprised expression "Really, a person has to question where you guys got your information about vampires from. It's clear you never met Emmett Cullen. All he does is joke around and play childish pranks. If I'm being honest, he and Jasper are the only two I can stomach," I sneered as thoughts of the backstabbing coven crossed my mind.
"Why only those two? Aren't they like the others?" she questioned.
I turned and walked over to a large boulder and sat myself down on it. This was going to be an uncomfortable conversation, and I refused to get stuck standing while having it. I really despised that coven.
"Let me see if I can accurately describe the situation. FIrst of all, Jasper is very respectful. While I never had the opportunity to spend much time with him, he was always kind to me. Although I know he has the most difficult time with being a vegan vamp, he has the strength to push through the pain. He never did or said anything unkind to me, and he exhibited a great amount of patience," I quietly said, remembering the few times I was allowed to be in his presence.
"Why didn't you get to spend time with him? I was under the impression that you were always over the Cullen's house?" Leah asked in confusion. She came over and sat down next to me.
"That would be Eddie's, the vegan virgin vamp, and his co-conspirator, tinkerbitch's, fault. They refused to allow him around me, claiming he was dangerous and could snap at any time. I did argue with them, but as I have told you previously, those two were control freaks. It was like I needed to ask permission to breathe." I snorted in anger, still easily riled up by thoughts of those two backstabbers.
"Okay, that's creepy," she quickly agreed.
"You know, I am not as clueless as those two would have you believe. The night of that disastrous birthday party the midget threw, the party I never wanted, I saw Jasper's eye when I cut my finger. In fact, Jasper and Carlisle were the only two whose eyes remained golden. It wasn't until Eddie threw me into the glass table and my arm was torn open did Jasper have any kind of reaction. I have thought over that incident more times than I'd cared to admit to. The only conclusion I could come to was that Eddie deliberately threw me into the glass table, hoping I would get seriously cut. I see all of it replaying in my mind all the time. Apart from Carlise, everyone's eyes went black. I can still hear the growling," I admitted softly, trying to hold back the shivers that memory tended to give me. Leah reached over and grabbed my hand, lending me the support I needed to continue with the story. With my eyes cast downward, I continued, "Afterwards, when Eddie had taken me to the forest to dump me, he claimed that Jasper was trying to attack me, and that he was just doing his job by protecting me. I knew he was lying since Jasper's eyes did not change when I cut my finger. I also remembered how Eddie boy crouched down in front of me. I can say with the utmost certainty that he was not protecting me from getting hurt by Jasper. He was protecting his meal. Eddie's eyes were jet black. Also, and this is my personal opinion, Jasper's eyes changed due to the fact that he's an empath. He felt the bloodlust of five other individuals. That must have hurt him. It is also the reason why I believe him to be the strongest of the coven. He feels everyone's emotions, not just his own."
When I finished, I looked up only to notice that the eyes of everyone, both shifter and vampire alike, were on me. Every one of them looked sad over what they had heard. I did not see pity in their eyes, which I was grateful for. I hate pity
"I'm sorry, Bells, that you went through that. If I ever run across that virgin vamp, I'm going to tear his overinflated head off. Scumbag!" Leah said vehemently. Turning back to me, she asked, "Uh, what about the Emmett guy? What was his deal?"
"Emmett is a huge teddy bear. He's this massive, muscular, tall vamp but he acts like a kid. He once told me that I reminded him of his baby sister. He always went out of his way to hang out with me when I was at the Cullen's house. No matter how big a fit Eddie threw over it, Emmett just ignored him and did what he wanted anyway. He always told Eddie to pull out the stick he had lodged up his rectum," I laughed at the memory. "He was spot on with the stick reference. Everytime he said that to Eddie boy, I would die laughing which would then lead into a diatribe from Eddie and the midget on how inappropriate my behaviour was and that I should not find humor in Emmet's crude ways."
Leah cocked an eyebrow and said, "Emmett sounds cool for a vampire. Uh, no offense to the present company," she hastily said glancing over at Marcus's guard. They each gave a small nod in acceptance.
"He was which is why I think his betrays hurt so much. I began to think of him as an older brother. You know, the type of brother you aren't ashamed to be caught talking to."
"What's that like," she joked while looking over towards her younger brother. Seth, who was in his human form, sneered at her. We both laughed at his response. Leah held up her hands in mock surrender. "I kid. I kid. Seth, you're not half as bad as you could be. I would even go so far as to say that I may actually like you."
"It's a shame I can't say the same to you," Seth retorted.
I laughed again. Leah looked at me and swatted my arm. "Hey, you're supposed to be on my side," she said.
"Honey, I'm on my own side. Besides, you asked for it. Methinks you are a glutton for punishment," I teased while patting her knee condescendingly.
"Excuse me," Sam spoke up. "If you ladies are finished joking around, we are done here."
"You're excused," I piped in with a wry grin.
I looked over to see Marcus making his way over to me. I gave him a small smile in greeting. He returned my greeting with a stunning smile of his own.
"Isabella, we are finished for now. If you would like, I would love to spend some more time with you," Marcus said with way too much charm. I looked him over from head to toe just enjoying the vision of perfection that he presented. I especially enjoyed the shirt that accentuated firm muscle as well as the black dress pants that seemed to fit him like a glove. This man knew how to dress, and he did it well.
I smiled brightly at him. "I would love that," I softly replied fully aware of Leah grinning at me like a moron. She's such a dork. I looked over at her and laughed.
"You are such a child," I teased.
"A child I may be, but I'm not the one who is going to be playing," she quipped with a sly wink.
I couldn't stop the impending blush even if I had tried. I was so embarrassed and refused to look over at Marcus. Marcus's deep chuckle was unexpected but sexy as hell which only caused me to blush even more.
"Don't be hating on me just because you're stuck on patrol tonight with Jake," I teased while standing up. Marcus offered me his arm which I gladly took.
"If you would excuse us," my mate said politely as we began to walk away.
"Now, Bella, don't do anything I wouldn't do. And since that list is a little small, I expect you to be very busy," Leah laughed at her joke. A moment later, she phased and sped off before I could even respond. That pervert! I'll get her back for that.
Marcus laughed again, successfully distracting me from my plans for revenge. I looked up at him, admiring the glint in his eyes as he laughed. Ruby had quickly become my new favorite color thanks to him.
He turned to me and smiled. "Your friend has quite the sense of humor. In fact, I could listen to the two of you bantering back and forth all day. It's quite entertaining."
"You haven't seen or heard anything yet. It gets worse," I warned him.
"I look forward to seeing and hearing more," he taunted me goodnaturedly.
Next up: Bella and Marcus get to know one another better.
So what did you think?
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