Edward

Awkward. Silence. We were submerged completely in a quiet to rival all quiets. We walked through the castle-like building, unsure of where exactly we were heading, but continuously moving to what we hoped would be an exit. I could feel us drifting an ocean apart. While standing a mere foot from one another. 'Mate'. The word swam across our ocean, as we volleyed it back and forth, neither wanting it plaguing our already troubled thoughts. His thoughts, under distress from all of the things being dropped onto his shoulders in a day; mine, suffering through his turmoil while dealing with my own; ours, both a swirl of different trains running over another, causing chaotic collisions. I breathed, focusing myself on disentangling our conjoined contemplations, trying to clear my head. What was mine? The feeling of anger at Lola; of sadness over the death and morbid rebirth of a friend; of remorse for not listening to myself and staying away; and of uncertainty at this new bond we seemed to share. What was his? Feelings of betrayal by me and Lola; of sadness by the loss of his own life and family; of anger at being lied to by myself and the auburn tempest; of insecurity about his self, or rather his new self; of hopelessness as he felt his life was spin out of is control; and of hesitance at purely being in my presence for at the forefront of his thoughts was Marcus's words.

I recoiled some as they replayed in his mind transferring into mine. "Mates." He quickly glanced at me a question in his eyes as well as on the front of his mind, but thought better of it and turned away. "A vampire's mate would be the immortal version of a human's soul mate." My voice was thoughtful and low as I tried to figure out the best wording for the explanation. He looked at me oddly then scowled, clearly having forgotten that I read minds. "They are two halves to one whole entity, or maybe even one soul. Mates are what fate thinks would be the perfect couple. After a vampire finds his mate they must stay near them. It's a sort of magnetic attraction that will always be pulling them together-"

"I don't feel a pull right now," He interrupted me, defiance clear in his voice. I looked at him then sighed guessing I have to show him rather than tell him. Hold up one finger as the universal 'one moment sign' I began to run in the opposite direction of where he stood. I knew he'd be confused but he needed to understand that what I'm trying to express to him is important and that he needs to listen closely. About half across the grand manor I felt uncomfortable, a unease in my chest, and by the time I was nearly to the other side I was wheezing, even though I had no reason to do so. My chest felt constricted and my whole was literally dragging me back towards him. I felt like all of my senses were diluted and that I wouldn't be able to function properly until I returned. I took to a run again moving faster this time; faster than even I didn't think was possible. When I came into view the unease on his face took leave, letting an upset expression replace it.

"Don't ever do that again." He whined with a small whimper. I felt the effect of compulsion immediately, apparently it wasn't just looking into his eyes his voice had power as well. I was going to ignore it but I made the mistake of accidentally catching a glance of his face. Widen eyes giving me the puppy stare, lip poked out. I couldn't breathe, much less think so I did the only thing I knew how. I nodded. When he looked away his features registered surprise. From his mind I gathered that he didn't even know what he was doing. It was like someone else had stepped in and put on the show. He didn't consciously do it. One minute he wanted the next minute he received. As if Jacob left and his subconscious took over solely intent on getting what it wanted.

And the only thing I could register myself: 'I'm fucked.'

I usually tried to avoid using Jacobs' language but at the moment it fit quite nicely. My alleged mate was my best friend. Let alone a male. Plus he had the power of compulsion. And just to make the deal sweeter he didn't seem to know when he was using it. When it comes down to it 'I'm fucked.'

Jacob

"As I was saying," the elder immortal turned away from me, sporting a strange expression, and began to walk, "mates must stay near one another in the first stages. As time progresses, however, they will be able to move farther and farther apart for longer periods of time. This won't happen until they have consummated the relationship though-"

Once again I cut him off to ask, "How do we consummate this relationship –if it can be called that?"

His face fell and he grew paler than usual. "That is something we won't worry about for a very long time." He walked faster, almost as if he were trying to run away from me. I jogged past him, only to turn around and stop before the bronze haired boy.

"Tell me. I don't plan on sticking by your side day in and day out while you sit around trying to figure out the perfect time for you to consummate. Why don't we just do it now?" I asked with much indifference, while the muscle in my stomach tightened uncomfortably, trying to tell me I didn't want to know the answer. His mouth formed a straight, hard line as he tried to move around me swiftly. Hissing I placed a hand on his chest, effectively stopping him. My eyes demanding him to tell me. He looked at my face for a long silent moment, searching for something he didn't seem to be finding. Once again he tried to move only to have me get in his face growling. With a muttered, fine, he surged forward kissing me brutally. Being brief was the best quality of the lip lock. It was hard, angry, rough, and, had I been human, bruising. Tenderness and sweetness, which was usually demonstrated when one kisses another was not present here. It was not something that was appreciated. Just as soon as his lips met mine they were gone, thankfully, and he was seething.

"To consummate is to do that and more." I suppressed a gasp, but the chill –of the negative variety- that ran down my spine couldn't be hidden. To consummate we had to do the deed. I agreed, then, that we wouldn't be doing that for a very long time –if ever.

An Elk

I was lost. My herd was gone. It was hot. Need Water. Wander. A stream? Yes! Liquid. Wander again. Need to pee. Found an area. Relief. Look for the herd. A small sound. Papa? Another. I'm here! Not papa. Humans. Pretty humans. Run. No. They're in front on me. Turn. Run. Stop. They're in front of me again. One speaks in a foreign language. The other nods. Turn. Try again. I'm tackled. No. Stop! Papa! A bite. It hurts. Struggle. Too weak. Need Help. Whine. Cry out. I'm drifting. Fading. The mouth leaves. Another replaces it. I'm limp. I've given up. Let death take me. I hope papa doesn't find me like this. Going. Going. Gone.

Aro

"My lord," Afton said upon entering the throne room. I looked at him passively, waiting to hear his news. "Edward has taken him to hunt animal. He is teaching him their ways." The boy bowed to me as he spoke, humbling himself completely. I nodded to him then turned to my counterparts, seeing displeasure in Caius's eyes.

"This won't do," I started gravely; "We must intercept the boy and bring him to our ways before he is brainwashed. Eventually Edward will tire of him and leave. We cannot let him leave also."

Angela

As I sat across from Tyler at lunch I noticed he casted his eyes around the room again. It was obvious he was hoping Jacob would show up. He'd been looking for him and to a lesser degree Edward for the past few days. He seemed a bit sad and maybe even lost without him. And it was obvious that he was worried. Plus ever since the rumors started circulating that Edward and Jacob ran away together because they families -particularly Edward's- wouldn't accept them he'd been rather depressed. If didn't know any better I'd say Tyler really likes Jacob. More than he wanted to let on.