A/N; OMG, so sorry I've not updated! I'm such a bitch! But my internet wasn't working, so here's your next chapter! XD

"A-are you real?" I asked hesitantly, and she giggled. Oh, that giggle.

"Yes, Eddie, I'm real," she said. I blinked.

"How do you know my name," I ask her, enchanted by her presence.

"Oh Edward, you're not the only one with a gift," she says.

"You have a gift?"

"I can read thoughts, and I can put thoughts in people's heads. So basically, I can have conversations with people in their heads,"

"That's so cool," I say, feeling like an idiot, "How did you stay away from the Volturi,"

"We kept a low profile," she told me, smiling.

"We?"

"My coven and I," she says.

"And does a beautiful creature such as yourself have a name?" I asked, and she giggled again.

"Carla," she said, extending a hand. I reached for it, and kissed the back of it.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Carla," I say, and she looks embarrassed. I'm sure if she was human, she'd blush.

Actually, I would a voice in my head says, and I jump. The giggle comes from her mouth again, and I sway.

"Would you like to come meet them?" She asks shyly, and I nod.

"Your eyes, they're golden,"

"So are yours," she says.

"You feed from animals? I didn't know there were others,"

"Not many people know of us," she said, smiling at me as we ran. We didn't run for long, and pretty soon we were at a set of caves. She slipped through a small natural pathway, and we entered a meadow on the other side. The meadow was absolutely stunning, and I looked around in awe. My own meadow paled in comparison to this one, it's flower grey when compared to the ones here.

A cottage sat in the middle of it, totally picturesque. We headed towards it, and I was hit with thoughts.

Where the fuck has Carla got to? I swear, that girl's gonna get in a lot of trouble one of these days.

Heather looks fucking amazing in that skirt... thank god she's mine. I wish I could have her right now.

Good, Gerald's noticed my skirt. I wonder if it'd be rude if we left just now for a while...

Poker or Blackjack? Maybe we should wait for Carla to decide. She's always running around.

Carla opened the door and I was hit with the living room. Unlike all the Cullen's houses, this one seemed like a home. It was lived in, and messy. I looked at the vampires within.

"Carla, honey," The oldest woman said, "Who's this?"

"Clem, this is Edward. My mate," everyone gasped as she spoke, and then we were surrounded.

Whoa, wait a minute, mate?

Yes, dumbo, she said in my head, obviously I'm your mate. I just stopped you going and killing yourself.

"Hey, I'm Gerald," the younger male said, "It's great to meet you. Poor little Carla has been on her own for an awful long time, relying on herself for her org-"

Carla flew forward, tackling the man to the ground, and clamping a hand over his mouth. They were both laughing, as was everyone else in the room.

"Sorry about them," The older woman said, "They're always like this,"

I smile and nod.

"Are you gonna be quiet?" Carla demanded, and he nodded. It was hilarious seeing a four foot nine vampire take down a six foot one vampire. She jumped off of him and came to stand beside me.

"Ignore Gerald," she said, smiling, "He's an ass,"

They all laughed at that, and the older couple stepped forward, "Hi. We're Clementine and Conrad,"

I smile and shake their hands, turning to the only woman left.

"Hi, I'm Heather," she says, grinning, "It was my mate who was so rude. I'm very happy Carla's found you, as she's always moping around, annoyed at all us 'lovey-dovey couples',"

I smile and shake her hand too.

"So Edward, have you got a power?"

"Uh, yes. It's similar to Carla's, but not quite as good. I can read minds,"

Gerald groaned, "That's just what we need, another mind reader! Well, as long as you don't complain as much as Carla, I guess you're cool,"

I smiled at him.

"How has your coven stayed so secret?" I asked. The question had been bugging me for a while.

"That would be my power," Clementine said, "I can make people forget,"

"Wow," I say, "That's amazing,"

"Well, we're all gifted," Conrad said, "I can tell when a danger is approaching us,"

"Well, my power is manipulation," Gerald said, "You know you don't want to do it, but I can make you,"

All of a sudden, I was dancing. Stop it! I told myself, and Carla giggled. I slapped myself across the face.

"Gerald, stop!" Carla said, narrowing her eyes at him. My body stopped moving without my permission, and I blinked as I spotted a new vampire.

"Uh, hello," I say, "I'm Edward,"

"Hi Edward," she said, laughing, "I'm Heather,"

I blink. The last time I'd seen her, she'd been a five foot four vampire with brown hair. But not she was six foot three, had an olive tint to her skin, and had bubblegum pink hair.

"My power is transfiguration," she said, laughing again. I watched in awe as she changed back to the original vampire, "This is my natural, original image,"

"That is awesome," I say, finding my voice.

"We'll introduce you to the others later, they're away just now," Carla said, leading me over to a sofa.

"Others? How do you all fit in here?"

"We have separate cottages and houses, this is just the hub," she said. The hub? Well that was… different.

"Poker," I say to Clementine, who was wandering absentmindedly which game I'd rather play, "I'm rubbish at Blackjack,"

She smiled at me and picked up a pack of cards from a nearby desk.

"No cheating," she said to us all, "Carla and Edward, that means no mind reading. Gerald, no making people show you their cards, or make Carla tell you in your head. Heather, no changing the cards. Conrad, do not use your power to tell what moves will make you lose,"

"And you don't use your power to make us forget!" Carla said, and she smiled. The game started, and I was struck by how easily I fitted in here. I watched Carla from across the table, smiling when she looked up. She was stunning, and I knew I wouldn't be waiting for marriage to have sex with her, unless she wanted to wait.

Like fuck I do said a voice in my head I may be older than you, but I'm no prude

Wait. Carla had had sex with someone? That made me so angry. How dare someone even think about touching her body! It was mine. She belonged to me.

Jeez, Edward, calm the hell down. I've never had sex with anyone she thought, and I could almost hear her rolling her eyes.

Sorry… I just feel protective I say.

I can tell she says back

You know, you're not supposed to be in my head

No-one listens to that rule, you just have to make sure you don't get caught she says, winking. I look around, and I feel at home. This was my new family, and I loved it.

BPOV

When I woke up, we were no longer in the Cullen house. I sat up, realising we were in Paul's car. He smiled at me, and I smiled back sleepily. I leant against him, and sighed. I really loved Paul, and I knew he loved me with all his heart. I couldn't believe I'd thought I was going to chose Edward over him. Paul was it for me, and I knew that for a fact.

"I want to get married," I said quietly, and felt the car brake, hearing the screech of tyres on the road. He looked down at me, and I raised my eyebrows at him.

"To me?" he asked, and I rolled my eyes.

"No, dumbass, to some other guy," I say sarcastically, and after a small growl, he grins. It's the happiest grin I've even seen on him, and it makes me happy that I caused it.

"You really want to marry me?" he asks, and I sigh.

"Of course I do Paul, why would I have said it if I didn't mean it?"

"Would you like me to mark you?" He asks quietly, and I cock my head at him.

"Mark?" I ask.

"It's like marriage, but much more serious. After I mark you, you can't have children with any other man. I will be able to feel your emotions much more clearly, and you'll be able to feel mine. I'll know if you're in danger, and I'll be a lot more fucking protective. Oh, and you won't age until I stop phasing or… something happens to me,"

I nod, "Well, ok,"

"Ok? Bella, you're giving up your freedom,"

"So? Paul, I don't want to be with any other man. I only want you. And despite all my teasing to bring out possessive Paul, I don't even notice guys anymore. I just think of them as other people, or brothers,"

He pulled me closer to his body, and crushed his lips to mine.

"Well, ok then," he said, "I'll talk to the elders right now. And Bella, I think we're going to have to tell your dad,"

I froze. Tell Charlie? But… but it could trigger another heart attack! I knew Sue had been around, cooking for him and stuff, for which I was grateful. But I don't know if he would be able to cope with this shit. Would he be told about vampires too? The Cullens? Edward? I knew he was going to be pissed I dated Edward, when I knew what he was.

"He's going to kill me," I say quietly. Paul frowns, and I know he doesn't understand, "He's going to be angry I went out with Edward when I knew what he was,"

"He's not the only one," Paul muttered. I glared at him.

"Don't you dare start this shit. He never hurt me, Paul,"

"But he could have, Bella," Paul says, "Have you any idea how much danger you put yourself in when you were in his company? Hell, how much danger you're in when you're in the Cullens presence?"

"So what? You want me to cut them out of my life to make you feel better?" I ask, furious.

"Every time you're with them, I want to take you back to my house and brick up all exits,"

"I'm not a possession, Paul, I'm a person and I make my own decisions,"

"Even if those decisions could kill us?" he asks quietly, and everything snapped into focus. The only reason Paul didn't want me in danger was so he didn't die. The only reason he wanted me safe was to save him. He must fucking hate me for being his imprint. I've restricted him from all those women, all those more experienced women. I feel tears prick my eyes, and I slide away from him, opening the door and stepping out. I notice we're next to the little grocery shop in La Push. I can't go back to Forks, or Emmet will freak.

I sigh, and start walking away. Hands grip my arms, and spin me round.

"Don't do this Bella," he says, "Don't walk away from me,"

I pull out of his grasp, "All you fucking care about is yourself. I'm sorry I've ruined your life, Paul. Now, let me the fuck go,"

He dropped his arms, face looking pained.

Fix it something in me said, and I flipped it off.

"Bella, baby, please," he says, looking broken.

"I'm sorry Paul. Don't follow me," I say, and I turn around.

"Jacob won't let you stay at his house," he says, and I turn slowly, "Not if he knows what's good for him,"

"It was you, wasn't it," I say, realisation dawning on me, "You told him to stay away."

"He was in love with you, Bella. I couldn't let him be around you. Someone would get hurt,"

"I can't fucking believe this," I say, "You cannot chose my friends, Paul! It was my choice wither I would hang around him or not. You can't control my life! What's next? You're going to hit me if I don't do what you want?"

He froze.

"Bella, I'd nev-"

"I know, you'd never hit me. But this is how it starts!" I shout at him, "Anything else you'd like to confess to?"

He dropped his head, and I stormed away from him. Behind me, I heard an agonized howl. I had to speak to Jacob. Now.

I knocked on the door, and saw the curtain twitch just as the wooden door swung open.

"Is Jake in?" I asked Billy.

"Nope," he said.

"Who else is in your house?" I asked.

"No-one," he told me.

"Right," I say, walking past him, and I was struck by the familiarity of this. Once again, I was going to see if Jake was alright, and demand he stayed my friend.

I found him in his bedroom again.

"Bella, you can't be here," he said, and I shut the door.

"And yet, here I am," I say, sitting on the floor against the wall, "And you cannot listen to what Paul said. I still want you in my life, ok? And it is not Paul's decision who I'm friends with, or brothers with,"

He smiled slightly.

"Paul is going to be furious at me," he said.

"Well, he's already furious at me," I say, "We had an argument,"

"Are you ok?" Jake said.

"I'm fine, I just couldn't deal with him being so selfish anymore?"

Jacob frowned at me, "Selfish how?"

"He doesn't want me to get hurt, because it will hurt him," I say in disgust.

"Did he say that to you?" He asked me, eyes wide.

"Well, no. He said he was pissed off I dated Edward after I found out what he was, and that I still hung with the Cullens, because it was putting me in a lot of danger,"

"Bella, he isn't thinking about himself when he said that," Jake said, "In fact, he doesn't care about himself at any point when you're involved. He is honestly only caring about you,"

"Fine. But he had no right to try and take my friends away,"

"No, he was wrong there. But it's only because he feels threatened by me," he said, rolling his eyes, "Because of how close we are,"

"Whatever," I mutter, "I'm still pissed at him,"

"You wanna stay here tonight?" Jake said, smiling sympathetically.

"Please," I say, "Thank you,"

"No problem. I'll set up the twins old room for you," he said, getting up. I caught his hand,

"You're my best friends, you know that?" I say. He rolled his eyes.

"Well duh," he told me, patting my hair, "Back in a minute,"

My phone started ringing not long after, with a number I didn't recognise.

"Hello?" I asked.

"Bella?" Sam's voice echoed down the line, "Is Paul with you?"

"Uh, no, we had an argument," I say, biting my lip.

"Oh. Ok. He's probably at a bar then. Are you ok?"

"I'm fine," I say, "I'm at Jake's,"

"Is he ok?" Sam asked.

"I hope so," I say, "But I'm pretty damn pissed at him,"

"Ok," Sam chuckled, "He'll be in a bad mood,"

"Good luck," I say, "But I've gotta go,"

"Bye. Bella," he says, and the line dies.

"Bells?" Jake says, coming back in, "The room's ready. There's still some clothes in there, I think they're about your size,"

"Thanks," I say, smiling. I'm glad me and Jake are ok, because I really did love him. Just… not in the way he loved me. It was horribly complicated, and I really did feel bad for him, but I loved Paul like that, and it would never change. Sure, we had arguments, but who doesn't?

I stand up, and hug Jacob. He hesitates only a moment before hugging me back, and then lets me go. I go quickly along the corridor, and step into the other bedroom. Making my way over to the drawers, I find a pair of old Pjs, and take them to the bathroom.

I climb into bed when I'm done, and sigh. It seems so cold without Paul. How the hell did I cope with Edward's lack of warmth? It seems like such a ridiculous thing, but I don't regret it. If I hadn't dated Edward, I wouldn't have gained my family. In fact, I doubt I would have suck comfort in Jacob, and then I may never have met Paul. Everyone has past relationships, and that's just the way it is.

I sigh, turn off the small lamp and close my eyes.