Chapter 12

EPOV

As the others scrambled about getting the Denalios ready for transport, I was watching Laurent. I had caught several thoughts from him alluding that he wasn't as thrilled with this mating connection as he had let on. His biggest motivation was so he didn't alarm his sister and ruin her weekend. The other factor was he realized he was the only thing keeping Irina calm.

He was still trying to process all the information thrust at him with no warning and trying to figure out what to do about the blonde currently snuggled in his arms. Irina's reaction had shocked him and so did her little display of power.

He was attracted to her no doubt but lifelong mate was not something if he knew he was ready for just yet. I sighed this could end badly, we tended to forget that humans did not go about courtship as we did. Our connections were instant and very rarely one sided, dealing with the possibility of rejection from a mate wasn't something that we previously had to worry about. And Irina could very well be rejected.

He was also concerned about his sister being pregnant by Ben. His thoughts focused on her fate should humans ever found out about us. He knew she would be quarantined along with the rest of us as well as the child she was carrying. Surprisingly he didn't have a negative thought about us being another species he was simply worried about the security risk.

I needed to talk with Laurent but my own mate was in turmoil and I didn't know what to do. She wasn't happy and even though I couldn't get a clear read on her thoughts it wasn't hard to guess what was troubling her. Rosalie had gotten to her with her wicked tongue.

I wish I could soothe her worries but I had some soul searching to do. I by no means wanted Tanya nor Kate but the reality was the survival of our species was down to us. If we all mated with humans we would eventually end our kind forever. Wasn't it my responsibility to see that our lineage went on even if it meant giving up my mate and marrying someone I detested.

Alice and Rosalie were both trying to conceive with their significant others. Esme could still have children but she was holding back feeling like she would be replacing her son. Guilt kept her from a second shot at motherhood. Carlisle wanted children again but didn't push his mate he knew she wasn't ready.

Ben was a lost cause he would chew his arm off before leaving Angela pregnant or not.

I saw Bella glance at me in agitation it was almost as if she could read my emotions. It's amazing how connected we had become in such a short amount of time. Her eyes held a hint of question and fear and my gut twisted and I turned away from her prying gaze.

BPOV

I couldn't help feeling off kilter and hurt at Edward's behavior. He was having second thoughts about us that much was clear. I realized with clarity that he had used me as a place mat. No other women were available and I was here ready and willing. I almost became sick thinking of how quickly I spread my legs for him.

Of course he picked me he knew I would never betray Angela by revealing their secret. I was safe. I was easy. I was a fool. I had allowed myself to open myself up and fall in love with him.

I looked at Angela who was being kissed softly by Ben and was thank full that I didn't have to castrate him for breaking her heart. Ben wasn't going anywhere that much was certain. I was happy for her and jealous all at the same time. Why hadn't he just left me alone? I was happy I was fine. Now someone else was leaving me and there was nothing I could do about it. The room suddenly felt as if it was closing in on me and I struggled to catch my breath.

"Bella is something wrong!" I could hear Angela frantically speaking but I couldn't focus on her at all. I closed my eyes and counted slowly evening out my breathing and calmed myself down. I hadn't had a panic attack since I was 13.

I opened my eyes to find Angela and Edward standing beside me, locking eyes with Angela I said "I'm just overwhelmed from the last few days I just need to go to the hotel and get some rest." She narrowed her eyes at me, shit I had never been able to lie to her and today was no exception.

She opened her mouth to speak and I cut her off "Please Angela I just need to go to my hotel room." My eyes pleaded with her to let it go. She wasn't my best friend for nothing "Sure come on I will drop you off, I think we could all use some rest to be honest." She said casually.

"No I will take her." Edward piped in. My heart beat faster no no no I couldn't deal with him right now.

Edward's head snapped towards me as he caught my thoughts and frowned. Turning back to Angela he said in a voice that left no room for argument. "Angela I will be taking Bella to her room." Apparently his voice didn't bother Angela in the least because she rounded on him but before she could utter a word Ben stepped in and whispered harshly in her ear. Angela looked at me and then Edward and her eyes softened a bit as she looked at me in apology. Great

My back stiffened as I looked at Edward and he motioned for the door. I didn't bother with goodbyes I was not in the mood for niceties.

The ride to my hotel was tense and quiet. I kept my mind as blank as possible I just wanted away from him. Every time that thought crossed my mind my chest filled with pain. I could feel my eyes welling with tears that I refused to let fall not until I was safely in my room, safely away from him.

As we entered the lobby and got onto the elevator I could feel Edward's eyes on me. I never looked his way I silently headed to my suite and entered the room.

After a few moments of staring at one another awkwardly he didn't say a word so I decided to just get this over with. "Did Rosalie speak the truth, was I just a distraction? Did you just settle for me because one of your own wasn't available?"

He looked away guiltily and replied softly "Our species is at risk for extinction. Regardless of my desires I have to act in the best interest of our survival and that would mean mating and procreating with a Kreonian to keep our people going."

"Bella" he continued "I just need some time to get some things sorted out. I know what you have been thinking and you're wrong."

"Really I'm wrong are you or are you not putting an end to our so called relationship because you have "more options" I said using my fingers to emphasize the last part.

He ran his hands through his hair in frustration "Bella it's not what you think. You are my mate but I have a responsibility to my people to ensure our survival. That means children and any children we have would be half and eventually they would mate with other humans and our species dies out. I'm not trying to hurt you."

"Are you fucking kidding me! I didn't ask for this! You drag me into this world of yours and then just drop me like I'm worthless. Well fuck you!" By now I'm full fledge crying as my heart is being shattered into a million pieces.

Edward flinched at my angry yell.

"You're so stupid did it ever occur to you that regardless of what you do your species will die out. Even if you did have children with one of your little Princesses, who are those children going to partner with and so on. Even if Rosalie and Alice have children that are of the opposite sex and get together in two generations they will all be related and I'm pretty fucking sure no matter where you're from that's creepy as hell."

"You don't understand Bella."He replied almost angrily.

"The hell I don't. My family line is down to myself and Renee. I have no idea who my father is and Renee is the only relative I have left. It may not be the end of a species but it would be the end of a family line if we never have children before we pass. I get it" I said sarcastically "You wanna have little purebred babies and I'm not good enough for that right because I'm just some measly human girl you were passing the time with."

"I would never use someone like that Bella. I would never have even started a relationship with you if I had even known this was a possibility." I felt like the wind had been knocked out of me.

"Bella I didn't mean it like that." His voice was pleading with me.

"Get out." I said calmly.

"Bella don't do this." He said sadly.

"I didn't do anything this was all you. You didn't have to pursue me I was fine before you decided you needed a bed mate." I couldn't stop the tears "I had sex with you…I.. I…" and the damn broke as the sobs I had been holding back came free.

He attempted to pull me into a hug and I went bat shit crazy. Pushing him roughly off me I screamed at him. "Get out! Get the fuck out now!"

He swallowed hard and left the room and I fell to the floor broken.

AN: Do you wanna kill Edward? What do you think about Laurent? Do you think this little separation will last? Is Edward going to turn to one of the Princesses as Rosalie predicted? Lots of questions hmmmmm.