Author's note: A very big 'thank you' to Iluvem'moody for giving me my 1,000th review! (: And apologies for the lateness of this update.
Peter
It wasn't difficult.
In fact, it was easy as bitin' through a human's neck had ever been.
My teeth sunk into flesh like scissors cuttin' silk…
But it was different…because it was Bella.
My beast roared in anticipation of the sweet, passionate and full blood that would touch my tongue…
It was Bella.
Bella… Bella… Bella…
I couldn't turn off that fuckin' name spinnin' around my head like flies – buzzin', and buzzin', and…
BELLA!
With a gasp, I threw myself back – my ass hit the floor with a dull thud, but my eyes were on Bella's beautiful face…and her neck…
Her beautiful, elegant neck with a chunk missin' out of it.
I felt blood roll down my chin and I wiped it on the back of my hand without even thinkin' about tastin' it – then I stood, shakily.
Bella's body arched and twisted minutely as my venom began to infect her system, and I knew that her slight moanin' was just the beginnin' – she'd be screamin' soon enough, and I'd wish I were dead.
I knew what I had to do – I finished off the bitin', transferrin' as much venom as I could into her system. The more venom, the faster the change – and I wasn't about to sit around twiddlin' my thumbs while there was somethin' I could do to lessen my mate's pain.
It was difficult not tastin' her fresh blood, but one look at her face each time I had the slightest inklin' of an urge to drink, had me stable and makin' quick work of bitin' into her ankles, wrists and the spot over her tender heart.
It was as soon as I had removed all the sheets from the bed and set her in the middle, that Garrett came barrellin' up the stairs.
"Peter-" He began, enterin' the room, and then stopped dead.
I turned to him and looked him straight in the eyes.
His breath caught in his throat and a low, pained whine escaped him, "Bella…"
Garrett's eyes blazed like the blackest pits of Hell.
When he turned to me, he began to shake – violently – "You… You…"
"I changed her," I stated, my voice waverin' only slightly.
The sound that erupted from Garrett was the most fuckin' ultimate noise of heart-broken agony I had ever heard – the only thing that dwarfed it…was the agony I was feelin'.
It wasn't easy killin' your mate.
Bella began to arch further, her arms flailin' and her legs partin' – I went to her silently, pullin' her into my arms as I lay down on the bare mattress.
Garrett tried to quell his shakin', but it just wasn't possible – he quivered and gasped, until he finally murmured,
"I didn't get to say anything."
I stared out of the window, ignorin' him – I knew if I thought about all the things that could go wrong durin' the precarious change, I'd go insane…and he was soundin' like Bella wouldn't make it through.
Garrett slumped towards us, and I hissed for him to stay back – there was no way my beast was lettin' anyone near my mate while she was as prone as she was.
He roared back in grief and I couldn't take it.
I let Bella slide from my grasp and barrelled towards him – he went flyin' out of the bedroom door and down the stairs. Jasper caught him before he could fuck up my house, just as I slammed the bedroom door shut.
Bella's mouth parted in a silent scream and I felt my dead heart ache.
I went to her, silently, and pulled her into my lap as I sat in the middle of the bed – I held her, just starin' ahead…before…
"You know, that wasn't the first time we'd caught Garrett with his hands somewhere they shouldn't've been," I murmured.
That's right – I was goin' to relate to my mate all the embarrassin' stories about her brother that I could durin' her change.
God knows, she'd need the distraction.
Bella
My ears popped.
My tongue tingled.
My eyes stung.
My head ached.
My toes twitched.
My fingers curled.
My muscles jumped.
My mouth parted…
"PETER!"
My scream echoed, ringing in my ears like I was lying in a cave all alone – I could feel softness beneath me and arms around me, but I was parted from that reality in my mind.
Fuck…
And there was fire in the cave – someone must have left a few small flames flickering at the end of it. I couldn't see the glow, or hear the wood's crackle, or smell the smoke…but I could feel the heat.
As warmth washed over me, I felt delirium tugging at my mind – my body felt heavy, weighted down with illness and something clouding my senses. I could only remember feeling this way once before, when…
James' bite.
Venom.
Peter bit me.
I had fucking forgotten in my haze. Facts weren't sticking in my mind easily – it was like my head had a hole in the back of it and after a thought occurred, it was quickly lost.
But I could see it now – Peter's bedroom, his eyes…his teeth…
The fire in the cave had reached my feet and I bit back a yelp as their flaming tongues licked at me – I couldn't move, my body was too heavy, and I resigned myself to being burned alive.
It was as I fell back, letting the fire ravage me as it would, that the cloud over my mind snapped and I could remember everything.
I looked up, my walls of black disappearing, into Peter's eyes.
I was in his arms, and his lips were moving without producing sound – until a moment later...
"…Garrett's cock."
Great…
Before I could roll my eyes, make a comment, or tell him to stop…I was devoured.
I was dazed from the pain – I couldn't scream or move, and I just lay there in Peter's arms as he told me how he had once found Garrett locked in a bathroom, despite the fact that vampires don't need to use the bathroom…
I wished to God I could tell him to shut up.
I thought I'd made myself clear on the whole 'telling-me-dirty-stories-about-my-brother' front, but apparently I hadn't.
Eventually, my daze began to recede and I gained control of my body…
But all I could do with it was scream and writhe.
Peter pinned me down to the bed using his body, stopping me from hurting myself, "I know it hurts, baby – I know – and I'm so, so sorry…but I'm not willin' to lose you. When this is all over, you can unleash all your newborn rage on me."
But that was the thing – there was one thing I wanted to tell him but couldn't… I wasn't angry – I understood why he bit me, because I knew that I would come to care for him as much as he instinctively cared for me. We were equals, partners…mates… I couldn't hate Peter for taking me – he only took what was rightfully his.
I wanted scream and shout, beat and kick, but I knew I would only be hurting myself in the long run.
With all the will-power I possessed, I managed to shut my mouth and cut off my piercing, agonized screams.
Peter's eyes bugged above me as my vision began to swim slightly, my eyes burning with a horrible mixture of venom and normal salt-water tears.
He shook his head fiercely, pulling my face to his and making himself clearer to me, "Don't you fuckin' dare."
An instinctive growl ripped out of me at his threatening tone – the noise sounded like it was bursting out of my chest just like the xenoform exploding from John Hurt in Alien. The sound vibrated and rang out, just like the time Jasper had bared his teeth at Peter – the memory triggered something at the back of my mind and my vision swam red as a continuous, threatening growl rolled out of me.
Peter pressed me down into the bed harder as I tensed and fought to release myself from the pyre I was being burned alive on – I keened and screamed, my growls disappearing as the pain escalated.
"That's right, Bella," Peter murmured to me, right in my ear. "Don't keep those sounds in – let it all out. I'm sorry for threatenin' you, sugar, but I just want to hear you – don't keep this all inside; let me know all about it."
I closed my mouth again as my screams began hurting my throbbing eardrums – Peter's face twisted above me, and I knew what he would do.
He was going to force me to scream for him.
Peter growled – it was low, deep, rumbling and it ignited every nerve in my body. Some nerves screamed out in pain that our mate was possibly in trouble or being threatened, then some tingled with lust and desire, and some stretched with a feeling of longing for the creature that made the noise…yet the rest of my body quivered in absolute, primal fury.
I involuntarily hissed back, fighting the xenoform in my chest that was waiting to burst out – I didn't want it to win.
It could fuck off and burn in Hell for all I cared.
I was a Predator fan anyway.
Peter smiled at me evilly, his eyes blackening as his growl increased in volume and intensity – he was stepping it up a notch…and goddamn it but it was working.
The fire…the anger…
I exploded.
My body shook with the force of the tremors that shuddered through me, and my xenoform ruptured my chest – my beast was unleashed.
My growl shook the house – it was closer to a roar. It was agonized, furious, deep with unfulfilled bloodlust, and it almost beat the pain of the fire inside me.
Almost.
Because as soon as I gave myself in to what I was becoming – a blood-drinker, a vampire – a tornado of flames ripped right through my centre.
It left me breathless.
"You give yourself over to that fire, sugar – you do that, and this will go a whole lot faster. Don't fight what you're becomin'. Bond with your venom – embrace it – and it'll thank you," Peter whispered.
I took his advice for the first – and probably last – time ever.
I let it bond with me.
I felt the flames licking me and savoured them…
I grasped the ungraspable tails of fire in my empty hands and caressed them…
I gasped and tasted their heat on my stinging tongue…
The fire spread like burning vines across my body, twining around my limbs and breaking under my skin to burrow into my veins. I kept tabs on every single one, and at one point I even considered naming them.
But that didn't mean that it didn't hurt – it was fiery torture sent straight from the pits of Hell, and I felt sorry if anyone had to burn in this for all eternity.
Except Vicky.
And James.
And the boy who used to pull my hair in kindergarten – that shit hurt.
But eventually…after what felt like years…I could feel what Peter was talking about.
It was a warmth – an almost friendly warmth – battling against the excruciating fire surging within me. It was like the venom was trying to speed up the process for me, like…it was my friend?
It was beyond fucked up.
But since my life had never been simple, straightforward, or normal, I just accepted it.
But even through the fire and the warmth, I could still keenly sense Peter – so when his entire body stiffened, mine stiffened too.
Thoughts ran through my rapidly engorging brain – enemies, problems, threats… My body was on full alert and preparing to try and move myself in a fight – I clenched my hands and readied myself to roll away…when…
"Bit? Bella? Are you still there?" His voice was becoming filled with more and more fear.
I choked on a sobbed whine that escaped me and hissed, "Who…is it?"
I had meant who was attacking, but Peter misunderstood me – I looked up to see his face crumple in agony.
"It's Peter, baby," he murmured, grasping my face and looking desperately into my eyes. "Remember me?"
I bit back a scream from the fire and growled, "Of course…I…fucking do… Who's…attacking?"
"No one's attackin'," Peter replied, looking as confused as I felt…before realisation dawned on his face. "I can't feel you, baby – at all. My gift's not workin' on you. I'm scared…."
That one, tiny, slip of an admission broke my heart.
I tried to smile, "I'm…good… As good…ah!...as I can…be…"
Peter laughed – the sound was pained and filled with absolutely no humour whatsoever, and it really didn't suit him.
He brushed back my hair as I writhed beneath him, his lips softly ghosting over my burning, bubbling skin – I sighed each time, the warmth in my heart momentarily overcoming the pain of the change. Peter stilled after each time he gave me his little barely-there kisses – then they came more rapidly; again and again he peppered them until he reached my mouth.
I involuntarily moaned when his lips connected with mine – I couldn't feel their warmth through the fire, but I could feel the electric current they sent out through my skin. It was almost like…anti-venom – my body calmed and stilled, the raging fire waning as his mouth moved against mine.
His hands clasped me to him, his arms winding around my waist and pulling my body flush against his – I could actually feel his elation, my neck dimly buzzing with knowledge.
But then he gasped and pulled away, and it all came rushing back.
I screamed as the fire returned with a vengeance – it burned hotter, tongues of fire lashing at my bones and organs, demanding its pound of flesh.
But my scream was silenced…
By persistent lips and an exploring tongue.
I gasped and wriggled in surprise…and then sighed – coolness washed over me, the flames lessening but not completely disappearing. They became a slow, prickling, background sensation – every other sense I had was focused on Peter.
I moaned under him, my hands clenching where he had pinned them, and let myself get lost in his affection.
I didn't think about anything but his kiss – I wasn't able to.
He's a really good kisser… But then he's had years to practise… Still… Wow…
I felt him smirk against my mouth before his tongue slipped between my lips again – it lashed at my tongue just as the fire had, demanding my participation and submission.
I couldn't properly taste him, my tongue tingling numbly where flames should have been scorching it, but I got a hint – he was sweet and tasted like cherries…
Cherries, cherries, cherries…
What was it with this man and cherries?
I didn't truly care – in fact, I realised really fucking loved cherries.
When Peter pulled away, it was only a fraction and our lips were still touching – the fire didn't return as it did before, it just hummed away in the background.
Peter smiled against my lips and murmured, "Peter the Oracle says…it's my venom that's helpin' – you know, bringin' together the two halves of one whole." His smile turned devilish, "And I can use my 'gift' on you when we kiss. So, Peter the Doctor orders…lots of kissin' for you."
I tried to smile in my numb state, but I didn't manage it very well – I was still high from his spectacular kissing skills.
"Mmm," Peter grinned, "Am I really that good a kisser?"
I nodded a fraction and all his previous smiles were out-done by the one he gave me then – he positively fucking beamed.
"That's good, because I'm goin' to kiss you to death," he stated, before adding, "Literally."
Peter
'Pervy Peter' was havin' the time of his fuckin' life.
Bella was so soft and warm beneath me, and her mouth was so hot and welcomin' – my tongue was tangoin' with hers like it was my first and last kiss ever. It didn't matter that the main reason I was kissin' the shit out of her was because I 'knew' it was takin' most of the pain of her change away from her, and that I could keep tabs on her feelin's and thoughts with my 'gift' – I would take any reason I could to kiss her like I was then, like it was the end of the world.
When I began to itch and twitch though, I knew we were goin' to have a problem – because 'Pervy Peter' was gettin' the green light, and that meant that in my head he was drawin' out a map of the places we were goin' to claim, Bella's mouth bein' our base camp.
Her body was new and excitin' territory – not to mention she was my mate, which meant that everythin' about her was perfect and, dare I say, made for me.
She had perky, rounded breasts, and her legs were long and slim – her skin was creamy, palin' off through the change…
She looked good, and she felt good…and then…she smelt like me.
My beast roared in satisfaction at the way she tasted and smelt like me – she was mine.
I growled against her mouth as I took it more forcefully, simultaneously gainin' the information that Bella loved my sounds – oh, and the beast liked that as well…
But I didn't let my body have what it wanted – I didn't let my fingers trail, or my hands palm, or my legs tangle, or my hips grind…
I just kissed my Bella.
Anythin' more would have been wrong, takin' advantage of her in her vulnerable state.
But I laid my palms flat against the small of her back and pressed Bella's body harder into the mattress, pinnin' them there, just in case they decided to have a wander without my knowledge.
My fingers twitched in annoyance.
Soon, I promised them – soon, you can scout out the promise land that is Bella's body to your hearts' content.
I didn't add the 'hopefully' that I wanted to, just in case they rebelled, but I was sure that the future between Bella and I was brighter, more secure, more likely.
After all, we had eternity.
The thought made me smile against Bella's mouth, and then I 'knew' she was curious as to why – I pulled back slightly, "Just thinkin', sugar."
And then I went right back to kissin' her.
It was almost two days later, of non-stop makin' out, Jasper finally ventured up to the bedroom – when he opened the door and found Bella's body moulded to mine, I heard him bite back a growl.
I growled back at him.
I knew what he had thought at first glance – we had seen too much shit together in the southern wars, and generally in life, but the fact he immediately thought I was takin' advantage of Bella – a changin' newborn female – made my venom boil.
He sent me an emotional apology.
I accepted it begrudgin'ly.
It was generally impossible to make me feel uncomfortable – bein' the cocky, know-it-all bastard that I am – but the atmosphere was thick and tense while Bella and I kissed and Jasper just stood there.
I turned slightly to look at him and saw he had his head cocked to the side in curiosity – I un-sandwiched one hand and flipped him off.
The fucker just smiled.
I reluctantly released Bella's warm mouth and sweet, pink lips, and then let my lips hover above hers so when I spoke, they brushed.
I looked at Jasper and growled, "Get. The. Fuck. Out."
Bella's closed eyes fluttered open and I saw her rich, red-brown irises snap to black – a terrific, tremblin' growl rose in her chest.
I shushed her softly, beratin' myself for urgin' her to give in to her vampire-self earlier – but then she'd have to learn not to attack other vampires eventually.
"It's just Jasper," I murmured softly. "He's only bein' a curious asshole, Bit – just relax. You know you're safe with me, don't you?"
Her eyes slowly faded back to reddish-brown and lost their sharp intensity – I gave her a smile, a squeeze, and a soft peck on the lips for controllin' her urges so well.
She was magnificent.
"Aren't you goin' to ask why we're like this?" I growled at Jasper.
He just shrugged his shoulders, his amber eyes sparklin' with fuckin' mirth, "I've learned just to accept whatever you two come up with, and I can't feel anything from Bella so I assume you're helping her by playing tonsil tennis."
"Laugh it up," I hissed, narrowin' my eyes. "You just wait until Bella's done cookin' – you won't be laughin' then."
Jasper smirked, "Oh, I think you'll be there like that for much longer than that."
"Hang on," I breathed, "Did you say you can't feel her emotions?"
He shook his head, pausin' at the doorway on his way out, "Nope. Hey, maybe I should kiss her, too?"
I barely restrained myself from leapin' at him, before he disappeared down the stairs.
"Asshole," I hissed against Bella's lips, only now realisin' how ridiculous I must have looked speakin' against her mouth.
Then I suddenly felt her lips twitch – they went upwards, like she was tryin' to smile.
It warmed my heart, and I grinned down at her, "I've got a whole repertoire of insults, sugar, and yes…I do do requests."
Bella was layin' across my body thirteen hours, six minutes and twenty-seven seconds later, her mouth glued to mine and my hands in her hair as hers rested on my chest – she was pretty much boneless, but strength had come back into her arms and legs and her heart was beatin' much faster.
It was almost over.
Her fingers would occasionally spasm as they clutched my shirt, and her leg would slide against my thigh every so often – it was gettin' harder and harder to…
No, it was just gettin' harder and harder – my dick was practically jumpin' for joy.
Her skin was firmer now, and her scent that intoxicated me had changed slightly – it was all for the better. Harder skin meant she was safe from accidents or others' strength, and the change in her scent was my distinct cherry smell – I remembered I still needed to tell her that story.
She felt and smelt amazin'.
Don't molest her… Don't molest her… Keep your wanderin' hands to yourself…
It was then that Bella began to shiver – those shivers, combined with soft little moans, almost did me in.
It wasn't long before her hips bucked against mine and I had no choice but to throw my head back, disconnectin' our lips, and moan in pleasure – except I knew that she wasn't writhin' from our kiss, she was writhin' from the end of the change.
And I had just taken away her pain-reliever at the most painful part.
Before I could collide lips with her once more, she screamed and rolled from the bed like lightnin' – I had to fuckin' jump on her as her hands came up to gouge at her chest, over her heart. I pinned her down, ignorin' her threatenin' growls and bared teeth – I bent my head to hers, nuzzlin' the corner of her mouth until she accepted my kiss.
I couldn't attack her mouth while her new, venom-coated teeth were bared, unless I wanted a serious case of chapped lips.
Her lips closed over her pearly-whites, and her now-crimson eyes shone with acceptance as well as cripplin' pain as her heart began to pound its final few beats.
I smiled and softly snorted, "The kiss of death…"
With that, my lips were on hers and a moment later her heart stopped beatin'.
Author's note: