AN: Hello all my loves!

So very sorry for the delay. My inspiration has been slow going these past weeks.

Your reviews and comments make me very happy. Thank you!

ENJOY!

My Cousin

We agree to meet by the car so that I can have time to pack a bag and Leah can get her things at her parents' house. Unsure of what Edward might have in mind for our date, I pack a few different options so that I can make my decision later. A store might not be the best place to get ready for our first date, but it will have to do. I hear Leah pull up just outside the cottage and rush out the door so she won't have to wait long.

Locking the door, I realize that I need to get an extra key made for Edward. Unsure if he'll need to get inside the cottage, I make an impulsive decision to hide my key beneath one of the flowerpots near the front door. Him not having a key yet, is a simple example of some of the important details that we haven't had time to discuss yet. Hopefully, we will have time to talk through a few of them this evening. I want Edward to feel at home with me, but having never lived with anyone (other than my father) I'm a little unsure of where I should begin.

Because of our untimely and very sudden imprint, we've gone straight to living together and we've skipped over a mountain of important relationship-building steps that we now need to try and figure out. After our talk today, I feel as though we are slowly beginning to make progress and that in turn makes me feel positive about our future together as a couple. Going out on a first date and fixing a spare key for your partner because you realize that he needs it, are small but important steps to fill in some of those cracks that we have in our new relationship.

I take a quick picture and type a message before sending it off to Edward.

Left my key under this pot so you can get in if you need to. I'll have a spare made for you tomorrow when I go into town for work.

I'm almost at Leah's car door, when my phone buzzes with a text.

Thanks, babe. I'll drive by my house and grab a few more of my things, if that's alright? Have a wonderful time shopping. Can't wait to take you out later. x E

A giddy smile spreads across my face as I read his words and I can feel the excitement bubble in my chest at the thought of him moving more of his stuff into our cottage. I'm realizing that I really want it to be just that: our home. I just have to make sure that I keep an open mind and trust the process; not close myself off and run the way I usually do.

Of course. Can't wait to see you later. x B

Before I can overanalyze my emotions, I quickly open the door and throw my bag into the back seat before getting into the car. As soon as I do, though, I can't help but notice a difference in Leah. There is a deep look of concentration on her face as she stars down at her phone as though it's some kind of alien object.

"Leah?" I make sure to say her name carefully as not to startle her, but her head immediately shoots to mine as though she's surprised to see me there.

"Huh?"

I look pointedly towards her phone.

"Something wrong?"

She looks back at it and her expression instantly changes as she obviously tries to hide whatever it is that is bothering her.

"Not at all. Just spaced out there for a second," she replies lightly, but her tone of voice sounds fake.

I feel my brows furrow with suspicion, but don't say anything as I observe her throwing her phone haphazardly into her bag on the floor and then as she begins to set the car in motion. After a few short moments, she begins fiddling with the radio and I seriously deliberate on whether or not I should call her out on whatever it is that is obviously bothering her. Another minute or two passes, and soon the uncomfortable silence, becomes unbearable. She better be ready to tell me what the hell is bothering her.

"I don't think you need to worry about meeting Emily at the dress shop. I believe I made a rather lasting impression on her after you ran off, so I don't think she'll bother you if she's there," I ramble, deciding that might be the best approach to force her to open up.

Leah's eyebrows pinch together in confusion as though Emily is the very last thing on her mind. Interesting.

"Emily?" she repeats the name as though she's never heard of it.

Her reaction makes me lose some of my calm. Whatever it is bothering my best friend and cousin must be serious because her reactions to my questions are ridiculous!

"Yeah, Emily. You know… ex-best friend… Boyfriend snatcher… Sam?" my voice rises in frustration.

Leah finally reacts with some semblance of emotion, but I can easily see that her worrying about Emily and Sam is not the real issue here. She looks clueless to why I'd mention Emily. Weird. Inside of me my wolf rises to her feet with obvious interest and lifts her nuzzle to sniff the air as she joins me in trying to find clues to what is bothering our cousin.

"I know who Emily is, Bella," she deadpans and rolls her eyes like a teenager.

"What I meant to say was that I didn't realize that you attacked more than one shifter last night. Jeez Bella, your new and transformed wolf is fierce, but is this something you and your wolf only do when I'm not around? To be honest, I'm kind of pissed off at you for kicking Jessica's ass without me, and now you tell me that you threw Emily around as well? Thanks a lot."

Her mock anger and playful expression almost succeeds in distracting me, but suddenly my wolf finds something of interest that completely confounds me.

"You smell different," I blurt out, almost as an accusation.

The words are out of my mouth before I've really had time to digest them. Leah's breath hitches audibly and her entire body freezes with shock. Before either of us can react, our car swerves into the opposite lane of the highly trafficked road we are speeding down. A few cars honk their horns loudly and this luckily shakes Leah out of her state of shock so that she can try to recover control of the car. We are both breathing hard when she finally manages to safely pull us off the main road and into the parking lot of a nearby gas station.

After we've come to a complete stop, Leah immediately leans her head against the steering wheel and the car is once again filled with a tense silence. I'm shaking from the close call we've just had, knowing that I'm partly to blame for almost getting us both killed. As I sit there studying my cousin's frame, a distant memory comes to mind. Rosalie shocked me by saying those exact same words that I just said to Leah when we were at her house, the night of the Den. I'd been taken off guard by her words and I really didn't understand them, but looking back now I realize that the morning of that very night, I'd woken up in Edward's arms for the very first time because our wolves had mated. Shock flares up in my gut as an image of a dark brown wolf with honey-colored eyes flashes in my mind. It isn't a wolf I recognize, but for some reason I know that it's his scent my wolf has picked up on. Luckily, I'm saved from asking Leah about him, because her floodgates open and she finally spills the beans.

"I slept with Paul," she blurts out and successfully concludes her confession by banging her forehead lightly against the steering wheel as though she's trying to bury her head in the sand.

She's acting as though she's just confessed to murder and I have to bite back a surprised laugh. Has she forgotten that I was there when they met each other again after all these years? And that the chemistry between them was quite literally, explosive? This news doesn't surprise me in the slightest. Her reaction, however, does. What's the big deal?

"Bartender Paul?" I begin, knowing that it might be a little silly to ask, but wanting to just make sure I've got this right and perhaps clue her in on how ridiculous she's being.

A sharp laugh falls from Leah's lips in reaction to my words and I feel my own lips curl in response. Hopefully, unburdening herself will help her lighten up a little. After a short while, she sends me a look to tell me that she is on to me.

"Club owner Paul," she corrects and I immediately nod in agreement. How silly of me to make such a mistake.

Silence builds between us for a second, but this time it's much more comfortable than before. Leah appears to be trying to wrap her head around what she's just revealed. Shaking her head in disbelief she releases a deep sigh before continuing.

"I wasn't really dealing well with my grief at the funeral and when the wolves started -," her voice breaks off.

Remembering how distant Leah had been even before the funeral, I can understand her reaction. I decide to unbuckle my belt, so that I can turn my body and face her. This way she'll be able to see that I'm listening and that I'm here to support her, without judgement.

"I couldn't handle it, so I ran off. Paul followed me," she explains vaguely, her voice filled with something that sounds like shame. I stop her before she can make up any excuses.

"Good," I respond simply and immediately see that I've surprised her.

"I'm just glad someone went after you to comfort and support you in your time of need, Leah."

She immediately looks away and clenches her jaw as though she can't really believe that I'm not making her feel bad about this. I can see how the wheels are turning in her head as she tries to come to terms with this.

"He wants to see me again," she reveals and bites her bottom lip nervously as though she hasn't made up her mind about what she thinks about the matter. A surge of excitement wells up in my stomach.

"That's good!" I tell her with a smile, but apparently that is the opposite of what she wants me to say.

"No, Bella, it isn't!" she huffs and I stare back at her in confusion. Is she blind?

"My birthday is less than a week away and I swore to myself after Sam that I wouldn't get mixed up with anyone until I actually mated!" she explains, her voice rising with every word. "I mean, I'd be stupid to get involved with anyone right now. Let alone my ex's older brother! What the hell is it with me and these Uley men?!"

I grab her wildly waving hands and take them both in mine, forcing her to meet my gaze.

"Let me ask you this, Leah. Do you regret sleeping with Paul?" I ask her seriously, pretty sure I already know the answer.

Her dark eyes are filled with turmoil and I wonder for a moment if something else has happened to make her react like this. She wasn't like this when she came to get me at the cottage earlier. After a long pause, she finally answers honestly.

"No, I don't regret it."

"Then why are you worrying about it? So what, you slept with the hot bartender who you have a sizzling connection with. Who wouldn't?" I question trying to lighten the mood again, but a hint of something that looks like fear crosses her face.

"He wants to see me again," she repeats in an almost pleading voice, but yet again I don't understand how this is an issue. She shakes her head in frustration and purses her lips tightly together.

"He wants to see me again," she pauses as though she's building up to something "TONIGHT!" she shouts as though this should explain everything. It doesn't.

"And?" I deadpan and I swear she looks as though she might slap me.

"I can't see him tonight!" she shrieks out. "Right? I mean I should wait. The responsible thing to do would be to wait. I mean we are talking days, Bella. My birthday is literally in five short days. Five days until I most likely imprint with my soulmate, who might or might not be Paul. I mean… Either way, there is no way I should meet Paul again tonight. Right?" she rambles on with an almost hysterical tone in her voice.

"Leah?" I say her name softly, yet firmly to gain her full attention. When she finally meets my gaze, I look her straight in the eyes as I ask her point blank:

"Do you want to see Paul again tonight?"

Her mouth opens a few times, reminding me of a goldfish on land, but nothing comes out.

"If we put the whole imprint and mating bond aside, what would your answer be?" I ask her, but she appears to be biting her teeth tightly together as though she's afraid to answer my question.

"If Sam wasn't in the picture, and you and Paul were just two regular people who shared a night of passion together, what would your answer be?"

I can see how her indecision finally breaks.

"I'd want to see him," she confesses.

I nod my head in understanding.

"Then that is what you do."

"But-," she begins, but I quickly interrupt her.

"Leah, if I remember correctly we had a very similar conversation like this at the Den. Just then the tables were turned and you were convincing me to not continue playing the "if"-game and give Edward a chance. If you want to see Paul tonight, then that is what you need to do," I say before squeezing her hands reassuringly, just as she did with mine that night not so very long ago.

She exhales deeply and flicks her eyes down to our intertwined hands for a moment before finally returning her eyes to mine. The expression on her face makes my shoulders drop in relief. She appears more at ease and there is a ghost of a smile barely visible on her lips.

"Just like that, huh?" she asks.

"Yeah," I reply with a soft smile.

"I'm glad to see you took my recommendation to heart," she declares, changing the focus of our conversation. This time, I don't fight against it.

"Well, Edward and I were kind of thrown together there at the end."

"But you made it work."

It isn't a question, but more of a statement.

"We're making it work," I respond, changing the wording slightly to make it feel more accurate. The expression on her face goes soft, but she doesn't say anything for a few moments.

"Well… we need to get going. We're late for what is apparently "the most exciting day of our lives"," Leah motions for me to buckle my seatbelt as she makes a horrible impression of what must be Alice. I laugh and quickly do as I'm "told".

"Most exciting day of our lives?" I ask, relaxing against the comfortable seats of her awesome car as she accelerates and we speed down the highway at an alarming speed.

"The Mating Ceremonies are a big deal within our Pack. Most shifters won't have a wedding celebration since a lot of us imprint at approximately the same time and just the logistics of it would be a nightmare. So, our Pack created the Mating Ceremonies. Each newly mated female gets to pick the gown of her dreams and the whole Pack gets an extravagant party to celebrate all of the newly mated couples," she pauses.

"The last one we had was about two years ago and it was absolutely incredible, but I think Esme will be pulling out the big guns for this celebration."

The thought of being the center of attention in any way, shape or form makes my stomach sink and I immediately feel a little queasy. Leah laughs as though she can feel the change in me.

"Don't worry. Yes, you and Edward will probably be given a little extra attention seeing as you are the Beta's and future Alpha's of our Pack, but I was thinking more about Esme and Carlisle's youngest daughter," she sends me a look.

"Alice has seriously been dreaming of this celebration since she was a little girl and will probably want to have a say in pretty much every single detail! That woman is a force to be reckoned with and I don't think her parents will have the courage to say no to her."

I smile and instantly feel more relaxed about the whole situation. It feels a little surreal to be having what essentially is a wedding at such an early stage in our relationship, but the fact that we will be sharing the experience with several other couples who are in somewhat of the same situation, makes it easier to handle. The rest of the drive to Port Angeles is filled with light conversation and comfortable companionship.

When we finally arrive, I feel an uncomfortable twinge in my chest, but luckily it quickly goes away. My wolf also appears to be a little more restless than normal. Trying to ignore it, I focus on following Leah down the streets of Port Angeles. We decided to park her car near her apartment and walk the short distance to the dress boutique (apparently it is much fancier than some simple dress shop) where the rest of the girls are waiting. We are about to walk past a fancy looking restaurant when I suddenly hear my name.

"Bella!"

I stop and automatically turn towards the voice, surprised when I feel a deep growl of warning rise from my wolf. Riley's kind dark brown eyes and infectious smile are the first things I see and I quickly brace myself when I see that he's moving in for a hug. My wolf snarls and snaps her sharp teeth together, almost as though she's imagining that she is biting off Riley's head from his neck. When his arms wrap around me and he pulls me to him, I can feel how my mating bond with Edward snaps to life and a very strange and almost burning sensation spreads across the areas of my skin that touch him. I abruptly pull away from him and confusion and worry flashes across Riley's handsome face. Luckily, before he can question me about my reaction, Leah appears at my side and a tall, commanding male in a beautifully tailored marine-colored suit comes up to stand next to Riley.

"Riley, what a surprise to see you here!" I exclaim, trying desperately to hide slight shakiness in my voice. Riley's dark eyebrows pinch together and for a moment I wonder if he might not let this go.

"I don't think we've officially met. I'm Leah Swan, Bella's cousin," Leah thankfully interrupts and Riley politely takes her hand.

"Riley King," he pauses, before pointing his thumb towards the stranger at his side. "This is my older brother Royce."

The man, who I now see holds a clear resemblance to his younger brother, steps forward and takes Leah's outstretched hand.

"Pleasure," he says while greeting her, his voice is sugary sweet. Then he turns his attention to me.

"Isabella, it is quite the honor to make your acquaintance."

My wolf is barking up a storm within me and for some reason I feel my skin crawl at the sound of his voice. He's being the perfect gentleman, but there is something about him that doesn't feel right. I force a smile to my face and politely take his hand.

"Nice to meet you, too, Royce," I manage to say in a somewhat normal tone of voice.

As soon as his skin touches mine, I'm instantly met by the cool presence of trickling water. The element feels very different coming from him, compared to my Uncle, but I don't have time to analyze it further. His eyes are dark, the exact same color and shape to those of his brother's, but they too feel infinitely different as they hold mine as though he's trying to peer into my soul. Uncomfortable, not only with his touch, but also with the heat of his gaze, I pull my hand back.

"We really have to get going," Leah shoots in and moves a little closer to me as though she can feel my unease.

Riley looks as though he wants to argue.

"Unfortunately, we really do have to go. It was good to see you Riley," I pause and send a short nod in his brother's direction. "Royce."

They both say goodbye and Leah and I quickly leave. When we turn the corner, Leah shoots me a glance before she shakes her head.

"Sorry, Bells, I know you're not just a badass wolf. You're a hardcore witch as well. And I realize that the Coven is probably going to be a big part of your life, but jeez… Those guys just give me the creeps."

I inhale deeply, simultaneously trying to calm my racing heart and agitated wolf.

"Tell me about it," I say, almost to myself.

Before she can respond, however, my phone begins blaring from my back pocket. As I pull it from my pocket, I realize that Leah has stopped. Lifting the phone to my ear without even glancing at the caller-id, I turn to face a stunning two-story building displaying the most beautiful gowns I've ever seen in my life in its large store windows.

"Hello?" I respond, clearly distracted.

"Bella?" Edward's rich voice flows from my ear and through my body like healing ointment on sunburnt skin.

"Edward," I whisper, unable to hide the happiness I feel from hearing his voice.

"Are you okay?" Worry seeps through his tone.

"I'm fine. Leah and I just arrived at the store."

"Are you sure? I just had this really bad feeling all of a sudden and I couldn't stop worrying that something had happened to you," he explains almost nervously, but I can also hear the hint of pain in his tone.

My heart skips a beat in my chest at his words and our bond hums with pleasure at the sound of his voice. He felt my reaction to meeting Riley and Royce. I feel my lips curl into a soft grin, but it falls slightly when I notice how Leah is waiting patiently for me to finish my conversation. For some reason, I don't feel comfortable talking to Edward about this with Leah listening in.

"Yeah, I'm fine, I swear. Can we talk about it later? We're a little late and I don't want to make a bad impression on your mom."

There's a rush of air over the speakers as he sighs and I can feel my body tingle in response.

"My mother loves you," he answers simply and I snort out a short laugh of disbelief.

"Your mother hardly knows me," I respond.

Esme has always been kind to me, but I haven't really interacted much with her, especially after imprinting on her only son. Edward's deep chuckle practically vibrates through the phone.

"She knows the most important thing," he replies teasingly.

"Oh? And what is that?" I take his bait.

"That you are my true mate."

His simple answer makes my stomach swirl with adrenaline and excitement. I bite my bottom lip, unable to find an appropriate answer.

"I'll see you later, babe," his voice holds a promise that makes my body feel warm.

"Bye," I whisper and reluctantly hang up the phone, before returning it to my back pocket.

When I meet Leah's gaze, her lips are turned into teasing smirk and her eyes sparkle with mischief. I'm surprised when she simply asks if I'm ready.

Squaring my shoulders, I look up at the store front and inhale deeply, feeling as though I'm preparing myself for battle. Then I finally respond.

"Let's do this."