Previously on Can we start over?
"He claimed me as his mate didn't he?"
oh I don't know maybe because he's a self righteous dick?'
"I've already accepted our bond before you did, I felt the incessant tugging of my heart before you did , I've felt it for months before I moved here .. my magic is not dangerous to you Rosalie I promise you that, if it was you wouldn't be able to touch me when I'm worked up .. like when you stopped me from killing that boy"
"our conversation is not over"
Rosalie lead her lover outside the room, Alice was standing near the end of the hallway with a small smile on her face.
"Alice this is the second time you've interrupted your sister and I. Am I sensing a trend?" Questioned Bella from her spot next to Rosalie. Their hands stayed untwined as the walked.
Alice rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue like a mature 104 year old vampire.
Bella chuckled " real mature Alice , how old are you suppose to be again?"
Rosalie side eyed her sister , her mind had been focused on Edward since they left the room but she couldn't ignore the conversation happening between her sister and her mate. " 104" she answered when she realized her sister wasn't going to.
They were now sitting in the lounge, Bella sat beside her on the one love seat while Alice took up her spot next to jasper.
"Rooooose" she whined unhelpfully.
Bella threw her head back and laughed "my word Alice a 104 yet you whine like a kid" she teased the pixie, she felt Rosalie lean into her more. Their hands remained intertwined as Rosalie started drawing lazy circles with her thumb.
"I've got a young soul don't judge me , just because you act like someone that's lived a hundred years doesn't mean I have to" she scoffed playfully folding her arms across her chest. She turned up her nose at Bella.
"Oooh burn" said Emmet from his arm chair.
Bella grinned and gave her mate a look before she turned back to Alice "well you say that I act like a 100 year old but I sure don't have the stamina of one just ask your sister" she quipped.
Alice's eyes snapped back to Rose then Bella , she listened to Emmet preen with laughter even Jasper let loose a few chuckles.
"Oh my god ! Rose you ... Bella you ... what and when... did you have" she paused her sisters gaze was firmly on Bella as she continued stammering out verbal diarrhea "sex" she squeaked out.
Rosalie who narrowed her eyes at her mate who wore a grin on her face, her own face was blank, she never liked spilling her personal life out in the open never mind in front of Emmet and Jasper who seemed to be having a ball at her expense.
Rosalie raised her perfectly manicured eyebrow , staring holes into Bella's side, to the outside world who didn't know her would say she looked almost bored but to those who did , they could see the anger in her eyes.
" yes, Isabella when?" She drawled out almost lazily , her eyebrow remained raised. Bella who glanced back at her mate now wiped her grin off her face, clearly Rosalie was pissed she was sure she would be in the dog house but hey all she did was tease the little vampire ... joke a bit right? There was nothing wrong with that ..— well clearly there was of Rosalie was staring daggers into her .. man if looks could kill ? She'd be dead five thousand times over.
She gulped her hand twitched nervously, she fought the urge to rub at her neck feigning amnesia .. selective amnesia ? Maybe she could say she was concussed — hurt her head. She kept her face blank though — never wanting to show how truly intimidated she was by her mate.. what could she say ? Old habits die hard.
Clearing her throat she forced a chuckle "now I didn't say that Alice" she turned to face the pixie vampire who seemed to be watching her intently.
"All I said was that I don't have the stamina of a hundred year old" she shrugged " I could've been referring to the number of activities I partake in like swimming, running or yoga" she counted off on her free hand since her left hand was in in a death grip courtesy of none other than Rosalie Hale. She glanced back at Rosalie who still gave her the stink eye , clearly not as easily swayed as the rest of the Cullens.Even though they clearly didn't have sex ... yet.. or if ever —since she clearly pissed off her lover.
"Nice save bells" said Emmet helpfully giving the girl a thumbs up which she smiled at before trying to discreetly have Rosalie let go of her hand.
"Peanut, if you squeeze any tighter I might just break" she said jokingly , well not really because she really was at her limit, she reinforced her body with enhancement magic— a spell she learned but even that had its limits from her mates death grip.
"oh of course darling wouldn't want you to break" she said.
The room was silent before Alice hopped up unexpectedly"he's here" as soon as the words left her mouth the somewhat jovial mood that had been created disappeared in an instant.
She could feel Jasper attempt to dispel the now growing tension in the room by sending out by sending out bursts of calm.
"I'm not sure a hundred of empaths could calm this one jasper" she murmured motioning to her mate who now sat more rigid than before.
"here, here" echoed Emmet, he sat just as rigidly though instead he looked ready to leap into a fight if necessary.
Both Esme and Carlisle joined them as soon as Alice announced Edwards arrival , Carlisle looking more happier than the rest probably happier that his first son was finally returning home. Esme looked uncertain, she glanced at Rosalie then Bella and then back at the door.
Bella sighed softly she pecked Rosalie's cheek and whispered near her ear, not necessary since she was sure every vampire could hear her even Edward but she didn't care —all she cared about was calming her mate.
"αγάπη μου είμαι δική σου πάντα δική σου" she whispered in Greek. She always loved the language , it felt natural to her, probably because it was closer to and her families origins. Since they had been gifted by the gods themselves—Or the goddess Hecate, from what she read in the books that had been her possession.
Rosalie heard the words she didn't know it, she never learned Greek and was sure all of her family hadn't however the words had calmed her down a bit, she glanced at her lover who had a loving smile on her face , she looked relaxed ? How she didn't know especially since she nearly engulfed her entire body in flames before.
Before she could ask her mate why she was so calm, her head snapped to the sound of the front door opening.
Edward strolled in the front door to see his entire family waiting on his arrival, he smiled a bit — but he smelled a familiar scent , the same scent that called to him of that smelled of freesias and lavender, his eyes snapped in its direction. His eyes landed in its owner sitting comfortably on Rosalie's side, his eyes trailed down to their hands that seemed intwined.A growl built up in his throat, he fought it down before his eyes trailed to the rest of his family that seemed to take up a more defensive posture other than Carlisle of course.
"Family" he said , his smile no longer on his face instead he felt like an intruder in his own home.
"Son I'm so glad you're back where you belong" said Carlisle coming forward he patted the boys shoulder affectionately.
" it's good to be home Carlisle" he said before looking back to the rest of his family who hadn't relaxed their posture in the slightest, they all had the same thoughts or rather the same person on their mind ' Isabella' keeping her safe —defending her from him if necessary. He frowned at that, surely they trusted him right? Surely they didn't think him an animal or a feral one that would snap at its prey at any moment? But the look in Rosalie's eye clearly confirmed his suspicions they did or at least she did. He scoffed internally, he wasn't the one who let a human into a home of several vampires... he wasn't the one who allowed a human know of their existence.
"I see we've got a guest" he said tightly, his step forward faltered at the hiss from Rosalie.
"Yes brother, my mate has come to meet our family ... officially that is" she spoke slowly, her eyes narrowed at him in challenge. The stress she placed on 'my mate' was palpable.
Bella smiled a bit at her mates protectiveness , even though she didn't need the protection it was nice— protection without feeling owned—loved without condition—held without caution. Yes it felt nice , new and definitely welcoming , it seemed her magic agreed like it had a mind of its own. It thrummed through her veins approvingly, she thought if vampires had a beast did she have something like that too? Sometimes it felt like she did , her ancestor did tell her she was the last to walk the earth, the strongest that would ever be .. maybe that prophecy had something to do with it—though she didn't know much about it nor was it in the book of light or darkness so yeah she didn't have more information about it —'yet' her mind added helpfully.
"Edward" she nodded curtly in his direction before turning back to the tv that had been playing some type of wildlife program. She watched a lion stalk it's prey, her mind immediately drifted to Rosalie, wondering whether her mate looked like the lion when hunting, whether she cornered her prey —made it feel helpless before putting it out of its misery or simply just played with her food like she had seen some predators do.
Nudging Rosalie who seemed to still be staring at Edward "peanut tell me" she licked her lips "do you like playing with your food?" She asked innocently.
Just like that the heavy laden tension filled room broke out in laughter, Alice surprisingly was the loudest.
Rosalie surprised and amused by the question gave her mate a roguish grin "That depends darling"
Bella leaned closer " on what?" She questioned softly , now there was a different type of tension in the room between the two, the silence stretched for a moment as if Zeus himself had been present because Bella swore she could feel lightening crackle between the two of them.
"Do you like being played with?" Rosalie couldn't help the salacious smirk that curled up on her lips, she could smell her own arousal build and didn't even feel sorry for Jasper who had felt it.
A snarl broke their staring contest , she immediately stood up pushing Bella behind her, dropping into a crouch she stared at the vampire who snarled. The good mood had evaporated as she stared at Edward , her eyes solid black, her canines descending, her own beast rised up to the challenge, feeling threatened —or that her mate was threatened which indirectly meant she was.
"What is your problem Edward?" She spoke , though her question didn't need an answer because she knew what the boys problem was —she didn't need to rehash a old argument.
"You're disgusting! Is my problem , Bella is pure how dare you corrupt -" he was cut off by a snort
Bella waved off " I'm sorry ..." giggle "pure? Me ? gods have mercy on your soul" she chuckled not phased by the boys behavior.
"But sorry continue you were saying Rosalie was what corrupting? " she she waved, Emmet who stood close but not to close gave Bella a thumbs up with a small laugh.
"Yes she's corrupting your soul Bella" he whined almost petulantly.
Bella scoffed tiring of the charade, folding her arms across her chest. She willed down her anger , shutting her eyes she inhaled a deep breath.
"Jasper you need to leave" she murmured " I'm trying very hard to hold down my disgust at your brother and the levels I'm feeling right now will cripple you ... so please leave" she pleaded the last bit. Rosalie immediately took her into her arms , the blonde vampire could see how much her mate was holding back.
"Do you want to leave?" She asked softly. Bella shook her head softly. She felt a breeze when she looked to the empty spot she could see Jasper gone, Alice staring longingly at the door, she caught the pixie vampires gaze " go after him , he needs your calming presence Alice" Alice looked conflicted before she blurred out after her mate.
Bella turned to Edward " Edward I've been nothing but patient with you." She said through gritted teeth, " your complete ignorance is no fault of mine, I have rebuffed your advances continuously and made no secret of my sexual preference yet, you continue to undermine my choices and belittle me why is that?" She asked, her anger was controlled but her magic felt like it was on a tight leash and might snap at any moment, the only thing that grounded her was the fact that she could feel Rosalie's hands on her skin—cooling her heated skin.
" I saved you — You're the only persons mind I cannot read , you belong with me not ... not her" he pointed , not even attempting to mask his disgust at Bella's apparent choice in a mate.
Bella heard Rosalie growl probably torn between defending and calming her down. "I'm thankful you saved me though I'm sure Rosalie would've done it regardless.
But I don't believe you get to make that choice" she answered slowly " I've been attracted to your sister the moment I saw her, I felt a tug at my chest the moment we locked eyes.. just because you're not able to read my mind does not mean we're meant to be together, so please stop trying to claim me when you have no business too, you're a vampire and old enough to realize when a woman does not return your affections in this day and age we call that sexual harassment—not too mention the gross invasion of privacy" she said through clenched teeth. " I never invited you into my home and you have no business being there , if it happens again I will find a way to destroy you, trust me I can be very creative" she glanced at Esme, her expression softened at the sad look on the woman's face " however out of respect for my mate, and your parents I will not do anything , however if it happens again I won't hold Rosalie back , because as she said before it's against one of your laws to claim another's mate apparently." She said knowingly.
"Now I believe I've said all I needed to say but let me make it clear once and for all , I don't like you, I certainly don't love you so please for everyone's sake try and keep your thoughts about Rosalie and my relationship to yourself. I'm sure you'll find your mate soon but first you need to grow up—I'm not your father nor your siblings that will coddle your desire to be the golden boy. You might be Carlisles first son but you're not his only one. If you have any respect for your maker and father or even your mother you would recognize how much you're hurting them by trying to put your family against each other it's not healthy and certainly not necessary especially when you're only attracted to the smell of my blood nothing else , because I assure you" she breathed in deeply " you will not like what you find" she said no one other than Rosalie understood, not even Carlisle her medical files hadn't yet made it too forks which she was happy with currently no need for him to know more than necessary right now.
Bella turned back to her mate who wrapped her tightly against her.
Edward listened to Bella's words , no one had so clearly shot him down before, the honesty in her words made him think, he looked back to Carlisle who gave him a knowing look , his eyes went to Esme who gave him a heartbroken and disappointed look. He turned to head to the door.
"You're ... right Bella .. I need to hunt .. I'm sorry" he said and blurred out of the front door.
Bella stepped out of Rosalie's arms , but still holding her hand tightly.
"I'm sorry for the drama Esme , Carlisle" she said softly.
Carlisle who had a more thoughtful look on his face waved off the apology. "Don't be" he sighed running his fingers through his hair " you're right ... everything you said .. he needed to hear.. it seems I've been unfair and for that I apologize Rosalie , Emmet you are all my children and I have no right to be playing favorites."
Rosalie nodded softly at the apology it was short but sincere.
Emmet on the other hand dropped into his arm chair a lazy smile spread across his face " no worries pops we're cool" he turned to face Bella with a excited grin on his face " you'll make a awesome sister Bella bear I'm glad rosies got you" he said honestly.
Bella smiled tiredly "I'm the lucky one" she felt tired , her body was strained, with how much she held back she needed sleep " but if you don't mind I think we can call it a day, I'm tired and someone woke me up at an ungodly hour" she whispered conspiratorially nodding her head in Rosalie's direction.
Esme gave her fellow brunette a understanding smile " of course, we'll see you soon?" She questioned hopefully.
Bella chuckled softly, feeling the warmth of a mother , the kind she longed for in Renee but never received " couldn't keep me away even if you tried Esme" she answered honestly.
She tugged Rosalie's hand " peanut take me home?"
A/N longer chapter , little jokes but we finally see Bella confront Edward with the truth. She held herself back out fo respect toward Esme really.. remember the woman was like a mother to her before and she was sure Esme's heart would break if Edward died.
Though I'm killing him in my head , his kinda still necessary maybe eh I don't know.
Anyways I think 4 chapters for the day is good enough right? Lemme y'all thoughts .
Lots of love and stuff️