Felix

Bella ran at me and I scooped her up in my arms. I kissed her passionately and heard little titters from the watching crowd. I sat her down on and we rejoined our friends.

After Aro dismissed us, we escorted Alice and Jasper up to their new apartment. They settled into unpacking and I knew that they would make the apartment a home in short order. I hoped that they would be content here if not happy. It couldn't be easy to have to leave everything behind to serve on the guard against your will.

Still, I was confident that Jasper would do his job.

I took Bella to the recreation room and found Jane in there chatting with Chelsea. Bella went to the girls instantly and we sat with them for an hour talking and relaxing together while Demetri and Alec played video games.

When the conversation started to wane, I spoke to Bella. "My little love, it's time to prepare for your change. "

"Alright, Felix, I'm ready to go."

I stood with Bella. "Jane, please get with Jasper and set up a rotation. I want one of you with us at all times while Bella is changing. We'll be going to the catacombs be ready in an hour to escort us there, please?"

"Of course Felix, I'll go talk with him now," Jane said, standing and leaving the room. I put my arms around Bella and led her from the room.

"I'm nervous," She admitted.

"Of course you are Bella. Go change into something comfortable and we will sit for a while before we start your transformation. We can talk. I will calm you."

Bella left the living room, head down, and went to change out of her dress and into one of the many comfortable outfits that Alice had mailed us. When we unloaded the boxes earlier we had found clothing for exercising and lounging. She sent enough that Bella should get through the majority of her newborn period before she had to shop again.

Bella came out in a green tank top and yoga pants. She looked delicious. As always she was unconsciously sexy.

She walked over and curled up in my lap. "I'm starting to get scared, Felix, will you hold me?"

I wrapped her in my arms and spoke soothing words. When she relaxed against me I kissed her gently.

"It's time little one. I'll carry you to the catacombs. Just curl into me and trust me to take care of you."

Bella did as I asked and tucked her head into my neck. I scooped her up in my arms and opened the door. Both Jasper and Jane were waiting on the other side of the door. Jane proceeded us, leading the way into the elevator. Jasper followed along behind. We made our way to the room I'd had prepared on the third floor of the catacombs. Bella stayed tucked into my neck and was breathing evenly. I was so proud. My Bella was a warrior, such internal strength. Soon her internal strength would be on the outside too.

Jane and Jasper stationed themselves at the door of the chamber. I walked in with Bella and closed the door behind us. I sat on the bed and sat Bella on my lap. "Just breathe," I coached Bella. "I love you little one."

Before she could respond, before she knew what was happening moved her hair and bit her throat, pumping the venom into the wound. Bella stiffened. I bit her wrists and pumped venom into her. Then I repeated with her ankles. She wined and stiffened. I lay her down on the twin-sized bed I'd had brought here. I opened the door.

"It's done. She's changing. Whichever of you isn't staying with us please inform Aro before you go back to your quarters."

"There are no screams?" Jane asked.

"Not so far. She is special. I want to be with my mate now. We'll see you in about three days."

"I'll inform Aro and see you soon," Jane said. Jasper just stationed himself in front of the door as I closed it behind me.

I sat on the bed beside Bella and started talking. I had no idea if she could hear me or not. So I talked. I told her of my history, my past. I told her everything I could remember in my fuzzy human memories. I went on to tell her how I was changed moving forward through the years slowly, telling her every detail. Time passed slowly. When I ran out of history I began to share my hopes for our future together. I shared my fears, hopes, and dreams. I told her I hoped to marry her. My dreams of helping her rule, standing beside her through the years. I promised her that we would travel the world, seeing places she only dreamed of.

I felt oddly tired by the time Bella's change neared its completion. I had poured my heart out to her. I hoped it had helped. I gave her space so she could get used to her new senses.

I stood, ready to restrain her when her heart gave its final beat and went silent. She was still for a full minute after her heart stopped and I briefly wondered if I had done something wrong but then she took a deep breath. I readied myself.

Bella

Felix's voice was like an anchor, holding me to the ground. After the bites, the transformation hadn't been painful and I wondered why that was. After all, I was supposed to be burning. Felix had even admitted it was worse than the worst pain you can imagine. My only theory was that whatever sort of shield I had, protected me from the pain of the burn. Instead, I lay there seemingly frozen while Felix talked to me about his life, his hopes, and dreams, he even shared his fear that I would try to resist him.

When the thump of my heart finally ceased, I remained frozen for an eternal moment before I could breathe again and I gasped a deep lungful of air in when I could. I remembered what Felix had told me of the wild, newborn year and decided that I would try to stay as calm as I could.

I tried to keep Felix's question in the forefront of my mind and I opened my eyes. The purple darkness was amazing. There were so many new colors. New scents teased my mind. I lay there looking around taking everything in. As soon as I had the desire to sit I found myself sitting. My new body was able to respond almost faster than thought it seemed. I looked around, eager to see and smell my mate, my Felix. Mine.

I was in front of him faster than I gave my brain the command. I hugged him as gently as I could, taking in his scent of sandalwood, leather, and musk. He smelled delicious.

"Bella?" He asked gently. His voice caressed my senses and my body came alive. I wanted to claim my Felix but I knew I must hold back.

"Are you thirsty Bella?" he asked gently.

My throat flared at those words. I nodded. He moved quickly then, picking me up in a strong embrace and kissing me with such passion. I reveled in it, gloried in it. I tried to rub my hands down his chest but the fabric of his shirt ripped under my touch. I groaned, grasping the shirt and ripping it off. Felix laughed at me.

"Calm little one, we must get you fed first. Then I will be happy to let you rip my clothes off."

"Let's go then. I want to touch you."

I rushed to open the door and crushed the doorknob in my hand. I grumbled. Felix laughed and reached around me, opening the door. Jane was on the other side of the door.

"Wow Bella, you look stunning," Jane said.

"She always has. We need to get her fed." Felix suggested.

"This way," Jane led the way to the feeding chamber.

Bella grasped Felix's hand and followed after her. Felix watched his little mate with amusement. She was trying so hard to stay in control. He expected an explosion of temper any moment but Bella continued to surprise him.

The feeding chamber had been prepared for Bella. Four humans were out of their cells, but after he opened the door, Bella lunged at the first so quickly Felix wouldn't have been able to catch her if he tried. He watched her create chaos in the chamber going from the first to the second to the third human. Surprisingly though Bella stopped before she killed the fourth. "I don't want him." She explained, "I'm full." Felix was stunned.

"Do you think you can control yourself if I feed Bella?" Felix asked.

"Okay. Go ahead." I said as if it were no big deal. A newborn snapping out of a hunting thrall before everything in the chamber was obliterated was nothing short of a miracle. Felix approached the scared man slowly and then swiftly broke his neck, drinking deeply.

"Let's get you cleaned up Bella," Jane suggested while Felix was feeding. I looked down at myself and realized I had made quite a mess.

"This is going to take some practice to do right," I said a little ruefully.

"You did excellently," Felix comforted. "Let Jane get you clean. I'll stay out here this time. Then we'll go meet the Masters again and settle in our rooms for a while."

After she was clean Bella bounced up and down, eager to meet the Masters with her new senses. Felix suppressed a chuckle and took her hand, keeping pace with her speedy steps. Jane followed behind.

When we entered the throne room the three Masters stopped their conversation which sounded like it was a discussion on whether we needed a safe house someplace new. The three kings stood immediately. "Look at you, daughter," Marcus said, "You look stunning as one of us."

I ran to Marcus hugging him tightly. He grunted, "Gently, daughter," and the guard laughed lightly.

"You look so different in these new eyes father. I woke up and fed, then came straight up here."

I hugged Aro next, then Caius. "I'll try to be ready to join you again as quickly as possible. Everything is so new and exciting."

"I am proud of you daughter," Marcus said. "Now go spend time with your mate and we'll see you here tomorrow."

"Yes, Father." I agreed and walked quickly back over to Felix.

We left the audience chamber and I didn't even try to hide my wide grin.