SIXTEEN

When we arrived at the edge of the woods near the meeting line, I could feel the tension rolling off Carlisle in waves so thick I could practically touch them in the air as they surrounded us. Thankfully, we were not too late, and Carlisle let me know that Jasper was explaining to Sam about the Cullen leader's volatile instincts, due to my having been threatened, even if emotionally, and that having triggered the alpha-vampire's current temperamental nature. To my surprise, my mate said he could hear Sam agree to these terms.

As we began walking into the woods, Carlisle's arm tight around me, he said, "Despite disliking our species in general, Sam understands that our desire to not feed on humans is genuine. While he does not like the idea at all, he is very well aware of what human blood is for our kind and, though he probably would not admit this aloud, respects us for the lengths we go to disengage ourselves from that way of life. And despite my own current temperament, I respect Sam greatly. He is a good and fair leader of the tribe. I like him very much."

I titled my face upwards and kissed his jaw. "Have I told you what an amazing man you are, Carlisle Cullen?"

He smiled teasingly. "Not in the last half hour, no."

I rolled my eyes and kissed him again. "Well, you are." I curled up closer to him as we came into an area where the trees were not as dense. I could see Sam waiting with Jacob and Billy Black, and I swallowed heavily, not really wanting to have to deal with this conversation. My mate sensed my hesitation and pushed me behind him slightly as we continued forward.

When we were standing about eight feet away, Carlisle greeted Sam and the Blacks politely; the only sign that he was extremely uncomfortable was the occasional and slight shudder that shook him.

Billy and Jake were staring at Carlisle like they wanted him ripped to shreds but Sam, despite feeling my mate's raging instincts boiling beneath the surface, smiled genuinely. "Doctor Cullen," he said quietly and with obvious respect, "I appreciate the effort that you are making to attend this meeting. I am aware that this is not easy for you and I will keep this as brief as possible. I would offer to shake your hand, but under the circumstances—" his eyes darted to me, and a slight smirk curled the edges of his lips higher— "I do believe that would be a most hazardous to my health."

I could feel the vibrations of Carlisle's chuckle. "Sadly, I do believe you are correct, Sam. I do apologize that I am not…quite my normal self."

Sam nodded once sharply with understanding. "I have heard that Bella's happiness and mental well-being has been threatened by an acquaintance of hers and that this has triggered your baser instincts. Do not apologize for the urge to protect your mate."

I heard a snort come from Jacob and a slight growl bubbled up inside Carlisle's chest.

"Jacob Black!" hissed Sam. "Need I remind you that your own friend could easily have been placed in harm's way due to your own indiscretion?" He glanced back at us. "I apologize. As Jacob Black is the reason the treaty was breached, it is, as you are aware, required that his family be present, in the event that your family has changed the decision and requires his death."

Carlisle, knowing his instincts were near their breaking point, wisely kept his mouth shut and, as with the last time our family all met, I was left to speak in his place. I felt only slightly uncomfortable as the other vampires turned to me, which seemed to surprise the werewolves.

I moved ever so slowly to Carlisle's side and took his hand, hoping to help ease his tension slightly, as I addressed Sam. "As Carlisle's mate, I speak for the family when he is unable to." He shivered again I could sense him glaring at Jacob over my head, and I squeezed his hand. "We don't want Jacob to be put to death. I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that I am Carlisle's mate. If his… less-than-typical behavior is not a clue to our bond, then hopefully when I tell you that our souls have been joined by equal respect and love and that it brings pain for us to be separated, you will be assured that I am Carlisle's mate and destined to spend our limited immortality together."

Sam seemed to accept my words and nodded. "Then as payment for the indiscretion of one of our own, we will allow you to be changed without any retribution."

"Thank you, Sam." I turned and glanced at Carlisle to see if he could continue with the next part of our request, to find his eyes closed as he took deep breaths. I bit my lower lip and glanced back at the wolves' leader. "We also have something important to tell you… I am well aware of your laws, but I am also well aware of your compassion, Sam." That seemed to set Sam on edge, but to his credit, he simply nodded and waited to hear what I had to say. "It seems that another member of the Cullen family has found their mate within another citizen of Forks." I glanced at Esme. "I know that you have repaid the debt of the treaty with allowing my change, but you are aware of what it will do to her if she is unable to change and claim her mate. Our family wishes to know if we would be allowed this favor. Or must we leave and never return for eternity when it comes his time to change?"

"Who is this citizen?" Sam asked calmly.

I grimaced but kept my gaze locked with his. "It's Charlie. It's my dad."

"What?"

I could hear Carlisle snarl building inside him as he sneered over me at Jake's loud exclamation. "Jake, it's not like she had any choice. But... I can keep my dad this way. I don't have to lose him." I looked pleadingly at Sam.

"I cannot believe this, Bella!" Jake growled. "First, you fall in love with one leech, then you bed a second one, and now you want to turn Charlie into a damned blood-sucker too!" I just gaped at the disgust in his voice. "I can barely look at you, Bella," he snarled angrily. "You reek of him. Are you just hoping to screw every one of them? Which one of the leeches are you going to fuck next, Bella?"

Oh… Carlisle was not going to like that.

I watched as a blur suddenly slammed the boy I had considered my friend into a nearby tree. While his eyes were glittering darkly, my mate seemed to be relatively under control and not under Jasper's influence. The wolves around us rushed forward, but were stopped by Sam's surprising command. They still, however, pawed the ground and paced back and forward, waiting to attack at any moment.

"Do not push me, boy!" Carlisle hissed, snapping his teeth mere inches from Jake's furious face. "I understand fully that you care for Isabella, but she is my mate. She never belonged to Edward. She belongs to me!" He pressed his arm into Jake's throat. "And I should tell you that it is only because of my mate's decision that you still have your life. I could demand your life be taken and still have my family. I have no qualms about losing a piece of land if it means having my family intact. So next time you dare think to disrespect my mate, remember that you owe her your pitiful excuse for a life." He roared loudly for emphasis, lifting and dropping Jake to the ground.

Jacob began shaking violently, and I heard Sam shout at him to leave as Carlisle blurred in front of me, crouching defensively, snarling in the most terrifying way.

I placed a trembling hand between Carlisle's shoulder blades and cooed softly to him, trying to coax him up to me. When that did not work, I leaned over him and pressed a kiss to the back of his neck. "The others are here, Carlisle. Nothing will happen. I'm safe. Please, Carlisle. I need to hold you." It was true. I just wanted to wrap my arms around him so he could feel that I was safe, but I also wanted to get him out of his defensive stance. If I could get him to relax, then maybe the others would back down some.

Hearing me say that I needed him, he straightened, grabbed me, and dragged me behind Emmett and Jasper. He held me in his arms and buried his face in my hair. I nuzzled his neck and his growls slowly began changing into a purr as I traced my tongue where his carotid artery would have been pulsing were he human. He returned the gesture and lapped the shell of my ear as I cooed softly to him, touched him, stroked him through his fury.

I heard a sudden half-howl, half-groan filled with pain and anger, and I turned in time to see Jacob double over, his head barely lifted as he watched me and my mate cling to each other, nipping, nuzzling, licking.

"How, Bella?" he moaned pitifully. "Why would you choose a leech when I'm perfect for you?"

I shrugged. "I've never wanted perfect. I've wanted what feels right." I heard the purr growing in volume in my ear and I smiled to him in response. "Dangshin uhl saranghabnida." I felt Carlisle hug me tighter to him and whisper Italian to me through his purrs. When I glanced back up to confront Jake, I was surprised to see him gone, but I had a very bad feeling that we had not heard that last of this situation from my admirer.

"I offer my apologies, Carlisle," Sam said sincerely. "I must admit that I was worried about the outcome of your nature. Your control over your instincts is far better than you give yourself credit. I, and I'm sure Billy as well, thank you for sparing Jacob's life. He is young and infatuated. He is well aware that were he and Bella mates that he would have imprinted, and he has not. She is his first love and this is very difficult for him."

I felt Carlisle nodding above me, his voice harsh as he returned, "We unfortunately are experiencing something similar from my son, who seems to want to have no contact with his family at the present. I apologize for causing your pack any discomfort." Pride welled up within me that he had not apologized for acting upon his instincts, and I gazed up at him adoringly, hoping he could see the emotions in my eyes. Apparently, he could, because he graced me with a small smile and kissed my forehead, before addressing Sam again. "There is still the matter of Charlie Swan."

I saw Sam turn to Billy and a deep meaningful look passed between them. My heart sank into my feet when the alpha dropped his head for a moment, sighing resignedly.

"Unfortunately, with allowing the change of Bella, the treaty has been mended." As he looked at us sympathetically, I actually felt bad for Sam. He obviously could feel our pain, but was caught between a rock and a hard place when it came to the laws upheld by their tribe and elders, one of whom was present. "We would never deny one of your family their mate, but when you decide to change Charlie Swan, it must be off of Washington soil. And you may never return to this territory again."

.

The rest of the family had raced off to hunt before going to Charlie's, which left me to walk with Carlisle back to that bike. Between thinking about him on that gorgeous machine and remembering how dominate yet controlled he had been with Jacob, I was growing wetter by the second, and I knew he could smell me and wanted so badly to take me, but would not do so as close to the treaty line as we were.

It was only when I could see the bike in the distance that I suddenly found myself pressed into a tree, and a vampire pulling down the collar of my turtleneck sweater to attach his lips to my neck, sucking firmly on his mark. "I want nothing more than to sink my teeth into your beautiful throat," he whispered in my ear, so softly that I almost didn't hear him. "Your blood is still fresh." It was an appeal, not a statement.

"We'll have to go back to the house afterward," I panted while nodding my approval. "I'll have to—"

"I must hunt soon as it is," he replied huskily as he began undoing my jeans. "I am sorry, cara mia. This is not going to be a slow coupling."

I rocked my hips against him as he quickly shed his own pants, gasping in desire and aching painfully. "Don't mind... Need you…" I placed one foot on his shoulder as he began to take care of me. "Drink, Carlisle." I had barely finished his name when he began feasting on me, his tongue lapping, dipping in and out, driving me mad as he brought me closer and closer to my peak while he took nourishment and comfort from my body's offering. As I was shuddering in ecstasy, he gave me one last, long lick then blurred to his feet and plunged inside, latching his mouth onto my pulse. He took me fast and hard, and just as I reached my second climax, he spurted inside me, my pussy clamping around him, milking his cock of every cold drop.

He rested his head against my shoulder as we came down from our high, lightly licking his mark. "Might I inquire a favor from you, m'uzzola?" Since I was still a bit lost in my cloud of pleasure, I simply hummed my consent, and he chuckled when he caught my goofy grin then continued lapping at the bruise, almost like he was worshiping it with his mouth. "Unless we are dealing with the wolves, do not cover this completely. By now, the nature of our relationship has been revealed, and whether we deny it or admit it, there will be scandal. I want it to be made very clear that you belong to me, that you are mine and mine alone, and that no man or woman should even think about trying to take you from me. Please, m'amore?"

After such a dominate claim, the plea sounded almost pitiful, like he was expecting me to reject him. I entangled my fingers in his silky blond locks, gazing up at him tenderly. "I promised you that I would never deny you that, and I meant it. If I thought Sam and the others wouldn't have noticed the mark under the bruise, I would have worn something else, but they aren't as oblivious as everyone else."

He purred to me as he swiftly dressed us both before scooping me up in his arms and carrying me back at human pace to the Harley. When he sat me on the bike, he spread my legs and stepped between them, wrapping his arms around me and claiming my lips in a tender kiss. When he pulled away, his maroon eyes gleamed down with happiness and pride.

I smiled as the feelings hit me. "You should be proud. You didn't kill him, which I know you wanted to. And you were right — what you told Jake. Because of him, the treaty was broken. You were within your right to kill him, and for more than one reason; they could not have done anything to stop it." I pressed a chaste kiss to his lips. "I'm so proud of you."

He pressed his forehead to mine, soaking up the emotions swirling between our joined souls. "Grazie, la mia," he whispered. "T'amo tanto. Ti amerò ora e per sempre, m'Isabella." With a kiss to the tip of my nose, he re-situated me on the Harley and slid into place in front of me, giving me a very wonderful view of those tight jeans hugging his lovely backside.

Before sliding the helmet on, I murmured in his ear, "Has anyone told you that you have the most gorgeous ass on this planet?" I could practically hear the smirk in his voice when he said 'not to my face'. I chuckled and lightly punched the back of his arm, before slipping the helmet on and wrapping my arms firmly around his middle.

To my surprise, Jasper was waiting on the porch, and feeling my shock, my mate filled in the answers. "I do not wish you to be alone in the house. I do not trust Jacob Black. Jasper finished hunting before the others. He'll stay with you while I'm hunting." He slid off the Harley, pulling me up after him and kissed my lips passionately. "I will return soon, mia passerotta."

Then he was gone.

Watching him disappear, still in leather, I spun on my heel and grinned like a loon all the way up to the honey-blond vampire, who was smirking, an eyebrow raised. "Hello, Jasper. Hopefully, the meeting wasn't too bad."

He shook his head. "Carlisle did well. I'm surprised Jacob Black has all of his limbs left to be honest."

"So is he, I think. He's very proud of himself."

"So he should be."

The majority of our time was spent in silence, for which I was grateful. I had a lot to think about, given that I would probably be the one to talk to Charlie first. I was also unsure as to how to break to him the idea that Carlisle and I were mates, because obviously he would find out soon enough what was happening between us from his own experience, and I really did not want it to come as a horrible shock and wind up with two vampires fighting each other over the mates. God knew if Charlie overreacted that Carlisle could overreact as well, and I was not quite sure how Esme would handle it.

Two newly mated couples in one house. How would that work? Would Charlie even move in with the Cullens? He would have to, so they could control him in his newborn stage. If he was changed before me, which I presumed he would be, given that he and Esme probably would not want him to age much older than her appearance.

It hit me that his mating period would be shorter than mine, given that I was eighteen and wanted to age for at least another four years, probably five, and then we would still have another two years after I was changed… I really needed to talk to Carlisle about that. I mean, sure he had obviously started to build his control quickly, but there was still the issue of the discomfort of being parted. Did that ever stop? Would the discomfort grow the longer we bonded? How long would the intensity of this 'honeymoon' passion continue? Would it level out? Increase? Decrease? What would happen after our extensive mating period?

These were things I needed to ask him, and soon, but it could not be tonight. We had Charlie to deal with tonight, and I doubted that adding all my questions on top of what I sure was going to be a bumpy evening would help matters. Of course, we did have all weekend to go at it like wild animals... well, if Carlisle wasn't working.

It was as I was seriously pondering asking him if he could take time off, if he already did not have it, that the family walked through the door. I was sorely disappointed when Carlisle insisted on changing and that we would be taking the Mercedes. I knew he wanted to appear more like a gentleman and certainly did not want to terrify my dad by showing up with daddy's little girl on a massive death machine.

As we all got ready to leave, I saw Carlisle freeze for a moment and was panicked that he went into shock, but after only a few moments, he smiled and began moving again. When I questioned if he was all right, he alerted me to the fact that Jasper had sent him everyone's emotions of acceptance and pride at how he had handled himself with Jacob. I did Jasper's emotions one better and grabbed my mate's pale blue shirt and yanked him in for a steamy kiss.

I was thrilled when he responded aggressively, yanking my head back and attacking my neck, growling lustfully to me, "It is apparent, mia streghetta, that you did not learn your little lesson this morning." When I shivered violently, he chuckled. "Tell me, dolce tentatrice, is it my imagination or do you enjoy that term just a little too much?"

I blushed furiously under his intense gaze. "I suppose I enjoy knowing that I'm the only one who can do this—" I gripped his raging erection in my hand, stroking him firmly through his black trousers— "to you." I leaned my face toward him and licked the shell of his ear. "Is that a crime, Reverend Cullen?"

He managed to hiss and grunt in pleasure at the same time, which I found rather impressive and more than arousing, particularly when his hips thrust forward against mine. His hand tightened almost painfully in my hair as he began to growl at me. "Mi bella streghetta, you will most certainly be the death of me."

I smirked brightly. "I do hate to be the one to point this out to you, Reverend, but you're already dead." I laughed gleefully when he pretended to snap at my throat and wrapped my arms tightly around his neck to draw him in for a passionate kiss, delighting in the skill his mouth had on mine. When he withdrew, I beamed up at him. "You do realize that because of you, we are going to be unfashionably late," I taunted him with his words from earlier.

He swatted my backside gently before scooping me up and purring in my ear, "I can always claim that you enchanted me. As I recall—" he caught my earlobe between his teeth and gave it a gentle tug— "you've already confessed to being a witch."

I grinned at him devilishly when he sat me down beside the car. "And you still have yet to tame me, Reverend Cullen."

.

TBC

In the words of Bob Ross:

Remember how free clouds are. They just lay around in the sky all day long.