Author's Note: I don't own Twilight. I am exploring another point of view in this chapter. I won't have many chapters outside of Edward or Bella's point of view, but I thought someone with more experience should explain the mating bond.
Chapter 10: Nights at the Colosseum
RPOV:
Mate.
The word swirled around the room like a vortex. It was the gravitational force that dictated our every decision, a black hole. I looked at my nails, feigning disinterest. The mating phenomenon caused me enough of my own problems, no need to borrow trouble worrying about Edward and Bella.
When Emmett and I first felt the pull, it was exciting. We were young and in love, there were endless possibilities. When Jasper and Alice's mating bond took hold we all realized what was happening. Since that time,everyone had been so concerned about Edward that we never discussed the pressure such a bond puts on a young relationship.
I glanced toward Emmett, his dark curly hair reminded me of the boy that used to chase me through the halls. Even in the darkest times, when they controlled every aspect of our lives, his spirit was always free. He had a soul that hadn't been corrupted by pain and hate, despite the Agency's best attempts. I on the other hand had fallen into a depression nearly as deep as Edwards, though no one but Emmett seemed to notice. Seeing the fear in the eyes of my targets, I acknowledged the monster the Agency had created in me. I couldn't fight it though. Every time I thought of defying them, I remembered how they had punished Alice for Jasper's rebellion. I killed to protect my mate, and I would do it again. That's what Emmett couldn't understand, the bond compelled me to protect him at any cost. I loved my brothers and sister, but I would sacrifice each and every one to protect Emmett. I would let the world burn.
His eyes met mine and the corners creased, disdain shadowing his features. He had grown to resent me, calling me heartless and selfish. Maybe I was.
I shook my head, turning away from my partner. His resolute optimism made him dense sometimes. Bella and Edward could have used a little time to get to know each other before the mating bomb was dropped. It was a hard thing, realizing that you don't have a choice in your partner.
I scoffed, it was even harder when your mate didn't love you back.
Fuck those guys, at least they have a clear preference for each other.
I craved Emmett, and he stayed because of a bond he didn't want but couldn't fight. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes.
"What do you mean by mate?" I heard Bella squeak out as I stormed out the back door.
I stood in the center of the arena, dust swirling around my face, distorting his silhouette as he approached. The sun was low, just over the walls of the stadium, casting red light around us. Dry, barren, harsh, it was the perfect setting.
I let my hand fall on the hilt at my side. I would not strike first, but I would protect him, whether he liked it or not. I heard a snarl to my right and sighed.
Not the god damned bears, what's with him and bears?
Gates lifted and the beasts ran out, lunging at my mate. I slashed through the air, barely registering the feeling of my blade sliding through the fur and sinew. The head rolled to Emmett's feet, blood spattered across his bronze plated chest. He was decked out in gladiator armor, I smiled at his commitment to these dreams. Emmett never did anything halfway. My smile faded as he lifted his eyes, his rage evident.
The steel of his sword rang as he pulled it from its scabbard. I shivered but didn't hesitate to bring the flat of my blade up to block his downward strike. He would never hurt me in life, but during these dreams he rarely held back. He screamed with rage as I parried his blows.
"I can handle it!" he shouted.
"They're going to kill you," I shrieked . A bear came from behind him, snarling teeth poised over his neck. I let his next blow bite into my arm so I could lift the point of my blade and drive it through the bear's skull. Blood sprayed, my own mixed with the bear's.
"That's it!" I screamed, slamming my eyes shut and concentrating. A golden cage fell from the sky, falling around us with a clang. Foam covered the snarling animals' muzzles, teeth gnashing as they tried to get through the bars to get to us. I sighed in relief.
"Finally we are safe," I sighed.
An incredulous look overtook Emmett, his primal scream shook our cage as he raised his blade again.
The bed shifted and I heard the comforter rustle, rousing me from sleep. Through blurry eyes, I made out Emmett's tense form leaving our bedroom without a backward glance. I turned and buried my head into my pillow, sobs tearing through my chest. I longed for the mornings past, when I would wake up in his arms, his hard cock pressed into my ass. The mornings we had spent in bed, slowly making love. He used to worship me, now we had infrequent quickies after I offered him candy. How long could we go on this way? How long had we?
I showered and washed my face, hoping the cool water would hide the evidence that I had been crying. Edward knew what was happening, we couldn't keep secrets from him. Of course, Jasper knew and he would have told Alice, but I didn't want our parents to worry.
I made my way downstairs to breakfast. Edward was chatting with Esme over coffee, back to their normal routine. I watched them from the doorway, seeing the easy way they spoke about Edward's feelings. He had a close relationship with everyone in this family, except me. I felt a pang in my chest as they happily discussed the events of the night before.
Bella and Charlie had stayed for dinner, and we carefully broached the subject of mates, staying as vague as possible for now. Everyone understood that this would be a little overwhelming. Everyone but Emmett. I had no idea why my mate was being so obtuse, he seemed to chafe against the mating bond more than anyone.
In the end, we explained that our species was a little different from humans. That we form attachments to our partners at a very young age, and as we mature we feel a very strong physical attraction to that person. That, unlike humans, our mate is the only person we could ever feel romantic love for. Of course, there was a lot more to it than that, but we didn't want to scare the girl. I could see her recoiling from the concept even through our abridged description.
Esme and Charlie spent the rest of the evening catching up, laughing about the good ol' days in the CPD. When Bella realized that we had left the van in the school lot covered with evidence, we assured her that while she was kicking Edward's ass, we were covering their tracks and getting Tyler to the hospital. Bella only remembered the human boy's involvement after we mentioned him.
And they say I'm self-centered.
I noticed that after Emmett dropped the mate bomb, Bella kept careful distance from Edward for the rest of the night. I was glad, she had hurt my brother badly. When I saw Emmett carrying his limp form through our back door, I thought that he was…I quivered at the memory. I wouldn't be as quick to forgive the girl as the rest of my family.
"I want to go to school Esme, I need to see her," Edward whined. I rolled my eyes.
"Not today, you will see her right after school," she responded with more patience than he deserved. Obviously he couldn't go to school, he was sporting two black eyes and a broken nose. He had spent the night healing in the tub, and the bruises had dulled and yellowed. It might be a little suspect if he showed up looking like he had been in a car crash last week even though he was fine yesterday.
"Want me to give her a kiss for you?" I teased, trying to make light of his situation. He was being ridiculous, but I understood why he wanted to see her so badly. Instead of playful, my tone came out harsh, like I was taunting him. Edward smiled at me, reading my intentions instead of my tone but Emmett walked in and scowled.
"Leave him alone Rose," he cut in. I turned out of the kitchen, better to just go away. That's what everyone wanted anyway.
Author's Notes: Rose is listening to "Lights" by Ellie Goulding today.
Sorry it's a short one, I didn't want to spend too much time outside of our main characters' heads. I will be back to Bella next chapter, it should be up in the next few days. Please review.
