Chapter 14


It was dusk by the time that Bella woke up. Bella stretched out her sore muscles under the satin sheets before she sat up in bed. Bella yawned sleepily before she removed some of the covers and stood up. She walked into the kitchen and grabbed a glass, filling it with juice and sipped on it, watching the beautiful sunset of purple and blue colors of the sky melt into the watery horizon. Bella casually rinsed out her glass and walked back into the bedroom, crawling back onto the bed as she shot a glance to Alice who was lying next to her, reading a Dean Koontz novel.

"Good morning, sleepyhead." Alice smiled, her eyes not leaving the novel.

"Man, I feel like I keep wasting our time together by sleeping" Bella yawned as she stretched out again in bed, sighing as her joints finally popped back into place. Alice's face scrunched at the sound; she knew Bella had no control over it but it bothered her nonetheless.

"The morning after I came back into your life, you made mention that you've had nothing but a lifetime of poor sleep. It makes sense that you would need to be catching up on it. It's okay. We have a lifetime to be together. Besides, any time with you is the best time ever." Alice smiled.

"Ugh, you're so cheesy." Bella grinned before rolling over and climbing on top of Alice. Alice lowed her book with a raised eyebrow. Bella couldn't help but smirk before leaning down and capturing Alice's lips. Alice moaned softly at the contact, tossing the book aside and ran her hands down Bella's back.

Bella nipped at Alice's bottom lip, then gently slid her tongue into Alice's mouth, quickly losing the battle for dominance. Alice ran a hand down to Bella's firm ass, squeezing and pushing Bella firmly against her. Bella pulled back from Alice's lips only so she could plant open kisses up Alice's neck, nipping at Alice's cool flesh as she went. It was when Bella began to suck on Alice's earlobe that she was hit hard with musky sweet scent of Alice's need for her and trembled as she was overcome with a heightened sense of arousal, causing Bella to stop her actions and pull back slightly, her eyes closed.

"Bella… Love?" Alice paused her movements as she gently pushed Bella back to make eye contact, suddenly worried that something was wrong. Bella's eyes fluttered open and Alice was lost in a deep swirling of emotions. Love. Desire. Lust. Alice was beyond happy to finally be able to read Bella, and was overcome with the emotions that were radiating off of Bella.

"It's nothing bad. I'm okay. I… I just can feel what I am doing to you as if you were doing it to me. It's just causing… Well, I'm much more aroused than normal, and that's saying something" Bella confessed with a light blush.

"Oh, thank God, I'm not the only one. Welcome to the perks of being mated." Alice purred before running her hands down Bella's chest and down her stomach. Bella's lean muscles trembled lightly at the touch and Alice breathed in Bella's own arousal, moaning all the while.

' Ugh, she's such a perfect match.' Alice thought to herself as her eyes darkened with need and anticipation.

Bella moved forward, recapturing Alice's lips then moved her knee in between Alice's legs to provide some relief by friction. Alice's helps involuntary bucked upwards, causing both to moan loudly.

"Bella… please" Alice finally groaned out as she felt her wetness spreading between her legs.

Bella did not need to be told twice. She complied quickly, undoing Alice's pants. Alice lifted her hips up and Bella slid the pants off, tossing them somewhere in the room. Bella then leaned down and placed chaste kisses up Alice's inner leg, starting at her calf and working up to her inner thigh. Alice was writhing under Bella's lips, and Bella swore she was about to get off from Alice's reaction alone based on the throbbing that was coming from in between her own legs. Bella then shifted her attention, and her gaze locked onto Alice's lacy red thong. Bella moved her head upward and removed the thin fabric with her teeth, causing Alice to growl.

"Oh fuck, Bella." Alice groaned, her eyes fluttering with such a dominant action. She was not used to being in such a sexually submissive position, but she was incapable of being in anything but, she was simply receiving too much pleasure from Bella to care.

Bella pushed the few loose strands of her hair behind her ears and then dove in, slipping her warm tongue into the cool wet folds of her mate, her lips instantly coated with Alice's arousal. Alice screamed out Bella's name in pleasure as she gripped the pillow next to her head tightly, digging her nails into it and effectively shredding it. Bella slid out her tongue and moved her tongue up, rubbing it against Alice's clit in a slow circular motion.

"Please, Bella… I- I need you in me." Alice forced out in between heavy pants.

Bella shook lightly, knowing Alice was close. Eager to please her love, Bella inserted a couple of fingers, causing Alice to gasp harder, her whole body shaking. Bella moved her fingers in a come here motion, toughing the rough spot of Alice's G-spot.

"Bella, oh shit…! I-I..!" Alice moaned out as Bella kept at her actions. Alice's body suddenly shook and convulsed as she became undone beneath Bella. Bella shook as her own body came with her love. Bella breathed in a few shaky breaths trying to calm herself down from her own orgasm as she withdrew her fingers, coated in Alice's cum and sucked them clean, moaning at the sweet and musky taste. Bella then leaned down and quickly cleaned up Alice, enjoying the taste of her hard work. Bella moved up the mattress to where Alice was laying, still coming down from her high.

"That good, huh?" Bella mused with a slight smirk.

"You aren't my first but holy mother of God, you're the perfect match for me. I love you so damn much." Alice breathed out, rolling over to cuddle Bella. Bella held Alice, her thoughts moving to later that night. Bella had thought about waiting to propose, she truly had but tonight was the night. If her suspicions were correct, they may be on borrowed time as is, and Bella could not live knowing she might miss this chance.

"Alice, love. Shower with me. I still want to go stargazing tonight" Bella said softly, and Alice nodded with a smile.

The two lovers got out of bed and made their way into the shower. Bella grabbed the bottle of shampoo and washed Alice's hair, causing the pixie to groan in pleasure. Bella smiled and they finished bathing, and got out of the shower. Bella changed into a dark pair of cargo shorts, and a red spaghetti strap shirt. She threw her long, wet hair back into a loose ponytail. Bella made sure Alice was in the other room before putting the ring box into one her pockets, and securing it. Alice walked out of the bathroom wearing beige colored shorts, a flowing white sheer cover and a burgundy blouse. Her dark hair had been dried, and was now styled and feathered gracefully against her face. Bella felt her heart jump to her throat.

"What is it, love?" Alice asked, her golden eyes shooting to Bella as she heard Bella's heartrate increase.

' I just can't believe she's actually mine. That she picked me. That she wants me' Bella thought to herself.

"You're…You're just so damn beautiful." Bella responded with a breathy voice.

"Thank you." Alice smiled knowing full well that if she could cry, she would be bawling. Bella was just so loving and the feelings had only become that much more enhanced. Alice had given up the idea of ever finding her mate due to her sexual preferences. But here in front of her stood the woman of her dreams, her entire reason for her existence. Even with the gift of foresight, she had not seen this coming and while she hated surprises, this was the best one of her life.

Bella walked over took Alice's hand in her own and walked outside to the warm night's air.

"Alright, time for a change of pace. Get on" Bella smiled and Alice laughed but did as she was told. Alice climbed onto Bella's back, and wrapped her arms around Bella's neck and legs around Bella's waist. Alice noted that while Bella was still slightly warmer, they were much closer to the same temperature. Bella smiled as she felt Alice burry her face into the crook of Bella's neck, sighing in happiness at the contact.

"Hang on tight, love" Bella grinned as she began to run, jumping through the trees causing Alice to laugh with delight at the thrill. While it was true that Alice was used to running as a vampire, it was a whole new experience to be on the back of Bella. Bella smiled at her mate's laughter as she neatly scaled a tall tree, and jumped to the top most section of the island. The area was flat, similar to the open meadow back home in Forks, but filled with luxurious tropical vegetation. Alice neatly dropped down from Bella's back, gasping with awe as she saw a blanket spread out along with a few pillows.

"When, how?" Alice questioned.

"The first night when we arrived, when you went hunting. I wanted to do surprise you, do something special for you. I know how much you love to stargaze, so I thought this would be perfect" Bella smiled as she watched Alice's expressions closely.

"I swear… the only thing that is perfect around here is you" Alice smiled.

"Only for you" Bella replied lightly, causing Alice's eyes to pool up with venom, which she quickly blinked away.

The two made their way to the blanket and laid down. Bella laid on her back, and Alice laid her head on Bella's chest enjoying the sound of Bella's heartbeat and the stars above her. The two spent the time looking at new constellations, ones that were not visible even in Forks. Alice was sure that her life could not become any more complete than it was at this very moment. The two lay there for what seemed like minutes but Alice knew it had been a couple of hours at least.

"Alice…" Bella began with a deep breath.

"Hmm?" Alice mused sitting up to face Bella as she felt her heartrate begin to increase.

"I've been doing some thinking about us. About our lives, our future, our eternity. Everything about us has been so….wild, unprecedented, marvelous. Terrifying, but real. Alice, we've only been together now for a few months, but I swear that it feels like I've known you my whole life. Looking back, I can see it's always been you. You've always been my rock. My compass. My light. My everything…" Bella paused for a moment before reaching down and pulling the small box out of her short pocket. Alice could not see what it was, her eyes were glued to Bella's, "Alice, there is only one thing left that you can be for me. My wife." Alice's hand moved to her mouth in awe. Bella opened the box with the ring inside.

"Alice Cullen, will you marry me?"


Victoria walked down a dark and damp alley near the port, stopping near a stack of wooden and aged crates. Her gaze met the stare of blood red eyes, and she immediately fell to a knee in submission.

"She's not here, neither is Alice" Victoria spoke, her gaze leaving the stare of the red eyes.

"Excellent. I needed to verify that the intel I received from my source was accurate and true in order for me to trust them. Given the information I was provided, they will return soon, neither can be away from the Coven for too long" the figure with the red eyes replied with a slight hiss of annoyance.

"What are my orders then?' Victoria asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Stay nearby, but out of sight and just outside of their sensory abilities. Bella is clumsy, hard headed. She will be left vulnerable eventually by her own poor thought out choices. When that moment occurs, you are to end her, once and for all. Bite her, and change her. Let her run loose, feeding off of the feelings of the newborn chaos. Then, let us deal with her once she is caught. My intel source will be in contact with you to work out the next step."

"It shall be done, my Lord. I will not fail you." Victoria murmured with a sharp nod of her head.


Alice's eyes were huge, locked onto Bella's as she was not able to find any words. For once in her existence, Alice found herself speechless. Alice's eyes moved to the most beautiful ring she had ever seen and then back up to Bella, who smiled a soft smile patiently waiting for Alice's response.

"Alice, I know this seems fast and it probably would be under normal circumstances but I have spent every single day of my life spent with my soul inside out until I met you. What I feel for you knows no boundaries. It has no concept of time or what is considered to be normal or socially accepted. I never knew all I was missing in my life until you came along. I had thought about waiting to propose, I truly did. I didn't want you to feel that I rushed this but I didn't want to waste any more of my life and your existence by not making this official. You're the only one that I will ever want or ever need. It may just be a formality given our situation but I want to do right by you, by us." Bella said after a few moments causing Alice to smile.

"Oh my sweet Bella, nothing would give me greater happiness than to spend the rest of my existence and your life as your wife. I do." Alice smiled as Bella's eyes filled with tears. Bella took the ring out of the box and gently slid it onto Alice's finger, happy to see that the ring was a perfect fit.

"Thank you, my love. You have made me the happiest person alive." Bella smiled as Alice leaned back against Bella's chest. Bella wrapped her arms around Alice, who had stretched out her arm to look at the ring on her finger, mesmerized with how it glittered in the moonlight.

"Thoughts on a date?" Alice finally asked with a grin on her face.

"Well, as soon as possible would be my preference but I want you to take the time that you need to plan out the wedding of your dreams. I want that for you. Go crazy, go over the top. Just run some things by me so I can at least participate" Bella laughed lightly as she already saw the gears running in Alice's mind.

"Can I get you an engagement ring? It feels weird that I would have one and you don't" Alice replied after a few moments, intertwining her fingers with Bella's.

" Of course. I would love to wear a ring from you. I had thought about getting one for myself the same time I picked up your ring, but I didn't want to steal that opportunity from you" Bella nodded with a smile.

"I will pick out a ring for you with the help of Esme and Rosalie. Can we make the accountment of our engagement when we get back tomorrow?" Alice asked as she looked up to Bella.

"Sounds perfect, love" Bella nodded as she bit back a yawn. The action did not go unnoticed by Alice however, who stood up and helped Bella to her feet.

"We should head back. Our flight is planned to leave soon and I should hunt one last time" Alice chirped and Bella nodded in agreement.

The two walked back to the house, hand in hand.

"I'll pack and do some last minute cleaning so that Esme will allow us to use the island again, go ahead and hunt. I got this." Bella laughed as Alice kissed her.

"I love you so much, Bella" Alice smiled as she pulled back.

"I love you too" Bella smiled. She blinked and Alice was gone.

Bella began packing up her and Alice's belongings, smiling to herself. She was engaged and things were finally beginning to fall into place. Just then, her phone rang causing her to snap out of her thoughts. Seeing that it was Jake who was calling caused her to become curious.

"Hey Jake, what's up?" Bella asked casually as she folded up a shirt.

"I just needed to talk to you" Jake replied, his voice slightly strained.

"Geez, it's only been two days. Can't even go that long without talking to me?" Bella joked as she put more clothes into the suitcase, zippering it up.

"No, Bella. This is important" Jake snapped, causing Bella to stop working and sit on the bed, "But you have to promise not to flip out"

" Jake…" Bella began but was interrupted by Jake, " I mean it Bella. Promise me."

"Fine, alright. I promise. Now, what's up?" Bella asked with a sigh.

" Bella, the Cullens and the tribe would kill me if they knew I was telling you this but I think you need to know. Bella, Victoria is hunting you" Jake finally replied.

"Wait, what? Jake, slow down" Bella replied slowly, feeling her stomach churn at Victoria's name.

"We spotted her nearby a couple of days ago. My tribe and the Cullens talked and decided we would all try to take her out but she got away after Rosalie was significantly hurt. I just…I had to tell you because I know you're coming back tonight and I just want you to be safe" Jake explained.

"If you all were going after Victoria, I should have been there! I could have helped! Why would Alice hide this from me?" Bella replied through gritted teeth.

"You didn't have full control yet and Alice and Rosalie especially didn't want to risk it. I'm sorry that I couldn't tell you, Sam prohibited it. I've just been working on a way to help defy the Alpha call and it just took longer than I thought it would." Jake paused as he took in a deep breath, " I know she may have lied to you but the goal was for her to take you someplace safe, do what had to be done for you to unlock your full potential and control and then for us to take care of the treat, but we failed. She's just too fast for us." Jake replied slowly.

Bella did not reply. She couldn't. Her mind was too busy taking in the new information, furiously trying to understand all that had happened.

"Bella…" Jake finally sighed.

"This is a lot to take to take in, Jake. I will process it on the flight back. I appreciate you telling the truth and letting me know. I promise not to say anything to anyone and also to not flip out. Alice and the rest of the family will likely be out for the day tomorrow after we get back. I'll text you and we can meet up to discuss everything." Bella replied and hit the end button, ending the call.

Bella sighed as she buried her face into her hands.

'Why did this have to happen? I was finally happy. Ready to create a new future with Alice. Now this?' Bella thought to herself as she lifted her head from her hands, her eyes burning and slightly red at the corners from trying not to cry out of frustration. Bella stood up and finished packing, zipping up Alice's bag, before walking into the bathroom to put in some eyedrops.

Alice returned from her hunt at this moment, and leaned against the doorframe.

"I'm back, dear. That you for cleaning and packing…" Alice sang but stopped as she saw the red in Bella's eyes that was quickly clearing up, " Hey, are you okay?" Alice quickly asked, walking over and running a gentle hand down Bella's arm.

"I'm fine, I promise. Just a little tired." Bella smiled as she rubbed her eyes and then walked past Alice and into the bedroom to pick up the bags. Together they walked in silence to the boat. Bella drove the boat with Alice by her side, concern reflecting off of her eyes. Bella felt off, which was apparent based on the emotionless glaze covering her eyes.

Together they boarded the plane and took their seats. Bella surprised Alice by ordering a whiskey on the rocks rather than taking her medicine. Alice watched with a raised eyebrow as Bella sipped on the whiskey, grimacing slightly at the taste. Bella gulped the rest down, shaking her head to remove the remembrance of the taste. Whiskey was by far her least favorite drink but it was the most effective.

"Bella, are you sure you okay?" Alice pressed again as Bella leaned against the window and closed her eyes.

"I swear, I'm okay." Bella replied as she opened one of her eyes and reached out to pull Alice against her. Alice smiled at the gesture and cuddled close, pulling out a novel as Bella reclosed her eyes, deep in thought before finally nodding off.


"Bella, love. Wake up. We've landed" Alice whispered in Bella's ear causing Bella to quickly open her eyes. Bella yawned and stood up, stretching out her sore muscles. She had definitely slept in a weird position and her neck was all cramped up. Bella grimaced in pain as she reached up and grabbed the bags and exited the plane with Alice. Jake was waiting for them and smiled a huge grin when he saw Alice, hugging her.

"Welcome back! You're not allowed to leave like that, ever again!" Jake teased as he ruffled her hair playfully, earning him a playful slap on the arm. Jake reached over and took the bags from Bella, and placed a knowing pat on her shoulder, his gaze soft. Alice's sharp eyes took note of this brief but significant action.

'Jasper does the same to me when something is up. Something is definitely wrong.' Alice thought to herself as Bella slid into the front seat, next to Jake.

Bella quickly turned on the radio to fill in the void in between the small talk they all shared regarding the trip, not touching on the reason why Bella's eyes were jade or the engagement. Bella groaned as the pain continued throughout her neck and moved down across the top of her shoulders. The sound was not picked up by Jake who continued discussing his plans to restore his newest bike, but Alice did notice. Her gaze shot to Bella who was obviously attempted to stretch out her neck and was not able to find relief.

Bella and Alice exited the truck as Jake parked, and entered the house. Bella was surprised that none of the family met them. Bella walked up the stairs slowly, her hand rubbing her sore neck that was getting worse by the minute. Her mind preoccupied from the pain and from the phone call with Jake caused her to trip on the top step, something that would not have been out of the ordinary as a human but now the action stood out like a sore thumb. Alice caught her quickly, her concerned eyes locked onto Bella's, who looked away swiftly with a quick thank you. They entered the bedroom and put the luggage down. Bella shed off her clothes and put on her pajamas and climbed into bed, laying her head on the pillow, her head now pounding to the point of causing nausea.

'What the hell is going on with me? This surely can't be because of the whiskey or how I slept on the plane…' Bella thought with an inward groan.

"Sleep well, dear. We'll tell everyone our news tomorrow, I promise. It looks like my little wolf needs some sleep." Alice smiled as she pulled a sheet up to cover Bella. Bella nodded and closed her eyes. Alice kissed the top of Bella's head with a sigh and then left the room. Bella waited a few moments and then got up, walking out and into the hallway as she felt the Cullen's presence. Bella stopped at the end of the hallway and peered around the corner to look down at the family, all gathered in the living room. Her sharp eyes were able to clearly make out Rosalie. The cracks were still covering the majority of the left side of her body, but were clearly healing. Bella watched Alice fall to her knees, placing her head on Rosalie's lap. Bella could feel the sadness and guilt radiating off of Alice for just a brief second before Jasper used his gift to calm her down.

Bella felt her stomach churn violently and walked back to bedroom silently and onto the patio. Bella leaned against the wooden railing, feeling her tears flow down from her unblinking eyes and off her chin. Bella's burning eyes scanned the forest, knowing that somewhere, Victoria was waiting. Bella felt a low growl form in the base of her throat, a growl that was almost too animalistic for even her own liking. It almost made her feel less than human and more of a monster. Almost.

" You want me? Come and get me. I am ready for you, Victoria. I hope you are too."