A/N: I feel like responding to the lovely reviews today. So here ya go!

Guest: This chapter was great, but I hope Rose get more free time with Bella. I feel like she being left out and isn't experiencing the mate bond as much.

Me: Me too! Bella and Rose's relationship will blossom but you know how Rosalie is (stubborn as hell!). So it will take time.

Natcityjp: This chapter was fun. Flirty, smart assertive Bella is awesome! I hope Rosalie gets with it. She's missing out!

Me: oh yes, isn't it sexy how Bella's growing a backbone? I agree, Rosalie is missing out and she knows it.

4l3xy: Omg I love it! Thank you for writing this fic! There isn't enough BellaxIrina fic so I really appreciate this one! Two suggestions thoughFirst add Irina and Rosalie in the characters with Bella. It would be much easier to find your story for anyone looking for Irina/Bella or Bella/Rosalie. Second I think you should change the rating to a T or even a M.

Me: Thank YOU for reading. Honestly, I started writing this fanfiction bcs I couldn't find any Bella X Irina stories. At first, I intended for Bella and Rose to be just best friends but I dunno, something changed and I went with my guts. I'm still not sure where the characters will take me so that's why I haven't added Rosalie's name in the title. As for the list of characters, i did add Rose and Irina's name. Urgh sometimes the app on my phone is just messed up and I'm not sure how to get it sorted. I'm relatively new here as a writer so I will need to explore a bit to change the rating. But thank you for the suggestions!

DeathCrawler: nice story and look forward the next chapters and since it looks like Rosalie will be in the pairing maybe time to update the title?

Me:we shall see. I dunno yet where the story will take me. I don't want to mislead readers.

Magic2488: Did not see that divorce happening. Makes everything more interesting now. Can't wait to read more

Me: right? Me too! I actually planned for the divorce to happen sometime later but the dialogue and the scene just came to me. It was time.

DxGRAYxMAN: Wait is rose her mate as well

Me: i think so. :p

JessyM83: Just found this story, not many Bella and Irina stories. Enjoying this very much.

Me: i hope you will continue to enjoy this! I don't plan the plots, i just write whatever ideas flow into my brain.


If Rosalie was hesitant before, she isn't anymore. As soon as she heard about a new threat discovered by Eleazar, she comes running. Right now Kate, Bella and Eleazar are at the Swan's residence, taking most of Bella's belongings. The human insisted that whoever or whatever's out there should think that she has moved in with the Denalis instead of still living with her father. It's not a risk she wants to take.

So, while they're over there, Irina decides to stay behind on the pretense of discussing strategies with Tanya. Bella was suspicious but she trusted Irina and whatever plan she had so she left willingly with Kate and Eleazar.

As it turns out, Irina needed to have a word with her cousin.

"Where's Bella?"

"Packing her stuff. She'll be here soon enough with them."

Irina looks out the big window, her eyes trained on the edge of the forest, very alert.

"You want to talk," Rosalie noted and chose to approach her tense cousin.

"Yes."

She doesn't like the sound of her cousin's voice. Irina seems to be on an edge, which is quite understandable given the situation. For Rosalie, it isn't the first time that Bella's in grave danger so she's a bit more calmer. At times like this, she understands it's best for Irina to lead the conversation.

"I need to know if we're on the same page," Irina spoke again. Only this time, she took her eyes off the forest and bore them directly into Rosalie's golden ones.

"I'm going to need a little more than that to respond."

Irina sighs but agrees with Rosalie's sentiment. She decides to calm herself down and takes a seat on the couch. There isn't much time until everyone returns so she figures she needs to get this conversation done with immediately.

"Whatever plan we decide on later, I'll always be by Isabella's side. Speaking from experience, mates have a higher force of protectiveness and instincts during battles. So, I need to know if you'll agree to be Isabella's last line of defense."

Rosalia takes in a sharp breath at what Irina was implying. Her jaws tense at Irina's negativity. God damn it, it's not the time to surrender. The battle hasn't even begun just yet. She's pissed. Bella's mate or not, Rosalie isn't below kicking some sense into her cousin. They've done it before to Edward. So she has no qualms doing the same to Irina.

"You think something will happen to you."

Irina glances away.

"I know it will. So far, I'm the only one who can protect Isabella from the nightmares. It is only strategical for them to take me out first to get to her."

Rosalie's shoulders sag from the release of tension, knowing this isn't Plan C. This is Plan A and Irina's mind is focused on optimising to their strengths.

"Eleazar is a better fighter. Won't he or Kate be a much more of an asset than me?"

"Rosalie, never underestimate a vampire when they're trying to protect their mate. I know you're struggling to... accept your mating bond with Isabella but I know you'd do everything to protect her, perhaps just as much as I do."

Rosalie scoffs at Irina's overestimating her strength and will. She rolls her eyes at her cousin's cloudy and unreliable judgement. Her internal battle about this mating bond has been a pain in the ass. She definitely doesn't need her cousin to rub it in her face anymore than her own instinct.

"Kate and I will be the obvious last defence but I think you being the element of surprise would boost our chance at winning this battle."

"I promise nothing."

"Not even for Isabella's sake?"

In actual truth, she's honoured and shocked by Irina's proposal. But the small voice nags at her, making her doubt at her ability to protect Bella. And to her, that is such a huge risk they shouldn't be taking.

Everybody knows it. Rosalie can be as forceful as she is intimidating. And both covens know to what extent Rosalie is willing to go to protect Bella. It's not something she can deny any longer.

But her hesitation isn't due to the fact that she does not care. Oh she cares; a lot. But her insecurities and doubts have made her unfocused and uncertain. Even one second of this weakness could cost Bella's life and she knows it. It's not something she could live with herself if she was the cause of Bella's death.

Irina sees Rosalie's internal battle with how shaded her golden eyes look. They both can hear Alice's car humming on the outside, no doubt trying to give them a bit more time before the human learns of their conversation. She decides to lay off her cousin and comes up with another plan.

"I understand. I just hope this is a decision you won't ever regret."

Rosalie feels a chill runs through her at that reminder. But there isn't much time to waste as she smells the human at the door. Every fiber in her being screams for her to touch Bella, to seek comfort of the endangered Bella. How cruel could fate be to tempt and risk a human life non-stop?

That's just it. Fate has always been cruel to her and she doesn't believe it will be kind to her anymore, especially not regarding her circumstance with Bella. She never once believed in a forever happy ever after, especially more after Royce.

"Babe, can I talk to you?" Bella asked, her voice strained.

Irina's face breaks out in an assuring smile seeing the determined look in her mate's hazel eyes. She runs to Bella and pulls her in for a soft kiss. Not able to resist the cute and confused look, Irina presses another small kiss on her nose, effectively carving a big smile on the human's lips.

"Sorry, you look too cute I can't help myself. Come, let's take a walk."

Bella nods and follows Irina outside, happy Irina still remembers she wants to talk despite the distraction. Kate appears by Rosalie's side and chuckles. "Gross, right? I wonder if the honeymoon phase will ever end with those two."

A dark thought passes by. She knows when it will end. When either one of them dies.

It surprises her and she tries her best to shake it off. She begins to feel disgusted and horrified at herself, more than the usual.


"Now I know you didn't pull me out here for a cuddle, my love. If you wanted that we'd be cuddling in my bed instead right now."

Bella peeks open one eye and takes in her surrounding. The rows of the tall trees line perfectly in front of them, making it visible enough for her girlfriend to detect any incoming intruders. But she doubts that knowing Kate, Tanya, Eleazar and Emmett are out here training. The loud blows and thumps are enough to even scare all the animals away.

So she leans in further against Irina's front, pulling both her arms to cover her front, effectively spooning her. Irina merely chuckles and kisses her mate's head, enjoying these moments when Bella just wants to be pampered.

The perks of dating a girl, as Kate once put it.

"I know it sounds reckless but I've had enough being paralysed by fear. So, I want to enjoy this peaceful moment with girlfriend."

Tanya's training with Bella obviously worked looking at Bella's guts. Irina is so proud of her. But she remembers that her mate did say that she wants to talk and the steely look in her eyes earlier confirmed she wanted to say something important.

"You can but I can hear your train of thoughts from miles away, darling," Irina squeezed her a little.

"That obvious?" Bella sighed.

"Only to your girlfriend," Irina kissed her ear and gently nibbled on it. Bella gets ticklish and squirms a bit in her arms. She surrenders.

Bella takes a deep breath, sits up and turns around to face her. She laces their fingers together and drops her eyes there.

"I want to fight."

Irina keeps silent until Bella raises her head to look at her, trying to gauge her girlfriend's reaction. She's still not used to this; Irina. She was so used to Edward's antics that she expected resistance from Irina. But she always has to remind herself that they are two different people. And right now, it just proves of how much different they both are.

Irina runs her fingers through Bella's brown hair, revelling in how soft her mate actually is.

"I know, which is why Kate will start training you tomorrow morning."

"Oh? I thought you will?"

"No, my love. Eleazar will be training Emmett and I."

"You guys won't have too much fun without me?"

"Trust me. If it's fun I want, I'd rather much do it with you."

To prove her words, Irina slips her hands underneath Bella's shirt and presses her lips seductively against her mate's. Bella gasps and she uses the opportunity to invade her mouth, her tongue caressing every inch of Bella inside. A moan escapes Bella's mouth and she slides her hands higher, just rightfully on her ribcage, counting the bones.

"Get a room!" Emmett hollered from afar and Kate joined in laughter.

Both of them chuckle at the interruption and decide to behave themselves, for now.

"Have you considered the alternative?" Bella suddenly asked.

The seriousness of which Bella spoke makes it clear for Irina. She somehow knew her Isabella will broach the subject.

"Isabella, tell me something. If today hadn't happened, would you still be considering the subject so soon?"

She bites her lips.

"It's never left my mind. I've always thought about it since learning about the Cullens."

Irina holds her mate's face in her hands. She realises she needs to try harder to make her mate understand.

"I don't doubt that, my love. All I'm asking, did you have a timeline to when you would like to be changed? I mean, you even spoke about college."

There's no escaping Irina's intense gaze, not when they're this close.

"I have thought about it. Edward gave me the idea actually."

Irina squinted her eyes at the mention of the brood, not liking this one bit. Bella notices and assures her girlfriend it's nothing bad. She showers Irina with many kisses and climbs on her lap.

"How can I not? There's always something negative when Edward is mentioned."

"I actually think you'd like it."

"Oh? Do tell then."

"I was thinking..." she drawled and started playing with Irina's perfect jaws with her fingers.

"Hmm...?"

"That the only way Charlie would be willing to let me go is if I were to get married. Then, it'd be safe to turn."

A smirk is plastered on her face. Marriage is the last thing she thought Isabella would mention.

"Just like that - you'd be willing to marry me?"

Bella's face turns red. She realises this is the most unromantic marriage proposal and she wished she had better plan it. To save face, she immediately tells Irina to forget about it and try to escape Irina's hold. But of course she couldn't. How could Irina let her mate run off after bringing marriage up.

"Hey, Isabella, look at me."

Gently she turns Bella's chin towards her. Bella still has her red face down so Irina ducks a bit to catch a glimpse.

"You do realise I've expressed my desire to marry you, countless of times before, right? You have nothing to be embarrassed about."

Bella chances a look at her and is overwhelmed by the sheer look of love and adoration plastered there. Irina pulls Bella's right hand and places a kiss on the bracelet she gifted her.

"I wanted to get you a ring but I didn't want to pressure or scare you off just yet," Irina confessed. "And I'm overjoyed you're even considering it. But I have this feeling that you'd want to do it after graduation at least. Did I assume wrongly?"

Irina caught her. She wonders how the hell did Irina know when she's never even discussed it with anyone at all.

"Something like that, yeah," she grinned.

"So, we can wait, at least until then?" Her eyes shone with so much of hope, it was hard for Bella to resist. The wheels in her mind finally clicked and the fogs are all cleared up. She sighs in agreement. Irina uses the chance to bring her mate closer.

"Besides..." she nuzzled the side of Bella's head. "I promised you a night we will remember forever, didn't I? I thought you wanted to do it before marriage?" Her lips hovered over Bella's teasingly.

Bella nudges forward to kiss her but she pulls back with a naughty grin on her lips. It is when Bella groans and tries to pull away that she grabs Bella by the head and pulls her for a searing kiss. "I keep my promises, Isabella."

Just like that, the pressure Bella felt about turning into a vampire now to not burden everybody is lifted off her shoulders and abandoned. She knows they will revisit the topic again after she graduated.


Her eyelids feel heavy but there's no mistaking Irina's kisses even in the darkness. She feels the trails of kisses from up her forehead to the crook of her neck. What truly wakes her is the wet and tingling sensation behind her earlobe.

"Wake up, my love."

She whines but manages to open her heavy eyes. As suspected, Irina bends down in her effort to wake her mate up. She notices that it's still dark outside and makes an intelligent guess it's not even six yet. The cold air makes her shiver and she wants nothing more than be spooned.

"No, come back to bed, babe."

Irina's sexy chuckles fill the room but she gasps as she feels Bella tugs her jacket down. The move is so swift and sexy, Irina feels like she could really make love to her right this second. But she doesn't and allows herself to be pulled down to bed.

Bella pulls Irina's arms around her waist and sighs deeply against her neck. Irina tries to move but one plead from Bella and she is beaten, "Stay."

Five minutes later and there's still no sign of the couple. Kate got annoyed and almost barges up the stairs, knowing Irina's much too whipped to be able to wake her mate up. But Rosalie puts her hand out and blocks her way to volunteer.

Kate thinks it would be interesting and she challenges her, "You're as whipped as my sister. We both know you'd fail too."

Rosalie glares at her, "I will not fail!"

Before Kate could tease her more, Rosalie runs upstairs. Kate thinks it's funny how Rosalie didn't address the remark of her being whipped.

When she was challenged earlier, Rosalie thought of forcefully pulling the blanket off the human, as she had done before. But the serene look on Bella's face freezes her and she loses all focus. The light from the hall manages to stir the human and her feet automatically bring her to kneel, facing Bella.

"Good luck," Irina whispered from behind Bella, giving up entirely on trying to wake her mate.

She lightly taps Bella's forehead but receives no response except for her eyebrows scrunching. She decides to playfully flick Bella's nose and urge her to wakeup. Bella opens her eyes again and is about to scold whoever is disrupting her sleep when she sees Rosalie. A smile formed on her face and she opens her pats the space behind her, asking her best friend to join her.

Rosalie rolls her eyes and stands her ground. She shakes her head and runs her fingers through the brunette's hair, "Wakeup sleepyhead. It's time for your training."

Bella groans. "Thirty more minutes, Kate!" She knows Kate can hear her just fine.

"Urgh, fine! You'd better be ready in 30 or I'm going to throw you and the bed off the window!"

Bella hardly hears it so Rosalie reiterates it nicely. Feeling victorious, Bella turns around in Irina's arms and open hers towards the blonde.

"Please, Rose..."

It is almost impossible for her to resist it since she's been craving Bella's touch for a while now. All she's gotten recently is a five seconds hug here and there (yes she keeps count!). The pain in her chest doubles whenever she watches the new couple. Rosalie isn't stupid. She gladly accepts the offer but fakes a grunt as she joins them in bed. Alice of course sees it in her vision and uninvitedly jumps next to Rosalie, who manages to protect Bella from being squished.

Kate finds them all cramped up in the big bed twenty minutes later.

"What is this, an orgy? I thought you had class, Bella!"

Tanya appears at the door too with Carmen. "Kate's just jealous she didn't get the invitation." Alice decides to join in and invites Tanya and Carmen while purposely leaving Kate. They both squeeze in and everyone stares at Kate with an amused grin, even the sleepy human.

Her jaws drop, feeling playfully insulted that they've all turned against her. Emmett decides to make an appearance and she thought he is going to side with her but gets annoyed when he yelled.

"Sleepover!"

Irina growls at Emmett's body in the air and she hovers on top of Bella to shield her while Rosalie kicked him to the wall, effectively protecting Bella.

"Sorry Em, girls only." Alice cackled.

"Oh, that means I'm invited!"

Kate takes it as her cue to jump and both Irina and Rosalie hiss but Tanya quickly stands up and pushes her sister away. Kate falls down on her butt at Tanya's last minute blockage. Of course physically it doesn't hurt but the same couldn't be said about her pride.

"I could get used to waking up like this," Bella wiped away the laughing tears peering from Irina's shoulders.

"I'm going to get you back at this Bella," Kate playfully warned, ideas already forming in her head on how to wake her up tomorrow morning.

"I'd like to see you try!"