"Why do you look like you wanna kill me?"
The question would have been funny if Bella isn't really somewhat scared of the glare Rosalie's been throwing her way. The blonde huffs and simultaneously ignores both the question and the human. It takes the brunette back to those times when Rosalie hated her.
It didn't hurt much but it does now. Bella thought they were way past this phase. She understands that sometimes her decisions infuriate Rosalie with little regards she has for her own safety. But she assumed they would be in agreement this time around.
Bella realises this isn't the Rosalie she's come to care for. This is the icy cold and terrifying Rosalie Hale; her mask. There's only one way to get through her. She has to be the soothing fire.
"Rose, what's wrong?" Bella braved a step closer to the blonde.
She's thankful half of the vampires are out hunting before it gets dark and dark consumes her, while the rest stay around; patrolling and watching. She knows Irina would throw a fit if she were to see this ugly scenario that's about to unfold.
Rosalie couldn't help it. There's a fire raging inside her. The whole thing is stupid. Even with intensive and gruelling training, what chance does the human stand against this unknown vampire? She'd be the last to agree, if there were ever a vote, to turn Bella so she could haev a fighting chance. She finds the idea not so bad after all. Or they could run. They could escape, hide Bella so she would be eternally safe. Rosalie could do that, with the help of Emmett, of course. To her, the Denalis are too much of a fool to make a stand here.
How many wars do they have to go through for Bella to understand that she doesn't belong in this world? That she is better off without them. That she could be happy and safe.
What use is love when you die? They do nothing. Bella would just be gone and the through terrifies her. And it maks her furious. To her, Bella's just as much as an idiot as pathetic Edward.
Rosalie sees Bella's hand stretched out to touch her and something in her snaps.
"Don't fucking touch me!" she growled.
The pained look in Bella's eyes make her take a step back but then she is reminded yet again to all these idiots and their stupid decisions. And of course, Bella's not one to back down from danger, even when it's blatantly obvious she will get hurt; emotionally and physically. She forwards again, her eyes filled with determination and it infuriates Rosalie even further.
"This isn't who you are, Rose. Please, come back to me."
She scoffs at Bella's pathetic but almost successful plead. It had all been a mistake. She should never have let her in. But how could she blame herself for it when she could pin it on the human?
"What are we doing here, Bella?" Rosalie spat venemously.
A look of confusion sets in and Alice appears at the doorway, shaking her head at her sister, attempting to prevent Rosalie from making a decision she will regret. "Calm down, Rose. Let's take a breather."
Alice couldn't have predicted what's about to happen because now Rosalie's all too consumed by her anger and she's driven by her instincts, her actions the opposite of being calculated. It's more of a reflex action now for Rosalie. She makes the mistake of trying to pull Rosalie off and with one swift move, she has Alice thrown out of the room, shattering the kitchen window and Bella ducking to avoid herself from bleeding in a house full of unsettled vampires.
Hearing his mate in trouble, Jasper runs straight for Rosalie and switches on his calming power on full blast but of course Rosalie sees it coming. She immediately scoops Bella off the kitchen tiles and out into the wood, not holding back any speed. Carlisle and Jasper's screams for Rosalie at first sound so close but Rosalie decides to finally reveal the results of her training with the Denalis and picks up speed. Her mind becomes blank and indecisive so the seer couldn't see through her decisions.
Bella, unprepared and catches the strong wind in her eyes and throat, she whimpers and tries to block everything by covering her head. She feels nauseous but fights to keep it down, in fear of angering Rosalie more. It feels like forever until Rosalie stops. She knows this because Rosalie's strong but foreign arms drop and her back kisses the dirt forcefully.
"What the hell Rose!" she yelled, checking if there's any damage done to her waist. All the food she consumed hours earlier punch through her throat and she could no longer restrain it. So she crawls to the nearest bush and hurls everything out.
Rosalie's black eyes watch her like a predator, unrelenting but focused. Once she's done, Bella feels disgusted by the content of her stomach and scoots further away from the damaged bush. She coughs out the remainder and feels her throat and eyes burn.
Feeling she's being stalked, she turns around and finds herself stunned by the unmoving Rosalie. Only thing is that Rosalie doesn't look anywhere like her best friend. She has that same murderous glint in her black eyes, the same ones burnt in Victoria's eyes when she almost killed Bella.
"What are you doing?" she hissed.
The icy tone caught Bella off guard since it had been months since she had last heard it being directed towards her. She quickly straightens up and wonders what actually sets Rosal off. There's no mistaking, this is Rosalie's demons who have come out to play. Her body's stiff. Her whole posture screams anger. But what could have happened?
"Rose?" she gently tried to reason with the blonde again.
But Rosalie has lost all control. She wants to hurt. God, she badly wants to lash out. She couldn't keep it in anymore. Everything is just so fucked up! An evil smirk dances on her red lips as she starts to circle Bella like a hunter, just like James. The resemblance is uncanny and fear screams at Bella's every being.
Run. Run. Run!
Bella knows there's no use of running. Besides, she isn't going to let Rosalie's demons win. Tanya taught her better than that.
"What did you think was going to happen Bella? All eleven vampires of us are going to throw away our life and protect you once again? Who the fuck do you think you are?!"
Bella flinches at that. At least she knows Rosalie's aim is not to hurt her physically. This is a mind warfare. She closes her eyes and focuses to strengthen her mind. So she thinks of happy memories and all the people who make her happy. Rosalie's got a sharp tongue but Bella knows she could protect herself. The images of Irina's smiles, her wonderful scent, her soft kisses and her warm embrace flood her thoughts. She reopens them, bracing Rosalie's next verbal attacks.
"I am Bella Swan. I first fell in love with Edward Cullen. But he hurt me too many times that I fell out of love. The Cullens accepted me into their family, including you, Rosalie Hale. I met Irina Denali and she claimed me as her mate. One day we accidentally kissed each other and Irina explained to me that you too are my mate. You ran away but Irina brought you back. We agreed to hold this topic until we're both ready."
Bella's words halted Rosalie's movement. She looks taken aback but her eyes remain dark.
"Now tell me what's got you so bothered, Rose?"
She spoke softly, as if Rosalie's the one who's about to be hurt. The blonde looks conflicted and in pain. Everything she's been feeling have been respressed deep down she feels like she could explode. But then her mind cleared up and she remembers why she was so angry in the first place.
"You, Bella fucking Swan! My problem is you! How many times do you have to tempt fate? This is what; your fourth time in danger! When will you get it? Huh? The universe does not want you happy! It wants you dead! You're an idiot for thinking you belong in our world!" she not so gently poked Bella on the chest.
"And you'd rather I walk away? Forget you all ever existed? Leave the people who love me?"
Rosalie's eyes turn hard once more, gaining its fiery momentum. "When you get turned, you're going to have to say goodbye to Renee, Charlie, Angela, Jacob and everyone else! What do you call that? Isn't it the same as leaving the people who love you?!"
Guilt spreads like wildfire in Bella's conscience. She does have a point. Edward had told her of this before, that before she is turned, they would have to fake her death so her parents in particular could move on without her. Chancing to still be in touch with them while she's a newborn would only put her parents in grave danger.
"My problem at this moment is that I don't particularly like you. You have a choice. I didn't. None of us did. But you're choosing wrong. I don't care how miserable your human life is. I wouldn't wish this dreadful never ending life for you."
The weight of it all catches her off guard and Bella stumbles down backwards tripping over a tree. She yelps and braces herself for the pain to come but it never came. Her body is one inch away from the ground. Rosalie stopped her from falling. But unfortunately, the blonde is hovering over her, their faces too close for comfort. Last time they were this close was when Rosalie's tongue invaded her mouth.
She gasps noticing Rosalie's eyes are still dangerously black. Rosalie has finally opened up to her and Bella understands that she could lose this argument if she fights fire with fire.
"Is this because you don't like the fact that I'm your mate?"
"It is because you're my mate that I hate this." They both are surprised by Rosalie's confession. It is her first time ever to admit it out loud.
"Bella, I want more than ever to become human with you. To grow old with you. To raise a family with you. And to cherish the short time we have together. On the outside, this vampirism seems fascinating and powerful but I've lived a hollow life, Bella. Unable to die. Unable to love."
At her broken voice, Bella stroke her cheek delicately and Rosalie leans into her touch, loving every second of it. Bella hasn't rejected her yet and for that she is grateful.
"But you love me."
Bella sheds a tear on her behalf when Rosalie nods in agreement. "I do. Ever since you came barging in through my garage."
A surge of happiness swells in Bella's chest. "Irina's the love of my life." Rosalie wanted to kill herself at Bella's admission. But she's decided to brave through it. "And so are you."
Her eyes widen and the confession automatically diminishes the blackness around her pupil until it turns bright gold again.
"Then you must understand that I cannot lose you. I will die, Bella. It's not too late. I can still save you," she pleaded with venom in her eyes which will never fall.
"How can you not see that a life without you and Irina is one not worth living? I almost died when Edward left and I'm most certain it would truly kill me if you're both not in my life. I know the effect of the mating bond within a human and vampire are different. But Rosalie, I can't... I love you and her. I want to be happy with both of you. Is that too much to ask?"
Bella breaks out in sobs. Rosalie's undead heart is shattered at the pain. She swore she wouldn't hurt Bella again and yet here they are. Bella cups her mouth to stop the whimpers and sobs but she is unsuccessful as her cries grow loud and she is unable to breathe.
Everything can go to hell, she thinks. Rosalie pulls away Bella's hand and covers her mouth with hers.
"I don't want your pity kiss." Bella gently pushes Rosalie away.
But Rosalie doesn't listen and tries again. Bella turns her head away and her lips land on her cheek instead. She groans and decides to go big.
"I fucking love you Bella Swan. Stop being so damn stubborn and love me back!"
Her eyes never wavering, which seized Bella's heart. Instantly she jumps and presses her lips onto Rosalie's, earning her a smile. Rosalie's cold hands weave through her hair and encircle her waist. They both could hear how loud her heart is beating, her breaths ragged and the tremors in her hands. Rosalie breaks away from the kiss and presses her forehead against Bella, loving how warm she feels against her marble skin.
"You're my mate, Isabella Swan. I'm sorry it took me this long to admit it."
Somebody clears their throat and Bella jumps away, but Rosalie is quick to pull her in and hiss at the intruder. Turns out, Irina is staring down at both of them in amusement. Bella and Rosalie look up in guilt.
"So, we need to have that talk right now."
Bella turns pale at being caught between the two blondes. She is still hesitant about being in a relationship with both of them but God she loves them both. Irina senses her mate's discomfort and pulls Bella up to her feet before kissing her. Bella melts just as well in Irina's arms like she did with Rosalie.
"Nothing changes between us, Isabella. I still love you. Come on. Everyone's worried sick."
Bella holds her breath as both blonders offer to carry her; Irina ducking to give her back, Rosalie has her arms out. Irina chuckles at the absurdity. She kisses Isabella once again before scooping her up and into Rosalie's arms.
"It's okay. we'll take turns. Plus, Rosalie has a lot to make up for."
