A/N: hello my lovelies! Sorry for the lack of update but life has taken its turns and all. The pandemic is becoming worse here in my country. Anyways, this chapter is more like a cruise until I have the time and energy for the big conflict.

Be safe, double your masks and take care.


"What are they saying now?"

Bella and Emmett have been engaging in a discussion about what the school theories are regarding her and Rose. It was Emmett's idea to try and actually make light of the situation. It does help. Bella's been nervous about the logistics especially appearance-wise since it's unthinkable in this Godforsaken town for a same sex couple to be so open let alone for a polygamous one. She's been feeling good about being so open about her relationship with Irina and Bella does not want Rosalie to think she's ashamed of her or worse, trying to hide her. So heeding Kate's advice, she decides to just do what feels right without having to make a declaration about their relationship.

"Someday Bella, many years from now, what these people think won't matter to you. Infact, they won't even be here anymore to matter. What will matter is how you made those around you feel. Think of it this way - looking back at the last moments of your human life, do you want to make your mates happy or make them feel sad by your choices?" Kate said.

"Kate's right. We have an eternity together and our vampiric memory is superb. You came to us and as your sisters, we'll always be honest with you. Choose to be happy Bella instead of being burdened by words or people who won't even be alive fifty years from now," Tanya added.

It had strengthened Bella's resolve. When Irina and Rosalie returned from their hunting trip that night, Bella told them of her intention to be open about their new relationship, much to Rosalie's joy. Both blondes showered the human with much adoration and love that night.

"They wonder if you'll go for Alice next." Emmett laughed into his palms, trying to control how loud he is.

Bella snickers and Alice finds offence at that.

"What? I'm not hot enough for you?" the pixie challenged her.

Rose slides in next to Bella and wraps her arm around Bella's waist. "Not blonde enough."

Bella almost chokes her water and almost accidentally sprayed it across Emmett's face.

"It's true isn't it?" Rose smirked at her.

Bella merely rolls her eyes and scoffs. "If that were true, I'd have the hots for Kate and Tanya too." The thought grosses her out because she already thinks of them as her sisters.

Rose lets off a low growl and pulls Bella to her, "Remember who you belong to." Bella's heart skips a beat at Rose's possessiveness. She has to admit it does make her excited and she takes note of it for future references.

"I should tell you Bellsy that Rosie does not like to share," Emmett chuckled. "Well, except with Irina of course. But it's hot."

Alice smacks the back of his head and they're lucky the cafeteria is too buzzed for any humans to hear it. But Rose leans in to whisper into her ear anyways, "He's right, yknow. I hate sharing what's mine."

As if to prove her point, she intertwines their hands together, gives Bella's knuckles a lingering kiss and rest them on top of the table, for the whole school to see. The Newton boy sees it and quickly manoeuvred his footsteps to return to their table instead of making a beeline for Bella. He sighs in disappointment and Rosalie smirks at her success.

"Told you," Emmett whispered as the pieces fall together in Bella's head. She couldn't even chastise Rosalie and instead finding it all endearing. So she leans into the blonde and calls to her, "Hey."

Loving golden eyes stare right back at her and Bella almost buckles under its intensity. She continues to lean in and the blonde decides to mirror her. As their lips touch, Bella lets her other hand cup Rosalie's face.

"I'm yours," she quietly confessed. Her heart soars catching her Rose trying hard to suppress her grin.

The whole cafeteria goes quiet at the physical declaration but the lovebirds are way too occupied with each other to give a hoot.

Everytime Rosalie feels insignificant right next to Irina, Bella somehow rebuts those insecurities with her love language such as this. The blonde sighs and places a tender kiss on her mate's cheek in gratitude.

If this is a small preview of what an eternity of life together with her mate would taste like, then maybe Bella's turning wouldn't be so bad after all. It is then and there that Rosalie decided wherever Bella wants to go, she would follow her, even to Denali.

But it doesn't mean she couldn't use her charms to sway her mate to stop by few beautiful cities for before finally settling down somewhere they all would love.


"I would like to try something."

Irina, Kate and Tanya nod at the blonde to continue. Rosalie had asked Emmett to keep Bella distracted while she requested a private meeting with the three sisters.

"Would this something be related to our dear human?" Kate teased.

Irina and Rosalie roll their eyes at Kate's sexual innuendo and Tanya throws her a sharp look before asking Rosalie to continue.

"I'd like to accompany Bella to sleep tonight, without Irina."

Both of the elder sisters look to Irina who seems deep in her thoughts. Family meeting with the Denalis are quite different than the Cullens. Usually Edward's voice outranks many others since he could read everyone's thoughts, which makes him think he knows best. But with the Denali, Rosalie feels she could conjure their attention without so much breaking out into a fight. Really, all she needs to do is ask.

"I need to know your reasoning, especially since everyone's been so tense and Bella hadn't been having those nightmares."

There's no malice in her voice, just mere curiosity. If the tables were turned, Rosalie knows she will have no qualm about yelling and resisting.

"You were right about before; about me being the surprise they couldn't foresee."

Before Irina could respond, Kate frowns. "Isn't it a big risk? To put our new sister in harm's way just to prove a point?"

"Not necessarily," Tanya paused. "Bella actually has spoken about this. She wants to take an initiative. So even if Rosalie's presence fail to stop those dreams, at least she could find some clues to who we're dealing with."

At this, Rosalie's eyes harden. Her idea was simply to let Irina lounge nearby as she accompanies Bella to sleep upstairs. At any sighting of Bella's struggle in her sleep, she'd call Irina immediately. But Bella's idea puts her on edge. It would mean they would have to test the distance in which Irina should be away from the human so Bella could have the time to gather some intel.

This isn't what she wants. Her instincts are screaming at her.

"No. That's too big of a risk."

"Rose, I understand. But this is what our mate wishes," Irina tried to calm her down.

But she isn't having any of it. "Then you should understand how I feel about this! Or don't you care enough about our mate?!"

Irina's eyes darken at Rosalie's insinuation and she stands right in front of her, challenging her to provoke her further.

"Do not underestimate the extent of my feelings for Isabella! You are clearly clouded by your anger to have forgotten that I was the one who encouraged your mating bond with my Isabella, when other vampires wouldn't have let you even near their mate!" Irina seethed.

At this, Rosalie stumbles back in guilt. Her eyes darted to the corner of the room in embarrassment. She'll forever be indebted to Irina for accepting her mating bond with Bella without any hesitation. So she apologises meekly.

Irina takes a deep breath to calm herself down. She is well aware of Rosalie's wild temper but what she said truly offended her and it's not something so easily forgiven.

"Perhaps you forget, our coven doesn't make decisions lightly, Rosalie. And we take everyone's opinion into account before making the best decision for everyone. Bella's strong and brave," Tanya started.

"Stupid, but brave," Kate chimed in with a grin.

"Yes, that. But Bella wants to do this. We won't do this tonight obviously so she could be more prepared the next time it happens. And I do agree. Everyone's a little worn out being too guarded without knowing what we're up against. A little recon might be helpful. We just need to mitigate all risks."

"Yeah Rose. Did you really think we'd put our sister in harm's way without any protection? She's tired sitting on her ass waiting all this while but now it's time to play offence," Kate put the logic back in Rosalie's mind.

Irina is still hurt and angry at Rosalie's words and allows her sisters to take over so she doesn't say something stupid and make it worse.

"I need you two to put your emotions aside so we can strategically plan this. Then we can present it to Bella and see what she decides. Do we agree on this?" Tanya asked looking at Bella's mates.

Both of them nod.


After the meeting, which surprisingly went well as Rosalie and Irina pushed their emotions aside and focused on their plan, Irina hastily ran outside to find her mate. She is hurt and she needs her mate's comfort.

When Bella's gentle eyes laid upon her, she almost feels like crumbling, her emotions exposed, vulnerable. With knowing eyes, she opens her arms to Irina.

"Want to get out of here?" She whispered, as if her voice gets loud, it would crush Irina's spirit.

With Irina's nod, Bella pulls her away for a silent but comforting walk. Worried eyes glance so often in her way but there was no question asked. And it is exactly what she needed.

Bella's stamina has improved significantly, with all the gruelling trainings Kate put her through. In places where she was lean, Irina can see now that her muscles are forming. Sometimes she still complaints about having to wake up super early for their morning jog but it's the reduced cuddling cuddling session that really makes her grumpy in the morning. Irina notices Bella loves to catch the sunrise and she often tags along. When it's just the two of them, which is a rare moment due to Kate's lack of trust, they would stop by the river bank and climb up the hill, which gives them the direct view of the sun.

Now Irina finds themselves heading there.

And when the reach the top, Irina positions herself behind her mate, inhaling her sweet scent, allowing it to assault her super senses.

"Do you want to talk about it now?"

Truthfully Irina's a little exhausted. It had been so eventful; finding her mate, earning her trust, fighting off Edward, opening themselves up for Rosalie. It seems never ending. Not that she regrets meeting Bella and all the misfortunes unfolding them but she would just like to take a breather.

"Isabella?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you ever regret moving to Forks?"

It was so unexpected Bella had to laugh at that. When the laughter dies down, she turns in Irina's arms to look at her girlfriend.

"And miss the chance of meeting you? Never!" To prove her point, she kisses her girlfriend deeply.

"Even with everything that happened?" Irina asked again.

"When I learned about what Laurent meant to you, I had the same question," she paused. A flicker of fear appears in Irina's golden eyes and Bella kisses it away. "I think, since you were destined to be my mate, we would find each other somehow. If it means I had to endure James, Victoria, Volturi and Edward again, I'd face them again if it meant I would meet you."

A small sob nearly escapes her throat and when Bella kisses her, it's now replaced by low whimpers. Bella's biting and pulling her lips playfully.

"I love you, Irina."

Her eyes widen and filled with venom. "I love you too, my Isabella."

Taken over by their emotions, Irina discards their clothes, much to Bella's surprise but yet no resistance there. She gently turns Bella around and pushes her against a tree. Her one arm cups both of Bella's breasts possessively and she pushes Bella's body down with her own so her butt is pressed tightly against her core.

Bella moans as she feels Irina's wetness sliding against her butt and pulls Irina by the hair as cold lips descend down her exposed neck.

"I want you so bad, Isabella," she asked for permission.

"Then take me."

Bella adjusts so all of her back is offered to her mate and Irina captures and squeezes both of her mate's breasts in her hands. Her lust is on fire as she grinds down against her mate, claiming her in ways no one has before.

Sweats pour down Bella's body and Irina finds her mate's scent more intoxicating. As she brought them near to the peak, Irina bites down her shoulder, intending to once again claim her mate, as Bella's not-so-subtle screams echo around the forest.

When they finally return to the Cullen's manor, Rosalie is waiting with a smirk in her face. She could smell them on each other, just like any other vampire can. And the dark purple mark on Bella's neck is visible even to the humans' eyes. She finds it strange that the sight turns her on.

But Rosalie has a more important matter to take care of. She informed Bella of what happened and this time genuinely apologised to Irina for her temper. Irina instantly forgives her seeing as Bella's confession and what transpired in the forest put Irina on a cloud nine.

Bella, happy with her mates' progress decides to reward them both, but not without a little teasing.

"I think I'm almost ready," she winked and left both blondes gawking at the front porch.

"Who knew Isabella Swan could be an insatiable human?" Irina said excitedly.

Rosalie laughs, "But then again, so are we."