Author's Note: I sat down the other day to write a new chapter of The Gift, but this wanted to be written instead. Updates on The Gift and You Are 17, Act Like It are coming up this weekend (Christmas 2020) I hope. This one is for real a one shot. I have a bad habit of writing one shots and thinking of ideas to make a full story, haha, but this is a one and done. I hope you love it!
EPOV
Running through the woods was always exhilarating, a welcome distraction from the monotonous daily life of being a vampire. My brothers and I each drained an elk and then took off up the mountain after some grizzly bear, Emmett's favorite.
While my brothers tackled the bear, I caught a different scent, something so pleasurable that it set every nerve ending in my body tingling and pulled me to it like a magnet. I knew it wasn't a human, but I wasn't sure exactly what I was running towards a mile or so away. It smelled like freesia, strawberries, and something more primal that I couldn't describe. Something that awoke entirely new sensations inside of me.
The smell intensified as I approached a clearing. There, her arms wrapped around a mountain lion she was finishing off, was the most beautiful goddess I had ever seen. I dropped to my knees, practically falling at her feet to worship and admire her as she enjoyed her meal. This was a reaction I never had to anyone or anything before, but I embraced it. She was otherworldly.
Her reddish-brown hair fanned gracefully around her long neck. Her body was slender, yet curvy where it mattered. She wore jeans, hiking boots and a dark blue t-shirt that complemented her lovely pale skin in ways that were simply sinful. The only jewelry she wore was a small moonstone ring on her index finger.
My entire body felt warm and tears that I would never shed formed in my eyes as I watched the incredible creature. I was enthralled, unable to move any closer nor take my eyes off of her.
She dropped the carcass, licking her lips in a way that forcefully reminded me I was a man. I felt something I hadn't remembered ever feeling, lust. But there was another feeling there too, something that wasn't too certain just yet.
She saw me and froze. I was unable to speak, but slowly got to my feet. She gracefully walked towards me, at a careful, torturous pace.
Her golden eyes were looking into mine and they darkened a little with each step. I was sure that my own must be pitch black. I made sure to keep my hands in plain sight so she wouldn't be afraid.
The goddess stopped within a couple feet of me and I lost myself in her eyes. I couldn't stop the grin taking over my face. I was completely spellbound.
She looked into my eyes like I held the secrets to the universe. For once in my life, there was no anxiety, only awe and an overpowering need to worship her.
I heard Jasper and Emmett's thoughts as they approached and I started growling softly, low in my chest, a response I had never had to my brothers before.
Her answering growl set my soul aflame. My eyes widened and my body forgot how to breathe. My manhood hardened impossibly, begging to break free of the restrictive fabric of my pants at the sound of her audibly claiming me as I claimed her.
Emmett was repeating 'What the fuck' over and over in his thoughts. Jasper understood immediately what was going on, having sampled our emotions. His thoughts were more along the lines of 'About damn time' and 'Can't wait to get home and fuck my wife. That's some intense lust!' Regardless, they both thankfully took a non-interference policy and ran home, leaving us alone.
She never stopped growling and I quickly found myself wedged tightly between her and a large tree; her body pressed tightly to mine. The curve of her breasts was soft and sensuous against me.
My growl increased in volume. I realized that I couldn't read her thoughts, not that I needed to. Her eyes were black, like coal, and completely focused on me.
I found myself admiring her plump pink lips, parted slightly as she looked up at me, taking me in. Slow enough that she could pull away if she wanted, I kissed her, immediately causing my body to surge with passionate sparks all over. She kissed me back and pressed her body more tightly against me. My hands wrapped themselves in her silky hair as she returned the favor with mine.
My growls increased in volume, as did hers. My body was trembling, but not from fear. I was overwhelmed by her in the best way possible. It was pleasurably disorienting.
There was a transformation taking place inside of me, that of a lost soul finding its other half, it's mate. It had always been my belief that vampires didn't have souls, but clearly it was only because half of mine had always been missing. And now, I had finally found it. Her. And she was my entire world. Just like that.
Our kiss was the warmest fire, and my erection was begging to break free from the confines of my clothes to find its way inside her. I never understood and often rolled my eyes at my family's constant need for sex, but it made perfect sense now. Sex wasn't the right word at all. It wasn't even in the proper language to explain my need for her. The word didn't exist.
As if she could read my mind for a change, although hers was oddly silent to me, she slowly slid her hands down my back, causing a pleasant rippling chill down my spine, and gripped my shirt to remove it. I gladly raised my arms to help her, barely breaking our kiss as I tossed it over my head and reached for hers as well.
I simply had to stop kissing her long enough to admire the view in front of me. My mate was stunning. She wore a simple white bra that only accented the creaminess of her pale skin. Her breasts were full, but not too large. They perfectly accented her small waist.
My erection was nearly painful, but when her growl changed slightly in pitch as she reached for my belt buckle, I stopped even breathing. Every thought was on the motion of her hand as she freed me from my pants. Gone were any remaining concerns about virtue, marriage, or purity, although I knew that I would marry her someday and spoil her as my wife. I suddenly understood the compulsions of the men in my family to buy their wives jewelry, flowers, in one case even a small island. I wanted to give her the world.
I stepped out of my pants and shoes. We didn't bother with socks much since vampire feet don't sweat and I was glad to have one less obstacle in the way. I looked down for a second and looked back up to find her admiring the bulge in my boxers and sucking on her lip in a way that made my growl change in tone again just before she reached to wrap her hand around my manhood.
A gasp slid from my lips at the sensation. She was warm and her hands were incredibly soft. My boxers were gone before I ever saw her reach for them.
"Mine." she whispered as a growl that sounded much more like a purr.
"Yours." I answered softly, at the same time appreciating the melodic sound of her voice and how it sent a pleasurable shiver down my spine. I was absolutely, unconditionally, irrevocably hers.
When she started moving her hand around me, stroking me, I moaned, unable to suppress it. She kissed me and I happily kissed her back, pushing her against a tree and pressing the tip of my erection against the soft skin of her stomach.
I removed her jeans and underwear together as fast as possible and she kicked off her boots as well. There was no hesitation as I reached out to hold her most intimate place, as she still held mine.
"Mine." I whispered against her lips.
"Yours." She sighed contently.
Spreading her lower lips with my fingers, she gasped into our kiss as I carefully felt of her, quickly finding the spot that would drive her wild. I massaged it and she started squirming, pulling my erection closer to her. She pulled back from our kiss just long enough to look deep into my eyes. Words weren't necessary. She wanted me just as badly as I desired her.
She leaned back further against the tree and wrapped her legs around my hips, lining my hardened cock up perfectly with the place I wanted the most. I held her gaze as I moved closer and pressed my lips to hers right as I slid myself slowly inside her.
My whole body trembled. I cried out, as did she, loudly, echoing back off from the mountains surrounding us.
Our growls mingled together as did our bodies as I slowly started moving within her. Relief overwhelmed every part of me. All of the stress and worries about the world dissipated from my body as I truly felt the love of my mate for the first time.
She was warm and so incredibly soft, surrounding me completely and taking me fully inside her. Her delectable scent filled up my lungs and I was nearly dizzy from the sensations of my mate, finally real at last, loving me, claiming me as I loved and claimed her.
Her fingernails gripped my back and I thrusted in her harder, faster. She was trembling as well and making soft sounds of pleasure with each thrust. I couldn't decide if I preferred kissing her or watching her gorgeous expressions, so I alternated both, along with occasional nibbles to her neck.
I used one arm to support her, thankful for my vampire strength, as it left a hand free to explore, gently tugging on her hair, holding and squishing her breasts, occasionally slipping between us to rub her clitoris, causing her moans to increase in volume. I was thrusting impossibly fast, glad that I couldn't hurt her. She pulled my hair and ran her fingers through it, scratching my scalp.
My body tensed with a completely new sensation just seconds before I released inside her, crying out as I filled her with my venom. The force of my pleasure triggered hers as well and she came around me with a loud purr.
Never in my life had I been so happy to be a vampire. I wasn't done with her and didn't have to be. I thrusted as hard and as fast as I possibly could, her loud moans and soft whimpers in my ear encouraging me to forcefully bring her with me to a shared climax, which we came to in a matter of seconds.
We kissed passionately and slowed down now that the urgency was satisfied. I loved her, made love to her.
I cradled her in my arms, never breaking the contact of our intimacy as I laid her down in the plush grass and positioned myself on top. She kept her legs wrapped around me, pulling my manhood as far into her as it could go. I closed my eyes, losing myself in just sensation and new feelings.
She caressed my face and I leaned into her touch. When I opened my eyes, she was smiling at me, a lovely smile that meant everything to me. I smiled back at her, kissing her softly.
I was momentarily sad when she removed her legs from around me, but she rolled us over so that she was on top, sitting on me and riding me, taking my entire length in her once again as she adjusted her position.
I couldn't take my eyes off of her and thankfully it seemed that the feeling was mutual. Sunlight started to peek through the trees, making her skin glitter faintly. This feature that I always found hideous in myself was a source of awe on her. Her breasts were even more beautiful from this angle.
She rode me in long, slow strokes until my climax approached. I pleasured her clit, rubbing it slowly as her movements intensified.
Suddenly, she was fucking me, the intensity and the urgency returned to our mating as we climbed together to this new height of pleasure. I rolled us over again, thrusting fast and deeply within her. She came around me with a shout just as I once again filled her with my venom.
I didn't attempt to remove myself from her, but stopped our movements, kissing all over her face, neck, and any part in my reach.
"My everything." I whispered in her ear.
Her soft whimper told me that she would have cried had she been human, and truthfully, I would have too. We laid together, holding each other, for quite some time. I had never dreamed such happiness were possible, but finally found that happiness in my mate.
We gazed into each other's eyes, hers now returned to a deep gold color just like my own. I couldn't keep my hands off of her and still wondered why I couldn't hear her thoughts. She saw my puzzled expression and smiled sweetly at me.
"It feels silly after…that." She looked adorably embarrassed at the sex talk, hilarious after what we had just experienced together. "But I guess you'd like to know that my name is Bella Swan."
"Bella." It was perfect. "I'm Edward Cullen." I kissed her again and slowly slid out of her, pleased with the mess I had made as the proof of our mating dripped into the grass.
"I don't usually put out on the first date, you know."
"Oh, is that what that was? A date?" I asked, smirking at her. "Because if so, I'd like to take you on a date every day for the rest of my life."
"I'd like that." She smiled up at me with a short giggle that filled my heart with more love than I ever knew it could hold.
"Bella." I whispered happily against her lips, grabbing her for another kiss. "I've waited an impossibly long time for you. My mate."
"My mate." She said with wonder. "It feels like I've known you my whole life, but I've not been around other vampires too much. I've only met a couple in passing. How did you know where to find me?"
"I was out hunting with my brothers when I smelled you. I was intoxicated by your scent and had to investigate. And then when I saw you, my whole world rearranged itself and I practically fell at your feet to worship you."
"When I saw you standing there, I thought you were an angel. You are so perfect."
"As are you." I said, kissing her again. I couldn't keep my lips off of her.
"It's hard to believe that you're real."
"I'm as real as you are."
"It's also hard to believe that you've been alone for so long, only for it to be me. How could I ever get so lucky?"
"You were worth the wait." I purred in her ear.
"Is there some vampire mating ritual or something?" She asked and I cracked up laughing uncontrollably. It took me a few minutes to catch my breath for laughing so hard. She looked embarrassed though, so I tried to sober up quickly.
"No." I said, still laughing. "But if there was, I think we just completed it." I winked at her and she giggled.
"Thank God."
"Although most mates do eventually get married and try to blend in with the humans as a normal couple."
"Normal…except that they're vampires." She said and I laughed.
"Exactly. You get it. So, you haven't been changed very long?"
"Only a few months."
"Your eyes are golden." I stated, shocked. Most newborns would be consumed with the desire for human blood. Her eyes should still be red at this age.
"I've never been able to harm humans. It hurt me too much to even think about."
"Tell me more about you!" I said enthusiastically. "Please."
"Well, I usually stay in the woods but venture into town for the library when I can. I love reading and classical music mostly. I'm rather dull."
"Quite the opposite. I want to know everything about you. And I've never once found you dull."
"You just met me." She giggled.
"And already I'm completely in love with you." Her smile was my entire world.
"I love you too." she answered. My heart swelled in my chest. "But, I bet you say that to lots of women, as handsome as you are."
"I've never said that to any woman. I mean, I'm sure I've told my mom that I love her, if that counts." I smirked at her and she smiled easily, believing me.
"I feel the same way about you. I feel sparks every time we touch."
"Me too."
Her eyes were absolutely sparkling, and I couldn't help but kiss her again. I had known this lovely creature maybe a couple of hours and she already held my heart completely in her hands.
"Would you like to meet my family?" I asked.
"Don't you think they would find it odd? You bringing home a random girl you've met in the woods?"
"No. I've always been alone. They will be delighted. My adoptive mom, Esme, will probably try to hug you."
She laughed nervously. "Will you tell me about them?"
"Esme and Carlisle are the heads of the family. They are both incredibly kind and loving. Carlisle works as a doctor usually. They both pretend to be our adoptive parents so we can blend in as a human family. They're mated of course. And then there's Rosalie and Emmett. They are mated as well. Rosalie is a strong personality. She usually knows exactly what she wants and is willing to fight you for it." I laughed. "Emmett is super strong and goofy. He was nearly killed by a bear and makes it his life's work to drink as many bears as possible. Something about a grudge." She laughed this time. "Then there's Alice and Jasper, they are mated as well. Alice can see visions of the future. She's eccentric, but sweet and caring. Jasper can feel and manipulate emotions. He's strategic and loves games and philosophical discussions."
"Wow. And you've really been all alone this whole time? With all of those mated pairs? That must have been uncomfortable."
"I've always wondered if I would ever find a mate. I thought that maybe I didn't deserve one. That I was just totally damned."
"That's a dark way to see things." I laughed. She was observant.
"My family has mentioned that, a time or two. They are going to love you."
"Tell me about yourself."
"I'm Edward Cullen, or in my human life I was Edward Masen. I'm…seventeen years old, although I've been seventeen since 1918. My creator, adoptive father really, Carlisle, changed me when I was dying of Spanish Influenza. I've been with him nearly my entire life. I have a lot of hobbies, as most of us do, but music is my favorite, mostly classical just like you and like to read as well. Oh, and I can read minds, except for yours for some odd reason?" I hoped that she could solve that mystery for me.
She just smiled shyly at me and suddenly I was overwhelmed with her thoughts. My jaw dropped as I felt the intensity of her love for me. Me!
She replayed some of her favorite parts of our mating and what it was like for her to see me for the first time, staring at me in wonder just like I had her. She was afraid that I would reject her but decided to let instinct take over. When she heard my mating growl, she too was overwhelmed and completely overcome with our connection. We both knew instantly that we wanted each other as our mate.
I crashed my lips into hers and suddenly her mind was silent to me again, but I needed to show her just how much I loved her. We were still naked and within seconds we were tangled together and exploring new avenues of passion and heights of pleasure. We made love several more times and then snuggled together, watching the sun start to set on this most perfect day. Twilight again. The best time for vampires.
The whole family was sitting in the living room, anxiously waiting for our arrival the next morning. Esme and Carlisle were beside themselves with joy. Alice was waiting to pounce us, and I hoped that she wouldn't scare my mate. Even Rosalie seemed excited to meet her. I kissed her cheek before I opened the door, leading her inside.
Alice immediately showed me a vision of Bella and I happily snuggling while the whole family was watching a movie together. I smiled at her, for once completely happy with how my future looked. I'm sorry I hid her from you, brother. I only had the vision hours before you went to hunt, and I didn't want to ruin the surprise. I smiled at her and knew that she got my thanks.
"Family, this is Bella." I grinned at them, my face almost hurting from smiling so much. "My mate."
"Edward!" Esme exclaimed, coming to stand in front of us. "Bella." she added softly. "I'm so happy for both of you. I'm excited to get to know you, Bella. You have no idea how long he's waited for you. You deserve to be happy, son. I'm glad you finally found her." Edward, she's lovely! You are absolutely glowing!
"Son." Carlisle said. "Pleasure to meet you, Bella. I hope you will feel right at home with us." Her eyes are golden! Carlisle was shocked.
"Thank you. It's nice to meet you both." she said, smiling at them.
"Bella! We're going to be best friends! I can't wait!"
"You must be Alice." Bella said with a giggle as Alice moved to hug her. My mate surprised me by embracing my sister like an old friend. Even Rosalie smiled at us, a very warm welcome from her.
"Hi Bella!" Emmett shouted. "We didn't expect you two to come out of the forest for a few weeks once we heard your growling."
She looked down at her feet and I kissed her cheek, leading her over to my piano bench and sitting her down beside me. I was inspired to compose, and she seemed perfectly content to watch and listen. With happy thoughts of the family's swirling around us, my mate and I returned to our own happy bubble as I wrote her a song, The Goddess in the Woods.