Chapter 3

They were more pale then most of our kind, but still beautiful in their own way. Beth, Melody, and Jackie were 3 sisters, all with the blackest hair you'd ever seen, maybe that was why they looked paler than normal. Their eyes were a deep purple outlined in white, it was very unusual. Then there was Ryan, very unusual himself, black hair like his sisters, but styled in such a way that he had looked like a mortal that had just awoke with messy hair. Thankfully Edward could not hear my thoughts because honestly, I thought his hair gave him unique qualities, attractive qualities. His eyes were an amber color and full of fiery passion. Almost as gorgeous as Edward, but not the same, Ryan had his own look about him.

"Carlisle!" Ryan exclaimed, "How have you been old friend? Its been decades, looks like you have been growing your family pretty well," looking intently at me.

I felt Edwards grip tighten on my waist, even without a hint of any feeling on his face.

"It has truly been too long Ryan, glad you were able to make it. It may be a little crowded for another few days till Edward and Bella leave," motioning towards us.

"They're not staying?" Ryan sounded disappointed.

"No, we are going away to celebrate our anniversary, we leave in two days, wish we could stay Ryan," Edward sounding less than enthused.

"That's a shame, I have heard so much about you and Bella. I was hoping to get to know you better, but congrats none the less," Ryan spoke as if he were truly sorry we were not staying. "Where are you headed off to, if you don't mind me asking you Edward?"

"Well actually, its still a surprise for my Bella, she doesn't know anything about what we are doing, if you can understand," Edward chimed smugly at me bringing his lips to meet mine.

"Understandable," Ryan replied.

They all settled in very well and I was interested in Ryan's stories, probably more than Edward would have liked. It was like I was hunting, so intent, focused, hungry for more of his stories of course.

In the middle of the chatter between everyone, Beth caught the sound of something.

"Tara's here early," she sang as the room became a tormenting quiet.

We all waited as if eternity was coming to an end. For some strange reason Ryan stared deep into my eyes and when Edward noticed, he pulled me up to his old bedroom before I knew what had happened.

"Don't worry I can handle Tara, remember I have more self control Edward," I said to reassure him.

"That's not it," he snarled. "I don't know how he does it Bella, your not connected to him."

"What are you talking about?" I questioned.

"He can… hear your thoughts Bella! Are you letting him in your head like you do with me? Tell me why would you do that?" he exclaimed in frustration.

"What? Are you serious? You're the only one I let into my head, only you're allowed to hear my thoughts love," I cried out.

Suddenly the door opened and Edward let out a frightening snarl, frightening even to me.

"I'm sorry Edward, I didn't mean to listen to Bella's thoughts. Its really something I cant control, I'm drawn to her mind for some reason," Ryan explained as Edward continued to snarl.

"No one can get into my thoughts without me lifting my shield," I exclaimed, now with more anger. "Why? How?"

"What do you mean a shield?" he asked puzzled. "I didn't know."

"Well stop reading her mind….every time you do I will be able to know, I can read yours and know what you think. Oh, and by the way NO! to answer your question, Bella is mine, you don't have a chance!" Edward furious more than before.

I was shocked and stunned by that comment. I wondered what else Ryan had thought about me, but Edward and everyone else wouldn't let me think.

"Tare, glad you made it," I heard Joshua say downstairs. "Didn't think you were coming for another few days, what happened?"

"It would have taken me too long to find them, they relocated, you know how the nomad type are," she giggled. "So I decided to try another location on the way home in a few weeks.

Few weeks? How long are they planning on staying?

"Bella, Edward, can you come greet our guest?" Carlisle chimed.

Edward and I slowly made our way down the stairs, hand in hand, to greet our guest. I didn't think she was a guest, a guest is someone who is welcome. I wasn't welcoming her, that was for sure.

"Hello Bella," Tara smiled smugly. "Long time, no see Edward, how have you been? Looking good as usual."

"Never been better of as happy Tara, how about you?" Edward gloated.

"I've been good, you left in such a hurry and without a goodbye, I was worried, but now I see you're okay. I'm great!" she seductively said.

My throat burned in furry, I wanted to tear her throat out at that moment. Edward squeezed my hand when he noticed my body started to tense.

"Well I suppose you be heading out to hunt soon Carlisle," Edward trying to change the subject.

"I almost forgot Edward, thank you for reminding me. Would you like to accompany us Joshua? You're welcome to come with Beth, Melody, Jackie, Ryan and you as well Tara. I assumed you would be hungry with such a long journey Tara," Carlisle said.

"We will ALL join you Carlisle," Joshua assured before anyone, especially Tara, could pass on the opportunity.

"Edward and I need to get back to the cottage to take care of some things before we leave in a few days. We will see everyone later. You coming love?" I said taunting Tara.

Edward and I walked at a human pace back to the cottage, being very physical and touchy on the way there so Tara would see. Edward seemed to enjoy the fact that I was making sure who Edward belonged to, it was a side he never saw of me and it brought a new thrill and hunger to his eyes.

"Lets go somewhere right now Bella," Edward said glowing.

"Where love?" I questioned.

"Our secret spot, where we can just relax, be ourselves, no worries," he smiled.

We were off and it only took a few minutes till we were in our peaceful meadow. It was a cloudy day and for once it wasn't raining. We laid in the middle, Edward on his back, me on top, my chin resting on his chest. I lifted my shield and shared my thoughts with him. It was my favorite way to talk to Edward, and we didn't have to say one word.

Everything was fine till I flashed to the images in his head, and the thought Tara had when we were in the living room at Carlisle and Esme's house and my eyes flashed open. She was thinking about Edward and the "physical" times they were together. I saw everything, the way he touched her, the way he held her, it was more painful than I could have imagined. He seen my pain and grabbed my face and inter-wound our lips in a fierce kiss.

"Bella, I didn't mean for you to see that, I'm…." he cringed.

"I'm glad I did Edward," cutting him off before he could finish. "I knew you had a life before me Edward, its okay. Plus I don't blame you, I saw the control she had over you, I blame her!" I said calmly.

"There was no life before you Bella, you're my life, you and Renesmee are what keeps me going," his words sincere.

We laid in the field till dark and decided it would be best to head home, I was hoping they would all still be hunting when we returned, of course, they were already back when we arrived.

"Where did you guys run off to?" Rosalie asked when we came into the house.

"Just to our special place, just needed some peace and quiet. How was the hunt Carlisle?" Edward questioned.

"It was good, we found a large herd of elk, so we didn't have to go too far," Carlisle replied.

"Jacob is back," I exclaimed, happy someone else would keep my mind off of Tara besides Edward.

"I don't like that scent, who is he, what is he?" Tara hissed.

"He's a wolf, a shape shifter of sorts," I almost yelled. "He is a friend of our family, no matter who is around Tara," almost hissing now.

"Calm down Bella." Carlisle calmly said. "Jacob is no harm to us Tara, he is always welcome in our home, no worries."

Jacob opened the door and casually walked in like he normally did. "Evening Bells," Jacob announced, "Edward, is something wrong, you look kind of pale?" Jacob laughed at his own joke.

"Jacob, these are our guests," Carlisle chimed in as if to hurry along the introductions just so no conflicts would arise. "Joshua, Ryan, Tara, Beth, Melody and Jackie are here for a few weeks Jacob," Carlisle said pointing his pale finger at each new guest as he said their names.

"Lovely, more bloodsuckers," Jacob joked. Our new guests didn't seem to appreciate Jacob's nickname for them.

"At least we don't smell like a dirty wet dog," Tara fussed as she slightly crouched as if she were about to attack.

I jumped into position in front of Jake before she could even think of making another move. "Don't you dare think about it, I promise it will be the last thing you ever do!" I growled. The deepness of the growl in my chest ever surprised me and before anything else could happen Carlisle and Joshua were between me and Tara.

"Tara, we are guests here, what are you thinking?" Joshua sounded worried and embarrassed.

"Bella, please," Carlisle begged. I could not go against Carlisle, I looked up to him, I respected him. "Edward can you take Bella for a walk please, I think she needs some time," he spoke calmly now.

"Jacob, would you like to come with us?" Edward said almost demanding as if it were not a question at all.

"My pleasure Edward! I need some air too, the smell is starting to overwhelm me," Jacob said angrily.

I was shaking with fury, how could she try something in our home, was she trying to push me over the edge, trying to start a fight? "Edward, what was she thinking?" I demanded.

"Bella, just calm down, its not important, we wont have to deal with her for much longer," he said trying to calm me down.

"What was she thinking Edward?" I demanded again.

"Bella…." he sighed.

"She wants to get you upset in hopes ill talk to her about it, she wants to get…me… alone," he barely choked out, knowing I would be infuriated by his response.

"I'm going to kill her, make her…"only able to snarl that much out before Jacob cut me off.

"Don't be silly Bella. don't you see what when you get angry, it feeds into her plan. This is exactly what she wants, so are you going to give her what she wants? Think about it," Jacob now tensing, waiting for my response.

I paused, trying to let what Jacob said sink in, which was starting to make sense. "You're right I guess. I just let my emotions take control, I could not stop myself, I'm so sorry. I should probably go talk to Carlisle, I owe him and everyone else and apology," I know regretted what I just let happen.

"I really don't think that suck a good idea love, why don't we wait till morning and call it a night?" Edward almost pleading.

"No, I was wrong, I feel terrible for putting everyone in that situation," I sighed.

We slowly made our way back to the house, I didn't really feel guilty about what happened, but I felt like I should apologize. As we made our way back I made a plan, that I would sound sincere to Tara, that way Edward wouldn't have any reason to talk to Tara. I knew her powers were strong, and she wanted to use them on Edward.

We entered the house and to everyone's astonishment, they probably figured I would need till morning to calm down.

"Thought you were gone for the evening Bella," Carlisle sounding surprised to see me.

"Well actually I came back to apologize, my actions were uncalled for and I let my temper get the best of me. Forgive me everyone, I am truly sorry, I hope you all accept my apology, that was no way to act with guests around," my voice sounding remorseful.

"Well Bella, its completely understandable, there is no need to apologize, Tara was crossing the line," Joshua glaring at Tara as he spoke. "You were just tying to protect you friend, I would have done the same dear," Joshua sighed.

"Well, I just wanted to clear things up, but Edward and Jacob and I are going to the cottage, we will see everyone in the morning, goodnight," my voice sounding tired as if I were still human.

"Goodnight," Carlisle now sounding relieved.

As we walked back towards the cottage, we said our goodnights to Jacob, and he started on his way home. He was quieter than his usual self, probably because being around us made him miss Nessie more.

Edward followed me into the house, we were both silent, it was only a matter of time before one of us would have to break the silence.

"Love?" Edward sighed anxiously.

"Yes Edward, what is it?" I didn't even look at him as I spoke.

"I'm the only one who should be apologizing tonight, its my fault. I should have told you right away about Tara," Edwards voice was soft.

"We already had this conversation, I don't want to talk about it, or her anymore tonight please!" frustration in my voice.

"Okay Bella, we will leave tomorrow afternoon, and then it will be just us," Edward now starting to grin.

"Well you know Edward," I said as I came up from behind him, resting my chin on his back, letting my hands come to rest on his sculpted chest. "You and I are alone now," I said sliding around to face him. "We can always practice for our trip you know," I spoke smugly.

"Really now," Edward said, "how do you suppose we do that Bella?"

"Why don't I just show you," as I slowly started to unbutton his blue shirt.

Something was different about tonight, we were gentle and soft, moving slowly with every move we made.

He stood there, his shirt wide open exposing his defined pale flesh. I ran my fingers across his abs and he shuttered as if he could feel my cold fingers, running from his shoulders where my hands came to rest. Our eyes never unlocked from one another's since I had starting unbuttoning his blue shirt. His eyes pulled my face to his as I pushed his shirt over his shoulders with only the slightest effort. Edward leaned his shoulders back to let the shirt escape to the floor as we rested our foreheads upon each other, still not breaking eye contact. We were so silent and still, that when the shirt hit the floor it startled me, my body slightly jumped towards his, letting our lips meet. My eyes were closed as I felt his had run up my back, pulling my entire body closer to his. It seemed like an eternity as we kissed, and I have barely noticed that Edward was now only in his boxers when we broke from the kiss. He leaned in and started kissing the nape of my neck as his hands moved to my waist, slowly attaching themselves to the bottom of my shirt, pulling it against gravity ever so lightly over my head, barely breaking his lips from my neck. Within minutes we were both bare, our bodies perfect in everyway facing one another, taunting one another. Our hands traced each others faces like we had forgotten them and were desperately trying to remember.

Edward leaned down and lifted me up to carry me to the bedroom, never breaking our lips embrace. My legs wrapped around his waist without thought, as we moved effortlessly. We found ourselves lying on our sides in bed, staring into each others eyes once again.

"I love you Bella, you are my life, nothing has ever been more sure to me than us being together. I feel like my chest is going to explode whenever you are near me, no matter what I'm forever yours love," his voice so angelic.

"I am forever yours Edward, no other love could compare to what we share, I'll love you forever and always Edward," my words never sounding as true as now.

Edward smiled the biggest smile he could as he traced my lips, his face now leaned into mine, pushing my entire body onto my back as he came to rest on top of me, "Silly Bella," he laughed. "Your whole body is shaking, why?"

I hadn't noticed that I really was shaking. "Every time with you Edward, always feels like the first time," I shyly managed to say. Our lips embraced more fiercely now than before.

Afterwards, we laid in bed for a while before we decided to get dressed and had out. It was still dark but we had both worked up quite an appetite that would put most others to shame.

It was unusually calm out which made it easier to hear prey at farther distances. Bears were closer to Jacob's reservation, I could hear their heartbeats rather well from where I was, but that was all we were able to hear.

"Edward, does something seem a little bit off to you, like there are no large prey for miles around?" I asked confused, maybe I wasn't concentrating enough.

"Yeah, actually I was about to ask you the same question. This has never happened before, there have always been plenty of animals here, its like they all have just vanished!" Edward looked concerned now.

"Well, everyone was out hunting yesterday when Beth and the others showed up, maybe they scared them away temporarily," I tried to find a logical explanation.

"Lets go talk to Carlisle, he would know," Edward sounded puzzled.

We entered the house that was full of life, for what it was. Everyone was involved in some type of conversation or another. I noticed Carlisle sitting with Joshua, Ryan and Emmett on the couch, engrossed in conversation about medical knowledge and turning humans. It was almost like a lecture. Esme was with Beth, Melody, Jackie and Rose talking about things to do while everyone was in town. Tara must have went out, I couldn't find her with the girls or guys, and I was actually thrilled.

"Bella," Ryan called, "would you mind if I talked to you for a moment? If its okay with you first Edward."

"Sure, I have to talk to Carlisle anyways," Edward said a little hesitant.

Ryan and I headed to the garage, I was kind of interested in what he might have to say. "Bella you should not have apologized today. Things got out of hand, Tara, got out of hand. I saw what you were thinking when you and her faced off. The worst part is, I knew what she was thinking, its not fair to you," he slightly paused. "After you left, her mind was racing with anger, she could not get to you like you get to her," he paused, seeing I had questions. "Yes?" he asked.

"What do you mean, like I get to her?" I was a bit confused.

"Well, she does things to make you angry, she provokes you intentionally, but Bella, you get to her in a whole different way. You have the life she wants, you have Edward. Without even knowing it, you have enraged her. She knows that you and Edward love each other, that he was naturally drawn to you, don't you get it?" Ryan's voice straining now.

"Actually it makes sense the way you are explaining it. Tara only can have Edward if she tricks him, not because he would want her," it made sense now.

"Yes Bella, you're exactly right, and it kills her. Ever since Tara joined us, she has been searching for him, its been over sixty years now, that I know of at least. She thought he was dead, but never stopped looking. Now that she has found him, its only going to get worse from here on out. She wants you out of the picture, and will stop at nothing. Everything that's happened in the last week, has been because of her. Renesmee leaving with Alice and Jasper, if Tara knew about her, there might be problems. You and Edward leaving, for three weeks, we were going to tell her you guys left to be on your own because you guys didn't get along with the family, so she wouldn't try to come here again. Joshua coming early, before us, to prep Carlisle because he had a feeling Tara wouldn't make any stops like she planned on if she thought Edward was still alive. I just need you to know what you have gotten into without even knowing. I also want you to know that if it were to come down to a fight, all of us would stand behind you, not her.

"Bella?" Edward suddenly called.

"Over here, in the garage with Ryan," I answered.

"Bella I think we may have a big problem. Ryan you should hear this too. Carlisle and Joshua brought light on the situation at hand. The reason why we could not find any animals nearby is because of Tara, she is chasing them out of the area. She thinks if there is a desperate situation we will not leave, on the other hand, if it backfires on her and we do leave, she will follow us. Carlisle and Joshua think its best if we don't leave until they figure out what to do with Tara. She may be too dangerous for us to even stay at the cottage tonight, and until we figure this out," Edward was now concerned, I saw it in his eyes and in the tone of his voice.

"This is absolutely ridiculous, we cant leave for our trip, yet alone stay in our own house? Why cant I just take of her and end this, she isn't going to control our lives!" I snarled.

"We have to deal with her appropriately, maybe I can reason with her on my own, then she might…" Edward tried to get out.

"No chance in hell you're going to talk to her, yet alone! Out of the question," I demanded, leaving no chance for him to try to compromise.

I stormed back into the house, more infuriated than before. Carlisle and Joshua were upstairs talking in his office when I found them. They both had a serious look of concern on their faces I couldn't deny.

"Carlisle, please tell me it isn't true, that because of her we are stuck here. Tell me that I can stay in my own home, just tell me this is some prank, please!" I begged. " Tell me something!"

"I'm sorry Bella, there really isn't anything we can do, Tara is bound and determined to have Edward, she will not stop until she does. We need to take every precaution to make sure we can handle her without endangering anyone, especially you or Edward," Carlisle said anxiously.

"Edward, why would she hurt Edward? I'm the one she wants to get rid of. This doesn't make sense," I was now becoming puzzled.

"If she tried to hurt Edward, she knows you'll come after her, that's what she wants. Joshua tried to reason with her but she is too determined, so basically what it comes down to, is if she cant have Edward, no one can," Carlisle said knowing I wasn't going to like what he just explained.

"why cant I just deal with her on my own, I'll show her Carlisle, Edward is mine! I'll fight for him if it comes down to it, and I would be ready for her," I was thrilled at the thought of ripping Tara to shreds.

"No, please, let us try to deal with her first." Joshua pleaded. "I'm not sure what we will do, but I brought her here, she is my problem to deal with."

"Fine," I agreed, "but you better hope I don't see her anywhere near Edward," I said before storming away.

I was heading downstairs when I saw Edward on his way up. He let out a little smile and met me half way on the stairs, where we stopped. Edward just chuckled while grabbing my hand and pulling me towards his old room.

"You're silly Bella," he smiled.

"What do you mean Edward, how can you say something like that at a time like this?" I demanded.

"Bella, love, why are you so threatened by Tara, Carlisle and Joshua will come up with a way to handle this, no need to waste your time on her," he semi grinned.

"She wants to take you away from me, I cant let that happen, never Edward!" I declared.

"I'm not going anywhere unless its with you. Its only you I will love, and no one will change that. Remember this Bella, no one will take me from you or Renesmee," Edward sighed.