IF SEEING AN UPDATE ON THIS STORY HAS SENT YOU INTO SHOCK, PLEASE DIAL 9-1-1.

A/N So there's been some confusion/concern about Esme and Carlisle, mostly Esme. Yes, she can be annoying. I'm making Esme and Carlisle more parental in my story. They are the coven leaders, but more so they are the parents because the cullen "children" allow them to be so. Going on this thought, I based Esme on most mothers I know (hopefully this won't offend anyone). In my experience, Mothers are generally very loving, nurturing and compassionate, but they are nearly equal parts overbearing, disciplinary, and nag a lot. So yes, Esme will have moments where she's super sweet and caring and other moments you want to roll your eyes or count to ten. Sorry. People have also asked about Edward. Well…you'll just have to wait and see what happens. However, I'm going on the assumption that you act how you're treated. Esme has always treated Edward like a child, therefore he continues to act like one most of the time. It's like when you go home and have your mom cooking and doing your laundry, you revert back to childhood a bit and lose some of the mature self-reliance you have away from home. That's enough of my jabbering. Read on…

Chapter 11

APOV

I was laying on my back, with Bella snuggled around me, enjoying her regular afternoon nap. The house was silent around us. Edward had been moody the past few days, ever since we'd gone for ice cream without him. He'd locked himself in his room, blasting music most of the time, which was incredibly irritating. The only time he'd turned it down was while Bella was sleeping, but that was only after I pounded on his door. This was the first day he'd come out of his room and Carlisle took him for a hunt, leaving just Bella, Esme, and I at home.

Bella whimpered in her sleep, kicking out and I moved myself out of the way, readjusting our position. She quickly settled back down and I placed a kiss to the top of her head, smiling as she sighed contently. Letting my eyes take in the new view, I grinned at the porcelain figurine sitting reverently on my nightstand. My mind was wandering back to last week when Bella had presented me with the gift, but the reminiscing was cut short when I heard the telephone ring down stairs.

"Cullen residence." I heard Esme answer after the first ring. The person on the other end must have been speaking softer than normal, since I could hardly hear them. My interest peaked, I listened intently. "Oh hello Rose. Are you still in Madrid? …. We're all fine here….Of course Bella's still with us. You know how important she is to Alice. She's making a lot of improvement with her speech….Rosalie Lillian Hale! That is uncalled for." My eyes narrowed at Esme's scolding tone. It didn't sound like Rosalie's attitude had improved over her vacation. Rose's muffled voice rose just slightly, and I could hear her speaking rapidly to our mother. "You need to give her a chance. She's very sweet….I'm not expecting you to, but I would like you to remain civil at the very least….alright….okay, that's fine dear. We'll see you soon then. Give Emmett my love. Bye."

The house returned to its former silence, but my mind started going into overdrive. Esme had said my siblings would be home soon. Rose would be home soon. I had to prepare Bella. I also needed to figure out a way to approach Rosalie and figure out why she's been so hostile. There must be something going on deeper than her simply not liking shape shifters or were creatures.

Twenty-minutes later, I felt Bella stir.

"Hi sleepyhead." I said softly kissing her cheek after she'd stretched out.

"Food?" She asked, and I rolled my eyes.

"I don't even get a hello? After I acted as your pillow for the last forty minutes?" I said, pouting at my feline girl. Bella scrunched her nose looking at me in confusion.

"Pleeese." She tried again and I laughed, pulling her in for a quick hug before jumping up and dragging her out of bed.

"Clothes first." I told her, as she shuffled to the chair that held her tank top and shorts from earlier. Once dressed, I happily skipped downstairs pulling Bella behind me. Esme was already in the kitchen putting together a meal for Bella.

"So when are they coming back? And why was Rose talking so softly?" I questioned immediately while Bella found her seat at the island.

"She was on a train with Emmett and most of the humans were sleeping. She was just being courteous." Esme answered without turning away from the stove. "They'll be back tomorrow evening."

"Not much notice." I mumbled thinking about how I could prepare Bella. Esme around, spatula still in hand.

"They don't need to give notice to come home. This is their house as much as anyone else's. You need to remember that." She said sternly, before turning back to plate the meat she'd made for Bella, with some blueberries on the side.

"Here we go. Now, do you remember how to ask for this?" Esme inquired, turning her attention to Bella, who was staring hungrily at the plate just out of reach.

"Ken Bella Food?" She tried, furrowing her brow as her eyes bore into the plate harder.

"Bella. Look here." Esme urged, waiting until she finally gained Bella's attention. "Listen to me. "Can I have some food?" My mother said slowly.

"Ken I have food?" Bella echoed as best she could. Esme smiled, sweeping around the island to put the plate in front of Bella and give her a kiss to the side of the head.

"You're doing wonderfully Bella. I'm so proud of you." She said before sweeping out of the room.

Bella looked up at me surprised. "Kiss? S'may kiss?"

"Yup. Kisses are good for family, Bella."

"Kiss for famlee." She checked, and I nodded. "No Liss Kiss."

"Right, it's not a Liss kiss." I agreed, emphasizing the "t" in not.

"Only Liss." She said, smiling and I grinned, leaning in to kiss her briefly.

"That's right. You're mine." I murmured against her lips before pulling back and letting her eat. While she was finishing, Carlisle and Edward returned.

"Hi Bella." Edward said oddly cheery, given his recent attitude. My brother moved to sit beside Bella at the counter, while Carlisle gave his greeting on the way into the living room.

"Hi Dee." Bella replied once she'd finished the last of her berries. I took her plate to the sink, washing it quickly.

"So Bella, I found one of my old cds and I thought you'd like it. You know, music?" He said, giving her a boyish grin.

"I think she's heard plenty of your music that last few days, Eddie." I responded, smirking when he scowled at me. Ignoring me, Edward turned back to Bella.

"What do you say Bella? Want to come to my room and listen to music?" He asked again, grinning widely. Before Bella could answer I decided to field this one myself.

"Why don't you bring the cd down here to the living room. Bella will feel more comfortable there."

"Bella will or you will?" Edward muttered under his breath before darting upstairs. He wouldn't challenge me directly. I sighed. Now I had two siblings to worry about. One who hated Bella, and the other who obviously liked her a little too much. Dealing with both would be tricky. Edward rarely had crushes on girls, so when he did, he tended to go a little overboard. It was difficult for me to keep my own emotions in check with him trying to move in on my mate, but I didn't want to cause a rift to grow between Edward and I either. He was my baby brother, after all. Rose…well she'd need a direct approach. I planned to confront her when she got home.

Edward was already putting the disc into the stereo system when I led Bella by the hand to our usual couch.

I couldn't help smirking at my brother when five minutes into listening, Bella turned to me, requesting we go outside. Her social etiquette wasn't exactly up to par yet. Edward frowned, looking distinctly put out, but quickly offered to come with us. Before I could respond in the negative, Esme did it for me.

"Edward let the girls alone for a while." She said casually moving towards the table holding her purse.

"But they're alone all the time!" Edward whined, receiving a raised eyebrow from our mother.

"Regardless, I want you to come with your father and I to the furniture store. We're picking up the replacement coffee table and I thought we could get new lamps for your room, since you apparently decided the old ones needed to be destroyed." She stated sternly, daring any more back-talk. The lamps had been casualty of my younger brother's fit on the day of our ice cream outing. I quickly wiped the smug smile off my face when Esme turned to me next. "We'll be back in a couple hours, but I hope you can find a little time to work with Bella on her numbers. I left a workbook on the counter if you need it." I nodded, already thinking of ways I could make the lessons fun for both of us. "Carlisle!" Esme raised her voice just slightly, calling up the stairs.

"Coming Dear!" My father immediately responded, appearing downstairs a moment later. No one would ever question who actually ran the household. Carlisle may be the coven leader, but Esme had him whipped even more than Rose had Emmett.

As soon as they left, I followed through on my promise, leading Bella out into the backyard. I didn't bother grabbing the workbook, since I had other plans in mind. Bella immediately ran off in to the woods, but returned a couple minutes later, her shorts somewhat askew. She sat down in the grass, falling backwards and looking up into the canopy of trees. She was in perfect position for my idea.

"Bella." I sang happily, moving to straddle her waist as I knelt over her. Her eyes immediately caught mine and she smiled, making to sit up until my hand pushed her firmly back to the grass.

"Liss?" She questioned, smile unwavering.

"We're going to learn more numbers Bella!" I said excitedly, hoping my tone would disguise the actual words, but she wasn't buying it.

"Noooo." She whined, trying to dislodge me and roll onto her stomach, but I leaned over her, pushing her shoulders flat again.

"Come on Bella. I promise it'll be fun!" I told her. "You're going to count kisses." Her eyes immediately snapped to mine.

"Liss Kiss?"

"Mhmm, sometimes." I said, picking up her hand and bringing it to my lips with a loud smack. "One." I started her off, before placing another kiss on the inside of her wrist. "If you get to ten, I'll give you a Liss kiss." I promised, grinning down at my beautiful girl.

"Ten" Bella said grinning and I laughed out loud.

"Nice try." I told the now pouting woman. "You have to work your way up, silly girl. Now what comes after one." I asked, placing a kiss to her wrist again.

"Two." She said. I knew she had one through five pretty much down. It was after that point that she got some mixed up. She actually caught onto things pretty quickly, but it was only her first day working up to ten.

"Good." I praised, bending down to place another kiss to her inner elbow, teasing the ticklish spot just slightly with the tip of my tongue.

"Three." Bella gasped, and I looked up, winking at her. After a couple more to her bicep and shoulder, I started getting a little more adventurous, moving across her collarbone.

"Six." She said softly, her breathing starting to labor a bit, as her heart pounded rapidly under my lips.

Pulling her tank top down just a little, I placed another to the top of her breast.

"Ten." She gasped again and I smirked against her skin.

"Silly Bella. Ten doesn't come after six. I guess we'll have to start over." I said, sliding back down to grab her hand. I grinned as a little growl crept passed Bella's lips.

It was only after two more tries that Bella's desperate plea of 'ten' actually resulted in her goal of a kiss to the mouth, and what a kiss it was! The build up had been too much for Bella and she fiercely attacked my mouth once it was presented to her.

"Mmm, Bella….Honey….easy baby." I said, between kisses, trying to force some space between us. As much as I wanted to let her ravish me, I knew we didn't have time. My parents and Edward would be returning shortly. She had already ripped the front of my shirt open before I was able to successfully tear myself away from her. "Bella!" I scolded her half-heartedly. "I said a liss kiss, not a liss fu…" I stopped myself when I heard the car turning into our drive. Pulling the still lust-driven girl behind me, I sprinted upstairs to change my shirt. When I came back out of my closet, it seemed as if Bella had reined herself in and I breathed a sigh of relief. I took her hand again and we met Esme at the front door while Carlisle and Edward brought in the already assembled coffee table.

"Hello girls. What do you think? Esme asked gesturing to the table.

"It's nice." I said, assuming she wasn't really expecting Bella to answer. Said girl's attention had long since left the current situation as she watched the trees swaying outside.

"Did you get a chance to review numbers? Bella?" My mother asked, pulling Bella's gaze back to her. "Will you tell me your numbers?" Obediently, but with much less enthusiasm than earlier, Bella recited numbers one through ten to Esme, who beamed.

"Good girl." I whispered, offering her a kiss on the cheek, while, in a flash, Esme grabbed a spoon of peanut butter for Bella's reward.

The day passed without anything remarkable happening. After dinner, Bella changed into cat form and we took a run around the forest. By the time we returned, Bella was practically sleep walking up to our room for bed. I spent the night curled around her as usual, adjusting my body only when her squirming made it necessary.

Most of the next day was spent preparing Bella for Rose and Emmett's return, which was not exactly a hardship for me, as I cuddled with Bella in front of home movies and picture albums. It was around six that I sent a text to Rose saying I needed to talk to her when she got here. I wanted to get it out of the way, preferably before she interacted with Bella again. My girl made it no secret that she remembered exactly who Rose was and that she didn't like her.

Just after seven, Emmett came through the front door laden with suitcases, probably only one of which was his. Bella's head whipped around so fast, I thought she might have broken it, and she hissed loudly, but thankfully didn't change form. Once she saw it was Emmett, she relaxed a bit, but still kept a careful eye on him.

"Well hello to you too, Bella. Nice to see you out of your furs." My brother smiled goofily before turning to me. "Rose is waiting outside in the car." He said before darting upstairs. I turned to Bella, taking her hand in mine.

"Sweetie, I'm going to go talk to Rose. Okay?"

"Ken I go?" She asked softly, looking anxious.

"No honey, you stay here with Carlisle and Esme…and Edward. I'll put in a movie." I told her, trying to ignore her pout. "I'll be right back, baby." I whispered to her, kissing her cheek. Jumping up from the couch, I threw in the Nemo disc and headed out the door, not looking at Bella, knowing she'd be staring after me sadly.

Rose was looking off to the side in the driver's seat when I came out, and I hurried to get in the car. Without a word, she snapped her head forward and tore back down the driveway. Clearly neither of us wanted this conversation to be overheard. Once we were a safe distance away, she glanced over at me.

"What's this about?" I huffed at her question.

"I think you know."

"The cat."

"Her name is Bella, Rose." This time it was Rose's turn to huff.

"Whatever."

"Rosalie! She's my mate! Why are you being like this?!" I snapped, far passed the end of my rope.

"Being like what?" She hedged and I wanted to strangle her.

"Why do you hate Bella?! She's never done anything to you!"

"Oh! I suppose attacking my husband doesn't count."

"Please! He was fine and you know it. That's not why you hate her."

"I don't hate her. I just don't trust her…and maybe I dislike her a lot." Rose tried to lighten the mood, but I wasn't having it.

"Rose, stop! Just tell me!" I screamed.

With no warning Rose jerked the car to the side of the road, sending us to a screeching halt, before turning to me angrily.

"FINE! You want to know why?" She snarled, and I nodded dumbly, a bit startled at the sudden turn of events. "Because she'll hurt you!"

"What?"

"She doesn't love you Alice. She can't. She's doesn't know how. And I see how you look at her…You love her. She'll never be able to love you back. That's why I hate her. She's setting you up to be crushed. She's just like him." I cocked my head to the side in confusion at her mumbled finish. Him?

"What are you talking about? Him who? And Bella does love me Rose. She may not express it in words, but I know she does." Rose snorted, looking away from me and out the window.

"You can try and convince yourself of that, but it's not true."

Ignoring her dismissal of Bella's feelings, I diverted her back to the mysterious "him" she compared her to.

"Rose." I started in a quieter voice, waiting until she turned back to me. "Who are you talking about? Bella reminds you of someone?" I pushed. Her hands gripped tightly to the steering wheel as if to anchor her and she nodded.

"Royce." She barely whispered his name and I leaned back in shock. What did Bella have to do with that monster?

"Your ex-fiancee? I clarified. We all knew the story of how he'd raped her the night before their wedding in an alley, with a bunch of his friends. "What's he have to do with Bella?"

Taking a moment, Rose gathered herself and seemed to commit to something. Her face was a mask of indifference when she looked back up at me.

"There are some things I haven't told anyone about my past…about Royce. Not even Emmett." She started quietly, and I leaned in closer. Taking an unnecessary deep breath, Rose stared into my eyes. "Royce was a shifter. A panther." She stated.

"What?!" I gasped. She nodded.

"I found out only a week after he began courting me. I saw him shift in the woods." She paused to let me digest this fact, which was good because it completely blindsided me. "But I loved him despite it." She continued, causing me to snap my eyes to hers. She's never said she loved him before. I'd always assumed she was just going to marry him for convention's sake.

"You loved him?" I asked quietly. Rose laughed humorlessly, looking up at the ceiling.

"God! I was such a fool. I loved him with everything in my poor stupid adolescent heart…And I thought he loved me." She said staring at me.

"Rose…"

"They can't love Alice! They're beasts, nothing more." She said loudly. She gave another derisive laugh. "He told me the animal inside of him recognized me as his mate. He said he would be in pain until we consummated our love." Rose growled the last. I didn't know what to say, but Rose wasn't done anyway, obviously needing to get it off her chest. "I couldn't bear the thought of him hurting, so I gave myself to him. He…It wasn't gentle Alice. He claimed the beast needed to dominate me. I let him. I gave him everything he wanted. I was so blinded by a stupid little girl's crush." She paused again, taking a few settling breaths. "That night, in all honesty, it wasn't all that different from the other times he'd taken me, except his pack was there. He let them…" She looked away furious with herself. "I knew he didn't love me then. I wasn't his mate. He'd told me himself: Mates don't share."

"Rose. I…" I wanted to comfort her somehow, but what could I say? It explained why she'd always been particularly hostile to the shifters on La Push. But Bella wasn't a shifter. "Rose, Bella's not a shifter." I blurted out, and for a second, Rose seemed surprised, but then she waved it away.

"She's still a beast, maybe even more so. And beasts don't love." She said. I could understand her feelings, but that didn't mean I agreed with her.

"He's a bastard Rose. He's always been a bastard in my eyes, and knowing what I do now doesn't change that fact. But Bella isn't him. She's…"

"…Using you." Rose interrupted. "She used you for protection and maybe comfort, but that's it. You look at her like she's the sun, but she never once returned it. I never saw love there Alice. Truthfully, I don't think she's capable." My anger flared.

"She's more than capable, Rose! And she does love me! You haven't even seen her out of cat form!"

"Did she tell you she loves you?" Rose asked, smirking, thinking she's got me since Bella couldn't speak.

"Yes! Actually she does." I snapped, causing Rose's eyebrow to lift questioningly. "She tells me with her eyes and her kisses." Rose rolled her eyes. "I don't care if you don't see it. I do!"

"Alice…" Rose started, looking at me pityingly.

"No! Listen. I'm sorry about Royce, and what he did to you. But Bella's not like him. You can't just categorize everyone who changes into an animal as a rapist and sociopath! Carlisle said that the Alpha of the La Push pack is mated. Clearly he's capable of love!"

"I heard he slashed her face. Doesn't sound like love to me." She muttered and I growled.

"Look Rose, just give Bella a chance. She's sweet and I love her. If for no other reason, do it because you're my sister. Please!"

"I am trying to protect you because you're my sister." She countered and I leveled her with a glare.

"Rose." I said simply and she finally sighed.

"Fine." I squealed, launching myself to hug her. "But I still don't trust her." She told me as I pulled back.

"You know what Rose? That's fine. As long as you are open to her gaining your trust. I know you'll learn to love her." I beamed, not allowing her caveat to bring me down. No one could hate Bella once they got to know her. She was far too adorable.

Rose started the car again and on the way back I told her everything that had happed while she was gone, especially about Bella. Actually, it was all about Bella.

We heard the commotion just as we turned into the driveway.

"NOOOOOO! NO! NO! NO!..." Bella's screams reached my ears and I jumped from the car, racing into the house. The sight was complete chaos. Bella was clutching her knees rocking slightly while Esme tried to soothe her. In the background I saw Carlisle talking to a wide-eyed Edward rather sternly, and my eyes narrowed.

"What did you do to her?!" I screeched, bumping my mother out of the way so I could kneel beside Bella.

"Lisssss." She cried into my shirt, clutching it with her fists as I pulled her head into my chest, rubbing her back soothingly.

"Bella. Bella. Shhhh, baby, it's okay. I'm here. I've got you. Shhhh." I soothed, as she continued to bury her head against my chest, mumbling incoherently.

"What happened?" I asked again, staring down my brother and father for an explanation. When neither of them answered quickly enough I turned to the sobbing girl in my chest. "Bella, honey. Tell me what happened." She swallowed a lump in her throat, looking up at me with heartbreaking red eyes, puffy from crying. I wiped away her tears with my thumbs, giving her a small smile. "Baby, tell me." I cooed, running my fingers comfortingly through her hair.

"Eddie…movie…Bella…" She paused and I nodded my understanding. She was watching the movie with Edward, okay. "Eddie Liss kiss." My eyes bulged, and I turned a fiery glare on my younger brother, but my attention was called back when Bella began sobbing again, all I understood was Liss kiss and no. In situations like this, Bella's progress went right out the window. She was too stressed to process her thoughts coherently. It didn't matter, though. I got the gist of it.

"You kissed her!" I hissed. Oh it's on! Forget keeping our relationship intact.

"I..I don't understand. I asked her…she said yes!" The fourteen year old defended himself, practically hiding behind our parents.

"Alice I think there was a misunderstanding. Now, I know he shouldn't have…"

"Hold on." I said, the pieces finally coming together. "You asked if you could kiss her?" Edward nodded. That alone rose my ire, but I'd deal with that HUGE mistake later.

"She said yes…"

"BECAUSE SHE THOUGHT YOU MEANT ON THE CHEEK OR HAND OR SOMETHING, NOT ON THE FUCKING LIPS YOU IDIOT!"

"What?"

"Alice!"

My parents exclamations were ignored as I took a deep breath. Don't kill him. Don't kill him. Don't kill him. I kept repeating the words in my head, trying to settle the beast.

"A kiss to her means like a family kiss."

"Then what does she call a romantic kiss?" Esme inquired curiously.

I couldn't help smirking at my brother as I revealed, "Liss kiss. Only for Liss."

"Alice, you taught her that she could only kiss you on the lips!" Well when she says it like that it almost sounds like I did something wrong.

"Liss kiss Eddie. Bad Bella. Bad." I heard Bella's murmured words and realized why she had reacted so strongly. She thought I'd be mad at her for Liss kissing someone else!

"No, no Bella. You're not bad. It's okay. It was Edward's fault." I soothed, pulling her back to kiss her forehead affectionately.

"Hey! It's not my fault you taught her wrong!" Edward cried indignantly and I hissed at him.

"You shouldn't have even asked her! She's mine!" I growled, suddenly finding everyone too close to my mate, my possessive instincts finally overpowered my logical mind. Scooping her up in my arms I tore up the stairs, running into my room and locking it behind me. I laid Bella on the bed and settled down next to her so we were facing each other. Her eyes were still teary, but she seemed to be calming down.

"Liss, mad?" She asked quietly.

"No, Bella. I'm not mad." She still looked forlorn and unsure, so I reached out caressing her cheek. "Come here, Let Liss make it better." Scooting forward, I pressed my mouth to her pouty lips, kissing them gently. Bella's response was slow, but soon she was returning my affections in earnest. After several minutes, Bella's passion began to rise, her traumatic event seemingly forgotten, as amorous activities loomed on the horizon. The world seemed to blur as our clothes rapidly disappeared without my knowledge of who did the shredding. Bella shifted eventually, trying to move behind me, but I pushed her back down onto the mattress, straddling her hips with a smirk. "Not this time, Baby. I'm going to show you something new." I purred seductively, slipping my body down against hers as I laid kisses down her chest. Pausing briefly at her delectable breasts, I sucked a nipple into my mouth, reveling in the rumble I felt growing in her chest. "You like that Bella?" I asked sweetly before leaving my hands over her breasts and bringing my lips lower. A little grunt in the affirmative made me smile against her toned stomach. Looking up at her, I caught her eyes. "Liss is going to make it all better, Bella. I'm going to make you feel soooo goooood." I moaned like I do to describe peanut butter. Her green eyes scorched my own as her mouth opened a little. She was panting.

"Na-Nutter?" She whispered. I shook my head grinning up at her and let my tongue slowly lick through her moistened folds. Bella gasped at my actions and I couldn't resist teasing her.

"Mmm, Bella-nutter." I moaned, diving back in for more. Bella's sounds of pleasure would leave no doubt as to who her mate was. She was going to cry out for me, for everyone to hear.

"Liss! What DOING?!" She gasped, as I continued satisfying my hunger with her essence. She began trying to wiggle her hips away from my mouth, but I held them firmly in place. "No, Liss. No…BAD! What Liss doing?" Bella said louder now, trying to push my head away, and I finally stopped, my brain clearing enough to recognize the fear and confusion on Bella's face. Shit.

"Oh Bella. I'm sorry." I whispered ashamedly, moving back up to lay beside her, pushing some stray hairs away from her shocked face. "Baby, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to scare you. I know it's new, but it's okay." Bella looked at me in disbelief and possibly a little disgust before covering her lower region with both hands.

"I not food, Liss." She told me seriously, and it took everything I had not to laugh, knowing she wouldn't appreciate it. Leaning in I kissed her deeply, enjoying the rumbling growl it caused in her chest.

"Do you trust me Bella? You know I'd never hurt you?" I said, looking straight into her emerald eyes. She didn't respond, but her eyes said more than words could. "Just let me show you this. I promise, if it doesn't feel good, I'll stop okay? Just say no, and I will stop. Yes?" Bella nodded once, watching me cautiously, as I smiled and dipped my head towards her hard peaks. Taking a nipple into my mouth, I sucked on it hard, keeping my eyes and ears open for any signs of discomfort. A low purr encouraged me to continue, and ever so slowly I danced my fingers down across her stomach, drawing small designs over her hips. Moving my lips up to her collarbone, I peppered kisses across her chest and up her neck, as my hand wandered between her legs, rubbing and squeezing her inner thighs.

"Okay, Bella?" I asked softly, pausing in my exploration of her neck.

"Yessss." She growled, her voice taking on the raspy animal quality she'd had when first speaking. Smiling, I went back to work, carefully teasing her hot folds before pulling back to her thighs, giving her a short preview to gauge her reaction. When I continued to get no protests, I finally let my hand linger, fingers slowly stroking up and down through the wetness gathered there. A moan erupted from Bella's lips, that faded into a deep growl and her hand grasped at my hair.

"Feel good, baby?" I murmured, nibbling her ear lobe. She gasped as my hand began circling her clit. Rather than answer, she just grunted, pulling me tighter against her and burying her face in my neck. I allowed a finger to just barely enter her, testing the waters again. Her legs jerked, so I did it again. "You like that, don't you?" I said lowly biting playfully at her shoulder.

"Lisssss." She whined, her back arching up off the bed as her hips began to move more with my hand. Gently, I continued to make small thrusts into her with my finger, while still attending to her clit. I could feel when she began to pulse and I knew she was very close.

"Come on baby. It's okay. Just let go for me. It's okay Bella." I said again, pulling back to lay kisses on her glistening face and flushed chest. Her walls gripped my single finger tightly as she keened, finally settling into a series of snarls and grunts. "That's my good girl." I said, helping her through. With one last grunt, Bella's raised hips collapsed back onto the bed and she looked at me with fire in her eyes.

With speed I hadn't seen before, she flipped me onto my stomach, mounting me from behind. This time, any kind of gentleness was lost. Bella pulled my hips up while pushing my head down into the mattress and holding me there. Once again I marveled at her strength, that she seemed to only use on these occasions.

"Ah, Fuck!" I screamed into the comforter where my face was smushed. Bella had slammed so hard against my backside, my whole body lunged forward towards the headboard. "Bella!" I yelled, trying to regain some control of the situation, but she was having none of it. Her hand that had lifted my hips into a raised position now moved to assist in slamming me backwards to meet her sharp thrusts.

The force of her movements coupled with the completely bestial sounds she was making turned me on more than I'd ever admit.

"Oh God!" I wailed, giving up any attempt to curb her rough treatment.

"Mine." She snarled loudly, punctuating the word with an extra hard thrust. I nearly came from the pronouncement.

"Yes! Yes, Bella! Yours!" I agreed eagerly. With a mind of its own, my hand reached back to pull Bella's around my waist and between my legs. She grunted, falling down against my back, but never resisting my actions. Guiding her hand with my own I helped her find my clit, and began making circles. But soon my legs gave out and we both fell down into the mattress, Bella's fast humping never ceasing. Now however, with each thrust, she pressed my hips, and consequently, my clit down into her hand caught between me and the mattress.

Bella's fingers clawed at my back, occasionally tangling to pull at my hair. I was beginning to recognize her mating sounds and knew she was close to coming again, I wasn't far away myself. After slamming her hips against me a few more times Bella cried out again, sending me over as well. It was only after the lustful fog in my brain began to clear that I realized, Bella's jaw was clamped tightly over my shoulder, her teeth having penetrated my marble skin. Despite this, I felt no pain. In fact, I could feel a warmth spreading through me from the spot. After another minute, Bella finally unclamped her teeth pulling back and licking at the wound and my neck, purring loudly. It hit me then what had just happened. I was marked. Bella had marked me. She knew I was her mate!

Turning over I beamed at the lazily grinning girl with lidded eyes. Holding her face in my hands I brought her to my lips for a lingering kiss. Her purr never ceased as we continued to kiss and nuzzle each other, caught up in our own world.