Enjoy!

Chapter 9:

Athena's POV

A new week. Dreams that kept bothering me. But the biggest bother of all was Bella Swan. Earlier this day she had approached right before lunch and she pretty much accused me from stealing Edward's attention, which made me laugh. What happened after though was that she tried to slap me. However, I saw it coming and stopped her hand before it managed to give any impact. I had glared at her and maybe just maybe threatened her if she did not leave me alone I would kill her. Which earned me a lecture from Rosalie afterwards. However, Emmett and Jasper thought it was funny.

The rest of the day had passed without any more problems and we had returned to the house. Lucky me got called into Carlisle's office. We briefly talked over what had happened to me and for now I was relaxing since nothing else unusual had happened to me. I also told him about some filthy men in Port Angeles that needed to be taken care of. Just before anything more could happen. The Cullen family was more than happy to help. And even if I did not like Bella, when the day came, it was not like I wanted her to suffer through rape and maybe death. I was not that cold.

My legs were pulled against my chest as I kept looking out the window. The wind went through the trees calling the dance.

Wait, what? Calling the dance? I listened closely. Indeed it was calling for a dance. I smiled softly at my own silliness. I heard the front door open and the pull lessened and I knew who had returned.

Edward appeared beside me just a moment after. Watching me. It was not often we spoke, but we were usually comfortable with the silence.

The words from that one dream kept haunting me. Was it the proof of my feelings for Edward? Did I really love him? First of all even like him?

As the wind got stronger I swore I could see the sparkling nature and I rubbed my eyes thinking I was tired and I blinked several times.

"Athena," Edward said and brought me out of whatever I was really watching.

"Yes?"

"Are you ok?" he wondered and briefly looked down before meeting my eyes again.

"Yes, I am," I answered. And this time I was certain. When he was so close it was like nothing could keep me down.

"I have to go hunt, but I'll be back soon," he said as he got up.

I simply nodded in return and watched him leave. I let a sigh escape me as I knew he was far away and briefly noticed Jasper enter the room.

"Here you are," he said with a careful smile.

"Here I am," I said silently.

"I can show you what you're feeling," he suggested.

"Now? Or when Edward usually is in the room?" I asked and smirked. He rolled his eyes but nodded. "Sure. It would be nice to know," I mumbled and closed my eyes.

The feelings were so overwhelming that I nearly fainted and choked. I felt sadness for thinking he did not like me as I him. A feeling of love so strong that it brought tears to my eyes and it made me cry. It shook me.

"And here I thought I didn't like him that much," I said a bit shakily.

"It's ok to feel upset. I have never felt a love so strong before. The strongest over all mating bonds I have ever felt," Jasper said and met my eyes.

"It's funny that I love him. I thought I never would…"

"He feels the same way," Jasper admitted and looked at me sheepishly.

"He did not want you to tell me that, right?" I asked and Jasper shook his head. "I'm glad though. Thank you."

"I'm just glad you are sure of your feelings. I don't want to see either of you hurt," he said and pulled me in for a brief hug.

"Can I ask you something?" He nodded and I took a deep breath. "The pull I feel within me. Every time he is far away, it brings me closer to him. Is that our reason? That we're mates?" I asked.

Jasper looked a bit thoughtful.

"And when we're too far away for a long time it hurts."

"That sounds extreme," Jasper muttered and his face was not revealing any emotion.

"I'm just asking. Wondering."

"It is usual for mates to feel a certain pull and connection. The pain is usually linked to when either of the parts are in any danger. Your bond must be very strong to-"

Knock. Knock.

"What?" I asked, a bit annoyed that Jasper got interrupted.

"It is my turn to steal you away, Athena," Alice said with a bright smile as she hurried in and helped me back on my feet. I left with an apologetically smile in Jasper's direction and he smiled in turn as I was dragged after Alice.

I ended up in her closet. I groaned.

"No complaining. You promised," Alice said and started looking through the clothes.

"I know. But we were recently shopping and I have a lot of clothes that wants to be used," I whined.

Alice turned to me and threw an outfit my way, which I easily caught.

"Did you talk to Rose again?" Alice wondered as I struggled to pull on the dress she wanted me in.

"You mean after she tried to act like my mom? No, I have not," I said and turned so she could drag the zip up.

"There," she said and turned me towards her again. "You should. Rose is very fond of you and feels very protective when it comes to you and family in general. But if you don't fix this soon, it will be a wall up between you even when you need her the most," Alice said as she put a necklace around my neck.

"Where am I going again?" I then asked. Putting on the shoes she had thrown my way.

"It's a surprise," Alice said and started to brush through my hair.

When done with my hair she pushed me out of her room and I almost, and I mean almost, stumbled out. Rose stood on the other side of the hallway. She looked weary when she laid eyes upon me and I crossed my arms. I would have to pass her.

"You look beautiful," she said and gave a small smile.

"Thanks," I muttered.

"Athena I-"

"What's the point Rose? I'm not a child! I'm twenty! What is your problem?" I whisper-yelled to not attract too much attention from the rest of the house.

Her face fell and she looked a bit guilty. "I know," she said quietly and made her way slowly towards me. She stopped some few meters in front of me. "You might not be a child. Alice is right when saying I feel protective of you. It's difficult for me to explain it. But the bond to you is very strong. Your little fight with Bella Swan could have revealed our secret. Your secret-"

"No. That might be what you think, but it would not have revealed anything. Bella started it herself the moment she came up to me. If she was normal she would have stayed away and left me alone."

"Athena," she whispered softly. Venom filling her eyes. "I truly am sorry, and if it makes it any better I kind of threatened Bella as well. Telling her to stay away from you and Edward. As well as our family. You see, I can be very scary when I want to," she said and we both laughed quietly.

"Strangely enough, it does make it better," I answered.

She pulled me into a hug and held me tight against her chest, not leaving much room to breathe, but it was worth it.

"Now, you need to get to your destination," Rose said and pushed me towards the stairs.

"I do?" My head barely tilted as I was pushed and barely had time to react. However, I did land on my feet by the bottom of the stairs. Maybe not ever so gracefully, but I managed. "That was not fair!" I yelled.

Emmett stood waiting by the door and I raised an eyebrow.

"Don't look at me, but I'm taking you-"

"Don't dare say it Emmett!" came from several places in the house, making me giggle.

Emmett rolled his eyes. "Come on sis, we better get going."

"As you wish," I said and passed him looking straight at an unknown car. "Uhm…is this right?"

"Of course it is!" Emmett said ever so cheerful and gave me a little push. However, he did open the door for me before he went into the driver's seat.

He started the car and sped off. "Oh gee, in a rush much?" I asked and rolled my eyes.

He chuckled in response. "I like to drive fast."

"Mhm."

"Hey, Athena?"

"Mm-yes?"

"Thank you for talking with Rose again. I know for a fact that it made her very happy. In fact, you have changed our family quite a lot since you came, and I dare say for the better," Emmett said, all serious.

I smiled softly. "How can you say that? Wasn't I the cause of your little split in the start?" I asked and bit my lip.

"So you know about that?" Emmett asked, the look of surprise on his face clear as day.

"Yeah, I do."

"It does not matter now, Athena. What matters now is that you're part of our family. And we're not going anywhere. Family sticks together."

I felt my eyes tear up and I really had to keep myself in check to not choke or start crying. I felt a large hand on my left shoulder and I briefly met Emmett's eyes.

"Hey, it's ok. I'm here for you," he said and his usual childish smile was in place. Making me grin automatically. It was hard not to.

"Thank you."

"Now. Keep that smile in place. Now it's time for vampire running," Emmett said and stopped the car. Hurried to my side and took me out.

"Emmett! I can run myself!" I complained as he started.

"Sure you can, but Alice would kill me if you ruin that dress before your big date," Emmett said and wiggled his eyebrows.

"What?" I shrieked.

In turn he just laughed as I tried to convince him to put me down. Then he put me down and was gone within the second. I briefly glared after him but then I sucked in a deep breath and turned to where I was supposed to look.

My breathing stopped and I could only stare as I heard my heartbeats pound loudly in my ears.

The trees were filled with twinkling lights in a soft gold color. The waterfall in the background fell into a pond, which made a stream running down to the side and past me. How had I not noticed? The sound was soft and like music in the nature. Close to the pond in an open area, a blanket was laid and a picnic basket was in the middle of it.

There was no one else close, or so it would seem. The pull was not as strong, which meant he was close. Had he planned this all along? But where could he be?

I kept looking into the pond. Thinking. Was he hiding under the water? I turned to the blanket and sat down on it. Lifting the lid of the picnic basket and looked inside. Fruits and berries were delicately arranged in some boxes. A bottle of fresh water rested inside as well.

"Is it to your liking?"

His voice startled me and by instinct, I turned very fast towards the intruder and crouched down ready to pounce. Edward looked amused and I hurriedly straightened up and took him in.

"You planned this?" I asked and gestured around me.

He smiled and came a step closer to me. "I had to find a better way. To tell you." My head tilted as he looked away from me. He seemed conflicted with himself and when I thought about it, it should not have been a surprise.

"Tell me what?" I asked and took a step closer. The pull lessening even more.

His eyes met mine and we stood very close. Noses almost touching. Lips ever so close. It would not even be an effort to kiss him. Then he pulled away ever so little and I felt a little part of me break. I really had hoped for something more, had I not?

"This is more difficult than I could imagine," Edward muttered.

"Is it wrong to like me?" I hissed. My mood changing.

His eyes widened and he looked at me with surprise. I snorted. Really? Jerk! How could I be so stupid to believe he would feel the same? I can blame Jasper, no I cannot. It's not his fault. He just told me what he had felt. So it is wrong to like me it seems. Why is he so quiet all of a sudden? Cat got his tongue? Well, hopefully Alice will see me leave and Emmett will come and pick me up. And as I thought the last sentence I started walking past Edward, however, a grip of iron held me back and I froze. He turned me around and he was not happy.

"Is that what you think?" he hissed.

"What?" I squeaked.

"Your thoughts," he snarled.

Well, he is a jerk, I thought amused.

He pulled away from me and started to growl.

Wait, did he just read my thoughts? Realization hit me and I backed away as he crouched down. Ready to attack. I stared wide-eyed at the angry vampire in front of me. I did not have any experience when it came to fighting. I was at a disadvantage.

The impact hit and I was thrown into a tree. Air was pushed out of me and I met Edward's wide eyes. He had not been the cause.

I fell and he rushed to me. Helping me up.

"Are you ok?" he asked. Voice filled with worry for me.

"Just a little out of breath. What was that?" I asked, a little bit sour.

Edward looked around and most likely listened for any thoughts. He was frowning.

"I don't hear anything," he said and held me close. Arms around me. Protecting me.

To be honest. That felt sort of nice. Very nice and my arms went around him as well and my head rested against his chest.

"Let's go home," he then said. I could feel his tense muscles and I shook my head.

"No. We're not letting anyone ruin this right now," I muttered and barely parted.

"Why-"

"Because I have very strong feelings for you and I have truly realized that. It pains me to be too much away from you. There is always this pull and-"

His lips met mine in a frenzy and it was no holding back as he pushed me up against the tree. Our lips moving and never pulling apart. The feeling of being complete, got stronger and I tried to pull him closer, even if it was impossible.

The shrieking of his phone made us both pull away and glare at the phone.

"Yes?" Edward was not happy and his voice was very much annoyed.

"Edward, I just lost your future and the same when it concerns Athena. Please come back now," I heard Alice say through the line.

"Alice, we will come home when it fits us. Until then don't worry," Edward answered and hung up.

"Was that such a good idea?"

"Probably not. Come on." He gestured for the blanket and we sat down close to each other.

I opened the picnic basket and took out the boxes. Edward watched me with intense eyes and I briefly rolled mine before starting to eat.

"The mating pull…" he started.

I knew what he was going to start on and I silenced him with my thoughts.

I know we are mates Edward. There is no denying it. It's funny… I thought and leaned in.

"What's funny?" he breathed.

"That I love you," I answered and pulled back.

"Why is that funny?" he asked and frowned.

"Because I never thought it would happen. At least to me," I answered and fell back on the blanket. Looking straight up at the sky. The stars invisible because of the clouds.

"Don't say that," I heard him whisper. "I never thought I would find a mate. It never really occurred to me. Not until you came into my life. I did not think I was worthy of a mate."

"Shh. Don't say that crap," I muttered and my eyes were shining partly with anger. "Of course you are worthy of a mate. The reason for your self-loathing is silly and you should accept yourself for who you are."

He looked at me with great surprise and I just gave a firm nod before pressing my lips against his again.

It really felt like the best thing ever as our lips moved against each other.

Soon the night would start turning into day again and I felt content as I laid in Edward's arms. His closeness reassuring in so many ways. I did not want to part with him and if those who were responsible for what was happening to me tried to take me away from my mate, I would fight back with a lot of anger. I would not give up easily. I finally got my mate, my reassurance. One I could trust at all costs and lean on when needed. And deep within I knew his support would be needed.

Whatever was going on was not over. This little break with being a super-human would not last for long, I was sure. I had a feeling something else would happen soon. What it was I could not tell. But my emotions going everywhere would not end with the first.

Yes, I did have Edward and it was not too soon. He loved me as I loved him. However, that would not matter much as another part of me surfaced and took over parts of me then to rip me apart once again. Breaking yet a part from within. My pain would be his pain, and for a while I'm sure we would feel cursed.

Tell me what you think!