Pure of Heart
Disclaimer: SM owns Twilight, not me.
Ch. 6: Facing the Music
LPOV
Despite the intensity of the orgasm I'd just had, I never wanted our first time to be a borderline assault. I phased then stalked off after Bella because, imprint or not, she was going to understand just how pissed off I was at being treated like a peace of meat. The brunette lycanthrope was about a dozen yards ahead of me when she fell to her knees and started crying. Tormented sobs wracked her body and the scene shattered my heart. I pushed my anger aside then trotted over to where she knelt and laid down on my belly in front of her.
At first, Bella refused to look at me but I wasn't having that. I knew that I was about to play dirty but wasn't able to find it in me to care. Gently, I nuzzled my muzzle against her cheek then whimpered sorrowfully. My imprint stiffened then pulled back just enough to look at me and I was pleased to notice her eyes were back to the chocolate brown I loved so much. Hurt, self-loathing and regret flashed inside those beautiful orbs.
"I'm sorry LeLe; I never wanted to force you like that. I've never been mated before and hadn't expected the need to claim you was going to be too much for my instincts to resist. It's not good excuse, I know that, and you must hate me so much now. When we get back, I'll be moving to Seattle to stay at the local den and you won't have to…," she lamented, her British accent made the dead tone of her voice both heartbreaking and chilling.
Pain shot through my chest at the thought of my imprint leaving for any reason. As she spoke her eyes held a sincerity that left little down that not only was she sorry but was going to follow through with her plan. I licked her face to stop her from finishing her statement. My wet tongue had done the same thing as throwing water in a screaming toddler's face; it shocked Bella into momentary silence. Not wanting to waste the few seconds it was going to take her to recover from the shock, I phased then put on the sundress that had been tied to my right ankle.
"Y-y-you licked my face," Bella stammered indignantly.
"I had to do something to shut you up. What happened earlier wasn't exactly ideal but I understand the instinct thing but how are we going to work through anything if you run away," I commented sternly and my mate lowered her head.
"While what you did back there was far from being rape, I fully admit that I'm pissed about it but I'd be devastated if you left me," I continued softly. Bella's head shot up and she saw the hurt in my eyes. She pulled me into her arms and hugged me.
"I'm sorry I upset you, I wasn't thinking clearly. We're in this together and we'll figure everything out and I promise that I won't run away," she promised and I breathed a sigh of relief.
The two of us stayed like that for a few minutes then gradually got up and ran back to the Cullen house hand in hand. During the trip, the brunette had retreated into herself and only left them when we were a hundred yards from our destination. Bella stopped then looked at me with determination then suggested that I move back into my own room. I knew it was only a temporary thing until she was certain her instincts were under control. Reluctantly, I agreed and the lycanthrope relaxed. Something in the back of my mind told me she had another reason for the request but I was going to let it go… for now.
BPOV
Everyone was waiting for us when we walked into the mansion. The concern in their eyes only added to the guilt that I was carrying; guilt over killing Phil and Renee, guilt that somebody was using my serum to kill innocents, guilt over what happened with my Soul Mate and now this. The whole situation was completely bolloxed and I felt like a total heel. I smiled sheepishly then ducked my gaze and felt my cheeks blaze with a traitorous blush.
After a few minutes of awkward silence, Mum and Dad rushed over to me and hugged me tightly. Then one by one, I was passed around the room and the gathered vampires and shapeshifters had the chance to hug me as well. I giggled when I realized this was similar to passing an infant around at a family gathering. They all gave me puzzled looks but when I explained the stray thought they laughed as well. The stress level in the room dropped several notches but didn't dissipate entirely until lunch was served to those of us who ate. While we tucked into the feast, the vampires went on a quick hunt.
After the Cullen's returned, we once again found ourselves crowded into the living room. A few minutes were spent discussing how the overdose of Eclipse actually forced my body to slip skin and resultant chase that had covered the duration of the full moon and a few days beyond. I knew what was going to happen next and it wasn't long before the questions started. Mum was the first one that kicked things off while Carlisle took some blood samples so we could start modulating my Eclipse dosage. I had made the decision to find the minimum required to blunt my instincts, last several months had shown me that complete suppression could end disastrously.
"Bells, just to make sure we fully understand everything but the past week has been hectic so we might go over some old ground. You mentioned the Lawrence Talbot Society, can you explain exactly what they do," she asked.
"During the days of the Inquisition, we learned that the pack structure was archaic and proved more harmful than not. Much like other groups during that time, we went further underground then infiltrated every strata of human society to preserve our race. What eventually became the LTS is the governing body of lycanthropes. It is set up on a model that is a cross between an old Victorian Gentleman's Club and a monastic order. The Charter, or Governing, House is in London and there are Chapter Houses in every major city in the Western Hemisphere then in specific regions everywhere else which acts as a Den or safe house.
"They provide educational resources for Children of the Moon, support and the Rule by which we live. To assist in this, they operate a secure website for member, fraternities/sororities on several college campuses and at least six banks. They also maintain a small group of Sentinels to enforce the Rule," I replied honestly.
"What are the Sentinels doing about all the Eclipse overdoses," Dad demanded hotly.
"Uncle Harley is the one heading up the investigation but so far they haven't found anything. In order for humans to get there hands on it then there has to be a breech in our network. Because Eclipse dosages are personalized, each batch has unique chemical profile. The Sentinels have been tracking down all of my clients and so far everyone has had all the vials they ordered," I answered defensively then glanced down at the paper on the coffee table. The front page headline read: Eclipse Claims Nine More Victims.
"Bugger me, I thought somebody was trying to draw me out but I wasn't certain until now. The death toll will get worse because they only have until the end of next month to get to me. If they can't get to me then their next available target is Tabitha Lanning in Seattle in a couple of months. We'll have to get her someplace safe and send out an alert to the Society, I'll call Uncle and get him on that," I muttered to myself as I paced around the living lost in my private musings and unaware of the stares of my family.
"What are you talking about," my father asked and grabbed my shoulders so that I'd stop pacing.
"The person trying to draw me out knows me, personally, or at least did. The rise in Eclipse deaths on the West Coast is proof that they know I'm here but not my exact location," I answered and pulled myself from his grasp then continued to pace.
"Bella, how can you be sure they know you," Esme asked worriedly.
"Because even if I wasn't with Leah, I'd find someplace secluded to lock myself away," was my response.
"Why would you do that," my love whispered, her voice laced with hurt.
"Not even Eclipse can mask the fact that I'll go into heat next month. My body will produce enough pheromones that every lycanthrope or shapeshifter within hundred miles will be drawn to me. The overwhelming need to breed will dominate my every thought. That, along with a rather embarrassing physical mutation makes it impossible for me to be around people," I admitted sheepishly.