Bella's POV

Alec closed the door leaving me alone in the arms of the most perfect being on the planet. That look he gave me, it was like he was looking right through me. He was acting so strange it was really hard to get a hold of his personality. I wondered if he was that pissed off all the time. Probably not, since he didn't have to act as a babysitter to everyone around here. I sighed and Edward held me tighter.

"I heard what happened, Bella. I am so sorry I wasn't there to help you through it." I closed my eyes and held onto him for dear life.

"It was so scary Edward. I don't know how you held back from killing me all those times. I almost killed her; I was so close…but then…" I was about to tell him about Alec, but I knew instantly it would be the wrong thing to do. Alec was so honest, I don't even think he meant to be, especially not me. It wouldn't be my place to tell Edward something so personal about Alec no matter how repulsive he can be.

"..but then I was brought back to myself." I finished.

He took me to the bed and lay down so that I was resting on his chest. He continued stroking my hair until I was able to calm down a bit.

"How are we going to get out of here, Edward?"

"I don't know Bella. I can't think of anything…and Alice…they have her locked up and there is nothing I can do. Jane follows me everywhere. I was only able to get away from her because Marcus needed her. That's when Caius came to me and told me about you and the humans. I tried to get here as soon as possible. I'm sorry honey. I really am."

"No, Edward. It's not your fault."

"But it is my fault Bella. Had I never come here none of this would have ever happened. You would still be in Forks – and alive. I don't know how to get us out of this. I'm sorry I keep doing this to you. I'm so sorry." I shut him up with a soft kiss on the lips.

"Will you stop saying that? I love you. We'll get through this okay? We just need to stick together, even if it's for little moments like this."

"You're right, my love. We'll find a way through this." He said as he kissed my hair. He moved me over and sat up.

"I need to go. Jane will notice that I'm gone." I nodded in agreement. Although it hurt to see him go, I knew it was necessary. We needed to stay as far under the radar as we could.

He stood up bringing me with him into his arms.

"And, Bella, please be careful around Alec. I'm not sure how safe it is to be around him" I pulled back to face him and kissed his lips gently.

"Don't worry about me so much, Edward, I'm a little bit stronger now than I used to be." I winked at him and he crushed his lips to mine. It ended too quickly for my liking and he was out the door too soon.

I sat down on my bed starring at the closed door. The light in the room turned into darkness before I moved again, and that was only because there was a soft knock at the door.

"Come in."

The door opened slowly and in entered Aro. I stiffened immediately.

"How are you this evening my dear?" I don't know if I liked the tone of his voice or the way he was looking at me.

"I'd rather be alone, if you don't mind."

"Oh, but I do." His cool voice was calculating. Something was up.

"What do you want, Aro? It would save so much time if you would just spit it out. I really do not have any patience for these games of yours. I don't want you. I made that clear to you when I was still human. Now, if you please, I would like to take Edward, Alice and myself back home to be with our families."

He sat down on the bed next to me. I attempted to scoot over but he caught my arm, keeping me in place.

"I'm sorry, but I do believe I've made myself quite clear to you Isabella. You have no say in this court. You have no authority to do…anything. You are here only because you are one of us now. That is all. I've have granted you your life in return for you to become my mate. Edward and Alice are still alive as I have promised. I do not tolerate belligerence Isabella. Please don't make me do something I will regret."

It's a good thing he couldn't read my mind, because at that exact moment I was contemplating a thousand different ways to kill him, I would have to kill him. Of course, Aro being as nasty as he is, trailed his cold brittle looking finger down the length of my arm. If I was still human I would have had goosebumps, and not the good ones either.

"I do hope you come to terms with our agreement soon. You look so…mouthwateringly delicious." He leaned over and pressed his lips against my ear as he whispered, "I cannot wait until I have you under me, begging me to pleasure you in ways you have yet to experience."

I smacked him – hard.

"You're a creep!" I shouted standing up. He shot up just as fast and grabbed my hair pulling my head back exposing my neck.

"You are coming dangerously close to pushing me off the edge. You will be my mate. That is not an option." He said all of this in a calm whisper. Somehow that made it even scarier than if he were to have shouted it at me.

Again he lowered his lips trailing kisses down the length of my neck and shoulders, my hair still in his vice grip.

"Isabella." He breathed. "I will have you, and soon." With that he let go of my hair and knocked me to the ground before he stormed out of the door.

I was on my hands and knees for three minutes and thirty one seconds wishing that there was something I could do to get myself out of this situation when I was interrupted yet again.

Two knocks, and then a creak of the door, three steps and then the creak of the door again followed by seven steps and then a red cloak appearing in my peripheral vision.

"Do I even want to know why you're on the floor?" I groaned internally. Alec.

I curled myself into the fetal position not because I was afraid of him, but because I really didn't want to move and I really didn't want to see his pretty face so full of contempt for me. I felt him kneel down beside me. His hands brushed my hair.

"I brought you some books and some more donor blood. You're still hungry aren't you?" That sure got my attention. I lifted my head and found his face. He smiled and it looked like he could be a model for a Colgate commercial.

"Come on. Let me help you up, Bella." I looked at him for three more seconds before I took his outstretched hand. Once in front of him I crossed my arms and arched an eye brow.

"Is it like, Vampire 101 to be bipolar or something?"

He laughed. It was the first time that I heard a simple honest laugh come from his lips. It made him look even more beautiful. His eyes squinted and his long lashes touched his cheeks, cheeks that I noticed for the first time had dimples. He didn't look like a bored thousand year old vampire but like a seventeen year old teenager.

"That's cute Bella. Come on, eat." He took my hand and led me to the bed. I sat in the middle of the bed and tore up five bags of donor blood, one after another. He didn't take his eyes off of me the whole time.

"What?" I said after about five minutes of him not blinking.

"Nothing." He said smiling.

"You're really weird, Alec."

"Well, I still don't like you, but if I'm nicer to you, you might not annoy me as much." I threw a pillow at him. He caught it and through it back at me. I giggled and then clasped my hands to my mouth. Was I having fun with the enemy?

"Why did you stop? You look…" he trailed off and looked away.

"What? Finish what you were going to say."

He lowered his head and I know if he could blush he would have.

"I didn't want you to stop because… you look…well, there is no word that exists to accurately depict how beautiful you are."

"Oh." I said shocked. What was happening here? Why was he being so nice?

"Well, thank you…for the compliment…and for the books and food." I said trying to give him the hint that I would rather him leave. He got it.

"OK, um, I'm downstairs if you need me. I...uh…I pretty much have nothing to do since I've been told to take care of you."

"I can take care of myself." He nodded his head and walked to the door, but stopped before opening it.

"Bella?" he said with his hand on the knob.

"Yes, Alec."

He was quiet for a very long time as if he were contemplating how to say what he would say next.

"I admire your strength. I know you really don't want to feed off of the humans. I have arranged for you to get only animal blood from now on…and if you'll allow me, I'd like to escort you to your first hunt."

Wow. That was completely unexpected, but there is only one person I wanted to take me hunting and it wasn't him.

"Thanks, Alec, but do you think I could hunt with Edward instead?" I heard him growl, but it was soft, almost like a purr.

"I can arrange for Jane to bring him." He said much harsher. "We will have to supervise of course."

"Oh." That sucks. "If that's what it takes, then I guess that will be fine."

"I'll speak to her." He said between clenched teeth.

"Thank you again, Alec."

He didn't say anything. He didn't even acknowledge that he heard me. He just opened the door and slammed it shut.

Yup, all vampire dudes are bipolar. I hope it's not contagious.