Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the creator of these intriguing characters. She and the filmmakers have made a fascinating and beautiful trilogy. I wish to borrow her background and add a plot twist of my own.

Chapter 17 – The Mate

Caius's POV

I had been watching the development of her body and she lay there on the table. I saw the highlights in her hair become even more striking as it curled around her face and her facial features had become more pronounced in their beauty. My eyes then trailed her body as it too had become more voluptuous in its curves. Oh yes, I was secretly proud of my new mate and as I looked towards Marcus I could also see his appreciation of her beauty.

"Our Isabella is quite beautiful" he said.

"My Isabella you mean" I replied and at this he chuckled as he said "So have you warmed up to her?"

I tried to sound dispassionate as I said "My bed has and I am glad that she is no longer the fragile human that I shared it with"

At this he gave a roaring laugh and I must have looked amazed for I hadn't heard Marcus laugh since the death of his wife "Dear Caius when will you admit to the fact that you are beginning to have feelings for her?"

"Be quiet brother, you don't know what you're talking about!" I answered and he walked out of the room a trail of laughter following him.

It had been four days now and I had given instructions to my female staff to prepare her for her awakening as I felt, through my physical bond with my mate that her time of death was approaching.

Her heart had been strong and stubborn much like her character but she could not avoid the inevitable.

I walked towards the room and entered quickly sending the others away as I stood beside her. She had but a few beats to go and then she slowly batted her eyelashes and woke up. I was bewitched by the sight of her but before I was able to communicate with her she jumped off the table and crouched into a corner ready to attack. It was then that I realized how magnificent she really was as her eyes fiercely watched between a curtain of chestnut hair. She observed my every move and took in my form with an air of arrogance and anger; she was truly the mate of a warrior and she was mine.

I knew the first problem with newborn were there disorientation and therefore slowly raised my hand as I said "Isabella don't be scared you have been changed and I wish help you feed". Her eyes were wary and I knew that if I got any closer she would pounce. "You have a burning feeling in your throat and I have something to help relieve it" she felt her throat and by the expression on her eyes she just now realized how much her throat hurt. "Come with me my love, I will help you." she slowly stood up and although she showed me her distrust she followed me through the door and I was careful to keep a distance as I knew that any newborn was not trustworthy.

I saw her smell the air and said "Yes my love, you will soon be able to quench your burning throat" I then brought her the room next to where she had laid. The men inside were terrified and screaming for mercy in Italian. I had to laugh knowing that Isabella had no idea what they were saying and in the state she was in, her frenzy for blood would take away any sound.

When she entered the room I saw her face glow as she pinpointed her attention to the men. Her eyes mesmerized them and then she attacked. I watched her attack and marveled at her style; she was not a butcher like some but she was just as deadly. She put one under her spell and she drank slowly and meticulously enjoying every drop as it passed her throat. When she was finished with one she began with the other again taking her time and enjoying the kill. After the fourth and last man had been taken I watched her turn towards me licking her fangs; she was superb, my warrior goddess and I slowly came closer to touch her face.

All of a sudden the anger came back into her face as she once again poised herself for an attack. I now prepared myself for the inevitable and circled myself around her baiting her to strike and she did. Knowing newborns as I did I was able to catch her and turn her around so that she couldn't do any harm. I then whispered in her ear "Stay calm my love you are now with your mate". This seemed to infuriate her as she tried everything possible to wriggle out of my embrace shouting "get your filthy paws off of me Caius!"

I roared and threw her against the wall and she was stunned. I then helped her stand up and she seemed to be compliant but as she rose she tried to use her claws on my face and I was able to catch them just in time saying "Does my little fury have claws, be very careful lover or I will remove them and although they will grow back the pain is quite excruciating. Now stop making a spectacle of yourself and allow me to bring you back to your room."

She pulled away from me with all her might and was able to escape "No" she said. "I will not go back to that prison and you can no longer force yourself on me". My Isabella seemed to be different than most newborns and she appeared to have come through the transmission faze without the disorientation that usually accompanies it. Newborns are known for their compliance to their makers allowing the makers to form them but Isabella would not bend. Her body had made the transformation but her mind remained as it was; obstinate. Maybe because of her special gift her mind was more stable and her memory of her past more prominent than by the others. All of a sudden my mind began to work on the possibilities and I looked into her eyes smiling deviously as I said "Are you forgetting something my love?"

She was looking at me and hissed when I smiled. I then chuckled and said "Dear Isabella my beautiful mate, I still hold the existence of your human family and friends in my hands" and after a moment of hesitation I saw her look of defeat. I then held my hand up she cautiously put hers in mine, her head held high in defiance.

As we walked through the hallway I glanced at my mate and admired her as she gracefully walked beside me hissing at anyone that accidently passed us. We arrived at her room and I opened the door to allow her to enter. When we were alone I wrapped my arms around her holding her close and slowly my arms began to travel over her body. I was remembering her feed and how truly sensual she had looked. I kissed her neck and she yielded to my attentions pulling away her silky hair to give me access and I bit down hard. I knew that feeding was an extremely erotic experience for all vampires but especially for newborns and wished to start her fire going. I knew once I had her started she would and could not stop so I began to suck the wound as she had done with her victims and I could hear her moan in appreciation. When I let go she turned and began to kiss me her lips demanding my attention as her hands wandered over my body. She then bit my neck and I was set on fire as the minx wrapped her legs around my waist. The next thing I knew we were on the bed both wrestling for domination.

Edward's POV

Last night we had finished off the Newborns and now it was Victoria's turn. As she had no idea of Riley's 'specialty' we didn't expect her to anticipate our next move.

Riley brought us towards the cabin where he had last seen her and from there he picked up her scent but Victoria had just left. As soon as she had found out that her army no longer existed, Victoria had made her retreat. As far as she knew she had no one following her so she saved her strength and took her time to leave not knowing that we were in hot pursuit. Riley followed her scent and it became stronger as we approached the Canadian border. After about another hour we found an area heavy infused with her scent and we realized that we had stumbled on to one of her hideouts. Riley pointed the direction to me and I asked them all to stay back and let me investigate.

I reached out with my mind to see if she was in the area, my body poised in case of an attack. As I approached I saw an isolated shack between the trees, it was so small and covered by the plant life that I almost passed it by. My mind couldn't hear or feel anything so I cautiously entered, my body ready for a possible attack. Once I was assured that the shack was empty I looked it over not touching anything for fear that she would catch my scent. I then went back into the woods to discuss my findings and ideas with the others. I looked into Alice's mind and when I saw Victoria entering the cabin in one her visions I asked "Do you know when this will happen?" She just shrugged her shoulders. I then made my decision and turned to the others requesting for their attention.

I shouted and when I got their attention I said "Please listen up everyone; I have a plan. We know that Victoria is close and we need to flush her out so I wish to use myself as bait". Everyone protested as I knew they would but I waved my hands and they all listened. "Look, Victoria knew of my bond with Bella so she won't be too surprised with my visit. I am going to look around for her and I want her to think I'm alone, grief-stricken and venerable. If she smells any of you she will know it's a trap and it will take us too much time to find her again. You all knew that I wanted this confrontation so please respect my wishes. If she escapes me she will probably come back to the cabin and I want to be happy in the knowledge that she will not escape any of you". I then said my goodbyes and left looking for the nearest place I could find her.