Hi, so sorry about the problems with the upload of the last chapter. Some people got alerts, some didn't so I had to re-do the upload.
Thanks for all the reviews and PM's. Glad you all seemed to enjoy the change in Bella's character, you have my girlfriend to thank for that as I had trouble getting the feel right. She read my draft and was 'no, that's the old Bella. The new Bella would do it this way...' So, hopefully I have a better feel for her now but we will see much more of that in the future. This chapter just ties up some loose ends and gets the story moving forward again.
Enjoy, Lil'D x
P.S A few days for the next chapter but as always it will be up asap.
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"What?" Rose frowned and Tanya sighed as Kate picked herself up off the floor, warily eyeing the newborn as she perched back on the arm of the couch.
"Bella's beast is Alfa or Alpha, in English," The coven leader confirmed. Her beast had wanted to please Bella which established Bella as the most dominant in the coven. "Bella's beast is the most dominant I have ever encountered, therefore if she wished, she could challenge me for leadership of the coven." Bella blinked and screwed up her nose.
"I don't -." Tanya's raised hand silenced the newborn.
"But," she smiled at Bella to reassure her, "this is not the Volturi but a coven which selects it's leader, it does not have it dictated."
"I would never -." Bella was shaking her head, denying any wish to usurp the current status-quo.
"I know, but should you ever wish to, I would not be able to stop you." Tanya admitted but bore the newborn no malice. "It is something more of use when encountering a hostile vampire," she explained. "It means that you would rarely be required to fight, they would more than likely submit to your influence."
"And be happy about it," Irina murmured, shrugging as the other vampires looked to her. "Well," she pouted, "it's true!" Rose frowned when Kate also hummed her agreement, throwing the petite blonde a suspicious look, now wary of her interest in her bond-mate.
"It gives you a lot of power, young one," Kate sighed, as she continued the conversation. "It is also a power easily abused but we know you are unlikely to take that route. However, it would also leave you open to manipulation by others wanting to wield your power. Thankfully your inherent shield will firstly prevent it's detection and secondly it's abuse."
"So, you mean Alpha like with the wolves?" Rose was a little confused but needed to understand this, for herself and for Bella, so she could ensure their safety.
"No," Tanya jumped in to explain. "The title is similar but the connotations different."
"Ok?" Rose was still not clear about what this meant for her bond-mate.
"From what I know of Bella's wolves, they have a pack hierarchy. A pack is their natural state and their Alpha bonds the pack together, leads it." Both young vampires nodded their understanding. "Vampire's do not have packs. They have covens which have leaders, elected or self-proclaimed but covens of any size are unusual as vampires do no generally play well with others."
"No. As you know, their territorial natures dictate at most two or three sharing a territory," Irina added. This was common knowledge to the young vampires, it was only the Denali's and Cullen's vegetarian lifestyle that allowed them to form large covens, bound by familial bonds.
"The term Alpha when used in reference to vampirism is simply the dominance of one vampire over another." Kate took over speaking. "We are, as you know, bestial in nature and commonly refer to this side of our nature as the 'beast'. As though it were a separate entity, which in some ways it is." Bella now understood why this was done, it really did feel like there were two halves to herself and she could now feel the darker side working in harmony with the lighter, more human side. Rose's explanation had been a good one.
"My sisters and I would be considered Alfa in most circles," Irina explained. "Our power allows us dominance and control over others. As you have been taught?" She looked to her sisters for confirmation.
"No, we haven't got that far yet," Kate confirmed. "But we will, don't worry." She smiled at the younglings. Bella looked a little bemused but curious. Rose's brow was furrowed with a small frown, but that was not unusual for the young blonde who liked to be fully informed on matters.
"So, the fact that Bella is naturally more dominant, without having been taught to use her power is highly significant. It shows that she is powerful indeed. She has a natural dominance and our power, which will enhance her strength further," Irina explained, offering the newborn a warm smile.
Both Bella and Rose nodded, now understanding what was going on. Well, a little more than they had.
Rose needed time to digest this information so she stood, Bella leaping to her feet a split second behind.
"Come?" Rose held out her hand and the newborn took it without question, knowing they needed some time alone, together. So, they left the house and ran. They ran much further than they had for a while, coming to a stop at the edge of a sheer cliff that plummeted into the rocky sea beneath. Rose went to sit, her legs dangling over the edge into the void beneath and Bella came to stand behind her bond-mate as they both looked out over the tumultuous ocean.
"So, Alpha, huh?" Rose eventually queried as she looked over her shoulder at the brunette. "Big, bad-ass Bella the Alpha?"
"I guess." Bella sighed and frowned as she sat down behind the blonde, legs either side and wrapped her arms around Rose, pulling so she was settled back against her body.
"Are you going to be taking care of me from now on then? Hmm?" Rose turned a cheeky smile on the newborn who had taken the position without really thinking about it. Now she did, she realised Rose was right, until now it had mostly been the blonde taking care of her. Guiding and supporting her through the weeks after her change.
"Maybe," Bella grinned back and pecked her bond-mate on the cheek.
"But," a twist and Rose was now straddling the newborn, where she had pushed her down onto the rocky ground. "You're mine Bella," she purred and rubbed the length of her body against the brunette, coming to rest propped on her elbows which were either side of the newborn's head. "Aren't you?" She rested her cheek against her bond-mate's and revelled in the warmth of their connection.
Bella couldn't help but purr at the contact, this felt so very right.
"Yes, Rose," she agreed with a soft sigh her breath ghosting past the blonde's ear.
"But -" Rose pulled back to a sitting position so she could regard the newborn, locking onto red eyes. "What the fuck was that with Kate?" She growled and Bella blinked under the intense glare she was being subjected to. "And Irina? Hmm?" Another growl as hands moved to rest on Bella's shoulders, pinning her to the ground as the blonde rose to her knees, hovering on all fours above the newborn.
Bella stared up into amber eyes and bit her lip.
"I don't know. I'm sorry," the brunette apologised. "I -. It just happened," she murmured, turning her head to the side, away from the soul-searching gaze of her bond-mate.
"An involuntary reaction?" Rose questioned softly, fully aware that Bella couldn't lie to her without her knowing. The bond they shared was pure truth. But, it didn't stop the jealousy she was feeling.
"Yes, the beast -." Rose nodded in full understanding.
"It didn't like being challenged."
"No," Bella replied, then was silent for a moment. "How did it feel? For you?" She questioned the blonde, shyly. Rose sat back her hands now resting on Bella's stomach where she traced idle patterns over the soft cotton of her t-shirt. Bella lay still, enjoying the attention.
"It -," she frowned, trying to get it right. "I felt it but not, I think, as the others felt it," she frowned down at the newborn. "They got a little excited, don't you think?" Bella blinked as the blonde raised an accusatory brow.
"Yeah," the newborn admitted sheepishly. "Sorry 'bout that." Rose shrugged.
"I don't believe it was intentional, probably your beast's way of gaining control. It obviously worked, Kate was about to jump you!" She smiled as she remembered the blonde falling on her butt. "But," she growled. "if you ever take it further with her you need to make sure I'm not around. Please? I don't think I'd cope if you didn't," she admitted softly.
"I'm sorry, for what I did today!" Bella pushed herself up so she was sitting, Rose now straddling her lap, they were nose to nose. "I really -. I just didn't think, I didn't mean to hurt you!" She pleaded with her bond-mate as she apologised again for her mistake earlier in the day, when she confronted Rose, still covered in Irina's scent.
Rose sighed and rested her forehead on the brunette's shoulder.
"I know, which is why I forgave you," she whispered and Bella reached up to embrace the blonde. "And I now know, from seeing Irina with her sisters, that you will always come back to me." She felt Bella nod.
"I will," the newborn murmured, feeling Rose's love for her pulse through their bond.
"But -." the blonde faltered.
"But?"
"But, I want you to know that you are still free to explore with others, if you wish,"
"I -."
"Shhh!" Rose pressed her finger to the newborn's lips. "Shh, my Bella. I know being with Irina helped you," Rose admitted with a sigh and brought her forehead to rest against the brunette's. "Look how much it helped you, Bel's." The blonde reached up to cup Bella's face and the newborn leaned into the touch. "You're so young, you need to take what you need. I think it's important for you. For us." She paused to sigh. "This beast of yours, well it may have it's own agenda and I don't want to limit you in any way because I know that whatever happens, you are mine!" She finished with a growl.
Bella gasped at the overwhelming wave of love and possessiveness that swept over her from the blonde. But, hearing those words and feeling what Rose felt for her she doubted she would ever find any experience that came close to being with her bond-mate.
"Ok," Bella acceptance of her claim was immediate and genuine. Rose grinned at the shy, almost coquettish look she received from the newborn. Bella's beast practically purring at her through their bond.
"When we're ready, we'll know!" Bella purred, the switch was instantaneous, almost as fast as the switch in their positions. Rose now on her back as Bella's eyes darkened and her fangs dropped, a low rumbling purr resonating in her chest.
This time Rose was the sole focus of Bella's dominance and it washed over the blonde, leaving her panting and wide eyed. It had not affected her like this in the house, she had been less affected than the sisters so this was a bit of a shock to her system. But, she was secretly loving it. This was the real Bella, the vampire she had the potential to become.
The newborn herself was extremely happy right now. This felt good, this felt right but neither vampire felt the need to take things any further, not then but they both still acknowledged the fact that their future was tied together, but what form that would take was yet to be decided.
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"Bella, I want to start your blood training. How about now? Or do you want to feed first?" Tanya asked after they returned to the house. She had been waiting for them to return, a discussion with her sisters deciding that they thought Bella was ready.
The young vampires had taken their time, just enjoying each other's company as they slowly made their way back. Things were calm and relaxed between them as they both adjusted to Bella's new found self-awareness.
"Now? I'm not hungry." Bella suggested, still sated from her excessive killing spree. She looked to Rose for her opinion but her blonde just nodded her assent.
"Ok, we have some blood in the fridge, in the basement." Kate informed her. "Wait." Bella stayed where she was, on their couch, next to Rose, not that she had intended going anywhere. Tanya was sitting on one of the large armchairs and Irina keeping her distance as she lounged in the doorway that led through to the kitchen.
When Kate returned with a donor bag filled with blood the newborn eyed it curiously. All present were studying intently, watching for every small reaction.
"Can you smell it?" Tanya asked and Bella nodded. The scent was detectable through the bag and most newborns would have been clamouring to taste it by now. But not Bella. But, no-one was overly surprised. Kate slit the bag with her nail and the scent hit the air. All the blondes felt their bodies react but even Rose had more than enough control to resist the temptation. Kate smirked as she dipped her finger into the bag, coating it in the thick fluid before sucking it off as she taunted the newborn with the red nectar.
"Kate!" Tanya scolded her sister as they saw Bella's fangs drop an her eyes blacken but she did not pounce on Kate in an effort to get to the blood as most newborn's would have done. Instead, she was perched on the edge of her seat, staring at the bag and emitting a low rumbling growl but making no move towards Kate.
"Amazing," Rose beamed at her bond-mate and Bella turned towards her and smiled, although it was all fang.
"Here," Kate held the bag out and nodded for Bella to take it from her. The newborn tentatively took hold and sniffed gingerly, the scent assaulting her nostrils but not causing her to lose control. Fascinated she tipped the bag slightly, watching the thickened blood move sluggishly within the confines of the plastic, examining the individual cells as they were highlighted by the sun streaming through the window. She frowned as she recalled the biology lesson that had been her introduction to the Cullen's, where blood had almost been the literal death of her.
"It's different when it's a warm body." Rose informed her, breaking her bond-mates study which she had been watching with a soft smile for the past few minutes. "Although it took me weeks to get to this stage," she praised the brunette and leaned forward to peck Bella on the cheek, in an uncharacteristic show of public affection that made the newborn suddenly shy and forget all about her brothers loss of control, back in the biology classroom. The sisters exchange a soft look, pleased to see the young blonde seemingly accepting of the day's events.
"Taste it." Kate urged which brought her several disapproving looks. The petite blonde shrugged. "It's going to get wasted otherwise, it's not as though she hasn't tried it before. look at her, she's a walking miracle of control, it should be rewarded." Rose pulled away from the newborn, not approving but not wanting to interfere.
Bella dipped a speculative finger into the bag then tasted it with the tip of her tongue. It was not how she remembered, somehow less potent but never the less many steps up from animal blood.
"Have it all, it's Ok." Kate urged. Bella took another cursory sniff before tipping the bag and drinking. Her beast purred as it tasted the substance it was created to consume but it did not take full control, her rational mind still the prevalent force in her psyche.
"Good?" Kate queried. The blondes watched for the newborn's reactions. Sometimes taking in human blood after abstaining could make a vampire a little high and they may feel intoxicated until their system adjusted but Bella seemed fine as she drank the last drop and handed the packet back to the petite blonde. Most newborns would have slit it open to clean the insides as Kate was now doing.
"What are you? A baby newborn?" Irina playfully chastised her sister who just stuck out her blood-stained tongue and smirked wickedly.
Rose had been watching quietly, a little uncomfortable about the easy consumption of human blood but was very smug that her bond-mate, her Bella, had excelled at the first trial.
"What's next?" she queried. "That was obviously little challenge." Tanya paused and glanced at her sisters.
"Well, next would be observing humans from a distance, to get used to their scent and the draw of their pulse. It has more of a draw than the cold blood," she clarified to the newborn who was listening intently.
"It's more of a natural state for our prey to be in rather than cold and neatly packaged." Kate joked.
"Tomorrow?" Rose queried, she knew Bella was ready and was looking forward to seeing her father, so she would help any way she could.
"Bella?" Tanya asked the newborn.
"Ok." Bella agreed abruptly.
"I would also like Carmen and Eleazar to return, this is their home and I know they would like to meet you. How would you both feel about that?"
"That's fine," Rose nodded her consent after checking with Bella, who squeezed her hand in assent. "You'll like them." She reassured Bella who just nodded and went with the decision. She was curious to meet the missing coven members and as Tanya had said it was their home too.
"Ok, let's get it over with," she agreed and stood. The newborn having had enough of being the day's entertainment. Bella frowned and scrubbed her hand over her face, her beast was getting restless and they could all feel it.
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Next on Crimson Bonds
As they approached the living room Rose felt Bella's chi expand to envelope hers, she felt the dominance but she knew it was just Bella's way of protecting her so she was un-phased, well a little touched actually as she squeezed the newborn's hand as she held. Bella offered her a shy smile before they came into full view of the coven.
"Rose!" Carmen rushed forward to greet her friend. Rose liked Carmen, she was almost motherly but like the fun aunt rather than Esme's placid domesticity. "And you must be Bella!" Bella stood her ground but dropped Rose's hand. The young blonde felt a much stronger flare of the newborn's chi which snapped the sister's attention to her and made Carmen falter.