BELLA

I don't feel my body anymore. Every single part of it hurts. I just try to focus on my breathing. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale…

My face is purple on the left side. I have several deep cuts on my right forearm. My legs are aching from blocking kicks, my butt from falling too many times. I'm exhausted. I should be sleeping like the dead, but I don't. All I can think of is a certain man who moves like he owns the earth he's walking on. To be noticed by him. To surrender to him. What a thrill this should be.

I remember the first time I saw him. It was Choosing Day, 2 years ago. He was cool and concentrated. Surveying his surroundings, looking at each factions like he was searching for something or someone or just registering everything around him. Suddenly, the ceremony began and he welcomed warmly the first initiates.

To be in the initiates' place.

In my dreams, it was me that Edward was embracing, was squeezing tight against him, stroking my hair, kissing me deeply in front of eveyone.

My father explained that he was one of the older leaders with Aro among the Dauntless. A legend among his faction. My flighty mother couldn't hold herself; she added that she wishes him to find happiness, he was so somber. From this day on, I stayed dazzled by this greek God of twelve years my elder.

"Bella, Bella!" I woke with a start at Ali's voice in my ears.

I blinked at the electrical light and the morning sounds of my fellow members in the dormitory. How many hours did I sleep? Who cares? Ali and I stick together. We are the smallest of the group, nobody takes care of us. We are already out for them. She is coming from Candor and doesn't seem to know how to shut her mouth.

- I heard that we are going to have a special meeting this morning! The leaders are coming to speak to the Initiates, can you imagine? She shrieks bouncing.

- What for?" I ask yawning faking disinterest.

- Well, I don't know." This time, she seems dejected. "But it should be important, don't you think?" She take a moment of reflection and add: "Let's get ready and see."

Effectively, when we arrive in the training room, there is already a group of people, I know them by sight for the most part. The only one I'm looking at is in the middle, all lean muscles and poise. Our trainer, Ty is waiting with respect, arms crossed on his chest, his silver earings shining with the ray of sun emanating from the ceiling.

All the twenty Initiates are gathered to listen to the leader. Edward seems to be more restless than I ever see him.

"Good morning Initiates, yesterday evening, the council took a decision that could change your initiation into the Dauntless faction." He pauses one moment and stares at the floor one minute.

"You can choose a another way, you can be a Dauntless nonetheless and a Submissive too. In this case you will follow the training but won't be in the ranking board."

Before I could move my pinky, Ali asked with her candid voice: "What is a Submissive, Edward?"

- Hum...Well...

Another leader known as Jasper cut him with a smile.

- What Edward intends to say, Sugar, is you can be in a special relationship which is very common in our faction, I mean, as Dominants we like to have the upper hand in a relationship, so we need people thriving in obeying, submitting to our desires, they will have their role as faction member too but it won't be their first focus.

If you want to explore this possiblity I suggest you choose a Dom, he points at the small group behind him and at Edward and him, and kneeled in front of him.

'Oh No, no way Edward is going to consider my big blue face.'

A tear escapes along my cheek. I go to him my legs shaking so much I barely make it. Usually, nobody looks at me, but since I begin to move every eyes is on me or more particularly my body. I don't understand why, I'm so plain. Something moves in my peripherical vison but all I can see is Edward, Edward who can't stop staring at me. I keep my eyes on the floor and I see the feet of Ali passing over me. Don't she dare take Edward! I rush to his sides and fall on my knees, putting my hand on his leg to keep my balance.

I am in a daze, waiting for his verdict. All I can feel is his big hand stroking my long auburn hair.

- Welcome Baby Girl, he says in a raspy voice. After that, there is only black. Oops, I think I must have fainted.

Sorry for any mistakes, not beta'ed.