Bella POV

The way Cori stared at Rosalie convinced me that I wasn't the only one with a mate in the Cullen coven. I just hoped she wouldn't shy away due to her `small problem´ like she called it between her legs. It took me nearly half a year for her to trust me enough to even tell me about her anomaly and due to her crying after I just hugged her and told her I loved her all the same it was clear how she had been treated in the past because of it.

Alas now was not the time to dwell on it because Edward was once again fuming and acting like a pompous ass. There was really a lot we needed to talk about and the old ballet studio wasn't really the place for that.

Carlisle seemed to have read my mind because he nodded to Cori in thanks and stated: „We should go back to the hotel to discuss what exactly happened because I feel a bit left out of it."

The look he sent Edward after that clearly stated that he was not very happy with his first created son.

The way back to the hotel seemed even longer to me although I was travelling at inhuman speed thanks to my vampire family. Alice was carrying me on her back and I could see Cori running next to Rosalie out of the corner of my eye.

Being that near to Alice after such a long time of barely having contact with her at all I felt like I was in heaven. Her smell was surrounding me and I couldn't help but nuzzle into the crook of her neck to breathe her in even more and to feel the cold smooth skin under my lips.

Alice let out a content purr which nearly made me laugh but the following growl which no doubt came from Edward made me want to punch him right in his face. I knew that would be a really bad idea because I probably would be breaking my hand due to his diamond hard skin but the look on his face would be worth it.

„Don't you dare break your hand because of my brother Bella. He isn't worth it."

I couldn't help but laugh out loud at the declaration Alice made. It was kind of sweet to hear how much she cared about my wellbeing without being overprotective and clingy like one of my last girlfriends had been.

When we reached the hotel Edward charged at Alice the minute the door was closed behind us. He didn't even wait for her to put me back on the ground. I saw Alice's eyes widen in horror and then Cori moved directly in the way of the angry vampire. The clash that sounded was nearly loud enough to deafen me. When my brain finally managed to register what happened I was just as stunned as the Cullen's themselves. Cori had somehow slightly altered her appearance so that she stood half an inch taller than him, her muscles straining against the fabric of her clothes and she seemed to have no trouble at all while holding Edward in a death grip around his neck. The growl that rumbled from her chest was impressive enough to even render Edward speechless.

After what seemed like several minutes I tried to move out of Alice's arms to shake Cori out of her rage. It was never good when she lost control like that, she told me that at least a thousand times. Alice however didn't let me go, her eyes were black and her fangs bared at Cori. She logically knew that my best friend would never harm me but her vampire side only registered the factor of a threat even bigger than her own brother who was in the same room as her still human mate.

Finally it was Rosalie who approached Cori and softly laid a hand upon her biceps. Her hand looked very feminine and delicate upon the strong muscles of my best friend. She wasn't like those bodybuilders, her muscles were lean like those of the animal she represented.

Rosalie POV

The display of power from my mate had me turned on to no end and it took me a while to register the current situation. When I placed my hand upon her biceps I couldn't really control the deep purr that emanated from my chest.

Cori almost instantly let go of my brothers neck and turned towards me, her eyes a deep golden color almost similar to mine. She probably could smell my arousal and there was no way she missed the overall effect she had on me. The predatory smile she send my way was proof enough for that and I couldn't help but whimper at the sight and the promise I could see in her eyes.

Before we could do something that would be beyond embarrassing in front of my family and Bella, Carlisle stepped forward and was next to grab a hold of Edward.

„Would you care to explain what has gotten into you son?"

The way he said son was in a bone chilling tone at which Edward visibly flinched and shrunk into himself.

Even I had to admit to being curious. I had known Edward for many centuries and although I knew he had a somewhat dark past I never witnessed him doing something as evil as he had with Bella.

„I thought she was my mate. I was very sure of that and with Alice's possessive thoughts and everyone else not seeing the obvious I couldn't help but try another way to make her mine."

Before Alice could launch at him my mate stepped forward again and said in a deep and oddly calm voice: „She is not your mate."

„And how would someone like you know that?"

„Similar to some vampires I possess a power. I can see bonds between soulmates, normally as a written name on their wrist or over their heart that depends on the bond itself. I was more than surprised when I read the name on Bella's wrist because humans normally aren't capable to form bonds like those of soulmates. It was the first indicator that told me she was meant for an immortal life, that she belonged to the supernatural."

Edward growled in clear disbelief but Carlisle was truly intrigued and stepped in front of his irate son.

„Would you be so kind to tell us what name is written inside of Bella's wrist? To make sure you truly possess that ability of yours I'd like you to read all our others bonds as well."

Cori looked around my family and slowly nodded. The tension in the room was almost visible. To find one's soulmate was the greatest bliss a supernatural creature could ever indulge in. To get a true chance at finding that someone or get the already existing bond confirmed would be a great relief.