Here we go, Chapter 20, please enjoy all the twists and turns! Love to all you readers, you make writing all the more enjoyable!
Chapter 20
B POV
It was my last day of exams; graduation would next week, and then we were off. Stressing about my history exam felt ridiculous in the face of everything else that would be changing in my life in the next couple weeks in addition to worrying about what the Cullens were up to.
The pack had planned one more bonfire as a send off of sorts. Of course, I'd see Jake before I left next week, but between graduation, prom, and packing I'd only see all of the wolves once more. I tried not to dwell too long on it because at the end of the day nothing was going to keep me from spending forever with my true mate. I decided this morning before heading out that I was going to go to La Push right after my exam so I could spend most of the day cooking with Emily and preparing for the bonfire. I wouldn't have anyone to cook for in a week, so I wanted to take full advantage of my last cookout opportunity.
My history exam was a breeze; Felix had spent half of yesterday quizzing me. Every time I got a question right he'd reward me with a kiss, and they grew in intensity as the evening went on. By the end of the night, I was more than prepared and was making my own history with my man.
My truck chugged along the dirt road up to Sam and Emily's home, engine dying down as I pulled the keys from the ignition and slid from the truck, armed with a bunch of ingredients and extra cooking utensils Charlie didn't even know he owned that Emily would never turn down keeping.
Sam opened the door, scooping the items out of my arms, ignoring my protests as he pecked my cheek and walked ahead of me, nudging the door back open with one large, bare foot before leading me into the kitchen. Emily smelled like brownies and freaking sunshine as she pulled me into a tight hug. Neither of us said anything, but I could feel the emotions rolling off of her. I bit my lip, reigning mine in, it would do me no good to have a blubber fest first thing after arriving.
"Whew, okay. Let's get to work girl!" she grinned, bumping her hip against mine as she cranked the stereo and started showing me menu for the night, pointing out what needed to get done first. Many casseroles, lasagnas, loaves of garlic bread, pots of chili, and baked goods later, we could hear feet stomping along the deck.
I felt two pairs of arms wrap around my shoulders, "Bells!", their heat was almost too much after spending all my time wrapped around a much chillier body. But I couldn't bring myself to step away from Embry and Quil's embrace, almost fighting back tears as I thought about how this would be one of the last hugs I'd get from them.
"Hey! There's a line" Seth huffed, making me giggle as the arms around me dropped and I spun around to pull my favourite Clearwater into a hug, grinning as he lifted me off my feet a little. "Bell!" I heard Jared call, not even bothering to wait for Seth to back up, instead just joining in on our hug. He got a swat from Emily when he tried to reach behind me towards a loaf of garlic bread.
"Jared Cameron! What would Kim say if she saw you trying to sneak in some food before your brothers?" I asked, trying to hold back my grin.
He held his hands up where I could see them and answered while still grinning, "she'd be happy her wolf was getting his calories in." I sighed, rolling my eyes as I tried to shove him away.
"Alright, you dogs can start taking the food down to the picnic tables, Em and I will follow." While the guys all started carting the food down, Emily and I grabbed all the utensils and a whole stack of napkins, sharing a look. We were on our way when the items I was carrying were plucked from my hands, one ridiculously warm arm coming around my waist.
"Bells" Jake sighed happily, head coming to rest alongside mine on my shoulder. I lifted one hand and ruffled his hair that was now just long enough to be a little shaggy.
"Hey Jake! Anything new?" I asked, and he knew what I was really asking about without having to say it. We'd all been on the lookout just in case they decided to return to the area.
"Nah, nothing to report captain Swan" he joked as we started down towards the tables where the wolves and elders had gathered. Everyone seemed to be there except for Paul and Leah, which didn't surprise me, but it did bum me out a little that Paul hadn't showed. Despite his harsh words, we were starting to be good friends before I'd gone off to Italy, and I'd hoped to at least say goodbye to him before leaving. It seemed the silver wolf had yet to accept or at least understand my situation.
Pushing away my thoughts of dismay, I took a seat across from Emily and Sam, wedged between Jake and Quil. I don't think I served myself a single thing I ate; the guys kept piling things onto my plate in small portions. I wasn't sure they even noticed they were doing it, but I smiled regardless, feeling cocooned in their warmth and happy atmosphere. I sent a quick text to Felix just to make sure he wasn't too anxious with me over here.
I know you'll worry either way, but I'm having a nice time, and everyone is behaving.
His answer came back immediately.
Puppies are finally trained.
I rolled my eyes, stifling a grin when I heard Jake's scoff, obviously having peeked at my screen.
"How are things going with Gigantor, Bells?" it seemed my mate and best friend had come to some sort of truce while I had amnesia.
"Amazing, honestly Jake, you don't need to worry about me. Felix is—well I know he comes off a little…stoic but he's really good to me and doesn't try to keep me from being my own person. I feel like I can be myself with him, like how I am here with you guys." I smiled around the table, knowing everyone with sensitive hearing was probably listening in, protective protectors they were.
Partway through the dinner, Jared and Seth got up, pulling me up into another shared bone crushing hug. "You better video chat with us, Bells, Kim got a new computer and we set Sam's place up with a stable internet connection" Jared instructed, turning to wink at his imprint who'd arrived late and squeezed in between Emily and her own wolf.
"Of course, guys, have a good patrol, stay safe out there!" They each pecked a cheek before Jared swooped Kim up off the bench and gave her what should have been a private make out session before he jogged off after Seth into the treeline. Seth called out that they'd be back sometime later in the evening and I hoped I'd get to see them once more before I left.
They hadn't been gone long when Leah appeared, giving me a terse nod, sitting beside Sue at the far end of the table and digging into the plate we'd piled food onto and set aside for her. I could feel eyes on me, turning around looking for the source and finding a pair of yellow eyes set in silver fur at the treeline. Feeling determination run through me, I grabbed the plate we'd made him and stalked off in his direction, ignoring Jake and Embry's protests.
I approached the volatile wolf and set the plate down as I sat with my legs crossed, "you know, we can still talk when I'm gone. I do consider you a friend and part of my family here." He huffed, hot hair blowing out from his snout. I tried a different angle, "look, I know in your eyes it's horrible and a betrayal, but I've found my mate, my imprint. It just so happens he's a vampire, but he's first and foremost a man, just like you. You don't have to accept or understand it, but I'd like for you to at least fucking try." He snorted when I swore, both knowing he was the reason my colourful vocabulary had expanded.
He trotted off into the woods and I heard a couple twigs crunch under his feet as he reappeared, dark eyes a little guarded, glare still set in his face. I picked up a piece of garlic bread and tossed it at his head "enough with that shit already, you gonna be there when I call to video chat with Em and Kim or not?" We both knew I was asking more than that. He caught the bread in his mouth, wolfing it down before as he looked at me.
His glare dropped into a lopsided smile, "yeah, leechlover, I'll be there. Think you can find a way to get the royal vamps to express deliver some of your killer brownies too? That would definitely sweeten the deal." He snatched his plate from the ground and jerked his chin towards the rest of the pack.
I grinned, nodding before getting up and walking back with him to the others. Sam rolled his eyes as Paul sat on his other side, digging into his food, "dude. Here, the girls brought these for you." The alpha snarked, tossing a bundle of napkins at the pack's best fighter who merely grunted, snatching a couple in his fist as he continued to plow food into his mouth.
I giggled, leaning into Jake as the sun started setting and the night air brought with it a chill that made me grateful to be wedged between two overheated wolves.
After Paul and Leah were done eating, we went down to the fire where the elders spoke of legends, old and new, adding in one about the red eyed vampires who drove away the yellow eyed vampires. I sat on a log between Jake and Quil, fingers running through Embry and Paul's hair as they sat each leaning back against one of my knees, listening to the stories with their eyes closed. They really are like dogs I thought idly.
Before long, the legends were through, and the elders all left. Jared and Seth returned, Embry and Quil took over for them after giving me a long heartfelt goodbye. I noticed when the elders left, so did Leah, pushing Billy's chair as he chatted animatedly with Old Quil and Sue on their way back up to the house.
The rest of us joked around and told our own stories around the fire, most of which were accounts of me stumbling, trying to learn how to ride the bikes with Jake, or me catching an unwanted glimpse of one of the guys right as they phased back. I smiled, looking around at the family who brought me out of my funk and saved me from myself, forever grateful for their support and love. I swiped under my eye, trying not to be too obvious. Apparently I was caught as two pairs of small arms wrapped around my shoulders tightly, Em and Kim giggling away, "Aw Bells, we'll keep in touch. We're really going to miss you, but you deserve to be truly happy with your…err man." Kim stuttered out, refraining from saying leech for my benefit.
I laughed despite my watery eyes, wrapping my arms around the girls and laughing when the guys joined in, one big puppy pile.
Eventually I knew it was time to go, we packed up the debris from the snacks the boys had brought down to the fire, I was passed around from wolf to wolf, each saying their own goodbye. I knew Jake would be there on Thursday before I left, so I got a brief hug and 'see you soon' from him. As I got into the truck, I turned around and looked over my family, my pack.
"Thank you, all of you, for teaching me how to really be myself. I love you!" I called out, hearing their cheers and a couple yips and howls from the woods as I got in and pulled out of the gravel driveway. As I approached the treaty line, the tears came. Despite knowing this was for the best and obviously inevitable, it was going to be really hard not being around them anymore.
I must've crossed the border because suddenly he was there, pulling me from the wheel and tucking me into his side. I knew I probably reeked of wet dog to him, but he didn't seem to care at the moment, instead prioritizing my feelings, and I couldn't love him anymore for that. I turned and burrowed into his cool body as he turned the heat up in the cab and drove us home.
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Graduation and prom were both almost here, and I wasn't looking forward to either. Prom because, well, it was prom, and graduation because it marked the end of my time here in Forks. While I was excited to start my life in Volterra, I was going to miss Charlie and the La Push pack. Especially Charlie, our rekindled relationship made leaving my dad behind all the more difficult. I wasn't planning on going to prom, but Rene had sent me a dress in the mail, then lectured me over the phone for an hour about the importance of making memories and milestones and blah, blah, blah. Jane said Tristan had conned her into going, so I conceded; I'd show up, get a picture or two taken of me, then get Felix to pick me up so we could do more enjoyable things.
Since we'd started being…intimate, I'd become insatiable, something my mate both reciprocated and exploited despite my annoyance. Speaking of mates, I shifted as I woke up, first registering that I was hot. It didn't take long for my body to overheat under the heated blanket in June when Felix wasn't there to be my full-sized cooling pack. I groaned, swatting at the blanket, pushing it off my body as his voice also registered in my ears. My mate didn't sound happy, not even stoic, he was pissed.
"No. Turn it around. Don't care. Can't be serious. Absolutely not." He growled out.
Charlie must've gone to work already. It was Monday, I had no more school, prom was tomorrow night, and graduation would be the day after. Our flight to Florida was booked for Thursday, Felix didn't want to take any chances when it came to any possibilities of the Cullens popping up before we could leave the continent.
I sat up now, "Hey" I groaned.
His pacing stopped and his eyes shot over to mine, fist clenched and lips pressed into a firm line as he listened to whoever was on the other side of his call.
I tilted my head questioningly and he sighed before coming over to the bed, scooping me up, and settling me between his legs with my back against his chest. He put the phone down on his thigh and pressed speaker.
"—so we will see you soon, and your lovely Isabel—sorry, Bella." I recognized Aro Volturi's voice immediately, twisting around to raise my brows at the man holding me. He just exhaled through his nose, clearly holding back some choice words.
"Aro?" I asked.
"Ah! Bella, awake at last, how are you dear?"
I frowned, "I'm well, Aro, why are you coming here…?"
"Times are changing, young Bella, and when I told my lovely wife that our very own coven mate was graduating high school, she insisted I go. I'm looking at it as an excursion of sorts, a field trip I believe is what Felix calls his missions at times."
I spluttered, coming up blank as to why the several millennia old vampire king would want to witness a clutzy high school senior receive a rolled-up piece of paper in a stuffy gymnasium.
"But Aro, it's going to be so boring, even I don't want to attend, and besides Forks is a far cry from the rich culture you can find back home or really anywhere else." I tried to reason with him, hands clutching onto Felix's arms as I panicked. More red eyed vampires in the area, more things to explain to Charlie, more stress on the wolves, and just why the hell did they need to be here!?
"So considerate, Bella, but I will assure you I am quite excited to get out and about for the first time in centuries." He mused.
"Aro…is it just you or…?" I prayed he hadn't brought a whole crew with him, in this case it was the less the merrier.
"Of course not, dear one. Renata, Heidi, and Marcus are with me. Caius sends his congratulations, but one of us had to stay behind to handle business."
I sighed, well at least the most ruthless one wasn't coming along. "Alright, do you know how soon you'll be here?" It was only nine in the morning, so I'd hoped that maybe they wouldn't be here until nightfall.
"We'll be seeing you by early afternoon, dear. Oh, and Felix? Please do tell Jane to bring her mate by as well, I'd love to see if both your mates are immune to my gift."
He grumbled his assent, clearly already done with this conversation.
"Very well, see you soon love birds." I could practically hear him grinning as he hung up the phone.
I groaned, turning around and burrowing my face into Felix's chest, his cool arms coming around me.
"At least Heidi's coming" I mumbled into his chest, "I can thank her for all the clothes she's been sending me."
Felix hummed in agreement; I knew he'd definitely enjoyed a lot of outfits I'd worn courtesy of his fashionista of a coven mate. According to my mate, she was like a mix of Alice (when she wasn't psychotic) and Jane; she loved to shop but only did it online and alone. Her gift was knowing a person's wants as well as who mattered most to them, something the Volturi often used to get information by threatening loved ones, I tried not to cringe when Felix admitted that. I chose to think instead about how her gift helped her be such a good stylist or something less...evil.
"Don't wanna get up" I grumbled, trying to cling onto his body like a sloth, which was fitting because he was basically a walking tree. My mate snorted, making me blush; guess I'd mused that one out loud.
"What are we going to tell Charlie?" I asked without looking up.
"Jane's extended family" he muttered, obviously still not pleased with the new development. I sighed, sitting up on him so I was straddling his body. He raised his brows at me, and I narrowed mine, "nuh uh, we had plenty of fun last night. We've gotta suck it up, I'll give the pack a call and you can round up the troupes." I sighed, sliding off him and stumbling towards the bathroom as I rubbed the last of the sleep from my eyes.
I went through my morning routine then dialed Sam's, getting Jake and Quil. They both sounded just as confused by the situation as I was but said as long as all the red eyed vamps abide by the same rules, they'd keep their distance. I assured Jake they'd be gone before he came for my barbecue lunch send off on Thursday before hanging up and making my way through the house to the living room where everyone else had gathered.
Jane crossed her arms, slouching, "Aro's going to be super annoying when I cross the stage, I can already tell. Felix, couldn't you have told him not to come?!" She whined, relaxing a little when Tristan rubbed her back reassuringly.
Felix cast her a glare, "Didn't listen. Kings were already in the air, set to arrive in a few hours." I could hear him grinding his teeth in frustration, so I reached over where he was sitting on the couch and smoothed my thumbs along the sides of his neck, rubbing my hands along the slope between his neck and shoulders. The grinding noise stopped, and he seemed to settle a little.
We hung around in the living room, Alec had put on some action movie that I couldn't bring myself to pay attention to, instead thinking back on the last time I stood before the kings and the rest of my coven before we'd gotten to know each other.
I felt Felix rumble beneath me, I'd been pulled into his lap once the film started, his head dipped down into my neck, lips pressing into the skin before he murmured, "stop worrying, just be you," humming in approval when he felt my own tension ease more at his words.
But I couldn't help tensing once again when his phone buzzed and he checked it before letting his head drop back as he let out a groan of frustration. "Move out." He said, raising his eyes to look around the room. Tristan and I locked eyes, and I tried to give him an encouraging nod, forgetting this would be his first time meeting more of the Volturi. Alec and Demi were meeting the arrivals on foot, the rest of us were driving; Tristan said there was no way in hell he was going to meet kings being carried by his tiny mate. I agreed, it gave us more time anyways. Now that the guys had cleared a path just big enough to drive all the way to the cabin, it was a lot easier to meet up there for us mere mortals.
I spent the drive pressed into Felix's side and my fingers clutched onto his as he met me on my side of Tristan's car, giving me a grimace because we were both dreading this meeting for different reasons. His grimace did get me to crack a real smile at his obvious discomfort, which resulted in him smirking back before we fell into step with the other newly mated pair.
The door to our cabin swung open and Aro came out first, "Hello, welcome my absent coven mates. Come in, we have much to discuss." He announced, arms spread in a welcoming gesture.
Felix muttered "make yourself at home, why don't you," causing the king's eyes to flicker over to us, a knowing grin pulling at his lips.
"Ah Felix and young Bella, so good to see you under less…strenuous circumstances." He smiled, reaching out and grabbing one of our hands in each of his.
He raised a brow looking at my mate, which made me blush deep red thinking about what he could've just seen. I was also a little miffed that all our private moments were now ours and Aro's. Felix gave a low warning growl, and Aro instead turned to me, "still as silent as ever, stella, so very interesting." He murmured before heading over to Jane and Tristan.
Tristan didn't seem as perturbed by Aro reading his mate, but that could also be because he was just too overwhelmed to really think about everything the king was seeing. He reached for Tristan's hand, frowning, "another human who is immune to my gift" he turned to face us, "Felix?"
My mate squared his shoulders, "He is immune to all our powers" his eyes flickered down to me briefly, a lips twitching as he fought a grin, "Bella is not immune to my gift." He hedged, Aro must have seen it in his thoughts, but nevertheless, he still pursed his lips while thinking.
"Well, based on what you said happened at the Cullen home, I'm sure she will be immune once changed. Alright, shall we go in so everyone else can say hello?" He spun around, leading us back into the cabin which now felt a little crammed with eight vampires and two humans.
Heidi came forward first, ignoring Felix's growl as she hugged me gently, "Bella, it's so nice to officially meet you, sister, we have much to discuss. I know your mother bought you a prom dress but I'd like to see it, maybe make a few alterations" she said with a wink. I smiled gratefully, nodding. The dress from Rene was tame, but a little too tame to the point that besides its dark green colour, it was kind of bland.
The other female vampire stepped forward, this must be Renata. I'd caught a glimpse of her in the throne room. She was clearly turned a little older, but with thick blonde hair and soft features, she was even more beautiful than Esme. "Bella, I'm excited to train with you after your change and help you gain full control over your shields" she grinned encouragingly, nodding to Felix before stepping over to introduce herself to Tristan, laughing as Jane growled when she stepped a little too close.
I looked towards Marcus, who'd had yet to say much of anything, sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed and light smile on his face. His eyes opened and locked onto mine as if sensing my stare. "Apologies for my…behaviour. But your connections, especially that of our most guarded guard and Miss Swan, are very calming on my soul. You have very bright bonds, keep nurturing your connections, it's possible you can achieve a bond much stronger than many mated pairs would ever hope to achieve." He fell silent again, clearly content.
I just shrugged, catching Tristan's eyes who shrugged, mouthing 'weirdo' at me, making me stifle a giggle.
We sat around chatting, getting to know each other. Even though Aro now knew everything we'd been through, we told the other three visitors about our time and the events that came to pass. At one point Heidi licked her lips, "I've always wanted a puppy, you know, I'm a great trainer" she said and I laughed at Felix's disgruntled expression.
She looked to Alec, "you could always be a dear and take away my sense of smell" she continued with a wink, clearly not letting go the idea of getting her marble hands on a hot, chiselled body.
Alec looked a little afraid, "No way in hell, Heidi. To do that I'd have to be nearby, and I've heard you…getting frisky before. I'd rather be far, way far away when you're getting some." He made a gagging noise that earned him a swat from his twin who shot a thumbs up to her coven mate, egging her on by saying, "I've seen them, those boys are built" Tristan didn't seem to like that too much, shifting her in tighter to his own built chest, arms tightening around her small body. She just leaned up and pecked his lips lightly before snuggling back into him.
I looked over, seeing Heidi was anything but deterred, "Heidi, no. Trust me, especially if they saw your red eyes, the only body contact you'd get would be the hostile kind." She pouted her full, red lips, sighing.
Once the chatter was dying down, I felt Felix stiffen, "Charlie" he said. I sat up, Charlie would be back from his shift now and I was supposed to come back and have dinner at the diner with him. Aro looked to me, "your father, correct?" At my nod he continued, "perhaps we could meet him before the ceremony, human appearances of course." He reassured, and I was about to relent when I remembered Felix had told me to be myself.
I sat up, squaring my shoulders, "better be a damn good human appearance, and no creeping out Charlie…or biting Charlie" I clarified, crossing my arms and waiting for anyone to speak against my demands.
Marcus spoke up, "of course, dear Bella, we would never harm someone who meant so much to one of our own" he tilted his head in understanding and I nodded back.
"Let's go" Felix said gruffly before we took off towards my house. He stopped inside my room, pressing me up against the door. My legs wrapped around him, and my hands dove into his hair as his lips coaxed mine open. We pulled apart when I was gasping, "Charlie?" I gasped.
"Pulling into the driveway now, been wanting to do that all day." He mumbled, lips pressing along my neck as my head fell back against the door with a dull thud.
When we heard his keys in the door, Felix slid me down his body, making sure I felt every inch of him, leering down at me before pressing one more kiss to my pouting lips and taking off.
I took a couple breaths then joined Charlie downstairs, "Hey dad, wanna just head out now?"
"Sure things, Bells, let's go" he said opening the door back up for me and we headed out, making small talk in the cruiser on the way to the diner.
It wasn't until he ordered that he started in on the questions, "So Bells, I heard through the grapevine the other night that you were seen with Jane and a…giant." I groaned, knowing exactly which mouths would've blabbed.
"Umm yeah, Jane's family's back in town to watch her graduate. I guess it's a big thing back home." I mumbled.
"Whole family? Maybe we should have them over for your graduation? That way we could all have a little party, and besides, it would be nice to meet more of the family of the guy who's saved my baby from that Edweird kid" he said, raising his brows at my shocked look.
"I'm not blind, Bells, the way you two look at each other is somethin' else. Not obsessive like Cullen, but intense in a more protective way, that boy—man I guess, is he being good to you so far?" he questioned, expression serious.
"Y—yeah Dad, Felix is great. He pushes me to be myself and to speak my mind, I really like him." I smiled, thinking about my mate and how he could probably hear everything being said right now.
"Well then, how about you let him know that his and Jane's family is invited over to our place Wednesday after the graduation ceremony, maybe we can order food—" he said and I cut him off.
"Don't worry dad, I'm sure it'll be fine." He looked doubtful but when I assured that I'd be able to set out enough food and had time to do the shopping he shrugged and went back to his burger.
My phone buzzed and I quickly checked the message that came in from Felix.
Tell Charlie Jane's father, aunt, and sister are here. Marcus is happy to stay back in the shadows.
I scrunched my nose, typing back before putting my phone away.
Ok. As long as Marcus doesn't lurk in the shadows.
I looked up at my dad, "Jane said it's her father, aunt, and sister visiting so it's only three more to add with along with the family you met before." Charlie grunted, nodding his assent. We passed the rest of our meal talking about how my finals went and what I was most excited to see and do once I got to Italy. It was hard lying to Charlie, but I made sure almost everything I shared with my dad was the truth to avoid the feeling of guilt I felt at leaving him.
That night I curled into Felix under the heated blanket, drawing patterns on his cold skin. His hands were splayed on my lower back, he'd made jokes about wanting to bring the blanket with us to Volterra as a reminder of my warmth. I just rolled my eyes and snuggled into him, falling asleep to the soothing rumbles emanating from his chest.
I woke the next morning to pounding on my door making Felix growl underneath me before he suddenly disappeared, making me pull my blankets up to my neck. "Whaaaaaat?" I groaned.
"Bells?" at Charlie's voice I snatched my hoodie from where it hung on my bed post, tugging it on before calling out to my dad that it was safe to open the door. "Sorry, but Jane and her sister Heidi are here with me, According to Heidi there's a lot of work to get done before prom" he shrugged, retreated at my expression, Charlie knew how averse I was to all things fashion and prom.
Heidi came bustling in with a suitcase, red curls tied up in a high ponytail. She almost looked like a 'good version' of Victoria. "Get up, Swan, we've got work to do, and you" she said, looking towards my closet where my hulking mate had retreated to avoid being caught by my human father, "get out. Girls only, buhbye" she wiggled her slim fingers at him in a dismissive manner.
I looked to my big, strong, unbeatable mate for help. But he failed me, coming over and dropping a quick kiss to my head before retreating. "Felix Volturi, you are so in trouble later!" I hollered as Heidi rolled her eyes.
"So dramatic, sister, go shower. We've got work to do. Now, where's that dress…"
Hours later I'd been poked, prodded, styled and primped. It honestly wasn't that bad, I had to remind myself once again that Heidi wasn't Alice. I actually found myself enjoying our time, and it helped having Jane there too. I had no idea how Tristan had convinced her to come to the prom, but I had a feeling it involved things I didn't want to know about.
"Alrigth Bell, I think you're all set" she said, grinning at her handy work. She tailored the dress Rene had sent me, removing the straps, adding a sweetheart neckline, and a slit up one side. The dress was beautiful and fit me like a glove, its deep green colour complementing my ivory skin, also reminding me a little of Felix's contacts though they were a few shades lighter.
I turned to Jane who looked flawless in a baby blue silk dress that had two little straps holding it up and an open back. Tristan was going to lose his shit when he saw her. Her blond hair was down around her face instead of up in her usual tight bun or ponytail, Heidi gave her a blowout making her hair look soft and fluffy. Mine was also down in loose curls framing my face.
"Let's hit the road, sis" Jane grinned, a sparkle in her eyes that made me a little suspicious as we headed to the stairs. Thankfully, Heidi found me chunky heels that were actually comfortable to walk in, even down the stairs. It added to my height, making me wish my mate were around to benefit from my lips being less of a stretch.
I saw Charlie at the bottom, grinning proudly at me, "You look great, Bells, he's a lucky fella" I frowned at his comment, coming to the bottom of the stairs, gasping when Felix appeared, coming out of the living room with Tristan. Luckily my dad was still turned towards me and missed the completely inappropriate way my mate's eyes catalogued every inch of my body.
"You're here" I said, suddenly feeling stupid for thinking he'd miss out on teasing me all night. His suit hugged his body so well I had to hold back from doing my own perusal of his body. Charlie definitely wouldn't let me leave the house if saw that.
"The boys showed up on my porch, and what kind of father would I be if I let my daughter and her friend go to prom alone?" Charlie grinned, patting both of the men on the shoulder. While he was the same height as Tristan, Felix was still taller, and he reached up more to give him a pat.
Felix stepped into to me, slipping a corsage on my wrist before kissing my wrist and saying, "and what kind of boyfriend lets his girlfriend go alone to the prom?" with a full grin gracing his features as he appraised me again.
"Okay, kids" Heidi clapped, snapping our attention to her, "picture time!" she sang, taking out a camera.
Heidi and Charlie both got pictures of us all before dad insisted she join in for a couple. I took a few pictures with my dad before we'd finally had enough, both Swans blushing at the attention.
"Say, Jane, where are the rest of your family?" Dad asked, making me freeze.
Jane just smiled back unfazed as usual, "my dad and aunt's flight gets in anytime now, they couldn't get a better one and my brother and younger cousin who already arrived went to get them from the airport. I don't mind though; they'll be at graduation anyways." Charlie nodded along.
"Well have fun kids, don't do anything your old man wouldn't…or would do, Bells" Dad said, a light blush coloured his cheeks as I'm sure he was remembering his own prom night that resulted in me being born nine months later.
"Ya, dad, don't worry we'll have an appropriate amount of fun" Jane snickered at me as we walked out to the car, Felix and I slipping into the backseat together.
He leaned in, lips against my ear, "we're not staying long" the words came out in a growl as his hand tightened on my upper thigh, the slit in my dress allowing for skin-to-skin contact. I turned and caught his lips with mine, blushing when I remembered Jane could hear everything we say in the back.
I pulled back and looked into his dark eyes, slowly running my tongue over my lips as I thought about all the things I wanted to do to— "Isabella" Jane snapped from the front seat, shifting around while Tristan drove with his right hand suspiciously high on her own thigh. "Stop lusting up the back seat, my mate needs to drive safely, so I can't jump his bones right now." She huffed, turning back around as Tristan pulled his hand away to cough gruffly into his fist before returning it back to its spot.
I bit my lip to contain my laughter, glancing at my mate who just smiled back, nuzzling under my hair until he could rest his cool lips just behind my jaw under my ear. He inhaled lightly and placed a kiss there before pulling back and drawing me into his side.
When we arrived at the school, we could see our classmates all dressed up, heading towards the doors that led straight to the gym. It was already getting dark, so we tugged the guys along as we followed the others towards the dance. I've gotta say for a small-town high school prom hosted in our own cramped gym, they did a really good job transforming the space. My bet was on some of the wealthier families giving generous donations as a way of supporting the community. The theme was a night outside or under the stars or moon or something; the ceiling was covered in twinkling lights, some hung down others were somehow pasted up there. There were makeshift murals that looked like the very forest outside painted all around the walls of the gym most likely to cover up the sad orange paint job. The floor was covered in a thin carpet with a pattern that looked a lot like a forest floor. Honestly, it was a job well done.
Jane looked over, raising her eyebrows, clearly thinking the same thing as we took in the atmosphere. There were tables in the back with refreshments and snacks and Tristan started leading our group over there, no doubt already hungry. I swear he could be an honorary pack member minus the shifting based on how much he eats and his size.
Tristan grabbed one of the small wax party plates and loaded it up with snacks, claiming he'd need the energy for tonight when Jane put her hands on her hips, clearly unimpressed with his lack of filter. Her mate just grinned, reeling her in for a kiss with one arm while he balanced his plate in the other.
I grabbed a cup full of punch and snuck one of Tristan's snacks while he was distracted. I munched on it, contemplating what to do next. I couldn't imagine Felix being much of a dancer and—"come on, kitten, let's show em how it's done." He whispered before pulling me out to the dancefloor when a slower song came on, one kind of like the one Jane and I had grinded to. I blushed as he turned my back to his front, large hands settling over my hips, pulling a rhythm out of me I didn't even know existed. Clearly he could feel how tense I was and murmured lowly, "stop thinking, move these hips like you do when you ride me" he chuckled lowly as he pulled away. I pursed my lips, before leaning back a little more and following his suggestion, rolling and swiveling along to the music, trying not to picture what I usually saw when I moved like this. "Just like that" he muttered. So not helping. I wondered briefly just how long we'd last here before I was begging him to take me home.
We took a break after a couple songs, clearly having drawn some attention from my peers who had yet to grow comfortable around the giant hulking man following me around. Except for Angela, she walked right up to us, hand out, "Hello, Bella's giant, I'm Angela Weber." She said, clearly having had a little liquid courage at some point.
I looked up to see him smirking down at her, no doubt impressed by the human girl's boldness, before reaching out one hand, which thankfully was a little warmer than usual from being glued to my body the past half an hour, engulfing her dainty one.
"Felix" he said.
"Well, Felix," she began, "can I borrow your girl for a few minutes? We already stole Jane away from her boo too" she said, flicking her hand in the direction of a forlorn Tristan, sitting with his replenished snack plate, waiting for Jane to rejoin him.
I looked up at my mate, "we won't be long, go make nice with the bottomless pit" I sent him a wink before following my friend. She led me through the gym and through one of the doors, we went up a floor and she pushed open the door to our English classroom to reveal Jane, Lauren, and Jess, laughing and having a few drinks. I raised my eyebrows as they looked over at me and cheered. I grinned, arm looped through Angela's as we joined them, and they spiked my punch. Jane gave me a meaningful glance that had me holding up my hands in a sign of agreement before I gulped some of it down. The girls chattered away about school and where they were headed before I noticed Angela had gotten pretty quiet, taking a big gulp of her drink. "Hey, Ang. What about you? Aren't you and Ben going to California together?" I remembered when she'd told me they'd both been accepted.
"Not anymore, Bella" she sighed, and all eyes and ears were on her now, "Ben decided he wanted to go to college with nothing holding him back. Guess I fell into that category, so here I am now, planning on taking a gap year before reassessing my college picks." I frowned, feeling like a shitty friend for not knowing about any of this.
"When did this happen?! Why didn't you say anything?" I asked.
"A few weeks ago, way before the bush party. That's why we weren't hanging around each other or anything." She replied, I hadn't noticed because I'd been so caught up in showing off my man. She continued, "I'm okay though, seriously guys, it was a shock, but I'd rather know now than after making the move, and whatever, he's just a boy I'm gonna need a man" she finished triumphantly, definitely already tipsy. We all giggled though, shouting words of support before quieting down in hopes of remaining undetected.
We didn't stay much longer, just a few more minutes before we gathered our things and returned to the dance. The guys looked relieved when we walked in, and I frowned at Jane when I spotted Demetri there with them. I looked to Jane who was equally as confused, pulling them aside from any human ears she hissed, "what's going on? Why are you here?"
Demi held up his hands quickly and Felix ran a soothing hand down my back, "I was bored" he whined. I sagged a little and Jane sent him a small shock of pain that made his knees buckle briefly.
"Are you fucking serious!? You had us freaking out there for a second that the Cullens were here or something. Jesus, Demetri, I swear…" she trailed off before grabbing Tristan's hand and carting him off to dance.
"What?" He said, looking at my mate and I, "Alec and I played rock paper scissors, and I won. Cleaned up pretty nice too huh?" he puffed his chest out a little showing off the outfit Heidi had probably picked out for him. I sighed, shaking my head. "Demi, you're a dork" apparently that was the best my alcohol muddled brain could come up with.
Felix urged my head back, looking into my eyes, "booze?" he questioned, already knowing the answer. His eyes narrowed at my nod. "Hey! It's prom night, live a little" I complained.
Angela passed by and I snatched her arm, grateful for the distraction, "Hey Ang, feeling okay?" I asked, but her eyes weren't on me anymore, they'd zeroed in on something behind me. I turned slowly, confused to find Demi looking back at her in a look of shock that slowly morphed into desire gross as his eyes drifted up and down the preacher's daughter.
Oh for fuck sake, another one!? That'll make Forks 3 for 3 out of the original vampires who came with me as chaperones. I sighed, might as well get them started, "Ang this is Demetri, Jane's cousin. Demi, this is Angela, my best friend from Forks and the daughter of a preacher." I finished, watching as his eyes widened comically hearing the last bit.
Ang clearly didn't notice, blushing like a loon as she twirled one finger around the rim of her cup, glancing up at my moronic immortal brother through her lashes. I shrugged, pulling on Felix's hand and leaving the two to figure things out on their own; my man looked down right edible tonight and I wasn't going to waste anymore time without tasting him.
"Come on" I murmured, pulling him back the way I'd come with the girls, going even further down the second floor hallway to another classroom and slipping inside, pulling the blind over the window in the door and locking it before turning to my mate.
I walked over, heels clicking on the tiles, and grabbed the large chair behind the teacher's desk, dragging it out from behind the desk and pointing to it. He took his seat, heated eyes fixed on me as he waited to see what I'd do next. "You, Mr. Volturi, have been teasing me all night." I started as I walked around the chair, fingers running along his shoulders and pulling on his hair a little, causing him to bite down on his lip as I came back around to stand in front of him between his parted legs.
I hitched up my dress, hearing him groan when he got a flash of just what I wasn't wearing under it before I climbed onto the chair and straddled his lap. His hands came up to cup my hips, tightening when I rocked them against him. He lifted me up, ending whatever plans I'd had and cleared the few items on the desk before splaying me across it.
"Mine," he growled, hands running along my inner thighs before making a path up and under my back to the zipper on my dress, slowly pulling it down until he could slide the garment off. I gasped as the cool air hit my naked body. His hands now ran back to my thighs, one going lower until it grasped my ankle, tapping on the strap of my heeled shoe, "these, amore mio, stay on" he ordered, making me moan at his tone, tugging at his body to get him closer. I wanted to feel his cool weight pressing into me, claiming me.
Instead, he pulled back a little more, chuckling at my protests. "Ah, ah Isabella" the way he exaggerating the last syllable in my name made me bite my lip. "I have a little surprise of my own tonight, if you want it." He looked down at me with a look I'd only seen a couple of times; pure hunger and want. "You see" he continued, closing in on me again like the predator he was, "you asked me a rather tempting question the other night, and prom night seemed to be the most cliché and opportune time to offer you the chance to try it out." One hand ran up my thigh, the other along my shoulder and neck. "I hunted tonight before arriving at your house, made sure I was full" he hinted, and I caught on right away. He was offering to bite me, and god did I want that.
He paused, inhaling and sliding his green eyes closed. When they snapped back open, the red shone through, and I gasped at the sudden change. His lips were at my ear now, "tell me, Bella, tell me what you want" he sounded like sin and everything a girl like me shouldn't want. But I didn't just want him, want this, I craved it.
Which is why I locked my fingers into his shirt, trying to drag him in closer again as I breathed, "I want you to sink your teeth into me and mark me as yours. Please Felix."
The begging seemed to be a good touch because with a loud growl, he was suddenly kneeling down to my core, hovering over where I needed his touch. "So responsive, so wet for me, baby" he snarled, running his mouth along me and holding down my hips that I tried to raise to increase the friction.
He didn't hold back, tracing his tongue all over the spots he knew made me gasp, sigh, or wail. His fingers explored me, finding the spots he knew would unravel me, pressing into me as his tongue now focused on my bundle of nerves. I was moaning, pleading, babbling when my orgasm rocked through me. The feelings so intense I barely registered his teeth slicing into the skin of my upper thigh right beside where his fingers had just been driving into me. When he pulled a mouthful of my blood down his throat, groaning at the taste, I was soaring again, panting and practically shaking as my whole body clenched. He flattened his tongue, running it over the bite to seal the wound, causing little shocks to run through my body.
He pulled back, blood trickling down from the corner of his mouth, looking every bit a vampire as his dark eyes stayed locked on mine. I wasn't sure what overcame me, but I sat up, tugging him forward and he came willingly, as my tongue darted out to lick up my own blood from his chin up to the corner of his lips before I turned my head and thrust my tongue into his mouth. It seemed all it took was a mind-blowing orgasm for me to be able to stand the sight, smell, and even taste of blood.
"Oh, Fuck me." He swore, before I heard tearing of clothes and then felt him pushing inside me in one smooth thrust, making me cry out and my back arch into his arms.
"Fucking hot and tight, always so tight and wet for me," he groaned, pulling me up and sitting back into the armchair with me perched in his lap and him seated deep inside me.
His eyes cleared for a second as they scanned my body, hands running softly over my still shaky muscles, trying ot keep up with his shifting emotions. "You okay, baby? Tell me if we need to stop." He demanded, but as his hands continued to run over my fevered body, and I couldn't help but rock my hips over his, causing him to slide out a little before I sat back again.
"Shit are you—ungh sure? Are—oh fuck it" he swore before grasping my hips and raising me up before dropping me back onto his stiff member. I jolted the first time, wailed the second, and begged on the third. "More?" he muttered darkly, chuckling, "you want more?" I nodded in response, biting down hard on my lip knowing I was close but couldn't quite get there without a little more from my mate.
"Shh don't worry, baby, I've got you" he murmured before I was back on the desk and he'd put one hand on my shoulder, the other arm was wrapped around the thigh he bitten, pulling it up to his shoulder. He grinned down at me, "hold on, kitten" I wrapped my arms around his thick neck, curling my other leg around him and hanging on as he started pulling me forward onto him while he snapped his hips up into me at the same time. I muffled my screams by pressing my lips into his chest.
But his brutal pace seemed to be all I needed, because the next minute, my back was arching as I let out a hoarse shout. I felt his teeth biting into the skin above my left breast as I let go, where my heart galloped, making me see stars as he once again drank a couple mouthfuls, emptying himself into me with a guttural groan. This time he licked his lips as he pulled back before leaning in again to seal my second wound. He gently pulled out of me, both of us moaning softly at the loss of connection. I sat up a little and tried not to wince but he caught it, chuckling as he leaned over to kiss me sweetly.
"How did it—did I, umm, taste?" I asked, fidgeting over the dumbest thing to ever feel insecure about.
I felt his growl as he leaned over me, "hmmm, absolutely delicious, second-best thing I've ever tasted" he said, pointedly gazing down at the juncture between my legs while running his tongue over his bottom lip, making me blush.
When he pulled back, I looked up, "how come you didn't bite my neck?" I wondered, thinking back to what he'd said the other night.
"That spot is usually for mated vampires, I decided to save it for once you're turned. When I change you I'll probably just bite over the marks I left tonight, your body doesn't need to be marked anymore than necessary" he explained while running his hands reverently over my body. When he passed over his marks I shivered and twitched a little, and his eyes flickered up to my face, confusion passing through them as he watched my face carefully while reaching out to run each hand over a mark, making me gasp.
"Well" he rumbled, "that's new, and certainly helpful" he leered, making me scoff. I felt a little different, and as he stood up, Felix actually swayed a little, causing me to sit up as well, but my hand flew to my head when vertigo hit me hard.
"Felix!?" I called, trying not to panic. Instantly, his cold hands were on me, scooping my body up and holding me close to his chest. "It's okay, relax, I'm okay." He mumbled, lips pressing against my face until they steeled over my lips. I sighed, leaning back in his arms, "what was that?" I asked.
He looked pensive, then slowly rolled his shoulders and neck before his gaze sharpened. "Feels good, feels like…I wonder. Babe, get dressed." He asked, handing me my dress and then zipping it up before pulling his pants back on. His shirt hadn't survived, not that I was complaining.
"Jane?" He called out unlocking the door and stepping back before she appeared a minute later, nose wrinkling.
"Ew. Not into—holy shit did you feed from your mate?! Felix—" she was cut off by his growl.
"She asked. Try your power on me. Now." He demanded, stepping away from me. Jane looked confused but I just shrugged and nodded towards my mate, also wondering if he may have somehow gotten drunk off my alcohol laden blood.
She turned to my mate, eyes locking on him. He'd bragged about developing some sort of near immunity to both the twins' powers based on 'sheer will and being strong as fuck' but I knew Jane's pain could still get to him.
"Come on, Janie, ramp it up" he taunted, sitting back on the desk he'd just finished ravaging me on, ankles crossed as he leaned back. Jane huffed, glaring at the bigger vampire.
His smirk widened to a full out grin and turned towards me, wrapping me in his stone arms and giving me a searing kiss.
"What the hell is going on?" Jane demanded, tapping one foot.
"Bella, her gift, I don't know how, but drinking form her, our bond, it's more, it's like I've absorbed her power as well through her blood. I'll have to ask the masters about this but Jane, I didn't feel a thing, not even a tingle." He looked practically giddy, and she looked a little shocked at his rambling.
I could see Jane processing what he'd just said, with our powers combined, even without my supposed underdeveloped physical shield, Felix was practically unstoppable now.
"Does that mean that if I—if I bit Tristan that I would be able to…" she trailed off.
"Do it" Tristan's voice came from the doorway Jane had smartly left open. She started to shake her head, but he stepped towards her, "Not now, maybe not tonight, but soon. You will do it. I can't do much right now as a breakable human, but I can make you stronger, Jane. Let me. Please, let me." He spoke, walking up to her and cupping her face in his hands.
She sighed, "I can't believe I'm even considering this, but fine." She muttered, sighing when he swooped in for a kiss that had me averting my eyes.
When they pulled away, I decided to change the subject, "sooooo now that we've kind of maybe figured all this freaky blood magic stuff out, is it time to talk about how Angela and Demi are mates?" I asked, seeing Jane's eyes widen and a grin nearly split her face. Tristan nodded in approval, "nice, go Dem!" he encouraged.
"Why, thank you, blood bag," he glanced over to see Demi walking in with Angela pressed into his side, giggling a little as he pressed a kiss to the side of her head.
"You already told her everything?" I pressed, staring him down.
"Yes mam" he replied.
"Are you—" I turned and glared at my mate, "kidding me!? You are the most stubborn, annoying, slow-moving—' he pressed his fingers over my mouth, looking a little sheepish before clearing his throat.
"There was more at stake with you." I rolled my eyes, muttering insults under my breath and swatting at him, not caring about the sting it would cause.
"And that ladies and gentlemen, is why you don't lie or omit from your woman." He said with a nod, as if he'd been mated for years rather than an hour. Angela rolled her eyes as he scooped her up, hollering a "see you back home" and taking off. Jane and Tristan left too, needing to drive his car back. I looked at Felix's bare chest, down at the pieces of his ripped clothes and then sighed, "You're still the most infuriating man I've ever met," I snarked, allowing him to cradle me in his arms and take off too fast for my classmates to notice our departure.
He set me down outside, slowing to a stroll along a trail in the forest, lit dimly by the streetlights just outside the treeline. He gazed down at me with that loving look I rarely saw, "yeah, but you love me anyways." He said confidently, brushing hair behind my ear before finishing, "and I love you, mia Bella."
"Hmph, smooth talking foreign man" I sighed, giving in, and leaning up to kiss his lips anyways.
We pulled apart and my mate stiffened, a growl ripping through his throat as he shifted to stand in front of me.
Demetri and Alec caught up to us, flanking Felix as he stared straight ahead.
"Well, hello sugar, we're here to free ya" came a sweet voice before the night air was filled with growls.
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Yikes! Lots to unpack here, and a little cliffy to end it off. I won't leave you hanging too long! Let me know what you think (: