Hello lovely readers (:
When I'm done this story I'll be posting a couple different outtakes from earlier scenes so if there's anything or anyone you want to hear from let me know and I'll add it to my list! I had a huuuge project at work and now that it's finally over I have more time to write…
SO, on with the story!
B POV
I was huffing a little. Here I was thinking that once I was changed my endurance would be endless, but I feel like I'm barely holding on and it's only been two hours.
"Again" Marcus barked, disheveled with eyes wild from the excitement of being involved in training once again.
I sighed, and Alec's shoulder dropped in disappointment. It wasn't like I was failing; no, I was passing the tests with flying colours but he just kept pushing. I growled under my breath, pushing my mental shield out to wrap around the king's body as the mist crept towards him. Marcus had been trying different things while I kept him shielded, running standing further away, making me close my eyes and try to figure out where he was. Felix was stretched out on the far, arms folded over his broad chest, legs crossed at the ankles, a smug grin lifting his lips as he watched me pass every stupid little test.
It had taken a few tries, it appeared Felix's mental shield he got from drinking from me would not extend to others. It kind of made sense to me, like my human body was doing the only thing it could to protect my mate in my useless state.
Marcus had asked other members to watch the training which only added to my frustration the first few times I couldn't quite get my shield extended. It was only when I heard the annoying little black-haired vampire sitting amongst the unwanted audience snicker at my failed attempts that I channeled my anger into my efforts. It worked; my I found my mental shield like some kind of bubble that I could manipulate effortlessly once located. I tossed a quick 'if looks could kill' glance at her, smirking at her frown.
I heard one of the others murmur, "careful, Corin, wouldn't want to mess with the boss's mate. She'd kill you and then he'd find a way to bring you back and kill you again." I heard some jostling and snickering before Marcus regained my full attention.
"Okay" I huffed at the king now, "I think I've proven I can fend off mental attacks and keep others protected and yadda, yadda, yadda. Can we move on to my physical one now?" I knew I was almost whining, but my newly enhanced senses made it hard to continuously do the same thing over and over with no real motivation beyond what I'd already accomplished.
He nodded once, making me grin a little. Alec threw me a thumbs up and looked grateful to be joining the others. I knew he'd been anxious using his power with both me and Felix in the same room. They still hadn't mended fences, but I knew they'd get there one day. They had to.
Felix pushed off the wall, moving at our speed to stand before me, whispering low enough that it would not register for the other's hearing. He tilted my head back with one finger under my chin, murmuring darkly, "ready for me, kitten?" White teeth glinting as he grinned.
I smirked back, "bring it, gigantor" that got an eyebrow raise that was both surprised and disapproving.
"Ah, new love. Great. Now, let's get to it we haven't got much time left. Felix, if you will. Bella, focus on pushing you other shield now." He said, facing my mate who fixed his gaze on his king, slowly levitating him off the ground.
Marcus gave a Mona Lisa smile, clearly not upset to be floating mid air. We knew Felix's gift required my physical shield based on how he was able to move me around when I was still human and my shield had yet to manifest completely aside from my blow up at the Cullen mansion.
Focus, Bella. I thought to myself, blowing out air I didn't need, red eyes focused on Marcus. For my mental shield, I had to imagine removing it from my mind and then manipulating it once it was outside of me. I tried the same technique with my physical shield, tried pushing that blanket or protection off of my skin. It was stubborn, trying to stick to me like glue, I pushed harder, imagining peeling it away like the gross sticky face masks my mom used to put on us for girls' night.
Suddenly almost like a pop, my shield peeled away from me and morphed into a dome around my body. Huh. I could see a light shimmer with this shield, probably its strength. I looked at its edges, slightly blurry and thick, wondering if anyone else could see it. I contemplated how to use it. I tried pushing the entirety of the shield away from me and was met with a nearly blinding pain, like I was pulling my own body apart, causing me to inhale sharply at the feeling.
I sensed Felix's concern through our bond, his attention now on me and Marcus was back on the floor.
"I'm okay," I reassured them, "keep going, I'm going to try a different way." I sent more reassurance to my mate through our connection and felt his hesitant acceptance. He turned back to Marcus, raising his body off the floor once more.
I looked at the blurred edges of my shield again, frowning. I reached out with my mind and scraped along its edges, almost like scraping off the top layer of ice cream from a bucket. It came away almost the same too, like a ball of shield. Neat. Now I had the dome shaped shield and a ball of it…maybe. I threw it at Marcus, crossing my fingers and praying it wouldn't hurt him. I watched as it expanded as it reached his body, curling around him, pushing out like a small bubble, meeting the ground as he landed on his feet.
I relaxed, and the dome and bubble both stayed in place. I looked at Felix, who was clearly still trying to get his gift to work. I had an idea, turning to the annoying girl in the group I pointed at her. I figured she was her, the girl my mate had mentioned having something with decades ago who couldn't quite let it go. Well now it was time she learned to leave my mate the hell alone before I tore her limb from limb.
"You," I said, voice calm and low, yet tinged with acid, "run at him."
Her eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to protest when Marcus cut her off, "Yes, Corin come test it out, let us see if this will work against real physical attack." He encouraged, grinning.
Corin huffed and stood, looking hesitant about attacking a king which went against everything she believed in as a loyal coven member.
Her eyes closed for a second, probably praying it would work, then they snapped open and she took off, flying at Marcus. She didn't make to him thought, once she got within a foot of his calm stance, she was deflected, hard. I grinned widely. Marcus laughed, clapping, "Oh excellent, Bella! I cannot wait to show Aro what you are capable of in a mere couple of hours. Alright, I believe that will be enough for now, we must prepare for their arrival." He said, addressing everyone then leaving, robes swishing behind him as he left the room.
As Corin passed by, I sneered at her, "look, touch, think about my mate again and I will scatter your body parts all over the continent." I threatened but kept my tone light as if I were discussing the weather outside.
Knowing the range of my gifts and abilities, she had the brain to look a little afraid, nodding briskly before turning and fleeing form the training room. I smiled smugly, watching her leave.
The others filed out, Alec nodded at me, showing he was proud of my progress, and I beamed back at him until I noticed one of the other vampires who'd been watching walking a few paces behind him, his fixed gaze making me feel uncomfortable with how it settled on my form and ran lecherously over my body. One side of his mouth kicked up and he gave me an appreciative nod. I felt my mate's annoyance, and looked over at him, instantly forgetting about everyone else and throwing him a wide smile, practically skipping to him.
Felix grinned, coming towards me, only to be deflected as we neared each other. I gasped and tried to go to him, only to throw his body even farther away from mine. "Felix! Shit. Are you okay!?" I panicked, unable to touch and now desperate to feel him and know for myself that he was fine.
He sat up, looking confused, "Yes. Bella, lower the shield" he said, trepidation seeping into his voice.
"I—" I looked around at my shield, trying to spot the outline of the dome I had seen a minute ago. I could see a vague shimmer and tried pulling it back into me. Nothing. I tried sucking it back into my body, putting it on like a coat, slipping into it like a duvet. Nothing was working, and the longer it took, the more anxious I became. For the first time, I found a downside in our bond; my anxiety fed Felix's, who became agitated, which made me frantic and unable to focus properly.
"Oh god" I wailed, collapsing. I couldn't figure it out, I couldn't touch my mate. I felt so overwhelmed; the Cullens would be arriving within the hour, I was still adjusting to my new body and mind, not to mention I'd just spent hours focusing and working on my gifts.
Felix stood, looking watching me have my meltdown, clearly trying not to panic at my emotions and the fact that he couldn't properly comfort me.
"Bella! Baby, clam down. I'm here, I'm right here. Look at me." He ordered, making my attention snap to his earnest expression, my eyes brimming with venom tears that would never fall.
"You're okay, we're okay," I nodded in response, sitting back, and crossing my legs, rubbing my hands anxiously over my knees as I looked up at my mate.
"There we go, there's my girl" he smiled, but I could tell it was forced, I could still feel his concern through our bond as he also tried to figure out how to get my shield back in place.
Think Bella, think. I looked around at the edges of my shield again, frowning. A shield meant protection, but I didn't need protecting from my mate. I stared at the edges again, wishing that they would accept my mate into my bubble, like how I was able to use part of it to protect Marcus. Then an idea struck me – a switch. It sounded stupid, but at this point, I was desperate to try anything. I had no idea how long I'd been sitting on the floor trying to figure this out.
I stared hard at my shield again then with a flick turned it off. I cast a hopeful glance at Felix, still feeling hesitant to approach him. Catching onto my emotions and expression, he advanced slowly, reaching out a hand where he'd been thrown twice before.
I was in his arms before I could register his sigh of relief, "Fucking hell, kitten." He muttered, large hands running over my body, his chest rumbled, comforting my frazzled nerves.
I clambered up his body with a whimper, desperately trying to wrap my self around him, it was too much. My emotions and these sensations were crashing over me like a storm surge, pulling me under and tossing me around.
I burrowed my face into his neck where my mark was, nuzzling against it and feeling my own rumbling purr of satisfaction and comfort mingling with his. I pulled back, and he met me in the middle, lips pressing together in a long and tender kiss. When we pulled back he rested his forehead on mine, "we need to get moving, we'll stop by our room to change and then we need to be in the throne room. The trial begins soon." I bit my lip, nodding and letting him carry me off to our room even though I could easily keep pace with him now.
As he moved I could here the humor seeping into his voice as he spoke again, "Saw what you said to Corin." I bit my lip, looking up at him hesitantly as he set me down and a change of clothes for us, tossing mine to me.
"She was staring, more than staring. And you're mine, mister Volturi." I claimed, gently sliding my arms into a long-sleeved shirt.
"Not complaining, babe. It was hot. Just next time try and claim me at a time where I can fuck you afterwards." He threw out just as casually as I'd threatened Corin, making my body flush.
He laughed in response to my reaction, and we hurried along despite wanting to be doing, well, each other. But sadly, we had negative time for any fooling around even though I wanted to desperately. I craved him before my change, but now it was like I just couldn't get enough, it was a hundred times worse than any bloodlust.
Felix tossed me an indulgent look, all heat and future promises before grasping my hand in his and guiding me to the throne room.
F POV
The throne room was still, silent, tense. I spotted Jane, Demetri, Angela, and Tristan standing off to the side of the thrones. Tristan looked even more intimidating now that he was also as durable as us. He was already a big guy and his change only seemed to enhance that, dwarfing his small mate who he had plastered up against him, one hand curled by her collarbone in a protective and possessive pose. Jane looked sated, relaxed for once now that her mate was no longer in danger and she was no longer alone.
Demetri had both arms resting over his mate's slender shoulders, head resting on one arm as he murmured something to Angela, words muffled by her dark hair. By the knowing grin that stretched her near-red lips I figured I didn't want to know what it was. Dem looked lighter, happy, relaxed. I didn't know how Angela's gift worked, but based on Marcus's new lease on life, it must be some powerful shit.
Bella tugged me over to them, no doubt excited to see and catch up with our family. But we couldn't. My role as the head of the guard and her being my mate meant we had a different place to take, closer to the thrones and off to the opposite side our 'gang' was standing on. If a genuine threat were to make itself known, then our formation would change to block any incoming attacks from the kings and those without gifts or gifts that helped with in a fight.
Bella looked up in surprise, annoyance lightly flitting across her expression when I pulled her to a stop and urged her towards our spot. She pursed her lips and followed me, turning at my side when we reached our destination. I leaned down, lips brushing her ear as I spoke too lowly for anyone else to hear, "head of the guard stands here. As my mate, your place is here, with me" I explained, seeing her nod, a soft smile on her full lips when I pulled away. I heard their footsteps approaching and ordered my mate, loud enough for everyone to hear, "shield". She squeezed me hand a moment later, letting me know we were now all under her mental shield.
The doors to the throne room pushed open a few moments later, revealing the Cullen family, yellow eyes and all. I noticed my mate straighten her shoulders upon seeing her old family approach. Big and Blonde would be spared, we knew they wanted nothing to do with the whole ordeal from day one. I'd agreed to this with the kings after finding out that they'd been deceived by the minder reader and seer. Heck even the coven leader and his mate were in on it. I wasn't sure about the Major before, but seeing as his associates were now involved after our little run-in post prom, he'd die too.
The leader stepped forward, "Aro, my friend, my family and I have come here today in seek of peace. We wish no harm on anyone, especially not on our dear Isabella. I would like to apologize on behalf of my coven for being discovered by a human and not properly dealing with the situation." I growled when he referred to my mate as a 'situation'. She sent me waves of calm and love through our bond, making my tension ease slightly.
Aro stood, hands clasped together, "Carlisle, my old friend, it appears we are at an impasse per say," he began, "unfortunately my hands are tied, as your fate lies not with me but with the head of our guard. As part of our law, should a true mated pair be harmed, they are permitted to seek their own justice. And you seem to have harmed the bond of someone who is much less forgiving than myself." He sat back down, smiling widely as Carlisle's eyes widened in surprise.
The mind reader had grown frustrated, eyes flitting around the room, trying to get a read on us. His gaze stopped and eyes widened when they landed on my mate, making me stiffen and fight back the growl wanting to rip its way through my body. I itched to tear his ass apart, all that built up anger and hatred for the pathetic idiot who tried to manipulate and corrupt my mate's mind and heart was buzzing beneath my marble skin.
I stepped forward, taking Aro's words as my cue to take over the trial. "Cullen coven" I sneered, looking down on them from the center of the room, "you have been charged with revealing our existence, and knowingly manipulating and trying to sever a mating bond. What answers do you have to speak to these crimes?" I kept my face impassive, arms crossed as I waited for them to step up. They made no move to answer, so I looked over the Blondie, jerking my chin in signal.
"My husband and wanted nothing to do with this. I did not want Edward and Alice to be involved with Bella Swan. And then I did not want her changed because she deserved to live a full and natural human life," I tried not to sneer when she mentioned the life I'd selfishly taken from my mate without a second thought. She continued, "we are guilty of being ignorant enough to not notice what was truly going on after the accident with Victoria; we tried to remove ourselves from the situation despite my husband's brotherly love for Bella as we did we aware interfering in her deal with your coven would be dire consequences."
Blondie stepped back, clasping hands with her mate who looked over at Bella with a sad smile, as if still feeling his failure to protect her from his own coven. I nodded my head, "Interesting." I offered nothing more, for now.
My gaze then settled on the leader and his mate, "Speak" I ordered, not wanting to wait for them to fuck around and test my patience any further.
"Felix, if I may" Carlisle began, ever the diplomat, "we always acted with Bella's best interests at heart. We never meant her any harm, nor your bond. We were unaware of the true nature of your connection and would not have entertained your separation had we known the truth." He said, trying to place blame on me for not being forth coming enough.
I felt my lip curl this time, "mind reader knew" I said, tone even and cold, then I shifted, "the botched surgery?" I questioned, bringing up his violation of my mate's body.
He had the gall to look affronted, "I beg your pardon, but Bella would not have survived if I hadn't performed that surgery. Regardless of how you feel about the outcome, I saved her." He argued.
"Could've changed her" I countered, looking bored now. And I was, I was bored of talking and wanted to get to ripping them apart.
My eyes blazed as I turned my attention to the last three. But as I opened my mouth to address them, I caught movement to my right. Demetri. He came to my side, "they're stalling, others are coming. Romanians. Maria." he murmured, too low for anyone else to hear.
I inhaled sharply, Dem went to the thrones and informed the kings of the same thing, Aro taking his hand to see their geographical locations for himself before turning back to the animal drinkers, eyes alight.
The first two Cullens seemed shocked at the turn of events, edging away. I spoke up quickly, "You two, pick a side. Now."
"Yours" the big one blurted, pulling his mate along to stand off to the side where I motioned in response.
Mind reader narrowed his eyes, then grinned when footsteps that I could already hear finally registered to his inferior senses.
I felt my own smirk pulling up on one side, feeling my mate join me, "something wicked this way comes" she murmured, eyes shifting towards the doors as they were thrown open. A large group of vampires entered the room. Stefan, Vladimir, Maria, and the fucking Whitlocks at the front of the group. I didn't know for sure whether Charlotte had found a new way to make her gift work without her tongue, but between Bella and Tristan's gifts we were invincible against mental attacks.
I cocked my head to the side, studying their large group, feeling Jane, Alec, Tristan, and Demetri, join Bella and I. "Interesting" I repeated.
The mind reader stepped forward, still smiling cockily, "it seems we're at an impasse. You see, there are many others in this room who also would like to see the demise of the Volturi," he turned his piss eyes to my mate, extending one hand, "Bella, this is your last chance to join me, join your family again. If you don't I'm not sure if I'll be able to help you" he said, looking a little put out at the thought of my mate's hypothetical death.
I heard her scoff and could feel the surge of annoyance and anger through our bond, "Edward, I'm already with my family. My coven. Oh, and my mate." She finished, rolling her eyes as if speaking to a complete idiot, which of course was the case. My lips curled up; my body hummed in anticipation of the impending battle. So many bodies meant so many options for tearing them apart, I clenched my fingers, feeling my mate's thirst for a fight flowing through my otherwise frozen veins.
I wasn't worried about Bella; between her shields and extra strength she got from me, she was unbreakable. She was—the seer stepped up, eager and giddy, "Bella you may want to change your mind…" she trailed off. The crowd parted and…shit. The dog. They had the dog.
"Jake!" Bella whimpered, lunging forward, but I caught her in my arms, my knees almost wanting to buckle under the wave of fear and despair I got from her.
He was bruised, bloody, and slumped over a little. He raised his head, eyes widening a little despite being swollen. They must have beaten him recently for him not have healed much.
"Bells" he rasped, "the pack—if they came after me they were going to decimate the tribe" he explained, I was wondering what the fuck the other mongrels were doing with their alpha held hostage. Even beaten half to death I could see the changes in him, must've happened when we left.
But we knew something they didn't, I bent over my mate's head, "shield him" I murmured, backing away so her gift wouldn't effect me and give anything away.
She stiffened and I released her, backing away. I saw her back straighten and could feel her concentration through our bond.
The seer tapped her foot, still waiting for my mate to respond to her, "Well, Bella? I can't hold them off much longer. It's now or never, and trust me, your mutt is going to be the lucky first casualty…unless you come here." She pouted, looking back at Jacob as if to tell him to sway Bella's mind.
"No." Bella said, eyes locked onto her childhood friend. When her shoulders sagged a little, I could feel the relief coming from her, letting me know he was now under her protection.
"Enough" Vladimir bellowed, "time for petty words is over."
"We're here to tear down the Volturi, so let's get to it" Maria smiled, red lips stretched wide.
"Maybe if you make it out alive, I'll let you be my personal…pet" Stefan said, leering at my mate. He's dying first.
"Too bad" I started, raising a hand and causing the Romanian vampire to rise up and fly towards me, the fight broke out as his neck made contact with my palm. Vladimir charged towards us while I leaned in to whisper, "you won't" then tore his body in half down the middle, tossing both pieces to either side of the room.
B POV
The second Felix used his power on Stefan, Alice darted over to Jake, grabbing for him, only to be unable to make purchase on his skin. I grinned then puffed out Jake's shield into a dome like mine and Alice was thrown back. Jake stared in disbelief as I charged through the throne room towards him, my shield tossing away anyone who dared come after me.
"Jake!" I yelled, getting his attention, "I'm shielding you, go take cover somewhere until the fight is over, please. You're injured and this isn't your fight." I pleaded.
He shook his head, standing up, "Bells, you think I'm not gonna help out now that I'm invincible?" he asked, looking bewildered before charging after the pixie vampire. I wrapped the shield back around his skin so that he could deliver blow after blow. Alice being unable to see the wolves would work in his favour. Confident Jake would be okay, I let him be.
I turned, seeing Felix tearing apart the other Romanian, Jane had a few vampires on the floor, and Tristan was fighting with Jasper, unaffected by the Major's power. I saw Alice's head go flying, making the Major falter enough for Tristan tot gain the upper hand, and I smirked way to go Jake.
My mental shield flexed and twisted but couldn't cover everyone like this. The bubble snapped back suddenly, and Edward could read their minds, Charlotte could mess with their heads.
I turned to the latter, seeing her turn towards Alec. She couldn't affect Felix, Jane, or Tristan because of our gifts. Why does it always have to be Alec. I thought, seeing her lock onto him and him tense up long enough for Esme grab onto his head.
Before I could throw a shield or Esme could harm him, Jane had Esme on the floor, writhing and screaming. I charged Charlotte, sending her soaring through the air, landing on one knee as she skidded along the throne room floors. She raised her head, smirk falling when she saw me heading her way, slowing to a walk as vampires bounced off my shield as they tried to get to me. My grin widened, pulling up menacingly in a way that made her shiver. Her mate jumped in front of her as I neared, baring his teeth and crouching low as he faced me.
"How cute" I mused. Then I lunged. I dropped my shield at the last second and threw her mate across the room, thankful for the superior senses I got from my mate. Too quick for her to register, I shot my hands out and closed them around Charlotte's throat before she could blink, "you never should've fucked with my brother" I sneered, twisting off her head and tearing her other limbs away.
I turned, feeling her mate approaching, but he was stopped by Alec who landed a fist in the chest of Charlotte's mate as he tried to dive at me from behind. Alec's fist went right through him, piercing his marble body. I reached up and ripped his head off, tossing it away. I locked eyes with my brother, smiling and nodding my thanks. "I got your back, sis" he winked, jumping back into the fight.
Their group was already rapidly decreasing at a rate that showed how unfair this match truly was. They had drastically underestimated us and we in turn were going to kill three birds with one stone by bringing all the Volturi's biggest enemies right to their own doorstep.
I spotted Jake now fighting Carlisle, he'd phased and was slowly tearing the blond vampire apart while protected by my shield.
My eyes tracked the room, ignoring the chaos and searching for my mate. He was in the middle of dismembering Maria, grinning wickedly as he threw her remains into the fire someone had lit in the middle of the room.
He looked around after, "Culllleeennn?" he sang out, glancing around the room, looking for my ex-boyfriend.
"Bella" I heard a gasp, locking eyes with Angela. Angela in Edward's arms. Somehow, he'd slipped past Alec and Demi, probably taking advantage of my mental shield falling. Angela was the most vulnerable in the room with no fight related gift, knowledge of fighting, and a gentle disposition.
I heard Demi's desperate shout, "Angel!"
No. I would not lose my friend, my sister. And Demi would not lose his mate. My brother would not be broken.
I tried pulling at my shield as I stalked towards Edward while he grinned at me. My shield wouldn't peel, wouldn't give another layer to the person who needed it most. I tried desperately again and again as his hand rose to her throat. I could see her neck starting to crack as his hands tightened and pulled. I reached my hands out to my sides and felt it, felt my shield. With a scream, I grasped at it, fingers making purchase on it, and threw it with all my enhanced strength at Angela.
Her neck was already twisted at an unnatural angle, cracks all up the slender column of her neck as she cried out. Edward was dragging it out, making it excruciating, knowing we wouldn't make it there in time. And we couldn't.
But my shield could.
It shield slammed into Ang, sending Edward soaring to the left, and her into the wall where she slouched, puffing and grasping her damaged skin. I pulled my shield back to me as Demi reached her, gathering her into his arms and crooning to her softly as he cradled her shaking form.
"Go, Demi, get her out of here." I said, turning back, looking for Edward again. I heard Demetri's steps fade as he took off towards the doors. Most of the opposition had been torn apart at this point, the fire burning bright, room filling with purple smoke.
I finally spotted him dangling in Felix's huge hands, fingers clawing uselessly at my mate's impenetrable skin.
He looked up, eyes locking with mine over Edward's head, jerking his chin, signalling me to approach.
I came up behind my ex-boyfriend, "say hi to Alice in hell for me, love" I sneered, watching as Felix finally tore him apart, tossing the pieces into the fire.
F POV
After I tossed the mind reader into the fire, we made quick work of the remaining vampires allied against us. All the Cullens perished save for the two who'd agreed to join our side. I'd noticed them fighting alongside us, taking out a bunch of the Romanian coven's best fighters.
I smiled proudly at my mate, watching her toss her final kill into the fire, brushing her palms off on her pants as if she'd just taken out the trash, which was incredibly close to reality.
She winked at me and then went to speak with Jacob, explaining her gift and catching up. I approached the kings, overhearing Bella and Jane get Heidi to book him a ticket home and find him more comfortable clothes to get home in. He passed on the hug; she smelled like leech now. I grinned; she smells like me now. Tristan gave him a rough pat on the back anyways, earning gagging sound that made them all laugh.
The kings were still sat on their thrones, Marcus began clapping as if we'd all put on a show for them. Aro grinned in delight, "well done! Oh, how magnificent, and no casualties, what a miraculous day. Such a shame Carlisle's coven couldn't follow our simplest of rules, but their loss is our gain," he turned to my mate who had parted from her friend, and begun walking over at a human pace to join me, "Isabella my dear, you did superbly. Maybe now we can allow our wives more freedom. Yes! That's what we'll do" he cheered.
I sighed, then my exasperated look turned into a glare as I caught Santiago once again sizing up my mate as she walked like she was dessert. I stalked over to meet her, making him look up and lock eyes with me. Without breaking eye contact, I reached my mate and hoisted her up into my arms, capturing her jaw in one hand and claiming her lips with mine. My eyes stayed locked with his, my free hand ran down Bella's back and grasped her ass possessively, making my point very clear. He visibly gulped and probably would've paled if he could, before turning and hastily exiting the throne room.
I pulled back, and looked to the kings, "honeymoon." I said. It was time I took my wife away so we could be alone and enjoy each other without constant pestering from everyone else.
Bella giggled, laying her head on my shoulder while Aro spluttered a little before answering, "of course, the newlyweds. Yes, Felix that's fine. How long?" he asked, eyes shifting between myself and my mate who was still plastered against me, making this conversation a thousand times more annoying. Every second I entertained Aro's incessant questions I missed a second spent buried in my wife's tight, hot body.
I looked down at her, heat pooling in her eyes and between her toned legs, "weeks, months, years" I muttered. Didn't stick around to hear his answer. Everyone was safe, we'd get a phone to stay in touch, but for once, there was nothing holding us back.
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B POV
6 Months Later
The past six months had been amazing, we'd travelled all over the world, finding private nooks and little hideaways to bask in the sun, and enjoyed nightlife in the dark. I really had become a world traveller with Felix by my side. My man, mate, lover, and husband. He was also my annoying best friend who loved to get me riled up. He claimed it was hot as fuck when I got all feisty on him. Annoying.
The first month we'd spent in Bali near the ocean. Naked. Insatiable doesn't even cover it; with no distractions or obligations we were free to romp around in the wilderness endlessly. God the things that man could to my body. I sighed, disposing the murderer I'd been feeding on, already feeling riled up.
We were in Ireland, slowly making our way back home. We'd gotten a phone after our month-long sex marathon, only pausing beforehand to hunt. Felix called Demi first who, along with Angie, had thanked me profusely for helping save her from Edward. They hadn't gotten the chance to do so before we left and I grinned, listening to them chatter away about how everyone was doing. Before long, Jane, Tristan, and Alec joined in. Felix even grunted out a couple words to Alec who took it as a sign to start annoying the shit out of him again. We'd facetimed with the wolves, who also profusely thanked us for saving their alpha. I jokingly told Jake he'd have to name his first born after one of us. "Sure, sure, Bells" he'd answered, rolling his eyes good naturedly.
I'd never seen my mate so relaxed and carefree. I knew realistically there would be threats again in the future, but for now everything—our life, was amazing. Even standing in the dark, deserted countryside where I'd taken my kill, I was still in awe of our life. It was dawn, the sun would be rising soon but it was cloudy enough that we didn't have to rush.
One large arm snaked across my collarbone, hand curling up and around the base of my throat. His other hand skated across my mid section, below my navel and above where I always needed him. I melted into him, a light, breathy moan falling from my lips and a growl building in my chest.
"Still hungry?" he teased, chuckling, and running his thumb along the length of my neck.
I pursed my lips, trying to pull myself together, "hmmm, yes. Maybe there's another bad guy around or ill person or—"
Felix snarled, spinning me around and lifting me into his arms. My legs automatically wrapped around his waist, clinging onto his hard body.
His lips dragged up my neck, biting my mark, making me jump and groan. He runs his tongue over the mark, and I shudder, all thoughts of joking or teasing now out the window.
Felix doesn't seem to be on the same wavelength, chuckling again, "Well I guess if you're so hungry for someone else I'll let you get to it, kitten" he said, moving to slide my body down his.
I moaned in displeasure, "No" I said firmly.
He pulled back, "No?" he questioned, lips curving up in the dark delicious smirk I loved so much. "Well then, what is it you hunger for?" This was his favourite game, teasing until I begged, or said something dirty.
I tilted my head, gaze still locked with his, "Fuck me" I demanded, watching his eyes slide shut, his grin turning pleased. I leaned in, "fuck me now."
I knew it wasn't going to be gentle, we never were after hunting. The thrill of the kill gave a surge of power and need to dominate. Which is why there was usually a lot of teasing and frustration involved.
His eyes opened again, much darker than before, hands clenching on my hips, both our clothes gone before I could blink and those hands were back, slamming my hips down while he thrust up into me at the same time. Fuck I loved when he did that. I clutched at him, scratching down his back, grunting and wailing as he set a brutal pace. If I were human, his grip on me alone would turn my hip bones to dust. If I were an average vampire, he would probably have torn me in two.
And just that knowledge alone made it feel so goddamn good.
He darts off, still buried inside me and suddenly my back meets a small cliffside, just gently enough not to collapse anything. I groan at the friction it causes, pushing our bodies together so his lower abs grind against my clit every once in a while.
"Felix! God, yes" I moan as his hands sink to my ass and he spreads me more against the rock, making him hit spots that make me wail and beg for more. I rocked my hips up, trying to meet his thrusts.
"Yeah, that's my girl." He groaned, biting one lip as he watched me continue to unravel, heading steadily towards my release.
I can tell he's getting close too, his thrusts more erratic. He leaned in, lips at my ear, "rub that clit for me, baby" he demands. "Want you to feel you squeeze my cock before I fill your pussy" he growls out, making me clench.
His crude words threw me as usual, and I didn't move fast enough, still reeling from all the sensations. Felix nipped my ear this time, "Bell, do it. Now." He demanded, and with another groan I slid one hand down and pressed my fingers into my pulsing nerves. We both knew he could get me there easily, but we'd both come to find his dominating side was a huge turn on for both of us. He'd always been practically in control of my body, but now he owned it, and I was nowhere near complaining. I owned him too, heart, body, and soul.
"Come on, baby, give it to me" he urged again, before bending down and sealing his lips over his mark, the one he made when I was human and still made me go crazy when he touched it. He shifted one hand to reach under me and pinch his other mark just beside where he was still pumping into me.
My vision went white, head thrown back as I screamed out my release, feeling a rush of wetness surge from my body that was spasming and clenching down hard on him.
"Fuck yeah, just like that" he muttered, reaching his own peak, spilling into me with a guttural groan.
I leaned my head forwards, forehead pressing into his shoulder as my nerves calmed and the tingling running up my spine lessened to the dull hum that was always in my bones when he was nearby.
Felix turned and pressed a long, languid kiss to my temple, "god I love you. Best wife ever." He mused, curling his arms around my back now.
"Hmm, keep playing my body like that and you will have a happy wife forever" I grinned, wiggling in his arms, making his already hard again member stir and twitch inside me.
He leaned in, claiming my lips, tongue delving into my mouth making me moan and grind onto him again.
Suddenly, I heard a sound, something soft and pained. We pulled back, both looking heard something else, laughter, sinister and deep.
I looked at my mate, frowning as I slid down his body, breaking our connection. We took off to investigate, scaling the cliffside and coming to a stop by a small cottage house not too far from where we were. There was a car out front and laundry floating in the light breeze from a clothing line. I walked over and unclipped a long black dress, seeing Felix take down some pants and a long-sleeved shirt. The baggy sweat pants were comically small on his large frame, but the shirt pulled tight over his chest and arms, making me want to turn back and continue where we left off.
The plea that reached our ears stopped that train of thought, "Please, Silas, don't—we don't have your money, Ian never scraped enough together before your men killed him weeks ago." A woman's voice begged.
"We know you've got money, Daphne. Life insurance. Hand it over." Came a deep voice, menacing and calculating.
I herd a whimper, "that money is supposed to go to Holly's future, I—I can't, please, Silas let me work off the money. I'll do anything, I promise." We could smell the salt of her tears and hear soft whimpering somewhere else in the house.
I looked to Felix; we couldn't do anything with her standing there. We'd have to wait until this Silas bastard walked out and the we'd take him out, return the money after the woman had gone to bed the next evening.
"Either you give me that fucking money right now or I kill the both of you." He threatened and we heard the shift of something, a click. A gun. I looked to Felix, anxious. He reached out and grasped my hand, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles, still focusing in on what was going on inside the house.
We heard the woman—Daphne let out a loud sob. "Fine. Okay, fine. Just—just let me grab the cheque." She cried some more, and we heard her moving around. She didn't go far, stayed in the same room as the raging lunatic threatening her and her child's lives.
She shuffled around, papers swishing as she searched for something, then made her way back over to where the man's voice was coming from. "Here." she said, we heard the air whoosh lightly as she must've thrust the paper cheque at Silas.
I breathed out a sigh of relief, hearing her speak up again. "There, that's more than what was owed. Please just leave us be and don't ever come back again" she said, sounding more sure of herself now as she made her demands.
We heard his answering laughter, sleazy and slow. "Now, pretty Daphne, thank you for the money. But I don't take orders from anyone. Especially not some bitch who's good for nothing husband couldn't man up and pay his dues."
"No PLEASE" she wailed as a shot rang out.
"Dumb bitch, making demands outta me" he snarled and then snickered, moving around the house. "Now where's that fucking runt."
"N—No" it came out garbled, we could smell and even hear the blood spilling from a wound on her body as she bled out on the floor.
My eyes shot open wide. No. Not an innocent child. Before Felix could stop me, I barrelled into the house and grabbed the scum by his neck, dragging him outside, past the Daphne's gurgling lips and wide, bloodshot eyes.
"What the fuck?!" he shouted, fingers scarping feebly and uselessly at my marble skin. I threw him down, hearing a few ribs crack with the force. He groaned, reaching for his gun. I let him aim and shoot with a grin on his lecherous face. I smirked down at him, slowly crouching down as he set off another bullet, shooting at me until he was out. I cocked my head to the side, looking down I pouted.
"You ripped my shirt. I think it's only fair that now I rip you apart" I growled the end, muffling his screams with a hand clamped over his mouth as I tore into his body, making it messy and painful. I drained him slowly, wanting him to really feel his life slipping away. His legs slowed their kicking and fingers loosened where they gripped my arm. I could feel my mate nearby, watching, and unsure about what to do.
Once the man was fully drained I stood up, ripping a piece of his shirt away and wiping my face with it. I turned to Felix, and pursed my lip, "had to" I explained, heading inside.
Daphne looked up at us, still bleeding, still dying. I thought about saving her for a second, but as I crouched down she gasped out, "protect—Holly" then after one last gasping, gurgling breath, she collapsed. Her heart stopped beating and her eyes became glassy and sightless.
I closed her eyes, deciding we would bury her on the land later. First, I wanted to check on her child. I found a bathroom and scrubbed at my red skin. Luckily, the dress I'd snatched off the line was black to the blood that spilled on it was barely noticeable.
I passed Felix who looked concerned now at my actions, "Bell—" he started, but I tapped one finger on his chest, a request to give me a second. I fallowed the small cooing and whimpering sounds to a room in the back, opening the door to see a small bedroom and crib. My gaze flickered around before settling on the closet door, where she'd no doubt hidden her child from the monster who shot her and had her husband killed.
I pulled open the door and gasped, freezing. A little baby, that could only be a few months old was kicking her chubby little legs. Dark, curly brown hair like her mother's framing her chubby cheeks. Her piercing green eyes roamed over my features, a grin breaking out on her face, and she started giggling, reaching out towards me. I couldn't resist, moving ridiculously slow and oh so gently scooping up little Holly in my arms, keeping the blanket she was lying in tucked around her body to shield her from the chill of my skin.
I leaned down, she smelled like lavender and peaches. I had no thirst, no bloodlust, just a strong urge to protect and shelter the warm little bundles in my arms.
I turned with her in my arms, looking up into my mate's red eyes. Eyes that used to be green, like hers.
"Bella" he said, he rarely called me Bella anymore, usually Bell, kitten, or some other nickname for a lover. Eyes wide, he was shaking his head, "we can't. You know this. Something could happen to her, we live with vampires, we are vampires. No. No. Oh, come on babe. We just can't—" He protested as I slowly approached him with Holly nestled against my chest, cooing happily.
I pouted, looking up at my husband, "But Felix, her mom asked me to protect her and look! She has eyes like your human ones and hair like mine…" I trailed off, flashing him the baby.
The second their eyes connected, Holly cooed again and reached out her arms, fearlessly requesting my mountain of a man to hold her. I giggled, Felix was gobsmacked, staring down at the human baby, eyes wider than I'd ever seen them. "Go on," I urged him, holding her up.
His gaze flickered to mine uncertainly but then softened a little when I nodded encouragingly. He slowly reached out much like I did, accepting the little baby into his arms. She fit perfectly into his large hands, cradled in his palms as he stared down at her in awe.
He breathed in too, just like I had, and a soft smile broke out over his features. "She's—I mean, Bell we can't. I know, I know how you're feeling, but she's not a pet, she's a human baby and she won't be safe back home." He argued again. I rolled my eyes; I knew she wasn't a freaking pet.
"Then we don't go home" I blurted, simple enough. His gaze darted to mine.
"We can't do that, babe" he answered.
"Sure, we can. We can stay in Italy so that we can still visit without Holly."
He pondered it, looking down at her again and smiling, raising one finger and grinning when she grasped it in her tiny hand.
"Between our shields, no one would have to know until she was older…" he trailed off. "She'd have to be changed once she's of age, Bell. We can't just keep a child without consequences." He warned.
I looked down at her, at the baby I'd thought about all those months ago when I was still human. Could I condemn this tiny baby to the same fate for my selfish gain. "But what if she's like me, meant for this life? What if she wants to change? Maybe this is a sign I mean she looks like she's ours…" I wondered out loud.
Felix sighed; eyes still locked on Holly. He looked back up at me, "let's find her records and papers, bury Daphne, dispose of that animal, and then go from there."
He gasped suddenly, Holly's hand reaching up to pat his stone face, cooing and giggling when his alarmed expression settled on her, morphing into a goofy smile. I bit my lip, smiling at them thinking that Felix had finally found someone else who I could tell wasn't going to fight fair.
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Don't worry there will be an epilogue and we will see the gang get back together! Let me know what you think and what POVs/scenes you want to see after everything's all wrapped up.
I'm also going to be starting a new story soon. I have a few ideas rattling around but if there's a pairing you're dying to read about, send me a message or comment in a review!