-- Bella's POV --
Heart beating wildly I slammed the front door of our new home, pressing my back against it as the tears cascaded down my face. I couldn't believe the reality of what was happening. How could we pick the one place in America to move to that the Cullen's cousins lived in and how on earth had I forgotten that Edward had mentioned it. Why was this happening? I had hoped I could forget it all. Put them in my past and move on. Now there were three new vampires that had seemed to take an interest in me. Why else would Irena have came to find me? Was there no hope that I could rebuild my life without the interferences of vampires? Why did they feel the need to constantly tare my life apart? because that is the one thing the Cullen's taught me. Humans were worthless to them. Play things. That had been his words. I was a distraction. A pet and had meant nothing to them. He had laughed at my stupidity in believing I would ever be worth something to them, that I could ever compare to their superiority. This was the reality. I Isabella Swan was only good for entertainment purposes and I could not let it happen again. Not with these new vampires. The Cullen's cousins. I would have to avoid them the best I could. Especially Irena, there was something about her that called to me in a way I had never felt before, made me want to get closer to the tall blonde goddess (darn it Bella stop thinking like that for goodness sake, I chastise myself) of a woman.
I would be polite, cordial but I would not, could not let them begin to mean something to me. I wouldn't, couldn't put myself through that pain again. If they tried to insert themselves into my life I would politely decline and avoid them and I most definitely would not tell Charlie about the connection that existed between his deputy and the Cullen's. It would only serve to worry him. I could manage this on my own. I could, I swore to myself. I was making progress and I wouldn't let this drag me back. The Denali's were nothing to me and that is the way they would remain.
Taking a deep breathe, slightly calmer now that I had decided how to handle the situation I picked myself up from the front door and fired a reassuring message to my father. Letting him know that my anxiety had slightly overwhelmed me so I had gone for a walk and headed home afterwards. I felt a little bad for abandoning him but I had been wholly unprepared.
Once I had received his reply, acknowledging me and wishing me a good sleep I made my way to my bedroom. Undressing and slumping into my bed without redressing, suddenly feeling more tired than I had before, such was the joys of living with anxiety. Closing my eyes I took in a few more deep breathes and allowed myself to relax fully. Safely tucked away from the world and the vampire family who lived in this town.
-- Irena's POV --
Once we were back at our home in the forest of Denali. The large, luxurious cabin that had been designed and built for us by our cousin Covens Matriarch figure - Esme, looked like a simple wooden cabin from the outside but was the very picture of human luxury and wealth within.
Tanya guided me down onto the arm chair. Crouching down in front of me. Ever since Isabella had run from me I had been unable to get a grip on my emotions. I don't know how long I had stood motionless against that wall outside the precinct when Kate and Tanya had appeared in front of me. The picture of concern. Unable to form words to explain to them. All I had been able to do was mutter the word 'gone' when they asked were the human was.
Tanya had wasted no time in guiding me to the car and away from the precinct. Now I was home and I could feel myself slowly starting to calm down. The pain in my heart was still intense but the more I thought about what had happened the more I realised that it couldn't have been anything personal to me that had caused my little mate to flee and that soothed the beast inside me somewhat allowing me to drag in a deep albeit unnecessary breath.
"That's it Irena, deep breathes. When you're ready you can tell us what happened" the voice of my eldest sister spoke soothingly as I felt her run her hands gently up and down my arms in comfort. I could sense Kate had taken a seat on the arm of the chair I sat in. Her hand on my shoulder, letting me know that she too was right here.
They may not be my biological sisters but Kate, Tanya and I had been changed by the same woman. Our mother Sasha. We had loved her beyond words but when she committed the crime of changing a child we lost her. Creating an immortal child in our world was punishable by death and when our rulers - the Volturi had caught her, we had to stand and watch our mother executed. It had brought us even closer as sisters. It was why I knew Tanya had been so insistent on finding out what my mate knew. At least now if we discovered she did know about what we were we wouldn't have to kill her. She was protected now as a mate. She would have as long as she wanted to remain human before her eventual change. Providing I could get past her fear and earn her trust and love.
"The girl, Isabella" I began my voice a whisper. "She's my mate" my voice chokes slightly as I again remember the fear on her beautiful face.
"You're sure" Tanya's voice is laced with excitement and concern. Its a strange mix for my usually controlled big sister/coven leader and it only serves to rip a whimper from my throat as I nod. "Yes but she's so terrified of something. I know she felt the bond. I saw it the moment we locked eyes in the way she stilled but the bond isn't enough. It wasn't enough to cut through whatever has her so terrified Tanya, she ran from me and I didn't know what to do, I cant make sense of it" I try not to let my voice quiver as I explain to them what happened but Kates snort behind me tells me I failed before I feel her slap my forehead gently. "Oh please Irena get a grip of yourself instead of crying you should be planning on just how you are going to get your runaway mate. You are far too strong a woman to sit crying over something as easily solved as a runaway human. Fucking chase her" my middle sister chastised me. I could here the concern and amusement in her voice but its enough all the same to snap me out of the self pity and wallowing.
I sit up straighter. Take a deep breath and look up at her. Determination filling my body, giving me the strength to push past the overwhelming sadness. "You're right" I tell her before facing Tanya, "we need to figure out just why she's so afraid. She doesn't get to run away from me. She's mine. She belongs here, to our family" I say, not even attempting to conceal the possessive tone to my voice. The girl is mine whether she can see it or not right now. It is my responsibility as her mate to do what I can to earn her trust. To earn her love and if my little mate wants to play a game of cat and mouse. Let the hunt begin.