Chapter 6: Compliance

Note: Finally got round to updating this. It took a while though I'm slowly but surely getting through each of my works in progress and updating them.

Massive thank you to all those who have waited patiently on updates and sent in your words of encouragement and support. I am so grateful to you all.

I've been able to do a lot more writing recently so I'm hopeful that I'll be able to continue with the updates for my stories. Next to be updated I think will be Claimed and Child of the Dark over the next few days. I have chapters near enough completed for both.

I hope you're all doing good

Sending you all my love, Nell xoxoxo
B/V.B/V.B/V.B/V.B/V.B/V.B/V.B/V.B/V.B/V.
~ Bella's Pov ~
Somewhere deep in the recess of her mind Isabella Swan was screaming, rattling against the chains that imprisoned her within her own mind. It had all been slow, subtle. So subtle in fact that she hadn't even noticed anything was happening until it was too late.
She had met the Cullen's her first day at Forks High school. Edward had reacted strangely to her presence, giving her the impression that she smelled bad and from that point on her world had been blurry, she woke in fits and starts. Clarity hitting her before it disappeared once again in the face of a dazzling smile and a scent so sickly sweet it sticks to her lungs, drowning her in an unpleasant fog that she cannot fight.
Time had ceased to mean much to her. She couldn't really tell from one moment to the next what on earth she had done, though she could tell you exactly how many pearly white, razor sharp teeth one Edward Cullen possessed in his mouth. She could tell you how long his shaggy brown hair was and how soft it felt when she ran her fingers through his hair like he wanted her to do.
She most definitely could tell you how afraid she was told she should be, how frightened she was as her heart beat repeatedly too fast, her forehead glistened with sweat and her muscles clenched and tensed in response to whispered words and that oh so sweet scent before her world grew fuzzy once more and she was again on the move.
Watching the forest around her whip by as if watching a movie. It was frustrating, terrifying and harrowing being a spectator in her own life. Her body, her words reacting as she was told too while her mind rebelled. Stuck silently screaming for someone, anyone to notice that she wasn't in control anymore. He was... They were...
The vampire that claims he is her mate is the worst she knows. Its his scent that sticks to her, coats her clothing, her skin. Inescapable in its ever present state. Making her feel dirty. Refusing to be washed from her person no matter how much she'd like to scrub herself clean.
She feels like she's pacing inside her own mind. Vaguely aware of what is happening but unable to react, to do anything to stop what these people had done to her.
She could feel it even now, the cloying scent getting stronger, her grasp on what was happing fading even as fiery red hair and fearful obsidian eyes flash in her memories. She can't hold on. She's learned now not to fight. It hurts more when she does.
"Carlisle we cannot let that red head get to her. I'd lose her for good, we have to do something" her mate is anxious, his gentle eyes filled with fear and gorgeous brown hair wind blown and dishevelled as he paces in front of her.
"I know my boy, but what can we do, we don't know how to deal with these disgusting creatures. Blood drinkers with no respect or decency. There won't be any reasoning with them" Carlisle murmurs, looking more stressed than she had ever seen him. His golden eyes flickering from her to Edward.
"You're sure they'll come after her?" Esme murmurs, stepping closer to Carlisle and Bella knows the brunette vampire, so motherly in her ways is seeking comfort from her mate in such a fearful time.
Those blood drinkers had frightened her vampires. Her mate especially. It was so like her Edward to worry so about her safety. Her mortality. It was endearing but she loathed the worry it caused him.
"Yes my dear Esme, I'm afraid we are. They won't give up a hunt. The blonde is a tracker, the worst of her kind. We must do all we can to keep our sons mate safe" his tone is grave but reassuringly strong. It brings even her comfort from across the room as the man who had acted like more of a father to her than her own meets the eyes of everyone one by one, reassuring them. "We need to get her out of town Carlisle. Far from here" her mate demands. Coming to a stop in front of her and pulling her Into his arms. Right where she belongs. Where she always craves to be. His honey and jasmine scent calming to her frightened mind.
A scoff from the corner draws all their attention. Rosalie voicing her disgust with the situation in a way Bella had come to expect. The blonde had never liked her. Her Edward had said it was jealousy. Rosalie resenting Bella's humanity, thinking her weak and inferior. The blonde had done nothing but ridicule and mock her since Edward had found his mate in her. He had told her that he had rejected Rosalie as a mate when she woke as a new born and despite finding her own mate only a few years later, Rosalie's vanity meant he had never been forgiven for turning her away. It made her angry that her mates own sister could be so callous as to disregard her brothers happiness for her own petty insecurities.
Her anger growing when Edward stiffened and pulled away from her in response.
"Why must we protect her? She isn't even part of this family. Why face a coven of vampires, risking ourselves for a snivelling little human that doesn't belong?" The blonde retorted snidely at their questioning looks, causing anxiety to roll through Bella's spine. She knew the blonde was right. She was just a human, insignificant compared to her vampires.
"We've spoken of this Rose and I'll hear no more. Bella is as much one of us as you. She is Edwards mate and we will all protect her, do you understand?" Carlisle's tone is firm, his eyes hard and Bella can see just how much Rosalie's cruelty had angered the caring man as he stared the blonde down. Daring her to say another word. She wouldn't though. Bella knew that Rosalie wouldn't dare defy her creator and coven leader. Her father. So as much as she resented Bella it wasn't a surprise to the brunette when the blonde relented. Nodding her head in a silent answer and slouching against the wall. Clearly perturbed but compliant with the others wishes.
Bella sighed, glad that Carlisle had dealt with the blondes dramatics quickly. She didn't think getting into a verbal pissing match with her right now would be entirely helpful, no matter how much she wished she could defend herself and her mate from the bitter blonde.
"What about the Denali's, Doesn't their coven owe ours a favour? And the last I heard Carmen and Eleazer are in Seattle. They could easily take her to Denali tonight?" Esme questioned, helpfully. Ever the pragmatic mother. Bella frowned, she hadn't heard of the Denali's much. All she knew is that their coven leader wanted Edward and that was why they did not associate much with the coven, despite sharing the same animal diet as her Cullen's.
She didn't think it would be entirely helpful. She didn't know if she could stand the thought of having to rely on a woman, vampire or not, who had desperately tried to bed her mate whenever they interacted. The woman's actions had made her Edward uncomfortable. Ever the gentle man that he was he didn't entirely know how to handle the unwanted advances. She knew it was a sore topic for him. She could see it even now in the way Edward frowned unhappily at the mention of that coven. But Bella remained silent. She knew her opinions were unhelpful for her vampires. They'd do what was best for them all, and if that meant putting up with a blonde harpy then so be it. After all she knew Edward was right when he told her she needed to be more open minded to their suggestions. They had lived far longer and experienced far more of the world than she had. So they knew better. She couldn't argue with that.
She frowned, her mind growing foggy, a slight tinge of pain crawling forth at the back of her mind, reminiscent of a brewing headache. She winced, rubbing her head. Shaking of Edwards concerned glance even as he pulled her closer. His lovely scent growing subtly stronger in an attempt to soothe her. She smiled up at him gratefully, feeling the pain abate.
"It could work, but we would have to figure out a believable cover story. Charlie won't just let her go off on her own without explanation" Alice stated, joining the conversation hesitantly. Bella aimed her smile at the pixie haired vampire. Alice had come to be her best friend and she was grateful Alice had brought up her father. He wasn't very present in her life. Even now living under the same roof but she knew he loved her dearly.
He had always been an awkward man, especially when it came to expressing his feelings and unfortunately for Bella that meant affection and expressions of his love for her had been sadly absent. It made their relationship tense and stunted at best but he tried. Which was more than could be said about her hair brained mother. Bella quite believed the woman would have died long ago if she hadn't been around to take care of her. Especially before her mother had met Phil. For a while she worried Renee would end up drinking herself to death. It was a relief when her mother met her step father. An athlete, several years younger than Renee but they were smitten and Bella had taken the opportunity to slip away from her post as her mothers caretaker, moving here to Forks to stay with her father.
He was chief of police, a well respected man in their community and despite been barely present she knew he'd grow worried if she didn't let him know he was leaving.
"He won't let Bella leave without a fight. I've read his mind. He loves her, he regrets the years apart and wants to make it up to her" Edward informed them, causing her to sigh inwardly. She loved her father but it was a losing battle, at this point she was an adult, a few years from twenty one and didn't really need parenting.
"I could phone him, give him little choice in my leaving" she replied, hopeful that she could reassure her vampires.
"You'll have to make it seem real dear, make him believe you're leaving for good or there would be nothing stopping that coven from using him as leverage" the coven leaders words chilled her, painting a picture she hadn't thought of yet. Her vision filling with sadistic smiles and the pained voice of her father pleading for help.
She nodded, strengthening her resolve. Yes she would go along with her vampires suggestions. She'd remain safe and her father wouldn't be in any danger.
She prayed that it would work.
Carlisle smiled at her commander with their wishes and if she had continued to look in his direction just a little while longer before looking up at her mate she would have seen the sadistic pleasure that flashed over his features moments after.