Chapter 9

Edward POV

I dropped Bella off at her house and drove home. I was pleased with the small progress I made with Bella tonight. I held her hand and kissed her cheek. Her heart rate had sped up at my kiss. She felt the pull toward me even if she wasn’t aware of its meaning yet. I was confident courting her wouldn’t take long before I could claim her. My only concern now was to be sure I hunted frequently enough to combat the scent of her blood. Alice should have warned me she was my singer. Had Bella been a vampire already she would have known me for her mate immediately. Being that she was human, I was the only one to recognize the pull for what it meant.

I pulled up to the house and got out of my car. I laughed as I walked in the door hearing Esme and Alice going through wedding magazines.

“I’ve been saving these up for a while waiting for Edward to meet her,” Alice was telling Esme. “I knew these flowers would be perfect for the wedding.”

“Alice,” I said, coming into the dining room, “while I appreciate your confidence in the outcome; don’t you think it’s a little soon to be planning our wedding?”

Alice looked up from her magazine and smirked at me. “Why don’t you take a look for yourself.”

I took the invitation and delved into her mind. Bella took my breath away. She was dressed in a beautiful white satin gown, her hair cascading in soft curls from a diamond hair piece. We were dancing at what was obviously our wedding reception. What surprised me wasn’t the look of love in Bella’s eyes, but that they were still chocolate brown. She would still be human.

“Alice, how is that possible? I would think I’d have turned her by then,” I asked in confusion.

She shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know, Edward. I’m just certain she will be human when you marry. Oh and the weather will be perfect for your date,” she smiled.

“Oh Edward,” Esme stood and hugged me, “I’m so happy for you. Bella is such a lovely young woman. I know you’ll be very happy together.”

Jasper came in and wrapped Alice in his arms. He kissed her gently. “Alice, we need to hunt. Let’s go make a night of it.”

I noticed he had a blanket in his arm as they left the room. I guessed they were going to be doing more than hunting. I felt a pang of envy.

“Soon, Edward,” Jasper called out before the door shut.

“I’m going to head up to find Carlisle,” Esme said. “I’m glad you found your mate. We’re all here for you and will do everything to help you.”

She hugged me and headed up the stairs. I heard the soft click of their door shutting. I could hear movement above me that indicated Rosalie and Emmett were in their room.

I didn’t want to be alone so decided to go for a run. I stopped when I realized I was standing on the street in front of Bella’s home. The lights were out and I could hear the quiet snores of her father. I heard the steady heartbeat of my Bella. I heard her soft murmur and decided to investigate further. I ran to the back of her house and leaped to her window. Her window was open to catch the night breeze. I climbed silently into her room and froze. My beautiful angel was lying there, her shirt having ridden up to bare her stomach and her sheets slipped down to her feet exposing her to my perusal. I knew it was wrong to gaze upon her unknowingly, so I carefully pulled her sheet up to cover her body.

“Bronze god,” she murmured before turning onto her stomach.

I frowned. What was she dreaming of? I wished again that I could see into her mind. I couldn’t resist pushing her hair back off her face. I trailed my finger gently across her cheek, smiling as I thought again of her beautiful blush. I sighed as I realized I needed to leave.

“Edward,” Bella breathed.

I swung back to face her, afraid I’d woken her. I breathed a sigh in relief as I saw her eyes were still closed. Her breathing was still even so she was still asleep. I smiled knowing she was obviously dreaming of me. If I could dream, she would star in every one. I quickly walked back to her bed and bent down to her. I inhaled her soft fragrance and brushed a soft kiss against her cheek. Her brow wrinkled before smoothing back out. A soft smile formed on her lips as she exhaled, saying my name again.

I leapt out her window and ran home, grinning the entire way. Her subconscious knew me and was just waiting for me to claim her.

***

“Alice, how could you not have seen this happen?” I growled. I was pacing the living room floor while Jasper crouched protectively in front of Alice. They had gone to Canada to hunt and by the time she had the vision it was too late to stop Bella from going. They had only recently returned home and I was trying to find any solution to bring Bella home that wouldn’t start a war.

“Back off, Edward,” Jasper warned. “Alice can’t see everything. You know this.”

I continued pacing the room trying to calm my emotions. I knew Alice wasn’t to blame but I couldn’t stop myself. My Bella was on Quileute land unprotected and because of the treaty I couldn’t go to her. I could only wait and pray that the wolves left her alone. Then there was the added problem that she was there with that boy again. He was becoming a real nuisance.

“I’m sorry,” Alice mumbled. She was curled up on the sofa with Esme’s arm around her. She was rubbing her temples trying to see anything to assure me that Bella was safe. She could only see brief glimpses of Bella and her friends. It didn’t appear that the wolves were on the beach with them so Bella should be safe. “I just can’t hold onto any images. The wolves must be nearby, but I can’t see them. I’m so sorry.”

“Alice darling, you know Edward doesn’t really blame you. We’re all just worried about Bella,” Esme soothed. She looked up at me with motherly concern. “Edward, I’m sure she’ll be fine. Alice still sees your date tomorrow.”

“I knew it was a bad idea to go for a human. Now we’ve got dogs involved also. I hate dogs, they smell,” Rosalie interrupted, grumbling.

“Rose, you’re not helping,” Emmett warned. She huffed and went back to flipping through her magazine. “Edward, man,” he turned to me, “you know if she’s in danger I’m right there by your side. She’s my little sister, after all.”

I heard Carlisle’s car turn into the drive and heard his thoughts of worry for his newest daughter before he made it into the house. He came from the hospital at our call of the situation.

“Carlisle, there has to be a loophole in the treaty that will allow me to go onto their land to get her,” I begged.

“Edward, there isn’t and you know it. You were there when it was signed. The treaty is very clear that under no circumstances are we allowed on their land. If we cross the border without permission they will attack and you can’t tell them that you’ve chosen a human as your mate. Their only purpose is the protection of humans and they would see that as a threat. I’m sorry, son, but you’re going to have to wait until she leaves on her own,” he said. “You have to think positive. Alice said she doesn’t see the wolves on the beach with her so she just another teenager hanging out as far as their concerned. There’s no reason for them to bother her.”

“Edward,” Alice jumped off the sofa and jumped into Jasper’s arms, hugging him, “they’re leaving! She’s headed home now.”

“Oh, thank God,” Esme exhaled in relief.

“Well, now that the drama is over, Emmett, I want to go hunt,” Rosalie announced. She never was one to show her emotions or care for anyone else.

“I’m sorry, Rose, but it’s just going to be you and me hunting tonight,” Alice frowned as she saw another vision. She immediately blocked me from her mind. “Jasper and Emmett are going to need to control Edward when he goes to Bella’s house. Mike is going to make another play for Bella.”

“Ugh, fine then,” she snarled. She walked up to me and poked me in the chest. “You, don’t do anything stupid. I want my husband home in one piece.”

Emmett laughed and swung Rosalie up into his arms. “Are you worried about me, baby? You know I can handle Edward. He may be fast, but I’m stronger.”

***

I paced the woods around her house. I could hear her inside with her father and that boy. I growled involuntarily at the wave of calm Jasper was sending my way. I didn’t want to be calm. I wanted to rip that boy apart for touching my mate. Emmett stopped me every time I tried to approach her house.

“Jasper,” I growled, “I don’t care what you have to do, just get him out of that house.”

“Alright Edward, but I think you’re worrying for nothing. She isn’t feeling all that warm and fuzzy right now on her own,” Jasper shrugged.

I turned back to her house. I saw her shift away from the boy and smiled at her explanation.

“No, I’m fine Mike. I guess I’m just tired. I should probably go to bed, after all I’m supposed to help open the store tomorrow morning,” she said. She stood to indicate it was time for him to leave.

“Yeah, I guess I should be going too. I’ll see you in the morning,” he told her.

I smiled when she walked him to the door, but then frowned when I realized she followed him onto the porch. Didn’t she know it wasn’t safe outside after dark? I waited for him to walk away while continuing to listen to their conversation.

“I’m sorry for being short with you, Mike. I don’t know what came over me. I guess I really am tired.”

“It’s okay, Bells,” he said smiling. “You know I’d never hold it against you.”

I saw him pull her into his embrace and growled. I took a step forward before I felt Emmett’s hand clamp down on my shoulder.

“Edward, don’t do it, man. It’s just a hug and he’s leaving,” he warned.

“So are you ever going to give me an answer, Bella?” I heard him ask her.

“I’m sorry Mike. I don’t want to string you along. I’m just not ready yet. Soon, okay?”

“Yeah, that’s fine. You know I want you. I really like you Bells. Can I give you a little incentive?” he asked her.

“Shit!” Jasper mumbled and darted his eyes to Emmett. “Hold him tight.”

“What?” I began then narrowed my eyes to focus on the boy on the porch. I heard his thoughts and realized what he was about to do. “Oh hell no!” I growled low in my throat. I felt the red haze of aggression take me over. I would turn my monster loose and protect my mate from the threat. I sunk into a defensive crouch to lunge as his lips came down on my Bella. I was thrown backwards into a tree just as my feet left the ground. Emmett and Jasper were both sitting on me, the tree now lying broken on the forest floor. I growled and fought them both.

I could feel the waves of calm crashing over me. I fought the effect, my focus only on wanting to tear that boy’s lips from my mate and take her away. I heard Jasper and Emmett as from a distance as my mind tried to come back into focus. My monster roared one more time before admitting defeat as reason came back to me. I couldn’t kill him. I would have to let him live as much as it pained me, but I knew I needed to claim her soon. I couldn’t take much more of seeing her with another man. I needed her to accept my claim soon.

“Edward, stop. You can’t kill him on her front porch. How would Bella feel about you then?” Jasper warned. “Remember, he’s her friend. I know it’s hard, but you chose this path. You’ve got to be patient. Remember Alice’s vision of the wedding. She’s going to choose you.”

“Yeah, Eddie,” Emmett agreed. “See the big picture. That boy is just a fly in the ointment. No threat to a smooth vamp guy like yourself. How could she resist you?” He slapped my chest with the back of his hand.

“Get off me. I swear I won’t kill him,” I promised as I stopped struggling. I lay there passively, taking unnecessary breaths to calm myself, “but Jasper, get him off her now.”

“Already done,” he smirked. “Listen for yourself.”

“Enough, Mike,” Bella said.

I could hear the irritation in her voice. I took another steadying breath. “Emmett, you can get off me now. I’m calm.”

He yanked me to my feet and we turned to listen to the exchange on the porch.

“I’m sorry Bella, I just want you so bad sometimes. Please say you’ll be my girlfriend,” he pleaded. “You know how much I like you and you know Charlie likes me too.”

Jasper chuckled. “Damn. Edward, this is all her now and boy is she pissed.”

“Don’t drag my father into this, Mike. This is between you and me. I’ll give you my answer when I’m ready and not before. If you’re tired of waiting for me, I’m sure Jessica would welcome you with open arms.”

“I’m sorry Bella. You know I don’t want Jessica. Please don’t be mad at me.”

“Just go home Mike, alright? I’ll see you in the morning at work.”

“Okay,” he sighed. “Goodnight Bells.” He turned and walked to his truck.

I sighed in relief as I watched him drive away. I turned back to see my Bella still standing on the porch. She seemed to be searching for something. I held my breath as I realized she was gazing directly at me. I knew she couldn’t see me in the darkness, but subconsciously she must know I’m here. I can feel the pull of her. My heart is drawing her to me. I watched her turn and enter her house. I heard her tell her father goodnight and her footsteps climb the stairs to her room. Jasper and Emmett each slapped me on the back.

“We’re heading back,” Jasper said. “You should be fine now.”

“Yeah, but you know my Rosie is going to be pissed at you.” Emmett fingered the tear in his shirt. “You tore my shirt.”

“So tell her to send me the bill,” I smirked.

I watched them take off through the woods, heading home to their mates. I turned back to the house as I heard Bella’s bed shift indicating she was going to sleep. I heard her sigh and toss and turn for a few minutes before her breathing finally evened out. I waited for her father to finally go to bed. He started snoring almost as soon as he turned out the light. I darted across her yard and climbed to her window. My feet landed quietly on her bedroom floor. She was lying on her back with her blankets over her head. I could only see her thick hair fanning out above the blanket. I gently sat on the side of her bed beside her still form. I waited to be sure I didn’t wake her before carefully pulling the blanket down to her shoulders. She let out a little huff of air and frowned, puckering her lips into a sexy pout. Her brow was furrowed. Whatever she was dreaming of was not making her happy. I softly brushed my fingers through her hair soothing her. She rolled toward me and curled her body around my leg that was propped up on her bed. My hand stilled and she curled tighter against me.

“Edward,” she breathed. Her brow evened out and her pout turned into a soft smile. She rubbed her cheek against my hand and sighed, settling deeper into her blankets.

I smiled and continued to stroke her hair. My touch calmed her. I sat there watching over her sleep until the first rays of dawn broke through her window. I heard her father’s alarm clock go off as he began to stir. I gently pulled myself from Bella’s sleeping form as I stood. She stayed curled against me all night. I tucked her blankets around her, smiling at her little frown. Her hand slid across the now empty place I’d been sitting before curling back into her body.

I leaned down and gave her a gentle kiss on her cheek before whispering in her ear. “Soon, my love, very soon.”

I leapt out her window and decided to hunt. I would be seeing her again in just a few hours for our date.