Heart Of The Bear - R.H x OC x L.C

Chapter 9

As I'm driving towards the school after picking up Rose, I can't help but smile gently at her when I feel her hand intertwined with mine on the gearstick. We're sitting in comfortable silence as the sound of the engine surrounds us, and I find myself feeling a little anxious. I'm still public enemy number one at school, but finally going public with Rose is certain to shake up the rumour mill again. 

Almost as if sensing my anxiety, I feel Rose squeeze my hand gently. "Don't worry babe. No matter what happens, me and my siblings are going to be there with you. If anyone tries anything, I'm almost certain they'll have to answer to Jasper for it. He protects you just as fiercely as he does Alice." I can't hold back my chuckle at the last part, and Rose immediately joins me. 

"I don't know why, but he's awfully attached to you." I can tell from the tone of her voice that she isn't jealous about it, but she loves to act like she is, which often has the two playfully fighting while Alice and I roll around on the floor laughing. Esme caught us like that once in their living room, and I swear she almost swooned at our antics. "I know Rose, your family is amazing. And to be fair, as long as I'm with you I know I'll be fine." 

Looking at her through the side of my eye, I could see her playful scowl. "You're such a cheeseball sometimes, just thinking about it reminds me of how cheese tastes." Pulling up at the school parking lot, I can't help but laugh as I exit the car to open the door for Rose. Holding the door open for her I'm acutely aware of how everyone turns to stare at us as she gets out, especially while she's wrapping her arm around my hip with my own going over her shoulder. "Just admit it Rose, you wouldn't have me any other way." 

If she could, I don't doubt that she would be blushing. Or that's what her tightening grip on my hips tells me. We've barely had a chance to walk towards her siblings before I'm wrapped in a tight hug from the little pixie of the Cullens, with Jasper giving me a large and genuine smile over her shoulder. "No need to worry Alex, I'll keep an eye out for trouble." 

Both Rose and I chuckle at Jasper's statement, with Alice letting out a small giggle at her mate's protectiveness towards me. "I appreciate it Jazz, but hopefully it won't be necessary." We all continue small talking as we go into the large dreary building, with every student watching Rose and I with wide eyes of confusion. This is going to be a good day. 

-

Rosalie PoV

As I meet up after my first class with Sabrina, I can already tell by her smile that she intends to tease me. "So, you and Alex had quite an audience this morning hmm?" Giving her a noncommittal shrug, she pouts at my clear avoidance of her teasing. "You're no fun to tease Rose, isn't it the job of an older sibling to tease their younger siblings? Why do you make it so difficult for me?" I can't prevent the small smile that creeps up on my face. "You know I love you Sab, but sometimes you're as bad as Alice." 

All I get in return is a laugh as she walks into our next shared classroom, causing me to playfully glare at her back as we sit down. "I'm proud of you Rose. In the last few months you've not just accepted your mate and all that comes with her, but now you've gone public as well. I know you had a hard time with it before she discovered us that day, so to see how far you've come since then. It makes me positively proud of you." My eyebrows scrunch up just a bit at that, as I look at her with tight eyes. 

"Are you trying to undermine my reputation at school by saying something like that?" Her laugh caused the teacher to glare at us, which only made Sab lean over our table in an attempt to stifle her laughter. "I'm serious though Rose, and the other students were clearly surprised when you walked in together as well. That Jessica girl was staring longingly at Alex, but as soon as she saw your arm around her hips she looked ready to kill someone." 

Her laugh of amusement, didn't just cause a glare this time. "Hale's are there something funny you two want to share with the class, or do I need to give both of you after school detention?" My eyes widened at the threat, before glaring coldly at my sister. "No sir, we'll be quiet now." He gave a nod in confirmation, before continuing his lesson. 

-

When we got out of class, Alex was standing next to the door leaning against the wall. "Ready for lunch babe?" Her smirk and her eyes hidden behind her aviator sunglasses caused a shiver to go down my back. "Yeah, we're both ready." Looking next to me, she finally noticed Sabrina standing next to me looking all innocent as if she hadn't just embarrassed me in class. 

"Nice to see you Sab, but I'm unfortunately not here for you. Your sister on the other hand." Her smirk got even wider as she looked at me, as my sister placed her hand over her heart in mock hurt, as a pout formed on her lips. "You wound me Alex, and here I thought I was your favourite Hale!" Alex laughed out loud at the statement, all three of us knowing that Jasper and I were by far her favourites in our family. 

Not even bothering by giving Sab an answer, she just wrapped an arm around my shoulder to lead me towards the cafeteria. "You're so cruel Alex! You don't even have the decency of properly shooting a girl down?" Now all three of us were laughing as we made our way to the cafeteria, and I finally noticed what Sab was talking about earlier. Everyone was looking at Alex and me, and I couldn't help but roll my eye in annoyance at their unrepentant gawking. 

As we entered the cafeteria my other siblings were already sitting together at our table, and looking towards the table where Jessica was sitting I realised that she was actually staring at Alex. When she caught my eyes on her, that longing immediately turned into anger and jealousy, and I couldn't help but send her a smirk. While Alex and I had agreed to minimal PDA for my own comfort this early in the relationship, it was so very tempting to grab her and stake my claim on her in front of Jessica. That should show that bitch what she potentially gave up on by siding with Mike after the fight. 

Alex sat down next to Jasper, but not before gently squeezing his shoulder in a show of solidarity about how tense he is because of his powers. It was incredible to see how accepted she was by my family, everyone but Edward were acting as if she'd been a part of the family for years and she happily returned that care back to them. "Any salacious thoughts going on doing this wonderful lunch period Eddie-boy?"

I couldn't help but chuckle at that, while all my siblings laughed. Edward on the other hand, looked sour and generally pissy. He's been extra sour ever since I finally connected with Alex, leaving him to be the only one in the family who were yet to find his mate. And based on his glare, he'd managed to hear that even through my mental barriers. As lunch trailed on, I couldn't help but spend most of the time just looking at Alex in admiration and adoration. 

How did I get this amazing mate? She jokes around with Emmett like they were brother and sister while playing video games, she cares for and tries her best to help Jasper with his emotions and bloodlust at school when it's worst, she plays dress-up with Alice despite hating everything she has to wear, she cooks with Esme to let her enjoy her cooking like she did as a human, her and Sabrina are absolute menaces to society together, and she even enjoys talking medical science with Carlisle whenever they have the time. 

And then there's me. At school she puts on this front of indifference and aloofness, as if she doesn't care about anything. But when it's just her and me? She's so soft and caring, always making sure she doesn't cross any boundaries I'm not okay with, or I'm not ready to cross yet. And every time I lock eyes with her, exactly as I am right now, all I see in her eyes is love. Her smile is so soft, I can't help but reach out to intertwine our fingers.

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