Eye Of The Tiger

Chapter 24

By the time lunch time rolled around Rosalie was fuming. Teenagers apparently had nothing better to do than to make comments about her mate. She could care less what they said about her,she was used to it after being alive for over a hundred years, but they had no right to even speak her mate's name let alone say anything about her.

When Rosalie saw Bella walk in her initial burst of happiness was immediately diminished when she saw the looks Bella received. Her need to protect her mate and remind people Bella was hers caused Rosalie to jump up from her seat and rush over to Bella. She gave Bella a strained smile as she carried her tray back to their table.

"Are you ok?" Bella asked Rosalie. She had also heard what people were saying but it didn't bother her that much. She was used to people commenting about her appearance or her family enough that she just blocked it out most of the time. She rationalized that it was just part of human nature that made them that way. She actually felt a small amount of pity for humans that wasted so much time and energy focusing on her.

"No, I don't like what is being said about you." Rosalie replied through gritted teeth.

"Hey Bella! How are you?" Alice said as they sat down. She was trying to be better about respecting Bella so she didn't jump up and give her a hug even though she felt the urge to. Alice had also not gotten Bella any extra food though she noticed Emmett had four slices of chocolate cake on his tray.

"I'm doing good how are you guys doing?" Bella asked the table.

"We're doing great." Emmett replied sliding his tray towards Bella giving her wink. She gave him a big smile looking at all the cake. Emmett and her were going to great friends as long as he kept providing the junk food. She may even one day apologize for taking his leg. Bella doubted she would but you never know.

"She's probably screwing the entire family. They seem to be hanging all over her. Well except Edward. He probably isn't here because he was sick of her throwing herself at him." Rosalie heard Lauren say.

"I don't know how she got their attention. She has to be putting out because why else would the Ice Queen even look her way. Did you see them holding hands? It's bad enough she has to date one of them but now she's gone and made one gay." Jessica responded.

"I think it's kind of hot. I mean sure Bella looks like a freak but she's got a nice body and Hale's drop dead gorgeous but them together I'm totally for that. Do you think they are looking for a guy to join in on their fun? I should totally offer my services." Mike said.

That was the last straw for Rosalie. She jumped out of her chair and started to stalk towards Mike's table. She could feel Jasper using his gift on her but she had just shrugged it off so out of control her rage was. She was about seven feet away when she felt something warm grab her arm. She turned to attack whoever dared to touch her when she realized it was Bella.

"Hey, it's ok. Don't let them get to you." Bella told Rosalie cupping her face with both hands.

"They should not be saying those things, none of them are true." Rosalie growled.

"They are human they don't know any better but you do. I know that you feel like you need to defend my honor but I don't care what they say. I know the truth, you know the truth and our families know the truth. So why should we care about what silly humans have to say about us. You can't go around hurting anyone who says something bad about me. I know you have better control than that."Bella said trying to calm Rosalie down. Yeah it was kind of hot how outraged Rosalie was about the comments and Bella wanted to pull her into an earth shattering kiss but that would only cause them to talk more. So she had to use her words to get Rosalie to calm herself.

Rosalie sighed. Bella was right of course. She couldn't go hurting dumb, fragile humans no matter how much she wanted to. She couldn't believe she was missing Edward right now. How she would have loved to rip off another one of his arms and beat him with it but after learning Bella was spending the night he locked himself in his room and then left without saying a word to anyone. Who knew what the little weasel was up to? They all decided to deal with it when they found out. So with him being gone the only thing she could do to help her anger would be to go hunting.

She didn't want to leave Bella alone though. Her vampire side was feeling overly possessive. Just the thought of even separating to go to different classrooms was causing her to feel a swell of panic. No she had to stay with her mate so that only left one option."Come hunting with me?"

"What like right now?"At Rosalie's nod Bella pointed out the obvious."We are at school and we have the second half of the day to finish."

"I don't care. I need to get out of here and I really don't want to be away from you. So please, please come hunting with me." Rosalie pleaded.

Bella thought about it. Rosalie did seem really upset and her instinct to want to make Rosalie happy was quickly winning over her responsible side. She put a plan together in her head. She could explain to Charlie that it just got to be to much. It wasn't really a lie. He would understand. Bella just wouldn't make a habit out of it. One time wouldn't hurt anyone. It was obviously important to Rosalie and being Bella's imprint meant that whatever was important to Rosalie was important to Bella.

Decision made Bella replied. "Let me just grab my stuff and we can go. I'll send Charlie a quick text letting him know so he doesn't freak out if the school calls him."

Rosalie smiled."I'll meet you at my car."

Rosalie watched Bella walk away before making her way over to her lunch table.

"Your going hunting with Bella?! Can I come?"Emmett asked excitedly.

"No, not this time. I need some time with my mate." Rosalie said softly surprising her siblings with the small amount of vulnerability she was showing.

"Oh yeah that's fine I understand but make sure you tell Bella next time I'm coming with. I really want to see her tiger in action." Emmett said.

"I'll see you guys at home later."Rosalie hoped a lot later. It would be nice to have the afternoon with her mate.

"Have fun and be safe. We don't want either of you getting hurt." Alice said seriously. She still felt nervous about not being able to see Bella's future and when Rosalie was with her she couldn't see Rosalie's either. That meant they were unprotected. It was a silly thought as they both could take care of themselves but Alice took her role as family protector seriously.

"We will." Rosalie said over her shoulder walking out of the cafeteria, the anger now dwindling as she felt the excitement of being able to hunt with her mate. Maybe this day wouldn't be so horrible after all.