Mated (EDITING)

four. jayce

EVA

"Edward, where are we going?" I followed behind him through the woods.

I felt a little uncomfortable walking through the same woods where he found me bloodied and unconscious.

"I thought we should take a walk and clear your mind before we start the vote. And I figured you were ready to be rid of Alice."

"Don't even remind me."

Alice had spent the whole morning organizing my wardrobe and the new clothes she had bought me. Not only that, but she would make me try them on as she put them away. It was the most exhausting task imaginable.

Edward smiled tightly. "How're you E? And honestly."

I shrugged. "I'm alright I guess. I don't really know how to feel about any of this. For so long I've been alone and afraid. But that was okay because there was no one who could get hurt because of me. Now I have everything to lose. That's the last thing I wanted."

He stayed quiet and I continued.

"It didn't take long for the Volturi to find out about me. At times they were civil and only asked for me to stay with them for awhile. But other times they weren't so kind. Most of them hate me because Aro favors me. He is obsessed with the true marvel of my gift. They knew of my defiance and when I found out how relentless they were I decided never to get close to anyone ever again. But then I met Bella. She was persistent. She said that she felt as if I needed a friend more than anything. She reminded me so much of you. That's probably why I liked her. I was glad that she was moving away before anything happened to her. I was sad to see her go but happy that she would be safe away from me."

I sat down on a boulder and rested my head in my hands before Edward sat beside me.

"She's amazing. I didn't know how much I needed love until I met her. Having a mate is an extraordinary bliss. Don't you want to experience that?"

I bit my lip and shook my head. "I want to believe that one day I could have what you do. But if the Volturi ever found out who my mate was, they would be taken away from me. The Volturi would use them to get to me then kill them for my disobedience. I don't want to find someone just to lose them."

Edward nodded sadly and reached for my hand.

"Cmon let's get going. Jayce should be back by now."

"Who's Jayce?" I took his hand and stood up before putting off my clothes.

"The last member of the family. Which means it's time to vote."

....

"So where is this guy?" I sat down impatiently.

It has already been an hour. The sooner he gets here, the sooner we can vote. Even if I get outnumbered, I'll still at least try to make a run for it.

Edward gazed at me disapprovingly and I smiled at him sheepishly. Carlisle stood behind me smiling down at me. "He should be here any minute."

For some reason, my nerves became restless and my palms felt clammy. My heart hammered inside of my chest and it suddenly became hard to breathe. I couldn't focus my eyes. I staggered away from Carlisle. Bella came to my side and started speaking to me but I couldn't register what she was saying.

"Something is wrong Bella. I can't concentrate."

She tried to hold me but I felt myself shrinking from her touch. All of us perked up when we heard the door creak open. I stared warily towards the door. My breath instantly hitched and I rammed myself into the wall. Everyone looked at me in horror.