My Mate Saga (Twilight Fan Fiction)

Chapter Fifteen

Despite an exhausting night Edward could not find sleep. The smooth white sheet lay low on Bella's full hips and he stroked gently along the delicate curve of her spine, basking in the soft sounds of her breathing. Weak morning light was beginning to filter in through the narrow mouth of his den but still his mind would not allow him to join in his mate's rest.

His Bella had regretfully fallen asleep on her stomach and he desperately had to fight the consuming urge to flip her onto her back. If he could just get close to her belly, just lay his head against the stretch of muscle that protected his child, he knew could amuse himself for hours with tender kisses and loving whispers. He berated himself for even considering it. She was sleeping so soundly, fatigued from a long journey and the strains of early pregnancy and he wanted to disturb the easy slumber he so envied.

Edward was aware that he was being embarrassingly juvenile. He had at least another five-months-wait and already the excitement of prospective fatherhood was keeping him up during the day.

After nearly an hour of obsessively petting his unsuspecting companion, he decided to leave her be and seek out his father. Carlisle often kept awake into the early morning hours, reading and pursuing other varied interests the rest of the family didn't quite share. Edward hoped today was no exception.

He didn't have to exert too much effort in order to sneak out of bed without rousing his mate. A sleeping Bella was like a particularly unobservant rock. He took no small about of pride in the fact that she felt sure enough in his abilities as a protector to allow herself to slip so far into unconsciousness. Females that belonged to lesser males were not always afforded this luxury.

He pulled on a fresh pair of jeans but didn't bother with a shirt. When he was out during the day he enjoyed the feel of the sun's heat against his cold, unyielding skin.

Jake drowsily lifted his head to glare at Edward as the vampire walked towards him. Edward captured him by the scruff of the neck and the tiny dog growled as he tossed him lightly onto the bed next to Bella.

"Make yourself useful and keep an eye on her until I get back," he told the irritated puppy pointlessly, "I won't be long."

Jake gave out another half hearted grumble before making his way up to the pillows and curling around Bella's head.

The animal's fondness for the beautiful brunette was something Edward couldn't bring himself to fault him for. It seemed that their world's both revolved around the same kind smile.

Edward found his blond coven leader with very little effort. The attractive vampire was sprawled out across a large boulder, turning through the pages of an old novel with a casual disinterest. Carlisle could easily pass for his son's fair-haired twin. Both males shared the same stunning features; the straight sloped nose, the perfectly squared jaw line. Even within a species of beautiful specimens Carlisle and Edward were considered a cut above the rest.

He smirked broadly when he heard the crunch of the ground under Edward's feet.

He had been expecting the company.

"Oh good, I was wondering when you'd finally let that girl get some rest," he chuckled knowingly and abandoned his book.

Edward's ears flushed pink at the insinuation. "We were celebrating," he mumbled, bashful.

Carlisle raised one inquisitive eyebrow and laughed indulgently at his son's expense. "So it seems. We didn't get too much time with my new daughter."

Edward took a seat on a lower, smaller rock at the base of his father's perch, a silently submissive gesture. "Right, I'm sorry we cut the introductions short but Bella seemed as though she was starting to panic. She's not used to such large groups of vampires," he apologized sheepishly. "She was frightened."

"I'm sure her apprehension was at least slightly exacerbated by your mother's impressive welcome," Carlisle dismissed with a chuckle, "She's really a magnificent little creature, son. I couldn't be more pleased with your choice."

Edward's chest puffed smugly at his father's praise. Emmett certainly never received such a high complement in regard to Rosalie. He was sure it had something to do with the fact that Bella was not only unusually beautiful but also already possessed a stunning set of golden eyes. It was extremely hard to convert others to their eating habits and both Jasper and Rose had taken some time to turn burning red irises into the liquid topaz they supported today. Bella had simply welcomed the new lifestyle with open arms and did little complaining.

"Thank you, father. I adore my Bella but your approval means a lot to me, as always," he bowed his head minutely in gratitude.

"Did you have to fight for her?" Carlisle wondered, impressed that his son had won over the female without the family's aid. "I couldn't imagine her being easily attainable."

"She's very young, only twenty six. She's had no mate other than myself. I was just lucky enough to come across her before someone else staked claim."

"That would certainly explain her disposition," his father noted in reference to her initial coyness. "You're very fortunate to have found her so young. She won't have too many preexisting habits to rid her of."

Edward couldn't help but laugh at that notion. The concept of changing Bella in any way not only sounded blasphemous but also quite impossible. "Don't let her age fool you. She's already incredibly strong willed and I have no intentions of breaking her of that. I just want her happy."

Carlisle looked at his son with clear fatherly concern. "It's one thing to treat your mate kindly but you have to assert control, Edward. That girl is beautiful. I'm afraid you won't take the risks to her seriously enough."

He had watched his eldest son struggle over a century of loneliness and now that he'd finally found someone, Carlisle almost wished Edward had chosen a mate slightly less desirable than the girl in question.

Bella was beyond exquisite. The perfect mate by anyone's standards. She'd catch the attention of every unmated male that laid eyes on her. He could already tell that the family was going to have a hard time keeping her in their possession.

"I'm perfectly capable of defending my female, father. Bella's not wild or reckless, just a bit silly from time to time. She's young and that's how she's supposed to be," Edward defended, trying to keep the irritation from lacing his voice. "I don't want to rob her of that. She's still going to be a fantastic mother."

"These are exceptionally tough times."

"Bella and I are more aware of the dangers than you know, Carlisle."

Edward didn't know where to start as far as explaining his months of absence. He strained to come up with a reasonable explanation.

His father correctly interpreted his perplexed expression. "We're already aware of the majority of your situation, son. It's only the fine details I need filled in."

Edward was surprised by this. "How do y-"

"A combination of sources," Carlisle interrupted. "When you went missing your brothers and I went searching for you. All we found were the signs of a struggle. Your scent and the smell of humans, a lot of humans," his eyebrow furrowed to emphasize the confusion that scenario caused them.

"We didn't understand at all. Had no clue what that could possibly mean until Carmen and Eleazar came through, frantically searching for the girls. Kate and her sisters were making their way down for a visit. They were due home two months ago but never made it here or returned home to Alaska. All three of them were gone without a trace. Just like you," he sighed. "So we knew someone was taking vampires but we still didn't know who or what."

"We found the girls on exhibit in Montana," Edward decided to confess. "Bella and I had made friends with a feral couple and stayed with them for a time, right after we escaped. The male helped me save the sisters. But we had to kill ten humans to free them."

He was surprised when his father looked unperturbed. Carlisle was normally deeply disturbed by human death.

"And there was another couple, a nomadic coven whose leader had been captured along with us. His mate and son eventually lead to our escape."

The older vampire just nodded solemnly, "So I've read. When Charlotte and Peter came running home from a hunt, swearing up and down that the humans were catching vampires, your brothers and I collected every scientific journal and newspaper we could get our hands on. We didn't know it was you until you showed up with the Denali's but we read about a female vampire slaughtering a whole facility and two male vampires that 'went on a bloodthirsty murdering spree' to free a captive coven. It made national news a few days ago."

Edward scoffed, "It was hardly bloodthirsty. We didn't have time to drink any of them," he thought of Jackie, "I left a female alive. She had been kind to me before I escaped with Bella. She knew my name. Why didn't you read that in the paper?"

"She must be as faithful to you as you are to her," Carlisle mused, "The only survivor claimed to not have seen the vampires that attacked all that clearly. Only that she believed there to be two males."

Edward felt another surge of gratitude for the human woman. She could have identified him as the killer but instead she protected his involvement. He didn't regret sparing her life in the slightest.

"I'm proud of you, son. I know you wouldn't have taken human life unless it was absolutely necessary. I also know you're not a huge fan of Tanya but their parents were so frightened for them. You did a good thing." Carlisle praised.

"Where are they now?" Edward wondered. Surely they hadn't left yet. It was too much to hope for.

His father pointed to the north side of their valley where the family kept an empty shelter. "Peter settled in with Charlotte, Jasper, and Alice giving the girls his den much to Jasper's distaste. I've told them they're welcome to stay but they seem anxious to get to their parents. They'll probably be gone in a week or so."

Edward grumbled incoherently, but managed to bite his tongue. A week seemed like an awfully long time to be around Tanya.

"Running across their scent was an unbelievable coincidence. Why the humans would keep us all in such an obscure state is a mystery to me. I mean really... Montana?"

It was almost insulting. Surely creatures such as him and Bella at least deserved a place in a prominent city like New York or Los Angeles.

Edward shook his head to dismiss the strange errant thought.

Carlisle corrected his son. "It's not as large a twist of fate as you might imagine. From what I've read and I've managed to read quite a lot, there are only two states that have been able to pass laws that allow vampires to be kept. They're terrified of us; hate the idea of intentionally bringing us into their towns. And after you've killed an entire staff of world-class scientists they are claiming something like a national emergency. Besides, bringing a vampire into a big city is like a free buffet ready to be served."

Carlisle was feigning amusement but Edward could detect the strain in his father's usually steady voice.

"How bad is it?" Edward asked warily.

He smiled at his son's perceptiveness. "I don't know yet. I've taken care to study their methods of capture and containment. The fact that some of us are capable of reading is obviously not well known because the information they've offered the general public has been extremely helpful. There are precautions." Carlisle looked his son dead in the eyes and Edward finally noticed something he had previously overlooked.

Coal black.

He gasped. "When was the last time you fed?"

"Over three weeks."

"Why would you wait so long?" He asked incredulously, and maybe just a bit loudly.

"Have you seen the darts?" Carlisle asked, eyes gleaming with curiosity. "The ones they use to take down our kind?"

Edward nodded, confused as to why that question was relevant. "You know about those awful things? They've knocked me out cold on several occasions," he hissed bitterly, remembering the time they had incapacitated him and stole his mate away while he lay helpless. "I had no clue such things were possible."

"The tip of each dart contains a tiny but powerful laser, almost identical to the ones they use to cut and shape diamonds. That laser allows the dart to penetrate our skin."

Carlisle looked equal parts terrified and incredibly impressed. His family was always his number one priority and any threat to them was not to be taken lightly. Still, he couldn't help his naturally inquisitive nature, his fascination with all things human, flesh jabbing darts or otherwise.

Edward grimaced. Those darts certainly felt like lasers.

"The toxins they release affect the blood we have running through our system, poisoning the fuel our bodies convert to energy. But since we create no blood of our own this only works after we have fed and are full of the blood from our kill. If you hadn't have hunted right before they darted you, the method would have little to no effect. The dart would have emptied uselessly into a dry vein."

Edward groaned, "They fed us daily! I didn't even think-" If he had just considered the fact that the blood he was happily consuming was giving the humans control over him, he would have been able to protect Bella the way he was supposed to.

Carlisle saw his son's disappointment. "Don't beat yourself up, Edward. I probably wouldn't have figured it out myself if I hadn't had help. Our coven has been feeding less often...Just in case. We can go over a month without drinking. It's not harmful, only a bit uncomfortable."

Edward's chest clenched with panic. "I can't starve Isabella! She's carrying our baby. She should have fresh blood daily, at least..."

Even if she wasn't with child he would never leave his mate to suffer with thirst. Her little throat was too precious for him to allow it to burn with need.

Carlisle put his hands up to stop his son's quickly building melt down. "We can obviously make an exception for Bella, Edward. I wasn't insinuating that you deny your pregnant mate the blood she needs." Edward rigid body relaxed some. "But I do think she needs extra protection. She shouldn't go hunting alone... or at all if we can help it. We can bring her kills."

"I don't think the humans will be a problem. It's very difficult to get near our territory. No roads or trails. I was too close to their city when I was captured." Edward had heard about the town's cougar problem and couldn't resist.

Last time he did them any favors...

"I'm not talking about the humans." Carlisle warned. "You think that we're the only ones affected by exposure? The whole vampire world is up in arms. I've never seen so many nomads in our area. They're looking to us for direction."

Edward's snarl escaped him before he had the opportunity swallow it down. This was terrible news. Rogue males were ten times the threat of even the craftiest of human trappers. He'd cheerfully rip to pieces any idiot that dared to look twice at his darling.

"She's not leaving the den," he growled seriously.

Carlisle's lips twitched with suppressed amusement. His son was very much like him when he first found his mate. Edward didn't do anything halfway.

"She'll be fine. She should stay close but trapping her in that den isn't going to do anything but make her upset. Trust me... I've tried," he winced and absently rubbed the pale scar on his left arm, remembering his first year with Esme. For such a docile creature she had an incredibly powerful bite.

Edward closed his eyes tightly, suddenly filled with anxiety. When he opened them again, several calming minutes later, he took in his surroundings with longing. His home was beautiful, teeming with dark green trees and rolling grasses. He had wanted to share it with her so badly but now he honestly didn't want to allow her out of bed.

"It's only to keep her safe. I could never risk her. She means absolutely everything to me," he stressed.

"She is lovely," Carlisle agreed, "And I don't think I've ever seen your mother so happy." When Esme was happy, Carlisle was happy. "Before I forget, I owe you congratulations. Becoming a father is incomparably rewarding and I'm sure no one deserves it as much as you do."

Edward beamed at his father. "I had nearly given up hope that I'd find my mate and now she's here and we're starting our own family. I've never been so excited in my life."

"That's easy to see. And we're all very pleased for you, but I have to ask that you're, uh, mindful of others," Carlisle appealed pointedly. "If you understand what I mean."

Edward grimaced. He knew exactly what his father was referring to and he automatically felt horrible for his none too discrete reaction to Bella's pregnancy. He never intended for his joy to wound his brother.

"Still no luck with Rose then?" he inquired softly, already guessing the answer.

Carlisle shook his head and lowered his voice. "I think it's safe to say she's unable to conceive."

"Emmett must be devastated," Edward sympathized.

He did love his newest sister. Emmett's female had been through a lot and he himself had fought alongside his brothers to take her from her first mate. But this meant Emmett would never have an heir, never hold a child of his own.

"You know your brother. He would never regret his commitment to Rosalie and he's such a child himself sometimes. Not having to surrender any of her attention isn't that big of a blow. It's Rose that's taking it hard. She's never wanted anything as bad as she's wants to be a mother and she feels like she's failed him."

"She said it, not me," Edward mumbled.

Carlisle's warning growl was frighteningly uncharacteristic of his gentle nature and Edward struggled to backpedal.

"It's just that Emmett is so impulsive," he sighed, "When we saved Jasper's sister from Royce, I warned Em that she would be and unwise choice for a mate. She'd been with that tyrant for a decade and had yet to produce offspring. If he had seen past her beauty he wouldn't be in this position."

His father still scowled disapprovingly. "I know you only want what's best for your little brother but you're being terribly unfair. If Bella was unable to give you a child would you wish you could cast her aside?"

"Of course not!" Edward hissed, appalled.

"Then what's your point?"

Edward's cheeks reddened and he turned his head away to hide his embarrassment.

The members of the Cullen coven were nothing like other wild vampires. Carlisle had raised and educated his children within the best standards of human morality. Other covens thrived on basic vampire instincts, the thrill of their kills, and the body of their mates and the success of their bloodlines. To most covens, Rosalie would be viewed as a failure or disappointment but not to the Cullens. That was Edward's mistake and he wondered if he had spent too much of his life away from Carlisle's influence.

"You're right, I don't have one. I apologize," he conceded, awkwardly running his fingers through his chaotic red hair.

Carlisle expression softened with sympathy for his clearly exhausted child. "Go back to Bella, Edward. You need rest. We can always talk more tonight."

Edward nodded, absently. Each moment he was away from Bella resonated like a dull ache in every cell of his body and he was eager to relieve himself of that sensation.

He pulled himself up and brushes off the small amount of dirt that had settled on his jeans before starting back to his den.

"Welcome home, son," Carlisle called out as he turned his back to walk away.