She's Mine Chapter 5

Once they were all within Denali territory, Carmen and Eleazar silently agreed to go on a hunt together to give Irina and Bella some time together to talk and figure things out. With a quick word to Tanya so she knew what they were doing incase they were needed, the couple were off. Tanya and Kate kept with the group until they reached their home; both blondes wanting to make sure their sister would be safe with Bella on their own. They didn’t think the shifter would do anything but they also technically didn’t know her, so they were opting to act on the side of caution.

“There isn’t a very populated city close but we can take you to the nearest one where there wouldn’t be any suspicion.” Tanya said as they all walked into the house. She honestly didn’t want to be alone with the queen, regardless of if Kate was there or not, because of their history. But she wanted to give Irina as much privacy as she could as it was a very serious conversation that needed to be had to figure out what would happen now that the newly mated pair was finally together. Tanya knew Irina wouldn’t want to leave her family but Bella seemed like a very isolated person at best, she had no idea what they would work out.

Sulpicia sat herself primly on one of the armchairs, making herself look as regal as possible. She absolutely loving how on edge her mere presence was making the sisters; it amused the hell out of her.

“No, I’ll stay here.” Sulpicia answered with a small smile. “I want to make sure Bella isn’t taken advantage of.”

Sulpicia knew Bella could take of herself if there was a fight to break out; something she knew wouldn’t happen because mates would never fight against their partner. But she was worried with Bella’s aversion to fighting, she may agree to things she usually wouldn’t just to keep the peace. Bella had told Sulpicia just a little of fights she had been in and how pointless they were. It wasn’t until her species had been killed out that she decided she had seen too much violence in her life and no longer wanted any part of it. Her aversion to violence was a major reason why she traveled to different shifter settlements to make sure they were safe and trained enough to stay safe. It was shifters like the ones the Cullen’s had a deal with that the line wasn’t continuously growing and actually skipped a generation or two that Bella sought out the most because it usually meant there were no older shifters to help the younger ones with their new heightened emotions. Sulpicia needed to make sure her sister didn’t fall into the same trap Bella was actively trying to guard new shifters against: her new heightened emotions tricking her into agreeing to anything Irina wanted.

Tanya’s face grew a serious look as she thought over exactly what it meant that the queen was willing to stay with Bella and not give the shifter privacy to talk with her mate for the first time. She wasn’t sure if that meant Irina was going to be in danger, whether emotionally or physically she didn’t know, or if the queen was going to help take advantage of Irina to get her to leave their coven and join the Volturi. Irina may not have a gift herself like Kate did but that didn’t mean the Volturi would pass up on someone who had been alive for so long; knowledge was its’ own type of power after all. She didn’t want to put her sister in danger.

“We can show you around the house if you would like then, so you can pick your room and become more familiar with the layout.” Tanya offered, thankful Kate hadn’t pitched in her ideas. She could see Kate fighting a glare off her face towards the queen. Kate was very protective over both she and Irina since neither of them had their gifts; Kate saw herself as the protective member of the coven regardless of how capable the four other members were.

Sulpicia kept her grin in place, it seemed Tanya wasn’t even trying to be subtle with what she was doing and Sulpicia was amused.

“No need, this house is smaller than my home, I’m sure I can figure it out fairly easily.” Sulpicia hadn’t meant to sound so pretentious but she had been around her husband for far to long to not pick up his ‘better than you’ personality. Oh well, she didn’t mind pushing buttons to serve as a reminder who she was and who would come running if she asked. She wanted to throw her weight, power and influence around to remind them, Irina in particular, that Bella wasn’t one to be taken advantage of.

“That’s fine.” Tanya said as she grabbed Kate’s hand to lead her to a loveseat to sit. If the queen wanted to supervise the forthcoming talk, then two can play this game. Kate’s grin said she was on the same wavelength as her mate. “We’ll stay as well in case you need something.” They were good hosts after all.

“Actually, Tanya, Kate,” Irina said as she watched her mate remain tense at the entrance of the room. It appeared Bella wasn’t a fan of being around a lot of people. Irina didn’t know if it was because she was shy or if there was something in her past that said not to be around large groups of people. Considering how old her made had to be, there was a decent chance she had seen lots of shifters die off because of the overpopulation and fear of humans. The fact her own species wasn’t even around even more meant Bella had seen a lot more violence of humans against shifters than Irina had seen in her life. She would do anything to make sure her mate was comfortable and if that meant she had to be uncomfortable, then that was fine. “Why don’t you guys go make a perimeter check. We have been gone for a while and it wouldn’t hurt to make sure a nomad hasn’t slipped in or hunters haven’t wondered too far.” It was odd to give that suggestion herself as it was usually Tanya giving that order when they all had been away from this location for an extended period.

“Are you nuts?” Kate blurted out with an incredulous look. Irina was really willing to be left alone with a Volturi queen and an unknown shifter? Kate didn’t care that the shifter was Irina’s mate, she cared about her sister being taken advantage of. “I’m sure Carmen and Eleazar will do it, we can stay here with you.”

Tanya studied her sisters face as she schooled her face to try to not reveal any of her emotions. Irina was always good at hiding when she wanted to; but Tanya had been her sister for a millennium, she knew Irina’s eyes could never hide from her. What Tanya saw, was Irina wanted to do what she could to make her mate comfortable, just like she would want to for Kate. As much as Tanya’s instincts were telling her not to leave Irina alone with such a powerful pair of people, she was also going to respect Irina’s wishes. She was mad at her sister for not coming to them before going to the Volturi and it nearly cost Irina’s life. Now, Irina had a second chance because of the two other people in her house. As a sign of good faith, and out of respect for Irina, Tanya put her hand on Kate’s thigh to keep her calm and as a warning to stay quiet.

“We will go,” Tanya said ignoring the incredulous look from her mate, “But we will remain within hearing distance just in case you need something from us Irina.” Tanya added, not wanting to even bother trying to pretend like she and Kate were going to go far.

Kate huffed in annoyance as she and Tanya stood up, Tanya may have been okay with leaving like that, but Kate wasn’t. “Nothing better happen or we’ll come running back.” Kate wanted to add more of a threat to not hurt her sister but she already knew they were on thin ice with the queen. Well, they were always on thin ice with the Volturi. Kate didn’t want Aro to read Sulpicia’s thoughts and see Kate gave a blatant threat towards his mate, this way it was ambiguous enough for Kate to say she was talking to her sister and there was no threat towards the queen. Kate gave a quick glare towards Bella and allowed her electricity to cackle around her fingers as she made eye contact with the older woman. She didn’t mind threatening the shifter, as far as Kate was aware she wasn’t part of the Volturi, even if she and the queen were sisters.

“Come on Kate,” Tanya said as she grabbed the hand that had the electrical current, aware that she was Kate’s mate the electrical current would never touch her so her hand would serve as a way to get Kate to knock it off with her gift, “We’ll be just outside.” Kate said with a final glance towards her sister before the two women were off and out the door within seconds. Tanya should be proud of Kate for not attempting to zap Bella when they passed on their way out; it was very adult of her, something Tanya was forever on her about.

Bella, finally feeling a bit more comfortable since it was just Sulpicia and Irina in the room, took a couple steps further into the room. She was still weary of what was about to happen and where her life was going to go now that she found her imprint but at least she could figure things out in relative private. It was just unfortunate her sister was nosy, not that the woman would ever admit it, and wanted to stick around when she would prefer she wouldn’t.

“Well now, since we’re finally alone, I believe there is a lot to talk about.” Sulpicia said after a few seconds of Bella and Irina just staring at each other. She had faith that Irina would have eventually talked, likely trying to give Bella a chance to talk first if she wanted which the ancient vampire did appreciate, “The first thing I believe we should discuss is living arrangements, Bella’s main home is in Voltera, perhaps it would be fitting for you to move there as well.” That was a lie. It was a boldface lie. But the reactions she got from both women made it so worthwhile to have said it. At least this way the two woman wouldn’t have any problems starting their much needed conversation.

“Like hell I will.” Irina said, entirely unwilling to leave her family.

“I wouldn’t do that.” Bella said with almost a snarl, upset on Irina’s behalf. Her sister knew Bella had no actual home she called her own because she traveled too much and tended to stick to living out in nature, not in a giant castle in the middle of a large town. In fact, Sulpicia should know that if anything, Bella would prefer to live there in Denali with Irina and her family because it was so isolated. “I would never ask Irina to do that.”

“Then what would you ask of her?” Sulpicia countered, mentally preparing herself for dragging out each piece of information from Bella for Irina. The things she did for family, she thought with a heavy sigh. Bella be appreciate her.