ROSALIE'S FAMILY

  Rosalie smiled, not expeg to meet her mate during a hunting trip. She held onto Isabel's hand as Isabel led her forward, with Nyxshade following close behind. They chatted about their lives, hopes, dreams, and favorite things. As the Cullen house came into view, Isabel remained unworried; her shield would prevent anyone from sensing their arrival or overhearing their versation.

  Isabel stopped, and Rosalie halted beside her. Gently, Isabel lifted Rosalie's . "You should know that animal blood isn't good for you. Eventually, it deteriorates the body and drives vampires to madness. I've seen it happen to a few who thought feeding on animals was a noble sacrifice, but they ended up suffering and, in some cases, dying."

  "But Carlisle said it's safe," Rosalie replied, her brows furrowing. "He believed we'd be closer to humanity by feeding on animals. I didn't know it would lead to that."

  "Who is Carlisle?" Isabel asked.

  "My leader. He's also the one who turned me," Rosalie answered quietly.

  Isabel sighed. "Human blood provides more nutrients and keeps your body stronger. If you faced a vampire who drinks human blood, you'd be at a disadvantage. I watched you while you hunted; it took you mio realize I was there. As your mate, you should sense me immediately when I'm near, animal blood dulls the senses."

  Rosalie exhaled heavily, and Isabel lifted Rosalie's hand to her lips. "Please think about it. I want you healthy and happy. And you don't have to hunt is; there are criminals, bad humans, the world is full of them, unfortunately."

  "I'll think about it," Rosalie replied.

  Isabel smiled. "Thank you. Will you have dinner with me tomorrow night?"

  Rosalie smiled. "Yes, I will."

  "Good, I'll pick you up at eight." Isabel leaned in, kissing Rosalie softly, her emotions filled with love. Rosalie felt her toes curl in response. Isabel pulled back, looking into Rosalie's eyes. "If you ever need me, just think of me and call my name, and I'll be by your side immediately."

  "That's it? It works like that?" Rosalie asked, intrigued.

  "Yes, just like that. Call me if you feel lonely at night, and I'll…" Isabel trailed off, lig her lips.

  "Okay, okay, I got the picture!" Rosalie ughed, amused at Isabel's antics.

  Isabel's face brightened. "Do you get the picture?" she teased.

  Rosalie chuckled. "Yoing to be a handful, aren't you?"

  Isabel smiled mischievously. "I'll see you tomorrow, Rose, and wear something sexy for our date."

  Rosalie grinned. "See you then." She hugged Isabel tightly, pyfully squeezing her ass before stepping back with a wink. "You know, you could hold it a little longer."

  Rosalie ughed at her mate's antics as she turo leave, Nyxshade let out a small roar and jumped onto Rosalie's back. Isabel ughed. "It seems she doesn't want you to leave!"

  Rosalie ughed, surprised when Nyxshade shrank in size and perched fortably on her shoulder. "She ge her size?"

  "Yes," Isabel replied, watg Nyx with admiration. "Go ahead, pet her. She's not ready to leave yet."

  Rosalie held Nyxshade close aed her, feeling the soft vibrations of Nyx's purring. "Are you sure it's okay t her with me?"

  "Yes, Nyx will find me when she's ready," Isabel assured her. Rosalie smiled as Isabel stepped closer, kissing her deeply and leaving her with a lovestruck grin.

  Rosalie walked toward her home, Nyxshade now fortably settled on her shoulder, waving a small paw goodbye to Isabel. Isabel whispered, "Take care of her, Nyx." Though too quiet for Rosalie to hear, Nyx nodded knowingly.

  Once Rosalie was safely inside, Isabel vanished in a puff of dark smoke.

  Inside, Alice greeted her, eyes wide with curiosity. "Um, Rose? Is that a cat in your arms?"

  Rosalie nodded, stroking Nyx as she purred tentedly. "This is Nyxshade, my new friend. Isn't she beautiful?"

  Alice stepped clazing at Nyx. "How did you get her to trust you? Animals are usually terrified of us."

  "I don't know; she just jumped on me when she saw me."

  "That's… strange." Alice tilted her head.

  Rosalie smiled fondly. "But I love her already. Isn't that right, Nyx? You're so beautiful." She scratched Nyx's head, causio purr even louder.

  " I pet her?" Alice asked.

  "I'm not sure; ask her," Rosalie replied pyfully.

  Alice hesitantly reached out, but Nyxshade hissed, her fur standing on end. She then leaped back to Rosalie's shoulder.

  "Sorry, Alice. She doesn't trust you yet," Rosalie expined, petting Nyx to calm her down.

  Emmett came barreling dowairs with Jasper, Edward, and Esme in tow.

  "Rose, how did you get permission t a pet home when I 't?"

  "This is differet," Rosalie expined. "The bear you wanted was too big to keep in the house and it's terrified of us. Nyxshade is small and seems unbothered by vampires."

  Nyxshade sat on Rosalie's shoulder, watg the vampires ily.

  Edward stared, his fateh tration.

  "Did you already name her?" Jasper asked.

  No…" Rosalie hesitated, torween keeping Isabel a secret and being open with her family.

  Sensing Rosalie's hesitation, Nyxshade rubbed her head against Rosalie's cheek, purring reassuringly.

  Esme sensed Rosalie's unease. "It's okay, dear. You tell us."

  Rosalie took a deep breath. "After my hunting trip, Nyxshade appeared and jumped ohen… a beautiful woman emerged from the forest. She introduced herself as Nyx's owner. She's my mate."

  Alice's eyes widened. "Wait, what? Why didn't I see this?"

  "Oh, that's wonderful, dear!" Esme excimed, hugging Rosalie carefully so as not to jolt Nyx.

  "Yeah, grats, Rose!" Emmett grinned.

  Esme stepped back, eyeing Nyx. "So, this is her… pet?"

  "No," Rosalie corrected. "She said they're more like friends."

  Jasper's brow furrowed. "Is she human? Why would she be deep in the forest if she were?"

  "And why 't I read your mind?" Edward asked, his voice tense. "Is it her doing?"

  Rosalie looked at them, her face growing distrustful. "It's none of your business what my mate is," she retorted. "And you have nht to invade my mind, Edward!"

  Edward's face torted with anger as he moved toward her, fangs bared, eyes bck.

  Nyxshade leaped from Rosalie's shoulder, growing to the size of a tiger mid-air, and knocked Edward into a wall, sending him crashing outside.

  Emmett whistled in admiration. "You're right, Rose. She's amazing."

  Aliodded, equally impressed. "Yes, she is."

  Edward reentered, brushing off the dust on his clothes. "I knew you were hiding something. I don't like that I 't read your mind."

  Nyxshade growled fiercely, taking a defean front of Rosalie.

  "I don't give a damn what you like, Edward. You're just a trolling jerk," Rosalie shot back.

  Edward hissed, lunging at her, his nails elongated.

  "EDWARD. STOP. THIS." Esme shouted.

  But Edward ignored her. Everyone else just watched the iing se

  Nyxshade pounced, grabbing his neck with her powerful jaws as Edward cried out in paieeth pierg his neck.

  Edward's eyes widen in fear, he is surprised that Nyxshade teeth were able to price his diamond skin.

  Rosalie approached aed Nyx's head. "Thank you," she whispered, then turo Edward. "Let this be a lesson, Edward. Stay away from me, or you'll regret it. Do you uand?"

  Grinding his teeth, Edward muttered, "Yes."

  "Good," Rosalie said, softening her gaze as she turned back to Nyx. "Let him go. I hope you didn't catything by having him in your mouth."

  Nyxshade released Edward, shrinking back down to sit proudly on Rosalie's shoulder, hissing a final warning. Rosalie smiled, asding the stairs with Alid Emmett close behind.

  As Edicked himself up, holding his injured neck, he muttered, "Carlisle will hear of this."

  Esme shook her head in disappoi. "I'm sure he will," she said, heading upstairs.

  Jasper stared darkly at the hole in the wall, his thoughts unreadable.