"And king me, bitch." I say jumping over Emmett's checker and landing in the end zone.

Like a child, Emmett tossed the checker board off the table, "I swear you cheated. I don't know how, but you so did!"

I looked at all the checkers on the floor in amazement, and turned to him with a raise of the eyebrow. "Wow, you're not a sore loser at all. What are you 5?"

"Six! I'm most definitely six." Emmett chuckled.

I rolled my eyes and nibbled on a pretzel, that was in a bowl next to me. The guys have come to decide I must have food around me at all times, no matter if I wanted it or not. I glanced at the TV, we had playing in the background. Watching as little Annie sang about liking it in Mr. Warbucks' mansion. "Wanna play monopoly?"

I looked at Emmett and laughed, "If it means that you are going to throw that board too then no."

"I won't throw the board... unless you cheat."

"I didn't cheat last time," I huffed. "How do you even cheat at checkers?"

"You'd be surprised." Edward said, coming out of no where. "If you don't keep your eye on Emmett here, he moves twice."

I smiled up at him in greeting, "Welcome home! How was work?"

He smiled back, "Glad it's over. Now I can spend all night with my little mate."

He sat behind me on the floor and pulled me into his lap, kissing me on the forehead. It was a little more intimate than I was used to, but I allowed it... seeing how just a few hours ago Emmett saw me in only a towel. "How was work for you little mate?"

I shrug not really wanting to talk about it, "Fine."

Emmett gave me a look and I glared back at him. No need to get Edward here all riled up, when he was still in his uniform. Edward gave us both a confused look, before turning me sideways to face him, "What happened?"

I sigh, "It was nothing Emmett and I couldn't handle."

Emmett chuckled darkly, "As if you actually handled anything. Isabella, why don't you tell Edward here, what happened today?"

I glared at him, "Seeing as how I haven't said anything, would usually indicate that I don't want to Emmett!"

"Oh why not?" He asked innocently.

Edward pinched the bridge of his nose and gave a frustrated sigh. He apparently lost interest in our childish spat and snapped at us both, "Emmett, cut the bullshit. Isabella, what happened today?"

I looked over and saw his eyes had turned black and I frowned. I rubbed a finger under his eye, "Your eyes are black."

He rolled his eyes but spoke gently now, "That's because I'm hungry, now don't change the subject."

I stiffened at his words and crawled out of his lap... or tried to but he grabbed me by my waist and pulled me back. Fear struck me for some reason, as I looked back up at him. I was looking in the eyes of a predator and I was the meek rabbit... This was not a metaphor I enjoyed describing myself as.

"Edward stop. You're scaring her." Jasper entered at the perfect time. He came to me with a box of pizza and set it on the coffee table, before turning to me and lifting me up into a hug. "What's wrong, Iz? Why so scared all of a sudden?"

My eyes flashed to Emmett involuntarily, as I remembered what happened at the diner today. Would they ever go all vampire on me? Seeing Edwards eyes just then, made me think that yes it were possible, even though my heart said otherwise. Jasper turned to Emmett, while he looked down guiltily.

"Might be because she saw a glimpse of me being a vampire." He whispered.

Jasper grasped me harder and Edward stood up in a rage. Emmett stood too, only he held his hands up in surrender, "It wasn't aimed at her. Some douche bag smacked her ass and got in her face. It was inevitable."

Both looked down at me and Jasper held me away from him to look at me, "Iz... is this true?"

I sigh and look down. I guess that answered them, because both growled and Edward started demanding answers, "What's his name? What in god's name made him think he could touch her? Isabella, what happened?"

Instead of me answering, Emmett spoke up, "Douche bag, was pissy because his potatoes weren't cooked to perfection. He picked his plate up shoved it at her and spit for her to fix it. Isabella here, instead of standing up for herself just nodded and turned away to fix it. Turns out he also expected an apology from her and when she didn't give one immediately, he laid hands on her."

They growled and turned to me and it was my turn to hold my hands up, "Emmett took care of it. He smashed the plate on his head and forced him out. He will never be welcomed back again."

They turned back to Emmett as if I hadn't spoken. And I sighed in irritation, but Jasper squeezed me in warning. Edward went back to asking questions, clearly overreacting. I moved to grab a piece of pizza but Jasper held me in place, until I purposely stomped on his foot. I must've done it a little to loudly, because everyone stopped and looked at me.

"I want my pizza, please. Are you going to let me grab it or is it just there to stare at?"

Jasper instantly let go of me, as Emmett rushed out to grab me a plate. Edward disappeared, but came back with a glass of milk. I don't know why but almost with every meal, the guys brought back a dairy filled drink. I never really liked milk, but I didn't want to complain... at least not tonight, when they all were clearly in a bad mood. I sat at the coffee table nibbling on my pizza and watching Annie as they all continued to talk. I ignored them as best I could, until Edward stood and gave me a kiss on the forehead, "I'll see you later, love. Be good."

I rolled my eyes and replied sarcastically, "Yes Daddy."

Emmett chuckled, "Don't tease him like that, Isabella. Edward actually likes that shit. Wouldn't want you to start something unintentionally, that you're not ready to finish."

"Emmett!" Edward snapped, before turning to me, "I'll be back later, I have to hunt."

My ears perked at this and before I could stop myself, "Can I go?"

"Absolutely not!" All three said at the same time. I jumped at the sudden outburst, but Edward looked me in the eyes and said quietly, "No. You can't come with me. When we hunt, we give ourselves to basic instinct. You thought Emmett was scary earlier, well add that with hunger and lack of control. It's not safe for you to come. But I'll be back in a couple hours."

He kissed my forehead again and Jasper stood too, giving me another kiss, "I'm going to go with him. It's about time I hunt too."

With that both left and I instantly snapped to Emmett, "Did you really have to tell them? We couldn't keep it between us?"

"Isabella, I'm gonna tell you this once and hopefully you listen to me. If something like this were to happen again, and you hid it from me, I would be super upset with you. I don't care if it was handled or not. We all have a right to know. Edward is super angry at you right now, but he won't say anything, because he doesn't want to push you too far. He knows he's pushy and he knows he's more protective, but he's worried you'll resent him if he does something too soon. I however am not. I may not have known you much longer, but I'm not afraid to tell you what pisses me off. And hiding shit like that, that denies me my right as your mate and I don't appreciate it. I suggest you heed my warning and tell me things, whether you deem it important or not." He said menacingly. He looked so serious, that I didn't want to argue. I just turned back to my show and kept quiet.

He sighed and sat behind me, watching the show with me, "So why Annie?"

I shrug, "I don't know. It was always one of my favorites, until I became an orphan myself. She just held so much hope for a better tomorrow... it's inspiring."

The sun will come out tomorrow. bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there'll be sun.

"When I'm stuck with a day that's gray and lonely, I just stick out my chin and grin and say..." I stop and see Emmett staring at me.

"I didn't know you could sing."

I blush, "Sorry, I didn't know I was."

I grab the remote to turn it up but he grabbed it and muted it, "There's nothing to be embarrassed about. You have a beautiful voice, little one."

"Thanks." I went to grab the remote but he held it away from me and I sighed. "Emmett, I'd like to finish the movie. It's the first time I've been able to watch it without cringing for 7 years. Can we please just drop it?"

He looked back at the tv and then at me before unmuting it. We watched the rest in silence, but I saw Emmett watch me every time one of the classic songs came on, hoping I'd slip up again. But I didn't and I'd be extra careful from doing it from now on. Once the movie was over, we ended up playing monopoly. As we played, Emmett would ask silly questions. Questions I didn't really want to answer, but knew if I didn't he'd pester me, until I did. "Why don't you sing more?"

"Because I don't like to in front of people," I shrug.

"Why not?"

I look up at him, "Because it's personal. It brings out a lot of feelings and I don't like sharing that with others."

He nodded, "I understand."

"Emmett?"

"Yeah?"

"I know you said not to keep things from you guys... but can we keep this between us? I'd rather not have to perform in front of your brothers like a monkey."

He laughed and nodded, "Your secret is safe with me."

I sighed in relief, "Thank you."

In the end I let Emmett win, because I was not in the mood to watch another board game go flying across the room. He smirked, "See! I told you I'd win."

I chuckled, "You're right Emmett. I was no match to your skills."

I yawned and looked at the time it was only 10. Emmett cleaned up the board game and helped me up. "Why don't you go to bed? You're tired and you need your sleep."

It sounded like a suggestion, but we both knew it was more of an order. But that didn't deter me from trying. I had been sleeping a lot lately, almost two naps a day. I've laid down, every time they asked, but this time I wasn't going down without a fight. I shook my head, "No, I want to stay up a little longer. I've noticed that I wake up in the middle of the night and can't help, but think it might have to do with the early bed time. I'll wait until Jasper and Edward get home. Want to watch another movie?"

I wasn't disrespectful in anyway, and I did give a legitimate reason. I wasn't being snotty or disobedient, he did make it out as a question, so it should have been my decision. But oh no. That's not at all, how it went. Emmett picked me up, as if I didn't say anything and threw me over his shoulder, leading me up to the room. Now I was struggling and squirming. He had no right to haul me up like an infant and treat me as a disobedient child.

"Emmett!" I screeched, " put me down! Now!"

He didn't respond, so I screamed louder, "Stop!"

Again my request was denied, so I started the fight of my life. I kicked, screamed, punched, hit. But no reaction was found until I lifted myself up, looked him straight in the eye and smacked his hard face. It was like all the small tiny bones in my hand shattered and I screamed in pain. By this time, we had reached the bedroom and he instantly started grabbing for my hand. I yanked it back and cradled it to my chest, giving him my best glare, "No, get out! You didn't want to listen to me two seconds ago, you don't get to listen to or attend to me now! Go!"

"Isabella, let me see it." He said calmly, ignoring all I said again. I'm starting to see this as a pattern with all of my mates, and to be frank it scared the shit out of me. They were already twice my size, but put in to the factor that they were easily 100 times stronger than me, they overruled my every move. I looked down at my hand and instantly threw it behind my back and laid on it childishly. It hurt, but not as much as it would if he overruled me now. I have complied with everything they have asked of me, with little complaint, and yet when it came down to what I wanted, I was ignored.

"Isabella Marie!" he growled, grabbing for my arm.

"Don't you touch me!" I growled, so menacingly, he instantly took a step back. I stood up and moved towards him, my eyes blazing and my face burning with anger. I could feel the heat around me as if it was another life form. He continued to step back as I stepped forward, "You guys refuse to listen to me and push and order me around as if I have no say in anything. I will not stand for this any longer."

He stepped back just enough for me to slam the door in his face and lock it, screaming through the door, I say. "I do not want to see any of you heathens again tonight. I'm going to bed, since that's what you are forcing me to do and if any of you enter without my permission, I will disappear and you will never see me again. And we all know how well I can do that."

I hear another voice outside the door and instantly recognize it as Edwards, "What the hell is going on?"

I knew he wasn't asking me, but this fueled my anger more. If Emmett would've backed off and done as I wanted, I would have been up here anyway. Only tucked in nice and neatly and probably being cuddled. But no! They all thought it was ok to man handle me, and I was not going to take it lying down. "You stay out as well Edward! You boys need to regroup and talk about me and my personal space. You talk about me every night anyways, so why not speak about something that is actually fixable. This is the second time, your brothers have hurt me and now it just became physical. This isn't working and honestly I really want to leave now!"

My heart shattered to pieces and I heard all three boys moan in pain, but I kept my will and growled, "No one enters tonight. I mean it!"

I stomped to the bed and yanked the blanket off, yelping in pain as I had used my injured hand. I crawled one handed, to the center and leaned into the headboard, exhausted. I looked down at my cradled and bruised hand and winced. Maybe not seeking medical attention first, was a bad idea. I'm punishing myself more than I'm punishing them, I huffed. I walked to the bathroom and got a rag down running it under the coolest water I could get and wrapped it around my hand. I'd much prefer ice right now, but seeing as if I walked out there right now, it would contradict what I just said. Because if I walked out there right now, I'd want their affection and care, and I wasn't ready to give them that satisfaction. I made my way to the bed again, when a quiet knock sounded at my door.

"Isabella..." Edward whispered, "Please, I promise I won't order you or push you into anything, but please... let me just tend to your hand. Emmett says you could've broke something. Let me look and I promise I'll leave."

I looked down at my hand and seeing that it was now swollen and purple, forced me to rethink my strategy. I needed medical attention and Edward could give me that... but was it worth it? I'd be chancing more of my freedom. And I wasn't ready to give up anymore. I had already given them a lot.

"Please! Just let me look. I've got an icepack."

I sigh and move towards the door, "Only you?"

I heard a growl and someone being shoved, "Jasper, go downstairs and deal with Emmett. I'll take care of her, alright?"

There was silence, but I guess they agreed, because next I hear, "Yes... just me."

I unlock the door with my good hand and open it slowly. I look at his pale face through what little light my room had to offer and see he is alone. I open it just wide enough for him to enter, and he flashed in. scooping me up, shutting the door and locking it all in one move. He held me tight and close, and I realized he was reassuring himself, that I was still here. He carried me to the bed and sat down, pulling me into his lap and holding me for a minute. I clear my throat, "Edward, my hand."

He grabbed it gently and looked it over, I hissed when he straightened my fingers out. He nodded and placed some ice over it, "It isn't broken, thankfully. Ice should reduce the swelling... Isabella, what happened?"

I took my hand back and got out of his lap, deciding I needed to put some space between us for my resolve to stay where it was. I was angry. I was hurt. And they don't deserve my comfort right now. I blew out a breath, "Emmett suggested I go to sleep, but I wasn't ready to. I have been compliant with most of your demands, but when it comes to my wants, I'm ignored. I was under the impression that this was a relationship, and that we would have communication, but instead I'm treated like a child, whose opinions don't matter. You all push and force me to do things and quite frankly I don't find it fair. I get I'm only 17, so in the eyes of the law I am a child, but as your 'mate' I should be an equal. And so far, none of you have showed me that. Instead I'm manhandled more than I was as a..."

I stopped and reworded to keep the conversation civil, "More than I was at my previous occupation... I told Emmett I wasn't ready for bed and I wanted to wait up for you guys, and seeing as I had two naps and I've been waking up in the middle of the night anyways, I thought a few more minutes of being awake, would help me in sleeping longer. I stated this to Emmett and he hauled me up like a two year old and forced me upstairs. I fought him and ended up hurting myself. I understand the need to protect and care for me, but this is over the line."

Edward nodded at me and whispered, "You are right. This is a relationship and it's all very new to all of us. I'm sorry it got out of hand and it won't happen again. My brothers and I will discuss this and in the morning, if your up to it we will discuss with you what we came up with. Now I'm not sticking up for Emmett, but this physical altercation needs to be avoided from now on. You could've seriously injured yourself and besides hitting should never be the answer. Isabella, you want our respect and we want yours, so violence is never going to be tolerated from either parties. Is that understood?"

I nodded looking down at my hands sheepishly. He was right and looking back at it, I was acting like the child, that I didn't want to be treated as. "Yes sir, I understand. It won't happen again."

He nodded, "Alright, now are you ready to sleep?"

I nodded and he picked me up and tucked me into my covers. He kissed me on the forehead and whispered, "Sweet dreams, love. We will see you in the morning."

He walked out the door and shut it behind him. Now that he was gone, I really just wanted him to stay...

I tossed and turned all night and couldn't bring myself to sleep. I was no longer angry and at this point, I was just exhausted. My hand throbbed, my heart ached and I was in need of some serious comfort, but I didn't want to give in yet. I was making a point. And it wouldn't be made if I gave in now. So I continued to toss and turn, until the sun rose. Seeing as I wasn't going to sleep, I went downstairs. When I got there, I was surprised to see the boys split into separate areas of the room. Edward was sitting standing by the fireplace, Jasper was in a recliner and Emmett was at the love seat.

Upon my entrance they all stood and looked at me. Each scanning me over, and looking disappointed at the bags I could feel under my eyes. I sat on the couch away from them all and decided I should be the first to speak, "Seeing as we are all having issues, we really need to talk about what happened last night."

They all nodded and I continued, "I understand your need to care for me, but you have crossed that boundary and became controlling. I want to make this clear, just because you can, doesn't mean you should pick me up and cart me off, whenever I don't do exactly as you say. You stated in my rules to not be afraid to ask or tell you something I need. Well right then I didn't need to sleep, and I needed some time to get completely tired. I'm still working on trying to get to a normal schedule, compared to my late nights of staying up. It takes time, and you can't force that. Edward made an excellent point last night. I should have not raised my hands at you Emmett, and I'm sorry for my part, but I'm not sorry for standing up for myself."

Jasper nodded, "We agree, that we haven't been treating you fairly. From now on, we will discuss everything as equals. You are our mate, so therefore, you are our equal. "

Emmett sighed, "I'm sorry for not listening. You have every right to be upset with me, but please Isabella, don't leave. We will be better, we just need some time too. Our instincts are to make sure you are ok, and I let mine way override me. Please give us another chance. We promise to be better."

I nodded, "Alright. We'll try this again, but for now... I'm kinda hungry."

Just as I said it, my stomach growled, and everyone chuckled standing up and moving in all directions to make my breakfast. I hoped this chat would make things better, but only time would tell.