Walking through the rain was nothing new to him. For what seemed like forever, he had been alone, but not truly alone. He had his family, yes. But he felt detached... different.
Alone.
He had never felt the burning desire to be like the rest of them. To mate. Not once had he felt the need to elope. But deep inside him, there was a small part of him that was depressed, and once more, alone.
Alone.
Everyone had seen how unhuman he was. All but him. His lack of humanity disturbed his family to the point they had just left him to himself.
Alone. Always alone.
He had always wondered how his family could feel to powerfully drawn to each other. They weren't werewolves, imprinting upon each other. How could two living things feel the desire to be in each other's company for forever? To feel broken when apart?
Alone. Endlessly alone.
His boots made no noise as he walked, alone.
Slosh. The only sound that he could hear. The sloshing of her boots beside him. Her enticing breath blew silently, making his heart feel as though it were beating again.
"Do you love me?" The beautiful brown haired girl asked him, looking away. His own answer was not one he expected.
"Of course I love you, silly human." Came his answer. Her face was elated.
The smile on her face willed him to stay with her. It was wrong, yes. But he couldn't bare to leave her...
Alone.
His footsteps stopped.
Who was the girl who had made him feel happy, whole, excited, devoted... and complete? Was that how his family felt for each other? Did they shy away from the thought of leaving each other, as though it were a flame?
He didn't dare believe she was out there, waiting for him. It must have just been hope, trickling into his conscious thinking. How could one so divine be meant for him?
Edward Cullen had to believe she was out there...somewhere. Waiting.
Complete. Utterly complete.
Somewhere far away, a 2-year-old Bella Swan frolicked in her backyard, not knowing her fate. Not knowing that someday she would be complete, too. Not knowing that there was a lost soul awaiting her.
Soul mates.