Prologue
My life had ended, but my body still lived. My heart had stopped beating, but I still loved. I still pained.
They had wrenched him from me. My family hadn't tried to stop them. They had watched in horror as The Vampire was destroyed.
Then there was The Wolf. His undying love would become all I had. His presence would set into play a war, but our love could stop it.
Our lives intertwined when The Vampires' ended. The twining of our threads, the cutting of The Vampires', it all leads me to say;
I. Still. Live.
Chapter one
My heart rose to a strained hum as it continued to pound in my chest. It took off like a helicopter as my blood burned like a fire. Suddenly I lurched up, one strained scream escaping my lips. My back arched as I screamed louder.
Suddenly my heart came to a stop, my body fell limp on the table. I felt prodding hands on mine as I started to realize what was going on.
"Bella? Bella love, can you hear me?" Edward spoke, his voice strained and scared. He squeezed my hand gently, his now satin skin against mine.
Slowly my eyes fluttered open, the world sparkling before my eyes. The wood looked like a dream in itself before I even looked to the rest of the room. Slowly I smelled as well. A stink not even describable burned in my throat and in my nose. I lurched into a sitting position, my eyes showing my curiosity.
Standing before me was Jacob. He smiled and waved at me, his tan skin welcoming to my eyes. I however was not paying attention to his stink.
Another smell burned deeper into my throat, something luscious and sweet. Without thinking I lurched forward for him, my eyes on his throat. Edward's arms snaked around my waist almost instantly. I hissed at him, then letting out a disappointed cry. It sounded almost like a yowling cat.
Jake lurched back, then catching Edward's eye. He took off down the hall. I twisted and writhed in Edward's arms. The smell was leaving, and I wanted it bad.
"Bella, Bella snap out of it love!" His voice was now urgent as he struggled to keep his arms around me. I let out another hiss, twisting in his arms harder. Suddenly Emmett was in front of me, his arms restraining me as well.
I snarled, trying to break free to get to the sweet, sweet smell of Jacob- Jacob. A wave of realization hit me. I was going after my best friend, trying to eat him.
Slowly I relaxed in Emmett's arms as Edward cupped my face and spoke to me calmly.
"E-Edward? What happened? Why am I-" Suddenly before I could speak one more word, my throat went up in flames. I choked back my words, leaning against Em for restraint.
"It's okay Bells, I got ya." his arms around my shoulders tightened the slightest bit. I tried to smile, but I was worried if I even took one breath, the flames would double in my throat.
Edward glanced to Emmett, a warning glance if anything else, then took off downstairs. A few seconds later he returned with Carlisle in tow.
"You two can go hunting, everyone will be here when you get back." he glanced to Emmett and I, then taking my hand. "And Bella, hunt a lot, we'll be needing you able to control yourself."
I nodded, Edward walked over and took my hand. With that, Emmet released his grip on my shoulders. Edward led me to the window, his hand gentle on mine. I watched him carefully, trying to forget the awful burning.
"Watch me. Emmett?" Emmett stepped forward, a reminding hand on my shoulder. I took his hand as well, still not trusting myself.
Edward opened the window, jumping out elegantly. A few seconds later, he landed on the ground looking up expectantly. I looked down to him, my fear of heights creeping up on me slowly. I swallowed nervously, stepping up on the window-sill. Emmett let go of my shoulder, expecting me to jump.
"Can't we just take the stairs?" I mumbled this to both Edward and Emmett, I knew they could hear me. Emmett chuckled, patting my shoulder once.
"Not unless you want a dead wolf." Replied Emmett, reminding me of the burning, I turned back to the sky. Without thinking any further, I stepped forward, stepping onto thin air. I felt the air against my face as I fell towards Edward.
When I hit the ground, I crouched in response to the force. I landed almost perfectly, except for my balance. As I stood, I swayed a bit, Edward caught my elbow with a chuckle. I smiled back.
Taking my hand in his, he ran towards the woods. I followed, soon amazing myself with my new speed and agility. I laughed to myself, soon leading him. He smiled as well, soon letting go of my hand and letting me take the lead.
A few miles later, he snaked his arms around my waist pulling me to a stop. I laughed as he lifted me up into the air, twisting me around to face him. I giggled and wrapped my arms around his neck.
His lips found mine, crushing against them with a force I didn't think existed. I pulled myself closer, crushing my lips to his just as fiercely. He pulled on me as well, getting as close as we could possibly be.
He ended the kiss slowly, reluctant to stop. I let him, knowing that he must have a reason.
"You've been holding out on me." I jokingly accused him, laying my head against his.
"It was sort of necessary at the time Love." He smiled, kissing my forehead and lingering there. "We need to hunt, more so you than I." his lips brushed my forehead as he spoke. Sighing, I pulled away, only leaving our hands connected.
"So, where to?" I smiled up at him, ready for his instructions. He smiled back, then releasing my hand. He took my shoulders, steadying me to look due north.
"Close your eyes," I did as he said, closing my eyes tight. "Now, tell me what you hear." With that, he stilled. I could barely tell he was there.
As I listened, I could have said everything. I could hear he birds, the squirrels, even the worms. But I knew that Edward meant a specific something. So I listened more carefully, picking my answer carefully.
"I hear... Deer? By the river to the..." That's when I looked to him for help. He smiled.
"Very good, they're to the east." He took my shoulders again, angling me east. "Now, tell me what you smell." Again, he went still.
Sniffing carefully, I took a deep breath, immediately shocked. There was a smell I knew well, one I wasn't about to investigate any further. My eyes flew open, I twirled to face Edward. His face was worried as well, he trying to battle the smell as well.
Quickly he took me against his chest. I knew that wasn't going to help, so I just ran. I ran back the way we came, not stopping for anything. As soon as the air was clear, I came to an abrupt halt. Edward ran past me a bit, stopping as soon as he noticed.
"How did you do that?" His voice was incredulous, shock written clear on his face.
"Do what? Run, I-" He cut me off impatiently.
"How did you stop hunting those humans? How did you run away?" He was close to me now, staring at me waiting for my answer.
"I held my breath and ran. Why? Is that a bad thing?" I looked to him worriedly. Had I done something wrong? Was I supposed to have fed on the humans? Suddenly he laughed.
"Was that wrong? God, no Bella. It was amazing, but newborns should not be able to do that. No one, not even I, could do that. But you... You're only a few hours old and you 'held your breath and ran away.' " he laughed, kissing my forehead lightly.
I smiled, taking his hand in mine.
"Can we please hunt now, my throat is killing me." I pulled away, facing east just as a test direction.
Within minutes I heard the Pad pad pad of a mountain lions paws. She jumped into a tree, spotting Edward and I as prey. I leapt into that tree without Edward's knowing it.
Wrapping my arms around the cat's torso, I crushed as she yowled. Her claws slashed out against my diamond hard skin, doing nothing to me but more to my clothes. I leapt forward, my lips biting into her neck.
She pulled away, pulling us both to the ground. I continued to drink, sad when she did empty. I pulled away, standing up to look at Edward. His eyes were wide, staring at ms and then the cat.
"To much?" I laughed, trying to smooth my outfit. He laughed, coming to my side.
"No, it's just hard to watch you wrestle with a giant cat after years of stumbles and cuts." He took his shirt off, taking a few steps closer. "Old habits die hard. I do like the improvements to your outfit however." He wrapped his shirt around me as I laughed.
"That bad huh?" I buttoned the shirt up, slipping my arms through the sleeves. He chuckled, wrapping his arm around my waist.
"Well, let's just say it wouldn't be appropriate for some audiences at home." He laughed, as I giggled with him.
Soon he took me by the arm, leading me to some more prey. After a few hours, I felt as though blood was sloshing in my stomach. Edward took my hand, ready to lead me back to the house.
"I want to see Renesmee." I mumbled this, waiting for his reaction. He just squeezed my hand, leading me off into the forest. I pulled against him, glaring into his eyes.
"Edward, what happened? How is Renesmee?" My voice shot up an octave, I took his hand harder.
"Bella, please. Let's just get home, everything will be explained then." He pulled me after him, soon running to the house.