The Savior

"Idiot!" Isabella Swan growled, tossing the severed limb away.

She spat out the venom and wiped her mouth with her sleeve. A glance to the side, however, once again fanned the flames of her temper.

Her car- her dependable, beloved Volvo- was smashed against the trees dotting the roadside.

"Bastards!" She swore, kicking the body parts already moving to piece themselves together, "Unholy monsters! May the Goddess never grant you the boon of fresh blood for the entirety of your existence!"

Technically, Isabella knew she was at fault. Her parents and brother had warned her against stepping out of their home for at least a fortnight. And she had heeded them too until she came to know about the book signing event of her favorite author, Dan Brown in Seattle.

Besides, technicality was not something she concerned herself with often.

Rotten timing, that's what it is. She sulked.

Isabella well knew of the huge trouble she was in which had nothing to do with her wrecked car, but everything to do with the night she had sneaked out.

It was the night of Summer Solstice.

The night of the Hunt.

No one remembered who had first started the tradition. Twice a year on the nights of Summer and Winter Solstice, the unmated vampires above eighteen years of age congregate in one place to take part in the Hunt to find their mates.

Belief had it, vampires are frozen in time, unchanging and constant... until they find their mates.

That these Hunts were held on the nights of the Solstices- the cosmic reflection of the spiritual journey, the endless cycle of life, death and resurrection- only furthers their significance.

And this year, her clan had the honor of hosting the Hunt.

Since a fortnight, they had seen a steady influx of vampires, both mated and unmated, to partake in the revelries. The celebrations were an absolute joy to join in.

Unfortunately for vampires like Isabella, who was yet to turn eighteen, this time meant a period of hiding. Once a vampire selected his or her mate on the night of the Hunt, their union was believed to be blessed by the Goddess herself.

There was no going back, then. No recourse against the mating, once the bond formed which was why she was ordered to not leave the confines of her home.

Why did they have to come to this side of the town? Isn't the Hunt being held in the forest to the North? Isabella grimaced.

Unable to resist the temptation of meeting her idol, she had snuck out after her family had gone to attend the Hunt. She had reasoned since the event was being held so far away, she was in no danger of encountering any wayward vampire. Still, to be on the safe side, she had decided to return before ten, so no one would be wiser. And everything had gone as per her plan.

Until they had stumbled on her.

One second Isabella was on her way back, singing along the latest chartbuster blaring from the stereo, and the next, her car was careening out of control after hitting something. Before she could get her bearing, two vampires had descended upon her, intent on marking her as their mate.

As if I am a flower they can pluck at their will... Isabella scoffed. She hadn't slogged in the training room with her father and brother- two of the fiercest warriors in His Majesty's army- for nothing. Picking the leg lying near her feet, she threw it deep into the surrounding woods.

Ha, take that, you stupid bugger! Despite the gravity of the situation, Isabella could not help but gloat.

She had taken on two opponents and handed them their asses. If that wasn't badass she didn't know what was.

A jumble of noises, however, started her putting a dampener on her jubilation. She gasped as she made out the pattering of numerous footsteps approaching her. The fear of discovery and a hope to avoid more confrontation spurred her to move. With an incredible burst of speed, Isabella bolted towards her home.

She blurred forward like a ghostly apparition, her feet barely touching the ground, her ears picking the slightest of sound.

A quick backward glance confirmed her worst fear.

Half a dozen vampires were hot on her trail!

Normally, she knew she could handle most threats. She was a vicious and dirty fighter who pulled no punches in securing a win. However, Isabella wasn't arrogant enough to think she could defeat six vampires on her own.

"Imbecile." She hissed, cursing herself for her foolish decision. The right flap she had landed herself into was beginning to far outweigh the pleasure of meeting her favorite author.

She had the worst luck ever!


Isabella dared not believe her eyes when she spotted the burly form of her brother.

With his back to her, he stood talking to someone.

"Emmett!" She called, the welcome sight chasing away any thoughts of trouble her daring jaunt was sure to spell for her.

"Emmett, help!"

Isabella looped her arms through his without breaking her stride.

"Isabella," Emmett growled, his eyes wide with disbelief, "What are you doing out here? And why does-"

"Emmett, please I need your help. You... you have to save me, please. They want me as their mate," She spun around and placed herself behind him.

"Do they now?" A silken drawl vibrated in her ear and Isabella froze; she had forgotten about the other man.

She peeped up and squeaked, having no trouble in recognizing the man.

Heavens above, it was Edward Masen, the Vampire King! She had all but ignored, had turned her back to the Vampire King!

Meeting the most feared vampire in the world- the one who was claimed to have killed people for the heck of it- proved to be too much for her after the adventure of the night. Isabella felt lightheaded, her feet giving way beneath her.

She was numb, unmindful of the short fight which broke around her as Emmett over-powered her pursuers and made them kneel.

"Your Majesty!"

"Have mercy, Your Majesty! Please forgive us. Had we known she was your chosen mate, we would never have dared to-"

Chosen Mate! The cacophony of voices pierced through the dull ringing in her ears.

Someone was holding her against his chest and any hope of the man being her brother was dashed by a steady stream of growls issuing from his chest. With dawning horror, she realized she was cradled in His Majesty's hold.

How...? Why is he holding me? Did he...? No, why would he? I must have somehow wriggled my way in his hold... Oh god, he is going to kill me!

"You dared pursue my mate!" The thunderous roar scared the living daylight out of Isabella, and she counted her lucky stars she wasn't the object of his wrath.

Yet. The snide voice in her head cackled with manic glee and she whimpered.

Mother God, Father God, please split the Earth and swallow me whole. I no longer wish to live… being alive is too daunting.

"We apologize for frightening you, my lady. Please spare our lives." Her pursuers abased themselves before them, their hands folded as they begged for their lives.

The steady rumble of growls in her ear put her on edge.

"Please, my lady! It won't happen again." The man leaned forward and attempted to kiss her shoes, making her cringe in disgust.

"See that it doesn't," Isabella snapped and regretted the words as soon as they escaped her. What was she thinking commanding the vampires in the presence of His Majesty's presence?

Had it only been her brother, her transgression would have been forgiven, for by title she was a Lady of the House Swan. But doing the same in His Majesty's presence was more or less a claim she was his equal.

What have I done? Isabella dared not glance in Emmett's direction. It would be a confirmation of the fate she had brought on herself.

I have signed my death warrant. I won't even get the chance to say goodbye to my family. My days of living are over! Dear Lord, let my death be swift and give Emmett enough brains to not try and interfere. She trembled at the thought of her brother coming to harm while trying to protect her.

The arms around her tightened.

Why is he still holding me? Is he planning to crush me to death? Okay, stupid question. Of course, he is! And here I all but gifted myself to him; only a bloody bow and packing papers are missing!

"Thank you! Thank you, my lady, Your Majesty! You are most kind. May you have a bounteous union filled with utmost felicity. Thank you!"

Believing the dissolution of her verbal filter a grant of clemency, the vampires before them backed away, babbling praises and well-wishes.

Or at least tried to.

In a blur of lightning-fast movements, they were torn apart and set afire; the ghosts of their shock still etched upon their faces as the flames consumed them whole.

"Wh… what?" Isabella gasped, goggling wide-eyed. Despite her vampiric senses, she had trouble believing the rapidity with which the massacre in front of her happened. She had seen nothing like it.

Twain bands of steel wrapped around her, pulling her obscenely close, as he captured her lips in a bruising kiss. He smirked against her mouth when he felt her respond, his tongue and teeth teasing her until she granted him entrance.

She collapsed against him as he devoured her with a passionate intent. Nipping, tugging, pulling, demanding, he all but made love to her there and then in that earth-shattering kiss.

"They dared to imagine you as their mate… fantasized you in their beds," Edward murmured after a long while, his hunger temporarily sated.

Isabella lowered her head at his impassioned proclamation, overcome by shyness. She did not mistake the possessiveness and vehemence coloring his tone.

He brushed tender kisses along her neck. "I dislike sharing- ever. I am not about to start with my mate..."

"Isabella." She whispered in a daze, understanding his unspoken question.

"My Bella."