Prologue

Prologue

BPOV

The pain was completely unbearable. I felt a simmering liquid fire raging beneath my skin… in my blood. Inside and out felt so raw, as though I had just been to hell and back again. Every part of me was throbbing and I was stiff like I hadn't moved in years. What the hell was wrong with me? No scratch that. What the hell happened to me? As I tried to think back my memory seemed fogged. I could not remember any clue as to how I got here.

'Wait… where is here?' I thought as I became faintly aware I wasn't breathing nor could I see, hear, or feel anything. My mind suddenly seemed sharper than before and I focused on reopening my senses. I took in a shaky breath and the pain seemed to lessen. Again I took in a breath, this time deeper and more steady. The pain was nothing more than a dull ache in the back of my mind, an annoyance now.

When I took in a third deep breath, my sense of feeling became more apparent and I wiggled the fingers on my left hand. It felt good to feel the cool blades of what I knew to be grass, was I outside then? Opening my eyes seemed like to much energy at the moment so I settled for listening and smelling my surroundings. Inthe next breath I took I noticed it.

I could smell a natural, herby aroma and a hint of moisture; but I couldn't name what it was.

'Wait… it smells like, like…grass!' So I was outside! What the hell am I doing outside? Did I just fall asleep in the backyard? No, it didn't seem likely. I decided I needed to see where I was, this was ridiculous! Sluggishly I lifted my eyelids, revealing the reddish-orange sky and I could suddenly hear the crickets chirp, the trees and grass sway, the car speeding down the gravel and heading North…

Opening my eyes further, I took my chances with sitting up and heard a few joints pop, 'Oh yeah, definitely been here awhile.'

I observed the surrounding area and found I was in a clearing some ways away from any civilization. I sighed, 'Great. Just great…'

I wondered at how long I'd laying been here, had Charlie come looking for me yet? Abruptly I remembered I told him I'd be staying over at Jacob's and then gradually I started to remember how I got here…

XXXX

-Flashback- BPOV

How could he do this to me? Just leave me here? I should've known better than to really believe he could love someone, a human girl like me… I can't even hate him after what he's done! Why? Why can't I hate him? Be angry with him? Something! I want to stop loving him, stop missing his cool skin against my own, to stop remembering his topaz eyes and crooked smile.

'Maybe… maybe if my heart stops beating it won't hurt so much….'

As I lay here replaying the scene, I don't know how long I've been here, devoid of anything, but I can't bring myself to care…

Some part of me knows I should move, should go home, should forget, but my body is numb, and all I hear is the pitter-patter of rain drops on the ground beside me. I am slightly aware of the liquid drops that run down my cheeks but I can't tell if they're tears or rain drops. Then as I leisurely closed my eyes to welcome the comforting darkness, I heard footsteps; they were light, almost inaudible, but so loud to me.

My closing eyelids did not stop their descent I just wanted peace, sweet peace… I heard the stranger stop before my broken remains. I waited. Then I felt a cool sensation against my cheek that brought some of my clouded mind to awareness, and as a cold finger hooked under my chin, guiding my face upward, I reopened my tired eyes only to gaze into a pool of molten.

A jolt of power dashed through my broken corpse and made me hyper sensitive to everything, to him. He was a pale halo in the dark world around us and his aura radiated strength and power. His features were structured beautifully but it was his eyes I loved the most. I don't know how long we studied each other but as his other arm found its way under my legs, I realized just how cold I was. When we both came out of our stupor, he stood to his full height, then we were flying, the trees were nothing but blurs and for once I wasn't nauseated. I continued to scrutinize his elegant yet attractive features as he turned his attention to the path ahead of him.

I traced his straight nose and thin lips with my eyes and ran imaginary fingers through his midnight black hair that looked as soft as silk. His hair hovered just above his broad shoulders and was luminous with streaks of blue when the moon's light hit them. His face was blank and guarded as though it was sculpted ice. As he held me I noticed he wasn't hard like marble, something a little less dense.

Suddenly I was caught in his intense gaze again and the rain began to fall heavily on us. I took in a sharp breath, feeling like I was on fire. The logical side of me nagged the warning of danger but another part of me wanted to unravel the mystery behind his eyes.

"Tell me, what is your name?" His voice was even more heavenly! It was one of authority, deep and smooth. I just stared at him, dumbfounded till finally I whispered, "Isabella… Isabella Swan."

His stare changed slightly and then he spoke again, "You do not smell of fear, but surely you know what I am…" He sounded confused and I took in a shaky breath,

"I know what you are and I don't fear your strength or power… I welcome it." His eyes widened slightly but he only relaxed his face and put his thin lips to my ear, whispering, "Then if you wish to get out alive, you'll run for your life."

Instead of answering him I pulled my tattered shirt off my should he moved his heavenly face back into my line of vision and I stared at him, pleading with my eyes. He seemed to read it but he simply put his cool hand on my own, tugging the shirt back up. " I wish to know you first, grant me this?" His accent was beautiful and left me speechless so I only nodded my head.

He turned his attention back to my clothing as dissatisfaction lined his face, " Perhaps we should get out of the wet and get you dry." Again, I could only nod. Silence reigned for some time before he spoke again, "When you are healthy and strong I can grant what it is you wish for but first I have a request,"

He glanced at me from the corner of his eye, studying me. I looked at him curiously and he continued, "I wish to practice and prepare with you, perhaps even read your past." Practice and prepare? What is that suppose to mean? And read my past? I sighed and answered, "Sure but, practice and prepare how? And what do you mean read my past?"

He directed his stare back on me as he said, " I shall show you how we will prepare and what we shall practice. As for reading your past, it is my gift. I can read your past memories as though I were reading your thoughts." I nodded my understanding. As his pace slowed again I saw we were in front of the most magnificent house only more so than the Cullen's because it was more traditional and old fashioned. This couldn't possibly be his house… right?!

'Dear God…' My mouth was slightly agape at the size of it! I turned my attention back to him and I swore I saw a light smirk dance across his lips. When I blinked he was already opening the front door with his free hand. I'd really had to get use to his fast speed… He casually walked over to the sofa, set me down and returned with a towel and a white T. His voice brought me out of my awe of the interior of his home,

"Get out of those wet clothes and dry off, unless you wish to take a shower?" I nodded again and I saw movement out of the corner of my eye. Turning, I saw he had his hand outstretched toward me studying me with his intense look again and I set my hand in his. He pulled me to his side and dashed up the stairs to a bathroom, which was even more extravagant than his living room, he has such unique taste!

"The bathing supplies are there," He pointed toward cupboards at the far end of the bathroom, "Choose what ever you like."

Then he handed the towel and clothes to me and walked out, closing the door lightly behind him. I stared at the door for a minute longer missing his cool and refreshing touch already, before I turned toward the cupboards, setting the towel and clothes on the toilet. Walking over to them I opened the top first, gasping as I saw all the choices of shampoo, conditioner, bath oils, and body washes.

I made a grab for the strawberry shampoo and conditioner but then I stopped myself, 'Edward loved that smell…' My hand flinched away from the strawberry and I looked for something else. I couldn't use that anymore, and the harder I thought about, the more I realized I didn't like that scent anymore. Then something purple caught my eye, 'Lavender and Lilac… Hmm…'

I popped open the cap and sniffed, 'Wow. That smells pretty good, potent but natural…' I popped open another ten bottles before I found the real perfect scent… milk and honeysuckle. After my first whiff of it I couldn't stop. Finally, after about a minute of getting high off the smell I grabbed the matching conditioner and body wash and walked over to the small shower area. I peeled off my sopping wet clothes that clung to my body, hell they didn't even look like clothes anymore they looked like rags. I stripped even faster at the thought.

Turning the 'Hot' knob, I stepped into the shower and let the warm water heat my body. I closed my eyes in bliss and thought of him, of Edward… what do I do now? Where do I go from here? And this new vampire, I froze in shock, 'Oh my god… I don't even know this guys name!'

I blushed scarlet when I realized I was taking a shower in his house, in his bathroom, using his shampoo and conditioner and body wash! And I didn't have the courtesy to ask for his name!

I sighed heavily and leaned against the tiled wall, 'As soon as I get out I'm going to ask him his name.' I scrubbed my body with the lovely new scent that puts me on cloud nine and then washed my hair thoroughly. I rinsed and shut the water off, I felt a lot better but I was hungry. 'Really hungry…' I thought as my stomach rumbled in response.

I put on the white tee and boy shorts he gave me, 'Damn my bra is soaked too, should I just go without it? I think I could last the night, I'm sure he has a washer and dryer… I hope he doesn't mind…'

I gathered my wet clothes and stepped out into the room, involuntarily shivering at the cooler room temperature. My hair was dripping down my back, irritating me and soaking the shirt. I sighed and wrapped the towel around my hair, 'Crap. I need a brush…'

"Maybe he has one somewhere… I'll ask him." As I walked out of his room I smelt something wonderful, it made my mouth water and my stomach growl again. I found my way to the stairs and headed down them, without tripping for once. I turned right to go into the kitchen, where the smell was strongest.

My mouth fell open for the fourth time that day. There, in this beautiful kitchen, was a vampire making me dinner! He looked over his shoulder at me with a light smile and said, "Never seen a vampire cook stew?"

He chuckled when I didn't answer. I felt my throat become dry suddenly and I closed my mouth with an audible snap. Everything about him was beautiful and elegant! Everything he did was godlike! I closed my eyes trying to focus on breathing. When I opened them I decided to sit down on the high chair next to me, insuring that I wouldn't fall because of my weak knees.

When I finally found my voice I mumbled, "Thank you… for saving me."

He looked back at me questionably before nodding his head once. As he stirred the stew, I watched the way his shoulders rotated under his polo dress shirt. He had his sleeves rolled up slightly so I could see the muscles in his hand and forearm move. I took a deep breath, I was attracted to him, there was no denying that, but I knew he would never feel the same. Edward was proof of that. He could never love me… a stupid human girl.

A bowl was set in front of me, pulling me from my thoughts and I looked up into molten eyes again, "Was the shower to your liking?" It took me a moment to answer, "Yes, but umm… do you happen to have a brush I can use?" He stared at me a little longer before dashing up the stairs again and holding out a brush in the next second.

"Thank you." He nodded again then sat down next to me. I decided I'd eat first before dealing with my hair so I put it up. I began to eat and felt his eyes on me, I did my best to ignore him but after five minutes of squirming under his gaze and about ready to burst, he broke the silence, "Tell me about your self, Isabella."

I froze in mid bite and turned to look at him. He sat casually on the chair, leaning against the counter waiting patiently for my response.

"Well… what do you want to know?"

I replied and returned to my food. He said nothing for a minute, thinking, then, "Everything, Isabella. I wish to know everything about you. Your likes, dislikes. What upsets you, what makes you happy. Things of that like."

I said nothing as I finished my stew, though, on the inside I was reeling. Why does he want to know so much about me? This is confusing. So instead of answering him I asked him a question of my own, "First, tell me your name. You never told me."

I stood and walked over to the sink. Washing my bowl, I stole a glance at him and saw the small handsome smirk that danced on his lips and reach his eyes. "Forgive me, my name is Alexander."

XXX

-End Flashback-

I sighed heavily again, I always did when I thought about Alexander; he was such a complex creature. We did three months of training before he had to leave, solitude was in his nature, but in those three months I had begun to love him for what he was and for what I knew he could be. He told me much about himself that no one else knew and in return I showed him my memories, I shared with him my fears and my love. Tears were beginning to form, I could feel it.

I shut my eyes tightly, willing the thought of him away. Another man walked out of my life, another man I loved. So now where does that leave me? Alone.

Sighing again, I attempted to stand. It was time I dropped my old life and start my new one. I looked down at myself, examining. I felt indestructible. Invincible. Unbreakable.

'Not so breakable now am I, Edward?'

I smiled at the thought of it all.