Dread

Edward had just tracked a rather large mountain lion to a small stream and had begun to stalk it when his phone buzzed. He froze. Bella! he thought, instantly panicked. He fished his phone out of his pocket and flipped it open.

"Alice? What is it?" he barked.

"Edward, she's gone. Disappeared. I can't see her at all. She went with that dog. I'm sorry. She didn't think about it, she just went," Alice chirped quickly.

"I'm coming home," Edward growled, closing his phone. He could hear Carlisle and Esme not far away. In the next moment he stood beside them, his brow furrowed.

"Edward? What's wrong?" Esme asked, surprised, putting her hand on his shoulder. He shrugged it off, too tense to accept the comfort she offered.

"I'm sorry. I have to go. It's Bella. Alice can't see her anymore," he said curtly. His parents just nodded with understanding as he dashed into the woods.

The green flew by him as he raced back to the house. Bella, Bella. Why must you do this to me? he thought desperately. If that dog hurts her, I will end him. And then I'll let his pack kill me. Because existence without Bella...he shuddered. That was no existence at all.

Edward ran. Fast. He strained his muscles, eating up the ground with as much speed as he could muster. Just like Phoenix, he mused. Keeping Bella safe was a full time job. And that was just one vampire. This is a whole pack of uncontrolled werewolves.

Not to mention the fact that Jacob Black was in love with Bella. Edward sighed. That was a complication he didn't need. Jacob had tried to keep his thoughts hidden when he'd come to warn Edward, unnecessarily, about the treaty. But it was there. He could hear his longing. His pain. Edward clenched his teeth as he ran, sick with jealousy, the toxic feeling fueling him forward. If he touches her... He smiled at the thought of what he would do to Jacob if he ever laid a hand on Bella without her permission. I hope she doesn't give him permission. He cringed at the thought.

Edward reached the house, running straight to the garage and his car. He climbed into the driver's seat as he jammed the key into the ignition, stress making his movements a stiff. He pulled out and sped down the road, doing 90mph.

He reached the boundary line in record time, listening a few miles ahead of him for any motorists who might be in his way. Luckily there were none. Of course, that's when his luck ran out, as he knew it would. There he sat, pulled to the side of the road that led to the reservation. The treaty forbade Edward from entering Quileute land. Ever.

Damn! Edward had to remember not to crush the steering wheel as he sat there, frustrated. Impotent. He carefully removed his marble fingers from the fragile steel and squeezed his hands into tight fists in his lap.

Jacob Black is dead. I'm going to kill him. Rip him into little pieces and grind them into the ground. I'm going throw him against the mountain so hard that every bone is his body shatters! I'm going to...

Edward shook his head, closing his eyes, trying to get a grip on himself. He couldn't allow himself to think that way. He would never deserve Bella; monster that he was, he knew that. But murdering her best friend, in sick and violent ways, would definitely not help his chances.

He opened the door and got out, letting the fresh air calm him. He took a deep breath and let it out. Relax.

It didn't work. Edward gazed down the road trying to pierce through the distance to find Bella. Is she safe? Of course it was much too far and forested even for his eyes. He sighed, leaning back against the car and raising his fists to his eyes. Bella, he moaned inwardly. Please be ok. Please. I can't live without you...

The fear and panic consumed him. His unmoving blood seemed to run cold and his stomach ached, twisting with dread. If he could still sweat, he'd be drenched. Get a hold of yourself, Edward, he scolded himself, laughing without mirth. Alice always says you worry too much. She'll be fine. Fine.

As he thought he started walking, pacing in the dirt beside his car. Before he knew it, he was striding off toward the treaty line. At the last moment he stopped himself, clenching his fists and hovering over the invisible line that rendered him helpless. An impatient growl rumbled in his chest.

He considered ignoring the treaty. Just racing in and stealing Bella back before anyone even noticed. He could do it. He was fast. It would be easy. Until Jacob realized what had happened and the pack descended upon his family. He cringed at the thought of his mother fending off a wolf. Damn. His teeth clenched.

Edward paced again, trying to reason through his dilemma. If he could get her out without anyone seeing him, would they assume he had done it? Likely. Would they seek him out? His family? Or would the wolves just wait until they were hunting and pick them off one at a time?

Edward's pacing sped, no need to appear human out here. The only humans were miles off. And he'd hear their thoughts before they could see him anyway. He wore a deep path into the dusty road as he plotted Bella's rescue.

A painful thought brought him up short. What would Bella do? He knew if he rescued her she would be angry. Jacob was already a tender subject between them. He could see her hurt and furious face in his mind. He smiled sadly. My tiger-kitten.

No. He couldn't cause her pain. But if anything happened to her…

Edward wasn't sure exactly how long he paced there, waiting for Bella. He knew he was waiting now. There was truly nothing he could do. He couldn't break the treaty. Endanger his family. Bella wouldn't forgive him if he got her friends and future family killed. The thought irked him and the bile of his fear and anger desiccated his veins.

Before Edward went completely mad, he heard the familiar rumble of Bella's ancient Chevy. The relief was immediate but short lived. Bella! Is she alright?

He slipped back into the volvo and drove up the road a few hundred feet to a place he could hide the car in the trees. He waited. Soon the loud truck came lumbering down the dirt road, kicking up a cloud of dust in its wake. She was relaxed in the cab as she maneuvered down the lane. She's ok. That simple fact relaxed Edward markedly. He swung the volvo out behind her and followed her down the road, glaring at the back of her head. How could you make me worry like that? Edward realized, in a moment of shock, that he felt a little betrayed. And why not? She knows I don't want her visiting the wolves. That it's dangerous. And Jacob is there...

Bella drove painfully slowly all the way to Angela's house without looking back at him. She knew he was there. He could tell by the stiff way she held her back, the stubborn line of her neck as she held her head completely straight, never looking to the side unless completely necessary. Avoiding the rearview mirror at all costs. She was afraid. Oh good, now she's afraid. Her reactions are always backwards. He almost laughed. Almost.

He left her as she parked at Angela's, driving past her without looking. She was safe there; he wouldn't stalk her. She knew what she had done. Still, they would talk about this.

Edward drove home then. He had a few hours before he could slip into Bella's room unnoticed and he wanted a change of clothes. He hadn't fed, but he didn't have time now. He'd just have to wait. As he drove the familiar winding way, he checked his eyes in the mirror. Black. He sighed. There had to be some way to keep her safe while he hunted.

A few hours later, Edward scaled the siding of the Swan residence and let himself in through Bella's window. She was downstairs with Charlie, finishing up dinner. He listened as she stalled, doing the dishes carefully and even cleaning the kitchen. Twice.

Finally, she said goodnight to her father and made her way reluctantly up the stairs, practically dragging her feet. Edward expected her to open the bedroom door but she veered off to the bathroom. She must have put her nightclothes in there already, suspecting the coming fight. Edward sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger. He didn't want to fight. He just wanted to hold her. To know for sure that she was safe. To feel her, solid, in his arms. He even longed for her scent. That beautiful, terrible aroma that aroused both insatiable thirst and aching desire.

But he had to make her understand. He couldn't spend another afternoon the way he'd spent this one. He just couldn't.

Finally, Bella finished brushing her teeth, made her slow way down the hall and stopped in front of her door. He heard her take several deep breaths, trying to calm her racing heart. She opened the door softly and closed it before turning around to face him. Though he'd known that she was safe for hours, the moment he saw her, saw the physical reality that she was unscathed and safe, Edward felt the fear subside. Like a heavy weight being lifted off his chest, to be replaced by something else: joy. A fierce joy. He wanted to dart to her side, enfold her in his arms, never let her go. Bella...

But he couldn't. His body was locked down, still as a statue, the panic and fear of the afternoon still frozen in his tissues. He stayed where he was, leaning against the far wall by the window. He was still hurt and angry that she'd gone to the reservation. He needed to make sure she understood how serious this was.

"So, I'm fine. See? Nothing happened." Bella mumbled, nervous. Yes. This time. And there won't be a next time. Edward pinched the bridge of his nose again and sighed heavily. He didn't move beyond that. His body felt too heavy, rigid from the stress of the day.

"Jacob won't hurt me, Edward. He isn't dangerous." He isn't dangerous? Edward was furious again. He glared at Bella.

"Bella, you aren't known for your ability to discern what is dangerous or not." His voice was hard, cold as steel. She sighed and crossed the room, coming to place her hands on his chest, effectively erasing his resolve. He looked down at her upturned face. So lovely.

"I'm sorry I made you worry," she cooed, wrapping her arms around him and leaning her head against his icy chest. Edward melted, his frozen body softening under her touch. He let his arms wind around her, exalting in the fact that her warm, fragile body was here, safe in his arms. Funny that this would be the safest place for her. He allowed himself a small smile, resting his chin on top of her head and pulling in her scent, savoring the burn.

"Bella," Edward controlled his voice this time, keeping it soft velvet. "You don't know how close I came to breaking the treaty today," he whispered. She stiffened, pulling her head up to look at him, her expression shocked.

"Edward, no! You can't!" she said urgently.

"I would have, you know? It got very close. If you hadn't driven up when you did…" he let his voice trail off. He knew this wasn't precisely true. But he couldn't promise that he wouldn't break the treaty if this happened again. If he thought she was hurt, there was nothing that could stop him from saving her. Nothing.

"Edward." Bella searched for words. "You have to understand. Jacob isn't going to hurt me. None of the wolves are. They protected me." She paused, searching his face. "You didn't feed." It was a statement and Edward could hear her disappointment. She hated it when he left her. As much as he hated it.

"I came home as soon as Alice called."

"Well you shouldn't have. Now you'll have to go away again." Her pout was sinfully enticing. "I know Alice couldn't see, but really, you should have known. Next time - "

"There won't be a next time, Bella," he interrupted, his voice hard again. "You can't expect me to allow you to put yourself in danger."

"I'm not in danger! And yes, there will be a next time. Jacob is my friend." Bella pulled away and crossed her arms across her frail body, her cheeks flushed delicately. "You are overreacting, Edward. You have to trust me."

Edward couldn't help it. He growled. The ridiculousness of this was infuriating.

"Are you sure this is about my safety?" she asked, suddenly.

"Of course, Bella. What else could it be?" he demanded furiously.

"Well," she paused, seeming embarrassed. "You do know you have nothing to be jealous about, don't you?"

Edward was surprised. He was under the impression that he'd been hiding his jealousy better than this. Bella considered him. She peered at his face, narrowing her eyes and pursing her lips. The expression was quite comical. Edward might have laughed if he wasn't so upset. Of course I'm jealous, he thought.

"You are jealous," she said, confounded. "Edward, there's no reason to be jealous." Jacob loves you. That's a reason. And since I can't read your mind I can't know how you feel. Not really. She came back into the circle of his arms, reaching up to kiss him. Her warmth was hard to resist and her scent assailed him. He let himself be pulled into her kiss, her lips soft and supple against his. Persuasive... Edward let her assuage his fears about Jacob, let Bella's love and heat thaw the frozen monster he'd been all day. The relief was profound. He cupped her cheek gently in one hand, his other tightening around her small waist. She felt so good. Soft and luscious. As her fragrance intensified with her arousal, venom filled his mouth, his muscles tightened in preparation for the hunt. His body felt tight, coiled, ready to spring.

Grimacing, Edward pushed Bella away from him. She gasped as she remembered to breathe, her heart restarting with a thud. Edward held his breath, trying to calm the predator within him. No. There is no way I can do this. Emmett was wrong. This isn't possible. Not with how she smells to me. Mouthwatering. Edward closed his eyes, disgusted with himself, as he fought for control. After a moment he opened his eyes again and let out his breath.

Bella still had heat in her eyes, her pupils slightly dilated. She smiled up at him, her skin luminous in the moonlight, her hair shining. The full curve of her lips pierced Edward to his core. He groaned silently. Want.

He took another breath, testing himself. The burn was there, as ever. The allure was less than it had been, but it was still compelling.

Bella lifted a timid hand and traced the dark circle under his eye with one warm finger. Her touch sent a wave of icy electricity through him, followed by the sear of desire. He wanted to touch her, wanted her to touch him. He took her hand and pressed it to his cheek, his eyes closing as he savored her touch.

"Bella," he pleaded. "Please. I can't live without you."

"You won't ever have to, Edward. Trust me. The wolves are safe." Bella distracted him from this ludicrous statement by slowly sliding her hand down his neck and beneath the collar of his shirt, resting it on his bare chest. He shuddered. A small movement she wouldn't see or feel. The heat from her hand pulsed through him. His breathing hitched and sped as he gazed into her eyes. He could see her desire. Knew she could see his.

In the next instant Edward scooped Bella up and laid her gently on the bed. He crouched over her, his hands in her hair, her scent spilling over him. She reached for him and he obliged, gladly. Edward's head swam in the mire of his feelings. Still so new, confusing. Desire. Jealousy. Fear. Protectiveness. Love. Above all, love.

He kissed her, hard. Harder anyway. He couldn't really kiss her like he wanted to, yearned to. It would crush her. But she seemed happy with this new pressure. Her hands tangled in his hair, pulling him into her even harder. Edward lost himself in her, savoring her flavor, the warm, wet, tantalizing softness of her lips. The sweet smell of her light sweat. The flavor of her blood on his tongue as he pulled in her scent. The way her body moulded to his. He longed to trace her curves. All her curves. Press himself against her. Feel her pressing back.

He broke away from their kiss. Partially so that she would breathe, but really so he could trace the line of her neck with his lips. Her blood pounded beneath her thin skin. So fragile. His own throat burned painfully with thirst, his mouth pooling with venom. He wanted to taste her. Again.

This line of thinking wasn't good for their continued intimacy. Something Edward wanted. Very much. So he lifted his head, holding his breath and controlling his thirst.

Bella sighed happily and turned her face into his neck, her arms winding around his waist. She shivered as she pressed her hot cheek against Edward's ice cold skin. Her warmth flowed into him like fire. Edward felt himself hardening as she pulled his body against hers, his insides tingling with icy fire.

"Bella," he moaned, "easy, love." He eased himself up and off of her slightly. He wasn't ready to tackle quite this much excitement yet. He needed to hunt. Badly.

Bella exhaled heavily. She loosed her grip, though he hardly required that in order to escape her. He pushed back, sitting on his heels on the bed in front of her, his hands folded, hopefully hiding the sudden bulge in his lap, his cheeks burning with invisible embarrassment.

Bella was flushed too, her breathing a little too fast, her heart stuttering. She was scintillating. God, I want her so much. She sat up slowly, tucking her knees beneath her, until she knelt before him, her deep, chocolate eyes searching his face, a small worried frown on her pink lips. Edward watched her wordlessly, wondering desperately what thoughts swirled in her silent mind. He was motionless, the blush of shame still in his cheeks, unable to drop his gaze from hers. I'm sorry, love. I'm just too weak, he thought bleakly.

Bella lifted one finger and smoothed his wrinkled brow softly, the warmth of her touch intoxicating. Edward closed his eyes, basking, as Bella's hand traced his features tenderly.

"Edward," she whispered, her hand warm on his cheek. "I know you can do this. I know it." Edward sighed sadly, wishing her belief in him could make it true.

"Bella," he shook his head sadly. "I can't." He took her hand in his, holding it in his lap and tracing the faint line of her veins. "And I really do need to hunt," he whispered miserably. Monster.