Twilight owned by S. Meyer. Beta'd by Midnight Cougar.

Chapter 7

Crouched behind the brush, small sounds of forest life could be heard all around her, but all Bella was focused on was the petite four-legged creature in the middle of the luscious meadow. Its unsuspecting head was lowered, nibbling freely on the green grass and purple flowers that grew there. The second it heard the crack of twigs underneath Bella's foot at her sudden movement, it was too late. The doe only had time to cock her head at the danger before Bella was upon her.

The adrenaline was once again coursing through Bella's body; she could feel it in her veins as the venom flooded, eager to consume the blood beating through her prey. When Edward gave her the signal, her feet raced forward, faster than lightening, and at the final second she pounced on her target.

She landed with a graceful thud on the cool ground, her arms quickly wrapped around the deer's body. Bella tackled the beast to the meadow floor and sunk her razor sharp teeth into its neck, the blood immediately sating her thirst. She took long pulls of the liquid as the deer's life force ebbed beneath her, its eyes begging for the end to come.

Noticing there was nothing left for Bella to consume, Edward placed a gentle hand on her arm, willing her to stop her intake. The growl that emanated from Bella's lips shocked her, as her body pulled the dead carcass closer to her involuntarily. Edward withdrew his hand quickly and put both hands up in surrender.

"Bella, there's no more here. You've drained her." He spoke quietly but assuredly, willing Bella to let go of the animal she clung to so desperately. "We'll find you more. I promise."

When Bella finally looked down at the deer in her arms, she opened her mouth as if to let out a scream. She was shocked to see her hands wrapped so tightly around it, her arms and clothes covered in dirt and blood.

Before she could make a sound, Edward placed his hand over her mouth and whispered in her ear.

"Don't make any loud noises. You'll scare the others away."

He dropped his hand slowly as both he and Bella listened to the soft sound of paws walking farther into the woods. They sat there silently and Bella was amazed at how intimate hunting had become, the two of them sitting so closely, their bodies pressed up to one another.

"See, I told you it wouldn't be so bad," Edward spoke quietly, his eyes filled with adoration once again. "You were wonderful."

"It was better than I thought it would," Bella conceded. "And it didn't taste all that bad."

Edward chuckled. "Well, the best type of blood you're not getting. Not if I can help it."

Bella immediately cringed at the thought, and then realized it didn't sound so bad after all. She couldn't believe she would even fathom the thought of taking a human life.

As if Edward could read her mind, he placed a hand on hers and squeezed. "It will get easier, Bella. With time, I promise, it gets easier."

It was the reminder of how permanent this whole situation was that brought the rage back to the forefront of her mind. She pushed the disgusting animal off her lap and watched it fly a few feet away, before she turned her body to the man who had ruined her life.

The suddenness of her change in attitude left Edward unprepared and he landed on the hard ground with Bella on top of him. Her legs straddled his lap, and in other circumstances he might have enjoyed it, but the anger in her eyes frightened him a bit.

"I don't want it to get easier!" she yelled, beating down on his chest with her fists as she spoke each word. "I want it to go away! In fact, I wish it never happened!"

He lay there silently, taking everything she had to give, knowing he deserved it and much worse. It tore his heart in two to watch how this tormented her, to see how his stupidity affected this beautiful woman in front of him. He wished he were human so he could feel the pain of each punch and let tears fall from his eyes. Instead, he lay there in defeat and guilt, letting her pound away at him.

Finally, Bella grew tired of her unending assault and collapsed frustrated on to Edward's chest.

"I can't even get upset properly if no tears pour out," she said into his shirt grumpily and sighed. "What else can't I do?"

"Let's not focus on what you can't do at the moment," he answered her, tentatively bringing his hands up to her back. When she didn't resist he moved them slowly up and down, trying to bring her some comfort. "The strength you have right now as a newborn vampire is more than any human alive, along with speed. It's quite an adrenaline rush, actually."

Bella gave him a wary look; did he really think she would be interested in that?

"Well, you already found out how amazing vampire sex is," he said with a chuckle, and she hit him playfully on the chest once again. "You should try out your other strengths. Besides, aren't you still thirsty?"

"I am now that you mentioned it."

"How about I show you where there are some mountain lions for you to hunt? They taste much better than deer, anyway."

Bella conceded; the never ending thirst brought to the forefront of her mind yet again.

Edward took off in a run and motioned for Bella to follow him, the two racing far into the forest area around them, watching the trees and landscape pass them by in a blur.

It was exhilarating.

A little bit better that time? She is angry but has so many feelings and her new lifestyle to deal with as well. As always, let me know your thoughts!