I leap up from the ground in one graceful, fluid motion that would surely have caused my clumsy human-self to stumble and fall previously. I pick up the scraps of my clothing and secure it as best I can to cover the important areas. I notice Edward doing the same, his jeans are now missing the button so he pulls the zip up and they hang just perfectly off his hips. I take a moment to just enjoy the sight of him. All hard muscles and glistening, pale skin. My eyes drift to the beautiful V, a trail of dark hair at its centre leading down to the place I had dreamed about for months as a human. The memory of what we just shared flashes vividly through my mind and I lick my lips in anticipation of a repeat performance.

Overtaken yet again by my lust for my mate I reach out, linking my index finger through the belt loop on his jeans and pulling him to me. His hands automatically reach for my hips, pulling me to him and our lips mould together in a passionate dance. My desire for Edward will never wane; eternity together will never change what he does to me. Pressing myself against him I reach up, running my fingers through my hair as I allow his probing tongue access. He moans as he moves his hands down to my ass, roughly palming my cheeks and pulling me impossibly closer to him. I pull away and he moves his lips to my jaw, kissing a line to my ear before taking the lobe between his teeth and nibbling gently. Through my wanton moaning and panting I managed to find clarity in the haze of my lust.

"If we go now… we'll be able to catch up with him in no time", my words come out breathy and husky. I sound like one of those sex line workers.

My seductive voice doesn't have the desired effect. Edward pulls away abruptly, looking deep into my eyes with a frown on his perfect face.

"Catch up with who Bella?"

His words are quiet, calm, calculated.

"Dinner of course" I laugh, but its forced. I know something is wrong. Edward's frown deepens and he takes a step away from me. My hands fall limply from his shoulders as he slowly removes his hands from my hips. We watch each other for a few seconds, I can see Edwards mind working, thinking over what he wants to say to me. I have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. Im not going to like this.

"Bella… Sweetheart…" he trails off, Edward has never been lost for words before.. He swallows a couple of times before trying again.

"Babe, I thought you were joking… About the human… My love, the hiker was an accident, it was my fault, I should have been more careful, made sure there were no humans near by. But, its ok, it was a mistake. I will be more careful in future, it wont happen again".

I take a step back, crossing my arms across my torso.

"What do you mean "it wont happen again"? What wont happen again Edward?".

I cant help the accusing tone of my voice. All at once everything has fallen apart.

"The human Bella. We hunt animals. You know this, we cant kill humans sweetheart its not right…."

"Its what we're made to do Edward, we're vampires! Or have you forgotten that?"

He looks pained. I feel a momentary pang of guilt but its quickly dispersed when I remember that every word im saying is true. The Cullens are the freaks. Vampires eat people, that is the norm!

"I've not forgotten that Bella, but as you know there's another way. Why wouldn't you want to live our way? Think of your friends, Jessica, Mike, Lauren… Your parents Bella… You wouldn't want them to end up like that hiker, would you?"

His question is supposed to shock me into agreeing with his way of thinking, I know that. But, whilst the names bring the recollection of the faces to the forefront of my mind, any attachment I had to these people is hazy at best. Whilst I wouldn't go out of my way to hunt them down, I am not sure if I'd be too bothered if they did get eaten… I decide that im sick of this line of questioning.

"Look, whatever Edward. I'm hungry. I'm following the hikers trail. You can either come with me or not, it's up to you".

I turn to leave on the path the hiker took nearly 10 minutes before but my arm is wrenched backwards as Edward spins me back to face him. His face is blank, emotionless.

"I'm sorry Bella, but that's not happening. I'm not going to let you just kill another innocent human. You're coming home with me."

I try to pull my wrist from his grasp but he's not budging.

"Dammit Edward, let go of me, I'm not going back with you!"

He ignores me and starts hauling me towards the undergrowth, back towards the Cullens home, all the while muttering to himself about having to come back to dispose of the humans body. My heels dig into the soft earth as I try in vain to slow him down. Suddenly furious at being treated as not only a child, but also an inconvenience I pull my arm sharply back, toppling Edward off balance as he is swung back towards me. The shocked look on his face reminds me that he is not used to being taken by surprise.

Using his momentary lack of balance to my advantage I hit him square in the chest with the heel of my free hand with all the strength I can muster. I watch as his body is launched into the air, sailing backwards like a ragdoll before crashing through several trees on its descent to the ground. I listen to his sounds as he drags himself to his feet, I can no longer see him through the dense undergrowth surrounding me but I can hear his furious snarl.

"I'm going Edward. You've made your choice it seems…." My voice trails off quietly as the sadness of the situation overcomes me. I wait for Edward's response but I hear only silence. He is letting me go. He isn't coming with me. I am really on my own.

I turn back to the hikers path, sure of my decision even without Edward. I can't live as they do and I won't. Edward will come around, surely? He will follow me when he realises I'm serious, he's always said he can't live without me after all.

I start to head toward the path at human speed before Edwards voice booms out of the forest;

"If you do this Bella, there's no coming back."

My breath hitches as the finality of his statement registers. If I leave him now that's it. I won't be wanted with the Cullen's anymore. Of course I won't, they would be disgusted at me. The thought nearly sways my decision but my stubborn side wins out, I don't need them after all.

Without a word of response to Edward I turn on my heel, racing into the now darkening forest, my instincts taking over as I track my prey once again.

This is a really short update I know, but I want to get the story moving again. I will update again this week.

I'm so grateful for all the follows & favourites this story has received, thank you so much! But PLEASE do review as well as I'd love to hear what you're thinking of the story and what you do or don't want to see happen. I'm really interested to hear where you all see this story going.