A/N: Oh hey! It's a Tuesday update again. I'm chapter happy lately. I just want these out there. No sense in hoarding them if they're done, I suppose ; )

And last teaser, that's my bad. I apparently (according to a certain reader) sent out TORTURE instead of a little teaser. Oops, must've hit the wrong button *giggles* Sorry readingmama, but you survived. I promise no more torture will go out for this next teaser.

I love, love, love my betas, Claire and Jess. I appreciate everything you ladies do for me and the help you offer. You really are amazing. Love you both!

Bella's up, enjoy!

Chapter Ten: Cocky

"I just want to run to you

And break off the chains, and throw them away

I just want to be so much

And shake off the dust that turned me to rust

--Lights: Saviour

b.p.o.v

I spent the day as I usually did, trying to occupy myself until the sun set. I watched some horrible, daytime television, not remotely understanding what was so good about it. I flipped through a few novels that were strewn across the main, upstairs room, finishing them quicker than I would have liked. I walked about the entire building, through dank, vacant rooms, exploring what I could without exposing myself to direct sunlight.

All of it...the frustrating, dull monotony of acting so human, was an attempt to get myself through to the night, and to set my mind on something other than Edward.

Consequently, being alone for so long, keeping to myself, did nothing to help the latter. I found that I was thinking of him anyway; how he smelled, the feel of his hair between my fingers, the softness of his skin. I was nearly obsessing over how his lips fit against mine and the way his hands gripped at the fabric of my dress, pulling me closer to him.

The way I was drawn to Edward was inexplicable, and the nearer to him I got, the harder it became for me to keep my control intact. It was just too much to ask myself to simply step away, to put space between us. Not only was it too much, I didn't want to stay away from him. I wanted to be as close as he would allow.

"Bella, quit pacing," Kate's voice said in exasperation, cutting through my toxic thoughts. I wasn't even in the same room as her. I was on the lower level, in what resembled something close to an office. It had a desk and a chair, layered in filth and dust, like everything else in this place.

"Sorry," I mumbled, running both hands through my hair before I headed back through the rooms and up the stairs. The glare from the windows as I passed wasn't as bright as it had been during the day. I tried to see outside through the clouded glass, but it was useless. I was just glad that it was at least close to nightfall. I could get out of here soon.

I desperately needed to feed, because the back of my throat had been aching since last night. Being so close to Edward for so long – thirsty – only made it worse. I didn't want to be salivating over his blood the next time I saw him, I needed to be in control.

"Are we going out tonight?" Kate asked in a softer voice as I reached the top of the steps. Victoria's coven had retreated to the other rooms to rest, thankfully, so it was just us now. Angela and Ben were reading, Kate was painting her nails, and Mike was on the couch, watching Jessica as she slept on his lap.

"God yeah," I replied with a slight smile, padding over to the couch and sitting next to Mike as he gently ran his fingers through Jessica's hair. She snored lightly and he grinned at her. "She loves you, you know that?" I asked nodding to the fragile, human girl draped across his legs.

Mike's hand stilled as he looked up to me. "I know," he said with a sigh and a small smile, "she's not very subtle about showing it."

"Do you feel the same?" I inquired as he swept Jessica's hair off to the side, revealing her delicate, supple flesh. I saw a faint, red scar, in the shape of a crescent, at the juncture where her neck met her shoulder. We usually made it a habit to draw blood from the same spot on our donors, so as to not make a mess of the skin.

"I...maybe," he answered quietly, glancing up to me through his eyelashes, seeming vulnerable as he rested his arm on the back of the couch.

"Why are you hesitating?" I asked curiously. I curled my feet up, tucking them beneath my legs as I angled my body towards Mike's. Just as I turned, his fingers touched my jaw, cupping the side of my face. I took his hand in mine and pushed it away, shaking my head. "Mike..."

"I just...I have to know there will never be anything here," he said, quickly manoeuvring my grip on him so he had our fingers laced together.

"You're n-not my mate, Mike," I stuttered, using both my hands to pry his from mine, "you know that. I love you...I do, but not like that. You may have been my donor at one point, but you knew when I changed you it wasn't anything more than platonic."

He sighed, "I needed to make sure nothing had changed, I suppose."

I gave him a tight smile. "You already knew the answer before you said anything. Jessica is it, Mike. Stop hiding from it."

He resumed with his earlier activity of running his fingers through her hair and gazing down to her peaceful, angelic face. She had a certain innocence to her beauty that made her seem much younger than she actually was. She was in her mid-twenties, but didn't seem any older than nineteen.

"For you, it's him...isn't it?" Mike asked, glancing to me with something dark in his expression that I didn't like. "Fucking hunter," he muttered, shaking his head as he looked away.

"Yes," I replied honestly, tensing my jaw as his temperament angered me, "and it's not something I can help, believe me. I need you to stop with the attitude, got it?"

"Why should I?" he quipped in agitation.

He opened his mouth to say more but I cut him off, seething, "Because I said so. Don't forget that I gave you this life, Mike." His eyes met mine, the red almost dark in his anger. I'm sure mine were nearly black with how hostile and hungry I was. "I didn't ask for your opinion about Edward. You aren't my mate, it's a simple fact. Who I choose isn't up to you. Now, for the second time, stop it with the attitude."

He held his breath, the dark red leaving my line of sight as his gaze rested on the ceiling. He was brushing his fingers across the top of Jessica's head soothingly, his hands shaking as he made a sweep through her hair. I could see that he was upset but he was trying to be calm. He would hurt her if he lost his temper.

"I'm fucking sorry, okay?" he said quietly, shaking his head as he leant it back against the couch. "It's just that we're supposed to look out for each other, Bella. He's a hunter. What do you expect me to do, let you go parading around with someone who wants you dead?"

"I know you don't like him, but he doesn't want me dead," I retorted. Mike closed his eyes and shook his head, rubbing his free hand against the back of his neck. I thought of what it would be like if the situation were reversed, if it was him and not me, and I suddenly understood. I put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Look...I'm sorry too," I apologized, waiting until he met my gaze before I continued. "I know I've been careless lately, but just trust me on this. I promise you that he won't hurt me."

He nodded despite the reservations he probably still had. "Okay...I trust you."

"Thank you," I replied, "and talk to Jessica. I know she loves you."

He gave me a small smile, returning his attention to Jessica as she stirred in his lap. She whimpered quietly, shifting her head so her cheek pressed into Mike's stomach. She exposed more skin as she turned and my eyes were fixed on her. I watched her as she slept, staring – hypnotized – at the slow, steady beats pulsing against the side of her throat. Her scent, the warmth of her blood running thickly through her veins, was an unwelcome distraction.

Venom gathered in my mouth and I put my fingers to my lips before hastily moving away from Jessica. I was in control of myself but my throat was throbbing. My body was aching for blood.

"Bella – it's twilight," Kate announced. At her words, my attention was drawn to the clouded windows across the room.

Twilight was the safest time of day for us. It was a time when we could be outside as the last remnants of day were still brightening the sky. The sun was no longer there, but instead it left deep, rich colours in its wake. Purples, yellows, pinks, and blues would paint the horizon as night fell; illuminating everything it touched with a golden glow.

It was such a beautiful sight, to me. I never had the luxury of being outside when it was sunny. I remembered very little of it from when I was human, but I sorely missed the daylight as a vampire.

As if my life wasn't dark enough.

I headed into one of the rooms, eager to change and get out of here so I could hunt. I was careful not to disturb the blond one, Tanya, as she slept, but I did have half a mind to 'accidentally' kick her or something because of what she pulled with Edward.

I can honestly say that I'd never felt so hostile towards one of my own in all my time as a vampire.

I spotted a pair of leather pants in the pile of clothes Angela had stolen. A thin, silver chain adorned the low-riding waist and I smiled at such a find. Tonight, I felt like dressing to suit my mood. I traded innocence for rebellion, quickly shedding the dress and pulling on the leather pants.

In my search for a shirt, I came across a black tank top that had the words 'Bite Me' printed across the chest. I smirked at the irony. I'm sure it had not been lost on Angela.

I sifted through more shirts, happening upon a beautiful, dark red top that fit snugly around the waist and breasts. It complimented the pants perfectly as I slid it into place and brushed my hair over my shoulders.

I returned to the other room without waking Tanya, and combed my fingers through my curls as Kate rose gracefully from the floor. She slipped her freshly painted toes into a pair of gladiator sandals and I suddenly realized I had no shoes to wear.

"Hey, Ang, where are the shoes you grabbed?" I asked with a knit brow as I looked to her.

"Just over there," she pointed behind one of the couches, "there's a pair of boots that would go great with that."

I sorted through the pile of shoes that Angela had directed me to, finding an assortment of choices. I had assigned her the role of our 'personal shopper' because she had phenomenal taste and always picked out things she knew I'd like. I found the boots almost instantly, peering to Angela from behind the couch and watching as she winked at me.

"Just a little something to give you confidence," she said softly. I smiled at her, gripping onto the back of the couch as I slid each foot into a leather ankle boot with an impressive heel. I stood tall when they were in place, wiggling my feet and taking a few steps to get a feel for them.

"Ready?" Kate asked in her southern drawl from the top of the stairs. I looked up, laughing lightly because of how different we were. While I was dressed in leather and chains, Kate's attire was down to earth and humbling. She wore denim shorts with denim suspenders, strapped over a plain, white t-shirt.

"Yeah," I replied with a nod, turning back to the rest of my coven before I left. "Are you planning on going out tonight?" I was met with a murmur of agreement from Angela and Ben, and Mike informed me that he and Jessica would likely leave once she awoke. "Please," I begged, "be careful. Hunters are still out looking for us. I don't know how many, so don't go anywhere too public. Be back by three, no exceptions."

Angela, Ben, and Mike nodded in response, giving me reassuring smiles as I breathed a small sigh of relief. They always listened when I gave a command, but nothing had ever been this important. It could mean their lives if they disobeyed. I wasn't ready to let any of them go.

Kate and I headed outside, through the junk yard, and down the darkened back roads. I felt much more relaxed and free when it was just us because she never asked questions. She didn't pass judgment on my relationship with Edward (if you could call it that) and she didn't scrutinize my actions.

I missed Rosalie immensely because she was just like Kate. She was a loyal companion and a close friend. She had a dynamic, unique personality, and though on the outside she appeared to be stuck-up, she was strikingly down to earth and genuine.

She also wasn't one to question my actions or look down her nose at me for doing something out of character. After all, she had been the one to suggest pursuing Edward and Emmett in the first place. She knew better than anyone what I was going through right now.

I would have given anything to be able to talk to her. I missed my friend.

I shook my depressing thoughts from my mind as I ran alongside Kate. We decided on heading in the opposite direction of The Hunting Lodge, figuring that it was logical to distance ourselves from it as much as possible. We kept ourselves hidden among side streets, carefully traveling through the town as we tried to find a suitable place to hunt.

"We could always head to the college campus," Kate suggested as we slowed to a walk, rounding a corner.

"Oh," I mused as I turned to her, "that's perfect."

She smiled and I angled my head, narrowing my eyes down the road as I scanned the darkness for signs of movement. When I was positive it was safe, we kept walking, heading towards the campus of the Denver College.

It wasn't hard to find the campus after listening attentively to the sounds of the night. Loud music and even louder voices led us in the right direction, to a large, buffet selection of choices to satisfy our thirst. We hesitated before crashing a frat party, double-checking the perimeter and listening inside for sounds of hunters.

While it was a little outrageous to assume hunters would be at a frat party, I wasn't taking any chances.

"If we split up, be back at the junk yard by three," I whispered to Kate as we approached the steps to the house. "Please...please, be careful."

Kate grabbed my hand and squeezed gently. "Sweets, nothing is going to happen. I'll be fine. Just have some fun tonight. Let loose. Feed. Your eyes are so fierce you're scaring me."

I laughed, brushing the corner of my eye with my finger self-consciously.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence," I said wryly, cocking my brow at her. She puckered her lips at me as she slid one of her fingers beneath each suspender. She snapped them against her shirt and clicked her tongue before bounding up the steps to the house.

I followed her determined form, listening to the purposeful sounds of my boots as they connected with the wooden porch. When I stepped inside, it was dark and loud. Over-bearing music assaulted my ears, pounding through the living area as hundreds of bodies grinded to the beat. I scanned the crowd as I moved, trying to navigate the mass of people as elegantly as possible.

A keg was set up at the back of the room, surrounded by four frat guys with large muscles and wide, glassy gazes. I found it humorous that they were piss drunk so early in the evening, but it was advantageous to me. It would be easier to coax them away from their friends if they were inebriated.

I strode over to them, watching with a slight smirk as the one closest to me caught my eye. His jaw went slack and his eyelids drooped as he gawked at me. The rapid thrum of his heart increased even more when he realized I was looking at him and he closed his mouth, taking a deep, stuttering breath as he focused on the cup in his hand instead.

"Well hello little lady," one greeted as I approached, "what can I do for you?" he asked suggestively. I smiled up at him, knowing he was the typical, egotistical frat moron.

"How about a beer?" I replied combing my fingers through my hair as all four watched me intently. The cocky one grinned at me and filled a cup, handing it off and ensuring he brushed his fingers with mine. His brows turned in at my icy temperature but he shrugged it off and licked his lips.

I took a long sip from my cup, finishing it quickly and looking back up to the frat guys as they watched me.

"Anything else I can get for you?" Cocky asked, crossing his toned arms over his broad chest. I saw the veins beneath his skin, dark blue contrasting the pale. I imagined the blood running through them and the warmth of it on my tongue. I could taste it already, filling me, sating me.

Venom flooded my mouth as I set my hungry eyes on his.

"I think there's something you could definitely...help me with," I said vaguely, biting on my lower lip seductively.

"Seriously?" he asked in bewilderment.

"Sure," I replied with a shrug, "let's go."

"Right behind you," Cocky said with a wide smile as he stepped around the keg. His hot hands gripped me by the waist as he led me through the crowd and up the stairs. I could feel his impatience through his fingertips as they dug into my hips, pushing against me as he ushered me into a dark room. He flicked on a light just before he grabbed me, guiding my back to a wall as his lips covered mine.

I turned my head abruptly, putting my hand to my forehead as Cocky trailed his lips down the column of my throat. My other hand was against his chest, ready to push him away because I was so conflicted.

All I kept thinking was what about Edward?

The pain in my chest was debilitating as his heat encompassed me, because it wasn't from the one I wanted. I had no idea where Edward was or what he was doing, but I wanted him with me, not this idiot. I just needed to feed from him and be on my way. I didn't need all the useless foreplay that would inevitably lead to nothing.

I didn't want sex...from him, at least.

Cocky nipped at my neck, spreading his hot breath across my skin as he made for my mouth once more. I took his jaw in my hand, holding his face inches from mine as his lips squished together.

"I don't kiss," I informed him, "too personal."

He snorted, "Too personal? And sex isn't personal?"

I released my grip on his jaw and swept my hand up the taut muscles of his chest. An embarrassing groan passed his lips as I smoothed my fingers over his throat, pressing my thumb eagerly to his pulse point. I felt the blood under his skin, the life that flowed inside him.

"Who said anything about sex?" I questioned quietly, brushing my fingers over the soft, smooth skin as I swallowed a mouthful of venom. "I just want to taste you."

His breath stuttered as he said, "Oh God."

"So...can I have a taste?" I bit my lip again and he nodded stupidly, his eyes resting on my mouth. I gently put my hands to his chest, pushing him back. I directed him to the bed, watching as he nearly stumbled over his feet in an attempt to keep a straight path. The crook of his knees knocked the mattress and he supported himself with his hands as he sat.

He leant back on his forearms as I slid onto the bed, straddling his waist as his wide eyes stared at me. I bent down, trailing my nose along the exposed skin of his throat. I listened as he swallowed audibly and mumbled something that even I couldn't make out.

"What was that?" I asked curiously, pulling myself closer to him as the beat of his heart grew thunderous.

"What are you doing?" he repeated as his shaky arms struggled to hold him upright.

"You said I could have a taste," I whispered in his ear, "and that's exactly what I plan on doing."

Cocky whimpered quietly, his breaths ragged and forced as I touched my nose to his neck. I inhaled deeply, drawing in his scent as I closed my eyes. I flicked my tongue out, smoothing it over his skin before I whispered, "This might hurt a little."

I peeled my lips back and sunk my teeth into his flesh so quick that he couldn't react to my comment. Warm, sweet blood filled my mouth, coating my tongue and throat as my overwhelming thirst was swiftly sated. Cocky gripped onto me, whimpering quietly as he choked on his words, lost on what was happening.

The suction of my mouth on his neck tightened as I swallowed and he cried out, clutching onto my arm so tight it would have likely hurt if I were human. I gripped his hand in mine, restraining him as I drank down the fulfilling nectar. I only took a few mouthfuls because I knew anything more than that would be too much.

Once I was satisfied, I swallowed, licking my lips of any excess blood before smoothing the open wound with my tongue. Cocky fell to the bed, his body limp as unconsciousness overtook him. It wasn't the first time this had happened, and honestly, I was elated that he wasn't awake. It was easier to make my getaway.

I climbed over his legs, taking a deep breath and running my fingers through my hair as I straightened out my clothes. Since Cocky was asleep and there was nothing for me to say, I simply left, satisfied as I felt the warmth of his blood in my body. I returned to the party, my eyes searching out Kate as I manoeuvred the crowd.

"Kate," I said loudly, though over the music I couldn't hear myself. "I'm done, I'm leaving."

I listened, trying to discern one sound from another, until I heard her reply. I knew she wasn't alone from her breathless tone and I quickly made my exit, going back the way I came. I took my time as I headed to the junk yard, walking at a human speed through the back roads as I attempted to sort out my thoughts.

I rubbed my fingers against my lips, thinking of Cocky kissing me and how much I didn't like it. It was the briefest amount of time, but even then, it felt all wrong. His mouth was too hard against mine and his taste wasn't pleasant.

What my body sought out was entirely different; it wanted Edward. It wanted thin, soft lips and a divine taste. It wanted his warmth and his familiar, potent aroma.

I shook my head as I walked because my thoughts had drifted to Edward, again. I was tired of thinking of him and where he was...what he was doing. I was hopeful that I would see him soon, but I wasn't going to hold my breath. Though he was civil to me...though he kissed me...I didn't know what that meant.

He could still hate me, for all I knew.

By the time I reached the junk yard, I knew it was just past ten at night. Being accustomed to the dark for so long, I didn't need a clock to tell the time. The position of the moon and the hue of the sky told me everything.

I had debated on staying out longer, but I was so deep in my mind that I almost felt physically exhausted. It was the closest thing I'd felt to exhaustion in all my life and it wasn't helping my mood any. I felt like curling up with a book or simply going to sleep.

I rolled my eyes at how incredibly human I had been acting lately.

I pulled the lock down on the gate, entering quietly as I scanned the darkness to make sure I hadn't been followed. After refastening the lock when I was sure I was alone, I took a calming breath. Though I had known Tanya for about a day, she had already successfully grated on every nerve I had.

An amazing feat, if you ask me.

I started towards the back, listening curiously as I heard a familiar voice in the night, strained and hoarse. I swear if my heart had been beating, it would have abruptly stopped when I'd realized whose voice it was and what I saw when I came to the back entrance.

Parked in the same spot as the night before, with a dent above the left, rear tire...was Edward's car.

A/N: Er...yeah. I'm leaving ya'll hanging until Thursday. This is why I was posting early. No hating on me! Teasers will be provided (teasers and NOT torture) for those who review.

Also, I would LOVE anyone who checked out and reviewed my entry to "A Very Sexy Un-Birthday" contest. It can be found on my profile and is titled Lost in the Wildflowers. It's sort of Lost meets Castaway meets Twilight.

One last thing (promise): links to Bella and Kate's outfits, as well as a general "Edward outfit" can be found on my profile. I had some fun with polyvore.