10. Complications

I give Edward a look.

He simply smiles back as he sets the two boxes he's carrying down.

"Thank you so much Edward," says Mary. I jump slightly when she says his name. "We couldn't have done it without you." So he's already introduced himself.

"Oh it's absolutely no problem Mrs. Brooks." Edward gives her a smile no living, breathing, warm-blooded woman can ever resist. I think she might faint.

Mary stares at Edward for a few moments then snaps out of her trance. "Oh I'm so sorry. Bella, have you met Edward? He was downstairs and saw us carrying up boxes and offered to help. Such a nice, young gentleman. Your mother must be so proud." Mary's smile is blinding.

Edward grins slightly. "Yes she most certainly is." He glances back to me.

"Um..." I begin to say. "Actually…um…we've already met." Edward comes and stands next to me and places his cold hand in mine. A feeling of sudden warmth and desire rushes through me. It's been too long since I've seen him.

Edward looks down at me. "Bella is my fiancé. We're studying together here at Dartmouth." He glances back up at Mary, who looks stunned.

"Really?" Her lips begin to move some more, yet no words escape them. I glance up at Edward and notice his eyes are a brilliant shade of gold, a shade so light and airy. One of the lightest I've seen in his eyes. He must've been doing some major hunting. He chuckles a bit to himself. Probably enjoying all the thoughts running through Mary's mind right now. I can't help but laugh myself, imagining what she's thinking.

"Mrs. Brooks?" Edward says softly.

"Oh yes, well. It's so nice to meet you. Bella has already told us she was engaged, just not to whom. Will you be around here often then?" As she awaits Edward's answer I can tell she's concerned. Concerned we're sex maniacs probably. I mean, how could you not keep your hands off a man this sexy?

Edward smiles, "Only when the time is appropriate, Mrs. Brooks. I would never interrupt Bella's or Kristen's studying. I can assure you of that."

Mary nods her head. "Oh, yes. Well thank you."

Just then Kristen enters the room.

"Oh!" Her eyes go straight to Edward as she stops midway into the doorway. "Sorry, um, mom, the car's parked at the north lot." She looks to Mary, then Edward, walks forward and extends her hand, "Hi, I'm Kristen." The windows I had opened yesterday let in a soft breeze.

But that is all it takes.

Suddenly Edward's grip in my hand becomes tighter, harder, like he's strangling my fingers. His body goes stiff. I glance up at him and his eyes meet mine.

They're dark, much darker than they were a few minutes ago.

My mouth drops open and he lets my hand go. His mouth is hard and his jaw line is well visible. His body seems to become tense, like he's struggling to control something.

"Excuse me. I have an appointment with a professor." Edward forces out the words and glances slightly up to Kristen and Mary as he swiftly exits the room.

The two confused women stare at me in disbelief.

"I'm so sorry he had to leave like that. But he had a very important appointment that he couldn't afford to miss," I lied.

"Oh, well, that's okay. Who was he?" Kristen looks at me.

"That was Edward, my fiancé." I answer her.

Her eyebrows lift and she lets out a breath of air. "Wow. Looks like you won the delicious and gorgeous jackpot!" She smiles and laughs lightly.

I laugh along with her. Thankfully they didn't notice anything too different about him.

"Kristen, please." Her mom lightly nudges her with her elbow. "Let's not talk about Bella's future husband like a piece of meat." She turns to me, "Yet he is a very yummy piece of meat."

We all laugh a little, lightening the mood.

But all I can think about is why Edward acted like that.

Edward

Oh. My. God.

Not again! Not another one!

The minute that breeze passed by Kristen it was like a truck had hit me. Her scent is almost as intoxicating as Bella's. I knew that I had to get out of there.

I rush out of the room and glide down the stairs and out the front door. The fresh air helps, but my throat burns with thirst. I need to see Jasper and Alice. I look up slightly. Cloud cover. Thank god.

Soon enough my phone vibrates in my pocket. But it's Bella.

"What the hell Edward?" She yells into the phone.

"I'm so sorry Bella but I had to get out of there." I try to control my voice, making it sound as soothing as possible.

"Why? I thought you just went hunting?"

How can I tell her the truth without making her worry? "I did. But her scent..." I hear a faint gasp on the other end. "It's like yours. But different. Like a different flavor of yours."
Nice metaphor. I remind myself not to use that one again.

"What?" Her voice is quiet and shocked. "How?"

"I don't know. I'm going to see Jasper and Alice. I think I need to hunt a bit more. Prepare myself. Apologize to them for me?"

"I already have." She sounds annoyed.

"Bella, my love. I just need to work this out. I'll be back tonight, I promise. I hate myself for this, for being away from you. But I cannot afford any slips. I'm so sorry. I love you, always. Bye." I shut the phone and stride over to the dormitory Jasper is housed in. It's a small dorm, the smallest one on campus. Good for Jasper.

I run up the stairs in North Hall and room 25's door is opened before I walk in. I glance at Alice and she gasps.

Edward! How? I saw you…you attacking Bella's roommate?! She puts her hand on her mouth, amazed.

Jasper notices the tension and immediately I feel more at ease. I turn to him and nod subtle thanks.

I can feel you need it, Jasper's thoughts seep into my head.

"It's amazing," I begin. "Her sent was almost exactly like Bella's, but…there's something different about it."

"How bad was it?" Jasper asks me. Nothing could be as worse as Bella's, he ads.

"Bad, but not as potent as Bella's. Still, I had to leave." I glance at Alice, whose eyes are closed shut. I peak into what she's seeing. So far, nothing out of the ordinary.

Alice's eyes open. "You'll be fine Edward. Bella's roommate will be fine, too."

"Thanks, Alice." I look down to my feet. Why does this always happen to me?
"You'll just have to fight this like you've been doing with Bella. It shouldn't be too hard. Just concentrate on Bella's scent. You're more attuned to that one." Jasper suggests. Just don't concentrate too hard on Bella's scent.

"Obviously." I smile at Jasper. I look over to Alice.

"I'll keep an eye on you. Keep your phone handy." She puts her hand on my arm. The touch is soothing, or maybe that's just Jasper. Be careful, she thinks. But Jasper's right. We'll always be nearby if you need us.

I nod back to her. "Thanks Alice, Jasper. Should we hunt once more? Just in case?"

Alice closes her eyes again. "Nope. No need. No human snacks for you tonight." Trust me.

"I do Alice. Keep me on your watch." I get up and head for the door.

Will do. I hear her think.

Be steady. Jasper ads.

"Tomorrow then." I say back and walk out the door. I glance at my phone; it's 4pm. Too early to go back. Maybe I should hunt for a bit before I go back. Just for an hour or two.

But then the pain of being so far from Bella all this morning comes back. My body urges me to move to the forest while my in my mind, I need to see Bella. Wrap her in my arms and feel her soft, velvety skin against mine. Kiss her pouty lips and take in the burning sensation her scent brings me.

But her safety concerns me the most, her roommates safety now, too. I hang my head in defeat and start for the nearby forest.

Soon enough I'm running until my senses take over.

I am the predator.

The prey has no chance.