CHAPTER TEN

Competition. Other than Rosalie, it was the one thing that Emmett loved. He thrived on competition, as if he would suffocate without it. Being a vampire made this difficult for him in the fact that he could easily best any human challenger. The only beings he could effectively compete against were other vampires or himself. Thus, he was constantly trying to prove himself worthy— better himself at whatever task was set before him. Today was no exception.

I watched him for the third time now as he darted across the forest, up the hill to where he could find his prey, and return with a triumphant smirk planted firmly on his face. He'd been so quick about it, he spilled some blood on his shirt. I only shook my head in disapproval.

"So, how fast was that?" he asked, dropping to the earth beside me.

"I didn't time you," I answered from my position flat against the ground.

"You said you would," he complained

"I did — the first time you went out."

"And what about the other two?"

I shrugged. "It seemed faster. I'm not sure."

"You're not — ugh — Edward! You're taking the fun out of this!"

I glared at him.

"I'm not going to come hunting with you anymore if you're going to be all love-sick and depressed."

I sat up in a flash. "I'm not all love-sick and depressed."

"If you say so." But his mind mumbled in complaint, pointing out my frustrating behavior of the last twenty-four hours.

All this fuss for such an ordinary girl? I don't get it. But hey, if he loves her then I suppose we have to put up with him. He should be happy that we didn't just kill her. That would have been a much easier solution.

"You realize that since we're the only two sentient beings within four miles that yours is the only mind I can hear."

"So?"

"So stop. Please."

"I can't just stop thinking."

"You can stop thinking those particular thoughts."

"But that's what I'm curious about."

"I don't care. Think about something else."

It was quiet for a moment before scandalous images of Rosalie came floating into my mind.

"Emmett!"

"You told me to think about something else, and I did!"

I groaned and rubbed my eyes. "I really don't have any desire to see Rosalie half naked."

"I know — and I thank you for that," he grinned suggestively. "I don't think I've ever said thank you for turning down Rose. I mean, when I first found out about that — when I figured out that Carlisle had intended for you and Rose to hook up and that you weren't interested, I thought that you were - "

"Emmett," I interrupted him.

His eyes were wide. "Well, I did."

"I know you did," I replied.

"I mean, come on, what man is going to turn down Rosalie? There had to be something wrong with you."

I rolled my eyes. This was not the conversation I wanted to have. "There is nothing wrong with me. In fact, I was doing myself a favor by staying away from her. We're like oil and water — we don't mix."

"Well, duh, I know that now. But you have to admit that all these years without a companion…"

"I never wanted a companion," I corrected.

"Until now," he added matter-of-factly. I looked at him in surprise. "I'm right, aren't I?"

I pulled my eyes from him, wondering if for a split second he had managed to tap into some kind of extrasensory perception and hear the constant thoughts of my mind.

Emmett flashed a big toothy smile at me. "I may not have telepathic powers but I know when a man wants a woman."

"Emmett," I warned.

"Why are you fighting it, anyway?"

"We're here to hunt, not to discuss Bella's future."

"But see, that's the problem." He shifted to face me better, his legs crossing in front of him. "Ever since Bella Swan arrived in Forks, she has been the only thing you can focus on. Day and night — no matter where we are — it's all about Bella."

"What's your point?"

"My point is that you're obsessed with her, and until you do something about it, the rest of us have to suffer through your moods."

"And in your opinion, what I should do is kill her."

He shrugged again. "Or change her."

I glowered at him.

"What?" he cried.

"Have you not heard one word I've said about this?"

"Oh, come on, Edward," he chuckled. "You can't really just intend to keep her as a human."

"That's exactly what I intend to do."

Emmett rolled on the ground, laughing at me in delight. "Oh wow, she's really got you wrapped around her little finger, hasn't she? This is really going to be fun to watch. I never thought you'd ever be this entertaining, Edward. You're always so serious."

"I'm serious about this, too, Emmett, so I'd appreciate it if you'd stop mocking my good intentions."

"Oh, I'll grant you that your intentions are good, I just think you're being a bit too naive."

I snapped at him, irritated at his assessment. "I'm really tired of being accused of naivety. I'm older than you are, Emmett. Just because I haven't been lusting after a woman for the last century doesn't mean I don't understand how the world works."

His smile fell and his voice grew hard. "You honestly think you're going to be in this girl's presence, inhale her scent, hear her heartbeat, feel the heat from her skin, and not respond to it? What are you going to do — just sit there next to her? How long do you think you can keep that up? Five years? Maybe ten? Bella'd be what…twenty-eight? 'Cause that wouldn't raise any eyebrows, with you looking seventeen."

"I can pass for twenty-five," I said bitterly.

"Yeah, and she could pass for thirty-five." He paused, while I seethed. "If you're going to do it, you better do it fast, but if you're not going to do it, you'd better let her go."

I couldn't sit still anymore. I was too frustrated. I had to run. I had to hunt before I turned and lashed out at Emmett. His points were valid, but I wasn't willing to accept them. Bella was too innocent — too pure to be attacked by a bloodthirsty monster like myself. I would just have to quench my thirst the best way I knew how.

I darted off into the trees, immediately picking up the scent of the bears Emmett had been playing with all day. They weren't difficult to find, for Emmett had really riled them up. They were angry over their fallen comrades, and when they spotted me, they held nothing back.

That's what I wanted — a fight. There were three of them roaring and charging right at me. Their eyes pierced mine as I readied myself for the attack. I snarled at them, baring my vicious teeth and making my intentions clear. They growled in reply, one going up on his hind legs to tower above me and swipe at me with his paws. It was thrilling.

Leaping over my head and pouncing on the bear standing up right, Emmett attacked with as much vigor as I'd ever seen. His teeth tore at the animal's throat and the lush smell of blood filled the air. I took out the bear closest to me just as easily, ripping into his neck and drinking down the warm fluid as fast as I could. My system took pleasure in being filled so fully with blood. I felt my insides begin to thaw as the blood rushed through my veins. I savored the taste in my mouth, desperately trying to convince myself that this blood was just as good as any other but knowing very well that I was fooling myself.

When I had consumed the last drop of the animal's blood, I glanced over at Emmett, who was standing over the carcass of the third bear. What a waste.

"What's the matter?"

"I had to take this one out before I was done drinking. He was about to clobber me. Now his blood's gone all cold. I hate that." He frowned in disgust.

"He can't be too cold," I said, stepping over the remains of my grizzly and coming to stand beside the one Emmett was complaining about. I touched the animal's thick fur and felt the warmth still lingering. "We can still drink."

Emmett sneered. "No thanks. You go ahead. I like them when they're still struggling."

"You just want the danger," I corrected.

"Not much danger in a grizzly bear anymore, though," he laughed. "Still, I wasn't much afraid of them even when I was human and I could get hurt."

I stilled, my mind drifting uninvited back to Bella. Humans were so very fragile, and they seemed to have no idea of this concept. Mortality was seldom a topic found at the forefront of a human mind. And yet, it should be. After all, Emmett and I were proof of how destructible humans were; disease took my life, a bear took his.

I couldn't help but wonder what would eventually take Bella's life and stop the beating of her precious heart.

"Now what?" Emmett groaned.

I snapped my eyes to meet his, suddenly aware that I had lost track of my thoughts yet again. "I'm sorry," I muttered quietly.

"And here I thought that you were back to having fun. Do you have to mope so much?"

I opened my mouth to protest, but then shut it, conceding defeat. "I really am sorry, Emmett. If I could stop thinking about her, I would."

"Her — so we are back to Bella again."

I smirked at him.

He huffed and sat down on a log, stretching out his long limbs casually. "What is it this time? Please tell me you've decided to change her and get it over with."

"No, Emmett. Quite the opposite, actually." I joined him on the makeshift bench.

"So, you really are just going to keep her human?"

I breathed deeply before answering. "That's what I want, and I do see your point. Really I do. But I can't imagine her with cold skin and no heartbeat. I just can't. It seems to me that everything special and unique about her would be lost, all to satisfy my cravings. It isn't a worthy enough reason, in my opinion."

"Well, if you've ever wanted to prove that you're stronger than I am, I suppose that would do it. I wouldn't last five seconds."

"You didn't last two seconds," I corrected.

He nodded silently, and then shook his head. "I still can't see how it's going to work. I mean, you'll have to be careful even touching her. If you held her too tight…"

"I know," I sighed. "I've already considered that. Hell, I'm always thinking about how easily she could be harmed, and Bella is more accident prone than any human I've ever met. I feel as if it's my duty to make sure she doesn't… break."

"Even though you could snap her like a twig." Emmett was never one for displaying too much tact.

I thought for a long moment, carefully considering how to approach the concerns floating around in my head. I figured if Emmett could be blunt, then so could I. "Bella is at First Beach today."

Emmett's eyes instantly met mine. "Really? Why?"

"Her friends invited her."

"Well," he stuttered, "she is allowed to go there. It isn't like she's already one of us."

I ignored his use of the word "already". "I still don't like her going there. I don't think the Quileutes would ever harm her, but Bella is special. If I can recognize it, then someone else will eventually recognize it as well."

"But she's human. What can they do to her?"

I was slightly appalled at his lack of thought on the subject. "She's always human, but think about the things you or I could do to her." Before Emmett could comment, I admitted my last and final concern. "I don't like her being that far away from me. What if she were to be injured and I wasn't there to help her?"

Emmett made a face at me. "What's she goanna do on the beach? Get a sunburn? Stub her toe on a rock?"

"Considering that she not only escaped being crushed by a van, but that she also has managed to stay alive in spite of having several angry vampires after her, I wouldn't put it past her to get into some kind of trouble this weekend."

"And you care because…"

I really wanted to strangle him at that moment. "I care because I love her! You know, Emmett, sometimes I wonder if your brain is even working."

"Funny, I was thinking the same thing about you. I see the many flaws in your little plan, whereas you can only see Bella."

I hummed, pursing my lips and cocking an eyebrow. "Kind of like you when I'm arguing with Rosalie. You can never see my point, regardless of the issue. All you can see is that Rosalie is upset and you want to fix it."

"Yeah, but that's different."

"How so?"

"Well, Rosalie is my… wife."

"And you love her."

"Of course."

"And I love Bella."

He rolled his eyes and thought, Whatever.

I stood up, taking a few strides away from him. "I'm going back tomorrow." I made the decision hours ago, but only now chose to make it known to Emmett. I was annoying him, and vise versa. It wouldn't do either of us any good to stay out here and argue for hours on end.

Besides, I was too worried about Bella to be this unaware of her physical status. I needed to hear that heart beating in her chest. It was a physical ache not to have proof of it right this second.

"But Alice said we'll have sun through Wednesday. There's no reason to go back now," he protested.

Again, I was disappointed at his absent-mindedness. "There is a reason…for me."

Bella. I heard the internal groan. I'll be glad when he changes her so we can stop all the fuss. It's irritating.

I very nearly punched him for that, but opted to take out my aggression on the mountain lion I had just spotted. The animal had blood. Emmett didn't. And I needed more blood if I wanted to be near Bella again.

Sunday came and I kept my word about going back, much to Emmett's dismay. I told him he could stay if he wanted to, but I knew he wouldn't. Emmett liked hunting with someone too much to stay out in the woods alone. He liked the thrill of showing off his strength. He enjoyed hunting as a team, like some crude sport where the only rules were to leave no evidence behind and the loser ended up dead. But that was Emmett, plain and simple.

When we reached the Forks city limits, I jumped out of the Jeep without giving Emmett a warning.

"Where're you going?" he called, slamming his foot on the break and skidding on the wet pavement.

"To see Bella," I replied honestly.

"What if she doesn't want to see you?"

"She's not going to see me." I turned and walked away from the truck, hearing Emmett's doubtful mind speculate about my sanity. I wasn't too certain myself. The one thing I did know was that Bella was the most important thing to me — the most important person I'd ever met. My need to be with Bella was second only to my need for blood.

I found myself at the edge of the woods just outside of her small house. It was still early, but Chief Swan's car was already gone. He must have been on duty today. I was upset at him for some unknown reason for leaving Bella all alone. If I had a daughter as accident prone as Bella, I would want to protect her as best I could. But then, Bella wasn't my daughter, she was just my friend. I could only hope that someday she would be so much more.

I'm not sure how long I watched the house before I saw movement through the glass of the windows. It was Bella, of course, and she looked… angry? She disappeared for a moment, and then the front door swung open, revealing a slightly rumpled looking Bella dressed in a raincoat and boots. I was instantly at attention, curious about her state of mind and why she felt the need to go out on such a gloomy morning as this one. It wasn't normal.

Since when had Bella Swan done anything normal?

She stomped past her truck and headed right for the very last place I ever wanted her to go — the forest. There were dangers in the forest unlike those found out in the open. Animals, broken tress, slippery slopes...not to mention the creatures that hid within the shadows. With Bella's history, she would certainly encounter one, if not all of the dangers, getting into as much trouble as she could.

My senses went into overdrive as I followed her. I breathed deeply, seeking out any unwanted beast that might cause her harm. It was painful to do so, given the nearness of her potent scent, but I wouldn't let her come to harm just so I could be comfortable. I was most decidedly uncomfortable with the idea of her being taken from me when I could prevent it.

The earth made a squishing sound under her feet and the birds overhead squawked as they flew by. I froze, half expecting her to turn around and look at me, fearing my movement had startled the birds. But Bella kept on her course, down the thin path into the heart of the woods.

She plodded through the brush with a fierce expression plastered on her face. I had read her correctly, she was angry, and I allowed myself a moment of congratulations for getting it right. Whatever joy I felt over my astuteness fled as I begin to ponder the source of her anger. It was far too early in the day for such emotion, and she had most likely spent the morning alone. Had something happened at the beach yesterday? Had Mike made an inappropriate advancement towards her?

I began imagining Mike's mangled body lying in a heap, his blood flowing freely.

No. That couldn't be it. Bella was too strong of an individual to ever let someone like Mike take advantage of her. She had gone with a group. I couldn't let myself believe that she would put herself in a situation where he could take advantage of her in such a crude way. She was too smart for that.

Or was she?

She'd been all alone in a car with a vampire just the other day. A vampire who craved her blood over the blood of every other living thing. That certainly wasn't smart.

And now she was plopping down to sit on a fallen tree in the middle of a wild forest with that same vampire watching her. Anything could hurt her out here. I could hurt her. But I wouldn't, nor would I allow anything to come near her. I took my place behind a large tree and stood stock still, my eyes glued to her form.

She sat in total silence for an inhuman amount of time. Just thinking. I could see her making faces as she internalized some sort of struggle. It ate away at my brain that I couldn't share those thoughts. I wanted them so desperately. It was cruel that she could be so worked up and I had no way of knowing what bothered her. I wanted to comfort her, make that pain go away. I knew it wasn't my place, but to see her so obviously hurting inside made my cold heart break.

My nose caught the scent of one of the beasts kept hidden from the humans. I whipped my head around quickly, my eyes searching for the source. I saw nothing, but then these creatures were well equipped to hide in the trees. Bella needed to leave.

She needed to leave now.

My mind screamed at her to go. RUN!

If she didn't move soon, I would have to make my presence known and drag her out of there myself before she would be killed. I could imagine how her frightened and astonished face would glare at me for secretively following her — daring to save her life. She would hate me for it, I was sure.

And then the rain began to fall.

To my great astonishment and relief, Bella rose from her position on the tree and headed out of the woods. I stayed as close to her as I could without being spotted, my eyes and ears tuned in to every sight and sound the forest made. They wouldn't hurt her. I wouldn't let them. It might start a war between my kind and theirs, but so be it.

It took too long for Bella to find her way out of the shadows and into the open world, but she eventually made it, and all in one piece. I released a sigh as she marched back to her house — back to safety. She casually entered as if nothing had happened, completely unaware that her life had been spared, yet again.

At that moment I made the promise that would eventually come back to haunt me. I would never let anything hurt her — not even myself. If I had to destroy myself to protect her, I would, and gladly. My love for her might just be the end of me, but I couldn't avoid it. And I would watch over her like a hawk to make sure I didn't break that promise.