Edward's POV

I stood in the middle of the deep forest leaning against a tree, thinking. I was so torn between Bella, Carlisle, my instinct to protect Bella and my reluctance to respect her wish of being given more independence.

The truth was, I was terrified of what would happen to her if I allowed her to do what she wanted. Bella was just so clumsy and she seemed to attract danger all the time; I would never forgive myself if something happened to her when I could have prevented it from occurring. However what happened to Bella completely contradicts my theory, we kept her overly safe and she ended up in the worst possible danger.

Furthermore, I was terrified of what Carlisle would do to me for disobeying him, attacking him, disrespecting him, blaming him and worst of all, running from him. I knew that he was a father to me, however he was still my coven leader and I had betrayed him in every way. I shuddered to think of what would have happened to me if I was in another coven. I would have been tortured then probably killed. I knew that Carlisle would never do that but he might send me away, I am not good enough to be part of this family. I am not good enough for Bella, she is better off with someone who will keep her safe.

As my dark thoughts spiralled in my mind I heard someone approaching. Listening for their thoughts, I pulled away from the tree and tensed. Whoever it was, they were mind blocking me so it must be a Cullen. I sniffed out a scent and immediately recognised it to be Carlisle's. Anxiety filled me and I started to sprint away through the trees but he was too close and had spotted me.

'Edward!' Carlisle yelled desperately while chasing after me.

I ignored his pleas and continued to run but my disturbing thoughts and shredded nerves slowed me down and his desperation sped him up. He was also a lot calmer than me so he could think a lot more rationally than me, therefore as I blindly ran anywhere but towards him, he took shortcuts.

As I tried to dodge a large tree just ahead of me, Carlisle jumped out from behind it and landed directly in front of me. Before I could stop myself or even slow down, I ran straight into his strong arms which folded around me and held me in a tight vice grip. I may normally be faster than the others but he was definitely stronger than me and despite my panicked thrashing and yelling, he didn't lose his grip on me. I was trapped.

Carlisle's POV

I held onto my clearly frightened son with all my strength, preventing his escape. He thrashed wildly and snarled in frustration. Eventually, he calmed down and hung limply in my arms in defeat.

'Please' he whispered, 'Please don't hurt me'.

I looked down in pure shock at my son who now cowered away from me. He was petrified, his face scrunched up and his eyes screwed tight.

'Edward...' I started but he cut me off.

'I'm sorry' he stuttered 'Just please don't hurt me, I'll leave. I won't return, I-'

'Son, stop.' I said gently, sliding down the tree and sitting up against it, still holding Edward.

Edward peeked up at me. I was staring down at him with nothing but love, compassion and sadness that he thought I would hurt him. Yes, he had behaved appallingly and I was disappointed but I would never ever hurt him and I certainly didn't want him to leave. As I cradled Edward in my arms, he read my thoughts and shock washed over his expression. I smiled reassuringly and he struggled up out of my hold then staggered, fell to his knees and broke down, dry sobbing over all the emotions that he was feeling. I flitted to his side and pulled him into an embrace. He tried to struggle away, feeling ashamed by his emotional outburst.

'It's ok son, let it out' I said as I put my hands on his shoulders and looked into his eyes.

'I love you Edward, you are my son and I would never hurt you. I would never send you away no matter what you have done' I said with sincerity.

He looked at me, then the floor, then back to me again.

'I'm sorry-' he started but it was my turn to cut him off.

'Let's not talk about this here, let's go home, see how Bella is and then we can talk after you've settled down. You need to talk to Bella first.' I stated.

'Oh God...' He muttered.

'Well you shouldn't have run out on her, she didn't take it too well' I explained.

His expression turned worried.

'What do you mean Carlisle?' He said anxiously.

Before I could explain he read my thoughts and sprinted back to the house to see Bella. I found myself chasing him for the second time today...