Edward.

It's been said that when it comes to a vampire's desire for blood, we're incredibly insatiable.

I'd like to dispute that. Because at this very moment, I was feeling equivalent to what a human calls stuffed. I had been hunting for days now, killing and drinking from any animal that was gutsy enough to cross my path.

At first, my objective was to gain strength for Bella. But after spending a night out here, isolated from thoughts, people and technology, I began to relish in the quietness. It wasn't easy to admit at first, but as much as I want to see Bella at the moment, I was too cowardly to face her.

How do you explain to the love of your life that you doomed her to a life of damnation?

So instead of taking responsibility for my actions, I was hiding out in an abandoned forest in Italy, slaughtering animals and mourning over the loss of my Bella, who wasn't even dead yet.

Bella.

How did I come to deserve such perfection? I didn't, but for some strange reason that I have yet to discover, she wanted to be with me. And never in a million years, have I thought that I would even have the capacity to have such forceful feelings for anything. But Bella .. well, she almost made me feel human again, and as selfish as it was, I wouldn't ever willingly let that go.

I felt more guilty as the seconds ticked by. I was out here having my own personal feast, and Bella was probably cooped up at the house in Forks, wondering if I was okay or not. I cringed. I hadn't contacted anybody in days, but it felt so peaceful out here. The relaxation was much needed, and I only hoped that Alice saw my safety and confirmed it to the rest of the family.

Sighing, I stood from my spot in the moist dirt, and slowly stalked back to the entrance of the forest. My phone was sitting on the branch where I had left it days ago. I picked it up, and pressed the green button that began to power it up. I stiffened when I saw 134 calls from Alice.

I called my voicemail, and leaned against a tree, my insides chilling as her familiar tinkling voice rang in my ears.

"Edward, it'd be nice if you actually let us know how you're doing, you jerk." I chuckled and pressed the button to delete it.

"I see you in a forest. You don't look hurt. When are you coming home? Bella misses you. We all miss you. Call, please." Delete.

"Edward," her voice sounded alert and frightened. I sat up immediately. "Felix is circling the house. I've tried looking into the future to decipher his plans, but it's blank. I don't have a good feeling about this." The voicemail was left earlier today, but it wasn't the last one. I deleted it, and moved onto the next one.

"He has her, Edward! God damnit, she's gone and I can't see her! Get back here as soon as possible!"

The click of the phone, met by the operator giving me my inbox options quickly followed, but I was still processing the last voicemail. Felix had Bella. Bella was in danger.

And that was the only thing I needed to be sure of before my feet took me on a whirlwind journey to the airport. They only had first class tickets left, but I didn't mind. I quickly paid, did the usual safety procedures, and an hour later I found myself sitting anxiously and impatiently isolated in the first class section.

Despite the blinking sign above me that warned us to keep our electronic devices off, I was continuously dialing Alice's number. When she wouldn't pick up, I called everybody else's phone, but nobody was answering. My anxiety was only fueling my rage, and all I could see was red.

If one inch of Bella was harmed, there would be hell to pay.

Especially after I had just made a deal with the Volturi, which gave Bella at least two months of safety. I don't think Aro would be foolish enough to go back on his word and order Bella's death, so Felix must be acting on his own. The idea only built more rage within me.

I will kill him.

Nine hours later, I was rushing out of the airport, feeling higher in spirits that I was back in Washington. The sickening idea of a harmed Bella still haunted at me. If Felix had done anything, I would be too late. If Bella was hurt, it would be my fault. I wasn't here to protect her. Instead, I was selfishly filling my gut with blood.

I found my Volvo sitting untouched from where I had left it. Yanking the keys out of my pocket, I quickly climbed in and shoved the key into the ignition, enjoying the daft rumble of the engine. I peeled out of the parking lot, and drove faster than I ever had before.

I made it back to the quaint little town at a record breaking hour and 26 minutes, and once the car had stopped in the driveway, I could already tell that something was seriously wrong. The atmosphere surrounding the house was quiet, which was unusual for our chatty family. Not one single thought was heard.

But then I smelt it.

His disgusting, royal aroma. It was breezing through the air, and my deepest fears were confirmed. He really did take Bella.

I entered the house. Silence. I didn't bother calling out, for I knew that nobody was within miles radius from here. I inhaled his putrid scent up the staircase, where it lingered in my bedroom. The window was wide open, and a slew of papers that had I left sitting around were strewn across the floor. He must've jumped through the window with her.

I crouched to jump, but a lone piece of scrap paper caught my eye. I leaned down to snatch it up, and the cold venom that ran through my body boiled. I let out a vicious snarl as the dark, bolded calligraphy popped out at me.

Don't scream. Don't make a noise.

I bellowed out an angry shout, and the paper crumbled beneath my fingers before I leapt from the window. The world flew around me as I was free-falling, but I landed gracefully on my feet, and I was off. I followed his scent, stopping occasionally when the wind would pick up and push it elsewhere.

My phone began to vibrate in my pocket, and as much as I wanted to ignore it, I felt the nagging need to answer it. I plucked it up, and my head spun when I saw Alice's familiar number. I was speaking before the phone even reached my ear.

"Where is she, Alice? Where are you all? What's happened?"

"Edward," she began, and I hated the sorrow that tainted her usually bubbly voice. I winced, and brought my other hand to forehead, pinching the bridge of my nose between my fingers. This wasn't going to be good news. "You need to come down to La Push. We're on the Reservation, at Jacob Black's house."

"Why are you there? How did you cross the boundary line? Where's Bella? Can I speak to her?" I asked quickly. I heard the line go dead, and I immediately screamed in anger. I shoved the phone back into my pocket, before turning on my heel and heading in the direction of the Quilete's turf.

My family's scents quickly became apparent. Bella's was there as well, but it was faint and barely detectable. I didn't enjoy the sinking feeling that maybe there was a reason for that, but I guess I would find out soon enough.

Billy Black's house came into view. It was a small, red cabin-like building that housed the two Quilietes. Various cars and vehicles were scattered amongst the property, the hoods propped open and tools surrounding the area.

Don't overreact, Edward. Please ignore it, and come quietly.

Alice's mental voice was begging with me, and I stopped running, automatically confused at her request. I inhaled a breath and waited for her to elaborate, when the unmistakable scent of delicious, tantalizing blood evaded my entire being.

Bella.

My eyes were wide as I followed my nose, and dipped my head to the ground beneath my feet. Inches from my feet, sat a dark red puddle of blood. Bella's blood.

Please, Edward. Just come into the house.

I was seething, and as I continued to inhale the antagonizing aroma, I stared at the house. Everybody else's thoughts were dull buzzes, meaning they were fighting as hard as they could to clear their heads. I didn't like this one bit.

I moved closer to the house, slowly and hesitantly. The scent of Bella's blood grew stronger as I neared the front door. I yanked the screen door open roughly, and wasn't remorseful when it flew off of the hinges, falling loudly onto the wooden porch behind me.

I stepped into the house, and wanted to gag. A mixture of Bella's blood, my family's scent and wolf hung strongly in the air. It was almost unbearable, and burned my nostrils as if I were inhaling straight bleach. I continued to stand at the door, afraid of moving forward. I was afraid of what I would see.

A loud, shrill and agonizing scream pierced the house, and my dead heart dropped to my stomach when I recognized the hearty, musical voice that produced it.

Bella.

My feet moved unwillingly into the next room, and I froze in the doorway when the five bodies of my family members stood nervously in front of me. Alice was the first to greet me. She wrapped her tiny arms around my neck, and I noticed they were shaking with tremors as she removed them.

"I'm sorry," she squeaked miserably. My lips parted in horror, and I shook my head.

"No," I gasped in disbelief. I continued to shake my head furiously. "She isn't .. she isn't gone. Don't tell me that, Alice."

Alice shook her head, and I saw the immense sadness in her eyes. If she could produce tears, she would be sobbing at the moment.

"She isn't dead. Just .. go see for yourself. She's in the other room with Carlisle."

I didn't need anymore of a suggestion before my feet continued to lead me down a small, cramped hallway. I could hear Bella's grunts of pain, and Carlisle's soothing, quiet voice cooing her to calm down. I closed my eyes tight, as the realization suddenly sank in.

She was dying- in the worst way possible. She was turning. The filthy bastard had bitten her.

I stepped into the room, closing the door behind me. Carlisle didn't seem surprised to see me, but I could see the sympathy in his eyes. I tried to get it out of her system, but it was too late. I'm sorry.

I nodded silently, and joined him at the side of the bed she was currently occupying. Sweat was beaded across her forehead, several strands of hair sticking to it as she threw her neck back and fourth in pain. Her toes were curling, along with her fingers as her spasms grew heavier. The sight left me with a throbbing chest. I wanted to take every inch of her pain away. She didn't deserve any of this.

"What.." my voice croaked, raising to an embarrassingly high octave. "What happened, Carlisle? What happened to him?"

He knew exactly who I was referring to.

"He was upstairs, and they tried to get to her in time but he was so quick. Alice didn't see it coming. We failed at keeping her safe, Edward. I can't even-" he stopped himself, closing his eyes in loss. I had never seen Carlisle look so defeated.

I reached forward, and placed a hand on his shoulder. His eyes snapped open, and I forced out the best weak smile that I could give him. I knew he appreciated the gesture when he returned the smile.

"It's okay, Carlisle. I don't blame you. What happened after you discovered he had taken her?"

I was surprised at how calm and level-headed I was being when my insides were raging with revenge.

"Alice saw it too late. When she went upstairs, they were gone. She called us, and we searched the entire forest, but he kept relocating her. When we finally found her, Felix was gone and Jacob Black was by her side. Since we were closer to La Push, we just took her here. The venom was too far gone to remove it. I'm sorry."

I shook my head, and turned my attention back to Bella. I kneeled down on the floor beside her trembling frame, and reached for a fisted hand. She relaxed immediately under my touch, and despite my rage, I couldn't help but smile. Using my thumb, I stroked the smooth skin between her thumb and index finger. After a few seconds, she reached out to give me better access, and I had to stifle my gasp of horror when the bloodied crimson scar came into view.

I was shaking with rage as I stood to my feet. I leaned over Bella's body, and pressed my lips gently to her forehead.

"I'm sorry, love. He'll never hurt you again. Nobody will ever hurt you again," I spoke in hushed tones against her forehead. She audibly groaned, and turned her head, breaking the contact that my lips had with her skin.

I turned to face Carlisle.

Be careful.

I nodded once, and threw another glance at Bella before I stomped angrily through the house. I stopped when I reached the living room. Rosalie, Alice and Esme were its only occupants. Esme stepped forward, and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek, before giving me a small smile.

Jasper and Emmett are waiting outside to go with you. We'll keep watch here.

I nodded, and headed door-less entryway. Don't be gentle on his sadistic ass! I smirked to myself at Rosalie's cheerful thoughts, and stepped down from the large porch. Emmett and Jasper met me in the middle, stepping on each side of me.

When I reached the entrance of the forest, a towering figure stepped out, and I surprised that I was so wrapped up in my rage that I didn't notice his presence. Jacob Black was heaving; his chest moving dramatically up and down. His glare was furious, and his top lip curled into an evil snarl. Emmett and Jasper growled lowly, and stepped forward, but I held my arms out, stopping them.

"Hunting down a leech?" I asked playfully. He smirked.

"Out for revenge?" he countered. A small, devious smile flittered across my lips as I nodded my head in confirmation once. Jacob stepped forward, extending his arm. I looked at it for a moment, before gripping his hand in my own harshly.

"Let's take this blood-sucking motherfucker down," he spat darkly as he drew his arm back. He moved to the other side of Emmett, and the four of us, walking in a frightening line, moved through the forest stealthily. Bella's face, combined with the rage that had been building inside of me all day, clouded my senses, and I overcome with the sick urge to rip Felix's head from his body.

And I would do exactly that.

Whoa, a six day wait? Whaaaat? I'm just as shocked as you are that the delay was so short. However, I was bored and I thought you all might appreciate the effort to get chapters out quicker. I didn't really spend too much time editing this one, so if you see small grammatical errors, please ignore them. I hope I answered some of your concerns. I addressed the main, confusing ones. However, not everything has to be explained, so don't get all worked up. It's just a fanfiction. I hope my next chapter will be out quick as well, but I can't tell you what I have going on next week. Most of my time lately is devoted to finding a job, but Michigan is a lost cause right now. Nothing here is hiring. *Sigh*

Anyway, I hope I didn't disappoint. Please click the button below and let me know what you think. Until next time! (which hopefully won't be very long)