PROLOGUE

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Emmett weaves through the trees, searching for a means to end the excruciating burn building in his throat. The hunger is strong, his animalistic instincts kicking in as a low growl erupts from deep within his chest. He was born a natural hunter, that skill carrying over after his transformation. Now he's nearly unstoppable — strong and built like an ox — with wisdom and experience no man his human age can ever possess so early in their lives.

Coming to an abrupt halt, Emmett's head snaps to the right as the mouthwatering scent of a buck greets his flared nostrils. With a small smirk, he darts forward, using his vampiric vision to get a clear view of his prey as he moves swiftly through the woods. When he spots the buck a few feet ahead he leaps into action, sinking his fangs into the fur once he tackles it to the ground, the animal shrieking in both fear and pain.

Upon arriving back at the house he's quickly greeted by Carlisle, who has a serious look in his eye and a solemn expression.

"Emmett...I need you to promise to stay calm once inside," he urges his son, who in response gives him a confused look. "Just please, promise me."

Emmett nods slowly, now worried more than confused. Something has happened to Rose, is all he can think as he's led inside. He looks around the room, seeing the whole family is there, and when he spots Rose with Alice holding her in a protective manner he starts to panic.

"Rose? Rose what's wrong, are you hurt?" he questions her quickly, rushing forward to check her for any wounds, and when he finds nothing he looks up into her pained eyes.

"E—Emmett, I," Rosalie sighs and pulls herself out of Alice's grasp to place her hands on her lover's chest. "Alice had a vision, a—about my true mate. He's close and..."

Emmett blinks, heart sinking as he takes in her words. She's telling him they can't continue, that their lives together as a pair are coming to an end. Deep down he always knew this could happen but had the 'it won't happen to us'.

"But Rose...Alice's visions aren't always set in stone. What if he doesn't come?" he asks weakly, trying his best to sound hopeful.

"Baby...I'm so, so sorry, but you know about the connection between true mates. If her vision is correct, and he does find us, it would kill me inside not being with him." Rose apologizes, hating that she's hurting him this way. She can see him breaking, and it's all her fault.

Emmett turns to Edward, silently pleading with him, hoping this was just some awful prank. But when Edward averts his gaze, he knows it's time to accept it as the truth. Pulling away he looks around at the others. He wants to yell, he wants to throw things around the room and demand she take him back.

"Emmett...", Edward speaks up in a tone filled with caution, no doubt focusing on his thoughts and preparing to pull him back should things go wrong.

"Perhaps we should continue this discussion in the morning? It's late, and everyone is on edge." Carlisle suggests, stepping between Rose and Emmett to form a barrier. Emmett sighs, his eyes burning as Jasper's power forces him to relax. He'll have to get him back for that later, but all he wants to do now is get out of this house. Turning from his family he escapes through the back door, entering the woods before crashing into a tree. Normally he'd be able to avoid such obstacles, but his mind isn't as clear now. He closes his eyes, gasping for air he doesn't need as he falls to his knees, letting out a loud scream of agony and frustration. He's alone, all alone...