Sorry it took so long and that its so short! I'll try to get working on it faster but there's a lot going on right now. Also, remember to read Kiss and Control by Dinkx. (its not a fanfic, just a story shes writing but its really good!) :)

Chapter 20: Blood

I followed Edward out into the field, holding my breathe all the while. He held my hand and we walked slow for a while. He asked me if I wanted to run, but I knew I wasn't ready for that quite yet. When we got through the trees into the opening, I took a deep breath and caught the scent of something sweet. Edward looked at me, squeezed my hand and let go.

Before I could even think about what I was doing, I was running into the woods on the other side of the field. Within seconds I had covered over a mile of distance and thrust into the trees.

I was suddenly overwhelmed by the sweet, salty scent of animal blood. I quickly overcame a large elk and stopped short. Edward came up beside me and urged me forward, but I was hesitant. The animal was so large and I was a fairly small person in comparison.

Edward still didn't say anything, but one look in his eyes told me to go for it. I launched forward and crashed into the side of the large beast. It stumbled over from my force and fell on its side. Before it could regain balance or fight back, I sank my teeth into its neck.

It's flesh tasted dirty, but that taste was soon overcome by the sweet and salty flavor of his blood. I let the thick liquid fill my mouth and slide down my throat. I moaned as the animal inside of me was satisfied.

I heard his heart slowly stop and, with the final beat, I let his limp head fall back to the ground. I looked into his black, cold eyes and felt guilt build up in my stomach. I felt strong arms slide around my sides and lock together around my stomach.

I twisted in Edwards grip and looked him in the eyes. He looked back with so much love it was painful to continue holding his stare. I buried my head in his chest and sobbed tearlessly.

"Shh. It's okay." He soothed, rubbing stray strands of hair out of my face.

"I killed it." I sobbed harder.

"You had to. If you didn't, Bella, I would have."

"But…why?" I looked at him.

"Carlisle hasn't been very specific on it, but we think that the same thing that happens to a human when we bite and don't kill would happen to an animal as well."

"You mean a vampire animal?" I asked, curious.

"None of us has ever tried it. And as far as we know, no one in the Denali Clan has tried it either. We're not willing to risk what might happen."

I couldn't say anything, I just looked back at the elk, and, tearing myself away from Edwards grasp, sat down in the dirt beside it.

"I'm sorry you had to die." I said, closing its cold, black eyes.

"It's the circle of life, and death." Edward whispered. "We are grateful for all the animals who give up their lives to save those of humans."

I was satisfied with that, so I stood up and started walking back to the cabin. Half way back, I turned to face Edward. "You need to hunt." I remembered.

"I will. I want to get you back so you can clean up. I'll leave you with Alice and go back out."

"Will I ever see you hunt?" I asked slyly.

"Maybe." He smiled, leading me up the back steps into the house.