He snatched the human, holding his breath as he ran. No, he couldn't give in. Not yet. He needed to be far away to where he couldn't hear the sound of the mate's footsteps after him. She was bleeding profusely in his arms. All he needed was a taste, one bite.
He heard her heart start to weaken as he moved closer to the Canadian border, and he felt his motionless heart drop.
Would he even get a taste?
James set her down on a patch of pine needles, assuming he was far away enough to where the mate wouldn't be near him. He swallowed the venom in his mouth, leaning into her warmth.
"Edward...," she whispered, barely able to finish the name.
"Sorry, sweetie." James smiled. Bella's eyes fluttered open and closed. "You're so beautiful." He moved her bloody hair out of her eyes. "I've never seen, never smelled-only once-someone like you." He was closer to her neck, so close that he could see her slowing pulse. "But I've never tasted."
He bit.