I own nothing...

'My throat hurts.' I whimpered, Edward was being extremely annoying, not seeming to understand how much it burnt.

'I know Bella, I will take you hunting soon. Carlisle just has to make sure no humans are around.' Edward explained, smiling his crooked smile.

'Edward, it's burning!' I growled, I didn't want to wait, I wanted to hunt now.

'Patience my love.'

I growled deep in my chest and he chuckled, then pulled me down to sit next to him. All my annoyance disappeared once I was in his arms and once the cloud in my head cleared up I realised maybe he was just glad I was OK. That I had survived this far, and we could finally be together.

'Would you like to see yourself?' he asked.

I paused, contemplating, did I really want to see how different I was now? Before I nodded my head. He stood up and walked to the dresser, pulled out a mirror and handed it to me, then sat down next to me again, resting his head on my shoulder. Cautiously I peered into it and I was beautiful, finally worthy to stand next to Edward, even though he was still so much more than I deserved. My fingertips traced a line under my bright red eyes, not sure, if I liked the look of them.

Edward seemed to guess what I was thinking, 'Yes, your eyes will take some getting used to, not that they aren't attractive, no, their just not what I'm used to.'

'They are…frightening.'

Alice burst into the room then, hesitating slightly when I moved to stand, before throwing her arms around me.

'Nice to see you too Alice...' I laughed.

She pulled back and looked at me again, 'You're beautiful!' She exclaimed.

I laughed a little, I waited for the heat of the blush that would usually colour my cheeks, but it didn't come. Edward had stood up and he wrapped an arm around my waist, he ran his fingers across my cheek and I wondered if he was already missing my blush. I remembered one of our conversations from when I was human, he had told me how much he liked seeing the rush of colour in my cheeks, but without a heart beat I could no longer blush. The thought of heartbeats and blood made my throat ache again.

'Edward can we hunt please?' I almost begged.

'When Carlisle arrives I will take you.' Edward said patiently.

'His coming now!' Alice declared, her eyes unfocused.

When Carlisle arrived he announced, 'There are no humans.'

'...and none will cross our path. Are you ready to hunt Bella?' Alice asked.

I nodded enthusiastically and they all laughed.

I followed Carlisle to the garage. I was slightly disappointed that I couldn't live in the white mansion in Forks. We had moved to Alaska, buying a house close to the Denali coven.

Edward, Alice, Jasper and I took the Volvo. Alice driving, Jasper in the passenger seat, Edward and I in the back. Since we had left the house he kept his arm around my waist, and I had a feeling he was just scared a human would walk by and I would pounce on them, mostly because I was terrified by the same thoughts. Soon enough we were at the edge of the forest and we all piled out of the car.

'I can smell a bear about 10 miles that way.' Emmett announced, smiling widely, as he pointed toward a river.

'We should split up, there is another bear in the other direction, not far from here. Emmett, Rosalie, Edward and Bella, you should take the one Emmett pointed out.' Carlisle decided.

We started running towards the river, I was just as fast as Edward, and for the first time in my life I was able to run without tripping over. As soon as the bear came into view Edward lunged at it, catching it off guard, the bear let out a monstrous roar. As soon as I smelt the blood I lunged at it too, drinking until I could get no more blood out. I stepped away from the carcass, wiped my mouth and looked up. Emmett was frowning.

'That bear smelt great Bella!' he cried.

'Sorry Emmett, I was just so thirsty.' I smiled sheepishly.

Edward and Alice were grinning at me, and I was delighted to see Edward's eyes had returned to their golden colour.

'Want to find another one?' I asked, 'I'm still thirsty.'

'Let me get some this time.' Emmett sulked.

…

5 bears later, (I had drunk from 3) we met up with the rest of the Cullen's.

'How do you feel Bella?' Esme asked.

'Better,' I answered, 'it doesn't burn as much as before, but I still feel thirsty.'

'The first years always the hardest. It'll get better.' Esme promised.