A/N: I didn't like the the way I ended the chapter so I expanded it.
Read and review let me know if it was an improvement.
Chapter 8
Monster
Thomas
The morning light coming in through the window made Leah's skin glow as she slept. I had my head resting on my hand as I watched her lying there sleeping, her breathing slow and rhythmic. I'd woken up hours ago and all I could do was stare at the beautiful girl by my side. I'd never felt this way before, even when my parents were alive and after they were gone. I missed them more in that moment. It hit me full force that I had no one to talk to about anymore. The last thing I wanted to do was burden the Cullens further. They had already done enough for me. I thought maybe I could talk to Leah, but it would feel awkward talking about how I felt with her. We had started to discuss it but she had been distracted when I admitted my attraction to her.
There was more than enough time to discuss that later. I leaned in and breathed her scent deeply. My eyes snapped open when the burn in my throat flared like I'd swallowed a lit torch. Her blood called to me I was frozen in place. Her scent was torturing me. I'd just fed yesterday. I've gone for weeks at a time without blood and it had never bothered me like this before. The vampire in me roared and tried to take control so he could satisfy the burn in my throat. My conscious mind was losing ground though and I was leaning closer to her neck. My lips parted and venom filled my mouth as I prepared to sink my teeth into her soft skin.
The door crashed open causing instinct to take over more. I leaped off the bed and crouched defending my prey. Edward stood there with Bella behind him. His hands were up in a calming gesture.
"Calm down," he said. I felt the movement behind me as Leah sat up in bed.
"What the hell's going on," she cried seeing me crouched in front of the bed with Edward trying to calm me. Her voice did what his could not it brought me back in control. I straightened from my crouch horrified by what had almost happened.
"I'm sorry," I said as I bolted towards the floor length window, grabbing a set of clothes on the way. The window flew open before I reached it and I leapt out landing on the ground and sprinting for the river. Another leap brought me to the other side.
Without breaking stride I shed the cotton pants I had been wearing and put on the jeans I had grabbed. The shirt was over my head, my arms through the sleeves as I continued to run.
My mind whirled through what I had done trying to find the reason. Only once had I slipped and fed on human before. Afterwards I had been thirsty much more than normal needing to feed on animal blood daily to control my thirst. Then it clicked the blood that Carlisle had given me had been human. That was why I'd nearly… I couldn't finish the thought. I needed animal blood to mute the burn in my throat.
I let my senses take over. The hunter rose in my mind and stretched like a hunting cat. The world changed when my senses took over. The colors got brighter, smells became more potent, and I heard everything around me for miles. A crash of something lumbering through the trees about a hundred yards to my left drew my attention. Bear, I didn't care what it was I needed to stop the burn.
"I leapt into the branches of a pine tree and stalked the bear. It appeared to be oblivious to my presence. When I was directly above him I dropped onto his back. The bear was less than pleased with the sudden extra weight. Before I could sink my teeth in it reared and bucked trying to dislodge me. His last resort was to try rolling over to try and crush me. This move got me off his back, but I wasn't about to just let him go. I sprang to my feet just as it charged in, roaring defiance. I heard another roar answer not realizing that I was the one roaring back at him.
A swipe of its paw caught the side of my head making my ears ring. It didn't hurt I was practically indestructible, a mere animal was no match for me. Its next swipe I dodged under and crashed into his chest. My teeth found the bear's neck and I drank deeply, feeling the burn subside as the blood flowed down my throat. I stood after finishing the last drop. Out of habit I snapped the bear's neck.
"Overkill don't you think," a voice said from a few yards behind me. If I had not already sensed that there was someone behind me I would have jumped.
"Force of habit," I said turning to see Emmett, Edward and Jasper standing by a tree. Emmett was leaning casually against the tree, Edward was to his left his arms crossed over his chest, and Jasper was standing to the left just behind Edward. Their expressions were varied. Edward looked concerned while Emmett looked slightly amused by something and Jasper just looked ready to spring into action. We stared at each other; I had no idea what they wanted me to say. I had nearly killed Leah, I was disgusted with myself.
"Not all of us like to play with our food Em," Edward said causing Emmett to laugh out loud. I shot a questioning look at Edward.
"Emmett wanted to see you fight the bear for a little longer," he explained shaking his head at Emmett's immaturity.
"I was thirsty next time I'll let him hit me a few more times," I said trying to lighten the mood. Rosalie aside I liked Emmett he had an interesting philosophy. Edward chuckled at my thought. I was still not happy about what I had done and I had no idea how to explain.
"Just take your time," Edward urged. I decided I should explain.
"When I was about five," I began moving to sit by a tree, "I'd gone out hunting by myself. I was expressly told never to hunt alone. My parents wanted to make sure that there were no accidents."
"I caught a delicious scent," I continued my voice growing quiet with every word. "The man never saw it coming. I drained him dry before my father caught up to me." I put my hands in my face at the memory. "He never yelled or even punished me. He simply said that was why he didn't want me hunting alone." The memory of my father's calm acceptance of what I had done confused me at the time.
"I hunted more than normal for a few months after that," I explained "the extra animal blood helped me control the thirst." They hadn't said anything just listened to me recall my story.
"I should have remembered the last time and not spent the night with Leah." Talking to them definitely helped, I didn't feel like a monster as much. Edward nodded at my thoughts. I was glad that they had decided to come after me.
"Any time you need to talk don't be afraid to ask," Edward said. I may have to take him up on that sometime. He just nodded again. It was comforting to have someone to talk with. A thought occurred to me then.
"Can you guys help me with something," I asked hoping that with their help I could control my power. It would be great if I could use it when I wanted and how I wanted.
"Sure we can help you learn to use your power," Edward said reading my thoughts again. That was going to take some getting used to, he smiled as he shook his head again, "when do you want to begin."
"Anything wrong with right now," I offered. They seemed to deliberate for a moment.
"Why don't we hunt first," Emmett asked "I'm getting thirsty." We all saw no problems with that. I had already had the bear but I was still thirsty and an idea.
"Smallest catch loses," I shouted as I dashed towards a smell I had picked up. I heard the others behind me; I could tell they were slowing their pace to accommodate my inferior stamina and speed. A large herd of elk were in a clearing before us and I zeroed in on the large bull grazing in the center.
I leapt as soon as I reached the clearing's edge. The bull and I collided and rolled over a few times before I could get into position. Finally latched onto his throat, and drank my fill before breaking its spine. Standing and surveying the scene before me the others had bagged two each but mine was still the biggest.
"Looks like I win," I called as they finished their feeding.
"And here's your prize," Emmett said as he charged me. As he bore down on me I shot under his reaching arms and I grabbed his legs. Using his momentum against him I lifted up and flung him over me. He landed heavily on his back with a sound like a boulder hitting the ground. I skittered forward and turned dropping into a crouch. He was already getting back to his feet.
"Now you're in deep trouble," he growled playfully.
"Ooh, maybe should have worn boots to shake in," I taunted back at him. Edward and Jasper laughed hard at that one. Emmett glared at them which only made them laugh harder. The events of this morning were put behind as I wrestled with my new friends.
Finally Emmett pinned me. He had me in a leg lock and was putting pressure on.
"Say 'Emmett is the strongest, smartest, and coolest vampire'," Emmett demanded. I refused to admit defeat though.
"NEVER," I yelled in defiance. I squirmed trying to get free but it was no use.
"Say it," Emmett commanded.
"Emmett is the strongest, smartest, and coolest vampire."
"Don't ever forget it." Emmett released me and grinned smugly. We all had a good laugh. I promised I would get Emmett back. He just chuckled and said to bring it on. I felt great I was tired but it was a good tired.
"Let's head back," Jasper suggested. We ran back to the house feeling good about the way the day had turned out. When we got there a large man with cropped black hair and russet colored skin stared hard at me. I was unsure of who he was and what I had done to provoke his anger. The smile on my face disappeared and things had been going so well.
"Calm down Jacob," Edward said telling Jacob not to do anything rash with his eyes.
"What the fuck did you do to Leah," he growled at me. I ignored his use of profanity. She must be very confused by my exit. I needed to explain so she could understand and hopefully not think it was her fault. I had a feeling this Jacob was going to be less than helpful. Maybe if I tried to play nice I'd get this over with and be able to talk to Leah.
"We haven't been introduced," I began coming up the porch steps "I'm Thomas." I extended my hand in greeting. He clamped his massive hand on mine and squeezed down. It felt like he was trying to break my hand. I heard Edward growl quietly behind me. Jacob's grip which would have utterly destroyed a normal man's hand did nothing more than irritate me. He released me after a moment.
"Jacob," he said in a tone that should have had a sneer attached. He was beginning to annoy me with his attitude. I entertained a few thoughts involving violence but dismissed them because they wouldn't help the situation.
"Is she still here?" I needed to explain why I had left like that and I wasn't about to give that explanation to the fuming man before me.
"I had her relieve Quil from his patrol."
"Where was he patrolling, I need to explain my actions." He looked at me with an 'I don't actually give a damn' expression.
"You can explain to me," he said. Perfect he was going to be difficult, just what I needed. I sniffed the air and caught Leah's intoxicating scent. If he wasn't going to help forget him I would find her myself. I stepped around him to move in the direction of the scent, he was going to be very difficult apparently as he placed himself in front of me again. I heard Jasper and Emmett move to Edward's sides in case I needed help. I raised a hand to stop them.
I concentrated on not getting letting my irritation turn to anger. I moved my hand up to shove Jacob backwards. Before I even made contact he flew in the direction I had intended shove him. I didn't wait for a reprisal, ran flat out off of the other side of the porch not bothering with the stairs and not breaking stride when I hit the grass. I sprinted into the surrounding forest following that beautiful and intoxicating smell filling my senses.