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Back to the story, italicized words or sentences represent the narrator's thoughts just so we're clear. There is a POV change toward the end.

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Chapter 16: Lost

I found myself reaching out for his hand. Half of me craving for his promises and the other half longing to return to Edward. One promised desire while the other promised passion. How was I supposed to choose between them when I wanted both?

It would never work. I would have to chose one or the other, and my hand seemed to be reaching out closer and closer to James.

"That's it, Bella," James coaxed.

I hesitated at the sound of his voice, and for the first time, I detected an undertone to his convincing promises. Something that told me to stay away, but that's always been the vibe he gave off. It was practically a defense mechanism, so why did it feel so much more than that?

Maybe I should retreat if I knew what's best for me. Then, run home to Edward and forget it ever happened. I had a taste of Edward's life, but I wanted to try something different.

"Bella…" A familiar velvety voice rang out from within the shadows.

Ashamed of being caught, I retracted my hand and let it fall limply at my side. Edward stepped out from a shadowy corner of the building with his jaws clenched tightly.

"You know what they say about eavesdroppers. You may not like what you hear," James smirked.

Edward never liked what he heard from other people's wondering minds. As soon as he rested his hand on the small of my back, I felt anchored to him.

"I'm here to take Bella home," Edward said coolly.

"Is that so? Bella here was just about to take my offer for a better meal," James insisted glancing at me.

Like a coward, I let my head drop knowing at some point he was right.

Edward nodded slowly, "I see. Bella and I already hunted earlier. If you don't mind, we-"

"Hunted earlier, you say?" James interrupted. "Seems to me like Bella is always never satisfied. You don't seem to be feeding her correctly," James criticized.

"She's in good hands," Edward secured his arms around my waist as if he was getting ready to yank me out of the way.

"Bella?" James called locking eyes with me.

"I-" My voice caught.

Swift movements within the trees alerted both Edward and I. We were instantly on the balls of our feet ready to spring. A woman with wild hair stepped from the edge of the woods and strutted next to James. She looked familiar, and I try to remember where I've seen her before.

"James, they're waiting," She said in a feline voice.

A deadly smile spread across his lips.

"Both of you are welcome to join us," James directed the offer at me.

My fingers dug into Edward's waist as I forced myself to stay put by to his side.

"No? Well, more for us," James said.

The next thing I knew they were flying through the trees side by side.

Edward wasted no time in speeding home and tugging me upstairs before his worried family could say anything to us. The bedroom walls rattled when he let the door slam shut.

"Have you gone completely insane?" Edward asked willing his trembling hands into fists.

Yes.

"No," I replied.

"Then, tell me why Alice saw you leaving with him tonight," Edward's face twisted with pain.

I shook my head, "I thought about it, but I wasn't really going to."

Suddenly, his hands reached out and clutched the sides of my arms.

"Do you have any idea what you mean to me, Bella?" His intensity shocked me. "I can't lose you," He whispered.

Maybe you already have.

Edward pulled me into his chest, and I knew I couldn't lose him either. But with what I had in mind, he would never agree and risk losing his family for a second time. I had to try, regardless of his answer.

"Edward, there's something I want to ask you," I started slowly.

"Anything," He replied stroking my hair.

I hesitated wondering if this was a mistake, but my will was too strong to hold me back now.

"Are you ever fully satisfied?" I asked slowly.

Edward looked at me with hard eyes, "No, but this is the best way."

"For who? For you?" I questioned pulling away.

"For us, Bella," Edward replied.

I shook my head, "How can it? How can it be the best way when my thirst yearns to be quenched day in and day out like a drug addict craving for his next hit?"

He reached out for me, but it was already too late. I felt my desires alter, turning onto a different road that I must take if I'm ever to find where it leads to.

"Do you know what he wants you for? I've heard all the lies he's hiding behind the promises," Edward said.

"He only wants me to satisfy my cravings. Unlike you, always curbing my appetite," The words flew out before I could catch them.

Betrayal scorched Edward's face until there was nothing left. He stood emotionless as he spoke.

"He wants to use you, Bella. He wants you to lure his prey in for him, so that the blood rests on your hands. You are tame and controlled enough to keep them alive for his feast," Edward stated.

I shook my head, "He has that girl."

"Victoria? She only agrees to bring him a few snacks, but he hopes with a newborn. You are more willing to bring him much more driven by your bloodlust," Edward informed.

I sighed running my fingers across his cheek, "If that is so. Then, come with me. We'll move far away from your family and start a life together. A different life where there's nothing to hold us back. We can drink the liquid that truly sustains us."

He faltered under my touch, persuaded by my words but the firmness in his lips told me what I already knew.

"What kind of life do you think I was living before I meant you? The very life you are describing now. A monster with no direction in his hunt for the next kill. Bella, you are my salvation," Edward said.

I pulled away, "Salvation? From this? There is none, Edward."

"Bella, don't do this," He said.

"Come with me," I pleaded vainly.

"This is a mistake, Bella. You don't want to do this," Edward said.

I moved towards the window and further away from him.

"This is what I want. Please don't try to stop me," I insisted.

Edward took another step forward, and I flew through the window. Shards of glass cascaded around me as I fell to the ground with a soft thud.

"Bella, stay right there!" Edward called.

No.

I took off running, shooting through the darkness and into the familiar scent of the woods. My feet barely ruffled the leaves on the ground as I distanced myself from Edward. He was close behind me, but with each step, I moved further and further away from him. Each mile felt closer to freedom as I cut the intangible strings that held me to Edward and his family.

There's no better way to do this than to find a little midnight snack.

I changed direction toward the trees running alongside the roads. My instincts took over and I stopped thinking like a human being, but like the monster I was created to be.

To my delight, I smelled a human scent about ten miles away. I sniffed the air and venom pooled into my mouth. I was salivating and ravenous for the scent that I have been denying myself.

Finally, I can taste my one true desire again. It's been forever since the last time and forever ends today.

The smoke from his car slowed my pace until I was spying from the trees. He was bending over to check his engine and I noticed the flat tire on the right side of his car. There's no running now.

"Can I help you?" I asked suddenly appearing next to him.

The look on his face was priceless, until he registered just how beautiful I was to care where I came from. The essence of what I am should be considered weapons of mass destruction.

"Seems like you have some car trouble here," I cooed breathing my honey scent into his face.

He simply nodded like an idiot. They're all idiots until it's too late.

I wedged between him and his car, careful to not let our bodies touch.

"Well, I don't know anything about cars, but I live just through the woods here. Maybe you would like to use the phone," I offered a friendly smile.

"Th-That would be great," He breathed.

I turned, and he followed me into the woods like I knew he would. Why wouldn't he?

When we were deep in the woods, far enough for human ears to hear his cries, I turned around to face him.

"H-How much further?" He stumbled taken by my swiftness.

"Not much further," I answered leaning into him.

…Until your death.

He smiled in a daze, "You're beautiful."

I nuzzled myself in his neck, "And you smell delicious."

The vein underneath his neck pulsed, inviting me in, and I let my teeth sink into him.

EPOV

'No, Bella! No, no, no, no….Bella…' I cried out to her in silence as I watched her consume her victim.

His cries were almost unbearable at first, but began to die down as his life faded away. I heard his thoughts drifting to the faces of his family. A pregnant wife, and a little girl Bella was making him leave behind. He wasn't ready, and he would never get to say good-bye.

Pain for his loss rippled through my chest, and each burst of sorrow sent crippling pain through my body. In his dying moments, he lingered on the face of his daughter and an ultrasound picture of his unborn child.

With a hard thud, Bella let his lifeless body drop to the ground. She licked her lips clean, and I realized that she was already too far gone. I lost her, and I only have myself to blame.

Bella leaned down and ripped his throat opened, making it seem like an animal attack. Then, she took off fleeing from the site like the wind in the night.

"Edward," Alice's voice called from behind me.

Of course, she would be the one to come and find me even though she knew I didn't want to be found.

"Edward, we have to go home," Alice placed a hand on my shoulder.

"I lost her, Alice. I lost her," I said.

Being a vampire for so many decades, I forgot what it felt like to cry, but tonight I never felt more human.

"It's okay. We'll get her back," Alice sank down next to me.

"I love her," I spoke these words out loud for the first time.

"I love her, too," Alice replied.

That's when I realized that I was not the only person who lost Bella, but my family just lost a member.

"We have to fight for her," Alice was determined to see it through.

"How?" I asked.

Alice threw her arms around me, "I don't know, but we'll find a way."

I believed her.

To be continued…

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