Bella
I gulped as I entered the dining room. The usually cavernous room, with all its draperies and candelabras was usually filled with the beautiful vampires that frequented the mansion.
But tonight it was just the two of us.
"No need to be afraid." He flashed his fangs. "I won't bite."
"I'm not afraid," I gulped for a second time. "Just nervous."
"Nervous?" He laughed.
"It's not every day that you meet your fiancé for the first time." I tried as hard as I could to sound unafraid, but failed miserably.
"Well that is true." He teased.
As James was prattling on about some new coven in the states, Edward walked into the dining room.
"Edward." I instantly brightened, "Will you be joining us?"
He went directly to James and whispered something in his ear.
I wasn't rebuffed by his dismissal, I was concerned. "What's wrong?"
"I'm sorry." James said rising, "You'll have to excuse me."
James made to leave the room with Edward on his heels.
"Edward?" He shook his head and exited.
There was a knot in my stomach. Edward barely acknowledged me.
Pushing back from the table I made my way back to my room, but stopped suddenly when I noticed the front door.
It was open.
My chest fell and rose rapidly.
The outside world was so close to me.
I've never been warned away from going outside because it was never really an option to me.
Until now.
Before I knew it my feet were carrying me towards the door and I could smell the clean air before I even realized I was outside.
…
Edward
"Where were they spotted?" James asked.
"The northeast corner of the woods." I replied, "Three of them spotted, but I smelled at least six."
"What are they doing so far away from the village?" He asked himself.
"Planning an attack?" I questioned.
"No." He dismissed, "They know their outnumbered and wouldn't risk a counterattack."
"What about the human?" James asked, "Do you think they know of her?"
"Bella?" My stomach felt queasy at the idea, "If they knew then the treaty would be over. She'd be theirs."
"Hmm…" He sighed, "I want everyone on duty tonight. If you find them on our land, kill them."
I nodded.
Rounding up the rest of the coven took less than an hour. Posts were set, windows were barred even tighter, and I had everyone on the lookout.
The werewolves were up to something. I just had to find out what.
…
Bella
I looked back over my shoulder at the house. I knew it was wrong for me to be wandering, but this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.
I went deeper and deeper into the woods, each step bringing me to something I've never encountered before. An owl, perched on the tree, a rabbit hopping passed, it was all so fascinating.
Aaaaooooohhhhhh…
Something howled.
I didn't realize how deep I was until I could barely see anything. The lights from the house were nonexistent, and the trees were so overgrown that even the moonlight was unhelpful.
"Oh no." I cried.
I took a deep breath, trying not to panic.
I knew Edward would come for me.
Aaaaaaoooooohhhhh…
And now I was going to be eaten by a strange animal.
I walked faster and faster in the direction I thought was the house.
I tripped hard over a tree branch and cried out loud.
I turned over on my back and tried to hold my tears back.
The pain in my ankle was unbearable and I wanted to scream in pain.
All of a sudden I heard rustling from the bushes.
I held still not even daring to breathe.
It was silent until I could no longer stand it, "Hello?"
Nothing.
"Hello?" I asked again.
Peeking out from the bushes was a nose. Then a head. And finally what emerged was a wolf.
Only this was no ordinary wolf I'd seen in books. This animal was the size of an overgrown bear.
And he had his eyes locked on me.