The Curse of Destiny

Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight. I wish I did, but I don't. I own this plot line (originally it was a short story I wrote for a college class and I decided to turn it into a longer fanfiction story). I hope you all like it.

Description: The doctors threw around the term "Stockholm's Syndrome." All Bella knew was that she missed her kidnapper and wasn't sure how to function without him anymore. She needed him and she had to get back to him…somehow. Could she love Edward, the man who had both abducted her and stolen her heart? Could she live without him? Time will tell…

Author's Note: Hello everyone! I know it has been a while, but we were on vacation and when I got back I was too busy to write. I hope you are all ready to hear from Edward. Many of you have called him crazy, but is he? Many of you have admitted to liking this mysterious Edward, but you will get a glimpse into his character since this chapter is from his POV. I hope you like it. Please read and review. Thank you so much!

Chapter 15 – A Peak Into the Mind of Edward (Edward's POV)

Life has been complicated. I know that more than anyone. I had never planned to go this far, but I saw no other option at the time. I had been enamored with Isabella Swan since the first moment I laid eyes on her. She is beautiful, intelligent, and real. And I wanted her to be mine. For a while, I watched her from a distance. I didn't like the way my father and Billy Black talked about what her life would become when she turned eighteen. I didn't like that her parents had essentially sold her off. I didn't like that she appeared to have no one else in the world except for her friend, Alice. She was unprotected and alone and it ripped me apart. I knew I had to do something. I couldn't let her fall into Jacob's clutches. She deserved so much more than that…than a life with him. I knew she had two years of freedom, but I was still frightened that something would happen to her. I couldn't allow anything to happen to her.

I moved out of my father's house as soon as I possibly could and I had never looked back. My uncle had just died and my heart burned with the pain of his loss. When I turned twenty one all of his riches would be mine, but all I wanted was my uncle back. I moved into the run down little house we had gone camping in when I was a young child. It had been Uncle Carlisle's great grandmother's. Only the two of us knew of its existence so I felt safe there. I had a little money stored away and I sold music compositions whenever I needed more money. By the time I brought Bella back to my house, I had managed to save 2,000.00. I know it is not a great amount of money, but it would tide us over for a while. I could always sell more of my music if need be.

My plan had completely gone awry. I had planned to speak with Bella. I had planned to become her friend. I had planned to offer her a place of refuge when she turned eighteen so she wouldn't be forced into a marriage with a monster. However, all that changed when I saw that vile Mike Newton assaulting her. I realized she would never be safe. She was too desirable. I just hoped that someday she could forgive me and we could be together. Right now, I knew she wanted to hate me, but she was changing a little. She was at least attracted to me. I close my eyes and remember the feel of her lips against my own. The sound of her breath in my ear as she enjoyed my touch. I had taken it too far that night, but her beauty overwhelmed me and her eagerness astonished me. I realized that night that there is lot more to Isabella Swan than I knew. I was determined to know her more. As I drove home from the store in my old car, a smile graced my lips. She had actually requested meals for me to make. Maybe she was coming around? However, another part of me begged me to proceed with caution. I was a monster in her eyes. I had kidnapped her and taken her away from her life. She didn't want to be here with me. I couldn't let my guard down. Not yet.

I carried the grocery bags into the house and right into the kitchen. I hummed to myself as I put the groceries away. I decided to ask Bella what she would like for dinner. I wanted her to see me as a friend first and eventually so much more, but I knew that would come in time. She was my soul mate and no matter how we came together, I knew that we would eventually find a way to be together. I walked around the corner and halted in my tracks. Isabella's door was open. I hurried to her door and looked into her room. She was gone.

No. Fear clutched my heart like a vise and I felt terror. I looked outside and noticed that it would be dark soon. Isabella didn't know the horrors of the woods at night. She didn't know that there were mountain lions out here. It wasn't safe to be out in the woods at night. It was why Uncle Carlisle and I had always camped in this house and only went out during the day armed. I went to my bedroom and took the rifle out of my closet. I made sure I had enough ammo before grabbing backpack. I filled the backpack with food and water and also medical supplies. I threw in a blanket knowing how cold it would get at night. I had to find her before something terrible happened to her. I couldn't lose her now.

BELLA'S POV

Night was falling around me and I shivered in my small space. There was enough light to read so I pulled out the journal and decided to read to distract me from the cold. Edward's handwriting was curvy and delicate. I opened the journal and started to read.

I met her today. Well, I saw her. I realized many things all at once. I couldn't let her family and the Blacks have her. She deserved more than a forced life. I also realized how incredibly beautiful she is. She appears to be alone most of the time and I know how that feels. She has been reading a lot today and I find myself intrigued by her. I need to tell her what they have planned for her, but why would she believe me? She doesn't know me or trust me. I need to earn her trust and I need to be quiet about it. There is no telling what my father would do to me if he found out I was meddling in something of this nature. It wouldn't matter though. He would beat me no matter what.

I couldn't help but keeping reading. I was getting a glimpse into Edward's mind. He had wanted to befriend me first? But then why did he take me? Curiosity fueled me as I continued to read.

She appears to be fragile and delicate to the eye, but I think there is a fighter in her somewhere. I long to know what she does when her parents keep her trapped in her home at night. Why doesn't she go out? Why doesn't she have a boyfriend? I wonder if it is all part of that vile deal made with the Blacks. Is it necessary for her to be so secluded before they sell her away? Why don't they let her live a little first?

It seems as though Edward wanted me to have some freedom, but then why did he take me away? It is getting darker and harder to see so I skip ahead to see if I can find out.

Well I have really screwed up now, but I couldn't help it. I watched that vile Mike Newton force himself on her and I knew that she would never be safe. She is like a danger magnet. I know that she still has over a year before she would be forced into her marriage, but I can't lurk in the shadows anymore. I have to protect her even if it means she hates me for a while. Who knows what Mike will do to her next time? What will Jacob do to her when he finally gets his hands on her? I want more for her than this life. I want her to get the life she has always dreamed of. And I want to be a part of that life…a part of her life forever.

His words both chilled me and made me warm at the same time. He was still a little off and a kidnapper, but he truly cared for me and was afraid for me. What would Mike have done to me if Edward hadn't come? I know the answer to that question. He would have raped me. I have no doubt about that. He was much stronger than I was and I had no way to fight him off.

Darkness closed around me and I tried to get warm, but the night air and the stone of the cave chilled me to the bone. I knew sleep would not come for me tonight. A low growl filled the night air and terror crept up my spine. I had been so anxious to get away from Edward that I hadn't even thought about the dangers that lurked in the night of the woods. I heard loud, heavy steps and I knew it was a very large animal. This animal knew where I was. I was trapped. I shivered and forced my body to remain quiet. Another growl filled the air as it crept closer to my hiding place. What do I do? Do I run? Stay put? I'm not sure what to do, but before I can process it I hear a growl right outside of the cave and I scream loudly unsure of what else to do.

I loud boom fills the air and then silence. Fear keeps me quiet and I try to quiet my sobs of terror.

"Bella?" Edward's voice questions softly and relief floods me. He saved me. I try to move out of my small space or respond to him, but I can't. I am frozen in terror from my near death experience.

Edward grunts as he pushes something large away from the entrance to the cave and the moon light shows through again. I see Edward's concerned face in the darkness. "Did he bite you?" He asked quietly.

I manage a small "no." And then tears overtake me. He reaches in and takes my hand to help pull me out. My teeth are clattering together and I am shaking from the fear and cold. Edward runs his hand along the side of my face.

"You're freezing, Bella." He whispers before draping a blanket around my trembling shoulders. The blanket feels nice, but I am still freezing. Edward picks me up into his arms and carries me a short distance away. "It's not safe to walk around at night. I will build us a fire and keep watch tonight." His words are soft and I can't detect any anger in his voice.

"What was that?" I manage to choke out.

He answers immediately. "A mountain lion. They are thick in this forest."

I nod as my shaking gets worse. I can't seem to get warm as I huddle in the blanket he gave me. I watch as Edward gathers wood and makes a fire. I watch as the fire glows brightly and I can feel some of the heat of it on my face already. Edward rifles through his bag and pulled out a metal thermos and sets it in the coals at the base of the fire. He leaves it there for a few minutes before extracting it with a towel and pouring some liquid into a cup. He hands me the cup. "It is tea. It should help warm you and keep you from getting sick."

I take a drink and relief fills me as the warm liquid trickles down my throat. Edward is looking at me with so much concern in his emerald green eyes. He sits down close beside me and wraps his arms around me to provide me with more warmth. I am still shaking, so he unzips his jacket and looks at me carefully. "If you sit on my lap I can get this jacket around you and me. We need to get you warm, Bella."

I contemplate this for a moment, but can only think about the prospect of warmth. I crawl onto his lap and he slips his jacket around me as well and then covers us both with the blanket. His warmth is everywhere and I finally manage to stop shaking. His warmth leaks through me and I feel comfortable finally. Edward seems to sense the change in me and wraps his arms around me. He lowers his face to rest of my shoulder against my cheek. I feel my breath catch in my throat as I lean against him.

His voice is low and hoarse. "You could have died, Bella. Either from the mountain lion or hypothermia." I shudder briefly as he hugs me more tightly and continues to speak softly. "I can't lose you, Bella. You are everything to me. Please don't run away again. Please." His voice is weak and vulnerable and I respond immediately.

"I won't." I tell him seriously. "I won't run away again." Running away is not the answer. I know that I need to do something, but running away won't save me. I feel safe in my kidnapper's arms. He nuzzles my neck softly and plants a kiss on my neck. Warmth floods through me as he continues kissing my neck. I know I should be disgusted, but I feel something else flood through me. I turn my face to his and he looks at me carefully. His eyes are distraught and I can see the pain in them. He had been terrified for me.

Edward leans in and I close the gap between us as our lips meet. His lips are desperate against mine and I moan into his mouth when his tongue caresses mine. My heartbeat picks up and Edward's hands push my shirt up and run over my bare stomach. Desire shoots through me as I deepen the kiss. Edward moans into my mouth and I feel it all the way to my toes. His mouth is hot and urgent against mine. Finally, too soon in my opinion, he pulls away with desire dancing in his eyes.

"I'm sorry." He chokes out and I feel shock pulse through my system.

"I kissed you back." I tell him quietly.

He nods and smiles at me. "Yes, but I don't want to take advantage of you."

I manage a half smile before he gently pulls my shirt back into place and holds me close. I find myself drifting off to sleep and I hear his gentle voice in my ear. "I love you." He whispers as I drift off into oblivion nestled in his arms warm and safe.

I hope you liked this chapter. I would love to hear your thoughts! I made it a little longer for you since I have been gone for a little while. I am anxious to know your thoughts. Please review and let me know what you think of Edward and Bella now. Do you want more from his journal? Do you like it better in POV rather than third person?

Thanks everyone!

Bookworm722