Hi guys, I hope you enjoy this chapter. Again, (Disclaimer:) I do not own any of these characters, they merely are my minions in this story, they belong to Stephanie Meyer.

I ran off, rejoicing in the freedom, the feeling of the wind on my face. I ran to the garage, picking the car that made me feel the least inadequate. The fact that it was Alice's was besides the point. She would forgive me, she always did... In fact, she had probably seen and forgiven it months before. The feeling of the plush leather upholstery under my perfectly fitted jeans as I slid into the car was almost erotic and did a lot to ease the tension Jacob and Bella had caused. I sat there, fingers running absentmindedly over the wheel, thinking about everything that had happened since the Volturi.

It wasn't until I leaned on the horn, the obnoxious noise driving all thought from my mind. I attempted to calm myself, but then Bella's thoughts started to seep into my consciousness, like a disease without any respite or cure, her lust and adoration echoing in my mind. I started to get up out of the car, to kiss her into silence before remembering I was meant to be out hunting. I started the car and easily manipulated the clutch, I didn't know why most Americans struggled so much with manual, racing out of the garage, ignoring the speed limit. The hum of the engine brought be once again to a calmer state, Bella's thoughts becoming more and more distant with each second that passed.

Why did I ever get the daft idea into my mind that marrying her would make things better? The silence of her mind always brought me comfort; it intrigued me, mystified me, and I lusted after it. I remember when I wanted her all to myself. I couldn't bear the thought that she would be anyone else's but mine, watching her at every moment to make sure that she was with no one else, wanting to possess every aspect of her.

If I had known then what I know now, I would have given her away to anyone, even that blasted teen wolf boy.

I drove until it was twilight, the forest surrounding road may be threatening to humans but I could hear every snuffle and growl.

Dinner.

I left the car parked in the shadows, stepping out and smelling the fresh, woodland scent. A doe guarded her fawn, but tonight I wasn't interested in a herbivore. I needed the blood of a killer, an animal in its prime, unhindered by anything or anyone... As much of a challenge as an animal could be for my superior strength. A bear tore at the flesh of the deer, no doubt father to the little fawn. My heart beat faster at the smell of his blood, my pupils dilating and my senses sharpening to needle-like precision. My muscles tensed for a millisecond before I sprang, almost lazily at the bear, who was too engrossed in his bloodlust to notice me until it was much too late.

As my teeth tore into his flesh, the blood spurted from the warm body, falling into my mouth, dripping down my face and chin, spilling and spattering onto my clothes. The blood was rich and thick, no true replacement for human blood but it would sate the ever consuming thirst for a short time. Only when his lifeless body was drained did I feel somewhat satiated, and with a sigh I dropped the corpse next to the mess that had once been a deer. I took a deep breath, wiping the blood carelessly off my face with my already soaked sleeve. Alice would make a fuss if she could see me ruin my clothes so carelessly, but she had probably seen it already, months before.

Just like she must have seen what would happen between me and Bella, or Jacob and Renesme.

Now that I had had my fill, there was no reason to stay, but I had already lied to Bella about hunting with Emmett, Carlisle and Jasper... What difference would a little more time make? My mind was filled with thoughts of Jacob with Renesme, my anger simmering quietly as I pictured his arm around her, his happiness at being with her... And of course Bella, overjoyed, does nothing but encourage it, her vapid thoughts filled with them together, the perfect couple, just like us. And already I could picture Bella's simple smiling face, overjoyed at all the blessings life had given her, the perfect life, the perfect husband, the perfect marriage, the perfect daughter with her perfectly infatuated pet... Poor Jacob, to have lusted after Bella, to have wanted her like I did. I longed to tell him the truth about her and Renesme, but why bother? He wouldn't believe anything I said. Maybe a sweet smile and indulgent nod, but no credibility for an old rival, not one word able to sink through his silky ebony tresses and thicker skull into his brain.

I glanced back at the direction of Alice's ferrari, contemplating returning to that house, spending more time with my arms placed rigidly around Bella, thinking of times that seemed like an eternity and a half ago...

Well, I wouldn't be missed for a while longer.

Wishing things would return to the way they had been, I sat under a tree and let nature wash over me until dawn.

And there you go. Read, review, comment, flame, etc.