A/N - Again, I send a 'high five' to Jezikial for being the awesome Beta that she is - thanks for your help with this J! I know you're extremely busy, so cheers for taking the time to help me. And thanks to those who continue to read/review/fave this story! Grins
Chapter 77 – The Chase
As I stood on the mossy forest floor, I felt as though my feet were no longer anchored to the ground as they had been when I was human. Instead, I felt light and ethereal, as if I were floating inches above the ground under the pale moonlight. With a quick turn of my head, silhouetted pines soon came into view. As I inhaled, the fresh scent of the greenery all around seemed to stimulate my senses. As I glanced back to my right, I could see Alice standing beside me, her eyes focusing on the moons radiance from above. All was quiet save the flickering intermittent sounds of a nearby waterfall and animals searching for food.
Food….
The reason I was standing here this evening with Alice beside me. Carlisle had decided it was time for Alice to take me hunting, even though it had only been a few days since I had become fully conscious, and fully aware on what I had become.
A new born vampire, one who should in essence be overexcited, manic and even frenzied.
One that was actually balanced, calm and very much in control.
I watched as a gentle breeze caressed Alice's hair as she turned to focus her gaze on me, her amber eyes smiling.
"Star gazing?" I asked lightly, as her lips broke into a dazzling smile.
"Thinking" she replied softly, as I felt my head tilt slightly. Alice edged a little closer to me.
"I never expected I would be here, like this, with you" she continued, as I slowly nodded.
"It was…. A dream of mine, I suppose one might say"
I reached out and took her small hand in mine. As her fingers laced around my own, I found myself smiling back.
"Some dreams can come true" I whispered, as Alice brought my hand to her lips.
"I never expected mine would" she finished, kissing my pulse point. The action alone made me shiver.
"Am I interrupting something?"
As Alice lifted her head, I turned.
"Jake"
As Jake sauntered towards us both, I immediately found myself stepping back.
"Hey, Bella… it's okay…." Jake continued, as I found myself shaking my head.
"Jake… please stop there" I asked, as Jake stopped with a frown on his face.
"Bella?" he questioned as I turned to face Alice.
"I'm sorry… it's just… I can't…." as I stuttered, Alice immediately placed a protective hand on my shoulder.
"It's alright Bella, it's only natural" she whispered, as I turned to face a puzzled looking Jake.
Jake frowned again, "What is only natural?" he questioned as my hand unconsciously found its way to my face.
"Jake you're… emanating… a strange smell…" I whispered.
Actually, strange was being polite…
"Your saying I smell?" he questioned, his frown still in place.
"Actually, I think she's trying to say you stink" Alice interjected, a sweet smile playing on her lips. I couldn't help but laugh as Jake seemed to sigh dramatically.
"Well, thank you ladies, but may I also say you don't exactly smell of roses yourselves…" as his voice trailed off, I found my gaze rest on Jake as his brows furrowed.
This was the first time Jake had seen me as a…
"Vampire life treating you well then, Bella?" Jake asked, as I nodded slowly.
"Jake… I…"
Before I could finish, Jake stepped forward.
"Bella, I know… what happened. I just want you to know that I am here for you. If you need me I mean. Being a vampire doesn't change anything for me. I still care".
As I smiled, Jake turned his gaze to Alice.
"And I know you did what you had to do, short-stuff, thank you for saving her"
Alice smiled.
The strong odour that Jake was discharging, albeit unintentionally, was rather overpowering as I found myself trying to block out the pungent smell.
"Sorry Jake, I guess I'll just have to adapt to your… smell" I continued, as Jake smiled.
"And I'll have to get used to eau-de-Bell" he answered, as I found myself laughing again.
"I think she smells delightful" Alice interrupted with a pout, as Jake raised his eyebrows.
"No comment" he answered, as he then turned to look behind him.
"The rest of the wolf pack is here, but they are a little wary of you" he continued as he turned to face us, adding "more so Bella… we've heard stories about… new borns" he finished as Alice nodded.
"That is understandable" she replied, as I found my gaze rest on the pine trees in the distance. As the cool, gentle breeze brushed against me, I could immediately make out their faint outline and detect their scent.
"I was on my way over to check on you Bella" he continued as I felt myself smile.
"Thanks Jake" I replied, as a thought suddenly struck me.
"Reuben?" I whispered, as Jake shook his head.
"No sign of him, believe me… we're looking" he replied his voice firm.
Alice removed her hand from my shoulder. "Thank you Jake, sincerely"
Jake turned to face Alice.
"Who would have thought it; a vampire thanking a wolf" he replied, with a smile on his face.
Alice grinned, "And who would have thought it, a vampire bruising a wolf"
I felt my lips break into a smile as Jake copied my facial expression.
"Touché Alice" he joked, before looking back at me.
"You're very… relaxed… Bella. Carlisle said you may be… well, a little…."
"Crazy?" I suggested, as Jake shrugged his broad shoulders.
"Well, I was actually going to say… agitated… but yeah, crazy works too"
I looked at Alice and then back to Jake.
"I do feel a little agitated, because I am hungry" I replied, as Jake turned to face Alice.
"You're taking her hunting?" he asked, as Alice linked her hand in mine again.
"Yes" she simply replied, as Jake took another step forward.
"Isn't it… a little soon for that? I mean… is she…."
Before Jake could continue, I found myself stepping forward.
"Jake, I'm standing right here, you can address me you know" I almost hissed, as Jake took a mock step back.
"Okay, okay… relax Bella… I apologise" he answered with a grin on his face.
"Bella is more than ready" Alice answered, as her thumb began to stroke across the back of my hand.
"Okay, well… just be careful, okay?" Jake asked, as Alice smiled.
"Where's the fun in careful Jake?" she asked, as I found myself smile.
Jake huffed again.
"Yeah… well… if you need us, we'll be around, okay?" Jake asked again, as Alice and I both nodded.
"Now, can we go hunting?" I asked, as Alice laughed.
"Okay, I know when I'm not wanted" Jake replied.
"Feeling abandoned Jake?" I asked, with a wink.
Jake broke into a smile, "Well, it's clear that you are okay, so I will let you both be"
He started to walk away, before turning.
"There are some deer along that trail" he pointed to the ground, as Alice nodded.
"Thank you" she replied as he smiled.
"Enjoy the…. take away" he finished, before disappearing.
Alice turned and reached out for my other hand. Pulling me closer, she smiled.
"Are you ready?" she asked, as a bubble of excitement seemed to amplify in the pit of my stomach.
"More than ready" I answered, as the excitement branched out further rushing to the tips of my fingers and down towards my toes.
"Then lets… hunt" she continued, as my enthusiasm multiplied.
Let's hunt…
I followed Alice along the trail, our pace steady. Now and then, Alice would slow down making sure I was still by her side. As we came closer to the deer I could immediately detect their scent.
As Alice glanced at me, I immediately understood.
Now would be the time…
Before either of us could make another move, a rumble of thunder echoed all around closely followed by a lightning flash that seemed to tear the midnight sky into shreds.
There was a time, not so long ago, that this occurrence would have left me cowering in the corner of a dark room…
I always feared storms.
Yet now… now I felt more exhilarated than ever before, as though the energy caused by the electrical storm was somehow charging me…
"Bella, are you okay?"
Alice's voice was laced with concern, as I turned to face her.
"You knew I didn't like storms" I replied, as the hot and cold air continued to clash, the collision resulting in heavy rain drops falling from the heavens above.
Lightening forked above us, as the rain started to fall and bathe us both.
"And now?" she gently asked, moving strands of my wet hair away from my face.
I felt myself smile into her touch.
"Now I am no longer afraid" I whispered, as Alice leant in and grazed my lips with her own. I slowly closed my eyes, inhaling Alice, and the damp air that surrounded us both. The rain continued to caress our skin as I began to savour the moisture of each drop, and Alice's darting tongue, in separate, single increments.
I felt alive. Every nerve and fibre of my being had somehow been awakened, rhythmically dancing with the same electrical strength and intensity as the slashes of lightening that were surging in wavelike movements through the sky.
I felt at peace and under the spell of all natures' elements as the thunder continued to rumble. Peace as Alice deepened her kiss, tracing the bottom of my lip with her tongue.
I could feel the storm…
I could feel Alice…
I felt complete. As the rain continued to beat down, stroking me, the calming sensation I felt was like no other I had experienced before. As Alice groaned into my returned kiss, I could feel her… every part of her… and I knew that she too was complete.
Reluctantly, Alice broke the kiss and smiled.
"I love you, Bella" she whispered, as the entire sky above seemed to light up in acceptance of her words.
"I love you" I whispered back as I cupped her damp face with my hand.
"I suspect the deer have moved on now?" I asked, as Alice grinned.
"I suspect you may be right" she almost giggled, as the thunder seemed to quieten, but only marginally.
"We can still find them" she continued, with a raised eyebrow.
"Then, let's do it" I finished, as Alice took hold of my hand.
Together we ran, through the winds howl, through the roar of thunder, through the flashes of light, each accepting the sacred sounds of a stormy night. As the dark angry clouds gave way to the moon, we finally slowed as Alice held up her hand.
"Its time" she whispered, as I nodded. My senses were full, wide, and free as I immediately inhaled…
Deer…
Together we lunged, in perfect unison.
Together we trapped our prey, as it struggled in our arms.
Together we embraced the animal instinct that was deep within us as we fed.
We were the predators, the animal our prey as we slammed it to the ground, straddling its heaving form as our sharp canines found their target. As the thunder and lightening began to bid farewell, my teeth sank deep into the animal's fur as an owl skimmed slowly over the tree tops all around us, its shriek complimenting my own growl as my fangs pierced deep. I could feel my nostrils flare as the scent of the animal's blood hit me forcefully.
Death came swiftly to the animal, as Alice and I drank away its life-force. Yes, I had tasted blood before…
But it hadn't tasted like this…
The fluid seemed to circulate all around my mouth as the venom welcomed its arrival…
The haemoglobin trickled down the passage of my throat, warm and thick…
Luscious yet bitter, I found myself biting deeper and deeper… the need for more overwhelming…
"Bella?"
Slowly I moved my head upwards, standing quickly as I glanced down at the carcass of the animal.
The animal that we had just drained of blood.
I felt myself shiver as I ran two fingers across my lips.
Blood.
I immediately saw the deep red coat my finger tips as I glanced down at them.
"Bella"
Slowly, I turned to face Alice.
"I… I didn't… I couldn't…." I stuttered, as the desire to lick my fingers hit me hard.
"You couldn't control the animal inside you" Alice answered gently, as I nodded.
Everything had happened so quickly….
Had I really just….
"Its only natural, Bella… please believe me" Alice asked, as I looked into her liquid amber eyes.
"I… know" I replied, as I felt myself shudder.
It had just happened so quickly….
"I… it happened so quickly" I answered honestly as Alice took me in her arms.
"We need to feed, Bella. This is the only way. This is who we are…." She whispered in my ear as I lent into her.
"Did I do okay?" I asked rather hesitantly, as Alice squeezed me before moving back.
"Bella…. you were amazing" she replied with a gleam in her eyes.
"Really?" I asked again, as Alice took my blood stained fingers in hers.
"Really, you are a natural" she finished, before placing my fingers into her mouth, sucking slowly.
I felt alive.
I felt at peace.
I felt complete.
For now...