A/N: Thank you all for being so wonderful and patient with me. This week has been crazy busy.

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I thought I'd do something a little different with this chapter and check in on Edward. Everything that's written in bold is Edward's 'inner vampire'.

Now, on with the story!

Enjoy xoxo

– Edward's POV –

I miss her.

I miss her so damn much.

Her blood. Her essence. Her scent. Even from such a vast distance, it calls to me. begging me to go home to her.

Just the thought of tasting her makes my mouth water and my manhood hard.

I've never been so hard, so painfully hard, in all my years walking this earth. I know I've told her I've never touched myself or fantasized, but it was all a lie. When she smells so good, so inviting and warm when her scent affects every inch of my body and causes my venom to surge to my penis, how could I resist?

I've spent hours, alone in the shower, or out in the forest, or . . . in her bedroom while she sleeps, stroking my penis. Bringing myself release after release after blissful release.

I'm not sure I can resist her much longer.

Not only her scent but her body.

If the scent of her wasn't maddening enough, she's grown into a magnificent, gorgeous woman in the last few months. Where she was once slight and lanky, now she was busty and curvaceous. Her breasts had at least doubled in size. Her hips were fuller and her derriere was plump. Not overly so, but perfect for her seductive new body.

Even the scent of her delicious blood has changed! She once smelt like the most perfect morsel. And now, there's a spiciness to her scent. A heat that was never there before. If possible, it's even better than it was when I first met her.

I know why her scent has changed. I know where this new spice has come from. It isn't Bella. It's him. There's part of me that hates that his scent has altered hers, but another part—the man in me, the part that desires him as much as her—that loves it! The thought of his venom inside of her, his scent claiming her, turns me on more than I ever thought it would.

The thought of him claiming her, taking her, allowing me to lick the virgin blood from her womanhood has me standing at attention every time!

I can imagine biting into her soft, supple flesh and devouring her blood. I know it'll bathe my tongue and slide down my throat like the sweetest honey.

No amount of hunting can ever extinguish my desire for her blood.

I need it.

The unbearable thirst is driving me insane! I'm not sure how much longer I can stand to feel this hunger, this need.

I'm so freakin' hungry!

It doesn't matter how much I hunt or how sloshy I feel, no blood will ever douse the flames burning like a wildfire in my throat.

It was her I wanted.

Only her.

Only her blood.

Just the mere thought of her had me salivating.

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes. Maybe I could just ease the building pressure.

There was nobody around.

Nobody would see.

The others were still miles from my location, hunting or, more likely, enjoying the carnal pleasure the hunt ignites within us.

I was on my own. As always.

I unzipped my jeans and slid my hand into my boxers.

I've never been so hard.

So desperate.

So out of control!

God, it hurt so bad . . .

I wrapped my hand around my length, breathing a sigh as I began to slowly stroke my manhood. Fantasies of him filled my mind. It was never just Bella anymore. He was always there, taking control, forcing me to watch him take her. This time I was bound and gagged, my penis encased in a steel cage, forced to watch as he took my beautiful Bella from behind, thrusting into her entrance and making her moan his name! I couldn't move, couldn't do anything but watch the sheer pleasure on her face as he brought her to the brink of ecstasy.

"I—I understand. I, uh, just wasn't expecting this . . ."

My eyes snapped open. My hand paused mid-stroke. The fantasies in my head disappeared.

It was Carlisle's voice.

He was closer than I realized.

"I have been wondering for a while now . . ."

Who on earth would he be talking to while we're out here?

My curiosity and desire to listen in on Carlisle's private conversation outweighed my need to orgasm. I zipped myself back up and slowly moved closer. I was cautious to stay downwind, lest he realizes I'm here. He was a good mile from my position. I kept to the trees, out of sight. Perhaps he was just talking to Esme. I couldn't hear her thoughts, though. Hmm. Still. I wanted to know whom he was talking about.

What has he been wondering?

I haven't heard anything in his thoughts and I monitor the entire family closely just to be sure they aren't keeping anything from me.

"A-Are you sure, Son?"

"Course I'm sure, Carlisle!"

Jasper.

Carlisle was talking to Jasper!

What is that barbarian doing speaking to Carlisle? I thought I got rid of him! The girl is far too interested in that mongrel for my liking!

"I've been sure fer the last six months. Ever since I tasted her blood in the ballet studio."

I thought you said he didn't taste her, boy! How dare he taste the girl!

"S-Six months . . ." Carlisle stuttered. "A-And you tasted her blood? But you didn't drain her?"

Jasper sighed, exasperated, I thought. "She's my True Mate, Carlisle. I could never do anythin' to harm her!"

DAMNATION! That damn son of a bitch!

Jasper is Bella's True Mate.

So, he'd figured it out.

Part of me was relieved. I wanted to tell him. To tell Bella. To tell someone. Anyone! But I couldn't.

The other part, my inner monster, was furious. He wanted Bella for himself. Or, more accurately, he wanted her blood and her body. Once he'd used her up and drained her dry, Jasper could have whatever husk is left.

No.

No.

No.

Bad Edward!

Bella is a human.

A beautiful, wonderful, warm human.

I love her.

I am devoted to her. Only her.

I will not harm her!

Though her blood still calls to me, and I desperately want every part of her, I—Edward the man, not the monster—do not wish to cause her any harm. I could never do such a horrid thing!

Oh, but you have, boy. You have hurt her. I've made sure of that! I want her hurt. I want her vulnerable. I want her to depend on me. Only me.

She. Is. Mine!

Her blood is mine.

Her body is mine.

Her mind is mine.

She is mine to control.

Mine to use.

Mine.

All mine!

And I will not share with that barbarian!

Jasper is not a barbarian!

Oh, I know what you think of him, boy! Do you still fantasize about him when you're in the shower? Do you think he's going to take you now he's mated with our concubine? He will die a thousand deaths before I allow him anywhere near my precious blood bag!

Bella is not a blood bag!

Oh, yes she is boy! All she's good for is spreading her legs and opening her veins for me! And I will take everything she has to offer! Until there is nothing left of her! Then, and only then, will I allow the barbarian to have his precious mate!

"Look, there's somethin' else, Carlisle," Jasper said. "A lot more, actually . . ."

His tone caught my attention. He was worried. I couldn't hear his thoughts through the phone, but I could hear the emotion. Whatever it was, it was about his mate.

"What is it, son?" Carlisle asked, his voice turning serious now, though he was still gentle and caring. Still compassionate. Still Carlisle. "Anything I can do to help, you know you only have to ask. You and Bella are part of our family. You always will be. That will never change."

Jasper let out a breath and then told Carlisle . . . everything. The last six months. My changing behavior. The way my inner monster has reacted to Bella. My increasing possessiveness over her. All I've done to hurt her and our family. The threats. The lies. The manipulation.

Half of it I don't even remember doing! But I knew he wasn't lying. Jasper doesn't lie.

Then he told Carlisle about the afternoon Bella came to our house looking for her sketchbook and found him instead. Their mating bond manifested and . . .

Whoa!

What was that now?

Did he say breastmilk?

Fuck me.

Suddenly, my penis was standing at attention.

It was my fantasy come true.

I've spent hours stroking myself, daydreaming of suckling from Bella's gorgeous breasts. I've mentioned they've grown. They're full and round and just perfect for suckling all night long.

I've never considered myself a breast man. That all changed the night I saw Bella's breasts through her white silk camisole while she was sleeping. I came so many times that night, I'm surprised she didn't hear me calling her name.

I listened as Bella told Carlisle about her lactating breasts and the doctors she's seen in the last six months, as well as all the changes she's gone through.

Ah. Her sweet voice was like a balm to my ears.

I miss her.

I miss her so much.

Then Jasper told Carlisle about the shifters and Bella's father's involvement with them.

That bastard!

I should have known Charlie Swan was up to no good. The damn man is as vile and evil as they come. His thoughts are constantly centered on fucking his wife—yes, Sue Clearwater is his wife!—and taking Bella's virginity! Something Jacob and Billy Black have negotiated with him!

They have a contract with him! He gets to 'do her' first.

I may be more open-minded than anyone knows, but even I draw the line at incest.

Hell, it wasn't even sex Charlie was thinking about! He knows Bella will fight him. He wants her to fight him! He thinks she'll be just like her whore of a mother. Renee had tried to resist him. She fought him. She pleaded with him. But it only served to arouse him further.

That—the fact that Charlie Swan raped Bella's mother—is why I haven't told her.

I don't know how to tell her.

She already believes her parents don't love her or want her. And, the fact is, it's the truth. I imagine, to Renee, Bella was a constant, everyday reminder of what had happened to her. This is likely why she drinks, does drugs, and has a lot of unfulfilling, meaningless sex.

Charlie plans to do the same thing with Bella. Then hand her off to the shifters.

And believe me, the shifters are no better.

Kidnapping.

Rape.

Keeping innocent young women against their will.

It's worse than what some vampires do. At least human blood drinkers only kill their prey to feed and nourish their bodies. These turds are holding women hostage and breeding them to make a stronger pack!

It's despicable.

It's vile.

It's . . . it's . . . barbaric!

Not even the deadliest of our kind—the great God of War—would do such a heinous thing! I've seen his mind. I've seen his past. The man was a monster of the grisliest kind, but he never raped a poor innocent girl! He never, not once, took advantage of someone. Man or woman.

Even Maria, as vile as that woman is, has more morals than the shifters! She forbids rape in her army. Even going as far as to kill anyone who disobeys her rule.

I suppose, in hindsight, I should have told Bella all of this a long, long time ago.

But . . .

The hell you will, boy! My inner monster roared. She will be weak! Vulnerable! She will depend on me and only me to protect her! If Jacob Black wants her so desperately, I say we let him try to take her. I'll rip the mutt to pieces, wear his pelt, and leave his severed head on his father's front lawn as a message to all those who try to take what belongs to me!

Do you see what I'm up against?

Every time I try, the darkest part of me—my inner beast—interferes!

How do I fight someone who's inside my head? Who knows my every thought?

How do I protect Bella when I can't even stop myself from hurting her?

I know she's tried to break up with me. I know she doesn't want to be with me. I know I scare her sometimes! But I simply can't let her go. Even if I wanted to, the other half of me won't let her go! And I don't know how to make it right. I don't know how to warn her when I can't even speak the words!

"God Almighty," Carlisle breathed. "That's a thing? A pack bitch . . . it's . . . it's . . . heinous! Those poor women. Bella's ancestors! How could they?"

"I know." Jasper sighed heavily. "I've never seen anythin' like it. Even in the South. It got bad, but nothin' like what Pete's been describin' to me. Fuck, Maria would've strung up anyone who even tried this shit in her army. By their fuckin' balls! She might've been diabolical, but she weren't gonna stand fer abuse in her ranks."

"Why the Swan line?" Carlisle wondered. "Why only Swan women?"

"I ain't sure yet. Pete's doin' some research. He thinks it's somethin' to do with their blood or the power they wield. I'll find out more when we get to his place."

"Yes." Carlisle nodded. "On the bright side," he sighed, "if you can call it that, the treaty with the Quileute Pack is now void. As your True Mate Bella is an official member of our Coven. By attacking her, they've attacked all of us without provocation. Which means . . ."

"They can't do shit about me turnin' my mate," Jasper finished.

The hell he will! SHE IS MINE!

"Exactly." Carlisle smiled. "We'll need to relocate as well. I'll call the hospital and tell them I won't be returning . . ."

"Carlisle, if you can," Bella spoke, "maybe it would be an idea to fake your deaths. Keep the shifters on their toes. Peter faked my death, and apparently, it went so well, none of them are sure if I'm alive or dead."

"It's certainly an idea to consider." Carlisle nodded. "We've done it before. And none of us are averse to starting over. It's getting to be that time, anyway. Does this mean Isabella Swan is officially dead?"

"Yes." I could hear her smile. "Isabella Marie Swan is no longer with us. I'm not sure what my new name will be, Peter's taking care of that. Hopefully, it'll be something I can live with and not something silly like Princess Consuela Banana Hammock." She laughed happily, sounding carefree despite the situation they were in right now.

Jasper went on to tell Carlisle about the liquid Bella is producing. The effects it's had on him. Even going as far as to tell him about the constant arousal and his feeding from her.

What I wasn't expecting came next.

"Whatever it is, it ain't milk," Jasper said. "And there's blood in it."

"Blood?" Carlisle questioned, sounding alarmed now. "How do you mean, son? A bloody discharge from the nipple or . . ."

"Nah. The liquid started off golden. And kinda sparkly."

"Like a golden pearl," Bella finished.

"Mm. Now it's almost completely red with veins of the gold liquid."

"But still sparkly," Bella finished. "The two colors . . . it's like fluid, abstract art. The red and gold liquids look like they're separate, but in places, they mix and mingle together. The gold is still sparkly but the red is . . . well, blood, I think!"

"I'll need to run tests immediately," Carlisle told them. "Where are you right now?"

"On our way to Boise," Jasper answered. "We're gonna stop at The Riverside Hotel. We should be there around eight tonight. I'm thinkin' we'll get a flight into Colorado and head up to Pete's place in the Rockies."

"Do you think the shifters are following you?"

"I don't think so. If they are, they're doin' a fantastic job. I haven't seen, smelt, or felt anythin' to indicate we're being followed. But that don't mean we ain't! Just means, I haven't sensed anythin'."

"Mm. Charlie is a police officer. So, they have resources to find you that aren't supernatural." Carlisle reminded the couple. "Especially since Bella is still seventeen. If he doesn't think her death is real, he could put out an Amber Alert or a BOLO if he thinks she's headed in a particular area. Make sure you turn off your phone, sweetheart. He could track you that way."

"Already done," Bella confirmed. "Jasper's using one of those prepaid phones until we get to Peter's place."

"Good. Good. To be safe, we'll all do the same. And we'll meet you at Pete's place in the Rockies. But it could be a few days so don't worry if you don't hear from us. I want to speak to Edward myself and tell him what's happened. He'll likely wish to speak with you, Bella. Will it be all right if I have him call you?"

Fuck that. I've heard enough. There's no fuckin' way I'm gonna wait around here for Carlisle to get his head out of his asshole.

I need to go to her.

I need to see her for myself.

To make sure she's safe and protected.

Shut it, boy! We aren't going to make sure she's safe. We're going to drink her dry. Fuck her senseless. And kill the bastard who thinks he can take her from me!

I whimpered as I felt my inner monster raging and pushing his way to the surface.

I tried to fight him, I did, but he was too strong!

As the darkness overwhelmed me, I hoped and prayed Jasper would protect Bella from me.

I'd kill myself if I was the cause of her death!

A/N: You know, as a reader, I can't stand a cliffhanger. I'm very impatient that way. But as a writer :) it's so much fun! hehe!

So, what did you think of Edward? Can he be redeemed? What about his attraction to Jasper? What do you think will happen when he catches up with Jasper and Bella?

More soon, I promise!