(Lynna's P.O.V.)

None of the Cullens were at school today. That was the first thing I noticed when I walked into class that morning. I stared at the empty seat beside me with a frown. History class dragged on and on without their company. Alice had texted me and informed that none of them would be at school due to the sunny weather. I made a mental note to ask her about that later.

I was missing both Alice and Emmett, which I had no problem admitting. The one Cullen who I refused to admit that I even noticed their absence was Edward. However, as the day progressed, I was finding it difficult to keep him from my mind.

The sun peeked through the trees and warmed my flushed face as I trekked through the woods later that evening. It had been a few days since I had visited Grayson, so I was taking advantage of the nice weather and heading to the cemetery on foot.

"It's hard telling what sort of big, bad monsters are lurking in the woods, Holloway."

I jumped and yelped at the sound of the voice. Edward jumped down from a tree, landing directly in front of me and smirking like the devil. I narrowed my eyes at him.

"You scared me," I stated sternly.

His smirk grew, which I couldn't help but find oddly seductive.

"I can see that," he chuckled lowly before his face turned serious. His eyes were hooded as he said, "I meant what I said though. It's not safe in the woods."

"Well good thing I have a big, strong vampire here to protect me," my voice was dripping with sarcasm as I bypassed him to continue walking.

A gasp flew through my lips when he jumped over me without any effort, landing directly in front of me in a bid to block my path.

"What the hell?" I hissed, despite being totally impressed by his supernatural agility.

He pressed his lips into a thin line as if he was fighting back a smile. "Where are you going?"

"To the cemetery," I replied stiffly, ducking under a tree branch to get around him.

"You're going the wrong way," he stated as-matter-of-factly.

Before I could blink, he was perched in a tree above me, looking down with a devilish grin. I craned my neck to see him, narrowing my eyes at his smug face.

"No, I'm not," I retorted, folding my arms across my chest. "The cemetery is straight ahead, just past the creek."

He shook his head mockingly, his ember eyes glinting with amusement. "The creek is that way." He nodded over his shoulder. "You're currently headed straight for the mountain."

I rolled my eyes. "No. I'm not."

What sort of game was he playing? He chuckled lowly. "You sure about that?" He challenged.

I nodded once and resumed walking, dodging branches and brambles as I pushed on. He teleported to my left and fell in step with me. I paused mid-step and turned to face him.

"What are you doing, Edward?" I asked, cutting to the chase.

Another smirk sprung to his lips; I cursed myself mentally for finding it attractive.

"Are we on a first name basis now?" He teased, tilting his head to the side. "Lynna," he purred my name.

The sound of my name leaving his lips caused my heart to stutter, which I was sure wasn't missed by him.

"Are you going to answer my question?" I snapped back, growing impatient with the obnoxious yet attractive boy.

He shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm following you."

My jaw dropped. "Why?"

Once again, he shrugged, flashing me a lop-sided grin that would make any girl weak in the knees. "I'm bored," he admitted, his smile growing as he continued, "And you're lost."

My eyes narrowed into slits as I automatically responded, "I wish you would get lost."

His deep, musical laugh echoed throughout the trees. "That's no way to talk to your hero now, is it?"

I breathed out a scoff and shook my head. "You're not my hero. You said it yourself."

He placed his hands in his pockets and stared into my eyes with a burning intensity that made me forget how to breathe. "Maybe I changed my mind," he mused, his golden eyes dancing.

I didn't even try to stifle the eyeroll at that. "Of course you did," I mumbled in annoyance. "How long have you been following me?" I questioned him, raising my brows as I waited for his answer.

He pursed his lips and said, "Since you stepped foot into the woods."

My mouth fell open. "That was like thirty minutes ago! You've been following me for half an hour and just now decided to make your presence known?!"

He hummed, placing his hand on his chin as if he was deep in thought before nodding. "Yes."

I shook my head, extremely irritated with him. "You're unbelievable," I hissed. "Don't you have anything better to do than follow a girl, that you don't even like—Might I add, through the woods?!"

"No," he responded automatically, kneeling down to pluck a dandelion from the grass. He flashed me a cheeky grin as he held the flower out to me, "Make a wish."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I wish you would go away."

The amusement vanished from his face as he shot me a glare. "Fine," he spoke through clenched teeth before disappearing into thin air.

I frantically looked around, expecting him to pop out of nowhere. When he didn't, I thanked my lucky stars and continued to walk towards my destination. Several minutes passed before I realized that Edward was right—I was heading in the wrong direction.

"Dammit," I cursed under my breath and started inspecting my surroundings.

"Told you you were going the wrong way," his voice came from overhead.

He was looking down at me from atop a pine tree. How in the hell did he get all the way up there? I watched in awe as he jumped down from the fifty-foot-tall tree and landed gracefully on his feet as though it required no effort at all. My mouth was agape as I stared at him.

"Did you miss me?" He taunted, circling me as though I was his prey. "Don't worry. I didn't actually leave. What sort of gentleman would I be if I left a poor, defenseless damsel all by her lonesome in the eerie woods?"

"Why are you being extra annoying?" I asked him, placing my hands on my hips. "Is it because you weren't at school today? Awww, did Edward Cullen miss me?" I laughed at the aghast expression on his face.

"Don't flatter yourself," he retorted, his face twisting into a scowl. "I'm bored. If you don't want to be pestered, maybe you shouldn't wander around in the woods. These woods are my domain."

I allowed his comment to roll off my back as I sat down on a fallen tree to rest for a minute. "This is public property," I said to him. "It's not your anything."

He quirked a brow as if to challenge me. "The woods surrounding my home for miles are considered my and my family's territory. As a matter of fact, this entire town is considered our territory—At least as far as others of our kind are concerned."

I couldn't help but notice that he had never said the word 'vampire'. A part of me wondered why, but it wasn't my business. "Well, I'm sure your family won't mind me traipsing around in their territory, will they? I am considered family, after all."

His eyes narrowed into slits. "I suppose not," he admitted. "However, I'm sure Alice would be awfully worried if she found out her sweet little niece was wandering around getting herself lost in the woods this close to nightfall."

As he spoke, the sun peeked through the clouds and the sight I saw left me speechless. The sun reflected off his face, creating a prism effect—It was as though his skin was imbedded with thousands of tiny diamonds. He was… beautiful. I gasped, my jaw going slack. His eyes widened before he leaped into the shadows of the trees, breaking the effect.

"Y-You.. You sparkled," I breathed out, blinking rapidly.

He leaned against the tree, using the foliage as cover from the sun. "Now you know why we weren't at school today," he stated dully.

I nodded. My mouth had run dry. "That.. would make sense."

The sun illuminating the forest was short-lived— The clouds acted like a curtain, swallowing the sunlight and thus, allowing Edward to step out of the shadows. His face was pulled down in a frown as he glanced at me warily.

"Does… Does it hurt?" I asked him, wringing my hands nervously.

He furrowed his brows. "The sun?"

I nodded. He breathed out a scoff and shook his head. "Not at all. There isn't much that can hurt me."

My brows flew up my forehead in surprise. I tilted my head to the side, studying his forlorn expression. "Then why did you jump into the shadows like that?"

"Like what?" He countered back, leaning against the trunk of a tree in a casual manner.

"Like it burned you," I blurted out. "You looked like it hurt you. The sun.."

He gave me a sharp look. "It doesn't physically hurt me, Holloway. I simply don't like to be reminded of.." He stopped short, not finishing the sentence.

"Of what?" I urged him to continue.

I watched, entranced, as his Adam's apple bobbed up and down when he visibly gulped. His jaw was clenched when he responded in a low, chilling voice, "Of what I am."

Now, I was intrigued. His features were pulled down in sorrow, painting the picture of a heartbroken yet tragically beautiful boy.

"Why not?" I wondered in a soft voice, not wanting to upset him further. "What's wrong with what you are, Edward Cullen?"

He scowled, his eyes locking with mine and holding me hostage. The fire dancing in his dark irises caused butterflies to engulf my stomach.

"In case you haven't noticed, I'm a monster." His voice was void of all emotion but his eyes gave him away.

"So?" I challenged, placing my hands on my knees and leaning forward to pluck a dandelion.

"So?!" He sneered, his face twisting into a grimace.

"So, you're a vampire." I shrugged nonchalantly, twirling the flower in my fingers. "It doesn't make you a bad person."

He pressed his lips into a thin line, never taking his eyes off me. "I've killed people. It's what we do."

My heart stuttered but it quickly recovered. I looked up at him and blinked slowly.

"You and your family feed on the blood of animals. You're 'vegetarians'. Alice already told me," I said to him, trying to stop my stomach from doing flip-flops under his intense gaze.

He scoffed loudly and shook his head, a derisive smile springing to his lips. "Did she also tell you that most of us have killed numerous people?"

I pressed my lips into a thin line and inhaled a shaky breath, trying to calm my nerves. "She said that all of you were trying to do what is right— now."

He ripped his eyes from me and stared out into the woods with a grim expression. A moment passed before I spoke again. "You can't help what you are, Cullen." I stood up and slowly approached him, holding the dandelion up to him as a peace offering. His midnight eyes were glazed over as he looked from me to the flower and back again.

"You can only help who you are," I breathed out, offering him a gentle smile as I held the dandelion up to his face and gave it a twirl. "Make a wish," I whispered, smirking before I released a deep breath, causing the dandelion seeds to scatter into the wind, dancing to and fro as they set sail on their journey.

It was then that I took note of our proximity. We were a mere two feet apart. It felt like an electrical current was flowing between us, urging me to come closer. It somehow had the opposite effect on the forlorn vampire— He took a giant step back before jumping into the tree above me. He leaned down, hovering over me with a mocking smile.

"What did you wish for?" He asked teasingly, his sullen mood all but forgotten about.

"To find my way out of these woods," I responded, returning his smug smile.

He smirked devilishly and dangled from the tree in a playful manner. "So, you admit that you're lost?"

I pursed my lips, weighing my answer carefully. "I wouldn't say I'm 'lost' per say. I'm just.. not where I thought I was," I admitted, a slight blush flooding my cheeks.

"Would you like my help? Or are you too stubborn?" He taunted, climbing higher into the tree with a supernatural grace.

I placed a hand on my hip and squinted my eyes at him, having to crane my neck to do so. "I'm not stubborn," I was quick to say.

He threw his head back and laughed musically—The sight of his face lit with pure joy caused my breath to hitch in my throat. Despite being the most insufferable boy I had ever met, he was also the most beautiful.

"Holloway… You are quite easily the most stubborn person I have ever met in all my hundred and twenty-two years," he teased once his laughter had subsided.

"And you're the grumpiest," I retorted.

He laughed once more. "Is that right?"

I nodded and hummed. "Sure is, Count Grumpula."

He narrowed his eyes at me, clearly not amused by the clever nickname. "You're not funny," he mumbled bitterly.

I chuckled at his expense. "I beg to differ. I find myself hilarious."

He shook his head and breathed out a dry laugh. "Do you want my help or not?"

I pursed my lips, fighting back a smile at his annoyed expression. I shrugged, feigning nonchalance. "I suppose since you're here, you might as well make yourself useful."

A crooked grin was playing on his lips before he jumped down from the tree, landing with a gracefulness that would make a ballerina cry.

"The cemetery is in that direction," he pointed over his shoulder and smirked as he continued, "Like I said."

I hopped up from the fallen tree and gave him a tight-lipped smile. "Thank you very much," I said as I walked around him to head in the 'right direction'.

He fell in step with me, elegantly weaving through branches while never taking his eyes off me. "You know… It will take you a good thirty minutes to get there on foot. And the sun will be setting in less than ten," he commented.

I sighed heavily, nearly stumbling over a tree root that was jutting from the earth. He snickered quietly at my expense.

"Well, good thing I have nowhere else to be," I mumbled as I focused on not making a fool out of myself in front of him.

He pursed his lips, appearing to be debating something before he spoke, "I could get you there in less than a minute."

What? I quirked a brow at him. "Do you have a secret rocketship that I don't know about?"

A sly smirk sprung to his lips. My heart quickened at the sight. "Maybe," he purred, shrugging his right shoulder. "Or maybe I'm just… fast." His smirk grew when he saw my bewildered expression.

I opened my mouth to speak. "How—"

He cut me off mid-sentence. "Do you want a ride?"

My mouth fell open. A blush crept to my cheeks under his curious yet intense gaze. "On your rocketship?" I pulled my lower lip between my teeth to keep myself from full-on cackling at the dumbfounded look on his face.

He rolled his eyes. "On me," he blurted out, causing my brows to fly up my forehead and my blush to spread to the tips of my ears.

His jaw dropped and a look of horror fell over his face when he realized what he had just said. I couldn't help but laugh at his aghast expression. He ran a hand through his hair and shook his head.

"I-I didn't mean.." He looked absolutely horrified as he continued to stutter, "T-That. That's not—That's not what I meant."

I was guessing vampires couldn't blush. If they could, he would be ten shades redder than a tomato. I threw my head back and laughed whole-heartedly, causing Edward's horrified expression to turn to one of amusement and pure embarrassment.

"I'd certainly hope not," I teased, nudging him with my elbow and smirking as I continued, "At least take me to dinner first."

His jaw went slack. I feared his eyes were going to bulge from their sockets. I, once again, couldn't contain my laughter due to the flustered boy.

"Relax, Cullen," I spoke between fits of laughter. "I'm only teasing."

His jaw snapped shut with an audible click as he forced himself to stare straight ahead, dodging my amused gaze.

"Right," he mumbled, running his hand through his bronze hair and causing it to stand up on end in a comical fashion that only added to my amusement.

"Now, where were we?" I questioned, placing my hands behind my back and smirking as I continued, "Before you asked me to ride you, I mean."

"Holloway…" His voice sounded strained.

I glanced at him and noticed that his jaw was clenched, but there were no traces of anger evident on his face.

"Really, though—What were you saying?" I asked, finally taking pity on the poor boy and ending the teasing.

He pressed his lips into a thin line. "Forget about it."

I groaned in frustration. "Ugh, just tell me."

He appeared to be contemplating before he flashed me a timid smile. It was strange seeing him like this. I had grown accustomed to the scowl that seemed to be a permanent fixture on his porcelain face. Seeing him smile, and at me nonetheless, caused my stomach to twist into a knot. The feeling was nice but entirely unwelcome.

"I was offering to give you a lift to the cemetery," he finally spoke, his smile growing slightly.

I raised my brows. "You mean like.. Carry me?" The idea sounded absurd; preposterous.

He nodded once. "That's correct. Now you're catching on. A+."

I gave him a disbelieving look, pausing mid-step and folding my arms across my chest as I stared up at him. "You're out of your mind," I told him with a straight face.

His grin spread from ear to ear, causing my breath to hitch in my throat at the sight.

"I am," he nodded in agreement. "But why do you say that?"

"You just offered to carry me to through the woods like Tarzan," I said to him, chuckling despite myself. "Trust me, Cullen—I'm heavier than I look."

He scoffed. "You're kidding, right?"

I shook my head. "I vaguely remember having this conversation with Tyler in front of you. So, you should know that I'm not kidding."

His eyes narrowed into slits. "Well, I'm not Tyler. I'd have no issue carrying you twenty-four/seven."

I bit my lower lip, fascinated by his response. "Must be a vampire thing."

He frowned, looking over my head to stare at the tree directly behind me. "Yes," he stated sternly.

I picked up a stick and started tracing random shapes in the dirt. "So… You're super strong, obviously. Strong enough to stop a car with your bare hands…" I trailed off, studying his solemn face as I continued, "You say you can get me to the cemetery in less than a minute, which would take someone like me half an hour, so you're freakishly fast. Oh, and you claim that you could carry me, quote on quote, twenty-four/seven, which tells me that you have stamina that any athlete would kill for. Oh, and you read minds. Am I missing anything else?"

He pressed his lips into a thin line, his frown deepening. "You pretty much covered it."

I hummed in response, spelling out my name in the dirt with the stick. I could feel him watching me as I did so. "I'm curious… I mean, I could just talk to Alice if you aren't comfortable, but I figured since you're here and all…"

To my surprise, he plopped down on the ground, stretching his legs out in front of him. He patted the area next to him, signaling for me to stop with my scribbling and join him. My heart skipped a beat before I sank to the ground next to him, being sure to keep enough space between us that my heart would beat in a normal rhythm.

"Let's hear it, Holloway." His voice was soft, sounding oddly soothing to my ears.

His ember eyes were the perfect shade of gold as they bore into mine, causing me to take an unsteady breath. "Um, well," I paused, gathering my thoughts. "I've heard plenty of myths about vampires. I'm curious as to which of them are true."

"You ask, I'll answer," he said without any hesitation, curiosity glinting in his eyes of ochre.

"Well, obviously the sun doesn't bother you. Aside from the sparkling, I mean. So, I can check that one off my list."

He chuckled lowly and waited patiently for me to continue. I pulled my legs to my chest and rested my head on my knees. "How do you feel about garlic?"

This earned me a heartfelt laugh. "It doesn't smell the best." A smile tugged at his lips. "But it doesn't faze us."

"What about vervain?" I asked, thinking about The Vampire Diaries.

His brows knitted together in confusion. "Vervain?"

I nodded. "Like off The Vampire Diaries, you know."

He shook his head and frowned. "Never heard of it," he mused, pursing his lips. "I'll have to watch it. I'm intrigued. But no— 'Vervain' does nothing to us."

I hummed, processing his answer. "Do you guys have to be invited inside?"

"No," he stated dully. "And before you ask, a wooden stake wouldn't kill us." His eyes darted to the stick I was previously messing with before a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "And certainly not a stick."

I rolled my eyes but chuckled, nonetheless. "Noted." My voice was heavy with sarcasm. I had to mentally brace myself before asking the next question. "Um, Alice said that she was a hundred-and-twenty-two."

It was his turn to nod. "Yes. Alice and I are actually the same age. Not biologically, but.. We've both been on this earth for one-hundred-and-twenty-two years."

My brows flew up my forehead. It was hard to believe that this beautiful boy, who appeared no older than nineteen, was actually a centenarian. My mind was still struggling to grasp that, as well as the fact that Alice was my great-great-aunt.

"So… Do you guys live forever?" I asked, genuinely impressed with myself that my voice didn't waver.

"If you define what we are as 'living' then yes." He visibly gulped, his jaw clenching as he continued, "We don't grow old. We don't get sick. Or weak. Or tired. We don't even sleep."

A gasp flew through my lips. "You don't… You don't sleep? Like ever?"

He shook his head and frowned. "Never."

My mind felt like it was going a mile a minute. "Wow," I breathed out. "Sounds like you have a lot of time on your hands." I offered him a gentle smile upon seeing his sorrowful expression. "No wonder you were stalking me," I teased.

His jaw dropped. "I wasn't stalking you. I—"

I cut him off with a laugh. "I was joking," I assured him. "You've got to learn to lighten up, you know. Forever is an awfully long time to live without having a sense of humor. It's sure to drag by if you don't develop one."

He rolled his eyes. "I have a sense of humor."

I quirked a brow, challenging him. "Do you?"

He sighed before flashing me a half-hearted smile. "I do."

"If you say so," I mumbled, grabbing a leaf from the ground and inspecting it in a bid to distract myself from his dancing eyes. "So, do you have, like, super hearing?" I asked curiously, twirling the leaf between my fingers and pulling my lower lip between my teeth as I awaited his answer. Then, I remembered him openly admitting to me yesterday that he could hear my heart racing. "Nevermind. You already answered that."

"Yes," he was quick to say. "I can hear your heart beating in your chest right now."

My heart stuttered, betraying me. A crooked grin played on his lips, mocking me.

"I know you can," I whispered hoarsely, feeling nervous under his gaze.

He slowly leaned towards me, nearly closing the distance between us. My breath hitched in my throat; I could practically see the electricity that was humming between us, causing goosebumps to erupt all over my body. My eyes drifted to his lips; I involuntarily licked my own as I stared at them— They were the perfect shape. I couldn't help but wonder what they would feel like pressed against mine. My heart was pounding against my ribs. My face heated up, knowing that he was listening to my heart betray me once again.

"What are you thinking right now?" His voice was low and rough, yet somehow smooth.

His ember eyes had darkened to the color of midnight. I was entranced as I stared into his endless depths.

"Why do your eyes change colors?" I asked in a faint whisper, resisting the urge to reach out and stroke his strong jawline.

What in the actual hell is wrong with me? Why was I feeling this way? Up until a few days ago, I had despised the rude, arrogant boy. Now, I was fighting against every impulse not to touch his perfectly carved face.

His jaw clenched. He continued to stare into my eyes with a burning intensity, holding me captive. My racing heartbeat echoed between us.

Finally, a small smirk flitted to his lips. My heart immediately responded, skipping a beat.

"I'm not answering that," he breathed out, chuckling lowly as he tore his eyes from mine, breaking the spell.

My mouth fell open. "Why not?"

He shook his head and scowled. I pursed my lips.

"I've never seen Alice or Emmett's eyes change. Just yours," I spoke softly, hoping I wouldn't upset him.

"Why do you think that is, Holloway?" His voice was deeper, huskier.

I furrowed my brows. "I don't know. That's why I'm asking."

His face twisted into a grimace.

"You don't have to answer it if you don't want to," I assured him. "I was just curious. I can always ask Alice—"

His eyes grew to the size of saucers before he interrupted me mid-sentence, "No. Don't ask Alice."

I pressed my lips together to keep from laughing at his horrified expression. It was quite comical. "Why not?" I asked, my curiosity intensifying.

He ran a hand through his hair forcefully and sprung to his feet. I peered up at him with a look of confusion. He towered over my sitting form, looking down at me with hooded eyes. My heart struggled to stay in rhythm under his heated gaze.

"I'll tell you. Just not right now, okay?" His eyes were pleading as they stared into mine, causing a lump to form in my throat.

I nodded. "Okay."

He stared off into the distance, his lips pulled down in a frown. "It's getting dark. If you want to visit Grayson then we need to get going."

I blinked slowly, listening to the deep, baritone sound of his voice before I stood up and brushed myself off. For some reason, I held on to the leaf, placing it in my back pocket.

I watched as another smirk sprung to his lips. He held out his arms as he took a step towards me. "May I?"

My heart stuttered and stammered before I nodded. I held my breath when he took another step, nearly closing the small gap between us. I was distinctly aware of everything about him in that moment. The golden flecks shining in his darkened eyes. The way he clenched his jaw as he stared down at me. His sharp jawline that seemed to be begging for me to caress it. My fingertips tingled at the thought.

Every nerve in my body was on high alert. A gasp flew through my lips when, in a speed nearly invisible to my human eyes, he swooped me up in his arms, holding me bridal style against his chest. My heart was pounding; racing. The only sounds I could make out was my racing heart beating in my ears and Edward's slow, shaky breaths. Being pressed against him had me seeing stars. Electricity surged through my body, lighting me up from the inside out. I could feel the coolness of his stone-like body beneath his clothes and found myself yearning to be closer to him. What does he feel like? I longed to touch his marble chest. I clenched my hands into fists to prevent myself from tracing his collarbone that was barely visible beneath his collar.

His hold on me tightened as he stared into my eyes. If I didn't know any better, I would have sworn that lust was dancing like wildfire in the depths of his pupils.

"If you're prone to motion sickness, you may want to close your eyes," he whispered, his voice sounding strained.

Before I could even respond, he took off. My arms automatically flew around his neck, earning a deep chuckle from him. I could barely make out the vague shapes of the trees as we zoomed by. I was in a mild state of shock but also in awe. It felt as though we weren't even moving— He effortlessly glided across the forest floor, as though he was floating.

Luckily, I had never been known to have motion sickness because for the life of me, I couldn't close my eyes even if I wanted to. The feeling of being in his arms, pressed against him with my arms around his neck, combined with the exhilarating thrill of flying through the trees made it impossible to even consider blinking; I didn't want to miss a single second of the incredible, once in a lifetime experience.

It felt like no time had passed at all when he came to a standstill, standing in the middle of the private cemetery.

"Can you stand?" He asked in a whisper, his cool breath blowing against my ear and making me shiver.

Butterflies engulfed in my stomach as I nodded, releasing my hold on his neck. He swiftly yet gently set me to my feet. I inhaled a shaky breath, incredibly thankful that my knees didn't give out when I took a cautious step.

"Thanks," I peered up at him with a small smile. "That was… fun."

He quirked a brow. "Fun?"

I nodded fervently, my smile growing. "Really fun, actually."

He tilted his head to the side and returned my smile. "You mean to tell me you actually enjoyed that?"

"Of course," I was quick to say. Who wouldn't?

He pressed his lips together and appeared to be studying me intently. I walked over to Grayson and sat down beside his headstone, pulling my legs up to my chest as I said to Edward, "You can go now. I know my way back from here."

His brows flew up his forehead. "If you think I'm leaving you alone out here, you're crazy. Alice would kill me if I left her little niece all by herself after dark."

The sun had just vanished beyond the horizon. The sky overhead was a dark blue; no doubt it would be pitch black here soon. I turned my attention from Edward and trailed my fingertips over Grayson's name written on the headstone, tracing each letter with care. I could feel Edward staring a hole straight through me as I did so.

"So, what do you do when you come out here?" He asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

I shrugged half-heartedly as I leaned my head against the tombstone. "I just… visit."

"Even after you found out about him and Ashley," he stated; his voice had a strange edge to it, but it didn't sound bitter—Intrigued, perhaps?

"I still love him," I admitted, surprised by how hoarse I sounded.

And I did. A part of me would always love Grayson, despite his betrayal. He was my first love. He had a special place in my heart and I couldn't change that. What he did hurt me tremendously. If he was still alive, I would have ended things between us without a second thought. Not having closure was hurting me more than anything.

Edward sat down a good distance away, keeping an eye on me from afar as I visited Grayson. For some reason, I felt perfectly comfortable and at ease in Edward's presence. I felt safe.

After a few minutes, I stood up. The night sky hung over us like a dark curtain as I said goodbye to Grayson and walked towards Edward who was on his feet in an instant.

"I'm ready," I whispered, dropping my gaze to the ground.

"Would you like another…" He trailed off, rubbing the back of his head sheepishly.

My lips twitched into a smile. "Ride?" I blurted out, laughing softly at his flustered expression. "I'd love that."

(Edward's P.O.V)

The feeling of having her in my arms as I ran through the woods was unlike no other. The warmth of her body pressed against mine had my mind swirling with perverse images that I was struggling to keep at bay. The electrical current flowing between us was impossible to ignore. I found myself holding her tighter, pressing her against my chest and reveling in the feel of her body against mine. Her heartbeat was music to my ears as it picked up its tempo. Her sweet, sultry scent filled my lungs and made it exceedingly difficult to focus on anything except the gorgeous girl in my arms.

As much as I loved running as fast as my legs could take me, I found myself slowing down— Running at a speed that would be considered a slow jog for my kind; I wanted to make the moment last as long as I possibly could. I savored cradling her against my chest, and I hated myself for it.

Her bright blue eyes were vibrant and dancing as she took in her surroundings. I was certain everything she was seeing was mostly a blur, but that didn't stop an awestruck smile from spreading across her face. She thoroughly enjoyed running with me which was an immense surprise. She-who-shall-not-be-named couldn't stand it, so I assumed that other humans would have the same reaction. Lynna's delighted giggle as I sped through the forest proved how wrong I was. The sound was… beautiful. Musical. I wanted to hear it again and again.

What the hell is wrong with me?

All too soon, we were in her backyard behind the greenhouse. She squealed in excitement when I leaped over the picket fence with her in my arms.

"You can stand?" I questioned, uncertainty evident in my voice.

She nodded once. "Yes."

As much as I hated to, I gently set her to her feet, watching worriedly as she swayed slightly. I was fully prepared to catch her but there was no need.

"That was… Wow," she breathed out, a delicate blush flooding her cheeks in an alluring manner.

I cursed myself internally as I ogled at the girl. This was entirely unacceptable on my part. A surge of frustration coursed through me, directed entirely towards myself.

"Don't go wandering around in the woods alone again. It isn't safe. Next time, I won't be there." My voice was stern and unforgiving.

She jutted her chin in defiance, a mischievous glint in her tranquil blue eyes that made my stomach churn with desire. "Won't you?" She questioned in a low, mocking tone with a quirked brow, as if to challenge me.

What did she mean by that? I narrowed my eyes at her suspiciously. "No, Holloway. I won't," I spoke through gritted teeth, clenching my fists as I fought against the forbidden desires surging through me.

She hummed in response and flashed me a breathtaking smile; I could have sworn I felt my heart beating in my chest. I cursed myself internally once more. She was taunting me—Clearly.

"You'd be wise to stay away from me, Holloway." My words came across as a warning. At least I hoped they did. I took several steps back, retreating with my tail between my legs. "Don't be foolish." I repeated my previous words to her, my voice shaking with anger.

Her eyes widened and her lips parted slightly. A look of hurt fell across her face, and I hated how much it pained me to witness. As quickly as the vulnerable expression appeared, it vanished—Leaving nothing but anger and bitterness behind. She shot me a glare and frowned.

"Noted." She sneered in a clipped tone before spinning on her heels and running towards the back door.

I watched as she left, the heaviness in my chest growing with each step she took. I was able to prevent myself from ogling at her retreating form, but I didn't miss when she pulled a leaf from her back pocket right before she closed the door. I darted at full speed, catching the green leaf between my fingers before it hit the ground. I picked it up and admired the seemingly meaningless leaf before placing it in my back pocket for safe keeping.