Edward and Bella ventured deeper into the forest, hand in hand, their steps silent on the moss-covered ground. The towering trees loomed over them, casting dappled shadows in the late afternoon light. The sounds of the forest—the rustle of leaves, the occasional scurrying of small animals—were the only witnesses to their passage. Edward's golden eyes stayed focused on Bella, his senses attuned to her every movement, every breath, every beat of her silent heart.
Bella, on the other hand, was still adjusting to her new heightened senses. Everything felt different—the world sharper, more alive. Even the wind felt like it carried a story, and the distant rustle of the leaves brought her attention to animals miles away. But despite all this, there was one thing on her mind: her thirst. It was an ever-present burn in her throat, a gnawing reminder of what she now needed to survive.
"I'm not drinking from a deer," Bella declared suddenly, breaking the peaceful quiet between them. Her voice, though soft, held a stubborn edge that made Edward smile.
"No, you won't if you don't want to," Edward reassured her, his tone gentle, understanding. He had anticipated her reaction. "We'll go for mountain lions or elk. Whatever you prefer."
"Elks?" Bella scrunched her nose, clearly unimpressed. "They look too much like Bambi…"
Edward couldn't help but laugh. Of all the memories Bella retained from her human life, a Disney cartoon was what came to mind. It was endearing, the way her innocence still lingered beneath the surface of her newfound immortality.
He chuckled again and squeezed her hand, feeling the slight jolt of electricity that always seemed to pass between them when they touched. "We'll hunt what you want, love," Edward said, his voice softening as he looked into her eyes, his gaze filled with affection.
Bella felt her non-beating heart swell at the endearment. There was something about the way Edward called her "love" that sent a rush of warmth through her, a feeling she hadn't yet fully understood. Her relationship with him felt natural yet overwhelming. Mates, as Edward had explained, but that word didn't quite capture the depth of what she felt. All she knew was that with Edward, she felt safe. She felt... home.
As they moved further into the forest, they spotted the unmistakable form of a mountain lion prowling in the distance. Its sleek body moved silently through the underbrush, its predatory gaze fixed on something unseen. Bella froze, her eyes locked onto the creature, her instincts screaming at her to chase, to attack, to feed. But despite the burning thirst in her throat, she hesitated.
Edward, ever perceptive, noticed her hesitation immediately. Without a word, he released her hand and darted forward, his movements impossibly fast, as he sought to capture the lion for her. He didn't want to prolong her thirst, knowing how it gnawed at her every thought. But before he could get too close, the lion sensed him and bolted in the opposite direction. Edward stopped, glancing back at Bella.
"Edward, I... I don't know if I can," Bella stammered, her voice betraying her internal conflict. The idea of sinking her teeth into a wild animal still felt strange to her, even though she craved it.
"You can," Edward reassured her, walking back to her side. "You won't hurt anyone. You're only feeding. Your wellbeing comes first."
With a small nod, Bella reluctantly gave in. She darted after the mountain lion with surprising speed, her new instincts taking over. When she finally caught it, she felt a strange mix of satisfaction and regret as she drained it. The warm blood soothed her burning thirst, but the act itself left her feeling... less human. When she finished, she looked up at Edward, wiping the blood from her lips with the back of her hand.
"I'm still thirsty," she admitted quietly. It had been too long since her last drink. The human blood she had consumed two days earlier was barely enough to sustain her.
Edward nodded. "You should hunt more, Bella. Let your instincts guide you," he encouraged, though his voice held a softness that made it clear he understood her discomfort. He wanted her to feel empowered by her new nature, not ashamed of it.
Bella pouted, clearly not thrilled at the prospect of another hunt, but Edward found her reluctance endearing. She was fierce and strong, but there was still an innocence about her, a reluctance to fully embrace what she had become. It only made him love her more. His heart, if it could still beat, would have been pounding at the sight of her, looking both powerful and uncertain.
"Okay," Bella muttered, clearly resigned. She darted away into the forest again, this time determined to hunt on her own. Edward watched her with a small smile on his lips, marveling at how effortlessly she moved. Gone were the heavy worries of the past—Victoria's armies, the looming threat of the Volturi. In this moment, his world revolved entirely around her, his mate. She was everything.
Bella returned a few minutes later, another mountain lion drained, but this time with more confidence in her steps. She looked at Edward, her eyes now a little brighter, her thirst finally sated. "I think I'm full," she said with a small smile, though her white dress was now splattered with blood from the hunt.
Edward's gaze softened as he took in the sight of her, still beautiful despite the mess. "Let's go home, love. Alice will lend you some clothes, and she'll take care of those as well."
Bella's face lit up at the mention of Alice. The idea of clean clothes and a shower was appealing, but even more so was the thought of spending more time with Alice, who had become like an enthusiastic older sister to her. Edward couldn't help but chuckle at the sparkle in Bella's eyes. She seems to like Alice.
As they began making their way back, Edward found himself even more curious about Bella's human life. The way she lit up at the mention of clothes, her reluctance to hunt mountain lions—he wanted to know everything. How did she come across Victoria and Riley? What had her life back then? These were the questions he would like to know and if she's ready he'll help her figure out.
For now, though, he was content just to walk beside her, his hand clasped in hers as they made their way back.
--
Bella and Edward stepped through the door of the Cullen's house, Bella's eyes widening as she took in the grandeur of the Cullen house. It was beyond anything she could have imagined, modern yet cozy, every corner whispering elegance. The family—Esme, Carlisle, Alice, Emmett, Jasper, and Rosalie—greeted them warmly, though all eyes quickly shifted to Bella, especially noting the blood-stained white dress she still wore from the hunt.
Alice, ever the fashion-conscious one, immediately rushed to her side. "Let's get you sorted out," she chirped with her usual energy. "Come on, Bella, let me show you your room."
"My room?" Bella echoed, her eyes blinking in surprise.
"Of course! Come, I'll give you the grand tour," Alice said, her excitement palpable as she grabbed Bella's hand and led her down the hall. Edward followed close behind, smiling at how Alice had been bursting to show off the newly decorated space. Bella's room, freshly adorned in soft creams and blushes, had been crafted by Esme and Alice in the span of just a few hours, fitting perfectly with Bella's understated elegance. Edward had glimpsed Alice's vision of Bella in the room, the two of them bonding over clothes and decor.
As Alice led Bella through the house, she skipped one particular area. "I'll leave Edward's room for him to show you later," she said with a wink, "I'm sure he'll want to."
Finally, they reached Bella's room. It was a soft, inviting space, filled with subtle luxury. The cream walls were adorned with minimalist art, and a bed with a plush, rose-gold throw sat in the middle of the room. A vanity stood by the window, next to a spacious wardrobe that Alice had already filled with carefully selected outfits, most of which Bella didn't recognize but instinctively knew were just her style.
"And this," Alice beamed, "is your bathroom. Go ahead, take a shower, and I'll leave an outfit on the bed for you to wear afterward." She practically squealed with excitement before skipping out, leaving Bella and Edward alone in the room.
A comfortable silence hung between them. Edward stepped forward and leaned down to press a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I'll leave you to get ready. Afterward, I'd love to show you my room," he said, his voice soft, full of affection.
For the second time that day, Bella would've blushed if she could. This new vampire life might have taken that away, but her reaction to Edward hadn't dulled in the slightest. *Damn him, she thought, feeling enchanted by his every word.
As she stepped into the shower, Bella finally realized just how filthy she was. Her hands shook slightly under the warm water, her thoughts beginning to catch up with her. She had been a vampire for only a few days, and she still felt completely lost. The Cullens—though strangers to her—seemed infinitely better company than Riley or Victoria ever had. Their warmth, their care... it was overwhelming, but comforting.
But then, as the water poured down, Bella's thoughts turned darker. She remembered the man she had killed. The one Riley had forced her to drain. His face flashed in her mind, and for the first time since her transformation, she felt the weight of that act press down on her. How was she supposed to move forward from this? How could she live with herself? The enormity of it made her feel sick, though her body couldn't produce the tears she so desperately wished she could shed.
After her shower, Bella dried off and found the outfit Alice had left for her on the bed—a soft, cream-colored sweater dress from a designer she recognized, paired with ankle boots that perfectly matched the style. It was something Bella felt strangely familiar with, like she had seen herself in such clothes a hundred times before. The familiarity brought a sliver of comfort. Maybe it was her human love for fashion returning, guiding her even now.
Just as she was pulling the sweater over her head, there was a soft knock at the door. She knew it was Edward before she even opened it. His concerned expression greeted her, his golden eyes searching her face intently. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice full of tenderness.
Bella gave him a small, reassuring smile. "I'm fine. A bit confused, but fine," she said, stepping closer and reaching for his hand. The moment their fingers touched, she felt a spark, something warm and grounding. She could feel the weight of her questions bubbling up inside her, but right now, she didn't want to dwell on them.
"I want to see your room first, before we talk. Is that okay?" Bella's voice was soft, her wide eyes glancing up at him. There was an innocence in her gaze that nearly made Edward stop breathing. How could she be so effortlessly enchanting?
Edward, momentarily dazed by her cuteness, nodded. "Of course," he managed to say, his heart metaphorically in his throat. If he were human, this would've been the moment he'd have completely lost his composure.
Meanwhile, in the room nearby, Jasper—sensing everything Edward was feeling—called out teasingly, "C'mon, man, chill it out!"
His outburst earned a roaring laugh from Emmett downstairs, and even Rosalie cracked a small smile at Edward's predicament.
Edward shot a half-annoyed, half-amused glance in the direction of Jasper's room, but turned back to Bella with a softer expression. "Come with me, love," he said, leading her gently by the hand toward his room.
Bella here has a different upbringing than in the books so don't be surprised if she's a bit out of character.