I am so sorry that I never finished this in July like I promised. I had every intention, and then my mom got bad news from the doctors, which then led to biopsy and more bad news. I honestly haven't been in the right head space to write at all. I've been stressing and worrying. Three, maybe four chapters and epilogue left. Thank you for your patience.

Thank you to Kyla713 for looking this over., along with Packy, Mo and a few others. I truly appreciated it. I was more nervous than usual over this chapter.

Anyway, I'm shutting up now. I hope you guys like this chapter.

~.~

Thoughts of the Volturi whipped through my mind as I chased after the most beautiful newborn vampire I had ever seen. Branches whizzed by as I weaved through the forest, trying to catch up to her. She was confident in her movements—not a single stumble or fall. Her legs were long and swift as she jumped over fallen logs, her long hair flew with the wind.

Abruptly, she stopped and stood stock still. I could hear the same thing she did. Two heartbeats and the smell of wildcat permeated the air. Her excited, wind-flushed face turned toward me.

"Go. I'll be right behind you," I implored, a small smile creeping up my face. Her excitement was infectious.

She didn't hesitate and ran off in the direction of the two cats. I gave her a bit of a head start, not at all wanting to startle her or put her off her first feed. She deserved to indulge.

Since when did I stop being so selfish?

I heard the snarls of the cats being caught off guard just seconds before I caught up with her. Bella had one in a headlock, her teeth bared, while the other cat circled around them, contemplating on just when to pounce. Its ears were reared back, teeth bared.

Bella looked up at me, then her eyes went to the cat circling them. In my head, her voice penetrated. It's yours, if you want it.

I shook my head no. Want you to have your fill first.

The second her mouth clamped down on the cat's neck, all bets were off. She moaned low and guttural, the sound reverberating through me. Never had such a sound caused a reaction in me like that before. It was instantaneous. My cock hardened, my mouth grew dry as I drew her scent in as deep as my lungs could allow. My head snapped to where the circling cougar was and I leaped, pouncing on the shocked animal.

It had been so long since I had taken my fill of mountain lion. The blood was richer in taste, a darker crimson in color. The second my mouth latched and my teeth cut through the animal's skin and the blood flooded my mouth, I forgot all about how heady and warm human blood felt moving down my throat. I couldn't place it, but I contemplated the fact that sharing a meal with my mate was what made tasting the animal so much better.

I took one last gulp of the blood that was coursing through the cougar, and dropped the carcass to the ground, while Bella did the same. The look she gave me when she went to wipe her blood-stained lips and chin was absolutely, positively feral.

It was a look of claiming.

Her eyes were dark and her breaths coming quicker and shorter. I could tell she was battling with herself—on whether she should act on her urge.

I took a step forward to her, letting her know I was all hers. I watched as her chest rose and fell as she balled up her fists in frustration.

"If you want me, take me. I've been yours since the first time I smelled you." I told her, my voice scratch in raw.

It didn't take her long to act. Quickly, she pounced, knocking me to the ground.

Her kisses were brutal, but they stoked the fire in me.

"All yours. Take what you need." I settled back on the cold ground, my arms up in surrender.

Clothes were shredded, hers and mine. I couldn't even tell you who did it all, me or Bella. All I knew was her skin against mine was heaven. I never thought feeling your true mate's skin, the same temperature as your own, would transport you to another place. But for me...it did. And all too soon, it was more than I could handle. I pulled her down, nipping at her lips as I brought her in to kiss me. Her hands roamed and clawed in utter need.

"I shouldn't want this. But I want this. I want you. I need to taste you, feel you, use you." Her voice came out in a needy whisper as she finally allowed me into her. My breath hitched the instant I could feel myself inside—tight, velvet warmth.

Moans and soft pants encased the forest around us as she worked herself over me, trying to find her release. I didn't care if I got mine; I just wanted to see her let go and shatter above me.

And shatter she did. Her face crumpled in release as she let out a low moan as she ground herself down on me harder.

The tide of control switched then. I placed my hands on her hips, holding her in place as knifed up and pushed her back to the forest floor. My lips found hers as I pushed in deep, and then picked up my pace, finding my ending to our new beginning. It didn't take long, and the second I let go, she came again, latching her now sharp teeth onto my collar, marking me.

I didn't want to move from her. I'd have rather laid there forever with me inside her, not wanting to break our connection to return to the entirely fucked up mess that was our lives at the moment.

Esme and Volturi. I wished it could wait.

As I pulled away from Bella and sat up, I noticed how the monster never made an appearance. Maybe, I hoped, I was finally rid of him.

I felt Bella crawl up behind me, her naked body pressing against my back. She kissed my neck before wrapping her arms around me.

"Will it always be like that? Will I always feel like I need you, that I can't get enough of you?"

I wondered the same thing. "I don't know, but I hope so. Because I will always want you just as much." I sighed and bowed my head. "We should head back, but I don't want to. I don't want to share you, nor do I want to deal with Esme."

Bella stood up, and I soon followed her. I wasn't sure how we'd handle walking back to my place in the city and getting clothes since ours were scraps and we were naked.

My phone pinged a few seconds. It was a text from Carlisle.

I was told by a certain human to leave clothes for you and Bella at the edge of the forest behind my house. Hurry back.

I showed the text to Bella and then shot off in a run with Bella following close behind. I wasn't sure what to think of Carlisle telling us to hurry back, but I didn't think it was anything good.

We quickly found our clothes and got dressed. I grabbed Bella and pulled her into my arms, kissing her long and slow, savoring the taste of her and cougar.

A throat cleared, breaking us up.

Carlisle stood there, his eyes held a storm of emotions. Hurt. Betrayal. Rage. He stood there, his mind running a million words a minute, which only came out a scrambled mess.

With his head bowed, he uttered our undoing. "She's been connected to Aro all along."

~.~

So, how are we all?

Thank you for reading.