Mine by Destiny

CHAPTER 002

CHAPTER 002

The girl was lying on the forest floor shuddering as she drew shallow, shaky breaths. Fire ran in her veins, and her skin was burning, but she would not fall down in full.

Stay there, then, but do not sleep, Edward warned, cowering in front of her. There was power and concern in his voice. Will you have me take off your shorts? I will tear them to shreds, unless you move.

A faint whisper left her lips. "Yes, please."

His nails extended and tore through fabric with no problem until the destroyed shorts flew off. The chill night breeze cut her hot flesh. His hand reached under her shirt, pulling steadily and yet urgently.

"I will just unclasp your bra."

She nodded a little, her eyes shut as she struggled to bring herself to breathe again. The fire within her sizzled and blazed, but his presence chilled her.

"Cursed be," he said to himself, "this knot."

How the very devil do I get this thing off? He was very much irritated, and, in spite of the pain that had tormented her frame, there was a faint smile on her lips.

The cloth tore before she could do it. Her sea-blue bra--the favourite--was missing. Edward had never been patient when things obdurately declined to conform to his wishes.

She embraced him round the neck and pushed herself up against him. Sleep to take the torture—that was all that she requested. "I liked that best," she said against his skin.

Then where am I to get it? Tell me, and I will buy you a new one, he answered grumpily. Those few things are useless anyway.

There was a very feeble protest in her throat, but he pressed her arms off his neck to see her in a proper light. His blue eyes flashed at her white face. "How are you feeling? You look too pale."

"I am burning... and so tired."

You must plow through and get your first shift in with success.

"It hurts so much."

His jaw tightened. What has become of that girl that never gave way to anyone? Now you want to give up because a little pain is hurting you? Bella, I know you can manage this; come on."

In order to answer, she opened her mouth, and a screech of pain tore through her spine. The victim would twitch her body horrifically and scream until her throat was scalded. Instinct had been at work—her teeth were in to the hilt in his arm.

"You little—!" Edward growled, and it was so raw and thunderous that she could hear it in her ears.

Her eyes flew open in fear. His arm was swelling now, blood dripping out of the bite.

I- I-- she started, but another hurly of pain curved her body back. She started to pull herself up with her knees and fell on the ground.

"Bella!" Through the trees his voice was a roar, and she crouched on her hands and knees, sniveling.

"Please, make it stop! Goddess, please!" The screams she gave way to gasps, and her elbows got weak. Tears streaked her face.

He fell on his knees before her, his thumbs fighting against her lips, and his cheeks in her hands. You are doing fine, you braggart.

The name—one he had called her by since she was a little girl—gave her a shaky smile. Now she had been up trees, which she had no right to be up, and had fallen down and risen.

I do not know how to be a brave person now. It is too much, Edward."

"I am here," he whispered firmly. You remember what I always used to say to you when you were injured?

"The pain will go away."

"Right. In a short time it will be forgotten, and you will no longer remember it.

She clenched her lip with her teeth, struggling against another scream.

"Does your gum itch?" he asked.

"Yes... it is so painful."

"Open your mouth."

Her lips were parted, and the eyes were closed. His hands were still on her face, and he was holding her there, with drool streaming in and out of her mouth like a dam.

Then his hands pulled away. Hot tears came streaming down her closed eyes. Was he retreating in a state of disgust?

It was broken only by a slight tear in the silence. When she opened her eyes, he was tearing a piece of cloth out of her shirt and wiping the corner of her mouth with it.

"Do not cry. You are rendering me useless. That I cannot help you I cannot stand. It was low, full, and sincere in his voice.

Had he not known she was crying because of the tenderness with which she could never have supposed that he could treat her.

Once you get your wolf, you will see that this hurt will prove to be worth it all. Hold on, brave heart." He laid his forehead against hers, and his peppermint breath brushed her. Zero and I are waiting to see her. I know she will be as pretty as you are.

Then the worst began.

It was pain ripping through her shoulders, through her spine, into her arms, and her legs—everywhere at one time. She cried out so greatly the woods returned it to her. One by one, with a crack more sharp than the previous one, the bones broke.

Her gums were torn open, and fangs pierced through.

She looked through clouded eyes to see Edward draw back with his mouth gaping in terror. This proudness burned his eyes, and somehow it gave her strength.

There was another cry of pain, which tore it off, but this time it was not the same. Her scream changed to a howl that echoed among the trees.

Black hair grew on her body. Her figure was elongated, and her teeth were shining.

She had shifted.

"You are a black wolf!" It was the voice of Edward in disbelief. His eyes were open, and his body seemed to be stuck there.

She gazed at herself—at the paws, which were now pawing at the earth. He was right. Her wolf was pitch black. An alpha wolf. A name surfaced in her mind, whispered from the depths of her soul. Ice.

Ice whimpered softly, urging her toward Edward. But the bond between them was not yet strong enough to link.

Everything felt unreal. Ice chattered in her head, excited and proud, while she remained stunned.

She had shifted at sixteen.

Ice raised her gaze to Edward’s blue eyes. His smile faded into the stern mask of an Alpha. Where had the gentle boy gone?

Did we do something wrong, Ice? she asked.

The wolf only whimpered.

But then Edward’s expression softened. A smile tugged at his lips, and he spread his arms wide.

“Come here, brave heart. Do not be lazy. Get up and practice walking.”

Excitement surged through Ice. She pushed herself up, wobbling awkwardly before finally finding balance.

“That is it! You are beautiful! I wish I knew your name, but I guess I will wait until Bella tells me.” His voice was filled with joy.

Her chest tightened. He admired her wolf. But would he ever look at her the same way?

Her name was Isabella Hartwell, sixteen years old, firstborn Alpha female.

And she had been secretly in love with Edward Blackthorne, the eighteen-year-old future Alpha standing before her.

She had never noticed when brotherly hugs stopped feeling innocent, when his face began to fill her thoughts, or when jealousy pricked at her every time other girls surrounded him.

But she buried it all deep. No one could know. Not even Catherine, his sister and her best friend.

“Do you want to play? Run with me? Every young wolf needs to run after their first shift.” Edward’s hand stroked down her fur, making Ice shiver with warmth.

“If you want, yes, lick my face. If you want no, push me away. Your choice.” His grin widened, dimples flashing.

Ice raised her paw and shoved his chest. He stumbled but laughed, even as she pounced and stood over him.

What are you doing? I want to run with Zero! Isabella scolded from within.

Ice only huffed mischievously, then dragged her tongue across Edward’s face.

He laughed, cupping her jaw. “You little tease.”

That was exactly what Isabella thought too.

A smile curved her lips within her wolf. He rarely laughed with her and rarely smiled at all. But here he was, laughing, shining with joy… even if it was with Ice and not her.

But what if he never looked at her the same way?

And what if, from this night forward, everything between them changed forever?