HE LEFT ME!!

beaten

Edward

"But Bella, why?" I asked her desperately, reaching up to caress her beautiful face. I felt my heart wrench in pain when her expression twisted into one of fear and she flinched away from my touch. Her hands flew up in front of her face as thought she were protecting herself from an attack. Protecting herself from me. My hand dropped limply to my side and I waited for her to recover, watching her with pained eyes.

Slowly, she lowered her hands down to her lap, folding them gracefully. She reluctantly met my gaze and I was unable to hide the hurt in mine before she noticed it. Her expression confused me – she looked much more ashamed than fearful. It was then that I began to realize something else was wrong. The way she had reacted to cover her face was too instinctual, like a beaten animal flinching at a mere pet. The thought repeated through my head.

Like a beaten animal.

Beaten.

Beaten...

My eyes narrowed as I scrutinized her features, taking in things I had dismissed in my relief at seeing her again. She shifted nervously, her eyes watching mine expectantly as I examined her. She had a cut just below one eye, her other eyes was bruised. The skin around both markings was swollen and red. I could feel the horror in my expression, see it reflected back at me in her fearful eyes. She knew. He did it.

He beat her. He had abused my delicate, sweet, wonderful Bella. My Bella who deserved nothing but happiness and love. He had beaten her to the point where she flinched away from my touch. From my hands. As these thoughts ran through my mind, I heard a horrible ripping sound that didn't make sense. I soon realized the noises were emanating from my chest as the rage-filled growls tore between my clenched teeth. My eyes held nothing but fury as I stared at my abused love, "Bella, did he do this to you?"

Her expression faltered briefly, full of fear and worry. It faded fast. Despite her quick switch to a mask of innocent calm, I could see right through her. It didn't matter that I couldn't read her mind. I didn't have to. "Did what?"

Anger flared in my bones and a feral snarl tore from my throat as I spoke, "Bella."

Bella's body quivered with my reaction and I instantly regretted frightening her. Still, my expression did not change and my growls did not cease. I was mad. No, I was furious. If Mike had been unfortunate enough to be here now, he would be dead. Even if he hadn't caused this, and I scoffed at the thought, she had still been injured repeatedly while in his case. That alone was unforgivable.

Finally, Bella spoke. I knew her answer, "Yes."

The forest echoed with my roar.

I was on my feet, pacing back and forth quickly as I pondered the quickest way to end Mike's life. No, not quick. Slow. He deserved a slow and torturous death for ever laying a hand on my Bella. He deserved pain for eventhinking of harming her. My growls were louder now, ripping from me wildly. Bella watched me with wary eyes, no doubt wondering what must be going through my mind right now. I thanked God for the fact that she did not have my ability. The thoughts I had now were not suitable for such an angel to see.

"Edward?" Bella asked hesitantly. My eyes flickered to hers, but my pacing did not stop. She began again, "Edward, what are you thinking?"

"Ways to kill him," I spoke bluntly, my answer a snarl. She shivered at the threat in my voice.

"Edward, you can't -" she began, but I quickly cut her off.

"Just watch me," I stopped pacing and stared at her. The worry and pain in her eyes was almost too much. I broke into a rage, "How dare he! How dare he ever harm you. How dare he ever think about harming you! He deserves to be hurt. He deserves to die."