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A/N: I am about to start editing this story to bring it back to a M rating, as per the Terms of Service for this site. The full and unedited versions of this story can be found on the following sites, also under the name 'venomaddict':

www(dot)twilighted(dot)net

www(dot)twcslibrary(dot)com

I have also created a teaser video for this story, if you are interested. You can find it on youtube under 'venomaddictsplaylist'.

Well, that's all I'm going to say for now. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed writing it, and remember, that reviewing is a brilliant way of letting me know your thoughts. (Because even thought this story is now completed, I still read every review!)

PROLOGUE

Edward

The paths we follow throughout our existences are all defined by the choices we make.

Unfortunately, in retrospect, mine seemed to be the wrong ones. I had only ever wanted what was best for Bella. This was the rule by which I seemed to make my every decision, sometimes with disastrous consequences. So to know that in my quest to protect the one I loved more than anything else in this world, I was also the one that was responsible for the life that was rapidly slipping away in front of my eyes, left me grasping for something, anything that would somehow miraculously stop the inevitable from happening. But what was done could not be undone, and I would have to deal with that, one way or another.

HOMECOMING

Edward

I had thought about this moment for so long. As I drove back towards Forks, I couldn't help but wonder what I would find. Part of me hoped that she had found someone else. I kept telling myself that this is what I truly wanted. The reason I had stayed away for so long. That she was better off without me. But I was unable to fool myself. There was also a part of me, ashamedly, a much larger part, that wanted her to have missed me and have been unable to move on, as I had. I didn't want to find her hurt, broken and miserable, like I was. I wasn't sure what I honestly wanted to find, but I had to see her. I had to know for certain.

For so long, my existence had been empty. Then I'd found Bella. She had awoken feelings that I had long ago resigned myself to never finding. The day I left her, my world was destroyed, yet somehow I survived. As long as she lived, I would go on. Even in some hollow shell of an existence, I would always go on. I promised myself I would never interfere in her life again, but I knew that I would one day go back, just to check on her. Or so I told myself.

No. I wanted her to be happy. With or without me. It was selfish of me to want anything but that for her. All I had done since we met was put her in danger. If anything happened to her, I could never forgive myself. No. It was better that I stayed away. Even now, I'd keep my distance. I'd check on her and make sure she is safe and happy, and then I would leave. That is what I planned to do.

The last 10 months had been torture. I wished that I could have been capable of sleep. To free myself from the never ending agony of being away from her, even for a short time. Everywhere I looked I could see her face. I closed my eyes and it was even more vivid. I missed her voice, her smell, her warmth. Everything else was lost to me. I kept thinking that she needed me. That she was in some sort of danger and I wasn't there to protect her. But the only danger to her now was me. And I was coming back. What am I doing? I kept asking myself. Trying to will myself to turn around and leave her alone. But it was no use. I needed to see her, even for a moment. She wouldn't even have to know that I was there. I would see her then leave again. I could do that. Couldn't I? I would only stay if needed me.

It was almost 3am as I pulled in to the garage of my family's home. I would go on foot to Bella's home. It would be easier. I ran. My every thought was of her. All the memories came flooding back. For so long I had blocked them as best I could, but now, they were overwhelming me and I welcomed them.

As I neared her house, I caught a scent. Werewolf. A hiss escaped my lips as I searched for the source. I had been right. Bella had been in danger and I wasn't there when she needed me. I glanced around once more before crossing the street and letting myself in to her house. Going up to her room felt like the longest moment of my life. I hesitated at the door, listening carefully, before finally opening it. I kept telling myself that I wouldn't interfere. I would check that she was safe, and then I would leave. I knew I wouldn't be able to truly leave her now, not with such obvious danger close by, but until I knew how she really was, I would remain invisible. I smiled to myself at the thought. She needed me.

I carefully sat by her side and watched her as she slept. She was just as beautiful as ever. Her scent was so overpowering after so long. My throat ripped into flames. I decided that if I was going to be near her again, I was going to have to get used to the pain. It was worth it. The only thing that relieved it some-what, was the faint stench of wolf in the room. He had been here. The rage was building inside me. Did she know what she had been allowing in her house? I was resolute. I could not leave her again. The agony of missing her hit me harder than I would have ever thought possible, and as the sun's first rays began to lighten the dark sky, I tore myself away from the most important thing to me above all else.

I decided that it was probably better if I kept a safe distance to get a better understanding as to how the wolves were connected to her, although I already had my suspicions.