It was a typical day in Forks: rain, and lots of it. But I knew Bella had to go hunting soon, no matter the weather.

She was in pain, though she would never admit it. She feigned bravery, but I knew by her taut mouth that she was suffering, enduring the sensation of her blood vessels constricting, the venom coursing in her veins. It had been a century since my change but I still remembered the pain, how it felt like fire burning in my veins.

This was the process every fledgling vampire had to endure. This was our torment, but happily it never lasted more than three days.

The first day I did nothing but hold her in my arms, trying to keep her immobile while the waves of pain washed over her, rocking her to and fro. It was a strange sensation, holding my erstwhile breakable Bella, suddenly become more powerful than me. It took all my strength to hold her down. Emmett offered to help, but I allowed no one to come near.

I had been the one to change her, and I would be the one to guide her down this path.