Chapter Text
(Y/N)’s POV
"So, how has Bella been, since you all came back?" I was sitting in the Cullens' living room, the room being bright and warm compared to the storm outside.
"She's been better. I mean it was difficult for things to be like they used to, but I think we are making progress." Esme chirped. Her motherly stance always made me feel welcome in their house.
Though both Esme and Carlisle were always willing to take me into their family, I always hesitated. Don't get me wrong, I loved their family, but I was also kind of used to the nomad life, the freedom, the "traveling-around-the-world" part, though at some point it was all meant to fall apart.
I met Carlisle way before he found Edward. I had recently found myself in the United States, sometime before the turn of the 20th century. He was working as a doctor in Columbus at the time, around the time he came across a young Esme.
I left before he moved to Chicago, where he met Edward and turned him into a vampire, both to save him and to have as a companion. I met him again, when he moved to Forks, after Esme, Rosalie and Emmett joined him and Edward.
I spent a few years with them before Alice and Jasper joined them. I only met these two about two decades later, when I was running through Alaska, where the Denali Coven resided. I knew them because of our shared "vegetarian" lifestyle, one I picked up a few years after my transformation.
“She is actually down to the reservation, as we speak. She left with Jacob, on his motorbike.” Alice looked at me. Edward shifted in his place, obviously not agreeing with Bella going to the wolves. I knew about their existence back when I stayed here.
"Anyway. How have you been, (Y/N)?" Alice smiled at me, her golden eyes caring and loving. She had always been a shoulder to "cry" on. She and Rosalie were basically my best friends, keeping me grounded and focused.
"Well, I've been better." I sounded bitter, but they knew pretty much my situation and how I felt.
"How's your head?" Carlisle questioned, studying me carefully with his eyes, trying to take in any possible sign I showed.
"Messy, as always."
Like Edward, Alice and Jasper, I was also "gifted". I could attribute my gift to my wild fantasy I had as a kid, and later, as a teenager. I was always thinking too much, dreaming too much, my fantasy running wild. My days were filled with daydreaming; I don't really recall if I was ever "living in the moment". I mostly dreamed of different places, different scenarios, alternative universes.
When I was attacked one day and turned into a vampire, my head felt messy, wild, disorganized. I have been suffering for quite some time. It was years later that I discovered I could project my mind, the images in my head to others, in some form of illusions. I trained my gift over time, as a way to lure humans to me to feed on.
I managed to reach a point where I could not only create a visual illusion but could also affect all of the remaining senses. I could make others see, hear, smell, sense, even taste whatever I wanted. Hunting humans was oh-so-easy. That was until I realized I could also see their own images in my head, like a projection of their own mind to my own.
After some time, I couldn't take it. I couldn't find the strength to look at them, see the terror in their eyes, my own reflection as I attacked them in their heads. I gave up human blood for animal blood, and I stopped all these vicious images. I didn't want to be the kind of monster someone else created, but I had to live with it and actually survive.
I saw my heartbreaking figure in Edward's mind, who looked at me saddened. He couldn't really read my thoughts, my mind being like a "messy skein of thoughts, images, and whatnot", as he called it, that he could never actually figure out, apart from some things here and there.
I felt like I was intruding into their own family. I was never an actual part of the Cullen family, though they have all invited me at some point to officially join them. I was really considering it by now, tired of being alone, running around aimlessly. I've pretty much seen what I wanted to see; I just wanted to belong somewhere, to settle down, to put my thoughts in order.
"You know, you're always welcome to join us if you feel like it. You were always part of the family, an extended part, but a part no less." Edward smiled condescendingly, having caught part of my thoughts.
"Thank you for your kind words, though I don't know how well I will fit in. You all have your places in the family, and I don't want to take anyone else's space around."
"That's nonsense." Rosalie joined the conversation. "You have always been a part of our family, whether you ever realized it or not. We would be more than happy if you came to live with us."
“Besides”, Emmett interrupted, “we may need your help now. Old vampire vendetta.”
I looked around the room, and they all smiled encouragingly at me. That's what I missed the most all these years; the true love these people felt for each other, without actually having to voice it out loud, and the warmth they radiated. Ironic for being a vampire, but the care and how they protected each other made up for their cold skin.
"Thank you. I will stay with you and help you, as long and as much as I can." I smiled wildly, as we all stood up to hug each other, sealing the love and appreciation we had for each other, and a promise to stay with them and support them.
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Embry's POV
Jared, Paul, Quil, and I were sitting in Emily and Sam’s kitchen, eating, as we always did, and discussing last weekend’s events. Sam and Emily were in each other’s arms, just a few feet away.
We were aware that the redhead leech, who was responsible for Harry’s death, was in the area again. The golden-eyed leeches managed to run after her, but she kept slipping away, jumping from one side of the treaty to the other, as if she knew and she was taunting us.
When she jumped on our side, we were quick on our paws and almost caught her, until she jumped across again. The muscled leech almost had her, but she jumped on our side and he followed her. What a fool! He should have known that we wouldn’t allow that - no exceptions, which is why Paul repelled him. They were both PISSED at each other.
Paul still held a grudge against the leech for trying to step on Quileute land, and he wasn’t just going to forget it. The leeches made our already complicated life even more complicated. If it wasn’t for them, Harry would probably still be here, and Jacob would probably be with Bella now.
She was all he ever thought. Because of the wolf telepathy, we could all hear his thoughts, and it was getting tiring by now. He hadn’t imprinted on her, of course, but he was obsessed with her, nonetheless. He couldn’t believe she chose a leech over him. Well, maybe, he wasn’t the right type of monster for her.
My thoughts were interrupted by a motorbike roaring down the dirt road - this must have been Jacob - I sniffed a bit - and Bella! Surprise, surprise! The vampire girl came to see us. They rode off the motorbike.
“Are you sure this is a good idea? I am the vampire girl, remember?” I laughed at the nickname I mentioned just seconds ago. Jared, Paul, Quil, and I stood up from the table and stepped out of the house, me leading the way.
“Hey, look who’s back!” I exclaimed.
“What up, Bella?” Quil chimed in.
Bella looked surprised. “Quil? You, too?”
“Yep. Finally made the pack.” Quil strutted, clearly proud of himself. We all laughed at him.
“I’m glad you’re here, Bella.” I told her. “Maybe we can get a break from Jake’s obsessive inner monologue.”
“I wish Bella would call.” Paul chimed in.
“I wish Bella wouldn’t call.” Jared continued.
“Maybe I should call Bella.” I continued, in a mincing way.
“Maybe I should call Bella and hang up.” Quil finished our little fun and we choked with laughter, while Bella and Jacob were a mix of laughter and awkwardness.
“All right, you can shut up now.” Jacob warned us but smiled in the process.
Then, Leah stepped out of the house. She was sitting at a corner somewhere in the house, while we sat at the table, so we didn’t really notice her before.
Jacob took it upon him to introduce her. “Bella, this is Leah Clearwater, Harry’s daughter.”
Bella looked at her apologetically. “Hey. I’m really sorry about your father.”
Leah snarled at her. “If you’re here to torture Jacob some more, feel free to leave.” She told her and walked away.
“Fun, isn’t she?” Jacob tried to play it down.
Emily and Sam stepped out of the house, and Emily ran to hug Bella. “Bella, hi! I was wondering when we’d see your face around here again.” Emily was definitely like our wolf mom, always by our side.
Bella hugged her back. “Yeah. Same here.”
Jacob turned to Sam. “Sam, we good?”
“We’re good. She won’t be getting through our line any time soon.”
“Yeah, that’s right boys!” Paul smirked, and the four of us ran away whooping, leaving Sam, Emily, Jacob, and Bella behind.
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(Y/N)’s POV
I felt angry and sick. Some vampire broke into Bella’s house while Charlie was there, peacefully sleeping on the couch. I just came back to the Cullen house with Jasper and Emmett. We were sent to trace the intruder’s scent or anything else that could indicate why they entered Bella’s house. Thankfully, Bella was already in the living room, along with the others.
“Who was it? Someone we know?” I heard Carlisle’s voice.
“This stranger. I didn’t recognize his scent.” Huh, that makes two of us, Edward.
“A nomad passing through?” Esme questioned.
“A passerby wouldn’t have left Bella’s father alive.” Rosalie sounded worried. It was true though. Whoever it was, they weren’t there to hunt. They were there for something else.
“The scent disappeared about five miles south of Bella’s house.” Jasper informed the others as we entered the living room.
“Someone’s orchestrating this.” Carlisle sighed.
“Victoria?” Bella questioned. Was she the redhead one?
“No. I would have seen her decide.”
“Has to be the Volturi.” I slightly shivered as Edward mentioned their name. I didn’t like them at all. Everyone knew how terrifying they could be.
“I don’t think it’s the Volturi, either.” Alice interrupted my thoughts. “I’ve been watching Aro’s decisions, too.”
“So we keep looking.” Emmett said decisively.
“We’ll also take shifts guarding Bella at her house.” Carlisle ordered.
Rosalie protested at the idea. “Another protection detail?”
Bella agreed with her. “You can’t protect me, watch my dad and search for the intruder.” “And for Victoria.” Rosalie added. “And keep yourselves fed.” Bella continued.
She was right. As I looked around the room, I saw seven pairs of black eyes, all starving, which I guessed matched mine as the thirst and the burning in my throat became more prominent.
“I’m not leaving you here defenseless.” Edward protested.
“Well, I’m not gonna let you starve. And I wouldn’t be unprotected. I have..” She couldn’t finish her sentence. Edward flinched. She hit a nerve, but he was not going to let himself get upset at her, so he just let it be for now.
A day later, under Bella’s request, we started working with the wolves, taking shifts between each group. While Alice and Emmett were guarding her house one day, the rest of us would go out to hunt, much to Edward’s dismay and disapproval.
A few hours later, a pair of wolves would come to take over and replace one of our groups. We tried to make things work for Bella’s sake, though the wolves and the Cullens’ ego would clash all the time.
I personally wanted to get in a group with Rosalie, but Carlisle said it should be one of each to make sure we were safe, so I was partnered with Edward. He agreed not to leave me out here alone, so we were both standing across from Bella's house, watching over.
Part of my gift’s ability was I got to control and sense whoever “fell” into my illusion. So, I made sure to create an illusion that would catch anyone who tried to come within a 5-mile radius, so it would be easier for us to catch any suspicious activities around, while also looking out for the next pair of wolves that was to come in about an hour.
Edward was really stiff beside me, staring at Bella’s windows the whole time. She tried to sleep, but I could hear her moving around, not being able to find peace through her fears and anxiety. Alice and Rosalie had informed me these past days about the Bella-Edward-Jacob triangle, and everything else regarding these three.
“I know you’re anxious for her and angry that the wolves are helping us, but, you need to understand that keeping Bella safe is what matters the most here. You and Jacob literally fight all the time, and just make her stressed all the time, without any actual, serious reason. Just for once, leave your differences behind, and think about what is best for her. You, at least, should try to get along with him for her sake. He’s her best friend. Would it be fair to you if you had to give up on your best friend, even if it was for the love of your life?”
Edward gritted his teeth and refused to look at me. “You don’t understand. It wouldn’t be like that if they were just best friends. He wants to be way more than friends with Bella. He doesn’t like me, and I sure as hell don’t like him back.”
“You may be right. I don’t understand. But, the way I see it here is that you need to talk to Bella, tell her how it makes you feel when Jacob tries to court her all the time. Then, tell her why you had to leave her then and apologize to her. Actually apologize to her. I know you may not be able to see it, but imagine a girl being with a guy whom she is madly in love with, and then the guy disappears. Normally, a girl like Bella wouldn’t run back to you or even go as far as Italy to save you. She is a keeper, and you should make her feel appreciated. The way I see her, she always looks like an emotional wreck. You better start taking her mental health seriously, and you and Jacob should stop putting obstacles her way. Let her leave an exciting and happy human life, for as long as it lasts. Let her make her choices and be there to support her if she needs it.”
Edward didn’t say anything for quite some time, probably letting my words sink into his thick, stubborn skull. Then, he turned at me and laughed slightly. “You know, for someone who is just good at illusions, you sure do understand way more than Jasper does.”
I smile back at him. “Jasper is the expert here. I just don’t have a filter and say things the way they really are.” I shrugged and continued the patrol.
We stayed there for a few minutes before I felt two wolves getting sucked into my illusion. I immediately pulled the illusion apart to let them reach us. Edward must have already heard their thoughts, because he turned back to look at the woods, waiting for the two wolves to replace us.
After a minute, the wolves stood in front of us, a wolf with chocolate brown fur and a lighter face on our left, and a wolf with dark silver fur on our right. Upon looking at me, they slightly growled.
“(Y/N), this is Quil Ateara the fifth, and this is Paul Lahote. (Y/N) is a family friend, she recently came back to visit and we invited her to stay with us. She’s here to help us.” Edward introduced us to each other, but the wolves couldn’t be any more uninterested, as they huffed and walked past us to take our places.
“It’s okay, Edward. Let’s go. I’m starving.” I put an emphasis on “starving” to taunt the wolves, as I ran towards the woods. Edward looked at Bella’s window one last time before following me through the woods.
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Embry’s POV
We were currently sitting around a bonfire, waiting for Jacob and Bella to arrive before Billy could start the stories. He, Quil’s grandpa, and Sue, Leah and Seth’s mother, insisted she had to join our meeting to learn the true stories about these leeches she loved. Quil and Paul wouldn’t shut up about the new leech that joined the Cullens.
“Dude, I’m telling you! They are up to something. Why would they invite this new leech if they weren’t? What if they are behind the attacks in Seattle, and just play innocent, trying to fool us?” Paul was raving by now, and I couldn’t deal with him right now.
“Paul, you are being delirious! Please, let it go for now. Let us have a quiet night for once!” I was pissed.
They didn’t even know the new one, none of us did yet. We should not jump to conclusions yet, let alone blame the Cullens for what has been happening in Seattle. If it turned out that there were actually new vampires raging through Seattle, it would cause a lot of damage to blame the Cullens for starting all this.
Finally, Jacob and Bella arrived and we could start the storytelling. I was already sitting down, with Leah on my left. Seth came to sit on my right, as Billy started the narration.
“The Quileutes have been a small tribe from the beginning, but we have always had magic in our blood. We were great spirit warriors, shape-shifters that transformed to the powerful wolf. This enabled us to scare off our enemies and protect our tribe.”
He told us about the Cold Man that our warriors came face to face with, the Cold Woman who destroyed our village and Taha Aki’s third wife, who sacrificed herself to save the rest of the tribe members.
“She saved the tribe. Over time, our enemies have disappeared. But one remains, the Cold Ones.” Billy was looking straight at Bella at that point. “Our magic awakens when they’re near, and we sense it now. We feel the threat in our blood. Something terrible is coming, and we must all be ready, all of us.”
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The next few days were filled with patrols all around the territory, in hopes that we may come across whatever newborn broke into Bella’s house, or, even better, more than one of them.
Jacob was currently with Bella walking around, talking about them, trying to convince her he was a better choice for them. Through the mental link, we saw him forcing her to kiss him, and her punching him on his face in response. She yelped in pain as she broke her hand, and we all mentally shivered at the sound of her hand cracking.
What happened next between Jacob and Edward was another story. I had to say, though I didn’t like the leech, he had a point. Jacob shouldn’t have forced himself on Bella, and he shouldn’t expect her to like him back because she clearly never liked him that way.
Jacob was not listening to anyone who told him he better forget her. He spent the next few days, before the graduation party, crafting a wolf bracelet for her, and preparing the right words to tell her when he apologized to her about the way he treated her and how he reacted.
He convinced Quil and me to join him at the graduation party that was held in Cullens’ house; though we weren’t fond of parties, we decided to go to support our friend through Bella’s rejection. We found her just on time we arrived upstairs. She didn’t acknowledge either me or Quil but started talking directly to Jacob.
“What are you doing here?” She asked him, clearly annoyed he was here.
“You invited me, remember?” He answered back as if it was the most obvious thing. Quil and I looked at each other. This could end badly for Jacob.
“Was my right hook too subtle for you?” I could swear I heard someone laugh in the distance. “That was me uninviting you.”
Jacob started apologizing to her, blaming himself for once, and not his inner wolf, for his actions. I couldn’t focus on what exactly they were talking about. I sniffed around. Apart from the leeches that were scattered across the house and the human guests, I could smell a very distinct smell that almost knocked me off my feet - vanilla, freesia, gardenia, and spices.
As Jacob handed the wolf bracelet to Bella, a girl walked by Bella’s side and hugged her. She looked beautiful, though her golden eyes betrayed her identity - another leech. She must have been the one Paul and Quil were talking about. As if he knew, Quil nudged me and pointed his finger towards the girl, whispering. “That’s the one Paul and I saw.”
She introduced herself to Jacob, though he paid no attention to her, clearly annoyed he interrupted his conversation with Bella. She then turned to Quil and me.
“Hi! I’m (Y/N).” She extended her arm for us to shake. Quil shook her hand first.
“Hi, I’m Quil. I think we met the other day.” He smiled at her.
“Yes! You were on patrol with Paul, right? You replaced Edward and me? Nice to meet you!” Jacob shook his head at the mention of the leech’s name.
“Yeah, exactly! It’s nice meeting you, too.” Quil’s face lit up, probably mesmerized by her, just as I was. “By the way, this is my friend, Embry. He is part of our pack.”
(Y/N) turned to look at me, extending her hand, waiting for me to shake it. “Hi, I’m (Y/N). Nice to meet you, Embry!”
Her voice sounded like music, her presence felt like a breeze passing through a field filled with flowers. I lifted my face to look at her. The moment our eyes met, it was like that same breeze passed through my body, cooling every part of it, and clearing up my mind. I felt like I was cursed with stone feet my whole life, and now I lifted up in the air. I saw (Y/N) and I running through the woods, laughing at the beach, holding her in my arms.
I didn’t realize what was happening until I felt Quil shaking me violently. (Y/N) stood in front of me, shocked and confused. I didn’t have time to tell her anything, as she and Bella excused themselves and walked towards another Cullen girl. I couldn’t move from my position, not being able to believe what had just happened.
I just imprinted on (Y/N). I just imprinted on a vampire.