Hi everyone.
I am back with another chapter for you guys to enjoy. I will try to update at least once a week...but I make no promises. But for now, let's get on to the disclaimer.
Disclaimer:
All publicly recognisable characters, settings, etc., associated with the Twilight Saga are the property of Stephenie Meyer. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. This work is created solely for entertainment purposes and is not intended for profit. No copyright infringement is intended.
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A few hours later, Edward startled me awake as he ran downstairs, calling for Alice and Jasper. My mom, Rosalie, Renesmee, and Jacob all looked up, wearing identical frowns.
*Hang on, when did Jacob get here?* I asked my sister through the bond.
*A few moments ago…but we can talk about that later. I want to know what's got Daddy so nervous.* Renesmee said distractedly.
"The Wolves…"
How does he?… Wait, he must have heard their thoughts. I wish I could hear their thoughts as well.
A sharp, unfamiliar pang went through my head.
[We have to hear…Bella's death would distract them. We can kill the abominations] - Sam.
Wait, what…how did I just… That thought wasn't mine, it was cold, harsh, and full of hate. Never mind how, the wolves were on their way to kill Renesmee and me!
My tiny chest seized, thoughts splintering like broken glass. Fear, cold, and sharp flooded me, stealing my breath, and I couldn't control the sudden wave of terror. I could sense Renesmee's fear spike in response, even as she desperately tried to project calm towards me. Amidst the overwhelming fear, a strange echo of the wolves' aggressive intent seemed to linger in my mind, a visceral feeling of their bloodlust that I couldn't shake, even if I didn't fully understand it.
*Phoebe! Phoebe, look at me!* I focus all my attention on my sister's mental voice, trying desperately to block the terrifying, intrusive thoughts of the wolves.
*We are fine! We are okay! Jakey and Daddy will take care of the wolves! They will not hurt or touch us. Auntie Alice and Auntie Rose will make sure of it! Please calm down!*
Her mental voice was an anchor, and slowly, the icy grip of panic loosened its hold, though the echo of the snarling thoughts remained.
I breathed in slowly as I concentrated on my surroundings again.
My mom, Rosalie, was gently running her hand through my icy blond locks as she rocked me back and forth, her cool presence a comfort.
Jasper stood near the door, his body tense, clearly waiting for Edward's lead before confronting the threat.
Renesmee watched me worriedly from Alice's arms, her own fear suppressed for my sake.
Jacob paced near the door, radiating anxiety, his thoughts a whirlwind focused on Renesmee, though a flicker of concern for me brushed against my senses.
Edward stood at the bottom of the steps, his expression momentarily stunned - likely from hearing Renesmee relay my experience.
"Okay," Edward's voice cut through the tension, calm and authoritative. "First - Rosalie, keep comforting Phoebe. She somehow picked up the wolves' thoughts, similar to my ability. That's what triggered her panic. Second, Renesmee stays here with you and Alice. Alice can't see the wolves' decisions, making it safest to stay here. Third - Jasper, Jacob, and I will intercept the pack." He gave a curt nod and moved past Jasper, heading outside.
Everyone acknowledged his plan silently. Mom reacted immediately, tucking my face gently into the curve of her neck, her hair falling like a curtain. She rubbed my back rhythmically while whispering assurance. The world outside was muffled, and I did feel safer, cocooned in her hold.
I noticed movement just over Mom's shoulder and lifted my head slightly. A figure emerged from the trees - Leah Clearwater. She was even more striking in person than any description. She moved closer, her pace urgent, until her brown eyes met mine. The hardness I'd glimpsed in others' memories of her vanished, replaced by something akin to awe, concern, and utter shock.
Her face softened instantly, her guard dropping as she sank to her knees on the grass, gazing at me as if I held the secrets of the universe. A strange warmth bloomed in my chest at her intense focus, a confusing, unfamiliar pull towards this stranger.
Aunt Alice stared at Leah, radiating mistrust and confusion. Renesmee looked intrigued, tilting her head. Mom's posture stiffened instantly, her hold tightening protectively, her face a mask of disdain and rising anger.
Just then, Edward returned with Jasper and Jacob. The scent of damp earth and wolf clung faintly to them, and though their faces were grim, the immediate, pressing danger seemed to have subsided.
Edward's brows furrowed in concentration as he replayed the last few moments with everyone's thoughts around him. His face twisted into an amused smirk, eyes trained on Leah and Rosalie. "Well, well…it would seem that Leah here imprinted on Phoebe here."
"Wait…What!"
Mom's furious eyes trained right on Leah, who slowly climbed to her feet, her hands splayed in front of her to show she meant no harm. "It's not what you think…" Leah's voice shook with uncertainty.
"Oh? I am sorry. Enlighten me then?" Mom said coldly.
I never thought that this would happen…I was born less than a day ago, and now I have a mate. Someone that mom would need to share me with. But I did not want Mom to fight with my Leah…nor did I want anyone to get hurt because of this.
Distressed, I wish I could manipulate emotions like Uncle Jasper could. Maybe I can calm them down. Suddenly, the furious tension in Mom's shoulders eased almost imperceptibly. Leah's trembling lessened, her stance becoming less defensive. Even Aunt Alice's wary posture softened slightly. A strange serenity, thick and unexpected, settled over the immediate vicinity, muffling the sharp edges of their hostility.
"Jasper…" Alice asked, confused about why she was being calmed when she didn't need it.
"This isn't me, darling," Jasper said, turning towards me in shock and wonder.
Edward observed Jasper's denial and my sudden quietness and spoke, his voice filled with dawning realization. "It's Phoebe. She felt the conflict…and she instinctively pushed back against it. She doesn't want anyone to fight."
Alice gasped, softly then, looking from Renesmee - who had likely been showing her what she saw from my perspective - back to me in wonder. "Renesmee just showed me…Phoebe felt the anger, the fear… and reacted. She somehow…'smoothed' it over. Like Jasper's gift, but…raw, instinctual."
"You still owe me an explanation, mutt."
Leah grimaced and sighed heavily, her shoulders slumping in defeat. "Look, Rosalie, this is hard for me to explain…I always thought that I was destined to be alone, so this is an immense shock for me. Imprinting is involuntary and very sudden. Imprinting on someone is like…Like when you see her…Everything changes. Suddenly, it's not gravity holding you to the planet, it's your imprint. Nothing else matters. I'll do anything, be anything for her. I won't be interested in Phoebe in any sort of inappropriate way until she has been alive for at least sixteen years. Our biology ensures it."
Mom narrowed her eyes, the forced calm having fully receded now, leaving a raw edge to her voice. She stared hard at Leah, then glanced down at me, her expression torn between fierce protectiveness and ingrained disdain.
Finally, she let out a breath, a sound brittle with reluctance. "I don't trust you, mutt," she bit out. "And I don't like this one bit. But…" Another protective glance at me. "…since this imprinting nonsense is apparently involuntary, and you haven't actually harmed her…" Her voice was tight. "I will tolerate your presence. For now. One chance, Clearwater. Protect her, respect her, and never hurt her. Don't make me regret this, because the consequences will be severe."
The corner of Leah's lips twitched up in a slight smile. "Thank you…You will not regret this…"
"Good," Mom said simply before standing up and leaving the living room with me and Dad trailing behind us as they moved towards their room.
I watched the group over Mom's shoulder and saw a sad but understanding smile gracing Leah's beautiful face as she moved toward Jacob and the others, where they all moved to do their own thing or discuss what had happened with the wolves.
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Now that the animosity between the wolves and our family was, at least for now, dealt with and the talk between Mom and Leah had been settled for now, I could finally meet my dad officially.
I hadn't realized that I had been with my mom since I was born and that I hadn't had a chance to be held by my dad until now. I was a mamma's girl, obviously, but I wanted my dad to be comfortable with me. I did not want him to be afraid that he would crush me with his strength. I reached out to him from within my mom's hands.
He visibly hesitated, looking at my mom with an uncharacteristic vulnerability in his eyes. She smiled reassuringly at him, grabbed his hand, and led him over to the small sofa that they had in their room. She pushed him down into a sitting position before helping to arrange me in his arms so that I was properly cradled and there was no chance he would drop me.
His face was frozen in an adorable deer-in-the-headlights expression the entire time, causing me to giggle lightly before sending a light wave of trust toward my dad.
His face took on a hint of surprise before determination colored his features; he became more sure in his movements. When Mom had double- triple-checked that we were both comfortable. Dad didn't look as if he was holding a living grenade instead of a newborn; she sat on the arm of the sofa watching one lovingly.
"She looks just like you," Dad said, confused, "but how is that possible?"
Mom laughed happily. "No idea…but she definitely got her smile from you…I don't know where she got her eyes from, but they certainly suit her."
Dad chuckled before leaning forward to kiss the top of my head as I snuggled my face deeper into his neck. He leaned back, resting comfortably against the sofa cushions as he studied my tiny body in complete fascination, his thumb moving gently across my cheekbone as he smiled. He looked so peaceful.
I felt my eyes flutter closed as I drifted off to sleep in his arms, my heart warming at the love and contentment I felt in that moment…
"I think the situation with the wolves and the imprinting has exhausted our little princess," Mom whispered to Dad.
Dad grinned slightly, "It would seem so…so soon after everything that has transpired today…but perhaps it's good. It gives us some time to adjust before we allow her to spend some time with Leah."
Mom hummed quietly, a small fond smile playing on her lips before settling onto the cushion beside her mate and husband as she continued to watch over me.
I felt my eyes fully shut as I continued to rest peacefully, enjoying the warmth that surrounded me. I was so happy to be able to feel my father and mother's love for me again and to have a second chance at life, to be loved unconditionally… A future filled with endless possibilities seemed like something I wouldn't mind having. Especially not if my new mate was going to stick by me through thick and thin. My family was complete again…as I slipped away into unconsciousness, with dreams filled full of the future with my family and imprint.