[Kane's POV]
The beach was quiet in the early morning.
Cold winds rolled in from the ocean, the sky still dim with pre-dawn haze. Waves crashed in rhythmic pulses, the sound strong and steady like a heartbeat.
Kane liked that.
No people. No noise. Just nature and the sound of his own breath as he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it on a driftwood log.
The ocean called to him not with mystery or meaning, but with simplicity.
It was something he could move through.
Push against.
Control.
He stepped into the water. Cold. Sharp. Cleansing.
The moment it touched his skin, a slow exhale slipped from his chest. He didn't flinch. Didn't tense. He welcomed the cold like an old friend and dove in without hesitation.
Muscle cut through the current like it was nothing. He swam fast, not for distance, but for the feel of it. Raw motion. Resistance. Freedom.
When he finally emerged, he shook his head once, sending a cascade of water flying, and made his way back to shore.
That's when he felt them.
Not vampires.
Not like the Cullens.
But still predators.
Their scent hit him a second before he heard their footsteps.
They weren't hiding.
They wanted to be seen.
Kane turned as four figures came into view.
All boys. Barefoot. Shirtless. Young, but powerful. Shoulders broad. Eyes narrowed. He didn't need a name to know what they were.
Wolves.
One stepped forward. Taller than the rest. Serious expression.
"You're not from here," the boy said.
Kane raised an eyebrow. "Neither are a lot of people."
"You're not like a lot of people."
Kane didn't answer. Just studied them.
Measured them.
The energy radiating from them was hot. Territorial. Animalistic. But not immediately hostile.
Just… aware.
"Name's Sam," the tall one continued. "And this is La Push. You come to swim?"
Kane gave a short nod. "Didn't think the beach had an owner."
Sam's expression didn't change. "It doesn't. But we watch who comes through."
Kane didn't step forward.
Didn't back off either.
"I'm Kane."
The smallest of the four, a younger guy with short hair, leaned toward one of the others and muttered, "He doesn't smell like a bloodsucker."
"Doesn't smell like a human either," another one said, voice low.
Kane let out a small laugh. "You're right."
That made Sam tense slightly.
"You're not a vampire," he said carefully.
"No."
"Not a shapeshifter."
"No."
"Then what the hell are you?"
Kane met his eyes.
"Strong."
That got a flicker of reaction. Not fear. But… respect? Or maybe challenge.
Kane rolled his shoulders once, drying off with a casual motion as he walked past them toward where he'd left his shirt.
"You don't need to worry about me," he said, tone calm but firm. "I'm not here to take anything. Just passing through."
Sam followed him with his eyes. "You tied to the Cullens?"
"No."
"But you've met them."
"Yeah."
Another pause.
"You planning to stay?"
Kane pulled his shirt back over his head and turned to face them fully.
"Maybe."
That one word carried more weight than any of them expected.
The younger wolves shifted restlessly, sensing something in his stillness. Something they couldn't quite place.
Something dangerous.
Kane didn't flinch.
Didn't explain.
He just looked back at the sea for a long second, then at the four wolves.
"Nice beach," he said.
Then walked away.
Leaving the waves behind.
Leaving four wolves watching his back.
And none of them daring to follow.