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Bella POV
Bella stepped out of the house, closing the door with a soft click that echoed faintly in the quiet morning. The fresh air wrapped around her instantly, heavy with the damp scent of earth and leaves after the drizzle. That blend of moss and rain was unmistakable: the smell of Forks, as persistent as the mist clinging to the rooftops.
At the curb, Edward's silver Volvo waited, spotless, gleaming even under the overcast sky. It was as if nothing could dim its presence, not even the gray light that colored the morning. Bella opened the passenger door and climbed in, adjusting her backpack on her lap. As soon as she settled into the seat, Edward greeted her with a smile that lit up his features.
"See? I told you I wouldn't take long."
Bella answered with a faint smile, though inside her worries still swirled like a storm she didn't know how to quiet. She didn't want to ruin the moment, but the weight of seeing Charlie so broken lingered, pressing against her chest.
The engine purred softly, and the car glided down the street with the same graceful control that defined Edward. Silence stretched between them, seemingly comfortable, until Bella couldn't contain her thoughts any longer. In a low, anxious tone, she broke the calm:
"Do we really have to keep lying to my dad? I mean… both Nate and I knew about the existence of vampires while we were still human. Don't you think we could make an exception for him?"
Edward sighed, as though he'd anticipated the question. His voice was patient but carried an unyielding firmness, leaving no room for negotiation.
"The circumstances are different, Bella. You are my partner. Nate stumbled upon us. And you've seen what this secret can do. You nearly died in Phoenix. Nate's grandmother died… do you really want to put Charlie in that kind of danger?"
Bella lowered her gaze to her hands, tightening them on her lap. The logic in Edward's words was undeniable, but her father's anguish weighed heavily than any reasoning.
"But he was already in danger, and he didn't even know the truth… I think knowing would give him peace. He feels guilty about what happened. He thinks Nate isn't coming back because he's angry at him…"
Edward kept his eyes on the road, his profile cut sharply against the pale light filtering through the windshield. His voice hardened, leaving no room for argument.
"No, Bella. We can't tell him, not just because of the risk of exposing him to our world. If the Volturi found out, they'd kill him. And our entire coven."
A thick silence filled the car. Bella bit her lip, holding back her frustration, but the pressure inside her finally burst out in a rush of words:
"Then why do you insist on keeping me human? Nate's already a vampire, isn't he? And being a human who knows the secret puts my life—and your family's—in danger. I'm eighteen now, I'm older than you… Why not just do it already?"
Edward's brow furrowed, and the sweetness of his face tightened. His voice slipped into a tone of irritation he rarely allowed himself.
"Bella, things aren't right at the moment. There's the threat of war with the Quileutes. Why are you so insistent? You're perfect as you are. You don't need to change."
Bella glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. Love, fear, and frustration swirled within her, suffocating her. To Edward, his words were conviction; to her, they were a wall keeping her from the life she longed to share with him, free of limits and secrets.
Frowning, her voice tight with frustration, she replied:
"All the more reason to change me. If I were a vampire, no one could keep me away from you. Besides, graduation is near… I'd have to leave Forks for college anyway."
Her words hung heavy between them. Edward, who had managed to keep calm until then, raised his voice for the first time. His golden eyes flashed with contained anger, his body tense like a coiled spring.
"Bella, don't you realize what you're saying? Leaving Forks isn't the same as giving up your human life completely. You can't talk about that decision as if it were just a simple change of city."
Bella's reply tumbled out, desperate:
"You don't understand. I keep aging. Right now it's fine, but soon the gap will grow wider. My body will grow weaker, uglier… until one day you won't even be able to look at me. And it won't stop here—first it's the Quileutes, then it'll be something else. There will always be something trying to tear us apart. I don't want to be helpless; I want to fight by your side. Alice turned Nate into a vampire… why can't you do the same?"
Edward gripped the steering wheel tighter, his knuckles pale and rigid. His voice carried the weight of conviction.
"I would love you even if you were twice my age, Bella. And it's precisely because I love you that I don't want to turn you. Being a vampire isn't as wonderful as you imagine… we are soulless monsters. You are beautiful just the way you are, and I wouldn't condemn anyone to my fate if I had the choice."
Bella tried to argue, but Edward continued, his eyes still fixed on the road.
"And just so it's clear—I shouldn't even tell you this, but I know you won't drop the subject otherwise—Alice didn't turn Nate into a vampire. She was just as surprised as you when she found out."
Bella felt a hollow emptiness in her stomach. All this time, she'd exchanged messages with Alice, always assuming she had been the one to change him. The revelation stole her breath. Her voice trembled when she managed to speak:
"Then… how did he change? Or rather… who did it?"
Edward shook his head, his jaw rigid.
"We don't know. He just appeared in Seattle as a vampire. I asked Carlisle, but he wouldn't say anything. According to my family… he's not the same person anymore."
Silence once again filled the car, heavier than before. Bella wanted to push, to demand answers, but the words died in her throat. Edward pulled up in front of the school and switched off the engine, his gestures calm, almost mechanical.
He stepped out, and with his usual unshakable grace, came around to open her door. As they walked toward the entrance together, Edward lowered his voice, almost as if sharing a secret.
"After school, we'll go to my house. Carlisle wants to talk to you about something important."
Bella looked at him, startled, but didn't dare ask. A chill ran through her. Deep inside, fear clung to the idea that Carlisle might be about to tell them they had to leave, that Edward would have to abandon her for everyone's safety. And though Edward had promised a thousand times that nothing would separate them, part of her heart feared that, sooner or later, he'd realize she was just human: fragile, fleeting, replaceable.
That feeling of uncertainty stayed with her as they walked through the school doors. Bella clung to the quick kiss they shared before parting, as if that brief touch could sustain her through the day, before she hurried off to class.
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The school hours dragged on with almost unbearable monotony for Bella. The atmosphere buzzed with the mix of excitement and anxiety that always filled the days before graduation. Hallways buzzed with talk of bright futures, prestigious universities, or eagerly awaited first jobs. Every group seemed to have its own plan, its own dream just beginning to take shape.
For Bella, though, all of it felt distant, as if belonging to another reality. Her focus slipped easily, her notes forgotten in her notebook, while the constant chatter around her felt foreign. Her thoughts remained caught in her conversation with Edward in the car, the half-truths she'd uncovered, and the growing weight of uncertainty about her future.
When lunch finally arrived, Bella breathed with relief, though the thought of sitting with Edward and the Cullens weighed on her. After their argument, she felt he needed space—at least for a few hours. She would see him after school and again at his house later, which was enough comfort to make her decide to sit with Jessica and the others instead.
With her tray in hand, she walked to the table where Angela sat comfortably, leaned into Eric, both smiling with effortless affection. Jessica was distracted, eyes glued to her phone, scrolling quickly. Tyler, who had joined the group recently, chatted animatedly. Mike, however, no longer sat with them. Since his breakup with Jessica, he had almost completely distanced himself. Bella had heard rumors—that Jessica had flirted with another guy at a café months ago, and Mike had decided to cut ties for good. Since then, he sought company in other groups, occasionally sitting with Eric.
Bella sat down next to Angela, greeting her with a small smile. The conversation flowed with light comments until Eric, his eyes sparkling with excitement, shared news he could barely contain.
"Angela and I… we got accepted into a university near Washington D.C."
The thrill in his voice was contagious. Bella smiled as Angela nodded sweetly, confirming the news.
"That's amazing!" Bella exclaimed, genuinely happy for them. It comforted her to know that at least some of her friends wouldn't have to separate as they stepped into the future.
Jessica, barely lifting her eyes from her phone, muttered a dry "Congratulations," paired with a forced smile. Bella noticed her gaze drifting constantly toward Mike's table, where he sat chatting with a couple of teammates.
Eric, oblivious to the tension, went on enthusiastically:
"We honestly didn't think we'd both get in, but… it all worked out perfectly. I'm so happy. I still can't believe it!"
As the excitement lingered, Eric turned slightly to Bella, lowering his voice as though he didn't want the others to overhear.
"Hey, Bella… do you know if Nate has a new number? I know the last thing he wants is anything to do with Forks, but… since I'll be in D.C., I thought it'd be cool to have a friend there."
Nate's name hit Bella like a weight in her stomach. She swallowed hard and lowered her gaze before answering with a touch of sadness.
"No… sorry, Eric. I know as much as you do. I haven't heard from him either."
Eric nodded, disappointed, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. That's when Jessica, half-listening, lifted her head from her phone and tossed out a remark dripping with disdain:
"Please, if he wanted to stay in touch, he would've texted or something. Forget about him. He's probably not even in D.C. anymore. Most likely, he ran off with that Cullen girl, and we'll never hear from him again."
The table fell silent at once. Even Tyler, usually carefree, looked away awkwardly.
Bella, at first, considered letting it slide. She repeated it to herself: It's not worth the fight. But something inside her pushed back. It wasn't just about Nate—it was about Jessica's cruel way of masking her bitterness with sarcasm.
Calmly, Bella picked up her tray and stood. The movement caught Jessica's eye, who frowned.
"What now?" she asked with irritation.
Bella met her gaze, her voice steady but firm.
"I hate it when you act like this. And the fact that you messed things up with Mike isn't an excuse to be nasty to everyone else."
The tension froze in the air, cold and uncomfortable. Jessica opened her mouth, ready to snap back, but no words came. Angela, still holding Eric's hand, lowered her gaze, uneasy, while Tyler shrugged, clearly unwilling to get involved.
Bella didn't wait. She took her tray and walked off, the muffled murmurs of her classmates buzzing faintly behind her.
She strode toward the trash bin, barely having touched her food, though her appetite was the last thing on her mind. She knew she'd overreacted with Jessica, but she didn't regret it. Since her breakup with Mike, Jessica had been unbearable, and Bella had too many real problems to deal with teenage drama.
When she reached the bin, she lifted her eyes—and met Edward's gaze from across the cafeteria. His expression was calm, but his golden eyes studied her closely, as if he could read everything she was trying to hide. He made a small move to get up, ready to go to her, but Bella raised her hand, signaling him not to bother. She didn't want to talk about it now, much less in the middle of the cafeteria.
She dropped the tray into the bin and, without looking back, decided to spend the rest of lunch in her next classroom.
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The following hours passed with a deceptive swiftness. Maybe it was because her mind was too busy wandering, jumping from worry to worry. In the class she shared with Edward, he simply sat beside her, holding her hand in a silent attempt to calm her. Bella knew he had heard the entire conversation in the cafeteria; she could sense it in his silence, in the way his fingers remained laced with hers, never letting go. She chose not to say anything until classes were over.
When the final bell rang, Bella gathered her things and walked with Edward toward the parking lot. On the way, Emmett, Rosalie, and Jasper passed them. It was Jasper who, in an unusually grave tone, said to Edward:
"We'll see you at home. Don't take too long."
Edward nodded without a word. Bella noticed the seriousness on all their faces. Even Emmett, who always had a quick smile or a lighthearted comment, kept his jaw tight and his brow furrowed. The tension in the air was undeniable, and though no one explained anything, Bella felt the knot in her stomach tighten.
Edward, as always, opened the car door for her with perfect courtesy. Bella settled into the seat while uncertainty gnawed at her. During the drive, she could no longer hold back her nerves.
"Is everything okay? Do you know what Carlisle wants to tell me? Your brothers seemed… too serious."
Edward kept his eyes on the road for a few seconds before answering, as if choosing his words carefully.
"Don't worry. They're just a little on edge. We caught the scent of a Quileute near the school. We don't like being watched… As for Carlisle, I think it's better if he explains it himself."
Bella nodded, trying to look as though she understood, though inside her anxiety only grew. The idea of Carlisle wanting to speak to her directly weighed on her chest, as though something final was about to be revealed.
Halfway home, Edward pulled into a gas station. He went inside quickly and returned with something for Bella to eat.
"I noticed you didn't eat anything at school," he explained with a soft smile.
She accepted the package without much enthusiasm. She knew he was right, but she also suspected this stop was an excuse—to give his family time to gather before they arrived. She chewed distractedly, eager to push through the tension that hung over her.
The rest of the drive passed in silence. With her forehead resting against the window, Bella found herself scanning the forest along the roadside. She couldn't help wondering if a wolf was trailing them, hidden in the trees. She saw nothing, which gave her a small measure of relief, though she knew the calm never lasted long.
Minutes later, the car rounded the last bend, and the majestic facade of the Cullen house appeared, rising among the deep green of the forest. Unlike other times, the sight didn't fill her with wonder but with a cold premonition.
As they got out of the car, Edward gave Bella a serene smile.
"Don't worry, it's nothing too important…"
Bella nodded, though not fully convinced. They walked to the entrance together. Aware of the tension in the air, Bella strained her ears, hoping to catch some murmur from inside. But there was nothing. Everything was disturbingly quiet.
Crossing the threshold, she immediately felt the charged atmosphere in the dining room. The Cullen family was gathered there. Rosalie had her head resting on Emmett's shoulder; he kept his arms crossed and tapped his foot impatiently against the floor. Jasper lingered in a corner of the kitchen, his gaze distant, as though fighting thoughts he wouldn't share. Esme, in contrast, offered Bella a small, warm smile as soon as she entered, though even she couldn't hide the worry in her eyes.
Carlisle, leaning against the kitchen counter, straightened the moment he noticed her. His voice, as always, was calm and kind.
"Bella, I'm glad you could come. We have matters to discuss."
She nodded, a lump in her throat, and moved closer to the dining area, sitting down in one of the empty chairs. Edward positioned himself beside her, slipping an arm around her shoulders in a protective gesture.
Carlisle waited until Bella was settled before continuing.
"As you know, tensions with the Quileutes have escalated. They're not only circling around my work and the school, but they seem to be moving everywhere we are."
Rosalie lifted her gaze and added with disdain:
"It's as if they're just waiting for the right moment to attack."
Carlisle didn't react to her comment. He simply went on, maintaining his composure.
"Honestly, the situation is very concerning. At first, I thought the best course was to meet them at the borders of our territory and try to talk with them one last time. But there's been a small change of plans…"
Bella's eyes burned as tears began to gather. Her voice came out low, trembling:
"You're leaving, aren't you?"
Edward reacted instantly. He drew her closer and spoke with firm conviction.
"No, Bella. I've discussed this with my family, and there's no way I'll leave you alone. That's out of the question."
Bella looked at him with a flicker of hope but quickly turned her attention back to Carlisle.
"Then… what will happen?"
Carlisle lowered his voice, as if the words carried too much weight.
"Our best option is to convince one of the Quileutes to listen to us. If we can get one of them to plant doubt among the rest, it'll be the first step toward peace. Unfortunately, none of them wants to hear us… so we're placing all our hopes on Jacob. Since he hasn't been transformed long, we believe his hatred toward us might not be so deeply rooted yet."
Bella felt a spark of hope, but it quickly faded.
"I've already tried to talk to him… but they won't let me near. Even Billy has been ignoring my father. I don't see how I could reach Jacob."
Carlisle nodded calmly.
"We know, Bella. No one blames you for that."
There was a brief pause before he continued, his expression caught between duty and compassion.
"As you recall, Alice called me last night. I didn't want to tell you immediately because it's a delicate matter… but they've decided to come to Forks, and they'll be here very soon."
Bella's eyes lit up at once.
"They're coming? Then Nate, too? That's perfect! There's no way Jacob would refuse to talk to him."
A rush of relief spread through her chest. Nate's presence always had that effect: the sense that no problem was impossible to solve. And deep down, Bella also felt a flicker of excitement. She missed him terribly, and now that he was a vampire, she had a thousand questions for him. She wanted to catch up, to understand him.
As if reading her thoughts, Carlisle raised a hand to capture her attention.
"The issue, Bella, is that we don't know how many days he'll stay here. But we don't think it will be long. That's why, at least for a few days, the safest thing would be for you to avoid this house. It would also be better if you didn't spend much time with Edward. I promise it won't be more than a week—just the time necessary to resolve this."
Bella reacted immediately. Her expression twisted into something close to betrayal; her lips parted, but no sound came at first. Finally, with a voice cracked by disbelief, she spoke:
"Wait, what? You can't ask me that. At the very least, I want to talk to him…"
Her protest echoed in the silence of the room like a bell tolling, bouncing against the walls and the heavy air.
Edward cut in quickly, as though afraid her reaction would ignite a fire he'd be forced to contain. His voice was laden with sorrow, deep and heavy, every word weighing as much for him to say as it did for her to hear.
"I'm sorry, Bella, but you must understand. As I've told you before, nothing is easy for us. Being near you could be dangerous for his self-control. I've been a vampire for a century, and it was still an agonizing task not to attack you when we first met. For a newborn, it would be a thousand times worse."
Edward's words hung between them like a poisoned reminder of the dangers that always threatened their relationship. Bella lowered her gaze, her hands trembling in her lap as she tried to process his warning. She understood, yes, but inside, a spark of defiance burned brighter.
"But we're talking about Nate…" she murmured, barely audible, as though his very name was a charm that protected her. She lifted her eyes, pleading. "He's my friend. He would never hurt me."
Edward tensed, lips parting to reply, but Carlisle interrupted. His voice carried the authority of someone who had lived through too many years and too many horrors to allow wishful thinking.
"Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't be so strict. With Jasper's abilities and Emmett's presence, it would be enough to restrain a newborn. But Nate's case is different… even the Denali confirmed my suspicions. Even if all of us tried to stop him, I'm not sure we could."
Bella's eyes widened in disbelief, a shiver running down her spine. Instinctively, she sought confirmation. First, she turned to Jasper: always stoic, always composed—he simply nodded and lowered his gaze, as though the certainty weighed too heavily. That small gesture alone formed a lump in Bella's throat.
Then she looked to Emmett. He, who always radiated strength and confidence, who never seemed to fear anything—this time, he averted his eyes, uneasy, uncomfortable, almost ashamed to admit with his silence what Carlisle had said aloud.
The air in the room grew thick, dense as smoke. Heat burned in Bella's cheeks as she turned desperately to Edward, hoping to see some trace of disagreement, some crack in the wall of certainty—anything to give her hope. But his face was set, his golden eyes, though shining with love and concern, were serious and unyielding, as though silently swearing that he, too, believed what had been said.
The urge to argue surged inside her. She wanted to insist Nate would never hurt her, that she knew him better than they did, that their friendship was stronger than bloodlust. But she stopped herself. The knot in her throat tightened, and her breath turned ragged. She couldn't demand more from them. The fact that the Cullen family wasn't leaving Forks was already an enormous concession, a gift she didn't dare put at further risk.
She took a deep breath, forcing her hands to steady. Then, in a low voice that barely masked her defeat, she looked up at Carlisle.
"It'll only be a few days, right?"
Carlisle offered her a serene smile, calm crafted from patience and compassion. The faint curve of his lips felt like a caress in the middle of a storm.
"Yes, Bella. Just until Nate speaks with Jacob."
She nodded, though her chest burned with doubt. Cooperative, yes, but with her heart torn. With a steady voice, she added:
"Just, please… when he comes, tell him to answer my calls. I've tried reaching him through Alice's phone, but he won't pick up."
Carlisle inclined his head slowly, his gaze that of a physician well acquainted with the suffering of his patients.
"I promise. I'll give him your message."
A solemn silence fell over the room, enveloping them all like a veil. Each member of the family reacted differently, but they all shared the same thing: expectation. The sense of standing on the brink of an inevitable change.