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Carlisle stepped forward with open arms, radiating the natural calm that seemed to follow him in every movement. He embraced Alice tenderly, as if no time had passed and their reunion was simply the continuation of an interrupted farewell. He held her briefly—just long enough to convey the warmth of a father finally reclaiming his daughter. Then, with the same ease, he turned to Nate and pulled him into a short but firm hug, accompanied by a couple of friendly pats on the back. Nate didn't feel uncomfortable, but the gesture unsettled him. He didn't share that kind of intimacy with Carlisle, yet he could tell the act wasn't forced—every movement was sincere.
Esme, on her part, stepped forward at once, radiant, her eyes shining with a joy that seemed to brighten the entire foyer with her happiness. She welcomed Alice with an embrace overflowing with tenderness, as if her mere presence restored a harmony the house had been missing for far too long. On her face lingered palpable relief—the warm peace of a mother who once again felt her home was whole.
Meanwhile, Carlisle's attention was fixed on Nate. His serene, welcoming smile softened his features even further as he spoke:
"You look much calmer than the last time we saw each other."
Nate noticed how Carlisle's gaze paused on his eyes—still an intense crimson, a stark reminder he hadn't adopted their diet. The thought dragged him back to his stay in Denali, where he had witnessed the gradual change in vampires who gave up human blood: their irises softening with golden hues until they became entirely amber.
He thought of Laurent, whom he had once caught at night, attempting—as he sheepishly put it—"to cheat on his diet." Nate remembered that nervous, almost embarrassed laugh when he was discovered. He had confronted him, and their talk stretched well into the early morning. In the end, Laurent relented and adapted to the diet. Over time, faint golden flecks appeared in his eyes, a silent testament to discipline.
Esme's melodious voice pulled him out of his thoughts. She had approached him with the same warmth she radiated toward everyone, hugging him tightly, without reserve.
"Even if it's just a quick visit to solve a problem, I'm so glad to have the family complete again," she said, her eyes shining with a disarming sincerity.
An unexpected warmth coursed through Nate's chest. That was what he liked about Esme: the naturalness of her affection. It never seemed forced, never felt like courtesy; everything in her came from genuine care. He nodded slightly, offering a small, discreet smile heavy with gratitude.
They were about to begin a more relaxed conversation when Nate picked up the unmistakable sound of footsteps approaching from the woods. His ears caught each cadence, each brush of leaves, and he knew immediately who it was. He released a restrained sigh, resigned, fully aware of what their arrival meant.
"Where should I put the bags?" he asked politely, though his eyes stayed fixed on the door.
Alice, who seemed to anticipate his thoughts, answered with a light smile:
"You can put everything in our room."
Carlisle, sensing his other children's approach as well, spoke with serene reassurance:
"Make yourselves comfortable. Later, we'll talk in the living room about what we'll do with the rest of the family."
Both nodded silently. In a blink, Nate grabbed the bags and vanished toward Alice's room. She followed him with her eyes, though she paused for a moment. Edward, Jasper, and Emmett had just stepped through the door at the same time.
Edward was the first to move, clearly intending to greet her warmly, his joy at seeing her again evident. Jasper and Emmett followed, eager as well. But Alice raised a hand slightly and gave them a small, apologetic smile.
"I'll be with you in a moment," she said softly, and in the next instant, she disappeared, racing after Nate.
She slipped into her room and paused, letting her gaze wander across every corner. Everything was exactly as she had left it: her paintings carefully arranged on the shelf, her records neatly stacked, her wardrobe filled with clothes that seemed to mirror every facet of her personality. A gentle smile curved her lips; there was comfort in seeing her space intact, as if time had stood still and the room preserved a part of her.
Nate stood in the middle of the room, the bags at his feet. His posture was relaxed, but his gaze was distant, lost in a storm of invisible thoughts. Alice approached quietly, setting her own bags down, and placed a soft hand on his shoulder, noticing the tension still running through his body.
"I know you're not completely comfortable, especially with Edward… but please, treat them kindly. They're my family," she whispered, her voice low and careful, filled with affection and sincerity.
Nate sighed, letting the warmth of her touch reach him. He placed his hand gently on her cheek and replied, his voice firm yet honest:
"I'll do my best to get along… or at least to feign indifference."
Alice smiled, deeply moved to see Nate struggle against his temper. She knew how hard it was for him to keep his composure, yet she trusted he would try.
Nate glanced around the room, trying to sound lighter as his eyes swept over the familiar details.
"We'll need to buy a bed."
Alice laughed softly, almost a murmur blending into the quiet air of the room.
"We'll only be here a few days…"
Nate understood immediately, but couldn't help looking at her intently, as if seeking silent permission or an unspoken answer. Alice shook her head and bit her lower lip playfully.
"You're right… I'll ask one of my brothers to buy one for us in town."
For a moment, the room filled with intimate stillness. The noise outside faded, and only the two of them existed, sharing a quiet complicity. Alice wanted to prolong it, but she kept glancing at the door. A smile of apology tugged at her lips, unable to contain her excitement any longer.
"Will you excuse me a second? I left my brothers waiting—I want to greet them."
She was heading for the door when Nate followed at a calm pace, remarking casually:
"I'll greet them too… besides, everyone's already in the living room. They're just waiting for us to make the plan."
Crossing the door together gave them another fleeting moment of complicity, their eyes meeting briefly as they entered the living room, where the entire Cullen family had already gathered. Moonlight streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows that danced across walls and furniture. The dimness wrapped the room in an intimate, mysterious air, where every movement and gesture seemed sharper beneath the silver glow of the night.
Those who hadn't yet greeted Alice approached at once, drawn to her presence. Emmett moved first. With his usual boundless energy, he rushed forward, scooped her into a hug, and lifted her slightly off the ground, spinning her in a small circle. Alice let out a clear laugh that mingled with the nighttime stillness of the house, and Nate couldn't help but smile at the familiar sight. Emmett's joy seemed to warm the room, a bright spark against the coldness of the night.
Jasper came next. His steps were fluid and measured, almost ethereal under the moonlight filtering in. His greeting was brief and restrained:
"I'm truly glad to see you well."
The hug was short but sincere. Jasper withdrew gently, stepping back. Nate watched closely, a faint spark of discomfort stirring inside him, though he forced himself to contain it. Keeping calm was difficult, especially since he had to focus on keeping his mind blank, inaccessible to Edward's gift.
Edward lingered at a distance, his eyes gleaming under the moonlight, fixed on Nate and Alice. His gaze carried caution, anticipation, and a trace of guilt. He seemed ready to approach, but hesitated, as if waiting for Nate to make the first move. Nate barely glanced at him, offering only a polite smile before returning his attention to Emmett.
Amused, Emmett stepped closer to Nate. With a wide grin, he joked in a jovial tone:
"Look at you… you don't seem so terrifying anymore. How've you been?"
He extended his hand for a shake, and Nate responded with firmness and courtesy, as still as a statue beneath the silver light. In playful defiance, Emmett tightened his grip, but Nate remained unmoved. Noticing Emmett's effort, Nate began squeezing back. The pressure drew a sharp gasp from Emmett, who quickly pulled his hand away, half in surprise, half in pain.
"Wow… that strength's not even fair…"
Nate shook his head slightly, replying calmly:
"Technically, I'm still a newborn…"
Jasper, observing from the side, stepped forward as if waiting for his turn, speaking with polite sincerity:
"It's good to have you back, Nate."
Nate gave him a slight nod, acknowledging the gesture without words. All the while, Edward stayed motionless, his gaze locked on him, analyzing every expression and movement beneath the night's glow. The tension was thick, almost tangible; everyone could feel the unease between Nate and Edward, as if a single misplaced word could spark something dangerous.
At last, just as Edward seemed ready to approach, Carlisle raised his voice with his usual composure:
"Well, now that we're all here…" he said, motioning for Edward to take a seat. "It's time to plan exactly what we'll do."
Nate stepped forward, immediately drawing everyone's attention. His voice rose with frankness, leaving no room for misunderstanding.
"I'll be honest. I can't stay too close to town for long. My control has improved, but there could still be an accident. I think it's best if I go directly into the reservation and look for Jacob."
Esme, who had been listening carefully, shook her head softly before replying with calm concern.
"That's not a good idea, Nate. We don't know how many wolves there are—they could hurt you."
Alice reacted instantly, her eyes igniting with determination as she took a small step forward, as if her words themselves were a shield.
"Then I'll go with him."
Jasper, who until then had remained quietly observant, frowned. A shadow of disapproval deepened on his face as he spoke.
"I don't think that's a good idea. You could get hurt, Alice."
The atmosphere tensed at once. A spark of irritation flashed through Nate, barely contained, like a growl straining to break free. His reply was sharp, authoritative, heavy with conviction that allowed no contradiction.
"Nothing will happen to her if she's with me…"
His eyes were cold, but when they met Alice's, his expression softened. He exhaled and spoke more calmly.
"…I think it would be better if I went alone. I'd draw less attention. And honestly, I doubt the wolves could hurt me."
Edward broke the silence next, though his voice carried unease, tinged with worry.
"You don't know what you're saying, Nate. Wolves are almost as strong as vampires…"
Nate barely turned his head toward him, shooting a quick, icy look before replying, his tone low but razor-sharp.
"You're the one who doesn't know what he's talking about."
The words landed like a heavy stone. The tension thickened in the room; the Cullens stayed still, their eyes darting between them as if afraid a wrong move could ignite a fight.
Jasper acted quickly. An invisible pulse of calm spread from him to Nate, wrapping him in a serene wave. Nate felt it clearly, like a cold weight settling over his emotions, dampening the fire that wanted to break free inside him. Under other circumstances, he might have brusquely told Jasper to stop. But this time, he didn't. He let it happen—if only for Alice's sake.
His shoulders relaxed slightly before he spoke again, his tone steadier.
"If the Quileute are tracking you, then the best thing is for you all to just go about your day as usual. Edward saw Jacob transformed, right? We just need him to give us the exact description of what he looks like. If any of you spot him lurking, all you need to do is head into the woods and call me immediately. I know Jacob… the moment he sees me, he'll want to talk."
Edward stayed silent for a few seconds, his expression conflicted, as if each word weighed heavier than it should. Finally, he spoke, though his voice carried a note of doubt.
"For some reason, the Quileute don't follow me. At first, I thought they had figured out my gift, but that seems unlikely. Carlisle theorizes it's because I spend all my time with Bella, and they don't want to appear transformed in front of her. So I don't know how useful I'll be…"
Nate nodded slightly, though a flicker of frustration darkened his face, betraying how much the situation grated on him.
Sensing the tension rising again, Carlisle clapped his hands once—a dry sound that cut through the charged air. His voice, calm and firm, drew everyone back into focus.
"Now that we have a plan, the best thing is to put it into motion right away. Everyone will head to different parts of town. As soon as someone sees a wolf matching Jacob's description… you'll know what to do."