𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥 {𝐀 𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐜} [1] ✔️

22. AYLA?

HER NAME WAS LIKE A MELODY THAT CAUGHT my attention, a sweet sound that lingered in my mind. I turned to Seth, my eyes pleading for answers. He shot a fierce glare at Sam before nodding, granting me permission to know the truth. As he left, I shifted my gaze to Bella and Edward.

"Go," I urged them.

"What happened?" Bella inquired, her voice laced with concern. "Is Ayla okay?"

"Edward, take Bella away," I bellowed, my tone commanding.

Without hesitation, Edward whisked his wife away from the scene. Seth's brown eyes met mine, and I couldn't help but ask, "Are you okay with me talking to you?"

"I'm fine," he assured me. "I'm friends with Edward and a new vampire named Ethan, after all."

"He's in my coven," I added.

"Cool," Seth replied.

My mind raced with questions about Ayla, and I couldn't contain my worry. "You said you wanted to tell me about her. Is she alright? Is she sick? Is she-"

"She's not dead," Seth interjected. "She's doing fine."

I exhaled a sigh of relief, but my curiosity still burned. "Is that all you have to say?"

"There's more," Seth revealed.

Naturally. I braced myself for what was to come. "So what is it?"

"Since you vanished into thin air, Violet," Seth began, his voice laced with concern. "I've been taking care of Ayla."

My eyes, the colour of amber, flickered. It was a relief to know that someone was looking after her while I was away. I couldn't fathom Gavin or Dina stepping up to the task. I pressed my lips together, grateful for Seth's kindness.

"Thank you," I murmured softly.

But Seth's words didn't end there. "And there's more to it," he continued, causing me to stare at him in confusion.

"What do you mean?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.

Seth hesitated, his words caught in his throat. "I can't explain it," he finally admitted.

My patience was wearing thin. "Just tell me, Seth," I urged him.

"Violet, I need you to understand that sometimes, we don't get to choose who we..." Seth trailed off, his voice faltering. "But when something happens, we just act on it."

I felt a knot form in my stomach. "What did you do to Ayla?" I demanded, my voice rising.

"I imprinted on her," Seth confessed, his voice booming. "That's why I've been looking after her."

I glared at Seth, my mind reeling. Imprinted? What did that even mean?

"Jigsaw puzzle?"

"Let me explain," he continued. "You're engrossed in piecing together a jigsaw puzzle, and everything is falling into place. Every piece is in its rightful spot, except for one. That one elusive piece that you just can't seem to locate. You search high and low, but it's nowhere to be found."

He paused for a moment, his eyes glinting with a sense of nostalgia. "Then, one day, someone comes along and presents you with that missing piece. And suddenly, the puzzle is complete. That's what imprinting feels like to me. Ayla is the missing piece of my existence. She is my soulmate."

The word 'soulmate' echoed in my mind, and I couldn't help but feel a pang of envy. I longed for someone to complete me in that way, to be my missing piece.

"I'm grateful that someone was there for her when I couldn't be," I said, my voice laced with gratitude. "Does she miss me?"

Seth's expression softened. "Of course she does. She cried for you, and I promised her that I would be there for her until she stopped."