Imprinted Hearts

Lotta Red Eyes

Evelyn's POV

In the hopes of resolving the matter peacefully, the Cullens embarked on a mission to rally their allies from across the globe—

The Denali, Egyptian, Irish, Amazon, and Romanian covens, as well as various nomads—to stand as witnesses and attest to Renesmee's true nature, thereby proving to the Volturi that she was not an immortal child.

As the Cullens busied themselves with packing for their journey, I couldn't help but voice my frustration amidst the bustling activity. 

"What the hell am I doing here?!" I demanded, but my protests fell on deaf ears as everyone continued with their preparations.

"Here," Edward, approached me and handed me the keys to my Range Rover.  

"No," I countered stubbornly, but Edward was equally resolute. "Yes!" he pressed, leaving me with little choice but to acquiesce with a resigned groan.

"Fine," I relented begrudgingly, resigned to the inevitable. 

"Let's get this show on the road." Jacob sauntered in, his bag slung over his shoulder, and regarded me with an amused expression. "I thought you weren't coming?"

"It's the holidays, and I'm free anyway," I replied with a shrug, grabbing my bag from the sofa—a subtle indication that Edward had already packed it without my consent. 

"Might as well go for a ride," I added with a smirk, accepting the inevitability of the journey ahead.

Jacob's eyes softened, and he stole a quick kiss on my lips, "I love you..." his whispered declaration of love sending my heart into a frenzy. 

*Badump*  

A startled gasp escaped me as I rubbed my lips, feeling flushed and flustered. "That took me by surprise!" I managed to stammer out, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

"Hey now, don't wipe away my kiss!" Jacob pouted playfully, his affectionate gaze melting my resolve as I relented, allowing his gesture to linger.

Before we could dwell on the moment, we sensed a stranger's presence. 

Peering outside, we spotted Sam approaching the house, prompting us to gather our belongings and step outside to greet him.

"Sam!" I greeted him warmly, enveloping him in a hug that he reciprocated. 

"Alice asked me to give you this. She and Jasper crossed our lands to the ocean last night," he explained, handing us a paper torn from the book 'The Merchant of Venice.'

"Carlisle?" Edward called out, who was scanning the letter with furrowed brows. "They've left us," Carlisle's somber reply confirmed, leaving us all puzzled.

"Why?" Rosalie demanded, her frustration evident. "She didn't say," Carlisle admitted shaking his head and they looked at me.

"Don't look at me, I don't know anything." As suspicion lingered in the air, I forced a fake smile, concealing the knowledge I held. 

Obviously, I know where they went. I saw them slip away. 

But I had no intention of betraying their trust.

"Can I see that?" Bella's voice broke through the tension, and as she read the message, her expression grew grave. 

The message was clear: Gather as many witnesses as you can before the snow sticks to the ground. That's when they'll come.

"Shall we go then?" Jacob tossed the keys my way, and I groaned, less than amused about being designated as the driver. "Come on, stop whining!" he cheered, pushing me into the car, and we settled in.