𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 | 𝐉𝐀𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐀𝐋𝐄

𝟖 | 𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐍𝐔𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐃

I SHOUTED, CALLING JASPER AND ALICE."The wolves, they're coming to attack us!"

I had once thought of them as friends, or at least allies. But ever since I had been turned into a vampire against my will, their hatred for me had grown sharp and unforgiving.

"We're outnumbered," Jasper said, stepping beside me as we exited the house.

"By a lot," I added, eyes scanning the approaching pack.

"I won't let them hurt my family," Edward said, his face set like stone.

Red energy flared in my eyes. My hands extended, letting the scarlet power flow through me. The mist coiled and twisted around my arms, ready to strike.

The wolves emerged from the forest, growling and baring teeth. I conjured a ball of red energy and hurled it toward the front line, sending them stumbling backward. Waves of scarlet mist spiraled in every direction as I fought, but my strength was waning. Going without feeding for so long had dulled my power each attack cost more than it should.

Finally, Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, and Zane arrived, moving with lightning speed. Zane kicked a wolf off Alice, who had been pinned to the ground, her hands glowing faintly as she tried to help herself.

Another wolf lunged at me, knocking me down. Its paws pinned my chest to the ground, teeth bared. Panic surged through me I couldn't get up in time. The wolf's jaws snapped toward my head.

A light-grey wolf collided with it, tackling the black wolf aside. Leah. I gave her a nod of thanks and scrambled to my feet, red energy crackling around my hands as I rejoined the fight.

I backed up toward my family, coming to stand beside Jasper. His arm wrapped around my waist protectively. Around us, the wolves circled, the tension thick and unrelenting.

"Stop! It's over!" Jacob growled, charging toward his old pack.

Sam lunged again but froze as Jacob stepped in front of him.

"If you kill her, you kill me!" Jacob bellowed.

I froze, confused for a split second, then it clicked. The story he'd told me about imprinting. He'd imprinted on Renesmee, Bella and Edward's daughter. Something he could not control, but it was absolute.

"Jacob... he imprinted," I murmured. The words made the wolves and vampires alike pause, all eyes shifting to him. Edward's mind already knew, but he still processed the revelation.

"They can't hurt her," Edward finally said, voice heavy. "Whoever a wolf imprints on is untouchable. Their law is absolute."

The growls faded. One by one, the wolves backed away, then retreated into the forest. Relief rippled through the family as all eyes shifted to Jacob.

Once the threat had passed, we returned inside to Bella.

"She shouldn't be this still," Edward said, concern etched on his face.

"It's better than watching her thrash and scream in agony, like I did," I murmured, gently adjusting her dress.

"It's the morphine," Carlisle said calmly, shaking his head.

Edward's gaze lingered on his wife's fragile body. "Maybe I was too late..."

"No, Edward," Carlisle said firmly. "Listen to her heart."

Jasper entered quietly, moving to my side. His arm slid around my waist, grounding me.

"She's going to wake up," he said, voice soft. "She's a newborn now. She'll be fine."

He removed his arm from my waist and placed his hand on my lower back, guiding me to the balcony. We stood there, looking out, the house eerily silent.

Then, my heartbeat monitoring sense flared. Bella's pulse... it stopped.

I turned sharply, and so did everyone else. Seconds stretched unbearably. Then, suddenly, her eyes snapped open red and glowing.

I smirked, letting relief wash over me. She was back.