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NAYELI HUFFED IN FRUSTRATION as she followed Bella through the dense woods. Bella was set on reaching the meadow—the place where she and Edward had shared countless memories. Nayeli, however, wasn't keen on letting Bella go alone, especially with the danger of Victoria lurking nearby. So, here she was, trying to keep Bella safe despite her reservations about the entire situation.
"No," Bella murmured, her voice trembling as she sank to her knees. The meadow, once filled with lush green grass and life, was now a barren wasteland. Her heart broke at the sight.
"Stand up," Nayeli snapped, quickly pulling Bella to her feet. Her senses heightened as she heard rustling nearby. Both girls froze, eyes scanning the trees, but they saw nothing. Nayeli stood guard, holding onto Bella tightly.
Another rustling sound came from behind them, and Nayeli spun around, her instincts screaming at her to be ready. Nothing. She shook her head, trying to shake the sense of paranoia that was creeping over her.
"Laurent," Bella whispered, her voice a mixture of shock and recognition. Nayeli's stomach churned as she spotted the vampire—Laurent—standing at the edge of the meadow, his sharp features illuminated by the fading sunlight.
"Bella, Nayeli," Laurent greeted them with unnerving politeness. Nayeli knew better than to trust him.
"Laurent," Bella said with a forced smile, clearly unaware of the danger he posed.
"I didn't expect to find you two here," Laurent said, his dark eyes flicking between them, as if sizing them up.
"We live here," Nayeli shot back, her tone ice-cold, her hand instinctively tightening around Bella's arm.
"I thought you were in Alaska with Carlisle's friend," Bella added, confused by his sudden appearance.
"Tanya, I was. It was kind of him to arrange it, given my... association with James and Victoria," Laurent explained, his voice laced with tension as he mentioned the names of their enemies.
"Yeah, you tried to help us once," Nayeli muttered bitterly, pulling Bella away from him as Laurent stepped closer.
Laurent's eyes darkened as he looked between the two girls, then his gaze lingered on Nayeli. He seemed to recognize her—Mariska's daughter, the one with the power to destroy.
