Hadrian Pevrell in Twilight

Chapter 49

The air around the Cullen house was thick with tension as Hadrian, Kate, and Rosalie made their way up the path. Hadrian’s patience had finally snapped, but this time, his anger wasn’t directed at Edward. It was Carlisle who had drawn his ire. Catching the boy trying to break into Charlie’s house was more than just a minor lapse in judgment—it was a violation that couldn’t be ignored.

Inside, the Cullens gathered in the expansive living room, the usual calm shattered by the storm brewing in Hadrian’s eyes. Carlisle stood near the fireplace, his demeanor calm but cautious. The moment Hadrian laid eyes on him, he wasted no time.

“I’ve let a lot slide when it comes to Edward’s antics,” Hadrian began, his voice cold and controlled. “But this time, he crossed a line. He tried to enter Bella’s room just to watch her sleep. That’s beyond creepy. I’m not particularly close to Bella, but Charlie is a good friend of mine.”

Carlisle shifted uncomfortably, the weight of Hadrian’s words pressing down on him. “I’ll speak with Edward,” he offered, his voice carrying a hint of shame.

Hadrian’s scowl deepened. “That’s not good enough, Carlisle. I don’t want empty promises. You need to make him understand that there are boundaries he cannot cross. Edward has already violated those boundaries by attempting to break into a house under the protection of the Quileute Tribe. And let’s not forget—you’ve been turning a blind eye to his behavior for far too long. If this continues, we’ll have no choice but to kick you out. And I’ll make sure the Alliance knows about it, especially since your son can’t seem to follow basic rules.”

The mention of the Alliance struck Carlisle like a blow. His eyes widened in shock as he realized the gravity of the threat. The Alliance was created by Carlisle himself, it is a network of covens created to support one another in times of need, was a delicate balance of trust and cooperation. The Amazon, Egyptian, Irish, Mexican, Romanian, French, and Denali covens were all members, and any disruption could lead to disastrous consequences. The Cullens’ standing within the Alliance was one of the reasons they hadn’t faced greater challenges from other covens—or worse, the Volturi.

Edward bristled at the implication, his fists clenching at his sides as he prepared to argue. But the collective glares from Kate, Rosalie, Lia, Adam, and even Esme stopped him in his tracks. He could feel the disappointment radiating from them like a physical force.

Kate stepped forward, her voice sharp. “A lot of coven members find Edward’s nosy behavior unbearable, but they’ve kept it to themselves out of respect for you, Carlisle. The Irish and Amazon covens, in particular, are fed up with his constant complaints and moralizing about their diets.”

Carlisle’s expression darkened, his hand rubbing his temples in frustration. He knew they weren’t bluffing. This was a serious warning—a line that, if crossed, could fracture the very foundation of his family’s stability.

“I understand,” Carlisle finally said, his tone more resolute. “I’ll make sure this never happens again.”

Hadrian studied him for a moment, his eyes searching for any sign of doubt. “You need to start acting like the leader of your coven, Carlisle, instead of letting Edward call the shots. Your bias has already caused tension among your own family.”

The sting of those words cut deep, and Carlisle flinched as if struck. He glanced at his family, searching for any hint of denial, but found none. Not a single one of them spoke up in his defense. It was a bitter pill to swallow. Even Esme, ever the neutral peacemaker, remained silent, her eyes reflecting the harsh truth of Hadrian’s words.

Esme had always tried to be a mother figure to everyone, often urging Carlisle to see reason. But just like Edward, Carlisle had a stubborn streak that was difficult to break. This time, however, the reality was impossible to ignore. That evening, Carlisle and Esme confronted Edward without holding back, their words firm and unyielding.

Edward sulked in the aftermath, muttering under his breath, “I wasn’t that bad. Hadrian’s just exaggerating.”

Lia, unable to contain her frustration, groaned. “Idiot, I’m friends with most of the coven members. They were definitely annoyed by you, and they only kept quiet out of respect for Carlisle and their friendship with Esme.”

Adam, sensing Edward’s rising indignation, quickly stepped in. “It’s true, Edward. Most of them avoid you because of your contempt for those who drink human blood. That’s why they don’t visit us as often.”

The realization hit Carlisle and Esme like a tidal wave. They hadn’t known the full extent of the damage Edward had caused. Carlisle, in particular, felt the weight of his own failures as a leader. He had allowed Edward’s behavior to go unchecked, and now, the consequences were glaringly apparent.

With a heavy heart, Carlisle vowed to take his role as leader more seriously. This time, he wouldn’t allow Edward’s actions to threaten the fragile peace they had worked so hard to build.