Echoes of her Mother | Carlisle Cullen X OC

Chapter 1

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The sun hung low in the sky as Ashley and Carlisle made their way to the lake, its fading light casting a warm, golden glow over the trees. The water was still, reflecting the sky like a mirror, and the air was crisp and cool—a perfect contrast to the turmoil that raged inside Ashley.

"This place has always brought me peace," Carlisle said, his voice soft as they reached the lake's edge. He glanced at Ashley, offering her a reassuring smile. "It's where I come to think, to clear my mind."

Ashley nodded, though her mind was anything but clear. Her thoughts were a storm of fear, doubt, and growing power she barely understood. The last few weeks had been overwhelming, and the impending visit to the Volturi loomed over her like a dark cloud. She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling the tension in her muscles as she stared out at the water.

Carlisle knelt on the grass and motioned for her to join him. "Today, we'll work on centering your thoughts. Meditation isn't about shutting out the world, it's about finding your balance within it. You'll need that control if you want to harness your powers."

Ashley sat beside him, crossing her legs. "I don't know if I can do this," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if I lose control again? What if I mess up again? What if it's too much?"

Carlisle placed a hand on her arm, his touch gentle but firm. "You can do this, Ashley. You have more strength than you realize. Trust yourself. I'll be here with you."

She took a deep breath, letting his words sink in. With a slow exhale, she closed her eyes, following Carlisle's instructions to focus on her breathing, to feel the air enter her lungs and leave her body.

At first, all she could hear was the noise in her head—the worries about the Volturi, the memories of her mother's diaries, the weight of her powers. But as the minutes passed, the steady rhythm of her breath began to drown out the chaos, leaving only the sound of the wind rustling through the trees and the gentle lapping of water against the shore.

"Now," Carlisle's voice broke the silence, calm and steady. "Picture a light inside you, something warm, something that brings you peace. Let that light grow, let it guide your thoughts."

Ashley's mind drifted to the warmth of the sun, to the feeling of being in Carlisle's arms, safe and protected. She imagined that warmth spreading through her, calming the storm inside. The tension in her muscles began to melt away, and for the first time in days, she felt a sense of control, a sense of calm.

"Good," Carlisle said, his voice soft. "Now hold on to that feeling."

As she focused, something unexpected happened. Ashley felt a pulse of energy stir within her, something deep and ancient, as though it had been waiting for this moment. Her heartbeat slowed, but the energy continued to build, swirling beneath the surface like a current in the lake.

Her eyes shot open, a ripple of panic rising in her chest. "Carlisle, something's happening."

Carlisle's gaze met hers, calm but alert. "It's your power," he said. "Don't fight it. Let it flow, but stay grounded. Stay with me."

Ashley tried to imagine the warmth of sunlight, something comforting and steady. But as she did, she felt a sudden jolt of energy inside her. It wasn't peaceful—it was raw, powerful, and building faster than she could control.

Her heart raced, and a wave of panic shot through her. She felt the energy surging, pushing against her from within, like a force she couldn't contain.

"Carlisle..." Her voice trembled as the sensation grew more intense. "It's getting stronger. I can't—"

Before Carlisle could respond, Ashley's eyes flew open, and she lurched out of her meditative posture, backing away from the lake. "I can't do this!"

Carlisle was at her side in an instant, his face calm but filled with concern. "Ashley, it's okay. Breathe."

"No, it's not!" she snapped, her chest rising and falling in rapid breaths. "It's too much. I don't know how to control it—it's like... it's like it's growing, and I don't even understand what's happening."

She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling the remnants of the power still pulsing beneath her skin. It felt like something foreign, something dangerous, and she didn't know how to keep it in check.

Carlisle reached out, but stopped just before touching her, letting her have space. "It's not about mastering it all at once," he said gently. "You've lived with these powers your whole life, but now that you're awakening them, it'll take time to adjust. It's okay to be afraid."

Ashley shook her head, tears brimming in her eyes. "But what if I never figure it out? What if I hurt someone? What if I'm a danger to you—to everyone?"

Carlisle's expression softened as he met her gaze. "You're not a danger, Ashley. You're strong, and you're capable. But you're also human—and it's okay to be scared. You don't have to face this alone."

She wiped away a tear, feeling a pang of frustration. "I just thought... maybe I could control it. But the more I try, the more out of control I feel."

Carlisle moved closer, his voice a soothing balm to her frayed nerves. "You will learn, in time. It's not a failure to struggle, Ashley. It's part of the process."

Ashley sat back down, letting the tension ease from her shoulders but still feeling the weight of her powers inside her, like a storm waiting to break free. She wanted to believe him, but the fear still clung to her.

"I don't know if I'm ready," she whispered.

Carlisle placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "You don't have to be ready all at once. We'll do this together, one step at a time."

She stared out at the lake, the reflection of the sky slowly darkening as the sun dipped below the horizon. For the first time, she felt a flicker of hope. Maybe, just maybe, she could control this. And if she could, maybe the Volturi wouldn't have anything to fear.

But the thought lingered in the back of her mind, like a shadow she couldn't quite shake—what if the real threat wasn't her losing control?

What if the real threat was what happened when she didn't?

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