Eclipsed Secrets

Strangers in the Same Shadows

The Cullen household was nothing like Althea had imagined. The modern architecture, all glass walls and sleek lines, felt more human than any place she'd lived in centuries. She was used to ruins, hidden homes in remote forests, places that seemed to reject the world as much as she did. But here, it felt like a compromise—a bridge between their immortal lives and the human world.Carlisle led her inside, his steps soft as he explained their way of life in more detail, though she hardly needed to listen to understand the basics. Animal blood in place of human, coexistence rather than dominance—a lifestyle more fragile than anything she'd ever known. She was skeptical, though part of her was drawn to the simplicity of it. Maybe even to the peace it promised.

But peace wasn't the first feeling she experienced as they walked into the living room. There, standing with his arms crossed and an unreadable expression, was a vampire whose intensity was palpable even before their eyes met."Althea, this is Jasper," Carlisle introduced, his tone warm as if trying to lessen the tension he clearly sensed.Jasper's golden gaze locked onto her, studying her in a way that felt far too perceptive. He wasn't unfriendly, but he wasn't exactly welcoming either. He seemed to radiate a silent challenge, his stance tense and cautious, as if expecting her to be a threat at any moment."Carlisle," Jasper began, his voice cool but controlled, "are you sure about this? We don't know her. What makes you think she'll be able to handle... our way of life?"Althea bristled, meeting his gaze with equal fire. "I may not share your beliefs yet, but I didn't come here to be treated like a liability."

Jasper's eyes narrowed slightly. "It's not about being a liability; it's about the risk. You've spent years feeding on humans, haven't you?"She gave a small, derisive laugh. "Yes, I have. And clearly, I'm not the only one in this room with a violent history."Jasper's jaw tightened, and she could feel the tension emanating from him. His past was well-known among vampires—a history stained with blood and violence, though he'd made a clear attempt to redeem himself. But still, it irked her that he judged her as if his own hands were clean."Jasper," Carlisle interjected gently, his voice breaking the tension. "We all started somewhere. We've all had our struggles."Jasper's gaze didn't soften, but he gave a curt nod before turning and leaving the room without another word. Althea let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, though she hated that she had let him get under her skin so easily.

As if sensing her frustration, a voice called from the staircase. "Don't mind him. He's just a little dramatic sometimes."Althea looked up to see a striking blonde woman leaning against the banister, arms crossed and a smirk tugging at the corner of her mouth. Rosalie."You must be Althea," Rosalie continued, her voice laced with a biting humor that Althea immediately appreciated. "Welcome to the Cullen family. Population: way too serious."A grin slipped onto Althea's face, her tension easing slightly. "Thanks. And here I thought I'd have to be the sarcastic one around here."Rosalie shrugged, walking down the steps to stand beside her. "Trust me, I've been waiting for someone who gets it. I've lived with them for decades now, and let's just say humor isn't exactly their strong suit."Althea chuckled, feeling a surprising sense of ease with Rosalie. It wasn't often she connected with anyone, vampire or otherwise, but there was something about Rosalie's sharp humor and unapologetic attitude that felt like a breath of fresh air."Carlisle tells me you're going to help me with... the new diet," Althea said, her tone sarcastic but with a hint of genuine dread.Rosalie rolled her eyes. "Oh, trust me, it's not glamorous. But if I have to go through it every day, you do too. Think of it as a survival test."Althea smirked. "Noted. I suppose I'll need a hunting guide, though. I have no idea how you people do this."Rosalie let out a laugh, one that was almost a little too pleased. "You'll learn. And maybe we can get Jasper to help out, seeing as he's so concerned about you."The sarcasm wasn't lost on Althea. "I don't think he's thrilled with me being here," she muttered.Rosalie waved it off. "Don't worry about him. Jasper's... complicated, to put it mildly. He's got a strong sense of loyalty, especially to this family. But he can be a little... high-strung.""I noticed," Althea replied, glancing toward the door Jasper had left through. "I didn't come here to make enemies, but I also don't take well to being looked down on."Rosalie's eyes sparkled with mischief. "Stick with me, and you'll be fine. Besides, Jasper will come around eventually. They all will."

Despite her reservations, Althea felt a flicker of warmth toward Rosalie. She hadn't expected to find a kindred spirit here, but there was something about Rosalie's forthright attitude and the fierce protectiveness she sensed that felt familiar.The next few days were... challenging, to say the least. Althea struggled with the diet, the craving for human blood gnawing at her in ways she hadn't experienced in years. Each hunt was an exercise in self-control, each kill a reminder of just how different this life was from the one she'd known.But the Cullens, to her surprise, were there every step of the way. Esme offered gentle encouragement, while Emmett's playful energy kept her spirits from flagging too much. Even Edward, with his reserved nature, lent a word of advice when needed. It felt strange, being part of something larger than herself. She hadn't realized how much she missed even the idea of family until she saw them together.

Jasper, however, remained distant. He rarely spoke to her, watching her with the same wary gaze he'd had on their first meeting. She could feel his tension, the way he seemed ready to react to any slip-up, any sign of danger from her.After a particularly frustrating hunt, where she'd nearly lost control and Rosalie had to pull her back, Althea was seething as she walked back to the Cullen house. She found Jasper waiting on the porch, his gaze sharp, almost judging."You nearly slipped," he observed bluntly.Althea clenched her fists. "Yes, I nearly slipped. Isn't that part of the process? Or did you manage this perfectly on your first try?"Jasper's expression softened, though only slightly. "No one manages it perfectly. But you have to understand why I'm cautious. The family means everything to me, and I won't risk them."Althea took a step closer, her voice fierce. "And I didn't come here to put them at risk. I came because I wanted to find something better. I know I'm not perfect, and neither are you."He looked away, his jaw tight. She could see the flicker of something she couldn't quite place—pain, maybe, or regret. For a moment, they stood in silence, the distance between them filled with words left unsaid.Finally, Jasper nodded. "Fine. I'll give you a chance. But don't think I won't step in if I have to."Althea held his gaze, her own fierce and unyielding. "I wouldn't expect anything less."As Jasper turned and went inside, Althea let out a breath, the weight of their tension finally easing, if only slightly. 

She wasn't here to make friends, but if this was the start of something... less antagonistic, then maybe her new life wouldn't be as lonely as she'd thought.

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A/N and third chapter is done, hope you guys like it, stay safe and don't be shy to comment or even vote if you like it so far or just to express yourselves <3