Eclipsed Secrets

Threads of the Past

As the weeks turned into a blur of school days and shared laughter, Althea found herself growing increasingly comfortable in the Cullen household, despite her lingering irritation at Bella Swan's presence. It was almost as if the girl had disrupted the delicate balance they had, shifting their dynamics and making Althea question her own place within the family. But one thing had become clear: she and Jasper were drawn to each other in a way neither could fully understand.Every time Althea caught Jasper's gaze across a crowded hallway, a flutter of something unnameable stirred inside her. They shared quiet moments together—exchanging glances, teasing one another, and even practicing their respective self-control in the woods behind the house. But for every spark that ignited between them, a wall would go up, preventing either from acknowledging what was brewing beneath the surface. Althea had learned to guard her heart well, and though she felt that magnetic pull toward Jasper, she refused to let herself give in.

One evening, as the sun dipped low on the horizon, Althea wandered into the library, searching for solace among the rows of books. The space was peaceful, a welcome refuge from the chaos of her thoughts. She picked up a worn, leather-bound volume and settled into a cozy armchair, allowing the smell of old pages to wrap around her like a comforting blanket.As she flipped through the pages, memories began to surface—glimpses of her life before she became a vampire. She thought of the vibrant colors of the world that had faded away so long ago. She recalled the laughter of her friends in the sunlight, the whispers of secrets shared beneath the shade of ancient trees, and the warmth of summer days that felt infinite.But amidst those cherished memories lay the shadows of her past: a family torn apart, a love lost, and a life extinguished in the blink of an eye. She had been young, only nineteen, when tragedy struck, leaving her alone to navigate a world that had become a dark, twisted version of the one she once knew.

Lost in thought, she barely noticed when Jasper entered the library, drawn by the quiet stillness. He paused in the doorway, watching her as she flipped through the pages, a soft light from the lamp illuminating her features."Hey," he said, breaking the silence.Althea looked up, surprised to see him. "Hey.""What are you reading?" he asked, taking a few steps closer."Just something to escape reality for a while," she replied, setting the book aside. "You know, the usual."He chuckled, that warm sound washing over her like a familiar balm. "You're really good at escaping."She met his gaze, and for a moment, they shared an understanding that went deeper than words. "It's what I do best."Jasper stepped closer, leaning against the wall beside her. "You know, you can't keep running from your past forever."Althea felt the weight of his words, but she was reluctant to delve into the memories she had long buried. "I'm not running. I just... don't want to relive it.""I get that," he said softly. "But it helps to talk about it sometimes. I've learned that."His honesty caught her off guard, and she found herself wanting to open up, wanting to share the fragments of her past. But the fear of vulnerability held her back."Maybe," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "But not tonight."He nodded, respecting her boundaries. "That's okay. Just know I'm here if you ever want to share."Althea smiled faintly, appreciating his understanding. But the tension lingered, and as she tried to shake off the heaviness of her memories, she noticed the way he watched her—his gaze intense and unwavering."You really do see through me, don't you?" she asked, trying to lighten the mood."More than you realize," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "It's one of my talents."They shared a comfortable silence, both aware of the growing connection between them, yet neither willing to acknowledge it fully. It was a precarious balance, teetering on the edge of something deeper that they both resisted.The next day at school, Althea was in the library again, trying to escape the social dynamics swirling around her. She had intended to spend her lunch hour among the pages of a book when the unmistakable voice of Bella Swan pierced through her solitude."Althea?" Bella approached hesitantly, her brow furrowed with concern. "Can I talk to you for a minute?"Althea looked up, annoyance flaring at the interruption. "Is there something you want, Bella?""I just wanted to ask you about Edward," Bella said, glancing around as if she were worried someone might overhear."About Edward?" Althea echoed, her tone sharp. "Why do you want to know?"Bella fidgeted, biting her lip. "I just... I feel like he's distant sometimes, and I thought maybe you could help me understand."Althea narrowed her eyes, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. "You realize that Edward is capable of speaking for himself, right? You don't need to go through me.""But you're close to him," Bella pressed, her voice earnest. "I thought you might have some insight."Althea crossed her arms, unwilling to indulge Bella's curiosity. "I'm not a therapist, Bella. And I don't owe you any explanations."The tension in the air thickened, and just as Bella opened her mouth to respond, Jasper appeared in the doorway, sensing the undercurrents of frustration. He could feel Althea's annoyance radiating off her in waves, and it only fueled his protective instincts."Althea," he said, his voice firm yet gentle as he stepped into the library. "Can we talk for a minute?"Althea turned to him, relief flooding her. "Yeah, sure."Jasper didn't wait for her to gather her things; he gently took her arm, leading her out of the library with a purposeful stride. "I saw you talking to Bella. What was that about?""Nothing important," she replied, trying to downplay the encounter."Doesn't seem like nothing to me," he said, his expression serious. "She's been asking a lot of questions lately, and it's not right."Althea frowned, unsure of how to explain her annoyance. "She was just curious. It's not my fault she can't figure things out on her own.""Maybe," he said, his voice tense, "but you shouldn't have to be her sounding board. Especially not about Edward."She stopped in the hallway, frustration boiling over. "Why do you care so much? It's not like it affects us."His eyes flashed, a flicker of anger mixed with concern. "Because it's not just about you, Althea! Bella's getting too close to things she shouldn't. And you can't keep shutting everyone out while trying to deal with this.""I'm not shutting anyone out!" she shot back, her temper rising. "I just don't want to get dragged into someone else's drama, especially not hers."Jasper took a step closer, the heat of his anger simmering just below the surface. "Then maybe you should stand up for yourself more. You're not just a pawn in their games. You're part of this family, and you deserve to be treated like it."Althea felt a rush of emotion at his words, the warmth of his protective nature wrapping around her like a shield. But she pushed back, resisting the urge to let him see how deeply his words affected her. "I can take care of myself, Jasper.""I know you can," he replied, his tone softening slightly, "but that doesn't mean you have to do it alone. I'm here for you, and I don't want you to feel like you have to push everyone away."They stood there for a moment, the tension between them crackling with unspoken feelings. Althea felt her walls begin to tremble, the urge to lean into him battling with her instinct to retreat."Fine," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. "I'll try. But it doesn't mean I have to like it."A faint smile tugged at Jasper's lips, and she couldn't help but return it. "That's all I'm asking for."They exchanged one last look, a moment of understanding passing between them before Jasper turned to lead her back toward the rest of the Cullens. Althea felt a flicker of warmth in her chest, the connection between them deepening as they moved together through the school's halls.

But as they returned to their friends, Althea couldn't shake the feeling that things were changing, not just within her but also in the dynamics of the family. Bella was an unwelcome variable, a force that could unravel everything she had started to build with Jasper. 

And as much as she tried to resist it, she couldn't help but wonder how long she could hold onto her secrets before they came to the surface, threatening to change everything she thought she knew.

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A/N wowowow, chapter six is donee, how are you liking the story so far?? i'm curious if y'all even like the story

stay safe <3