(Ash's POV)
The rain clung to my skin as I stood outside my apartment complex, watching Alice's car disappear into the night. The hum of the engine faded, leaving only the quiet patter of raindrops against the pavement.
I exhaled, running a hand through my damp hair.
I agreed to a date.
With Alice Cullen.
The realization hit me fully now that she was gone. The moment in the car had felt surreal, like something I wasn't meant to experience. Like something I should have rejected.
But I hadn't.
I had spent weeks convincing myself that my purpose here was just to observe. To understand the world I had been thrown into, not to entangle myself in it. And yet, every time Alice was near, the lines blurred.
She made it hard to keep my distance.
I stepped inside the apartment, shaking off the chill as I locked the door behind me. The space was dim, barely furnished—just a place to sleep and exist. It felt even emptier now.
I sighed, rubbing my temples.
Why had I said yes?
Because you wanted to.
The thought surfaced before I could push it away. And maybe… maybe it was true.
But wanting something meant risking it. And I wasn't sure if I was ready for that.
I sat down on the worn-out couch, staring at the ceiling. The tug in my chest—the one that had been guiding me since I arrived in Forks—felt stronger than ever.
Was this where I was meant to be?
Was she?
I closed my eyes, forcing myself to push those thoughts away. One step at a time. I could figure this out later.
For now…
I had a date to prepare for.
---
(Alice's POV)
The moment I parked in the Cullens' driveway, I practically floated out of the car. My hands gripped the steering wheel tighter than necessary, my excitement barely contained.
He said yes.
I had seen it happen in my visions, but experiencing it in reality was something else entirely.
Ash Nightsun—stubborn, guarded, impossible Ash—had agreed to a date.
With me.
I wanted to scream into the night.
Instead, I composed myself and headed inside.
The house was quiet, but as soon as I stepped through the door, I realized they were waiting for me. Jasper and Edythe sat on the couch, their hands loosely intertwined as they spoke in hushed voices. Rosalie was seated in corner of the room. Carlisle stood nearby, flipping through a medical journal, while Esme arranged a vase of flowers on the dining table.
Edward was by the window, his expression unreadable as he gazed outside.
They all turned as I entered.
Jasper smirked. "You're practically glowing, Alice."
Edythe raised an eyebrow. "Something happen?"
I leaned against the arm of the couch, unable to stop the grin from spreading across my face. "I have a date."
Esme suddenly pulled me into a warm embrace.
"Oh, sweetheart," she said, squeezing me tightly. "I'm so happy for you."
I blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "What?"
Esme pulled back with a knowing smile. "You finally have your mate, Alice.
I huffed, shaking my head as I stepped further into the house. "It's just a date, Esme. He hasn't fully accepted me yet."
Esme waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, nonsense. He agreed to go on a date, didn't he?"
I sighed. "Yes, but that doesn't mean—"
"You should invite him over for dinner sometime," Esme suggested, beaming. "Let him see what it's like to be part of this family."
I groaned. "Esme, please. It's too early for that. He's still trying to figure things out, and I don't want to overwhelm him."
Carlisle, who had been leaning against the doorway, finally spoke. "Still, it's progress." His warm gaze met mine, full of quiet understanding. "You've been waiting for so long, Alice. We all know how lonely you were before Ash arrived. Seeing you happy… it means a lot."
I lowered my eyes, feeling the weight of his words settle over me. He wasn't wrong. Before Ash, I had spent decades feeling adrift, without the certainty that I would ever find my mate. Now, I had him. But it wasn't that simple.
Carlisle's expression shifted slightly, becoming more thoughtful. "And, when the time is right, you might want to have a conversation with him about his future."
I stiffened. I knew what he was implying.
"I mean no rush, of course," Carlisle continued gently. "But if he accepts you as his mate… he should know what that means. What it could mean."
Edward, who had been silent until now, scoffed. "You mean turning him into a vampire."
Carlisle gave a slow nod. "Eventually, if it's something he chooses."
Edward frowned, crossing his arms. "Alice, you can't seriously be considering that."
I narrowed my eyes at him. "And why not?"
Edward's jaw tightened. "Because this is a curse. You know that. Why would you condemn him to this existence?"
I clenched my fists, irritation bubbling beneath my skin. "It's not a curse, Edward. You see it that way, but that doesn't mean he will. And it's not your choice to make—it's his. Ours."
Edward's expression darkened, but he said nothing.
A scoff came from across the room, drawing my attention to Rosalie, who sat on the couch with her arms crossed. Her golden eyes were sharp with disapproval.
"This is a mistake," she muttered.
I tensed. "What is?"
"Letting a human get too close," Rosalie said, her voice cold. "He knows about us now. What happens if he tells someone? If he decides he doesn't want to be part of this world?" She leaned forward slightly. "You're putting all of us at risk."
I met her gaze without hesitation. "He's my mate, Rosalie. He's not just some random human."
"That doesn't mean he's safe," she shot back. "You're blinded by your bond, Alice, but think about what you're asking us to accept."
I exhaled sharply, reigning in my frustration. "He's not a threat. And whether you like it or not, he's going to be part of this coven."
Rosalie's lips pressed into a thin line, but she didn't argue further. Maybe because she knew I wouldn't back down. Or maybe because she knew that, deep down, I was right.
Emmett wasn't here to ease the tension—he was out hunting. If he had been here, he probably would've found a way to lighten the mood, even if he shared some of Rosalie's concerns.
Carlisle cleared his throat. "I think we're getting ahead of ourselves. Alice and Ash are just starting their bond. Let's give them time."
Esme nodded. "Exactly. Let's not ruin this moment with unnecessary worries."
Rosalie huffed but said nothing more.
I turned to Edward, who was still frowning, though there was something almost… wistful in his expression.
"Why do you even care?" I asked, a little softer this time.
Edward sighed. "Because… before this, we were the only one here without a mate." He ran a hand through his bronze hair. "And now, it's just me."
Something in my chest ached at his words. Despite our disagreements, I understood him. I knew what it felt like to be alone, to watch everyone else find their person while you waited for something that might never come.
But this wasn't about him.
I stepped closer, my voice firm. "You'll find her, Edward."
He let out a bitter chuckle. "You say that like it's inevitable."
I tilted my head. "Isn't it?"
Edward didn't answer.
The room fell into a thoughtful silence.
Eventually, Carlisle placed a hand on my shoulder. "Just take it one step at a time, Alice. You have your mate now. That's all that matters."
I nodded, feeling a weight lift—just a little.
Because no matter what came next, one thing was certain.
I wasn't alone anymore.
-------
(Ash's POV – The Next Morning)
Morning came too fast.
I barely slept, my mind too tangled in thoughts of Alice. Of what this date meant.
What it could mean.
By the time I stepped onto the school grounds, the rain had lessened into a fine mist, hanging in the air like a veil. Students moved around me, their chatter blending into meaningless noise.
I ignored the stares. They hadn't stopped since the first day. But today, they felt even heavier.
Jessica Stanley caught sight of me and perked up, making a beeline in my direction.
"Ash! Hey!"
I sighed internally but forced a neutral expression. "Hey."
Her smile was a little too bright, her eyes scanning me as if searching for something—some kind of opening. "So, how was your weekend?"
"Uneventful," I lied smoothly.
Jessica's lips pressed together for the briefest moment before she forced another smile. "You should've come to Mike's party on Saturday! It was fun."
"I'm not really a party guy."
Jessica opened her mouth, likely about to push further, but then she saw something over my shoulder. Her entire demeanor shifted in an instant.
I felt it before I saw her.
Alice.
She moved through the crowd effortlessly, her golden eyes locked onto mine with quiet amusement. Even in the gray light of morning, she stood out, her presence impossible to ignore.
Jessica's expression tightened. She wasn't just noticing Alice—she was remembering yesterday.
She had seen me get into Alice's car after school.
She had seen me leave with her.
Understanding flickered across her face, followed quickly by something else.
Jealousy.
Her fingers curled slightly, but she masked it just as fast, offering a forced laugh. "Well, maybe next time," she said, though her tone had lost its previous enthusiasm.
Before I could respond, she turned on her heel and walked away, her movements stiff.
Alice came to a stop beside me, tilting her head. "You're scaring off your admirers again."
I sighed. "Not intentionally."
Alice smirked, golden eyes dancing. "Pity."
I shook my head. "Do you enjoy messing with me?"
She beamed. "You have no idea."
And just like that, the world tilted again.
---
End of Chapter 10
----
Hello, dear readers!
Guess Who it is?
Your beloved Author !! or I thought so😑
As you all know, I conducted a vote in the previous chapter. And guess what? Most of you just read it and ignored it—like I'm some mere mortal who doesn't deserve your precious time! The betrayal! I expected loyalty, and instead, I got radio silence.
No, seriously, if you compare the number of views this fanfic has to the number of readers who actually participated in the vote, it's tragic. I mean—what the hell, man? I was so devastated that I cried like a baby for an entire day. A warrior had fallen😭. The great Ash Nightsun's creator, reduced to a sobbing mess. Cue dramatic thunderstorm and sad anime opening.
But then… I rose again. Like a shōnen protagonist refusing to stay down. I wiped my tears, looked at my screen, and whispered, "I have chapters to write." The mission continues.😤
Now, let's talk about the results of that mostly ignored vote. Most of you said I should continue my trash-talking, just like I'm doing now. Ah, my people, you have chosen chaos. And no, don't assume this is just a way to pad the word count. (Okay, maybe a little.) But if you actually do the math—yes, math, the ultimate enemy—you'll see that my chapters are actually pretty lengthy. If you average them out, each one is at least 1,200 words long also With my other book of average chapter of 1,500 words each .And let's be honest, for a new author, that's basically overtime.😮💨
Speaking of overtime, I'm also working on another book because this battlefield is ruthless. The Twilight fanfic scene is a warzone, and I need to establish my stronghold before I'm overrun. But don't worry, dear readers—this fanfic is my main campaign. The others? Just side quests.😘😘
Now, let's march forward. The story continues, and so does my nonsense. Prepare yourselves.❤️❤️