There were only a few weeks left in the school year, so naturally, the Cullen family's sudden disappearance attract some attention through Forks. Whispers spread like wildfire between students. Why had they left before the semester even ended? It made no sense.
Bella Swan was probably the only person—besides Ash Nightsun—who had an inkling of the truth. And even then, she wasn't sure of anything.
She only knew one thing for certain: this was Ash's fault.
He had tried to kill Edward.
And, if what she'd overheard was right, he wanted the rest of the Cullen family dead too.
But why?
That was the question gnawing at her. How did he know about vampires? What was he? And that knife—Bella had seen it slash through Edward's throat like his skin was made of paper. She wasn't naive enough to think normal steel could do that. So what in the world had Ash been wielding?
The memory of that moment haunted her. Edward's strangled gasp. The way he staggered back, gripping his neck. The wild, vicious look in Ash's eyes. She had replayed it over and over in her mind, unable to shake the sheer, gut-wrenching terror that she had almost lost him.
Edward was supposed to be strong. Eternal. Their love was supposed to last forever.
But now he was gone.
The empty space he left behind was unbearable. It didn't help that her birthday loomed closer with each passing day. Summer would turn to September, and she would become older than Edward. The thought made her feel sick. The idea of aging while he remained frozen in time was an unbearable weight pressing down on her chest.
She had tried emailing Alice.but get No response.
Edward's phone had been disconnected.
She hated him for that. For thinking he could just leave—that vanishing into thin air would somehow be better for her. That it wouldn't be agony.
But first things first: she needed answers.
Unfortunately, confronting Ash directly wasn't an option. He might have been the only person in town who truly knew what had happened, but he was also a complete psychopath.
So instead, she found herself at Jacob Black's house.
------
"Water? Juice?" Jacob asked, poking his head into the fridge.
"Just water's fine," Bella murmured.
He handed her a glass before pouring his own, and she took a steadying breath. "So… what happened last time I was on the rez? At La Push?"
Jacob froze. The easygoing warmth in his expression flickered—then disappeared entirely.
"That's not important," he said shortly, his voice firm.
Bella's brow furrowed. "Why not? Have they even met him?"
"They've met enough people like him."
There was no need to say his name.
Bella tightened her grip on the glass. "What does that even mean?" she pressed. "Why does everyone seem to know more about this than me?"
Jacob let out a frustrated sigh. "Bella, look—I can't get into this, okay? I'm not allowed. And even if I was, I don't know enough. Just—" He ran a hand through his hair. "Just stay away from that psycho . He's is dangerous."
'You don't have to tell me twice,' Bella thought bitterly.
She clenched her jaw and didn't respond. Jacob took another sip of water, and silence stretched between them like a widening chasm.
---
(At the other scene)
Ash Nightsun was having a crisis.
Not a small one, either.
Discovering that his uncle was a traitor—a sympathizer who had turned his back on everything their family stood for—was enough to make his blood boil.
How could someone who came from their bloodline betray them like this?
His whole life, he had wondered why his uncle never visited. Why he only showed up every few years, never staying long.
Now, he knew.
His uncle hated who he was.
He wanted Ash to throw away his entire identity, to abandon everything he had been raised to believe in. To become some weak, monster-loving fool.
The worst part? Ash still had to go to school after all of this. He still had to sit in the same biology class, right next to Bella Swan, while the empty seat beside them screamed its absence.
The tension between them was unbearable.
Bella was seething—always on edge, burning with questions she refused to ask and rage she didn't know what to do with.
And Ash? Ash acted as if none of it had ever happened. He laughed and joked with his new friends, flashing easy smiles, effortlessly blending in. But being around Bella was harder than he cared to admit.
He held nothing but pity for her.
Once upon a time, he had wanted to be friends with her. But now? She was warped. Just like his uncle.
The Cullens had poisoned them both. Twisting their minds, painting monsters as something beautiful.
At least he still had work to do. The hunt would keep him grounded.
But not yet.
He would have to wait until summer vacation before tracking down the Cullens again. It was frustrating, but necessary. His relationship with his current guardian was already fraying at the edges—disappearing from town before school ended would snap whatever fragile understanding they still had.
And then there were the shifters on the reservation.
Should he hunt them too?
They were human in the absence of vampires, which meant that, technically, they weren't his concern. Without bloodsuckers to fight, they would return to their normal lives. If that was the case, he had no reason to interfere.
The bell rang, snapping him from his thoughts.
He barely noticed until Bella tripped over his chair in her rush to leave.
He watched her go without a word, watching as she stormed out of the classroom.
He was grateful school was almost over. He had too much weighing on his mind to care about anything mundane. The hunt was distraction enough, but the mess at home made everything worse.
He felt like he was being torn in two.
One part of him wanted to go home and scream at his uncle. To call his grandparents, to expose him as a traitor—someone who had sided with the creatures that had killed his mother. That same part of him wanted to corner Bella and demand answers.
How had she gotten involved with Edward? How deep did their relationship run? When, when had he tasted her blood?
There was a restless, electric feeling buzzing beneath his skin the longer he suppressed that side of himself.
And yet, the other half of him wanted to break down.
That side of him ached when Bella sighed and glanced at that empty seat beside her. That side of him hated remembering the sheer terror on her face when his knife had sliced through Edward's neck.
That side of him wanted to go home and apologize.
To throw himself at his uncle's arms and beg to fix what had been broken.
But doing that meant betraying everything.
And that wasn't an option.
Maybe the fact that he was acting on neither of those urges meant there was a third, rational part of him. The part that made plans with his new friends. The part that shoved everything else to the back of his mind and pretended it didn't exist.
Even so, he felt eyes on him as he packed up his things.
He glanced up.
Bella was standing in the doorway, watching him with a guarded expression.
----
Author's Note: The Author's Survival Guide to Writing and Studying
Hello, dear readers!
Yes, yes, I know—you may now shower me with your praise, for I have indeed kept my promise! No, not that promise (no one has died… yet), but the equally noble promise of delivering two chapters! Truly, my benevolence knows no bounds. I expect to be remembered for this act of generosity. Statues may be erected in my honor. Songs shall be sung. Or, at the very least, a virtual pat on the back will do.😏😏
Now, onto more serious matters. No, I'm not talking about reviews (I already nagged you about that in the last chapter). This is far more important. Before that.
If you're a reader of my other book, Twilight: Mystery, and you've already read my latest dramatic declaration, then feel free to skip this part. Or don't. I mean, I'm not your mom.
So, here's the deal. I know I haven't been showering this book with as much love and attention as my other one. Why? Well, let's just say Twilight Mystery has been hogging the spotlight like an overdramatic theater kid. Apparently, not everyone loves blood, carnage, and morally ambiguous fight scenes. Some of you prefer romance—kissing under the moonlight, longing gazes, confessions and , the whole emotional rollercoaster. And hey, I get it. Love is beautiful and so, I Am... Cough_cough_.
Overall Balance is important, people.😘
But here's the bad news (brace yourselves). My final college exams are in two weeks. I know, tragic. I also have a mountain of assignments to complete, which my professors, in their infinite wisdom, decided to dump on me at the last possible second. A true test of my patience and will to live. Because of this, my chapter releases might be a little... unpredictable. But don't panic! I'll try to give you at least three chapters a week. When, you ask? Who knows? They may drop at random times, like an unannounced pop quiz. You may receive two chapters in one day, or perhaps none at all. It all depends on my mood, my caffeine levels, and whether the universe decides to be kind to me.
So, all I ask is for your support and patience. And for you not to abandon this book. If you do abandon it... well, let's just say I may or may not have professional hacker friends. If necessary, I could track you down, show up at your house, and have a friendly little chat. Nothing sinister, of course. Just a warm conversation about loyalty. Maybe some tea. Just kidding. (Or am I? Who knows?)😈😈
Alright, that's all I had to say for now! Stay tuned, stay safe, and remember: I see all as nothing is hidden from these eyes . 🥸