Forks, Washington - February

Evangeline kept her hands steady and her body relaxed as she focused. She lined up the sights, double checked her target, aimed again, then fired. A sharp crack and flash of light was followed by a momentary silence which was ended with loud cheers. Harry Clearwater stood with Charlie in the backyard watching her practice shooting targets. She was studying to be a forensic psychologist for the FBI and Charlie thought she needed to learn how to use a weapon. After several hours of safety and maintenance lessons spread out over a few weeks, they decided it was time to let her really shoot.

"She's smart, she's beautiful, she cooks, and she can shoot? Heaven help us Charlie! We'll be beating the guys away with clubs before too long!" Charlie only laughed at Harry's comment and patted the man's shoulder.

"Every shot has been a bullseye Harry! I'd say my little girl will be able to hold her own! Besides, Evangeline isn't interested in dating at all. Right honey?"

"Yep. Boys are gross and have cooties and all that." Her answer was accompanied by a devilish smirk before she fired again.

Since moving in, Evangeline had been able to bring some life back to Bella. A few weeks ago she had convinced her twin that seeing a movie with a friend would help. Seemingly the perfect push, Bella soon reconnected with her friend Jacob and began spending most of her time with him. Now Evangeline had some free time of her own. Mostly she made up for lost time with her dad. Being interested in law enforcement meant she was often his ride along nowadays. Things were going great in her life. Then suddenly, they weren't.

Dave, convinced she was going to leave him, guilt tripped Evangeline into inviting him to stay for a week. The same week he stayed with them, Jacob got sick and had seemingly disappeared from Bella's life. Having to juggle her sister and overly clingy boyfriend had taken a bit of a toll on Evangeline. She was tired but too frazzled to sleep, which is how she found herself alone for a moment with her dad. It was Friday night, Dave was supposed to be leaving in two days.

"Is Dave in the shower?" She nodded slowly at Charlie's question but didn't glance away from the football game on tv. "Good then I'm just going to say this. I don't like this guy. When are you getting rid of him?"

Startled, Evangeline turned very quickly to face him. Her mouth hung open in surprise, Charlie had never given his opinion one way or another on the other guys she'd brought home to meet him. His hands came up in a gesture of surrender.

"I'm not trying to start a fight Eves. I just don't like how he treats you. He talks down to you a lot, like he thinks he's better than you. I've never heard him ask you for something, he only ever demands it. He also over explains things, like you're too dumb to understand or something. That boy doesn't respect you." As if to prove his point, Dave's voice floated down the stairs from the bathroom.

"Babe! Grab my towel, I forgot it in the bedroom. It's the blue one on my suitcase. Got it?" Evangeline's breath left her in a rush and comprehension dawned on her face. It was quickly followed by the stubborn expression that meant she had made up her mind. Whatever she had decided, there was no changing it. She nodded once then hugged her father tightly before marching up the stairs.

He heard a series of doors opening and closing mixed with muffled words then nothing. If they started shouting he'd know, otherwise no noise filtered down the stairs. Thirty minutes passed quietly then the shouting started. To be accurate, Dave was shouting while Evangeline's words remained inaudible. From the boy's shouts Charlie gathered that she was telling him to leave, they were no longer in a relationship. He needed to go home, now. The attic door slammed open, Dave began stomping down the stairs with his bags, then paused and turned to say something.

"Turn back around, do not make a sound, and leave." Evangeline's voice, cold and quiet, carried past the open door and down the stairs. Something about her normally kind voice taking on that tone made chills run down Charlie's spine. Dave did exactly as he was told with a large smile on his face, his movements strangely robotic. Charlie peeked around the stairway to see Evangeline standing at the top of the stairs. She looked ready to cry. Suddenly Bella opened her bedroom door. In her hands was a thousand piece jigsaw puzzle which she gently shook in her sister's direction.

"Will you help me with this Eves?"

Three things happened in quick succession. Evangeline's shoulders relaxed, Bella smiled a little, and Charlie's smile practically glowed. It seemed that having the sisters with each other was good for both of them. Bella had come out of her depression enough to recognize her twin's need for comfort. After saying a quick goodnight the girls went into Bella's room, intent on having a sleepover of sorts.

Volterra, Italy

Felix lunged for Demetri, aiming for his throat. The shorter vampire dodged his friend's outstretched arms, planning to jump on his unprotected back. Suddenly a booted foot connected with his thigh, sending him off balance. Felix had expected Demetri's move and managed to kick his leg then used the momentum to slam the tracker to the ground. As Demetri struggled underneath him, Felix unexpectedly released him.

"I'm afraid I'm here to interrupt, I have a message." Jane's soft voice floated through the large training room. Demetri had been too preoccupied with beating Felix to acknowledge her entrance. "Aro would like to see you in the throne room Felix. Something about your latest trip outside the castle."

Felix smiled guiltily in response to Demetri's glare. Unable to contain his need for flirting, Felix had gone to a nearby nightclub. He had gotten phone numbers from three women and was seducing a fourth by the time Demetri found him. His best friend obviously disapproved. Flirting with Gianna was one thing, she already knew the secret and she was easily disposable. He also felt that Felix's mate, whoever the poor thing would be, wouldn't be ecstatic about that part of his personality. When Jane spoke again, it was obvious that she felt the same way.

"You know, if Master Marcus had told me that I had a future mate bond, I'd be looking for them. Not wasting my time on receptionists and drunken exchange students."

Forks, Washington

The next day, thankfully a Saturday, was a perfect day for Forks. The air was pleasantly warm despite the cloud cover and a slight breeze moved through the trees. The pure white color of the clouds in the sky revealed them to be clear of moisture; it wasn't likely to rain today. In order to distract her sister from the drama of last night, Bella had asked Evangeline to go hiking with her. With Charlie gone fishing and unwilling to mope around the house all day, Evangeline quickly agreed to go.

Now the two were ploughing through the forest, enjoying each other's company. They didn't feel the need to pervade the air with mindless chatter, another similarity they shared. Evangeline was originally suspicious of forsaking the trail but it took very little coaxing to make her agree. Her constant physical activity made the hike easy for her but she was surprised with how well Bella was doing. Jacob immediately came to mind and Evangeline decided not to mention it. Instead she addressed another subject.

"Bells you know I'm always going to be around, right? That there will never be anywhere you go that I won't follow? You can ask me for anything and I will help the best I can." Bella's head snapped up, pulled from her thoughts, and she smiled at her sister. An actual, legitimate smile. She grabbed Evangeline's hand with her own and squeezed tightly before letting go.

"I know Eva. We're twins, that means we're going to be with each other forever. Just remember dear sister, that means you wouldn't be able to get rid of me if you tried!"

The two laughed together, lighting up the forest with the happy sound. The noise echoed back, prolonging the joyous feeling as the sisters pushed through a line of ferns. Open ground sprawled around them, a large meadow filled with tall brown grass appearing suddenly. Knowing this was the place they were looking for Evangeline turned to Bella excitedly. Her face contorted in pain and her arms wrapped around her chest, Bella had sunken to her knees. Understanding hit Evangeline as she looked around the area again.

"This was your place was him." It wasn't a question and Bella didn't have to answer. Her twin sister knew, she could feel the pain through their bond. Never one to allow for moping, Evangeline pulled Bella to her feet after another moment. She reached down to help brush the dirt from Bella's knees when the girl gasped sharply.

"Laurent!"

Standing up, Evangeline's eyes swept the meadow quickly. About 75 feet at the northern part of the clearing stood a man. His skin was dark but had a strange pallor, as if the blood had suddenly left his body. He was attractive but in a dangerous way that had her cringing away. She knew this wasn't a stray hiker and Bella's recognition proved it. He looked surprised to see her and even more surprised to see Evangeline. His eyes flickered between them for a moment then he recovered.

"Bella? I didn't expect to see you here. Your sister, I assume, who was not with you last time we met?" He walked as he talked until he was only 25 feet from them. Instinctively Evangeline stepped backwards but the man's eyes stayed on her sister. Her legs locked, torn between running or protecting her sister.

Bella made polite conversation with Laurent but as his weight shifted towards her, Evangeline's body did the same. Something about this man wasn't right and he was already too close for comfort.

"I know, it seems a little backwards to me too. But James was her mate, and your Edward killed him." Pain ripped through Bella at Edward's name but Evangeline didn't feel it, her fear was blocking it. She was so scared that, as her mind ran through ways for them to escape, she barely listened to the rest of the conversation. She gathered enough to realize someone named Victoria wanted to kill Bella. The current danger was that the man in front of them seemed to want the same thing but for different reasons. As she was keeping him occupied, Bella had been taking small steps back toward Evangeline. The twins were able to touch hands now.

"Look at it this way, Bella. You're very lucky I was the one to find you." Mouthing a silent question, Bella stumbled back another few steps. Laurent followed. "Yes! I'll be very quick. You won't feel a thing, either of you. I promise. Oh I'll lie to Victoria about that later, naturally, just to placate her. But if you knew what she had planned for you Bella...I swear you'd be thanking me for this."

A breeze passed through the meadow, blowing the girl's hair toward Laurent. He inhaled deeply before stepping closer. For some strange reason the Quileute legends Bella had told her about popped into Evangeline's thoughts. She had called her sister last year to share them, knowing Evangeline would remember them if Bella ever forgot. Recalling the story of cold ones, a loud gasp left her mouth. Laurent and Bella turned to look at her in confusion.

"Cold ones? Vampires? This can't be real!" Evangeline's voice sounded choked and her eyes were opened wide, smiled beautifully and her eyes were drawn to his bright white teeth. It was an obvious confirmation, enhanced by the large step toward her sister. The woman felt a rush of heat fill her body as she realized what was about to happen. He was going to grab Bella's shoulder when Evangeline's voice, strengthened by fear and anger, stabbed into the air.

"Don't touch her."

Immediately Laurent's hands snapped to his sides as though they were welded into place. Confusion marred his features and was followed by anger then suddenly morphed into an unexpected look of contentment. Bella looked between her sister and Laurent, suspicious and confused. Evangeline swayed on her feet slightly then Laurent's arms seemed to be freed from whatever had held them in place. Something took his attention to the left of them, preserving their lives for another moment, and suddenly fear overcame his features completely. As the girls turned their heads to look a large animal stalked out of the forest. Dark black fur covered its enormous body, its muzzle was pulled back from the dagger-like incisors in a snarl, and it was staring directly at the vampire about to kill them.

Four more mammoth animals prowled into the meadow. Evangeline knew normal wolves never got that large but the proof was literally standing less than two feet from her. Bella gasped and jumped back but Evangeline stayed rooted to the spot, seemingly unaware of the blood dripping slowly from her nose. The wolf closest to them, a wonderful auburn color, turned its head to look at them. Dark, nearly black eyes looked between the twins its gaze was somehow too intelligent. The leader growled lowly causing the large head to turn back to face Laurent.

Horrified the vampire turned and sprinted away, ignoring the call of fresh blood in the air. He moved so quickly Evangeline couldn't follow him with her eyes. The monstrous sized wolves immediately followed, quickly disappearing into the forest. While Bella fell to her knees and sobbed, her sister remained stock still. Things like this weren't possible. Vampires were something from myth and giant wolves sounded absolutely ridiculous.

A hand wrapped around her upper arm tightly, breaking her trance and making her scream in panicked fear. It was only Bella who ignored the sound in favor of tugging Evangeline in the opposite direction of the predators. Instincts finally kicking back in, the twins sprinted through the trees. For a few minutes they only thought about putting distance between themselves and the meadow. Finally they remembered their compass but they were now very deep in the forest. A few hours later they found the truck and drove home as quickly as Bella's truck would allow.

Evangeline was silent the entire time, her face blank and cold. Bella didn't dare speak, she knew that expression. It was entirely her fault that Evangeline was in danger today and she knew it. They eventually reached the house and Charlie's cruiser was in the driveway. It was later than they realized. Stiffly, Evangeline climbed out of the truck and walked inside. She walked past Charlie and up the stairs, not even seeming to hear her father's questions.

"Where have you been?! Eves? What happened? Eves, are you okay?" The door to the attic shut and Charlie turned to Bella. "Tell me what happened."