Edward's POV
The sun was just beginning to set over Forks, casting a golden hue over the dense forest and giving the sleepy town a serene, almost nostalgic feel. Edward Masen's silver Volvo glided along the winding road, the engine purring smoothly despite the minor dent on the front bumper. The car itself had been through worse—his distracted driving was responsible for this latest blemish—but Edward's thoughts weren't on the car. He could have easily called his secretary to arrange for the repair, but something else pulled at him, urging him to drive to a small mechanic shop on the outskirts of town.
Jacob Black's shop was a modest, unassuming place—a stark contrast to the gleaming, modern garages Edward was accustomed to. Nestled between towering pines, it seemed almost as if the forest itself sought to hide it from the outside world. A sign with fading letters reading "Black's Auto Repairs" hung crookedly above the door. The air was thick with the scent of oil, gasoline, and metal, mingling with the earthy aroma of the woods.
Jacob Black had been a childhood friend of Bella's, though their bond had grown distant as Bella's visits to Forks became less frequent. Despite the distance, Edward remembered Jacob's efforts during the search and rescue mission when Bella had gone missing, a testament to the part of his friendship.
Edward parked and stepped out, the gravel crunching under his polished shoes. He ran a hand through his hair, took a deep breath, and walked towards the open garage where Jacob was hunched over the engine of an old truck, his broad back to the entrance.
"Jacob," Edward called, his voice cutting through the ambient sounds of nature and the occasional clank of metal from the garage.
Jacob straightened up, wiping his hands on a grease-stained rag before turning around. His face broke into a small, surprised smile. "Edward Masen," he said, his tone a mix of curiosity and mild surprise. "Didn't expect to see you here."
Edward offered a polite smile in return, stepping further into the garage. "I've got a minor dent," he said, nodding towards his Volvo. "Thought I'd bring it to someone I trust."
Jacob chuckled, his dark eyes flicking to the car and back to Edward. "You could've taken it to any high-end place in Seattle. Why here?"
Edward shrugged, his smile fading slightly as he leaned against the door frame. "I suppose I wanted to catch up. It's been a while."
Jacob nodded slowly, understanding. "Nothing much has changed here in Forks. Same old, same old… except for the Cullens moving in."
Edward's gaze sharpened at the mention of the Cullens. "The Cullens?"
Jacob nodded, his tone casual. "Yeah, they moved here a few years back. Doctor Cullen and his family. Nice enough folks, I guess. But..."
"But?" Edward prompted.
Jacob hesitated, then sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "It's probably nothing, just some old legends from the Quileute tribe. You know, the kind of stuff that sounds crazy when you say it out loud."
Edward's interest piqued, and he tilted his head. "Legends?"
Jacob chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, the kind of stories they used to tell us kids around the campfire. There's this old legend about 'Cold Ones'—vampires, essentially. The tribe believes they've been around forever, living among us, hidden."
Edward felt a chill run down his spine, but he kept his expression neutral. "And you think the Cullens…?"
Jacob snorted. "Nah, it's just old folklore. But my dad, Billy, he's always had this weird animosity towards them. He never really explained why, just mutters about them being 'dangerous' or something. Honestly, I don't get it."
Edward considered this, the gears in his mind turning as he recalled his own recent encounters. "That is strange," he murmured, more to himself than to Jacob.
Jacob noticed the distant look in Edward's eyes and shifted the conversation. "Anyway, how've you been? It's been... what, nine years since Bella…?"
Edward's jaw tightened, and he gave a curt nod. "I've been managing. Business has kept me busy, though I do miss Forks. It's strange being back, but I needed some time away from the city."
Jacob glanced at Edward's car, then back at him. "Well, if you ever need a distraction, I'm always around. Forks may be quiet, but it's home."
Edward offered a small, appreciative smile. "Thanks, Jacob. I'll keep that in mind."
Their conversation drifted into lighter topics as Jacob finished up with the car, and when the work was done, Edward paid him and climbed back into the driver's seat. He lingered for a moment, staring out at the shop, before pulling away and heading towards the center of town.
--
The bell above the door chimed softly as Edward entered the bookstore, its cozy interior filled with the scent of old paper and ink. The shelves were packed with books of all kinds, some worn and faded, others new and pristine. Edward moved with purpose, his mind focused on the task at hand.
He browsed through the aisles, his fingers brushing over the spines of books until he found the section he was looking for—mythology and folklore. Pulling out several volumes, he made his way to the small reading nook by the window and began to immerse himself in the world of legends.
Hours passed as Edward devoured the texts, flipping through pages filled with ancient stories about creatures of the night. The descriptions of the Cold Ones sent shivers down his spine—pale, marble-like skin, inhuman beauty, cold to the touch, and eyes that shifted in color depending on their hunger. It all felt disturbingly familiar.
His mind wandered back to his encounter with Carlisle Cullen at the hospital. The doctor's hands had been cool against his skin, his features almost too perfect, too refined. And Bella… Bella had looked so much like Carlisle in that vision—or was it a dream? He wasn't sure anymore. The resemblance was uncanny, and the more he thought about it, the more the pieces seemed to fall into place.
But could it really be possible? Was he losing his mind?
Edward shook his head, rubbing his temples as if to dispel the absurd thoughts. But the doubts remained, gnawing at him, compelling him to dig deeper.
He pulled out his phone and began searching the internet for more information. Websites and forums filled with conspiracy theories and folklore popped up, some ridiculous, others eerily convincing. The more he read, the more he began to question his own sanity. But something inside him, something deep and instinctual, urged him to continue.
The night had fallen by the time Edward left the bookstore, his mind a whirl of conflicting emotions and half-formed conclusions. He knew he couldn't let this go, not now. He needed answers—real answers.
As he walked back to his car, a new idea began to take shape. If the Cullens were indeed something more than just an ordinary family, if they were connected to the strange legends Jacob had mentioned, then there had to be a way to confirm it. Edward realized that simply reading about folklore wouldn't be enough—he needed to see the Cullens in person, to observe them up close.
But how could he do that without raising suspicion?
Edward leaned against the hood of his Volvo, thinking. He couldn't just show up at their house—it would be too obvious, too intrusive. Then, a memory surfaced: Forks High School. That's where the Cullens spent most of their time, among the students. It would be easy enough to blend in there, to watch them without drawing too much attention.
But what excuse could he use to visit the school? He couldn't just walk in and start asking questions; that would surely raise red flags. No, he needed a legitimate reason to be there—something that wouldn't seem out of place.
That's when the idea struck him: a donation. Edward had more than enough resources, and making a charitable contribution to the school would give him a perfect reason to visit. It would also put him in the good graces of the staff, allowing him to move freely without arousing suspicion.
The decision made, Edward climbed into his car and started the engine. The low hum of the motor seemed to match the steady rhythm of his thoughts. He would go to Forks High School, make a sizable donation, and use the opportunity to observe the Cullens. If there was something unusual about them, he was determined to find out.
--
The next morning, Edward found himself standing in front of Forks High School, the familiar building stirring up memories he'd long since buried. The campus was quiet, the school day already in progress, and he made his way to the front office, where Mrs. Cope greeted him warmly.
"Edward Masen! What a pleasant surprise!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in recognition.
Edward smiled, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Mrs. Cope, it's good to see you again."
She beamed, gesturing for him to come inside. "I heard about your parents. I'm so sorry, dear. They were such wonderful people."
"Thank you," Edward replied, his voice soft. "It's been a difficult time, but I'm doing my best to move forward."
Mrs. Cope nodded sympathetically, then her expression brightened as she continued, "What brings you back to Forks? Surely you haven't forgotten about us old folks?"
Edward chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "I could never forget. Actually, I was hoping to make a donation to the school—something to help out where it's needed."
Mrs. Cope's face lit up, and she quickly led him inside to discuss the details. As they walked through the halls, she updated him on the school's recent developments, including the generous donation made by Dr. Carlisle Cullen and the arrival of his adopted children.
"They arrived in the middle of the school year, but they've settled in quite nicely," Mrs. Cope remarked as they approached the cafeteria. "It's been a while since we had new students, especially ones as unique as the Cullens."
Edward's gaze drifted towards the cafeteria's entrance as he responded. "Unique?"
Mrs. Cope nodded, smiling fondly. "Oh, yes. They're a very close-knit family, and quite… striking, if you ask me. Pale skin, golden eyes—you wouldn't believe how many students are smitten with them."
Edward's heart skipped a beat as they stepped into the cafeteria. His eyes immediately locked onto a group of students sitting in the corner, their presence almost otherworldly. They were indeed pale, with an ethereal beauty that set them apart from everyone else in the room. But what struck him the most were their eyes—golden, just like Mrs. Cope had mentioned.
"Are those the Cullens?" Edward asked, his voice carefully neutral as he made what appeared to be a casual guess.
Mrs. Cope laughed lightly. "Why, yes, they are. Quite the sight, aren't they?"
As Edward continued to observe them, he noticed how the siblings suddenly stiffened, their posture becoming unnaturally still. It was as if they had heard every word spoken about them, despite the distance. A cold shiver ran down his spine as he remembered his research—Cold Ones had enhanced hearing, among other abilities.
Am I losing my mind? Edward wondered, his thoughts racing.
He forced himself to tear his gaze away, managing a polite smile for Mrs. Cope as she continued talking, oblivious to the tension that had settled over him. The rest of the tour passed in a blur, Edward's mind consumed by the unsettling realization that he might be on the brink of uncovering something far more sinister than he could have ever imagined.
As he left Forks High School, Edward knew he was no longer just searching for answers—he was searching for the truth about Bella, about the Cullens, and about the strange, hidden world that seemed to exist just beneath the surface of his own.
And he couldn't shake the feeling that he was dangerously close to finding it.
In this fic, Jacob hasn't shifted yet, or atleast not yet as the Cullens only moved two to forks two years ago.