Disclaimer: All recognizable characters are the property of SM.

/!\ Some parts of the story aren't suitable for a young audience. I'm responsible for what I write, not for what you read. Let's not focus on the original timeline of the books. I'm not gonna put a specific date.

Beta-reader is @cerealgoblin

"…theses crashing waves wash over me like a hurricane"

Elley Duhé - MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT

Chapter 6

Bella woke up still troubled by the intensity of her dream, where the waves in La Push had called to her endlessly with an urgency—intensity, that she couldn't rationally justify or comprehend. Her dream had made no sense to her, it left her uneasy, distraught and in a thin layer of sheen sweat.

Shaking off the lingering unease, she pushed herself out of bed, hoping that the routine of a bustling school day might help clear her mind. Bella dressed quickly and with the gray morning air outside matching her mood, she decided to dress in dreary dark colours, reflecting her inner turmoil, while she tried to convince herself that it was just a arbitrary dream—nothing more.

By the time Bella arrived at school, the feeling of being on edge hadn't fully left her body but she was determined to push through. The parking lot was hastily filling up with students and Bella noticed that while a few people glanced her way, the stares weren't as intense as the day before. Relief flooded through her.

Yesterday's encounters, especially with Edward Cullen; who she felt an imposing, dark nature from, still weighed heavily on her, though she couldn't quite understand why.

Perhaps it was her paranoia from last night, thinking someone was outside of her bedroom window, leaking into her personal experiences with people, here at school. Her dreams, her thoughts, her paranoia, her friends, people she's met; they all seemed to be blending together.

As Bella stepped out of her truck, she spotted Jessica and Angela waiting by the entrance to their high school. Their faces brightened up when they saw her approaching, and Bella managed a small smile in return.

It was nice, enjoyable and helped her confidence , to have someone familiar to walk into the school with. Jessica waved her over, and Bella quickened her pace..

"Hey, Bella!" Jessica greeted cheerfully. "It's your official second day here! You survived your first day!?"

Bella chuckled softly, though the memory of Edward's intense stare from yesterday still prickled at her thoughts.

"Barely," she admitted, her tone light but her thoughts elsewhere.

Angela smiled at her warmly. "You'll get used to it. Forks isn't that bad once you settle in."

Bella nodded, trying to believe that. "Yeah, I'm sure it'll be fine."

They started walking toward the building, and just as they reached the steps, Jessica leaned in closer to Bella, lowering her voice in a conspiratorial whisper.

"Hey, just so you know, Lauren's not here today. She's kind of… possessive about Mike, so she might act weird around you."

Bella blinked, caught off guard. "Mike? Who's that?"

Before Angela could respond, a blond guy appeared before the group of girls, jogging across the lot to catch up to them. He flashed Bella a wide grin.

"Hey, I'm Mike Newton. Nice to meet you, Bella." he said, almost too eagerly. "How's it going girls?"

"Fine," Bella replied, keeping her tone polite, while Angela and Jessica answered, but Bella's reply was a bit distant. She appreciated the welcome, but Mike's attention was a little overwhelming.

As they walked into the school, Mike kept pace with Bella, as they made small talk about their classes. Bella nodded and murmured responses, but her thoughts were elsewhere, still tangled in the strange sense that something was off. The memory of Edward's piercing gaze flashed in her mind, and she wondered if he'd be in class today.

As they reached their mathematics class, Bella was relieved to take her seat beside Angela, putting some distance between herself and Mike. Jessica and Mike sat a few rows ahead of Angela and Bella. As the teacher began the lesson, Bella found her thoughts drifting again, and she was totally unable to focus on the numbers and formulas being written on the board by her teacher. Her pencil hovered above her notebook, but her thoughts were elsewhere, tangled in a confusing web.

Bella glanced out of the corner of her eye at Angela, who was diligently taking notes. At least Angela seemed normal—quiet, kind, and easy to be around. Bella truly admired that about her, how she never seemed to force conversation but was always there, offering a subtle kind of support. It was a welcome contrast to the chaos storming in her own mind right now.

Halfway through the class, Bella's phone vibrated softly in her pocket, startling her out of her reverie. She discreetly pulled it out, expecting it to be Charlie or maybe a message from her mom. Instead, it was a text from Jessica.

He's totally into you. Just a heads-up! Lauren's going to flip when she finds out.

Bella sighed and tried to focus on the lesson, but her mind kept drifting. The teacher's voice faded into the background as she absentmindedly doodled in her notebook. She couldn't shake the feeling of being watched—again. It wasn't the same overwhelming scrutiny as the day before, but something lingered in the air, making her feel unsettled. She glanced around the room, but no one seemed to be paying her any special attention.

Was it just her imagination or was there really something—or someone—keeping an eye on her?

Her thoughts returned to the dream. The voice that had called her toward the water felt so real, so insistent. And then, there was the strange sense of danger. It wasn't the first time she'd had unsettling dreams, but this one felt different, like it was trying to tell her something. But what?

The bell rang, snapping Bella out of her thoughts. She gathered her things and headed to her next class with Angela and Mike trailing close behind.

The rest of the morning passed in a much similar way—Bella moving through her classes in a haze—trying to push away the strange feelings that kept creeping up on her. The curious and alluring glances from her classmates were still there, but they were less frequent, much less intense compared to Edward's stare. Still, Bella couldn't shake the feeling that someone—somewhere—was watching her closely.

–––

Lunch finally came around, Bella was still distracted, barely keeping up with the conversations Jessica and Angela were having as they slipped into the queue in the cafeteria.

"Bella, are you okay?" Angela asked, her soft voice cutting through Bella's thoughts.

Bella looked up, blinking as she realized she had been waiting her turn in the queue without her wallet.

"Yeah," she murmured. "I just… I think I left my wallet in the truck. I should probably go grab it."

Jessica frowned slightly, clearly about to offer to go with her, but Bella quickly stood up. "I'll be right back," she added before either of the girls could protest.

She made her way out of the cafeteria, her steps quick but careful, eager to clear her head with some fresh air. The cafeteria was warm, buzzing with the energy of dozens of students, and it made the feeling of being watched all the more suffocating.

As she stepped outside, the cool breeze of the Pacific Northwest hit her skin, grounding her a little. The gray sky above matched her mood perfectly—quiet, heavy, as if something was about to happen but not quite yet. Bella reached her truck and fumbled with the door, pulling it open to retrieve her wallet from the seat.

Just as she was about to head back to the cafeteria, she felt a strange prickle at the back of her neck, a sensation that made her heart skip a beat. She turned instinctively, her breath catching as she saw someone standing there—Rosalie Hale.

Bella had seen Rosalie from a distance a few times in school, always immaculate and untouchably beautiful, but never this close. Up close, Rosalie was breathtaking. Her long, golden hair framed her flawless face, shimmering even under the dull light of the overcast day. Her eyes, an unusual shade of honey, were sharp and intense, set against pale skin that seemed to almost glow. Rosalie's posture was elegant but somehow predatory, like a creature poised between beauty and danger.

Bella froze for a moment, unsure of what to say or do. She hadn't expected to run into Rosalie here, let alone have her standing so close. The tension between them was palpable, and Bella's heart began to race as Rosalie's eyes met hers, unblinking, calculating.

For a long, silent moment, Rosalie simply stared at her, her expression inscrutable. Bella couldn't tell if she was angry, curious, or something else entirely. There was something strange in the way Rosalie looked at her—like she was trying to figure something out, weighing a decision. Rosalie seemed worried, almost… conflicted.

Then, to Bella's surprise, Rosalie's face softened, just for an instant, a flicker of something gentler passing across her perfect features. It was so fleeting Bella wasn't even sure it had happened, but it left her breathless, her curiosity piqued.

"Bella," Rosalie's voice was low, quiet and though she spoke softly, but her voice came off like magic, melting everything else around them, closing them in like a bubble as she spoke. Rosalies voice was melodic, it sounded like wind chimes, her words carried a strange weight behind her words but Rosalie didn't stutter or whisper, her voice just glided out from her gorgeous lips and left Bella breathless and in shock. Her tone was hypnotic, smooth and controlled, but beneath it was a warning.

"You should be careful." She said next, in her high pitched, beautiful, melodic, hypnotic voice. Bella tried to focus on the meaning behnd Rosalie's words, what intentions she had to use such words, but she was so caught up in Rosalie's perfect articulation and melodic voice.

Bella blinked, confusion mixing with a strange sense of intrigue. "Careful?" she echoed, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rosalie's gaze didn't waver. "There are things you don't understand," she continued, her words deliberate, measured. "People you shouldn't get close to."

There was something in the way Rosalie said "people" that made Bella's skin prickle. It wasn't a threat, at least not directly, but there was an edge to it, as if she was telling Bella more than she was letting on. Bella could feel her pulse quickening, but not out of fear—there was something about Rosalie, something in the way she spoke, that drew Bella in, making her want to understand what she wasn't saying.

Before Bella could respond, Rosalie turned her head slightly, glancing around as if making sure no one was watching them. Then, with a grace that seemed almost unnatural, she began to walk away, her movements fluid and precise, as if she were floating rather than walking.

Bella stood there, watching her retreat, her mind racing. What had just happened? The encounter left her feeling unsteady, like she was teetering on the edge of some larger understanding, but couldn't quite grasp it.

Rosalie's words echoed in Bella's mind, "there are things you don't understand. People you shouldn't get close to".

Bella's thoughts ricocheted around in her head and heart beat fast as she slowly made her way back towards the cafeteria, her fingers tightening around her wallet in anxiety as she walked. Bella's dream from the last night, the strange tension she'd felt with Edward, and now Rosalie's cryptic warning—everything seemed to be spiralling into something she couldn't quite comprehend—but it was all connected,she could feel it in her bones.

By the time she re-entered the cafeteria, the noise and bustle of lunchtime hit her like a wave, but she was too preoccupied to notice anything around her. Bella was out of it when she stood in line again. She barely registered Jessica waving her over, and she sat down mechanically with her tray, her thoughts a million miles away.

"You alright, Bella?" Angela asked, her kind eyes scanning Bella's face with concern.

"Yeah, I just… got a little distracted," Bella replied, her voice sounding distant even to her own ears.

Jessica leaned in, her curiosity piqued. "What happened? You were gone for a while."

"I—" Bella hesitated, glancing around the table. It didn't feel right to bring up Rosalie's warning here, surrounded by chatter and laughter. "It's nothing," she said instead, forcing a smile. "Just needed some air."

Jessica gave her a doubtful look but didn't press further, turning back to a conversation with Mike, who was, once again, trying to get Bella's attention. But she wasn't interested in him—not in the slightest. Her mind was too busy trying to piece together the puzzle Rosalie had handed her.

As the afternoon dragged on, Bella found herself replaying the encounter over and over. Why had Rosalie spoken to her? Why now, and why the warning? It didn't make sense, especially given the way Rosalie usually acted—distant, cold, and aloof. This felt different, almost personal.

More than anything, Bella was left with a feeling she couldn't quite explain. For all of Rosalie's sternness, there had been something protective in her tone. Like she had been trying to warn Bella not out of hostility, but out of concern.

Bella couldn't help but wonder if Rosalie was looking out for her, in some way.

The thought both comforted and confused her.

As the school day finally came to a close, Bella found herself walking slowly toward her truck, her mind still consumed with questions. She scanned the parking lot, half-expecting to see Rosalie again, but she was nowhere in sight. Forks was already full of mysteries, and now Rosalie Hale was one more added to the list.

———

As Bella left the school building, she walked toward her truck, her mind heavy with the events of the day. It had been strange from the start of her first day—her bizarre dream, Rosalie, Emmet and Edward acting strange around her, the cryptic warning from Rosalie, and the feeling that she was being watched; all of it simmered right beneath the surface; raging musings that kept bubbling higher the more she let herself think.. .

But for a few moments, as she crossed the parking lot, the fresh air; that smelled of pine tree's, the ocean, dew and earth helped clear her head. She took a deep breath, grounding herself as she walked.

Just as she reached her truck something—someone—caught her eye. A small figure standing near a sleek silver car. Bella froze, her gaze drawn immediately to the girl standing there. The girl was striking, with short black hair styled in spikes that framed her delicate, almost elfin face and she had a short, petite frame. But it was her eyes that truly captivated Bella; golden, brilliant, and unsettlingly familiar—the same colour as the rest of the Cullen's eyes..

Bella blinked, her heart skipping a beat. The girl's appearance triggered something deep in her memory, a feeling that she couldn't quite place. It was as though she had seen her before, but not here. No, it was something else—something older, something like… a dream. A wave of confusion washed over her, and for a split second, Bella wondered if she was still dreaming now, if perhaps she'd never truly woken up that morning.

The girl was watching Bella closely, a small, enigmatic smile playing on her lips. There was something knowing in her gaze, something that made Bella feel as if this girl could see straight through her, as if she knew every thought, every fear, every question that had been haunting Bella since she'd arrived in Forks.

The feeling—sensation was disorienting, not frightening. Instead, Bella felt a strange pull toward the girl, an invisible thread drawing Bella to her.

And then Bella noticed him.

Standing just beside the short girl with dark hair was a tall, lean figure, his posture relaxed but his presence intense. He was beautiful in a way that made Bella's breath catch. His blond hair was a little longer than she would have expected, tousled in a way that made it look both effortless and deliberate in wavy curls. His skin, pale like the girl's, contrasted with the sharp, sculpted lines of his jaw and cheekbones. But it was his eyes that held her captive—like hers, they were golden, but darker, more intense, as if they held secrets that Bella could never hope to uncover.

Bella's heart pounded in her chest, the rhythm quickening as she continued to stare at him. There was something about him—something that stirred a deep, almost primal reaction inside her. An attraction so immediate, so overwhelming, that it left her feeling light-headed. Bella had never felt anything like this before.

Edward had intrigued her, sure, but this… this was different. There was no mystery in it, no confusion. It was a pure, undeniable pull, a force that seemed to exist between them without words, without understanding. Just a heartbeat and a glance.

The boy didn't say anything. He didn't need to. His eyes held hers for a moment longer before they flickered away quickly as if he was deliberately breaking the connection. Bella felt the loss immediately, a hollow space where his gaze had been. She had never been drawn to someone like this before, and the intensity of it left her shaken.

He stood silently beside the girl, his expression calm, almost serene. Despite the intensity of her reaction to him, there was an odd sense of peace radiating from him, like he carried an invisible barrier that kept the storm of her thoughts at bay. Bella found herself unconsciously relaxing in his presence, the tension in her shoulders easing as she watched him. His silence spoke volumes, and yet Bella felt like she understood him more in that moment than she had ever understood anyone else.

The girl—petite and impossibly graceful—tilted her head slightly, still smiling at Bella with that knowing look. She glanced at the man beside her as if sharing a private thought, and then back at Bella.

"It's becoming clearer now," the girl murmured, her voice soft, almost as if she was talking to herself. Bella barely caught the words, but the meaning behind them slipped past her understanding. Clearer? What did she mean?

Before Bella could ask, the short girl's smile widened slightly, but she said nothing more. It wasn't a cold smile, but rather one of quiet amusement, as if she found Bella's confusion endearing. The girl's gaze lingered for a second longer, and then she turned to leave, the man beside her following her in silence as they gracefully drifted away, into their flashy cars.

Bella stood rooted to the spot, watching them walk away with effortless grace toward their car. She felt a strange sense of loss as they disappeared from view as if something important had just slipped through her fingers before she even had a chance to hold onto it.

Her mind raced. Who were they? She had never seen them around the school before. Now, after this brief encounter, she couldn't get them out of her head.

And that man… Bella's heart still fluttered at the memory of him. She had never experienced such an immediate, visceral attraction to someone before, and it left her feeling both exhilarated and unsteady.

Her thoughts flickered back to Edward for a brief moment, but the connection she had with him felt… different. Edward intrigued her, frustrated her at times with his intense stares and cryptic behavior, but it she never felt this feeling from his presence. She had never felt this kind of pull toward Edward. This pull, that seemed to tether her to that boy with blonde curls and golden eyes was unique, it's own.

This boy, whoever he was—there was something magnetic about him. Something that made Bella want to know everything about him. She shook her head, trying to focus, but her thoughts were spinning in too many directions. The girl had said something—something about things becoming clearer. But what?

Bella felt more lost than ever.

She glanced back toward the school building, her stomach churning with the need to understand. Deep down, Bella knew that these weren't answers she would find easily.

There was something different about them—about all of the Cullens. She had felt it from the beginning, a kind of otherworldliness that set them apart from everyone else. And now, after seeing the girl and the man up close, that feeling about them had only intensified.

As she slid into the driver's seat of her truck, Bella's mind continued to whirl. The sensation of being watched still clung to her, though now it felt more personal, more direct. Had the girl been watching her before? Had she noticed something about Bella that no one else could see…because it felt that way.

Her heart still raced as she started the engine, the image of the man's golden eyes lingering in her thoughts. There was something about him that had felt so familiar, like she had known him for a lifetime, even though she had never spoken a word to him.

The connection between them, brief as it had been, felt undeniable.

As she drove away from the school, the rain began to fall, lightly at first, then in a steady rhythm against her truck's windshield. The world outside blurred into gray, but Bella's mind stayed fixed on those eyes—golden, intense, and filled with something she couldn't yet name.

———

Edward's pov

Edward sat at the edge of his bed, his fingers drumming rhythmically against the polished wood. The room was cloaked in shadows, the faint glow from the window casting a muted light across his face.

He could hear the distant sounds of Forks—a quiet town that seemed oblivious to the tempest brewing within him. The weight of the world felt heavy on his shoulders, and he couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped between two lives: one built on centuries of devotion to Alice, the other drawn towards the magnetic pull of Bella Swan.

The image of Bella lingered in his mind, uninvited but persistent. Her brown hair framed her face, her wide eyes—innocent yet filled with an inexplicable allure—had captured his attention in a way he never thought possible. He had never felt this way about anyone, let alone a human. It was as if she possessed some ancient, primal energy that called to him, igniting desires he had thought long buried beneath his layers of control and discipline.

"Edward?" Alice's voice broke through the thick haze of his thoughts, and he turned to see her standing at the doorway. She looked ethereal, her dark hair falling around her shoulders in soft waves, her golden eyes glinting with a mixture of concern and understanding. It was a look he had seen many times before, yet this time it felt different, laden with unspoken words.

"Are you okay?" Alice asked him quietly, her voice still sounding like music to him years later but not entraping him to think solely of her like her voice used to.

Her question hung in the air like an unsolved puzzle. He wanted to assure her, to tell her that everything was fine, but the truth clawed at his insides. He was anything but okay.

"I'm fine," he replied, his voice strained, betraying the turmoil within.

Alice stepped closer, her gaze piercing through his façade. She could sense his unease, perhaps even the conflicting emotions swirling inside him.

"You're not fine," she said gently. "I can feel it."

Edward sighed, running a hand through his tousled hair.

"It's just… complicated." He glanced away, unable to meet her gaze.

The guilt washed over him in waves, an unforgiving tide. How could he explain this burgeoning attraction to Bella without betraying everything he had built with Alice? The thought made his stomach churn.

Alice moved closer, her presence soothing andyet electrifying at the same time.

"Complicated how?" she pressed, her tone softening as she tried to penetrate the walls he had erected around his feelings.

Edward struggled to find the right words. The air hung heavy with unspoken emotions. He was glad that Jasper was not around right now, to read his mood. A storm within him raged, a tempest of emotions.

"I can't stop thinking about a girl., Isabella Swan. " he finally admitted, the name, Isabella Swan, slipping from his lips like a confession.

Alice's heart clenched, a familiar ache settling in her chest. She had known this day would come, a premonition woven into the threads of her future visions. Edward's golden eyes, usually filled with centuries-old wisdom, now held a bewildered, almost desperate, yearning.

"There's something about her that draws me in, and I don't understand it." he continued, his voice a low rumble. He hadn't even mentioned her scent, the captivating aroma that filled his senses whenever she was near, a scent that was simultaneously grounding and intoxicating.

Alice's expression shifted, a mix of sympathy and pain . mirrored in her own golden eyes. Edward, her Edward, the vampire who had shared her eternity, was being pulled towards a human girl. A girl who was, in Alice's vision, a flicker of light amidst the impending storm.

They had been lovers for centuries, a bond forged in the chaos of their immortal lives. Alice had always understood Edward, his melancholy, his yearning for connection, his fear of his own power. But this was different. This was a force neither of them had encountered before.

"You've seen her in your visions, haven't you? You knew that something was coming." growled out Edward, angry at the turbulent emotions brewing inside him that he wished would just stay stoic, stuck in time like his body, stoically in love with Alice.

"Yes," she admitted, frustration creeping into her voice.

" I didn't expect this… this overwhelming pull towards her. It's like nothing I've ever felt before." The raw honesty of his admission hung heavy between them.

"Edward," she said softly, her voice low and melodic. She grab his face and their eyes encountered each other.

"You can't control how you feel. What you're experiencing doesn't diminish what we have. You love me, and I love you. That's what all matters."

His heart—a contradiction of a non-heart—felt heavy with the weight of her words. But the truth was more complicated than that. The magnetic pull of Bella was something he couldn't simply dismiss. It terrified him, and that fear manifested as a deep sense of betrayal toward Alice.

"But I shouldn't feel this way about her. It feels like I'm betraying you just by thinking about her."

Alice stepped closer, taking his hands in hers. "You're not betraying me. It's okay to feel drawn to her. We can't control who we are attracted to. It's part of being alive, Edward, even for us."

He shook his head, pulling away slightly. "It's not that simple. I've spent decades learning to control my urges. I promised you—"

"I know what you promised," she interjected gently. "But sometimes, life throws us unexpected challenges. This is just another one of those challenges."

Her voice was calm, yet he could feel the underlying tension. She was struggling too, torn between understanding his feelings and wanting to protect their relationship.

The memory of Bella's wide, doe-like eyes flashed in his mind. He could still picture her expression from the first time he had seen her in the cafeteria, her shock evident when she'd noticed him.

"It's not just a passing infatuation," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"There's something deeper, something I can't explain." Edward said with his eyebrows creased as he franticly ran a hand through his hair, an unnecessary gesture but one that was an attempt to tame the storm brewing within him.

He'd never felt this way before, a whirlwind of emotions centred around a woman who was as bright and captivating as a summer sunrise. Her name was Isabela Swan, and she'd unknowingly woven herself into the very fabric of his existence.

Alice, his long-time friend and confidante, watched him with a mix of concern and understanding. Their relationship, built on years of shared love, companionship, laughter and comfort, was something sacred. He wouldn't intentionally jeopardize it, yet…

"Then you need to figure it out," Alice replied, her expression softening. "But I trust you. You won't hurt her and you won't hurt me."

The words were a lifeline, a beacon in the swirling mist of his confusion. He clung to them, desperate for the reassurance they offered. Yet, a sliver of doubt, sharp and cold, pierced through the fragile hope.

"How can you be so sure?" he questioned, a sharp edge to his voice. "I don't even know if I can trust myself right now."

His own words hung heavy in the air, a stark admission of his vulnerability. He was an immortal man who prided himself on his control, his ability to navigate the complexities of life with a cool head and a steady hand.

But Isabella Swan—Bella had shattered that composure, leaving him adrift in a sea of unfamiliar emotions.

Alice reached up, her fingers brushing against his cheek, grounding him. "You're stronger than this, Edward. You've fought battles that would break most. Just remember who you are. I believe in you."

Her faith in him was a double-edged sword. It buoyed him, yet it also intensified his feelings of inadequacy. He took a deep breath, trying to absorb her words.

"I just don't know what to do."

"Focus on us," Alice said firmly. "We've been through so much together. I won't let you go easily."

Her words stirred something deep within him—a longing to be the man she believed him to be.

"You mean everything to me, Alice," he replied, his voice low, filled with sincerity. "You're my anchor in this chaotic existence."

"And Bella?" she asked, her gaze searching his.

"I'm drawn to her. I can't deny it." The honesty felt liberating, yet heavy. He was caught in a web of emotions, and every strand threatened to entangle him further.

Alice sighed, a sound laced with resignation. "You'll have to navigate this, Edward. Just promise me you won't act on it impulsively. This… this feeling, with her, this human, it's a part of you, not a flaw. Figure it out, and understand it, but don't let it scare you. Take your time. I'll be here for you."

Her words resonated within him, slowly chipping away at the icy barrier of fear. He was still uncertain, still grappling with the intensity of his emotions for this human girl. Was it love? Was it obsession? He didn't know. But he knew one thing for certain - he had to tread carefully, to be honest with himself and with the one woman whose trust he held so dear; Alice.

"I promise," he replied, though doubt gnawed at him. The promise felt fragile, like a thin thread that could snap at any moment. He didn't know how to handle these new emotions or what they meant for his relationship with Alice.

Just then, a vision flashed before Alice's eyes, a fleeting moment that left her momentarily dazed. She blinked rapidly, shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts.

"I saw something," she murmured, her voice distant.

"What did you see? I didn't catch anything. " Edward pressed, concern flooding his system.

She looked up at him, her expression grave.

"There's a storm coming. You need to be careful." Alice breathed out.

It was unlike Alice to be so vague, so hesitant. She, with her gift of foresight, rarely stumbled. This was different, something ominous and unsettling.

"Careful of what?" His heart raced, a familiar sense of dread settling over him.

She hesitated, searching for the right words. "Of your feelings. Of Bella. There are forces at play that we don't fully understand yet."

Edward's stomach twisted. "What do you mean? Is she in danger?"

"No," Alice reassured him quickly. "But there are complications, things we can't control. Just keep your distance for now. It's the safest option."

He nodded, but the thought of keeping his distance from Bella felt like a punishment.

"It's a temporary measure. I promise," Alice added, her voice firm. "Just until we know more. You have to trust me."

As the weight of her words sank in, Edward felt a strange mixture of relief and frustration. He wanted to trust Alice, but the thought of denying his feelings for Bella gnawed at him. Would it be enough to keep everyone safe?

With a heavy heart, he made a decision.

"I'll try. For you." Edward told her.

Edward would try for Alice. But he would also try for the balance. The choices he made now would determine the future and he had to keep things on course. His life with Alice was his future, not this yearning for a mere human whose life he could drastically change if she knew the truth.

She smiled softly, and for a moment, he felt the tension ease. "That's all I ask. Just remember, we're in this together. Always."

As Alice stepped back, Edward felt the distance between them grow, even if only slightly. The air was charged with unspoken tension, a delicate balance between love and longing, loyalty and desire. The thought of Bella lingered in his mind, a reminder of the complicated reality he faced.

And as he watched Alice retreat to her room, he felt an unsettling certainty settle over him. He was walking a tightrope between two worlds, and the ground beneath him felt more unstable, unbalanced with every passing moment.

He ran a hand through his hair again, frustration boiling within him. How had everything become so complicated? Just days ago, life had been manageable, and predictable.

Now, it felt like a storm was brewing, ready to sweep away everything he held dear. And in the eye of that storm was Isabella Bella Swan, the unexpected tempest that had upended his existence.

As Edward leaned against the doorframe, he knew he had to confront these feelings head-on. He couldn't let the fear of losing Alice cloud his judgment or dictate his actions. But neither could he ignore the strange connection he felt toward Bella. The world felt as if it were shifting beneath his very feet, and he felt as if he was left grasping for a stability in a life that had suddenly turned invisible.

Stability wasn't there, like it had usually been. Edward's life had become all too chaotic.

He took a deep breath, a false necessity because he didn't need air or to inhale but the action groundedgrounding himhimself in thatthe moment.

Edward had chosen Alice. He had chosen to have a life with her. Their love wasn't magic, they worked at being there for each other, always.

For Alice, for their love;, he would fight this battle warring within him. But deep down, he knew the struggle was far from over. It was only just beginning.

Hello, this is user-arabella

I hope you enjoyed this chapter. The next chapters will be more jasper/bella. For the moment, im setting all this. Thanks for reading, for reviewing and liking. I like all so much. Thanks to cerealgoblin who made a wonderful job again.