The morning light crept in like a quiet whisper, brushing over Bella's skin in soft gold, the world outside gradually waking to life. Wrapped in Edward's arms, she savored the warmth and safety of his embrace, a stillness she could only find here. But as she moved slightly, an unfamiliar weight tugged at her. She placed her hand on her stomach, her fingers grazing a firm, rounded shape.

Her breath caught, shock flooding her senses as she realized that overnight, her stomach had swelled, now unmistakably full. It wasn't possible—not this quickly. And yet, here it was.

"Edward," she whispered, her voice trembling. She turned to him, her eyes wide and searching, and he opened his eyes, his gaze shifting from sleepy warmth to shock as he registered the change.

"Bella… how…?" he murmured, reaching out to place a cautious hand on her stomach.

Before they could fully process the overwhelming reality of the situation, the door opened, and the rest of the Cullens filed in, drawn by the sudden tension. Alice's hand flew to her mouth. "This isn't normal," she murmured, her gaze darting between Bella and Edward. "Even for us."

Carlisle stepped forward, his face calm but serious. "The hybrid nature of your transformation must be affecting the pregnancy," he said, his voice steady but full of concern.

Bella felt a wave of nausea hit her, a sharp pain twisting through her insides. She placed a hand on her stomach, struggling to stay calm, but the pain turned dark, pulsing through her body.

"Bella?" Charlie's voice echoed from outside the room, full of worry. "What's going on?"

Edward opened the door to let him in. The sight of Bella's transformed body left Charlie frozen, his face a mixture of shock and confusion. "Bella, what…?" He shook his head, struggling to process. "Why didn't you tell me this was happening?"

Bella reached out, her voice thick with emotion. "Dad, I didn't know. I didn't expect…" Her words faded as another wave of pain tore through her, her knees buckling slightly.

Suddenly, a figure appeared at the doorway—a young girl with wide, fearful eyes, standing tense as a blade pressed against Charlie's neck. The Cullens froze, Bella's heart racing as she saw the terrified look on her father's face.

The girl stepped forward, pushing Charlie with her, her face betraying a mix of desperation and regret. She looked at Bella, the conflict clear in her expression. "If you come with us," she said, her voice trembling, "he goes free."

Bella's hands shook as she looked at the girl. "You don't have to do this," she whispered. "You don't have to hurt him. Please."

The girl's gaze faltered, her lips pressing into a thin line. "I wish I didn't. But if I don't… they'll kill my family. I don't have a choice." Her voice wavered, barely holding back the weight of fear that echoed in her words.

Edward's body stiffened, his eyes locked on Bella, silently pleading, desperate to protect her and Charlie both. But Bella knew what she had to do. Her family was on the line, and she could feel the intensity of her father's fear.

Charlie's voice, thick with emotion, cut through the room. "Bella, listen to me." He stepped forward, his gaze not leaving her. "It's okay. You don't have time to think about me. You have to go. Your children… they need you. I'll be okay, Bells. I'll be okay."

His words hit Bella like a wave, crashing over her heart. "Dad, no, I can't—" Her voice trembled with the fear of losing him, but Charlie's look softened, his eyes full of love and resignation.

"I'll be alright," he repeated, his voice steady despite the knife at his throat. "You need to make sure they're safe. I'm proud of you, Bella. Always have been."

Her chest tightened as the weight of his sacrifice settled in. Bella wiped away a tear that had slipped down her cheek, her throat tight with emotion. "I love you, Dad," she whispered, knowing this might be the last time she could say it.

The girl—Veronica—nodded sharply, a flicker of gratitude in her eyes. She removed the knife from Charlie's neck, but her hand was still trembling. "Come with me, now," she commanded, her voice a little firmer now.

Bella swallowed hard, her pain almost unbearable. "Let him go. I'll go. Just let him go," she said, the words leaving her lips with more resolve than she felt.

Veronica's gaze softened just a fraction before she stepped toward Bella. Without another word, she gripped Bella's arm tightly, and the world around them began to blur. The room dissolved into nothingness, the familiar walls of the Cullen house vanishing as they were pulled through the air.

Bella gasped as the world shifted violently, the cold, damp air of the forest hitting her senses as they materialized in a secluded part of the woods. Her stomach lurched, and the pain coursing through her worsened. She stumbled forward, struggling to stay on her feet. Veronica caught her by the arm, but Bella's vision was starting to fade.

"Veronica," Bella whispered, her voice weak and desperate. "You don't have to do this. You can be free. There's a way out of this. You don't have to keep running."

Veronica's eyes flickered with doubt, her expression faltering for a moment. "I wish I could… but I don't have a choice," she murmured. "If I don't do this, they'll kill my family. I'm doing this for them, not for me."

But Bella didn't have the strength to argue. The pain in her body was overwhelming now, and she felt the cold creep into her bones as her blood seeped out in dangerous amounts. "Please…" Bella whispered, but the words slipped away as her knees buckled beneath her.

Veronica's eyes widened, and she rushed to catch Bella as she collapsed, but it was too late. Bella's vision blurred, and darkness swept over her. The last thing she remembered was Veronica's soft voice, calling her name, but even that seemed to fade as the world went black.

Meanwhile, Back at the Cullen House

Jacob's muscles were tense, his eyes darting from the Cullens to Veronica as she vanished with Bella. He hadn't expected the overwhelming force of the imprinting when his gaze locked with hers. It wasn't just a connection—this was something ancient, deep. His heart began to race, his instincts fighting against his mind's protest. He knew the sensation, the overwhelming need to protect and claim.

Veronica was his.

Time seemed to slow down as he stared at her, her wide eyes filled with fear and uncertainty, and his pulse pounded in his chest. The forest around them seemed to disappear, leaving only her. He barely heard Leah's angry growl, a sharp snap of her teeth. He couldn't look away from Veronica, his entire being caught in the powerful pull of the imprint.

"Jacob…" Leah's voice was raw, hurt. It was as if the world had shifted on its axis. The jealousy, the pain of his gaze turning to another woman, cut through her with a force she couldn't control.

"Jacob!" Leah snapped, fury lacing her tone. "Not now! This isn't the time."

Jacob barely registered her words, his gaze still fixed on Veronica as she began to fade into the distance, taking Bella with her. His body itched to move, to protect, to get to her. He barely resisted the urge to chase after them, to fight against the need to act.

"I… I'm sorry, Leah," he murmured, but his voice was distant, almost apologetic. The bond with Veronica was already cemented in his heart, in his very soul, and Leah's pain was just another echo in his mind.

But none of that mattered anymore. Veronica, the girl who had been forced into this life, the one who was now tied to his very existence, was his responsibility. And he would protect her, no matter what.

--

Dear Readers,

Thank you all so much for your constant support! Your feedback and enthusiasm mean the world to me, and I'm so grateful for each of you. Writing this story wouldn't be the same without you.

If you enjoyed this chapter, I'd love to hear your thoughts! Feel free to comment and share what you think—it really helps keep me motivated and inspired.

Thank you again for being a part of this journey. I appreciate you more than you know!

With love,

-d