Jasper sat in the scorching Texas sun, sweat beading on his forehead as he read the text from Carlisle. His mind was racing, thoughts of the young man he had seen in Forks consuming him. Peter and Charlotte were busy gathering information, but all Jasper could think about were the possible grandbabies out there waiting for him after he turned.

He had promised to help Carlisle with Bella and her vampire transformation, but when it came down to it, his loyalty to his family blood would always come first. He would sacrifice anything to ensure the survival of his own kin, even if it meant letting Bella and her companions die a painful death.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Jasper turned to see Peter walking towards him.

"What did you find out?" Jasper asked anxiously.

Peter sat down beside him and handed over a folder filled with pictures.

"The Dutton family children are all seedlings," Peter answered. "And they're your grandbabies, Mayor. Their names are Lee, Elisabeth - who goes by Beth - and the youngest, Kayce. He's the one you saw up in Forks."

Jasper's heart raced as he flipped through the photos, finally stopping on a rough-looking cowboy standing next to Beth in most of her pictures.

"That's Rip Clearwater," Jasper said with shock.

"No, he's not Henry Clearwater's son. He's his nephew," Peter revealed. "His father was a drunk who beat Rip's mother and siblings to death over twenty years ago. It's likely that Henry took him in for the best chance at a normal life. And now we know that Rip is also a seedling."

Jasper nodded, processing this new information.

"Mayor, I found something else about the seedlings," Peter said urgently. "They can grow up and live normal lives, but once they start to transition into vampires or other supernatural beings, they are triggered by being around those like them."

The mayor's face paled. "Peter, isn't Jamie a seedling too? My grandson?"

Peter nodded grimly. "Yes, Mayor, but he was adopted. And I believe he is trouble."

A sideways glance from the mayor prompted Peter to continue.

"He's become food for Cher and myself."

The mayor's eyes widened in shock. "That bad?"

"Yeah," Peter confirmed. "We need to pay Jamie a visit before he takes things too far."

(Back at the Dutton Ranch)

Two ominous black 3500 trucks pulled up to the ranch house that had been in the Dutton family for over 120 years. John Dutton was by the corral when he noticed the trucks. Rip emerged from the barn just in time to see Kayce's truck pull up.

"It looks like Kayce is back, sir," Rip announced.

John gave him a questioning look. "And the other truck?"

"That would be Cullen's," Rip replied.

"Sir, may I suggest letting the Cullen brothers stay in the former house instead of the bunkhouse?" Rip continued.

John surveyed his land from the corral before responding. "I'll test them, Rip. But I fear I may have gone about this all wrong. They recently bought up land worth 500 billion dollars around here, much of it right next to our ranch. Jamie seems convinced that they will try to make a play for our land."

Rip shook his head incredulously. "With all due respect, sir, Jamie is talking out of both sides of his mouth as he himself has been talking to a wealthy developer about selling off parts of our land. Plus, have you seen what the Cullens have already done to Danny's land? They are building rustic stone barns, reconstructing the golf course into a farm and grazing area for their animals. They even have man-made water streams to water their cattle. It seems they want Kayce to marry their sister Elsa in order to get our land. But if they truly wanted it, wouldn't there be an easier way?"

John Dutton felt a pang of shame at realizing he had let Jamie manipulate his thoughts about the Cullens. "But they can still stay in the bunkhouse. I'll make sure they feel welcome."

As they spoke, they heard Kayce talking with Beth and three other sets of footsteps approaching. Turning around, they saw a strikingly beautiful woman with long black hair standing next to Kayce, a tall blond man beside Beth, and a towering redhead next to him.

"Daddy, look who I found," Beth announced happily.

John chuckled as he examined the newcomers. "I see you found your brother, but I'm not familiar with the others."

Kayce grinned mischievously at his sister's dismayed expression. "Dad, this is my fiancée Elsa Cullen. And these are her brothers Carlisle (who prefers to be called Carl) and Jon."

As Kayce introduced them, John and Rip offered their hands for handshakes but gave Elsa a warm hug.

"Guys, this is my father, John Dutton, and my sister's boyfriend, Rip," Kayce proudly said.

John couldn't help but feel a sense of unease at the thought of an alliance between his son and the powerful Cullen family.

Kayce's eyes widen as he spots a majestic black Mustang stallion grazing on his food. The sound of ripping hay and crunching oats fills the air as Kayce turns to his father with excitement.

"Is that a Mustang? How on earth did you afford one? I thought we were sticking to Jamie's budget and getting a Quarter Horse." His voice is filled with awe and admiration.

But before John Dutton can respond, Elsa's sweet voice cuts through the conversation like a sharp knife.

"Oh, Aries looks so at home here."

Confusion clouds Kayce's face as he glances between Elsa, Carlisle, and Jon. He can't help but laugh when he realizes that Carlisle must have left before finding out about the new addition to their ranch.

"You played the hero before even knowing about your own horse? Man, you really do love my sister. I should be offended by that, but I can't bring myself to because I know how much she means to you. Do you feel bad about leaving me out though?" Carlisle teases with a grin.

Jon shakes his head before chiming in jokingly.

"Damn, he must be good in bed if he got a horse too. Looks like that's the key to getting horses these days. We've been doing things all wrong, brother."

Carlisle snaps his fingers at Jon playfully.

"That's it! That's what we've been doing wrong all this time. Think of all the rich ladies we could have charmed with horses by now."

Beth joins in on the teasing, her sassy personality shining through.

"But wait, she's not even old enough to be considered a "rich lady". You usually have to be old for that kind of thing. Can't call you a cougar then, Elsa."

John Dutton and Rip can't contain their laughter, chuckling along with the group as they give Kayce a hard time.

"But wait, there's no ring on this finger yet. How do we know if my hunt was successful? I don't have a mountain over my fireplace yet." Kayce jokes, causing John and Rip to practically double over with laughter.

He pulls Elsa closer to him by the waist, giving her a loving kiss on the lips before turning to check out his new horse in the crowd.

"Hey Rip, can you grab my saddle?" Kayce asks, already itching to ride his new stallion.

"Of course. Should I get other horses saddled up for you all too? Can the Cullens ride?" Rip asks, genuinely curious as he's met many horse owners who know very little about actually riding them.

Kayce laughs at the question before responding confidently.

"They're gold medalists, Rip. They've won gold in all three equestrian events at the Olympics. And even more impressive, Elsa has a gold medal in every discipline from barrel racing to fancy dressage and rodeo."

Rip nods, slightly impressed but also making a joke.

"Well, if they fall off their high horse, don't blame me."

Kayce eagerly showed Elsa and her brothers around the vast ranch as they rode on horseback, with Arise galloping ahead. John Dutton and Rip followed close behind, while Kayce and Elsa were a little ways ahead. As they enjoyed the scenery, John brought up the topic that Carlisle had been wanting to discuss with him.

"So, what did you want to talk about, Carlisle? I know Kayce mentioned it during our trip down to Texas."

Carlisle glanced at John before looking straight ahead.

"It's about the potential marriage between the Duttons and the Cullens. I am unsure about American customs when it comes to weddings and marriages, but I do have knowledge of Scottish nobility."

John listened intently as Carlisle explained, but Rip couldn't help but interject with his questions.

"Can you please explain what you mean by wedding customs?"

"Well, things like dowry and a test of purity to ensure there are no rejections in the marriage. As head of my household, it is my responsibility to make sure everything goes smoothly, even with the short time frame we have."

John and Rip shared the same thought - they didn't need all those formalities.

"We don't need a dowry or purity test. Let's just plan for the wedding," John replied firmly. To him, those practices seemed like selling off their sister, Elsa.

Carlisle looked to John for a few moments before responding.

"I wish it were that simple. If we don't follow some formal customs, it could be seen as a fake marriage. The Queen's son would think we are trying to deceive him, so we need to come up with something that will satisfy all parties involved."

John gave Carlisle a puzzled look.

"Why would the prince care how we handle things?" he asked, confusion evident in his voice.

Carlisle gave a dismissive look before answering.

"He doesn't, but his boyfriend, Lord York, does. And the prince always makes sure his boyfriend gets whatever he wants. Right now, York wants my sister Elsa."

John Dutton's eyes narrow as he begins to fully understand the gravity of the situation. This is no longer just about following traditions or proving a point; this is about survival and showing strength. He sees a reflection of himself in Carlisle, a man who is willing to do whatever it takes to protect his family, even if it means stooping to degrading practices.

"So what exactly does this purity test entail, and where are we going to perform it?" John's tone is now filled with curiosity and a hint of apprehension. Rip tilts his head curiously, sensing the seriousness of the conversation.

Carlisle falls into silence for a moment before speaking again.

"The purity test is usually conducted at the engagement party, in front of everyone. We will need sacred land, preferably near water and trees, to perform it. It must be done at night, under the cover of darkness but with enough light so that all can witness. We will set up a large tent and close it off from prying eyes. Inside will be lit, but outside will remain dark to create an illusion of privacy. We will bring in a midwife from a respected nunnery in the UK to lead the ceremony. As for witnesses on your side, you will need two trusted females. While we trust our own sisters for this role, I understand if you do not have any female relatives available." Rip speaks up with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation when Carlisle mentions using sisters as witnesses. John Dutton's eyes narrow as he begins to understand the true intention behind this marriage ceremony. It's not just about tradition, it's a show of power and control. A way for the Cullen Family to assert their dominance over others. John can see himself in Carlisle, a young man willing to do whatever it takes to protect his own family. But now, he sees them as too similar to his own, willing to degrade themselves for their own gain.

"So what other twisted customs do we have to endure? And what is this so-called purity test?" John's voice drips with sarcasm, but there is an underlying tone of curiosity and apprehension. Rip, standing beside him, tilts his head curiously.

Carlisle remains silent for a moment before finally speaking. "The purity test is usually done at the engagement party, in front of everyone. We will need sacred land for this, a place that meets specific criteria: lack of water, nearby trees, signs of life...the elements." Carlisle glances around at the barren landscape, a smirk playing on his lips. "This land seems suitable enough."

"I don't know if I like where this is going," John mutters under his breath, already regretting agreeing to this alliance.

"We will need a midwife from my sisterhood back in the UK to officiate the ritual," Carlisle continues. "And two trusted female witnesses from your side."

Rip speaks up, a frown forming on his face. "Sisters? You mean nuns?"

Carlisle nods solemnly. "Yes. They are the most trustworthy and pure women I know." His words send shivers down John's spine, and he can't help but wonder what kind of twisted test they have planned for his daughter's purity.

Jon and Carlisle exchange a quick, knowing glance as the topic of sisters is brought up. Their expressions turn to shock as they realize the group doesn't understand what they mean by sisters. Jon speaks up to clarify, but his words are met with surprise and confusion from John Dutton.

As they continue riding on horseback, Carlyle shares more about their religion, shocking both John and Rip with their strict beliefs on purity and marriage. The two cowboys can't help but feel grateful that Beth had suggested her sister try to court one of them instead of having to deal with these old-fashioned customs.

Rip's question about whether or not they have had their "cherry popped" only adds to the tension in the air. Jon laughs at the absurdity before explaining how these customs prevent any unexpected pregnancies and ensure legitimate children.

John tries to move on from the uncomfortable conversation by asking about the engagement party, but even that topic is fraught with difficulty. There are schedules to coordinate and a location to decide on, all while navigating the complications of their different religions and cultures. This wedding is shaping up to be quite a challenge for everyone involved.

Carl stared at John Dutton with a steely gaze, his jaw clenched tightly as he spoke.

"Listen," he said in a low voice, "there's a perfect spot for this. It's up by the pastures, surrounded by wild woods. It'll give us plenty of space and an easy access to showcase our cowboy lifestyle."

John's eyes lit up with interest as he listened to Carl's plan.

"Cooking under the stars, a good old-fashioned cowboy cookout and party," Carl continued, his voice rising with excitement. "With the cows mooing in the background...it'll be an unforgettable experience. And the timing is perfect too, with our herd moving from one pasture to another in the spring."

"As long as we can set it up quickly," John replied, his mind already racing with ideas.

"Of course," Carl nodded eagerly. "We've done this before, we know how to make it work."

As they discussed details and possible dates, their voices grew louder and more animated. They were interrupted when a thought suddenly struck Carl and he turned to face John with a serious expression.

"How many guests do you want to invite? I was thinking maybe 50-100, but we have to be careful about certain guests."

John understood immediately and nodded in agreement.

"Fifty to one hundred sounds about right," he said. "But let's not forget about inviting the local tribe. We should honor them as guests and see if they want to participate."

Carl thought for a moment before nodding in agreement. He glanced at his brother Jon for confirmation and saw him nodding as well.

"Yes, we must include them," Jon said firmly. "They are part of this land, too."

Excitement filled the air as plans were made for a grand celebration filled with cowboys, campfires, and possibly even native rituals. But beneath it all lingered a sense of respect for the land and its original inhabitants, reminding everyone that they were merely guests in this wild and beautiful place.

As they arrived back at the barn, John Dutton wasted no time in taking charge of planning the engagement party. Gator was tasked with choosing the menu, while Carlisle brought in his own team of cooks to assist. A decision was made to blend rustic Scottish cuisine with cowboy fare, representing both families' backgrounds. Beth chimed in with her opinions and the plans continued to take shape. By the time supper rolled around, invitations had been ordered and guest lists finalized. Carlisle had even selected a unique lantern-shaped Mason jar as a nod to their rustic theme, complete with horseshoes and a campfire design against a woodland backdrop.

Just as Kayce was about to ask his father for the engagement ring, Carlisle intervened and insisted on waiting until the actual ceremony at the end of the month. But preparations were already well underway – tents were being sent out and a dance floor was being planned for the uneven terrain.

Meanwhile, Elsa, Beth, and Lily wasted no time in going dress shopping for the big day. Elsa would be dressed in a traditional Scottish kilt but later change into a white dress-like garment for the ceremony under the tent. The sister/midwife who would be performing the purity ceremony would also be present, along with female witnesses from both sides dressed in their respective traditional attire. As the date drew closer, tensions rose and excitement built for what promised to be an unforgettable event.

(I am an arrogant American writer, carelessly dabbling in Celtic and Scottish traditions with my fan fiction. If I have inadvertently butchered any sacred engagement or wedding rituals, please do not hesitate to call me out on my ignorance. I will humbly attempt to amend my misguided portrayals.)