The house was alive with movement the next morning. Allies were scattered across the property, each group focused on strengthening our defenses. Emmett and Garrett worked with the wolves to reinforce traps and barriers along the perimeter, while Jasper led tactical drills with Rosalie, Tanya, and Kate in the backyard. Zafrina and Senna patrolled the forest, their silent presence a reminder of the power we had on our side.
Inside, Carlisle and Edward were in the study, combing through old texts and recent communications. Alice, pacing by the window, tried again and again to pierce the static that clouded her visions. Her frustration was palpable, but she refused to give up.
Renesmee sat at the dining room table with Jacob, poring over a map of the surrounding area. Her brow furrowed as she traced potential routes Silas and Lyra might use to approach. Jacob watched her closely, his protective instincts never far from the surface.
"You've got a good eye," Jacob said, his tone encouraging. "That ridge could be where they're hiding."
Renesmee nodded, her voice steady. "If they're circling, they'll need a vantage point. It's elevated, and the trees are dense enough to keep them hidden."
"It's a solid lead," I said, stepping into the room. "But it's risky. If we go there, we need to be sure we're not walking into a trap."
Renesmee looked up at me, her determination shining through her fatigue. "We can't just wait for them to come to us, Mom. We need to find them before they strike."
I hesitated, glancing at Jacob, who nodded in agreement. "She's right. If we sit back, they'll keep gaining ground. We've got to do something."
The rest of the morning was spent finalizing a plan. Edward, Carlisle, and Jasper worked with the wolves to devise a scouting mission to the ridge Renesmee had identified. The goal was to gather intelligence—nothing more. But the tension in the room made it clear that everyone was preparing for the possibility of a fight.
By midday, the team was ready. Edward, Emmett, and Jacob would lead the mission, accompanied by Leah and Paul from the wolf pack. Jasper and Alice would stay behind to coordinate defenses with the rest of the allies.
Before they left, Edward pulled me aside. "We'll be careful," he promised, his golden eyes locking onto mine. "This is just reconnaissance."
I nodded, though my chest tightened at the thought of him walking into unknown danger. "I know. Just… come back safe."
He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "Always."
The hours stretched painfully as we waited for word from the scouting team. Renesmee busied herself with training in the backyard, her movements sharper and more precise than ever. Alice kept watch by the window, her frustration mounting with each failed attempt to foresee the outcome of the mission.
"They should've been back by now," Rosalie muttered, pacing the living room.
"Give them time," Carlisle said calmly, though the worry in his eyes betrayed his words. "They'll be careful."
It wasn't until late afternoon that we heard the sound of footsteps approaching the house. Jacob was the first to appear, his face grim but determined. Edward and Emmett followed close behind, their expressions equally serious. Leah and Paul brought up the rear, both in wolf form, their ears twitching with vigilance.
"We found the ridge," Edward said as he stepped inside. His voice was steady, but there was a tension in his tone that set me on edge. "They were there."
A ripple of shock ran through the room.
"How many?" Jasper asked, his voice calm but sharp.
"About a dozen," Emmett replied. "But it's not just the numbers. They're organized. Too organized."
"They've set up a defensive perimeter," Jacob added. "Traps, lookouts—the works. They're ready for us."
Edward's jaw tightened. "And they've got a shield."
Alice froze, her eyes widening. "A shield?"
Edward nodded. "That's why you can't see them. Someone in their group has the ability to block you—and possibly other gifts as well. It's strong, but not impenetrable. We caught a few glimpses when the shield flickered."
"What did you see?" Carlisle asked.
"A mix of faces," Edward said. "Some we recognize—former Volturi guards. Others are new. But one thing's clear: Silas and Lyra are building an army, and they're ready to make their move."
The room fell into a heavy silence as everyone processed the news. Zafrina stepped forward, her piercing gaze sweeping over the group. "If they're this prepared, we need to strike first. Waiting will only make them stronger."
"We don't have enough information to launch a full-scale attack," Jasper countered. "We need to know their weaknesses before we make our move."
Renesmee, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. "What about the shield? If it flickered, that means it's not perfect. Maybe we can use that."
Edward nodded, his expression thoughtful. "It's possible. If we can find a way to exploit the gaps in their shield, we might be able to neutralize it."
"How do we do that?" Rosalie asked, her tone sharp.
"I'll work on it," Edward said. "There might be a way to overwhelm the shield, but it'll take time to figure out."
As the evening wore on, the tension in the house grew thicker. Plans were made, alliances reaffirmed, but the uncertainty lingered. Silas and Lyra were closer than ever, their intentions clear. And though we had gathered our strongest allies, the weight of what lay ahead pressed heavily on us all.
Later that night, as the house fell into an uneasy quiet, I found Renesmee sitting on the porch, staring out at the dark forest. I sat down beside her, the cool night air wrapping around us.
"Are you scared?" she asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
I hesitated, then nodded. "Yes. But fear isn't a bad thing, Nessie. It means we care. It means we're fighting for something worth protecting."
She looked up at me, her eyes shining with both determination and vulnerability. "I don't want to lose anyone."
"You won't," I said, my voice firm. "We'll protect each other. No matter what."
As the stars shimmered faintly overhead, I wrapped an arm around her shoulders, holding her close. The battle was coming, and with it, the greatest test we'd ever faced. But in that moment, under the quiet sky, I allowed myself to hope that we could face whatever came next—together.
The storm was gathering, and though the path ahead was fraught with danger, we were ready to meet it head-on. For our family, for our allies, and for the fragile peace we'd fought so hard to protect.