Beginning Notes:

Uh—hi.

awkwardly slides into the room*

It's been a while…

I finally finished this chapter, and I really hope you like it! It took some time, but I think I'm happy with how it turned out. The next chapter might take a while, but I promise I'm working on it. Thanks for sticking with me—I appreciate you all!

Chapter 41: No Means No and Meeting Kyle

Rose POV

Just as Ivy predicted, a tall boy came storming over, his face twisted with anger. My attention zeroed in on him—the boy who had the audacity to lay his hands on my daughter. He was a bit bigger and taller than her, with messy brown hair and piercing green eyes. An arrogant aura clung to him as if the world owed him something, and he fully intended to collect. Well, he's about to get exactly what he deserves—just not in the way he's expecting.

I took a subtle sniff of the air, my instincts sharpening. There was a faint trace of shifter in his scent, though it wasn't like the La Push wolves. It was weaker, diluted—he didn't carry the full presence of a wolf. A far-off descendant, maybe. Still, it didn't matter. Whatever he was, it wasn't enough to excuse his behavior.

Just as I was about to step forward, Emmett's hand landed firmly on my shoulder. I shot a look at him, ready to snap, but the moment our eyes met, my words caught in my throat. There was something in his gaze—steady, quiet, but unyielding.

"Don't. I'll handle it," he said, his voice barely above a whisper as he spoke at vampire speed.

I felt a surge of anger and confusion. "Why?! Why can't I handle it?!" I shot back in the same quiet, swift speed, frustration rising.

Emmett's gaze softened, and he subtlety n motioned with his head. "Rose, look at them. Look at our kids."

I turned my eyes to where they were, and my heart clenched at the sight. Every time we spoke at vampire speed, it felt like time itself slowed—everything around us sharpening in painful detail. Ivy had relinquished control to Faye, who was still trembling, her grip on my shirt tight as if she believed letting go would cause everything to fall apart.

Meanwhile, Robyn stood close, her hands cupping Faye's tear-streaked face, desperately trying to comfort her sister as she wiped the tears. But I could see it in her eyes—the flicker of raw, burning rage. She reminded me of me so much when I was human.

Robyn wanted revenge, I could feel it, but there was something deeper in her expression. She refused to leave her sister's side, torn between her burning desire to seek justice for Faye and the overwhelming need to comfort her.

My breath caught in my throat, the weight of the situation settling heavily on me. Emmett was right. There was no way I was leaving them—not with them in this state.

Fuck.

I just realized if Emmett didn't stop me I would've walked right up to the arrogant kid with Faye in my arms.

I would've walked her right up to her attacker.

My anger had consumed me, clouding everything else, and I was so fixated on confronting him that I hadn't even thought about the trauma my next move could cause Faye. I was so driven by the need to avenge her, to protect her, that I couldn't see how reckless I was being, how my fury could make everything worse.

Emmett had seen the bigger picture when I couldn't, and I couldn't ignore the fact that, at that moment, he was right to hold me back.

As the realization hit me, a cold wave of guilt washed over me, and the fury that had once burned so brightly inside me began to simmer. I inhaled shakily, the familiar scents of Faye and Robyn grounding me, my arms gripping around Faye a little bit tighter, unsure if I was trying to comfort her or myself.

Maybe it was a bit of both.

Emmett's steady presence beside me grounded me as well, and I felt a wave of gratitude mixed with frustration. He always knew how to reel me in when I was about to lose control, and I hated how much I needed that.

"Take care of our girls. I'll handle this," Emmett said, his voice firm but filled with resolve. I nodded my head and turned my attention to our kids hoping to give them some comfort.

I gently pulled Robyn into a hug closing Faye between us, I felt Robyn grip the bottom of my shirt in anger as she looked up at me with confusion, and anger, as her eyes began to become a bit glossy.

With one hand, I smoothed Faye's hair, the other tracing comforting circles on Robyn's back. Faye's shaking had lessened, but the weight of what happened still clung to her like a shadow. I wanted to say something, to make it all better, but the words felt hollow. So instead, I whispered the only truths I could find to all of them:

"You were all so brave."

"You did so good coming to us."

"You did a good job, Ivy."

"You're safe now, Faye."

"Robyn, it's okay, your sisters are safe now."

While I was comforting the kids, I heard Emmett's heavy footsteps approach the arrogant child. Instinctively, I shifted my body to shield Faye and Robyn, turning so neither of them faced him directly. I tucked Faye into the crook of my neck, letting her breathe in my scent to calm her nerves. Robyn, on the other hand, didn't look away. Her sharp gaze stayed on the boy, a protective edge in her posture.

The arrogant kid remained completely oblivious to Emmett's towering presence. His attention stayed fixed on Faye, who was tucked securely into my neck, breathing in my scent to stay calm. His eyes never wavered, his smug, entitled expression giving the unsettling impression that he already saw her as a prize he had claimed.

"Come on, just say yes already! Do you really want me to tell my brother about this?" He whined, his voice grating.

Faye froze in my arms, her body going rigid at his words. I let out a quiet, warning hiss—too low for human ears—while pulling her closer, nuzzling the side of her head trying to comfort her. Robyn moved instinctively, one hand gently rubbing Faye's back in soothing circles. It worked. Slowly, Faye's breathing evened out as she buried her face against my neck, finding comfort in the safety we offered.

But then, Faye stiffened again. This time, it wasn't just the fear of what Shawn had said, but something else—something stronger. I felt her take a deep breath, her small frame lifting slightly as she gathered herself, her fingers tightening in my shirt. She pulled away from my neck, her chin lifted just enough for me to see the determination in her eyes before she turned to look at Shawn.

"I said no," Faye's voice cracked, but there was fire behind it. "I don't want to be your girlfriend!" Her words hit the air with a tremor, but they were clear.

Shawn's face twisted with anger, his fists clenching as he took a step forward. But Emmett, always watching, was already between us, his massive frame like a wall that completely blocked Shawn's view of Faye.

"You heard her," Emmett rumbled, his voice calm but firm, a silent warning in the way he stood.

Faye's breath quickened, but she didn't retreat. Her small hands clutched the fabric of my shirt as if they were the only thing anchoring her to the moment.

"I'm not some prize for you to win," she muttered under her breath, just loud enough for Shawn to hear. "S-so back off. And as for your brother, he- he can suck some eggs." A surge of pride swelled in me. I was proud of her—proud that she wasn't shrinking, that she was standing her ground with such determination.

"Hey! You can't talk-"

"Hey," Emmett said, his voice deceptively casual as he bent down to the boy's level. I could tell he was doing his best to keep calm, though the tightness in his jaw and the flicker of barely-contained fury in his eyes betrayed him. "What's your name?"

"Shawn," the boy said, puffing out his chest like it meant something important.

"Well, Shawn," Emmett said, his jaw tight despite the friendly tone he forced. "Faye's not interested. Why don't you go find something else to do?"

Shawn shook his head stubbornly, stomping his foot like a tantrum-prone toddler. "I don't care! She has to be my girlfriend! I said so! She doesn't get a choice! My brother says that if I want someone, I just take what I want, even if she says no!" He paused for effect, a smug grin spreading across his face as he added, "And besides, my family's loaded. I can get my dad to buy her to be with me. So hand her over! Now!" His eyes narrowed as he jabbed a finger toward Faye, his tone sharp with entitlement.

Oh, hell no.

A surge of protective anger flared through me, my vision narrowing as my instincts screamed to tear this brat to pieces. He's lucky I haven't gave into my instincts yet. The only thing keeping me from committing murder is thinking about how I can't go to jail and leave my kids alone. Besides, if I did, I know Carlisle would make us move—and that would mean leaving Robyn behind. I know Faye and Ivy wouldn't abandon their sister, and honestly, I don't think Emmett and I could handle leaving her either.

She's ours. They all are.

Carlisle would have to drag me kicking and screaming to get me to leave our kids.

So, I repeated a phase over and over again.

I can't kill the kid.

I repeat it like a mantra, gripping onto it with everything I have.

From the corner of my eye, I caught Robyn's reaction—her face twisted in disgust, matching mine. Even Emmett, who had been making an admirable effort to stay civil, now looked like he was one wrong word away from losing his temper entirely. He was most likely repeating the same mantra I was as I saw him become more tense before taking a deep breath in.

Emmett leaned closer to Shawn, his towering figure casting a shadow over the boy. His voice dropped, each word laced with barely restrained anger.

"Listen, kid. No means no. I don't care what your brother says, but if you so much as touch a single hair on her head or come near her again, you'll regret it. This is your only chance to walk. Before you leave in pieces."

The shift in Emmett's tone seemed to finally brake through Shawn's thick skull. His eyes widened, the bravado draining from his face as he stumbled back a step as he saw the angry scary face that Emmett was making.

He looked terrified.

Good.

With a frustrated huff, Shawn turned and stomped away trembling, muttering under his breath about how unfair it all was. Just as he reached the doorway, he spun around, his face red with childish fury. "This isn't over!" he yelled, his voice cracking slightly as Emmett made eye contact with him. "I'm telling my brother on you!" With that final, petulant threat, he bolted out, his retreating footsteps echoing behind him.

Emmett straightened to his full height, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off the interaction. When he turned to look at us, the anger melted from his face, replaced by concern.

"You guys, okay?" he asked, his voice softer now. I felt Faye's nod against my neck, and from the corner of my eye, I caught Robyn giving a stiff, reluctant nod. "We're fine," I said, though my eyes flicked to where Shawn had disappeared. "Thank you."

Emmett nodded, his gaze lingering on us for a moment longer before he muttered, "Kid's lucky I kept my temper." I couldn't help but chuckle as I leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek. "Our hero," I said warmly, the words laced with affection.

Emmett's face broke into a goofy smile, though the tension in his broad shoulders didn't entirely ease. His eyes swept over the kids again, lingering on Faye, who remained pressed tightly against me, and then on Robyn, whose sharp gaze hadn't left the doorway where Shawn had disappeared.

"Ivy," Emmett said gently, his voice low but steady. The sound of her name prompted Faye's head to lift slightly before her eyes shifted from their usual soft brown to a vivid blue, signaling Ivy's presence taking over. "Are you okay too, little pup?"

Ivy hesitated for a moment, nodding slowly but not speaking, her hands fidgeting nervously with the collar of my shirt. Seeing her like that made my chest ache. I pulled her closer, brushing a kiss against her forehead. She leaned into the gesture, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she let out a shaky breath of relief.

"You did good, little pup," I murmured, pressing another kiss to the top of her head. "You brought Faye to us and told us what was happening so clearly. You did exactly what you needed to, and I'm so proud of you."

Her arms tightened around my neck, squeezing as she buried her face into my shoulder. "I couldn't do anything," she whispered, her voice muffled and thick with emotion. "I've never felt so useless."

I nuzzled against the side of her head, my voice was soft but firm. "Don't say that, little pup. You weren't useless. You did everything you could to protect your sister, and that's what matters most. You kept her safe, Ivy. We're so proud of you."

Her grip on me tightened as if my words gave her a sense of security she desperately needed. I held her close, feeling the tension in her small frame begins to reduce.

Robyn, however, wasn't letting go of her anger so easily. Her body was rigid, her fists twisting in the fabric of my shirt as her eyes burned with fury. "I hate him," she hissed through clenched teeth, her voice low but trembling with emotion. "He thinks he can just—just take her like that. Like she's some kind of toy he can have whenever he wants. He had no right!"

"You're absolutely right," Emmett said, his tone firm but calm as he placed his hand on her shoulder. His steady gaze met hers, grounding her in a way only he could. "He didn't have any right, and that's exactly why we stepped in. But you don't need to worry about him anymore, okay? Right now, your job is to look after your sisters—and you're already doing such an amazing job at that, kiddo."

Robyn's glare softened, though the anger in her eyes didn't fade completely. Her grip on my shirt loosened slightly, and she let out a shaky breath, her shoulders relaxing just a fraction. She glanced over at her sisters, her expression shifting to something gentler— something more protective.

"Okay," she whispered, though the edge in her voice told me she wasn't ready to fully let it go. Still, I could see the determination in her eyes to keep her sisters safe, and for now, that was enough.

"Maybe it's better to call it a day," I said, mostly thinking out loud. I wasn't willing to risk our kids' mental state any further. But just as the words left my mouth, I felt a small grip tighten on my shirt. I looked down, startled, and was met with Faye's brown eyes. She was back in control, and her head shook fiercely.

"Baby bear…" I began gently, but she shook her head again, her determination battling through her red, puffy eyes.

"We can head over to our house," I offered softly, trying to meet her halfway. "We'll cuddle on the couch, watch comfort movies and get some nice snacks. How does that sound?"

For a moment, she hesitated, her brows furrowing as though she was considering it. But then she shook her head again, more resolutely this time. "No," she whispered, her voice a little hoarse but steady. "I don't want to go yet."

Her lips pressed together in a determined line, and even with her tear-stained cheeks and glassy eyes, she looked fierce. "I don't want him to ruin our first family day out. Please?" she asked, her voice stronger now, though her hands still trembled a bit where they clung to my shirt.

I hesitated, my heart torn between wanting to take her home and wrap her in safety and being proud.

In the end, being proud of her won.

She wasn't going to let him ruin this day for her—for us. A soft smile tugged at my lips as I pressed them to her forehead, letting out a long sigh.

"Okay, little bear," I murmured. "But before anything, we need to take a second to relax. And then I want to ask a worker if they have any bandages and some disinfectant wipes for your arm. I know it'll heal quickly, but I'd still like to cover and disinfectant it—for peace of mind."

Faye nodded a small but genuine gesture, before tucking her head back into the crook of my neck. Robyn, who had been silent through it all, leaned into my other side, tucking her head into my opposite shoulder. Without a word, Emmett stepped forward and wrapped his big arms around all three of us, enclosing us in a protective cocoon.

The moment we were all wrapped together, I felt the tension in the girls begin to ease. Faye's shaking finally subsided, her breaths becoming slower and more even. Robyn melted into my shoulder, her grip on my shirt relaxing slightly. "We're okay," I murmured, not sure if I was saying it for them or myself. "We're okay."

As we pulled apart from the hug, I glanced at Emmett. "Alright, Let's find those bandages," I said. "And maybe some ice cream after," Emmett suggested with a grin, trying to lighten the mood. "Chocolate fixes everything, right?"

Faye let out the faintest giggle, wiping her eyes a bit before she tucked her head back into my shoulder. Robyn rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the small smile tugging at her lips.

We flagged down an employee and quickly explained what had happened, asking if they had a first aid kit available. Their expression shifted to one of shock and concern, clearly appalled by the situation. "I'll grab one right away," they said, disappearing to the back.

Within moments, they returned with a small first aid kit in hand. I gently helped Faye settle onto one of the benches in the corner of the mall, just outside the GameStop. With careful hands, I opened the kit and began tending to her wounds. She winced, letting out a soft hiss of pain, and my heart twisted in response, a wave of guilt flooding over me.

I should have gone with her.

"I'm sorry this happened, baby bear," I whispered, my voice low and filled with sadness.

Robyn was already by Faye's side, holding her hand tightly. "It's going to be okay," she murmured, her tone steady but warm, squeezing her hand for reassurance.

Emmett knelt beside them, his massive frame seeming impossibly gentle as he rubbed comforting circles on Faye's back. "It's almost over, sweetheart," he said, his deep voice tender and calming. "You're doing so good."

By the time I finished bandaging her arm, I could feel the tension start to ease.

"All done," I said softly, brushing a strand of hair from her face and tucking it behind her ear. "You were so brave, little bear. I'm so proud of you." I leaned forward, pressing a lingering kiss to her forehead, hoping the warmth of the gesture would ease any more of her lingering pain.

"How about we go get something to eat now?" I asked, trying to bring some normalcy back. "Maybe ice cream? Like Emmett suggested? It's early, but I think today calls for a little spoiling."

Faye hesitated for a moment, her small hand reaching up to wipe at her red-rimmed eyes. "Can we get food first?" she asked softly, her voice wavering but determined. "Ivy and I were really excited about the bacon burger…"

Her request, so simple and earnest, tugged at my heart. I couldn't help but smile as I nodded. "Bacon burgers first, ice cream later. Whatever you want, baby bear." Robyn and Emmett nodded in agreement.

We grabbed the two games Robyn wanted first, then quickly headed over to the board game aisle for Faye. She picked out two games—Topple and Jenga—her eyes lighting up as she hugged them to her chest. Once we returned the kit and paid, I carefully lifted Faye into my arms, securing her safely before reaching for Robyn's hand to pull her close. Emmett stepped up beside us, his broad hand gently enclosing Robyn's other hand while carrying the bag effortlessly in his other, creating a quiet, comforting sense of unity as we made our way toward the food court together.

As we walked, I felt Faye begin to shift restlessly in my arms. When I glanced down, I realized she was trying to squirm free so that she could walk herself. Part of me wanted to let her go like she wanted, but my instincts refused to let me. I tightened my hold, and Faye looked up at me, her lips forming a small pout.

A soft smile tugged at my lips as I shook my head. "Sorry, baby bear. I can't let you go right now. My instincts just won't allow it. In fact," I gently tugged Robyn closer, making her look up at me with a confused expression. "Neither of you are allowed to leave my sight for the rest of this trip."

Faye and Robyn both pouted in perfect sync, their expressions identical, and Emmett couldn't help but burst into laughter. The moment they turned their pout toward him, he shot them a playful wink, making them both scowl even more, but with a hint of amusement in their eyes.

We arrived at the food court rather quickly Emmett and Robyn offered to handle the ordering while Faye and I looked for a table. I hesitated, reluctant to let go of Robyn's hand and have her out of my sight. However, she gave me a reassuring smile, insisting she'd be fine with Emmett by her side, and she will still be in my sight, pointing to the burger place that was almost empty. With a sigh, I relented, watching as the two headed to the burger shop, chatting animatedly about the new games we'd picked up.

Faye and I soon found an empty table. I settled into a chair and placed her on my lap, which earned me an immediate pout. She crossed her arms in mock protest, but her playful expression softened as I gave her a gentle squeeze and a kiss on the side of her temple.

The moment we relaxed the smell of the food court hit me like a wall. My nose wrinkled instinctively as I struggled to push past the overwhelming stench.

The things I'd do for my girls…

Just as I was about to push through it, I heard the most beautiful sound. Looking down at my lap, I noticed Faye trying to stifle a giggle, though she was clearly failing.

I raised an eyebrow playfully, glancing down at Faye as she tried—and failed—to stifle her laughter. Her shoulders shook slightly, and I couldn't help the teasing smile that tugged at my lips. "What's so funny, baby bear?" I asked, keeping my tone light.

Faye froze, her laughter fading almost instantly as a guilty expression crossed her face. I tilted my head, confused by the sudden shift. "What's going on in that head of yours?" I asked gently, hoping to coax her into sharing.

Her fingers fidgeted in her lap before she shook her head lightly. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't laugh," she said softly. "It probably stinks to you, doesn't it?"

Her apology caught me off guard, and for a moment, I didn't know how to respond. My chest tightened at the thought of her feeling the need to hold back something as simple as laughter. I reached out, gently brushing a strand of hair from her face, my voice warm as I reassured her. "It's okay, Faye. You guys are worth it."

Though I meant every word, a small part of me worried. Why did she feel like she needed to apologize for something so innocent? There were still so many things I didn't know about our kids and that worried me. One day, I would like to sit down and discuss their past but not right now.

Faye hesitated again, as if weighing whether to continue, before finally meeting my gaze. "I was just… thinking," she murmured, her voice small but earnest. "About Ivy. I want to figure out a way for her to have her own body—or at least for us to be able to separate and combine whenever we want to."

I blinked, taken aback by her honesty. But she wasn't done. "And maybe…" she continued, her words picking up speed as though she was afraid, she'd lose her nerve, "maybe I could find a way to make a potion. Something to make food smell good to you, or even let you eat without feeling sick. It might take a while but uh…"

I stared at her in shock, her words catching me completely off guard. I hadn't even considered that as a possibility. Just as I opened my mouth to respond, Emmett's voice cut through the noise of the food court.

"Dude, back off."

Faye and I immediately turned toward the commotion, and what I saw made my venom boil. A teenage boy, roughly Robyn's age, stood facing Emmett with an annoyed expression. Robyn was beside Emmett, her arms crossed and a furious glare on her face.

But what truly set my anger alight was who I spotted standing behind the boy. Shawn. My stomach twisted as realization hit—this had to be the older brother Shawn had mentioned before.

Great.

Just great.

Robyn POV

Emmett and I leaned against the wall near the pickup counter, chatting casually as we waited for our food. The conversation had shifted to games—specifically, the ones Emmett claimed to dominate. His enthusiasm made me smile, though my focus remained partly on the bustling food court around us.

That's when I noticed him.

A boy, probably around sixteen or seventeen, was striding toward us with an air of arrogance that made my skin crawl. Something about the way he carried himself—the exaggerated swagger, the smug smirk—set me on edge. I tried to brush it off, assuming he was just another loudmouth teenager, but the moment his eyes landed on me, I could feel the shift.

His gaze was predatory, sweeping over me like I was some kind of snack. My stomach churned, but I quickly turned away, trying to ignore him and refocus on Emmett. Maybe he'd get the hint.

But he didn't.

Instead, he stepped closer, his voice low and dripping with misplaced confidence. "Hey, sexy thing," he drawled, his eyes raking over me in a way that made my skin crawl. "You're looking scrumptious. What's your name? I'm Kyle, want to hang out sometime?"

I stiffened, my entire body going rigid as a wave of disgust rolled through me. Slowly, I turned back to him, my expression flat, but the fire in my eyes betrayed just how furious I was. "No, thanks," I said coldly, hoping my voice was sharp enough to cut through his arrogance.

He chuckled, completely unfazed, and leaned in closer. "Aw, don't be like that, baby. I can show you a good time. My bed is real lonely right now." He said licking his lips.

Before I could snap back, Emmett straightened beside me, his easygoing demeanor vanishing in an instant. "Dude, back off," he said, his voice low and dangerous. His protective stance was enough to make most people think twice, but the boy just scoffed and rolled his eyes.

"Relax, big guy," the boy muttered, clearly unimpressed. "I'm just talking to her."

Emmett didn't blink as he stared coldly at him. The tension between them crackled like a live wire, both staring each other down with matching looks of irritation. But then my gaze shifted, and that's when I saw him.

A little boy stood just behind the arrogant teen, his arms crossed and a bored look plastered on his face.

Shawn.

My stomach dropped as I glanced between the two of them, piecing the puzzle together. The resemblance was unmistakable, and the realization hit me like a slap.

This boy wasn't just some random stranger. He was Shawn's older brother.

You know what…

I think I would rather deal with Jessica rather than these guys.