Welcome, darling reader. This chapter will bring you a moment of delicious butterflies. You have been warned. ;)
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After lunch at Emily's, Grace took a moment to talk with Esme—about anything other than what was happening on the Rez. Sam was busy visiting the Elders, likely offering reassurances that this wolf won't bite. Not that he'd phrase it like that… but hey, a girl could dream.
"...What do you think my school attendance record looks like?" Grace mused, shoving her hands deep into her jean pockets. Her dark brown eyes traced the dips and cracks in the well-trodden path beneath her feet.
Esme giggled, a soft, melodic sound that sent a swarm of butterflies fluttering in Grace's stomach. Ugh. I'm gonna puke. Why was Esme so ridiculously adorable? Was it the height? Yeah, that had to be it. She was practically pixie-sized compared to—
Wait.
A sudden realization hit Grace. Had she… gotten taller?
What was she last, nearly six feet? Damn. How tall was she now? Was that why she'd been borrowing jeans from the guys? She glanced down at her legs, suddenly hyperaware of how the fabric of her borrowed jeans stretched a little too snug around her thighs, the hem barely brushing her ankles. Great. Just what I needed—another growth spurt.
She straightened her posture slightly, rolling her shoulders back as if that would help her gauge her height. Her mind raced through the the events of the last couple of days, or was it a full week now? Funny, this would totally make my dad laugh. Its like we swapped bodies – he'd say.
Not the time to be sad. Highschool. Clothes. Teeangers. Focus.
Would she just keep growing? How much bigger was she going to get? The idea sent a strange mix of amusement and mild panic bubbling in her chest. If she kept this up, she'd be towering over everyone. Would Esme have to start craning her neck just to look at her?
The thought made Grace's cheeks warm. She snuck a quick glance at Esme, who was still giggling softly, oblivious to the mini-existential crisis unraveling in Grace's head.
Yup. Definitely time to measure herself.
"Darling, I don't think you have to worry about that," Esme assured her, voice warm and effortlessly soothing. "Carlisle spoke with the principal about your father's injury. They understand that you'll be staying with us, and your schoolwork will be handled from home."
She smiled, beaming as if she'd personally orchestrated the entire plan. "Your teachers will send emails with everything you need to complete. In fact—"
Esme pivoted sharply on her heels, the sudden movement making her winter coat flare out in a graceful sweep. The fabric pulsed around her like the petals of a flower caught in a soft breeze.
Grace barely had time to process it—one second, Esme was turning, the next, Grace's arms had instinctively caught her, pulling the smaller woman flush against her chest.
For a breathless moment, everything else faded. The cold air, the path beneath them, even Grace's lingering thoughts about school—gone. All she could focus on was Esme. The way her scent wrapped around her like something deep and familiar, the way her golden eyes flickered with surprise, then something softer, warmer.
Grace swallowed. Yeah. Definitely gonna puke.
Esme blinked up at her, lips parted slightly in surprise before softening into an affectionate smile. She made no effort to pull away, her delicate hands resting lightly against Grace's chest.
"My, my," Esme teased, her voice carrying that ever-present warmth that made Grace's heart stutter. "Such reflexes. Were you planning on sweeping me off my feet, dear?"
Grace let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding, her grip unconsciously tightening around Esme's waist. Holy hell. It was so easy to get lost in her. Too easy.
"I—uh—no. I mean, yes? I mean—" Grace's brain short-circuited as she desperately tried to untangle her words. "You twirled too fast. I just—you know, instinct."
Esme chuckled, the sound a gentle chime that sent another wave of warmth flooding through Grace's veins. "Instinct, hmm?" She tilted her head slightly, her gaze twinkling with something unreadable, something teasing. "I quite like your instincts."
As if to prove the point, Esme's hands moved upwards, resting lightly against the back of Grace's neck, drawing her even closer. Her touch was light, yet possessive, and Grace could feel her heart racing, pounding in her chest.
Esme was smiling up at her, an expression of pure affection. God, she was beautiful.
Grace's chest tightened with something both terrifying and wonderful. Their bodies were molding into one another like a perfect fit, like they were always meant to be this close.
Oh, great. Just kill me now.
Grace could feel the heat creeping up her neck, and she was fairly certain her face was betraying just how much of a goner she was. Esme wasn't even trying, and yet every small touch, every look, every word sent her into an absolute tailspin.
Huffing, she carefully—reluctantly—loosened her hold and took a half-step back, giving Esme space before she did something mortifying. "You should come with a warning label," Grace muttered under her breath.
Esme grinned, utterly amused. "Oh? And what would it say?"
Grace didn't even hesitate. "Danger: Unreasonably Adorable. Approach with Caution."
Esme laughed, the sound wrapping around Grace like a warm embrace. "Oh, my darling girl," she mused, reaching up to gently brush a strand of hair from Grace's face. "What ever shall I do with you?"
Grace swallowed hard, fighting the urge to lean into the touch. Yeah. She was doomed.
Grace let out a breathy laugh, though it was a little shaky. "I mean, I could give you a list," she teased, trying to keep things light, but her hands were still tingling from holding Esme close.
Esme arched a delicate brow, clearly entertained. "Oh? I'd love to see it. Though I have a feeling it might just say 'keep her forever' in large, bold letters."
Grace felt her brain fizzle into static. Her mouth opened, then closed, then opened again like a fish gasping for air. Nope. Nope, can't handle this.
She quickly turned her attention back to the path, clearing her throat. "So. Schoolwork. Yeah. That's a thing," she blurted out, stuffing her hands deep into her pockets again.
Esme chuckled softly, easily falling into step beside her. "Yes, darling, it is a thing." She glanced up at Grace, watching her carefully now. "And something tells me you're not just worried about attendance."
Grace bit the inside of her cheek. Of course, Esme would see right through her. There was no hiding anything from her mate—not really. "I just... I think it'll be good," she admitted, keeping her gaze on the path ahead. "Having something to focus on. Homework, assignments, emails from teachers. It's normal."
Esme hummed thoughtfully. "A distraction, then?"
Grace exhaled slowly. "Yeah. Maybe." She kicked at a small rock on the path, watching it bounce away. "I mean, the last week has been... a lot." That was an understatement. The transformation, the pain, the overwhelming fear of losing control—she hadn't even fully processed all of it yet. And maybe she didn't want to.
Esme reached for her hand then, pulling it from the depths of her pocket and intertwining their fingers. The touch was gentle but grounding, something real and constant in the storm of Grace's thoughts. "I understand," Esme said softly, her voice carrying that unshakable warmth. "And I think schoolwork could help, if that's what you need."
Grace squeezed her hand, grateful beyond words. "It is." She glanced down at Esme, finally meeting her gaze. "At least, for now."
Esme smiled knowingly. "Then we'll make sure it happens." She gave Grace's hand a reassuring squeeze before playfully bumping her shoulder. "Though, I must warn you, I take study breaks very seriously. There will be snacks. And tea. And perhaps a bit of bribery if necessary."
Grace snorted, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
Esme grinned. "And yet, you adore me."
Grace sighed dramatically. "Yeah, yeah. I guess I do." But the way her heart swelled in her chest made it clear—there was no guessing about it.
Esme's grin softened, but there was a glint of something deeper in her eyes as she leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "Good to know."
The longer Grace stood there, fighting the pull, the harder it became. Every word Esme spoke only fueled the fire inside her, and with each breath, the distance between them seemed to shrink. The cold air around them didn't matter. Nothing else mattered. All Grace could focus on was her.
Her body was trembling, not from the cold, but from the intensity of her emotions. She could feel her heart racing, thudding in her chest like a drumbeat, matching the rhythm of her thoughts: Mate. Mate. Mate. It was overwhelming, and Grace could no longer hold back.
Before she could second-guess herself, her hands reached out, grasping Esme's shoulders, pulling her closer. Grace's lips met Esme's in a fierce, unrelenting kiss. There was no hesitation now, no restraint. Just instinct—the deep, primal need to feel connected, to be one with the woman who had become everything to her.
Esme, initially surprised by the suddenness of Grace's actions, let out a soft breath as her hands slid up Grace's arms, anchoring her in place. Despite the coldness of her skin, the kiss was electric, sending a wave of warmth flooding through Grace's body. The contrast of Esme's icy coolness against Grace's burning need only deepened the passion between them, a thrilling tension that made Grace's pulse race.
Esme responded with an unhurried, tender grace, guiding the kiss with a gentle but insistent pressure. She moved with purpose, as if each second was its own delicate promise. Her lips were cool against Grace's, but they were firm, sure, and utterly captivating. Grace's hands moved to Esme's waist, pulling her even closer, unable to get enough.
When the kiss finally broke, both of them were breathless, their faces inches apart. Grace's chest rose and fell rapidly as she tried to catch her breath. Despite the coolness of Esme's skin, Grace's body was alive with the intensity of what had just happened, her emotions raw and exposed.
Esme placed a gentle hand on Grace's cheek, her touch soft but filled with an undeniable depth of affection. Her eyes held a quiet intensity as she searched Grace's face, her voice low and filled with reassurance. "Grace… You don't need to hold back with me. I want this. I want you."
Grace swallowed hard, her breath still unsteady. There was no doubt in Esme's eyes, no hesitation in her voice. And that reassured Grace more than anything else. "I—" Grace started, but the words didn't seem to matter. Instead, she closed the distance between them again, pressing her forehead gently against Esme's.
Esme smiled, her lips cool and comforting against Grace's skin. "You don't have to explain yourself, darling. I'm not going anywhere. We'll take this at your pace."
The moment hung in the air, thick with unspoken promises, as they stood there together, holding onto each other in a silence that felt like the most perfect understanding. Grace was finally able to relax into the quiet, the pull between them still strong, but now tempered with the knowledge that they were both in this together.
The crisp air of the forest was a welcome change from the warmth that had lingered between them only moments before. Grace could feel the light pressure of Esme's hand brushing against hers as they walked, the soft crunch of snow beneath their boots breaking the silence. It felt… peaceful. Almost like this was where they belonged—just the two of them, with no expectations, no worries.
"I know you're worried about school," Esme said softly, her voice a steady, comforting presence beside Grace. "But I think taking this time to focus on yourself, on healing, is what you need. Your grades will be fine. We'll figure out a system, get you back into the rhythm at home. And when you're ready... we'll tackle high school again. Together."
Grace chewed on her bottom lip, her hands stuffed into her pockets as she let the weight of Esme's words settle in. She could feel the relief in her chest, the tension she hadn't even realized she was holding easing, just a little bit. Still, she couldn't shake the nagging feeling that she was letting things slip away.
"I just feel... behind, you know? Like, everyone's moving on and I'm stuck here." She looked out across the forest, her voice a little quieter. "I feel like I'm not me right now. I don't know how to go back to being just... normal. To be a regular teenager again. School is part of that, right?"
Esme's steps slowed beside her, and Grace felt a warm, soft hand rest on her shoulder. The vampire's touch was so cold, yet it sent a different kind of warmth pulsing through Grace's body—one that was comforting, steady, and ever-present.
"You're not behind, Grace. You're exactly where you need to be." Esme paused, her voice turning more thoughtful, almost tender. "Healing isn't linear. You're still finding your footing. And that's okay. Everyone around you will understand, and when you're ready to go back, you'll have a fresh start. No pressure. We'll work through this together, step by step."
Grace turned to her, surprised by the steadiness in Esme's words, the way she spoke with such unwavering confidence. It was like she was giving Grace permission—permission to take her time, to stop rushing, to focus on herself first. And for the first time since her transformation, Grace felt a spark of hope that maybe, just maybe, she could do this.
"You make it sound so easy," Grace said, her lips curling into a faint smile.
Esme chuckled softly, her dark eyes twinkling in the dimming light. "I don't know about easy, but it is possible. For you, Grace... anything is possible."
They continued their walk, the conversation drifting into more casual topics as the path wound back toward Emily's house. There was something soothing about being out here, away from everything, away from the constant pressure of trying to fit back into a life that felt like it no longer belonged to her. Here, with Esme, everything felt a little more like it made sense.
But as they reached the clearing near Emily's house, the weight of reality began to settle back in. Esme had been so present with her, so full of reassurance and love, but Grace knew their time was limited. She could feel the tug in her chest as she caught sight of Esme's vehicle parked in the distance. The inevitable departure was coming, and it left her feeling hollow.
Esme slowed her pace, sensing the change in Grace's mood. "I know this has been... a lot to take in," she said, her voice gentler now. "But I promise you, Grace, I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here whenever you need me."
Grace nodded, trying to push down the lump in her throat. "I know. I just... I don't know how to make this all work, Esme. I'm still learning."
Esme reached over and cupped Grace's face, her cool touch a grounding presence. "You don't have to figure everything out all at once. One step at a time. And when you're ready... I'll be here. We'll be here, together."
Grace's chest tightened at those words. They were simple, but they meant everything. She leaned into Esme's touch for a moment longer before finally pulling back with a shaky breath. "I'm glad you're here," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Esme gave her a small, understanding smile, brushing a lock of hair behind Grace's ear. "I'm glad I'm here too."
As they arrived back at Emily's house, Esme gave Grace one last lingering glance. "I'll be back soon, okay? Just… take care of yourself while I'm gone. We'll keep working on this. Together."
Grace gave her a tight smile, her eyes lingering on Esme as she turned to leave. She didn't want to admit how much it would hurt to see her go, but at the same time, she knew that Esme would always come back. For now, that was enough.
Grace strode up the four steps of the porch in just two long strides and reached the door. Taking a deep breath, she caught the mingling scents that had come and gone over the past few hours. Most of the boys were still inside.
"...get this over with..." Grace sighed and pushed on the front door.
Inside the house, the familiar scents of warmth and laughter lingered as Jared, Seth, Paul, and Jacob sprawled about, a relaxed atmosphere hanging over them. The fire crackled in the background, its glow casting shadows across the room. They'd been waiting for Embry, Leah, and Quil to return from patrol, but for now, the pack was content to talk and joke around, as they always did.
Seth was the first to break the silence, sniffing the air curiously. "You guys smell that?" he asked, leaning forward slightly.
Jacob glanced at him, raising an eyebrow. "What, you're getting all sensitive now?" he teased, though his voice was light.
"No, really. I'm serious. It's... Esme's scent. It's on Grace," Seth said, looking around the room, his gaze landing on her with a knowing grin.
Jared chuckled, sitting up from the couch. "Guess Esme's been spending a lot of time with you, huh?" he teased Grace, his voice playful.
Grace flushed, rubbing the back of her neck. "We didn't so anything like that," she muttered, but there was no denying the teasing in their tone.
"Uh-huh," Jacob smirked, crossing his arms as he observed her, a glint of amusement in his eyes. "You sure about that?"
Paul leaned back on the armrest of the couch, his gaze softening as he sniffed the air again, his expression thoughtful. "You know... there's something else to it," he murmured, more to himself than anyone else.
Jared shot him a glance. "What do you mean?"
Paul's eyes flicked toward Grace, studying her with a new intensity. "It's like... it's not just Esme's scent anymore. It's like, well... it's coming from her too." He didn't elaborate further, but there was a shift in his tone, a quiet understanding settling in that he couldn't quite articulate.
Seth squinted, leaning in to sniff the air more intently. "Yeah, I'm starting to get that too." He straightened, rubbing his chin. "It's... different. There's something there, something about Grace."
Grace froze, her heart skipping. She hadn't said anything about it, but the way they were looking at her now—it was different. The teasing still hung in the air, but it wasn't the same. It wasn't the usual playful banter. She couldn't put her finger on it, but she could feel it. Something had changed, and it wasn't just in the air; it was in the way they regarded her. There was an unfamiliar weight to their eyes. An odd respect.
"Well, what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Grace asked, trying to keep her voice steady, but her unease slipped through.
Jacob's grin faded, his expression softening as he regarded her with a contemplative gaze. "I don't know," he said slowly. "I can't explain it. It's like... I don't know, like... something's different."
Seth's teasing smile didn't quite reach his eyes as he gave Grace a sidelong glance. "Maybe you've been around Esme too long. You're starting to... rub off on each other," he said, his voice light, but there was something else in his words now—something almost admiring.
Grace didn't respond immediately. She was too busy trying to process the subtle change in how they were looking at her. The teasing was there, but it wasn't just teasing. They were regarding her differently—like they saw her as... more. Not just a packmate, but something else. And she couldn't quite grasp what that something was yet.
Paul leaned forward, his brow furrowed as if he were trying to make sense of his own thoughts. "It's not just the scent... it's like the way we feel about her now," he said softly, almost to himself. "I don't know what it is, but it's like... she's changing."
Grace's pulse quickened. She didn't know if it was fear or excitement or something else entirely, but the recognition was unmistakable. The way the pack saw her, how they regarded her—it was different. Maybe they couldn't put their finger on it yet, but it was there, subtle but undeniable.
"Are you guys done sniffing me?" Grace snapped, trying to keep her voice steady, but the tremor in her words gave away the conflict inside her. "You're starting to sound like you're talking about me like I'm not even here."
The teasing didn't stop, but there was a quiet shift in the room. The boys' smiles didn't fade, but the edge of humor in their eyes softened, replaced by something else. They weren't just teasing anymore—they were paying attention. And it was starting to make Grace nervous in a way she couldn't fully understand.
Seth leaned back in his seat, his usual carefree grin still on his face, but there was a subtle respect in the way he looked at Grace now. "We'll leave you alone for now, Alpha," he teased, though the words held a different weight, not just a playful jab. The way he said it, it felt more like... a statement of truth. But even Seth didn't seem fully aware of what he'd said or why.
Grace opened her mouth to protest, but she faltered. She didn't know how to respond to that—Alpha. They were treating her like she was something more than just the pack's younger sister. It was a strange, heady feeling, but it wasn't quite fear. It was just... new. And as they all exchanged looks, no one said another word, but the air felt charged, different in a way they weren't ready to understand yet.
Jared chuckled softly, breaking the tension with a teasing grin. "Whatever you say, Grace," he said. "But you'll always be our little sister. Just... don't go around telling people we were calling you 'Alpha.' It'd make us look soft."
There was a laugh around the room, but Grace's mind was still racing. She wasn't ready for any of this. She didn't know what it meant, but she could feel the shift, deep down, in her bones.
The pack's perception of her was changing. And it wasn't something she could stop.
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As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting the sky in hues of deep orange and purple, Sam returned to his cabin, his presence steady and commanding. He entered through the front door, the faint scent of the forest still clinging to his clothes. Inside, the sounds of quiet conversation and the shuffle of footsteps greeted him. His pack was gathered in the living room, waiting for his direction.
He glanced over at the group, his gaze briefly lingering on each member before he spoke, his voice carrying the weight of authority.
"We're meeting down by the firepit at the beach tonight," Sam began, his tone calm but firm. "I want everyone to be there. We need to talk—there's a lot going on, and it's time we discuss what comes next." He paused, his gaze falling on each of the younger pack members. "This isn't just about the rogue vampires causing trouble. It's about us, about our pack. We're going to need a solid plan moving forward, and we'll all need to be on the same page."
He looked toward Jared, Seth, Paul, and Jacob, his expression softening slightly. "I'll need you all to be alert. It's a new phase for us, one we haven't navigated before. Just remember—our unity is everything. Let's be ready for whatever comes."
The room fell silent for a moment before Sam continued, his voice softer now, almost contemplative. "We have a lot to consider, but we'll figure it out. One step at a time."
As the conversation began to quiet down, Grace hesitated for only a moment before speaking up. Her gaze was steady, though the weight of her question lingered in the air.
"Sam... do you think it would be alright if I invited the Cullens to the meeting tonight?" she asked, her voice soft but clear, with a hint of urgency. "I know this fight is going to be bigger than we've prepared for, and... well, we're going to need all the help we can get. Especially from them."
She shifted on her feet, her mind briefly drifting to Esme, Carlisle, and the rest of the family. Grace had spent enough time with the Cullens to know that, despite their differences, they were not just allies—they were family. Her family.
"They've got the experience with the rogue vampires," she added, her gaze flickering to Sam. "And, with what's coming, I don't think we can afford to keep them at arm's length anymore."
Sam's gaze shifted from Grace to the others in the room, a brief silence hanging between them as he weighed her suggestion. His eyes narrowed slightly in thought. He knew how important the Cullens were to her. They were family, despite the differences between their species. But inviting vampires—especially with the unpredictable nature of the rogue ones—was not a decision to make lightly.
But as the seconds stretched on, Sam's instincts—usually sharp and clear—started to twinge. The air around him thickened, and an unfamiliar weight settled into his chest. He could feel it before he saw it: the power emanating from Grace. The change was subtle at first, a shift he couldn't place, but the longer he hesitated, the more undeniable it became.
Grace's posture stiffened, and the air around her seemed to ripple with the promise of something larger, something older. The Wolf, hidden beneath her mortal form, was starting to stir. It wasn't just her words; it was the primal energy in the room, the way her scent subtly shifted. Her heart might still beat in a human chest, but the pack's Alpha energy was rising, and Sam could feel it—the way she towered over him without even trying.
Her presence grew, expanding in the room until he could feel the weight of her dominance settle over him like a thunderstorm. It wasn't physical, not yet—but it was there, lingering like a storm on the horizon.
Sam swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. His mind raced. He had to make a choice—and quickly. The pack was watching, waiting, sensing this shift in the air.
He looked directly into Grace's eyes, feeling the pull of her power, the authority in her gaze. His Alpha instincts—the ones he had honed and mastered for years—started to war with the undeniable fact that Grace was no longer just one of them. She was something more, something he hadn't fully recognized until this moment.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Sam nodded slowly. "Alright, Grace," he said, his voice steady despite the tension in the room. "You're right. We'll invite them." His gaze softened slightly as he looked at her, understanding the weight of what that invitation meant. "But don't expect them to be treated like just another pack member. There'll be boundaries."
As the words left his lips, the pressure in the air seemed to ease, though the recognition of Grace's power—her true power—remained undeniable.
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Thank you so very much for returning and reading this beautiful fanfiction story. I do hope you are enjoying yourself.
Are you still curious about who was using the recorder and watching Grace? Same! Let's see if they come around. Hm?