Emmett returned from the dense forest with a massive rock hoisted effortlessly over his shoulder. The boulder was easily the size of a small boulder Teddy had only seen in cartoons. As Emmett approached, Teddy's eyes widened in amazement, and he began jumping up and down, his excitement bubbling over.

"Whoa!" Teddy exclaimed, clapping his hands. "That's so cool! You're like a superhero!"

Emmett grinned, clearly enjoying the admiration. "Superhero? Nah, I'm just warming up." He winked at Teddy before carefully placing the rock near the batting area, ensuring it was protected from any stray hits. "Here you go, little man. This is your throne for today. Best seat in the house."

Teddy scrambled up onto the rock, his small legs dangling over the edge. "I'm the king of baseball!" he declared, earning chuckles from everyone.

After spending some time enthusiastically trying to swing one of the heavier bats—which was far too massive for him—Teddy finally tired out and settled into his rock seat. "This is awesome!" he exclaimed as he watched the vampires prepare for their game.

"Alright, Bella, you're the umpire," Alice announced, tossing her a whistle. "Keep it fair, and don't let Emmett cheat."

"Me? Cheat? Never!" Emmett said with mock indignation, earning playful eye rolls from Rosalie and Jasper.

As the game began, the thunderstorm rolled in, the sound of cracking bats blending perfectly with the rumbling skies. Bella, standing in the umpire's spot, did her best to keep track of the lightning-fast plays, calling strikes and balls as accurately as she could. The Cullens' superhuman speed and strength were on full display, each hit sending the baseball soaring deep into the woods.

Every time a ball was launched into the trees, Teddy let out a high-pitched squeal of delight. "Whoa! Did you see that, Bella?" he shouted, pointing after the disappearing ball. "That went so far! They're like real-life superheroes!"

Bella laughed, enjoying Teddy's enthusiasm. "I see it, Teddy. They're pretty amazing, huh?"

"Amazing? They're the best!" Teddy replied, his eyes shining.

Even when Jasper hit a particularly hard ball that vanished into the thick forest, Teddy clapped his hands excitedly. "You're all so cool! I wanna play like that when I grow up!"

"You're already halfway there," Edward said with a smile, ruffling Teddy's hair. "You've got the right attitude."

As the game continued, Teddy remained transfixed, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle. Compared to the regular baseball games he'd watched with Charlie, this was on a whole other level. The combination of raw power, speed, and the thunderous atmosphere made it the most exciting game he'd ever seen.

By the middle of the game, as the storm began to wane, Teddy was completely won over. "This is the best day ever!" he declared, hopping off his rock and running to hug Bella. "I love Cullen baseball!"

The Cullens, visibly pleased by Teddy's excitement, exchanged warm smiles. Even Rosalie, who usually kept her distance, crouched down to give Teddy a high five. "You've got good taste, kid," she said. "We'll have to do this again."

Teddy beamed. "Promise?"

"Promise," Emmett said, slinging his arm around Rosalie. "Next time, we'll teach you how to hit like a vampire."

The game was in full swing, the sound of cracking bats and rolling thunder creating an electrifying atmosphere. Suddenly, Alice froze mid-step, her eyes glazing over as she gasped sharply. "Stop!" she shouted, her voice cutting through the chaos.

Everyone halted immediately, their eyes darting toward her. "What is it?" Carlisle asked, his tone urgent.

Alice's vision cleared, and she looked around, her expression grim. "Vampires. They're coming. Three of them, and they'll be here any second."

The Cullens exchanged tense glances, their previous jovial mood replaced with caution. They began to gather their things, ready to leave the clearing, when a faint sound of approaching footsteps reached their ears. It was too late. The strangers were close.

Edward's usually calm demeanor faltered. His eyes darted toward Bella and Teddy, panic creeping into his thoughts. A human and a child. He clenched his fists, guilt and fear swirling within him. He shouldn't have brought them here.

"Bella, take Teddy and stay behind us," Carlisle ordered, his voice calm but firm.

Emmett wasted no time. He scooped Teddy up from his makeshift throne and moved him quickly behind the massive rock. "Stay here, little man," he whispered, his usual playful tone replaced with seriousness. "You're safe with us."

Teddy, sensing the sudden shift in the atmosphere, nodded, his wide eyes reflecting a mixture of confusion and trust. "What's happening, Uncle Emmett?"

"Just a little vampire meeting," Emmett replied, his gaze never leaving the edge of the clearing. "Nothing to worry about."

As the tension thickened, Edward's thoughts raced. He knew Harry's capabilities—if anything happened, Harry would rain fury down upon any who dared to harm Teddy. But still, the mere idea of a rogue vampire laying eyes on the boy sent a chill down Edward's spine. He glanced at Bella, who was holding Teddy's hand tightly, her face pale but resolute.

The footsteps grew louder, and moments later, three figures emerged from the trees. They were tall and elegant, their red eyes gleaming with curiosity and mild amusement as they took in the scene. The leader, a man with dark hair and a confident smirk, stepped forward.

"Well, well," he said, his voice smooth as silk. "Looks like we've stumbled upon a little gathering. Didn't mean to crash your game."

Carlisle stepped forward, his posture calm yet authoritative. "You must be passing through. Welcome to our territory. I'm Carlisle Cullen."

The leader inclined his head slightly. "Laurent," he introduced himself. "And these are James and Victoria. We were just passing by when we heard the game. Thought we'd check it out."

Edward's jaw clenched. He could see their curiosity piqued as they noticed Bella and, worse, Teddy.

James' eyes flicked toward the rock, and Edward's muscles tensed. "Interesting," James murmured, his gaze lingering. "You have humans among you?"

"They're with us," Carlisle said firmly, stepping slightly to block James' view. "Protected."

Victoria's lips curled into a sly smile. "How… intriguing."

Edward's panic surged, but Carlisle remained composed. "We respect the treaties and boundaries here," Carlisle said, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "We trust you will do the same."

Laurent raised a hand, his expression neutral. "Of course. We're just passing through. No harm intended."

The tension was palpable as the Cullens stood their ground, the three newcomers evaluating them. Then, after a long moment, Laurent gave a slight nod. "We'll be on our way," he said. "Enjoy your game."

As the Cullens prepared to leave, a sudden burst of confidence lit Teddy's face. He stepped out from behind the rock and called out to the three newcomers. "Are you coming to play? If you're going to, you could play with them!" His voice was light, full of innocence.

The Cullens froze, exchanging worried glances. The three vampires turned their attention back to Teddy, their expressions shifting from mild amusement to curiosity. James, however, lingered on Bella, his eyes narrowing with predatory intent.

Laurent chuckled, his gaze settling on Teddy. "Interesting child. Brave, too." His tone was measured, but there was an undercurrent of something darker.

Edward, his mind racing, moved quickly to Bella and Teddy. "We should go," he whispered, attempting to guide them toward the car.

But Teddy resisted, his small hands clinging to Bella. "I want to watch the game!" he protested.

Before Edward could argue further, Laurent spoke again, his voice smooth but laced with a veiled threat. "You know, the Volturi wouldn't be pleased if they heard rumors of an immortal child."

The Cullens stiffened. Immortal children were a dangerous taboo in the vampire world, their existence forbidden under penalty of death.

Esme stepped forward, her tone firm but calm. "Teddy is not an immortal child. His name is Teddy Black, and his father is a shapeshifter. He is fully human."

Laurent raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "A shapeshifter's son, raised among vampires? Fascinating."

James, however, didn't seem appeased. His lips curled back, revealing sharp fangs as he let out a low snarl, his gaze fixed on Teddy. The atmosphere grew tense, every Cullens ready to spring into action.

Teddy, who had been clutching Bella tightly, suddenly felt a strange surge of energy within him. His fear transformed into something primal. Before anyone could react, Teddy let out a growl—a deep, resonating sound that seemed far too powerful for a child.

The effect was instantaneous. Every vampire, including the Cullens, instinctively stepped back. The growl was more than just a sound; it was a force that pierced through them, chilling them to their core. Even James, who moments ago had been ready to pounce, froze in place, his eyes wide with fear.

The clearing fell silent, the only sound the distant rumble of thunder. Teddy blinked in confusion, looking around at the startled faces. "Why is everyone acting weird?" he asked innocently, his voice breaking the eerie stillness.

The Cullens exchanged uneasy glances, each trying to process what had just happened. Carlisle, always the first to recover, knelt beside Teddy and placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "That was… remarkable, Teddy."

Laurent's smile faltered, replaced by a more cautious expression. "It seems this child is more than he appears," he said, his tone carefully neutral. "Perhaps we've overstayed our welcome."

James remained silent, his predatory edge dulled by the memory of that growl. Victoria, who had been quiet until now, gave a small, wary smile. "We'll take our leave."

Laurent nodded and, with a last glance at Teddy, motioned for his companions to follow. "Until we meet again."

As they disappeared into the forest, the Cullens relaxed slightly, though the tension lingered. Edward, still on edge, knelt beside Teddy, his eyes searching the boy's face. "Teddy… do you feel different? Did you feel anything before that growl?"

Teddy tilted his head, his young mind trying to process the question. "I don't know. I just didn't like that man showing his teeth at me."

Esme smiled gently, brushing Teddy's hair. "You did very well, sweetheart."

Emmett chuckled, breaking the tension. "Kid's got a roar that could scare the pants off any vampire. I like it."

But Carlisle remained thoughtful. "This is something we'll need to understand," he said quietly. "Teddy may have powers we've never encountered before."

Bella hugged Teddy tightly, her heart still pounding. "Whatever it is, we'll protect him."

Edward nodded, his resolve firm. "No one will harm him. Not while we're here."

After the three vampires disappeared into the forest, Edward wasted no time. He bundled Teddy and Bella into his car and drove them quickly back to Bella's house. The tension in the air was palpable as they entered, locking the door behind them.

Once they were safely inside, Edward immediately picked up his phone and called the Cullens' house. Alice answered on the first ring.

"Alice, it's Edward," he said, his voice tight. "James… he's not just intrigued by Teddy. He's interested in Bella too. he's a tracker."

The line went silent for a moment, and then Alice's calm voice came through. "A tracker? That's bad. If James has set his sights on Bella, he won't stop until he gets what he wants."

"And Teddy," Edward added. "He's fascinated by Teddy's power. He might try to harm him just to see what happens."

Alice's voice grew more serious. "Should we call Harry? He needs to know about this."

Before Edward could answer, Emmett's deep voice cut in. "No way. We don't need to bother Harry over this. It's just three vampires. If we can't handle them ourselves, what good are we?"

Edward agreed with that. "Emmett's right," Edward said. "We'll deal with James, Laurent, and Victoria. We can't risk leading them to Harry's family while he's away."

Alice hesitated but eventually agreed. "Fine. But we're going to keep a close watch on Bella's house. If James is a tracker, he'll try to get close again. We'll need to be ready."

Edward asked. "What if he comes tonight?"

"We'll be there," Alice promised. "Emmett, Jasper, and I will take shifts watching the house. If James shows up, we'll deal with him."

Edward sat beside Bella, his hand resting gently on her arm. "You don't need to worry, Bella. We'll keep you both safe."

Teddy, sitting quietly on the couch, looked up at Edward with wide eyes. "Will the scary man come back?"

Edward knelt down to Teddy's level, his expression softening. "If he does, we'll stop him. You're safe with us."

Teddy nodded, reassured, and Bella pulled him into a protective hug.

The Cullens took their positions that night, their heightened senses on high alert. Emmett perched in a tree overlooking the house, his sharp eyes scanning the forest. Jasper, stationed near the back, used his ability to manipulate emotions to keep everyone calm. Alice remained close, her visions guiding their strategy.

Inside, Edward stayed with Bella and Teddy, constantly listening for any signs of danger.

As the hours passed, the tension in the house eased slightly, though no one let their guard down completely. They knew that James was still out there, plotting his next move. The Cullens would face him head-on, but until Harry returned, they were determined to protect Bella and Teddy at all costs.

Author's Note:

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