Edward stood in the quiet room, his phone gripped tightly in his hand. The castle was unusually still, the usual distant murmur of activity muted. Taking a deep breath, he dialed Carlisle's number, his mind racing with everything he needed to say—and the consequences that could follow.

When Carlisle's familiar voice answered, it was calm, reassuring as always. "Edward, I was expecting you and I read your letter. Alice said I should expect your call too."

Edward couldn't help but smirk, the faintest trace of relief flooding him. "Did she?" he asked, his voice lighter for a brief moment. "Did she tell you whether you'll agree?"

"Perhaps," Carlisle replied with a trace of humor. "Her vision wasn't entirely clear on that part."

Edward exhaled, the weight of his request pulling him back to the gravity of the moment. "Look, Carlisle," he began, his tone serious now. "I see you as an older brother—you know that. And I've seen the fascination in your mind. Don't think I forgot how intrigued you were when you had me write down every detail I knew about hybrids."

There was a silence on the line that stretched for just a moment too long.

"Carlisle," Edward continued, his voice softer, almost pleading. "Isabella is my mate. I've seen it in Marcus's thoughts, and I feel it too. It's undeniable. I need your help. Not just yours—the whole family's."

For a moment, Carlisle didn't respond, and Edward held his breath, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the phone. Finally, his voice came back, filled with a blend of shock and warmth.

"Wow…" Carlisle murmured. "That's—well, good for you, Edward. Finally! After all this time, you've found her." There was a beat before he added, "In what way can we help?"

Edward leaned against the windowsill, gazing out over the Volterra skyline. "I need you to check on Bella," he said simply. Then, with deliberate care, he explained her unique predicament. "She's half-human and half-vampire, Carlisle. She's been in Volterra since birth with no medical guidance—none. Her health, her biology—it's all uncharted territory. And now…" He hesitated, taking a moment to steady his voice. "Now she's my mate. I can't risk losing her."

Carlisle listened attentively, his silence encouraging Edward to continue.

"There's more," Edward added. "I've accomplished my initial task here. I found the mole—it was a human, compelled by a vampire in a coven led by Alexandros." He paused, gauging Carlisle's reaction. "You've met him, don't you? Aro spared him years ago, but now he's been stirring chaos with his coven. Aro is preparing to handle it. I just need Alice to help us see the outcomes. I can't afford to take any risks here—I have to ensure Bella's safety, no matter what."

Edward hesitated before adding, his voice laced with genuine remorse, "Would you come to Volterra, Carlisle? I'm sorry for dumping all of this on you."

CPOV

On the other end of the line, Carlisle leaned back in his chair, digesting Edward's words. The revelations came rapidly, each more surprising than the last. His letter was vague. But Edward, who had always seemed resigned to a solitary existence, now speaking of a mate? A hybrid mate, no less? Carlisle's shock was eclipsed only by the depth of his compassion.

"Edward…" Carlisle began, his voice steady though his thoughts were racing. "That's a lot to take in, but…" He smiled faintly, imagining the look on Edward's face. "I'm happy for you. Truly. This is remarkable." He glanced toward the open door of the study, knowing Esme and the others were likely nearby, listening in on the conversation.

Edward remained quiet, waiting for Carlisle's decision.

"You know me, Edward," Carlisle continued, his tone growing more resolute. "When it comes to something like this—especially something concerning a child's well-being—you don't have to twist my arm." He exhaled thoughtfully. "But you also know how things work here. I'll need to consult with the family. This isn't a decision I can make alone."

There was a pause, but Carlisle could already hear Edward's relief, even before he replied.

"Of course," Edward said. "Take whatever time you need, Carlisle. I'll explain more once you've decided."

As the call ended, Carlisle remained seated, turning the weight of Edward's request over in his mind. He'd known for centuries that Edward rarely—if ever—asked for help. For him to do so now meant the situation was dire. He glanced at the empty page on his desk, already composing the first words of a plan in his thoughts.

This wouldn't be easy—not for any of them. But for Edward, and for the child tied so irrevocably to his son's happiness, Carlisle knew what his answer would likely be.

Getting everyone on board, however, was another matter entirely.

Carlisle stepped out of his study and, just as he expected, found everyone in the family gathered nearby. Their expressions varied, but all of them reflected a shared tension.

Esme, as always, had worry written across her features, her hands clasped tightly together. Jasper leaned casually against the wall, but the calculation in his sharp gaze betrayed his apparent calm. Alice stood slightly apart, her eyes unfocused as though sifting through possible futures, while Rosalie, arms crossed, exuded frustration. Emmett lounged on the sofa, though his eagerness to jump into action was evident in the way his foot tapped rhythmically against the floor.

The moment Carlisle stepped into view, Rosalie's simmering anger broke loose. "So, we're just going to follow his orders now?" she snapped, her golden eyes narrowing. "Just because Edward dropped by for a minute doesn't mean he gets to run our lives or drag us into his messes! And let's be honest, this isn't really about him. It's about her."

"Rosalie…" Esme's voice carried both admonishment and weariness, but Rosalie forged ahead.

"She's a hybrid," Rosalie pressed, pacing a few steps before turning on her heel to glare at Carlisle. "You don't think it's strange? Dangerous? She shouldn't even exist, and yet we're supposed to risk everything for her?"

"She's Edward's mate," Emmett countered easily, his grin broadening. "And she's, like, half-vampire, half-human. You've gotta admit, that's pretty wild. A kid like that? Sounds kinda amazing to me."

Rosalie shot him a look of incredulity. "Amazing? Emmett, do you realize what this means? Aro's involved. And if we go waltzing into Volterra, the Volturi are going to be crawling all over her. Do you really want to draw more attention to us just because Edward has a savior complex?"

"She's not dangerous to us," Alice chimed in, finally snapping out of her trance. Her eyes flicked to Carlisle and then to Rosalie. "I've already seen it. Isabella isn't a threat—at least not in the way you're thinking. If anything, the Volturi pose a greater danger to her."

Carlisle raised his hands in a calming gesture, his voice patient. "This isn't about Edward's orders, Rosalie. It's about family. It's about doing what's right."

Rosalie rolled her eyes, her jaw tightening. "And what's 'right,' Carlisle? Risking ourselves for something we weren't even a part of? We owe the Volturi nothing!"

Before Carlisle could respond, Jasper stepped forward, his stance measured, though there was an intensity in his voice. "Rosalie, I get where you're coming from. But Edward helped Alice and me when we needed him most. Protecting our mates is everything, and now he's trying to protect his. If that means stepping into something dangerous, so be it."

He looked at Alice, and she gave a small, reassuring smile. "We owe Edward," Jasper continued, his voice firmer now. "We're in."

Alice's gaze swept over the room, as though silently confirming the decision she had already foreseen. "We're all in," she announced with a serene smile. "Nothing too bad is coming our way if we act quickly."

"I'm not!" Rosalie interjected sharply, her voice cutting through the rising sense of unity. "Alice, you can't speak for all of us. Just because you have your visions doesn't mean I'm throwing myself into some Volturi drama!" She crossed her arms tightly, glaring at Alice as if daring her to argue.

I'm not helping," Rosalie said again flatly, though a flicker of something crossed her face—was it doubt? Or intrigue? "Aro already has too much power, and I'm not dragging myself into his shadow. And let's not act like Edward doesn't thrive on putting us all into chaos."

Emmett gave a dramatic groan and stood, slinging an arm over Rosalie's shoulders. "Babe, c'mon. You know you're curious about her too. Admit it: you want to know if she sparkles in the sun like us or what kinda superpower she has and she's just a baby." He wiggled his eyebrows.

"Don't call him 'Eddie,'" Rosalie grumbled, but her resistance softened just a fraction.

"She's family," Esme interjected firmly. "Whatever questions we have about her—whether she's a hybrid or not—can wait. She's Edward's mate. That's all the reason we should need."

Carlisle finally spoke, his calm voice cutting through the tension. "Edward wouldn't ask us to intervene unless it was necessary. And Rosalie, you're right: Isabella being a hybrid raises questions none of us can answer yet. How does she survive? How will her human and vampire traits shape her future? Those are questions we all have, and I won't deny I'm curious too." He met each of their gazes steadily. "But one thing is clear. She's vulnerable right now—more than we ever could have anticipated. And if we don't step in, the consequences could ripple far beyond just Isabella."

Rosalie rolled her eyes but didn't respond. Emmett slung an arm around her shoulder, his grin never faltering.

Carlisle spoke again, his voice steady but earnest. "Rosalie, I understand your reservations, but this is Edward we're talking about. His mate now, too. They're family, and family supports each other in times like this."

Esme stepped closer to him, her expression soft yet determined. She placed a hand on his arm and said quietly but firmly, "He's right, Rosalie. Edward and Isabella need us, and we've always stood by each other. Of course we'll help them."

"Edward and his chaos," Rosalie muttered, shaking off Emmett's arm as she moved toward the door. "He can never keep it to himself." Without another word, she stormed out of the house, leaving the room in tense silence.

"Once again, Rosalie's out," Emmett said cheerfully, though his grin had dimmed somewhat. "Guess I'll have to convince her on the plane."

"I'll go talk to her," Esme offered softly, following after Rosalie with her calm, soothing presence.

Alice clasped her hands together, already buzzing with energy now that a plan was forming. "I knew it," she said with a gleam in her eye. "I'll book the tickets."

Carlisle couldn't help but smile. Despite the conflict, his family always found their way forward together. "Thank you, all of you," he said, his voice filled with quiet pride. "Edward will be grateful for your support."

"We're not just doing it for Edward," Jasper said plainly, his sharp gaze still on Alice. "We're doing it for what he's fighting for. Protecting family is always worth it."

As the family dispersed to make their preparations, Carlisle couldn't shake the faint hint of unease lingering in his mind. He trusted Edward and knew his intentions were noble. But even Carlisle had to admit: when Edward was involved, chaos was never far behind.

Rosalie is being dramatic, as she should be. Just a disclaimer: none of them knows how the Volturi work. All they know about them is based on what Carlisle told them from when he was with them, so you can't blame Rosalie for being so skeptical.

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