Far from the chaos at the bus stop, the towering man stood silently at the edge of a cliff, the wind tugging at his clothes. He gazed out over the forest like a god surveying his mortal kingdom, golden eyes sharp, waiting for his family to return.
A sudden rustle behind him made him turn. Branches snapped. A blur of movement resolved into focus, and in the next second, something flew toward him. Before it could hit the ground, he caught it easily with one arm—superhuman reflexes at work.
"Rosalie," he growled, cradling what now appeared to be a woman in a white dress, limp and trembling in his arms. "What did you do?"
Rosalie stepped forward, cool as ever. "Me? Nothing. Ask her what went wrong," she said, tilting her chin toward the woman.
The large man, Emmett, rocked the girl gently, almost like a father calming a child. But his eyes narrowed at his sister, his love for her tempered with caution. Rosalie tended to act first and explain later.
By the edge of the rocky cliff, Emmett listened closely as Elise—shaking, fragile, and still reeling—told her story. His golden eyes widened.
"You almost killed a human?" he roared, the words echoing across the mountainside.
"I couldn't help it!" Elise cried, clutching his shirt. "He smelled so good—like nothing I've ever known. It was like my throat caught fire. I tried to stop, Emmett, I tried!"
He held her tighter, saying nothing, the tension in his jaw speaking volumes.
"And why didn't you just take her home?" he asked sharply, turning his gaze back to Rosalie.
Rosalie gave him a look like he'd just asked if the sky was blue. She stepped closer, jabbing a manicured finger into his chest.
"First of all, what would that have solved? She would've screamed her head off the whole way until she saw you. Second—she's not my mate. Not my responsibility. I'm not her mother."
Her voice was icy, her eyes fixed on the waters far below.
"And third," she added, voice dropping low, "I was a few seconds away from losing control myself. But I didn't. Because I have discipline. I got us out of there."
She crossed her arms. "So maybe, just maybe, you should be thanking me instead of scolding me like a puppy that peed on your floor."
Emmett opened his mouth to argue, but another voice interrupted from the shadows.
"You two need to work on your volume. I heard you halfway across the forest."
A figure stepped from the trees—tall, lithe, with hair tousled like he'd just rolled out of bed. His golden eyes glowed faintly, like the others. Porcelain skin, smooth and flawless.
Edward.
"I'm impressed," he said, glancing at Elise. "Most wouldn't have held back that long. Good job, El."
Elise gave a small, ashamed nod, still buried in Emmett's arms.
"Edward," Rosalie snapped. "I know you're used to playing the cool one, but she almost killed someone."
"I know," he replied smoothly. "And honestly? I would've done the same. No offense, Elise."
"None taken," she said softly, finally starting to emerge from her daze.
"Was it… La Tua Cantante?" Edward asked, arching a brow. The question sparked Rosalie's curiosity.
"I don't think so," she said slowly. "Even I felt it. He was… mouthwatering."
"It was new," Elise added. "Something different. If he'd been that, I'd have snapped sooner."
Emmett nodded. "You're still adjusting. Hunger plays tricks. Rewiring your appetite isn't easy."
The others murmured in agreement.
"As long as we don't kill or turn anyone," Edward reminded, "the treaty holds. No need to worry about the other covens."
"Still, we should head back. The others will be wondering. Carlisle needs to know what happened." With that, Edward turned and melted into the forest once more.
Before following, Rosalie paused and pointed into the distance.
"There's a group of bobcats just beyond that ridge. Go feed. But hear me clearly—" she turned, eyes like winter. "If you risk exposing us to the humans again, I will kill you myself."
Her words hung heavy in the air as she vanished.
"Thank you, Rosalie," Elise called after her, but there was no response.
Elise turned to Emmett, her face full of conflict, sorrow clinging to her every word.
"I tried to stop, Emmett. But it… It was stronger than me."
He gently brushed a strand of hair from her cheek, offering the smallest smile.
"I know, sweetheart. You don't have to explain. I know."
And together, they disappeared into the trees, the hunt unfinished, the night still young.