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Almost all of the Cullens had left the house. Although the night stretched quietly over the forest, the family was certain that some Quileute were still lurking at a distance. The cold air slipping through the cracks seemed to carry with it a trace of invisible hostility, as if the wind itself bore the threat of the wolves.
Only Nate, Alice, Edward—who had no reason to join the plan—and Jasper, who had insisted on staying as soon as he knew Edward would, remained in the living room. The four of them stood there, so still they seemed like marble statues, shadows guarding the silence.
For Nate, the atmosphere was suffocating. He felt every second stretch like an over-tightened rope. Fate, or perhaps sheer chance, had condemned him to share that space with the two people he most wanted to avoid. Edward watched him with an uncomfortable intensity, as if the mere act of looking at him could somehow force him to start a conversation. Jasper, on the other hand, maintained a calmness that was even more unbearable; his stillness was that of someone containing far too much beneath the surface.
Alice, as if she perceived none of the tension, clung to Nate's arm with a radiant smile that disarmed any shadow.
"We could go to my room to pass the time," she said, in that light tone that always seemed to open windows in the middle of confinement.
Nate looked at her and could not help but return her smile. He agreed without overthinking it, though in doing so, he noticed out of the corner of his eye Jasper's slight frown. A fleeting gesture, but as evident as a crack in glass. Nate understood immediately: sooner or later, he would have to talk to him. Unlike the conflict with Edward—a much deeper wound, poisoned with resentment—Jasper's issue was one that might be resolved with frank words.
Before he could organize his thoughts, Alice gently pulled him toward the room.
Inside, the air shifted. The atmosphere felt lighter, as if the tension dominating the living room could not penetrate those walls. Nate always felt that time moved differently when he was with Alice; what were actually hours melted into minutes. He recalled one of the conversations he had had with Eleazar, one of those phrases that stuck with him: for a vampire, the love for their mate hardly ever faded; it was like living in an eternal honeymoon. The idea fascinated him, almost absurdly so, considering how bloody the nature of their species could be.
In that intimate space, they devoted themselves to what seemed trivial on the surface but held unexpected weight for Nate. Alice showed him some of the clothes she still kept, pieces that spoke of bygone eras and forgotten fashions. Then, laughing, they improvised with brushes and canvases. Nate even painted her. He found it ironic to capture on canvas a face that would never change, yet he discovered there was nothing repetitive in it: every stroke revealed something new. There was something in Alice that constantly transformed, not in her appearance, but in that elusive spark that shone in her gaze. Perhaps, he thought, that was what made eternity bearable.
For a few hours, Nate allowed himself to forget. The spark of anger that had accompanied him since his arrival at the house gradually dimmed. In its place, he found peace—a strange breath of calm in the midst of the whirlwind.
Dawn was beginning to peek over the horizon when the Cullens returned. The sound of their steps, firm yet silent, filled the entrance. Those who had remained in the house stepped out to greet them, eager to hear any results. But a mere glance at their expressions was enough to understand that there was no good news.
Carlisle spoke in a grave, though calm, voice as always.
"None of us saw a wolf with a copper-colored coat."
According to Edward, Jacob, in his wolf form, was massive and of an unmistakable copper color, but none of those who had followed them matched that description.
Nate, however, was not surprised.
"I didn't expect you to succeed on the first night," he said calmly. "It's okay."
One by one, the Cullens began to disperse, preparing for their usual activities. The children got ready for school, Esme had errands to run in town, and Carlisle was going to the hospital. Yet hope lingered: perhaps that day they might see Jacob.
As everyone was about to step out the door, Edward stopped abruptly. He placed a hand on Jasper's shoulder and spoke with an apologetic smile that felt more forced than sincere.
"Could you tell Bella I have some matters to attend to? I'll stay home today."
Jasper nodded without asking questions, though his gaze exuded silent tension.
Nate, watching from the corner of his eye, let out a sigh of frustration. He felt Edward searching for any excuse to stay close, and that wore on him more than he cared to admit. Sensing his discomfort, Alice gently squeezed his arm and led him delicately toward the study.
Nate didn't understand her intent, but that relaxed smile she maintained disarmed him; there was no room for objections when Alice decided something. As soon as they crossed the doorway, she naturally settled in front of a computer. She turned it on with the routine of someone who no longer thinks about the steps, and the blue glow of the screen tinted her face, bringing out golden sparks in her eyes.
"You know," she said without looking away, "a large part of our fortune comes from this. I use my visions to invest. It's practically guaranteed that we always make great profits."
Nate smiled. He walked slowly to stand behind her, leaning enough to feel the light brush of her hair against his arm.
"Interestingly, when I heard about your visions, I thought of this. It makes sense. Carlisle must earn well as a doctor, but not enough to sustain this lifestyle…"
For a moment, his attention focused on the screen, expecting graphs, explanations, something to justify her words. But Alice didn't type anything. Instead, she turned her head just slightly and looked at him directly, as if he himself were the only answer that mattered.
Nate arched an eyebrow, puzzled.
"What's wrong? I thought you brought me here to learn."
Alice shook her head with a small smile.
"No. I just wanted to show you how I'll spend my day. I haven't 'worked' in months, so I need to focus…" She paused, tilting her head in that way of hers that always seemed to pierce through the surface of things. "Also, I thought it might be a good opportunity for you to talk to Edward. It's obvious he stayed because he wants to talk to you."
Nate's expression hardened immediately. His brow furrowed, as if the mere mention of the name awakened a tension he had tried to keep buried. He answered with a tone that hinted at doubt:
"Aren't you worried that if I'm alone with him, I might end up hurting him?"
Alice looked at him as if he had said something absurd. She didn't laugh or scold him; she simply tilted her head and answered calmly:
"Not at all. You would never do anything that could affect me."
The silence thickened between them. Nate held her gaze for a few seconds, perplexed by the level of trust she placed in him. There was something disarming about that blind faith: it made him feel both unworthy and protected. He took a deep breath, trying to organize what he felt, and walked toward the door. He stopped in the frame, hand resting on the wood.
"There's something I want to do… So I'll take the opportunity to go with Edward. Maybe I'll talk to him."
Alice blinked, surprised. For a moment, it seemed she would stand, but instead, she questioned him calmly:
"Hey, aren't we supposed to stay hidden? Also… we're in a populated area. You might run into people."
Nate shook his head with a certainty that left no room for doubt.
"Don't worry. I'll just make a quick stop. The Quileute must be too busy following the others. And regarding people…" His gaze lingered on the window for a second, as if his mind were already elsewhere. "I have enough self-control for what I want to do."
Alice's expression softened immediately upon understanding. Her golden eyes filled with tenderness, and Nate felt exposed before them, without barriers.
"Do you want me to come with you?" she asked, with a warmth that seemed to envelop him.
Nate shook his head almost in a whisper.
"No. Later, we'll have a ceremony. Now… I just want to pay my respects."
Alice lowered her eyelids slowly, nodding. She did not argue, nor try to stop him. She just accepted.
"I understand… I won't tell anyone you left. But cover yourself well, in case someone recognizes you."
Nate nodded slightly and gave Alice a small parting smile before leaving the study. The hallway was covered in the grayish light filtering through the windows; Forks always seemed to sleep under an overcast sky, and this dawn was no exception. The soft gloom blended with the shadows of the furniture, making each of his steps echo discreetly on the wooden floor.
Upon reaching his room, he closed the door behind him and allowed himself a few seconds of stillness. The cloudy air seemed to envelop him, muffling sounds and softening the contours of the room. With deliberate movements, he began searching through his suitcases. Each garment he pulled out and replaced felt like a conscious act of preparation, a ritual connecting him to the calm he tried to maintain. He chose a dark, loose hoodie, perfect for moving without drawing attention. He placed a pair of large sunglasses in a pocket, big enough to completely cover his gaze and hide his red eyes, and pulled a tiny cloth pouch from a side compartment of his backpack, sliding it into his pants pocket. Just feeling it there made him sigh deeply, filled with anticipation.
He stopped in front of the mirror, observing himself under the gray light that gave his features a ghostly tone. He inhaled deeply, trying to organize the tension rising from his chest to his throat, and forced himself to walk.
The hallway leading to Edward's room stretched with soft, diffuse shadows. At the door, he stopped. The temptation to turn on his heels and leave alone was strong, almost unbearable. He didn't want to rely on anyone, least of all himself. But he also didn't want to disappoint Alice. And deep down, he knew it was wiser to take another vampire with him, someone capable of whisking him away in a blink if he lost control.
With a resigned gesture, he raised his hand and knocked. The sound was lost in the murmur of the house. Edward had heard him approach from the other end. Still, he took a moment before opening, as if to hide the fact that he had been waiting.
The door opened in a blink, and for a second, they both froze, staring at each other in silence. Edward broke it first, voice loaded with confusion and a hint of hope:
"Nate… do you need something?"
Nate held his gaze coldly, his voice flat, measured, almost devoid of emotion:
"I thought it would be a good idea for us to talk."
Edward's eyes widened, and a flash of relief appeared. He had been waiting for this moment, the opportunity to apologize… and now Nate was taking the first step.
"Of course," Edward said, stepping aside to open the door further. "Come in, please, let's talk."
But Nate didn't move. He stayed in the doorway, rigid, like a block of stone. His tone grew sharper as he added:
"No. Not here. Before we talk, I need you to do me a favor."
Edward furrowed his brow slightly, hesitating for a moment at Nate's firmness, but nodded.
"Of course. Whatever you need."
Nate's eyes didn't blink. His voice was sharp, almost like an order disguised as a request:
"I need you to come with me to my old house."
Edward flinched slightly, his amber eyes widening as he fixed his gaze on Nate. His voice, loaded with doubt, came quickly:
"What…? Nate, no Quileute is supposed to see you. If we're discovered, the whole plan could fail… Also, there are many people near your house. You know how the thirst is… You could sense someone and not control your impulses before you can stop yourself."
Nate's gaze became firm, direct, almost inquisitive. His voice sounded cold, leaving no room for excuses:
"If you can't come with me, that's fine. But this is happening: I'm going."
Edward hesitated just a moment, eyes full of conflict. Concern for safety, the possibility of losing control, and the desire to reconcile with Nate mingled in his expression. Finally, determination prevailed. He couldn't let the opportunity to mend what was broken slip away.
Calmly, Edward found a dark jacket on a nearby shelf and put it on with measured movements, making sure to cover himself without showing nervousness. His voice sounded firmer, though still tinged with care:
"No… I'll go with you. I know a little-used route; we'll get there quickly and safely."
Nate barely nodded, a nearly imperceptible gesture acknowledging Edward's decision. Without further words, both vampires vanished in a blink, leaving behind the tranquility of the Cullen house and stepping into the gray mist that blanketed Forks. The diffuse light of the overcast sky wrapped every street, tree, and shadow, their senses sharpening with every step.