andreafmn

[andreafmn]

Requite | Chapter 7

Word Count: 3.8K

Summary: When everything seems to fall into place in Forks, Washington, a string of mysterious deaths call the attention of both vampires and werewolves in town. As the redheaded vampire returns with her mind set on revenge, (Y/N) and Bella Swan find themselves in the center of danger once again. With secrets still lingering between them about their past best friend, they will find themselves stuck in a whirlwind of love, betrayal, and the hardest choices they’ll have to make. But one thing is certain: no one will go a day without a taste for vengeance. 

<- Previous

By the time Monday rolled around, Bella had been stewing in anger for almost two days. The information she'd gotten had been swirling in her mind, feeding the flame that had formed deep in her chest. She wanted Edward and Jacob to answer for what they had done.

The girl wanted Jake to hurt for letting (Y/N) almost die, for using her emotions against her, and breaking her heart and spirit over and over again. While he hurt her sister, he pretended to be a victim to her, painting the younger girl as a callous heartbreaker. When in reality, he had been emotionally torturing her for months in order to get closer to Bella. It made her feel like an idiot, and even worse, it had turned her into an even worse sister than she already felt.

As for Edward, she simply couldn't bear another lie, especially not from him. Not when her heart still wrenched whenever she saw him. Not when every betrayal still stung like a fresh wound. Everything he did in an effort to protect her simply hurt, each time more than the last. He was callous in his decision, letting only his emotions be the ones to dictate their actions. And as much as she wanted to hate him, all she felt was love and disappointment. It didn't matter how hard she tried. Edward was an infallible mark in her heart she couldn't get rid of.

Still, it didn't quench the anger that burned inside her as she walked toward him that morning, a firm scowl tugging at the corners of her mouth. (Y/N) followed in tow, trying her best to keep her sister from making a scene—not that it would make a difference.

“How dare you?” Bella exclaimed, using her strength to punch his chest. Of course, it didn't hurt him, but the surprise had him stumbling in his step. “How could you keep this from me?”

“I thought it was the right thing to do,” he said, his voice calm and even-toned. “I didn't want you or your sister to have to worry about this.”

“Not worry? Edward, there is a homicidal vampire after me and my family,” she said through gritted teeth. “Victoria already got close enough to almost kill (Y/N), and you didn't think I should know that she was looking to do it again?”

“So, you know.”

“Yes,” she whimpered quietly. “I know everything.”

“I wanted to tell you about it,” he said, taking a tentative step toward her. “When I heard Jacob's thoughts, I...”

Bella raised a hand to stop his rambling. She couldn't have this conversation, not now. “That is not what this is about, Edward,” she seethed. “You lied to me. Again. I asked you about what Alice saw, and you lied.”

“I'm sorry, Bella,” the boy whispered. “I truly believed it was the right thing. All I've ever wanted to do was keep you safe. If there are any words I need you to trust, it is those.”

His words moved her. His honey-laced tongue worked wonders in her ears; it seeped through her thoughts, through the walls she had built as protection. It would have been easier to succumb to him, to allow the gravitational pull he had to bring her into his arms. Of course, it would have been easier.

Yet Bella did not know easy. She knew low expectations, she knew forgetting letdowns, she knew ignoring herself for the sake of others. Her sister and she were experts at it. But (Y/N) had taught her they were stronger than the way they had been brought up. Being selfish didn't mean being mean or thoughtless, and she needed to put herself first if she planned on surviving past her senior year.

“I do believe you, Edward. I just...”

The sound of a wheel squealing interjected her words, snapping her head toward the sound. A wave of déjà vu washed over her as the feelings of the year before inundated her. But instead of a van barreling toward her, Jacob stopped his bike a few feet from her. Everyone in the parking lot turned their sights to them. Instinctively, Edward put himself between Bella and the wolf, starting the whispers of everyone around.

“You have some nerve showing up here,” the boy said, his jaw clenching so tightly it seemed it would shatter. “Haven't you caused enough headaches?”

“I need to talk to you, Bella,” Jacob pleaded, looking at her over Edward's shoulder. “What they've told you is not the whole truth. You have to believe me, Bells.”

“I'm getting really tired of people telling me what I have to do,” Bella scoffed. “And you... you're lucky I'm only human. I will never forgive you for what you did to my sister.”

“I didn't do anything to her, Bella. I wasn't the one who attacked her in the woods.”

Bella braced herself to hit him, raising her hand in a fist and pushing past Edward. But a hand stopped her. “You need to leave, Jacob,” (Y/N) said, her tone stoic and cold. “There is nothing left to say.”

“No, you have to tell the truth, (Y/N),” he pushed. “I didn't do anything wrong. I was... I did love you, okay? I did! This is all just a stupid misunderstanding.”

Before either sister could talk again, Edward stepped forward, stopping Jacob from coming any closer. The wolf was clearly taller, overpowering the other boy in musculature and stature, but something about the way the vampire held his stance made him seem larger than life. His stare was burning—the perfect representation of a look that could kill. “You need to get out of here, Jacob,” he said quietly. “Not only are you breaking the treaty by stepping foot on our side of town, but you're making Bella and (Y/N) quite uncomfortable. So, if you want to keep the peace, I suggest you get back on your bike and leave.”

“I don't care what you say, leech,” Jacob spat. “I didn't come here for you.”

“Then hear me, Jake,” Bella said. “You need to go home before you do something else you regret. I don't want you here. I don't want to see you. I don't want to talk to you. I don't want you anywhere near me or (Y/N).”

People had started closing in, their ears perched on a conversation no one would be able to hear unless they weren't human. Kids nudged each other in the arms, nodding toward the confrontation between the two boys. It wasn't hard to notice the way girls ogled Jacob, wondering how a boy like him was even associated with the Swan sisters. It was also obvious the way boys tensed their muscles to look bigger, unsure how a kid like him could get a body like that. Yet none of them knew the darkness and the mayhem that came with knowing him—truly knowing him.

It was easy to fantasize about someone like Jacob, and even Edward, when they didn't know the reality that happened right under their noses. None of them had stared death in the eye because of the boys, been beaten, or threatened. Just standing next to either one put a target on your back that no one could erase. They were death and danger wrapped up in an attractive box.

“You don't understand, Bells,” Jacob continued to push. “There's more to the story, okay? You need to know the whole thing. Tell her, (Y/N). Tell her it's not as black and white as everyone is making it seem. Tell her we loved each other.”

He took a step forward, trying to get to the younger Swan, but Edward wouldn't let him—he definitely noticed the way the girl flinched when Jake got closer. He remained unmoved in his position, stopping Jacob from getting anywhere near the sisters. Maybe he was only doing it because Bella was there, but at that moment, (Y/N) was thankful for the vampire. “Go home, Jake,” he said. “You're just embarrassing yourself.”

"I don't understand how you're so quick to forgive him, Bella, but you won't even give me a chance to explain myself,” the boy continued, his eyes desperately searching for hers. “He left you for dead, but somehow you went to save him. Don't I deserve a bit of that mercy, too? What is it about him that I don't have?”

“Because I don't care what happens to me,” she admitted. “But you were willing to let my sister die, and that is something I will never forgive.”

“Don't say that, Bella. Please. You need to understand, I...”

“Principal is coming our way,” Edward interrupted. “Seems he doesn't enjoy the loitering.”

No one budged until the principal was calling students by name and threatening detention for anyone who didn't disperse. Even Jacob was threatened with the police, forcing his smirk to dwindle as he remembered he wasn't in good standing with the chief. The last thing he wanted was to be arrested for trespassing by his ex-girlfriend's father.

As everyone moved toward the school and the principal disappeared, (Y/N) felt her chest tighten. With every step she took, her lungs ached, and her pulse raced. Pain shot through her body, making it harder and harder to catch her breath. She fell to her knees as she gasped for air, clutching at her chest as though it would help. Everything around her went quiet. The only thing pounding in her ears was the sound of her rapid-beating heart. Even outside, she felt walls closing in. Her throat tightened, only allowing a wheezing string of air to get through to her lungs.

She knew what was happening. Though it didn't happen much, (Y/N) had experienced the odd panic attack in her past. The contraction of her lungs, the raspiness in her throat, the cloudiness in her vision, the wheezing of her breath; she had felt it all before. There were methods she knew could help her break out of the spiral, of course. But at that moment, all she could focus on was the adrenaline leaving her body as Jacob sped away from the parking lot. The girl knew she needed to snap herself out of it, but she couldn't find the way.

Suddenly, she felt a freezing touch on the back of her neck, breaking the hyperventilating pattern of her breath. A soft voice followed after. “Steady your breath,” Edward said softly. “Try to match me, if you can.”

He took a deep breath through his nose, waiting until (Y/N) copied him before releasing it through his mouth. Where his air came steadily and easily, her breath came shaky and heavy. Her heart raced and her veins cooled, and it seemed like nothing would keep her calm. But Edward didn't give up—not even when Bella crouched beside them and tried to break her sister out of the panic. He kept up with the deep breaths until, finally, the younger Swan seemed to steady.

“He's gone, okay? You're safe,” he said once her heart started beating evenly. “He can't hurt you again.”

(Y/N) looked up at him with teary eyes, finding no deception in the golden hue of his irises. Unlike the times they had met before, there was no resentment or anger in them. All she could see was concern and a silent apology neither thought would exist. “Uh, t-thank you,” she muttered as he helped her up. “I don't know why this happened.”

“It's a natural response after entering fight-or-flight,” he said. “Your body and your mind identify Jacob as a threat. Adrenaline surged, and you were able to face him. But once he was gone, so was the threat, and it broke you down.”

His words forced both sisters to stare at him. The medical jargon and his nonchalant attitude surprised them. Still, what shocked (Y/N) was his willingness to help. Maybe it was because Bella was watching, but it didn't stop him from breaking her panic attack. Somehow, his voice had been able to break through the fogginess of her mind, and he coached her into a more relaxed state. “Right,” she chuckled softly. “Well, thank you.”

“You have nothing to thank me for, (Y/N),” he said. “Regardless of how our past interactions have gone—which, for those, I do apologize—I don't want to see you hurt. Especially not because of someone like Jacob Black. I know I hurt Bella, and I will spend the rest of my life atoning for that. But he didn't even show an ounce of remorse. He doesn't deserve all you've done for him.”

Words got stuck in the girl's throat at his sentiment, making her think she had misjudged the boy from the very beginning. “Wow, um, thank you,” she choked. “I don't think I ever expected to be grateful to you—no offense, of course.”

“None taken,” he chuckled. “There are many things I've done that I wish I hadn't. But I love Bella, always will. And loving her means loving and caring about her family even when they hate me. I don't mind doing that.”

“I think... I may have jumped the gun with you, Edward,” she smiled. “I’m still very mad about what you did to Bells, but I will admit there may be some redemption for you in the future.”

“That's all I can hope for, right?” he grinned, trying not to notice the smile that stretched across Bella’s mouth as they walked down the hall. “I've got enough time to fix things.”

Back in the Swan home, the sisters sat at the dining table, books and papers spread before them. The air felt cold, even with the coming of summer. (Y/N) knew why, but she didn't want to say it out loud. Talking about things made them come true, it cemented their existence as more than thoughts. Talking made situations tangible, dangerous. She had lived the power words could have on a person, on a moment. The moment she muttered what she feared, she was scared it would make it come true.

“Come on, out with it,” Bella said as she closed her book, using a napkin as a placeholder. “What's going through your mind?”

“I don't know what you could possibly mean,” she shrugged. “I'm fine.”

“No, you've been weird this past week and you won't say why,” the older girl grumbled. “Does it have something to do with the altercation between Emmett and Paul?”

“No.”

“Does it have to do with Jacob?”

“No,” she sighed, giving up on the paper in her hands. “It's nothing, Bells. Just that my mind won't shut up.”

“About?”

It was clear Bella was not gonna drop the topic. (Y/N) would have done the same thing. But she didn't want to put the burden of her fears on her sister. She didn't want to voice what had been swirling around her head for days. That she had spent most nights glued to her window, terrified Victoria would show up and make good on her threats. That she had gone to bed with Paul's number written on her phone in case they needed his help. That she would wake every few hours in a cold sweat, seeing the same thing over and over. “I'm scared, Bells,” she finally answered sheepishly, her breath coming out in tremors. “The fact that Victoria is out there and she's been able to make fools out of the wolves and the vampires terrifies me. She knows she can get to us. She's just showing us she doesn't have to.”

“Oh, (Y/N),” Bella cooed, wrapping her sister in her arms. “Why didn't you tell me? Is that why you haven't been sleeping?”

“Wha... how'd you know?”

“I love you, but the bags under your eyes cannot be hidden with concealer,” she teased. “I know this might not sound prudent, but you shouldn't worry about our safety at night.”

“Bells, we're humans being hunted by a maniac vampire who is virtually indestructible,” the girl exclaimed. “I doubt dad's shotgun will keep us safe.”

“No. Dad's guns won't do anything,” she chuckled. “But we're not exactly alone at night.”

At the questioning look on (Y/N)'s face, Bella smiled apologetically and continued. “Edward and Alice have been standing guard outside of the house at night.”

“Excuse me?”

“Look, I know I should have told you,” she argued. “But I need to make sure you and dad are okay. The only reason Victoria is in our lives is because of me. The reason she hunted you was because of me. They can do what I can't just yet. They can protect you.”

“They’ve been here?” (Y/N) questioned, a small bubbling of betrayal surging inside her. “You’ve let them in here?”

“No,” she quickly corrected. “They stay outside; just on the border of the woods. I just wanted them close in case... I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to you again, (Y/N). And, knowing them, they would have done this whether we knew it or not. This way I feel like I'm doing something, like I'm the one protecting you.”

The girl's eyes softened, instantly understanding her sister's train of thought. “I would have probably done the same,” she chuckled. “But you don't have to worry about me so much, Bella.”

“I could say the same to you, (Y/N),” the girl smiled sadly. “You're my little sister. It's my job to watch over you.”

“It's not, Bella. This is not something you should shoulder on your own,” the younger girl said, taking her sister's hands in hers. “I mean, this is not something anyone should. This is a vampire we're talking about. Two years ago, we wouldn't have believed an ounce of what we've lived.”

“But I can't help it. I need to be able to do anything I can while I still can.” Silence fell between them, the knowledge of Bella's words weighing heavily over them. The older girl would have to become a vampire and outlive not only (Y/N) and their father, but humanity itself.

“Let's not dwell on that right now,” Bella said, clearing her throat. “The important thing is you can sleep calmly knowing there are people out there taking care of us.”

“Right, we have vampires watching over the house,” (Y/N) responded with a weak chuckle. “I just worry about what will happen when Paul comes over. It's not like he asks permission when he crosses the border.”

“They already know,” Bella said. “Edward doesn't like it, but Carlisle said he's allowed to cross over whenever he wants as long as it's to see you. Now, he will have to control himself if he smells or comes face-to-face with any of the Cullens.”

“So, you're buddy-buddy with the Cullens again?”

“Is that really what you took from all that?” she laughed. “Look, I'm good with them for now, and I am smart enough to know I need their protection against Victoria. Other than that, we'll see. I haven't fully forgiven them, but...”

“You want to?” (Y/N) exclaimed, surprise dripping from her words.

“I'm not sure what I want,” Bella sighed. “Believing the existence of the supernatural is much easier than dealing with matters of the heart.”

“You could say that again.”

As they laughed, the front door opened, and the sound of their father's voice followed quickly behind. “What's so funny?” he called from the entrance as he rid his body of all his equipment. “I could always use a laugh.”

“It's nothing,” (Y/N) grinned at her sister. “We're just talking about dinner.”

“We're having leftovers.”

“I would have never guessed lasagna was that funny.” Charlie came into the kitchen with a smile on his face, setting a silver box in front of his youngest daughter. “This was waiting outside for you, (Y/N).”

She inspected the package slowly, making note of the careful and fine wrapping of the box. It was rather large and all it came with was a glittering black bow and a card with her name written in beautiful calligraphy. “What is it?” she questioned. (Y/N) hadn't ordered anything, nor did she have anyone in her life who could gift her something so expensive-looking. “Did you see anyone outside?”

“Nope,” he said while rummaging through the fridge for a beer. “It was there at the front door.”

“Open it,” Bella said. “Maybe there's another clue inside.”

(Y/N) undid the bow carefully, removing it from the outside before lifting the lid. A gasp left her mouth as she saw what was inside, feeling like she was dreaming. From the box, she pulled a red floor-length gown with a starburst beaded design coming from the side. She held it to her body, noticing it would fit perfectly—almost like it was made just for her. “Where did this come from?” she beamed. “I wasn't able to find anything at the store.”

“Maybe Paul sent it?”

“I don't think that's it,” (Y/N) said. “You sure you didn't see anyone, dad?”

“No one.”

“There's a small box and some shoes. And there’s another card in here,” Bella announced, pulling another piece of paper from where the gown had been. “Maybe it says who it's from.”

(Y/N) took the letter from her sister's hands, flipping it open to reveal the same beautiful calligraphy.

I'm sorry for ruining your day. You deserve a beautiful dress for an exciting day. Hope this one is good for that. -Alice xo

“It was Alice,” she mumbled. “I, uh... why would she do that?”

“I don't know,” Bella said, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “She didn't tell me about it.”

“See, I've always liked that Alice much more than her brother,” Charlie said. “You sure you don't like girls, Bells?”

“Dad!”

“What? It's just a question,” he laughed, throwing his hands up. “But that was a real nice thing she did. Didn't know you two were friends.”

“We're not,” (Y/N) muttered. “I don't... It's such a beautiful dress, I can't... I can't accept this.”

“If there's one thing I can tell you, it's that Alice will never take it back,” Bella said. “If she sent this, it's your now.”

(Y/N) ran her hands across the fabric, making sure it was real. The beads tickled her fingers as she ghosted over them, tracing the pattern gently. In the past week, she had seen a side to the two Cullens she didn't know could exist. Her preconceived notion of them came from the way they had abandoned Bella, and the words Paul and Jacob had spoken of them. She didn't think they were capable of kindness and compassion.

Yet Edward had helped her through a panic attack, even going as far as asking her how she was feeling the next couple of days. They had been watching over her and her family through the night, keeping them safe from the trouble that waited for them in the darkness of the woods. And Alice had gifted her the most valuable piece she would probably ever own. All while she thought they were the worst creatures to walk the earth. Maybe they were simply trying to get on Bella's good side, but they were slowly snaking their way into her own good graces.  

A/N: to this day, still shocked about the love y'all show to this story 😊😊 although I've been missing the frustrated messages and comments on the chapters 🫣🫣 I will need y'all to fill in the form below to be tagged because I lost access to the previous form 😅😅 If you’d like to be tagged in this or any other story:  click here Make sure you have my notifications on so you know every time I post!

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[andreafmn]

Heartbeat | Chapter 27

Word Count: 3.1K Warnings: foul language, mature themes, 18+ explicit content (Minors DNI)

Story Description: (Y/N) Marks had no free time. From studying for med school, working her rounds for clinical, and the occasional babysitting her sisters sprung on her, she was all booked up. But none of that stopped her from aiding her sister and their best friends to rob a grocery store. She could have never guessed those couple of minutes would be enough to change her life forever or that it would lead to her meeting the man that would catalyze that shift.

<- Previous

In between sloppy kisses and soft grips, he led them to the third floor. He dug into his pockets for his keys, hating to be away from her for even a second. If she was hungry for his touch, he was ravenous for hers. She’d chosen him. (Y/N) could have gone to her sisters, warned them about the wrath that would be coming their way. Instead, she chose him.

The second the front door closed behind them, clothes were coming off their bodies. They left a trail of items behind as they kissed and walked to the bed, not caring where they landed. They tried their best to be quiet given the hour of the night, but it wasn’t enough. Their pants and moans bounced off the walls, and they hoped they were thick enough that their neighbors wouldn’t get a late-night show they didn’t ask for.

Once they reached the bed, (Y/N) finally saw the extent of what had been done to him. Under the light of the moon, her eyes followed the scattered purple marks across his chest, and she couldn’t stop herself from touching the dark bruises that littered his skin. “What’d they do to you?” she said under her breath, feeling tears well in the corners of her eyes. “Does it hurt?”

“Not anymore,” he said, placing a hand on her chin to force her eyes to his. “Nothin’ hurts when I’m witchu.”

(Y/N) was the one to kiss him this time. She was soft, sneaking her tongue into his mouth, gifting him a comfort he had been denied for days. Her hand cradled his cheek, careful not to touch the angry bruise on his cheek. They breathed into each other at that moment, speaking into existence the things their vocal cords could not confess. If their kiss was a promise, their lips had cemented it.

“Take me,” she whispered out of breath, resting her forehead against his. “I need you.”

Who was he to deny her?

Rio kissed from her jaw to her neck, using her distraction to lay her gently on the bed. Unlike every other encounter they'd had, he wanted to take things slow. Not just because his body was screaming at him, but because he wanted to savor the moment. (Y/N) wasn't just another body he'd taken to bed; there was something about her that made him care more than he should have.

“Chris,” she moaned, but he didn't stop. “Chris,” she breathed again, to no avail. Rio continued kissing down her body, nipping at her skin to claim her as his. “Christopher,” she said once more, this time cradling his cheek softly to force his eyes onto hers. “I need you. Now.”

“I just spent a day in jail,” he grinned. “Imma take my time with you, sweetheart.”

In a swift move, he hooked his arms under her legs, pulling her to the edge of the bed and siphoning an excited yelp from her mouth. The only thing that was going through his head for the past hours was coming back to (Y/N). The thought that she could have known about the takedown and not told him had run through his mind, but it didn't sit well with him. There was no fiber in his body that felt like she would ever do that—not when she had proven many times she would do the opposite.

He trailed her legs with the tip of his tongue, only stopping every other second to kiss and nibble at her skin. (Y/N)'s back arched off the bed at his touch, following his movements unconsciously. There was nothing she could do. She was under his spell, and there was nothing in her that wanted to break it. Whether it was a blessing or a curse, she didn't know. And at that moment, it was the last thing that mattered. Not when Rio's mouth was on the skin of her thighs, inching his way closer to where she needed him at a punishingly slow pace.

“You're so wet,” he chuckled. “Is it all for me?”

His breath on her skin felt like fire, dangerous but inviting. (Y/N) wanted to touch the flame; she wanted to feel it eat and singe away at her until there was nothing left. She wanted the pain and the destruction. She wanted him. “Yes,” she breathed as his fingers spread her. He laughed softly at her needy response, licking his slip before using the tip of his tongue to learn the sides of her cunt. “Please, Christopher.”

“Watchu want, baby?” he growled, surprising himself and (Y/N) with the pet name. Rio wasn't one to use it; he didn't know it lived in his vocabulary. But it felt so right. Seeing her strewn before him, disheveled only for him, made him feel some type of way. Possessive, maybe? In... “You gotta tell me whatcu want.”

“Touch me,” she mewled. “I need you to touch me, Christopher. Stop teasing me.”

Rio hadn't learned how to stop playing with his food. He liked seeing her teetering on the edge, begging for him, yearning for his touch. He loved her mewling and groaning at every misdirected caress, her body aching for his closeness.

But he also knew how to devour exquisiteness. And there was no better dish than the one before him.

Without any hesitation, Rio closed his mouth around her aching clit, using his tongue to tease the bundle of nerves as he sucked softly. (Y/N) gripped the sheets in response, letting out a guttural moan that made the man chuckle against her skin. He had her in his grip, controlling when and how she got her release. He had power over her, power over her reactions, power over... power over her heart. And as scary as it was, he couldn't picture himself relinquishing it anytime soon.

He liked to feel her squirm under him as he held her down by the hips. He loved the way she tried to thread her fingers through non-existent locks, instead digging her nails into the skin of his nape. He relished in the needy moans that left her throat as she panted her way into an orgasm. He couldn't imagine a world where he wasn't the one making her feel that way.

“Damn, baby,” he chuckled as he swiped his tongue across his lips. “I thought I was the one who spent the day behind bars. So fucking needy.”

“I told you already,” she smiled, “I need you, Christopher.”

“I guess I've teased you enough. Huh, sweetheart?” he smirked, making his way up her body before he kissed her lips softly. “Do you want me inside, baby?”

“Yes,” she breathed, her eyes hooded by her lids. “Please.”

Her whimpers were just as beautiful as her moans, and Rio wanted nothing more than to hear them over and over again. Yet, teasing her meant restraining himself. He took pride in his resilience, but he needed her in that moment as much as she said she needed him. Waiting would simply create too much pressure inside him, and he was already close to bursting.

As he towered over her, Rio kissed her once more. Unlike every other kiss they had shared in their intimacy, he took his time. They were always hungry and desperate, using every second they had to leave their mark on each other's bodies. But at that moment, there was no thirst to quench, no time to run out. They would have enough nights to throw each other around, to salvage their bodies in passionate outbursts. Tonight, they had something far greater, something that would take god himself to break.

One word.

Four letters.

All in silence.

He snaked his arms under (Y/N), pulling him onto his lap as he sat on the bed. He sought closeness, sought union, sought...

Rio used one hand to hold himself up to her entrance while using the other to cradle her face close. His eyes bore into hers, watching even the most minuscule expression as she sank down on his lap. (Y/N)’s mouth parted in a quiet gasp at the stretch, her eyes fluttering closed in pleasure. He committed to memory the way bliss washed over her face, painting a satisfied smile on her face. Moonlight painted her skin beautifully, illuminating her form in the darkness of the apartment. She looked ethereal, a goddess among mortals. Had there been a few drinks in him, Rio was sure a tear would leave his eye.

(Y/N) was the one to start moving, slowly adjusting to the intrusion and taking deep breaths from the sensation. Unlike every encounter before, every move was slow and calculated. The journey toward their climax was prolonged, but the sensations were heightened. Every rise and fall of her body brought Rio's cock deeper inside her, filling her in a way she'd never felt before.

Maybe it was the sentiment of the night—the decision to merge their lives in the most intimate ways. Maybe it was the adrenaline leaving their bodies after an eventful day. Maybe it was simply a mystical connection they felt. But that moment felt different. Everything about their movements and their sensations was different. They felt like a promise, a silent resolution of where their relationship was headed. Most of the important things they had to discuss were not spoken, but they were cemented with their bodies.

“You're so fucking beautiful, baby,” Rio groaned, softly gripping the hair on her nape. “So fucking perfect.”

“And yours,” she grinned, breathless as she quickened the pace.

His grip on her hip tightened, and a moan escaped his throat at her words. “Say that again.”

"I'm yours.”

“Again,” he growled.

“I'm yours, Christopher,” she moaned. “Only yours.”

“Fuck,” Rio choked. (Y/N) tightened around her, mewling as she chased her end. She rose and fell on his length over and over, using his shoulders for stability as her head fell back in pleasure. His eyes tidied her body—every curve, every freckle, every line. The man perused her like it would be the last time he ever did. And with the FBI sniffing so close, he couldn’t be sure it wouldn’t be. “God, you’re so fucking beautiful.”

Rio was breathless, completely enticed by the woman on top of him. Even buried inside her, he felt too far from her. He picked up the hand that had fallen from her neck and pulled her closer once more, pressing his lips to her mouth, savoring her taste as he swallowed every moan that escaped her. His hips met hers, rolling together in perfect choreography. Their climaxes were nearing, and their bodies were exerting every ounce of energy they had toward it.

“I’m close,” (Y/N) panted, resting her forehead against Rio’s. Her arms crossed behind his neck, her hands resting on his head. “Feels so good, baby. Fuck, I l…”

Before she could say anything else, Rio crashed his lips onto hers, quieting with his tongue what she was about to say. Those words would change everything, and he knew they could never take them back. They carried more weight than a kiss, than a fuck, than a house key. Those three words had the power to shatter the fragile foundation on which they had built their relationship. Everything about them was only a few words away from crumbling, and he couldn't have that—not at that moment.

“Oh god!” (Y/N) wailed as she finally came undone, the tight knot inside her loosening as pleasure ransacked across her body. Had Rio not been holding onto her, she was sure to have fallen backward, exhaustion taking over.

But even in her state, she did not stop her movements. (Y/N) kept up with her movements, her walls clenching around Rio as she rode him through her own orgasm. She knew how close she had been to possibly ruining it all before it started, mumbling words that would destroy the bubble they had created for themselves. It had been thoughtless, careless, brought up in the heat of the moment, yet they held so much power. Strong enough to break them apart if they were even insinuated. They were good as they were—perfect even. They were in synch, in agreement. There was nothing to change.

By the time Rio came, they were both out of breath; their chests heaving and their bodies shimmering with sweat. They remained in each other's arms as they calmed, engulfed in a tight embrace. Only the sounds of their breathing filled the air, filling the room with a matching symphony. There was nothing to say anymore. Not when Rio's head rested on (Y/N)'s chest, her cheek pressed against it. They were simply there with each other.

At some point in the night, they had succumbed to sleep, finding their way under the covers. By the time (Y/N) woke up, she was wrapped around Rio, their limbs tangled together in a mess of flesh. She felt different as her eyes fluttered open, the sun barely making its way up on the horizon. For a moment, she felt disconcerted, unsure of her surroundings and how she had gotten there. That was until flashbacks of the night before assaulted her brain.

Rio and Twitch had been arrested because of her sisters; he'd been beaten and interrogated for almost an entire day. Beth had learned of Dean's lies after she, Annie, and Ruby robbed Fine & Frugal once more. Sarah had finally gotten her liver transplant. Yet the biggest change of all was that she had agreed to move in with a man she barely knew.

But somehow, she felt deep inside her it was the right thing to do. There had been no hesitation in her answer, no dread freezing her veins with regret. (Y/N) felt resolute and satisfied with her choice. All she hoped was that she didn't come to regret it.

With difficulty, she freed herself from Rio's grasp, stretching her limbs to ease the soreness in her muscles. She couldn't recall getting dressed, but she noticed the oversized T-shirt that covered her body. It was obvious who it belonged to—there weren't many options to choose from. There were no clothes like it in her bag, and there was nothing of hers in the apartment. Obviously, at some point in the night, Rio clothed her with one of his shirts.

She couldn't help the smile that stretched across her face as she walked toward the kitchen. Even if Rio would probably sleep for a few more hours, she still had to go to the hospital, and she couldn't leave him without breakfast. Surprisingly, his fridge was still full, and the groceries seemed fresh, unlike the first time she had been in the apartment.

“You always look so damn good in this kitchen,” Rio's groggy voice spoke into her ear, his arms snaking across her waist. “Now, I'm gonna get to see it every day, huh?”

“Maybe,” she smirked. “I could have changed my mind since last night.”

He tensed slightly, trying his best not to show it. “Hm," he mumbled. “And have you?”

“I haven't,” she chuckled. “And you?”

“You're crazy for even thinking that,” he said. “You just say the word and I'll have you moved here in an hour.”

“I think it'll be better if I do it little by little. Wouldn't want Beth questioning what you're doing at her house with her little sister.”

“She'll just have to get used to it,” he shrugged as he pulled her closer to him, kissing her cheek. “I'm not planning on letting you go. Ever.”

It wasn't until she was dressed and in her car that (Y/N) finally switched her phone on, suddenly bombarded by a barrage of notifications. Between missed calls and text messages, she couldn't react fast enough as the bubbles kept inundating her screen. Only one message stood out.

Please don't be dead.

It had been sent by Beth to their sister group chat only an hour before she turned the device on. Scrolling through the messages took her a couple of minutes. They mainly consisted of Annie sending 911 messages and a series of emojis that (Y/N) didn't understand until she saw Beth's. Dean had been shot by Rio, and they had been in the hospital all night.

She should have been angry at him, maybe even disappointed. The man she had just decided to live with had shot her brother-in-law and had almost killed him—she was sure he would have been dead if that's what Rio wanted. She should have gone running for the hills and not given it a second thought. Instead, something crossed her mind that should have scared her.

He should have finished the job, she thought. Dean had been the cause of Beth's problems. He's cheated, spent their money, lied, and pretended to have cancer to manipulate her sister into staying with him. In (Y/N)s eyes, he wasn't worth the grace Beth had shown him and was better gone than sucking the life out of her sister. She wasn't angry Rio had shot Dean; she was upset he'd decided his life was worth sparing.

(Y/N) still had some time to spare before she had to go to the hospital, and she decided to ease her sisters’ worries by heading to Beth's house. Not only did she have to make sure she was okay, but she had to tell her she was moving out. Maybe it wasn't the right moment, but it was something she knew had to be done sooner rather than later. And she wanted to do things head-on instead of letting her sister find an empty guesthouse.

The house seemed too silent when she arrived, even colder possibly. The kids still had to be with Dean's mom, of course. Probably getting ready for school as she walked inside. After his accident, there was no way Beth would have been able to keep them while she brought him back from the hospital. And with his new wound, she wouldn't allow them in the home until there was no sign of the attack.

That's why finding her on her knees in the dining room, scrubbing away blood, was no surprise to (Y/N). “Hey, Beth,” she peeped. "I just got your messages.”

The mug Beth had in her hands stumbled to the ground, bouncing on the carpet in the very puddle of blood she had been cleaning, whiskey mixing with the crimson liquid. She scrambled to her feet as soon as her teary eyes fell on her sister, wrapping her arms around her, afraid she was merely a figment of her imagination. “Thank god, you're okay,” she exclaimed. “I thought something had happened to you. Where were you?”

“I'm sorry,” (Y/N) said. “My phone died, and I was exhausted after my shift, so I stayed at Mike's. I didn't...”

“(Y/N), I know you weren't with him,” Beth pushed, her brows furrowing. “I called him, too, and he told me you weren't there. Don't you dare lie to me right now. I thought you were dead. So, where the hell were you?”   

A/N: what do y'all think this will mean for reader and Beth's relationship? just how far do you guys think either of them will go? and just how will Rio screw everything up? 🫣🫣 If you’d like to be tagged in this or any other story: click here Make sure you have my notifications on so you know every time I post!

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[andreafmn]

I'm Not Afraid | Chapter 31

Word Count: 3.1K

Story Description: (Y/N) Argent arrived at Beacon Hills to put to rest her father’s sister, Kate Argent. For the first time, her family has decided to settle down and sustain a life in this interesting small town. After 17 years, (Y/N) has the opportunity to establish interpersonal relationships but will she be ready to face the complications that come with relating to her cousin’s, Allison, friends; especially, the infamous Derek Hale. She will face the adventure of being associated with the Derek and McCall pack, as well as being faced with the discovery of certain aspects of her life she never imagined.

<- Previous

A few too many weeks had passed, and there had been no word from Peter. It would take time, (Y/N) knew that. There was only so much to find about someone who did not want to be found, of course. Still, it didn't stop her from agonizing over it.

It certainly didn't help that school was over, and there wasn't any word about this alpha pack or their intentions in Beacon Hills. Everyone was simply sitting ducks until something new happened, and they had no other choice than to keep living. As hard as it was to get on with every passing day, it was the only option they had.

“See, I don't understand how you do this every day,” Isaac said, trying to catch his breath. Sweat dripped from his forehead in thick droplets, his face painted a deep shade of red. “It's not normal.”

“You're a werewolf,” (Y/N) laughed, helping the boy off the floor. “Aren't you supposed to have better stamina than this? We've barely done half of my workout. There's still the run.”

“No, you're unreal. Don't you like sleep?”

“I love sleep,” she said. “That's why I try to head in early. And it's just thirty minutes. Stop complaining so much. I normally do an hour.”

The look on the boy's face sent her into a fit of laughter, something she'd found difficult in the past weeks. (Y/N) wasn't sure when her life had gotten so complicated, or what she could have done in any of her past lives to deserve the turmoil she was living. Still, she was grateful for the moments she could pretend she wasn't in shambles. She clung to any ounce of normalcy she could, and her workouts were just one of the things.

Since moving into the Argent household, Isaac had promised to join her on her regimen, but he could have never imagined how rigorous and difficult it could be. He was a supernatural being with exceptional strength and stamina, but somehow, (Y/N)'s routine had his lungs begging for air and his muscles begging for rest. If he was still human, they would have to take him out on a stretcher.

“Thirty more minutes of this? You're horrible,” he complained before downing his fourth bottle of water. “I'd rather be shot with wolfsbane.”

“We can arrange that,” Henry's voice joined as he came back to the house from his own morning run. “Having your life be threatened does make you run faster.”

“I think I'll pass on that, sir,” Isaac replied, quickly straightening up and putting on a brave mask. “I can do the run, no problem.”

Brody followed behind the man, happily sauntering over to the boy and licking at his face. Since (Y/N )had stopped running in the woods to avoid Derek, her father had taken up the task of giving the dog a small slice of freedom in the mornings and at night. The man had been opposed to getting a pet at first. With their constant moves and unstable lifestyle, he couldn't see any animal getting used to them. But after a long month of negotiations and promises, the girl had been able to wear down her father, and they adopted Brody when he was just a bag of bones at three weeks old. Now, he couldn't see his family without him. Much less when his daughter had cared so well for the dog. And if taking him on runs was a sacrifice he had to make for his daughter's faithful companion while she went through something no one else had, then so be it. Brody kept him on his toes; it was more than he could ask for.

“Brody here just ran for an hour with me,” Henry chuckled. “I'm sure you can run more than just a plain ol’ dog, Isaac.”

“O-of course I can, sir,” the boy stammered. “Thirty minutes is no sweat for me.”

“Who are you trying to impress, Isaac?” (Y/N) teased. “I thought I was horrible for even suggesting half of what I do.”

“I-I didn't say that,” Isaac stammered, his eyes throwing daggers at the girl as she laughed before returning to the man before him. “I didn't say that, sir.”

“It's okay, kid,” Henry laughed. “Workouts aren't mandatory in this house, contrary to whatever my daughter has told you. It's your summer vacation. You can sit around watching TV all day for all I care. (Y/N)'s just a bit crazy.”

“Hey, dad,” (Y/N) said. “I'm your daughter, you know.”

“Yeah,” he chuckled. “And that's why I'm allowed to call you crazy. Now, get back to work, kiddo.”

Once Henry was out of the basement, Isaac finally relaxed, falling back onto the floor in his exhausted state. “God, I don't know why I get so nervous around your dad,” Isaac sighed. “I feel like an idiot every time I'm near him.”

“You’re too in your head,” she smiled. “You don't have anything to prove to him.”

“I guess I forgot what it is like to not have to try to be perfect,” he mumbled. “That I don't have to impress anyone to survive anymore.”

At his words, (Y/N) stopped the machine and dropped to his side, pulling Isaac to her chest in a tight hug. “You don't,” she muttered against his messy curls. “You can just be now, Isaac.”

“I don't know how,” he sniffled. “I don't know how to not be who I was with my dad.”

“It'll take time, Isaac,” she said. “But you're safe. At least between these walls, you are safe.”

It was a comfort they both needed. As they remained in each other's arms and allowed tears to fall freely from their eyes, they allowed themselves to just be. Being safe was a façade, especially when the threat of the alpha pack still loomed over them, and the whereabouts of Erica and Boyd were still unknown. But for that moment, they gave themselves the space to breathe, to simply exist in a place without expectations or the constant threats to their lives.

“You’re not in that house anymore, Isaac,” she whispered, running a hand through his hair. “You won’t ever have to be in that house again.”

“I’m always in that house, (Y/N),” he cried. “I’m always stuck in that freezer. I’m always getting slapped or punched by him. I’m always…”

“Hey, hey, no more,” she shushed him softly, pulling him in tighter, and resting her chin on his head. “You’re here now. You’re with me now, okay? I’m not letting anything like that happen to you again.”

They stayed that way for what felt like an eternity, simply allowing the pent-up emotions to flow. At some point, their hearts had steadied, slowing down to match up in pace, beating softly and steadily. There was no telling where Isaac's heartbeat started and (Y/N)'s ended. They were one and the same Two kids cut from the same cloth.

At some point, time stopped for them. Tears stopped flowing, and embraces were finally broken. They were calmer, steadier. As they let go, they rested their backs against the concrete wall, their eyes finding each other in the silence. There was a quiet understanding, the air filled with words unsaid and emotions unspoken. The only thing that lived between them was what they knew they felt at that moment.

Isaac was the first one to break their gaze. His eyes went from hers to her lips, resting there before making the journey back to her irises. He wanted to get closer to her and succeed in what Derek had failed. He wanted to make (Y/N) happy. Add to her happiness and not her misery. He wanted it all. He wanted... He started to lean in, waiting for her to either do the same or move away. She didn't do either.

“(Y/N), honey!” Henry's voice startled Isaac back, snapping his head toward the sound. “We have company.”

“It's Derek,” Isaac said, his eyebrows furrowing in confusion. “And Peter.”

“Do you think they found her?” (Y/N) wondered, her eyes growing with surprise. “Or do you think it's about Erica and Boyd?”

“There's only one way to find out,” he smiled, swallowing his disappointment. No matter what he did, someone was always in the way. If he'd been anyone else, he would have taken that as a sign. But he'd been given a miracle once when everything seemed bleak, Isaac couldn't help but to have just a little faith left.

(Y/N) was the first one to head toward the stairs, grabbing a towel on her way up. Isaac followed soon enough, punching a sandbag a little too hard and snapping it off its hinges. He would have to fix it later, but it was the release he needed at that moment.

On the main floor of the house, everyone seemed to be frozen in place. Peter and Derek stood awkwardly at the entrance while Henry stared them down only a few feet away. (Y/N) left the basement first, Isaac only a few moments behind her. The scene was comical if it weren't for the truth they all shared.

“Ah, little Argent, welcome,” Peter smiled, his voice dripping with prepotency. “It's been quite some time, hasn't it?”

“Hello, Peter,” (Y/N) said as she joined her father's side, Isaac standing close behind. “I assume if you're here, it's to bring me some news. Because if you're looking for some dinner, we're not ready just yet.”

“I really like you, little Argent,” the man chuckled. “You remind me of your aunt Kate.”

(Y/N)'s jaw clenched at that, anger slowly building inside her. He was trying to make her tick, to get under her skin, but she couldn't let him have it. She was in control, and he had to know it. “Well, we do share genetics,” she spat. “And just like her, I'm quite short of patience.”

“See, I knew...”

“Stop playing games, Peter,” Derek said through gritted teeth. “Just tell her already.”

“Excuse my dear nephew, he doesn't know how to have fun,” Peter grinned. “But we do have news for you, dear (Y/N). I'm guessing you're gonna wanna sit down.”

Henry allowed the two men to walk further into the house, stopping them when they reached his office. He allowed (Y/N) to take his seat behind the desk, standing alongside Isaac. Everything had been her idea; it was all her plan. And in the Argent family the women were the strategists, she belonged in that seat.

“So, you said you had news,” she said. “Talk.”

“Straight to business, this one,” Peter chuckled. “Fine by me. Derek, the papers.”

From his backpack, Derek pulled out a folder and handed it to (Y/N). As the papers transferred possession, their hands brushed, and everything around them stopped. Their eyes met in that instant, the anger and disdain that had grown between them quickly melting away with the ghostly touch of their fingers. Everyone disappeared from their peripheric vision. In that office, only she and Derek existed. Only them and their hearts.

The moment didn't last long. They weren't alone, and Isaac, clearing his throat, made it clear. (Y/N) took the folder as Derek took his place behind Peter once again. Steadying herself, the girl opened the folder, a gasp leaving her mouth.

Inside, a blurry picture of a woman lived, and there was no doubt of who it was. “That's her,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “That's Raina.”

“That's right,” Peter smirked. “I told you I would find everything I could on her. Turns out, I was able to find her.”

“Where is she, then?” Henry exclaimed. “How do we know this is real?”

“I guess you just have to take my word for it,” he said. “From what I was able to dig up, she sort of left the country.”

“Excuse me?”

“Well, you won't need a visa to hunt her down,” he chuckled. “It's all in the file there, but I am glad to give you an oral report if that's what you're looking for.”

Derek bumped his shoulder against Peter's, giving him a stare that was sure to kill. “Stop playing games, Peter,” he seethed. “Just answer their questions.”

“See what I mean? So sour for such a young man,” Peter complained. “But I guess I can play ball.”

“Where is she?”

“She is in the beautiful tropical island of Puerto Rico, dear Henry,” the man said, resting his arms behind his neck as he got comfortable in his seat. “Where exactly? Well, that's the problem.”

“What do you mean?” (Y/N) asked. “If you have a picture, wouldn't you know exactly where she is? It's a small island.”

“She's not exactly there for a beach vacation, is she? No, she's in hiding. From your family, to be precise,” he smiled forcefully. “That picture is from a contact of mine. He took it three days ago in the town center of—mind my pronunciation—Jayuya. Now, that island might be small, but the mountains can get very high, and there are enough forests for her to jump around. Finding her won't be as easy as you think.”

“Three days ago,” (Y/N) muttered under her breath. “Is there a way for your contact to put a tail on her until we get there?”

“It was hard enough to get this one picture—truly a miracle if you ask me,” he said. “What makes you think he’ll find her again? Raina Shetty is a woman who knows how to hide. I don't think you'll get luckier than that.”

“Fine, I guess your job is done,” she said, standing up and extending a hand toward the man. “Thank you, Peter.”

“I don't think I've heard those words in years,” he chuckled, shaking her hand happily. “Although, I am still quite curious why you're so desperate to find Raina. Don't tell me you're just like the rest of your family, little Argent?”

“Shut up, Peter!” Derek exclaimed, grabbing his uncle by the lapel of his jacket and forcing him to his feet. “That's enough.”

“Did I strike a chord, Derek?” Peter smirked deviously, throwing his hands up in defeat. “Are you having flashbacks of your blonde rendezvous?”

“You can go now,” he said. “Go back to the hole you crawled out of. You're no longer useful here.”

“Why don't I see you both out?” Henry interjected. “It's clear there is nothing more to say.”

“I have to talk to Isaac, actually,” Derek said. “He may not live with me, but I am still his alpha, and there is something important we need to discuss.”

“Don't know how much I like leaving you alone with the kid,” he said. “But I guess it's up to him.”

“It's okay, sir,” Isaac smiled. “It won't take long. Right, Derek?”

“Right.”

Henry took a moment to find any lie in Isaac's words, but once he found none, he nodded. The man opened the door, leaving space for Peter to walk out before his gaze fell on (Y/N). “I'm staying,” she said. “I want to know what's going on.”

With a nod, Henry followed Peter out, more than happy to have the man leave his house. As much as he was grateful for his help, that was where his cordialness ended. The ex-alpha was still dangerous, and there was no one or nothing that knew what was going through his head at any given moment.

In the office, silence reigned. Although Derek had stated he wanted to speak to Isaac, his eyes never left (Y/N). Tension filled the air around them, the oxygen turning toxic the more time passed.

“What did you need to say, Derek?” Isaac said, building the courage to be the one who spoke first. “You said it was important.”

“It's about Erica and Boyd,” he said, and (Y/N) felt her heart drop at his tone. “They didn't make it out of town.”

“H-how can you know that?” she muttered. “How can you be sure?”

From his pocket, Derek pulled a chain with a ring on it. “We found it in the woods,” he said. “Under a tree marked by the alpha pack's symbol.”

“No,” (Y/N) whimpered, her shaking hand extending toward the ring. “I thought...”

“I thought so too,” he said, putting his hand over hers, and smiling softly when she didn't pull away. “I'm going to find them.”

With teary eyes, (Y/N) looked up at Derek, finding nothing but certainty in his gaze. “What if...?” she struggled to speak. “What if they're...?”

“They're not,” he stated. “But I need your help, Isaac. Peter and I have already started looking, but I can't work with someone I don't trust. I need your help to find your packmates.”

“I already told (Y/N) I'd help her find her mother,” the boy argued. “I can't just...”

“You should stay and help, Isaac,” (Y/N) interrupted, breaking away from Derek and turning to him. “Erica and Boyd need you more than I do.”

“(Y/N), you heard Peter,” he argued. “Finding your mom is not gonna be easy. You need all the help you can get.”

“I have my dad, Isaac,” she smiled sadly. “I'd feel better if you were here, helping find our friends.”

Isaac cradled (Y/N)'s face, wiping away her tears with his thumbs. He smiled at her and nodded, knowing it was futile to argue. But part of him wanted to continue. To show Derek just how close the two of them had gotten, to rub in his face everything he had let go of. “I'll stay,” he said. “If you're absolutely sure, then I'll stay.”

“I'm sure,” (Y/N) sighed contentedly. “Find them. Bring them home.”

He couldn't be certain, but Isaac believed he could hear the way Derek's heart shattered as he wrapped his arm around her, engulfing her in the way he knew he wanted. “Okay then,” he said, his eyes boring into Derek. “I'll stay.”

“Well,” Derek cleared his throat loudly, “I guess that's that. I should go.”

(Y/N) wanted to stop him, to seek the comfort her body yearned for. It had been weeks since she had last seen him, and the bigger the distance between them, the more her heart hurt. She had been walking around with her chest hollowed out, searching for the muscle that had escaped. It was no surprise it was still in Derek's hand, and all it took was to see him once to understand that.

Instead of running into his arms, (Y/N) watched as he walked past her, his fingers ghosting over her hand as he walked out. It took everything inside her not to reach over and lace her fingers through his. She let him go, let him disappear through the doors like he meant nothing to her.

“He doesn't deserve you, (Y/N),” Isaac whispered as he circled his arms across her chest. “You deserve so much better than him.”

“He's the least of my problems right now,” she sighed, even if what she said was the farthest thing from the truth. “All I want is to find my mother and that you find our friends. Everything else will just have to wait.”  

A/N: the tides are changing and derek isn't... what can we do about that boy? 🤭🤭 also, if you haven't seen my latest posts, I lost access to a lot of things including all requests and tag lists I had. so, if you want to keep being tagged in anything or want to request something, the new list is linked below and in my bio. I am also taking requests for kinktober in my inbox if anyone is interested ❤️ If you’d like to be tagged in this or any other story: click here Make sure you have my notifications on so you know every time I post!

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[andreafmn]

quick reminder! ❤️❤️

hey y’all, i know i’ve been inactive for a long time (…again), but i’ve been quite sick with different things and unable to write more than a few words a day. But i am planning on starting to write for link toner this coming month and i would like to do it with requests.

so, if you have a character and a prompt that you’d like to see, send it through my inbox. if you’re not sure who or what shows I write for, there is an older post here or just send me a message 🤭🫶🏼

also, there will be updates for stories this week. thank you for putting up with me 🩷🩷🩷

[andreafmn]

edited this first chapter because wow, I feel like my writing has change a bit from almost four years ago. also added 1.5K words, so to all the teen wolf fans out there, hope you enjoy ❤️

I'm Not Afraid | Chapter 1

Word Count: 5.7K

Story Description: (Y/N) Argent arrived at Beacon Hills to put to rest her father’s sister, Kate Argent. For the first time, her family has decided to settle down and sustain a life in this interesting small town. After 17 years, (Y/N) has the opportunity to establish interpersonal relationships but will she be ready to face the complications that come with relating to her cousin’s, Allison, friends; especially, the infamous Derek Hale. She will face the adventure of being associated with the Derek and McCall pack as well as being faced with the discovery of certain aspects of her life she never imagined.

Next -> *edited: 7/6/2025

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[andreafmn]

Requite | Chapter 6

Word Count: 3.0K

Summary: When everything seems to fall into place in Forks, Washington, a string of mysterious deaths call the attention of both vampires and werewolves in town. As the redheaded vampire returns with her mind set on revenge, (Y/N) and Bella Swan find themselves in the center of danger once again. With secrets still lingering between them about their past best friend, they will find themselves stuck in a whirlwind of love, betrayal, and the hardest choices they’ll have to make. But one thing is certain: no one will go a day without a taste for vengeance. 

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Bella stormed out of the store with a mission; her eyes focused solely on the vampire who was still pretending she wasn't made. A fire burned inside her, anger spilling from every pore on her body. “Why are you here, Alice?” the girl yelled as she crossed the street, not caring if she was making a scene. “Why are you following us?”  

“Bells, calm down,” (Y/N) whispered as she tried to keep up with her sister's speed. “It's fine, we can just go.”  

“No,” she seethed. “This is supposed to be your moment.”  

“It's just a dress, Bella. I can just wear whatever.”  

But Bella was not taking no for an answer. She was set on taking back the time she had wasted with her sister and creating moments she would not have in the future with her. As much as it hurt, the Cullens were just getting in the way of that.  

The vampire jumped to her feet the second the Swan sisters were standing in front of her. If she wanted to escape, there was no way to do it now. “Hi, girls,” Alice exclaimed. “I was just taking a stroll around town. It's nice to run into you.”  

“Come on, Alice. I know you better than that,” Bella scoffed. “You knew we'd be here.”  

“Right, yeah, okay,” she chuckled awkwardly. “I did know you would be here, but I promise I was gonna keep my distance.”  

Bella saw something in the girl's eyes that scared her, something that made her veins run cold. “What happened?” she whispered now. “And please don't lie to me.” 

“I promise you were never meant to see me here, but,” Alice sighed, “she was getting too close. The last thing I want is for either of you to get hurt.”  

“She who, Alice?” Bella questioned, but all it took was the terrified glimmer in the vampire's eyes for her to understand. “Victoria was here?”  

“She was watching you and (Y/N),” Alice admitted. “Yesterday at school, the vision I had was really of her being around Forks. She's keeping a close watch on you two.”  

At the sound of her words, (Y/N) tensed. She knew Victoria was still around. She couldn't delude herself into believing she would let go of her and her sister that easily. They were prey, and she was the most dangerous predator. The vampire enjoyed the chase and thrived on the fear and panic that built up inside her victims.  

(Y/N) knew she wouldn't attack in the open. No, that wasn't the production she wanted. Victoria wanted a death worthy of awards. She was directing a play to make fools out of her audience. Building terror and dread gave her purpose. Killing the sisters in the end was simply the culmination of her masterpiece. And at that moment, everyone was playing their parts to perfection.  

“I asked you if your vision was about her,” Bella said through gritted teeth, breaking (Y/N) out of her own spiral. “You promised we were safe.”   

"Well, you are,” the vampire answered. “We've been watching over you two ever since we came back—from a distance, of course.” 

Bella took a second to respond, her mind trying to fill in the blanks the Cullens had left. “You wanted me to see you,” the girl mumbled. “You wanted me to come out and make a scene.”  

“She disappeared once people started to look over at us,” Alice confirmed. “Now, I have to get you both out of here and down to the reservation.”  

“We're not done here.”  

“I know, but you're not safe here,” she pushed. “We've already spoken to Sam, and he agrees the most prudent thing is to have you under the pack's watch. We know there she can be run off.”  

“Let's just go,” the younger Swan sighed.  

“(Y/N)...”  

“It's fine, Bells,” she said, trying her best to muster a smile. “The most important thing is to get to safety.”  

“Exactly,” Alice interjected. “I'll drive down with you until we reach the border, where I'll hand you over to Paul and Embry.”  

It was fair, (Y/N) thought, as the dress shop became smaller and smaller behind them. She and her sister had to get to safety, a place where Victoria could not venture freely. Staying in Port Angeles would only give the vindictive vampire the liberty to chase the sisters as she saw fit. They needed to leave, regardless of why they were there.   

Still, she couldn't help the knot that formed in her chest as she drove away from a moment that would never come back. It was a trivial thing. Going to a shop to get a dress should not have been so important to her. But when Bella had offered to take her an hour away from Forks to buy a gown, (Y/N) had been overjoyed. Her sister was back, and they were doing normal things together. They were finally acting like sisters again.  

None of it mattered, though. Not when their lives hung in the balance, the weight tilting from side to side by everyone but themselves. Since moving back to the land that had seen them be born, life had been anything but normal. They had somehow found themselves in the middle of a world where werewolves and vampires were real, two sides of the same coin—both dangerous, both intoxicatingly magnetic. No matter what they tried, they could never get rid of them. From the day they unveiled the hidden reality of the world, everything revolved around it.    

Sometime during the ride, Bella's hand slipped into (Y/N)'s, squeezing it comfortingly. She searched her sister's eyes for any glimmer of... anything. But there was nothing in the eyes of the younger Swan. They remained focused on the road ahead, the only proof she wasn't a statue lying on the rise and fall of her chest and the soft blinks of her eyelids. Apart from that, she remained stoic and unmoving, as though she had looked into Medusa's eyes, watching as the border got closer and closer.  

Bella could tell there was something bothering (Y/N). It was in the clenching of her jaw, the unevenness of her breath, the limpness of her hands. But she still couldn't read her perfectly, not when they had spent so many years listening to their tales through their mother's mouth. They were learning about their silences, reading into their gazes, feeding into their energies, creating what most sisters have had since they were little.  

“We're almost there," Alice said, breaking the choking silence from the trunk of the truck. “It doesn't seem like there will be any sign of Victoria near here, but don't go anywhere alone.”  

“So, none of you thought it would have been a good idea to tell us Victoria was that close?” (Y/N) muttered. “I get everyone wants to keep us safe, but not knowing puts us at risk. I hope you know that.”  

“You're right,” the girl answered, her head hanging in what (Y/N) could only determine as shame. “But we thought it would be better if you guys continued on like nothing was happening. You've had enough to deal with.”  

“Right, because not knowing that the vampire who almost killed me is literally breathing down our necks keeps us safe,” she scoffed. “Because being in the dark protects us from death. That'll really show her.”  

“(Y/N), I...” 

“Oh look,” she interrupted, “we're here.”  

As the truck rolled to a stop, Alice made sure to jump perfectly behind the borderline. Once her feet had landed on the asphalt, Paul slid beside (Y/N) inside the cabin, wrapping an arm protectively around her. His face contorted in disgust from the smell of the enemy creature, but his gaze remained planted on the girl in his arms.  

���We've got it from here,” Sam called out to Alice as he jumped onto the place where she had been. “And make sure you tell your family there won't be any more leniencies. Keep to your side of town, and everything will be fine. We know how to protect our people.”  

With a slap on the roof, Sam signaled Bella that she could start moving again. Once the engine roared to life, Paul's grip on (Y/N) tightened, noticing the tired stare in her eyes. He wanted to know what was going on and why she was so upset. But not there. Not where it couldn't be just the two of them.    

If anyone at Billy's house knew what had happened on the border, they did not say a thing. Men and women, boys and girls, were happily gathered in the backyard, excited for the playoff game to start. The sounds of laughter and excitement filled the air, mixing with the clinking of beer bottles and the spritzing of soda cans. Some would call it a perfect day. Except the ones who'd hunted that morning and the ones being hunted.  

“I'm gonna go find dad,” Bella said after a few moments of silence in the truck. “Come find me after, okay?”  

“Will do,” (Y/N) managed to croak. “Make sure dad brought the veggie burgers. I can go by the store and get some if he forgot.”  

“Alright. I'll call you,” the girl said before turning her head toward Paul with a teasing grin. “And you? Keep your hands to yourself.”  

Once Bella was out of earshot, (Y/N) let out a loud sigh, melting into Paul's embrace as she allowed her mask to slip off. Her body went limp against him, the weight of her emotions being dragged down by gravity. She felt stupid and ridiculous, but she simply couldn't help it.  

“What's wrong, pretty girl?” Paul whispered, his hand cradling her cheek softly. “Why do you look so sad?”  

“It's nothing,” she said, her eyes fluttering closed at his touch. “It's stupid, really.”   

“If it makes you feel something, it's not stupid,” he cooed. “Talk to me.” 

“I just...,” she sighed, trying her best to put words to her feelings. “I told Bella everything this morning. We went to this diner in Port Angeles, got food, and I just told her. I felt like we were really turning a new leaf. I mean, we were both so excited to go shopping. And that's not something Bella has ever been excited about, but we were finally doing something together. For the first time in a very long time, I felt like we were sisters again; like I had Bella back.”  

“What happened then?”  

“We barely made it into the store before we saw Alice,” (Y/N) explained. “And the rest is history. I've got no dress, my life is still in danger from the same vampire who tried to kill me, and I have to pretend that everything's fine.”  

“We could not go,” Paul shrugged. “I wouldn't really mind.” 

“What?”  

“We could just not go to prom. Stay in. Watch some movies. I don't know. Anything but prom.”  

“Paul, no,” (Y/N) reprimanded. “This is your senior prom, and you already spent money on the tickets and the suit. We have to go.”  

“No, we don't,” he chuckled softly, pulling her tighter into him. “I just care about being with you and keeping you safe. Prom is just a party.”  

“I was excited, Paul,” she admitted. “I haven't really had many normal experiences, and I want to do this. Not just because it's prom but because I want to have normal with you. Victoria is literally breathing down our necks, and everything could change in the blink of an eye. We're kids! We should be doing kid stuff, for heaven's sake.”  

Paul kissed her softly then, wiping away the stray tear that had fallen down her cheek. "We'll go to prom,” he said with a kind smile, unable to deny her such a simplicity. “We can wear potato sacks as clothes for all I care. But we'll go to prom, okay? We'll be kids for a change. Even if it's just for a night. I want to give you normal, (Y/N).”  

A smile crept onto (Y/N)'s face as she listened to Paul. It didn't make her feel any less silly, but she was glad he didn't dismiss her. At that point, she should have gotten used to it. In the same amount of time Jacob had been able to break her down and make her insecure about herself and their relationship, Paul had only pushed to reassure her and build her confidence. It was different than anything she had experienced her entire life, and she could only hope the other shoe didn't drop. Because if she was truthful with herself, that was her biggest fear. Well, that and their red-headed visitor.   

“Now that that's settled,” she chuckled softly. “What happened with the Cullens today?”  

“What do you mean?”  

“Sam told Alice to make sure her family stayed on their side of the border,” (Y/N) reminded him. “So, that makes me think something happened.”  

“Just something stupid.”  

“Uh-uh,” she laughed. “You don't get to do that. Don't start keeping things from me again.”  

“I just...”  

“Don't say you're trying to protect me. Not right now.”  

Without a second thought, he pecked (Y/N)'s lips and smiled. “You're right. I’m sorry,” he said. “After Alice pushed Victoria out of Port Angeles, she headed back here. The leeches were following her through Forks before we got the scent, but we joined soon enough.  “The bloodsucker was jumping from side to side, but she was getting away. Everyone wanted to catch her. We went faster and faster; we were so close to getting her. Until one of the Cullens jumped over—the big one,” Paul continued. “I went blind with anger because he crossed over to our land; he broke the treaty.”  

“Oh my god, Paul!” (Y/N) exclaimed, unable to think of anything but the worst-case scenarios. “Are you okay? Did any of you get hurt? Why would you get into a fight with one of them?”  

“It wasn't really a fight, (Y/N),” he chuckled, trying his best to minimize her worries—not that it would work. “We're not hurt, and the blonde ones stopped it before anything could get too far. But Victoria got away.”  

“Just because it wasn't a fight now, doesn't mean it won't be one later,” (Y/N) sighed. “You need to learn to pick and choose your battles, Paul. Things could end badly one day.”  

“(Y/N), you don't have to worry about me,” Paul said as he cradled her face, running his thumb across her cheek. “Don't forget I'm the big bad wolf.”  

“You know the wolf dies in the end, right? He's the bad guy in the story.” 

“Well, I guess... not the right metaphor.”  

As they shared a laugh, a knock echoed through the cabin, quickly startling the teens apart. On the other side of the window, Charlie kept his gaze with an arched brow on the boy, motioning with his head for the two to get out of the truck. “Now, you're starting to grow on me, son,” he said, placing a firm hand on Paul's shoulder. “But that doesn't mean you get this much one-on-one time with my daughter. Especially without any supervision.”  

“Dad!” (Y/N) exclaimed, her face growing red with embarrassment. “We weren't doing anything.” 

“No, it's okay,” Paul interjected. “I understand, sir. We were just on our way out.”  

“Good to hear,” Charlie smiled sarcastically. “How about I walk you over, then?”  

It wasn't a question, even if he'd formed it like one. He walked behind them; his eyes focused on the teens’ joined hands. He did trust them, of course. Paul had only proven himself to be the utmost gentleman with (Y/N). Unlike his interactions with Edward, the boy was respectful without being pompous. Though he could tell there was something different about him, he could stand him a hell of a lot better than he could the boy who had stolen a part of Bella's heart.  

Charlie guided them toward the party before disappearing toward the coolers and in the watch of Billy, who was nearing the couple as they sat on his porch. "Good to see you both,” the man smiled. “I'm glad you could join us.”  

“Wouldn't have missed it,” (Y/N) said with a playful grin. “Watching grown men yelling at a TV that can't hear them is one of my favorite pastimes.”  

“Well, we have to believe they can somehow hear us,” he said. “Stranger things have happened.” 

“Right,” she chuckled. “Anything can happen, huh?”  

“Exactly,” he laughed. “Like losing a vampire in the woods because he was fighting with another.”  

“Uh, that, um... how did...?”  

“Jacob came by half an hour ago and told me what happened,” Billy whispered. “Surprisingly, he said he'd stay away today, doing rounds with the Clearwaters in case the woman shows up again. He, uh, he said he wanted to make sure she didn't get near (Y/N) again.”  

Paul tensed beside (Y/N). There was no way to know what was running through Jacob's head, not when everything he had done pointed toward him wanting to get rid of the girl. But her hand in his was enough to calm the roar that built inside him. She squeezed it softly, drawing shapes on his skin with her thumb.  

“I hope they’re safe,” (Y/N) said. “I wouldn’t want anyone to get hurt. I've met Victoria, and she’s ruthless.” 

“I'm sure they're fine,” Billy smiled. “I don't think that woman is near anymore. At least, right now.”  

“Things aren't gonna get any better soon, huh?” she sighed. “Not in the near future.”  

“Dark clouds are most definitely rolling in, my dear,” the man said, looking in the distance. “We must brace ourselves for a heavy storm this summer.”  

At that moment, they could not have imagined just how heavy the storm would be. Victoria was simply the air before the disaster. The tides were rolling in, and there wasn't much they could do to stop it. All they could do was prepare for the worst, and pray it was all for the best.  

Next ->

A/N: to anyone who saw my post, you'll know I've had some mishaps these past few weeks, but I promised an update for this week and I finally finished it. currently working on the other ones to post soon enough ❤️ also, once more, I will need y'all to fill in the form below to be tagged because I lost access to the previous form 😅😅 If you’d like to be tagged in this or any other story:  click hereMake sure you have my notifications on so you know every time I post!

Taglist: @lepetitlu  @galactict3a @eddiefrickenmunson@stvrrlighttt@gh0stgurl@g-l-1-t-c-h-3-r @nj01 @damnedangel98 @eneywey @estherr80 @sl-ut @jesperwolfly @cupidisdeadworld @ricekrisbris @hannie-kim2109  @awakwardnesshabitat @emberowl @kytthenluiza @supersillywilly @eir964 @beau0-0 @jemssafespace @luxurvitae @midnightheat @alixxhere

[andreafmn]

CONFUSION MASTERLIST

Status: Coming Soon

Collision | Book 1

Mood Board

Summary: After a few grueling months, (Y/N) Uley is finally getting her life back on track. She's focusing on her career, mending past relationships, and opening her heart to someone new. But in Forks, everything is good until it isn't. When she becomes another target for the revenge-fueled redhead vampire, (Y/N) will be forced back into the Cullen's orbit, and she won't be able to deny all the feelings she thought she had buried under lock and key. After all is said and done, will she be able to leave them all behind, or will her emotions outweigh her resolution?

All stories on Tumblr are written as reader inserts. For original characters, you can read the same stories in AO3 or Wattpad under the same username. For any requests, leave me a message in my inbox or by DM. For tagging, make sure your account allows your username to be tagged, or else you’ll still miss out.

[andreafmn]

oh, yeah, and I lost the latest taglist and request form as well hahahhahahaHAaha....... I am not doing well 🙃

so, just gonna vent for a little because i’m really going through it.

i sat down to write this morning and i just found out my entire google docs was wiped. i have been using my universities email for years now and it seems they decided to eliminate their google workspace without much notification. so, not only did i lose quite a few requests and fics that I had in progress, but I lost an original book I was writing that was close to halfway done.

i’m not mad as most fics are already published (except the ones i was still writing, including a 5K+ avatar request I was doing), but the fact that I lost not just the first book i wanted to publish but four others as well is what has me breaking down. and i know i should’ve had backups and whatnot but i wasn’t really under the impression that they would disable the account without notification at least days before.

so, i’m currently having a meltdown and creating a backup of everything in my word account before they wipe that too (i guess). time to start everything over 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠

[andreafmn]

so, just gonna vent for a little because i’m really going through it.

i sat down to write this morning and i just found out my entire google docs was wiped. i have been using my universities email for years now and it seems they decided to eliminate their google workspace without much notification. so, not only did i lose quite a few requests and fics that I had in progress, but I lost an original book I was writing that was close to halfway done.

i’m not mad as most fics are already published (except the ones i was still writing, including a 5K+ avatar request I was doing), but the fact that I lost not just the first book i wanted to publish but four others as well is what has me breaking down. and i know i should’ve had backups and whatnot but i wasn’t really under the impression that they would disable the account without notification at least days before.

so, i’m currently having a meltdown and creating a backup of everything in my word account before they wipe that too (i guess). time to start everything over 🫠🫠🫠🫠🫠

[andreafmn]

I don’t like how everyone just skipped over the fact that y/n’s hand was not supposed to hurt Paul in collision…. Does that mean what I think it means👁️👁️ do you have an idea of when the sequel will drop😝

quite soon 🤭🤭

[andreafmn]

hey y’all, i know i’ve been inactive for a long time (…again), but i’ve been quite sick with different things and unable to write more than a few words a day. But i am planning on starting to write for link toner this coming month and i would like to do it with requests.

so, if you have a character and a prompt that you’d like to see, send it through my inbox. if you’re not sure who or what shows I write for, there is an older post here or just send me a message 🤭🫶🏼

also, there will be updates for stories this week. thank you for putting up with me 🩷🩷🩷

[andreafmn]

Hii just a question but do you not write for avatar anymore?

i do! I just haven't written for them in a long time. I have a couple of WIPs getting dusty and cobwebs 'cause I haven't had any inspiration for them 😔

[andreafmn]

Heartbeat | Chapter 26

Word Count: 3.1K Warnings: foul language, mature themes, 18+ content (Minors DNI)

Story Description: (Y/N) Marks had no free time. From studying for med school, working her rounds for clinical, and the occasional babysitting her sisters sprung on her, she was all booked up. But none of that stopped her from aiding her sister and their best friends to rob a grocery store. She could have never guessed those couple of minutes would be enough to change her life forever or that it would lead to her meeting the man that would catalyze that shift.

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Time moved far too slowly for (Y/N)'s liking. Francis didn't have much to say about Rio's case, explaining he was under direct directive to keep things on the low until he had other instructions. Regardless of the relationship she had built with the man, he had his orders, and they would always come above anything.  

Instead of information, Francis provided distraction.  

A started game of chess rested between them as (Y/N) attempted to concentrate on a game she didn't care for at the moment. “It's your turn, you know?” Francis said. "Shouldn't take you this long to make a move.”  

“Sorry,” she said as she shook her head, her eyes falling on the pieces before her. “Uh, pawn to e4.”  

“You took my knight,” he said in surprise. “How didn't I see that?”  

“Maybe because you're just as distracted as me,” (Y/N) sighed, sinking into the armchair she sat on. “Why won't you tell me what's going on? I know you know.”  

“I already told you I can't,” Francis responded. “Rio'll tell you all you gotta know when he's out. For now, just focus on this. Or take a nap if you want. Unless you want some food?”  

“How do you know he'll get out? The feds are on his ass,” she exclaimed. “They clearly have enough of a case to bring him in.”  

“He's getting out,” he smiled before taking out a cigarette to light.  

“Those things will kill you,” (Y/N) pouted, crossing her arms across her chest. “Last month, you said you were gonna try to stop.”  

“I'm still trying,” he chuckled. “I'm already down to ten a day. That's progress.”  

The young doctor let out a scoff, knowing the conversation was simply another distraction. But it didn't matter how much she pushed. She was not getting the answers she wanted from him. All she could do was give time to time and bite her tongue. Francis seemed certain enough that Rio would get out soon. Hopefully, before she had to go back to the hospital.  

Finally relenting, they continued their match for the next hour, catching up on the mindless aspects of everyday life. There wasn’t much more they could focus on while Rio and some of his boys were behind bars. At least the conversation was enough to keep her head from coming up with the worst scenarios. (Y/N) wanted to believe he would walk through the doors at any moment. Francis had told her he would do as much. But she couldn't help the concern that ran through her.  

While things were good, it was easy to forget Rio wasn't a normal man, and he wasn't just involved in a criminal lifestyle. He was the leader of a gang. A gang that was being investigated by the FBI. She should have known him getting arrested was a possibility, but for some reason, it had not crossed her mind. Much less how she was supposed to react to it.  

When the food from Guille's restaurant appeared, (Y/N) couldn't do much but pick at the onions from her carne asada tacos. She played with the lime and picked at the onion, hunger leaving her body as quickly as it had arrived. Worry and concern ran through her veins as though her very blood was made of it, and it coursed through her heart at a dangerous speed.  

“You know, time ain't gonna go faster if you don't eat,” Francis chuckled. “Shit's just gonna get cold.”  

“It's getting late,” she sighed, completely disregarding his words. “If they were gonna get out, shouldn't they be here by now?”  

“Shit takes time, kid,” he replied, slouching in his seat comfortably. “They'll be here soon enough.”  

“You said that hours ago.”  

“And I still mean it,” Francis stated. “They're gonna get here.”  

“But...”  

“Do you know what you're getting into, (Y/N)?” His words made her die in her tongue, her mouth closing before anything else could spill out. “I know you and Rio aren't putting labels on anything, but even as friends, it's important you know what you're walking into.”  

Francis’ words filled her body with dread. (Y/N) knew she had been living in a fantasy world when it came to her and Rio. It was easy to fall into the simplicity of keeping things casual and loose, even when she knew her heart wanted much more. But the thoughts she held for the man did not allow the space to truly mull over the fact that she was entangling her life with the life of a criminal boss.  

Rio's life was always hanging by a thread because of his job. Everything he did, everyone he met would always be just another cog in the complicated machine that was his life. The longer she remained by his side, the bigger the target on her back became. And maybe she couldn't feel that pressure on herself yet, but there would come a day when it would be undeniable.  

“This ain't an easy life, (Y/N). And it ain’t for everyone,” Francis continued. “I'm not saying this to scare you off, kid. God knows things have been better since you've gotten here. But I need you to understand that choosing to be here comes with unimaginable difficulties, and they'll never get better. Are you sure this is what you want for your future?”  

(Y/N) didn't have time to think or respond before the back door swung open and a grinning Twitch walked in with two more guys in tow. “I'm back, bitches,” he exclaimed, celebrating as though he'd just come back from a leisurely trip. “And I'm starving.”  

“There's food in the kitchen,” Francis chuckled. “Gotta heat it up though.”  

He made his way to the kitchen, making himself a large plate. Meanwhile, the other two men said their goodbyes, wanting nothing more than to be home after a day in jail being interviewed by federal agents. They wanted to be anywhere but at work, and (Y/N) understood. She was sure if it wasn't for Rio, she'd want to be home as well.  

“Yo, doc, you're here!” Twitch said as he finally finished preparing his food and joined them. “You got worried 'bout me?”  

“Eh, something like that,” she smiled. “How was the slammer?”  

“Same old, same old,” he shrugged as he rested nonchalantly on the sofa, his plate resting on his lap. “They didn't have nothing. Brought us in for somethin’ stupid and had to let us out. ”  

Hard as she tried, (Y/N) couldn't pay attention to the man—not when her mind and her gaze kept drifting to the door. Most of the guys that had been arrested had come back or had gone back home, according to Twitch. All but the most important one. He had yet to walk in or be mentioned in conversation, and it made her chest wrench. She didn't want to seem inconsiderate and interrupt Twitch's ramblings, but she couldn't help the desperation that bubbled deep inside.  

“Where's Chris?” she found herself babbling, stopping the man mid-sentence and a mouth full of carnitas. “Is he still in?”  

“Nah, he got out,” Twitch answered, clearing his throat and straightening out his posture. “The feds thought they had something, but...”  

“What were the charges?” 

“What?”  

“Well, they weren't good enough to stick, but they were enough to have you guys arrested,” she said. “What were they?’  

“Well, I...”   

“And how did they come up with the evidence?” (Y/N) kept pushing, her mouth working faster than her ears. “I thought they had nothing.”  

“Wow, kid, calm down,” Francis interjected. “You haven’t given him a chance to speak.”   

“Right, yeah,” she chuckled in embarrassment. “I guess if I want to make follow-up questions, I should have the information to follow up.”  

“I would love to give you all the answers you're looking for, (Y/N),” Twitch said. “But we're under strict instruction not to. Rio's the one who wants to talk to you about it.”  

“Then where is he?” she exclaimed, exasperated. “If he's so adamant to tell me everything, then where is he?”  

“I'm right here, sweetheart.” his voice rang out. So undeniably him.  

(Y/N)'s eyes snapped over to the doors behind her, coming upon a beaten-up Rio. She sprang to her feet and ran to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. The wince that left him did not go unnoticed, but it was overtaken by the way his own hands tightened around her waist, pulling her in as close as it was humanly possible. They stayed in their embrace as Francis ushered Twitch out with a silent command, telling him to give the pair some space as the younger man complained. One of Rio's hands traveled to her neck, pressing her head into the crook of his neck, savoring the moment as soon as they were alone.  

 As hurt as he seemed, (Y/N) couldn't help but hug him tightly. Hours before, she didn't know if she'd ever see him again. Hell, she didn't even know if she could be implicated for everything she had done. But nothing mattered but his safe return. And though he hadn't exactly come back untouched, he was back, and he was with her.  

“What happened?” (Y/N) croaked, only distancing herself enough to be able to take in his features. “How could they get you?”  

“You don't know?” Rio asked in surprise. “You really don't know what happened?”  

“Of course not,” she said. “I've been working all day. The only reason I knew you were arrested was because it was playing on the news.”  

“So, you didn't... you couldn't have warned me.”  

“Warn you?” she questioned, her brow furrowing in confusion. “How could I have known that the feds were gonna pinch you?”  

 “Fine & Frugal was robbed again,” he started, pulling her toward the sofa she had been waiting for him on. “The people who did it left behind some information regarding my businesses. Specifically, the small washing that was being done in the store.”  

“Wait, another robbery? How is that possible?”  

“Same people who did the shit the first time,” he said. “The only ones who would benefit from putting me down. The only ones who need me out of the game.”  

She didn't understand. Truly, she couldn't. They couldn't have a good enough reason to bring him down. “I thought they worked for you,” (Y/N) mentioned. “Why would they want to take down the biggest paycheck they've ever gotten?”  

“They weren't.”  

“Okay, I'm even more lost now. The business was running, no?”  

“Beth burned that bridge,” Rio said, his jaw clenching with the words. “She thought herself a little more important than she was, questioned my methods... she disrespected me, (Y/N). I ain't gon’ let anyone do that.”  

“So, this was retaliation. They threw you in jail because Beth decided to get revenge for something she did,” (Y/N) understood. And more than one thing. “Oh god, that's what she meant.”  

“Whatchu talking about?”  

“At the hospital this afternoon, we sorta made up. She even apologized,” she mumbled. “Then she said she had everything handled. I'm guessing this is what she meant. Fucking Beth.”  

“I'm guessing you're back to feuding with your sister,” he chuckled teasingly. 

She chuckled as well, but anger dripped from every note of her laughter, bubbling from deep inside. “She would have ruined everything,” she said. “Not just for the girls and the kids. For myself, too.” 

Rio pulled her closer once more, his tongue peeking out just enough to wet his lips.  “Are you saying that ‘cause of your very well-paying job,” he grinned, his hands cradling her warming face, “or something else?”  

“I do really love the money, and the prestige it gives me in the hospital when I'm labeled a prodigy. I'm just so well-practiced,” (Y/N) smiled as she rested her hands on his chest. “The something else? Well, that's a perk I was not expecting, but it certainly is one of the best parts.” 

“Oh yeah?” he smirked. “What else is a perk?”   

“A new place to live,” she found herself saying. (Y/N) couldn't tell who was more surprised, if she or Rio. The amused smile on his face made it clear enough that he liked the words she said, but she wasn't sure why she was saying them. When she was driving downtown to the warehouse, she could only think about Rio's safety, not his Christmas proposal. Yet, somehow, she had found herself muttering the words he had been expecting since December. “If that offer is still on the table.”  

“It's gonna make Beth mad.” 

“She doesn't have to know.” 

“I still gotta punish her and the band of mamas,” he said. “You gon’ be okay with that?”  

“Staying out of it, remember?” she replied. “That's what everyone wanted me to do, and that's exactly what I'm going to do.”  

Rio pressed his lips to hers in response, unable to find the right words for his excitement. It was fast, it was reckless, it was not the right move, but neither could help but feel the need for closeness. They had no business rushing into something they couldn't even explain. But they were both used to jumping into rough waters. What difference would it make jumping when things seemed calm?  

“Take me home,” she said, out of breath, “please.”  

"Say it again.”  

“Take.” She kissed him. “Me.” She kissed him again. “Home.”  

In a swift move, Rio slipped his arms under her, sweeping her off her feet. A gleeful shriek left (Y/N)'s mouth as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He carried her all the way down to her car, setting her softly on the passenger seat before getting into the driver's seat. The last thing he cared about were the bruises forming across his torso, much less the cuts on his face. All he wanted was to take her home, to their home.  

His hand rested on her knee like it belonged there, kneading her skin through her scrubs. “You look sexy in your uniform,” he muttered. “They really suit you.” 

“Really?” she smirked, snaking a hand behind his neck. “I thought you preferred the Christmas onesie.” 

Rio laughed, remembering how ridiculous she had felt wearing it. “That is a close second,” he said. “Although nothing compares to having them on the floor.” 

His hand moved slowly up her leg, teasing her with a feather-light touch. He smiled as the hand she had on his neck squeezed, anticipation bubbling inside her. He was calculating his moves. Rio wanted (Y/N) teetering right at the edge, so close to getting what she wanted, but not enough to get off. His pinky finger was the first to extend, running up and down the seam of her pants. A chuckle left his throat as she sucked in a breath at the touch, shivering at the slightest bit of contact. “You’re sensitive today, ma,” he whispered, his voice somehow dropping an octave. “What’s got you so wound up?”  

“I’ve missed you,” (Y/N) answered, trying her best to control her breath as he continued his painful teasing. “I was really scared today.” 

“You ain’t gotta worry ‘bout me,” he said. “Ain’t no one that can keep me from you.” 

“But I do,” she breathed, rolling her hips toward his touch. “I don’t know what you’re doing to me.” 

(Y/N) took hold of his hand, testing how much he was willing to control the moment. When she met no resistance, she slid down the seat and slid his hand through the waist of her pants. Río licked his lips as his hand rested on her heat, feeling her wetness as though it was the very first time. “I could say the same about chu,” he said, softly teasing the bundle of nerves that was begging for his touch. “All you’ve done is mess with my head, (Y/N).” 

His touch was punishingly slow, enough to have her gripping the door, but nowhere close to getting her off. She wanted more, but he wasn’t giving it. “That’s not so bad,” she said breathlessly, her eyes finding his for a split second. His jaw was clenched, and his left hand gripped the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles had turned white. “You’ve turned me into a criminal. And wanna know what the worst part is?” 

“What’s that?” 

“I don’t care,” she groaned. He was right. She was sensitive, and somehow, without him doing much, she was getting closer to her climax. “If any of this is wrong, I don’t wanna be right.” 

Grateful for a red light, Rio grabbed her face with his free hand and crashed his mouth into hers. The force made her lip collide with his teeth, splitting the skin and forcing a drop of blood to fall down her chin. “You are trouble,” he growled before licking the metallic liquid. “Where have you been all my life?” 

“Right on the other side of town,” she smiled, her eyes hazed over with desire. “Just had to wait for me to steal from you so you could punish me.” 

“Should’ve taken the whole thing,” he chuckled darkly, speeding the car as soon as the light turned green. “Might’ve tempted me a lot quicker and made that punishment just that tastier.” 

(Y/N) gripped his wrist tightly as she felt the waves of her orgasm start, her body growing overwhelmed quickly. Adrenaline mixed with his words, leading her quickly to her finish. She had never felt so touch deprived in her life, never been so needy for someone’s touch. She had gone years without a partner, much less with someone to share her bed, and in a matter of months, Rio had fed her from a well that had her with a never-ending thirst.  

“That’s right, sweetheart,” she heard him say as he added more pressure to her clit. “Cum for me, darling. Show me how much you need me.” 

It was sudden. Her climax crashed through her as she dug her nails into his skin. Her back arched off the seat, and her breath hitched in her throat. His touch was electric, sending waves of pleasure through her body, squeezing the air from her lungs, and keeping her sound hostage in her throat. And, truthfully, it was intoxicating.  

Somehow, they had made it to the complex in one piece, and as much as Rio wanted more, he wanted her in what was now their bed. Once out of the car, he snaked his arms around her waist to pull her as close as humanly possible and kiss her lips again. He wanted her—needed her—now. 

Next ->

A/N: things are steaming up, figuratively and literally. hope nothing bad happens 😬 If you’d like to be tagged in this or any other story: click here Make sure you have my notifications on so you know every time I post!

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[andreafmn]

Requite | Chapter 5

Word Count: 3.3K

Summary: When everything seems to fall into place in Forks, Washington, a string of mysterious deaths call the attention of both vampires and werewolves in town. As the redheaded vampire returns with her mind set on revenge, (Y/N) and Bella Swan find themselves in the center of danger once again. With secrets still lingering between them about their past best friend, they will find themselves stuck in a whirlwind of love, betrayal, and the hardest choices they’ll have to make. But one thing is certain: no one will go a day without a taste for vengeance. 

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“I transferred some money into your account,” Charlie said as he fussed over his daughter's jacket. “I also put some cash in your purse in case you guys get too hungry.”  

“Dad, I’m not five,” (Y/N) chuckled. “And we're just gonna go out to find a dress. We'll be back in time for the party.” 

“Well, I know. I just want to make sure you girls have everything you need,” he said. “And I want to make sure you're feeling okay about the talk you're gonna have with your sister.”  

Right. The talk. The week had come and gone faster than (Y/N) could have anticipated, and somehow the weekend had arrived. (Y/N) was ready to tell Bella everything, but she wasn’t quite ready for the aftermath. She wasn’t ready for pity, sadness, or concern. Hell, she didn't even want anger. All she wanted was to be done with the situation. “I think I'm good,” she smiled, trying her best to calm her father's worries. “After talking to you and Billy, I'm ready.”  

“Well, I'm glad, sweetheart,” Charlie sighed, hugging his daughter tightly.  

“You ready to go, (Y/N)?” Bella asked as she sauntered down the last stairs. “We got a bit of a drive.”  

“Yeah, just done.”  

“Alright,” she said. “We'll call when we're done, dad.” 

“Be safe, girls,” he said before placing a kiss on the top of both their heads. "And grab some breakfast, alright? Make sure you eat.”  

“Yes, dad,” Bella chuckled. “We'll see you later.”  

“Alright, see you soon,” he said as they walked toward the door. “Love you, girls.”  

“Love you, too,” they yelled back.  

The dynamic between the three Swans had shifted for the better. For the first time in a long time, they were vocal about their appreciation for each other. They had become a unit and less of three ships navigating the same sea. Finally, they were sailing together. Even if it was only for a short amount of time, they were a unit.  

“I'm thinking we could grab a bite at Granny's Diner,” Bella said halfway into the drive. They had been sitting in comfortable silence. Biding their time to see who would speak first. “They have some outside dining, and it might be the best place to talk. Unless, you know, you wanna do it now.” 

“I'll wait for the restaurant,” (Y/N) answered. “Don't really feel like talking about life before I've gotten some food in my stomach.”  

“It won't change the story,” her sister shrugged. “We could save ourselves an hour of coffee sipping.”  

Truthfully, (Y/N) wanted to wait until they were in a public space to avoid Bella turning the car around and killing Jacob herself. She could sense her sister was itching for the truth, unravelling under the weight of all the theories her mind was coming up with, and none of it would ever compare to reality. The moment she found out, there was no telling how she would react. “I just need the time to compose myself,” she said. “Can I?”   

“Yeah,” her sister smiled, reaching over to take her hand in his. “I just don’t want any more secrets between us, (Y/N). I want the rest of this year to be better. For you. For me. For us.”  

“I want that, too, Bella,” she replied. “We deserve calm for a while.”  

Quiet and calm were, of course, a mirage in Forks. It never lasted long, and it normally meant something big was lurking around the corner. But for a few more hours, even a few more days, they could pretend or believe it could be their future. A world where they were simply two girls, one on her way to college and the other buying her first prom dress.  

Thirty more minutes of background music, and the odd nod-off from (Y/N), and Bella was parking across the little diner. There was only one table outside, as though the very universe had conspired to make everything just right. Truth was making its way into the light, and after that day, nothing would ever be the same.  

The sisters took a seat and ordered promptly, nursing two mugs neither girl seemed too interested in. Procrastination ran in Swan veins, and they were experts at beating around the bush instead of getting to the point. But that morning, Bella would not tolerate it.  

“Okay then,” she said, finally taking a small sip of her tea, “what did Jacob really do?”  

(Y/N) sighed deeply, spinning the spoon inside her coffee with too much milk as she braced herself to tell the story. Hopefully, for the last time. “Where do you want me to start?” the girl asked. “From the very beginning, or what Edward and Paul were talking about?” 

“From the start,” Bella responded. “I need to know everything he's done to you, (Y/N).” 

And, once more, the younger Swan detailed the horrendous couple of months she spent alongside Jacob Black. She started with the good things. Because there were some, even if she could count them in one hand. There had been the crush she had harbored since she was a kid—the fluttering in her chest when she heard his name, the heat that rushed through her body when she was able to be near him, the happiness the idea of being with him brought her. There was the moment she saw him when she came back to Forks—the moment everything had rushed back, the joy and excitement of being in his arms for even a second. And there was their first kiss. Everything was so small in retrospect, but they were moments that had meant the world to her in the past. They were part of her history. She could never deny that.  

Still, there was an evil that undermined any of the sweet words, the warm kisses, and the fulfillment of a lifelong wish. And it didn't take long for that dark side to take over. (Y/N) told her sister about the sly and insulting comments he would throw her way, and how good he was at making her feel like she deserved to hear them. Told her about his misconstrued concern for Bella, how he could derail every single one of their conversations with her. She spoke of his belittlement, of his gaslighting, and his unachievable ultimatum.  

During all of this, Bella remained quiet, her grip on her mug getting tighter the more her sister talked. She wanted to give (Y/N) the space and time to let everything out, scared that if she spoke up, her sister would close up and hide the rest. As hard as it was, she had to bite her tongue to get the truth. The whole truth.  

“After I couldn't get Embry out of the pack, he stopped calling and coming over,” (Y/N) continued. “That's when you and he started hanging out again. Well, you already know that part. When we went to his house, and everything went down, he wanted us to get back together, but I wasn't sure I wanted that—not anymore. Still, he kissed me, and I didn't know how to say no.”  

Bella's jaw clenched, but instead of talking, she nodded to her sister to keep going. “He was different then, but so was I,” she sighed. “I didn't feel anything for him, and still, I tried to find what I felt for him in the past. But it was gone, and everyone was telling me to leave him.  “I tried many times, but something always happened that didn't let me,” she chuckled dryly. “Until the night after we almost drowned. I was telling him the truth, that I didn't feel the same about him, and I had to let him go. He didn't like that.”  

She told Bella how Jacob had only wanted to get close to (Y/N) just so he could get closer to her, how he only tried to fix things with her because Bella had wanted that. Then, he told her how Paul was still keeping things from her, that he was lying right to her face. “I couldn't handle it, and I took off running,” (Y/N) sniffled, feeling tears welling in her eyes as she remembered the moment. “I don't know how long I was running, I just knew I had to get as far away as I could from his house. My legs were burning, and I could barely breathe when I suddenly tripped over a raised root and fell.   “I was all alone in the forest. Until I wasn't,” she said. Her hands trembled around her cup, the liquid inside rippling as her nerves took over her body. “Victoria found me.”  

“What?!” Bella exclaimed, unable to contain her worry. It dripped from her words and splattered on her face, her hand reaching for her sister's instinctively. “Why didn't you tell me?”  

“I didn't know how without telling you the whole thing,” (Y/N) replied, her voice cracking as the tears started to fall. “She was close to killing me. She said she wanted to kill me to hurt you, that somehow my death would hurt you and make it better when she killed you.   “I was sure that was it. Victoria had her hands around my throat, even slicing into my skin.” She raised her head slowly, revealing the scar that still remained at the top of her neck. “I passed out before I could see anything else, but Paul found me. Sam and Embry joined him later, and they helped him run her out of town. I was asleep until after Harry's funeral.”  

“Oh, (Y/N).”  

“That's not the worst part, Bells,” she sighed, squeezing her hand to ground herself. “When I was ready to go home, Embry came around and told us something we didn't notice. While Victoria was attacking me, Jake was there.”  

“W-what are you saying, (Y/N)?” 

“While Jacob was on patrol with Embry, he let visions slip from the night before,” she recounted, her chin trembling with every word. “He was running to the woods after he left you at home. He was angry, Embry said. That's when he happened upon Victoria attacking me. He could have stopped her. At least, scare her long enough for reinforcements to come. Instead, he stayed hidden, watching as she took my life. He'd said it was because he thought if I died, your grief would push you to find comfort in him.”  

The older girl remained silent, anger building inside her like a volcano about to erupt. She could see why (Y/N) had decided to talk in a public space rather than in the car. Her veins itched with the need to get back in the car and yell at Jake until her voice was hoarse, hit him until her hands shattered into a million pieces. She wanted him to hurt for all the pain he had put her sister through.  

"I wanted to tell you right after it happened, but Alice was there,” the girl sobbed. “You had something more important to get to, and I couldn't stop you. After that, I couldn't find the courage to tell you the truth. I spent days stewing in what I allowed to be done to me, and I felt like an idiot. Something inside me kept telling me that telling the truth would make me look stupid, so I just kept quiet.  “And then I found out how everyone had turned on Jake, and I couldn't help but feel responsible,” she continued. “I didn't want to ruin the last relationship he had by telling you the truth, too. So, I kept it to myself and hoped he didn't say anything.”  

“(Y/N), there is no one more important in my life than you,” Bella croaked, her throat feeling tighter as her sister continued to talk. “I'm sorry I couldn't see how much you were hurting. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I'm just sorry for not being the sister you deserve.”  

“No, Bells, you have nothing to be sorry for,” the girl said. “I made the decision not to tell you, okay? And I wasn't alone. I had Paul to help me, and dad and uncle Billy. You had your own problems to deal with. I mean, just with the whole vampire thing...”  

“(Y/N), you almost died, and I had no idea,” Bella said, tears falling from her eyes. “I could have lost you, and I didn't know. My friend left you for dead, and I didn't know. You came out all this way for me, you almost died, and still you were looking out for me.”   

“It's not like I really helped you,” (Y/N) chuckled softly. “I mostly complained to dad about you. If anything, it's Jacob that got you out of this rut.”  

“You're wrong,” Bella smiled. “It was you.”  

“Oh, come on.”  

“I'm serious,” she said. “Jacob and I mostly talked about you, (Y/N). You knew that going back to Florida would kill me, and instead of letting mom drag me back, you left your life behind and came here for me. I know I haven't said it, and I didn't quite show it when you first came here, but I was so relieved when dad said you were coming to Forks. You're the reason I pulled myself out, (Y/N). Not Jacob. Not Edward. You.”  

(Y/N) wanted to argue, but Bella stopped her before a word could leave her mouth. “I know you don't believe me, and you find it difficult to take a compliment,” she chuckled. “But even if you did complain at the start—which I don't really mind—you still showed me that I would be okay without Edward. There are other people out there who love me enough to drop everything and be there for me. You're why it stopped being hard to be here.”  

“You're giving me too much credit, Bells,” (Y/N) said, feeling her face grow warmer as the seconds passed. “But I'll take it, nonetheless. I'm glad you're better.”  

“And I'm glad you're alive,” she smiled. “And when we get back, I'm killing Jacob.”  

The younger girl choked on her coffee at her words, scaring the waitress who had just arrived with their plates. The poor woman left with a red face and a heart that was probably hammering against her chest. Laughter erupted between the Swan sisters, hoping the server didn't hear the last bit of their conversation.  

“You can't kill Jake, by the way,” (Y/N) whispered as they started on their food. “I told you everything so we could lay it all to rest. I don't want anyone to go after him to get revenge or whatever. I just want that nightmare to be over. He's had a reckoning of his own creation.”  

“What do you mean?”  

“Well, Sam's been giving him extra patrols,” she said. Part of her was debating telling Bella what had occurred the weekend before, knowing it would only make her sister's anger grow. But she had promised the whole truth, and Bella was the only person she didn't want to keep things from—not anymore. “He's been sleeping in his garage, too. Billy barely talks to him. And, well, Paul is always just one word away from killing him.”  

“How do you know he's sleeping in the garage?” 

“Uh, well, when I dropped off Paul last weekend, I went by Billy's to talk to him,” she explained, her eyes focusing on anything but Bella. “As I was leaving, Jake showed up and asked me to talk.”  

"(Y/N),” Bella reprimanded.  

“He was basically trying to convince me not to talk to you, and he got a bit forceful.” Before Bella could complain or react much, (Y/N) shut her down. What she wanted most was to show her sister that she could handle herself. That the girl she was now was stronger than the one who had arrived to help mend her sister's broken heart. “He just grabbed my wrists, but I freed myself. He was trying to make everything my fault again, but I shut it down. And I am 100% sure he won't even come near me ever again.”  

Bella kept quiet for a second, thoughts flashing across her eyes like a blazing fire. “You know, I could probably get Edward to kill him,” she whispered. “Get him out of the state, and poof.”  

“Bells!” (Y/N) exclaimed. “You can't joke about something like that. And you can't leave Paul out of it either.”  

Both sisters erupted into a chorus of laughter once more, pretending the plan was only a funny quip to pass the time. Maybe she was imagining it, but (Y/N) felt the air around them get lighter. Now that everything was on the table, the dark cloud that seemed to hang above them dispersed and only bright and sunny skies were forecasted ahead—as sunny as it could get. It had been years since either Swan had been hopeful for the future, but at that moment, anything they dreamed of was possible.  

But they forgot about the world they lived in.  

Once they were done with their food and had apologized to the waitress with a hefty tip, the girls started their walk toward the dress shop. “So,” Bella said, linking her arm with (Y/N)'s, "what color were you thinking for the dress?”  

“Well, Paul's favorite color is red,” she said, trying to keep her smile small. “I was thinking of something in that realm.”  

“That's a good start,” Bella laughed. “Are you gonna go short or long?”  

“Long, I think is best. It is his senior prom.”  

“I wouldn't know,” she sighed dramatically. “I didn't go to mine.”  

“Well, maybe you shouldn't have gone to Italy to rescue your vampire boyfriend,” (Y/N) teased. “Thankfully, mine is more into fistfights than dramatic spectacles.” 

“Yeah, yeah,” Bella chuckled sarcastically. “He's my ex, by the way. Better get that clear.”  

“And is he gonna stay that way?”  

“Oh, look,” Bella exclaimed. “We're here!” 

The shop was smaller than other stores (Y/N) had been to, but compared to anything in Forks, it had quite the selection. As soon as they stepped inside, they were inundated with sequins and satin, beads and lace, and rows upon rows of fabric. It was slightly overwhelming, and they were completely underqualified for the task, but they had to start somewhere.  

Twenty minutes in, and (Y/N) was ready to throw in the towel. There were many red dresses—long, short, slim, puffy. It was more than she could ask for. But none of them called to her. Bella pulled dress after dress, sticking her arm into the overflowing racks and showing her sister options, but none seemed to be the one. They knew neither of them was particularly adept in the fashion department, but the girl at least knew what she liked, and nothing quite fit the bill.  

“You have to pick something, (Y/N),” Bella sighed, her arms growing sore from the gowns she had been holding. “At least, try them on. They might look different.” 

“They’re just not right,” she complained. “I want to look good.” 

“I know, but…” Bella’s words died in her mouth as her eyes fell on a figure across the street. They were unmistakable and stood out like a sore thumb. “What is Alice doing here?” 

(Y/N) swiftly turned around, her eyes falling on the vampire who sat on a bench on the other side of the store. She held a newspaper over half of her face in a failed attempt at concealing her identity, but she couldn’t hide everything else. From the clothes to the hair, to the big designer sunglasses that hung on her nose. It was Alice Cullen, and it could be no one else. “Is she following us?” the girl whispered. “Did she hear about our plans?”  

“I don’t know,” she answered as she put the dresses back on the rack. “But I intend to find out.”  

Next ->

A/N: in my head, Bella at least lands a good punch on Jacob that doesn't break her hand. but finally she gets to know everything, hopefully nothing else happens. hahaha... right? 🫣 If you’d like to be tagged in this or any other story:  click hereMake sure you have my notifications on so you know every time I post!

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[andreafmn]

Bound | Chapter 10

Word Count: 4.8K Warnings: 18+ explicit content (minors DNI)

Summary: Rosalie always carried the resentment of not being able to fulfill the image of the perfect family she had in her head. But the universe had set out to grant her everything she could’ve hoped for in the most unconventional way and in the form of a witch. Can their love withstand the promise of forever or will Rosalie and (Y/N) succumb to the grapples of time?

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(Y/N) had delighted in succulent meals. The village was not short on outstanding cooks, but Bea had the most delectable taste that had ever passed across her tongue. She was a meal she could live off of for the rest of her life and be satisfied with until the end of time. Her tongue explored her entrance and her folds, memorizing every sensation of her skin with only one group of muscles. It was a talent she had mastered over the years, and her greatest masterpiece had been Beatrice’s body. The one thing (Y/N) had always wanted to give Bea was everything. There was nothing she could have asked for that the witch would have found impossible to give her. All except when she asked her to leave her. 

Yale had always been in her plans—it had been her dream. But the second Beatrice had asked her to go and live a life without her, she wanted to throw it all away. (Y/N) couldn’t imagine a world without Bea, much less a world where she couldn’t love her anymore. Even if it had to be in secret, hidden from the rest of the world, she had planned for a future where her best friend lived and grew by her side. 

Still, the universe gave her a horrible hand. Not only was she forced to live forever as everyone she knew and loved aged and died around her, but she was meant to do it without Beatrice. For the rest of time, she would be forced to live knowing there would come a time when she would no longer have the love of her life walking the earth with the face she had fallen for. 

 But that night? Oh, that night, none of it mattered. Bea was in (Y/N)’s arms, right where she belonged. They were in the room they had grown in, where they had fallen in love… where they had parted ways. It was the place where something beautiful had blossomed, and it still lived—blooming and very much alive. “Just for tonight,” she smiled at the woman in her grasp. “You’re all mine, my darling. All mine.” 

“Yes. Yes!” Bea exclaimed before crashing her lips onto hers. “That’s all I want.” 

“Consider this your wedding present,” she grinned as she placed a hand on the woman’s chin. “I didn’t have much time to get anything for the happy couple.”

“No more wedding talk, I beg of you. Tonight is about you and me.” 

“Then let’s pretend,” (Y/N) smiled, using her fingers to trace Beatrice’s features. “In some other universe, some other timeline,  tonight is our wedding night. I saw you in your beautiful white gown this morning, so radiant under the sun and beaming with all the beauty the Great Goddess awarded you. This morning, I promised to you eternal love and admiration for as long as the world is spinning. I promised to be your guiding light and your beacon in times of trouble. I promised you love in sickness and in health. I gave you my mother’s ring, and we kissed under the willow tree by the river’s bend. And you became my wife, and I became yours.” 

“Well, those are two very lucky ladies,” Bea smiled sadly as a tear fell down her cheek. “But in this universe, we only have tonight. Right now. And I don’t want to waste another moment imagining. I want to live this moment with you.” 

“Alright,” she conceded. “No more talking, then, my darling. Tonight, we live.” 

There were no more conversations that night. At least none that included existentialisms or hypotheticals. The only words that mattered were the ones spoken against their tongues and written on their skin. There were only so many hours left where they could claim each other, mind, body, and soul. And there was so much left to do. 

(Y/N) guided Bea toward her bedroom, remembering the path by memory as she kissed the woman down her jaw. Her hands joined Bea’s as they undid the buttons of her dress, knowing she had on far too many layers for comfort. The fabric felt like a suffocating constraint when all she wanted to feel was the warmth of her best friend’s skin against hers. It felt like hours until her dress pooled around her feet by the edge of her bed, but once she felt the cold of the night nip at her body, she felt she could finally breathe. 

The moment she parted from Beatrice to remove her clothing was torture, but being able to see her in the most purest of forms was worth the ache. Her body glimmered under the light of the moon, every mark on her body leading (Y/N) to her heat. But she couldn’t help stopping to admire her beauty. Bea was radiance incarnate, a testament to the Great Goddess’ craftsmanship. She could have died at that moment knowing she had seen heaven on Earth. 

“(Y/N),” Bea whispered as the woman kissed down her chest. Her name was a prayer on her lips, and she wanted nothing more than to answer her invocation. “(Y/N), please. I need you.” 

And what better way to be told to move on? 

“Tell me what you need,” (Y/N) mumbled against her skin as she made her way lower on her body. “Tell me what you need, and I’ll do it.” 

Beatrice let out the most beautiful laugh (Y/N) had ever heard before, cradling her head and bending down to kiss her lips. “I want you to devour me,” she smiled. “I want you to make me scream and shake until I can’t move. And then, I want you to let me do the same to you.” 

“Well, it seems like you have the night planned out,” the woman chuckled before pressing a kiss into the skin of her thigh. “Anything else that your heart desires, my darling? Anything at all.” 

“Love me,” Beatrice breathed. “Just love me.” 

“Always,” she smiled sadly. “Always.” 

(Y/N) attached her lips to Bea’s skin once more, kissing and biting the soft skin of her inner thigh before licking a stripe up her heat. The raven-haired witch gasped at the touch, threading her fingers through the woman’s hair. “You’re sensitive,” (Y/N) laughed. “And, oh, so wet.”  

“It’s all for you,” Beatrice exhaled as (Y/N) worked her tongue around the bundle of nerves that lived between her legs. “I haven’t…” 

“Are you telling me you’ve been celibate these past few months?” she mumbled against her, sending shivers through her body and forcing her to clench her legs. “My darling, you were made to be feasted on. How could you be set on the shelf for so long?” 

“Russell said he wanted to wait until we were married,” she admitted quietly. “He’s never done it before.” 

“Oh, you get an inexperienced green boy,” (Y/N) teased with a grin. “Thankfully, he’ll have an extraordinary teacher.”

 “I told you I don’t want to talk about him, (Y/N),” Beatrice sighed, cradling the woman’s chin with her hand. “It’s just us tonight, remember?” 

“Right, my apologies,” she smiled mischievously. “Where was I?” 

The woman knew exactly what to do to have her writhing with pleasure and wailing with ecstasy. It was a perfectly crafted symphony, written with harmonies and melodies composed only for them. Notes were played with fingers and mouths, each one accentuated with a moan or a whine. There was an intricacy to the performance, and there was no one better who could play the piece like (Y/N). 

“Oh, darling!” Beatrice wailed as (Y/N) curled her fingers inside her while she attacked her with her tongue. “Don’t stop.” 

All the witch could do was chuckle against her, sending shivers through the woman’s body that forced her to snake her fingers through (Y/N)’s hair and pull. She knew Bea was close to her finish, at least the first of the night. She maintained her speed, aided by the song she sang. The wind around them changed, swirling wild and strong, while the flames from the candles they lit grew in intensity. The ground shook with the intensity of Beatrice’s pleasure, rumbling and growling as the woman wailed, coming undone in the witch’s mouth. 

(Y/N) took her fingers out of Bea, teasing her through her climax as she kissed her way back up her body, a Cheshire cat smile on her face. “You did so well, beautiful,” she cooed in the woman’s ear. “How was it?” 

“I’ve missed you so much.” 

And it wasn’t until then that (Y/N) noticed Bea was crying. She stopped all movement, focusing solely on her. “Hey, hey,” she cooed, cradling her face and turning it to face her. “Tell me what’s going on?” 

“How am I supposed to live without you, (Y/N)?” she cried. “This year has been the hardest of my life, and there are still so many years left of it. How am I meant to do this?” 

“Darling, what brought this on?” (Y/N) whimpered, feeling the weight of her emotions mixing with hers. “I thought everything was going good.” 

“It was… it is,” Bea sighed. “You know me, (Y/N). You know my body, my mind, my soul. You are as much a part of me as I am a part of you. I don’t have anything else to give to Russell, and he deserves someone who can give everything.”

(Y/N) held the crying woman to her chest, running her hand across her head in an effort to calm her tears. “I know this is not what you want to hear, but we’re gonna have to learn to,” she muttered. “The Great Mother did not give us an easy life, much less one we dreamed of. But She did gift us the privilege of knowing each other, of allowing love and care to grow between us. She gave us the greatest opportunity I’ve ever had, which was to love you and have you love me back.” 

She brought one of Bea’s hands to her mouth, kissing her damp skin softly. “I wish you and I could have gotten the opportunity to have the life we always dreamed of,” she continued. “But I will never deprecate or disregard what we were able to have. We’ve been able to experience things others can only hope to, and I would not trade that for the world. “I want you to promise me something, Beatrice,” (Y/N) smiled sadly. “I want you to give your everything to Russell.” 

“(Y/N), I can’t…” 

“I’m not telling you to forget me. Heaven knows neither of us will ever be able to do that,” the witch chuckled. “I’m asking you to put that love in a locked chest so that you can experience all the wonders that await your future. Russell loves you, and I know that he will treat you like the wonder that you are. Give him the chance to grant you your wishes, allow him to fulfill your dreams, let him love you, Bea. Let him give you even an ounce of the life I wish I could.” 

Heavy tears fell from Beatrice’s eyes as she listened to (Y/N)’s words. They stained her cheeks with streams of liquid, and instead of stopping them, she embraced them. There was not much they could do. The universe had decided the only path they could take was apart, and they couldn’t fight their destiny anymore. 

Bea knew what her decision had to be, but she didn’t want to say it. Letting go of (Y/N) was the hardest thing she knew had to be done. But putting her love for her in a box was as impossible as stopping the river’s flow, as covering the sun with just a hand, as asking her own heart to stop beating. Containing the feelings she had for the woman was a feat she didn’t know she would ever be able to do, but she had to at least try. Especially when she was there begging her to do so. 

(Y/N) was pleading. She was praying that Bea could make the choice for both of them. And if there was something she could give her, it was the answer to that supplication. She had to be strong enough for the rest of her life. (Y/N) would have to carry both their hearts for the rest of time. 

“I will,” she conceded. “I will do it for us. I will live my life for us, for the time we were not granted. I will love and allow myself to be loved because I’ve known it in the purest of forms. From this day forward, and until my body is one with the earth once more.” 

“Thank you,” (Y/N) cried, crashing her lips onto Bea’s as sobs rattled her body. There was no beginning or end to their tears. They were one body and one soul, sharing in their love and their hurt. “You’re gonna have an amazing life, my love. I’m just glad I got to be a part of it.” 

“You are and always will be my life,” she smiled, tears glimmering in her eyes. “And for now, I want to believe it’ll still be us in the end.” 

(Y/N) couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped her. “You know you are getting married in just a matter of hours?” she said. “You should be resting already.” 

“My mind is too alive to rest right now,” Bea laughed as she wiped their tears away. “And you haven’t been taken care of yet.” 

“I can live with that. Tonight should be about you.” 

“Well, I can’t,” she smirked, overpowering (Y/N) and trapping her on the bed between her legs. “I need to make sure you’re well taken care of before you shift your attention back to me.” 

“Oh, you are insatiable.” 

“Don’t you know it?” Bea teased. “Now, I need you to lie back, relax, and enjoy.”

The sun peeked its head through the window before either woman had noticed they had fallen asleep. Their limbs tangled with one another, their chests pressed together, their matching breathing filling the quiet morning. 

(Y/N) was the first to wake. Her eyes ran over Bea’s sleeping figure, taking in every small detail she could. For that was the last moment she would ever belong to her. After that morning, she would never be able to kiss the freckle behind her ear and watch her eyes flutter in her sleep. She wouldn’t be able to run her hands across the vast expanse of her skin. She would never be able to call her hers. 

This wasn’t the universe where they got their happy ever after. The one where they grew old together, where they took over the coven, maybe even got to adopt a couple of kids—though she would have been happy just the two of them. She looked over Bea’s sleeping figure and placed a soft kiss on her bare shoulder. It was a goodbye kiss; the period to a beautiful love story that would never be told—never be truly finished. It was their last morning, and it was already passing by.

 “Darling,” (Y/N) mumbled softly, watching as Beatrice stirred. “Darling, you need to start getting ready.” 

“Mmm,” she grumbled. “I don’t wanna.” 

“You know you have to. This isn’t school. You can’t just skip it.”

“They can’t have the thing without me,” she sighed. “If there’s no me, there’s no event.” 

“Darling, you need to get ready.” 

Bea let out a disgruntled grunt as she messed up her hair, pulling it all over her eyes as she hid her face from view. “I guess I should get this over with,” she relented. “Will you help me?” 

(Y/N) smiled as she brushed the witch’s hair away from her face, revealing the striking blue eyes that looked at her like she hung the very moon in the sky. “You need to be a little more excited than that, dear,” she said. “It is your wedding after all. The happiest day of your life, some say.” 

“I’ve already had that.” 

“No, Bea,” (Y/N) said, shaking her head. “The night is over. This is what’s real now.” 

“Right,” Bea sighed. “It was only for a night.” 

“That was always the plan, my darling. Those are the rules to live by.” 

“Gods, this world and its rules,” she exclaimed. “It’s not fair.” 

(Y/N) wiped away the tear that was starting to form in Bea’s eyes. The world was cruel and unfair, but those words wouldn’t serve her at that moment. Of course ,she agreed with her sentiments. She would carry her pain and guilt every moment she continued breathing. But Beatrice had to live, and she was the only one who could give her the push she needed. “It is not,” she said. “But it will be kind to you from this day on. You will have everything you have ever dreamed of.”

Before she could talk, (Y/N) stopped her. “I know it won’t be with me. And as much as I wish it could have, that’s just not the way things are,” she continued. “You will have a beautiful family, alongside a man who worships the ground you walk on. You will lead this coven and do great things for witches around the world. And it all starts with today.”

“How can you be so sure?” 

“Because I know,” (Y/N) smiled. “You will be happy. Even if just a little bit.”

“I just wish…” 

“No more wishing, darling,” she said, swallowing the tears that would not serve Bea. “Today’s the day you stop wishing. You get it all.” 

With a sad smile, Beatrice allowed her to coax her out of bed before being sent to the shower like a kid. As she did, (Y/N) went to the spare room to retrieve the dress that the love of her life would be married in, and it was as beautiful as her. 

The dress was a beaded floor-length gown accentuated with a lace shoulder cape. Although it was white, (Y/N) knew it wouldn’t wash her out—there was nothing she could wear that would ever look bad on her. That was her something new.  She’d be walking barefoot, like all brides did, but her mother had made her gorgeous rhinestone chains with a sapphire in the center to adorn them—something blue. The earrings that rested on the dresser were ones the witch knew too well, for she had let Bea use them for a school dance once and never saw them again—something borrowed. But the something old shattered her. 

When she was younger, (Y/N)did not have much. Losing her parents young, she had to work harder than most just to get herself on the same level as others. And when she finally admitted her feelings to Bea, and she reciprocated, she wanted to give her the very stars in the sky. Yet she knew she wouldn’t be able to. After one year of their coupling, she wanted to give her something special. Something as beautiful as the gown her mother had made. 

She spent months saving up to buy a comb and scouring the earth for stones that could bring the little metal piece to life. (Y/N) asked Margaret for help with her transformation spells, and her mother with the craft. And after eight months of hard work, she’d finally ended up with something worth giving to Beatrice. Now, it would accompany her on the start of her new life. 

“I told you I would always treasure it,” Bea said as she walked into the room, a sad smile on her angelic face. “I hope you don’t mind that I'm using it for such an occasion.”

“I’d be offended if you didn’t,” (Y/N) chuckled softly. “At least this way, I can be up at the altar with you. Well, with this and the earrings you said you’d lost.”

“Technically, I did,” she laughed. “I just happened to find them for today.”

“How very lucky you are,” the witch smiled. “Now, let’s get you ready.” 

A few minutes later, Anabelle and Sarah walked through the doors to help their sister and daughter get ready for her big day. They oohed and awed as they braided her hair and did her makeup, beaming over Bea’s husband-to-be while (Y/N) stood in the background watching the way Beatrice would look when she was promised to another. 

It took everything inside her not to burst into tears. Maybe they had dried up since the night before. Or she was simply happy that Bea would have the life they had always dreamed of. Even if she had to watch and cheer from the sidelines, she was glad she could have everything she wanted. 

By the end, the younger witch looked like a princess. Her long hair had been pinned up in an intricate hairstyle, adorned only by the glimmering comb. If it had been their day, (Y/N) would have witnessed the masterpiece that was Bea while waiting for her at the end of the altar. Everyone present would have witnessed the way her eyes welled with tears and the red heat that painted her cheeks. She was beauty and perfection, and she had to hand her over to Russell as though she were his to take. 

“I always knew she would make a beautiful bride,” Anabelle whispered to (Y/N) as she squeezed her hand in comfort. “I just never thought it would be Russell at the end of the aisle.” 

“You and me both,” she smiled sadly. “But we knew it wouldn’t ever happen. Not in this lifetime, at least.”

“I mean no offense when I say this, but how are you here? I would have stayed far away from the village if it were me.”

“She wanted me here, so I came,” she said. “I would do anything for her.” 

“Oh, to love and be loved,” Anabelle smiled softly at the witch. “It’s a gift and a curse, it seems.”

“You can say that again,” she chuckled. “Now, let’s get your sister married.”

The ceremony was as beautiful as ever. The walkway toward Bound Souls’ Bank had been adorned with white and blue carnations because Bea had always hated roses. Overhead, candles and flowers floated, adorning the sky with shimmering confetti of flames and petals. At the end of the makeshift aisle, an arch of ivy and jasmine made a canopy for Margaret and the lovely couple. It was everything they had ever imagined. And (Y/N) stood beside Beatrice as she promised her life to Russell, to love and to hold, for the rest of her life. And all she could do was smile.

“Having proclaimed your vows with our Mother Goddess as your witness, I call upon the elements to help me bless this union for the rest of time,” Margaret said, raising her arms to the sky. “I call upon the Air from the East, to bless this couple with good thoughts and positivity. I call upon the Fire from the South, to erase their past and clear a new path. I call upon the Water from the West, for renewal and purification. And I call upon the Earth from the North, to bless this couple with balance and wisdom.” 

As the words left the woman’s mouth, the wind rustled the trees, the calm brook rushed its water downstream, fire surrounded them in a circle, and the earth shook beneath their feet. “Now, with Mother Earth’s blessing and the power vested in me by our Great Goddess, I pronounce you married. You may seal your promise with a kiss.” 

(Y/N) looked down at her bouquet as Russell and Bea shared their binding kiss. She didn’t know if she imagined it, but she felt something inside her chest snap as though the cord that bound her to Beatrice had finally broken. She would always belong to Bea, but Bea no longer belonged to her. 

Somehow, she gathered every ounce of strength inside her and clapped and smiled for the young couple as they walked back up the aisle, now a married pair. And they looked happy. And truthfully, that was all (Y/N) could hope for. 

Everyone had cleared before the witch was able to move from her spot. On the ground, she noticed a blue sapphire glimmering between a muddle of rocks. It was the biggest stone from Bea’s comb. Sometime during the ceremony, the piece had fallen, left between pebbles to be forgotten… just like her. 

As she reached to grab it, she heard footsteps coming closer. Their heaviness told her it could not be any of the Porters, but their softness told her all she needed to know. “Russell,” she said as she took his extended hand. “Shouldn’t you be with your new bride?” 

“There was someone missing at the reception,” he smiled. “We couldn’t go through this without you, (Y/N).” 

“You’re already married, Russ,” she chuckled in an attempt to shield her sadness. “It’s already done.”

“You know what I mean, (Y/N),” Russell muttered softly. “She needs you there.” 

“Not anymore,” she sighed. “She is yours now.” 

“I’ve always known she would never be mine—not completely,” he said. “And I don’t expect her to be, (Y/N). I don’t mind that I have to share her heart with you, as long as she knows she is loved. That is all that matters to me.” 

(Y/N) didn’t know what she and Bea had done to deserve Russell. He had always accepted them when they were together, and now that Bea was with him, he had never pushed (Y/N) away. Instead, he understood the feelings the women shared and relished in the simple opportunity of being a part of it. 

“Beatrice and I want you here,” Russell continued. “We don’t want you to grow apart, and I don’t want Bea to miss a part of her. Do you understand what I am saying, (Y/N)?” 

“I can’t let you do that,” she said. “You made a vow in front of the Great Goddess. I don’t belong anywhere near those.” 

“Not even for just one day?” 

The words surprised her, even more than where the conversation had shifted to. What he was suggesting went against what they had promised to each other, even if it was okay with one another. “Your vows… I can’t.” 

“Did you not hear what we said? The words we had changed from the normal vows?” 

“What do you mean?” 

“We promised to do whatever was necessary to keep each other happy,” he said. “You make her happy, and I would never stand between that. I know she was the one who asked you to leave, to live your life without her because of your… condition. But I know her heart needs you to keep beating, just like she needed you here last night to even show up to the wedding. “If all it takes is one day for her to endure the other three hundred and sixty-four,” he stated, “then I will gladly give it to her. Granted, if it were the other way around, I’d be just as grateful.” 

“Where did you come from, Russell?” (Y/N) smiled, wiping away the tear she felt roll down her cheek. “How can you be so…?” 

“Perfect? Handsome? Charismatic?” he chuckled. “You can stop me at any point and chime in.” 

“All of the above and more,” she laughed. “But are you sure you are okay with that? One day every year. Are you sure you agree with it?” 

“If you’re not sure, then know that Bea is the one who settled on one day,” Russ said. “I was fine with however long she wanted. She could have half the year if she so wished.” 

“Too much of a good thing?” 

“That’s exactly what she said,” he grinned. “You believe me now?”

“Okay, then,” she said, holding back the joy that made her heart race. “One day out of the year.” 

“Great!” he exclaimed before holding out his arm. “Now, let’s head into the village center where our beautiful Beatrice is waiting for us.” 

With a renewed delight, (Y/N) interlocked her arm with Russell’s and allowed him to pull her up the trek she had walked hundreds of times with Bea. She couldn’t believe that even when she thought the younger witch would slip through her fingers, she was granted a thin sliver to keep them together. It was all she could hope for at that moment. 

The entire coven and some outside guests had all gathered in the town center. Bustles of happy conversations filled the air as many of them reunited for the first time in months or even years. Both young and old had come for the joyous occasion, meeting once more to celebrate the newest marital union. But even if there were faces she hadn’t seen in a long time, there was only one that mattered to her. 

As Russell left her at the end of their table, kissing the back of her hand before taking his place, her eyes met the blue of Beatrice’s. (Y/N) gave her the warmest smile she could muster as she was met with the softening of Bea’s eyes. She understood. They both did. The universe had not granted them the gift of eternity together, but it had given them enough. And as the younger witch smiled at her, (Y/N) knew she would be okay. She would be happy, and that was enough.

A/N: *cough* *cough* goodness, there are cobwebs and dust all across this story. it's been forever since I updated. I'm so sorry. I've been so behind on every single fic because life has gotten in the way, but I'm glad I'm able to update it now. I love this story so much, and I hope y'all do too. If you’d like to be tagged in this or any other story: click here Make sure you have my notifications on so you know every time I post!

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[andreafmn]

I'm Not Afraid | Chapter 30

Word Count: 3.0K

Story Description: (Y/N) Argent arrived at Beacon Hills to put to rest her father’s sister, Kate Argent. For the first time, her family has decided to settle down and sustain a life in this interesting small town. After 17 years, (Y/N) has the opportunity to establish interpersonal relationships but will she be ready to face the complications that come with relating to her cousin’s, Allison, friends; especially, the infamous Derek Hale. She will face the adventure of being associated with the Derek and McCall pack, as well as being faced with the discovery of certain aspects of her life she never imagined.

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Isaac and Derek walked ahead of (Y/N) as they made their way to Derek’s loft. Even without any immediate danger, they protected her at all costs. Just because Peter had agreed to talk did not mean he couldn’t have other intentions. And nobody knew better just how easily the man could turn than his own nephew.  

Begrudgingly, Derek slid open his front door to reveal one Peter Hale nursing a glass of whiskey in the middle of his living room. The man's mouth twisted into a grin at the sight before him, welcoming the trio as though he had been the one to invite them in. 

“Well, it is lovely to finally meet you, (Y/N) Argent,” he said, stretching out his hand. “I hear you have a few questions for me.”  

The younger Hale swatted away his uncle's hand as he motioned at him to sit, his eyes never leaving him as Isaac and (Y/N) sat opposite the resuscitated man. "I hear you have quite the connections in the werewolf world,” she said, trying her best to appear as cold and confident as Peter came across. “I'm in need of those connections.”  

“Quite bold of you to ask a favor from me before we've even been formally introduced,” Peter grinned, “and as an Argent. You must know my family doesn't quite get along with yours. They burnt that bridge a long time ago.”  

“Just hear her out, Peter,” Derek interjected, his voice dripping with annoyance. “Stop playing around.”  

“Please excuse my dear nephew. He can truly be so sour at times.”  

“I'm well acquainted with that,” (Y/N) retorted. “But we are not here to talk about the stick up your nephew's ass.”  

If Derek found offense in her words, he did not show it. His eyes never left Peter, focused entirely on his uncle and any move he could make. “Oh, I like her,” the man chuckled. “So, what can I do for you, little Argent?”  

“I'm looking for someone,” she said, choosing her words carefully. “An alpha who seemingly went into hiding years ago.”  

“What exactly for? If they're hiding, it's for a reason.”  

“You don't need to know my reasons.”  

“Well, I apologize if I'm intruding,” he said, his tone cold and calculating, “but your family doesn't have the best track record when it comes to alphas and their packs. Why would I help you find one of my kind when I know what the Argents are capable of?”  

“She's not Kate,” Derek spat, and it made (Y/N)'s heart wrench. A few weeks before, he was saying the exact opposite, breaking her heart with the very words she was most afraid to hear. “Just let her speak.”  

Isaac noticed the way (Y/N) tensed beside him as Derek spoke and the slight furrow that formed on her eyebrows. He squeezed her hand comfortingly, an action she was quick to reciprocate. “Look, it is imperative I find this person, and my family's resources have proven to be inadequate for the task,” she said. “I understand if you can't do it.”  

“There are multitudes to what I can do, little Argent,” Peter argued, a slight bite of annoyance in his words at her dismissal. “So, who is it that you're searching for?”  

“An alpha that used to go by the name Raina Shetty. The last she was ever heard of was around twelve years ago.” At the mention of the name, Peter's interest definitely peaked. “Do you know her?” 

“I definitely know of her,” he said. “But I'm quite interested to know what your business with her could be.”  

“That's not really any of your business, is it?”  

“You're quite unforthcoming for someone who is asking for my help,” Peter argued, trying his best to conceal the annoyance that was building inside him.  “And why would I do you a favor? Last time I checked, I don't owe you anything.”  

“Because there will come a day when you need someone to vouch for you,” she said, ignoring the way both Isaac and Derek tensed. “If you help me, I will be that person.”  

“(Y/N)...”  

“No questions asked, I will be on your side.”  

“What are you doing, (Y/N)?” Isaac muttered under his breath.  

“You'd put yourself on the line like that?” Peter grinned, clearly intrigued by the proposition. “There's no way you could know what I will need that for. It could be quite the dangerous compromise to put yourself in.”  

“Exactly the reason why you will accept my offer without a fight,” she said. “You need something like this after everything you've done.”  

“She doesn't mean it,” Derek interjected. “You're gonna help her, no strings attached. That's...”  

Peter's laugh cut his nephew's words in his throat, a menacing timbre in the sound that escaped his mouth. “You know I can't do that, Derek,” he said. “I don't make deals with hunters that can't satisfy my narrative. Charity work isn't exactly my thing.”  

Derek stood from his seat, standing in (Y/N)'s eyesight. It was clear he wouldn't allow her to make a suicidal deal with his uncle, but he had no tools in his arsenal to prevent it. Peter bolted to his feet after, squaring up to his nephew instinctively. “You'll do this for her,” he said through gritted teeth. “I'll be the one to owe you.”  

“Absolutely not, Derek,” (Y/N) exclaimed, trying to force his gaze to turn to her. But his stance was solid, his feet glued to the ground. “This is my deal to make. I will not have you fight my battles.”  

“And I won't let you sign your soul over to the devil.” Derek's gaze finally broke, his eyes snapping to hers. They were pleading, agonizing over what (Y/N) was doing. “I know how he works, and I can deal with him. You don't have to.”  

“I don't need you to save me,” she muttered. “I will do this on my own.”  

“(Y/N)...”  

The girl pulled her eyes from his, instead focusing on Peter's resolution plastered across her face. “Do we have a deal?” 

“(Y/N)...”  

“I say we do,” Peter smirked, stretching out a hand that (Y/N) shook. “It's a pleasure doing business with you, little Argent. I will get everything I can find on Raina and let you know.”  

Before anyone could utter another word, Derek took hold of (Y/N)'s arm, and he led her up the stairs, all the way up to the roof. The girl was dragged the entire stretch, her struggles and protests completely ignored. It wasn't until the heavy door had crashed closed behind them and the loud sound of the building's fan that he finally felt comfortable enough to speak.  

“What the hell are you doing, (Y/N)?” he exclaimed. “You have no idea what kind of hell you're jumping into with Peter.”  

“You don't understand, Derek,” she said, her voice trembling under the weight of her emotions. “I need this. I need to find Raina.”  

"Why? How important can this person be that you're willing to put yourself in the line of fire like this?”  

(Y/N) was becoming restless, unable to contain all the feelings that were battling inside her. She didn't want to give him more information than he deserved, but at the same time, she wanted nothing more than to confide in the person she had come to cherish the most. “It just is!” the girl screamed. “I would give everything to find her.”  

“Who is this woman, (Y/N)?! And does she know you're putting your life on the line for her?”  

“That's enough, Derek.” 

“No, (Y/N). You don't know how dangerous Peter can be. What you just did...”  

“Stop.”  

“You're gonna get hurt! All for someone who you won't...”  

“She's my mother, okay?!” (Y/N) finally exploded, the tears she was fighting to hold back falling down her cheeks faster than she could stop them. “I need to know where she is because she's my real mother. And to know myself, I need to know her.”  

“W-what?” Derek's stare softened, his skin tingling with the need to get closer to her. He couldn't quite determine just how much comfort he could give her. He'd already pushed her into revealing something she clearly did not want to, and physical contact could only push her further away. “What do you mean?”  

“Raina Shetty is my real mother,” she croaked. “And she's somewhere, out there, and she hasn't even had the chance to hold me.”  

He didn't care anymore. There was nothing and no one that could keep him from wrapping his arms tightly around her as she crumbled to the ground. “I'm sorry,” he mumbled into her neck as he pulled her as close as he possibly could. “I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have pressed you, (Y/N).”  

“P-Peter can't know,” (Y/N) cried. “You c-can't tell him.”  

"I would never,” Derek whispered, blurring all lines he had created and forgetting everything he had said before placing a soft kiss on her head. “I would never do anything to hurt you, (Y/N). Never.”  

“You have,” the girl whimpered, mustering any ounce of strength she could to push him away. Derek stumbled backward, but only a few inches. She could push him away all she wanted, but he didn’t want to let go. “You’ve hurt me so much, Derek. And in these moments when all I want is to be with you, I can’t. And it’s all your fault!”  

He couldn’t speak. Not when everything she was saying was the truth. He kept hurting her when all he wanted was to keep her safe. “Why did you have to ruin everything?” (Y/N) asked, punching his chest. A hit he took more than willingly. “We were great. We were doing great, Derek! Why did you have to ruin everything?”  

“(Y/N), I...”  

“No... no,” she sniffled, wiping away her tears and finally pushing herself as far apart as she could from him. “Are you gonna tell me the truth?”  

“What?”  

“Will you tell me the real reason you don't want me to be close to you—the reason you ripped out my heart like that?”   

Derek sighed, trying his hardest not to be swayed by the glimmering sadness in her eyes. “I can't do that, (Y/N),” he muttered. “Please don't ask that of me.”  

“Then we have talked more than enough,” (Y/N) said. “I'm done.”  

“W-what does that mean?”  

“I have to be done with you, Derek. If you won't tell me the truth, then I have to be done with you.”  

She escaped his grasp and hurried back down the stairs, leaving Derek to stew in his decisions. If he wanted to keep her away, then it was time she answered his pleas. If distance and secrets were what he needed, then that's exactly what she would give him.  

(Y/N) ran past Isaac as he watched over Peter while she talked to Derek. She ignored his calls as she headed toward her bike, wanting nothing more than to be home. Her goal was to get Peter’s help to find her mother, and she had done it. Everything else had been an avoidable mistake.  

Her heart hammered against her chest as tears fell down her cheeks. How dare he? She thought over and over. (Y/N) didn’t want him to know about her mother yet; she wanted to be able to control her narrative. To be seen as strong and capable, and not like the broken and incomplete girl that she felt like.  

“(Y/N), wait up,” Isaac said, running up to her. “What’s wrong? What happened?” 

“He wouldn’t stop asking; he wouldn’t shut up,” she muttered angrily. “I can’t believe I let him push me into talking.” 

“I don’t… what’re you talking about?” 

“Derek knows the truth about Raina,” she sighed, wiping away the remnants of her tears. “He wouldn’t stop asking why I was risking myself like this, and I just blurted it out.” 

“That’s not too bad, though,” he tried to calm her. “At least we know he won’t tell anyone about it.”  

“Do we?” (Y/N) argues, her words trembling under the weight of her emotions. “A few months ago, I would have trusted him with my life. Now, I can’t really be sure.”   

As (Y/N) steadied her helmet and mounted the bike behind Isaac, the boy noticed Derek in the distance. The pain splattered on his face was evident, and there was nothing he could do but send the alpha an apologetic glance. Derek had made his bed, as noble—and stupid—as it was, and now he had to lie in it. And if he just so happened to be able to appreciate the chance the man had thrown away, he was going to take it.    

After a long and exhausting day, Isaac and (Y/N) lay on the couch when Henry walked in with bags of takeout in tow. Brody was the first one to greet the man, jumping on him with all the joy and excitement the four-year-old dog still had. “Hey guys,” he called out in laughter, trying to keep the dog down. “A little help here.”   

“Of course,” Isaac said as he sprang from the sofa, quick to take the bags from his hands to the kitchen.  

(Y/N) then called Brody off, commanding him to his bed before hugging her father. “I like this kid,” Henry whispered to his daughter. “Very helpful.”   

“He is grateful to have a roof over his head,” she smiled. “But he’s also just good.”   

“Are you sure you don’t...”   

“Dad,” she whined. “Don’t.”  

“Just saying,” he laughed. “He’s a good kid, and age appropriate.”   

“Yeah, I’m not talking about this with you, dad. I would rather die.”  

“So dramatic,” Henry chuckled as he wrapped an arm around his daughter. Inside the kitchen, Isaac had set three plates on the island and was opening the containers for easier access. “You didn't have to do that, kid.”  

“Oh, I don't mind. And I'll do the dishes after,”  

“What did I tell ya?” (Y/N) whispered to her father. “Grateful.”  

The kids talked about their last day of school as they put a dent in the copious amount of Indian takeout Henry had provided. Isaac ate like it was his last meal, finishing his plate quickly before making a grab for a bit more. It was a warm and comforting scene, and maybe just what they all needed in the moment.  

“I talked to Peter today,” (Y/N) mumbled out. “He said he'd help me find my mother.���  

“Really?” Henry said in surprise. “Peter Hale willingly helping an Argent? I never thought I'd see the day.”  

“Well...”  

Isaac started to speak, but the threatening glare (Y/N) sent his way quieted him quickly. “He's gonna ask around and see what he can find,” she said. “Hopefully, he gets closer than you could.”  

“That's... wow, I didn't think this would happen.”  

“Do you, um... do you think mom will be mad?” she muttered. “You know, that I'm trying to find Raina.”  

“This situation is complicated, munchkin,” Henry sighed. “I'm sorry for putting you in this position and that you had to learn the truth in such a horrible way.”  

“Yeah.”  

“But I will say that Rebecca did an amazing job raising you, regardless of how she got you,” he said, and the one who was surprised at that moment was (Y/N). “I know she was an awful person with even worse ideologies, but I'll give it to her that she loved you completely and has always wanted the best for you.  “I won’t ask you to put your anger aside—heaven knows you are entitled to that and more,” he smiled. “But I do want you to remember the woman who raised you. She’s not only a ruthless hunter, but she is the person who made you who you are today. And it’s not a lot of credit, but she deserves at least that. You don’t ever have to forgive her if you don’t want to. But if you do, I would understand why.” 

(Y/N) was still learning to cope with Rebecca's distance. She'd turn toward where her mother used to sit, about to ask her a question or say a remark, before she remembered the woman wasn't there. The absence made her uneasy, but no more than the knowledge of what she had done. Chills ran through her spine each moment she remembered the story of her birth, her stomach growing uneasy with the cruelty. Yet, she couldn’t fathom how that was the same woman who sang and read her to sleep. The one who had taught her she could cry because of a skinned knee, but only if she got back up and kept fighting. Rebecca had been the one to teach her to fight, to stand up, to make sure her voice was heard.  

Still, Rebecca was also the woman who had put pen to paper when it came to her life. She had been the one to decide (Y/N)’s reality with a smile on her face. Sure, she had raised her as her own, but at the same time, condemning and villainizing a part of who she was. She could be grateful for the mother she had while hating the woman she was.  Now, without her mom in the way, and with an agreement with Peter, she was closer than ever to rewriting her life. And she was more determined than ever to take control.  

Henry, on the other hand, finally felt like he was free from the grasp of his father. Without Rebecca in the house and with his brother finally learning the truth, he felt weightless. There were things Chris still didn't know about his father and their past, but it wasn't the time for him to learn about it. His little brother'd had enough with the implosion of his own family, and Henry would be remiss in adding to the chaos. He was unconfined and growing closer to his daughter than ever before. It was time to put his all into finding Raina, and he was glad he could do it alongside (Y/N).  

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A/N: i may be the one writing this, but this story ain't mine. i have no control over what these characters wanna do. you're frustrated? me too, bestie If you’d like to be tagged in this or any other story: click here Make sure you have my notifications on so you know every time I post!

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[andreafmn]

Requite | Chapter 4

Word Count: 3.4K

Summary: When everything seems to fall into place in Forks, Washington, a string of mysterious deaths call the attention of both vampires and werewolves in town. As the redheaded vampire returns with her mind set on revenge, (Y/N) and Bella Swan find themselves in the center of danger once again. With secrets still lingering between them about their past best friend, they will find themselves stuck in a whirlwind of love, betrayal, and the hardest choices they’ll have to make. But one thing is certain: no one will go a day without a taste for vengeance. 

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School was an odd place to be with the Cullens back in town. Everyone could see and feel the distance that had grown between the oldest Swan daughter and the two Cullen children who had still not graduated. It didn't take a genius to see how hard Alice and Edward were trying to get close to Bella, but she would always shut them down.  

It was clear they believed the girl's distance was (Y/N)'s fault. Whenever the sisters walked down the halls together, the Cullens would send questioning stares her way, but she couldn't tell if they were filled with disdain or genuine curiosity. What she was sure of was that they knew she was the greatest obstacle standing between them and Bella.  

But if Bella blamed her sister for the space between her and the Cullens, she didn't say anything. Instead, she seemed to relish it. She seemed lighter than ever, catching up to (Y/ N)to head to the cafeteria, wearing a smile the younger Swan had missed witnessing.  

Truthfully, there was a certain weightlessness running around campus from the senior class. With graduation just around the corner, school was the last bit of their worries. Maybe there were still finals to worry about, but they didn't quite care, and it showed. Their biggest concern seemed to be who to invite to the graduation. 

“Hi, guys,” Angela smiled as the sisters reached their usual lunch table. “Bella, have you sent out your graduation announcements?”  

“Well, I don't really have anyone to give them to,” the girl shrugged. “Dad is gonna be there, and mom knows when graduation is. That's really it.”  

Unconsciously, Bella started picking the mushrooms out of her veggie pizza as she spoke, placing them on (Y/N)'s tray. Something she had done since they were little. Where the older Swan was picky with her food, her sister didn't mind taking the discards. But the smile that spread on the younger Swan's face was not because she was glad to receive mushrooms. Instead, she was happy her sister was doing things they had lost in the year of separation and the time Bella was stuck in her own mind.  

“What about you, Angela?” (Y/N) asked as Bella took her first bite, sending her sister a weird look over her smile, her actions seemingly going unnoticed by herself. “Have you finished yours?” 

“Oh, I wish,” she groaned. “My mom wants me to hand-address every single one to her thousands of cousins. I will most likely get carpal tunnel from it, and I can't keep putting it off for any longer.” 

“We can help,” Bella offered, “if you don't mind my handwriting. (Y/N)'s is better.”  

“That is true,” the younger girl chuckled. “Thankfully, the unreadable handwriting gene skipped me.”  

“That's great!” Angela exclaimed. “I can come over to yours and...”  

“Actually, can we do it at your house? I've finally been let free from my sentence. I'd do anything to go out.”  

“I thought you were grounded forever.”  

“Thought so too,” Bella grinned. “And I'm not giving dad any chance to go back on his decision.” 

“We have to celebrate this!”   

“You have no idea how good that sounds,” she chuckled. “And I have an idea.” 

While Bella explained her and her sister’s plans to go shopping for a dress that weekend and spoke of the possible celebration of the rebellious Swan's freedom, (Y/N) noticed Alice and Edward at the corner table of the cafeteria. Even with the rest of their siblings gone, their table remained just for them, as though a force field kept others far away. However, the girl was sure they wanted nothing more than to attract a particular person.  

As though he could hear what she was thinking—even if Bella had assured her he could not—Edward's eyes snapped to (Y/N)'s. There was a sadness behind the amber of his pupils that she knew far too well. It was loss. It was grief. It was... yearning. Clearly, being forced to keep a distance from Bella was unbearable. For a creature who did not sleep, every waking moment was filled with the girl who had told him no when everyone was expecting her to say yes.  

(Y/N)'s eyes were suddenly broken from Edward's gaze when she noticed Alice going into a trance. From what her sister had told her, that meant she was getting one of her visions. And from the petrified look on Edward's face, it could not be good.  

Once Angela turned to pay attention to something Jessica was saying beside her, (Y/N) elbowed her sister softly, directing her gaze toward the Cullen siblings. “She’s seeing something,” she whispered. “It’s bad. I mean, it looks bad.” 

“Yeah, it looks like something’s wrong,” Bella muttered before turning back to the meal in front of her, her eyebrow furrowed with worry. 

“Why don't you ask them what she saw?” (Y/N) questioned, noticing the concern her sister was swallowing. “I can tell you want to.”  

“That would defeat the purpose of keeping distance from them,” she sighed. “It could just be something about their family.”  

But (Y/N) couldn't help the nagging feeling that there was something more to whatever Alice was witnessing. “Victoria is still out there,” the younger girl said. It didn't go over her head the way Edward's eyes fell on them at the sound of the vampire's name, nor that the last piece of pizza Bella held stumbled out of her hand. “If there’s anyone who could see if she’ll come back, it’s her, right?”   

“I-I guess,” Bella stammered. “I’ll ask him after school about it.”   

“You won’t have to do it alone, Bells,” (Y/N) smiled, squeezing her sister’s hand comfortingly. “I'm always on your side.”  

“Thanks, (Y/N). I'm glad you're here.”  

“Where else would I be?” she grinned. “Florida?”    

The next couple of hours felt endless before the sisters found each other after their last classes of the day. It was hard not to allow their minds to imagine what worst-case scenarios could have popped up in Alice's mind.  

(Y/N) knew the red-headed vampire was still lurking in the shadows, lying in wait for the perfect time to strike. Bella had been her main focus for the past year, but after the woman's encounter with the younger Swan, it wasn't hard to deduce that both sisters had become the target for Victoria's revenge. They had escaped her clutches, and she didn't seem like the type to let a grudge go.  

As though they were waiting for them, Alice and Edward were standing by the boy's Volvo, their eyes fixed on the sisters’ every move. Their gaze followed them until they stood face to face, a sad smile spreading across their mouths as they reached them.  

“Bella,” Edward was the first to speak, his voice barely above a whisper. “How are you?”  

“I'm good,” she smiled awkwardly. “How're you guys?”  

“Could be better,” Alice responded, her eyes pleading. “We miss you, Bella.”  

“I... uh, I...”  

“We wanted to know what you saw at lunch, Alice,” (Y/N) interjected. “It looked bad. Is it... is it about Victoria?”  

Alice looked at her brother, trying to find the right answer in his silence. “I saw Jasper, my partner,” she answered. “I keep seeing him going back southwest... back to his f-former family. It's got me a bit worried, even though he says he has no inclination to go back.” 

“Are you sure?” Bella pushed. “Victoria is still out there, and she already got to (Y/N). I don't want her to get close again.”  

“I promise you are both safe, Bella,” Edward said. “I won't let anything happen to you.”  

“Thanks, I guess,” she whispered the last part. “I'll see you guys around, then.”   

Before anyone could say anything else, Bella pulled her sister toward her truck. Being around the Cullens was mind-whirling. Their very presence blurred her sight and jumbled her thoughts, pulling her in with a supernatural magnetism she still didn't know how to overpower. The more distance she put between herself and the siblings, the easier it became for her to breathe again. And as much as she wanted to turn back and be with them, she continued on until both Swans were safely inside the cabin of her truck.  

The older Swan took a steadying breath as her hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, ignoring the urge to look back at the siblings she knew were still staring at her.  

“Are you okay?” (Y/N) asked, breaking Bella out of her trance and reminding her she wasn't alone. “You look paler than usual.”  

“Y-yeah, I'm okay,” she smiled.  

“You look pretty shaken up, Bells. Maybe talking to them wasn't a good idea.”  

“N-no, we had to know,” the older girl said, finally mustering up the strength to pull the truck out of the parking lot. “It's just their nature. They draw you in—their eyes, their voice, their scent. You can't help but be drawn by them.”  

“I don't see it,” (Y/N) shrugged. “Apart from their perfect skin and yellow eyes, there's not really much to them.”  

“Don't let Jessica hear you,” Bella chuckled. “She was absolutely obsessed with them and was quite angry Edward wasn't interested in anyone.”  

“Still don't see it,” she said. “I prefer my men a bit more warm-blooded.”  

“You're not funny.”  

“I think I am.”    

(Y/N) was cooking dinner while Bella read Wuthering Heights out loud when Charlie arrived home. It was the sight of a normal enough family. A single father with his two daughters, no relation to anything or anyone supernatural. They were all just almost normal.  

“That was really good, (Y/N),” Charlie said as he finished his dinner. “What was it? I mean, it looks like chicken, but it's not quite that.” 

“Uh, it's breaded cauliflower,” she said, trying her best to swallow the laughter that threatened to spill as Bella snickered quietly. “It's supposed to resemble a chicken parm, hence the sauce and the cheese.”  

“(Y/N), that's an abomination.”  

“You just said it was good, dad,” Bella argued with a grin. “And it's better for your health. You need to start eating more vegetables.” 

“I can settle for a salad or two, but you cannot take away my meat.”  

“I was trying something,” (Y/N) chuckled. “I won't take away the meats, but it's easier than making something separate for Bella. And, again, you need to eat more vegetables, dad.” 

“You know it's my job to worry about you guys, right?” Charlie argued. “Not the other way around.”  

“Old habits die hard, dad,” Bella shrugged with a smile. “At least you'll only have to worry about my diet for a few more months. After that, I'll be in college.”  

A choking silence fell on the family as realization dawned upon them. Time had seemed to slip out of their fingers, and somehow the future had made its way into the Swan home. In a few months' time, the house would be missing an integral part once more. After such a long time, they had started to resemble a real unit, but it wouldn't last for long in more ways than one.  

(Y/N) knew that Bella going away would only bring her closer to the inevitable, and no amount of time would ever be enough for her to get used to the idea of losing her sister forever. Much less to the knowledge that her sister would live forever. There would soon come a day when the face she saw was the Bella she would see until the day she died. And it was a face that would forever be etched into their father's brain when he was told his daughter had died.  

“Right,” Charlie said as he cleared his throat, breaking the unbearable tension in the room. “And, uh, have you decided what school you're gonna go to?”   

“I'm still toying with a few options,” the girl muttered as she pushed the last bits of her dinner around on her plate. “But I'm really liking the University of Alaska.”  

“If it's about the money, Bells, I already told you...”  

“It's not,” she dismissed, feeling the nerves closing her throat. “Enough about school, though. How was your day?”  

As Charlie talked about the unbelievably slow day at work and the various games of cards he played with his coworker Mark, (Y/N) couldn't stop thinking of what awaited her and her sister's future. Truthfully, she had never given it much thought. Growing old was a part of life the younger girl didn't think she wouldn't go through with Bella. They were only a few years apart, and she never thought she'd have to go through the pain of losing her for more than a couple of years after her passing. Now, the girl knew she'd have to mourn a girl who would continue living after she was gone.  

The conversation soon turned into their weekend plans and an invitation to go to Billy's house for a playoff party, and all (Y/N) wanted was to head in for the night. Her thoughts had overwhelmed her, and she didn't know how long she would go without crying by staying around her sister and her father.  

After helping to clear the dishes, she excused herself for the night, claiming to be sporting a headache she wanted to sleep away. Charlie didn't question anything, but rather kissed her temple and wished her a good night. But Bella could see the sadness behind the girl's eyes. It wasn't a headache that was tormenting her sister, but it was clear that she did not want to talk about it. If there was anything she could give her, it was space.  

Upstairs, (Y/N) could feel tears burning the back of her eyes. She felt stupid for being so affected by something that wouldn't happen, hopefully, in months, possibly years. But every day that passed, the closer they got to the fulfillment of it all. Bella would one day have to become a vampire, and (Y/N) would grow old without her.  

“Woah, what's wrong, pretty girl?” Paul whispered once she was inside her bedroom, crossing the distance from the window to her. “Why are you crying?” 

(Y/N) instantly melted into his embrace, breathing in the warm smells of the forest on his skin. “It's nothing important,” she sighed. “I'm just being stupid.”  

“If it makes you cry, it's not stupid,” he whispered into her hair. “Do you want to talk about it?”  

The girl shook her head, knowing the information would put her sister under a microscope, and the last thing she wanted was to cause another rift in the small town. “Really, it's nothing,” (Y/N) said as she pulled him to the bed. “I'm just tired.”  

“I can go home. Let you sleep.” 

“I don't want you to go. You already came all this way.”  

“You say that like it's hard,” he chuckled. “I'd go anywhere for you.”  

(Y/N) couldn't help the smile that stretched across her mouth as they settled into the bed. It wasn't the first time he'd said something like that, but she smiled because she knew he meant it. And maybe a part of her would always wonder how much of his sentiments were because of the imprint bond, but at that moment, she didn't care. Paul cared about her, and that was enough.  

She rested her head on the boy's chest, being softly lulled to sleep by his heartbeat and the gentle shapes he drew on her back. Since they had finally given in to their feelings and gotten together, (Y/N) noticed the calmness that overtook her just by being with him. It also helped that there was nothing or no one to be angry at during that moment.  

“Your sister just went down,” Paul muttered quietly after almost an hour of comfortable silence. His eyes had been closed for the better part of the time, but never fully succumbed to sleep. “And your dad is snoring on the couch. I think he's watching last year's NBA highlights.”  

“Well, the playoffs are coming up,” the girl chuckled, her voice heavy with sluggishness. “He's gotta freshen up on his talking points for Billy's party, even when he's asleep.”  

“You going to that this weekend?”  

“I think so,” she said. “I don't see why I wouldn't.”  

“Well...”  

“I'm not worried about Jake. I mean, other than the fact that he's barely at home, my dad's gonna be there. He won't try anything with him there,” she shrugged before looking up at him. “Are you worried?”  

“Not about him exactly. Just...” Paul took a steadying breath, pressing his free hand against his temple. “It's nothing. I'd rather talk about anything else.”  

“What is it, Paul?”  

“Nothing for you to worry about, okay?” He smiled warmly before pressing a kiss to her head. “It's just dumb stuff.”  

“Paul.”  

“Everything's fine,” he chuckled in an effort to undermine whatever was happening. “You have enough to worry about. Like talking to your sister.”  

“Way to turn things on me, huh?” (Y/N) chuckled. “I'm actually feeling a bit better about that. I talked to Billy and my dad about it...”  

“You went to his house?” Paul exclaimed, trying his best to keep quiet. 

“It's Billy's house, and I went to talk to him. That's all.” She knew keeping the fact that she had briefly encountered Jacob was the right move. The last thing she wanted was for him to grow angry at something she had resolved. “There was no Jake. So, you can put the paws away.”  

“I still don't like that you went there by yourself,” the boy huffed. “Anything could've happened.” 

“But it didn't, and I'm okay,” (Y/N) said, placing a hand on his chest to calm him. “And Billy's family. I'm not gonna stop seeing him just because his son sucks.”  

Paul let out an annoyed huff, trying his best to keep his emotions in check. He could feel the slight tremble of anger rumbling under his skin, the wolf inside him yelling to break free. Had they been anywhere else, he was sure he would have exploded. “You should've told me you were heading there,” he grumbled. “I can't protect you if I don't know where you are.” 

“You can't be with me every second of the day, Paul. Things are gonna happen no matter how hard you try to avoid them.” (Y/N) could see he wanted to argue more. But the longer the conversation went, the more probable a shift was to happen. “I don't want to fight about this, okay? Can you just be happy that I'm ready to talk about things with Bella? That's what this was all about.”  

“Fine,” he sighed, wrapping his arms tighter around her. “I am glad you're finally telling Bella how big of an ass Jacob is. And I hope your dad arrests him.”  

“Right, because the best thing you can do is put a wolf in jail. That's one way to reveal the tribe's secret to the world.”  

“So, what did you tell your dad?”  

“Basically what really happened,” she said. “Except the whole vampire and werewolf of it all. He thinks Jake saw me fall in the forest and left me there. Not that a bloodthirsty vampire was hot on my trail. He also knows you saved me—wants to thank you for that.”  

“I'll take what I can get,” he grinned. “The Swan boyfriends have not had good contenders until now.”  

“We sure know how to pick them. It took literal universe intervention to get you here.”  

Paul placed a hand under (Y/N)'s chin as she stretched her neck to kiss his lips, a smile pulling at the corners of their mouths. “It was bound to happen one way or another,” he said. “I would have found you anywhere.”  

“Even down in Florida?” she teased with a chuckle.  

“I would have saved you from Florida.” 

“Good,” the girl said. “My hair would have never been able to take the tropical humidity.”  

There were things they had to talk about, topics they were avoiding for the sake of maintaining the peace in their relationship. But keeping them at bay with mindless mutterings of possibilities would only work for so long. Someday, somehow, everything they were scared of saying out loud would erupt to the surface and crack the unsteady foundation they were creating. But, for the moment, it worked.  

Next ->

A/N: sorry I haven't posted in forever, life and migraine flare-ups really struck me down, but I am working on updates for all stories 😬 also, remember if you wanna be tagged to fill the 2025 form linked below If you’d like to be tagged: click hereMake sure you have my notifications on so you know every time I post!

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