New moon
chapter twelve, engaged

As Bella Swan's house comes into view and the girls make sure they aren't being followed. Before Bella practically tackles Persephone Cullen into a hug.

Steph hugged back immediately, feeling the warmth and excitement coming off the human. The blonde was happy her friend wasn't upset with her, since after all she left without saying goodbye. Most normal people would be upset and hold a grudge.

"I'm so sorry Bella. I wanted to see you before we left but Edward was against it." Bella pulled away and gave her a sad smile.

"That doesn't matter, you came when I really needed you. I missed you Steph, it's been so hard. Are you leaving again?" Bella says sadly, praying and hoping she wouldn't.

At that moment Steph made a decision that would probably get her into trouble. But it didn't matter, anymore. Bella needed her and Steph needed her too.

"I'll stay, only if you want me to." Bella immediately jumped and hugged her again. "Yes! Please stay, you can stay in our spare room. I'm sure Charlie won't mind."

The blonde's eyes widen, "Are you sure? I would assume he hates us after we left?"

Bella smiled and pulled the blonde inside her house, "As if my dad hates you, he adores you."

It was true, before they left Steph would often sleep over at Bella's house. And would always bring over delicious pastries when she and Esme made too much. Charlie loved her for that.

Bella bursts into the kitchen, still practically out of breath. She had left Steph in the living room since the blonde had to call Carlisle and tell him about her decision.

However, At that very moment, Bella suddenly remembered the wolves.

Charlie and Harry Clearwater are washing their fishing gear. And Charlie spins when he sees his daughter.

"Bella? What's wrong?"

"They're not giant bears! I saw them dad up in a meadow." Bella says trying to recall the huge wolves.

"Damn it, Bella I told you not to go into the woods!" Charlie says rubbing his forehead, probably stressed out.

"What did you see, Bella?" Harry asks nervously but he tries to ask normally.

"Wolves. They're wolves, Dad."

Harry Clearwater let out a small sigh ever-so-slightly.

"Five of them. The size of cars. I swear. They went after...something and we ran."

Charlie signs and is about to scold her again when Bella feels Steph behind her and finally makes an appearance.

"Dad! I also found Steph, she was with me so I technically wasn't alone." Bella said holding her hand making the blonde smile.

She felt nervous being in front of Charlie and a member of the tribe council.

"Hi, Chief Swan. It's good to see you again." Charlie looked at her for a moment and blinked to see if she was really there.

"Well, if it isn't a sight for sore eyes. Didn't think I'd ever see you Persephone." Charlie gave her a soft smile, instantly making the blonde sigh in relief.

She immediately hugged Charlie and he hugged her back. Charlie had always been so sweet to her, so kind and unlike Edward, he didn't hate her.

The blonde looked over at Harry who was eyeing her suspiciously. "Oh, Harry. I don't think you've ever met. This is Persephone Cullen."

Charlie mentally cursed himself for saying Cullen, he knew about the grudge the reservation people had with the Cullens. But he wasn't about to let his friend be rude to the girl.

Harry's eyes widened as he took her appearance in, just like a hunter her looks were meant to draw you in. But once again, he questioned her eyes. The beautiful blue eyes, that couldn't be contacts.

Steph looked at him and smiled, "It's nice to meet you."

Before Harry could say anything, Bella interrupted looking at her dad with a pleading look. "Dad! Can Steph live with us? Please, please say yes."

Charlie looked at his daughter and back at the blonde, with a questioning look.

"Wait, your family isn't back?" Charlie asked, and Harry was waiting patiently for her answer. He didn't want the Cullen's back, for the most part, everything had been so simple without them.

The blonde shook her head and suddenly felt like an exposed teenager, "Well no, I missed Bella so I took a plane out and here I am." Steph then looked at Bella, "I also missed forks and wanted to continue school here."

Bella continued to hold her hand and give her father a pleading look.

Charlie closed his eyes and shook his head but also felt relief that Edward wasn't with her. "You can stay in our spare room but I do need to talk to your parents first."

Bella jumped up happily and Charlie looked at her, it had been a while since he saw his daughter smile like that. A real genuine smile. If letting Persephone stay meant her not losing it again, so be it.

Persephone also nodded, happy that Charlie had let her stay. "Yes, of course."

The blonde handed the human her phone and Charlie took it looking at Harry.

"Harry, can you get some men from the rez? We need to look for those wolves." He says making the other man nodded in agreement.

"Sure. Yeah." He says heading over to the phone, Harry seems concerned but not exactly for the reason Charlie thought. He eyed the blonde and started to dial a number.

——

Bella had caught Steph up on everything that happened. Told her about school, and her Jacob issue. Steph once again reminded the girl that she wasn't allowed to go to La Push and Bella didn't question it.

While Steph settled into her room and had a talk with both Charlie and her parents. Bella had gone to see Jacob one more time but he dismissed her.

Bella stood in front of Jacob and saw Sam Uley, Jared, Paul, and Embry behind him. They're oblivious to the rain and wear minimal clothes.

"You cut your hair," Bella stated, looking at him in disbelief.

"Go away." He dismissed her, as he turned away.

Sam leads the group toward the house but looks around Bella as if expecting to see Persephone. He had talked to the council and an imprint is an imprint, no matter who or what she was. They had decided, that Steph would be protected and treated like the others. She was also allowed to come on their land and Sam couldn't help but feel relief that he didn't have to reject her. Reject their bond.

Even if they had told him the opposite, Sam knew he wouldn't have listened. Persephone had been someone he couldn't stop thinking about even before the imprint. There was no way he was letting her go anymore.

But Sam couldn't help but notice the sad look Harry had. Heartbroken even, Leah was his baby and now she was about to get her heart broken. How can a father just accept that? Sam didn't want to disappoint the Clearwaters, not after everything they'd done for him but Persephone had his heart now. He couldn't just push her away. He wouldn't be able to live with himself.

Bella noticed his awkward growth spurt disappeared overnight. She grabs his arm, still unsure. "What happened to you?"

He stops and turns back. The others wait on the porch for him. They're out of earshot, but won't leave him alone with her. Sam especially watches the interaction carefully.

Bella lowers her voice "I can help."

His face is hard as he shakes his head. He's not talking just listening to what she saying.

"Sam got to you. What did he do?" She accused, wishing Steph was there to back her back.

"Sam's trying to help me, don't blame him." At that moment Jacob remembered Persephone but wasn't sure if bringing her up with the right choice. Since Sam hasn't gotten the opportunity to break up with Leah.

"Then who?" Bella questions which only annoys Jacob more.

"How 'bout those filthy, reeking bloodsuckers you love? The Cullens." Jacob reminds bitterly.

Bella thrown off guard and upset, "I... don't know what you're-"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about." He's shaking, almost convulsing with anger.

Bella regroups hoping to get answers out of him. "The Cullens are long gone. Persephone wouldn't hurt anyone, but either way, How are they to blame?"

The human defending them didn't help the matter, it just pissed Jacob off. 

"They started all this by existing. Goddamn leeches." Bella flinched at his words.

Sam heard and threatened him with a small hiss, "Jacob."

Jacob glances at Sam, who gives him a look. Jacob takes a breath, trying to calm himself. 

"I can't be friends with you anymore." Jacob finally reveals letting out a sigh.

"Jake, I know I hurt you. I should have been more up-front but I needed you, and I still do. I don't know what that means yet, but if you give me time-" Jacob cuts her off.

"Stop. Don't. It's not you-" Jacob is trying to let her go gently.

"It's not you, it's me? God." It was the same thing Edward told her.

"It's true. I'm not... good." Jacob says looking at the guys who were still waiting.

"You're wrong" This whole conversation was giving her déjà vu. And not in a good way.

"It doesn't matter. This is over-"

"I can't take losing one of my best friends,"

"You already have..."

"Don't say that, you promised." Bella reminded feeling helpless. Jacob looked at Sam for just a second before asking.

"What about Persephone? Is she staying? Are the others coming back?" Jacob questioned, in a bitter tone.

"It's just her, she's staying at my place," Bella says tears in her eyes.

Jacob shakes his head, "Go home, Bella. Don't come back. But if you ever do at least bring her with you. So you aren't alone."

His words hurt, it was like she no longer had anyone in La Push and he was reminding her of that by using Persephone.

He practically runs away, joining the gang who all disappear inside. Leaving Bella, standing in the rain in tears.

——

After Bella and Charlie had fallen asleep, Persephone decided to go to her old house to collect some of her stuff. Since she was now staying at the Swan's place. It wasn't raining as hard anymore, just sprinkling.

When Steph called Carlisle earlier, he had been surprised and a little worried. She had to reassure him that the wolves had taken care of Laurent and that she was safe. Her father had also been hesitant but remembered that Steph had also been very sad about the move. So he obviously agreed to let her stay because just like Charlie, he wanted what was best for her. That and the blonde was old enough to make her own decisions.

Steph had changed (outfit on top), packed a suitcase, and went downstairs to put the luggage in her car when she heard something in the woods.

She turned and immediately spotted two wolves, a black one and a brown one. They most likely had questions, Carlisle had warned her to stay away but that they wouldn't harm her as long as she didn't step foot on their land.

Steph turned around and waited a moment before she heard footsteps. She turned around once again to face him and had a small smile when she saw who it was.

"Jacob." The blue-eyed vampire remembered, "You look a lot different."

"Why are your eyes blue?" He questioned getting straight to the point as the black wolf stood next to him. Just observing the interaction. But Jacob's tone earned him a glare and low warning growl.

Absolutely no one talked to his imprint like that. Jacob was getting a lecture once they were alone for sure.

"Why do you think?" The blonde teased with a raised eyebrow.

Jacob shook his head, "I don't have time for your games. Are you a leech or not?" He snapped but sighed when the wolf nudged his leg a bit hard.

"And I don't have time for your attitude. Come back with a better one if you want answers." Persephone glared making Jacob sigh once again and look at Sam.

"You deal with it, Sam," Jacob says turning away and transforming back into his wolf.

Persephone's eyes widen, her blue eyes filled with curiosity. She looks at the black wolf, "Sam?" Her voice had an innocent tone with a hint of shyness. Could he be my Sam? The Sam I know? The blonde questions herself.

Sam turns away and transforms into his human self. He had so many questions but first wanted to see if she even felt anything for him first. See if she felt the connection he did. But still keeping a distance because technically he hasn't broken up with Leah yet so he was still taken and Sam was many things but never a cheater.

Never in a million years did Persephone expect her Sam to be in front of her after turning back into a human.

"Y-you're a wolf. How? I never sensed it." Persephone stutters out, must be another side effect of being a half-vampire. She thought to herself.

Sensed it? So she is a vampire, Sam looked at her intensely, eyeing her before meeting her blue eyes again. "I wasn't one then."

Persephone steps forward, trying to get closer to him but also slowly because she doesn't want to scare him off.

"I never thought I'd see you again." It was like her mind was stuck on the fact that he was here and a wolf.

"Either did I, are you a...cold one?" Sam asked, this was the question everyone wondered in the pack and an answer he needed.

Persephone wished she was could say no. To say she's human and normal but that wasn't possible.

Nodding her head slightly, Steph bit her lip and stopped in front of him. She wanted nothing more than to touch him as if to make sure he was real.

Sam wanted to tell her it didn't matter, what she was didn't matter to him. As long as what he was didn't matter to her. But knew he couldn't yet.

Everything felt different. However, Sam was the only one between the two who knew it was.

Sam eyes her face, and he also wants nothing more than to touch her. He took in her answers and lifted his hand to touch her cheek.

Persephone let him, didn't move and just watched as he touched her cold cheek very softly. She wanted to sigh when she felt his warm touch but also flinch when his hand reacted to her cold skin. The small hints of water on her face made her look even more beautiful.

His brown eyes met her blue eyes, but kept his hand on her cheek. "You're skin is freezing."

"And your touch is burning." She whispered back, placing her hand on top of his.

Everything stopped at that moment, nothing else mattered except for them. Together.

Sam lets go of her cheek remembering Leah, causing Persephone to frown missing the comfort and warmth.

As if everything came back, Persephone blurs out "I'm technically half. That's why my eyes aren't gold, I can eat human food and can sleep."

Sam looks at her surprised and wants to ask her so much. But felt like she had the right to know stuff about him. "I'm the pack alpha, I was the first one to turn."

Steph smiled and decided to tease a little, "Oh so that would make you in charge. Impressive, is that why Jacob told Bella that the next time she goes to the reservation she should take me? I didn't know I made that big of an impression."

Sam blushed. Actually blushed. If the boys found out, they would never let this go. It would ruin his reputation for being tough. He rubs the back of his head, he had heard Jacob's words early hinting that she could go on their land. When Bella repeated those words to her, they confused her.

"You're allowed on our land, just you." He murmured, and Steph understood his words. Only she was allowed, if her family came back they wouldn't be allowed.

"Why?" She questioned and Sam wasn't sure what to say. He didn't want to tell her about the imprint yet, not while he was with Leah. He still owns Leah the respect to break it off first before even imagining moving on.

Sam didn't answer and was about to say something when his phone started to ring. He pulled it out and when he saw the name, he sighed. Steph looked down and saw Leah flashing on the screen.

As if reality had snapped into the blonde, she took a step back. Feeling uncomfortable at his closeness. She questioned, "Are you still engaged? Is she your fiancé?"

Sam closed his eyes in guilt but nodded and watched as the blonde took another step back and looked down sadly.

Stupid, stupid girl. Just because he's a wolf and a part of your world doesn't mean he suddenly wants you. It was probably just curiosity. Steph thinks, cursing herself.

Steph cleared her throat and grabbed her luggage "I should go, I promise not to hurt Bella or Charlie if that's what you're worried about. It's just me coming back, most of my family doesn't even know I'm here."

The phone continued to ring so Steph looked him in the eye and said, "You should probably pick up."

Sam watched the sadness and annoyance in her eyes as she started walking towards the car. He knew there was nothing he could say or do to make her come back.

Sam let the call go to voicemail and made sure she left before turning back and leaving. The drops of rain suddenly felt cold, as did his body. Sam loved Leah, a part of him always will. But she wasn't the one and he couldn't just ignore what he felt for Persephone. That wouldn't be fair to anyone in this situation. Leah deserved someone who loved her more then anything and always put her above everything else. Sam just wasn't that person anymore. He hadn't been since the moment he laid eyes on Persephone.

That night both Sam Uley and Persephone Cullen fell asleep thinking about each other.

——

Author notes: Hope everyone wanted another update, they know the truth about each other! Finally! Honestly, this is my favorite chapter so far.

Sam is breaking up with Leah next chapter and I'm writing it already and it's so sad. I love Leah so much.

Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow me to stay updated on my stories.

Outfit of the chapter:

Word count: 3153