"STOP STARING," Alice hissed, her delicate fingers pausing in Jasper's hair as she cast a sharp look at Edward. "You're going to scare her off."

Edward didn't reply. His golden eyes were fixed on Emerson across the parking lot, watching as she stood with Jessica Stanley and a few other girls. Her posture was relaxed, her laugh unguarded, but there was an edge to her movements—something purposeful, deliberate. Her brown hair was styled in loose waves that crested over her shoulders, and he couldn't see them, but her dark brown eyes were engraved into his mind. He envisioned the girl smiling as she spoke, a wide smile on her full lips.

"She's already noticed," Rosalie muttered, leaning against Emmett's Jeep, her arms crossed tightly. "Honestly, Edward, do you even know what you're doing? This is going to end in disaster."

"Rose," Emmett said lightly, though his tone carried a warning. "Give it a rest."

Rosalie turned her glare on him. "You know I'm right."

Edward tuned them out. None of their opinions mattered. The weight in his chest had been building since yesterday, when he first realized Emerson had transferred to Forks High. He'd managed to stay silent, to keep his distance, but today was different. Her presence was impossible to ignore. It enraptured him in ways he couldn't understand, encased every thought in his mind and made it impossible to forget about her. Two weeks ago, she had been a stranger. No names, no promises, no questions. But now, seeing her here, surrounded by the mundane rhythm of high school life, it felt like the universe was playing a cruel joke.

Across the lot, Emerson suddenly stiffened. Her gaze flicked toward him, and Edward's breath would have caught in his throat if he was breathing.

Her eyes narrowed, recognition flickering briefly before her expression hardened into something unreadable. She said something to Jessica, waved off the conversation, and began walking toward him.

"Oh, this should be good," Emmett muttered, a grin tugging at his lips.

"She's coming over," Alice whispered, her tone laced with amusement as she bounced on her feet, a grin plastered on her face.

Edward braced himself, his mind already spinning with the possible outcomes of this confrontation. There were too many people in the parking lot this early that he couldn't single out her mind until she was closer.

Emerson stopped in front of him, her stance bold and unyielding. Her hazel eyes locked onto his, sharp and unflinching.

"All right," she began, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. It rang through his ears like a bell, flashes of whispers in the dark filled his thoughts before she spoke again. "What's your deal?"

Edward raised an eyebrow, forcing calm into his voice. "My deal?"

"Yeah," she snapped, crossing her arms. "You've been staring at me since I got here. You did the same thing yesterday, even sent your siblings after me. If you've got something to say, just spit it out, because this whole silent, broody thing is getting old."

Edward blinked, momentarily thrown by her bluntness. "I—"

"Actually, no," she interrupted, taking a step closer and the deep smell of citrus, jasmine and amber filled his sense of smell. "Let me guess. You're the guy who thinks staring is charming. Newsflash: it's not. It's just weird."

Behind her, Edward could hear Emmett struggling not to laugh. Even Alice's lips twitched in amusement.

Edward tilted his head slightly, his voice even. "I wasn't trying to be weird."

"Then what were you trying to do?" she demanded. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks a lot like weird."

Edward hesitated, his mind catching on her defiance and the faint trace of something else beneath it. He risked a glance into her thoughts, expecting to find the usual surface-level annoyance. Instead, he was hit with a sudden, vivid flash of memory. The scene was dimly lit, the air thick with tension and heat. His hand found purchase in her hair, as he forced her head back and their lips connected—the ferocity in the kiss made her head spin, pure teeth and tongue.

Edward staggered slightly, the intensity of the memory catching him off guard. He pulled back from her mind, but the images lingered—fragments of their night together, hazy but unmistakable. She was thinking about it. Trying not to, perhaps, but failing.

"I remember you," he said suddenly, his voice lower now, almost soft.

Emerson froze, her bravado faltering for the first time. "What?"

"From two weeks ago," he continued, his golden eyes locking onto hers. "I remember you."

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away quickly, biting her lip as if to suppress her reaction. Then she straightened, her eyes narrowing as she watched him. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Edward tilted his head, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "You do."

She took a step back, her arms tightening across her chest. "No, I don't." But the color rising in her cheeks betrayed her. So did the flashes of memory he could still see in her thoughts—the way she'd leaned into him, the sound of her laugh, the way her hands had gripped his shoulders as if anchoring herself.

"I didn't expect to see you again," he admitted quietly, his tone almost apologetic.

"Well, here I am," she muttered, trying to regain her composure. "And here you are, being weird. So...great."

Edward didn't answer, letting the silence stretch between them. He could feel the tension radiating from her, the way she was desperately trying to pretend their night hadn't happened, even as her thoughts betrayed her.

"Look," she said finally, her voice sharper now as she lowered it to a whisper. "That night, it was a one time thing, that's all. So, wherever this is—whatever you think this is—it's not. So stop staring at me, stop being weird, and just...I don't know, leave me alone."

She turned on her heel and stalked back toward her friends, her shoulders stiff with frustration.

Behind him, Emmett let out a low whistle. "Wow. She really told you off."

"Shut up, Emmett," Rosalie snapped, though her eyes were sharp with disapproval as they flicked toward Edward. "This is a mistake. She was a mistake."

Edward barely heard them. His mind was still replaying the flashes of memory, each one more vivid than the last. Emerson might have been pretending, but the truth was written in her thoughts—and it was clear she wasn't as indifferent as she wanted him to believe. His eyes were glued to her figure as Emerson sauntered away from him, he didn't look away until she disappeared into the school.

𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 𓆝 𓆟

EDWARD FOUND HER IN EVERY ONE OF HER CLASSES, standing by the door before the bell just to get a glimpse of her. He would leave before Emerson noticed him, but Jessica did. And by lunch the brunette was bouncing on her heels to get the scoop from the girl herself.

Emerson couldn't even sit down, her tray touching the table when Jessica pounced on her. Jessica leaned across the lunch table, her eyes practically sparkling with excitement. "What is going on with you and Edward Cullen?"

Emerson blinked at her, confused. "What? What are you talking about?"

Jessica gave an exasperated sigh, as if Emerson were deliberately playing dumb. "Oh, come on. He's been standing outside every single one of your classes today. Every. Single. One." She leaned closer, lowering her voice but failing to hide her glee. "It's like he's stalking you or something."

Emerson froze, her sandwich halfway to her mouth. "Wait...what? Edward Cullen?"

Jessica nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! He just stands there, like he's waiting for you. And then the second you show up, he bolts. It's weird, right?"

Emerson's brow furrowed as anger bubbled up inside her. "Weird doesn't even begin to cover it," she muttered, slamming her sandwich down on the table. Without another word, she pushed her chair back and stood up, her eyes scanning the cafeteria.

"Emerson, what are you doing?" Jessica called after her, but Emerson wasn't listening. She spotted Edward sitting at a table with his siblings, all of whom were unusually still, as if they were expecting her.

She stormed over, ignoring the curious stares of other students. "Edward," she said sharply, stopping in front of his table.

His golden eyes flicked up to meet hers, calm and unreadable. "Yes?"

"Don't 'yes' me like you haven't been on the verge of stalking me all day. Why?" She demanded, her voice loud enough to draw attention from nearby tables.

Rosalie shot Edward a glare, muttering something under her breath, while Alice looked like she was suppressing a grin. Emmett leaned back in his chair, clearly entertained.

Edward, however, remained composed, his expression unchanging. "We go to the same school, I don't think seeing me in the hallways is considered stalking," he said evenly.

Emerson crossed her arms, her frustration growing. "Oh, really? Because standing outside my classrooms and then disappearing the second I show up could be considered stalking."

For the first time, Edward hesitated, as if carefully choosing his words. "I was...curious," he admitted finally.

"Curious?" Emerson repeated, incredulous. "That's your excuse?"

"It's not an excuse," Edward said, his voice low. "It's the truth."

Emerson opened her mouth to respond, but something in his tone gave her pause. Before she could press him further, Alice intervened with a light laugh. "Maybe this isn't the best place for this conversation," she suggested gently.

Edward stood abruptly, his movement graceful and deliberate. "She's right," he said. "We can talk elsewhere."

Emerson hesitated, glancing around at the many eyes now fixed on them. She wanted answers, but maybe Alice had a point.

"Fine," she said through gritted teeth.

Edward walked toward the cafeteria doors without a word, and Emerson followed, her frustration bubbling just below the surface. Her fists were clenched, and her steps were heavy, but she couldn't stop herself from trailing after him. She wanted answers, and she wasn't going to let him off the hook easily. He didn't stop until they were outside, the cold air biting at her cheeks. She glanced around, half-expecting him to lead her to some secluded corner of the school. Instead, he made a beeline for a sleek silver Volvo parked near the edge of the lot.

Emerson slowed her pace, suspicion creeping in. "Where are we going?" she asked, her voice sharp.

Edward stopped by the passenger side of the car and opened the door, gesturing for her to get in. "Somewhere more private to talk," he said, his tone calm but insistent.

Emerson folded her arms and stayed firmly rooted where she was. "I'm not getting in your car," she said, her glare unwavering.

He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her defiance. "You'll talk to me in front of half the school, but not in a car?"

Emerson scowled. "I don't know you, and this feels...sketchy."

Edward's lips twitched into what might have been a smirk. "You don't know me?" He repeated, his tone light, almost teasing. "That's funny because we've already done something far more intimate than sitting in a car together."

The words hung in the air, and Emerson's eyes widened as heat rushed to her face. "Excuse me?" She hissed, glancing around to make sure no one had overheard.

"You heard me," he said, his smirk growing. "It's not like I'm a stranger."

"That—" She fumbled for a response, her anger mingling with embarrassment. "That was different."

"How so?" Edward pressed, his golden eyes gleaming with an unreadable expression.

"Because..." Emerson struggled to find the words, her cheeks flaming. "Because it was a mistake!"

His smirk faltered, and for a moment, something flickered in his expression—hurt, maybe, but it was gone as quickly as it appeared. "If that's how you feel," he said, his voice quieter now, "then fine. But at least hear me out. Out here, or in the car. Your choice."

Emerson hesitated, her emotions warring with her need for answers. The thought of being alone with him in such close quarters made her uneasy, but his steady gaze told her he wasn't going to let this conversation drop.

"Fine," she muttered, brushing past him and leaning against the side of the car. "We can talk out here."

Edward sighed, closing the car door with a quiet click. "Suit yourself," he said, leaning against the car beside her. "But you're not going to like what I have to say."

Emerson crossed her arms, narrowing her eyes at him. "Try me."

Edward studied her for a moment, his golden eyes searching her face. The weight of his silence made Emerson's frustration flare again.

"Well?" She demanded, her hands slapped her legs in anger. "You dragged me out here, so start talking."

He exhaled slowly, his posture too composed for someone under scrutiny. "I didn't mean to upset you by being outside your classes," he began. "But I needed to...observe."

"Observe?" Emerson repeated, her tone dripping with disbelief. "What am I, a science experiment?"

His mouth twitched, but the humor didn't reach his eyes. "No. It's not like that."

"Then what is it like, Edward?" She pressed, her anger bubbling to the surface. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks a lot like stalking. Or, I'm sorry, observing."

"I wouldn't call it stalking," he said carefully, though his expression tightened. "I just...needed to figure something out."

"Figure what out?" Emerson snapped, her voice rising.

Edward hesitated again, and for the first time, he looked uncertain. He ran a hand through his bronze hair, the movement almost humanizing. "Why you're different."

Emerson blinked, thrown off by his response. "Different? What does that even mean?"

He glanced away, as if choosing his next words carefully. "Two weeks ago," he began, his voice low, "you...changed something. And ever since, I haven't been able to get you out of my head."

Her heart stuttered in her chest, the memory of that night rushing back with vivid clarity. She forced herself to stay composed. "That's your problem, not mine," she said coldly.

His gaze snapped back to hers, and she was startled by the intensity there. "It's more than that," he said. "You're—" He stopped himself, as if the words were too heavy to say.

"I'm what?" she pressed, her voice shaking despite her efforts to stay calm.

Edward sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "You're not like anyone I've ever met," he said quietly. "And I can't figure out why."

Emerson's anger faltered, replaced by a mix of confusion and unease. "You're not making any sense," she said, her voice softer now.

"I know," he admitted, his tone almost apologetic. "But you have to trust me when I say I'm trying to protect you."

Her eyebrows shot up. "Protect me? From what?"

Edward hesitated, his jaw tightening. "From me."

The words sent a chill down her spine, and she took a half step back, her instincts screaming at her to put distance between them. "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

"It means you're in danger," he said, his voice steady but grave. "And the closer you get to me, the worse it'll get."

Emerson stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't know whether to be angry, scared, or both. "Then why are you here? Why not just stay away from me if you're such a threat?"

Edward's expression softened, and for the first time, there was something vulnerable in his gaze. "Because I don't want to stay away from you," he admitted.

The confession hung in the air, heavy and complicated, and Emerson felt her anger waver. But she wasn't ready to let him off the hook just yet.

"You don't get to mess with my life like this, Edward," she said firmly. "If you're going to stick around, you'd better start giving me real answers. No more cryptic bullshit."

Edward nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "You're right. You deserve the truth," he said. "But I don't think you're ready to hear it yet."

"Try me," she challenged, though her voice betrayed a hint of uncertainty.

He studied her for a long moment, his golden eyes unwavering. Edward going to answer—to confess everything—when Emerson's phone buzzed in her pocket. She glanced at him warily, then pulled it out, seeing Kim's name flash across the screen.

"Hold on," she muttered, turning away slightly to answer. "Kim? What's up?"

Kim's voice was frantic, barely contained. "Emerson! You need to get over here right now! Davin and Sam just showed up!"

Emerson froze, her heart leaping into her throat. "What? Are they okay? Where have they been?"

"They're fine, I think," Kim said quickly. "They look...rough. But I didn't want to ask too many questions without you here."

"I'm on my way," Emerson said, her voice tight as she ended the call and shoved her phone back into her pocket.

Edward's eyes were on her, sharp and focused. "What happened?" he asked, his tone low but laced with concern.

"My brother," Emerson said hurriedly, her mind racing. "I have to go."

Edward's brow furrowed, his expression unreadable. "Do you need help?"

"No," she said quickly, shaking her head. The last thing she needed was him getting involved in her already complicated family drama. "I've got it."

He didn't look convinced. "Are you sure?"

"Yes," she snapped, taking a step back. "This is personal. I need to handle it."

Edward hesitated, his gaze intense. "Be careful," he said finally, his voice softer.

Emerson didn't respond. She turned and started walking briskly toward Lucas's car. She got halfway through the parking lot, until she paused, remembering that she didn't have keys. She spun back around, facing the boy who hadn't moved. "I need a ride," her voice shook as she spoke the words. The confession biting her tongue.

Edward didn't hesitate—he had listened to her conversation and read her thoughts—he knew how much she needed his help. He reached out, opening the passenger side door of his Volvo again, "get in."

      The silver Volvo sped through the winding roads, the hum of the engine filling the silence between them. Edward's face was set in an unreadable mask, his golden eyes fixed on the road ahead, but Emerson could feel the tension radiating from him. They only spoke once since she had gotten into his car—to give him directions to Kims house.

      Her knee bounced restlessly as they approached the turnoff to Kim's neighborhood. The knot of worry in her stomach tightened. "We're close," she said, her voice sharp with urgency.

      Edward didn't respond immediately. Instead, his hands tightened on the wheel, and his jaw tensed. As they neared a certain stretch of forest, he abruptly slowed the car and pulled to a stop at the side of the road.

      "What are you doing?" Emerson demanded, looking around.

      Edward unbuckled his seatbelt but made no move to open the door. Instead, he turned to her, his gaze steady but shadowed with something she couldn't place. "This is as far as I can take you."

      "What?" she asked, her frustration bubbling over. "What are you talking about? Kim's house is just a few minutes away!"

      Edward leaned back slightly, his expression calm but resolute. "I can't cross this line. It's a boundary—one that I have to respect."

      "A boundary?" Emerson's voice rose, her confusion giving way to anger. "What the hell are you talking about? My brother is out there! I need to get to him, and you're stopping me because of some invisible line?"

      Edward didn't flinch under her glare, though his tone softened. "Emerson, I'm trying to protect you. If I cross that line, it could cause...problems. For both of us."

      "I don't care about your problems!" She snapped, shoving her door open. "My brother has been missing for weeks, Edward. Two weeks! And if you think I'm just going to sit here while he's finally back, you're insane."

      "Emerson, wait—" Edward started, but she was already out of the car, slamming the door behind her.

      "I don't need your cryptic warnings or your boundaries," she said, turning to glare at him one last time before marching off toward the direction Kim had given her.

      Edward's voice followed her, low and urgent. "You don't know what you're walking into."

      Emerson didn't stop. She didn't look back. All she could think about was Davin, and the possibility of finally getting answers. The forest loomed ahead, thick and dark, but she didn't hesitate. Her heart pounded in her chest as she crossed the imaginary line Edward refused to breach, her determination outweighing the fear gnawing at the edges of her mind.

      The colder air smacked at her cheeks as she hurried through the forest, her anger and fear propelling her forward. The soft crunch of leaves and pine needles was the only sound around her, but the sound of her heart racing overwhelmed her. Finally, she saw the familiar roofline of Kim's house, and her pace quickened.

      Kim was sitting on the porch, her fingernails being bitten off by her teeth as she waited. When she noticed Emerson, she stood up, her arms wrapped around the girl as soon as she got close enough.

      "Where is he?" Her words came out breathy and her hands shook.

      Kim nodded to the side of her house, "out back. But, Emmy, he's...different. Just—be ready." Emerson didn't pause to ask what that meant. She turned and made her way around the house, her heart pounding harder with each step.

When she rounded the corner, she stopped dead in her tracks.

Davin was there, standing by the edge of the yard, his back to her. He was watching their father's house. The sight of him sent a wave of relief through her, but it was quickly followed by confusion. His long hair, which he'd always refused to cut, was gone, replaced by a short, clean crop. His shoulders seemed broader, his posture more rigid. And then she noticed the ink curling over his shoulder. A tribal tattoo in deep black ink wrapped around his bicep and shoulder, its intricate design catching the fading light.

"Davin?" She called, her voice barely above a whisper.

He turned slowly, his expression unreadable. His eyes met hers, and for a moment, neither of them spoke.

"Em," he said finally, his voice deeper than she remembered, as if the last two weeks had aged him years.

Her legs moved before her brain caught up, and she closed the distance between them in a few quick strides, throwing her arms around him. "You idiot!" she choked out, her relief mixing with anger. "Where the hell have you been?"

He didn't immediately return the hug, but after a moment, his arms came around her, awkward but solid. "I'm sorry," he said quietly, though his voice lacked the emotion she expected.

      Emerson pulled back, her brow furrowing as she took him in. "Sorry? You've been gone for two weeks, Davin! Two weeks and you just show up looking like this? With some random tattoo? What the hell happened?"

      For a moment, Davin's expression didn't change. He simply looked at her, like he was deciding how to answer. Then, his nostrils flared, and his eyes narrowed as they scanned her body. He seemed to be sniffing the air, almost like he could smell something off. His gaze shifted down to her and then back up to her face. His expression darkened, and Emerson's stomach dropped.

      "What's that smell?" he asked, his voice low and tense.

      Emerson blinked, completely thrown off by his sudden shift in attitude. "What are you talking about?" She asked, her voice laced with confusion. "What smell?"

      Davin stepped back slightly, his eyes flicking over her once more, this time with a hint of suspicion, his jaw tight. "It's on you," he said, his voice sharp. "I can smell it."

      Emerson's confusion deepened. "What are you saying?" she asked, her voice now trembling slightly. "What are you smelling?"

      He didn't answer right away, but the look on his face was intense. It was as though he was wrestling with something, trying to make sense of what he was sensing. Finally, he spoke, his tone cold, almost accusatory. "I don't know what you've been doing, but you need to stay away from them. You can't be around them, Emerson."

      She took a step back, her heart beginning to pound. "Who? What the hell are you talking about, Davin?" Her voice wavered with frustration. "What's going on with you? What's with the tattoo? Why the sudden attitude?"

      Davin's jaw clenched, and his eyes hardened. "You don't understand," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "You don't know what's going on, and you need to stay out of it. For your own good."

      Emerson's chest tightened, the pit of her stomach knotting with unease. "What are you talking about? I'm just trying to understand why you've been gone so long and why you're acting like this. You show up with a tattoo, a new look, and suddenly you're telling me to stay away from...who?"

      He glanced at her, his gaze flickering with something dangerous, something Emerson couldn't name. "Just stay away. Don't get involved with them, Emerson. You don't want to know what they are. It's safer that way." He paused, glancing toward the woods as if he was listening for something. "You need to stay away from them."

      Emerson's confusion deepened. She didn't understand. What was he talking about? What was happening to him? "Davin, stop! I don't know what the hell you're talking about!" she exclaimed, her voice rising in frustration. "Who are 'they'? Come on, just talk to me!"

      Davin didn't respond, his gaze hardening as he took another step back. "Just go home, Emerson. You need to forget about this. Forget about me. You don't want to be caught up in this."

      Her brow furrowed, and she crossed her arms. "What does that mean? You owe me an explanation. Where were you? Why didn't you call? And what the hell is this?" She gestured at his tattoo and his hair, her voice rising.

      Davin glanced at the tattoo as if he'd forgotten it was there. "It's...complicated," he said finally, his voice low.

      "Don't give me that," Emerson snapped. "You disappeared without a word, and now you're acting like this is no big deal? Just talk to me, it's not that hard."

      Davin's eyes darkened, and for the first time, she saw a flicker of something—anger, maybe, or frustration. "You don't understand, Emerson," he said sharply. "And you can't."

Emerson's heart was pounding in her chest, her mind spinning with confusion and frustration. The changes in Davin were too sudden, too extreme. She could hardly wrap her mind around it—his short hair, the tattoo, his distant attitude. Nothing felt right.

"I don't understand because I don't know that is happening!" Emerson shouted, her voice echoing through the trees.

Davin's eyes narrowed, and the coldness in his expression grew. "You left me alone when I needed you, Emerson. You weren't there. You didn't come for me. And now you want to waltz back into my life when it's convenient for you? It doesn't work like that."

The words hit her like a punch to the gut. She froze, unable to speak for a moment. The sadness that had been building in her chest threatened to spill over, but she quickly forced it down. She couldn't let him see her hurt—not when he was being this cruel. "I didn't—" Emerson started, but her voice faltered. The hurt was too raw, too fresh, and the fact that he was so angry with her made it even harder to speak. She could feel the sting in her eyes, the threat of tears rising, but she clamped down on them.

"You left me to fend for myself," Davin continued, his voice growing louder, filled with frustration and pain. "You didn't come after me. You didn't check in, you didn't care. So now, you don't get to come back and act like nothing happened. You made your choice."

Emerson's chest tightened, her breath shallow with the weight of his words. She wanted to argue, to scream at him that she hadn't had a choice, that Ella was going to take her away either way. But all that came out was a low, furious laugh, a desperate attempt to hide the ache growing in her chest.

"I did care, I called until my phone died. I called Jefferson, I called Kim, I called everyone I knew because I didn't know what happened to you," she spat, her voice sharp, the fury bubbling to the surface. "You think I wanted this? You think I wanted to be forced away from my home? You think I wanted to be forced to live with Ella and her new family? You were the one who told me to go!"

Davin's eyes darkened, his expression hardening even further. "I don't know what you want from me, Emerson. But I'm telling you now—it's too late. You can't just show up and act like everything is fine. It's exactly what Ella did. I'm not some...backup plan for when your life is falling apart. I needed you, and you weren't there."

His words were a slap to her face, each one sinking deeper into her chest. But Emerson refused to let him see her break. She turned away sharply, fists clenched at her sides to keep herself from shaking. "I am not Ella." she muttered through gritted teeth, her voice barely audible. "And I'm not going to be your backup plan, either."

She didn't wait for his response. Without another word, she stormed off toward the edge of the property, her legs moving faster than her mind could keep up with. The cool night air hit her face, but it didn't cool the fire raging inside her.

She didn't want to admit it—didn't want to feel the weight of the sadness, the disappointment, that his words had carved into her. So, she buried it all beneath the layers of fury she wore like armor, focusing on the anger that threatened to consume her instead. She wouldn't let him see how much it hurt that he was pushing her away. Wouldn't let him see how much she had missed him, how much she had wanted to be there for him but couldn't. She wouldn't show him that weakness.

But inside, it hurt—deeply. And it was a pain she didn't know how to escape.

       Davin stood there, fists clenched at his sides, watching Emerson walk away from him. His heart was heavy with a mixture of regret and anger, but it was the burning fury that surged through him now that made his body tense. The sound of footsteps behind him made him turn sharply, and Sam appeared, his posture calm, but his presence heavy in the air. His hair was cut short now, just like Davin's, and the tribal tattoo that marked his shoulder mirrored the one Davin had just gotten. They were brothers now, bound by something far deeper than blood. Something that couldn't be undone.

      Sam's eyes were calm, understanding, but there was a quiet sadness in them as he watched Emerson disappear into the night. He reached up to touch the tattoo on his own shoulder, his fingers brushing the ink as if to remind himself of the path they had taken.

      "It's for the best," Sam said quietly, his voice steady but firm. "Keeping her as far away from this world is the best way to keep her safe."

      Davin's jaw tightened, a low growl rising in his chest. He spun around to face Sam, fury flashing in his eyes. "But she's not away from this world!" His voice was sharp, raw with the anger he could no longer hold in. "Those leeches have their scent all over her!"

      Sam's eyes softened, but his tone didn't change. "You know what's at stake, Davin. You know what could happen if she gets too close. They don't play by the same rules we do. And once she's in their sights..."

      Davin shook his head, his thoughts clouding with frustration. He had made the choice. He had stayed away for her sake, believing that she would be safer without him. But now she was caught in this world whether he wanted it or not. And that made his blood boil.

      "She doesn't know what she's walking into," Davin spat, his hands curling into fists at his sides. "She doesn't understand how dangerous it is. She's just a kid, Sam. She has no idea what she's dealing with. And I let her walk right into it."

      "Davin," Sam said, his voice softer now but still firm. "You can't protect her from everything. We both know that. But you can keep her away from it. The longer she's around you, the closer she gets to everything we're trying to protect her from."

      Davin's teeth ground together, the anger surging again. "I didn't even get the chance to warn her. To make her understand. And now I've lost her."

      "You haven't lost her," Sam said, his gaze steady. "You just have to trust that you made the right choice. She'll be safer if she stays away from us. From all of this."

      Davin's eyes darted back to where Emerson had disappeared, his fists still clenched. His chest tightened with a mixture of guilt and anger. "I can't believe I let her go," he muttered, his voice heavy. "I can protect her. I need to go find her, tell her everything."

      "You didn't lose her, Davin," Sam said, placing a hand on his shoulder to stop him from leaving. "But you need to let her go. For now, at least. It's the only way."

      The words cut deep, but they were true. Davin knew that. He knew that Emerson had to stay away from this world, from them. It was the only way to keep her safe. But as he stood there, the bitter taste of defeat settling in his mouth, all he could think about was her face—the way she'd looked at him just before she walked away. The hurt in her eyes. The betrayal. The sadness. And no matter how much he tried to convince himself that it was for the best, it didn't make the pain go away.

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KENNEDY SPEAKS :

yeah...so emerson is fed up with all these bitches,
and all their lies and half truths. but at least davin
feels like a little bad about what he did, edward on
the other hand...not really? ah anyways!

you guys are amazing, thank you so much for everything
and all the love!!! I might go MIA for a little while cause
I'm really stressed with school, but I should get some
writing done this weekend potentially!?

hope you enjoyed it!!!