»—— act four. breaking dawn, part one
☽⋅── SEVEN ──the moon is at its highest ─⋅☾

The prolonged periods of Eve's rest and the unwavering determination of Leah and Seth to protect her secret had a drastic and unforeseen consequences. The situation had reached its boiling point, and tensions escalated rapidly.

Amid the chaos, Seth was confronted forcefully, and Leah, driven by a primal instinct to defend him, unexpectedly transformed. The atmosphere thickened with the weight of the unexpected change, adding to the tumultuous emotions that engulfed them all.

The pack stood in stunned silence, witnessing the dramatic transformation that unfolded before their eyes. The revelation of hidden secrets, the knowledge that Leah had been aware of Eve's secret and that Seth had been involved in keeping it, left them reeling in disbelief. The pieces of the puzzle began to fall into place, explaining the mysterious reasons behind Leah's and Seth's reluctance to participate in patrol duties.

Paul's voice rang out, filled with ire as he exclaimed, "You're defending a monster!" His canine form bristled, a clear display of the anger swelling within him.

Leah, unwavering, shot back in response, her own voice just as resolute as she met Paul's gaze head-on, asserting, "They are babies! They have a heartbeat!" She stood her ground defiantly, unfazed by Paul's slightly larger physic.

The revelation had plunged the pack into a whirlwind of shock and disbelief. Paul, his vision tainted by prejudice, viewed the situation solely through the lens of monstrous creatures, his perspective unmovable. Opposed to him, Leah stood steadfast, her profound care to the unborn and Eve driving her to fiercely defend them. She emphasized their heartbeats, their vulnerability, and their right to a chance at life.

The pack was rendered speechless as they witnessed the heated exchange. Paul's seething accusations were met with Leah's vehement defence, creating an atmosphere so tense that it sliced through the air.

Paul's voice rumbled with frustration as he retorted, "She refused to come to us and share her story. And now, all of a sudden, she's carrying something that shouldn't even be physically possible!"

The pack's confusion, fear, and anger mingled together, creating a volatile mix of emotions. They watched as Paul's accusations and Leah's defence created a rift within the pack, dividing them into conflicting sides.

Sam's authoritative figure stepped forward, his towering presence asserting his superiority. His voice echoed loudly, declaring, "Our primary responsibility is to protect the people!"

Seth, in his slightly smaller form, advanced protectively towards Leah. His desperate plea rang out, filled with conviction, "You must see it for yourselves!"

Paul's anger seethed, his growl filled with raw fury. He made a move forward, declaring, "It's a monster! We don't need to get closer to confirm that!"

Jacob, quick to react, placed himself between Paul and Seth, shielding the smaller figure. With a resolute voice, he stated, "I will get a closer look for myself."

Leah's protective nature flared up, her own growl meeting Paul's, "I won't let you, Jake!" Her expression was etched with worry and her eyes shifted between Paul, Jacob, and the safety of Seth.

As Jacob met Leah's gaze, he could see the desperation in her eyes, her determination unwavering. With a steady tone, he replied, "I'm the only one who wouldn't cause a panicked outcry if I were to arrive unannounced."

Standing beside Leah, Seth offered his support, his presence providing her with a sense of security and comfort.

Leah's voice oozed with unwavering determination as she spoke firmly, "No harm is being planned. You are only going to observe. If you have any intention of causing them harm, I won't hesitate to protect them, even at the risk of my own life." The pack watched as Leah and Seth turned, walking away from the group, their figures fading into the distance.

Jacob stood motionless for a moment, his gaze fixated on the two departing wolves. After a brief pause, he decided to trail after them, his steps falling into a determined stride.

Regrettably, as soon as Seth, Leah, and Jacob reverted back to their human forms, a new dangerous situation unfolded. The pack's protective inclinations intensified, particularly among Sam, Paul, and Jared, who were keenly fixated on neutralizing perceived perils. Their decision to send Jacob had been a calculated ploy to strategize a counterattack.

The atmosphere thickened with tension as Sam, Paul, and Jared huddled together, meticulously plotting their next steps. Meanwhile, Embry and Quil, unwilling to participate in the perilous plan, made a covert decision to quietly remove themselves from the situation. They resolved to sneak away and alert Seth, Jacob, and Leah, with the hope of de-escalating the impending danger.

Once Seth, Leah, and Jacob reached the Cullen residence, they were met with Carlisle, who welcomed them at the door. Looking troubled, Leah confessed, "They discovered our secret, I'm truly sorry."

Carlisle responded with a composed smile, stating, "It was inevitable that it would occur at some point. It's alright." Jacob observed the exchange, beginning to grasp the profound level of trust placed in Leah.

Jacob finally spoke up, declaring, "I've come to see for myself."

Carlisle nodded in understanding, replying, "I understand. Eve has been expecting your arrival."

Leah's question hovered in the air, "She has been?" She then turned her gaze towards Carlisle, her expression filled with worry, "How is she?"

In response, Carlisle smiled subtly, replying, "She's been more tired than usual lately, but otherwise, she's holding up okay. She just woke up, and she was the one who informed me of your arrival."

With a gracious gesture, he moved aside, his voice low as he spoke, "She's in the living room, on the second floor. Leah, could you please guide him there? I need to go get a few supplies."

Leah nodded silently, guiding Jacob up the stairs, followed by Seth.

Eve let out a tired sigh as she heard footsteps drawing near, her expression softening with recognition as she saw her friends.

"Hey," she greeted Leah with a mix of joy and melancholy, sighing softly, "Looks like the cat's out of the bag, huh?"

Leah nodded, her expression strained as she mustered a feeble smile, "Yes, and they sent Jacob to witness it firsthand."

As Jacob climbed to the top of the stairs, his eyes locked onto Eve's stomach, and he mumbled softly, "It's true..."

Leah's voice interjected, her frown deepening as she spoke, "Are you just going to stand there and gawk, or will you come over and inspect?"

Jacob approached warily, his gaze fixed intently on Eve's stomach. The notion that a child had been conceived by a vampire and was growing within her filled him with confusion and disbelief.

He took a measured step forward and inched closer, his hands hesitantly stretching toward her distended abdomen.

Now, he was close enough to feel the warmth emanating from her stomach, a tactile indication of the life swelling within it. His fingertips hovered mere millimetres away from her skin, his expression a mix of reverent awe and bewilderment.

"If this isn't convincing enough, we can exhibit an ultrasound; they do have beating hearts," Eve communicated softly and calmly.

Jacob moved his hand back, his face filled with fascination and bewilderment. "Weeks ago, you didn't have a visible bump," he noted, "How are you this far along already?"

Eve let out a small chuckle before responding, "I can't explain it, but I can reassure you on one point," she assured him, "They do not pose any threat."

Jacob's question lingered in the air, "How can you be so certain of it?"

Eve took a moment before responding, casting a glance at Leah and Seth who stood quietly by her side. She then provided an explanation, "I am, in essence, a living representation of what my children are." A crucial part went unsaid by Eve, as she wasn't entirely sure if her mother was entirely human due to her being a fallen goddess; this was something she felt she needed to figure out on her own.

Jacob listened intently, absorbing the impact of Eve's words. The revelation that she was a living embodiment of what her babies would become added another dimension to the situation.

His eyes widened in shock as Eve disclosed more about herself. "My father was a vampire," she revealed. "I am fully aware that it may sound impossible, but there are numerous extraordinary experiences that defy logic."

Jacob's mind was still whirling as he inquired further, "So, Dr. Fang is genuinely the biological father?"

Eve affirmed his question, her voice steady as she replied, "Yes, Carlisle is their biological father, we even have the DNA to prove it." The information was a lot to take in, and Jacob appeared somewhat dazed as he once again fixated his gaze on Eve's pregnant belly.

Despite his visible distress, Jacob's gaze was still fixed on Eve's belly, the perceived risks still weighing heavy on his mind. However, he found some solace in the knowledge that both Leah and Seth shared similar opinions, finding that perhaps things weren't as dire as they seemed.

Uncertainty still clouded his thoughts, but he was willing to listen to their reasoning and perspectives.

Before Jacob could gather any additional details, Seth made a surprising comment, "Uh... Jake, Embry and Quil are here."

Jacob reacted immediately, shooting up from his seat and approaching the window. His expression became increasingly troubled as he confirmed that Seth was correct. "What?" he muttered aloud.

Without a moment's hesitation, Jacob swiftly moved downstairs, followed closely by Seth. Leah and Eve stayed upstairs, their worry intensifying as they wondered what this unexpected visit could portend.

Carlisle had been carrying supplies up the stairs when he heard the sound of quick footsteps descending. He glanced up to see Jacob and Seth moving urgently down, their rapid gait sparking concern within him.

He discreetly placed the supplies away and started to stealthily follow Jacob and Seth. The urgency in their footsteps insinuated something was amiss, and he hoped to offer assistance if necessary.

Quietly, He descended the stairs, eavesdropping on the troubling conversation brewing.

Jacob, a bit winded and distinctly agitated, posed a concerned question, "What's going on here?"

Embry took the lead, his voice solemn, "It's not good, Jake. They're plotting an attack, though they're unsure when. They intend to keep to the treaty line, watch and wait. They never planned to wait for you to investigate."

Surprise and disbelief swept across Jacob's face. "What?!" he exclaimed aloud.

Quil nodded in concurrence, adding, "They wanted you to take Seth and Leah away. They even waited until you guys transformed back."

Carlisle felt a chilling sensation wash over him as the conversation indicated the ominous circumstances at hand. He continued to listen in silence, understanding that the situation was much graver than he had initially thought.

Jacob's anger was evident, his aggravation palpable. "They weren't even going to give me a chance to give them the truth?!" he repeated, his tone filled with disbelief.

Embry and Quil nodded in affirmation, their faces reflecting resignation.

Jacob clenched his fists tightly, "I can't believe they were planning an attack without attempting to grasp the whole situation."

Seth pressed his lips together, his concern clear as he questioned, "Jake, what do we do now?" His gaze then shifted, noticing Carlisle quietly stepping outside.

With a nod, Carlisle stated, "The rest of our family is returning soon from their hunt. We should prepare."

Jacob turned and nodded in agreement, a hint of disappointment in his voice. "We'll help."

Carlisle looked at him with a solemn expression. "We can't ask you to go against your pack."

Jacob remained firm, "Though some parts remain unclear, there appears to be no immediate danger."

"If they decide to attack, they would be going against everything we believe in." He continued.

Embry chimed in, "We are with you, Jake."

But Jacob furrowed his brow, questioning, "You all don't even know anything."

Quil shook his head, "We may not have the whole story, but Eve has never given us a reason not to listen to her. Besides, she is our friend's mother. I'm doing this mainly for El."

Jake hesitated, still concerned about the unknown aspects of the situation. But he appreciated their trust in Eve and their loyalty to El.

He reflected on his own reasons for offering to investigate. His primary motivation was his concern for Eleanor, which stemmed from the fact that Eve was her mother. While he didn't completely trust the situation, he also acknowledged that the Cullens had not betrayed their word so far, despite their vampiric nature.

Suddenly, the sound of loud steps echoed through the distance, drawing everyone's attention. Jacob immediately tensed up, recognizing the sound of footsteps approaching at a hurried pace.

"Wondering why the place stinks of canine," Rosalie muttered with a sneer.

"Hey, Carlisle, we were being watched near the border," Emmett inquired, his tone laced with anticipation, "Did we do anything to break the treaty?"

Carlisle shook his head firmly, "They found out about Eve."

Rosalie stood up straight, her expression sharpening as she assumed a protective stance. "Are you guys here to act on it?" she asked, her voice tinged with anger. "Or you going to finish, whatever this is, by the way, they looked like they wanted to attack us back there when we were hunting?"

Seth quickly interjected, shaking his head fervently, "No, they are here to help."

Alice furrowed her brow, scepticism colouring her expression. "And why should we trust them?"

Jasper shook his head, "Alice is right, the only ones we can trust are You and Leah. How can we trust you three?"

"We can," came Eve's voice as she appeared, supported by Leah. "They will attack when the moon is at its highest." Carlisle quickly moved to her side and provided support, silently acknowledging Leah with a grateful nod.

"That's..." Alice's eyebrows knit together as she pondered, "That's in a few months."

Eve nodded, confirming, "Yes."

Rosalie's expression hardened as she furrowed her brows. "Why exactly around that time?"

Eve responded slowly, "That is when the twins will be born."