»—— act two. new moon
☽⋅── FOURTEEN ──what had just happened? ─⋅☾

When Eleanor tried to have conversations with Jacob, it proved challenging due to his introverted nature. Unlike her outgoing and outspoken personality, Jacob struggled to participate in discussions, leaving her often leading the conversations.

However, when Bella visited Charlie that summer, Eleanor observed a noticeable change in Jacob's demeanour. Around Bella, he became more talkative and confident, displaying a different, more engaging side of himself.

Gradually, as Bella left, Eleanor gradually adjusted her behaviour towards Jacob, making an effort to be more considerate of his comfort zone.

Much to her surprise, this subtle change had a positive outcome. Through her efforts, they developed a genuine friendship that grew over time, a testament to the power of patience and understanding.

The dynamic of their friendship with Jacob was quite different from her friendship with Edward. He wasn't a target for her carefree teasing nor someone with whom she delved deeply into profound conversations. Eleanor felt a sense of contentment in their friendship, finding in him a symbol of normalcy amidst her world filled with knowledge and unusual circumstances.

Jacob served as a positive influence, grounding her and keeping her balanced by providing a respite from the complexities she usually dealt with daily.

Over time, her friendship with Jacob led her to the point where she had the opportunity to meet some of his friends, including Quil Ateara and Embry Call. This new development only added to the richness of her experiences, strengthening her connection to Jacob and broadening her social circle even further.

Eleanor's friendship with Jacob ran effortlessly, providing her with the chance to meet the people of the reservation. She respected the boundaries set by the community, recognizing that outsiders were often met with a mixture of wariness and suspicion.

Unlike her mother, Eleanor was not as knowledgeable about the details of the treaty or the tales that Jacob considered terrifying. Her understanding of the situation was primarily based on the stories that Jacob shared, which he adamantly believed to be nothing more than spooky legends.

But the situation took an unexpected turn when Embry suddenly ceased his interactions with them, joining Sam Uley and the other members of the group. This abrupt shift left Eleanor, Quil and Jacob confused and saddened, as they were caught off guard by the sudden withdrawal of their friend.

Despite her lack of understanding regarding shapeshifters, Eleanor found herself struggling to comprehend why Embry had become distanced. The unexplained suddenness of his departure only added to their sense of disappointment and loss.

As if the departure of Embry wasn't enough for Eleanor, she suddenly found herself facing another unexpected loss - Jacob leaving the friend group. This second departure hit her even harder, deepening the sense of heartache she was already grappling with due to Edward's distance.

Left alone in the aftermath, Eleanor felt abandoned and overwhelmed, the loneliness only worsening the ache in her chest.

Despite their continued connection, Eleanor's interactions with Quil only seemed to leave them both in a state of quiet uncertainty. The silence between them was palpable, as they grappled with the loss of their friends and struggled to find the right words to say.

In the absence of their friends, a sense of emptiness settled over them, heightening the sombre atmosphere that seemed to grip them like a heavy cloak of sorrow. The weight of their unspoken emotions loomed over them like a dark cloud, making communication feel challenging and laden with underlying pain.

The weight of it all was a heavy burden for Eleanor, as she struggled with the silence from Jacob and the recent disappearance of her other friends. In her moment of loneliness and confusion, the night when she had her last conversation with Edward unfolded, adding more layers to her already tumultuous feelings.

The profound sense of loss from the separation of Jacob and Edward left her feeling adrift, struggling to navigate the tangled emotions and the void left by their distance. Eleanor felt adrift, unsure of how to move forward and cope with the emptiness that enveloped her.

With a desire to seek solace and respite in the natural beauty of the meadow her mother had once shown her, Eleanor set off towards the tranquil location to enjoy the fresh air.

However, before she could even begin to unwind, the quiet tranquillity was disrupted by a sudden and unexpected realization—a vampire had caught her scent. The tumultuous emotions she had been experiencing seemed to have weakened the strange power that hid her
scent, making her vulnerable.

Standing there, the realization of her situation sank in. She recognized the vampire as Laurent, the same one she had encountered months before during a baseball game with her mom and the Cullens.

"Laurent," she replied, "You're a long way from Alaska now, I heard."

The male vampire smirked, "I did. But things got dull there. The animal blood just wasn't satisfying. I grew restless and needed a change." He then chuckled, "And, yes, I remember the Cullens," he replied, his tone taking on a hint of mockery. "They're quite the interesting group, aren't they? Especially your mother, Eve."

Eleanor frowned instinctively, her guard instantly rising. The mention of Eve's name stirred up a sense of unease within her. She remained cautious, unsure of Laurent's true intentions in bringing up her mother.

Laurent smirked, his words laced with a mocking undertone. "Two humans among a coven of vampires—quite a clever mask, I must say. How could we have been so fooled?"

He chuckled slightly, the sound low and menacing. "You played the role well. But now, we know the truth, don't we?"

"I thought you were with one of the Denali's..." Eleanor cautiously stepped back as she saw he step forward.

Laurent laughed, a sharp, humourless sound that echoed menacingly through the air.

"One of the Denali's? No, I have my own desires and motives. The Denali, with all their wealth and extravagance, are amusing, but they do not hold my interest. Besides," he continued, his grin widening as he stepped closer to her, "I have a more intriguing target in mind at present."

"What do you want with me?" Eleanor asked, her voice steady despite the growing tension. Her gaze remained fixed on Laurent, the vampire's approach adding to her caution.

Laurent's smirk only grew more menacing as he drew closer, the space between them shrinking. "Oh, you know exactly why I'm here," he replied, his tone low and laced with a hint of malevolence. "You, with your unique combination of courage, vulnerability, and scent. You're a fascinating mix, one that has captured my attention."

Eleanor's heart pounded in her chest as Laurent closed the distance further, his tone dripping with a mixture of fascination and danger. His words only added to her unease, the realization that he seemed to view her as more than just a mere prey.

"I... I don't understand," Eleanor managed to say. "What do you mean, 'captured your attention'? What is it about me that's so intriguing to you?" she asked, her voice faltering slightly.

Laurent's smirk faltered as a loud, animalistic growl filled the air, the sound sending a chill down his spine. The numerous wolves slowly emerged from the forest, surrounding the area with their imposing presence.

"No, this can't be!" Laurent exclaimed, his eyes widening in fear. He stumbled backwards, a sense of panic evident in his movements.

Eleanor watched as Laurent fled, pursued by the wolves. Her heart pounded in her chest as the scene unfolded before her. A mix of fear and curiosity filled her, wondering just what had caused the sudden shift in the atmosphere.

Eleanor's attention shifted from the fleeing Laurent to the wolves standing nearby. One was sleek and slim, its fur a beautiful mix of grey and black spots. The other was larger and had a deep, rusty-brown coat.

As they nodded towards her and then ran off, she stood there, taken aback by the sudden shift in the scene. Questions filled her mind, but she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease and confusion. What had just happened?