POV Seraphina

The tension was palpable as we silently made our way to the Cullens' house. It felt as though an invisible veil of worry had descended upon us—dense and impenetrable. Although we were all together, it seemed as if each of us was lost in our own thoughts. The air in the car was heavy, and even the smallest movements felt significant. This kind of silence wasn’t new to us, but this time it was more oppressive than usual—a mute reminder of the gravity of the situation.

Aaron’s message had triggered something in all of us. A shadow had fallen over our group, and I could feel the uncertainty gnawing at my nerves. Jasper, in particular, who was usually so composed and calm, appeared tense. His hand gripped mine tightly, and I felt the strength of his hold—almost as if he were trying to anchor me in place. It was both comforting and bittersweet because deep down, I knew he was battling his own demons as well.

I tried to organize my thoughts, but they continued to swirl chaotically. What would the Council truly demand from us? Would they force me to leave Forks? And if so, what would that mean for Jasper and me? Our bond was strong, almost unbreakable, but in moments like this, it felt as if the world could tear us apart. The thought of leaving him—or worse, being forced to leave him—was unbearable. Yet the Council’s authority was absolute. No one defied them without consequence.

Jasper seemed to sense my inner turmoil. His voice was soft when he spoke, “You’re not alone, Seraphina. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”

I nodded silently, letting my fingers glide over the inside of his hand, clinging to the moment. Words felt insufficient to capture the weight of what lay ahead.

When we finally arrived at the Cullens' large estate, the tension was nearly tangible. The house stood like a solitary rock in the darkness, surrounded by the towering trees of the forest. The light in the windows glimmered faintly—a deceptive image of calm amidst the chaos brewing within us. Even before we reached the door, Esme was already outside. Her figure appeared like a beacon in the darkness, but as she approached, I could see the worry etched into her features.

“You’re here,” she said, her voice a mix of relief and tension. Though I hadn’t spoken with her often, she always exuded a sense of calm that made you feel safe and cared for. There was something motherly and gentle about her.

Her eyes sparkled with her usual energy, but there was a worry she couldn’t hide. Esme had a gift for seeing solutions before others even understood the questions, yet today, she seemed more uncertain than ever. 
She looked at me. "We’ve heard about the Council… What are you planning to do?” she asked hesitantly, her gaze shifting to Micah and Aaron, who stood behind Jasper and me.

Aaron was the first to respond. “We’ll remain calm. The Council won’t simply summon us back without fully understanding the situation. But we need to be prepared to speak before them and explain our current circumstances.”

“And what if they do recall you without hearing you out or showing any reason?” Rosalie interjected sharply. She had kept to the background until now, but her concern was unmistakable. Her eyes glistened with anger—and perhaps pain. Rosalie had always been the protector, and I knew she feared nothing more than losing her family.

By now, we had grown close, and I saw her as a sister. Despite what people might think, she had a big, open-hearted side, and you could always have fun with her.

Aaron took a deep breath, though his demeanor remained steady. “We’re not at that point yet, and the Council hears everyone. I’ve never seen a case dismissed outright without good reason.”

“If Seraphina truly has to appear before the Council, the risk is too great that she won’t be allowed to return,” Edward said quietly from where he stood by the window. His voice was soft, but the weight of his words hung heavy in the air. “And if she doesn’t return, the consequences for Jasper could be disastrous.”

Jasper looked pale, even for him. His golden eyes, usually so calm and warm, now held a mix of worry and unease that I couldn’t quite decipher.

“What’s your suggestion?” Micah asked calmly, turning to Edward. His voice was gentle yet firm, and I felt the tension in the room ease slightly. Micah’s quiet confidence had always been reassuring—he gave the impression that no matter how chaotic things became, he would remain in control.

Edward was silent for a moment, his brow deeply furrowed. Finally, he spoke, his voice low and tinged with uncertainty. “I’m not sure. But I suggest that under no circumstances should Seraphina and Jasper be separated. It would be too painful for both of them, especially given how close they already are.”

The mention of our bond left the room in stunned silence. Jasper, who had been gently holding and stroking my hand, tensed behind me. Concerned, I ran my free hand through his soft curls. 
“I will only leave Forks with Jasper if the Council requests to speak with me directly,” I said firmly, drawing a sharp intake of breath from Aaron.

Unfazed, I glanced at him from the corner of my eye and raised an eyebrow. “A bold plan, Phina… Outsiders can’t just walk into our headquarters,” he replied cautiously.

“If the Council truly wants to understand my case, they’ll have to do so with Jasper at my side,” I said more resolutely, earning a nod of agreement from Micah.

“I believe that’s the best course of action. It allows us to confront the Council directly while remaining respectful,” Micah explained, and even Aaron seemed convinced now.

Relieved, I leaned back slightly and nestled closer to Jasper. 
As the rest of the group began discussing Edward’s concerns and how to address the issue with that girl, I tuned out for a moment, allowing myself a rare chance to relax. 

“I love you, darlin’,” Jasper whispered in my ear. Even though the other Cullens undoubtedly heard his quiet confession, I couldn’t help but smile softly and meet his gaze, which was filled with love. For a brief moment, his eyes darkened to a deep black, and my own widened slightly in response. But I knew exactly what it meant—the Major was satisfied with the decision.

I listened to the Cullens for a while before clearing my throat. "We need to find out who she is," I said at last, my voice barely more than a whisper. Yet every gaze turned toward me. "And what she means to Edward."

Alice nodded, and I saw her eyes suddenly fill with a determined gleam. "I saw her in a vision," she said, her voice trembling slightly with excitement. "It was just a brief moment, but she’s here. In Forks. And she’s connected to Edward."

"Then we have to find her," Emmett said, finally breaking his silence. His voice, as always, was loud and confident, but there was an undercurrent of concern rarely heard from him. "The longer we wait, the greater the risk."

"But how?" Rosalie interjected. "We don’t know anything about her. We don’t even know how deep this connection goes. What if she’s… dangerous? What if our worst fears come true?"

"She’s not," Edward said firmly, for the first time sounding truly convinced. "I just know it."

A brief silence followed before Carlisle spoke. His voice was calm and measured, as it always was, but it carried a certain weight that made us all listen. "Whatever we do, we can’t act impulsively. We’re treading on unfamiliar ground, and we can’t afford mistakes. We need to be careful."

After much back and forth, we agreed to proceed cautiously. Alice would continue monitoring her visions while Edward and Jasper searched for more traces of the girl. Micah, Aaron, and I would handle communication with the Council. It wasn’t a perfect plan, but it was a start.

As the group began to disperse, I stayed behind with Jasper. His arms wrapped tightly around me, and for a moment, it felt as though the world around us faded away. "We’ll get through this," he whispered in my ear, his voice soft but resolute. "I won’t leave you, no matter what happens."

I nodded, my fingers clutching his sweater. Yet even in his embrace, I couldn’t completely shake the gnawing feeling of uncertainty. The shadows around us were growing thicker, and I knew the path ahead would be anything but easy. But for now, I was grateful not to face it alone—and I held on to the hope that together, we would be strong enough to confront the truth.

I couldn’t sleep. My thoughts swirled endlessly in my mind. How I wished Jasper were here, but I understood that he wanted to support Edward as well.

Quietly, I slipped out from beneath my soft blanket and stood to look out the window. The night outside was ink-black, the sky overcast. Only the faint glow of the moon pierced through the treetops, casting just enough light to outline the trees and the gentle shimmer of the grass.

I pressed my forehead against the cold glass and closed my eyes. The weight of the decisions ahead bore heavily on me.

Who was this girl? And why did she have such an effect on Edward? The thought that she might pose a threat to all of us was unsettling. But what if she wasn’t?

A noise behind me broke my thoughts. It was Alice. She stood in the doorway, her expression an odd mix of concern and anticipation.

"I didn’t mean to wake you," she whispered, but I shook my head, and she stepped closer to the window. 
We had this unspoken ritual of meeting late at night when something important was looming or when we simply needed someone to talk to.

"You haven’t been sleeping," she observed gently, her voice full of understanding. "I saw this coming."

I couldn’t help but smile faintly. Alice’s ability to see the future was fascinating but also a bit unsettling at times.

"What did you see?" I asked eventually, as the silence between us stretched.

"Not enough," she admitted, sounding almost frustrated. "Just fragments. She’s… special, Seraphina. I can’t explain it, but she has an energy I’ve never felt before. She’s different. And Edward…" 

She paused, as if unsure how to put her thoughts into words.

"Edward will change," she finally said, her voice trembling slightly. "I don’t know how or why, but this girl will play a central role in his life. And maybe in ours, too."

Her words sent a shiver through me, though the room wasn’t cold. I turned my gaze back outside, searching the darkness for some kind of clue, some kind of answer.

The first rays of sunlight broke through the thick clouds as Jasper, Edward, and I set out. Alice had given us a vague direction based on her vision, but the details were unclear. Still, it was better than doing nothing.

The forests around Forks were quiet, save for the occasional chirping of a bird or the rustling of leaves in the wind. We moved quickly and silently, a seamless unit.

"Are you sure?" Jasper asked, glancing at me briefly.

"I am," I replied, with more conviction than I felt.

Edward, walking ahead of us, suddenly stopped. His eyes scanned the surroundings, and his body was as taut as a drawn bowstring.

"She’s close," he said softly, his voice barely audible.

A vague feeling of anticipation and unease spread through me as we pressed on. We were on the brink of finding answers—or uncovering new questions. And in that moment, I knew that nothing would ever be the same again.

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As you might have noticed I kinda changed the way I write slightly.
I hope that doesn't bother you guys a lot. 🙈
Since I had to get back into the story again that might be the cause.