CHAPTER FOUR
(unexpected arrival)

"Don't look for us. There's no time to waste. Remember: Tanya, Siobhan, Amun, Alistair, all the nomads you can find. We'll seek out Peter and Charlotte on our way. We're truly sorry that we must depart in this manner, without the opportunity to say goodbye or provide adequate explanations. This is the only way. We love you."

Following the arrival of Peter, Charlotte, the Irish Clan, and the Egyptian Clan, the roster of witnesses had noticeably grown in numbers, all thanks to the one letter from Alice and Jasper, which served as the catalyst for their strategic effort to assemble a growing alliance against the Volturi.

In a similar vein, Emmett and Rosalie had taken it upon themselves to contact any nomads known to Carlisle, aiming to strengthen their growing gathering of allies.

The first nomad to respond to Emmett and Rosalie's call was the tall, wiry vampire known as Garrett. A pair of intense ruby eyes and a flowing mane of sandy hair tied back with a leather thong were hallmarks of his rugged adventurous nature.

Initially, Garrett gave the impression of being a challenging character to convince, but his interest was piqued the moment he set eyes on the beautiful Denali sisters. He spent a significant amount of time bombarding them with endless queries regarding their unconventional lifestyle, and even expressed an inkling curiosity about exploring a vegetarian diet himself.

Mary and Randall, who were already friends, arrived separately at the gathering. They gladly listened to Renesmee's story and were moved enough by the tale to consider staying, their decision influenced by the hope of supporting their old friend Carlisle. The growing number of witnesses appeared to be the main convincing factor.

Carlisle was a man who garnered many friends, yet they all harbored a strong reluctance to cause him disappointment. While most of them shared a common inquiry: Where was the elusive Vivienne?

A sense of surprise washed over the room when Garrett voiced his question aloud, "I'd assumed I would see Vivienne Beckett here." His words brought everyone's attention to him, including the immortals present.

The mention of Vivienne's name sent a ripple of recognition through the Egyptian coven, causing even Amun, the leader, to look up, and his mate's response left Amun feeling somewhat unsettled. However, it was Benjamin's response that truly alarmed Amun, when he turned to him and questioned, "Vivienne?"

Benjamin spoke in a tremulous voice as the mention of his mate stirred deep-seated emotions within him. Amun, his leader, had long claimed that she was no longer among the living, which explained why Benjamin never left his side. The pain of losing his mate had shattered his heart, and hearing her name again sent a jolt through him, causing his already faint heart to flutter even more.

Edward, with his ability to read minds, narrowed his eyes as he directed his attention toward Amun, his gaze piercing and intense.

Kate, who had been sitting quietly up until now, abruptly stood up from her seat and posed the question, "Is Vivienne expected to arrive here?" Her smile betrayed a hint of nostalgia, indicating that she had seen Vivienne not too long ago when she bid farewell to the Cullens. The impact of Vivienne's departure had struck the Denali sisters and the Cullens deeply, though they respected her choice.

Bella surveyed the assembled group of immortals, who all seemed to have a connection with Vivienne Beckett. Jacob leaned in closer to her and whispered, "Who is Vivienne?"

Bella directed her gaze at her friend, then turned to her husband, who was holding Renesmee in his arms, and heard him reply, "She's my sister. She left in 1980."

Amun cringed under the intense gaze of both his mate and Benjamin. He had lied to them about the source of his injuries, claiming that they resulted from his vain attempts to save her. In actuality, he harbored deep regret for separating Vivienne from Benjamin, and upon discovering her gift, his thoughts turned selfish, considering her as an asset. However, he had grown fearful of her after a terrifying encounter and decided that deception was preferable to the truth.

"Is Vivienne alive?" Benjamin shot up from his seat, a look of disbelief etched on his face as he directed his gaze at the other immortals present.

Edward, having read his mind, stared at him with wide eyes and stated, "She is your mate."

Benjamin confirmed Edward's assertion with a nod, his glare now directed at Amun as he demanded, "I was told she had passed--Amun, why did you lie to me?"

Amun lowered his gaze to the ground, feeling the absence of Kebi's warmth as she moved away from him. The sound of her voice, the first word she had spoken in their presence, broke the silence, "Amun?"

Amun raised his head and looked around at the sea of faces that reflected a mixture of confusion, disappointment, and anger.

Amun's voice echoed firmly throughout the room as he admitted, "I had banished her from the coven because I believed she was the reason behind your behavioral shift. You felt remorseful that she had been isolated alone with you, and I convinced myself that expelling her would be the best course of action for both of you."

Benjamin's anger was palpable, and his powers could easily have been used to inflict harm on his leader. However, the overwhelming news of his mate being alive surpassed any thoughts of vengeance. She was alive.

All the Denali's and Garrett shared in the anger directed at the Egyptian leader, but none of them felt an urgent need to intervene, as they recognized the fact that Benjamin was her mate, and believed him to be the one rightfully entitled to lead the charge against Amun.

Edward had pledged to act as the peacekeeper in the room, and he stepped forward, explaining, "We lost contact with Vivienne after a few years following her departure with us." He took it upon himself to diffuse the situation, knowing that a conflict could cost them valuable allies. As he had promised Carlisle, he was determined to ensure no unnecessary bloodshed occurred.

A heavy silence filled the room as all present exchanged looks, each one sharing a common sentiment of confusion and concern regarding Vivienne. The fact that the Cullens had lost touch with her left everyone puzzled and seeking more information.

Vivienne's entrance into the room ended the lingering silence, her words drawing the attention of every person present. She chuckled and added, "Honestly, if I was going to cause trouble and be a catalyst for strife, I would have made better effort to arrive sooner."

Vivienne waved her hand in greeting, her voice soft and lighthearted as she remarked, "It's been a while." Her gaze scanned the room, and as her eyes met his, a faint smile tugged at her lips. Benjamin stood still before her, as if frozen in disbelief, his eyes locking onto hers.

"Vivienne?" Edward's voice cracked with surprise as he gazed upon his sister, alive.

Vivienne let out a light chuckle and quipped, "In the undead flesh—is that how we'd phrase it?" She was abruptly enveloped in an embrace by Edward, cutting off her jest.

Vivienne laughed heartily as she returned the embrace, "Woah there!" She playfully exclaimed, enjoying the familiarity of her brother's presence.

Edward nodded his head in affirmation as he revealed, "Alice and Jasper found you."

With a slight smirk, Vivienne rolled her eyes, adding, "And I told you not to rummage through my thoughts."

As her gaze shifted toward her former leader, she finally recognized Amun, realizing that his appearance had changed significantly since last they had encountered each other. Her tone was tinged with a hint of sarcasm as she spoke his name, "Amun."

Vivienne kept her arms crossed as she faced Amun, her voice maintaining a cool veneer as she spoke, "I must admit, I'm surprised to see you here as well." The air grew heavy with tension, and everyone in the room waited with bated breath, sensing the emotional storm lingering just beneath the surface.

Vivienne an arrogant vampire, possessed a captivating beauty that could bewitch anyone who laid eyes on her. Her powerful and formidable presence left no doubt that she was not to be trifled with.Bella would have come to describe that of the female immortal.

Amun's voice was laden with a palpable sense of guilt as he spoke her name, "Vivienne." She returned his gaze stoically, her expression devoid of anger or rage. Instead, she held his eyes with a calm and measured detachment.

She took a slow, deliberate breath and stood her ground, her expression unchanging as she spoke. "It has been 186 years since we last met." Her voice was steady as she continued, "I'm not sure if I should be thankful that you lied to conceal my disappearance, or if I should feel anger towards your deception in telling Benjamin that I was dead." Before Amun could utter a word, she cut him off, a hint of resignation in her voice. "But after my time with the Volturi, I learned that perhaps it was for the best that I left, despite the pain it caused me."

Edward's concern was evident as he inquired, "The Volturi?"

Vivienne redirected her gaze to her brother and affirmed her statement, "Yes, that's why I lost contact. They discovered that I possessed a gift."

Eleazar's sharp perception noticed the immense power radiating within her, recognizing the venomous nature of her gift. Yet, rather than feeling afraid, he sensed a sense of security in her presence. Eleazar had always been aware of her abilities, and even the other members of the Denali coven could feel the power she possessed, although they had never witnessed the extent of her capabilities.

Vivienne addressed Amun firmly, "I would like to speak with Benjamin." She asserted, "Not that I require your permission." Without waiting for his response, she vanished, swiftly followed by Benjamin, who didn't hesitate for a moment.

Despite his concern, Amun hesitated, his instincts compelling him to follow Vivienne and Benjamin. However, he felt the firm grasp of his mate, Kebi, as she maintained eye contact with him. She spoke firmly, asserting her authority, "Let them, Amun—you owe it to them." Amun held her gaze, understanding that in this moment, she was in control.

Garrett's voice cut through the heavy silence, a hint of humor in his tone as he confessed, "I've always wondered if she had a mate." He chuckled, admitting, "And now that's another thing I can cross off my list—I've been waiting for decades." Garrett aimed to lighten the mood, not a fan of the stifling tension that filled the space. He preferred a cheerful atmosphere over a gloomy one.

Kate and Tanya chuckled in agreement, fully understanding Garrett's intention to brighten the mood. They willingly decided to play along.

"Dad, is she really my auntie?" Renesmee's innocent query drew the attention of all the adults in the room, and they watched intently, intrigued by her impending statement. The child they had all pledged to protect, the one who had captured their hearts.

Edward responded in a gentle tone, "Yes, she was the first out of me, your aunties, and uncles."

Renesmee's voice held an awestruck tone as she remarked, "She's beautiful and powerful—I can feel it."

Edward smiled at his daughter's observation and agreed, "Yes, that she is." He gently ran a hand through her hair, a gesture filled with affectionate pride.

Renesmee continued, her tone curious and innocent as she queried, "But why did you and our family never speak about her?" Edward felt a wave of sadness wash over him as he realized he would have to answer this question truthfully, despite the unpleasant memories it brought forth.

Edward's words were tinged with a hint of regret as he admitted, "I suppose we never spoke about her because she had been with us since the beginning. We assumed she would always be there, but eventually, she chose to leave. It became a topic we avoided discussing because it was painful to think about her departure."

"Oh" she mumbled and then looked up to her parents," I hope she stays" She revealed and this time the ones acquainted with her smiled. Edward smiled to his daughter, as Bella walked over putting a hand on her shoulder.

Jacob jokingly looked at Edward and teased, "I hope you don't have any more hidden siblings."

Edward chuckled in response and replied, "If there are, I have no idea—as far as I know, Vivienne is the only one." Their exchange was good natured, laced with a touch of humor.