CHAPTER TWENTY
DENALI COVEN

In the year: 1951

THE last time The Cullens traveled to visit the Denali coven up in Alaska sometime in 1941, Thea stayed behind with Carmilla. At the time, Thea was just beginning her healing process and she simply was too weary of meeting more vampires.

Now things were different. Thea was now happily with her mate and as attached as ever. Thea felt more comfortable with the Cullens and was ready to meet the other animal-dieted coven.

Alice frowns as she is unable to move from the backseat of the car. "Thea, they're waiting for us at the door." Alice looked at the Denali coven who all stood on the porch of their home, trying not to get snow in their hair.

As the Cullen finished getting their bags, Thea continued to rest her head in the pixie's lap and keep her arm tightly wrapped around her. "Just give me two minutes."

"I already did." Alice chuckles, moving Thea's hair out of her face to place a kiss on her cheek. "What'd we agree on?"

Thea rolls her eyes, "that I wouldn't run from new things."

Alice nods, "So can you, please, greet them? I'll be right with you...for me?"

Thea frowns, but looks up at her mate, "for you."

When they finally exited the car, their boots crunched in the snow as they took steps to the Denali home. Thea had her arm wrapped around Alice's and didn't seem to be letting go anytime soon.

Thea knew the Coven consisted of three sisters. Tanya, Kate, and Irina. Tanya is the leader of the coven. There was also one couple, Carmen and Eleazar.

"You must be Thea? We've been waiting to meet you." A grin was worn on one of the sister's faces. She had Blonde silk hair and the most sly golden eyes.

"Thea, this is Kate," Carlisle introduces her, "Kate, this is Thea's mate, Alice. She came along with her best friend Jasper Whitlock." 

Thea wore a tight smile, "Hi." She was able to say. She is terrible at socializing at times.

Everyone smiles at the introverted girl, "Let's get everyone settled in, shall we?"

The Cullens follow them in with their bags and Carmen shows everyone to their rooms for the time they'd be staying.

When Thea and Alice got to their room, Thea immediately laid on the bed. Alice chuckles, tugging on her pant leg. "We have to go back downstairs."

Thea closed her eyes for a few seconds, scolding herself for being so resistant. "I'm sorry."

Alice frowns, lying down next to her. "For what?"

"For being so difficult." Thea explains, "I get so objective of meeting new people because I'm afraid of them judging me, I don't need anyone judging me, Alice."

"They won't judge you. They'll love you." Alice admires her pretty girl. She lays a soft kiss on her lips, "I promise."

✸

"Thea, I hear you possess special powers." Kate breaks off into conversation. "May I see?"

Thea got a little uneasy, "it's a pretty weird ability, it's not that satisfying."

"I beg to differ." Emmett raises his brow, "it's pretty damn cool."

Kate looks back to Thea, "Oh, I have to see it."

Alice rubs her thumb across Thea's.

"Okay, close your eyes," Thea instructs the blonde and Kate looks back at her sisters before doing so.

Kate hears a collective gasp from her coven mates and immediately snaps her eyes open. Kate's jaw almost fell off, Thea was no longer sitting in front of her. Instead, it was a copy image of herself.

"Told you it was pretty weird." "Kate" claims before shifting back into Thea.

"You can copy even the voices of others," Eleazar shakes his head, "that is fascinating."

When the rest of the coven agrees, Thea physically relaxes against the couch she sits on.

"Told you they would love you," Alice whispers in her ear.

Thea smiles, maybe this coven wasn't so bad.
lips, "I promise."

✸

"Alice, where are you taking me?" Thea looked around curiously at the scenery of Alaska. Mountains stood tall and covered in snow, an orange aura radiated behind them because of the setting sun.

Thea grazes her hand against Alice's and Alice interlocks their fingers completely. Thea tries hiding her smile.

A small snowy trail leads them up the mountains and allows them to see a higher view of the lake centered in the middle. "I know it's not our lake but it is a beauty," Alice comments.

Thea looked around, Alaska may just be one of her favorite places. Beautiful scenery, very few people. That was technically dreamland for someone like Thea McCarty.

"I don't understand," Thea turns to her mate, "why'd you do this?"

Alice shrugs, "I know how stressed you've felt having to come here and how much strength this took for you. Our lake always calmed you down so I just wanted you to feel that again." She points at the lake that reflects a sunset orange. "It's pretty beautiful, don't you agree?"

Thea was looking directly at Alice, who had her eyes locked on the mountains when she nodded in agreement. "Yes, it is."

Alice locks eyes with her mate and her smile immediately drops. "Why does it look like you're about to cry?"

Did it? Thea didn't even notice. She's never felt so...safe...with a person before. Alice's love was so strong, so deep. So passionate. "You're gonna kill me." Thea huffs and closes her eyes shut.

"What?" Alice's eyes widen in confusion.

Thea finally realizes something at that moment as she looks into those golden eyes, "You're my peace, Alice." Thea confesses, "You can put a little life back into my heart and that...that scares me. But I love it...I love you."

Thea's eyes widen at her own words.

Silence.

Did I just say that?! There's no way I just said that. Thea looks directly at Alice, apologizing immediately, "I'm —"

Alice smashes her lips against Thea's, making her almost stumble back but Alice pulls her closer by the waist. Thea smiles against her lips at the kiss.

Alice pulls away, jumping up and down, "say it again!"

"Alice—"

"Say it again!"

Thea chuckles, "I love you."

Alice wrapped her arms around Thea's neck in a wide hug. Thea snuggles her neck into her neck, finding warmth in the action.

Thea couldn't help but ask, "Do you love me?"

Thea can hear Alice nod, "I have never loved anyone as much as I love you, Thea. I loved you even when you were just a vision."

Thea feels her knees almost go weak at the confession, she pulls Alice even closer. Thea wanted their souls to merge, she wanted Alice to have everything. Her soul, her mind, her heart, her sanity. She could have it all.

It was all hers.

     ragerwrites,           THESE TWO ARE SOOOO UGH! 😩

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