𝟎𝟏𝟑. 𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐏𝐄𝐑 & 𝐀𝐋𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐓 𝐋𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐇𝐄𝐑

The slam of the door jarred Delilah out of her deep sleep. For a moment, she lay there, disoriented, the muffled sound of raised voices reaching her ears. She rubbed her eyes, blinking against the dim light of the room, but it was the low, furious tone of her boyfriend's voice that truly pulled her from the bed. Sliding out from under the comforter, she grabbed one of Evander's hoodies and slipped it over her frame before padding barefoot down the stairs.

The noise grew louder as she descended, voices overlapping in agitation, but one stood out—Evander's. He rarely lost control, even in moments of stress. But now, his words carried a sharpness, venom threading through every syllable.

Delilah followed the voices to the garage, pushing the door open slowly. The scene that greeted her made her freeze. Evander stood in the center of the room, his usually calm, composed frame practically vibrating with tension. His golden eyes, often so warm when they looked at her, now burned with rage. He was glaring across the room at Edward Cullen and Bella, who stood near the far wall. Edward looked defensive, his posture rigid, while Bella clung to his arm, her face pale and unsure.

"Baby?" Delilah's voice was soft, hesitant, still full of sleep, but it carried enough weight to pull his gaze to her.

His expression softened marginally at the sight of her, though the tension in his body didn't ease. "You shouldn't be down here," he murmured, his voice lower but still laced with frustration.

She arched an eyebrow, wrapping her arms around herself as if to ward off the chill in the room. "Clearly something's happening. I'd like to know what it is."

Evander's jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists at his sides as he glanced back at Edward. "You want to tell her, or should I?"

Edward opened his mouth to speak, but Evander didn't give him the chance.

"Fine. I'll do it," he said, his tone sharp. He turned back to Delilah, his eyes locking onto hers. "Your sister's boyfriend thought it was a brilliant idea to bring her to vampire baseball in the middle of a thunderstorm, knowing full well there are nomads in the area. And guess what? They showed up."

Delilah frowned, her arms tightening around herself. "Nomads?"

"Vampires," Evander clarified, his voice dropping into a snarl. "Three of them. One of them—James—caught Bella's scent, and now he's decided she's his next hunt."

Delilah's stomach twisted. Her gaze flicked to Bella, who refused to meet her eyes. "What does that mean?"

"It means," Evander continued, his voice icy, "that your sister is being hunted by a vampire who specializes in tracking prey for sport. And now, because of Edward's genius decision-making, it's our problem."

"Evander," Carlisle interjected, his voice calm but firm. "This isn't the time for blame. We need to focus on protecting Bella."

Rosalie scoffed loudly, crossing her arms over her chest. "Protecting Bella?" she repeated, her voice dripping with disdain. "She isn't family."

Carlisle's gaze snapped to her, his expression hardening. "Rosalie."

"She isn't," Rosalie shot back. "She's a human who shouldn't even be here. And now, because Edward can't control himself, she's put all of us—including the humans we do care about—at risk."

"Rosalie, that's enough," Carlisle said firmly, his tone brooking no argument.

Delilah cleared her throat, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. She shifted uncomfortably under their gazes, avoiding Bella's entirely as she looked at Evander. "What's the plan?"

Evander exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair. "We don't have one yet," he admitted. "But the family will need to move fast. James won't stop until he gets what he wants."

Edward stepped forward, his expression determined. "That's why we need all of you. Bella's safety has to be the priority."

Rhyland, who had been leaning casually against the wall, pushed off and stood straight, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "Hold on. You're asking us to risk everything for her? Why? Because you can't handle the consequences of your choices?"

Edward's jaw tightened. "She's part of this family."

"She's not family," Evander snapped, his control slipping further. "Delilah is family. Braelyn is family. Bella? She's a human girl you decided to play house with."

Edward's eyes narrowed. "You think I don't know what's at stake? You think I don't care?"

"I think," Evander said coolly, stepping forward until he was mere inches from Edward, "that you don't know what it means to protect someone you love. You dragged her into this world, and now you're putting all of us at risk because of it."

The tension in the room was thick, the air heavy with unspoken words. It was Jasper who broke the silence, his voice quiet but firm.

"I've fought our kind before," he said, his Southern drawl giving his words an edge. "We're not easy to kill."

Delilah's heart sank at his words. She glanced at Evander, who looked as though he was barely holding himself together. Without thinking, she stepped closer to him, placing a hand on his arm.

He looked down at her, his gaze softening instantly. For a moment, the fury in his eyes faded, replaced by concern. "You shouldn't be down here," he murmured again, his voice almost pleading.

"I'm not going anywhere," she said firmly.

The room fell silent, every set of eyes on him as he straightened to his full height. "Let me make one thing clear: this is the last time. After this, Bella is Edward's responsibility. And if he screws up again..."

He didn't finish the sentence, but the unspoken threat hung heavy in the air.

"Understood," Carlisle said quietly, though his gaze was firm.

Evander nodded, Edward rolled his eyes mumbling something under his breath, the words Evander caught onto easily, and if he hadn't been on a breaking point already, this pushed him over the edge, because nobody insults his girl.

The sound of the impact echoed through the Cullen garage, sharp and jarring. Edward's back hit the wall hard enough to send cracks spidering out behind him. His expression twisted in pain, and a shocked silence fell over the room. Evander's hand was wrapped tightly around Edward's neck, his golden eyes blazing with fury. His grip was ironclad, his fingers digging into Edward's skin with enough force to make small cracks appear on his marble-like flesh.

Bella let out a strangled gasp, her eyes wide with terror. She started forward instinctively, only to freeze when Emmett raised a hand to stop her. He took a step closer to the two vampires, his broad shoulders tense and ready, but even Emmett hesitated. There was something dangerous in the way Evander moved—controlled yet unhinged.

"You," Evander hissed through clenched teeth, his voice a low growl that reverberated through the air. "You've put everyone I love in danger. Again." His grip tightened, and Edward let out a sharp gasp, his hands coming up to claw uselessly at Evander's wrist. "And now you think you can just insult my girlfriend, my true mate unlike your pathetic human that shouldn't even be part of this world?"

"Evander!" Carlisle's firm voice broke through the tension as he stepped forward. "That's enough."

But Evander didn't so much as glance at his uncle. His entire focus was on Edward, his lips curling back in a snarl. "You're so selfish you don't even realize what you've done." His voice was low, but each word carried a deadly weight. "James isn't just coming for her. He'll come for Delilah. For Braelyn. He'll tear through every human in his path just for the sport of it, and you invited this."

"Evander, stop!" Bella's voice cracked as she pleaded, her hands trembling as she took a small step forward.

That was when Delilah moved. She stood frozen for what felt like hours but was only seconds, her blue eyes wide as she watched her boyfriend. Her heart pounded in her chest, loud and erratic, the sound ringing in her own ears, though it didn't seem to register with Evander.

This wasn't the man she knew—the man who always made her feel safe, who kissed her forehead when she was tired, who wrapped her in his arms when the world felt too heavy. This was someone else entirely. She'd seen glimpses of his darker side before, heard the stories he'd reluctantly shared about the things he'd done, the lives he'd taken. But seeing it now, feeling the raw anger radiating off him, was entirely different.

Her breathing hitched, and Jasper flinched visibly, the weight of her spiraling emotions slamming into him. He glanced at her briefly, his expression pained, before looking back at Evander.

"Evander," Jasper said carefully, stepping closer. "You need to let him go."

Evander didn't respond, his grip tightening instead. Small cracks splintered further across Edward's neck, and he let out a choked sound, his hands clawing at Evander's wrist in desperation.

"Evander!" Carlisle's voice rose, sterner this time. "Let him go!"

Delilah couldn't stand it anymore. She turned on her heel and bolted, her legs moving before her mind could catch up. She shoved through the door to the main house, her breathing shallow and ragged as she slipped on her shoes. The walls of the house seemed to close in around her, the weight of everything too much to bear. She barely registered the cool air hitting her skin as she pushed through the back door and out into the night.

She didn't stop moving, her feet carrying her away from the house, away from the suffocating tension. Her lungs burned, her breaths short and uneven as she tried to make sense of what she'd just seen.

Back in the garage, Carlisle tried again. "Evander, listen to me. This isn't how we solve this. You're better than this."

Jasper stepped closer, his hand resting gently on Evander's wrist. A wave of calm rippled through the room, softening the edges of the chaos. Evander stiffened, his body resisting for a moment before the tension in his shoulders began to ease.

"You're going to kill him," Jasper said quietly, his voice steady. "And that's not you, Evander. Not anymore."

Evander's grip loosened fractionally, and Edward let out a gasping breath. Emmett took another cautious step closer, ready to intervene if necessary, but he hesitated when Evander's golden eyes flicked toward Delilah's now-empty spot.

"Where is she?" Evander's voice was low, the rage still simmering beneath the surface but tempered by something else—concern, guilt.

Jasper's gaze followed Evander's, landing on the doorway she had fled through. "She left," he said softly. "She needed space."

Evander released Edward abruptly, the younger vampire slumping against the wall with a sharp inhale. Evander didn't spare him a glance, his focus now entirely on the door.

"Delilah—" He moved toward the exit, but Carlisle stepped in front of him, his hand on Evander's chest.

"She'll come back when she's ready," Carlisle said firmly. "Give her time."

Evander's jaw tightened, his hands clenching at his sides. But he nodded once, reluctantly. His eyes darted back to Edward, who was still leaning against the wall, his expression dark.

"This isn't over," Evander said, his voice low and dangerous, before turning on his heel and leaving the garage.

The tension in the Cullen household dissipated slowly, leaving a heavy silence in its wake. Jasper leaned against the garage wall, his face blank but his mind anything but. He turned to Evander, who was standing still, fists clenched, golden eyes dark with residual fury.

"Evander," Jasper said carefully, his southern drawl gentle. "It's not worth it. Let the rest of us handle this. You and Rhyland should stay here."

Evander's gaze snapped to him, disbelief flashing across his features. "You're telling me to stand down while that thing is out there? He's not just after her. He's a threat to all of us."

Jasper stepped forward, his calm demeanor unwavering. "I know. But I also know you're not leaving Delilah. Not now, not ever. She needs you here, Evander. You know she does."

For a moment, Evander's resolve wavered, and Jasper saw it. He softened his tone further, his gift easing the tension in the room. "We'll protect Bella. It's what the family does, whether we agree or not. But you've got someone here who needs protecting, too."

Rhyland, who had been silent throughout the exchange, gave a curt nod. "Jas is right. I'll stay with Braelyn. You stay with Delilah. Let them handle the rest."

Evander hesitated, the war within him visible on his face. But Jasper was right. Leaving Delilah unprotected wasn't an option. With a reluctant nod, he turned away, his thoughts already racing toward finding her.

Rhyland made his way upstairs, his senses heightened. Braelyn was in their shared room, curled up on the bed with her textbook, though her focus was nonexistent. She looked up when he entered, her brows furrowing.

"What's going on?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with worry.

He crossed the room and sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "It's...complicated. Edward's mess, as usual. But you don't need to worry about it. I'm not going anywhere."

Braelyn leaned into him, her hand clutching his hoodie. "You're staying?"

"Always," Rhyland assured her, pressing a kiss to her temple. "You're my priority."

Evander's panic began to rise when he couldn't find Delilah. He moved through the house with purpose, checking every room, his mind racing. He hadn't realized she'd left the house after his outburst, but now her absence was a glaring void.

Her scent lingered everywhere, teasing him, but it offered no clear direction. Frustration clawed at him as he stepped outside, the cool night air hitting his face. He closed his eyes, focusing on the faintest trace of her.

"She wouldn't just leave," he muttered to himself.

The thought of her being out there, alone, made his chest tighten. She has to be close. She has to be safe.

Delilah wasn't sure how far she'd walked. The trees around her stretched tall and dark, their branches clawing at the starless sky. Her breath puffed out in short, shallow bursts, and her legs felt like lead, but she couldn't stop.

The silence was what unnerved her most. The woods, usually alive with the sounds of birds and rustling leaves, were eerily still. Every snap of a twig beneath her feet echoed unnaturally loud, setting her nerves on edge.

Get a grip, Delilah, she told herself, her arms wrapped tightly around her body. But no amount of self-reassurance could calm the erratic pounding of her heart.

Then, she heard it. A sharp snap behind her.

She froze, her breath hitching. Slowly, she turned, her eyes scanning the darkness. "Hello?" she called, her voice trembling.

Nothing.

She swallowed hard, taking a shaky step forward. Another snap sounded, closer this time. She spun around, her eyes wide, and there he was.

A tall man stepped out from the shadows, his long hair framing his pale face. His crimson red eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, sending a shiver of pure terror down her spine.

Delilah couldn't move. Her legs refused to cooperate, her body rooted to the spot. A million thoughts raced through her mind—graduation, her dad's wedding, the future she'd planned so carefully. Evander's face flashed in her mind, and her chest ached.

Evander... I need you.

James smiled, a slow, predatory grin. "Well, well. What do we have here?"

Delilah's voice caught in her throat, her heart hammering like a drum. She tried to think, to move, to do anything, but fear held her captive.

"You're not who I was looking for," James continued, taking a step closer, his tone almost casual. "But... you'll do."

Tears pricked at her eyes as she clenched her fists, willing herself to move, to run. But she knew she couldn't outrun him.

"Please..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.

James tilted his head, his smile widening. "Don't worry, little one. This will be quick."

The force of James's blow sent Delilah flying backward, her body crashing into the rough bark of a tree. A sharp gasp escaped her lips as pain exploded through her ribs and head, her vision blurring as she hit the ground. The metallic scent of blood mixed with the damp earth, and she could feel a warm trickle sliding down the back of her scalp. Her breaths came in shallow, uneven gasps, each one laced with pain.

James stood over her, a predatory grin curling his lips. His crimson eyes glinted with cruel amusement as he crouched, examining her like a collector marveling at his prize.

"Two for one," he murmured, his voice a silky hum of delight. "Not as sweet as your sister, but you'll do nicely."

Delilah's mind barely registered his words. Her body screamed in pain, but her thoughts clung to the one person who mattered most: Evander. She could see his face so clearly—the warmth in his golden eyes, the way his smile lit up even the darkest of moments. She could almost feel the ghost of his touch, his arms around her, his lips brushing hers.

I'm sorry, Evander, she thought, tears streaming down her cheeks. I love you.

James leaned closer, inhaling deeply, savoring the scent of her fear. Delilah squeezed her eyes shut, bracing for the inevitable. But instead of pain, there was... nothing.

Her eyes fluttered open, the world still spinning slightly from her head injury. The vampire was gone. No sound, no movement. Just the eerie silence of the forest. Confusion mingled with her fear, and she struggled to sit up, her limbs heavy and uncooperative. A sharp jolt of pain shot through her side, stealing her breath and forcing her back down.

A soft, broken sob escaped her lips. "Evander," she whispered hoarsely, closing her eyes again as tears mixed with the blood trickling down her temple.

Evander Denali had lived a life of calculated risk and perpetual thrill, thriving on the razor's edge of danger. But nothing, not even his darkest memories, had ever filled him with the sheer terror he felt now.

He caught the faint scent of Delilah's blood at the edge of the woods, and his entire body went cold. That sweetness, once a source of comfort and love, was now laced with copper and fear. His vision blurred with venom, and for the first time in decades, Evander was afraid.

"Delilah," he whispered, his voice breaking.

He didn't hesitate. His body moved with blinding speed, weaving through trees, his ears straining for any sound, any sign of her. Every step closer made the scent stronger, and with it came a rising tide of panic.

Then he saw her.

She was crumpled in the middle of a small clearing, her hair matted with blood, her body limp. The sight brought him to his knees.

"Delilah," he choked, appearing beside her in a heartbeat. His hands hovered over her, unsure where to touch without causing more pain. Finally, he cupped her face gently, his thumbs brushing away the blood and tears staining her pale skin.

Her eyes fluttered open, glassy and weak, the pain in her head and wrist starting to hit her full force, but she smiled—a small, pained curve of her lips.

"I knew you'd find me," she murmured, her voice barely audible.

Evander let out a dry, ragged sob, venom pooling in his eyes. "I'm so sorry," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. "I should have been there. I should've—"

"Don't," she interrupted, her fingers brushing against his. "You're here now."

Evander pressed a kiss to her forehead, lingering as though he could somehow erase her pain. Then, with the utmost care, he lifted her into his arms. Every step back toward the house was a blur, his only focus on getting her to safety.

"Rhyland!" Evander's voice boomed through the house as he burst through the door, his panic palpable. "Rhyland!"

His cousin appeared instantly, Braelyn trailing close behind him, her eyes wide with fear.

"Oh my God," Braelyn whispered, rushing forward but stopping short when she saw the blood.

"What happened?" Rhyland demanded, his sharp gaze scanning Delilah's fragile form.

"James," Evander spat, his voice a mix of fury and guilt. "He found her."

Rhyland's jaw tightened, but his focus remained on his brother. "Get her on the couch. Brae, grab the first-aid kit."

Evander laid Delilah down carefully, his hands trembling as he brushed her hair back. Her breathing was shallow, but she was alive.

"Stay with me, sweetheart," he whispered, his voice breaking. "Please."

Evander Denali sat on the edge of the bed, his golden eyes fixed on Delilah as she lay against the soft pillows, her face pale and framed by her tousled hair. The stark white bandage around her head made his stomach twist in knots of guilt and fury. Her wrist, wrapped tightly in gauze, rested against her chest, and despite Carlisle's reassurance after they had returned from Phoenix hours later, that it was only a minor fracture, Evander couldn't stop the torrent of blame he directed at himself—and at Edward Cullen and Isabella Swan.

Without Bella, Delilah would be safe. She'd still be curled up in his bed, her peaceful breathing filling the room as she slept soundly, blissfully unaware of the chaos swirling around them. But because of Bella, Delilah had been hurt. Because of Bella, his mate—the one person he could not live without—was lying before him, injured and fragile.

Another reason to hate Isabella Swan. Another reason to loathe his cousin for dragging a human who didn't belong into their world. Evander had warned Edward. He'd told him how dangerous it was, how reckless it was. And now, here they were, cleaning up the mess.

He reached out, his fingers brushing gently over the back of Delilah's hand. Her skin was warm beneath his cool touch, a reminder of her humanity, her fragility.

Her eyelids fluttered, her lashes casting faint shadows over her cheeks as she stirred. Her soft voice broke the silence, a sleepy murmur that tugged at his heart. "Baby?"

"I'm here," he said immediately, his voice low but steady. He shifted closer, leaning over her so she wouldn't have to move to see him. "I'm right here, my love."

Her lips curved into a faint smile, though her exhaustion was evident. "You're hovering."

"I'm not hovering," he said, though his tone carried a hint of teasing. "I'm keeping an eye on you. There's a difference."

Her eyes opened just enough to meet his gaze, their blue depths clouded with fatigue. "You look... upset."

"I am," he admitted, his jaw tightening briefly before he softened for her. "But not at you. Never at you."

Her fingers twitched weakly against his. "You're blaming Bella."

"She's the reason you're hurt," he said bluntly, his tone sharp despite his attempt to stay calm for her. "If Edward hadn't brought her into our world—if she hadn't been out there—you wouldn't be lying here right now."

Delilah sighed softly, her lips parting to speak, but he continued before she could. "I don't care what Edward thinks. She doesn't belong here, Delilah. She's not like you. You... you make sense in this world. You understand the risks. But Bella? She's reckless, and she's dragging everyone down with her."

"Ev..." she whispered, her voice soft but firm. "It's not... worth it. Don't waste your energy on anger. Just... stay with me."

His expression softened, his hand tightening around hers. "I'm not going anywhere. You just need to keep talking to me, okay? Stay awake."

She nodded faintly, her eyes searching his. "What should I talk about?"

"Anything," he said, his lips curving into a small smile. "Whatever you want. Tell me what you were dreaming about before... before all this."

Her smile returned, faint but genuine. "I was thinking about Alaska... about being with you."

His eyebrows lifted slightly. "Yeah?"

"I've been looking at internships there," she murmured, her voice gaining a little strength as she spoke. "I thought... maybe I could stay closer to you. And after that, we could travel. You promised to show me everything, remember?"

Evander exhaled slowly, his heart twisting at the quiet hope in her voice. "I remember," he said softly. "And I will. Brazil, Europe, anywhere you want to go. I'll take you there."

She let out a soft laugh, the sound weak but warm. "You hate planning trips."

"I hate most things," he teased gently, his fingers brushing over her knuckles. "But not you. And if you want to travel, I'll make it happen. Even if it means sitting through one of your medical conferences without complaining. Well... mostly without complaining."

Her laughter was soft and brief, but it eased some of the tension gripping his chest. "You'd complain. But you'd still go."

"Every time," he promised, leaning down to press a lingering kiss to her forehead.

She sighed contentedly, her eyes closing briefly before she forced them open again. "Evander?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you, baby."

His throat tightened, and he brought her hand to his lips, kissing it softly. "I love you too, princess. More than anything. And I'm going to keep you safe. Always."

As she continued to talk—her voice soft and steady—Evander stayed by her side, his hand never leaving hers. The anger simmering beneath the surface didn't dissipate, but for now, it was overshadowed by the relief of knowing she was still with him. She was his world, and he would protect her with everything he had.

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a/n: not so sure bout this, honestly i just
want to get twilight over and done with.

ps the cast list has been updated!