𝟎𝟎𝟐. 𝐅𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐘 𝐃𝐘𝐍𝐀𝐌𝐈𝐂𝐒

The soft patter of rain against the window stirred Delilah Swan from her peaceful slumber. For a moment, she lingered in that half-asleep haze, her blue eyes fluttering open as the soothing sound pulled her closer to wakefulness. The glowing red numbers on her bedside clock blinked 5:45 a.m.—far too early for school. With a quiet sigh, she burrowed deeper into the warmth of her comforter, wishing she could remain cocooned in her little sanctuary.

Her hand slipped over the edge of the bed, seeking out the familiar, worn cover of her copy of Dracula. The book's spine was creased, pages slightly yellowed, the kind of wear that only came from countless readings. For Delilah, it wasn't just a book—it was an escape, a comforting friend she'd revisited at least a hundred times. She opened to her favorite chapter, letting herself get lost in the haunting prose as the rain continued its steady rhythm outside.

But her thoughts soon drifted from Transylvania to Forks, and more specifically, to Bella. Her younger sister's arrival still felt surreal. Though Bella had only been living with them for a few days, Delilah could already sense the awkwardness Bella seemed to carry, especially around Mabel. Delilah didn't understand why. Mabel had been in their lives for years—a steady presence with auburn hair, warm eyes, and a kind smile. To Delilah, Mabel was family. Yet Bella remained distant, polite but guarded.

Her gaze flickered to the window. The rain blurred the edges of the forest outside, turning the world into a watercolor painting of grays and greens. While Bella had lived with their mother in Phoenix, Charlie and Mabel had upgraded to a bigger house—a cozy two-story home with enough room for everyone to breathe. No more fighting over the single bathroom or complaining about the ancient TV that barely survived football season.

The move was Mabel's idea. Forks' police chief didn't earn much, but Mabel's salary as a nurse—and her inheritance—allowed them some financial freedom. But it wasn't about the money for Mabel; it was about family, about creating a home that brought them closer together.

Delilah smiled softly at the thought, her heart warming as she heard the faint murmur of voices from downstairs. Charlie's steady baritone mixed with Mabel's lighter, cheerful tone, the sound of their laughter filtering up to her room.

After a while, Delilah reluctantly set the book aside and swung her legs over the edge of the bed. The chill of the room sent a shiver down her spine, but she didn't mind—it was the kind of cold that made the warmth of blankets and hot showers all the more satisfying. She made her bed quickly, choosing an outfit of her favorite sweater and jeans before heading to the bathroom.

Under the stream of hot water, Delilah found her thoughts wandering again, this time to Bella's first day at Forks High School. It was March, an odd time to start fresh, but Bella never did things the conventional way. Delilah couldn't help but worry, though. Forks High wasn't exactly the friendliest place for newcomers, and Bella was...well, Bella. Awkward, quiet, and perpetually uncomfortable in the spotlight.

By the time she was downstairs, the kitchen was alive with the smell of fresh coffee and pancakes. Mabel stood at the stove, flipping a pancake with practiced ease, her hair swept into a loose bun.

"Morning, sweetheart," Mabel greeted with a warm smile.

"Morning," Delilah replied, leaning in to kiss Mabel's cheek before sliding into her usual seat at the table.

Charlie peered at her over his newspaper, his coffee mug in hand. "Ready for another day of high school drama?" he teased.

Delilah rolled her eyes playfully. "Always. By the way, do you think I could borrow the cruiser? I'm sure pulling up with lights and sirens would make a statement."

Charlie snorted. "Not a chance."

Mabel laughed, setting a plate of pancakes in front of Delilah. "Eat up. You'll need your energy for all those prom plans."

"Oh, speaking of prom," Delilah said, cutting into her pancake, "I've finally settled on a theme—1920s. Think Gatsby parties, champagne towers, flapper dresses, the whole glamorous vibe. I'm going to need a fundraiser to make it happen, but it'll be worth it."

"Gatsby, huh?" Charlie said, raising an eyebrow. "That's ambitious."

"Ambitious is my middle name," Delilah quipped. "Well, technically it's Helen, but you get the point."

They were still laughing when Bella shuffled into the kitchen, her brown hair sticking up in odd angles.

"Morning," she mumbled, heading straight for the coffee pot.

"Morning, Bella," Mabel said brightly. "Pancakes?"

Bella shook her head, pouring herself a cup of coffee. "Just this. Thanks."

Delilah frowned slightly but didn't push. "Don't forget we're picking up Braelyn on the way to school," she reminded her sister.

Bella nodded absently, taking a sip of her coffee.

By the time they were ready to leave, Bella was heading to her truck while Delilah climbed into her Mini Cooper. Her playlist kicked in immediately, filling the car with upbeat music.

At Braelyn's foster home, the auburn-haired girl climbed into the passenger seat without a word. Delilah's chest tightened at her friend's uncharacteristic silence. Braelyn was a mystery at the best of times, but this was different.

"You're lucky I'm not a morning person either," Delilah said lightly, hoping to draw a smile. "Otherwise, I'd be asking a million questions."

Braelyn smirked faintly, but the silence lingered.

When Bridget and Calum joined them, the energy shifted. By the time they pulled into the school parking lot, the four of them were belting out the chorus to I Love It at full volume.

"Jessica Stanley must be dying of jealousy," Calum joked as they got out of the car.

Delilah laughed, slinging her backpack over one shoulder. "I'm not royalty. I'm more like a very well-loved court jester."

"Princess," Calum corrected, winking.

As her friends scattered, Delilah's gaze drifted to the familiar row of sleek cars belonging to the Cullen family. Her eyes lit up when it landed on the silver Volvo of Edward Cullen, even if he was a junior she considered him a good friend, she had seen him plenty of times when she visited the hospital while he was there to see his adoptive father. But what did catch her attention was the unfamiliar midnight-blue Ford Mustang parked alongside them.

Next to it stood a new face—a tall, striking young man whose piercing eyes caught her breath for a moment. He stood apart from the others, radiating an air of quiet intensity.

Gathering her nerve, Delilah walked over to the group, her usual grin in place. "Morning, Alice!"

Alice beamed at her, pulling her into a hug.

One by one, Delilah greeted the others, first was Emmett who lifted her into the air in a big bear hug to which she giggled until he let her down, then Rhyland Hale, her teasing smile as she hugged him before she was surprisingly pulled into the arms of Jasper Hale, the honey blonde felt at ease around her and he treasured every second of it. Edward was the last to take her into his arms, slinging it over her shoulders, she even got a rare smile from Rosalie. Finally, Rosalie stepped forward, her tone uncharacteristically warm. "Delilah, this is Evander Denali. He's our cousin from Alaska. He'll be staying with us for a while."

Evander dipped his head slightly. "Nice to meet you, Delilah." The way her name rolled off his tongue gave her chills as her cheeks turned a shade darker.

Delilah smiled, though her heart was racing. "Welcome to Forks, Evander. You're going to love it here—well, maybe not the rain."

The group laughed, Alice's eyes sparkling while looking at her cousin that seemed absolutely mesmerised by the girl, she knew it, Alice always did. Evander Denali for the first time in his immortal life was speechless.

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For Evander Denali, the quiet hours of the night in the Cullen household were anything but mundane. While he had spent decades in relative solitude or among the controlled calm of the Denali clan, his family, his time with the Cullens felt unexpectedly vibrant. Their home had a rhythm, a life to it that hummed like a soft symphony, even in the dead of night.

He'd spent the evening shadowing Carlisle, Jasper, Edward, Rhyland, and Emmett on a hunt, a necessary exercise as he attempted to integrate their strict "vegetarian" lifestyle once again like he had done so many times. Though he adhered to the diet, Evander wasn't nearly as controlled as his adopted cousins. His crimson eyes were a sharp contrast to their golden ones—a constant reminder of his struggle.

"I'll take the right," Emmett had declared as they stalked through the dense forest, his tone brimming with excitement.

Jasper smirked. "Don't scare the whole herd off this time."

Evander trailed slightly behind, watching the duo with mild amusement. Their banter was lighthearted, almost competitive, but their movements were fluid and deliberate. Carlisle, ever the composed patriarch, offered him quiet encouragement.

"Focus on the scent," Carlisle advised, his tone patient. "The control will come in time. It's a process, Evander."

"Easy for you to say, you know I've done this multiple times before, right?" Evander muttered under his breath, though he managed to take down a mountain lion without veering off course.

Later, back at the house, the atmosphere was relaxed. Jasper challenged Evander to a game of chess, setting the board with a deliberate precision that only heightened Evander's wariness.

"Careful," Emmett said from the couch, where he lounged with a bag of chips he didn't intend to eat. "Jasper likes to lull you into a false sense of security before he crushes you."

"Noted, but I've been around longer than both of you, big guy." Evander replied dryly.

The match was intense, each move calculated and countered. Evander eventually managed to eke out a victory in one round, earning a low whistle from Jasper.

"Well played," Jasper admitted.

"Beginner's luck," Emmett interjected, tossing a pillow at Evander.

By the time Emmett dragged him into a video game session, the tension from the hunt had melted away. Their laughter echoed through the house as Evander discovered he was surprisingly adept at beating Emmett in digital combat.

"You're cheating," Emmett accused, pointing at the screen.

"Or maybe I'm just better than you," Evander shot back, grinning as the victory screen flashed.

Morning in the Cullen household was chaos personified, courtesy of Alice.

Evander stepped out of the bathroom, steam billowing around him as he wrapped a towel around his waist. He had just begun drying his hair when Alice breezed into the room, her tiny frame moving with purpose as she laid out a perfectly coordinated outfit on his bed.

"Alice!" Evander yelped, clutching his towel tighter. "What the hell?"

"Good morning to you too," Alice replied cheerily, completely unfazed by his indignation. "You're going to wear this."

"Ever heard of knocking, or privacy?" he demanded, his voice laced with exasperation.

Alice tilted her head, her golden eyes sparkling with mischief. "Why? I knew you were decent."

"Alice, you can't just—"

She cut him off with a wave of her hand. "Don't worry, it's nothing I haven't seen before, and you'll love this. Now hurry up. We don't have all day."

From downstairs, the unmistakable sound of Emmett's booming laughter reached his ears, followed by Jasper's quieter chuckle.

"They're laughing at me, aren't they?" Evander muttered, scowling.

"Absolutely," Alice said, grinning.

Evander grumbled as he slipped on his golden contacts. The initial sting of the lenses was always uncomfortable, but he adjusted quickly. He cast a reluctant glance at the outfit Alice had chosen—a fitted dark shirt, slim black jeans, and a leather jacket that somehow managed to balance understated elegance with casual cool.

"Damn her," he muttered under his breath as he pulled it on. "She's always right."

When he descended the stairs, the teasing began immediately.

"Well, look at you," Emmett said, leaning against the counter with a wide grin. "Alice got her hands on you, huh?"

Evander shot him a glare and grabbed a book off the nearest table, hurling it at Emmett. It flew through the air, only for Emmett to catch it with ease.

"Careful," Jasper drawled, smirking. "You'll only encourage him."

Alice appeared beside him, beaming. "See? I told you you'd look great."

Evander sighed, his irritation giving way to an affectionate smile. "Thanks, Pixie."

Carlisle and Esme entered the room, their serene presence bringing a sense of order to the chaos.

"Remember," Carlisle said, his tone firm but kind, "Evander is still adjusting. Someone should stay with him at all times."

"Don't worry, Carlisle," Alice said, her tone light but reassuring. "We've got him covered."

Evander groaned. "I'm not a toddler. I can handle myself."

"You can handle yourself into trouble," Jasper quipped, earning a round of laughter from Emmett and Rhyland.

Outside, Evander made his way to his midnight blue Mustang, the car a sleek and polished reminder of his one true indulgence. As he unlocked the doors, Rhyland made a move to grab the keys.

"Don't even think about it," Evander said, snatching them back.

"What? Just one drive?" Rhyland asked, feigning innocence.

"No one drives my car but me," Evander replied firmly.

Sliding into the driver's seat, he adjusted the stereo, filling the car with the familiar riffs of Led Zeppelin. When Rhyland reached for the controls, Evander smacked his hand away.

"My car, my music," he said, glancing at his cousin.

Rhyland rolled his eyes but leaned back, muttering, "Control freak."

As the engine roared to life, Evander couldn't suppress the small smile that tugged at his lips. He trailed behind the Cullen convoy, his thoughts swirling. Today wasn't just another day—it was his first day at Forks High, and though he wouldn't admit it, a flicker of nervous anticipation coursed through him.

Pulling into Forks High School in his midnight blue Mustang, Evander's expression was a mask of calm, though inwardly he was less amused. The cluster of gawking students scattered across the parking lot was predictable, yet still irritating. He rolled his eyes as he noticed heads turning, whispers passing, and even a few phones subtly snapping pictures.

Rhyland, sitting in the passenger seat, let out a low chuckle. "Don't take it personally. They stare at us every day like it's the first time they've seen us."

"They act like they've never seen a car before," Evander muttered as he parked.

Rhyland raised an eyebrow. "Oh, they've seen cars. They're staring because you just pulled up in that." He gestured to the Mustang, its sleek exterior gleaming even under the overcast sky.

Evander smirked. "What can I say? I like making an entrance."

As they stepped out, the murmurs grew louder, thoughts brushing against Evander's mind like static on a radio. He winced slightly at the onslaught.

"Who's that?"
"Another Cullen? No, he's too... different."
"Is he single?"

He tuned them out, striding toward the family gathering near their usual spot. Emmett leaned casually against Rosalie's car, his arms crossed, while Alice animatedly gestured about something Jasper appeared only half-interested in. Edward stood slightly apart, his usual brooding expression intact.

Rosalie's sharp eyes caught Evander's faint scowl as he passed by a group of students who were blatantly staring. She smirked, her voice cutting through the chatter. "Better get used to it, Ev. This is the closest you'll ever get to fame."

Emmett let out a bark of laughter, but the real surprise was Rosalie herself. Even her husband, Emmett, raised an eyebrow in amused disbelief. Rosalie rarely engaged in teasing, but Evander had a way of pulling unexpected reactions from everyone.

"Fame, huh?" Evander shot back, his lips twitching into a reluctant smile. "Guess I'll have to get an agent."

Alice practically danced over to him moments later, a folded schedule in her hands. She pressed it against his chest with a triumphant grin.

"Here you go, Ev. All set for the big day," she announced.

He took the paper, glancing over it. "Thanks, Alice."

Before he could say more, a familiar tension settled in his shoulders. Across from him, Edward's head snapped up, his amber eyes locking onto Evander's. It wasn't a warning; it was curiosity mixed with a hint of concern.

Evander knew why. The scent hit him like a wave—rain, jasmine, and mint. It was intoxicating, though not in the way human blood usually tempted him. Instead of hunger, there was... something else. Something far deeper.

"What is it?" Alice asked, stepping closer, her voice bubbling with excitement already knowing what's coming.

Evander shook his head slightly, his eyes darting around. He inhaled deeply, grounding himself. The scent was still there, but instead of pulling him toward temptation, it seemed to tether him in place.

"I'm fine," he muttered, though his voice was unconvincing.

Before anyone could press further, a figure approached, drawing their attention.

She was a stunning brunette with wavy brown hair that fell just past her shoulders and striking blue eyes that seemed to hold a quiet warmth. Her smile was kind, if a little hesitant, as she approached the group.

"Delilah!" Alice exclaimed, her voice bright as she stepped forward to greet her.

Evander froze, his golden contacts doing little to mask the way his gaze locked onto her. He barely heard Alice's cheerful introduction, too focused on the magnetic pull he felt toward the newcomer.

"Delilah, this is Evander Denali. He's our cousin from Alaska. He'll be staying with us for a while." Rosalie said, her tone unusually gentle as she gestured toward him.

Evander forced himself to move, offering Delilah a rare, genuine smile as he dipped his head slightly. "It's lovely to meet you."

"Delilah Swan," she said, her voice soft but steady. "It's nice to meet you too."

The brief touch of her hand against his sent an electric current up his arm, and for a moment, everything else faded away—the thoughts, the noise, even the ever-present pull of bloodlust. Instead, all he felt was her.

As she stepped away, the rhythm of her heartbeat thudded against his heightened senses. It was a sound he usually found grating, but with her, it was... calming.

When Delilah disappeared into the school, Evander let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. The rest of the family turned to him, their expressions ranging from curiosity to barely-contained amusement.

"Well, that was interesting," Jasper remarked, his Southern drawl adding a teasing lilt.

Alice squealed, throwing her arms around Evander. "I knew it! I knew you'd meet her today!"

"Her?" Emmett repeated, looking between them. "Care to explain?"

Evander rolled his eyes, though the faintest smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Nothing to explain."

"Nothing?" Edward said, his tone skeptical. "You're practically glowing, cousin."

"Jealous, Edward?" Evander shot back, raising an eyebrow.

Edward's expression darkened slightly, though it was more frustration than true jealousy. "Hardly. But it's... unexpected."

Jasper smirked but it soon turned into a fond smile. Delilah Swan for some reason felt like she was the sister he always needed, not that he didn't love Rosalie, he did, but Delilah was different. "Delilah Swan, huh? She's sweet, and kind, she's also so calming."

Alice clapped her hands together. "She's perfect!"

Evander sighed, running a hand through his hair. "After two hundred and thirty-eight years, I guess I was due."

The family erupted into varying degrees of laughter and chatter, their joy infectious. For once, even Rosalie seemed to let her guard down, a faint smile playing on her lips as she watched her cousin.

As they made their way toward the school, Evander glanced back once, catching a fleeting glimpse of Delilah disappearing into the crowd. The tug in his chest surprised him—how quickly a vampire's being could become tethered to their mate.

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why is the start always so hard to write??
well here is chapter two finally! hope you enjoy.