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𝔼ℝ𝕀𝔸ℕ'𝕊 footsteps were quiet as he followed the pull of his heart. The crisp scent of the woods mingled with the faint trace of her—a scent he could never forget, one that brought both calm and longing. As he reached the river that marked the boundary between the pack's territory and the Cullens,' he hesitated. The cold water glistened under the pale light of the moon, a silent reminder of the divide between their worlds. But the thought of Rain—hurt, alone, and recovering—pushed him forward.

Taking a deep breath, he crossed the river, his feet carrying him through unfamiliar terrain. The dense trees opened to reveal the Cullen house, its warm light casting a soft glow in the night. Every instinct screamed at him to turn back, to respect the unspoken rules of his kind. But the image of Rain's face, her voice, her laughter, silenced his doubts.

He stepped onto the first stair of the porch, his heart hammering in his chest, when the door swung open. Standing there was Carlisle, his expression kind and welcoming, his hands folded in front of him.

Erian froze, guilt flickering across his face. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice steady but tinged with hesitation. "I know I'm on your territory, but—"

Carlisle interrupted him with a gentle smile. "She's inside."

Erian blinked, surprised by the warmth in the vampire's tone. Carlisle stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter. "She's upstairs, second room on the left."

Nodding his thanks, Erian stepped inside. The distinct scent of vampires filled the space, but it was overpowered by something stronger: Rain's scent. It wrapped around him like a comforting blanket, and he followed it instinctively.

The Cullen family's gazes fell on him as he passed. Alice smiled knowingly, while Esme offered a soft, motherly expression. Emmett gave a small nod of acknowledgment, and even Rosalie's usual cool demeanour softened as she watched him ascend the stairs.

Erian exhaled deeply as he approached the second door on the left. Slowly, he pushed it open, the creak of the hinges echoing softly. There she was, lying peacefully on the bed, her face pale but serene in the moonlight streaming through the window.

He stepped inside, his movements careful as though afraid to wake her. Kneeling beside the bed, he reached out and gently brushed a strand of hair from her face. His fingers lingered for a moment, marvelling at her quiet beauty, even now when she seemed so fragile.

"My rainstorm," he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "I'm sorry you had to go through this." His heart ached at the thought of her pain, the struggles she'd endured while he was powerless to protect her. He took her hand in his, his touch light and reverent, as though holding something infinitely precious. Raising it to his lips, he pressed a tender kiss to her knuckles, his breath catching as he felt her warmth beneath his skin.

Leaning forward, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead, lingering for a moment as if trying to pour all his love and regret into that single gesture. "You're stronger than anyone I've ever known," he whispered. "And I'll be here, Rain. Always."

For a moment, the world outside ceased to exist. There was no divide, no river, no pack, or vampires—only the quiet bond between them, unspoken yet unbreakable.

Erian descended the stairs quietly, his mind still lingering on Rain's peaceful face. His footsteps were hesitant, knowing he had entered a place where he wasn't entirely welcome. He intended to thank Carlisle once more and leave before his presence could stir any tension. As he reached the bottom step and turned toward the door, Emmett's voice broke the silence.

"You watch the game?" Emmett asked, nodding toward the large television in the living room, where a basketball game played in vivid detail.

Erian blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, yeah," he said, his tone unsure. "Sometimes."

"Well, come on, man," Emmett said, grinning as he patted the empty spot on the couch next to him. "Sit. Let's see if you're any good at calling plays."

Erian hesitated, glancing toward Carlisle, who gave a subtle nod of encouragement. Slowly, Erian made his way to the couch, sitting down beside Emmett while trying not to appear too stiff.

"Don't worry," Emmett said with a laugh, noticing Erian's awkward posture. "We don't bite...well, not anymore."

Alice rolled her eyes as she floated into the room, carrying a bowl of popcorn. "Emmett, really?"

"What? It was funny," Emmett protested, nudging Erian playfully.

To Erian's surprise, he found himself chuckling softly, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "Alright, let's see what you've got," he said, gesturing toward the TV.

As the game continued, Erian found himself surprisingly engaged. Emmett's boisterous commentary and playful jabs at the players made it hard not to laugh. Alice joined in, her uncanny ability to predict the next plays earning groans from Emmett, who claimed it was "cheating."

Even Rosalie, who had initially stayed on the sidelines with her usual air of aloofness, eventually sat down, chiming in with sharp-witted remarks that made Erian grin.

By halftime, Erian was fully immersed, leaning forward as he debated a referee's call with Emmett. "That was a foul," Erian argued, gesturing toward the screen. "No way," Emmett shot back. "The guy barely touched him!"

"Barely? He practically shoved him into the stands!"

Carlisle and Esme, watching from the dining room, exchanged amused smiles. The atmosphere in the house had shifted, lightened by the unexpected camaraderie.

As the game went on, the initial awkwardness dissolved completely. At one point, Alice nudged Erian with the popcorn bowl, and he accepted it without hesitation, munching absentmindedly as they cheered and groaned at the game's twists and turns.

When the final buzzer sounded, signalling the end of the game, Emmett turned to Erian with a grin. "You're alright, wolf-boy. Not as bad as I thought you'd be."

Erian smirked. "You're not so bad yourself...for a leech." The room erupted in laughter, even Rosalie cracking a rare smile. As Erian stood to leave, Carlisle approached him, extending a hand. "Thank you for coming, Erian. You're welcome here anytime." Erian shook his hand firmly, glancing around at the family who had surprisingly made him feel at ease. "Thanks," he said, his voice sincere. "And...thanks for looking out for Rain."

"Of course," Esme said warmly.

The Cullen living room, usually a haven of peace and elegance, was heavy with tension. Rose leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her usual confident smirk replaced with a frown. She broke the silence first, her tone sharp. "Are we going to tell Rain what happened?"

Alice, who had been pacing, froze. Her amber eyes fell to the floor, avoiding everyone's gaze. Erian, who sat on the couch with his hands clasped tightly, finally spoke, his voice firm. "It's better to tell the truth to Rain. She'll find out eventually, and if we keep it from her, it'll only make things worse. You know it won't be pretty."

Emmett nodded solemnly, his usual playful demeanour subdued. But Alice shook her head, her tone urgent. "Or... we don't have to tell her. Not right now. The relationship between them will change—drastically. And in her current state..." She trailed off, biting her lip as Jasper placed a calming hand on her shoulder.

Jasper sighed, sensing the roiling emotions in the room. He opened his mouth to speak, but a voice from the stairs stopped him cold.

The tension in the room thickened as Rose's words settled over the group like a thundercloud. The air became still, each vampire exchanging cautious glances while Erian tightened his hold on Rain, his jaw clenching as if bracing for what was to come.

Rain, still half-asleep and groggy, blinked at the sudden silence. "What are you not telling me?" she asked again, her voice sharper this time.

Carlisle, ever the calming presence, stepped forward, his hands raised slightly in a gesture of peace. "Dear, you've been through so much. Perhaps it's best to rest and—"

"No," Rain interrupted, pulling away from Erian's embrace. Her aquamarine eyes, which usually held warmth and curiosity, now hardened into something sharp and unyielding. "Tell me. Now." Rose, unable to keep quiet any longer, pushed past Esme and Alice despite their attempts to hold her back. "Bella sent the fishermen to where you were. That's how Donna got shot."

The words hit Rain like a physical blow. Her breathing quickened as the room began to spin. "She... she did what?" Her voice cracked, disbelief and fury blending into a tone that sent a shiver down everyone's spine.

Carlisle tried to intervene, his tone gentle. "Rain, please, we can—"

"She did what?" Rain repeated, her eyes narrowing as the weight of Rose's revelation finally sank in. Her fists clenched at her sides, her nails digging into her palms so deeply that thin streaks of blood began to trail down her hands. Her breathing grew heavier, each exhale laced with the tremor of building rage.

Erian stepped in front of her, his voice low and steady. "Rain, listen to me. You need to calm down. You've been through too much—"

"Calm down?" Rain snapped, her voice trembling with unbridled anger. "You knew, didn't you? All of you knew, and none of you thought to tell me?"

"It's not that simple—" Alice began, but her words were cut off by Emmett, who stepped forward boldly.

"It's true," he said simply, his deep voice resonating through the room like a gavel striking judgment. "Bella sent them."

The room seemed to hold its breath as Rain closed her eyes, her head tilting downward. The air grew colder, as if her fury were drawing every ounce of warmth from the space. Her hands trembled violently, and when her eyes opened again, they shimmered with an unnatural light, like shards of a stormy sea reflecting the moon.

"Cover your ears," Erian commanded suddenly, his voice filled with urgency.

The Cullens, understanding the danger, moved quickly. Esme and Alice ducked behind furniture while Jasper shielded Alice protectively. Rose hesitated, but Emmett grabbed her, pulling her away from Rain just in time.

"ISABELLA!"

Rain's scream erupted, a sound that was neither fully human nor entirely otherworldly. It tore through the house like a shockwave, her siren's voice resonating with a fury that made the very walls tremble. Windows shattered, raining shards of glass onto the floor. The sound was otherworldly, filled with anguish and wrath, a banshee's cry of vengeance.

Erian stood firm, his ears ringing despite his efforts to shield himself. He reached out, his voice strained but steady. "Rain, stop! You're going to hurt yourself!"

But Rain was beyond reason. The scream morphed into a guttural, animalistic growl as she clenched her fists tighter, her body shaking uncontrollably. The room seemed to pulse with her anger, the vibrations rattling the chandeliers and sending tremors through the wooden floors.

When her scream finally subsided, an eerie silence blanketed the room. Rain stood in the centre, her chest heaving as her breath came in ragged gasps. Around her, the Cullens cautiously uncovered their ears, their faces a mixture of awe and fear.

"I'm done playing nice," Rain hissed, her voice hoarse but resolute. She turned on her heel, heading for the door.

"Rain, wait!" Erian called after her, but she didn't stop.

"She's going to Bella," Alice whispered, her voice trembling. "This isn't going to end well." Erian bolted after Rain, his heart pounding as he tried to reach her before the storm she'd unleashed could consume them all.

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By: SilverMist707

What will happen next?