Where do we land in the Black Sea?

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𝕋ℍ𝔼 night air was thick with the scent of rain, the kind that promised a storm just on the horizon. The moon, veiled behind dark clouds, cast only the faintest slivers of light through the trees. Every sound seemed amplified in the quiet—crickets chirping, leaves rustling, and the distant rumble of thunder that sent a shiver down Rain's spine.

She stood on the porch of Sam and Emily's house, the cool breeze tugging at her hair, her fingers gripping the edge of the wooden railing. It should have felt peaceful, standing here in the dark, but there was an unsettling hum beneath the surface, something in the air that made her pulse quicken.

Inside, the soft murmur of voices filtered through the open window—Sam and Emily talking quietly, the pack moving about, preparing for something bigger than just another night under the stars. But out here, it was just her and the gathering storm.

Rain closed her eyes, letting the tension from the last few days roll through her like the building clouds overhead. The weight of everything that had happened—Italy, Aro, the fight—pressed against her chest. She had walked away from the vampires, walked away from Bella, but the echoes of it all still clung to her like shadows.

The porch creaked behind her, and she didn't have to turn around to know who it was. Erian. His presence was as familiar to her now as the ocean, as steady and calming as the waves that once surrounded her.

"You okay?" His voice was low, soft, carrying just enough concern to make her feel seen.

Rain opened her eyes but didn't turn to face him. She breathed in deeply, letting the question hang in the air before she answered. "I don't know."

There was a pause, and then she felt him move closer, his warmth brushing against her back as he leaned against the railing beside her. His hand found hers, their fingers intertwining in the quiet space between them. That simple touch was enough to ground her, to pull her from the swirling thoughts in her head.

"You don't have to know right now," Erian said after a moment, his gaze trained on the distant horizon. "But you don't have to carry all this alone."

Rain squeezed his hand, grateful for the understanding in his voice. She finally turned to look at him, finding comfort in the way his eyes softened when they met hers. The storm was coming, she could feel it—inside and out—but for now, here with him, she could breathe.

"I just needed a moment," Rain admitted, her voice quieter now. "Everything feels... heavier."

Erian nodded, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand in soothing circles. "Then take the moment. But whatever's coming, we face it together. You're not alone in this, Rain."

She looked up at him, a small, tired smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "I know," she whispered.

As the first drops of rain began to fall from the sky, Erian pulled her closer, his arms wrapping around her as if to shield her from more than just the storm. In his embrace, Rain felt a spark of something new—a calm before the chaos, a quiet before the thunder rolled in.

༄.°

The morning arrived with the soft glow of sunlight breaking through the clouds, casting a warm hue across the small logging town. Rain parked Erian's truck in front of the worksite, the sound of the engine humming before she turned it off. The moment felt peaceful, quiet, as if the world had paused for just a second, leaving only the two of them in this bubble of time.

Erian reached for the door, glancing over at Rain with a smile that made her heart flutter, before stepping out into the cool air. He was halfway to his workmates when Rain called out to him, her voice soft but strong enough to carry over the noise of the early morning.

"Erian, wait!"

He stopped in his tracks and turned back to her, his smile widening as he saw her standing there by the truck, the wind tousling her hair. She looked as if she belonged to the earth, the trees, the sky itself. He couldn't help but walk back to her, drawn in by the gentle pull of her presence.

Rain took a few steps forward, meeting him halfway, and before she could say anything more, Erian pulled her into his arms, wrapping her in a tight embrace. She melted into him, the familiar warmth of his body calming the storm of thoughts in her mind. She felt his heartbeat against her chest, steady and strong, a rhythm that synced with her own. Without a word, she leaned up and pressed a soft kiss to his cheek.

Erian's eyes widened in surprise, his hand instinctively tightening around her waist as he looked down at her with a mixture of shock and love. Rain chuckled at his reaction, her laughter light and melodic, like the sound of a summer breeze playing through the trees.

Erian's heart began to race as he gazed into her eyes, and for a moment, everything else faded away—the world, the worries, the conflicts. His breath hitched as he leaned in closer, their foreheads nearly touching. He was about to close the gap, his lips mere inches from hers, when the screech of tires shattered the delicate moment.

Both of them looked up, and their hearts sank as they saw a sleek black car pulling into the lot. The familiar silver Volvo rolled to a stop, and Edward stepped out, his expression tense and unreadable. Bella followed, looking awkward and out of place as she always did in situations like these, her shy demeanor a stark contrast to the tension hanging in the air.

Erian's expression darkened immediately. His grip tightened on the axe in his hand, and with the other, he instinctively took Rain's hand, pulling her slightly behind him as he faced the intruders. His gaze was sharp, his body tense, as he glared at the pair approaching.

Edward walked forward with an air of calm arrogance, while Bella trailed behind, her eyes darting nervously between Rain and Erian. Erian's muscles tensed as he watched them close the distance.

"You better stop right there," Erian growled, his voice low and threatening. "I don't care what you're here for. You're trespassing."

Edward met his gaze, unflinching, but there was a flicker of discomfort in his eyes. "This isn't either of our territory," he said evenly.

Erian's lip curled into a snarl. "This is my damn territory. And I'm telling you both, you don't belong here. You should leave, now."

Bella hesitated, her eyes settling on Rain. She stepped forward slightly, her voice shaky as she spoke. "I just came here to talk to my sister..."

Erian scoffed, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Now she's your sister? After all the crap you pulled? Your boyfriend over there sparkles like a stripper when he's in the sun comes back and suddenly you're back in Rain's life?"

Edward shot him a look, his eyes narrowing dangerously. But Erian didn't back down, his expression fierce as he glared back.

Rain stepped forward then, her voice cold and firm. "Bella, leave. I don't want to see or talk to you right now."

Bella blinked, hurt flashing in her eyes as she looked at her sister. "So you would choose the wolves over me?"

Rain's jaw tightened as she met Bella's gaze, her voice steady but full of barely restrained anger. "You chose vampires over everyone, Bella. Including me. I'm choosing Erian, I'm choosing the wolves, and I'm choosing Charlie. But not you."

Bella's eyes widened, her face paling as the words hit her like a punch to the gut. For a moment, she stood there, speechless, before Rain delivered the final blow.

"I guess you were right about something, Bella," Rain said, her voice quieter but sharper than a knife. "We're not sisters." Bella's face crumpled, tears filling her eyes as she opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out. She looked like she was about to collapse from the weight of it all, but Edward was there, his hand already gripping her arm, pulling her back toward the car.

"Rain..." Bella whimpered, her voice cracking with emotion as she reached out, desperate for something—anything—to mend what had been broken.

But Rain stood firm, her expression unyielding. She didn't flinch, didn't soften. She watched as Edward dragged Bella back to the car, her sister's pleas falling on deaf ears.

Edward glared one last time at Erian before they climbed into the car and drove away, the sound of the engine fading into the distance, leaving nothing but the echo of unresolved pain in its wake.

Erian wrapped his arm around Rain once more, pulling her close as she let out a shaky breath, her chest tightening with a mix of relief and heartache. He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. He whispered, his voice steady. "I've got you."

Rain closed her eyes, feeling the warmth of his words sink deep into her heart. For now, that was enough.

After the tension of Bella and Edward's departure had settled, Rain and Erian stood in the quiet of the morning, the cool breeze wrapping around them like a comforting blanket. Erian's arm was still around Rain, holding her close, his thumb gently rubbing soothing circles on her shoulder. Rain let out a long sigh, resting her head against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

For a moment, there was nothing but silence between them, the weight of what had just happened still lingering in the air. Then, Rain looked up at him, her lips quirking into a small, mischievous smile.

"You know," she said, her voice soft, "you didn't have to be so dramatic. 'This is my damn territory'?" She mimicked his deep, gravelly tone, raising an eyebrow at him playfully.

Erian chuckled, his shoulders shaking slightly as he tightened his grip around her waist. "I had to assert dominance," he replied, grinning. "Besides, you seemed to like it." He wiggled his eyebrows at her, a teasing glint in his eyes.

Rain rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hide the smile that tugged at the corners of her mouth. "You're ridiculous."

"And you love it," he shot back, his grin widening.

Rain laughed, her laughter light and musical, and she playfully swatted his chest. "Maybe," she teased. "Just don't let it get to your head." Erian's eyes twinkled with amusement as he leaned down, his face mere inches from hers. "Too late," he whispered, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.

Rain pretended to groan, but the smile on her face betrayed her. She stood on her tiptoes, pressing her forehead to his as she whispered back, "You're impossible."

"I try."

Erian's warm breath tickled her cheek, and she giggled, pulling back just enough to look at him. There was something light and free in the air now, the heaviness of the earlier confrontation melting away as they stood there, basking in each other's presence. Just as Erian started to lean in again, about to steal another kiss, Rain's stomach growled loudly, interrupting the moment. They both froze before Rain burst out laughing, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

Erian raised an eyebrow, his grin returning. "Was that you? Or did we just get attacked by a grizzly bear?"

Rain swatted at him again, her laughter bubbling up. "Shut up! I haven't eaten yet!"

"Well, we can't have that," Erian said, mock-seriousness in his tone. "We better get some food in you before you start eating me alive."

Rain giggled and shoved him playfully, "You wish!"

Erian grabbed her wrist, pulling her into his arms again. "You know I wouldn't mind." Rain rolled her eyes, her face lighting up with humor. "I'm starting to regret waking you up this morning." Erian chuckled, pulling her in close and kissing the top of her head. "No, you don't."

She sighed dramatically, but the way she melted into his embrace said otherwise. "Maybe not."

They stood there for a few more moments, enjoying the playful back-and-forth, before Erian reluctantly pulled away.

"I really do have to go to work, though," he said, sounding genuinely disappointed.

Rain pouted, crossing her arms. "Already?"

"Sadly, yes. The logs aren't gonna cut themselves," Erian replied with a smirk. Rain sighed, leaning in and pressing a quick kiss to his cheek. "Alright, lumberjack, go chop some trees." Erian grinned, walking toward the truck before turning around and winking at her. "Try not to miss me too much."

Rain rolled her eyes again, but her heart warmed as she watched him head off to work. She shook her head, smiling to herself. "Ridiculous," she whispered under her breath, but she couldn't help the fondness in her voice.

As Erian joined his workmates, he glanced back at her one last time, catching her eye. Rain waved at him with a grin, and for a moment, the world felt perfect, filled with their playful banter, shared smiles, and the warmth of the morning sun.

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THE END OF NEW MOON

ECLIPSE COMING SOON...

By: SilverMist707

I hope you all enjoy your day <3