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The snow crunched softly beneath their feet as Nate and Alice crossed the clearing that led to the entrance of the house. The dark wooden façade rose imposingly against the sky, painted in hues of gold and orange by the setting sun, its wide windows reflecting warm glimmers that contrasted with the chill of the air. In front of the main door, the Denali coven stood in perfect formation, their silhouettes outlined by the light escaping from within.
Tanya was the first to step forward. Her golden hair caught the last brightness of the day, glowing like threads of fire. She smiled with genuine warmth, opening her arms with a familiarity that eased the solemnity of the moment.
"Welcome, I'm so glad you've arrived."
Alice responded with the same warmth, while Nate remained silent, calmly observing each of those present. His eyes met Kate's, and the intensity of her gaze was almost a challenge. There was a fierce spark in it that confirmed what Alice had already warned him: it wouldn't be long before that woman tried to test him.
Irina, on the other hand, gave him only a brief glance and a curt nod before turning all her attention to Alice. She walked toward her with a serene, almost affectionate expression. Carmen, subtler, offered Nate a small smile before joining Irina and wrapping Alice in a gentle embrace.
Laurent and Eleazar seemed the most pleased with their arrival. Eleazar stepped forward with calm strides, curiosity gleaming in his golden eyes.
"I'm glad it didn't take you too long to get here."
Then he fixed his gaze on Nate for a few seconds, a curious smile spreading across his friendly features.
"Forgive me if I sound intrusive, but your gift fascinates me… I've seen many throughout my life, but yours—I still can't quite understand it."
Nate gave a modest smile.
"Honestly, all of this is still very new to me. But I think we'll have enough time to figure it out. I'll be in your care."
Eleazar nodded in satisfaction, almost paternal, giving him a brief pat on the shoulder. There was something about him that evoked Carlisle, though without the same imposing solemnity; he radiated kindness, but in a more down-to-earth, almost youthful way.
Laurent waited patiently until their exchange was done, then approached with firm steps and a smile heavy with nostalgia.
"I must say, Nathaniel, immortality suits you. I always knew you had potential. I'm glad it didn't take you long to reach it."
The words halted him for a moment. To Nate, this power had come too late, as if every second of delay carried a silent regret. Yet instead of sinking into that shadow, curiosity about Laurent's words pushed him to reply.
"What do you mean by potential?" he asked with genuine intrigue. "The few times we met… I didn't do much, but you seemed very interested in me turning. You even offered to bite me yourself…"
Laurent seemed somewhat reserved, weighing how much to say, but eventually yielded:
"To tell the truth, I have the gift of sensing people's power. It's not that specific; power can manifest in different ways: influence, abilities, potential… But whenever I feel it, it helps me distinguish how promising someone is."
Nate listened intently. Unconsciously, he began calculating the possible applications of such an ability: anticipating moves, evaluating allies, measuring risks. Quite convenient, though he chose not to appear too interested. In a neutral tone, he asked:
"And what about now? How does my power feel to you?"
Laurent smiled, almost as if the question amused him.
"It's incredible. I don't know exactly what you're capable of, but I feel that no matter what I tried against you, nothing would work."
Nate nodded, once again noting how Laurent always sought, in one way or another, to leave a good impression. Though Nate didn't consider him entirely trustworthy, he had already assessed him as someone useful. Not wanting to prolong the conversation further, he added:
"As I get used to my new condition as a vampire, I hope I can count on you as a training partner for a while."
Laurent responded with enthusiasm, and Nate noticed how his red eyes gleamed with curiosity and genuine interest. It was clear that Laurent was delighted at the idea of getting closer.
When they finished speaking, Tanya left Alice's side and approached Nate. She walked calmly, with the confidence of someone fully aware of her own allure. She examined him from head to toe and, in a low, slightly playful tone, remarked:
"Well, aren't you quite the specimen? Seems like the Cullens always manage to keep the good ones…"
Nate studied her carefully. The tone held a trace of flirtation, but it didn't feel serious; rather, it seemed her usual way of speaking. Without discomfort, he replied with a courteous smile:
"I appreciate you letting us stay here as long as I need to gain control… Besides, I know it can be complicated having a newborn around, so I apologize in advance if I cause any trouble."
Tanya widened her eyes, a mix of surprise and mischief on her face.
"Who would have thought the terrifying vampire we met in the factory would be so polite…"
She then darted a side glance at Kate without moving her head, continuing aloud:
"But don't worry, it's always nice to have someone strong enough to protect us around…"
Nate carefully observed Kate's reaction. She was glaring at him, clearly proud and aware of her place. It was evident that Tanya was relishing the chance to provoke her. The interaction intrigued him: he could sense the tension, but also the subtle game between them.
Alice, who had been following every move, stepped up to Nate with a graceful stride, linking her arm with his. The simple yet protective gesture seemed meant to reassure. In a friendly, relaxed tone, she asked Tanya which room would be theirs.
Tanya let her gaze linger for a moment on their intertwined arms, a playful smile tugging at her lips, before leading them on a short tour of the house. They walked through spacious, luminous halls, where strategically placed lamps highlighted the elegance of the wood and architectural details. She showed them Irina and Laurent's rooms first, then Eleazar and Carmen's, and finally Kate's and her own. Each space carried its occupant's personality: some with sober, classic furniture, others with more modern and personal touches.
At the end of the tour, Tanya brought them to a room at the back of the wide house. "This is the guest room," she explained. "You're free to decorate it however you like while you're here." She gave them their space, and then each member of the coven returned to their own routines, leaving the two alone to settle in.
Nate and Alice entered the room, taking in every detail. It was spacious and bright, with large windows letting in the sunset glow. Bookshelves filled with volumes of all kinds lined the walls—some neatly arranged, others more casually stacked. In one corner, a vintage record player rested atop a low cabinet, surrounded by vinyls waiting to be played.
At the center of the room, the bed immediately drew attention. It was large, with perfectly stretched sheets and soft pillows; Nate noticed it looked new, almost as if the Denali had bought it recently, likely with their guests—or the couple—in mind, rather than for themselves, given that vampires had no need of sleep.
All around, small details added warmth: a floor lamp casting a golden glow, a comfortable armchair near the window, and soft rugs muffling every step. Nate mentally assessed the place: plenty of space to move freely, corners to organize their things, and an atmosphere designed to offer comfort and privacy without losing functionality.
Alice moved naturally through the room, browsing the shelves and touching a few books with a smile. Nate watched her, appreciating the harmony her presence added to the space. It was a safe place, meant to integrate them into the coven's life, and Nate felt a certain calm knowing it offered them a proper refuge to adapt to this new life.
After letting her gaze roam the room, Alice walked over to Nate and, with a look of distaste, ran her fingers across the dark clothes he still wore. They were the garments given to him by the Romanians. She wrinkled her nose and, without hesitation, began removing his jacket.
"I know these clothes are practical, but seeing you in them makes me think of the Romanians."
Nate chuckled softly at her determination and shifted slightly to make it easier for her.
"You won't have to think about them for a while. I doubt they'll reach out anytime soon—they'll be too busy."
Alice stared at him for several seconds, with those eyes that seemed to pierce through any mask Nate might put up. Her voice came out deeper and more serious than usual:
"Please, promise me that when they do contact you, you'll let me come with you. I don't trust them… I'll be much calmer if I'm close."
Nate raised a brow, sensing the absolute sincerity behind her words. For an instant, he thought of how much Alice had worried during the days he was alone with the Romanians. He let out a low laugh, as if to ease the tension, and answered with a certainty that wasn't meant to impress but to reassure.
"I promise… besides, even if I didn't want to, I'm sure the moment they decide to approach, you'll see it in your visions. But you don't have to worry: whether it's the Romanians or anyone else, I'll keep you safe from everything."
Alice gazed at him in silence, the seriousness in her features gradually softening, as if Nate's certainty drew out a smile she couldn't contain. Her eyes grew tender, and in a playful tone, she replied:
"You say that… but you'll always need my help."
Nate let out another short laugh, this one more sincere, and wrapped her in his arms, pulling her close until he felt her fully against him.
"Always."
They stayed like that, gazing at each other in a silence that needed no words. The air was charged with the complicity they shared, an unspoken understanding that could only exist between them. A few seconds passed before Alice gently pulled away, stepping back.
"Speaking of help…" she said with a mischievous gleam in her eyes, "I think I'll go out with Tanya to buy a few things. We don't have anything besides the blood bags… and I'm not about to tolerate you wearing those clothes any longer."
Nate watched her with amusement, tilting his head slightly with a crooked smile.
"That sounds good… I suppose it was about time I changed uniforms."
Alice arched a brow, satisfied he wasn't objecting, and headed for the door with a light air, as though the very idea of replacing those clothes was already a relief to her.
"In the meantime," Nate added, glancing toward the living room where the Denali were scattered in their routines, "I'll take the chance to talk with Eleazar. With his experience, I think I can figure out exactly what I'm capable of."
Nate's smile lingered as he watched her leave, but inside he was already organizing questions. He didn't know what tomorrow would bring, but one thing was clear: he would need to understand every ounce of his strength in order to face it.
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AUTHOR'S NOTES: Hey guys, I know some of you don't like the quiet chapters, just so you don't despair and get an idea, the quiet chapters just ended on Patreon (so they're missing like 8 or 9 chapters before returning to the action, this is more like a development arc)