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Nate and Alice got ready quickly, exchanging only a few words as they dressed. The northern cold seeped through the cracks of the cabin, a frosty murmur brushing against their skin and forcing them to choose warmer, more discreet clothing, for no detail should draw attention in the town.
Nate pulled on a dark, heavy jacket and large black sunglasses to hide the vibrant red of his eyes, impossible to disguise otherwise. His movements were measured, deliberate. Alice, on the other hand, seemed to radiate enthusiasm. Her small hands moved swiftly as she slipped into fitted black pants that accentuated her figure and a soft white coat that wrapped around her like a cloud. Her presence carried a trace of dance, even in something as simple as fastening a button.
As the two headed for the door, a faint rhythm of light footsteps followed them. Kate, her expression lively and her eyes sparkling with curiosity, stayed just a few steps behind. The way her body leaned toward them, alert and firm, revealed she hadn't even considered the possibility of staying behind.
Nate glanced at her from the corner of his eye and raised his hand in a calm yet firm gesture.
"No. I think it'll be better if we go alone."
Kate tilted her head, confused, as if his words made no sense to her. Her lips pressed into an obstinate line, and she immediately turned to Tanya, silently seeking her leader's confirmation.
Tanya didn't answer right away. Her gaze settled on Nate, serious and evaluative, as if she were trying to read more than he was willing to reveal. The silence stretched, dense enough to fill the cabin, until finally her deep voice broke it.
"Are you sure? You've improved a lot, but… if you lose control, Alice alone won't be able to stop you."
Alice didn't hesitate for a second. She stepped forward and intertwined her hand with Nate's. The gesture, simple but firm, radiated confidence, as if her conviction could be an anchor in even the fiercest storm.
"If he says it's fine, then I believe him." Her tone was soft, but her eyes shone with the determination of someone who would never back down. "Besides, if I see him acting strange, I'll get him out quickly."
Nate lowered his eyes toward her, a flicker of warmth and genuine affection appearing on his face. That certainty Alice always gave him moved him deeply. Then he turned back to Tanya.
"We've only circled the forest's edge these past months. I've just fed, and Alice will be with me. I'm sure I can control myself. And… you won't always be around to stop me. I need to learn to master this as soon as possible."
His words lingered in the air like an echo difficult to refute. Tanya pressed her lips together, still doubtful, but at last let out a resigned sigh.
"You know what you're doing, Nate. Just… don't take too many risks. Avoid crowded places."
Nate nodded calmly.
"It won't be for long, I promise."
Alice, contrasting with the tension still hanging in the room, gave Nate's hand a gentle tug. Her smile lit up the space like a beacon in the gloom.
"Let's go."
And in the next blink, they crossed the threshold, slipping into the cold northern breeze until they vanished among the swirling snowflakes.
Inside the cabin, the Denali clan exchanged silent glances. Concern weighed in the air like an invisible veil. None spoke it aloud, but all shared the same fear: that this little outing might end in tragedy.
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Nate and Alice ran lightly through the trees, their movement fluid and synchronized, as if they shared a secret rhythm. The freezing air whirled in their wake, lifting brief flurries of snow that spun and dissolved. They didn't stop until they reached the forest's edge, where the pines opened up and revealed, in the distance, the town.
The pale sun still hovered over the horizon, casting silver light across snow-covered streets. The place was small but brimming with life: human voices blended into a steady murmur, children's laughter broke the monotony of the wind, and the sounds of doors opening and closing mixed with hurried footsteps on packed snow. Clothing shops, a modest furniture store, and a market formed the heart of the town. Nothing ostentatious, but enough for their purpose.
Alice paused before stepping forward, turning to Nate. Her expression carried no distrust, only genuine curiosity.
"Are you sure it's okay for us to go alone? Doesn't it worry you?"
Nate let out a quiet, relaxed laugh. He intertwined his fingers with hers, squeezing gently.
"I don't think we've had a proper date since D.C… It was about time we did something other than run through the woods."
Alice giggled softly, a crystalline melody that seemed to soften even the cold air.
Nate glanced around briefly, lowering his voice as if sharing a secret.
"Besides, we're not alone. Kate and Laurent are trailing us at a distance. They think I don't notice… but I'm far too familiar with their scents now."
Alice raised a doubtful brow—she hadn't noticed. Discreetly, she turned her head, closed her eyes, and sharpened her senses. And then she felt it: two familiar presences, constant and watchful, far behind them. Nate was right.
When she looked back, Nate was already watching her, his calm smile easing her worries.
"I want to push myself a little more…"
Alice studied him, intrigued. Before she could ask, Nate added:
"You haven't said it outright, but I know you miss your family."
The confession caught her off guard. Her golden eyes widened, words tangling in her throat.
"I… I don't…"
Nate interrupted gently, without sharpness, as though he had been waiting for the chance to lay the cards on the table.
"Don't worry. I know you're not unhappy here. But you've spent decades with the Cullens… I completely understand that you miss them."
Alice lowered her gaze, a timid, almost embarrassed smile curving her lips.
"Sorry. I didn't think you'd notice. I like this way of life… but I'd be lying if I said I don't picture myself in Forks, with my family… with you beside me."
Nate pulled her closer with a smooth motion, resting a firm hand against the curve of her lower back. His voice was low, but heavy with the warmth that only escaped him when speaking to her.
"There's nothing to apologize for. I still have unfinished business in Forks. I've delayed it because of my lack of control… but soon, we'll go back."
Alice's smile bloomed, radiant, her eyes shining anew. For the first time in a long while, the idea of a future with the Cullens seemed real. She could finally picture reuniting with her family—this time with Nate at her side.
They began walking toward the town, their steps calm and in sync, like any couple returning from a stroll in the woods. But beneath that ordinary facade lay a simmering tension. Nate's muscles stayed taut, and though his face projected serenity, the air already burned inside him with the heat of human blood. Every breath dragged temptation down his throat, which flared painfully fast.
Almost as if seeking distraction, he turned his head to Alice and spoke evenly, clinging to her voice to stay grounded.
"Speaking of your family…" Nate murmured, just loud enough over the town's murmur. "Have you heard from Carlisle? It's been a long time, and he still hasn't put me in touch with the tracker…"
Alice didn't slow her steps, but her gaze wandered briefly, as though weighing her words carefully. Her lips curved into a faint grimace, caught between honesty and softening the truth.
"The last few times I spoke with him on the phone, he said he still hadn't been able to find him…" she answered at last, her voice soft but tinged with unease. "Though, if I'm honest, something in his tone felt… evasive. I suspect he doesn't want you talking to his friend."
A spark of irritation flashed through Nate, sharp enough to momentarily eclipse the burning thirst gnawing at him. He closed his eyes briefly as he walked, forcing calm into the gesture. When he opened them, his voice was steady again, though firm.
"Are you sure? He knows perfectly well I need to speak with a tracker to find Riley… We can't leave loose ends."
Alice frowned faintly, thoughtful. Small snowflakes settled in her hair, giving her an ethereal look.
"I agree with you," she said after a short pause. "I don't know what's going on with Carlisle. Maybe it's just my imagination… It's hard to tell when all we have are phone calls. But he definitely sounded different. I'd say almost worried."
Nate arched his brows slightly.
"Worried?" he repeated, suspicious. "Why? Does he not want me to deal with Riley or something?" Irritation seeped back into his tone.
Alice shook her head, though not with full certainty.
"No… It's not that." Her voice turned pensive, as if trying to arrange her impressions. "I don't know what's happening. I tried to see them in my visions, but all I caught was anguish… It was like my vision was incomplete, fragmented… like something was slipping past me."
Nate was about to answer when the air shifted sharply. A human couple passed nearby, laughing in low murmurs. The current carried to Nate a warm, sweet scent so piercing it reverberated through every fiber of him. Instinctively, he inhaled deeper and turned his face toward them. His throat flared with searing fire, and for one second, the need eclipsed everything else.
Alice, ever watchful, caught the change instantly. Her fingers tightened gently but firmly around his hand. Her voice, sweet and steady, reached him through the storm inside.
"Do you want us to leave now?"
Nate slowly turned his head toward her. The first thing he saw was her eyes: golden, filled with worry but also trust. That single look was enough to restore a shred of control. He stopped breathing for a few minutes, shutting out the couple already fading down the street, and forced a tense but genuine smile to his lips. He shook his head slowly.
"No. I'm fine. I can handle this."
Alice studied him for a few seconds more, as if she could read what lay under his calm mask. Her lips pressed into a thin line, but she nodded at last. She said nothing more, simply remained at his side, her hand still clasped in his.
With renewed effort, Nate pushed aside the echo of human scent and focused his thoughts solely on Alice. Step by step, they crossed the street and entered the town's first store.
The shift was immediate. A soft bell rang as the door opened, and a wave of warm air, scented with wood, new fabric, and human perfume, enveloped them. The shop was small but cozy: racks of coats, shelves stacked with wool scarves, mannequins dressed in winterwear, and a couple of people browsing without paying much attention.
To any onlooker, they looked like just another couple browsing displays. But beneath that surface, Nate felt each second there like a trial by fire.
He stood still for a moment, eyes closed, letting the human scents slice into him like burning blades. The burn in his throat was suffocating, but he forced himself to remain calm, clinging to the self-control he had fought to build. Then, suddenly, something wrapped around his neck: soft fabric, warm, tugging him gently forward.
He opened his eyes to find Alice's playful smile as she adjusted a thick, dark scarf around him. With a graceful, almost dancing motion, she dragged him across the shop as if he weighed nothing. Nate couldn't help but smile, amused, that silent strength within him kindling as always in her presence.
Alice, brimming with renewed excitement, began pulling garments from the racks. She held them up against Nate's chest, scrutinizing with critical eyes, as though sizing him for a secret runway show. Nate let her carry on, and as she moved with that sparkling energy that lit up every space, a memory struck him.
Port Angeles. A long time ago. They had done something similar then, wandering through shops, laughing and trading ironic comments. But everything had been different back then: they hadn't been a couple yet, and he had still been human. The contrast drew a nostalgic smile from him.
Noticing his softened features, Alice seized the moment to tease with mischief:
"We can't try things on, since I'd have to leave you alone for a while… But don't complain, because I plan on taking anything that looks like it'll fit you."
Her dazzling smile revealed her pearly teeth. Nate chuckled lightly, infected by her enthusiasm. The warmth of that moment slowly dissolved his earlier tension.
And then, almost as if fate wanted to snatch that relief away, the door opened and a group of girls burst into the shop. Their chatter filled the air, only to fall into hushed gasps when their eyes landed on Nate. They stared with barely restrained awe, exchanging elbows and nervous giggles. Soon they whispered in each other's ears, pointing not-so-discreetly toward him.
Nate instinctively stepped back, fully aware of his appearance. He'd seen himself in the mirror enough to know the truth: every human imperfection had been erased by his transformation, leaving behind something too polished, almost unreal—a face carved from marble. That same perfection, so dangerous, drew stares he didn't want.
The girls nudged one another, laughing nervously. Finally, one found the courage to approach. Nate frowned slightly, uncomfortable, fearing more for them than for himself. It wasn't the attention that unsettled him, but the risk of anyone drawing too close to the danger he embodied.
Fortunately, Alice reacted before he could decide what to do. With agile grace, she looped her arms around his neck and kissed him without hesitation. It was a slow kiss, charged with calm sensuality, as though claiming him effortlessly, her eyes gleaming with playful defiance. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched the girls, making sure the message landed.
Behind his sunglasses, Nate glimpsed how the girls instantly deflated. Their giggles died, shoulders slumped, and soon they dispersed across the store, feigning interest in anything else to cover their failed attempt.
When Alice pulled back, Nate was about to quip playfully about the scene, amused by how swiftly she had resolved it. But before he could speak, Alice pressed a finger to his lips, silencing him with elegance.
"I'm not jealous," she murmured softly, her half-smile dripping mischief. "I just thought it'd be better to discourage them… before one of them ended up as your lunch."
Nate let out a clear, genuine laugh that rumbled through his chest, quickly followed by Alice's crystalline laughter. For a moment, danger dissolved in the bubble of intimacy they shared.
Without further words, they returned to choosing clothes, reveling in each other's company. As Nate watched Alice flit lightly among the racks, he felt something settle inside him. With her at his side, every temptation, every shadow of doubt, seemed less overwhelming. A renewed certainty grew within him that there was no risk of losing control.
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The hours slipped by without incident, as if the town itself conspired to gift them a day of peace. Nate and Alice walked past glowing shop windows, bags in hand, laughing and chatting like any couple returning from a shopping trip. For Nate, every step was a silent triumph. He wasn't perfect—there was still a long way to go—but a new satisfaction burned in his chest: the certainty that one day he could fully blend into human society.
As they strolled down the main street, the thought struck him hard. He imagined himself in a few years, when his name no longer mattered, sitting in a university classroom beside Alice, sharing the lifestyle she had defended for decades. He imagined himself almost human, adopting the Cullens' routine, living without fear, with a normalcy that not long ago had felt impossible.
From time to time, Nate glanced toward rooftops and corners, his senses alert. In one such glance, he caught sight of familiar silhouettes on a rooftop: Kate and Laurent, watching from the shadows. Nate offered a faint smile and, with a simple hand gesture, signaled them to leave. They seemed to understand. Seeing him walk calmly with Alice, no threat in his demeanor, they vanished from sight without a sound.
The rest of the time passed serenely, without surprises. They wandered beneath the streetlights until the sky deepened into night. For Nate, the day had been enough. He had tested his restraint, his control, and done so at the very heart of temptation. He needed no more proof for now.
They slipped away from the town through shadows, footsteps silent on the snow, until they reached the forest's edge. Alice was about to run when she felt Nate suddenly stop, his hand still clasped with hers.
He set their bags down in the snow and lifted his face, his clear, resolute voice breaking the silence.
"I think I'm ready."
Alice studied him, her golden eyes shining in the dim light. She shook her head gently, though the decision seemed to weigh on her.
"You know I want to return soon, and I trust you, but… one outing without incident isn't enough to go back to Forks. At the very least, you should be able to go out alone, after a few days without feeding, before we consider returning to my family."
Nate shook his head calmly, no trace of unease in his gestures.
"That's not what I meant. I think I have enough control now to leave this place."
Alice tilted her head, doubtful.
"Where would we go?"
Nate removed his sunglasses, letting his red eyes blaze under the pale moonlight.
"If Carlisle won't help us track Riley, then it's time we find him ourselves."
The weight of his words fell between them like a spark igniting hidden embers. Alice stared silently, brow furrowed, jaw clenched. She hadn't voiced it, but she hated Riley as much as Nate. Since learning of Mrs. Winter's death, the image haunted her often: the kindness of that woman crushed by the vampire's brutality.
Her lips tightened into a grim line, and a flash of icy fury flickered in her eyes, rarely revealed. At last, she nodded.
"I agree. We can blend in enough with humans to find him… but it's still risky. Your control isn't perfect yet, and we don't know how long it will take to track him down."
Nate frowned, his irritation barely contained. Everything about him screamed that he shouldn't wait any longer. He had already wasted too much time, and his fury only grew with every passing moment. Yet Alice's words—firm, calm, and tinged with concern—held him in silence, as if they had placed an invisible brake on his impulse.
Sensing the conflict burning in his eyes, Alice quickly added:
"That's why we should try one last time. I'll call Carlisle, and you'll speak to him. If he doesn't put us in touch with the tracker soon… We'll do it your way. No matter how long it takes, as long as we're together, I know we'll find him."
The wind swept through the trees, raising a cold murmur in the dimness. Nate lowered his gaze to Alice, and in her face he saw not only caution but the same determination that blazed in his own mind. A brief, dangerous smile curved his lips. He knew that, no matter what happened, Riley's days were numbered.