If you want to support or read some advanced chapters +10 please follow me on: patreon.com/Jayjayempi
Nate didn't answer immediately. He walked slowly, each step barely sinking into the snow until he stood face-to-face with Vladimir. The Romanian, accustomed to commanding respect, faltered for a moment; his posture shifted almost imperceptibly, as if Nate's mere presence reminded him of something he preferred not to admit.
Nate gave a slight, sideways smile—a brief, sharp curve—taking note of the reaction before speaking in a deep, controlled voice.
"What are you doing here? I thought I told you to train the neophytes."
Vladimir took a small step back, though he quickly regained his composure. The silky, arrogant smile returned to his face.
"That's exactly what we're doing. We've made great progress. We even got a couple of surprises: some promising neophytes… one of them even has a gift."
The news didn't alter Nate's expression. His face remained serious, impenetrable, though a calculating spark flickered in his eyes.
"What can he do?" he asked with measured curiosity.
Vladimir was about to answer, but paused. His lips curved into a wider smile, as if he had found a better play.
"You should come with me and see for yourself. Some neophytes are starting to get cocky. It would be a good idea for you to give them another dose of reality. We discipline them when necessary, of course… but we found that just mentioning your name is enough. Seems like you left a mark on them."
Nate shook his head firmly, extinguishing any expectation.
"I can't right now. I have more important matters to attend to." His tone hardened slightly, hinting at annoyance. "Is that why you came? Because they can't handle a few neophytes?"
A flicker of irritation crossed Vladimir's eyes, though he quickly masked it with his usual arrogance. His voice returned to its velvety, almost persuasive quality.
"No, Nathaniel. I came to tell you something interesting. Our sources say that the Volturi have sent part of their guard to Seattle. They're probably investigating what happened there."
Nate remained silent for a moment, his gaze sharpening. He immediately understood the direction of Vladimir's thoughts. Before he could respond, Alice—who had remained silent until now—interjected.
"But you didn't leave any traces; it's impossible for them to know the neophytes were taken. What is it that worries them?"
Vladimir's expression twisted in obvious annoyance, ready to reply, but Nate cut him off in a low, sharp tone.
"It's not a worry, Alice. He sees it as an opportunity. We could go to Seattle and take out the guards they sent."
Alice's eyes widened in disbelief.
"But why would you do that?"
This time, Vladimir answered without hesitation, his smile widening with a sinister glint.
"It's simple. They'd never know it was us. Maybe they'll send more guards… or even one of the twins. With Nathaniel and the neophytes, we could slowly wear down the Volturi. And when they decide to send the full guard, we simply vanish."
Nate nodded, his expression indifferent, as if analyzing the board of a complex game.
"It's convenient. The risk is minimal. Even if we're lucky, they might send Dimitri or Felix—that would be a heavy blow to the Volturi. I'm not sure I could take out one of the twins, but I think I could handle Felix. And if it's Dimitri, they'd have no way to track us afterward."
Vladimir's eyes gleamed with satisfaction. The predator-like smile on his face needed no further words: Nate had grasped the plan almost instantly.
Almost unable to contain his excitement, Vladimir stepped forward. The snow creaked under his boots, a subtle but tense sound in the frozen silence. His eyes burned like glowing coals, expectant.
"So… we're heading to Seattle, Nathaniel?"
The question hung in the air like a trap, direct and dangerous. It was almost an order disguised as a proposal, laden with urgency and a hunger for violence.
Nate didn't answer immediately. He remained still, his silhouette rigid against the dark forest. Snow fell slowly on his hair and shoulders, accumulating unnoticed. The silence he maintained was so dense it seemed even the air was holding its breath.
Finally, he turned toward Alice. She watched him with lips pressed together, brow furrowed, eyes expectant—filled with that mix of unease and silent pleading that always disarmed him. Her small frame seemed fragile under the shadows, as if each snowflake that fell upon her added weight.
Nate sighed. Since he had reclaimed her, since she had returned to his side, he had promised himself not to launch a frontal war against the Volturi. Not yet. The wisest course was to wait, gather strength, forge alliances, and train. Become something so solid that neither Aro nor his twins could break him.
The thought of seeing them dead burned inside him like a voracious fire, a poison eating him from within. Every fiber of his being called for vengeance. But that desire, so powerful, was chained by a single thought: Alice. To risk her, to endanger his friends, would be an unforgivable betrayal of what he had sworn to protect.
The silence stretched too long. Long enough for Vladimir to tense his jaw, a barely noticeable tic betraying his impatience.
Finally, Nate spoke. His voice was deep, a cutting edge that broke the forest's calm.
"No. As I said, I have more important matters to attend to."
Disappointment flashed across Vladimir's face. His eyes shone with a barely contained spark of anger. His fingers twitched, as if he wanted to clench them into a fist, but he regained composure in a blink. Nate, relentless, continued before silence could turn into confrontation.
"But we won't stay idle. I want one of you to go to Seattle. Find out who the Volturi sent and if they discover anything. The other will take the neophytes near Forks. When my matter is done, I will meet with them and personally guide them."
The change was almost immediate. Vladimir's enthusiasm returned, though a spark of doubt still lingered in his pupils. His voice carried a curious, serpentine tone.
"What do you plan to use them for?"
Nate didn't hesitate. His answer was icy, as sharp as steel.
"I need to find someone. When I do, I'll have the neophytes tear him apart. It'll be good practice to teach them how to fight."
Alice held her breath, momentarily shocked by the coldness in Nate's words. The harshness cut through her like an invisible blow. But Nate didn't look at her; his eyes remained locked on Vladimir, cold, unyielding.
The Romanian smiled then, slowly, a smirk tinged with malice and satisfaction.
"Not what I expected… but I'm satisfied. I'll meet with Stefan immediately. He'll lead the army to Forks, and I'll go to Seattle. If the occasion warrants, I'll contact you. Maybe, in the end, you'll decide to strike."
Nate nodded without emotion, not committing. In his mind, possibilities and plans began to intertwine.
Vladimir didn't say goodbye. He melted into the darkness like a shadow, leaving behind an icy air that sank into the bones. Silence returned, dense, broken only by the distant whisper of wind and the constant fall of snow.
Nate and Alice remained still for a few more seconds, statues under the dim light. She parted her lips, ready to ask questions, but Nate raised his hand in a brief, silent gesture to stop her.
Slowly, he turned toward the dark forest. His gaze, sharp as a knife, pierced the shadows. His voice rose, firm, cutting the air like an order impossible to ignore.
"You may come out, Kate."
A tense silence followed until cautious footsteps crunched over the snow. From the darkness, Kate emerged. Her face seemed torn between fury and betrayal. Her steps echoed over the snow, slow but tense, each one laden with reproach. When she spoke, her voice was bitter, like a freshly sharpened blade.
"So it's true… You're conspiring with the Romanians to overthrow the Volturi. Not even you could handle them!" she said, staring at Nate. "You'll only get yourself and anyone with you killed!"
Her eyes, full of rage, shifted toward Alice. The mention of her name was unnecessary; the gesture was enough. Alice stepped back, surprised by the intensity, but quickly regained her composure. She stood beside Nate and took his arm firmly—a small gesture, but loaded with meaning. Support. Loyalty.
Nate, in contrast, remained unshaken. His expression stayed cold, and when he spoke, his tone was slow, calculated, like moving a dangerous piece on a board.
"That's why I told you not to leave your home. You know that now, just for knowing about my relationship with the Romanians, you're practically an accomplice."
Silence fell heavy for a moment. Nate lowered his voice, sharpening each word.
"Unless you go to the Volturi and tell them what you heard today. Will you do that, Kate?"
The vampire's eyes widened in surprise. She had never considered betraying them; the thought had never crossed her mind… until Nate forced her to face it. Doubt shadowed her face, and when she spoke, her tone was almost resigned.
"Maybe I should… But I want to know. Why, Nate? The Volturi are cruel, yes, but also just. I heard what you said to that Romanian. You don't plan to attack them directly, I know… but your actions are confusing. You're preparing to do it, and that alone is reason for you and your coven to be destroyed."
Nate stared at her hard, but the coldness began to soften slowly. Kate wasn't his enemy. He had never wanted to see her on that side of the battlefield. He stepped closer, extending his hand carefully to rest his fingers on her shoulder. His voice changed—lower, more vulnerable.
"Because they did the same thing to me, they did to you. They took my mother."
Kate's eyes widened. She knew Nate's story, knew his parents had died at the hands of vampires… but not that it had been the Volturi. The revelation hit her like an unbearable weight.
Nate continued, never breaking eye contact.
"I don't face them directly because, as you said, I won't risk my family for anything."
As he spoke, he turned to Alice. She returned his gaze softly, as if each word were a silent promise. Nate pressed on with renewed determination.
"But I won't stay idle. They're not as simple as you think, Kate. They're breaking their own rules, conspiring, amassing more power than they should. It's only a matter of time. I'm sure at some point they'll go after the Cullens… or even you. You're talented, large covens. And when that time comes, I'll be ready."
Kate bit her lower lip, indecisive, searching for an answer she couldn't find. Before she could speak, Alice stepped forward. Her voice was low but carried a delicate conviction.
"I'm not entirely sure about this either… but I trust Nate. I know that if the time comes and we need to defend ourselves, he'll do everything to keep us safe."
The gesture surprised Kate, though she masked it well. Her face remained serene, but her eyes told another story—shifting between Nate and Alice, scrutinizing, probing for a trace of deceit, a crack in the steadiness of their words.
Finally, she sighed, a brief, harsh sound, doubt lacing every syllable.
"Do you really have proof? Proof that the Volturi aren't what they seem?"
The silence that followed was thick, almost tangible, laden with unspoken tension. Nate held her gaze, firm and unwavering, as if weighing each word before releasing it. Seconds stretched into eternity before his voice rose, calm yet unsettling.
"Yes, I have it. But I didn't come to Denali to recruit anyone. Least of all you, who showed me so much kindness."
Kate narrowed her eyes. Her breath, though unnecessary, became more pronounced as indignation burned in her chest. She snorted, her face hardening with a bitter memory.
"Don't lie, Nate! Maybe the others didn't hear, but I heard what Laurent told you."
The words fell between them like a poisoned accusation. Alice lowered her head slightly, uneasy, as tension gripped the night. Nate, however, remained composed. His reaction was a slow movement, a shake of the head that diffused confrontation without shouting.
"That's different. He made his decision. I didn't convince him of anything. I just didn't reject him."
Kate studied him for a few seconds, brow furrowed in discomfort, caught between distrust and understanding. Snow crunched beneath her feet as she shifted slightly, as if she needed to break the silence. Finally, she let out a long, heavy sigh, carrying with it all the unspoken replies she withheld.
She didn't dare look them in the eyes. She turned partially away with a brusque gesture and began walking off. Her steps were slow and measured, but taut, like a drawn bow about to snap.
Nate's expression hardened. Feeling a knot tighten in his chest, a thought pierced him like a dagger: what if Kate ultimately decided to betray them to protect her coven? The snow seemed colder than ever around him, seeping deeper into his bones.
The doubt lingered a second longer, until Kate stopped abruptly. The movement froze the air. She didn't turn toward them, didn't look at them. Her voice came firm, tinged with bitter resignation.
"I'm not Tanya. If the time comes, you can count on me. Just… please, don't get into trouble for nothing."
Her words echoed in the night, drifting through the frozen air before slowly fading. Nate studied her carefully, each line of her rigid silhouette cut against the shadows. After a few seconds, he nodded slowly, his voice warmer, more human this time.
"Thank you, Kate. I'll take your word."
She barely inclined her head, a minimal gesture, without dignifying them with a look. Then she resumed her walk. Her steps carried a slow, deliberate rhythm, as if each meter of distance was a thought process, a desperate attempt to sort everything she had just heard.
Alice remained still, frozen like a statue. Her gaze was distant, lost, as if the scene had suspended her between fear and reflection. She said nothing.
Nate waited silently, watching Kate's figure vanish into the darkness of the forest, swallowed by shadows. Only then did he allow himself to move. He extended his hand, gently taking Alice's fingers, seeking to transmit calm through touch. Adjusting both backpacks on his shoulders, he spoke with serenity, though his voice still bore the trace of tension.
"Let's go. We need to get to Forks."
Alice looked up at him. Her eyes still carried the shadow of doubt, halfway between fear and the faith she placed in Nate. She remained still for another second, as if the world held her there. Finally, she nodded slightly.
A gust of wind swept the snow, and in a blink, her figure disappeared into the darkness, venturing deeper into the forest. Nate followed, night closing in behind them as they lost themselves on the path to Forks.