#jamestwilight

THE THIRD SCENT — PT.2 (JAMES & VICTORIA X READER)

The group made it back to town faster than expected, the rain easing up just enough to let them hike out without turning into a total disaster. Everyone was soaked, muddy, and buzzing from the storm, laughing about how the “hangover hike” had turned into a full-on downpour adventure.

They checked into the creaky little hotel on the edge of Forks, the one they had eyed earlier as a backup plan after the camping night got cut short. The rooms smelled like old pine and damp carpet, floors squeaking under every step, but it felt like a relief after the chaos in the woods.

Y/N trailed behind the others as they hauled their packs inside, her head throbbing worse with every minute. The buzzing warmth from the venom had turned into something sharper, more insistent. She told herself it was just the hangover mixed with the weird bite she still didn’t fully understand, but deep down she knew something was seriously wrong.

In the small lobby area, the group sprawled out on worn couches and chairs, ordering pizza from the front desk guy and cracking open the last of the beers they had saved. Laughter echoed off the walls as they replayed the night before.

— That storm came out of nowhere, — one of the girls said, kicking her boots off and laughing. — One minute we’re telling stories, next minute it’s like the sky was pissed at us.—

— Told you the legends were real, — the boy grinned, taking a big bite of pizza. — Maybe it was the “vampires” getting mad we were camping in their spot.—

Ethan sat on the arm of one couch, watching Y/N closely. She had been quiet the whole way back, avoiding his eyes, brushing off his attempts to walk next to her on the trail.

— Hey, Y/N. You okay? You’ve been acting kinda off since the hike.—

Y/N flinched at the sound of his voice. It wasn’t just loud, it felt like it drilled straight into her skull. Every noise in the lobby was amplified: the creak of the old floorboards, the hum of the fridge behind the desk, even the rain still tapping on the windows outside. Smells hit her too hard, the greasy pizza, her girl-friend’s perfume, the damp wool of everyone’s clothes. It was all too much.

— I’m fine, — she muttered sharply, turning away from him and dropping into a chair in the corner. — Just tired. Leave me alone for a bit.—

Ethan blinked, looking hurt. — Whoa, okay? Last night was… I thought we had fun. Did I do something wrong?—

She didn’t answer, pressing her palms to her temples. The lights in the lobby felt blinding, like they were stabbing her eyes. Her skin itched and burned under her damp clothes. The venom was spreading, turning her body into a battlefield she didn’t understand. She could hear the heartbeat of the guy at the front desk from across the room. She could smell the faint trace of blood under someone’s bandaid from a blister on the hike. It was overwhelming. Terrifying.

Her friend noticed and waved her over with a smile. — Come on, Y/N! We’re playing cards. Loser buys the next round when we find a real bar tomorrow. Don’t be a downer.—

— I said I’m fine, — Y/N snapped, her voice harsher than she meant. She stood up quickly, the movement too fast for normal, nearly knocking over a lamp.

— I just need some air or something. Don’t wait up.—

She headed for the hallway toward the rooms, ignoring the confused looks from her friends. Ethan started to follow.

— Y/N, wait up. Talk to me. You were all excited about this trip and now you’re treating me like I’m some stranger after what happened last night.—

She whirled on him in the narrow hallway, the fluorescent lights buzzing loudly in her ears like angry hornets. His cologne, the same one from the night before, hit her like a wall, mixing with the memory of his skin and making her stomach twist with confusion and nausea.

— I said leave me alone, Ethan! — she hissed, stepping back when he got too close. — Last night was a mistake, okay? Just… go have fun with the others. I don’t want to deal with this right now.—

Ethan stopped, looking genuinely stung. — A mistake? Damn, Y/N. Alright. Whatever. I’ll give you space.—

He turned and headed back to the lobby, shoulders tense. Y/N leaned against the wall for a second, breathing hard. Her veins felt like they were on fire again, the same burning from the bite spreading deeper. She could hear every word her friends were saying back in the lobby even from down the hall.

— She’s probably just hungover and freaked out from the storm, — one of her girl-friend’s was saying.

— Yeah, but she was fine this morning, — the boy replied.

Y/N slipped into the room she was sharing with her friend, closing the door behind her. The quiet didn’t help. The walls were thin. She could still hear everything laughter, cards slapping on the table, Ethan’s quieter, hurt voice. Outside, a car passed on the street and the engine roar made her wince. Her reflection in the small mirror looked pale, eyes a little too bright.

— What is happening to me? — she whispered, gripping the edge of the sink. Another wave of burning pain rolled through her body. She doubled over, biting her lip to keep from making noise. Her senses kept cranking higher. She could smell the dust in the carpet fibers, the faint mold in the bathroom grout, the leftover whiskey on her own clothes. It was too much. She wanted to scream but held it in.

After a few hours, night had fallen over Forks, bringing that thick, endless drizzle again. Down at the hotel’s open bar area, Y/N’s friends were now loud and having the time of their lives. Music spilled out, mixed with laughter and the clink of glasses as they turned the night into a proper party after the rainy hike. Y/N had told them she was feeling sick and was going to bed early.

She stood alone on the small balcony of their room, leaning against the wet railing with a cigarette between her fingers. The smoke curled up slowly in the damp air. She took a long drag, hoping it would calm the fire still burning under her skin. It didn’t. Everything felt wrong. Too loud. Too bright. Too much.

She stared out at the dark trees behind the hotel, trying to make sense of it all. The bite. The sudden strength this morning. The way those two strangers in the woods had looked at her like she was something special. Her eyes ached strangely. When she caught her reflection in the glass door, the usual color was fading into an eerie crimson glow. She blinked hard, rubbing her eyes. But then, her senses caught something, a presence.

She spun around fast, her heart was hammering, almost breaking out of her chest.

Victoria and James stood behind her, having appeared in a fast but completely silent movement. Victoria’s red hair looked almost black in the low light, her eyes soft and intense. James leaned against the railing a little further back, arms crossed, his expression guarded and distant.

Victoria spoke first, her voice low and warm.

— There’s no need to be afraid. You’re already ours—

Y/N jumped, pressing her back against the railing. — How the hell did you get up here? Stay away from me!—

Victoria took one slow step closer, a gentle smile on her face. — We felt you. The bond pulled us here. You’re changing, and it’s calling to us.—

James stayed back, jaw tight. He watched Victoria look at Y/N with that open adoration and it clearly pissed him off. — This is insane, Vic. She’s still fighting it. We should just-…—

— No, — Victoria cut him off firmly, possessive fire in her eyes as she focused completely on Y/N. — She’s ours, and we’re not killing her for no reason. Can’t you feel the pull getting stronger? Look at her eyes, James. She’s turning. She’s the third we’ve been missing.—

Y/N’s hands shook as she stubbed out the cigarette. — Third what? This is all bullshit. You two are crazy. Vampires aren’t real. This is just some weird myth from the stories I read. It can’t be true. I’m not… whatever you think I am.—

Victoria’s expression softened even more. She wanted to reach out and hold her. — It is real. Let me show you.—

In a smooth motion, Victoria picked up a metal ashtray from the small table and crushed it effortlessly in her hand like it was made of paper, then dropped the twisted metal at Y/N’s feet. She moved in a blur to the other side of the balcony and back again before Y/N could even blink.

— See? We exist. Vampires. And that bite you got last night started your transformation. It takes three days. Your body is burning right now because the venom is changing you. You need to come with us. We can help you through it. Keep you safe.—

James shifted uncomfortably, still jealous and distant, but even he couldn’t fully ignore the growing pull. He felt a faint tug toward Y/N, like something deep inside was waking up. — Victoria’s right about one thing. You’re changing. But this whole mate thing… — He glanced at Victoria, then back at Y/N, voice rough. — It’s complicated. You were with that boy last night. You’re not ready for this.—

— I don’t want any of this! — Y/N snapped aggressively, stepping forward without thinking. She shoved James hard in the chest, not realizing her new strength. He actually stumbled back a step, surprise flashing across his face.

— Stay the hell away from me! Both of you! This isn’t real. I’m going home after this trip and forgetting any of you existed.—

Victoria moved instantly, placing herself between them protectively, one hand hovering near Y/N like she wanted to steady her. — That’s not how it works. Your body is getting stronger already. You don’t know your own power yet. Please. Come with us. We won’t force you, but the change is going to get worse. The pain, the hunger… we can guide you.—

Before Y/N could argue again, the door to the room slid open. One of her girl-friends, stepped out onto the balcony, looking concerned.

— Y/N? You okay in here? I heard voices and wanted to check if you were still feeling sick—

James and Victoria blurred away in the same instant, disappearing silently into the night like they had never been there.

Her friend blinked, frowning. — Who were you talking to? I swear I heard people out here.

Y/N forced a shaky breath, trying to act normal even as another brutal wave of venom fire rolled through her body. — Nobody. Just… talking to myself. The storm messed with my head, I guess. I’m fine. Really.—

The girl stepped closer, worry clear on her face. — You don’t look fine. You’re pale as hell. Come inside and—

Y/N’s vision suddenly swam. The burning exploded through her veins all at once, worse than before. Her legs gave out. She collapsed forward, the world going fuzzy and dark around the edges.

— Y/N! — the girl gasped, catching her just in time. — Oh my god, she fainted! Guys! Help!—

The ambulance ride to the small Forks hospital was a blur of flashing lights and overwhelming noise. Y/N drifted in and out of consciousness, the venom burning hotter than ever through her veins. Every siren wail felt like knives in her ears. Every bump in the road sent fresh fire racing under her skin. By the time they wheeled her into the emergency room, her body was trembling uncontrollably.

A human doctor, Dr. Ramirez, leaned over her, shining a light in her eyes while nurses hooked up monitors.

— Her vitals are all over the place. Blood pressure spiking, heart rate erratic. What happened? — he asked her friend, who had ridden with her.

— She just collapsed on the balcony. Said she felt sick earlier. We thought it was a bad hangover or something from the camping trip, — her girl-friend explained, voice shakyy.

Y/N’s eyes fluttered open for a second, the crimson still hidden in the harsh lighting. — It hurts… everything hurts… — she whispered hoarsely.

Then the convulsions hit hard. Her body jerked violently on the bed, muscles seizing as the venom pushed deeper. Monitors started beeping wildly.

— She’s seizing! Get the crash cart ready! — Dr. Ramirez shouted. — Hold her steady, don’t let her bite her tongue!—

Y/N’s world narrowed to pure agony. She thrashed against the hands holding her down, a low groan escaping as another wave ripped through her. The pain was worse than the initial bite, like her bones were melting and reforming all at once.

— We need backup in here! Page Dr. Cullen, now! — Dr. Ramirez called urgently. — This isn’t responding like a normal seizure.—

Carlisle arrived within minutes, moving with that calm, graceful efficiency that always put people at ease. He took one look at Y/N on the table and his golden eyes sharpened with recognition.

— Let me see her, — he said quietly but firmly, stepping in beside Dr. Ramirez. He gently turned her head and spotted the bite mark on her neck, still faintly bruised but clearly a vampire bite. The venom scent was unmistakable to him.

Dr. Ramirez frowned. — Her symptoms don’t make sense. No fever, no infection markers we can see yet, but she’s burning up internally. This looks like some kind of toxic reaction, but…—

Carlisle placed a steady hand on Y/N’s shoulder, his voice soft. — I’ve seen something similar before. Rare cases. Let me take over here. You can step out and update the family. I’ll take over from here.—

The other doctor hesitated, clearly suspicious, eyes flicking between Carlisle and the unusual bite. — Are you sure, Dr. Cullen? This doesn’t look like anything standard.

— I’m sure, — Carlisle replied calmly, meeting his gaze with quiet authority. — Trust me. I’ll call you if I need anything.—

Dr. Ramirez nodded reluctantly and left the room, closing the door behind him.

Alone now, Carlisle worked quickly but gently. He adjusted the IV, added something from his own discreet supplies that he kept for situations exactly like this, the same careful mix he had once used on Edward, Esme, and Rosalie during their transformations centuries ago. His hands moved with practiced compassion as he leaned close to Y/N’s ear.

— You’re going to be alright, — he said softly, his voice full of genuine empathy. — I know the pain you’re in. The fire, the burning… it feels endless, but it won’t be. You were bitten. The venom is changing you. I’m going to help ease it as much as I can right now.—

Y/N gasped as another convulsion tried to hit, but Carlisle’s steady presence and the medication seemed to dull the edges just enough. Her crimson-tinged eyes met his for a moment.

— Who… are you? — she managed through gritted teeth. — It feels like I’m dying…—

Carlisle smiled gently, placing a cool hand on her forehead. — My name is Carlisle Cullen. I’ve helped others through this exact change before. You’re not dying, it’s actually the total opposit. You’re becoming something new. I wish I could take all the pain away, but I can only make it bearable for now. Breathe through it.—

The worst of the immediate convulsions eased under his care. Y/N’s body still trembled, but the fire receded to a heavy, constant burn instead of explosive agony. She could feel her senses still heightening, the beep of machines too loud, the smell of antiseptic burning her nose, but Carlisle’s calm voice anchored her.

After stabilizing her enough, Carlisle stepped out to speak with her worried friends gathered in the waiting area, all of them jumped up immediately.

— Is she okay? — Ethan asked, looking guilty and concerned. — She was acting weird all day and then just collapsed.—

Carlisle’s expression was perfectly composed, kind but serious, the picture of a compassionate doctor. — She’s stable for now, but I’m afraid she’s slipped into a coma. We don’t know the exact cause yet. It could be a severe reaction to something she encountered on your hike, possibly an unknown toxin or bite. We’re running tests. She’ll need to stay here under observation.—

One of her friends covered her mouth. — A coma? Oh god…—

— Can we see her? — Ethan pressed.

— Not yet, — Carlisle replied gently. — She needs complete rest. I’ll update you as soon as there’s any change. In the meantime, try to get some rest yourselves. This might take a few days.—

The friends nodded reluctantly, whispering among themselves as they left to wait. Carlisle watched them go, his mind already turning over the complications, the unknown nomad bite, the unusual transformation signs, and the faint scent of other vampires lingering near the hotel earlier.

He returned to Y/N’s room, sitting quietly beside her bed, ready to ease her pain through the long night ahead.

The next morning, Carlisle stepped through the front door of the Cullen house just as the weak Forks sunlight tried to break through the clouds. The family was already gathered in the spacious living room, the usual comfortable tension hanging in the air. Edward sat at the piano, fingers resting silently on the keys. Esme stood by the large windows, arranging fresh flowers. Rosalie lounged on the couch with her arms crossed, looking bored but alert. Emmett leaned against the wall, tossing a baseball idly between his hands.

Alice and Jasper were still out hunting.

Carlisle set his bag down and sighed softly, his golden eyes serious. Everyone turned to him immediately.

— I need to speak with all of you, — he said calmly, his voice carrying that natural authority mixed with deep empathy. — Last night, a young woman was brought into the hospital. Her name is Y/N. She was bitten… by one of our kind. The venom has taken hold. She’s transforming.—

Esme’s hands stilled on the flowers. — Oh, honey. Is she alright?—

— She’s stable for now, — he replied, moving to stand beside his wife. — I eased her pain as much as I could, the same way I did for each of you. But the change is progressing. She’s strong-willed. Confused. And… there’s something more.—

Rosalie straightened instantly, her beautiful face hardening with defensiveness. — You’re not seriously considering bringing a newborn into this house, are you? We barely keep control as it is. A fresh vampire — especially one bitten by some rogue nomad. She could expose us all.—

Esme turned, her expression warm and immediate. — Rosie, we can’t just leave her to suffer alone. She’s innocent in this. Carlisle helped you when you needed it most. We’re a family. We help.—

Edward closed the piano lid with a soft click, his voice calm but firm. — You were in that exact position when Carlisle found you, Rose. Burning for days, terrified, with no one who understood what was happening to you. Would you have wanted us to turn our backs then?—

Rosalie shot him a sharp look. — That was different. I didn’t ask for any of it. And we’ve worked hard to build the life we have here. A newborn could ruin everything.

Emmett stopped tossing the ball and grinned, though his eyes were serious. — Hold up. If she was bitten recently, that means there’s at least one new vampire in the area we don’t know about. Hunting on our territory. —

Carlisle nodded. — That’s what concerns me. The bite wasn’t from any of us. A nomad, most likely. I covered it as best I could at the hospital — told her friends she’s in a coma from an unknown toxin. But we need to be careful.

Just then, the front door opened. Alice and Jasper stepped inside, their clothes slightly muddied from the hunt. Alice’s pixie-like face was tense, Jasper right behind her radiating calm influence to balance the room.

— We felt the tension from outside, — Alice said quickly, her eyes darting around. — What did we miss?—

Carlisle filled them in briefly. Jasper’s military posture stiffened slightly, while Alice tilted her head, visions flickering.

— We found traces while hunting, — Jasper reported, voice steady. — Several attacks. Animal carcasses drained sloppily, and a couple of human campers with bite marks. Someone’s being reckless out there.—

Alice nodded, confirming. — New vampires. At least two or three, moving through the area. —

The room grew quieter. Rosalie muttered something under her breath about complications, but Esme placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

Before anyone could respond further, Emmett grabbed the local newspaper from the side table and flipped it open. His expression darkened.

— Guys… this is bad. Listen to this. — He read aloud: — “Young woman from hiking group found unconscious and later pronounced dead at Forks Hospital. Officials report suspicious bite marks on the neck, raising concerns of possible animal attack or foul play in the area. Tourism officials urge caution in the woods…”—

Carlisle’s face grew grave. He took the paper, scanning it quickly. The article mentioned Y/N’s name indirectly through the group, the hiking trip, and the unexplained “coma” turning fatal in the report. Someone had clearly leaked or twisted details.

— This is going to draw attention, — Carlisle said quietly. — The town is already suspicious after everything that’s happened in recent years. If the Volturi hears about uncontrolled bites and a possible newborn outbreak on our territory… they will come for us. We need to decide how to handle Y/N carefully. She may not have three full days if word spreads.—

Edward stood up. — We can’t abandon her. Not if she’s already changing.—

Outside, hidden in the trees near the hospital, Victoria and James watched and waited, the mate bond pulling them harder towards the girl who was now caught between two worlds.