#swan!reader

*Seth’s POV*

The bonfire smelled like saltwater, smoke, and wet cedar. It clung to everything, my hoodie, the sand beneath my sneakers, the cold night air rolling in from First Beach. I liked it. Most people from Forks avoided La Push after dark unless they were heading to the beach party, but I always loved nights like this. Loud laughter, crashing waves, embers floating into the sky like tiny stars. 

Emily stood near the fire pit, passing paper plates around while Quil and Embry argued over music choices. Jared was trying to steal food directly off the grill despite Kim slapping his hand away every five seconds. It was normal. Well, as normal as things ever got when you’re secretly a giant wolf. 

I leaned back against the driftwood log, grinning while Brady lost spectacularly at trying to toss bottle caps into an empty soda can. Then the familiar roar of a motorcycle echoed down the road. Jacob. I looked up automatically. The old rabbit-red truck following behind the bike made me blink. Bella Swan. That wasn’t surprising anymore. Bella came around pretty often now. The surprising part was the second girl climbing out of the truck. I frowned slightly. She looked younger than Bella, smaller too. Dark brown hair whipping around her face in the ocean wind. Oversized green hoodie swallowing her frame whole. Converse half-covered in sand, the second she stepped onto the beach. She glanced around uncertainly, staying close to Bella. 

“Bella brought company?” Embry muttered. 

Jacob parked the bike and pulled his helmet off. “Don’t start.” 

“I wasn’t starting anything.” 

“You were literally starting something.” 

I barely heard them, because the second the girl laughed softly at something Bella said, the entire world stopped. Not metaphorically, actually stopped. The sound of waves disappeared. The fire vanished. The pack voices in my head cut into static. And suddenly there was only her. 

The girl looked up. Brown eyes. Warm, curious, nervous, beautiful. I forgot how to breathe. My heart slammed once against my ribs so hard it physically hurt. Then again. Again. Oh. Oh. No way… No freaking way… The realization hit like a truck. Imprinting. I heard the stories my whole life. Sam and Emily. Jared and Kim. Quil and Claire. The instant certainty. The complete inability to look away. The horrifying, Earth-shattering understanding that your entire life had just changed forever. I had always secretly thought it sounded exaggerated. It wasn’t. Because suddenly every molecule in my body oriented toward one thing. Her. Protect her. Stay near her. Make her smile. Make sure she never looks sad again.

My wolf exploded awake inside me so violently I nearly staggered. Across the beach, every member of the pack froze because they heard it. Every single horrifying thought. 

“Oh my God…” Embry choked aloud. 

“NO WAY!” Quil shouted. 

Jared burst out laughing so hard he nearly fell over. Jacob’s head whipped toward me instantly. I could practically feel the collective psychic whiplash slam through the bond. SETH IMPRINTED! HOLY CRAP! She’s tiny. Dude, he looks like he’s gonna pass out. I wanted to die. I was still staring. I couldn’t stop staring. 

The girl shifted awkwardly under the attention. “Um…” 

Bella looked between us in confusion. Jacob swore quietly under his breath. The girl looked at me again, eyebrows pulling together slightly. 

“Is he okay?” 

Bella turned toward Jacob immediately. “Jake?” 

Jacob rubbed a hand over his face. “Yeah, he’s fine, uh…” He pointed vaguely toward the trees. 

“Give us a second.” 

I still hadn’t moved. I couldn’t move. Her face scrunched slightly in concern. It was the cutest thing I had ever seen in my entire existence. 

Dude, stop staring before you scare her. Embry thought hysterically. 

I CAN’T! 

That only made Jared laugh harder. 

“Okay…” Bella said slowly, clearly confused. 

Jacob marched straight toward me, grabbed my shoulder, and turned me around. The second the girl, Y/N, that was her name apparently, left my line of sight, the rest of the world crashed violently back into place. Noise, wind, cold, my heartbeat. 

“Breathe, you idiot.” Jacob hissed. 

“I am breathing.” 

“You are absolutely not.” Leah said. 

I inhaled so sharply it almost became a wheeze. Quil was openly crying-laughing now. 

“Shut up!” I snapped automatically. 

“You imprinted!” Quil yelled. 

“I know!” 

“On Bella Swan’s baby sister!” 

Embry looked delighted. “Awww, Seth’s in loooove.” 

“I will literally kill you.” 

“You can’t.” Jared said smugly. “Imprinters are legally prohibited from murder.” 

“That’s not a thing!” 

“It should be…” 

I dragged both hands down my face. My entire body felt electric, like every nerve ending had been set on fire. I could still smell her perfume in the air, something soft and floral mixed with rain. I was doomed. Sam, Jacob, and Leah looked far less amused than the others. Sam folded his arms across his chest, expression somewhere between exhausted and sympathetic. 

“Okay. Everybody, calm down before you scare the poor girl off.” 

“I’m calm.” I argued automatically. 

“You’re vibrating.” Leah deadpanned. 

I looked down, my leg was bounding so aggressively the sand around my sneaker was shifting. 

“Oh…” 

Embry snorted. Jacob pinched the bridge of his nose again. “Can we maybe not make this worse?” 

“Too late.” Jared said cheerfully. 

Quil grinned at me. “So when’s the wedding?” 

I lunged at him. He yelped and darted backward while the other laughed. 

“Seth!” 

“I’m gonna kill him!” 

Sam stepped between us before I could tackle Quil. “Enough!” 

The Alpha voice slid into his tone just enough to make everybody straighten automatically, even me. Sam sighed heavily once we were quiet again. 

“Seth, breathe. Focus.” 

“I am focused.” 

The pack snickered. I galred at all of them. Sam ignored the chaos and looked at me more carefully. Unlike the others, he wasn’t teasing anymore. 

“You know what this means, right?” 

My chest tightened instantly. Yeah, I knew. Imprinting wasn’t just some crush. It wasn’t temporary. It wasn’t optional. It was forever, and somehow that didn’t scare me nearly as much as it probably should have. Because the idea of never seeing Y/N again already felt impossible. Sam’s expression softened slightly like he could read the panic written all over my face. 

“First thing, stop acting like she’s made of glass.” 

“I’m not-” 

“You are.” 

I opened my mouth. Closed it again, because maybe I was. Okay, definitely. 

“She’s still a person.” Sam continued. “She’s gonna get nervous if you stare at her like she personally controls the moon.” 

Embry wheezed laughing behind me. I ignored him, mostly because Sam was right. I probably looked insane. Sam leaned back against one of the rocks. 

“Imprinting doesn’t erase who she is. Doesn’t mean she loses choices. It just means your wolf decided she’s the center of your universe now.” 

That… sounded horrifyingly accurate, actually. 

“And before your brain melts completely.” Leah added dryly. “No, you don’t have to immediately become some creepy obsessed stalker.” 

“Leah.” Jacob warned. 

“What? I’m helping.” She rolled her eyes. 

I rubbed my hands over my face again. “Okay, but what do I actually do?” 

“Nothing.” Sam answered immediately. 

I blinked. “What?” 

“You let her set the pace.” 

That shut me up. Sam’s voice got more serious. 

“Listen carefully, Seth. Imprinting feels overwhelming for us, not them. She didn’t ask for this. She doesn’t even know what imprinting really means yet.” 

Guilt twisted in my stomach immediately, because yeah, from Y/N’s perspective, some random guy on a beach had basically blue-screened staring at her. Fantastic first impression. Sam must’ve noticed my expression because his tone softened again. 

“Relax. You didn’t do anything wrong.” 

“Yet.” Leah muttered. 

“Leah!” 

She shrugged unapologetically. Jacob finally pushed off the tree beside us. 

“Bella kinda already told her about us anyway, so at least we don’t have to explain the wolf thing.” 

Sam’s head snapped toward him so fast it almost blurred. “She what?” 

Jacob immediately looked like he regretted speaking. 

“Bella told Y/N about us.” He repeated cautiously. 

Sam stared at him. “Bella isn’t supposed to tell anyone.” 

Jacob lifted both hands defensively. “It’s okay, Y/N’s chill. Like Bella.” 

Leah barked out a laugh. “Bella is not chill.” 

Jacob pointed at her dramatically. “You know what I mean.” 

“No, I really don’t.” Leah said. 

Jacob sighed. “Okay, she’s not chill in the same sense Bella is.” 

Bella’s version of chill mostly involved willingly hanging around vampires and jumping off cliffs, apparently. 

Leah crossed her arms. “Then what does that even mean?” 

Jacob glanced toward the bonfire where Y/N sat perched on a driftwood log near Emily, quietly listening while Kim talked to her. And my stupid imprinting brain immediately focused on her again. God… even from here she looked beautiful with firelight flickering across her face. I was hopeless. 

Jacob snorted softly. “She’s kinda got the same energy as Seth, just not as puppy-like.” 

“Hey!” I protested. The entire pack burst into laughter. 

Embry clutched his chest dramatically. “Oh my God, that’s the perfect description!” 

“You literally got excited over toaster waffles.” Leah added. 

“That happened one time!” 

“It happened yesterday.” Jared corrected. 

I glared at all of them while they laughed harder. 

Jacob shook his head. “You know what I mean. She’s energetic, loud once she gets comfortable, kind of sarcastic.” 

That made me pause. Sarcastic? For some reason, that immediately made me like her even more. Fantastic. I was doomed in every possible direction. My attention snapped back toward the bonfire when Bella started walking toward us. Y/N stayed behind, sitting on the leg, tugging the sleeves of her hoodie over her hands while Emily talked to her softly. Every instinct in me screamed to go sit beside her. Instead, I stayed rooted exactly where I was because Sam’s warning echoed in my head. Let her set the pace. Bella stopped in front of Jacob, arms crossed tightly. 

“Jake, what’s going on?” 

Jacob visibly braced himself. “Uh…” 

Bella narrowed her eyes immediately. “Jacob.” 

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly. “Remember how I told you about imprinting a few months ago?” 

Bella blinked once. “Yeah?” 

Jacob pointed directly at me. “Well… Seth kind of imprinted on your sister.” 

Bella stared at him. Then at me. Then slowly back toward Y/N, sitting by the fire. 

“Oh my God.” 

My stomach stopped straight into the sand. Bella looked utterly horrified for half a second before her expression shifted into disbelief. 

“Wait, seriously?” 

Jake nodded cautiously. 

Embry stage-whispered. “He stared at her so hard I thought he was gonna pass away.” 

“I hate you.” I muttered. 

Bella ignored us entirely, still staring at me. “You imprinted on Y/N?” 

“Yeah…” There was no point denying it. 

To my complete shock, Bella didn’t freak out. Instead, she looked weirdly fascinated. 

“That’s why everyone froze?” 

“Yeah.” Jake said tiredly. 

Bella looked back at me slowly. And then, to my horror, she started laughing. Not in a mean way, more like shocked laughter. 

“Oh my God!” She wheezed. “Y/N is never gonna let you live this down.” 

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked cautiously. 

Bella grinned suddenly. “She’s gonna tease you so bad once she realized you’re nervous around her.” 

The back immediately erupted again. 

“He is nervous!” Jared yelled. 

“I am not!” 

“You almost inhaled your own tongue!” 

“That didn’t happen!” 

Bella was still laughing now, shaking her head. “Poor Seth.” 

Poor Seth!? I was being attacked! Emotionally attacked! Sam looked mildly relieved Bella wasn’t panicking. 

“You’re okay with this?” 

Bella’s laughter faded into something more thoughtful as she glanced back toward her sister. Y/N was smiling faintly at something Emily said now, shoulders now relaxed than before. Bella softened immediately. 

“She liked you guys already.” 

My heart nearly exploded. “What?” 

Bella looked back at me. “She’s shy around new people. If she didn’t like you, she’d be hiding behind me right now.” 

The amount of hope that slammed into my chest should’ve been illegal. Bella smirked slightly before looking back toward Y/N again. Then her expression shifted into protective older-sister mode. 

“But if you hurt her, I’ll kill you.” She said calmly. 

Jake immediately barked out laughing. 

“Bella.” Sam warned. 

“What? I’m serious.” 

“I won’t hurt her.” I said quietly, and I meant it so fiercely it physically hurt. Bella studied me for a long moment, then finally nodded once. 

“Okay.” 

For a second no one moved. Then Embry clapped his hands together loudly. 

“Alright! Emotional trauma over. Back to the bonfire!” 

“Thank God…” Leah muttered. 

Jared slung an arm around my shoulders as everybody started heading back toward the fire. “So, you gonna actually talk to her now or just stare at her until she gets a restraining order?” 

“I hate this pack.” 

“No you don’t.” 

The closer we got to the bonfire, the harder my heart pounded. Y/N was still sitting on the driftwood log beside Emily, one sneaker absently kicking against the sand while Kim talked animatedly beside her. The firelight flickered across her face. God. Every time I looked at her it felt like getting hit by a truck. Emily noticed us approaching first. Her eyes flicked between me and Y/N knowingly before she smiled softly. 

“Everything sorted out?” 

“Debatable.” Jacob muttered. 

Bella immediately walked over to her sister while the rest of us awkwardly hovered nearby like complete idiots. Y/N looked up the second we approached. Her eyes landed on me for barely half a second before she smiled politely. My brain shut off again. 

“Hi.” She said. 

“Oh my God! He’s buffering!” Quil thought through the link. I elbowed him hard without looking away from her. 

“Ow!” 

Y/N blinked in confusion. Bella looked like she was actively trying not to laugh again. 

“Y/N,” Jacob said quickly before I could humiliate myself further. “this is everybody. That’s Embry, Jared, Quil, Paul, Sam, Emily, Kim, Leah, and her little brother Seth.” 

Everyone waved or nodded. 

Y/N smiled shyly. “Hi.” 

Embry immediately grinned. “You’re way calmer about this than Bella was.” 

Bella rolled her eyes. “I was perfectly calm.” 

“You punched Paul in the face.” 

“That was unrelated.” 

“It literally was not.” 

Y/N laughed softly. The sound hit me straight in the chest. Again. Everything about her did. Emily scooted slightly on the driftwood log, making room. 

“Sit down before you all start making the girl uncomfortable.” 

I hesitated for maybe half a second before carefully sitting beside Y/N. Not too close, but not far enough away that my wolf liked it. Her shoulder was maybe six inches from mine. I was hyperaware of every inch. 

“So…” She said after a moment, glancing at me sideways. “you feeling less like you’re about to faint now?” 

The entire pack went dead silent, then exploded laughing. 

“Oh, she’s definitely like Seth!” Embry wheezed. 

My face instantly felt like it was on fire. 

“I wasn’t gonna faint.” I mumbled. 

“You kinda looked like you were.” She admitted. 

“I hate all of you.” 

“You keep saying that.” Leah said dryly. 

Y/N smiled a little wider at that. A tiny victory, I clung to it immediately. Bella sat across from us on another log, watching with the most entertained expression I’ve ever seen on her face. Y/N tucked a stand of her hair behind her ear and looked back at me curiously. 

“So, how long have you all known each other?” 

“Forever basically.” I answered automatically. “La Push is small.” 

“That explains why you all act like siblings.” 

“We’re emotionally codependent.” Jared said solemnly. 

“Speak for yourself.” Leah muttered. 

“You threatened Paul with a tire iron last week.” 

“He deserved it.” 

Y/N laughed again. Okay, maybe Bella was right because once she relaxed a little she really did have the same kind of energy as me. Sarcastic, easy laughter, warm, and I was absolutely screwed. 

“So,” Y/N said after another minute, glancing between all of us. “do bonfires here always turn into group interventions or was today special?” 

Embry pointed directly at me. “Special.” 

I groaned. Y/N looked amused now more than nervous. 

“You guys keep saying weird things like that.” 

“Because Seth’s being weird.” Quil said immediately. 

“I am not!” 

Y/N looked between us slowly, eyebrows pulling together in confusion. 

“Okay seriously, what’s up with you, dude?” 

Every single wolf at the bonfire went silent. 

Oh no. 

I froze. “Um…” I said intelligently. 

Y/N waited. 

“Uh…” 

Bella finally took pity on me, or maybe she just wanted chaos. Probably both. She leaned forward slightly, looking directly at her sister. 

“He imprinted on you.” 

The world stopped again. My eyes widened instantly. Y/N’s eyes widened too. The crackling bonfire suddenly sounded way too loud. 

“...What?” 

Bella pointed vaguely toward me. “The wolf soulmate thing Jacob told me about it.” 

Y/N blinked once. Twice. Then very slowly turned toward me. I wanted the Earth to swallow me whole. Now she knew, like actually knew. And suddenly I couldn’t breathe again because what if this freaked her out? What if- 

“Oh…” She said softly. 

I braced for panic. Instead she looked… stunned. Not upset, just stunned. Her gaze flicked over my face carefully, almost like she was trying to piece things together. 

“That’s…” She let out a short nervous laugh. “Wow.” 

“I can explain!” I blurted immediately. 

Embry made a strangled noise behind me. I ignored him. 

“It’s not like… I mean it is… but not in a creepy way!” I was actively dying. 

“God, that sounded creepy…” 

Y/N stared at me for another second, then suddenly her lips twitched. And before I could process it, she laughed. Not mocking or uncomfortable, just genuinely surprised laughter. 

“Well, I didn’t expect to be someone’s soulmate today.” She said, pulling her sleeves further over her hands. My brain completely stopped functioning. The entire pack went emotionally feral in my head. 

Oh my God! She called herself his soulmate! 

Seth is gonna pass out! 

Look at his face!” 

I buried my face in my hands. 

Please stop talking. 

Y/N laughed harder. Sitting there beside her, listening to that sound while the fire crackled and the ocean roared behind us, I realized something terrifying. Sam was right. My whole world really had changed in a single second. And somehow… I didn’t mind at all. 

“I transferred some money into your account,” Charlie said as he fussed over his daughter's jacket. “I also put some cash in your purse in case you guys get too hungry.”  

“Dad, I’m not five,” (Y/N) chuckled. “And we're just gonna go out to find a dress. We'll be back in time for the party.” 

“Well, I know. I just want to make sure you girls have everything you need,” he said. “And I want to make sure you're feeling okay about the talk you're gonna have with your sister.”  

Right. The talk. The week had come and gone faster than (Y/N) could have anticipated, and somehow the weekend had arrived. (Y/N) was ready to tell Bella everything, but she wasn’t quite ready for the aftermath. She wasn’t ready for pity, sadness, or concern. Hell, she didn't even want anger. All she wanted was to be done with the situation. “I think I'm good,” she smiled, trying her best to calm her father's worries. “After talking to you and Billy, I'm ready.”  

“Well, I'm glad, sweetheart,” Charlie sighed, hugging his daughter tightly.  

“You ready to go, (Y/N)?” Bella asked as she sauntered down the last stairs. “We got a bit of a drive.”  

“Yeah, just done.”  

“Alright,” she said. “We'll call when we're done, dad.” 

“Be safe, girls,” he said before placing a kiss on the top of both their heads. "And grab some breakfast, alright? Make sure you eat.”  

“Yes, dad,” Bella chuckled. “We'll see you later.”  

“Alright, see you soon,” he said as they walked toward the door. “Love you, girls.”  

“Love you, too,” they yelled back.  

The dynamic between the three Swans had shifted for the better. For the first time in a long time, they were vocal about their appreciation for each other. They had become a unit and less of three ships navigating the same sea. Finally, they were sailing together. Even if it was only for a short amount of time, they were a unit.  

“I'm thinking we could grab a bite at Granny's Diner,” Bella said halfway into the drive. They had been sitting in comfortable silence. Biding their time to see who would speak first. “They have some outside dining, and it might be the best place to talk. Unless, you know, you wanna do it now.” 

“I'll wait for the restaurant,” (Y/N) answered. “Don't really feel like talking about life before I've gotten some food in my stomach.”  

“It won't change the story,” her sister shrugged. “We could save ourselves an hour of coffee sipping.”  

Truthfully, (Y/N) wanted to wait until they were in a public space to avoid Bella turning the car around and killing Jacob herself. She could sense her sister was itching for the truth, unravelling under the weight of all the theories her mind was coming up with, and none of it would ever compare to reality. The moment she found out, there was no telling how she would react. “I just need the time to compose myself,” she said. “Can I?”   

“Yeah,” her sister smiled, reaching over to take her hand in his. “I just don’t want any more secrets between us, (Y/N). I want the rest of this year to be better. For you. For me. For us.”  

“I want that, too, Bella,” she replied. “We deserve calm for a while.”  

Quiet and calm were, of course, a mirage in Forks. It never lasted long, and it normally meant something big was lurking around the corner. But for a few more hours, even a few more days, they could pretend or believe it could be their future. A world where they were simply two girls, one on her way to college and the other buying her first prom dress.  

Thirty more minutes of background music, and the odd nod-off from (Y/N), and Bella was parking across the little diner. There was only one table outside, as though the very universe had conspired to make everything just right. Truth was making its way into the light, and after that day, nothing would ever be the same.  

The sisters took a seat and ordered promptly, nursing two mugs neither girl seemed too interested in. Procrastination ran in Swan veins, and they were experts at beating around the bush instead of getting to the point. But that morning, Bella would not tolerate it.  

“Okay then,” she said, finally taking a small sip of her tea, “what did Jacob really do?”  

(Y/N) sighed deeply, spinning the spoon inside her coffee with too much milk as she braced herself to tell the story. Hopefully, for the last time. “Where do you want me to start?” the girl asked. “From the very beginning, or what Edward and Paul were talking about?” 

“From the start,” Bella responded. “I need to know everything he's done to you, (Y/N).” 

And, once more, the younger Swan detailed the horrendous couple of months she spent alongside Jacob Black. She started with the good things. Because there were some, even if she could count them in one hand. There had been the crush she had harbored since she was a kid—the fluttering in her chest when she heard his name, the heat that rushed through her body when she was able to be near him, the happiness the idea of being with him brought her. There was the moment she saw him when she came back to Forks—the moment everything had rushed back, the joy and excitement of being in his arms for even a second. And there was their first kiss. Everything was so small in retrospect, but they were moments that had meant the world to her in the past. They were part of her history. She could never deny that.  

Still, there was an evil that undermined any of the sweet words, the warm kisses, and the fulfillment of a lifelong wish. And it didn't take long for that dark side to take over. (Y/N) told her sister about the sly and insulting comments he would throw her way, and how good he was at making her feel like she deserved to hear them. Told her about his misconstrued concern for Bella, how he could derail every single one of their conversations with her. She spoke of his belittlement, of his gaslighting, and his unachievable ultimatum.  

During all of this, Bella remained quiet, her grip on her mug getting tighter the more her sister talked. She wanted to give (Y/N) the space and time to let everything out, scared that if she spoke up, her sister would close up and hide the rest. As hard as it was, she had to bite her tongue to get the truth. The whole truth.  

“After I couldn't get Embry out of the pack, he stopped calling and coming over,” (Y/N) continued. “That's when you and he started hanging out again. Well, you already know that part. When we went to his house, and everything went down, he wanted us to get back together, but I wasn't sure I wanted that—not anymore. Still, he kissed me, and I didn't know how to say no.”  

Bella's jaw clenched, but instead of talking, she nodded to her sister to keep going. “He was different then, but so was I,” she sighed. “I didn't feel anything for him, and still, I tried to find what I felt for him in the past. But it was gone, and everyone was telling me to leave him.  “I tried many times, but something always happened that didn't let me,” she chuckled dryly. “Until the night after we almost drowned. I was telling him the truth, that I didn't feel the same about him, and I had to let him go. He didn't like that.”  

She told Bella how Jacob had only wanted to get close to (Y/N) just so he could get closer to her, how he only tried to fix things with her because Bella had wanted that. Then, he told her how Paul was still keeping things from her, that he was lying right to her face. “I couldn't handle it, and I took off running,” (Y/N) sniffled, feeling tears welling in her eyes as she remembered the moment. “I don't know how long I was running, I just knew I had to get as far away as I could from his house. My legs were burning, and I could barely breathe when I suddenly tripped over a raised root and fell.   “I was all alone in the forest. Until I wasn't,” she said. Her hands trembled around her cup, the liquid inside rippling as her nerves took over her body. “Victoria found me.”  

“What?!” Bella exclaimed, unable to contain her worry. It dripped from her words and splattered on her face, her hand reaching for her sister's instinctively. “Why didn't you tell me?”  

“I didn't know how without telling you the whole thing,” (Y/N) replied, her voice cracking as the tears started to fall. “She was close to killing me. She said she wanted to kill me to hurt you, that somehow my death would hurt you and make it better when she killed you.   “I was sure that was it. Victoria had her hands around my throat, even slicing into my skin.” She raised her head slowly, revealing the scar that still remained at the top of her neck. “I passed out before I could see anything else, but Paul found me. Sam and Embry joined him later, and they helped him run her out of town. I was asleep until after Harry's funeral.”  

“Oh, (Y/N).”  

“That's not the worst part, Bells,” she sighed, squeezing her hand to ground herself. “When I was ready to go home, Embry came around and told us something we didn't notice. While Victoria was attacking me, Jake was there.”  

“W-what are you saying, (Y/N)?” 

“While Jacob was on patrol with Embry, he let visions slip from the night before,” she recounted, her chin trembling with every word. “He was running to the woods after he left you at home. He was angry, Embry said. That's when he happened upon Victoria attacking me. He could have stopped her. At least, scare her long enough for reinforcements to come. Instead, he stayed hidden, watching as she took my life. He'd said it was because he thought if I died, your grief would push you to find comfort in him.”  

The older girl remained silent, anger building inside her like a volcano about to erupt. She could see why (Y/N) had decided to talk in a public space rather than in the car. Her veins itched with the need to get back in the car and yell at Jake until her voice was hoarse, hit him until her hands shattered into a million pieces. She wanted him to hurt for all the pain he had put her sister through.  

"I wanted to tell you right after it happened, but Alice was there,” the girl sobbed. “You had something more important to get to, and I couldn't stop you. After that, I couldn't find the courage to tell you the truth. I spent days stewing in what I allowed to be done to me, and I felt like an idiot. Something inside me kept telling me that telling the truth would make me look stupid, so I just kept quiet.  “And then I found out how everyone had turned on Jake, and I couldn't help but feel responsible,” she continued. “I didn't want to ruin the last relationship he had by telling you the truth, too. So, I kept it to myself and hoped he didn't say anything.”  

“(Y/N), there is no one more important in my life than you,” Bella croaked, her throat feeling tighter as her sister continued to talk. “I'm sorry I couldn't see how much you were hurting. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. I'm just sorry for not being the sister you deserve.”  

“No, Bells, you have nothing to be sorry for,” the girl said. “I made the decision not to tell you, okay? And I wasn't alone. I had Paul to help me, and dad and uncle Billy. You had your own problems to deal with. I mean, just with the whole vampire thing...”  

“(Y/N), you almost died, and I had no idea,” Bella said, tears falling from her eyes. “I could have lost you, and I didn't know. My friend left you for dead, and I didn't know. You came out all this way for me, you almost died, and still you were looking out for me.”   

“It's not like I really helped you,” (Y/N) chuckled softly. “I mostly complained to dad about you. If anything, it's Jacob that got you out of this rut.”  

“You're wrong,” Bella smiled. “It was you.”  

“Oh, come on.”  

“I'm serious,” she said. “Jacob and I mostly talked about you, (Y/N). You knew that going back to Florida would kill me, and instead of letting mom drag me back, you left your life behind and came here for me. I know I haven't said it, and I didn't quite show it when you first came here, but I was so relieved when dad said you were coming to Forks. You're the reason I pulled myself out, (Y/N). Not Jacob. Not Edward. You.”  

(Y/N) wanted to argue, but Bella stopped her before a word could leave her mouth. “I know you don't believe me, and you find it difficult to take a compliment,” she chuckled. “But even if you did complain at the start—which I don't really mind—you still showed me that I would be okay without Edward. There are other people out there who love me enough to drop everything and be there for me. You're why it stopped being hard to be here.”  

“You're giving me too much credit, Bells,” (Y/N) said, feeling her face grow warmer as the seconds passed. “But I'll take it, nonetheless. I'm glad you're better.”  

“And I'm glad you're alive,” she smiled. “And when we get back, I'm killing Jacob.”  

The younger girl choked on her coffee at her words, scaring the waitress who had just arrived with their plates. The poor woman left with a red face and a heart that was probably hammering against her chest. Laughter erupted between the Swan sisters, hoping the server didn't hear the last bit of their conversation.  

“You can't kill Jake, by the way,” (Y/N) whispered as they started on their food. “I told you everything so we could lay it all to rest. I don't want anyone to go after him to get revenge or whatever. I just want that nightmare to be over. He's had a reckoning of his own creation.”  

“What do you mean?”  

“Well, Sam's been giving him extra patrols,” she said. Part of her was debating telling Bella what had occurred the weekend before, knowing it would only make her sister's anger grow. But she had promised the whole truth, and Bella was the only person she didn't want to keep things from—not anymore. “He's been sleeping in his garage, too. Billy barely talks to him. And, well, Paul is always just one word away from killing him.”  

“How do you know he's sleeping in the garage?” 

“Uh, well, when I dropped off Paul last weekend, I went by Billy's to talk to him,” she explained, her eyes focusing on anything but Bella. “As I was leaving, Jake showed up and asked me to talk.”  

"(Y/N),” Bella reprimanded.  

“He was basically trying to convince me not to talk to you, and he got a bit forceful.” Before Bella could complain or react much, (Y/N) shut her down. What she wanted most was to show her sister that she could handle herself. That the girl she was now was stronger than the one who had arrived to help mend her sister's broken heart. “He just grabbed my wrists, but I freed myself. He was trying to make everything my fault again, but I shut it down. And I am 100% sure he won't even come near me ever again.”  

Bella kept quiet for a second, thoughts flashing across her eyes like a blazing fire. “You know, I could probably get Edward to kill him,” she whispered. “Get him out of the state, and poof.”  

“Bells!” (Y/N) exclaimed. “You can't joke about something like that. And you can't leave Paul out of it either.”  

Both sisters erupted into a chorus of laughter once more, pretending the plan was only a funny quip to pass the time. Maybe she was imagining it, but (Y/N) felt the air around them get lighter. Now that everything was on the table, the dark cloud that seemed to hang above them dispersed and only bright and sunny skies were forecasted ahead—as sunny as it could get. It had been years since either Swan had been hopeful for the future, but at that moment, anything they dreamed of was possible.  

But they forgot about the world they lived in.  

Once they were done with their food and had apologized to the waitress with a hefty tip, the girls started their walk toward the dress shop. “So,” Bella said, linking her arm with (Y/N)'s, "what color were you thinking for the dress?”  

“Well, Paul's favorite color is red,” she said, trying to keep her smile small. “I was thinking of something in that realm.”  

“That's a good start,” Bella laughed. “Are you gonna go short or long?”  

“Long, I think is best. It is his senior prom.”  

“I wouldn't know,” she sighed dramatically. “I didn't go to mine.”  

“Well, maybe you shouldn't have gone to Italy to rescue your vampire boyfriend,” (Y/N) teased. “Thankfully, mine is more into fistfights than dramatic spectacles.” 

“Yeah, yeah,” Bella chuckled sarcastically. “He's my ex, by the way. Better get that clear.”  

“And is he gonna stay that way?”  

“Oh, look,” Bella exclaimed. “We're here!” 

The shop was smaller than other stores (Y/N) had been to, but compared to anything in Forks, it had quite the selection. As soon as they stepped inside, they were inundated with sequins and satin, beads and lace, and rows upon rows of fabric. It was slightly overwhelming, and they were completely underqualified for the task, but they had to start somewhere.  

Twenty minutes in, and (Y/N) was ready to throw in the towel. There were many red dresses—long, short, slim, puffy. It was more than she could ask for. But none of them called to her. Bella pulled dress after dress, sticking her arm into the overflowing racks and showing her sister options, but none seemed to be the one. They knew neither of them was particularly adept in the fashion department, but the girl at least knew what she liked, and nothing quite fit the bill.  

“You have to pick something, (Y/N),” Bella sighed, her arms growing sore from the gowns she had been holding. “At least, try them on. They might look different.” 

“They’re just not right,” she complained. “I want to look good.” 

“I know, but…” Bella’s words died in her mouth as her eyes fell on a figure across the street. They were unmistakable and stood out like a sore thumb. “What is Alice doing here?” 

(Y/N) swiftly turned around, her eyes falling on the vampire who sat on a bench on the other side of the store. She held a newspaper over half of her face in a failed attempt at concealing her identity, but she couldn’t hide everything else. From the clothes to the hair, to the big designer sunglasses that hung on her nose. It was Alice Cullen, and it could be no one else. “Is she following us?” the girl whispered. “Did she hear about our plans?”  

“I don’t know,” she answered as she put the dresses back on the rack. “But I intend to find out.”  

Next ->

A/N: in my head, Bella at least lands a good punch on Jacob that doesn't break her hand. but finally she gets to know everything, hopefully nothing else happens. hahaha... right? 🫣 If you’d like to be tagged in this or any other story:  click here Make sure you have my notifications on so you know every time I post!

reluctantly, he had obliged, dressing up in a white button-down and black dress pants before carefully styling his hair, so he would look every bit the respectable, young, future-businessman that his father expected him to be.

the ride to the party was filled with yes dad's and nodding in agreement to being on his best behavior as his father reminded him for the millionth time that he had a reputation to uphold, which meant his children were to be the epitome of perfect to ensure his spotless reputation stayed just that.

rafe had expected the dreadfully awful music and the awkward introductions and small talk with people he couldn't care less about. he expected the lack of booze strong enough to get him drunk enough that he could at least semi-enjoy the boring social affairs. he even expected the lingering glances from middle-aged women who had been dragged to this lifeless event by their equally lifeless husbands. what he hadn't expected, however, was you.

when he first laid his eyes on you, he had found himself wondering how he'd ever missed you in the first place. you were laughing courteously at a joke that a balding man, probably in his fifties or sixties, had appeared very proud of. your smile seemed to light up the entire room, breathing life into the party that had otherwise been soulless and unpleasant.

your poise and grace was evident simply by the way you carried yourself, smiling sincerely at everyone that met your eye while also keeping yourself engaged in the surely dull conversation you were having with the older man.

he found himself oddly drawn to you, captivated by not just your beauty but the way you seemed to shift the atmosphere in the room simply by existing. he knew he needed to speak to you, and more than that, he needed to have you. it took just feasting his eyes upon you for him to begin to crave the feel of your delicate skin under his rough hands and your earnest and warm eyes on his own.

before he could stop himself, his legs were moving in long, purposeful strides toward you, uncaring that interrupting your conversation would be considered rude and unbecoming.

"can i steal away a moment with the lady?" the words fell from his lips smoothly, a confident smile tugging at his lips as he observed your eyes shift to him and widen ever-so-slightly in surprise. his eyes trailed down the expanse of your neck, lingering on your pearls for a moment as he imagined littering your perfect skin with bright red hickies that would have you blushing and whining about what your poor parents would think if they saw.

"we were actually in the middle-" you began to object, but the man across from you swiftly cut you off.

"of course, mr. cameron," he nodded, recognizing rafe as ward's son. no one wanted to mess with the wealthiest and most powerful man in kildare, and that usually extended to his children.

a frown tugged at your lips as you watched the man scurry off to find someone else to bother. of course, you knew rafe cameron. he had quite the reputation around the island as a party boy and total manwhore of epic proportions. you didn't typically listen to the rumors about people that danced from ear to ear of gossipy teenagers and housewives with no better ways to spend their time alike, but you had made an exception for him.

"problem, sweetheart?" he taunted, his gentlemanly attitude dropped and replaced with his usual arrogant and entitled demeanor—the very same one that usually had women falling at his feet.

you simply raised an eyebrow at him, clearly less than amused at his behavior. "it's rude to interrupt people's private conversations," you ignored the pet named he'd condescendingly assigned you.

he crossed his arms, leaning back against the doorway as he studied you for a moment. he had noticed it when he first approached—that slight pull downward on your lips the moment you laid eyes on him—and it was ever-present now that you two were engaged in a conversation of your own. "you don't like me, do you?" he pondered aloud. "now, i wonder why that would be," he grinned wolfishly, not deterred by the fact one bit.

"well, you haven't exactly wooed me with your charm thus far," you retorted, crossing your own arms.

"hm," he hummed, his head lifting and falling subtly in a small nod as his eyes darted to the way your crossed arms in defiance pushed your tits together—a fact you didn't seem to realize as you stared him down. The look you were giving him wasn't exactly a glare, but you weren't regarding him with the warmth and adoration he had hoped to see when he swooped in to save you either. this, of course, only made him want you more.

"so, was there something you needed, or do you just enjoy asserting your dominance over people?" you asked, pulling his gaze back up to your face, specifically the way your glossed lips pulled into a tight line. he wondered what you tasted like, what every part of you tasted like.

"little bit of both," he shrugged, grinning widely with a wry amusement that had you fighting back an eyeroll—you already knew your mother would throw a fit if she saw your defensive stance and annoyance written on your face, especially since your conduct was directed at a cameron of all people. "lighten up, princess," he laughed. "i just wanted to talk."

"you talk a lot for someone who rarely says anything of substance," your snippy response tumbled from your lips quicker than you could contain it, making you straighten up as you tried to retain some semblance of poise.

"ouch, you wound me," rafe quips, clutching his chest in faux hurt. "you always throw insults at people you don't even know?"

"no, just you," you shrugged, looking around to make sure your parents weren't around to see how their well-mannered daughter seemed to lose her sense in the presence of kildare's golden boy.

"oh, so i'm special then?" he smiled, pleased by your response, which only seemed to fuel his already-texas-sized ego.

"sure, keep telling yourself that," you replied dryly, rolling your eyes at his smug grin.

he seemed to be thoroughly enjoying the fact that he was getting under your skin, which only made your irritation grow. "i'm rafe cameron," he held out his hand.

you eyed his hand, not moving to shake it. you slowly trailed your gaze to his face, quirking an eyebrow. "i'm aware," you informed him, your tone cool and unimpressed, much less interested.

"well," he prompted, dropping his hand after a beat and shoving it into his pocket. "don't i get a name?"

"you haven't earned it," you countered quickly, a smile tugging at your lips now that you had an upper hand—the advantage of mystery.

"now, that's not fair," he rolled his eyes. he couldn't quite decide whether this little game was irritating him or amusing him, which only seemed to add to the thrill.

"whoever said life was fair, mr. cameron?" his name rolled off your tongue in a way that had him twitching in his pants. being called mr. cameron was only ever a formality—one that at times made him feel superior, and at others, he was indifferent to—but the way you said it seemed to change it's meaning entirely. "now if you'll excuse me," you said, your eye catching a friend from across the room.

she was giving you a wide-eyed look, her gaze darting. between you and the infamous kook king rafe cameron. you internally groaned, knowing you'd be bombarded by questions the moment you stepped within earshot.

as you turned to leave, rafe's hand immediately shot out and grabbed your bicep, stopping you. "i'm not done talking to you," he said, his tone lowering with a vaguely threatening timbre.

"yes, you are," you said firmly, pulling your arm from his grasp. if you were fazed by his slight demeanor shift, you didnt show it. "goodbye, rafe," you bid farewell before continuing your journey to your friend, who immediately grabbed your arm and pulled you close, giggling something into your ear when you reached her.

rafe watched your every move like a hawk throughout the rest of the night, waiting for the opportunity to get you alone somewhere, but, to his dismay, it never came.

at the end of the party, his father ushered him out to the car, talking his ear off about potential clients and business partners, but he had completely tuned him out, his mind instead filled with nothing but you. you may have been playing hard to get now, but he was destined to make you his, and rafe cameron always got what he wanted.