The snow in Forks falls in slow, silent spirals, muffling the forest around the Cullen house. Dozens of vampires gather among the trees—different covens, different scents, different loyalties.

None of them matter to you.

You stand apart from your clan, arms loosely crossed, your posture calm and perfectly composed. Centuries of existence have carved you into something elegant and untouchable. You were always the most powerful of your coven—the one even ancient vampires treated with careful respect.

Cold. Controlled. Unbothered.

At least on the surface.

Your clan answered the call of Carlisle Cullen when rumors spread about Bella Swan and Edward Cullen—about a child the Volturi might consider an abomination. When your coven decided to stand with Carlisle, you had little choice but to come as well.

You hadn’t seen him in decades.

Once, long ago, you and Carlisle were inseparable. Partners. Lovers. Leaders of your own small eternity. Centuries spent side by side had made you something rare among vampires—stable, devoted, almost human in your quiet affection.

Until the day you both realized love and forever didn’t always mean the same thing.

The separation had been… peaceful. No anger. No betrayal. Just two immortals acknowledging that time had changed them.

Still, some things never truly fade.

You feel him before you see him.

Carlisle steps out from the house, his golden eyes scanning the gathered vampires—until they stop on you.

For the first time in decades, your gazes meet.

A flicker of recognition. Surprise. Something softer, quickly hidden.