Embry and Leah crouched in the trees outside the Cullen house, hidden shadows beneath heavy evergreen branches. Golden light spilled from the windows, casting long streaks across the snowy clearing. Inside, the vampires moved with quiet grace—beautiful, otherworldly, dangerous.

Leah growled softly under her breath. Too many vampires, even for her. Seth wasn’t with them—she’d made sure of that.

Quil had stayed in La Push, always near Claire. But Leah and Embry had no such ties. No imprints. No partners. Just duty.

Then it came.

Both wolves snapped to attention as the Cullen front door burst open and Jacob emerged. He looked straight at them, eyes intense.

“Whoever’s coming wasn’t invited,” he said, voice sharp. Then, without hesitation, he shifted mid-stride, his russet form leaping into the woods. Leah and Embry followed instantly.

The forest blurred as they ran, paws thundering across snow, flanks heaving with speed. Sam’s pack mirrored them on the other side of the treaty line. A new scent threaded through the trees—odd, earthy. Not quite vampire.

Embry’s heart pounded. The smell tugged at something buried deep. He surged ahead, overtaking Jacob and Leah, lungs burning. He didn’t know why—only that he had to get closer.

Then he saw her.

A flicker of movement ahead, weaving through the trees like wind. Barefoot. Braided. Fast. She moved like an animal—dressed similarly to the Amazons who had passed through days before, but she wasn’t one of them.

The wolves barked and snapped, trying to corner her as she veered toward the Cullen house. She was fast, but the wolves were faster. They closed in—Jacob to the left, Leah on the right, Embry straight behind.

And then—the clearing.

The woman broke through the trees and stopped dead in her tracks as the Cullen coven came into view, already assembled. Edward and Bella stood protectively in front of Renesmee. Their visitors flanked them, every one ready to strike.

The wolves surrounded the intruder from behind.

She was still. Assessing. The air was razor-sharp with tension.

Esme gasped softly. “Oh Gods… is that a human skull?”

The woman wore it at her hip, hollowed and worn. A raccoon darted up her leg and settled on her shoulder, mouth stuffed with berries.

Carlisle stepped forward, calm but cautious. “Hello, Pocahontas.”

“I wasn’t sure where to send word,” Carlisle continued. “How did you know to come?”

“Alice,” she replied. “She finds me. Says… help.” She paused. “I… urm…”

Edward spoke next, voice even. “Alice and Jasper found her in Romania. Her English is… rusty.”

Then she turned—to the wolves.

Embry stared at her. She was unlike anything he’d ever seen. Her skin was bronze, her eyes… not red, not gold—something wild, a warm moss green that shimmered with hints of amber. Her gaze landed on him—and held.

The world narrowed.

Everything in Embry stilled. His heartbeat, his thoughts, the forest itself.

A pull unlike any other.

His wolf form dropped to the ground without command. His body bowed low, chin pressed to the dirt, tail tucked, ears back. Submissive. Reverent. His whimper was soft, but undeniable.

Jacob and Leah skidded to a halt behind him.

Embry? Leah barked in disbelief.

Jacob stared. No way.

Edward arched a brow. “Well. That explains a few things.”

Later that night, Jacob and Sam sat with the Elders beneath the stars, the fire crackling between them.

“Is it possible?” Sam asked, brows furrowed. “A wolf imprinting on a… vampire?”

Jacob nodded. “It happened. I saw it. It was just like me and Nessie.”

Old Quil stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Unheard of. But they were human once. And if this one… if she’s not fully vampire…”

“She’s not,” Jacob confirmed. “She’s a hybrid. Alice told Edward she was born, not turned.”

The Elders exchanged uncertain glances.

“She is… ancient,” Sue Clearwater said quietly. “The old stories speak of spirits who walked as wolves and women both. Maybe she is one.”

“Then the imprint isn’t a mistake,” Jacob said.

“No,” Billy said after a long pause. “The imprint is never wrong.”