Brother... with how much my personality has changed, you still have feelings for me? What exactly do you like about me? I can change, okay?
Bella wanted to refuse. But the dance had already started—and within her line of sight, at least five guys were heading her way.
Not dancing at all would look weird. If she had to dance, might as well pick someone tolerable.
"All right." She extended her hand.
Thanks to her deliberate efforts to keep distance, she and Edward Cullen barely interacted. Acquaintances who nodded in passing, at most. Recently, practicing swordsmanship with Carlisle and chatting at the Cullen villa had brought them a little closer.
Not strangers. But still very, very far from the original timeline relationship.
Given their current familiarity, this dance invitation was a bit abrupt. Still within acceptable bounds, though.
Music filled the hall. They stepped onto the dance floor.
No strict rules. Any style worked. They chose a slow waltz.
Bella noticed Edward's gaze fixed on her face. She deliberately steered the conversation. Joked lightly.
"Reading my thoughts again?"
"No."
"Liar."
She tried to read his mind instead—but her telepathy was never strong. Unless the target was like Shaw, a purely spiritual being with no defenses, she couldn't sense normal people's thoughts at all.
Two failed attempts. She gave up.
They moved gracefully with the music. Elegant boy. Beautiful girl. Something subtly harmonious in how they moved together.
"Jacob... what exactly is he to you?" Edward asked suddenly.
Jacob?
Bella shot him a sharp look. Without her involvement, those two shouldn't have crossed paths at all. So how...?
"You know Jacob? From the Quileute tribe?"
Edward smiled. Pale face. Faintly hollow eyes. Cold, aloof CEO energy.
Unfortunately, that act had zero effect on Bella.
She pressed on.
Edward explained. "He saw you leave Forks and seemed intent on following to protect you. The scent of those three rogue vampires must have caused a misunderstanding. He barged into our house and made a scene."
Bella frowned. "Why didn't you tell me? Did you hurt him?"
"No. He ran."
Edward emphasized ran.
Jacob had been stimulated by vampire energy. His werewolf bloodline had awakened.
Bella had tried so hard to prevent him from walking that doomed path. The Quileute werewolf imprinting curse was utterly miserable. And imprinting on your lover's child? Even worse.
Original timeline: Edward and Jacob spent years fighting over Bella's indecisive heart. Rich handsome guy beat poor handsome guy. Normal drama.
But after Bella and Edward had a daughter? Everything went off the rails.
The moment Jacob realized that newborn infant girl was his "fated imprint," he did a complete 180—calling his former rival "Dad," calling the girl he'd chased for years "Mom," and swearing eternal devotion to his "beloved."
Who had literally just been born.
What exactly did he even love? You couldn't even call him "down bad"—she was a baby!
The whole plotline was about as absurd as Thanos celebrating Thanksgiving with Bella and singing "Grateful Heart" together.
Here and now, Bella felt nothing for Edward. Zero chance Jacob's "imprinted lover" would ever be born. If Jacob could just live as a normal human and marry a normal woman, Bella wouldn't interfere. But once his werewolf powers awakened, he'd be forced to leave that position empty forever—waiting for a soulmate who would never appear.
Bella was certain of one thing.
Jacob was doomed to be single for life.
Edward studied her expression. "I can't read your thoughts, but your reaction isn't what I expected. Why?"
Why? Because she felt sorry for Jacob. Poor kid was destined for a lifetime of loneliness.
She deliberately blurred the topic. "Just... sympathizing with the fate between your kind and the Quileute tribe. I thought your paths would never cross. Are you okay?"
Halfway through, she noticed something wrong.
Edward's hands were trembling. Eyes glowing red.
Parkinson's or something?
"The scent of your blood... it intoxicates me..." Edward whispered painfully. "Far, far too tempting..."
"Calm down." Bella shot a sharp glance toward the edge of the floor. Alice and Emmett both shook their heads—no idea what was going on either.
"Hold it together. You bite me, I will fight back. And if that happens, your whole family gets exposed."
She spun gracefully, maintaining the dance illusion. But she and every vampire watching were tense. If Edward lost control, they'd all tackle him instantly.
Seeing her guarded posture—and his siblings' preparations—Edward let out a soft laugh.
"My will isn't that weak. I prepared myself the moment I asked you to dance."
"Good. Let's talk about something lighter. What are your plans? You're graduating too. Not staying in Forks forever, right?"
She got along with the Cullens now, sure. But she definitely didn't want this whole vampire family lingering in Forks. Too dangerous—for the townspeople and the Quileute tribe.
"We're going to college in Canada." Under her sharp gaze, Edward added, "But Alice is going to California."
Bella turned to look at the short-haired vampire. Alice waved cheerfully.
"Why didn't she mention it? I thought you guys didn't like southern cities... Isn't she worried about exposure?"
"You'll have to ask her."
Bella grew curious. Why would Alice leave her family's protection to attend college in California?
Edward was still suppressing his hunger. When the music ended, they stepped off the floor together.
Bella had just turned to speak to Alice when a hand extended from the side.
"Would you mind dancing with me?"
The very person they'd been talking about—Jacob Black—stood there. Stiff. Nervous. He bowed slightly, eyes full of hope, like he was terrified she'd refuse.
Jacob was Bella's closest friend in Forks. Those fake girlfriends—even the entire Cullen family combined—couldn't compare. Emotionally and logically, no way she could refuse.
"Of course I don't mind."