Ghost of Ourselves (Twilight X Reader)

chapter 25: Daylight

Some of us are in Emmet's jeep, the rumble and vibrations of the motor slightly tickling my feet as the ride is quiet. The weather cold and now somewhat getting clouded.

We park then I'm grabbed softly by the hand of Alice as she helps me out the jeep and safely onto the misty damp earth below me. I take a deep breath feeling the cooled air bring a freshness to my lungs.

Then I see them. I first back up into Alice and Jasper, in a way neatly tucked between the two. Then I realized it was just family nothing else to really fear much of. I can't stop staring at the wolves—especially Sam and Jacob, whose massive forms make even the others look small in comparison. Sam's black fur seems to absorb the shadows, while Jacob's russet form stands basically as tall as Laurent. It's one thing to know they transform; it's another to see these horse-sized wolves arranged in formation, their intelligence clearly visible in their too-human eyes.

"Jesus," I whisper to Alice, "they're huge."

"Wait till you see them run," she whispers back, a hint of her usual mischief returning. "Though I personally think the size is overcompensation."

Embry's wolf form makes a sound suspiciously like a snort.

"About hunting territories," Carlisle continues diplomatically, "we need to establish clear boundaries. The Olympic Peninsula needs to become a no-hunting zone for... traditional vampires."

Laurent inclines his head gracefully. "I've already adjusted my hunting grounds. Portland has a rather unsavory criminal element that serves my purposes well enough."

Several wolves growl at the casual mention of his diet, but Sam silences them with a look.

"The pack will maintain their normal patrol routes," Jasper adds, "while we create a rotation between our family members for additional coverage."

"I can watch her room at night," Laurent offers, earning a particularly loud growl from Edward.

"Or," Alice interrupts smoothly, "we could create an actual schedule like civilized supernatural creatures."

I feel heat flood my cheeks as they speak.

"Oh god," I mutter, mortification setting in. "This is like some weird custody arrangement."

Rosalie's perfect laugh rings out. "More like a very complicated polyamorous protection detail. Though I have to say," she eyes Laurent's new outfit approvingly, "at least one of your choices is learning to dress properly."

"Rose!" several voices chorus, while Laurent actually looks amused.

"What? I'm just saying what everyone's thinking."

Embry's wolf form moves closer, his warm bulk pressing against my side in what feels like reassurance. On my other side, Alice's cold hand finds mine, while Laurent watches with that subtle smile that makes his red eyes warm.

"If we're quite finished discussing my ward's romantic entanglements," Carlisle interjects, but there's a hint of amusement in his voice, "perhaps we could focus on the actual threat?"

"James," Laurent's voice grows serious. "He's never encountered a situation like this— Forks protected by both wolves and vampires, with connections to multiple  factions. It makes you a more interesting prize," he adds, meeting my eyes. "But it also means he'll have to create an entirely new kind of game."

"Which gives us an advantage," Jasper notes. "He can't rely on his usual tactics. I think it'll be fine. But till then we can provide protection for our own and your Forks."

"Perfect?" Jasper interrupts. "We need to establish clear protection rotations."

"I'll take morning patrol," Embry's voice comes suddenly—he must have shifted back to human briefly behind the trees. "My schedule's flexible."