The Cullens moved silently through the dense forest, each one of them on edge and poised for action. Without Edward, who was in Phoenix with Bella, there was an added tension to their hunt. Alice's vision had led them to this specific part of the woods, where she had glimpsed Victoria passing through, her fiery red hair darting between the trees.

Rhea crouched low, having taken the form of a mountain lion, her senses tuned in to every faint noise around them. This ability of hers, to shape-shift into animals, had proven valuable to the Cullens—she could blend in, scouting and moving swiftly without being noticed.

As they waited, Jasper gave a slight nod to Alice, who closed her eyes briefly, focusing to catch any changes in her vision. They all remained utterly still, waiting for any sign of Victoria. And then, finally, a whisper of movement, a flash of red among the dense green. It was Victoria.

"There!" Alice hissed quietly, motioning in the direction of the movement. Without a word, Jasper and Emmett sprang into action, launching themselves into the chase, with Alice and Rhea close behind.

Victoria darted through the forest, her movements swift and deliberate as she zigzagged through trees and leaped over obstacles. The Cullens pursued her, determined not to let her slip away this time. Rhea transformed back into her human form mid-sprint, quickening her pace as she pushed to keep up with Emmett and Jasper. She could feel the raw, primal rush of the hunt, but she reminded herself that this wasn't just a game. Victoria was a threat.

Emmett, who was always eager for action, surged ahead with his usual enthusiasm, refusing to let Victoria out of his sight. But as they drew closer to the boundary between Forks and Quileute land, Alice called out urgently, "Emmett, stop! You're too close!"

But he didn't hear her in time. Emmett's focus was locked on Victoria, who suddenly darted to the right, crossing over into Quileute territory. Emmett accidentally overshot the line and ended up crossing the boundary himself, skidding to a halt just on the other side.

Within seconds, a dark blur sprang from the trees, landing directly in Emmett's path. Paul, in wolf form, stood his ground, his massive frame bristling as he blocked Emmett's way. His growl was low and threatening, his sharp eyes fixed on the vampire who had crossed the line.

Emmett held up his hands in a placating gesture. "Hey, didn't mean to intrude," he said calmly, though he kept his eyes on Paul, fully aware of the danger.

Paul snarled, baring his teeth, his muscles taut and ready to attack. From behind him, more wolves emerged from the shadows, forming a line along the boundary. They weren't here to negotiate; they were here to defend.

Back at the line, Jasper clenched his jaw, his stance tense as he watched the interaction unfold. He exchanged a quick look with Alice, who had her eyes closed, checking her visions for any signs of escalation. The last thing they needed was a skirmish with the Quileute pack.

"Emmett," Jasper called out, his voice firm but restrained, "step back. Don't give them a reason to start something."

Emmett took a deep breath, maintaining his calm, and took a careful step backward, signaling his intention to respect the boundary. Paul held his ground for a moment longer before finally stepping back, though his gaze remained hostile.

As Emmett rejoined the rest of the Cullens, Alice opened her eyes and spoke quietly, "She's gone. Victoria's out of range."

A ripple of frustration passed through the group. They'd been so close, but Victoria had slipped away yet again. Rhea clenched her fists, feeling the sting of disappointment. This wasn't over—not by a long shot.

With a final glance toward the wolves, who watched them with unblinking eyes, the Cullens turned and retreated, moving deeper into the forest and away from the boundary. As they regrouped, Jasper said, "We'll just have to stay sharp. She's bound to come back."

Rhea nodded, her mind racing as she thought of ways to practice her power, to be more useful the next time they faced Victoria. She knew that being able to take on animal forms was an advantage, but she wanted to be stronger, and faster—to do whatever it took to protect her new family.

The Cullens exchanged quiet looks, and each of them resolved to be ready for the next encounter with Victoria. They all knew she wouldn't give up, but neither would they.

The Cullens arrived back at the house, each of them winding down from the adrenaline of the chase. Rhea was the last to walk in, her expression a mix of frustration and contemplation. She hadn't missed the look Paul had given her—filled with tension and something else she was all too familiar with.

Jasper glanced over at her, his brows slightly furrowed. He leaned against the doorway, watching as she settled into one of the armchairs by the fireplace. "Rhea," he began, voice gentle, "I don't mean to pry, but... there was something about the way Paul was feeling back there. He was so angry, yes, but I sensed something more—something like... longing."

Rhea sighed, knowing this conversation was bound to come up eventually. She looked around at the faces of her new family, all of them curious and supportive. After a moment, she nodded, deciding to open up.

"Yes," she admitted, her voice steady. "Paul and I... we were together. We were really close. I loved him," she said, her voice softening. "Before he shifted, he was kind and intense, and I guess I thought he was my forever." She paused, her eyes drifting to the window as if searching for something lost in the woods. "But when he phased, everything changed."

Rhea's gaze turned wistful as she remembered those early days with Paul. The way he'd looked at her, how he'd made her feel like she was his whole world. But that changed when he became a shifter.

"Once he joined the pack, he was... different. Suddenly, his loyalty to the tribe and the pack was the most important thing to him. He told me he couldn't risk having someone like me, who couldn't understand what he was going through, complicate things. So, he broke up with me." She shrugged, trying to keep her voice light. "I moved on as best as I could, though it was hard at first. I didn't know why he'd changed so drastically."

The Cullens listened quietly, each processing her story with varying degrees of empathy and sadness. Jasper nodded slowly, clearly understanding the intensity of emotions she had gone through.

"That must have been really difficult," he said softly. "It explains a lot, though. The way he was looking at you—it's like he regrets letting you go."

Rhea nodded. "It's complicated. Maybe he regrets it, or maybe he just wishes things had been different. But... I've moved forward. Or, at least, I'm trying to," she said, giving a faint smile. "Being part of this family has helped me a lot. And as much as I loved Paul, I'm not the same person I was back then."

Carlisle, who had been listening attentively, finally spoke up. "Rhea, you've been through so much. And while it may never fully be resolved with Paul, know that you have a place here. You have the opportunity to live a life that's meaningful to you, regardless of your past."

Rhea looked around at the supportive faces of her new family—her real family now. She felt a sense of calm settle over her. She didn't need to let her past with Paul define her future.

"Thank you," she murmured, her eyes softening as she looked at Carlisle, then at the others. "I think this—being here—is exactly where I'm supposed to be."