Rhea sat alone in the Cullen house, immersed in an almost meditative silence. Though she still had much to learn about her new life, one thing had become clear: she had a unique ability. At first, she'd brushed it off as wishful thinking, a lingering part of her humanity clinging to the natural world she'd once adored. But soon, she realized her gift was real—she could turn into animals.

The first time it happened, she'd been overwhelmed with instinct, feeling the tug of the earth as if she were a bird of prey, circling and scanning her surroundings with predatory clarity. She'd been able to shift into various animals since then, but she was still unsure of the limits of her power, or how much control she truly had.

Rhea looked out at the dense green of the forest surrounding the Cullen property. With everyone else at school, now was the perfect time to practice. She closed her eyes, willing herself to focus, summoning the energy she'd felt on those early, instinctual transformations. Gradually, she felt the shift, the almost magnetic pull that shaped her body into something else.

In a matter of seconds, her fingers elongated into claws, her vision sharpened, and her perspective lowered as her body became lithe and furred. When she opened her eyes, she saw the world through the gaze of a lynx, feeling every rustle in the brush, every movement in the house behind her. The transformation was seamless, and she prowled along the forest edge, testing her instincts in her new form. There was a rush of adrenaline as she moved, her senses electric, pulsing with the power and precision of her animal state.

Just as she was beginning to settle into the rhythm of her movement, she caught the scent of something familiar. Alice.

Before she could shift back, Alice's voice reached her. "Rhea?" she called, her tone more curious than surprised.

Rhea quickly willed herself back to human form, the familiar sensation of her body lengthening and reshaping. She took a moment to steady herself, feeling a bit unbalanced from the sudden change. Alice was already waiting when she turned back, an intrigued smile on her face.

"Impressive," Alice said, her eyes twinkling with admiration. "You're really getting the hang of it."

Rhea smiled, shrugging. "I think I've figured out some of it, but there's still a lot I don't know. It's hard to control, especially with animals I'm less familiar with."

Alice nodded, crossing her arms thoughtfully. "Even so, it's incredible. You're adapting so quickly. It could be really useful if things get... complicated." She glanced out toward the forest, her expression shifting, though Rhea couldn't quite read it.

Rhea's eyes narrowed. "Complicated? Is something wrong?"

Alice hesitated, her face unreadable for a brief moment, then softened. "Just a feeling. I keep seeing flashes of movement, but it's elusive like someone's carefully avoiding me. It's probably nothing... but I can't shake the sense that something's coming."

Rhea's expression grew serious, her curiosity mixing with a prickling concern. "Do you think it's Victoria?"

Alice nodded slowly. "Maybe. But I haven't been able to see her clearly—she knows how to stay hidden. It's frustrating. The only thing I know for sure is that she's not far."

Rhea swallowed, feeling a pang of fear that twisted into resolve. "If she's out there, I want to be ready for her."

Alice's gaze softened, and she nodded with understanding. "We all do, Rhea. But for now, it's best to keep practicing your gift. You never know when you might need it."

---

The next day, Edward, Bella, and the others returned from school, and Rhea joined them in the living room, feeling more confident about her gift than she had before. Jasper had suggested that the family train together more often, and Rhea was eager to test her abilities alongside the others.

Jasper turned to Rhea, his expression thoughtful. "Do you think you could shift during a fight?" he asked.

Rhea considered it, feeling the weight of the question. "I think so, but it depends on the animal. Some of the larger forms—like bears or wolves—take more energy, and they're harder to control. I'd have to practice."

Jasper nodded, crossing his arms. "Let's see what you've got. Imagine it's a surprise attack. Something stealthy that can move with precision."

Rhea took a deep breath, willing herself to stay calm and let her instincts take over. She pictured a fox, a creature light on its feet and quick, and soon felt her body ripple with the change. She dropped low to the ground, her body reshaping itself into a fox's lithe form, her senses immediately sharpening.

Jasper took a step back, intrigued by her transformation. "Amazing," he murmured. "Now let's see how you move."

Rhea took off, darting across the floor with nimble precision, circling Jasper as he tried to predict her movements. Her animal instincts made it easier to anticipate his steps, and she managed to stay a step ahead of him, slipping out of his reach each time he attempted to close the distance.

She finally shifted back, panting lightly from the exertion, but feeling exhilarated. Jasper grinned, clearly impressed. "That'll give us an advantage if we're ever caught off guard. You could scout ahead, or even distract an enemy."

The others nodded, each of them looking at her with admiration. For the first time since her transformation, Rhea felt fully accepted. She was contributing something important to their family's safety.

As they continued training, Rhea took turns shifting into different forms, each animal offering her new skills to add to her arsenal. Alice encouraged her to keep experimenting, and she moved through various forms, honing her speed, strength, and agility. As a hawk, she had a sharp, clear perspective from above; as a wolf, she had unparalleled speed and endurance. Each shift was like discovering a new part of herself, a new piece of the puzzle that was her power.

The afternoon faded into evening, and they finally paused to rest, each of them falling into thoughtful silence. Edward cast a glance at Rhea, a quiet respect evident in his eyes.

"Thank you, Rhea," he said. "Your strength—and your gift—it means a lot to us. To all of us."

Rhea felt a warmth she hadn't expected, a sense of belonging that filled the spaces of her doubts. "You're my family now," she replied softly. "And family looks out for each other."

As they settled back, Alice's face suddenly went blank, her eyes unfocused, her body rigid. The Cullens exchanged knowing glances—Alice was having a vision.

Seconds later, Alice blinked and focused on Edward, her expression tense. "There's movement in the forest. It's faint, but I sensed... something unfamiliar. Like someone's watching us."

Edward's jaw tightened. "We should be on alert. If it's Victoria, she might not be alone."

Jasper stood, already scanning the area with a steely determination. "We'll keep practicing. The more prepared we are, the better."

Rhea's mind raced. She felt the weight of her responsibility deepen, realizing that her abilities could be vital to their survival. She would keep training, honing her gift until she was ready for whatever came their way.

As the family dispersed, she stayed behind with Jasper, who nodded approvingly. "You're stronger than you think, Rhea," he said quietly. "And I have a feeling you're going to be one of our greatest assets."

Rhea returned his gaze, determination hardening within her. She was ready for whatever was coming—whether it was Victoria, her own doubts, or the trials ahead.

The atmosphere in the Cullen house shifted abruptly as Alice walked into the house, and Jasper trailed from behind. Something was wrong, usually, the pixie-like woman was skipping around, happy to be with her family after school.

After a few tense seconds, Alice blinked, her expression tight with urgency as she looked at Edward. "It's Victoria. She's coming here—to Forks. She'll be here soon."

A grim silence fell over the room. Each of them felt the weight of Alice's words, the familiar dread that came with any mention of Victoria. Jasper, always prepared for action, was the first to respond.

"Did you see how many there were?" he asked, his voice steely and focused.

Alice shook her head, frustration flickering in her eyes. "I only saw her alone this time, moving through the trees at the edge of Forks. But there's something off—she seemed more... cautious like she's testing our boundaries."

Rhea felt a chill pass through her. The mere mention of Victoria made her heart race, the adrenaline of their earlier training replaced by an unsettling fear. But she steadied herself, meeting Jasper's gaze.

"If she's alone, maybe she's scouting for weaknesses," Rhea suggested, her voice steady despite the apprehension tightening in her chest. "She's always been crafty, and with her vendetta against Bella... she won't stop until she finds an opening."

Edward nodded grimly, his jaw clenched. "Rhea's right. Victoria's been waiting, watching, for the perfect moment. She's never come this close before, so she must be confident that she's found something. We'll have to prepare for the possibility that she's not acting alone."

Carlisle stepped forward, his calm, reassuring presence grounding them all. "We'll need to stay on high alert and make sure everyone is ready for anything. We should keep closer tabs on the town, and watch for any unusual activity. Alice, let us know the moment you see anything else."

Alice nodded, but the worry remained in her eyes. "I'll keep an eye out. I'm just worried that she's planning something I can't see. The fact that she's testing us means she's looking for blind spots."

Esme put a gentle hand on Alice's shoulder. "We'll stay vigilant. And we're stronger together—we've faced threats before, and we'll face this one."

Jasper nodded, his gaze serious. "Rhea, I think it would be smart to keep practicing your transformations. You're our best shot at scouting from a distance without drawing attention."

Rhea nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "I'll be ready," she promised, thinking about all she'd worked on that day. If Victoria was planning an ambush, she wouldn't let her catch them off guard.

As the family dispersed to start planning their defenses, Rhea found herself alone with Alice, who lingered in the living room, her expression still troubled.

"Do you think it's more than just Victoria?" Rhea asked quietly, sensing Alice's lingering concern.

Alice looked at her, a faint frown creasing her forehead. "I can't shake the feeling that she's preparing for something bigger. It's like she's looking for cracks in our armor. I've never seen her move so carefully."

Rhea felt a pang of unease but tried to shake it off. "Then we'll be ready. And if she tries to make a move, she'll be the one caught off guard."

Alice managed a small smile, but her eyes remained wary. "I hope you're right, Rhea."

---

The next day, the Cullens went about their day with more caution than usual. Carlisle continued his work at the hospital, but Edward kept a close eye on Bella, refusing to let her out of his sight. Jasper and Emmett scouted the area surrounding Forks, hoping to catch any sign of Victoria before she got too close. Alice kept herself poised to receive any glimpse of the future, even the faintest hint of Victoria's next move.

Meanwhile, Rhea focused on her training, honing her animal transformations with renewed purpose. She practiced shifting into smaller, faster animals like foxes and hawks, each one giving her a different angle of observation that would be critical in watching the town without being noticed.

Late in the afternoon, as Rhea was preparing to try out a transformation into an eagle, Alice suddenly called everyone to the main room. They gathered quickly, sensing something important.

"I saw her again," Alice announced, her voice sharp with urgency. "She's even closer now. She's watching Bella's house."

Edward's face darkened, and he immediately glanced toward the door, ready to bolt. "I'm going after her."

Carlisle stopped him with a firm hand on his shoulder. "Edward, we need to approach this carefully. She's not here to fight—not yet. If she's just watching, she might be waiting to lure us into a trap."

Jasper nodded in agreement. "She's trying to provoke us, to get us to act rashly. We'll need to coordinate if we want to catch her off guard."

Rhea spoke up, her voice determined. "Let me go ahead as a hawk. I can see the area from above without her noticing me. If she's nearby, I'll spot her and can signal to the rest of you."

Edward hesitated but eventually nodded, recognizing the wisdom in her suggestion. "Fine. Just be careful."

With a deep breath, Rhea closed her eyes, letting the familiar energy of transformation flow through her. She felt her body shift, her arms spreading into powerful wings, her senses sharpening as she became a hawk. With a single, powerful leap, she was airborne, soaring above the Cullen house and into the trees that surrounded Forks.

Rhea glided through the air, scanning the ground with sharp, hawk-like vision. She circled Bella's house several times, noting the way the shadows stretched across the yard, each detail precise and vivid. But there was no sign of Victoria—no flash of red hair, no movement that indicated her presence.

She flew further into the forest, her sharp gaze searching every inch of the ground below, but still, there was nothing. Just as she was about to head back, a flicker of movement caught her eye. A flash of red, darting through the trees, almost too fast for even her hawk eyes to catch.

Victoria.

Rhea circled once, then flew back to the Cullen house as fast as her wings could carry her. She landed gracefully in the yard, shifting back into her human form and running inside to report.

"She's definitely here," Rhea panted, catching her breath. "I saw her moving toward the forest, heading north. But she's fast—she knows we're looking for her."

Jasper nodded, a plan already forming in his mind. "Good work, Rhea. Now we know where to focus our search."

They quickly split into pairs, ready to track down Victoria and confront her once and for all. Rhea joined Jasper, while Edward and Emmett headed toward the far side of the forest, with Alice and Carlisle taking a middle path through the trees.

As Rhea and Jasper moved swiftly and silently through the woods, she felt her pulse quicken. She knew this would be her first true test as a Cullen, her first battle as part of the family. And she was ready, with her senses sharper and instincts keener than ever before.