I observed Jasper and Emmett spar with each other, noticing how Jasper consistently bested Emmett in their exchanges. Emmett was known for his brute strength within the family, relying on his raw power rather than strategic finesse in combat. Despite Emmett's formidable strength, Jasper skilfully blocked his attacks and swiftly countered, sending Emmett flying through the air, his form gracefully gliding across the forest. With a resounding thud, Emmett's impact on the ground sent dirt flying in all directions, as if a boulder had crashed into the earth, creating a small explosion of debris upon impact. But he slid across the dirt before springing back up to face Jasper. Emmett stole a quick glance in my direction before refocusing on Jasper, determination etched across his features.

"Again!" Emmett's voice boomed, deep and resolute, echoing through the clearing as he expressed his determination.

As Emmett advanced towards Jasper, a jeep appeared on the horizon, its tyres screeching as it abruptly halted. We all turned our heads to see Edward and Bella emerging from the vehicle, and heading towards us. Their conversation paused momentarily as Edward spotted Jake's gift.

Bella and Edward made their way over, Bella flashing me a smile to which I responded in kind. It felt like we were divided into sections on the field: Esme, Carlisle, and Rosalie stood together; Alice and Jasper were huddled close; and then there were Emmett and me. Emmett's presence was so near that I could feel the cold from him, his proximity almost brushing against me, but I paid the icy chill no mind.

I turned my gaze upwards towards Emmett, meeting his eyes with a warm smile. His attention shifted to the formation of scattered trees, their trunks twisted and gnarled, roots snaking out from the earth like serpents. Among them, scattered stones adorned the forest floor, embedded into the soft soil. In the distance, a fallen tree lay across the slope, its weathered trunk a testament to time's passage.

Eight massive wolves emerged from the dense forest, their fur varying in hues from jet black to shades of grey and brown. Among them, Jacob stood out unmistakably in his wolf form, his russet coat a stark contrast to the others. Led by the imposing figure of the black Alpha wolf, Sam, the pack prowled down the rocky terrain and onto the soft earth below. They scattered themselves along the slope, each positioning themselves strategically to command a clear view of their surroundings. Low, rumbling growls emanated from some of the wolves, their expressions fierce and alert, audible only to those keen enough to listen.

"They don't trust us enough to be in their human forms," Edward remarks, glancing at Carlisle with a slight tilt of his head. His hands remained clasped behind his back, a gesture of calm authority.

"They came. That's what matters," Carlisle asserts, locking eyes with Edward before taking a step toward the wolf pack. "Will you translate?" he requests, then moves closer to the largest, darkest wolf, standing just inches away.

"Welcome," Carlisle began, extending a warm greeting to the wolves. "Jasper has experience with newborns," he continued, gesturing towards Jasper beside him, then refocused his attention on the wolf pack. "He'll teach us how to defeat them," A brief silence followed as Edward listened in on the thoughts of the black wolf.

"They want to know how the newborns differ from us." Edward translated to Carlisle what I presume Sam had asked.

"They're a great deal stronger than us because their own human blood lingers in their tissues," Carlisle explained, his eyes flickering between the wolves. "Our kind is never more physically powerful than in our first several months of this life," Carlisle finished off, before turning his attention towards me. "Charlotte would like to speak with you before we continue," Carlisle nodded in my direction, signalling for me to step forward. As he moved back, I took a deep breath, handing my Grimoire to Emmett, before approaching the space he had vacated.

Every wolf's gaze bore into me, a collective intensity that made my nerves dance. Yet, it was imperative that they understood what I am. "I'll cut straight to the point," I started, my eyes flitting between each wolf before me. "I'm a witch. That's why Victoria's after me, and likely why the newborn army is too," I confessed, the words tumbling out without hesitation.

"They want proof?" Edward's voice echoed from my right, and I briefly met his gaze before turning back to the wolves.

I nodded toward them, gathering my focus as I inhaled deeply, the air filling my lungs with purpose. With a swift exhalation, I directed my gaze to the ground before them, my eyes fixed on a spot just ahead. There's nothing quite as convincing as fire materializing from thin air.

"Phasmatos incendia," I chanted, the words rolling smoothly off my tongue. In an instant, a burst of flames erupted into existence, crackling and dancing along the forest floor. It spread swiftly, but I ensured it remained at a safe distance from both them and us. I watched as the wolves recoiled at the sudden display, their instincts kicking in at the sight of the fire's fierce embrace. But just as quickly as they appeared, the flames began to dim, their vitality drained as if sucked dry of oxygen. All that remained was the lingering scent of burnt earth and a faint, charred line etched into the ground, a testament to the brief but intense display of my magic.

"I'm telling this to you because I want to help in the fight," I stated earnestly. "I want to protect Bella, our town, and ensure the defeat of the newborn army," I affirmed with confidence. Having said my piece, I retreated a few steps and rejoined Emmett, who greeted me with a reassuring smile, affirming that I had made the right decision by telling my secret to the pack. He handed back my Grimoire, and I held it close to my chest once again.

Jasper broke the silence that hung heavy in the air, his voice cutting through the tension. The wolves remained silent; their acceptance implicit. "Carlisle is right," Jasper continued. "That's why they are created." his tone tinged with disgust. "A newborn army doesn't require thousands like a human army, but no human army could stand against them," Jasper explained, his words punctuated by low growls from the wolves, who clearly disliked what they were hearing. He placed his hands on his lower back, shifting his weight. "Now, the two most important things to remember are, first" he continued, turning to face both the pack and us. "Never let them get their arms around you. They'll crush you instantly." He began to pace slowly in front of us. "And second," he pivoted to address the wolves directly. "Never go for the obvious kill. They'll be expecting that, and you will lose." Jasper's tone conveyed certainty, a warning underscored by his brisk departure.

"Emmett!" Jasper's voice cut through the air, summoning his attention. Emmett complied, positioning himself opposite Jasper. "Don't hold back," Jasper's command was clear, more of a demand than a suggestion.

Emmett's muscles tensed as he replied, "Not in my nature." With a determined expression, he launched himself towards Jasper, his movements swift and powerful. Jasper remained composed; his arms poised to absorb the impact. The collision sent shockwaves through the ground, dirt swirling around them as they grappled for dominance. In a sudden burst of strength, Emmett lifted Jasper off his feet, sending him crashing down hard onto the earth. But Jasper swiftly recovered, rushing through the dirt that hadn't even fallen yet. Emmett's fist sailed through the air, aimed at Jasper's jaw, but Jasper sidestepped with lightning reflexes. Seizing the opportunity, Jasper grasped Emmett's arm, using his momentum to twist him onto his back with a swift, calculated move.

"Never lose focus," Jasper advises, almost sounding cocky, as he cast a serious gaze down at Emmett sprawled on the ground. I suppressed a smirk, concealing any hint of amusement from my expression.

In the ensuing sparring matches, Edward faced off against Carlisle, their movements a fluid dance of strategy and skill. Edward emerged victorious, but Carlisle seized an opportunity and tackled him to the ground in a surprising twist.

Following them, Rosalie engaged Jasper in a brief yet dynamic duel. Despite her graceful movements, Jasper swiftly manoeuvred her into the air, but she landed with remarkable poise, her leg extended in a display of agility.

Lastly, Alice and Jasper engaged in a captivating exchange. Alice's agility and quick reflexes allowed her to effortlessly evade Jasper's attacks. She did a cartwheel to avoid his attack. In a surprising turn, Jasper was able to capture Alice, he attempted to kiss, but Alice easily freed herself from his hold, leaping up into a nearby tree. Unaware of her location, Jasper searched for her, only to find Alice landing gracefully on his back. Their eyes met, filled with mutual affection, before Alice planted a tender kiss on his lips.

It was my turn to spar, and I found myself facing off against Emmett. Unlike the others, I lacked lightning-fast speed and agility, and I wasn't as hard as marble. All I had at my disposal was my magic and somewhat decent reflexes. Knowing that the newborn army wouldn't play fair, I decided to even the odds. While the others fought, I handed my book to Bella and I flicked through some of the spells, preparing myself for the upcoming fight with Emmett.

With a single nod from me to signal Emmett, I prepared for his charge. As he lunged towards me, I thrust my hand out, uttering the incantation, "Ventus." A gust of wind erupted from my palm, striking Emmett squarely in the chest and sending him flying off his feet. I lowered my hand, but Emmett was relentless, springing back to his feet and charging at me once more.

"Aquam alia," I intoned, thrusting my hand out again. This time, a torrent of water surged from my palm, crashing into Emmett with force. He pushed against the water, determined to reach me. A smirk played on my lips as I noticed his feet were now soaked. Concentrating, I willed the water around his legs to climb up and freeze into solid ice. Emmett came to an abrupt halt, immobilised by the icy restraints. The water crept up Emmett's body, freezing into ice as it ascended. I lowered my hand, ending the spell. Half of his body was now encased in ice, immobilising him completely.

Emmett stared down at the lower half of his body encased in ice and began smashing against it. Despite his immense strength, he only managed to create a few cracks on the surface.

"Give up?" I asked, a smirk tugging at the corner of my lips as I walked toward him. He lifted his gaze to meet mine, grinning. The top half of his body was wet and dripping. "I'll take that as a yes," I said, biting my lower lip. With a flick of my wrist, the ice melted, returning to liquid form so quickly that it splashed into the dirt like someone had thrown a bucket of water on him.

"I like how you don't play fair," he remarked, his voice deep. He stalked forward, but I remained still. His head inclined slightly as he met my gaze, water still dripping from him.

"Don't you dare," I warned him slowly, recognizing the mischief in his eyes. I knew exactly what he was planning to do. But he just smirked even wider before wrapping his arms around me and pulling me in. He used the strength of any human man, but there was a gentleness to it.

I squealed against his hold as his wet clothes soaked into mine, the cold water seeping through the fabric. His mischievous grin only widened as he watched my reaction. Despite the damp chill, I couldn't help but laugh—a genuine, hearty laugh at his playful antics. His infectious silliness had a way of making even the most unexpected moments feel light and joyful.

Low growls echoed through the air, a clear signal that the wolves did not appreciate our playful moment. The sound abruptly ended our laughter. Emmett stood there for a moment, visibly frustrated that he had to rein in his behaviour in front of them. He reluctantly uncoiled his arms from around me and stepped back. But it didn't stop me from having a wide smile on my face.

"I think I should encase you in ice for that," I teased, flipping my damp hair over my shoulder with a playful flick of my hand.

"I'm open," he said with a chuckle, extending his arms as he took a step back, eyes locked onto me. I shook my head, not wanting to do anything more to him. He lowered his arms and turned his back on me.

As quick as lightning, I shot out my index and middle fingers. Vines sprouted from the ground, latching onto his ankles and yanking him over. Emmett face-planted into the dirt, and the vines swiftly wrapped around his entire body, leaving only small patches of his clothes visible. Another vine wrapped around a tree branch and hoisted him into the air. Despite his struggles, laughter escaped his mouth.

"Never turn your back on your enemy," I repeated Jasper's earlier words as he had said them to Edward. I swayed my hips as I approached him. Emmett dangled upside down, with only his head and neck visible.

"You are far from my enemy," he remarked in that deep voice that made me quiver and my legs buckle. My heart pounded against my chest, and my cheeks flushed with warmth. "Maybe if you let me down, I can prove it," Emmett responded, his words bold and daring. I gasped, taken aback by his audacity. Even from his upside-down position, I could see a glint of something in his eyes.

"I hope so," I replied, matching his boldness. The words came out just as I intended—flirtatious, even though I nearly choked on them.

His expression shifted to surprise for a moment, his eyebrows lifting in response to my comment. I couldn't help but laugh at his reaction. His eyes locked onto mine for a moment, and I felt the intensity of his gaze. With a wave of my hand, the vines began to unwind, gently rotating him upright and setting him back on his feet. As soon as he was stable, the vines retreated, slithering back into the earth and disappearing from sight.

With a smile lingering on my lips, I made my way back to the group of Cullens, meeting Bella's pointed gaze with a knowing smile of my own. Despite my attempts to remain composed, my heart fluttered with excitement.

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