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"I love storms." Tashi expressed, her soft golden eyes glazing over the night sky as snow fell and wind thrusts. "Why?" Jacob asked, fingers tracing patterns into the snow. "In the area we lived in as humans, we would get the worst kinds of weather. I was always frightened by it. My brother was tougher than me. He held me by the fireplace until I fell asleep. When I turned, I stopped being scared, but he still insisted on holding me through the night. After that, I always looked forward to storms. Most people search for wind, or rain as a sign of their lost loved ones. I search for storms."

"Sometimes I wish I had a sister. I'd protect her with my life. Keep her away from boys, and vampires, no offense." Jacob said, the woman just shrugging at the comment. "None taken. Vampires ruined my life. I wouldn't wish this life on anyone." Jacob glanced up from the snow to look at her, she was staring up at the sky, her hands tucked into a rich expensive coat that looked a tad too big to be hers. "Bella said you were mates with one of those slimy vampire kings. That true?"

"Why? You jealous?" She chuckles, a teasing smirk pulled at her lips.

Jacob scoffs in amusement, "you're hot and all, but not my type."

"I can tell. You don't like when a woman is more...intimidating, and powerful, well spoken even. You like a woman who needs your protection, not the other way around." Tashi stated knowingly. Jacob shrugs, he wasn't gonna deny it, but he certainly wouldn't word it the way she did. "What's your type?" Jacob asked. Tashi raised a brow, "what's with all the questions?" He shrugs a shoulder, "we're gonna be here all night in each other's presence. May as well get to know each other. You might actually feel less inclined to kill me."

"Doubt that, but all right." Tashi sat down, leaning her back against the large tree. "I never really had a type. I never had a boyfriend, or a girlfriend. Nobody in the village liked me. Majority of the boys thought I was ugly, and the ones who liked me were too scared to do anything because of my brother. Therefore, I never had much of a love life. I had my first kiss years after I turned. But, I ended up killing him, because I lacked control. I don't think I've ever looked at anyone in a romantic way until Paul, unfortunately."

"I find that so hard to believe. You're smoking hot. How have you never had a boyfriend? Nobody was interested? No other vampires?" Jacob asked in disbelief, causing her to chuckle and shale her head. "No, but I suppose that's my fault. I don't exactly come off as...genuine." Jacob nods in agreement, "yeah, when we first met, you looked like you belonged in another century, and well, you do. I don't think I've ever seen you look genuinely happy."

"What's there to be happy about?" She questioned, and he sighed, nodding slightly, "good point."

"You should get some sleep, it's quite late." Tashi suggested, standing to her feet and brushing the snow off of her coat....or well, Caius's coat. "You feel less inclined to kill me yet?" He asked. She chuckles to herself, nodding her head, "I suppose I can keep you alive a bit longer." He chuckles before laying down atop of the sleeping bag. Tashi glanced around, she was obviously on watch, just incase Victoria showed up. "What's that sound?" Jacob groaned, standing up and looking over to the tent.

"Probably the human." Tashi answered, picking up the large blanket she had under her. Shaking it off, she walked over to the tent and unzipped it, stepping inside. Jacob joined her, "I can't sleep with all that teeth chattering going on," he comments. Tashi sighs, seeing the shivering girl. "Here darling, it's a weighted blanket. It should help, from what I've been told." Tashi pulled it over the girl, and it did help to some extent. "Thanks, Tashi."

"I'll leave you to it. No fighting." Jacob moved out of the way so Tashi could leave as the tight space was already making her uncomfortable.

Morning came soon enough, Tashi kept herself occupied throughout the night by thinking about the offer Caius made her. Thankfully, Edward was too busy concerning himself with Bella that he didn't hear any of her thoughts. But he knew enough to know that the coat she wore belonged to Caius, and the bracelet she wore was returned to her by him. Though, he didn't comment on it. It wasn't his place.

She stood by the cliff, Jacob was leaving, but it was to make sure the woods were all clear of vampires. Seth walked over to her, he liked Tashi because he knew Leah liked her. Plus, she was always kind to him, and that was extraordinarily rare when it came to her. "Is she okay?" Tashi asked, and the wolf nods, aware that she was asking about Leah. He was the only one who knew they were seeing each other. Leah trusted him with it.

Bella walked out of the tent and Seth walked over to her once he knew Tashi was okay. Tashi admired the view, canceling out her hearing as Edward and Bella were having a discussion. She respected their privacy, even though she'd find out eventually. Edward always ranted to her when they played piano together. Which is why she didn't hear how Jacob found out about Bella and Edward getting married. Or hear the way Jacob practically gaslit Bella, and made her feel inclined to kiss him. If she had heard it, she would've killed him herself.

Seth found Tashi and nudged her hand, she followed him over to Bella and Edward. "It's starting, isn't it?" She questioned.

Edward nods strictly, "it's starting. You should go and help them. There's a lot. They'll need you."

"I can't, I told Leah I would watch Seth," Tashi objected. Edward glanced at the wolf before Seth began to make whining sounds. "He wants you to go. You can come back once it's cleared up enough." Edward said. Tashi sighed, before ultimately pulling off her coat and tossing it over the tree branch. "I'll be back. If she shows up, I'll know." Edward nods and watched as his pseudo-sister flashed off.

She was at her family's side within seconds, getting an approving nod from Jasper. They charged forward, Tashi flipped and hooked her legs around one's neck, twisting their head off their body. The wolves soon joined the fight, catching the newborns off guard. Tashi was tackled by three, two held her arms down but she kicked her leg up, the one on top of her flying up and getting grabbed by Leah who tore it's head from it's shoulders. Tashi groaned, smashing their heads together and kicking them back, Paul and Leah ripping their heads off.

One of them was on Sam, whimpers coming from his wolf. Tashi ran forward, jumping onto Sam's back, and ripping their arms off. She slid off his back and stomped their head in. Sam gives her a nod before running off to kill more. Using her abilities, she raised two in the air, Jacob and Paul both jumping up and ripping their heads off. She dropped her hands, their lifeless bodies falling to the ground.

Her distraction caused another one to run at her, tackling her. She groaned, the man's arms wrapping around her neck, another one ran over and grabbed onto her head, the first one pulling her arms back and kicking her knees in. Leah whimpers, trying to get to her but it was impossible with all the newborns running at her. Tashi cried, her eyes squeezed shut as cracks crawled up her neck. In a flash, the man holding her head dropped to the ground, his head torn from his body.

The one holding her suddenly let go, his grip loosening as his fell to the ground, head torn off his shoulders. Tashi sighed in relief, turning around to see who saved her. Caius stood in front of her, eyes scanning over her body to make sure she was okay. He looked behind her, finding a wolf staring at the two and growling. Tashi looked behind her, spotting Leah watching before she began to angrily attack the newborns running at her.

She turned back around to see Caius but he was already gone. And then she remembered. Victoria. Her golden eyes scanned the field, she found zero sign of Victoria...and Riley Biers.

"That redheaded bitch." Tashi grunts, leaving the field and running towards the campsite. She jumped into a tree, hiding as Seth jumped at Riley, ripping his hand off his arm. Victoria went to run but Edward's voice stopped her, "you won't get another chance like this again!" Victoria turned around, unbeknownst to her, Tashi was right above her, crouched in a tree. "You want her. You want me to feel the pain you felt when I killed James, when I tore him to pieces, when I turned him into ash, when I turned him into nothing."

Victoria screams, running at Edward and tackling him down. Tashi flashed over, grabbing onto her and throwing her into the tree. The redheaded vampire regained her balance, climbing up the tree and glaring at Tashi. "Take her!" Tashi ordered, and he quickly took Bella's hand, leading her away. She looked around, spotting Victoria jump onto another tree closer to Edward and Bella.

Running over, Tashi pushed the tree down and tackled Victoria before she could get to Bella. Tashi froze, Seth's whimper echoing in her ears. Victoria took the opportunity and kicked her off, but Edward grabbed onto the redhead. Tashi ran and jumped onto Riley, kicking him away from Seth. Riley ran at her, throwing her right into Victoria and Edward. The newborn and redhead hooked their arms around Tashi and Edward's necks, pulling them back to rip their heads off.

Bella quickly reached for a rock and cut her forearm, distracting the two vampires. Tashi kicked Riley off, and threw him onto the large rock as Edward fought the redhead. Seth grabbed onto Riley, biting into him shoulder, he screamed, "Victoria!" The redhead looked at him with a scowl, ignoring his calls as she turned to Bella, her human blood ever so appealing. Edward ran to protect Bella upon seeing this.

Victoria charged forward, being tackled to the snow mid air by Tashi. She kicked her off but the girl used her powers, bringing the redhead to her hand, she hooked her arms around her neck. She moved her hands down, grabbing onto her arms and ripping them off. Edward grabbed her body and bit into her neck, ripping her head clean off. Her body dropped to the snowy ground, lifeless. Tashi smirked, dropping her arms and tossing them to lay next to Victoria's dismembered body.

Edward walked over to Bella, ripping off a piece of her flannel and wrapping it around her cut. Seth rejoined them, giving a nod to Tashi, letting her know he was okay. "Somethings wrong," Bella voiced. Edward read the wolf's mind and nods, "Alice needs us to go. Now." He turned around and pulled out a lighter. Tashi outstretched her hand, "go, I'll take care of the bodies." He nods, setting the lighter in her hand.

The three ran off to the battlefield. Tashi gathered Riley's body and dragged it over to Victoria's. Making sure every part of them was retrieved, she set fire to them. Before leaving, she grabbed her coat and pulled it on, taking one last glance at the fire, "such a shame." She arrived at the field around the same time as Bella, Edward, and Seth. "How long?" He asked. "A few minutes. Maybe 10?" Alice answered. Tashi glanced at the large fire they stood in front of, she knew by how tense they were, the Volturi was coming.

"The pack needs to leave. The Volturi won't honor a truce with the werewolves," Carlisle said.

Tashi's eyes land onto Leah, and then she noticed the newborn headed right to her. "Leah, no!" She shouts. The wolf doesn't listen, running at the newborn, but his arms wrapped around her neck. Tashi ran forward, tackling the newborn off of her girl. He got his arms around her neck but Jacob was quick to intervene, pulling the newborn of of Tashi. The vampire's arms wrapped around Jacob, and Tashi perked up upon hearing his ribs crack.

Tashi ran, grabbing the newborn off of Jacob and holding him down, Paul quick to assist and rip off his head. Jacob shifted back into his human form, Bella's eyes widened as he curled up in pain. "Jacob!" Carlise, and Tashi rushed over to the boy, kneeling down by him. "Jacob, hold on. Carlisle's gonna take care of you," Tashi assured. "The bones on the right half of his body are shattered," Carlisle explained, Bella finally getting over and dropping to her knees in front of the boy.

"Bella," Jacob gasped out. "Jake, I'm right here," she reassured.

The pack ran over, all now in their human form and dressed in clothes. "Jacob, you idiot, I had it!" Leah scolds. "Leah, not now!" Tashi shouts, causing the girl to go quiet, surprised she had actually raised her voice at her. "I need to set the bones before his accelerated healing kicks in. It's already starting." Carlisle says. "We need to get him out of here. We're not gonna win a fight with the Volturi," Edward stated.

"We'll take him back to Billy's." Sam said, looking to Carlisle who nods in approval, "I'll be there as soon as I can."

"Hang in there, Jake," Bella coaxed.

Tashi stepped away, she peeled off her coat, Edward quickly taking it from her. She unzipped her jacket she wore and laid it over Jake so he wouldn't be so exposed. "Saved your life, Tash," Jacob says jokingly with a groan. "Right after I saved yours, again." She retorts, moving away so the pack could lift him up. Edward handed her back the coat and she took it, pulling it back on.

"Me and you, we'll talk later," Tashi says towards Leah, not caring if the rest of them heard. Leah looked at her with a sharp glare, "yeah, we will."

"They're coming," Alice warned. The pack quickly left, and the Cullens lined up. Tashi stood a few ways next to Edward and Bella, hands tucked in her coat pockets. The Volturi approached, and she blinked, surprise that Caius wasn't with them. It was just Demetri, Alec, Jane, and Felix. Clearly, Jane was put in charge. They stopped and pulled their hoods off. "Impressive. I've never seen a coven escape an assault of this magnitude intact," Jane spoke.

"We were lucky," Carlisle replied.

Jane didn't seem so convinced, able to smell the remaining scents of the werewolves. "I doubt that."

"It appears we missed an entertaining fight," Alec voiced. "Yes. It's not often we're rendered unnecessary," Jane said. Tashi scoffed, she wasn't stupid. They knew about the newborns. They just wanted to see it play out. "If you'd arrived a half hour ago, you would have fulfilled your purpose," Edward said bitterly, thinking exactly what Tashi was. Jane was unfazed, "pity." Her eyes scanned over them, landing on the newborn that Carlisle and Esme spared. She was just a scared children caught in the crossfire. "You missed one."

Jasper walked to the girl's side with a protective stance. "We offered her asylum in exchange for her surrender." Carlisle explained. "That wasn't yours to offer. Why did you come?" Jane questioned, using her abilities to cause pain to the girl. She dropped down, curling up and screaming in pain. "Who created you?" The girl screamed, and Tashi scowled at Jane's behavior. Esme sympathized with the girl, "you don't need to do that. She'll tell you anything you want to know."

"I know." Jane says, stopping her powers. "I don't know! Riley wouldn't tell us. He said our thoughts weren't safe," the girl explained. "Her name was Victoria. Perhaps you knew her," Edward said in an accusing tone. "Edward, if the Volturi had knowledge of Victoria, they would have stopped her. Isn't that right, Jane?" Carlisle spoke, smoothing things over so they wouldn't take offense to Edward's accusing words. "Of course." Jane agrees, but Tashi knew she was just bullshitting.

"Felix." The tall guard steps forward to take care of the newborn, causing Esme to speak in objection. "She didn't know what she was doing! We'll take responsibility for her." Esme claimed, not wishing to see the girl lose her life over a war she had nothing to do with. "Give her a chance," Carlisle requested. "The Volturi don't give second chances. Keep that in mind. Caius will be interested to know that she's still human," Jane spoke, referring to Bella, obviously.

"The date is set," Bella voiced, making her choice.

"Take care of that, Felix. I'd like to go home." Felix makes his way forward, Carlisle and Esme begrudgingly moving out of his way. Tashi glanced at the girl, guilt filling her chest. She couldn't allow it. "Wait!" She shouts in objection as the tall guard picks up the pleading girl. "Felix, stop," Jane ordered, ready to hear what she had to say. "You don't need to kill her. She was caught in the crossfire. She's innocent. She's a child. Have mercy, please." Tashi requested, really throwing herself on the line for this girl. Maybe it was because the girl looked exactly like her mother. Or maybe she actually had a heart beneath her coldness.

"We don't offer mercy. You would know." Jane states.

Felix pulls the screaming girl up, Tashi threw out her hand, using her telekinesis to throw him away from her. Jane clenched her jaw, "pain." Tashi was forced to her knees, screaming in pain as Carlise pleads for her to stop. "She won't do it again, please stop! Jane, please!" Carlise begged the girl, Tashi groaned through gritted teeth, trying to fight the pain. It felt like her entire body was on fire. She felt human under this pain. It was unbearable.

"Jane, that's enough." The girl froze, her powers stopping at the sound of her master's voice.

"Master." Jane bowed her head, not turning to face him as he approached. She moved out of the way. Caius stood between the twins, his crimson eyes landing on his mate. She was curled up, shallow breaths leaving her mouth. "Demetri, help her up." He ordered. Tashi shook her head stubbornly, "no, don't touch me! I can get up myself." She grunts, pulling herself up, her sharp glare pointed at Jane.

Caius cleared his throat, Felix looking at him for directions about the newborn. "Release the girl, Felix." He nods, his hand dropped the girl's arm and returning to his coven's side.

"You were saying, Tashi." He tilts his head, ready to hear her. "We don't have to kill her. She's just a scared child. I know some people. They can help her. They can keep her away from humans. She can live with them. Learn control. I promise, I will take her to them myself. Just don't kill her." Tashi pleads her case, and maybe if it was anyone else, he would say no and just kill the girl. But he couldn't say no to Tashi. Not when he could see how much she cared.

"Alright. You can take her to these friends. But first, I must know if she will cooperate, or else I'm given no choice." Caius spoke, looking to Carlisle and Esme. She nods firmly, the newborn girl hiding behind her. Tashi nods, glancing at the girl who hid behind Esme, scared for her life. "She will cooperate. If not, I'll put her down myself. I give you my word." Caius nods strictly, accepting those conditions.

"On behalf of myself, and my brothers, we're truly sorry that we let this go on. We wish no lives to be lost over a simple misunderstanding. We hope you can understand. Our guard did not represent us properly, and for that, they will punished." Caius spoke, the guard holding their heads down, but Demetri and Felix looked annoyed as this was Jane's doing. They had wanted to go to the Kings but she forced their hand.

"We understand. Thank you for coming, Caius." Carlisle says, nodding his head respectfully.

"Of course. Looks like this...discussion, is over. We'll leave you to it." Caius bowed his head, glancing at Tashi and smirking when he noticed she wore his coat. He cleared his throat, glaring eyes landing on Jane. "Go." She nods, speeding off, the three guards following her. Caius gives one last look at his mate before speeding off after his guard. The Cullens sigh in relief, thankful for Tashi's mate status with the King. It certainly saved them today.

"Where will you take her?" Carlisle asked, setting a hand on Tashi's shoulder, her eyes remained on where her mate previously stood.

She met his eyes and sighed, "Hannah and Benjamin will know what to do. They can care for her. She'll stay with us for the week, adjust her to the animal diet, and then I'll take her to them when it's safe to travel." Carlisle nods in approval, smiling, he rubbed her arm, "you just saved a life, Tashi. I'm proud of you." She sighed, shaking her head, "I didn't do it for her. I did it for me. She looks like my mother when she was young. I couldn't watch her die. Had she looked like anyone else, I would let her die."

His eyes fell in sympathy, "still, it doesn't take away the fact that you saved her."

"You should go. Jacob needs you." Tashi moved away so his hand fell off her. He wasn't given another chance to speak before she was gone.

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"Why would you speak to me like that?" Tashi looked up, turning around and seeing Leah, the girl standing in the middle of the living room, having just climbed in through the window. The vampire girl sighed and set down her glass of blood. "What, are you mad because I raised my voice? You did something incredibly stupid. Am I not supposed to be angry about that?" She scoffed. Leah rolled her eyes in annoyance, "I told you I had it! You didn't need to interfere!"

"Really? Because it looked like he was about to snap your neck if I hadn't." Tashi countered, the wolf girl just sighing and shaking her head. "I don't wanna fight, Tash. I'm so sick of fighting. When can we be happy? You know, I've never even seen you look genuinely relaxed and happy with me. Did I freak you out? Is that it? Cause I'm not sorry. I do love you. I love you so much, and I know I shouldn't, but I do." Leah's voice cracked with emotion, the vampire stepping forward with soft eyes.

"You know I'm not good with emotion, Leah," she points out.

"I'm tired of you saying that, it's bullshit. You are, you just don't want to be. You won't allow yourself to feel because your scared that it'll make you weak. But it won't, Tash. Love makes you strong. I've seen it. I am it. I would kill for you. I would die for you. Because I love you. Do you love me?" Leah questioned, tears pooled in her eyes as she took Tashi's hands.

Tashi went quiet, finding no words to answer that question. Scared of her answer. "I-I care about you."

Leah's face dropped, she blinked, pulling her hands out of Tashi's. "This is about him, isn't it? That man who saved you. He's the King. How could you ever love him, Tashi? He killed your brother!" Tashi sighs, that fact still ate at her, but she couldn't control it. It's not like she chose him. It's not like he chose her. Then again...they had the power to destroy their bond. They just didn't want to. "You think I don't know that? You act as if I chose him. I wasn't given a choice."

"You're always given a choice, Tashi," Leah sneered, tears rolling down her cheeks that she didn't bother to wipe away. "If I could choose you, I would. But, he's my mate. I'm not your imprint. You will find someone. It just won't be me." Tashi took ahold of Leah's warm hands, a wave of sadness seeping into her cold heart. "Did you ever love me? Did you ever genuinely have feelings for me?"

"I-I have feelings for you...but I don't love you. I'm sorry." Tashi admitted, finally speaking the words out loud, so it was true and she could no longer continue questioning herself. Leah scoffed, her jaw clenching as she angrily pushed Tashi away from her, the girl grunting as her back hit the edge counter. "Go to hell, Tashi." She stormed off in anger, jumping out of the open window and shifting, running off into the dark woods.

Her hand clenched around the counter, the marble breaking upon her strength. She felt the walls closing in. She felt suffocated. She needed air. Tashi jumped out of the window, and ran. She just ran, in no particular direction. Her bare feet making contact with the earth. Branches tore at her clothing but she didn't stop. She just ran. She was going so fast and blindly, she didn't see the upcoming cliff. Strong arms wrapped around her, tackling her to the floor, they rolled into the light snow and dirt until finally stopping just at the edge of the cliff.

She opened her eyes with a groan, her eyes landing on him. She clenched her jaw, pushing him off, she got to her feet, backing away. "Stop saving me!" He got to his feet, brushing himself off, not fazed by her outburst. "God, why can't you just let me die?! I don't belong here! I'm not suited for this world! I should've died with my brother! It should've ended with me! You should've found me that night! You should've killed me too! I don't deserve to live. I have no purpose in this life. It should've been me. It should've always been me!"

His arms wrapped around her figure, bringing her to his chest, dry sobs leaving her mouth as she dropped to her knees, bringing him down with her. One of the few flaws of being a vampire. You have no tears to shed. "It wasn't your time then, and it's not your time now." He spoke, cold fingertips brushing against her spine through the thin and torn button up she wore. "I know it's selfish, but I really want you to choose me. I took away your happiness. But I want the opportunity to give it back. I want to make you happy. You deserve to live without that undeserved pain."

She looked up, her golden eyes with red specks, meeting his crimson red eyes, and gosh, he was beautiful to look at. "Why us?"

"We found love where it wasn't supposed to be." Caius voiced, his fingers caressing the cold skin of her cheek, her freckles standing out, giving her even more beauty. "Yet, I wouldn't have it any other way." Staring up at him, her hands found their way onto his chest, the only stopping their skin from touching was the thin layer of satin fabric he adorned. "I want to be happy. I want to feel again. Kashi would want me to feel again, even if it was with you. I choose you. Teach me to love."

He smiled, and it was a genuine smile, not one he would normally force. He leaned down, foreheads pressing together, noses brushing against each other's softly. "Do you want to take it slow?" He asked, a hand reaching up to cup her jaw gently, snow falling onto them, but they didn't care. "Just kiss me." And he did. His cold lips met hers into a soft and gentle kiss. It wasn't rushed, or hard. It was perfect. They took their time, savoring the way their lips connected, fitting perfectly together, like it was meant to be...and it kinda was.

He kissed her so perfectly, she'd never want to kiss anyone else again.

Pulling away, she ran her hand through his blonde curls, a smile reaching his lips. "One condition."

"Anything," he spoke without an ounce of hesitation, ready to give up everything for her.

"Leave your wife."

He smirked, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear, snowflakes coating her locks. "Darling, she was gone the second I found out I was yours." Her eyes brightened at his words, a smile reaching her lips. She pressed their lips together again in a more rushed and heated kiss. His hand snaked around her waist, pulling her closer to him. She broke the kiss first, glancing up at the snow falling. "We should go. My hair isn't suited for this climate."

"I have to leave for Italy, but I'll return the second you call for me, I promise." He said, cupping her face in his larger hands.

She nods, smiling up at him, "I'll call."

"Good."

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a/n: THEYRE SO CUTE 🤭 anyways, i rlly changed up caius character in here, i just see him more of a jace wayland type of character ngl, i feel like this way, he suits tashi far more 🥲 would've made this a slow burn but i felt like that just didn't make sense for them, i did get them some time before getting together tho so it's not super rushed

he's so incredibly down bad for her, and i can't blame him

leah will still get her happy ending, i promise, i would never leave bae hanging like that!! 💗

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