Chapter 67

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I wasn't going to upload another chapter, but this one comes from: Jdotbenzo_

For being one of those who has shown the most support to the fanfic with his comments and constant follow-up!

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They didn't take long to return to the house, making sure their absence wouldn't be too noticeable. As they stepped inside, the warm murmur of the living room immediately wrapped around them. Jacob raised an eyebrow when he saw them arrive together, but noticing how both acted as if nothing had happened, he simply snorted and turned back to his conversation with Charlie, who was telling an animated story about work with wide gestures.

The evening continued for about another hour, filled with soft laughter, the last pieces of cake, and comments about Forks' rainy weather. Eventually, Charlie checked the time on his watch before standing up with a sigh.

"Well... it's late, and I've got an early morning tomorrow," he announced calmly as he adjusted his jacket.

Bella stood up behind him, holding her sweater with both hands.

"Thanks for everything," she said, offering a sincere smile to Nate's grandmother, who returned it warmly.

"Take care, dear," Nate's grandmother replied before giving her a brief hug.

Charlie and Bella said goodbye to everyone, Charlie giving Nate a friendly pat on the shoulder before heading out. The door closed behind them, leaving a brief moment of silence in the house.

Billy and Jacob stayed a few minutes longer, Billy sharing some humorous stories about people from the reservation while Jacob nodded with a distracted smile. However, the warmth of the room, the scent of cake, and the faint creaking of the house began to make the fatigue in the air palpable.

Nate's grandmother, who had already yawned a couple of times, stood up slowly.

"I'm going to head to bed," she said with a tired smile, stretching softly.

"Okay, Grandma. Sleep well," Nate replied.

She gently patted his arm before going upstairs, leaving a soft echo on the wooden steps.

"Well, kid," Billy said, turning his chair slightly. "I guess it's time for us to head out too."

"I'll walk you to the door," Nate said, walking with them toward the exit.

As they were saying goodbye, Billy turned his head toward Jacob, raising an eyebrow.

"Jacob, don't forget Nate's gift," he reminded him firmly.

Jacob blinked for a second before smacking his forehead with the palm of his hand.

"Right! One sec," he said before running to the car, leaving the door open as the night breeze slipped into the entryway.

Billy took the moment to turn his chair toward Nate with a serious expression.

"I thought you were going to make sure Bella stayed away from the Cullens," he said calmly, though there was a sharp glint in his eyes.

Nate held his gaze, answering in a firm tone.

"I changed my mind."

Billy pressed his lips into a thin line, nodding slightly.

"You know what they are, kid. You know the danger they pose."

Nate took a deep breath, keeping his voice steady.

"I know. But I also believe they deserve a chance."

Billy narrowed his eyes, resting his hands on the wheels of his chair.

"You should judge them by their nature."

Nate held Billy's gaze calmly before replying.

"That's exactly what I'm doing."

Billy frowned, realizing they were speaking about different things. For him, the nature of the Cullens was the inevitable danger of what they were. For Nate, it was the possibility of choosing to do good despite that nature.

Before Billy could reply, Jacob came trotting back, holding a small box with a wide smile.

"Here it is!" he said proudly, handing it to Nate. "Found it in La Push. Dad said it would make a good gift."

Nate took the box carefully, opening it with curiosity. Inside, he found a carved wooden paperweight, topped with the figure of a large wolf, strong eyes, and detailed fangs set into a serene expression.

"For your desk," Jacob explained with a smile, "so you remember you have friends here."

Nate smiled sincerely, feeling the weight of the gift in his hands as he looked up at Jacob.

"Thanks, Jake… I'll take good care of it."

Jacob patted his shoulder with that carefree energy he always carried, while Billy watched in silence, giving Nate one last look, hard but filled with respect.

"Take care, kid," Billy said before turning his chair toward the car.

"See you around, Nate," Jacob added with a wave.

"See you," Nate replied, watching them as they disappeared into the cold Forks mist, the car's taillights vanishing between the pines.

He stayed on the porch for a moment, holding the totem paperweight in his hands. He examined it closely, feeling the firmness of the wood beneath his fingers and the symbolic weight of the wolf that looked at him with carved eyes that seemed to know too much.

He was certain of his decision.

With a final sigh, he stepped back inside, closing the door softly so as not to wake his grandmother, before climbing the stairs quietly.

He entered his room and placed the totem on his desk, where the lamp's light illuminated the wooden wolf, casting a long shadow across the wall.

He lay down on his bed, letting the warmth of the blankets wrap around him as the day's fatigue began to pull at his eyelids.

He hadn't been lying down for long when his phone vibrated softly on the nightstand, lighting up the room with its glow in the darkness.

Curious, Nate reached for his phone, lifting it to read the notification glowing in the dark room.

It was a message from Alice.

"Are you still awake?"

Nate raised an eyebrow, intrigued, before typing a short reply:

"Yeah, what's up?"

Barely thirty seconds passed before the next message arrived.

"Can I come up?"

Nate blinked, confused. He glanced at the time on the screen, feeling a tingling alert crawl up his neck.

"Sure."

He had barely set the phone back on the nightstand when he heard soft taps at the window, barely audible over the distant murmur of rain on the rooftops.

He got up carefully, walking over to the window. Pulling back the curtain, his eyes met Alice's, her gaze slightly illuminated by the moonlight.

Nate opened the window, letting a rush of cool air into the room as he stepped aside to give her space.

Alice slipped inside with fluid movements, landing lightly on the carpet and closing the window with a soft click behind her. Her short hair settled with a blink, and her golden eyes sparkled as she smiled.

"Hi," she said softly, lifting a hand in a small wave. "Sorry for coming so late."

Nate crossed his arms, leaning against the desk as he watched her, an amused smile on his face.

"It's fine," he replied, tilting his head a little with curiosity. "It's just… the timing is a bit suspicious. You texted me just as the Blacks left."

Alice paused for a moment, lowering her gaze before smiling, a bit awkwardly.

"I arrived a few minutes ago," she explained with a small hand gesture. "I was going to surprise you… but when I saw the truck outside, I decided to wait." She bit her lower lip, a playful glint in her eyes.

Nate chuckled softly, though a small knot of nerves formed in his stomach.

"And… exactly when did you arrive?" he asked, trying to sound casual, though he was curious if she had heard his conversation with Bella.

Alice tilted her head, blinking softly, not fully catching the discomfort in his question.

"I arrived while you were talking to Billy," she answered naturally, smiling gently as she added in a whisper, "And… thank you for what you said."

Nate felt a strong thump in his chest, though Alice quickly raised her hands in an apologetic gesture, her large, bright eyes filled with regret.

"Sorry! I know I shouldn't listen but with my senses… it's hard not to hear." She shrugged lightly, her expression genuinely apologetic.

Nate looked at her for a moment before letting out a small laugh.

"It's fine, don't worry." He took a deep breath, feeling a warm calm as he looked into her eyes. "And about what I said to Billy… I just told the truth."

Alice smiled, that small smile that seemed to light up her whole face, before she unconsciously glanced around Nate's room, her eyes pausing on the details: the wolf totem on the desk, Bella's new shoes by the bed, a small photo of his grandmother on a shelf, and the box of his parents' keepsakes in the corner.

Nate noticed how Alice tilted her head slightly, scanning every corner with curiosity, and he raised an amused eyebrow.

"I thought you already scanned my room the day you broke in."

Alice froze, turning toward him with a slightly embarrassed expression before lowering her gaze.

"You're right… sorry about that." Her eyes lifted with sincerity. "At the time… I came under Carlisle's orders. I wanted to know how much you knew."

Nate leaned a shoulder against the window frame, crossing his arms as he watched her.

"It was wrong," Alice added in a genuine whisper.

Nate shook his head, no annoyance in his expression.

"I would've done the same," he replied naturally, shrugging. "Maybe even more."

Alice looked up with a grateful smile, her eyes glinting for a moment before she looked away, starting to walk distractedly around the room. Her fingers brushed softly against the edge of the desk as her eyes moved over the small details.

"The room looks different," she commented lightly, her tone casual.

Nate, watching her, tilted his head slightly.

"And… what do you think?"

Alice spun lightly on her heels with a small smile before sitting gently on the edge of the bed, crossing her legs lightly while still scanning the room with her eyes.

"It looks more… alive," she answered, lifting her eyes to him with a warm glow.

There was a brief moment of silence before Alice tilted her head, genuine curiosity in her voice.

"I never asked you, but… how did you know we came into your room?"

Nate raised an eyebrow, curious.

"'We'?" he repeated, emphasizing it subtly. "I was only sure it was you."

Alice blinked before smiling, a bit embarrassed.

"Ah… that time I came with Edward," she confessed with a small apologetic gesture. "Sorry, again."

Nate shrugged calmly.

"I didn't know Edward came in too." He paused before looking at her with a half-smile. "I just knew you had been here because I recognized your sweet scent in the room."

Alice looked at him for a second before a playful smile curved her lips, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"So… you're saying I smell good?"

The question hung in the air, while Nate fell silent for a moment, realizing the situation was slipping a bit out of his control as Alice remained seated on his bed, watching him closely.

That was when Nate realized they were alone in the room, the moon illuminating her silhouette, and the rain's murmur filling the silences.

He felt that pull of physical attraction again, a spark tightening his chest and quickening his pulse.

He swallowed, trying to hide it as he looked away with a small huff.

"You haven't told me the reason for your visit," he said quickly, trying to change the subject before his mind betrayed him.

Alice didn't seem disappointed; instead, she let out a soft giggle, placing her hands on the mattress and leaning slightly forward.

"All right," she conceded, a playful glint in her eyes. "I just came to give you your gift while it's still your birthday… and to ask you for a favor."

Nate blinked, tilting his head as he looked at her.

"What kind of favor?" he asked curiously.

Alice shifted on the edge of the bed, clasping her hands over her knees as she lowered her gaze, an unusual gesture of insecurity for her.

"Carlisle wants to invite you to the house," she explained softly. "He wants to talk to you."

Nate raised an eyebrow, his expression growing serious.

"About what?"

Alice took a deep breath before lifting her gaze, her golden eyes meeting his.

"The family is… a bit uneasy about the situation with you," she admitted, a touch of discomfort in her voice. "You're human, and you know our secret. That… puts you in a delicate position."

Nate's brow furrowed slightly.

"It's the same with Bella," he argued calmly.

Alice shook her head softly, her expression serious as she spoke.

"With Bella, it's different," she said. "She's with Edward. Everyone assumes she's part of the family… that she always will be." She paused before adding, a glint of vulnerability in her eyes, "With you… they don't know what to think."

Nate felt a tug inside, a slight conflict growing in his chest. Even though he felt comfortable with Alice, he couldn't help the instinctive alertness that arose whenever he thought about being with the rest of her family.

Alice, noticing the change in his expression, tilted her head slightly, her gesture gentle.

"If you don't want to, I can talk to him," she said sincerely, with that warmth of hers that seemed to calm everything. "Don't feel obligated."

Nate watched her for a moment, noting how even for her, this wasn't easy. He sighed, running a hand through his hair before nodding.

"All right," he agreed calmly.

Alice's face lit up with a smile that seemed to brighten the whole room.

"I won't leave you alone while you're visiting," she assured him, a warm glow in her eyes. "I don't want you to feel uncomfortable… or unsafe."

Nate let out a small chuckle through his nose, feeling a sincere gratitude as he nodded.

"Thanks," he said softly.

Alice visibly relaxed, the tension leaving her body.

"I'll let Carlisle know you're coming tomorrow," she said with a touch of lightness in her voice. "Besides, you won't be the only focus of attention. Bella will be visiting us again… and, well…" Her eyes sparkled for a moment as she lowered her voice. "Something interesting is going to happen tomorrow. I want to show you something rare."

Nate raised an eyebrow but didn't ask further. A small, almost conspiratorial smile crossed his lips.

"Sounds interesting."

There was a moment of silence before Nate tilted his head, a curious smile on his lips.

"By the way, what about my gift?"

Alice widened her eyes with feigned surprise before letting out a playful giggle.

"Oh, that…" she said dramatically. "I wanted to ask for the favor first because if you said no, I wasn't going to give you anything."

Nate let out a low chuckle.

"So it was blackmail?"

"Blackmail with a cause," Alice replied with a smile.

She stood up softly from the bed, slipping her hand into the pocket of her jacket before walking up to him. She took Nate's hand gently, placing a small silver object in his palm.

Nate looked down. It was a silver chain with a small locket that opened, with space for two tiny photos. He stood there in silence, the moonlight reflecting off the metal.

"I saw the necklace you have with your parents' rings," Alice explained softly. "I thought… you could keep the rings together with a photo of them."

Nate's chest tightened, a sudden warmth rising to his throat. He looked up, his eyes meeting Alice's.

"It's… perfect," he whispered sincerely.

Alice smiled at him before turning toward the window. Nate followed close behind, feeling he didn't want this moment to end just yet.

Alice opened the window with a swift motion, letting the cool night air fill the room with the scent of rain. She stepped out softly, and Nate leaned his head out the window to watch her leave. Before she jumped, Alice hesitated for a moment and turned back.

With both hands, she gently held Nate's face, leaning in before placing a small kiss on his cheek, a bit cold but as light as a whisper.

"Happy birthday," she murmured, her voice barely a breath in the night.

And before Nate could say anything else, Alice was gone, leaving behind the soft scent of rain and a pounding heartbeat in his chest.