We were all silent for a moment when they announced their news. For all we knew, a werewolf imprinting on a vampire was impossible, but Alice wasn't a liar.
Jasper was the first to say anything, a smile breaking across his lips, "This is incredible news, Alice. I am so happy for you."
"This will stop Sam from attacking us? Are you certain?" Carlisle asked.
Leah nodded her head, "It's our one real rule. You can't hurt the imprint of a pack member. Since you are Alice's family they can't touch you."
"Nothing is going to happen, I promise," Alice assured us all.
"You better be right," I glanced up at where the twins would be. I would protect them with my life, and I wanted to make that perfectly clear. I would kill these wolves if they tried to touch my children.
It wasn't long until the wolves did show up. They stayed near the tree line, a good amount of distance between us. Sam lead them as they crept forward.
Leah and Alice stepped between us. They acted as a barrier between us and certain loss.
"Sam!" Leah shouted, squaring up to the massive wolves in front of her, "We need to talk!"
A low growl rumbled in his chest as he continued to stalk forward. His eyes glanced at each of us, counting how many of us there were. With each step, he seemed less and less confident.
"I just want to talk! There doesn't need to be a fight!"
Nothing seemed to stop him as he continued toward us. Surely he knew he was outnumbered, but he didn't seem to care. Time seemed to stand still as we watched the scene unfold in front of us. I could hear Leah's heart beating rapidly as he approached her.
Alice moved in front of her. Her tiny frame didn't look like much in terms of protection, but she was just as strong as the rest of us.
"Stop!" She shouted in desperation, "Listen to her! You have to listen!"
"I imprinted on her, Sam!" Leah shouted, storming past all of us towards the horse-sized wolf. "You can't hurt them! They are all part of our pack now!"
He growled sharply, looking more confused as the seconds ticked by. We all held our breath in anticipation of his answer. Out of nowhere he turned and ran off, snarling the entire way. The wolves flanking him followed suit.
Leah breathed out slowly, "He's gonna have questions."
"That can all wait," Alice interjected, "You should come in. You can... I'd like you to."
She snickered and shook her head, "You sure they're all okay with me coming inside? They still seem skeptical."
Alice turned to us and grinned, "They know you won't hurt them. I'll promise them that you won't. They know what my promises mean."
There wasn't much use arguing with her. We all knew Alice would never hurt any of us, and if she promised that Leah wouldn't, that meant she wouldn't. Alice never broke promises.
We all went inside and I was reunited with the twins. Jasper seemed more at ease than he had been in months. I suppose it all made sense, whatever turmoil remained between him and Alice dwindled in Leah's presence.
For the first time in what felt like forever, we all sat together peacefully. Esme made the wolves sandwiches and we talked about trivial things. It was odd not having to worry about some kind of catastrophe on the horizon. I wondered for a moment if this is what it would be like all the time.
Would I be lucky enough to raise my sons with a loving husband, and his family? I hadn't realized how badly I desired that until now. All of a sudden I wanted a tranquil, sedentary life with my family. Perhaps the word "want" doesn't explain the desperation I suddenly had. I needed this like I used to need air.
From that moment I knew I would have to dedicate myself to that goal. I would hold on to this perfect little family I had like my life depended on it. I suppose it might.
...