Chapter 86: Chapter 80
AN: SHOUTOUT TO OUR NEW PATRONS!(Seriously, I did not expect for there to be these many) 🎉🎊💖
-MATTHIAS SCHMIDT
-CHAD ROBERTS
-DARTH_ILY
-ANGELSAKURAT2
-DARREN BURNS
-RIANNA_KILDARE
-JACOB MIGUEL
-EVIL KING
-ZULEKHA AFZAL
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Owkie, moving on... here's the chapter!!!
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ROBIN'S POV
Looking away from my brother (yes, Edward, the one whose face I punched like he owed me money), I focused on the rest of the incoming group. I still had my issues with them—serious, drama-worthy issues—but that could wait. For now, there was only one person I wanted to see.
As soon as they got close enough for me to recognize them, I launched myself forward like an over-caffeinated squirrel and leaped into the arms of the one I missed most: Esme.
Yes, she's my favorite, I'm a mommy's girl, sue me!
She saw me flying through the air and smiled—like that warm, comforting mom-smile that instantly makes you feel like the world isn't a dumpster fire. With open arms, she caught me effortlessly, her expression soft and full of love, even as I slammed into her with enough force to bowl over a linebacker.
I wrapped myself around her like a clingy koala, refusing to let go. Look, she's a vampire, and I've made sure everyone in this family doesn't slack off just because they're pseudo-immortal. So yeah, she's durable, and I have no regrets.
Waaah... I missed this so much. I nuzzled my face into her shoulder, inhaling her scent—a mix of lavender and safety. Don't ask me how safety smells; it just does, okay?
Oh, and about Edward? Yeah, the brother whose jaw is probably still stinging from my right hook? That punch was absolutely necessary. I was testing him to see if he'd been keeping up with his training. Totally legit, right? Not at all because I'm a petty little sister who holds grudges longer than a toddler holds onto a cookie. Nope, not me.
Edward's sins? Big. Huge. Sure, he probably thought he was "protecting me" or whatever heroic nonsense older brothers tell themselves, but still. Let's not forget: I'm the little sister here. It's my job to be petty. I'm allowed to be mad. It's in the Little Sister Constitution, Article III, Section Petty AF.
Also, don't even think about asking if I'd ever launch myself at him like I did with Esme. That's a big nope. Like, not in this lifetime or any alternate reality where I exist as a sentient fern.
"Welcome home, Robin. We've missed you so much, our little angel," Esme said, her voice warm and full of mom energy that could melt even the coldest heart. "Let your mother look at your perfect face, Liesha."
I peeked up at Esme from where I was still clinging to her like a determined backpack. *Mom, you have to say that—you're my mom,* I signed with exaggerated drama, throwing in an eye roll for good measure.
She chuckled warmly, and I heard a ripple of laughter from the others, who had finally caught up and were now watching our reunion with amused expressions. Because, let's be real here, we all know one thing: I have never looked ugly. Not once. I'm perfect.
What? You don't agree? Really? Ouch. That kinda stings. But hey, it's fine. Everyone else here thinks so, and honestly, that's what matters most.
Esme laughed softly and reached out to cup my face with both hands. "Oh, you and your... what did you call it? Humble-bragging? Well, I'll give you this much—there might be some truth to it. After all, as we've told you before, even if you turned into a worm, we'd still love you and think you're the cutest."
"I still think that's a weird question," Edward interjected, his tone full of playful exasperation. "I'm honestly questioning my memory at this point, trying to figure out if there was ever a moment where she hit her head hard enough to make her this."
I turned my head just enough to shoot him a look and stuck my tongue out at him like the mature, responsible person I am.
Esme smiled, shaking her head at our antics. "You two."
I may have melted just a little bit inside at her soft smile. No, I'm not crying. Shut up.
Before anyone could say more, someone cleared their throat loudly, drawing our attention.
"None for your father?" Carlisle asked, his voice dripping with mock offense. "No hug? No greeting? Even Edward got a punch. Did you forget about me, my little princess?" He clutched his chest dramatically, as though the betrayal had physically wounded him.
Ah yes, welcome to this universe's Carlisle, who is about as far from canon as a vampire can get. Forget the stoic, wise father figure; this Carlisle has fully embraced his inner ham. Honestly, everyone in my family has drifted far from their "canon" personalities over time, and I don't hate it. In fact, I kinda love it. This is what makes them mine, unique to this universe, and different from all the others out there.
*Father, you know you're unforgettable,* I signed, smirking at him. *I just save the best for last.* I winked subtly, but not really, at mom before I said the last part to tell her that I was joking. Where she smiled and winked back.
He grinned, and I could practically see the little "proud dad" emoji floating over his head. We all knownshe saw the not so subtle winks we did and understood, but he still liked hearing it and ran with it.
Robin's POV
I unlatched myself from my mother—yes, unlatched like a clingy barnacle—and dashed toward my dad. Not that I had any other dad in this life since my bio-dad was currently six feet under somewhere. Ugh, that sounded harsh, didn't it? Sorry, bio-dad. Thanks for putting a bun in bio-mom's oven. I mentally kissed my fist and lifted it to the sky in a silent thank you for your service.
Dad smiled as I slammed into him for a hug. "Careful, Robin. You'll break your old man."
I snorted. *Please, you're built like a fridge, Dad. You're fine.* I signed then hugged him again. I inhaled his scent—not in a weird way, stop judging me—because for me, he smelled like home. And no, this isn't some "Sweet Home Alabama" nonsense, thank you very much. I may not be related by blood, but they're my family, and that's what matters. Besides... Uh... Ehem... If... This is only an "IF IN CASE" scenario... If I had a preference, I'm a momma's girl all the way. Ehem...
Anyway, moving on before this gets even weirder.
After some warm words with Dad and a firm hug, I turned to the rest of the group. They had been hanging back to give us some time to catch up. Even in a coven as close-knit as ours, there was still a hierarchy to these sorts of reunions. And yeah, we're like family, but there's a vibe we follow.
Looking around, I noticed a few absences.
The Denali clan was here, my adorable twins included, but my bestie and his mate were nowhere to be seen. I tried not to let it bother me, though. I mean, my heartbeat was already loud enough to give me away, and I didn't need to add more fuel for their teasing fire. I took a deep breath, pretending everything was fine as I made my way through the group, giving everyone hugs and exchanging pleasantries.
But no matter how hard I tried to act normal, they knew. Of course, they did. These people know me better than I know myself. The air shifted, and I could feel their concern wrapping around me like an uncomfortable sweater.
And that's when the betrayal hit me again like a rogue wave. Years—years—of lies, secrets, and pretending everything was fine. My so-called family had kept me in the dark about something huge. Sure, I didn't hate them enough to call it quits, but there was no way I was letting this go without some payback. I mean, what kind of person would I be if I didn't dish out some petty revenge?
As I lost myself in thought, I subconsciously frowned, causing an audible ripple of shivers among the group. They looked worried—and a little scared. Good.
Jane was the last to hug me, and as she stepped back, she asked, "It's been a while, Mother. We missed you. But… who are they?"
She motioned to the new arrivals: Alice, and Jasper. They alreadt met Nasu.
Ah, an opportunity. A perfect chance for a little chaos.
I grinned, feeling my mischievous side kick into high gear. Taking a calming breath to suppress my emotions, I glanced at Alice, who immediately caught on. Her face lit up with that troublemaker smile, the kind that screams, let's ruin someone's day in the most fun way possible.
Alice stepped forward with Jasper and Nasu flanking her. "Hi! We're here to join big sister Robin's coven!" she chirped with way too much enthusiasm.
She gestured to Jasper. "And this gorgeous man here is my mate, Jasper. He has the gift of empathy. He can sense and influence emotions."
While she spoke, elaborating on bis gift, and showering him with praises and such... I tried to keep my face neutral, but internally, I was dying. Jasper's discomfort was so palpable that even I felt secondhand embarrassment.
The group's reactions? Cautious but accepting. They were already used to Edward's mind-reading and my compulsion ability, so another gift wasn't a total curveball.
Alice, however, wasn't done. Clearing her throat, she added, "And then there's me. I'm Alice. I don't remember my human life, but that's not important. What's important is my gift…"
She paused dramatically, her smile practically splitting her face.
That's when Edward froze.
Oh, right. Fun fact: Edward can only read current thoughts, not buried memories. So, I had told Alice and Jasper to keep their thoughts very focused until this moment. Now, the floodgates were open, and Edward was seeing it all.
Cue gasps. Cue drama. Cue everyone staring at Edward as if he had just announced the world's juiciest secret.
Alice, unbothered, continued. "I can see the future. Humans, vampires, you name it. I see it."
And just like that, everyone's heads whipped around to look at me, their guilty faces a synchronized masterpiece of uh-oh, we messed up.
I met their stares with a smile—a cold, calculating smile that did not reach my eyes. Oh, they were sweating now. Well, metaphorically. Vampires don't sweat.
Edward, brave idiot that he was, stepped forward. "Robin, let us explain—"
"Shut up," I snapped, cutting him off. I'm trying my damnedest to control my skill. "Your face is so punchable right now, I might just…"
And then I caught it. That scent.
My words died in my throat as everything else faded into the background. That scent, mingled with two others I knew all too well, hit me like a freight train.
My heart raced, thundering in my ears as my eyes darted toward the source.
And then, I saw her.
Rosalie.
She stopped a few feet away, her golden eyes locking onto mine. The world seemed to stop, electricity crackling in the air between us.
MATE.
My Rosalie was here.
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AN: Another chap Down! wooo. I'm being consistent. *fingers crossed* please don't jinx it me.
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