Under the Cursed Moon - CH - 73

The air in La Push was thick with tension, an unease that had settled over the Quileute tribe like an approaching storm. The presence of the Cullens had always been a tolerated anomaly, an uneasy truce upheld by an ancient treaty. But now, everything was changing.

The Cullens were no longer just a small coven living on the outskirts of Forks. Their home had become a gathering ground for vampires from all over the world. Their numbers swelled with each passing day, and the scent of so many leeches in one place was unbearable to the wolves.

It wasn’t just the overwhelming presence of the vampires that disturbed the Quileutes—it was the blatant disregard for their lands. The newcomers, unfamiliar with the treaty, had begun to cross into their territory without hesitation, wandering through the forests that had long been protected by the tribe.

The pack had tried to be patient. They knew the Cullens were dealing with something serious—Jacob had kept them informed as best as he could. But patience had limits, and now, the treaty was being broken.

Sam Uley stood at the head of his pack, his expression grim as they gathered near the boundary line. His wolves flanked him, their hackles raised, their bodies tense. This was no longer just an inconvenience—it was a violation.

“We can’t ignore this anymore,” Sam said, his voice sharp with frustration. “They’re walking through our land like the treaty doesn’t exist. They don’t respect our boundaries, and the Cullens aren’t stopping them.”

Leah, standing nearby with her arms crossed, let out a scoff. “What did you expect? It’s not like these bloodsuckers care about our rules. They only follow their own.”

Paul, always the quickest to anger, growled under his breath. “We should take action now. Show them we won’t just sit back and let them do whatever they want.”

Jacob, who had been standing silently up until now, finally spoke. “We can’t go in swinging without knowing all the facts.” His tone was measured, but his eyes betrayed his own frustration. “The Cullens didn’t invite these leeches to break the treaty. This is about the Volturi. And if we start a fight now, we might be playing right into their hands.”

Sam shot him a sharp look. “Then what do you suggest we do? Just stand here and let them keep coming? How many more are going to cross our lands before we say enough?”

The question hung heavy in the air. No one had an answer.

Embry, always the voice of reason, finally spoke. “We need to talk to the Cullens. Make them deal with this before we do. If they want to keep their guests, they better get them under control.”

Jacob nodded. “I’ll handle it.”

Leah snorted. “Of course you will.”

Ignoring her, Jacob turned, already shifting in his mind how he would approach this conversation. He knew the Cullens didn’t want this, but it was their responsibility now. If they didn’t act fast, the Quileutes wouldn’t hesitate to enforce their own justice.

The treaty was more than just words—it was a line drawn in blood. And if the vampires didn’t respect it, war wouldn’t be far behind.

At first, the pack had assumed Jacob should be the one to handle it. He was the link between their world and the Cullens, the only one who had consistently spoken on behalf of both sides. But this was bigger than him. This was not a conversation—it was a warning.

After a long and heated clan meeting, the decision was made. The vampires needed to hear the truth, and they needed to hear it from the pack, not just Jacob. The treaty was being broken, and there would be consequences.

No more excuses. No more patience.

The council had spoken.

They would go as a pack—not as individuals, not as negotiators, but as enforcers of the law that had kept them at peace for generations. The message had to be clear: If the vampires were willing to ignore the treaty, the Quileutes would do what was necessary to protect their land.

Sam Uley, the pack’s Alpha, would lead them. Embry and Seth, two of the strongest and most level-headed wolves, would accompany him. And Jacob—despite his past with the Cullens—was still part of this. He knew their ways better than anyone. He would stand with them, not as an ally to the Cullens, but as a Quileute.

The warning had to be delivered with finality. If the vampires did not listen, there would be war.

They set the meeting for two days later. Until then, they prepared.

The pack trained harder than ever, running patrols, keeping watch on the movements of the foreign vampires. They observed as the Cullens struggled to keep order, as strange vampires continued to come and go, many of them with little regard for the land they were walking on. Some had already wandered too close to Quileute land. They had been warned, but if they kept pushing their luck, the pack would not remain silent much longer.

And the vampires needed to know that.

The meeting was no longer a request from Jacob—it was an ultimatum.

Two days from now, the Cullens would have to answer.

Or face the consequences.

Teddy was just as upset as Renesmee—if not more.

Ever since the Cullens had tightened their security, he had barely seen her. It was unnatural. They had spent so much time together, playing, running, learning, and now… nothing. For the first time since meeting Renesmee, he was forced to spend days without her, and it was unbearable.

Harry and Hermione noticed almost immediately. Teddy’s usual bright energy had dimmed. He was quieter, less playful, and whenever someone mentioned Renesmee, his entire face fell. He tried to be strong, but it was clear—he missed her terribly.

So, they did everything they could to lift his spirits.

One morning, Harry and Hermione took him to Seattle. Not just the ordinary parts of the city, but the magical ones as well. The hidden alleys, the wizarding shops concealed from Muggle eyes, the enchanting cafés where food danced on plates and enchanted trinkets lined the shelves. They let him pick out whatever he wanted—books, sweets, enchanted toys—and for a while, he smiled.

But the moment they returned home, the sadness crept back into his eyes.

Leah, who had a soft spot for Teddy even if she rarely admitted it, took her turn in trying to help. She brought him to La Push, where the pack welcomed him as one of their own. Seth, in particular, made it his mission to keep Teddy occupied.

Teddy, who could now fully transform into a small wolf, ran with Seth through the vast forests of La Push, their paws kicking up dirt as they raced through the trees. The pack watched over them, amused by Teddy’s boundless energy, yet understanding his restlessness. Running with the wolves helped, but it wasn’t the same.

No matter what anyone did, Teddy still wanted to see Renesmee.

Teddy hadn’t cared much about what the Quileute clan was planning with the Cullens. Treaties, warnings, politics—it all meant nothing to him. All he cared about was Renesmee. And for days, he had been desperate to see her, to hear her voice, to know that she was okay.

Then, by pure chance, he overheard something that changed everything.

The clan was planning to visit the Cullens today.

Teddy’s ears perked up when he caught bits of the conversation between Sam and the others. They were gathering to make their stance clear—to warn the vampires about the treaty and the consequences of ignoring it. Seth, one of the few in the pack who still treated Teddy like a little brother, was going too.

That meant Teddy had a chance.

He didn’t waste a second. The moment he was alone with Sam and Seth, he started pestering them endlessly.

“Take me with you!” he begged, eyes wide and pleading. “Please, I won’t do anything, I swear! I won’t even talk to Renesmee—I just want to see her!”

Sam groaned, rubbing his forehead. “No, Teddy.”

“But why?” Teddy whined. “I’ll stay out of the way! I won’t even get out of the car!”

“You’re not a part of this discussion,” Sam said firmly. “This is about the treaty, not a social visit.”

Teddy, however, was relentless.

“I won’t be a problem! You won’t even know I’m there! I’ll stay in the car, I won’t say a word, I won’t do anything! Please, please, please!”

Seth, watching the whole thing unfold, tried not to laugh. He had never seen anyone annoy Sam this much.

For the next hour, Teddy continued pleading, promising anything he could think of. He swore he wouldn’t step out of the car. He swore he wouldn’t speak to Renesmee. He even swore he wouldn’t breathe too loudly if that’s what it took.

Finally, Sam, completely exasperated, let out a long sigh.

“Fine,” he said gruffly. “But you stay in the car. No exceptions.”

Teddy nearly exploded with excitement.

“I promise! I swear! I won’t move an inch!”

Sam shot him a warning look. “If you step one foot out of that car, I swear to all the spirits, you won’t be seeing Renesmee again for a long time.”

Teddy nodded so fast his hair bounced. “Yes! Got it! Car only. No feet outside. Understood!”

Seth chuckled, shaking his head. “Man, you’re something else, Teddy.”

As they prepared to leave, Teddy could hardly sit still. For the first time in what felt like forever, he was going to see Renesmee.

Even if it was just for a second, even if she had to come to the car—he would see her.

And that was enough.

For now.

Teddy sat excitedly in the backseat as the car rumbled down the long road leading to the Cullen household. He could hardly sit still, his small hands gripping the seatbelt as the trees blurred past the window. The thought of seeing Renesmee, even from a distance, filled him with anticipation.

The car they were in belonged to Jacob. It wasn’t anything fancy, but it was sturdy, reliable, and more importantly, it was used by the tribe whenever there was an urgent matter. Jacob had gotten it as a gift from his father, Billy, who managed the Phoenix Sports Equipment Company and had made a good amount of money over the years. Jacob also worked part-time for the company, helping wherever he could.

But the car wasn’t just Jacob’s anymore—it belonged to the tribe in a way. Whenever there was something important, they used it without hesitation. It had become a part of their community, just like Jacob himself.

As the car drove on, Teddy glanced up at Sam, Embry, and Seth, who sat in the front seats. He knew they were here on serious business, to talk about the treaty and the problems with the new vampires. But that wasn’t what mattered to him. He wasn’t here for politics.

He just wanted to see Renesmee.

The Quileute people had always treated him kindly, and ever since Harry established his company in Forks, many of the Native Americans had found good jobs. Their lives had changed for the better, and they never forgot who had helped them. Because of that, they held deep gratitude for the Black family—Harry, Hermione, and of course, Teddy.

And Teddy felt the same way about them.

After what felt like an eternity, the car finally pulled up to the Cullen house. The large, modern home stood tall and silent, but Teddy could already sense the presence of the many vampires inside. He swallowed hard, suddenly feeling a bit nervous.

Sam, Embry, and Seth wasted no time. As soon as they parked, they stepped out of the car, their movements firm and purposeful. Jacob was already there, waiting near the entrance. He gave them a nod, acknowledging their arrival.

Before heading inside, Sam turned to Teddy and pointed at him sternly.

“You stay in the car,” Sam said, his voice low and serious. “We won’t take long.”

Teddy nodded quickly. “I know, I know. I won’t move.”

Satisfied, Sam gave him a long look before closing the door behind him. Just before stepping away, he reached into the backseat and handed Teddy a book.

“Here,” Sam said, placing it in Teddy’s lap. “Keep yourself busy.”

Teddy grinned. He loved reading—it was one of his favorite pastimes.

“Thanks, Sam.”

Sam didn’t respond, only giving a final warning glance before walking toward the Cullen house. Embry and Seth followed close behind, disappearing into the massive home where the gathering of vampires awaited them.

Now, Teddy was alone in the car.

He opened the book, flipping through the pages, but his mind was elsewhere.

Would Renesmee come outside?

Would she even know he was here?

He took a deep breath, glancing out the window toward the house.

He had promised not to leave the car.

But what if she was right there?

What if she was waiting for him, just as eager to see him as he was to see her?

Teddy gripped the book tightly. He just had to be patient.

For now.