Under the Cursed Moon - CH - 70

Irina Denali had always been a part of the Cullen family's extended circle, her bond with them forged through shared loss and survival. She and her sisters, Tanya, Kate, and the late Sasha, had once lived a life of secrecy in the frozen wilderness of Denali, hiding their unique way of life from the Volturi's gaze. Their mother had been executed for creating an immortal child, a crime punishable by death. It had been the Cullens, led by the ever-compassionate Carlisle, who had taken them in when they had nowhere else to go. Through the years, the Denalis had become the Cullens’ closest allies, bound by their mutual choice of abstaining from human blood and their desire to coexist peacefully with mortals.

But for Irina, the Cullens were more than just allies. They were her family, and Edward Cullen had been the one she admired most. The quiet, brooding vampire with an old soul had captivated her for centuries. He was different from the others—intelligent, controlled, and deeply introspective. Irina had harbored feelings for him, believing that, in time, Edward would come to see her as more than a friend. She had always envisioned a future where they would stand side by side, bonded by eternity.

That dream had shattered when Edward chose Bella Swan, a fragile human girl with no knowledge of the supernatural world. Irina had watched in disbelief as Edward, who had been so unattainable for decades, suddenly devoted himself to a mortal. She couldn't comprehend how a mere human could capture Edward's heart so completely, bypassing everything that Irina thought made them kindred spirits.

She had tried to accept it. When she first heard the news of Edward’s relationship with Bella, she had told herself it was temporary, that he would realize the absurdity of loving a human and return to her. But as time passed, her patience turned into resentment. The Cullens, her family, had embraced Bella without hesitation, disregarding Irina’s quiet suffering. When Edward and Bella married, it was the final blow.

Unable to bear the sight of them together, Irina had left Denali. She needed space, a chance to escape the crushing weight of her unreciprocated love. She wandered the world alone, retreating from her sisters and the Cullens, trying to silence the bitterness that gnawed at her heart. She had always thought she would eventually move on, but the hurt lingered, a festering wound that time refused to heal.

Irina moved through the world like a shadow, blending into the night as she wandered from one city to the next. Even after centuries, her thirst for blood remained a constant companion, a silent whisper urging her to indulge in the hunt. But she never gave in to the temptation of human blood, not after the choice she made long ago. Her self-control was her burden and her triumph.

Seattle was the perfect city for her kind. The perpetual rain and overcast skies allowed her to roam freely, even during the day. It was a city teeming with life, both human and vampire, and Irina found solace in its anonymity. She watched the city lights flicker against the water, listening to the steady heartbeat of the metropolis. For months, she stayed there, observing, feeding discreetly, and keeping to herself.

But no matter how much time passed, she could never truly escape her past. The Cullens had once been family, a bond shattered by betrayal and grief. And Edward—his face haunted her memories, a bittersweet reminder of what could never be. She had loved him silently, from a distance, watching him devote himself to another. The pain had dulled over the years, but the ache remained.

One evening, as she wandered through the dimly lit streets of Seattle, she overheard whispers in a secluded bar where vampires congregated. The Cullens had returned to Forks.

The news sent a ripple through her composure. She hadn’t seen them for a while, not since the wedding. A part of her had wanted to believe that they had vanished into obscurity, living their immortal lives far from her reach. But they were back. And Edward—he was back.

Irina knew it was dangerous to return, to risk reopening old wounds, but the pull was undeniable. She didn’t need to speak to them, didn’t need to confront her past. She only wanted a glimpse, a fleeting moment to confirm that they were still there, still the same.

With that thought cemented in her mind, she left Seattle under the cover of darkness, her pace swift and silent as she made her way toward Forks. The town hadn’t changed much, nestled beneath a canopy of towering evergreens, shrouded in mist and rain. It felt almost frozen in time, untouched by the years that had passed.

As she neared the Cullen residence, she hesitated. The house stood as grand and imposing as ever, a beacon of familiarity. Light glowed warmly from within, shadows shifting behind the glass. She could hear movement, laughter—life.

She lingered just beyond the tree line, concealed by the forest, watching. The sight of them—Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Jasper, Rosalie, Emmett—stirred something deep within her. They were together, as they had always been, an unbreakable family.

And then she saw him.

Edward.

He stood by the window, speaking with Bella, his expression soft, filled with an emotion that had once tormented her. He looked just as he had all those years ago—ageless, unchanged, forever distant from her reach.

Irina clenched her fists, torn between the desire to run and the longing to stay. This was a mistake. She had come for closure, but all she found was the echo of her old heartache.

Irina stayed like that for the whole night, standing motionless in the cold, gazing at the warmly lit window of the Cullen house. She was mesmerized by the life they had—a life so different from her own. She had come here seeking closure, a way to mend the broken trust between her and the Cullens, but now she found herself lingering, drawn by something she couldn’t quite understand.

As the first light of dawn began to streak across the sky, she resolved to leave, to return to her life and the safety of Denali. But just as she turned to go, the soft hum of an approaching car caught her ears. Instinctively, she crouched behind the tree line, her keen vampire senses heightening as she observed the vehicle pulling into the driveway. The engine purred to a stop, and a little boy stepped out of the car, waving at the passengers inside before he turned and made his way up to the Cullen house. Irina froze.

A human child? In the care of the Cullens?

Her mind reeled with possibilities. Had the Cullens betrayed the secrecy of their existence? Or had they merely adopted a human child who was unaware of their nature? She hesitated, torn between curiosity and concern.

Determined to learn more, she waited in silence, her breath unnecessary but still held in anticipation. Moments later, the front door of the house opened again, and Bella Swan stepped outside, followed closely by two children. Irina’s eyes widened in shock as she took in the sight of the little girl at Bella’s side.

She was stunning—too stunning. The child’s beauty was beyond human, her features too perfect, her movements too graceful. Irina’s mind screamed in alarm.

An immortal child.

Panic set in. No, she couldn’t assume that just yet. Maybe the Cullens had simply adopted a human girl. Perhaps she was mistaken. But then she watched as the girl laughed, her bell-like giggle ringing through the frosty air, and suddenly leaped into the sky—far too high for any human child. She soared effortlessly, her small hands reaching out to catch a delicate snowflake before flicking it playfully toward the boy, who grinned as though this was perfectly normal.

Irina’s breath caught. No human child could do that. No normal child moved like that.

The Cullens had broken one of the most sacred laws of their kind. And worse, they had revealed themselves to a human child as well.

Two violations.

Irina’s heart clenched in turmoil. She had wanted to mend things, to make peace, but this… this was unforgivable. The Volturi had to be informed. There was no choice. No matter how much she cared for the Cullens, this was too dangerous to ignore.

Turning swiftly, she disappeared into the trees, moving faster than the human eye could perceive, her decision made. The Volturi would know.

Back in the yard, Bella suddenly tensed, her instincts flaring as she caught a glimpse of movement in the distance. She turned sharply, her eyes scanning the edge of the woods, but whatever she had seen was already gone. A cold dread settled in her stomach. Something was wrong.

She had a bad feeling about this.

Bella stepped inside the Cullen household, her face pale as she took a deep breath, steadying herself. "We have a problem," she said, her voice laced with urgency. The Cullens, who had been engaged in quiet conversation, immediately turned their attention to her.

"What happened?" Edward asked, stepping forward, concern evident in his golden eyes.

Bella exhaled sharply. "Irina saw Renesmee."

The room fell into absolute silence, the weight of her words sinking into everyone present. Carlisle was the first to react, his normally composed face tightening with alarm. "If she tells the Volturi..."

"They'll come," Alice finished, her voice barely above a whisper. Her golden eyes unfocused as she tilted her head slightly, trying to peer into the future. "I need a moment."

Everyone held their breath as Alice concentrated. Jasper stood protectively beside her, his jaw set. After a long moment, Alice's eyes flew open, wide with distress.

"This is bad," she confirmed. "Irina's not hesitating. She’s already set her mind on it. She’s going to the Volturi to report what she thinks is a crime. If she reaches them, they'll act immediately."

Esme placed a trembling hand on Carlisle’s arm. "We have to stop her. We have to make her understand."

Edward turned towards Emmett and Rosalie, his expression hardening. "We need to cut her off before she reaches them. We still have time. If we can find her and explain, maybe we can prevent the Volturi from getting involved."

Jasper nodded. "We should split up. Cover different routes she might take."

Carlisle ran a hand through his hair, deep in thought. "Alice, do you see where she's going?"

Alice shook her head. "She’s moving too quickly, and my visions keep shifting. But I know one thing for sure—she’s not stopping."

Emmett cracked his knuckles, his usual jovial demeanor replaced with grim determination. "Then we better move fast."

Edward turned to Bella. "Stay here with Renesmee. If the Volturi do come, she needs to be safe. We’ll do everything we can to prevent that."

Bella clenched her fists but nodded. "Just be careful. All of you."

Without another word, the Cullens moved swiftly, their supernatural speed carrying them in different directions. Edward, Alice, and Jasper headed north, where Irina had last been spotted. Emmett and Rosalie took a more direct route eastward, while Carlisle and Esme moved south, hoping to intercept her.

The tension in the house was suffocating. Bella stood near the window, watching the children play outside, blissfully unaware of the storm brewing. Her eyes flickered toward Teddy, who was laughing as he chased Renesmee. He didn’t know how quickly their world might change.

She whispered to herself, "Please, let them reach her in time."

The Cullens searched all over the place and found no trace of Irina. They scoured the forests, questioned passing nomads, and even extended their search beyond Forks, but it was as if she had vanished without a trace. Carlisle, sensing that something was amiss, decided that they couldn’t ignore the potential consequences of Irina’s disappearance. They had no choice but to prepare for the inevitable.

The family gathered in the grand living room of the Cullen estate, exchanging glances of concern as they discussed their next course of action. Edward, his expression tense, finally broke the silence.

“The Volturi will come,” he said grimly. “Irina was convinced Renesmee was an immortal child, and if she went to them, it’s only a matter of time before they act.”

Esme placed a comforting hand on Bella’s shoulder, who was cradling Renesmee protectively. “We don’t know that for sure. Maybe Irina has second thoughts. Maybe she—”

“She wouldn’t just leave,” Alice interrupted, shaking her head. “I can’t see her future, which means the Volturi are already involved. It’s happening.”

A heavy silence fell over them. Carlisle exchanged a worried look with his wife before making a decision. “We need to inform Harry. If the Volturi are coming, he needs to know.”

The Cullens didn’t hesitate. They took their cars and drove straight to the Black Mansion, the estate that had been their only true ally outside of their own kind. As they approached the gates, the magical wards flickered faintly, a reminder that they were stepping onto powerful ground.

Harry was in the training yard with Teddy when the Cullens arrived. Teddy had just finished a rigorous set of exercises, his Lycan strength still something he was learning to control. He was breathing hard, but a wide grin was on his face as he sparred lightly with his father. Harry, sensing the presence of their visitors, straightened and turned towards them with a calm smile.

Carlisle stepped forward. “Harry, we have troubling news.”

Harry listened attentively as Edward explained the situation—how Irina had misunderstood Renesmee’s nature, how she had run off in a fit of rage, and how they feared she had gone to the Volturi. Harry’s expression never wavered.

When Edward finished, Harry simply smiled.

“We can talk to them when they come.”

The Cullens exchanged confused glances. They had expected alarm, urgency, or at least concern. Not this.

“You don’t understand,” Rosalie pressed. “The Volturi don’t just ‘talk.’ They destroy entire covens based on assumptions. If they believe Renesmee is an immortal child, they won’t hesitate.”

Harry chuckled softly. “I understand the Volturi more than you think.”

Alice frowned. “Harry, what do you mean?”

Harry folded his arms. “I’ve already met them.”

A stunned silence fell over the group.

Carlisle’s brows furrowed in concern. “When?”

Harry’s grin widened. “During the war in Britain. When they sided with the Dark Lady, they thought they could use me as a bargaining chip, maybe even eliminate me. They learned very quickly that making an enemy out of me was not in their best interest.”

Jasper, who had been quiet until now, tilted his head. “You fought them?”

Harry nodded. “I fought them. Killed a good number of their newborn army. Aro and I had a little… discussion after that.”

Edward’s eyes narrowed as he tried to read Harry’s mind, but Harry simply blocked him out, a trick that irritated Edward to no end.

The Cullens were in disbelief. They had spent their entire existence dreading the wrath of the Volturi, living under the constant fear of their judgment. Yet here was Harry, standing before them, completely unfazed.

“So, what do we do?” Emmett finally asked, excitement in his voice. “Do we fight?”

Harry shook his head. “Not unless we have to. We let them come. We let them speak. And then, if they make a wrong move…”

A slow, predatory grin spread across his face. “We remind them why it’s unwise to challenge us.”

The Cullens shared a look. For the first time, facing the Volturi didn’t seem so terrifying. With Harry Potter on their side, they had more than just a fighting chance.