If you want to support (To continue with the chapters and improve the quality of the language)or read some advance chapters +6 (this week I will upload several chapters to Patreon) please follow me on: patreon.com/Jayjayempi
Billy was still looking at him with a mixture of gravity, unease, and guilt when Nate broke the silence with a calm voice as if trying to defuse the tension with carefully measured words.
"You can relax, Billy. Really. You just sped up the inevitable."
Billy frowned. His gaze, though firm, showed a slight shadow of confusion.
"What do you mean?"
Nate tilted his head, a half-smile touching his lips. His voice remained serene, almost analytical.
"Even if you hadn't told me anything, I still would've started paying attention to Edward Cullen."
Billy raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
"Why?"
Nate met his gaze, direct and unadorned.
"Because he's interested in Charlie's daughter."
The mention of Bella dropped with the weight of truth neither of them wanted to admit. Billy froze. The air seemed to grow heavier.
"Bella?" he asked, his voice low, as if merely speaking her name could draw danger closer. There was a worry in his tone that had been held back until now—like a crack finally giving way.
Nate nodded, his expression growing more serious.
"Yeah. I've noticed it for a while now. He watches her when he thinks no one's looking. Finds excuses to cross paths with her. And when the accident happened… he was there. Too fast. It wasn't a coincidence. And it wasn't just what he did… it felt like he'd already been watching her all along. Like there was something more than fear or concern. Something stronger."
Billy rubbed a hand over his face, a tired, defeated gesture.
"My God..."
"I know," Nate murmured. "I'm worried too. I don't know what Edward's planning. Maybe even he doesn't. But there's something… magnetic. Like Bella's some kind of magnet to him."
He paused. Then added, with a hint of discomfort:
"And the worst part is that it seems mutual. Bella's just as interested in him. At first, she tried to hide it, but as she began to trust me more, she became more honest about her feelings. She doesn't hide it as much anymore. Sometimes she talks about him without saying his name, but it's obvious."
Billy took a deep breath as if every word from Nate added another weight to his chest. Speaking seemed harder now.
"Did you tell Bella anything?"
Nate shook his head.
"Not yet. I'm still considering how to approach it. She's… stubborn. Very much so. If I'm too direct, if I tell her to stay away from Edward without solid proof, she'll probably do the opposite. And if I decide to tell her the truth, I don't know what kind of consequences that might bring. Sometimes… ignorance can be a blessing."
Billy nodded slowly. It was clear that the answer weighed on him just as much as it did on Nate.
"And if she feels I'm pushing too hard for her to stay away from him," Nate continued, "she'll start lying to me. Sneaking around to see Edward. That would be worse. I'd rather keep her close and watched… than blind and determined to prove me wrong." Nate added, his voice quieter, almost like he was talking to himself.
Silence fell again, thick as a blanket. Outside, the wind rustled through the treetops with a deep murmur, heavy with foreboding. For a moment, both men shared the same fear—not for what they already knew, but for what might come.
Billy let out a long breath.
"So, what do you plan to do?"
Nate looked down at the empty cup on the table. He picked it up by reflex, watching how its shadow warped across the wood. Then, without looking at Billy, he spoke:
"Pressure them. Maybe not Bella directly… but the Cullens. If they feel Forks isn't a safe place anymore, they might leave on their own. Or at least reconsider staying."
Billy watched him with dark, ancient eyes. His voice carried the weight of generations.
"Don't underestimate the Cold Ones. Even the Cullens. I know they seem different. They try to live with a sort of… humanity. But their nature still beats with the same things: hunger, pride, immortal patience. They're predators. Sometimes, empathy is just part of the hunt."
Nate held his gaze for a moment, then smiled gently.
"You know… now that I know the Quileute are here to protect the people of Forks, I feel a little safer. Like, with you around, the Cullens don't seem like such a big threat."
Billy's expression softened. Not completely, but enough to reveal a trace of appreciation.
"It's been a long time since I heard someone say that."
Nate stood up calmly. He adjusted his jacket in an automatic motion and walked to the door. Every step seemed measured as if weighing the world with each stride.
"Thanks for the coffee. And for talking to me… even when you weren't supposed to."
Billy nodded silently, his eyes tracking the young man's movements. Nate crossed the porch, walked down the steps slowly, and headed for his vehicle. He placed a hand on the door handle… but didn't open it. He stood still as if an idea had brushed against his soul.
He turned slightly, not needing to approach, and raised his voice:
"How many do you have right now?"
Billy frowned.
"How many what?"
Nate smiled, still watching him.
"Those 'spiritual warriors' you mentioned. I got curious. You seem pretty confident you could stand up to the Cullens if things went south… So I wondered how many you have now."
Billy didn't respond. Not a word. Not a twitch. Only the whispering wind among the trees bore witness to the silence.
Nate held his smile for a moment longer. It wasn't mockery… it was respect. A dangerous mix of admiration and challenge.
"I thought you were the reserved type. But that… that was a perfect answer."
He climbed into the vehicle, closed the door gently, and started the engine. The low, steady growl of the motor broke the natural silence of the forest—deep and final.
Billy watched him until the taillights disappeared between the trees. He stood there a moment longer, thoughtful, feeling the echo of their conversation still pulsing in his chest.
Finally, with a sigh, he murmured to himself:
"Such a shame that boy wasn't born with Quileute blood..."
Special thanks to Nox for giving me translation tips.