The storm Kai feared came faster than he expected. It started with an ominous call from Sam Uley, one that interrupted the fragile peace Kai had been trying to maintain.
"We need to talk," Sam said, his voice tense over the phone. "Now."
Kai glanced at the clock. It was nearly midnight. The rain outside was coming down in sheets, the kind of weather that clung to Forks like a second skin.
"Sure, Sam," Kai said, leaning against the counter. "Should I be bringing an olive branch or a helmet?"
Sam didn't laugh. "Just get to the clearing near La Push. Alone."
The line went dead.
Kai frowned as he pocketed his phone. Whatever this was, it wasn't good. The Quileutes didn't like him on their turf, but calling him out like this? It meant trouble.
He debated whether or not to tell Bella where he was going. She'd already been hounding him for answers, and this wouldn't exactly help her trust his "I'm just a normal guy" narrative. Still, he couldn't risk her following him.
After scribbling a quick note—Went for a walk. Don't wait up—Kai slipped into the night, his muscles coiled with tension.
---
The clearing near La Push was eerily quiet when Kai arrived. The rain had stopped, but the air was thick with humidity, the scent of pine and salt hanging heavy.
Sam was waiting, flanked by Paul and Jared. All three of them were shirtless, their bodies rippling with the barely-contained energy of their wolf forms.
Kai stepped into the clearing, his hands shoved in his jacket pockets. "This a casual meet-and-greet, or should I start stretching?"
Paul growled, taking a step forward, but Sam raised a hand to stop him.
"We've been watching you," Sam said, his tone measured. "You've been sneaking into our territory, shifting in the forest. We need answers, Thornwood. Now."
Kai sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I wasn't sneaking, mate. I like running in the woods. Clears the head."
"Don't play dumb," Jared snapped, his eyes narrowing. "You're not like us. You're something else. And whatever you are, it's dangerous."
Kai's patience was wearing thin. He hadn't come here to be interrogated. "Look, I don't owe you an explanation," he said, his voice low. "I'm not a threat to you or your pack. I'm just trying to protect my sister and live my life."
Paul barked a laugh. "Protect her? From what? Us? The Cullens? Or yourself?"
That did it. Kai's temper flared, and with it, his Alpha aura surged to the surface. His eyes glowed red as his body began to shift.
"Careful," he growled, his voice guttural. "You don't want to see what happens when I lose my temper."
Paul snarled, lunging forward, but Sam held him back with a commanding glare.
"That's enough," Sam said, his voice laced with authority. His eyes locked with Kai's, and for a moment, the two Alphas stared each other down.
Finally, Sam sighed, his shoulders relaxing. "You're right. You're not a threat—yet. But whatever you are, you're upsetting the balance. The Quileute tribe has protected this land for generations. If you bring chaos to our home, we won't hesitate to stop you."
Kai's jaw tightened, but he nodded. "Fair enough. But trust me, Sam. I'm not your enemy. We've got bigger problems coming."
Sam frowned, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean?"
Kai hesitated, debating how much to tell them. The Volturi were a shadow on the horizon, a threat that loomed over everyone, human and supernatural alike. But would the Quileutes believe him?
"Just… keep your eyes open," Kai said finally. "And let's try not to kill each other, yeah?"
Sam nodded reluctantly, and the tension in the clearing eased—slightly.
But as Kai turned to leave, he couldn't shake the feeling that this fragile truce wouldn't last.
---
The First Crack
The next morning, Kai woke to the sound of Bella's voice—loud, panicked, and getting closer.
"Kai!" she shouted, bursting into his room. Her face was pale, her hands clutching her phone like a lifeline.
Kai sat up, his heart skipping a beat. "What's wrong?"
"It's Edward," Bella said, her voice trembling. "He's gone. He's not answering my calls or texts. Alice said something about him going to Italy."
Kai frowned, his mind racing. Italy. That could only mean one thing—the Volturi.
"Bloody hell," he muttered, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. "Bella, calm down. We'll figure this out."
She shook her head, her eyes filling with tears. "I don't understand. Why would he leave? Why would he go there?"
Kai stood, placing a hand on her shoulder. "He's trying to protect you. But running to the Volturi? That's a death sentence."
Bella's face crumpled, and Kai sighed, pulling her into a hug. "We'll get him back, Bells. I promise."
But even as he said the words, doubt gnawed at him. The Volturi were ruthless, and if Edward had gone to them, it meant things were worse than he thought.
---
The Flight to Italy
Hours later, Kai found himself boarding a plane to Volterra with Bella and Alice. The vampire had wasted no time dragging him into their latest crisis, insisting that his strength and speed would be invaluable if things went south.
Not that he minded. As much as Edward annoyed him, Kai wasn't about to let Bella face the Volturi alone.
The flight was tense, filled with nervous energy and whispered plans. Alice filled them in on the details, her visions painting a grim picture of what awaited them.
"If we're too late, the Volturi will kill him," she said, her voice tight. "And if they find out about Bella…"
Kai nodded grimly. He'd read the books. He knew what Aro and his cronies were capable of. But he also knew something they didn't.
They'd never faced a True Alpha.
As the plane descended over Italy, Kai took a deep breath, his fists clenching at his sides. This was it—the moment where everything could change.
For better or worse, the Twilight timeline was about to get a lot more complicated.
---
To Be Continued...