Jacob Black stared at the elegant cream-colored card in his hands, the gold lettering mocking him with every syllable. Edward Cullen & Bella Swan request the honor of your presence…
His grip tightened until the paper crumpled. Without a word, he stormed out of the house, the screen door slamming behind him. He hurled the invitation to the ground like it was poisoned, ripped his shirt off in one violent motion, and phased mid-stride. The massive russet wolf exploded into the forest, a howl of pure rage tearing from his throat as he disappeared among the trees.
Billy Black rolled out onto the porch a moment later, his weathered face etched with exhaustion and sorrow.
"Jake! Jacob!" he called, voice cracking slightly. He sighed deeply as he reached down to pick up the crumpled invitation, smoothing it out with trembling hands.
Inside the Swan house, Charlie sat at the kitchen table, one hand covering his face as he stared at his own copy of the invitation. The room felt too quiet, too heavy. Mame stood in the doorway, reading the same card over his father's shoulder. His expression darkened with every word.
Charlie looked up, eyes tired. "They're really doing this."
Mame's jaw clenched so hard it looked painful. Without a word, he turned and walked out of the house, the door closing with deliberate force behind him. Charlie watched him go but didn't try to stop him.
Deep in the woods, far from any eyes or ears, Mame finally let go.
The rage he had been holding back since the invitation arrived exploded outward. He moved like a storm — fists slamming into ancient trees with B+ strength, splintering trunks and sending massive chunks of wood flying. He grabbed boulders the size of cars and hurled them into the river, the impacts sending water spraying high into the air. His black coat whipped around him as he destroyed everything in his path, a one-man war against the forest itself.
When the initial fury subsided, he stood in the middle of the devastation, breathing hard, knuckles bleeding. The System window appeared in front of him.
Query: Break Edward Cullen / Bella Swan Mate Bond
The System responded almost instantly.
[No viable method available.] Mate bonds between vampires are metaphysical and soul-deep. Breaking the bond would cause catastrophic damage to the human half (Bella Swan). Consequences: • Severe psychological trauma • Complete emotional collapse • High probability of suicidal ideation with no recovery path • Permanent damage to the human's will to live
Mame stared at the words for a long time. His hands clenched into fists again, but this time he didn't strike anything.
He knew he couldn't stop the wedding without killing Bella himself. And he couldn't bring himself to do that.
Not yet.
Meanwhile, thousands of miles away, Renee Swan held her invitation, eyes wide with a mix of joy and worry.
"Phil!" she called, voice carrying through the house. "It's happening!"
The Cullen house had been transformed into something out of a fairytale. White chairs lined a grassy aisle scattered with pale rose petals. Twinkling lights hung from every tree and archway. Alice moved like a whirlwind, directing Jasper and Carlisle as they carried benches, Emmett hauling an entire tree trunk for decoration, and Rosalie placing elegant floral arrangements with cool precision.
Bella stood in the middle of the controlled chaos, trying on her wedding shoes and stumbling slightly on the uneven ground.
Mame was suddenly there in a blur of black fabric. He caught her easily with one arm around her waist, steadying her before she could fall.
"You can try flats then," he said quietly, voice low enough that only she could hear.
Bella looked up at him, surprised. "Mame…?"
He helped her stand straight, expression softening just a fraction. "Don't be so shocked. I am a very nice person. Just don't like Edward. And you know my last line — if they cross it, everything goes."
Bella searched his face, seeing the tightly controlled anger beneath the surface. She nodded slowly, grateful for the brief moment of normalcy from her brother.
Alice appeared in front of Bella, completely unfazed. "You just have to break them in," she said cheerfully.
"I've been breaking them in for three days," Bella groaned. "Can I just go barefoot?"
"Absolutely not. It's exactly enough. Tomorrow will be perfect."
Bella glanced toward one of the tall windows and caught sight of Edward watching his family set everything up. His expression was soft, but there was a shadow of worry in his golden eyes. He met her gaze and gave her a small, reassuring smile.
Alice clapped her hands. "Okay. Time for the dress! Do you wanna see it?"
Bella stood in her childhood bedroom, the familiar space feeling strangely foreign on the eve of her wedding. She moved slowly, folding a few last items and placing them carefully into a cardboard box. Her mind was a whirlwind — excitement, nerves, and the heavy weight of everything that was about to change forever.
She paused, fingers brushing over a small stack of old photos and keepsakes. One in particular caught her eye: a picture of her, Charlie, and Mame from years ago, before everything had become so complicated. She set it gently in the box, then turned toward her bed.
Hanging on the headboard was the dreamcatcher Jacob had given her long ago. The feathers swayed slightly in the draft from the open window. Bella reached out and touched it, memories of simpler times flooding back.
A soft sound behind her made her turn.
Edward stood there, having appeared without a sound, his golden eyes gentle but searching.
"I was just checking for cold feet," he said quietly.
Bella managed a small smile. "Well, mine are toasty warm."
She sat down on the edge of the bed, and Edward moved to sit beside her. For a moment they were simply together in the quiet room.
"I haven't told you everything about myself," Edward admitted, voice low.
Bella tilted her head. "What? You're not a virgin?" she teased lightly.
Edward chuckled softly, but the humor didn't reach his eyes. He stood and paced slowly as Bella turned to face him.
"A few years after Carlisle created me, I rebelled against him," he began. "I resented him for curbing my appetite. So for a while… I went off on my own. I wanted to know how it felt. To hunt. To taste human blood."
Flashback
A dimly lit movie theater. Edward sat in the back row, eyes distant. A woman walked past him down the aisle. Moments later, a dangerous-looking man followed her. Edward's expression hardened as he read the man's intentions — violent, predatory.
He rose silently and followed.
In a dark alley, Edward confronted the man. The struggle was brief. Edward's eyes darkened with hunger as he drank, the man's screams cut short.
End of Flashback
Edward's voice was heavy with shame. "All the men I killed were monsters. And so was I."
Bella stood and moved to him, taking his hands. "Edward, they were murderers. You probably saved more lives than you took."
"I told myself that," he replied. "But they were still human beings. I looked into their eyes as they died and saw who I was… and what I was capable of."
Bella squeezed his hands. "And what I'll be capable of. Why are you telling me this tonight? Did you really think this was going to change my mind about you?"
"I just wondered if it would change your mind about yourself," Edward said softly. "And who you want to see when you look in the mirror a year from now."
Bella stepped closer, eyes steady. "I know I can do this. Let me tell you why. Because you did. You should give yourself some credit for that. Hopefully, a year from now, I'm going to look in the mirror and see someone like you. Someone capable of courage, sacrifice, and love."
They kissed — slow, deep, full of promise and the weight of forever.
A sharp whistle cut through the moment from outside the window.
Emmett's voice boomed. "Come on! Let's go!"
Edward pulled back with a reluctant smile. "I'm late for my bachelor party."
Emmett jumped up to the window, grinning. "Send him out, Bella, or we're coming in after him!"
Jasper appeared beside him. "Don't worry, Bella. We'll give him back in plenty of time."
Bella laughed softly and pushed Edward toward the window. "Okay, go, before they break my house."
Edward paused at the window, looking back at her with pure adoration. "I'll meet you at the altar."
Bella smiled. "I'll be the one in white."
Edward jumped out, joining his brothers. The three of them laughed and shoved each other playfully before disappearing into the night.
Bella stood at the window for a long moment, then turned off the lamp and climbed into bed, heart full and racing with anticipation for tomorrow.
The morning of the wedding dawned bright and clear — a rare gift in Forks.
Alice had taken over Bella's bedroom like a general commanding a battlefield. She sat Bella down in front of the vanity mirror, brushes and palettes spread out like artist tools.
"What did I say about beauty sleep?" Alice scolded lightly as she began applying foundation.
"Sorry," Bella muttered. "Bad dream. Wedding jitters."
Rosalie stepped forward. "Do you need some help? I could do her hair."
Bella looked surprised. "Really?"
Rosalie's lips curved into a small, genuine smile. "Please. I'm not offended by your choice of groom."
Bella raised an eyebrow. "Just my blatant lack of respect for mortality?"
"Essentially," Rosalie replied, already reaching for the curling iron.
Downstairs, Charlie and Renee had arrived with their gifts. Charlie looked uncomfortable but proud in his tuxedo. Renee's eyes were already misty.
Alice called them up. "Charlie? Renee? In here!"
Renee entered first and stopped dead at the sight of Bella. "Oh, my gosh! You're so beautiful. Oh, honey…" She immediately started crying. "Crap! My mascara!"
Bella laughed softly. "Mom!"
Alice handed Renee a handkerchief. "Here."
Charlie stepped in, looking awkward. "You sure? I don't wanna…" He trailed off as he saw Bella fully made up. "Wow."
Renee wiped her eyes. "We thought you needed something blue. And something old. Besides your mother."
Charlie opened the gift box, revealing Grandma Swan's jeweled hair comb, now adorned with sparkling sapphires. "It was Grandma Swan's."
Renee beamed. "But we added the sapphires."
Bella touched the comb with reverent fingers. "It's beautiful, you guys. Wow. Thank you so much."
Alice took the comb and carefully placed it in Bella's hair.
Renee started crying again. "It's your first family heirloom. Pass on to your daughter, and her daughter…"
Bella hugged her tightly. "Mom, I love it."
Mame had been standing quietly in the doorway, watching. When Renee noticed him, she waved him over.
"Come here, sweetheart. Look at your sister."
Mame stepped inside. He took in Bella in her dress, the comb in her hair, the full bridal look. For a moment, something softened in his eyes — pride, love, and a deep, buried sadness.
"You look… beautiful, Bells," he said quietly. "Really."
Bella smiled at him. "Thank you, Mame."
He nodded once, then stepped back, letting the family moment continue. Deep down, the anger was still there — locked away, waiting. But today, for his sister, he kept it buried.
Charlie cleared his throat, emotional. "You ready?"
Bella took a deep breath. "Yeah. Just don't let me fall, Dad."
"Never."
The guests had gathered under the elegant white archways and twinkling lights. The air was filled with soft murmurs.
Eric, Mike, Jessica, and Angela sat together near the front.
"They have got to be related," Eric whispered, staring at the impossibly beautiful vampires.
Mike nodded. "What a gene pool."
Jessica leaned in, smirking. "Seriously. You've got some… The drool."
Angela rolled her eyes. "So, you think Bella's gonna be showing?"
Jessica laughed. "Who else gets married at eighteen?"
The speculation rippled quietly through the crowd, but it was quickly drowned out as the music swelled.
Bella stood at the start of the aisle, heart hammering. Her hands trembled on Charlie's arm. The dress felt both perfect and overwhelming.
"You ready?" Charlie asked softly.
Bella swallowed hard. "Yeah. Just don't let me fall, Dad."
"Never," he promised.
The music shifted. Everyone stood.
Bella walked slowly down the aisle on Charlie's steady arm, eyes locked on Edward waiting at the altar. He looked at her like she was the only person in the world — golden eyes full of awe, love, and forever.
Mame stood near the back, arms crossed, watching every step. His expression was carefully neutral, but his dark eyes followed Bella with intense protectiveness. He caught her nervous glance and gave the smallest nod — I'm here.
Charlie walked her all the way to Edward, then stepped back with visible emotion.
The minister began. "Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here on this glorious day to witness the union of Edward Cullen and Bella Swan."
Edward's voice was steady and full of emotion as he repeated the vows. "I, Edward Cullen, take you, Bella Swan…"
Bella's voice trembled but grew stronger. "To have and to hold…"
They exchanged the sacred words — for better or for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health — promising to love and cherish as long as they both shall live.
"I do," Edward said, eyes never leaving hers.
"I do," Bella replied, tears glistening.
The minister smiled. "You may kiss the bride."
Edward cupped Bella's face gently and kissed her. The kiss was soft, full of promise and centuries of waiting. The guests erupted in applause and cheers. Jessica whistled. Charlie wiped his eyes. Renee sobbed happily. Even Mame allowed a small, tight smile, though his eyes remained guarded.
Edith Cullen watched the kiss with a complex expression — happiness for her brother mixed with something deeper as her gaze drifted once more toward Mame.
The newlyweds pulled apart, foreheads touching for a moment, lost in their own world as the celebration swelled around them.