8 Chapter 7 - Denali

A year had passed, and the need to lower our profile became undeniable. Consequently, weeks prior, we had diligently prepared and dispatched our bags and possessions to our cousin's residence nestled in the remote wilderness of Denali, Alaska. Our departure was swift and inconspicuous, and within mere hours, we found ourselves standing before a sprawling stone and wood mansion that seemed to have materialized out of thin air.

This impressive structure stood amidst a landscape blanketed in pristine, powdery snow, framed by towering ancient trees and rugged, moss-covered rocks. The mansion was a solitary bastion of civilization in the heart of this wilderness, a place where the Denali coven could establish their permanent residence. It was nestled two hours away from the nearest human habitation, allowing us to reside here without fear of discovery. This secluded haven was aptly named "Denali," in honor of the imposing mountain that loomed majestically in the background, casting its protective shadow over the region.

As we drew closer to the wooden mansion, an unexpected and enticing aroma wafted through the air, assaulting my senses with its familiar scent. It was the unmistakable fragrance of human blood, a scent I hadn't anticipated encountering so deep within the wilderness. Puzzled, I scanned my surroundings and quickly spotted a battered truck, conspicuously out of place among the lineup of luxurious vehicles parked in front of the house.

"Human?" Jasper mused aloud, visibly struggling to contain the primal urges ignited by the scent. Alice was the first to react, moving swiftly to assist him in maintaining control.

While I simply tapped into the little bit of stolen gift from Carlisle that I always had in my reservoir, Perfect Control. And in an instant, I was in perfect control my thirst for human blood completely gone. I could perform surgery on a man in this condition and it would feel like a walk in the park.

"What would a human be doing here?" I wondered aloud in hopes Edward or Alice could explain, not having used future sight earlier.

Before anyone could respond, a striking blonde woman emerged from the front door, accompanied by the human whose scent had lured us. She was draped in a bathrobe, her hair still damp from a recent shower, while the man, dressed in work attire, stood beside her.

The next scent that assailed my senses filled me with disdain – the unmistakable odor of sex, emanating from the pair. The contrast between the human and our kind was stark; he appeared ordinary by human standards but utterly unsophisticated in comparison to our kind.

Finally noticing our presence, the man waved in our direction, prompting our family to respond in unison.

After a few exchanged words with the blonde, he hastily climbed into his truck and sped away.

As my thoughts meandered, Carlisle passed by, offering a reassuring tap on my shoulder. "Our Denali cousins have a rather unconventional taste in humans," he explained, the entire family following in his wake. "They prefer to keep them as companions rather than draining them of their blood."

"So, they're running a brothel?" I muttered with clear revulsion in my tone.

While the woman at the door frowned at my words, her two sisters flashed at the front door in a burst of speed to greet us. A strawberry blonde femme fatale stood at the front of their little group. 'Tanya' I guessed, prompting a nod from Edward at my guess.

With the human gone, I shut off Carlisle Perfect Control.

"Let's just say, it's an unconventional arrangement," the woman who had come with the now-identified Tanya chimed in. She had straight blonde hair, seemingly ironed to perfection. 'Kate?' I wondered eliciting another nod from Edward.

'So the sex worker must be Irina?' I thought jokingly, eliciting a slight chuckle from Edward.

After we all got to know each other, Carmen and Eleazar showed up a little later, looking like they'd just had a snack in the woods, judging by the bloodstains on their clothes. Sorting out our new living situation was a breeze since the mansion had more than enough space for all of us.

Irina still had that intense glare fixed on me, which I secretly enjoyed because I liked getting on people's nerves. Once everyone was settled, I dropped a surprising bombshell. "Hey, guys, now that I've got my stuff all set up, I've decided I'm hitting the road," I said out of the blue. Only Alice wasn't shocked by my announcement.

"What? You're not staying?" Esme asked with a worried tone.

"Nope, I've always had this dream of traveling the world, visiting Europe, Asia, Africa, you name it. But I never had the guts to do it. I think it's finally time. You'll all be here for another 50 years, so I've got plenty of time to explore the world," I said confidently.

Esme's usually warm and caring eyes filled with sadness, making me feel a bit guilty. But I turned away and added, "I'm sorry, Esme, it's something I really want to do. I promise I'll be here with you guys every Christmas."

And so, my epic 50-year adventure began. Along the way, I encountered countless vampires, each with their unique cultures shaped by their home regions. I forged friendships with some and found myself in conflicts with others. But with the Cullens' ring adorning my finger and the many friends Carlisle had made throughout his long life, my adversaries were few and far between.