Astrids POV
I woke up the next day with an almost palpable sense of anticipation. The sun barely peeked through the curtains as I slipped out of bed and began my morning routine. Today was the day I had been waiting for—an opportunity to finally meet my mate. I dressed with a deliberate blend of confidence and flair: a sleek black skirt paired with a vibrant red crop top that showcased the belly ring I had proudly acquired two centuries ago. The ensemble was a testament to my timeless style and the unyielding sense of self that came with my existence.
As I checked my reflection one last time, I couldn't help but feel a thrill of excitement. The memory of my decision to be born into this world, with all its complexities and contradictions, surfaced briefly. It was a decision driven by curiosity and a yearning for a different kind of experience, but honestly, the opulence and material wealth I now possessed seemed almost trivial in the grand scheme of things. I had amassed more wealth than I could ever need—over a billion dollars, a sum that felt almost absurd in its excess. Sometimes, I questioned why I had chosen to live among such mundane beings when I could have enjoyed the boundless freedom of my immortal life without these constraints.
"Bella, it's time for school!" I called out, my voice carrying through the house with a blend of impatience and excitement.
"Coming!" Bella's response was as predictable as ever, marked by a note of annoyance that seemed to follow her wherever she went. She ran down the stairs, her eyes narrowing into a glare as she saw me. The usual tension between us crackled in the air, an undercurrent to the mundane rhythm of our morning.
"I'm heading out now. Father just left, so don't give me that look, Isabella," I said, brushing past her with a dismissive wave as I made my way to the car. My sleek, high-performance vehicle awaited me—a symbol of my love for speed and the exhilaration it brought. The roar of the engine as it started was music to my ears. I loved the sensation of a car that could break the barriers of conventional speed, reaching over 1000 MPH with ease. The thrill of the ride was intoxicating, a reminder of my untamed nature and boundless freedom.
As I drove, my mind drifted to the strange twist of fate that had entwined Edward and Bella as mates in my book series. It seemed almost poetic in a way, though the real-life implications of their bond were far more complex. But today wasn't about them; it was about me and the imminent joy of meeting my mates. The thought made me smile, my excitement bubbling to the surface as I neared the school.
3rd POV
Meanwhile, at the Cullen residence, the day was starting like any other—a seemingly mundane routine of preparing for yet another day at high school. The Cullens, accustomed to their daily rituals, were going through the motions when a sudden disruption occurred. Alice was abruptly pulled into a vision, her eyes glazing over as she experienced a scene from a future yet to unfold.
In her vision, Astrid entered the school with an air of undeniable confidence, drawing attention from everyone around her. She embraced Tyler in front of a captivated audience, her presence causing a stir that was impossible to ignore. The Cullens, ever observant, watched her with a mix of curiosity and apprehension, each one feeling the impact of her arrival in their own way.
"Alice, what's happening?" Jasper called out, his voice tinged with concern as he and Carlisle rushed to her side.
"It's your mate," Alice said, her voice urgent and filled with the excitement of revelation. "She's coming to school today. She'll be here, and you need to be ready."
Carlisle's eyes widened with realization, his thoughts racing. "Let's go, everyone," he announced, his tone authoritative and imbued with the weight of their impending meeting. The Cullens, guided by their leader, prepared themselves for the momentous day ahead. The anticipation was palpable, a tangible force that seemed to pulse through the air as they made their way to the school.
Their eagerness was matched only by the certainty that this day would mark a turning point—a new chapter in their lives that would forever alter the course of their existence. The excitement among the Cullens was electric, setting the stage for a meeting that would bridge the gap between past and future, fate and choice.