Twilight: Shadow (Fanfiction)

Elias sat across from Officer Ramirez in the recruitment office, the scent of old coffee and printer ink hanging in the air. Ramirez, a grizzled officer with a scar above his left eyebrow, tapped a pen against Elias's file, his sharp eyes scanning every detail.

"So, Elias Blackwood.." Ramirez muttered, flicking through the documents.

"Background check's clean, physical assessment scores are damn near perfect. You sure you're not ex-military?"

Elias leaned back slightly, giving a practiced, easygoing smile. "Just a lot of training on my own. Grew up moving around, had to pick up a few things."

Ramirez raised an eyebrow. "That so? Where'd you train?"

Elias tilted his head slightly, as if thinking. "A mix of places. Spent time in South America, did a lot of endurance and survival training in the wild. Helps to know how to handle yourself when things go sideways."

Ramirez gave a low whistle. "No kidding. The way you ran through the endurance test, I'd believe you were raised by wolves."

He chuckled before narrowing his eyes slightly. "Still, you got the makings of a damn good cop. You sure you wanna do this?"

Elias nodded. "I need stability. A purpose. And I think I can do some good here."

Ramirez studied him for a moment longer, then nodded. "Alright, Blackwood. Welcome to the academy."

As Elias took the acceptance letter, a part of him felt the bond to Alice pulse within him. His heart raced, the pull unmistakable. He wanted to go to her, now more than ever. But he needed this legitimacy before he could stand beside her. There was too much at stake.

---

The academy was no joke. Elias pushed himself through the rigorous training, excelling in everything from marksmanship to hand-to-hand combat, but always made sure to hold back just enough to seem impressive without raising suspicion. He couldn't afford to slip up, even once. Every movement, every response, had to be calculated and perfect.

It didn't take long before he caught attention.

During a sparring session, Sergeant Walker. A stocky, no-nonsense instructor stepped onto the mat. "Blackwood. Let's see what you've got."

Elias stood across from him, keeping his stance relaxed. The moment Walker lunged, Elias sidestepped effortlessly, redirecting the sergeant's momentum before planting him on his back in one smooth motion. His reflexes were honed, but he knew how to make it look natural, like instinct instead of superhuman ability.

The room went silent.

Walker groaned, then laughed, rubbing his ribs. "Well, damn. You've done this before."

Elias extended a hand, helping him up. "Just got good reflexes."

A few of the other recruits murmured among themselves, impressed. Elias could feel their admiration but didn't let it inflate his ego. He had a purpose here, and he wasn't about to let it slip away.

Later that day, as they sat in the cafeteria, a fellow recruit, Jordan. A tall, broad-shouldered guy with a buzz cut grinned at Elias. "Alright, man, spill it. Where'd you learn to fight like that?"

Elias smirked. "Lots of practice."

Jordan rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, 'lots of practice.' Look, we all wanna know if you're some kind of secret agent."

Another recruit, a woman named Sam, leaned forward. "Or an underground fighter?"

Elias chuckled, leaning back. "Just a guy who knows how to survive."

Jordan smirked. "Well, survival skills or not, you've got my back when we hit the streets, yeah?"

Elias clinked his water bottle against Jordan's. "Count on it."

They continued chatting, and Elias settled into the camaraderie. He found himself slowly becoming a part of the group, fitting in despite the overwhelming pressure of being a newborn vampire. His instincts were sharp, but he worked hard to keep his emotions under control. His heightened senses, especially his hearing were both a blessing and a challenge. He could hear every conversation, every passing thought, but he filtered it out, focusing on blending in.

---

Alice sat curled on the couch in the Cullen's living room, her fingers gripping a cushion tightly. The mate bond had intensified stronger, more overwhelming than anything she'd felt before. It was like a constant hum beneath her skin, a reminder of the man she hadn't yet met but already needed in ways she couldn't explain.

Her vision had been filled with glimpses of him, flashes of his presence, but she still couldn't reach him. His image was blurry, fragmented, yet the bond was unmistakable. Every time she thought she was close, it slipped further away, but the intensity of the connection only grew stronger.

Jasper, sensing her distress, sat beside her, his hand gently resting on her arm. "Alice… you're trembling."

"I can't help it..." she whispered.

"It's getting stronger. He's closer, but he's still not here."

Edward, standing near the fireplace with Edythe, frowned. "He's holding himself back. He wants to come, but something's stopping him."

Carlisle leaned forward, his gaze calm yet questioning. "Do you think he's struggling with control?"

Alice shook her head. "No. He's in control. But he's… preparing. I don't know for what, but it feels like he's making sure he can stand beside me without hesitation."

Rosalie crossed her arms. "Then whatever he's doing, he's serious about it."

Alice exhaled sharply. "I just… I need him."

Edward's expression softened. "You won't have to wait much longer."

---

After weeks of intense training, Elias stood before the mirror in his apartment, adjusting his new uniform. The crisp lines of the police academy badge gleamed under the light, a symbol of the identity he had fully secured. The work he had put in was paying off, and with every passing day, his new life felt more real.

He was no longer just a shadow lurking in the world. He had a name. A place. A purpose.

As he stepped out of the police department, the mate bond surged within him, nearly making his breath hitch. The air felt thick with anticipation, a force pulling him toward Alice, compelling him to move forward.

It was time.

Nothing would keep him from Alice now.

The drive to the small, quiet town of Forks gnawed at him as he sped down the road. Every mile, every moment that took him further from Port Angeles, felt more unbearable. His instincts screamed for him to find her, to complete the connection.

There were no more distractions. No more holding back. He had what he needed. The next step was to be with her. To finally let the bond be fulfilled.