The sun dipped low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the Cullen's house. Kiara sat on the grass, her tanned skin seeming to absorb the remaining light. Her black hair swayed gently in the breeze as she stared off into the distance, deep in thought about Paul wanting to join her pack. 

Kiara couldn't deny the strange mixture of emotions swirling inside her. On one hand, Paul was a fierce and capable wolf, his loyalty unquestionable. On the other hand, she couldn't shake the memory of their countless arguments, their claws nearly tearing each other apart in their never-ending battles of will.

She thought about Rachel. She probably should speak to her sister before making any rash decisions on where to go next. The image of Paul's sunken cheeks made her shiver a little, knowing that she needed to go tell her sister that she couldn't cut Paul out of her life. Even if she didn't want to be with him, Kiara needed Rachel to know that she didn't care if they were friends.

"Hey, Kiara? Mind if I sit with you?" Bree Tanner's soft voice broke through Kiara's thoughts. The young vampire was standing a respectable distance away, her once-red eyes now showing hints of gold – a testament to her adaptation to the vegetarian diet the Cullens insisted upon.

"Of course, Bree. Come, sit." Kiara patted the grass next to her, shifting slightly to make more room for the newborn vampire who took a tentative seat beside her.

"Thanks," Bree murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "How are you doing?"

"Me? Oh, I'm fine," Kiara replied with a slight smile, her sarcasm barely hidden. She knew Bree could sense the turmoil within her but appreciated that the vampire was trying to provide a sense of normalcy for her. It was a welcome distraction from the weight of her own thoughts.

Bree hesitated, clearly picking up on Kiara's underlying tension. "Are you sure?"

"Really, I'm good," Kiara assured her, forcing a genuine smile. "Just... thinking about some pack stuff. Honestly, you don't need to worry about it. Comes with the whole 'alpha' thing..."

"Ah, I see," Bree nodded, understanding that there were certain aspects of pack life that even she, as a vampire, couldn't fully grasp. "Well, if you ever want to talk about it, I'm here."

The golden hues of the setting sun cast a warm glow over Kiara and Bree as they sat side by side, their shadows stretching out across the grass like a bridge between two worlds. The subtle sound of the breeze rustling through the trees seemed to carry with it whispers of untold stories, encouraging Kiara to break the slightly uncomfortable silence that had settled between them.

"Hey, Bree," Kiara began, her voice tinged with a hint of uncertainty, "I just wanted to apologise for not spending more time with you or getting to know you better." 

She glanced sideways at the young vampire, studying the way the sunlight danced in her eyes. 

"I know you're important to Seth, and I should've made more of an effort."

Bree's eyebrows lifted slightly in surprise, but she quickly shook her head, dismissing the need for apologies.

"Don't worry about it, Kiara. We all have our own stuff going on, right? Besides, you've been busy leading your pack."

"True," Kiara admitted, her gaze drifting back to the horizon as she considered just how much her life had changed since becoming a shapeshifter. "But I still could've tried harder, you know?"

"Kiara, it's really not a big deal." Bree's tone was reassuring, as if she were the one trying to comfort Kiara instead of the other way around. "Besides, there's something I've been worried about, too, and wanted to speak to you about it, if you wouldn't mind?"

This piqued Kiara's interest. She could probably count the amount of conversations that she'd had with Bree on her fingers, and she was surprised that the newborn vampire was approaching her for help with something, when her usual confidants were Jasper and Alice.

"Really?" Kiara turned her attention back to Bree, her curiosity piqued. "What is it?"

"Okay, so, you know how Seth and I are... close, right?" Bree asked hesitantly, biting her lower lip. Kiara nodded, well aware of the bond that had formed between the two unlikely soulmates. "Well, I'm worried that I'll hold him back from his potential. I mean, I want to be more than friends with him, but I can't even meet his mom without being worried that I'll slip up and attack her for blood."

Wow.

Kiara was not expecting all of that to come tumbling out of the small vampire. Her heart ached for the young vampire as she voiced her concerns, and she couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness toward both Bree and Seth.

"Bree," she said gently, placing a hand on her shoulder, "it's natural to have those fears. But you're strong, and you've come so far already. I believe in you, and I know Seth does too."

Bree smiled, but Kiara could still see she wasn't so sure.

"Your feelings are valid, Bree," Kiara reassured her once more, her voice soft but firm. "But look at you – you've adapted to the vegetarian vampire lifestyle, and the red in your eyes is nearly gone, replaced with that beautiful golden hue. Besides, when you want to meet Seth's mom, I'll be right there with you. I can step in if it gets too much for you."

"Really?" Bree asked, her voice tinged with surprise and gratitude. "You'd do that for me?"

"Of course," Kiara replied without hesitation. "Seth's my pack, and you're in our little makeshift family. We're all in this together, and I want to help you in any way I can."

"Is it weird that I want to be with Seth, but I also don't want to disappoint him?" Bree chewed her lip, clearly mulling over it. "I definitely do want to like, be with him, but I just don't know how or if I'm ready..."

Kiara couldn't help but laugh, not unkindly, as she shook her head. It was actually refreshing to be sitting having a conversation with the younger girl about her crush on Seth, that kind of innocence that had been missing from their lives for a while. Kiara was trying to suppress her grin as she turned back to look at Bree.

"No, it's not weird at all. That just shows how much you care about him. But listen, Bree, Seth will be whatever you need him to be. He's a great kid, and he's incredibly patient and understanding."

As she spoke, Kiara could see the tension beginning to ease from Bree's shoulders, her posture becoming more relaxed.

"Don't put pressure on yourself," she advised gently. "Everything will always be your choice, and we're all here to support you, no matter what. Look at me and Rose, we've really gone through it all. I'm not going to sit here and tell you it'll all be easier, but you aren't alone in any of this. And besides, I'm here to keep Seth in line if he ever messes things up." 

"Thank you, Kiara," Bree whispered, her eyes shimmering with appreciation and the beginnings of newfound confidence. They sat there together, two young women from vastly different worlds finding solace in each other's company as the sun dipped below the horizon, bathing the landscape in a soft twilight glow.

They sat in silence for a while, Bree finally just allowing herself to be in the girl's presence. She hadn't really spent much time around the alpha, but she was already understanding why the rest of the family liked to talk to her. Kiara was a listener, and even with her red-hot temper, she always seemed to know what they needed to be told.

"Kiara, can I tell you something?" Bree asked hesitantly, her fingers idly plucking blades of grass from the ground.

"Of course," Kiara replied, her gaze focused on the fading hues of the sunset.

"In another life, I think you could have been my sister." The words escaped Bree's lips in a quiet, wistful whisper, as if she feared they would shatter the fragile peace that had settled between them.

Kiara turned to look at the young vampire seated beside her, her eyes widening slightly in surprise before a tender smile graced her features.

"I would have loved that, Bree," she said softly, the sincerity in her voice unmistakable. "Having a sister like you would have been amazing."

Bree's smile mirrored Kiara's, and for a moment, they simply basked in the warmth of their newfound connection. It was a strange thought, to be sure – a werewolf and a vampire, sisters in another life – but it somehow felt right, as if some invisible thread had bound their fates together from the very beginning.

"Can I ask you something else?" Bree ventured, her voice stronger now.

"Shoot," Kiara encouraged, her curiosity piqued.

"Will you teach me about your culture? About the Quileute tribe and your pack? So I can understand you and Seth better?" Bree requested, her golden eyes alight with interest.

The question stilled Kiara. The Cullens knew about their pack, but she guessed that she'd never really thought about Bree not having any idea about it until recently. Even with that, there was so much that the Cullens didn't know or didn't understand, that she hadn't even considered explaining to them.

Rosalie had asked about their traditions before, but not many of the family had ever asked about their culture outside of what they already knew or needed to know. A surge of pride swelled within Kiara's chest at the request, and she nodded eagerly.

"I'd be honoured to share our stories with you, Bree."

____

Kiara stepped inside, Bree trailing slightly behind her. They smiled at each other as they walked towards the main room, hearing Renesmee's laughter and the soft sound of piano notes echoing through the house.

Edward sat at the piano, his fingers dancing effortlessly across the keys, coaxing out a melody that tugged at the heartstrings. Bella sat to his left, her expression one of sheer adoration as she watched her husband play. Renesmee perched on the piano bench between them, her tiny hands mimicking Edward's movements in an adorable display of imitation.

Kiara couldn't help but feel a surge of warmth as she took in the family. This was what they'd fought for - this moment. For Renesmee to be able to sit with her family and just enjoy the life that she was born into.

Lost in her thoughts, Kiara didn't notice Rosalie approaching until she felt a soft touch on the side of her cheek. Startled, she turned to face Rosalie, who wore a tender smile on her face. It was a gesture so tender yet filled with unspoken promises that it never failed to take Kiara's breath away.

Kiara leaned into the touch, allowing herself to be enveloped in Rosalie's affection and the warmth that radiated from her. It was a sight that Kiara could never tire of – Rosalie, her love, with her golden eyes soft and warm as they gazed at her. Kiara leaned into the touch, reveling in the affectionate caress, and let out a contented sigh.

"Hey," Rosalie whispered, her voice barely audible over the music that filled the room. "I missed you."

"I missed you too," Kiara replied, leaning her forehead against Rosalie's. "I was teaching Bree about our culture. She wanted to understand the pack better."

"That's...unexpected. But good," she said, a hint of pride coloring her tone. 

Kiara smiled, grateful for Rosalie's unwavering support. They stood there for a while, simply enjoying each other's presence amidst the harmonious symphony resonating from the piano. As Renesmee giggled and clapped in delight at her father's melodies, Kiara couldn't help but marvel at the beauty of their unconventional family.

Carlisle, ever observant, joined them with his customary grace. 

"How are you doing, Kiara?" he asked in his gentle tone. To everyone else, it was a harmless question. Esme, Kiara and Carlisle knew different, and as Edward's fingers slipped and hit a wrong note for a brief second, she realised that he'd just caught their thoughts about their past conversation.

She looked over at him, noticing that he avoided her gaze and tried to pass it off to Renesmee as a simple mistake. Bella's eyes had furrowed in surprise, knowing that he was usually so precise in his movements, but she too just laughed it off.

"I'm great," Kiara replied, her eyes boring into Carlisle's as she silently begged him to just shut up and not ask anything else that might look suspicious. The man smiled warmly at her, and he nodded before moving back to Esme's side.

But even as Kiara smiled back at him, a prickling sensation crawled up her spine, sending a shiver down her arms. Her instincts were on high alert, sensing that something was amiss. She glanced around the room, searching for any signs of danger, but nothing seemed out of place.

Just as she was about to dismiss her unease as mere paranoia, Alice suddenly froze mid-step. Her golden eyes widened in shock, and a gasp escaped her lips. The vase of vibrant flowers slipped from her hands, crashing to the ground in a cascade of petals.

Fuck.

"What is it, Alice?" Jasper asked, immediately at his wife's side as her eyes flickered between Renesmee and Kiara before looking at the rest of the family.

"The Volturi. They're coming for us. Aro, Caius, Marcus, the Guard. And lrina..."

A collective gasp swept through the room, and for a moment, time stood still. Fear and uncertainty filled the air like an electric charge. The Cullens and their allies had faced many challenges together, but none quite like this.

"Why?"

"What did lrina see in the woods?" Edward said, spinning to flicker his gaze between Bella, Renesmee, Kiara and Jacob.

"Bella and I were talking, and Jake and Renesmee were just playing in the snow," Kiara answered defensively, not knowing what difference that would have made. Kiara moved closer to Rosalie, her hand seeking out her girlfriend's. Rosalie's grip tightened around hers, their fates irrevocably intertwined.

"Ness was catching snowflakes," Jacob noted, and instantly there was an understanding in Edward's eyes as he recalled the moment from Jacob's memory.

"Of course..." Edward mused. "Irina thinks Renesmee's an lmmortal Child."

At the confused look that the wolves and Bella shared, Carlisle decided to fill them all in on the stories about the immortal children.

"The lmmortal Children were very beautiful. So enchanting. To be near them was to love them. But their development was frozen at the age they were turned. They couldn't be taught or restrained. A single tantrum could destroy an entire village. Humans heard about the devastation. Stories spread. The Volturi were forced to intervene. Since the Children couldn't protect our secret, they had to be destroyed. Their creators grew very attached and fought to protect them. Long-established covens were torn apart. Countless humans slaughtered. Traditions, friends, even families. Lost."

"So the Denalis' mother made an lmmortal Child?"

"Yes. And she paid the price."

The room fell into a heavy silence, the weight of the impending danger settling over them like a thick fog. Kiara's mind raced, trying to process the gravity of the situation. The thought of the Volturi descending upon them filled her with a mix of fear and anger. They had seen firsthand what the Volturi were capable of, and she couldn't bear the thought of losing her newfound family.

"Well, Renesmee's nothing like those children. She was born, not bitten. She grows every single day!" Bella argued but it fell on death ears. It wasn't them that needed convincing.

"So can't you just explain that to the Volturi?"

Kiara's mind raced, desperately searching for a solution, a way to protect her family and the ones she loved. Panic threatened to consume her, but Rosalie's reassuring grip on her hand anchored her in the present.

"Aro has enough proof in lrina's thoughts," Edward explained to Jacob, Kiara's head reeling as she thought about how she needed to protect her pack.

"So we fight! The packs will fight." Jacob snapped, and instantly something in Kiara switched.

"Jacob, that's not your decision," Kiara said, the tone of authority in her voice shocking them all. 

Everyone flickered their eyes in between the twins, surprised at the sudden bristle from Kiara at Jacob's words. They knew she had gotten a bit more defensive about her role since her and Sam had started both being alphas - and Jacob had made it very apparent that he believed it should have been him and Kiara as pack alphas, not Sam and Kiara.

Jacob's eyes widened, surprise mingling with the flicker of admiration in them. He had always known Kiara to be strong-willed and fiercely protective, but this was a level of leadership he hadn't fully anticipated.

"Their offensive weapons are too powerful," Jasper butted in, turning the conversation away from the tension between the twins. "No one can stand against Jane."

"Alec's even worse."

Despite the impending danger, there was unity among them, a shared determination to face this threat together. Kiara wasn't so sure she wanted to face the Volturi.

"Well, then we convince them!" Bella continued, Kiara's frustration growing slightly.

"They're coming to kill us, not to talk," Emmett said, his arm tight around Beverly as he thought about another fight. Some of his siblings would be fine  - they have powers that the Volturi would want... but he, Rosalie and Beverly didn't have any super special gifts that Aro would want. They'd just be killed and that would be that.

It was like a lightbulb went off in Edward's head at the words.

"No, you're right. They won't listen to us. But maybe others can convince them. Carlisle, you have friends all around the world."

"I won't ask them to fight."

"Not fight. Witness. If enough people knew the truth, maybe we could convince the Volturi to listen."

A silence fell over the room.

"We can ask this of our friends," Esme whispered to Carlisle, her hand lightly wrapped around his arm.

Edward's words hung in the air, filling the room with a glimmer of hope. Rosalie glanced at Kiara, her eyes narrowing as she considered the magnitude of what Edward proposed. It was a risky plan, to say the least.

Alice leaned forward in her chair, her brow furrowed as she delved into another vision. Colors swirled before her eyes, shapes and images forming like pieces of a puzzle. Edward's head turned towards Alice then straight to Kiara, his eyes mirroring Alice's astonishment. For the first time ever, Alice had seen Kiara in her vision - something that shouldn't have happened since Alice couldn't see the wolves.

"What did you see, Alice?" Rosalie asked, unable to hide the eagerness in her voice.

Kiara wanted the ground to swallow her up.

Alice's eyes widened with confusion, her expression mirroring the intensity of the vision she had just witnessed. She looked around the room and noticed the expressions on Carlisle, Esme and Edward's faces and a sinking realisation came over her.

They knew something wasn't right with Kiara, and it had something to do with the fact she had just been able to see her in a vision.

"I saw...," Alice breathed, her voice barely above a whisper. "I saw... I'm not sure."

Kiara almost felt relief flood her body, had it not been for the fact that Alice had clearly seen something that related to her. She had always been fiercely protective of her family and pack, but now it seemed that fate was calling upon her to be something more.

Kiara couldn't escape the weight of Alice's gaze, her heart pounding in her chest as she realised that her secret was no longer hidden from her or Edward. 

Something was drastically different about Kiara, and they needed to come clean soon.

_____

"Okay, everyone, huddle up," she called out, her voice tinged with the kind of easy humour that belied the gravity of their situation.

Seth ambled over with his hands tucked into his jeans pockets, an amiable grin on his youthful face. Jacob mirrored her own stance but with a pensive expression, his brown eyes scanning the horizon as if expecting trouble to leap out at any moment. Leah, standing a little apart from the group, crossed her arms, her gaze sharp and calculating.

It was safe to say some of them had taken the plans better than others.

"Here's the game plan," Kiara began, her fingers drumming against her thigh in a restless rhythm. "We're about to split up and play 'Gather the Vamps,' Cullen edition."

A snort escaped Seth, while Jacob offered a half-smile, though his attention seemed elsewhere. Leah simply raised an eyebrow, unamused by Kiara's attempt to lighten the mood.

"Leah, Seth, you two are staying put." Kiara pointed at them, her eyes taking on a serious glint despite the smirk still playing on her lips. "Protect the home turf, keep an eye out for any Volturi scouts. We can't afford surprises."

"Copy that, Chief," Seth replied with a mock salute, earning him a roll of the eyes from Leah.

"Jacob, you're hitching a ride with the Cullen express to visit our chilly cousins in Denali. Keep Bella, Edward, and Nessie safe." Kiara's tone softened as she mentioned Renesmee's name, aware of the bond that tied her brother to the child.

"Got it," Jacob acknowledged with a firm nod, his protective instincts towards his imprint visibly surfacing at the mention of his responsibilities. 

"And I..." She paused, her eyes flickering for just a second toward the distant house where Rosalie was surely waiting, her fierce, cold beauty a stark contrast to the warmth of the morning. "I'm off to Chicago with Emmett, Beverly, and Rose. They've got some old friends to convince, and we all know how persuasive they can be."

Jacob's eyes darted to Leah, whose arms were folded tightly across her chest. Her stance was as rigid as the ancient pines around them, and the usual sharp glint in her eye seemed dulled. He knew that look - it was the stormy mix of anger and disappointment, the kind that brewed under her skin like a tempest.

"Leah," Jacob began, his voice carrying easily in the still morning air. "You sure you want to sit this one out? You know Renesmee could use an extra pair of eyes on her, especially if things get hairy."

Kiara was sure hell was freezing over.

Leah's gaze snapped to him, her lips pressed into a thin line. She looked like she wanted to argue, to spit out a dozen reasons why she'd rather be anywhere but here. But as her eyes flickered towards the tiny figure of Renesmee, something shifted. A silent, internal battle waged behind those stormy irises.

"Fine," Leah finally exhaled the word like it was pulled from her by force. "I'll go."

Now Kiara knew that hell certainly had frozen over.

Jacob quirked a smile at Leah's unexpected decision, though he didn't dare tease her about it. The others exchanged quick glances, a silent agreement passing between them not to question her change of heart. Instead, they simply nodded, acceptance rolling off them in waves. It was settled then, without fuss or fanfare - Leah would go with Jacob. 

Kiara slung her weathered backpack of spare clothes over one shoulder, the weight of it feeling oddly comforting against the backdrop of the unknown they were stepping into. The early morning sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled shadows on the group as they made their final preparations.

"Keep your noses clean and your ears to the ground. And for the love of all that is holy, if you run into anything you can't handle—" She paused dramatically, fishing out her cracked phone from the depths of her jeans pocket and brandishing it like a sword. "Call me. I expect full bars wherever I'm at, so no excuses."

She glanced around at the faces she knew as well as her own, each one etched with determination.

"Be safe," she murmured, more to herself than to anyone else. The words were a talisman, meant to protect them against the uncertainties that lay ahead.

"Always am," Leah replied, her voice surprisingly gentle. The sentiment was echoed by nods from Seth and Jacob, a silent pledge between them.

"I've told Sam that we're stepping out for a while, but I'll speak properly to him once we're back," Kiara said, shooting Seth a look. "Mouth zipped until then."

Then, with a deep breath and a final look that held a thousand unspoken words, she turned to join Emmett, Beverly, and Rosalie. There was a world to save and witnesses to find, and Kiara Black was not one to shy away from a challenge.

.

.

.

.

.

hey all!

i've just rewritten and re-published my taylor swift fanfic + have finally posted the next few chapters after it being on hiatus for almost two years! if that's up your alley, i'd recommend checking it out :)

also, can anyone guess the little mini plot twist that i've lined up here? ;)