Kiara leaned back against Rosalie's chest as they sat on the fallen tree trunk, having just finished helping the others set up the tents. Jacob sat just beside them both, having just expressed his admiration for Benjamin as the man had literally caused fire to shoot from his fingers and into the bonfire.

If she was ever to have a superpower, she mused that she'd want that. It made sense that Carlisle believed Aro would want to have the young male in his guard. His gift was pretty sick after all.

"That's what I'm talking about! A little pre-battle bonfire," Jacob said, elbowing Embry who shared his enthusiasm. "Telling war stories..."

He trailed off as he noticed most of the other vampires were just standing around and not doing anything. It was quite unnerving, Kiara agreed.

"Or just standing there like fricking statues..."

Before he could complain any further, Garrett was sitting across from them with a smirk on his face. Kiara rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile at his eagerness, knowing that some of the vampires certainly would have some pretty cool stories from back in the day.

"Name any American battle. I was there."

Leah even looked amused, a smile on her face as she leaned forward from her spot on the log beside Kiara and Rosalie.

"Little Bighorn."

"I came this close to biting Custer," Garrett bragged, grinning as he noticed how locked in all of the wolves were to his story. A small crowd was forming, Benjamin and Tia also hanging on his every word. "But the Indians got him first."

Leah let out a low whistle, seemingly attracting the attention of a certain blonde vampire who bristled with jealousy. Kiara and Rosalie both bit back a laugh as Kate appeared almost out of thin air, sitting herself down on Leah's knee as the shapeshifter became flustered at the action. The blonde addressed them all, but didn't take her eyes off Leah as she spoke.

"Try Oleg's assault on Constantinople. He didn't win that one on his own."

Embry couldn't wait to tell Quil about how speechless Leah was. They'd never disliked her in the way that the other boys had, but it certainly was refreshing to see a side of her that he'd never believed existed. He'd only ever known a harsh and bitter Leah, and now he was wishing he'd hung around with the Cullens more if it meant he got to see a side of his pack mates that he didn't previously.

"If you're talking battles, you're talking the Eleven Years' war," Liam, the leader of the Irish coven, told them all. "No one does rebellion like the lrish."

"You lost the Eleven Years' war."

"Aye. But it was one hell of a rebellion."

____

The tent was a cocoon of warmth and comfort, a stark contrast to the brisk laughter and low murmur of war stories that seeped through its fabric walls. Outside, snowflakes danced their way down, dusting the world in a glistening frost as the fire crackled, casting long shadows against the canvas.

Only one of the wolves remained outside - the rest having retreated to their own tents. Jacob was hooked on the war stories just a little longer than the others, but Kiara knew that he'd soon call it a night too. His and Embry's tent was set up just beside Bella and Renesmee's, and Embry was long asleep now.

"Can you believe Emmett? His tales get more outrageous each time," Kiara mused with a chuckle, her breath visible in the dimly lit space. "You'd think he'd been alive the longest."

"He does have a flair for the dramatic, but Beverly loves it. He knows it, and that's why he does it." Rosalie's lips curled into a half-smile at her girlfriend's remark. Her voice was a soft hum, an undercurrent to the lighthearted banter outside. The small lamp flickered, throwing gold across Rosalie's blonde hair, turning it into a halo in the twilight of the tent.

Kiara, lying curled up against Rosalie's side, felt a shiver run down her spine—not from the cold, but from the tension that clung to her muscles like ivy.

"Hey," Rosalie whispered, sensing the rigidity in Kiara's body. Her fingers began a gentle journey, combing through Kiara's dark tresses, untangling knots not just in her hair, but in her soul.

"Your touch is magic," Kiara murmured, her voice a lazy drawl as she allowed herself to melt into Rosalie's side.

"Only with you," Rosalie replied, her fierce eyes softening in the half-light. Her hand continued its soothing rhythm, the motion as steady and reassuring as the heartbeat Kiara felt hammering in her chest. Rosalie chucked, her ears picking up on something Kiara just missed. "Edward says to keep it PG-13."

Kiara smiled gently, rolling her eyes but chuckling nevertheless.

"Rose," Kiara breathed out, her previously coiled frame now looser, "I'm so glad we're here... together."

"Always together," Rosalie affirmed, the light-hearted tone of her voice wrapping around them both like a blanket. It was a promise, a vow that extended beyond the impending battle, beyond the snow and the firelight, into eternity.

As the laughter from outside the tent continued to mingle with the hushed whispers of snowflakes against canvas, Rosalie's fingers traced idle patterns on Kiara's arm.

"Kie," Rosalie's voice was a soft murmur, barely louder than the crackle of the distant fire, "we're going to be fine."

Kiara's dark eyes searched Rosalie's face. With a small, wry smile, Kiara answered with a mimic of confidence she didn't quite feel.

"I know we will be."

"Brave words from someone who practically vibrates with nerves," Rosalie teased gently, her thumb brushing along Kiara's jawline in a soothing gesture.

"Hey, I've got my big, rough group of vampire covens to fight with me and my pack, right?" Kiara's reply was tinged with sarcasm, but beneath it lay layers of raw trust and unyielding loyalty.

Rosalie's chuckle was like the softest melody, carried by the wind. In their cozy den of dim light, the horrors of the battle they would face tomorrow could not touch them... not yet.

"Rose," Kiara began, her voice tinged with a vulnerability that the daylight hours would never witness, "if I had been just an average human, you think...?"

"Kiara Black," Rosalie cut her off, her voice firm yet laced with an emotion so tender it could melt the snow around them, "do you really think I fell for the fur and fangs? I loved you long before your first shift. You know that."

"Before all this?" Kiara gestured vaguely at their surroundings, encompassing the strange, supernatural world they had been thrust into.

"Before all this," Rosalie confirmed. "I fell for the girl who laughed too loudly at her own jokes and fought fiercely for those she loved. You were extraordinary, even then."

Kiara's heart swelled, the words wrapping around her like the warmest embrace.

"Kiara," Rosalie began, her voice a whisper that seemed to rise above the distant chatter, "I think I knew. From that very first moment, I was already yours."

The alpha turned her head, looking up into the eyes that she'd fallen so deeply in love with.

"I love you. And no matter what happens tomorrow, with the Volturi or any other nightmare we face... that's not going to change."

"Promise?" Rosalie's question was half-whispered, half-plead, seeking assurance in the uncertainty of their shared future.

"Cross my heart," Kiara affirmed, and she meant it with every fiber of her being, from the marrow of her bones to the untamable spirit that howled within her.

"Then sleep," Rosalie urged gently, brushing a strand of dark hair from Kiara's forehead, her touch as light as the snowflakes that dared to kiss the ground outside their sanctuary. "Dream of the good things."

Kiara nestled closer into the curve of Rosalie's body, her breathing slowing as she surrendered to the fatigue that crept upon her. Rosalie continued to stroke her hair, a rhythmic caress that beckoned Kiara towards slumber.

Tomorrow, it would all be over.

______

Kiara leaned against the rough bark of a nearby pine, her eyes softly tracing the familiar silhouettes of the vampires who had gather to help protect little Renesmee. The pre-dawn air was crisp, carrying with it the muted conversations of the vampire covens and the occasional rustle of leaves.

A smile tugged at her lips as she caught sight of Bella and Edward, their forms lit from the inside of their tent as they huddled together in a protective cocoon around Renesmee, who was blissfully unaware of the world in her slumber.

"Glad someone is getting a good rest," she muttered to herself, shaking her head in amusement as chuckles bubbled up from her throat, snores emanating from Jacob and Embry's tent reaching her ears.

Naturally, her gaze wandered over to where Rosalie stood, her blonde hair catching the first hints of dawn's early light. She was tucked against Beverly's side, the older Hale sibling playing with a few strands of her sister's hair as Emmett told a story to those gathered with them. Kiara could almost hear his booming laughter without needing to be any closer.

It was Carlisle and Esme, though, who captured Kiara's attention next. Carlisle's arms encased Esme in an embrace that was both protective and gentle, as if he held something precious beyond measure. Kiara felt a twinge of recognition at the sight; it mirrored the same emotion that often surged within her when she thought about Rosalie... that primal fierce need to hold on and never let go.

A sharp howl cut through the cold air.

Her gaze spread between the various vampires whose postures had stiffened at the sound. Their reactions were a stark contrast to the comfort that filled her chest, reminding her of the pack's impending arrival. They were close; she could feel it in her bones.

She could hear Leah and Seth stir slightly in their tent at the noise too. Jacob and Embry continued to snore on, Kiara rolling her eyes as she considered waking them up within the next few minutes. They didn't have long until Edward had predicted that the Volturi would arrive based on Alice's vision, and Kiara knew Jacob would want to spend time with Renesmee first.

Sam stepped into the clearing first, steam almost coming from his bare arms as he walked towards her without glancing at the vampires that surrounded him. She knew that the wolves were travelling light with their clothing since it was harder to carry jackets when shifted - which was fine since they'd made sure to bring spare coats for them all once they arrived.

Kiara didn't need to see his face to know he was taking in the chill of the morning air; she could read his body language as easily as her own. His muscles were tensed, not in aggression but in response to the cold that bit at his skin.

"Here," Kiara said, breaking the stillness as she handed him a fleece lined jacket. Her voice was light, the words tinged with the warmth of camaraderie. "Wouldn't want you catching a cold before the main event."

Sam's answering grin was brief but genuine as he slipped into the jacket, its fabric rustling softly. She gestured towards a small pile of similar jackets lying neatly folded on the ground, set aside for the other members of their pack. One by one, they filtered into the clearing behind Sam, heading straight towards the jackets.

"Thanks, Kiara," Sam said, his voice low but clear. "Always looking out for us."

"Someone's got to," she quipped back, her sarcasm a comfortable veil for the depth of her loyalty.

Kiara watched as the pack members each found a jacket, shrugging into the added layer of warmth. There was a quiet efficiency to their movements, a small smile on her face as she watched Collin and Brady bicker over two almost identical coats.

Her lips twitched upwards as Paul and Jared approached her and Sam, both looking wide awake and alert. She supposed that was the good thing about the other wolves coming up that morning - they'd had time to brush off their lack of sleep. Those on the mountain? Not so much.

"Hey there, Ki," Paul said, his voice a low rumble as he pulled her into a bear hug that lifted her feet momentarily off the ground. She laughed lightly, wrapping her arms around him for a moment before they broke apart and Jared gave her a much-more sophisticated hug.

"Rachel?"

"She's all good," Paul confirmed, nodding with a more serious look on his face. "I dropped her off along side Kim at Sam's. Emily was making cocoa for the pups... easy life."

"Good," Kiara murmured, turning her head to look at Sam with a knowing look. He smiled gently, knowing that she knew something the others didn't.

Meanwhile, Jared grinned as he elbowed Paul and tilted his head towards the tent where Jacob and Embry's snores formed a comical symphony. The two mischief-makers slunk away with the stealth of seasoned pranksters, leaving Kiara and Sam exchanging knowing glances and an amused roll of their eyes.

"Boys...," Sam murmured, his voice laced with a fond exasperation as he watched them go.

"Doesn't matter how old they get," Kiara replied, her tone light but her gaze lingering on Sam for a heartbeat longer than usual. Sam caught her look, a flicker of recognition passing over his features before he nodded slowly.

"Emily told me she told you... 'our news'," he said quietly, the vagueness intentional.

"Yeah," she whispered back, her voice barely audible above the rustling of leaves. "We've got more than just the pack to fight for now."

Sam followed her gaze, his eyes landing on Rosalie and then sweeping over the other vampires with a measured calm. He nodded once, firmly, his understanding evident in the silent language they'd come to share.

"I know," he acknowledged quietly. "But we'll be fine, Kiara. You can handle this."

"Can I?" She glanced at him, her dark eyes clouded with doubt that seemed out of place against the backdrop of her usual confidence. "Some days, I don't know if I know anything anymore."

"Hey," Sam started, a gentle frown forming on his lips, but Kiara cut him off with a flick of her hand.

"Let's go over the plan again," she said briskly, steering the conversation away from the cloud of her uncertainties. It was easier to focus on strategies than on the barrel of emotions threatening to spill over.

"Alright." Sam squared his shoulders, his role as second-in-command settling around him like a cloak. "But just so you know, I'm not letting you go down any rabbit holes of doubt. Not today."

Their silent standoff was interrupted by the soft crunch of leaves underfoot, and they both turned to see Carlisle approaching. His hands extended in peace, he greeted Sam with a firm handshake before turning to Kiara and placing a hand on her shoulder.

"Kiara, Sam, there is still time to reconsider your involvement," Carlisle offered, his tone measured but sincere. "The choice is yours, free of any obligation."

Kiara tilted her head, a wry smile tugging at her lips.

"Carlisle, you've got more concern for your 'mortal enemies' than most vampires have years," she quipped, her light-hearted bravado masking the gravity of their situation. "We're in this together now."

"Your bravery does you credit," Carlisle acknowledged, the hint of a smile gracing his own features. "But please, be careful. And for the record - I think we're all at a stage where we can't really consider each other as mortal enemies."

"Depends how today plays out," Sam chimed in, his earlier worries momentarily forgotten as he shared a conspiratorial grin with Kiara. Carlisle chuckled, knowing that he didn't really mean that.

Kiara watched as The Cullen family patriarch turned to leave, her eyes meeting Rosalie's momentarily from across the camp. Rosalie smiled, a slight upturn of her lips that could've been missed by anyone not looking directly at her.

She then heard a quiet rustle behind her, turning to find Seth carefully stepping toward them, Bree gliding closely beside like his own shadow. Seth looked bright-eyed as usual, his infectious optimism clearly radiating beneath the early morning sun despite having only woken up minutes ago. Bree, on the other hand, looked cautious, her murky golden eyes softened by something akin to fear.

"Hey," Seth greeted them with a friendly wave. "Mind if we join?"

"Of course not." Kiara gestured to the empty log beside her. Seth gratefully sank onto it alongside Sam, while Bree and Kiara opted to stand, their eyes ghosting across the wolves that were now mingling with the vampires. She truly never thought she'd see the day.

Bree glanced between Sam and Kiara before admitting quietly, "I can feel it too."

"Feel what?" Seth asked with concern lining his voice.

"The doubt... the uncertainty," Bree replied slowly. "Even though we're all preparing for this together, there's still... fear."

"There always is," Kiara agreed softly. Her gaze lingered on Bree, appreciating her honesty amid their chaotic situation. "It just means we fight harder."

Just then, they heard laughter percolating from the far side of the camp where Bella and Edward were entertaining Renesmee with their playful banter. Even Jacob was there, leaning against a tree and watching them with an affectionate smile. Kiara's eyes softened at the sight of her brother, almost feeling grateful to know that Bella had planned for his survival alongside Renesmee.

"Look at them," she murmured, the corners of her mouth twitching into a small smile. Sam followed her gaze and nodded in agreement.

"It's for them we're doing this."

"For them, and for everyone else," Kiara added, turning to meet Sam's gaze. Her sharp brown eyes held a silent reminder of who was waiting for him at home - and it wasn't just Emily. "For our family."

The light-hearted moment was interrupted as Rosalie and Beverly approached them. Rosalie's icy gaze softened as she looked at Kiara, reaching out to take her hand and nodding carefully to Sam who smiled back.

"We should start preparing," Beverly suggested. "Edward is about to round up the rest of the vampires, then we'll be heading onwards. I'm not sure if you were planning on phasing or walking..."

"We'll phase," Sam told Beverly, his eyes lingering on Kiara for moment in the hopes that she'd reconsider her decision and do the same. "We'll hang back, until Kie says otherwise."

The morning sun filled the clearing with a soft, golden light as Edward addressed the assembled group. It was an odd sight; vampires and werewolves standing side by side, united for a common cause. But as they listened to Edward's plan one last time, each of them knew that they were fighting not only for themselves but also for their loved ones.

Edward finished speaking and looked at each person individually, his gaze steady and reassuring.

"It's time."

____

Kiara let her eyes study each and every one of them on what soon might be a battlefield, noticing how everyone seemed to naturally have banded into their groups as they awaited the Volturi's arrival.

Rosalie was clutching her hand, Beverly and Emmett standing on her other side as Kiara felt a shiver go down her spine. Rosalie's hand was cold - as was the snow around them - and without her fur... it certainly was a lot colder than she'd been anticipating. She wrapped her jacket a little tighter around her, some of the vampires casting her a side glance as she let out a shaky breath.

Bella, Edward and Renesmee were standing front and centre - something Kiara wasn't really sure was wise but she kept her mouth shut. Just behind them was Carlisle and Esme, Bree flunking to their side tightly as her hand twitched for Seth. The wolf was pacing anxiously in the tree-line, similar to Jacob and Leah who were feeling the same about not being beside their imprints.

Garrett stood with the Denali's, a smirk on his lips as he looked down at Tanya with a look that Kiara recognised all too well.

"If we live through this, I'll follow you anywhere, woman," he told her, Tanya rolling her eyes as she smiled without looking at him. Kiara and Emmett shared a confused look, not sure on when that had happened but ignoring it anyway.

"Now you tell me."

"Better late than never," Garrett responded with a nonchalant shrug, prompting an amused chuckle from Emmett.

But Kiara had turned her attention back to Rosalie, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze. Their eyes met and held; it was a silent exchange of promises left unsaid and battles yet to be fought.

Beverly, watching the exchange, felt a pang of longing for her own mate. She cast a glance at Emmett, catching his eye and blushing when he gave her a knowing smile.

"Stay safe," Beverly murmured to Kiara and Rosalie, before threading her arm through Emmett's, her eyes turning to face the horizon.

The wind picked up then, stirring leaves around their feet and causing Renesmee to flinch into Bella's embrace for warmth. Kiara's eyes locked onto Edward's from across the field; their shared gaze was nothing short of agreement - whatever Bella had planned as her plan B was what they'd need to rely on.

"They're close," Rosalie murmured into Kiara's ear, knowing that she wouldn't be able to make them out as easily as the rest of the vampires had. Kiara had figured that anyway, since they'd all seemed to tense up at the exact same moment as each other.

"The Redcoats are coming! The Redcoats are coming," Garrett muttered, Kiara shooting him a quick glare before the tight grip of Rosalie's hands brought her head back to staring in front of her, just noticing a large swarm of coats drifting in their direction.

The tension thickened as the thundering footsteps echoed louder, vibrating off the frozen ground beneath their feet. Grim-faced, Bella moved to stand beside Edward, clasping his hand tightly as she looked back at Renesmee. Edward's gaze softened at the sight of his daughter, and he gave Bella's hand a comforting squeeze. Beverly and Emmett exchanged glances from their position behind them, leaning into each other for support.

They moved as one, a dark wave washing over the snowy landscape. Kiara felt her heart race in tandem with the rhythm of Rosalie's hand holding hers in a vise-like grip.

The clearing was filled with charged silence as everyone tightened their resolve, each heartbeat speaking of courage and fear. Kiara, who always felt more at home in her wolf form, found her human form restraining. Her mind was clearer now - and she no longer cared about the element of surprise.

"Sam," she muttered, knowing that he would be hanging on to her every word.

Without a hesitation, the wolfs prowled out from the tree-line, filling in the gaps between the vampires as the sight of them caused the Volturi to pause for a brief second. Kiara nodded at Sam as he came to stand beside her, noticing that Paul was flanking Emmett. She could see Seth press himself against Bree and she had no doubt that Leah was standing beside Kate behind her too.

Jacob slunk through them all last, nodding to Kiara as he passed before brushing himself protectively around Renesmee and Bella. Edward shifted slightly, his gaze moving from Jacob to Renesmee and back again before lingering on the approaching enemy. His mind buzzed with a hundred thoughts, yet he remained outwardly calm for his family's sake.

And then - they were there.

Aro led the charge, his crimson eyes glinting malevolently in the morning light as he assessed their gathered forces. Caius followed closely behind him, a cruel smile playing on his lips as he looked across the battlefield.

Kiara was grateful that she'd never had to face the Volturi before, and instantly she understood why Bree was almost shaking under Seth's comfort. The girl had barely survived her last encounter with them, and it was clear from the look that Jane was sending in her direction that the blonde hadn't forgotten about that either.

Kate and Tanya tensed as they noticed Irina amongst the redcoats, her eyes unable to meet their own as it sunk in what she'd done. Her rash decision... it might end up getting all of these people killed.

Aro's eyes trailed across them all, pausing on Renesmee and Kiara respectively before continuing to look for someone that wasn't there.

"He's looking for Alice," Edward muttered, knowing that the rest would hear him.

As Aro got closer, his red eyes gleaming in anticipation, Kiara felt a wave of emotion surge through her. She saw the same determination mirrored in everyone's faces around her - in Bella's fierce gaze, in Rosalie's steadfast expression, in Emmett's unyielding stance, in Beverly's resolute nod.

This was it.