"The werewolves," Caius murmured, his eyes still fixated on Kiara's dark ones. She shuffled slightly beside Rosalie, the blonde's hand still gripping the fur around her shoulder for a form of  comfort. 

Bella turned her head, her eyes scanning across the wolves that bristled at the action. Kiara wasn't sure what she was doing but she had a feeling it was something to do with her trying to project her shield across them all. After a moment, there seemed to be a warm pause that came over Kiara, and she felt herself relax ever so slightly.

"Ah brother..."  Aro muttered back, his eyes still reeling from what Alice had shown him. He knew fine well the wolves could be a threat to their rule - especially after seeing what had become of their leader after being exposed to too much vampire venom. He held back a snarl as he noticed the corner of Edward's lips twitch from across the field as he picked up on the apprehension.

"Will you defend that alliance too?" Caius snapped, no idea what would become of him if they attacked the Cullen's and their allies. "The Children of the Moon have been our bitter enemies from the dawn of time. We have hunted them near extinction in Europe and Asia. Yet Carlisle encourages a familiar relationship with enormous infestation..."

Edward chuckled, interrupting Caius who spun to look around Alice and Jasper and instead turn to the vampire with a snarl on his lips.

"Something funny?"

"Caius, it's the middle of the day," Edward called out, holding his arms upwards and gesturing at the pale sky above them. "They are not Children of the Moon, and they have no relation to your enemies across the globe. Aro can tell you about it... if you don't believe me."

Kiara really wasn't sure what had gotten into Edward, but she wasn't complaining. She'd once thought that hell would freeze over before the wolves would ever be able to have an alliance with the man in front of them, but she was incredibly glad that he was proving her wrong yet again.

"Dear Caius," Aro hissed, almost as if he was embarrassed by his brother. "I would have warned you not to voice these thoughts in front of such a crowd, if you had only pre-warned me of them. These creatures are not werewolves, but rather... shape-shifters. The choice of their wolf form was mere incidental and genetic, in fact, it could have been a bear or a hawk or a panther when the first original transformation was made. They do not infect in the way that our enemies do."

Rosalie's fingers subconsciously loosened a little on Kiara's fur as she listened to Aro speak. She hadn't realised that Kiara could have been different had the elders not taken a wolf form, but from the awkward shuffles of the wolves around them, it appeared that this was news to them too. Maybe there was a benefit to actually paying attention to the elders' stories after all.

Kiara let out a soft growl, her eyes not leaving Caius. She could feel Rosalie slightly relax but she couldn't just yet. It wasn't over till they were safe and sound back home.

'Dude, this guy is wack.'

'Paul, shut up.'

The grey wolf snorted a little as Sam sent a huff in his direction, knowing that Kiara might have been his alpha but Sam had just as much authoritative aura that she did. He technically was her co-alpha after all - even if they all knew there truly only was one alpha in their combined pack.

"This wolf," Aro said, his eyes narrowing back in on Kiara, "and it's pack... they are of no danger to us."

As Aro finished his speech, a tense silence fell over the clearing. The vampires and wolves alike held their breaths, frozen in anticipation as they awaited Caius' response.

Alice and Edward shared slightly matching smirks, knowing fine well that Aro was lying through his teeth. He usually wasn't prone to actively lying to his coven, but there was one thing Aro was above all else: egotistically self-concerned. He'd seen what happened to him and his coven if faced against the wolves - especially Kiara. He didn't want that to become a possibility. 

"Brother, we cannot alter our course. The child still poses a grave threat."

Caius was firm, his fangs flashing threateningly as he regarded Renesmee. His gaze then shifted to Bella and finally back to Alice who still held that smug smile on her face. Kiara could feel her hackles rise up at the sight of him, her instincts screaming at her to attack. But she held herself back, remembering their agreement - they did not attack first under any circumstances.

Edward's gaze remained steady. His eyes flickered to the side, at the edge of the tree line and Kiara stiffened as she sensed he knew something they didn't.

"But what if you were sure she could remain concealed from the human world? Could we leave in peace?"

Caius's expression didn't soften. "Of course. But that cannot be known."

Edward took a breath, his voice more measured now. "Actually, it can."

As if on cue, two figures emerged from the shadows of the woods, their movements deliberate and assured. They stepped forward and stood silently beside Alice, their presence commanding attention.

"I've been searching for witnesses of my own among the Ticuna tribes of Brazil."

Alice spoke then, her voice carrying the weight of the long search that had brought them here. Kiara's eyes drifted over the two new arrivals, uncertainly coursing through her veins that was mirrored by the mutterings of the wolves through their mind-link. 

The man had... a somewhat human look around him. His skin was an impossible rich, olive tone. His wary eyes flashed across the gathering, and they were the color of warm teak - not the red that Kiara had been expecting to see. His hair was black and braided, too, like the woman beside him, though not as long. 

The woman was slightly smaller, but Kiara knew better than to think that meant weaker. She almost reminded Kiara of Sue, with a long braid of black hair bobbing against her back. Her deep burgundy eyes flitted nervously around the confrontation before her and it was clear why Alice had brought them here now... Kiara could see it without having to ask.

'Is he...'

'Like Renesmee? I think so.' Kiara replied to Seth, the rest of the wolves stunned into silence.

"We have enough witnesses." Caius barely glanced at them, his tone dismissive. It was apparent that his mind was made up.

"Let him speak, brother."

The new arrival stepped forward, his face calm and resolved.

"I am Nahuel," he said, his voice rich with an accent that hinted at distant jungles. "I am half human, half vampire. Like the child. A vampire seduced my mother, who died giving birth to me. My aunt Huilen raised me as her own. I made her immortal."

'Man, I am fucking tired of this random new shit that keeps happening.'

'Jared.' 

Kiara and Sam warned at the same time, shutting the older wolf up as they tried to concentrate on what was going on before them. The other wolf grumbled but instantly stopped complaining, instead trying to see if he could focus on whether the pups back in La Push were shifted.

The rest of the gathered crowd on both sides stirred at his words, but it was Bella who spoke next, her curiosity piercing through the tension. 

"How old are you?"

"A hundred and fifty years," Nahuel replied without hesitation.

'Okay, yeah, I've also had enough,' Sam admitted, Jared biting back a snarky response.

'Can you all please shut up? I am trying to listen, and I'm sure Edward is also tired of your moaning right now,' Kiara ordered, all of the wolves stilling in their anxious movements as she accidentally used that tone with them. Edward cast a glance over to her with a small smile, but turned his attention quickly back to Nahuel.

Aro leaned forward, his interest clearly piqued. "At what age did you reach maturity?"

"I became full-grown seven years after my birth. I have not changed since then."

Rosalie's small intake of breath beside Kiara brought her back to the moment. This wasn't just good news for Renesmee - it was good news for all of them. They'd spent the time since her birth being worried that with her rapid aging that she was going to have an incredibly short life-span but this just seemed to prove otherwise.

"And your diet?" Aro asked, the question carrying the weight of centuries of law and tradition.

"Blood, human food," Nahuel answered simply. "I can survive on either."

Kiara felt Rosalie's grip on her fur tighten momentarily before relaxing again. She glanced at her lover just in time to see a small smile spread across her usually stony face.

Almost palpable tension hung in the air as something shifted within Aro's calculating gaze. His lips drew into a thin line before finally parting to break the lingering silence.

"Dear ones, there is no danger here. We will not fight today."

A collective sigh rippled through the vampires and wolves alike. 

"I would be intrigued to know more about your life," he said, interest clear in his voice. "It appears we have much to learn from one another. A story for another time, I'm sure."

Relief washed over Kiara, making her feel light-headed. Suddenly, the silence of the mind-link was replaced by a cacophony of voices.

'Can't believe these leeches are gonna leave us be.'

'Hell, I was in the mood to stretch my paws.'

'I'm just glad for Nessie.'

'Can we get back to our girls now?'

Kiara turned to look at the pack, most of whom were itching to take off with approval from their alpha. She nodded slightly, her voice cutting through their mind-link and keeping them in their spot for a moment longer.

'Wait until they're out of our sight. Once Edward gives the all-clear, then you can go.'

Along from the dispersing crowd of red coats, Bella was cradling Renesmee, her relieved tears soaking into the infant's hair. Edward stood beside them, his arms secure around both, his golden gaze trained on Aro until the ancient vampire was no longer in sight. A moment went by before he tore his gaze away from the forest, nodding to Kiara who turned her head upwards and disturbed the clearing with a sharp howl.

The threat had passed, and they could finally breathe easy. There would be no fight today, no bloodshed - only peace.

The vampires all turned to look as most of the wolves took off, leaving behind the four that had the closest ties to those in the clearing. Leah was still pressed tightly against Kate's side, Seth having walked over with Bree to brush himself against his sister's side. Jacob was alongside Edward, Bella and Renesmee, his eyes appreciative as he looked over at Kiara.

Emmett and Beverly were holding each other close, their laughter echoing in stark contrast to the most recent tension that had held them captive. 

Beside her, Rosalie's grip on her fur loosened even further and Kiara felt her slender fingers trace a soothing path along her spine. The vampire's usual icy demeanour melted away into something softer, gentler - an open display of affection so rare that it made Kiara's heart swell. She wanted nothing more in that moment to just wrap Rosalie up in her arms and not let go.

She turned her head slightly to meet Rosalie's gaze, grinning wolfishly before nuzzling against her hand - a gesture that prompted a small laugh from Rosalie that rippled through the tense atmosphere like a soothing balm.

"Here," Alice called out as she walked over to them, dropping a small bag at Kiara's paws. "I had a feeling you'd all need these sooner rather than later."

Kiara looked at her for a moment - uncertainty in her eyes. Alice almost winced, although she couldn't blame the alpha. She'd been able to find proof Renesmee would be fine but all she'd brought back for Kiara's safety was a vision - and they'd just been lucky Aro had taken the warning as gospel.

She snatched the bag up in her teeth, turning on her ankle and snorting in the other three wolves' directions as she went. They took the hint, following after her and disappearing into the shallow coverage of the trees.

Moments later, the four walked out of the clearing on two legs and with fresh clothes adorning their bodies. Leah and Seth were walking shoulder to shoulder while Kiara was tucked under Jacob's arm, the now-humanised shape-shifters headed back to their loved ones as the other vampires celebrated around them.

Kiara's eyes met Rosalie's and she couldn't help herself from breaking out from under Jacob's arm and jogging across to where her vampire was waiting, having refused to take her eyes off the treelike where she had just disappeared into.

"Hey," Kiara breathed, her eyes sparkling as Rosalie smiled back.

"Hey," Rosalie murmured, not wasting any time in reaching for her and crushing their lips together as Emmett whooped from beside them. Beverly smacked his arm, but laughed alongside her husband as Kiara and Rosalie shared their moment of victory.

Emmett shouldered Beverly playfully next to them, his usual wide grin back in place now that the danger had passed. He laughed heartily at something Beverly murmured beneath her breath, bringing an air of normality back to the clearing.

Meanwhile Renesmee stirred from Bella's arms, her small hands reaching for Jacob who stood protectively nearby. His eyes softened at her touch before he gently took her from Bella – cradling her in his arms as if she was the most precious thing in the world.

Seth and Bree exchanged relieved glances, their hands instinctively reaching for one another in a silent acknowledgement of the bullet they had just dodged. Bree's crimson eyes were bright with gratitude as they watched Nahuel, the half-human, half-vampire hybrid who had saved their lives.

Carlisle and Esme stood side by side watching their family; relief etched over their faces as they saw everyone safe. Alice danced around Jasper, who watched her with an amused smile on his face. The pixie-like vampire was unable to contain her happiness now that the Aro threat had passed. She grabbed Jasper's hands and twirled herself under his arms, laughing as their bodies touched. 

Leah snorted at the displays of affection from her pack before turning her attention back to Kate. They shared a knowing look before Leah mirrored Kate's smile and pulled her closer.

Rosalie gently took Kiara's face to look deep into her eyes. There was a silent conversation passed between them - a promise of forever. Rosalie closed her eyes, leaning her forehead against Kiara's and sighed contentedly.

"We did it."

"We always do."

Emmett and Beverly were breaking away from the group, their laughter ringing out against the silence of the forest as they disappeared into the trees.

"I'll race you home!" Emmett challenged them all, an impish grin on his face as they sprinted away into the night.

As Kiara looked around at them all - her pack, her family - she felt a sense of satisfaction settle deep within her. This was what they'd fought for... love.

____

Rosalie's cool hand continued to cradle Kiara's face, her thumb barely grazing the warm flesh of Kiara's cheek. The vampire's golden eyes radiated warmth as she focused on her shapeshifter - her eternal love.

"Have you ever thought about it, love?" she asked, a soft whisper in the wind.

Kiara cocked her head slightly, a playful smirk tugged at her lips. 

"Thought about what, exactly?" Her eyes twinkled with mirth under the moonlight, propping herself up on one arm as she rolled over to look at Rosalie properly. There were two parties going on - one at the Cullen residence and another in La Push. They'd just saved everyone, but here they were... lying in a clearing with no-one but each other.

"You know...," Rosalie murmured into the silence that had settled over them, pulling her hand back to thread her fingers through Kiara's black hair. "A forever kind of forever with me."

"Seems like forever is quite a long time, isn't it?" Kiara murmured, breaking the comfortable silence that had fallen. Rosalie rolled her eyes, seeing the teasing in Kiara's as she leaned down and pressed her warm lips against Rosalie's soft ones for a second, before pulling back and noticing how dark her eyes had gotten.

"Depends on your company. Forever with you doesn't seem long enough," Rosalie replied, and Kiara blushed a little.

"When was the last time you fed?"

"Way to ruin the moment," Rosalie snarked, but there was no love lost in her eyes. "A few days ago, but I'm fine. I'll go in the morning."

Suddenly, Emmett's booming laughter echoed through the trees as he and Beverly emerged from the woods. Their faces flushed with exhilaration and hands intertwined. When they finally caught sight of the private moment of their sister and her shapeshifting soulmate lying on the grass, both wore matching grins.

"C'mon you two," Emmett called out teasingly, waving an arm towards home. "You're missing the party! We don't have all night!"

Rosalie rolled her eyes playfully at her brother-in-law but didn't look away from Kiara. Kiara's gaze flicked to Beverly and Emmett who were still waiting, their faces expectant. Beverly winked at her the wolf encouragingly before finally pulling Emmett along with her towards home.

With a deep breath, Kiara turned back to Rosalie; her dark eyes serious now. 

"I never thought I'd want that... but now, I can see myself living forever..." She traced Rosalie's cold lips with her thumb, her voice now barely a whisper. "...as long as it's with you."

Kiara let out a shaky breath she hadn't realised she was holding. The starlight fell on her tanned skin like silver and obsidian lacing together; it cast shadows over her face, making her look both formidable and incredibly vulnerable at the same time.

"Rosalie," Kiara started, trying to keep her voice steady. Swallowing hard, she sat up more as she ran her hands through the grass at her sides, her heartbeat spiking and causing Rosalie to sit up in surprise at the sudden change of mood from her. "I'm not good at this... I mean, I didn't plan this speech or anything. Every time I tried to think about what I'd say I just-"

She stopped mid-sentence, looking deep into Rosalie's eyes as if seeking some form of silent agreement before continuing. With a nod from Rosalie, she took a deep breath and spoke again.

"I love you more than words can ever express," she said simply. "I want to spend eternity with you by my side. And though my heart beats differently than yours, it beats for you... only you. "Rosalie Hale... I love you more than I thought it was possible to love anything. You showed me what family means and how love can change us."

The honey blonde vampire was well aware that the sentiment wasn't one to be downplayed; for Kiara and the other wolves, forever was a much longer time than it was for vampires like her and her family.

"I don't just want to live forever," Kiara continued, her gaze intense as she basked under the moonlight. "I don't just want you in my life for now. I want you in every aspect of my existence until the end of time itself."

Rosalie looked at Kiara, her expression unreadable. Then she enveloped Kiara's hand in her own - a gesture as warm as the smile that slowly spread across her face.

"Yes," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion, "yes, Kiara Black, a thousand times yes."

"I didn't even ask yet-"

"You've never needed to," Rosalie replied, leaning forward and pressing their lips together tightly.

Pulling herself into a sitting position, Rosalie wrapped her arms around Kiara's neck, pulling the shapeshifter closer. Her dark eyes sparkled with unshed tears in the moonlight.

"I love you," she murmured, whispering the words into Kiara's ear as if they were some sacred secret only meant for her.

"I love you too," Kiara replied without missing a beat, her voice strong and unwavering. She leaned in, brushing her lips against Rosalie's cheek before returning to her lips once more.

A silence fell upon them as their lips parted. Kiara cupped Rosalie's face in her hands, her eyes gleaming with an absolute determination that was both terrifying and endearing in its intensity. Her thumb tenderly brushed over Rosalie's cheekbone, the pale skin beneath almost translucent under the moonlight.

With that, she pulled away from Rosalie and reached into her jacket pocket. Her fingers curled around something small and cold, a clear contrast against the warmth emanating from her body. When she pulled her hand back, there in her palm was a ring.

Not just any ring. This one was studded with delicate diamonds that shone brilliantly under the moonlight, each one intricately lined along the band made of the purest silver. The centerpiece was a large diamond, its facets glowing with an otherworldly light that seemed to mirror the glow in Kiara's eyes.

"This..." Kiara hesitated, looking down at the ring in her hand and then back up at Rosalie's wide-eyed look of surprise. "This was the ring my father gave my mother when he proposed to her."

Rosalie's breath hitched in her throat in surprise.

"My father gave it to my mother when he knew they were meant to be together... forever," Kiara swallowed hard, her fists tightly clenched around the box. "He gave it to me... and told me that he wanted me to give it to you when the time was right."

Her eyes flicked up to meet Rosalie's, their gazes locking in a wordless understanding. 

"I chose you, Rosalie. In every life, in every world, I would choose you."

Without saying anything more, Kiara took Rosalie's hand carefully in hers. With an air of reverence that was rare for the usually rambunctious shapeshifter, she slipped the ring onto Rosalie's finger - a final seal on their promises to one another.

And in that moment, everything else faded into the background, the world reducing to just the two of them under the shimmering moonlight as a new chapter in their lives began. 

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Guys, only a chapter or two and the epilogue left :((( what a journey!!

Would you guys like a few bonus fluff-type chapters (like one shots I guess) of their life after the epilogue?