THEY WERE WORKING HARD IN FORKS TO MAKE SURE THAT NOBODY WHO HAD NOT YET GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL GOT HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THIS WAR. The second that Chrissy got herself out of the dark hole she'd been stuck in, she was an avid supporter of a war. She wanted that man dead, dead and burned and if vampires were able to band together against such a deep evil that had hurt her, clearly some of them had morals.

That didn't make a war effort any easier on her part. She was a regular at certain local restaurants that employed those on the Reservation and she hated knowing that some of them would be short workers. So, in her all-smart thinking mind, she brought some of the younger members of the tribe and asked those who could get work permits to get employed in place of their older siblings and cousins so things could remain as they were. Thankfully, with a short conversation with a few owners Chrissy had gotten to know during her months there, they allowed the kids to work, thinking that a serious family emergency was forcing those on the reservation out of work.

The only issue was a few of the other people in Forks, mainly the older crowd, wondered why so many teenagers were now serving them coffee.

Emily had taken up work, something she hadn't done previously due to online college. Now that it was the summer, things were much easier, and she and Emily had grown closer than ever.

"How much money are the vampires sending us?" Emily asked as she worked tirelessly on the dishes. She'd moved in with Chrissy since her fight with Sam. "I'm just asking because I know Connie needs money for the mortgage since she's not teaching summer school anymore. Plus, Collin is too young to work."

"I know it's a substantial amount. I think they're sending part of it as a donation to the reservation and then is sending a bunch to me to distribute," Chrissy explained while looking through her phone for any more notifications. "I have to deposit at the bank then send the checks. I haven't gotten the money just yet, it's supposed to come in tomorrow or the day after."

"Whose name is it under?"

"River. They added her on the accounts, so she's rich now," Chrissy said with a small laugh. "Poor her, though, she doesn't like managing that much money."

Emily laughed right back as she put the last dish down. She never would have thought that Sam's imprint would be so great, but somehow opposites attract. Well, they normally do, they're sort of not talking because of the disagreement over the war. Chrissy guessed he would come back to her once the money got there and he cooled down from having his authority completely challenged and overthrown.

Poor Emily did not deserve to be stuck with that man.

"Is she coming back here after this is all over? I feel like you two need a meet up rather than a phone call." Of course Emily was going to talk about the elephant in the room. "You two need a long chat about everything so you don't just throw everything under the rug."

"Well she seems willing to throw it under the rug," Chrissy retorted with a bit more bite than she was expecting. "She doesn't hold things against people."

"Okay..." Emily gave a long pause and looked right at Chrissy with a knowing look. There was no getting anything past Emily. Never. Impossible. "Love, I will have the talk with Leah if you have that talk with River."

Man, that was a rough talk they had to have. Cousins who were best friends turned... nothing. Leah yelled at her for hours when she found out that Sam had left her for her cousin and Emily just let that happen. Yes, Sam was the one who left her, but Emily did her so wrong that if that had happened to Chrissy, Emily would have gotten smacked. No matter how sweet Emily is to everyone, whenever it's mentioned, it's clear that she's ashamed that's how that relationship started.

Which is why they never talk and why Leah is not in the house right now.

She avoids Emily like the plague even if she doesn't make anyone not talk to her. There's a lot of pain and hurt under her anger and Chrissy has always taken that into consideration. She just wants them to have that talk.

So if this was how that happened... Well, it would make her life a lot easier.

Less uncomfortable.

"Fine," Chrissy relented. "I'm not heading over there right now in order to do that, though. Once we get through this."

Once they got through this.

---

THEY HAD DECIDED TO HAVE A TOWN HALL STYLE MEETING WITH EVERYONE LED BY CHRISSY, BILLY, AND JACOB. Obviously, some people had decided not to show, but practically everyone was there. Unlike their previous meeting where they had to explain Shifters and Vampires, everyone here was in the know. At least that shortened how long the meeting would have to be.

"I know that everyone is worried about the future of our children and our reservation," Billy said in front of a microphone. "I am worried always for my children. Yet this evil cannot be understated, which is why we have been asking for your support. I saw firsthand what that man did to that poor girl. If a man would do that to an innocent woman, what would he do to us? He wants global domination, that much has been stated.

"With the newfound acknowledgement from the Volturi Coven, we have full control and rights over our historic lands, which means that no new vampires will be coming in without our permission. If they lose their power, we may lose our land and be killed by vampires who'd wish to exploit our women and their abilities. We must fight this. My support is for those who are of age to do what they can. If they need plane tickets, they can get them. If they need to be here and fight on the ground, that is also important. Any underage Shifters will protect this community. It is unfortunate but it is their duty first and always," Billy finished as he looked up at Chrissy.

"The money is coming in. We will have enough to support us fully. Any bribes to get your jobs back whenever this is over can be paid in full by the Volturi Coven. All money is sent to my account through River Volturi," Chrissy gave the information before finally turning to Jacob.

He was dressed in his best for this event. He was so worried before the event, worried that he would look bad or if the people would listen to him. Chrissy did her best to cheer him on, but he had levels of anxiety that matched River's.

"The pack has always supported our reservation. Our people deserve to be protected. The vampires, while they have always been our enemies, see evil and want to put an end to it. Under my pack leadership, we will be able to put an end to Andrei and his evil. My imprint was kidnapped by this man earlier this year, she escaped him last year. I echo what my father said, Andrei and his new order would exploit the women and girls on the reservation. We can't allow that, which is why I am in full support of bringing a group of Shifters across the sea to Europe to join the vampires in the fight against Andrei and anyone who would associate with him."

Their message was loud and clear. Chrissy hoped that the people would see this, would accept that they had to fight. It wasn't just about vampires, but what they could lose if they didn't take a stand to defend the right people being in power. Chrissy would always be able to go to River and speak for the Shifters. Andrei would kill her, or worse, erase everything that she was as punishment like Wren.

She hated that this was their only option. Chrissy didn't want to see Jacob or Leah go anywhere without her. She'd tethered everything she had left into them and prayed that it would be enough to keep holding on. Their people on the reservation had welcomed her with open arms and her relationship with Andrei was now pulling things apart.

If they'd imprinted on others, maybe this wouldn't have been an issue.

No wars, just a common love. She hated that this had to be the start to them. It started with violence, with her abduction, and if either of them died, it would end in violence too. Chrissy couldn't bear that. It was too much to even think for a second she could lose her second chance before it really began.

From the pensive looks from those in the crowd, Chrissy wondered if it had worked. Could they have convinced enough people on this alone? They were already all in the loop about the Shifters and their deal with the Volturi, but would they defend that? The tribe would value their survival, their history, over everything. They wouldn't die lying face down. Yet, they didn't like to be that involved. To live in peace was always their goal. Chrissy began to bite her nails in the back, knowing that this mattered more than anything. This impacted the rest of her life. It could mean whether or not she remained safe.

An older woman from the crowd asked, "What will happen if Andrei comes into power?"

Chrissy's stomach dropped. She wanted to run, to leave this place at all costs. She thought she could stand the questions, but she couldn't. Yet, even if all she desired was to get out of there, her legs remained in place. She could barely breathe.

"He will probably kill everyone on the reservation," Jacob said with a slight mumble.

As if he would allow any of them to live after what she'd done. Anyone who she associates with is not safe as long as that man is alive. Chrissy just needs him to die so she can live. So she can live with herself knowing that the shadow around the corner isn't him. She keeps on looking out into crowds and being worried he will be there. Her paranoia had never been worse.

Nobody should be able to create such fear in a person. He was far worse than the boogyman. The boogyman doesn't exist, Chrissy's never been abducted by him. He only exists in the minds of children. Andrei lives on in the minds of anyone who cares about her.

He knows where she is now. She hasn't left where she got away. While it was by chance, lord knows that Andrei would look there again once he's checked in Italy. Could he smell her? Sense her fear in Forks? What could that do?

"How do you know that?" The same woman asked. "He could leave us be."

"Shifters are required to protect each other's imprints," Billy butted in, "and we are all related. Do you think this man will leave you alone after you have seen Chrissy and not turned her in? Not brought her to him yourself? He is a force of evil worse than any we have faced before. I am inclined to believe the woman who was kidnapped over speculation over best case scenarios. He will kill me, he will kill Jacob and Leah. Is that worth it to any of you? You who grew up with me, who watched my children when Sarah got cancer? You would let them die?"

Jacob visibly winced at the mention of his mother. Chrissy had only known she died a long time ago.

That comment had quieted the woman. He was right, too. Any man who would defend her would die at his hands if he got their hands on them. Chrissy did not want that to happen to Billy, but she knew he wouldn't listen if she told him to save himself. He would go down with his son rather than outlive any of his children. Losing his wife had been bad enough.

"I am genuinely saying that we are going to die if we don't fight," Jacob said after a long pause. "I don't want any of us dead. Our pack and our tribe are in danger. If you want to move away, go for it, but if he gets a hold of our memories, he will see you and he will find you."