Chapter One

A/N: Occurs 12 years after Eclipse. Vampires have existed without werewolves for a decade, but what will happen when a new species appears that could wipe them both out? All original characters, pairings, species etc. unchanged. Bella's POV.

It's been twelve years now. Twelve years since I agreed to marry Edward. Twelve years since Victoria was killed, since Jacob got injured trying to protect Leah in the fight. Twelve years ago, I finally kept my promise and became Isabella Marie Cullen, and twelve years ago Edward kept his promise, too. Twelve years had passed with me living as a member of the Cullen family, as a vampire. And twelve years of me learning to control my need for blood, amongst other lessons I needed to learn.

I never once regretted becoming a vampire; there was nothing in my life before that could compare to spending a lifetime as Edward's companion. Of course, there were things that made me unhappy, for example my mother decided to have another baby, with Phil. I was sad that I would never get to meet my half-sister. And Charlie, he ended up remarrying to a woman who joined the Forks police force shortly after I 'disappeared'. I was upset that I could never laugh with her at my father's absurd perceptions, or his inability to cook the simplest of meals. And finally, I was sad that I never got to see Jacob Black again, not after I said goodbye to him while he was still injured. I had a growing suspicion that someone had invited him to mine and Edward's wedding even though I had requested they didn't, but I could never know for sure so I let it drop. I was disappointed that my former best friend couldn't find it in himself to see me off into my new life.

I hadn't seen any other werewolves, for that matter, since I departed from Forks. I had thought they were almost as common as vampires were, but apparently both species had become scarce over the centuries. But even after twelve years of vampirism, of learning the ups and downs that came with it, and learning things not fit for human ears, I thought I knew all there was to know about the world, and the 'mythical' creatures that lurked in it.

I thought I knew it all, up until Sunday morning.