Disclaimer: All the characters belong to Stepheine Meyer and the plot is a combination of my own and the author of the original fairy tale.

Chapter One

When I was younger, my mother, Celeste and I would walk through the woods surrounding our small town of Forks. My small hand tightly grasped in her as she pointed out various flowers and trees. Our walks usually carried no true destination. We would just wander through the forest and various meadows surrounding the town that was being built. It was during one of these walks that we learned of the tribe from the North. The Quileute people were strangers to us and my mother always warned me to stay away from them. They were a savage group who didn't take kindly to civil people like us.

As I became older, I was allowed more responsibility. My mother allowed me to make the journey from our village to my grandmother's house in the woods. She chose to continue to live alone after my grandfather passed so it was up to me to spend time with her to ensure she wasn't too lonely. My father worried that I would be taken by the Quileute as Grams' house was near the border but my mother managed to convince him otherwise.

I made the trip about twice a month, always spending three or four days with Grams, learning how to sew and make bread; skills I would need when I married. I dreaded the day. I knew marriage meant giving up your freedom and becoming a submissive person to your husband. I longed to be like my grandmother. Independent and submissive to no one. But I knew it would break my mother's heart if I chose to live the life of a spinster as she called Grams sometimes. So as I grew, I allowed my mother to prepare me for the day when some young man would come knocking and ask my father for my hand.

I was now 18 and a few suitors came offering gifts but no decision had been made as of yet. But I knew my mother was leaning towards Riley. He was considered beautiful by many of the young women in the village but I could care less. I saw him when I ventured past the lumber yard where he worked on my way to Grams' place all the time and he always offered me a bright smile and advice about sticking to the trail. And today was no different.

"Hey Sage! Where are you headed?" Riley called out to me.

"To Grams' house. She's not feeling very well so I'm bringing her some medicine and treats from Mother."

"I'm surprised your father allowed you to go. Many of the men near the Northern Wall have reported sights of wolves from the Quileute reservation. It isn't safe for a beautiful woman like you to be walking through the woods all alone, unprotected." He looked down at me with serious eyes.

"I'm sure I'll be fine. I've made this trip so many times and I've never come across a wolf or a Quileute. Besides I should be back in two days' time. Grams doesn't feel like she will be ill for much longer."

Riley shook his head, his shaggy dark blond hair flopping to and fro as he did. He moved a bit closer and grabbed both my hand, pulling them to his chest. Even through his tunic and vest, I could feel the heat his body generated. His brown eyes bore into my green orbs once more as he leaned into to place a chaste kiss upon my lips. I turned at the last second so his lips landed on my cheek. It was improper for him to kiss me as I was not betrothed to him. Or so I thought.

"I thought you knew. I went to your father this morning and asked him for your hand and he agreed. We will be married in the spring."

His statement hit me like a ton of bricks. I wasn't prepared for this. I needed some time and wanted a say in how I would live my life. This was all happening too fast for me. Riley was looking at me expectantly, obviously waiting for me to response to the news of him being my husband.

"I…I…this is…"

"Riley, we have to go. We're needed on the east side." Someone called out to him. I let out a breath, thankful I wouldn't have to respond right away. Riley gave me a sad smile before imparting his advice once more.

"Be careful. I can't lose you." He stated the longing apparent.

I waved and slipped the red hood of my cloak over my head as I ventured onto the path. As the woods deepened, I started voicing my thoughts out loud.

"Riley and I are to be married. In the spring. That is several moons away but …I don't know if I am ready to be his. And I am certain he will be expecting my answer when I return. As if my parents would allow me to say no. My father already accepted his offering. And as soon as I return there will be the party to celebrate the news. The entire village will then know. I'll be the envy of all the unwedded women. But that is something they can have. I have no desire to be his wife or anyone else's. Maybe I should just stay with Grams. I could live with her and be free to be whoever I desired."

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I hadn't noticed I wandered off the path and deeper into the woods where a large wolf was lapping water from a stream. My breath caught in my throat. I had heard of the wolves but never seen one. They were larger than I'd been led to believe them to be. As he hadn't noticed me yet, I started backing away slowly. I was almost back to the clearing when I lost my footing and snapped a branch. The wolf's massive head snapped up and set his gaze upon me. There was a brief second of silence before he started charging towards me.