SUMMARY: It's been six years since Bella's transformation. The Cullens still live in Forks (you'll find out why later). Everything is great until they get some unexpected news about some unexpected visitors-- werewolves, the real ones. What will happen when the Cullens have to do whatever they can (including visiting an old friend) to learn about werewolves in order to fight them? What happens when the hopeless war they were preparing to fight for isn't the war they get? What happens when they're stuck in the middle of right and wrong when their lives depend on it? What if their decisions lead to the largest supernatural power struggle in centuries?

If you think you have it figured out, you have no idea. I've got some twists up my sleeves. It will all be in Bella's POV. It will have action and suspense and worry and Edward/Bella time.

Author's Note: Ok, here goes my first attempt at writing a fanfic. This story takes place after Breaking Dawn. I'm trying to keep true to the characters and take the story where I think it could go because I don't want it to end. I liked the ending, but I just can't get enough! So here goes nothing!

All the wonderful characters belong to the amazing Stephenie Meyer. I don't own them, and that sincerely makes me sad.

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Chapter 1 "[Birth]Day After a Full Moon"

My life was perfect. Laying here in bed next to the most beautiful man on the planet was just one of the many wonderful quirks my life had. My family was wonderful. My daughter was wonderful. My father still being in my life was wonderful. The peace with the Quileute wolves was wonderful. Friendship with Jacob was wonderful again. Edward was wonderful. He was more than that. As he laid there with his eyes closed humming a new melody, he hugged me to his chest and grazed his fingertips lightly across the small of my back. Edward was perfect

"Edward, do we really have to get out of bed?" I begged with my lips softly against his collarbone and my hand running down his smooth marble chest. It wasn't even light outside yet, and I thought it ludicrous that we should have to get dressed before the sun was high in the sky, if ever. The full moon from the night before was becoming less visible, and I knew the sun would be up soon.

"Bella," he growled, although the sound wasn't the least bit menacing. "I cannot listen to Jacob Black's thoughts coherently with you touching me like this." I smiled against his shoulder and kissed lightly up his throat, his jaw, and then his ear. I sighed and peeled myself away from him to go get dressed.

I sighed again when I entered the huge bedroom-sized closet for two reasons.

First, because I knew he was right behind me and I did not want him to put on anything.

Second, because this closet still held silk and satin garments I had never worn and had no intention to ever wear. All the silk and satin and lace items I did wear didn't seem to survive the night to be worn again.

He was then right behind me with his arms around my waist, holding me tight against every plane of his perfect body. This was not helping my self control. He laid his head on my shoulder and pressed his lips to my throat softly. I sighed again.

He sighed too and turned me to face him. "Bella, why is it so…difficult for me to let go of you in the mornings? If I could put off the sun for a few more hours, I most certainly would. And if I could put off this day entirely, believe me..."

"A few more hours? Try days!" Or weeks. Months would be okay with me too. "And as for today, Nessie is growing up and we trust Jacob to…"

"In theory," he interrupted.

I smiled at him slightly in reassurance. "They'll be with Charlie and Billy. They'll be fine." I reached up and kissed him to distract him from his worries. It worked. He kissed me back eagerly, pulling me tightly against him and carrying me to the dresser. My fingers made their way into his auburn hair and my legs locked around his waist. After a minute of my very heated distraction, Edward pulled away. I was confused. He didn't pull away anymore, ever. Not since I had become more than human and fairly indestructible.

"Jacob's close by, and he's excited about today." He frowned at this, and I hesitantly disentangled myself from him, giving him one last kiss on the lips.

After Jacob and Nessie left, we walked at a human pace to the Cullen's main house. I was still a little bitter about being up and decent at this hour, but I could tell Edward was too. He stopped just after we jumped the creek and pulled me into his arms.

"Today is September thirteenth." He put a finger to my lips to silence my inevitable oncoming protest. "I know. No celebration, but still it would be wrong of me not to wish you a very Happy Birthday, love."

I moaned, but he pressed his lips to mine, and I forgot why I was suddenly aggravated.

Today I would've been twenty-five years old, a whole quarter century, a milestone in mortal age. Instead, today I was a timeless immortal in an eighteen year old body. Eighteen not nineteen. I refuse to think forever nineteen, even if the change was finished on that day.

Even after spending the last six years as a vampire with no regard to age or years (other than pertaining to Renesmee, of course), Alice apparently still insisted on putting on the birthday charade in my honor. She hadn't done this since that nineteenth birthday. My mouth filled with venom as that thought crossed my mind. Nineteen. Ugh.

I assumed she'd finally decided not to complicate my life with her silly decorations, but I'm beginning to think she never will grasp how much I hate being the center of attention.

"Alice!" I hissed as I walked through the front doors of the house, eyeing flowers, ribbons, and a table with eloquently wrapped presents-- smelling of more satin and silk, and I hoped secretly it was more lingerie-- and a "Happy Birthday, Bella" banner hanging above.

"Bella, it's your birthday! You've been ali-- in existence now for twenty-five years. I think it's hardly something to skip out on celebrating."

"Alice, this is ridiculous! I am forever eighteen years old! It should've stopped there, really. This is absurd."

"Nineteen, Bella…" Alice corrected. I glowered, now seeing her perfect pixie face in a deep shade of red. She ignored me. "You just want to go and ruin my fun! I think it's important to commemorate important years in our existence. Besides, technically it's both your human and your vampire birthday! You're twenty-five and you're six! I am not just doing this to make you miserable."

Somehow I wasn't so sure about that. We celebrated everybody's birthday at the beginning of each year, and that was more than enough. We didn't celebrate vampire births or human births in particular. We did celebrate half-vampire-half-human births, however. Renesmee's birthday was just three days ago. Did Alice really need another party so soon?

One birthday party for me a year was one too many. I didn't need to celebrate my human birthday anymore. I was the happiest being on the planet, and I didn't need a silly party commemorating ancient history. I loved my life with Edward and Renesmee and the rest of my vampire family. The Cullens all stood under the birthday banner. Esme smiled softly with Carlisle's arm around her waist. Emmett looked amused. Rosalie wore a cautious smile. Alice was all but jumping up and down, glowing with excitement. Jasper looked nervous, probably because he knew the anger I was feeling about this particular little surprise.

I looked at Edward next and thought I saw a hint of sadness in his eyes that I wasn't supposed to see. He knew how happy I was. Everybody knew how happy I was. He was happy too. But Edward still blamed himself silently for the life that I had chosen, that fate had chosen, for me. This was the life that was meant for me, and although he knew it, he still resented himself slightly. I didn't want him to be sad about this stupid day. I didn't want him to be sad about that ever.

Celebrating today was just insane, and I protested. "Alice, yesterday was my vampire birthday, and today is just another day. We've already celebrated mine and every one else's birthdays this year. This is pointless."

Alice narrowed her eyes and was about to speak when Edward let out a snarl. He looked at me with concern. Just as I was about to say something very curt to him, he was at my side with arms wrapped tightly around me and eyes locked on mine.

"Bella, I truly am sorry. I had no idea she would do this. She hid her thoughts well, but now I see what her little hunting trip was really about." He scowled in Alice's direction and spoke "Really, Alice? The twenty-fifth birthday? I was expecting fifty or maybe a hundred, but twenty-five?"

She giggled, "Oh, come on, Edward! I've never been around for anyone's twenty-fifth birthday before. I never knew any of you when you were human! And yes, I did have to go on a little trip… a shopping trip! We needed new decorations, and I couldn't very well have you seeing my plans and ruining my surprise!" Alice smiled smugly, obviously content her plans to surprise me had worked.

Edward turned to face me again and put one hand on either side of my face. His eyes burned into mine and worry creased his forehead. There are parts of this new life that are hard to accustom to even after six years. Edward's unbearable beauty--his deep, amber eyes and flawless angel's face-- seen through my perfect, infallible vision still left me breathless as he always had.

Even though breathing was no longer a necessity, I took in a ragged breath just as I had when I was human and he had dazzled me that way. Edward smiled his half smile and whispered against my ear, "Breathe, Bella," obviously recalling the same memory.

I relaxed suddenly, unsure if it was Edward's smile or Jasper's uncanny abilities. I decided it didn't matter and to just endure Alice's plans.

I would just get this over with and keep my focus on Edward and my favorite half-smile, his perfectly chiseled lips, the sweet taste of his lips, the way they felt… Amazing! Six years of being immortal and he still dazzled me, and not only dazzled me, but made me putty in his all-too-capable hands.

Granite hard putty maybe, but nevertheless, if I could be weak in the knees I would be when he looked at me that way. My mind racing in thousands of directions that all focus on his mouth never helped my knees either.

Then, an idea hit me. I could still get out of this. Edward still had his hands on my face, and all I had to do was place my hands on his smooth, granite face and close my eyes. I relaxed and pushed my shield away from myself to let him see exactly where my mind was.

I had gotten a lot better at letting him see my thoughts, but it still only ever lasted a few minutes because I was always thinking about how much I loved him and wanted him, all of him. That usually made him go and break my concentration with those lips.

Those lips… those sweet wonderful lips-- and then, my shield snapped back into place. It took me less than a tenth of a second to realize it wasn't because Edward's mouth was crushed against mine as I had planned. I opened my eyes to see Edward's smoldering eyes searching me up and down from across the room. Alice had jerked him away, but apparently not before he got a glimpse into my thoughts about his lips. Oops. Well, I guess that had been my intention.

He growled at Alice who had him in a steel hold. She gave him a menacing look and then turned to me with a disappointing one. "Bella, you are not getting out of this by using Edward's weaknesses."

My eyes narrowed at her. "Hmph. Fine."

"Promise you'll be good?" Alice's eyes lost focus and stared into the distance as she searched for the answer herself.

"Promise," I mumbled as I looked at Edward. He was still looking at me hungrily. I would make it up to him later. I hoped this wouldn't last long.

Alice believed me-- probably because she saw I had given up hope of getting out of this-- and let go of him then, giving us both warning glances. Edward walked cautiously toward me, as if he were checking to see if he were in control of his urges.

I wanted to giggle. It reminded me of when I was human and he was testing his control over his thirst. I didn't giggle, however, because I wanted him too, but it would have to wait. My urge burned, and it was not from thirst. Somehow that made his caution not funny at all.

I exhaled sharply, letting out a small hiss, and reached for Edward's hand. I pulled his hand to my face and kissed his palm. "Later," I whispered, and he smiled my favorite smile and reached down to touch it to my forehead.

Nessie was off with Jacob down in La Push for the day. She had been dying for Billy and Charlie to take her fishing and wanted Jacob's company as well. Jacob would follow her anywhere, and Charlie had been more excited than a kid on Christmas morning when he found someone in his family shared his interest in fishing.

When Jacob picked her up before dawn, they were off to pick up Charlie. I thought it was a wonderful idea for her to spend time with Charlie, but Edward wasn't a big fan of leaving Nessie and Jacob alone these days.

Jacob had recently begun thinking of her in a new, romantic way. I didn't like that part either. She was only six, even if nothing about her showed her age. She was wise beyond her years, smarter than me undoubtedly and perhaps even Edward. Nessie appeared as a beautiful, pale, auburn-haired, seventeen year old just like her father. And just like her father, she was my world.

Edward was constantly on edge around Nessie and Jacob, worrying about Jacob's intentions, and Nessie's hormones. He blamed me for that. "You know, Bella, I never thought I would say our daughter is too much like you for my liking, but she is. She is entirely too…" He choked the words, "sexually aware."

I laughed before I realized how disturbing knowing this must be for Edward. I decided having a father who can read your mind wasn't going to be much fun for Nessie either. I cringed at the thought of Charlie knowing what I was thinking when I was dating Edward. Poor Edward. I had been shielding Nessie and Jake most of the time for his sanity. The shield takes a little conscious effort on my part and doesn't work past about a mile away. Edward agreed to it but only if I let the shield down occasionally for him to check the "morality of their thoughts," as he had put it.

Just as Alice was about to commence with the torture, the cruel and unusual punishment, the torment, whatever you wanted to call the party, Edward froze.

I looked up at him to read his expression, but it twisted into a surprise as he listened to something, someone's thoughts. Then his teeth snapped and his jaw tightened. His eyes widened in shock and he hissed the word, "Werewolf," with immense disgust.

I heard Jake and Nessie outside then. Their hearts were beating fast. Was Jacob's heartbeat always that fast? Nessie's was always extremely fast, like a hummingbird, but even it seemed to beat at a quicker pace. Nessie entered the living room with shock on her face that I assumed wasn't due to the decorations. Edward rushed to her side and pulled her to him, holding her tight, anger and worry now visible across his face.

I tried to put everything together: Edward's reactions, Nessie's expression, Edward calling Jacob a "werewolf."

Edward and Jacob had been on good terms except for his attraction to Nessie and had even become friends. They didn't use derogatory terms for one another anymore, and I thought it rude for Edward to refer to Jacob that way.

What could make Edward refer to Jacob like that? Nothing would make Edward that angry and that concerned for Nessie unless… No! No! No! That werewolf did not lay a hand on my daughter! I was waiting to pounce when Jacob entered the room seconds later, but I waited on Edward to attack him first.

Jacob walked in the door and his eyes immediately met Edward's. Jacob looked worried. Good. He should be worried, really worried. I swallowed back the venom in my mouth and moved to the other side of my daughter.

Edward confronted Jacob at last. "Jacob, what happened?" He was awfully calm with his question, and I wondered why Jacob was still breathing.

"I don't know. The sun hadn't been up long and we had just gotten to La Push with Charlie when I heard howling from the woods. I ran to the woods and phased to ask Sam what was wrong. Paul and Jared were doing rounds before dawn when they caught a new scent. Jared wanted to go find Sam and a few others before pursuing, but Paul took off.

"They came across a creature that stood like a man, a giant, but had the features of a wolf. Its eyes were… the entire eye… the whole eye was black as coal. It had fangs at least half a foot long. Its jowls dripped with saliva and… blood. It had claws on its… its hands. It ran from them, but Paul and Jared ran from it too. Even Paul ran from it… he was afraid.

"They ran back to Sam's place and told him what they'd found. They were too afraid to howl in case the creature understood. They all went back to the woods to find where the blood would lead. Sam realized the creature must be an actual werewolf . We remembered you telling the old vampires that we weren't really werewolves. We remembered you calling them 'Children of the Moon' and decided it would be safe enough to howl when the sun was up. I came to tell you what we've seen."

Werewolf. Werewolf. There was a real, live werewolf here, in Forks. I remembered what little information Edward had told us about werewolves: "The true Children of the Moon rarely move in packs, and they are never much in control of themselves…Caius had them hunted into near extinction." [SM, BD]

The picture Jacob painted of the creature seemed vile enough to me, and for the second time today my knees would have felt weak if they could. Happy Quarter-of-a-Century Birthday to me.

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AN: Ok, so that's my first chapter. I have my ideas worked out as to where I want this to go, but it may take me a while to actually get it written and posted and all that because of school. I have several reservations about writing this. First, I really, really, really hope that Stephenie Meyer will eventually take it upon herself to write after Breaking Dawn. It makes me cautious to write something just to hope she comes up with something a hundred times better, but I just can't help it. Second, I am nervous about making Nessie older. In BD, she doesn't have much dialogue. She was so young, and we didn't get any real hints into her personality. So, giving her lines and a mind is going to be hard for me because I want to stay as true to the characters as I can. It doesn't bother me at all to come up with the werewolves. I could make them pink and purple with polka dots if I wanted to and not feel bad about it. Not too bad, anyway.

Anyway, leave me a review if you read it! Let me know what you think. Keep in mind this is my first go at this! Thanks!