It was a beautiful bright, sunny day. It was even more amazing when you were standing in a sunlit valley with thirty odd vampires, the effect was almost blinding.

My family had franticly called upon many of our old friends to come like last time the Volturi threatened. Unlike last time however, these friends weren't here to witness for us. They were here to fight for us.

The arrival of so many vampires was taking its toll on the wolves, whose population was growing rapidly, and they were getting younger and younger. In the week that the vampires had started arriving, five new wolves had joined Sam's pack, the youngest being only nine years old.

"Hey Jake, Nessie" Matt, one of the wolves who had joined the pack last time the Volturi had struck, came walking over to us.

"Sam needs to see you, we found a strange scent on the outskirts of the reservation" he said, his nose wrinkled in distaste.

"A strange scent?" Jake sounded worried, and I noticed him hold me tighter.

"We don't know, we think it's probably just one of this lot," He gestured behind him. "Sam just want's you to come and check it out, you know most of the scents here."

Dad appeared by my side. "I will come too; I know all the scents here plus most of the Volturi, just in case…"

"Yeah, just in case" said Jake.

We took off. We didn't bother with cars, running was faster, and we arrived in less than a minute. Sam and Jared were there, waiting for us, arms folded across their bare chests, looking remarkably similar.

"The scent is just up there, we'll show you." Said Sam, and he led the way to the west.

When we reached the spot, I felt relieved when the familiar scent hit me. Dad and Jacob both relaxed slightly.

"It's just Maggie; she must have passed through when she arrived."

The wolves relaxed, everyone was so tensed lately.

"Is there any particular date you see them arriving?" Sam said, addressing Edward.

"Nothing is certain; Alice predicts sometime soon, perhaps a week or so. We just have to keep our guard up."

Sam sighed. "I suppose, if that's all you know…" He then turned his attention to Jacob. "The elders are having a gathering tonight, and we need you to come. Renesmee can come, of course."

I had opened my mouth to say that I would love to come, but dad cut me off.

"Sorry Sam. I'm afraid that, given the current situation, I would prefer that she were to remain with us. I am sure you understand." He said.

"Dad! I want to go, and I will be just as safe with the wolves as I would with you."

"No" His tone was firm. "You will stay with us. I don't want you to go away from the family. And besides, it is unsafe to go where Alice can't see." He gave me a stern look. "No"

"The wolves are my family, and Alice won't be able to see anyway, if it is me they are after. And anyway, the Volturi would most likely head towards the mass of vampires, because that's where I would most likely be. I'll be fine dad, don't worry." I could see from his expression that I hadn't changed his mind.

"Edward," Jared spoke for the first time. "She'll be fine. Matt can stay with you, as a wolf, and someone else on our end can be in their wolf form. That way, if anything were to happen, you could get immediate warning."

I noticed dad's expression shift slightly as he took in the words.

"See dad, it's perfectly safe. C'mon it's only one night." I said, taking advantage of his momentary sign of weakness.

He smiled when he heard my thoughts. He sighed. "Fine, you can go with Jacob. But be home by eight"

I opened my mouth to protest but dad sighed and said "Eight a.m. You can stay the night. Oh, and Jacob?" he said, turning to face Jake.

"Yeah?" Said Jacob

"Make sure you keep her safe." There was a subtle threatening tone in his voice.

"Of course" Jake replied.

"Very well. See you in the morning." He kissed me on the cheek and then left.

"Well come on, lets go" Jake grabbed my hand and smiled his warm smile at me.

We ran away into the forest.