Chapter 20 – The End of Peace

I approached our house with Skylar in tow and Seth must have heard the car because he was bumbling out of the front door before we even got to the porch. His eyes lifted and he looked over at Skylar and then he stopped, still as a statue, staring at Skylar with adoration. I rolled my eyes and went up to slap Seth on the back of his head. He came to his senses and rubbed his head glaring at me, then he turned back to Skylar and his eyes softened.

"Imprint?" I whispered to him and Seth nodded.

"Hello there," Seth said trying to be suave and he moved to take a step down the porch stairs but his foot missed the step and he landed in a heap at Skylar's feet. I slapped a hand to my forehead and shook my head while Skylar raised an eyebrow.

"Skylar, my brother Seth, Seth this is my friend Skylar," I introduced them quickly, hoping to get rid of Seth before he made a bigger fool of himself and I tossed the car keys to him, "You better get going, Jake wanted you to hurry over."

"I think I should stay," Seth said not looking at me and slid over to him and pinched his arm discreetly while Skylar looked plain uncomfortable at Seth's seemingly unwarranted adoration.

"I will explain everything to her," I whispered to him and Seth looked at me in distress.

"But…"

"No buts," I snapped at him, "Skylar is staying with us for a while."

"Really?" Seth asked hope shining in his eyes and I maneuvered him over to the car practically pushing him into the front seat.

"Yes really, now go before you embarrass yourself more," I hissed at him and Seth threw one more longing look to Skylar before getting into the Porsche and driving off.

I joined Skylar on the porch as we watched Seth drive away.

"Your brother is…he's…" Skylar seemed at a loss for words.

"You and I need to have a long conversation, but before we do, I'd like you to meet my girls, Abby and Esther," I said opening the door to the house and I gasped at the mess that greeted me.

No wonder Seth had been in a hurry to leave, I would have killed him. Abby and Esther were in wolf form with a pillow between their teeth that they were tugging between them. The lounge had holes in it; there were feathers everywhere, probably from one of the other pillows that had already been broken. Abby and Esther turned to me and dropped the pillow guiltily.

"You have three seconds to phase back," I threatened them both and they whined and phased back straight away.

Abby got to her feet and tried to run but I reached over and picked her up. Esther was staring curiously at Skylar who had a strange smile on her face.

"They are a delight," Skylar breathed kneeling down to reach out to touch Esther's face and Esther laughed grabbing Skylar's fingers and pulling herself to her feet.

"When they aren't naughty," I agreed sitting down and pulling out a nappy. I lay Abby down and expertly fitted her nappy then I gestured for Esther to come over.

"So what do we need to talk about?" Skylar asked taking a seat on the ground beside me and Abby curiously walked over to her and inspected her closely. I sighed and then prepared myself for the long conversation.

"Ok, well in our pack there is something known as imprinting…"

**************************

When I had finished with my story Skylar was staring at me open mouthed. I couldn't blame her shock. The first time I heard the story I thought everyone was crazy, although the first time I heard the story I had just phased back from being a wolf so I was a lot more open minded to mystical things.

"So you are saying that your brother, Seth, he is in love with me because he imprinted on me?" Skylar asked in disbelief and I nodded my head, knowing how strange it sounded. Abby and Esther were curled up together on the floor sleeping. They looked so cute.

Skylar looked absolutely perplexed. It was like realization was dawning on her.

"How could he love me? He doesn't even know me?" Skylar asked frowning and I shrugged. I had obviously never imprinted so I couldn't say exactly what it was like, but I had experienced it through other members of the packs so I knew a little something about it i.e. turned you into a love zombie etc.

"That's how powerful imprinting is," I explained to her and Skylar bit her lip thoughtfully. I couldn't gauge what she was feeling, her facial expression was blank. I hadn't expected her to be jumping around and screaming with joy, but I had thought she might be at least a little bit excited that she had found her soul mate.

"But the imprint could be broken?" Skylar asked and I looked over at her in shock. She wanted to break it already? That was hardly fair on Seth. I knew that he had been waiting forever to imprint, and Skylar didn't even want to give it a try.

"It can but please, at least give Seth a chance, give him a couple of weeks, if you truly don't fall for him then you can set him free, you have to mean it though of course, it won't work if you don't mean it," I reminded her and Skylar sighed deeply, like it was a huge mission.

"Ok, I'll give him a couple of weeks," she agreed and I smiled pleased with myself.

I looked over at her and she smiled back at me. I thought about her and Seth together and then I started imagining their children. They would be wonderful together, I just hoped that Seth could prove that to her somehow. I recalled our meeting and something struck me as strange. I had heard that werewolves were unpredictable and dangerous in their wolf form but Skylar had been damn well…human.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Sure," Skylar said raising an eyebrow.

"Aren't werewolves supposed to be super dangerous when they transform? You were very calm and collected, I was expecting something quite different," I confessed and Skylar chuckled.

"I'm a very old werewolf, after hundreds of years, you learn control the change," Skylar revealed calmly and I gaped at her.

"Hundreds of years?"

Skylar nodded and I shook my head. Bloody hell, there were things about this world that even I wasn't expecting.

**********************************

Life with Skylar took a surprisingly normal turn. Sam's pack were a little suspicious at first but they quickly warmed to her. Especially since all us women accepted her straight away, especially me. I suppose I related to her so quickly because I too was the only female of my kind. It was nice to have someone who could completely understand how I felt. Emily, Rachel and even Kim were excited to have a new member in the 'imprintee' club and really made Skylar feel welcome. Emily took great joy in teaching Skylar how to cook. Jake and I really appreciated having an extra hand around the house as well to help with the cooking, since Alice and Rosalie were always over cleaning and helping with the pups. Skylar loved the pups, she got up early every day to play with them and they loved having her around.

Skylar was still nervous around the Cullen's but she was getting used to them. She couldn't get away from them since Rosalie and Alice were over practically daily and we visited the Cullen's at least three times a week. I wanted to get as much time in with the Cullen's as possible because they had to move away soon. It wouldn't be too long now, in the next year or so. Rosalie told me they were thinking of heading to Alaska, so they could be close to the pups and to Jake and I. I loved the idea of them staying so close. I didn't know what I would do if I didn't see Rosalie and Alice every day. Alice was the first of the Cullen's that Skylar really ended up being super friendly with, it took a while but Alice could make anyone love her.

Emily gave birth to her second child; it was a girl, just like she wanted. Emily and Sam named her Naomi. Paul and Rachel had their first child too, another girl, they called her Alyssa. It was turning into baby central in La Push. Kim was pregnant now too. Her and Jared were expecting their first child in the next six months.

Seth, bless his heart, had been trying so hard with Skylar but she had been distant towards him, as though she purposely didn't want to like him. Seth didn't let that deter him; he was dedicated to the cause of Skylar realizing how wonderful he was. Jake, Embry and Quil helped him plan elaborate schemes to get Skylar alone, some of them worked, most of them failed horribly. Eventually though, we all saw that Seth was getting through to her. She seemed to start enjoying when he dropped over at night and read bedtime stories to the kids. The pups didn't sleep without a story from their Uncle Seth. In the mornings she waited on the porch to wait for Seth to drive by on his way to work. She hummed after he left at night and waited by the window to watch Seth walk home. She was becoming enamored with Seth, and she didn't even know it. Jake and I mused it wouldn't be too long until Seth convinced her to be with him.

Jake and I watched the kids grow, they were about a year and seven months now and growing up so fast it was scary. They were nearly talking in sentences now. I wanted them to stop growing but with every advancement I just became so much more proud of them. Even in wolf form they were learning things. Harry and Ephraim had perfected their hunting skills. Esther and Abby refused to hunt in wolf form and hated raw meat; they took after their mother in that way. Life was normal and perfect, I was hoping it would last…but I knew I would never be that lucky.

****************************

I looked out of the kitchen window and saw a wolf just sitting there in the backyard looking at me. It was Seth. I waved at him, but he didn't move. Concerned, I glanced over at Skylar, but she seemed off in another world, distracted and solemn. Had something happened between her and Seth? The pups were watching 'The Wiggles' on TV, god bless those four singing bastards. Their songs drove me crazy but the pups couldn't get enough of them. If not for 'The Wiggles' and their thirty minute DVD's, Jake and I wouldn't have a sex life.

"Honey, I'm going to go check on Seth," I said to Jacob leaning over and kissing his cheek and Jake nodded taking over preparing dinner. I slipped out of my dress and quickly phased hurrying to join Seth in the woods.

I tried searching his thoughts but all I could feel was an overwhelming sense of heartbreak and sadness.

Oh Seth what happened? I asked worriedly, wondering if maybe Skylar had broken the imprint like Renesmee had done to Jake.

Seth didn't say anything, he just ran through what had happened that day in our minds.

He and Skylar were on the beach walking together and Seth had managed to capture her hand in his and for the first time since they had met, she let him hold onto it.

"Skylar, I know that you at least like me a little I just don't understand why you keep pushing me away," Seth had said to her confused and Skylar had pulled away from him looking down at the ground. Seth's heart started thumping.

"I can't fall in love with you Seth," Skylar told him not meeting his eyes and Seth felt his heart snap. She didn't mean it; she couldn't even look him in the eye when she said it.

"Why not?" Seth demanded annoyed by her refusal to acknowledge what he already knew. She liked him, she might even love him.

"I just can't," Skylar whispered, then she turned to Seth and steeled her shoulders and looked him in the eyes, "I don't want you, I want this imprint to be broken, I don't want you."

There was a long silence as they stared into each others eyes. Seth felt fine, there was no pain, no burning like he had felt when Jake showed him how he felt when Renesmee broke the imprint. Seth knew that she hadn't meant it, because if she had he would have felt a lot different to the way he felt now, if she meant it the imprint would have been broken. What he didn't get, was why she persisted acting like this.

"You didn't mean it, why would you lie?" Seth asked her folding his arms across his chest and Skylar looked down at the ground again.

"You don't get it Seth, I don't deserve you," Skylar finally said turning and running away and Seth watched her go, heartbroken and confused.

I came back to the present and Seth was just sitting there in front of me, staring at my face. A tear slid down his wolf face and I rushed forward to nuzzle him gently.

Oh Seth, everything will work out, I promise, I said to him but I could tell he didn't believe me. I wished that there was something that I could do to fix my little brother, but unfortunately there was nothing.

I will try and talk to Skylar tomorrow morning, I promised him, but I never got the chance, something much more important came up.

*******************

Jake and I decided to run the pups over to the Cullen's today for a change. They yelped and pounced on each other as we bounded through the woods. Jake and I followed behind them keeping an eye on them carefully. We came close when a sweet scent hit our nostrils. The pups became overexcited.

Uncle Jasper, Uncle Jasper, Uncle Jasper, they chimed happily in their heads as they ran to their Uncle Jasper and pranced around his feet. Jake and I however were taking in the pained expression on Jasper's face. Something wasn't right.

"I couldn't stay in there, the emotions…" Jasper's words faded away. He seemed distracted and concerned.

Jake phased into human form. I loved how he wasn't shy about himself.

"What is going on?" Jake demanded and Jasper shook his head gathering his thoughts.

"You need to go see Alice and the others, I will watch the pups and take them home," Jasper told us and Jake looked down at me and nodded urgently.

We disappeared into the brush and pulled on some clothes. Jake started striding towards the house at a quick pace but I hung back, my eyes on Jasper. He looked like he was in so much pain; my motherly instinct was in full swing.

"Will you be all right Jasper?" I asked him worriedly, and I reached out to touch his arm gently. Jasper gave me a weak smile.

"I will be, thank you for caring Leah," Jasper replied and I gave him a small smile before I turned and raced after Jake, leaving the pups with Jasper.

**************************

Jake and I sat on the Cullen's couch looking at Alice in shock. She had just explained what had had everyone so worried that they chased Jasper from the house. It wasn't a small thing, this was huge. Edward and Bella stood in a corner holding each other, Ness and Nahuel had taken Jaylah into the yard to play, they didn't want Jaylah to see how worried they were. Rosalie and Emmett sat on the couch looking concerned and Esme and Carlisle were exchanging worried glances. Alice was wringing her hands in front of her.

"The Volturi are coming again?" Jake asked in shock and Alice shook her head.

"No not all the Volturi, just Aro," Alice said, and Edward's eyes narrowed with fury.

"Why?" I asked softly, still not fully comprehending what they were telling us and Alice frowned, as though upset with herself. I knew she thought she should have seen this coming, but she was only one girl. She couldn't be expected to keep an eye on everything.

"He heard about Jaylah, I'm not sure how, I've been keeping an eye on the Volturi, monitoring their actions regarding us. Last I heard Caius, Marcus and Aro had passed a law that we were to be left alone. Aro is acting on his own."

Jake and I took in the information silently.

"How long till they get here?" Jake demanded.

"Soon, Aro left maybe last night, he will be here within the day," Alice confirmed and we all fell into silence again. Within a day, that didn't give us much time to prepare. No time to gather more to help us. We were it.

"Has he got many with him?" I queried and Alice nodded reluctantly.

"Quite a few including Alec and Jane."

Shit, Alec and Jane were their two most powerful mental fighters.

"They won't be able to harm us as long as we have Bella," Edward said holding his wife's hand tightly. Bella nodded her affirmation, her backbone strong.

"We are fighting them then?" I asked resigned getting to my feet and Carlisle came forward slowly.

"We are," he confirmed reluctantly. I knew how much Carlisle hated the thought of fighting; he was such a peaceful soul. Carlisle addressed Jake and I seriously, "Leah, Jake, you don't have to help us, we couldn't ask you to risk yourselves again."

I didn't even need to look at Jake, there was nothing to discuss between us. We had made our decision as soon as Alice said the Volturi were coming.

"You are our family, we will do anything for you, besides Brady is part of our pack and Jaylah is his imprint, we will fight with you," Jake answered for both of us and all the Cullen's looked relieved.

Carlisle and Esme hugged us both thankfully, and then they disappeared to make more plans. Rosalie came over to me and we hugged tightly. Bella comforted Alice who was shaking her head, disappointed in herself. Jake sat down heavily next to Emmett, and Edward sat next to him.

"Carlisle has contacted Marcus, we are counting on the fact that since Caius is such a supporter of law and justice, and since Aro is breaking a law we are hoping Caius would want to punish him," Edward revealed their plan and it sounded good but we knew relying on vampires, especially The Volturi, wasn't exactly a sure thing.

"But that's not definite?" I asked and Edward shook his head.

"No."

I breathed in and out deeply. Whatever happened, Caius and Marcus or not, there would be fighting, we all knew that.

"Exactly how many are with Aro?" I asked ad Alice shrugged her shoulders helplessly.

"I can't be sure."

"I don't want to get all the wolves involved, a lot of the other pack members have wives and children, Leah you will remain home to watch the kids," Jake was rattling off plans and I shook my head when he mentioned me. He wanted me to stay home while they went off to fight? Did he not know me at all?

"No," I said simply and Jake got to his feet, anger coming to his face.

"What?"

"No Jake, my place is beside you, I'm not just your wife, I'm your Beta, Skylar will watch the kids, the Volturi aren't after them," I explained very calmly, careful not to let myself loose control and Jake's angry face melted into one of pleading.

"Leah…" he whispered but I wouldn't back down. I had to fight; I would not send my husband and brother to fight without me.

"No Jake."

"Fine," Jake snapped not looking at me and I knew he was upset with me but I had made the right choice and Jake addressed all present, "lets start thinking up strategies, we don't have a lot of time."

Alice gasped and a glazed look came over her face. We waited impatiently and then Alice came to her senses and grinned at us.

"Marcus and Caius are on their way and they are not pleased with Aro at all. I just hope they make it in time."

AN: Yew, alright, battle time in the next chapter. It's proving to be one of the hardest things to write ever no wonder SM didn't do a battle at the end of Breaking Dawn. I read in an interview she said that she didn't want to go ahead with the battle because it was inevitable that some would die and she didn't want to part with any of the characters. Now I can understand this to a point, but I think with Bella on their side, like Aro was afraid, the bad guys wouldn't really stand a chance. I dunno…its hard to judge.