{{Charlotte's POV}}

Kayla stood nervously a few feet away. She had a scared look upon her face while she fidgeted with her hands.

"Charlotte?" My growl deepened as she took a step forward. "We just came to warn you. Derek sent us." I saw Andrew fall in line behind Kayla. "The Volturi guards are still roaming around the area. There's been talk that the others will come, the three rulers. We've heard of them and don't plan to stick around for whatever they have planned."

Her features softened as she backed away. "I'm sorry for trying to change you. I didn't know how many people it would affect, how many loved you, who would do anything for you." Her eyes flickered beside me before settling back on me. "The rest of the Volturi should be here in a few hours." They both disappeared with Kayla's last warning.

Seth nudged my side. We have to warn the pack. We took of running back the way we came.

Why would she agree to warn us? I thought she hated me.

Some people change. Even vampires.

We ended up at Arianna's house. The whole pack, along with my dad and Arianna, stood outside watching and waiting for any sign of a threat. If the Volturi were coming, they wanted to be ready.

Seth had made me stay inside. I felt completely useless. Everyone else had something to do, but here I was stuck to the confinement of Emily's house. Personally, I thought that I should have been out there to begin with—after all, they were coming because of me.

"Stop worrying, Charlotte," Seth said for the fourth time within the hour as I paced around the living room.

"I can't. I feel so guilty that everyone is trying to protect me. What if someone gets hurt? What if someone gets killed? I can't have anyone sacrificing themselves for me!"

His arms wrapped around me as I started shaking with anger.

"It'll be fine. We want to do this. Nothing bad is going to happen."

I wish I could believe him. But how could I when life was so unexpected?

There was a growl from outside. The door slammed open and Quil poked his head in.

"Charlotte. I think there's someone here to see you."

Seth was at the window before I had a chance to turn around. He also growled before heading out the door after Quil. I pulled back the white curtains to see what was happening. It took a second to locate where this person was. He stood at the edge of the line if trees with his hands in his pockets. Seth was striding forward with an angry expression clearly visible on his face. I glanced back to the figure and gasped as I realized who it was.

I sprung to my feet and ran outside. I dived between the two boys just as Seth reached him.

"Drake? What are you doing here?"

"I came to help."

"You're not wanted here." Seth's voice was hard and cold as he glared at Drake. Seth pulled me back against his chest. "Now leave before I end up doing something I might regret."

"Wait. I can really help you. Let me—"

"I suggest you explain quickly." All three of us looked up to see Sam walking towards us. "It might just be the last thing you do."

Drake straightened and addressed the alpha. "I was trying to explain. The Volutri are coming because they see Charlotte as a threat, right? The Cullens told me that they left without a fight last time, because they deemed Reneesme to be safe. All you have to do is convince them that Charlotte isn't a threat."

Sam shook his head. "It isn't that simple. They have rules and laws. If they see her as a potential threat, they will either take her or kill her. And as we werewolves are protecting her, they could just possibly destroy us as well."

I cringed at the thought of anyone dying because of me.

Seth's arms tightened around me. "Nothing like that is going to happen," he whispered into my ear.

"But it most definitely could."

Everyone whipped around to see the three legendary Volutri leaders, dressed in black flowing robes, and the guards we had encountered earlier stopping a few yards away. The one in the middle stepped further out.

"My name is Aro, and this is Marcus and Caius. As to the reason of our arrival, I presume you already know." Aro's eyes landed on mine. "This woman, Charlotte Alexandria Duckling . . . her existence has been quiet unusual and has been therefore called to our attention."

I felt Seth take a step back. Sam and Drake did the same.

"I can see that some of you are afraid." Aro looked around the gathered group then back to the four of us. He flashed his pearly white, sharpened teeth. "But I assure you that no one is going to die today if everything goes as planned to my liking." He pulled a slip of paper from within the folds of his back robe. "Carlisle has informed me that Charlotte is not a threat, merely one of a kind—a mutt of sorts if you will." He let out a small laugh.

"So for the time being, we will let this go. In the meantime, I will have a few of my guards keep an eye on you." He gestured behind him and three guards stepped forward. "They will stay out of the way. You will hardly ever see or notice their presence as they blend in very well." The three guards disappeared. "This is the second time we've come to Forks, and we are leaving empty-handed just the same. Such a shame." He shook his head and continued. "For the future of all creatures in Forks, this better be the last." Aro turned and walked away with the other following without another word.

Everyone was frozen for the next few minutes.

"So . . . I guess that is my key to leave." I turned to see Drake retreating.

"Wait!" He stopped and turned to me. "Thanks."

He nodded. "If you ever need me, I'll come." His face softened. "And I'm sorry for what happened between us." I nodded as he looked to Seth. "Take care of her."

He grumbled but didn't say a word. Drake left with a final nod.

I'll always remember you, Charlotte. It was the same voice from before. The one who told me the key to changing forms. It was Drake's . . . .

So that was the end. No action-packed war. No deaths or causalities. No sob story. It ended when the Volutri turned their backs to us and walked away . . . .

A week later, we got a message from the Cullens that said they left to meet with the Volutri and explained that I wasn't a threat. I suppose as Carlisle had known them for so long finally paid off. They were now staying in Alaska visiting with some friends. A few of them had left to go off on their own for a while. Edward and Bella were coming back in a few days so Jacob could see Reneeseme.

Seth and I had finished school without any problems from the Volutri. We could feel the stares of the guards sometimes, but we eventually learned how ignore them. After a few years, we noticed that we could no longer feel them.

I had moved back to Forks when I was done with college. I now stayed in Arianna's house as she had moved in with Dad. At the moment, I was lugging some of my stuff into the master bedroom and setting it beside a box that belonged to Seth. We had decided to move in together. He was supposed to be helping, but I hadn't seen him for almost two hours.

"Charlotte?" someone called from the direction of the front door. "Are you here?"

Was that Jacob? "Yeah. I'm in the bedroom," I called out. I looked up as the person stopped at the door. It was Jacob. "Hey. What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with Reneesme?" I knew she was coming home from college for the fall break. I would have thought Jacob would be spending every second with her.

"Seth asked me to come get you."

"That boy is supposed to be helping moving this stuff in." I was slightly mad, but it was so like Seth to become easily distracted.

"Don't worry. He's doing productive things." Jacob smiled a knowing smile. "Come on. We don't have time to waste."

I was suspicious as to where he was leading me as he grabbed my arm and towed me from the room. We stopped just short of the open front door. I could hear people murmuring outside.

"What's happening out there?" I craned my neck trying to get a closer look. Jacob stepped in front of me.

"Close your eyes." I opened my mouth to protest, but he quickly continued. "Trust me. Please. Nothing bad is waiting out there."

I scowled and did what he asked. "Now what?"

I felt his warm hands take mine. "Now we take a little trip outside. I'll guide you."

I was pulled forward out into the open air. The talking died down until it was completely silent. We walked a few yards before stopping and Jacob dropped my hands.

"Stay right here. Don't move. Don't open your eyes."

I nodded and felt him walk to my left. Someone else was approaching from my right. I took a deep breath and smiled as he stopped before me.

"You can open your eyes now."

I blinked up at Seth. "Seth. Where did you disappear too? Moving all this stuff in is not easy."

He chuckled. "I know. I just had some things to do."

"Like what?"

He was suddenly down on one knee on the ground. "I know this might be sudden for you, but I've had enough time to think it through." He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, dark blue box. "We've been through some rough times since you moved here, but I'm still glad I got to do them with you. I want to spend the rest of my life with no one else but you. I love you with everything I have. Charlotte Alexandria Duckling . . . will you marry me?"

I let out a squeal and dove into his open arms. Seth laughed and held me tightly to his chest.

"So . . . was that a 'yes'?" a voice muttered from beside us.

I looked over Seth's shoulder to find most of the pack, my parents standing off to the side. I noticed Jacob laughing silently to himself.

I turned back to Seth and smiled through my tears. "It's most definitely a yes." I kissed him hard as I heard a round of congratulations start. "I love you, too, Seth."

(A/N): So that's it. That's the end. I hope you guys enjoyed it. :)