Lily was tired.

Tired of drama.

Tired of stress.

Tired of lies.

And very tired of the cloak and dagger lifestyle she seemed to have been dropped into.

She had received a letter in response to the one she had sent, and it had not answered any of her questions. Instead, it made her think up more.

Rolling over on her bed to lay on her stomach, she reached under her pillow for the well-read letter. It was written on old parchment paper and with ink of all things.

She hoped it was ink at least.

"Dearest lost one,

I fear I don't know who you are, or who you belong to. We so rarely lose one of our own. To find out about you through the vampires of all beings is odd and worrying. There is so much to unpack and so little time.

My name is Deidre. I am neither the eldest, nor the wisest, of our people but I have volunteered to help you learn our ways. Unfortunately, I cannot come straight away to you as I have prior engagements. I will, however, travel to you soon.

By now you must have gone through your initial phasing. It starts with a fever and chills. You feel as if you will die. You do, in fact, die. But you are remade cell by cell with the magic of our people. You will not age unless you wish to. You will not get sick. You will not die of human ailments. But you most certainly can get hurt and killed.

You are young, so very young. There is much danger for you in this world. Our people are destroying themselves for territory and strength. From your story, it appears you were caught up in the struggle for dominance. Babies, children, and those who have not yet gone through the transformation are innocents. There are those in the world who believe that by consuming the energy and soul of innocents that they will be made stronger. This is false, and it is catastrophic. Each one of us is precious to this Earth. We ensure the elements are in harmony. As more of us fail to survive and thrive, mother nature pays the price. Our job is to provide balance, whether in the skies, the earth, or the oceans.

You, my lost child, are a daughter of the Earth. You will never gain your wings as I have, but they will always be part of you. It is unknown why those who cannot fly still can produce wings. It simply is. Listen to the Earth, help the forests grow, and dilute the pollution that has consumed our world as best you can.

Be weary of vampires. They, as with witches, always have a price for their aid. Avoid the werewolves as much as you can, although they are not readily available on the European continent, the American one has them further to the north. The world is vast. Do not spend your life waiting in the shadows. Be cautious but be free. You are an essential part of this planet.

You are also extremely fertile. I am unsure of your situation, but after the initial change your chemistry changes as well. Especially with those of the Earth, you seek to provide life. You will go through cycles where your need will be insatiable. If you have found a mate in a human, do not breed with him unless you are ready for the arduous journey of becoming a parent. Being a parent is never easy but being unsure of what you are on top of having to learn to be a mother is a terrible burden. To raise a child alone is a different journey all together. Alone is what you most likely will be. Human men, after helping us procreate, tend to pass on quickly. This is part of the magic that creates us. Sacrifice and life. Keeping the balance. What is a human life, besides being a donor to something grand? I don't intend to be cruel, but I don't want for you to lose your heart to a human for them to be ripped away from you.

Any other species may or may not be affected by your cycles. They come once a quarter and last for two to three weeks. During that time, your need will be immense. Be sure you have precautions in place. You will remain fertile for most of your life. There is a ceremony to halt the fertility process, but you are nowhere near old enough to survive it yet.

Child, be weary of vampires. You will never be able to be turned into one. You can be bitten by them, feel the agony of their venom, and yet your body will work to heal itself. Your blood provides more nutrients to vampires than humans. Their gifts, should they have any, become stronger. Their ability to fight becomes quicker. You will enhance their senses in every way. You will also risk forming a blood bond to them. If your mate happens to be a vampire, you must be made aware of the facts. I cannot and will not decide things for you. But you need to be aware of the dangers. If your mate is a vampire, and drains you completely, you risk death yourself. Your body needs something to work with in order to heal. Never forget.

And never believe yourself weak. You are one of the greatest beings on this planet; responsible for the upkeep and health of everything living, sentient or not. You have your abilities, your brains, and your experiences to keep you safe. You would not have made it through your initial transition if you were not meant to be in this world.

I will be visiting soon, lost child. Be prepared.

-Deidre

Lily didn't know what to do. She knew she needed to get ready for Bella's wedding. She knew she needed to tell her parents about the letter. Honestly, she needed to know if she should be on birth control after reading the letter. The idea of going into heat like some type of animal did not sit well with her. It did, however, provide some answers.

Her and Jasper had not been as chaste as Bella and Edward had been. After their initial mating in the woods, they had regularly been physical together. There were points where she was worried, she was a nymphomaniac until the letter explained her cycles in better detail.

Carlisle had said vampires couldn't reproduce, so she was safe on that front. But would birth control help her with her cycle like it did for humans? Nobody else really seemed effected by her arousal, but perhaps they were simply being polite?

Groaning at the embarrassment she was starting to feel at the thought, she got up from her bed to splash some water on her face to cool it off. Turning to her closet, she picked out the dress her mother had helped her decide on wearing. It was a simple dusky rose evening dress with a sweetheart neckline and a modest slit up the side of one of her legs. She matched it with silver glittery heels and left her hair curly and down. Rosalie had helped her style it the day before, so that it would be perfect for the evening event. She moved downstairs to collect her parents, who were also wearing their best outfits. Her mother, Sarah, was wearing a flattering evening gown in a pale yellow, while john wore a suit with a matching tie. Lily thought the yellow was odd, but Sarah had insisted.

"Yellow is the color of happiness. It's perfect for a wedding!" Sarah had declared when she initially found the dress.

"You guys ready to go?" Lily asked, checking her purse for everything.

John just grunted before moving to get the car keys. Lily picked up some grumbling about a monkey suit and babies marrying babies, but that was all she cared to hear.

She didn't agree with Bella marrying Edward just so they could turn her. The Volturi hadn't made that a stipulation. They just wanted her turned. But no, Bella and Edward had to do the most extra path of turning Bella.

Shaking the negative thoughts from her head, she texted Jasper to let him know they were on their way.

He responded with a kiss emoji that she smiled at before putting her phone away.

"And how is Jasper doing sweetheart?" Sarah asked. She had been hinting that she expected a second marriage happening soon, while John flat out told her that she had better not get married any time soon. Jumping off bridges and all that.

"He's doing alright, he is helping finish the preparations and decorations."

"You'd think with their skills that they'd be all prepared by now" John grumbled. He liked most of the Cullens. He adored Jasper. He just didn't appreciate the standard that Edward, and in connection to him Carlisle, set for those around them. Edward, emotionally, should be nearly a century older than Bella, and yet they're getting married quickly and without the assurance of a mate bond. Bella appeared to have been consumed by Edward and his family. John had to listen to Charlie, Bella's father, vent to him about the absolute fuckery that Edward and Bella had put him through. John had to flat out ask Charlie if his heart was okay with all the stress, he had been putting it through.

They managed to find parking close to the house with a spot labeled for them. They were ushered to their seats, amazed at the decorations surrounding them and the pleasant music playing in the background.

It appeared as if Alice had decided to reuse the thousands of twinkle lights from the graduation party. To change it up, Alice added white satin bows and ridiculous number of flowers. The smell was amazing without becoming overpowering. There were orange blossoms, lilac, freesias, and roses artfully arranged throughout the outdoor area designated for the wedding ceremony.

Jasper wouldn't be able to sit with her during the ceremony based on his roles and duties, but he would send her emotional taps letting her know he was with her anyways. Lily watched as people began walking down the aisle, the beauty and grace of vampires shining through. Alice had decided to curl her normally manic pixie short hair, which made her face appear softer and more approachable. She danced her way down the aisle, eyes forward as she smiled.

Each person in the party went next, until al that was left was the bride. Edward looked apprehensive standing at the alter by himself. Lily wondered if he was afraid Bella would get cold feet at the last moment and run off.

But Lily snorted quietly after thinking that thought through. Bella, once committed, was as immovable as a mountain by an ant.

The bride's musical cue to begin her walk finally rang out, and out Bella came. Lily had to admit that Bella looked beautiful. Her dress was lovely, her hair put together, and her makeup was done. But that wasn't what made her beautiful in the moment. It was the happiness that shone through the girl's eyes as she found Edward that completely changed her outward appearance. Bella, who naturally had resting bitch face, didn't smile much. Lily had rarely ever seen her truly happy. To finally get a glimpse of it, Lily could see the beauty everyone else mentioned.

The vows were simple, and perfect for the couple. Once they kissed, the crowd erupted into applause. People began to rush the newly married couple with welcoming arms, heartfelt congratulations, and kisses on cheeks.

Lily hadn't realized that Seth had come to the wedding. That was when she remembered that Jacob was still missing, running around Canada trying to clear his mind. Leah had mentioned it, but that it had been very strained within the pack because of his absence.

Leah refused to come to the wedding. She didn't like Bella nor Edward. She barely tolerated vampires in general, but she had a true dislike for those two. Leah had assured Lily that she would be at Lily's wedding whenever if ever she decided to have one. She also volunteered to rip Jasper's head off and burn him if he ever fucked up.

Best friend love, what could be better?

The ceremony had finished, and the reception was starting to begin. The music changed, drinks were flowing, and people were chatting and mingling. Jasper finally was free to join his mate after the ceremony. He wasted no time in picking Lily up and giving her a spinning kiss as Lily giggled at the display of affection. They hadn't been separated for long, but bond hunger had begun pricking at both their bonds for the other.

"I missed you cowboy. How're you holding up?" Lily asked, quietly.

Jasper smirked, tossing one of his dirty blond curls out of his face, before kissing Lily again on her nose. "Oh, I'm fine now that you're here. I wanted to introduce you and your parents to my cousins if that's alight with you doll?"

Lily looked over her shoulder to where her parents were mingling with some other adults but decided they could be bothered to meet future family. She turned back to Jasper before smiling him her answer and nodding. Jasper collected her parents gently before bringing the group to a congregation of beautiful blonde vampires. One had strawberry tint in her blonde curls, one had long pale hair straight as corn silk. There was a final woman with dark black hair and olive skin that matched the man standing behind her.

"Lily, these are our cousins from Denali. The one with the curls is Tanya, while the other blonde is Kate. They have a third sister, named Irena, but she couldn't make it." They both shook hands with everyone as the dark-haired female stepped forward and kissed Lily on her cheek. "I'm carmen, this is Eleazar. We're all so very pleased to finally meet you."

Jasper weaved Lily and her parents through a few other family friends, but after a while John joked that he was starting to forget the names of everyone and needed a drink. Sarah laughed at him before hitting his shoulder and walking towards the refreshments. It gave Lily and Jasper time to themselves.

Jasper took her hand, so much smaller and much more fragile, in his large calloused one before leading her to the dance floor. They spent an untold amount of time together, swaying, dancing, and whispering sweet nothings in each other's ears.

Lily wished she could bottle up the happiness she was feeling in that moment. The happiness, the contentment, the laughter. Seeing Jasper letting loose and being his charming flirtatious self, it was all so wonderful.

She had no idea the chaos that would be coming into her life sooner rather than later.