A silent figure watched the couple from the shadows. Its ice cold skin gleamed in the moonlight. He knew he could never take on a shapeshifter and a halfling together. He'd wait as long as it took.

The wind picked up and dark clouds covered the moon as a storm approached. He knew that with the rolling thunder came revenge and justice.

Skye POV

My Daniel. My beautiful, wonderful, perfect Daniel. Never before had I been this happy. My entire life has been filled with thoughts of grief, doubt, and regret. Now, as this creature who fully accepted me for who I am kissed me, I was whole. He loved me, even when I didn't love myself. Even now.

It was as if I was really seeing the two of us for the first time. I could see how I wasn't a hideous monster. I wasn't ugly, in fact quite the opposite. The way my skin glows in the sun was not like a killer, but more like an angel. Daniel was truly the gorgeous one. My body pressed against his. He was slender, muscular, and warm. My fingers tangled in his copper hair and his strong hands around my waist tightened. His lips traced electric patterns on mine. This night was so perfect.

Daniel POV

What was she thinking? Skye's raven hair flowed in the wind and her petite body pressed against me. This kiss was so much more than usual. Her arms wound around my neck and she was practically on my lap. Not that I minded.

My hands slid around her waist, feeling the curve of her. Didn't she realize how beautiful she was? I could feel it as she became more passionate. This was so right, and we were closer than ever. We were more one person than two. I only hoped she was as happy and content as I was.

We were so intent on each other, we didn't realize that dark clouds had covered the moon. We only stopped kissing each other when the first peal of thunder rumbled through the night sky.

"We'd better get back before they sends out a search party," I said, pulling Skye up after me.

She turned around while I undressed and phased. I barked to let her know I was done and gave her a wolfy grin. She just laughed. Damn, I loved the sound of her laugh.

She climbed on and we made it back to the Cullen house before the rain started. Alice would kill us if our clothes got ruined.

"Daniel, I don't want you to leave me."

Skye grabbed my hand as I stepped off her porch to leave. The look she gave me was tearful.

"As much as I want to spend the night, I just don't think your dad would go for it," I said, pulling her into my arms.

"He trusts us, I know he does," she whispered. It didn't take much to sway me.

Later, I was lounging on Skye's bedroom floor skimming through one of her books as she took a shower.

"I wonder if this is a good book," I muttered under my breath.

"What book?" Skye called from behind the bathroom door. I was going to have to get used to the fact that she had vampire senses.

Skye opened the door to see the book I was holding and my mind derailed. Steam billowed through the opening and she stepped out in only a white towel. Her black hair was dripping as she ran a comb through it. Water droplets slid down her russet skin tantalizingly. She was so, so tempting.

Skye caught the look on my face. I'm sure my jaw was hanging down.

"It's not that bad."

"W-what?'

"That book. It's actually thrilling, as far as romances go."

I shook my head to clear it. She had no idea what was in my head.

"Um, Skye. Why don't you finish getting dressed. I'm sure your dad wouldn't be happy if he walked in right now."

She grinned at me and walked back into the bathroom.

After she changed into shorts and a tank top, I took off my shirt and we crawled into her bed. I didn't think Seth would approve, but it was her birthday. It wasn't going to become a regular thing, and we were just going to sleep. Nothing more.

I put my arm around Skye's shoulders and she lay against me.

"Daniel, I want you to know something."

"Anything, love," I replied.

"I've been almost alone my entire life. I love Dad, but between his work in Port Angeles and his duty to the pack, he's not around much. I was never very close to my people or the Cullens until recently.

"I spent most of my time either reading libraries of books to escape reality, or running through the forest for miles and miles. It felt like I could run away from the pain of loneliness, away from my broken family. I knew that heartbreak was the very essence of my existence, from the moment I was born.

"That damn Quileute magic was what took Dad away from my mother. It was responsible for all the bad things in my life. I hated it. Having your free will taken away by imprinting...hell, even transforming in the first place! It wasn't something that I would have wished upon anyone, especially myself.

"Before you, all I could see were the gray sheets of rain. Then, suddenly you were the sun that broke through the dark clouds. Even amongst all the rain, you helped me to see the rainbow's glittering color. You helped me to see how the glow of my skin was not monsterous, but rather beautiful in its own way."

"Skye," I said. "That was amazing. Better than anything a poet could write."

She blushed and said, "It's just what I think."

"Well, I can't say that I've had tragedy in my life like you did," I told her. "I've always lived in Iowa. It's a normal place. I went to school just like any other kid. I grew up, found things that interested me like art and writing. I was shy, so I didn't really have any friends. I didn't go anywhere besides a family vacation or two in the summer. I was very dull, normal, and bored with life.

"Then I was offered the chance to come visit my grandfather. I knew my parents had met here, but what I hadn't known was what a different world this place was. These woods are so surreal, like something out of a story. A realm where werewolves and vampire run through the forest and normal life was something unknown.

"I found you here. Someone I never thought about in my wildest dreams. I took one look at your face and fell in love with you. You are so beautiful and graceful. Even those words fail to describe how I see you. Imprinting may have been involuntary, but I wouldn't trade these feelings for the world.

"You make me want to be a better person. I want only the best for you, and I'll never hurt you. If you choose to ever leave me, I'll let you go. But I can swear to you that I'll follow you like a shadow to the ends of the earth in case you ever decide to want me back. You are my entire reason for exisisting. I know why I was put on this earth now."

Skye crawled onto me so she could reach up to kiss me. "I love you," she said simply, tears shining in her eyes.

"I love you," I said back.

She laid her head on my chest, and I was content to sit there listening to her breathe.

Skye laughed suddenly and said, "You know, I don't think any other couple would give each other speeches like we just did. We're not very realistic are we?"

I smiled. "Darling, what part of us is realistic?"

If there was one thing I knew about Daniel, it was that we would be together forever.

A/N Okay, I know I haven't left one of these in a while. Sorry, this is kind of a filler chapter. It gives a little insight into Skye's life and also Dan's so pay attention to those. I can PROMISE you that the very next chapter is going to be where the action totally speeds up. Well, starts really.

Oh, also this chapter is totally unedited, so if you find inconsistencies or errors don't hesitate to let me know! Follow me on Twitter at http://www (dot) twitter (dot) com/B3eth There you can bug me to write the next chapter and get a move on. Mkay?

Much love! --Beth

P.S. I wrote an extra chapter totally from Skye's POV. It takes place during the first chapter. So if you want it, shoot me a PM and I'll give it to you. It lets you get inside her head as she sees Daniel for the first time, and also gives you insight into what happens while Daniel is unconcious. Caution, unedited and may not fit perfectly with the beginning events.