The witnesses come in this chapter, chapter 10. What will they think of Leo? Do all of them accept her?

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Disclaimer: I do not own any part of the Twilight saga, but this masterful plot comes from my muse. Give all the credit to him! (Or she, whatever gender my muse is. Oh, and Sillywritergirl101...3)

Chapter 11: Questions

Leora POV

All right, I had to admit, the dress looked pretty good. I looked pretty good. I still wasn't used to that.

Before dressing, I went on a mini-hunt to not ruin the dress if I were to hunt after dressing. Now, I waited for the Denalis, a coven I am told is just like the Cullens (in their hunting habits, at least), and friends alike. No, I remembered from Renesmee's pictures that the Cullens considered the Denalis family. Man, I had better not screw this up.

I also remembered seeing something about a Denali dying in their last Volturi encounter in Renesmee's pictures. The loss had been sudden, unexpected and quick. I reminded myself to put that memory in the front of my mind when I saw the Volturi. I promised myself that I wouldn't permit losing focus. I had to be on my guard with these folk.

As if on cue to my thoughts, I heard six pairs of running footsteps come to a stop. I smelled the strange aroma of vampires, and I knew the Denalis had arrived. I took the smallest peek out the window.

I saw four women and two men step onto the porch, smiling wide when they made out Edward's face at the door. I listened to their conversation from thirty feet away, noticing their names and their happy relationship with the Cullens.

I was still surprised that Edward was the one to make introductions. Alice left Jasper and me alone in the Library, going to greet the guests, then to help train the wolves further.

Jasper's hand tightened around mine.

At first, the Denalis were polite when Edward told them my story. They were skeptical, of course, even with affirmation from Edward.

After they were somewhat convinced, Renesmee strutted over and practically slapped her hands on Eleazar and Carmen's cheeks. They waited for Renesmee to "show" the same pictures to the rest of their family before they all stared at Edward in wonder.

"How…?" Kate whispered.

"We're not sure, but we think it has something to do with how young to her shape-shifting Leo was when she was Turned."

Edward peered around the corner to look into the Library. "Jasper, would you please bring Leo out?"

Jazz nodded slowly and then took my hand, tugging me closely behind him. I hid in his shadow until the last possible second, as instructed.

I watched their nostrils flare, their muscles tense and their eyes widen. After a second, they relaxed, returning to their normal stance. Clearly, they didn't know how to react to me.

"Can I see proof?" I connected the man to his voice and how he was addressed. Garrett.

Edward's chest raised and lowered, and I recognized his concealed sigh. He turned to me. "Leo, would you half-phase? Careful now, don't ruin the dress or Alice'll bite my head off."

I chuckled, realizing that was probably quite literal. I squeezed Jasper's hand while I braced against the whisper of pain. I let my cat ears jut out, along with my whiskers and paws. (Thank God, I was barefoot.)

I bet I looked pretty ridiculous. Garrett's eyes widened in fascination. I was rather angry he looked at me like that, as if I was some sort of experiment that went wonderfully right.

Jazz made smoothing circles with his thumb along the back of my hand. I felt a wave of calmness envelop me. This time, I was glad for it.

I took a deep breath, letting my human features return, and readdressed them. "I know you thought that last time Renesmee was one-of-a-kind, and you were disproven, but there won't be any surprises this time. I am truly unique, an accident. The boy who turned me gave me a new life, though," I looked at Jasper and smiled, "a life worth living for."

Jasper smiled back.

The same routine took place with the next female, Mary, except she was eager to be convinced. Randall was… Well, Randall was slightly different.

Randall had met the wolves, of course, so he had a hard time believing that I could still fully shape-shift and be a vampire. He got aggressive, defending his reasoning in every possible way.

About three minutes later, though, Randall's head perked up suddenly, and he believed me. Just like that. I couldn't help but wonder what had changed his mind.

Some time later--about eight am, probably--the whole Cullen family and their witnesses gathered in the Dining Room, the wolves standing right outside the window. I doubt being outside dissipated the burning vampire smell for the wolves. Emily and Esme had fed them while we all were busy chatting, and Emily returned to her temporary home with Old Quil and Billy probably waiting anxiously for her arrival on the doorstep.

Carlisle droned on, but I wasn't paying attention. I was so worried about the wolves. Sam's pack was simply visiting, and they were about to face the Volturi, the leaders of the vampire world. How on Earth did they expect to live through this; how could they expect to win? Even a young pair of eyes like mine could see that they were betting their entire species on this battle, and we could lose.

All my worries came flooding back. I no longer even considered leaving with the Volturi for "testing", only to come back three years later scarred and probably unhappy. I would die fighting for the chance to stay with the Cullens.

I worried that the Volturi would gladly take me up on that last one.

I knew that if the Volturi came after us because I refused to go with them, the Cullens, the Denalis, Mary, Randall and the wolves would all fight back. They would defend themselves and me. Three families, one of a completely different species, and two nomads would risk their lives for me.

Someone could die because of me.

The two families that were my families could lose someone today.

In a way, I belonged to the Quileutes and the Cullens. I belonged to both species. The Cullens accepted me for who I was and shared my desire to preserve life. The wolves shared my DNA, though. Somewhere far, far back, we were related. They had the same basic beliefs as I did, the same origins, the same basic legends… We all were brought up in the same views and expectations.

What if the Volturi asked me to pick a side? How would I choose? How could the liger be expected to either live in the African Savannah or the Indian forests when she belonged to both, but none at the same time?

Eventually, and too quickly, it was ten o' clock. I had either an hour to freedom or an hour until my death. I clung to Jasper just to stay sane.

I went around the house and yard, hugging everyone. I have to say, I surprised myself by mustering up the courage to hug even the terrifying Emmett. Everyone deserved my thanks; they were putting their lives in danger for me. The least I could do was thank them.

Carlisle informed me of the basic plans I had missed when I tuned out. We made our way into the "pine circle" as Alice called it.

The Cullens made a triangle, Carlisle at the tip, then Emmett and Edward. Behind them were Rosalie, Bella and Renesmee. Behind the three girls were Esme, Alice, Jasper, and me on the outer right corner. The Denalis, Mary and Randall scattered behind us, safe and undetected. On our right, in a triangle of their own was Jacob, Seth and Leah flanking him. Surrounding us like a big, single-file horseshoe, was Sam's pack. They began at my corner, Sam next to me and some boy named Embry (or was it Paul?) stood on the other end, next to Esme.

We made a lose diamond with a triangle to spare.

"Six minutes," Alice warned.

I looked around. Who would we lose should this turn into a fight? Carlisle tried to convince me again and again that he wouldn't let it come to that, but I had to wonder: Which member of which family might perish? Whose loss would it be?

Mine, all mine.

Would Aro read my mind? Or someone else's? What would he see?

Was I guilty of some crime I knew not of? Had I made some disgraceful act against this new side of the supernatural world? If so, how would I be punished?

What would the Volturi do in the future when I refused their offer now? Would they come after the Cullens? Would they come after me?

"Alright," Alice said, warning in her tone, "Brace yourselves."

I held on tight to Jasper as I watched the dark cloaks enter the clearing.