Just letting everyone know, I am terribly sorry about not updating in awhile. I'm sure some of you already know that I was recently in a car accident so things are hectic. I'm alright, and the accident wasn't my fault, but I just wanted to let you know so you didn't think I've forgotten you :). I just want to say thank you SO much to all of you that have taken the time to keep up with this story. Thanks for reviewing it, for adding it to your lists, and for the messages you send me concerning it. It really means a lot. You guys keep me writing :).

As the story turns…..

Chapter 13: Asking for Help

"Volturi? Who are the Volturi?" I questioned, completely out of the loop. The entire family stared at me. It was as if they had no idea how to explain it to me.

Carlisle opened his mouth and then closed it. He looked into my eyes before his mouth opened once again. "The Volturi, well, they're kind of considered the 'royal family' of vampires. They've been around for thousands of years. They are the largest coven of vampires, not to mention the oldest."

"Their coven," Esme continued, "is made up of very unique, very gifted vampires. They like to recruit those with special talents."

"Like Alice, Edward, and Jasper?" I questioned.

"Exactly." Esme said. "More than likely, Victoria is going there as an act of revenge. You killed her mate, and if the Volturi hear about you, well, they will…" She trailed off.

"What? They will what?" I questioned.

"They will come here and either try to get you to join them, or kill you." Rosalie stated, but this time it sounded as if there was worry in her voice instead of spite.

"I'm so sorry Serena." Edward said as he came by my side.

"Why would they kill me?" I was genuinely curious.

"The Volturi are considered the peace keepers of the vampire society. They make sure that we are not known to the human world, and if they see you as a potential threat to our society, they will attack." Carlisle answered. "Alice, how much longer until Victoria reaches them?"

Alice began to stare off into space before she answered, "By tomorrow."

"Maybe we should go to them first." I stated as a potential solution, however, everyone looked at me as if I had lost my mind.

"You don't simply go and visit the Volturi. Especially when you have something to hide." Emmett said.

"Well they're going to find out about me anyway and at least if we go there, it will prevent things from reaching here and threatening your home life. In fact, it is probably best if I go alone."

"No." Edward said quickly. "There is no point to that. Even if you went alone, they would still come here because of our association with you."

"The best thing for us to do is wait." Carlisle said.

Silence fell on us once again before I let out a low yawn. "I should probably get going." I stated behind the yawn.

"You should stay here." Edward said.

"No, I think it's best if I go home tonight and sleep in my bed. I need time to think about some things." Edward looked as if he was going to argue with me further, but the determination in my eyes stopped him. "Don't worry, I will wait." This allowed him to relax only slightly. At least now he knew I wasn't going to go attack the Volturi on my own. I wasn't that stupid. I needed to know more about them, and I knew I would need to talk to Carlisle to get the information I wanted, but I would rather speak to him without everyone else around.

Edward walked with me outside. "Do you want me to take you home?"

"No." I replied. "I think I'll run."

"But…"

"Edward." I said in a warning voice. He gave up the fight then. I have to admit, I love how he is learning to respect my boundaries.

I gave him a quick kiss before I took off running. As soon as I knew he wasn't following me, I immediately slowed down. Maybe I wasn't going to the Volturi, but I was going to do something about this new development. I concentrated hard on a specific energy. Trying to locate its position.

When I had locked on it, I called upon the powers of space and time. Pluto's portal formed in front of me, and I didn't hesitate to walk through it.

When I reached the other side, I was immediately greeted by several tall men. They each took up a defensive stance as I came through the portal.

"Serena." One of them said.

I looked over to him and gave a weak smile. "Hi, Jacob." His face still showed some anger towards me, probably because of the events from earlier today. I tried to give him my best 'I'm sorry' look before I asked him, "Could I have a minute with you?" I looked around at the crowd and added, "Alone?"

He stared at me for what seemed like ages before he reluctantly walked towards me. We began to head off into the woods. When I felt we were a safe distance away, I began to speak.

"Look, I'm really sorry about what happened earlier. I'm not sure as to the extent of yours and Edward's hostility, but I came off hostile to you as well. I don't exactly understand the werewolf traditions. I just know that Edward is a good person, and I truly feel that you are as well."

Jacob finally stopped in the middle of the clearing. The moonlight was shining down in different spots, but I remained in the shadows. "I don't think I should be speaking with you." He said in a strained voice. "I can't trust you as long as you associate with that monster."

"Don't call him that." I said quickly. "Jacob, please, look at me." His eyes found me and his face softened immediately. "I am not your enemy."

"Then what are you? I know you are not just a human."

"You're right, I'm not. I am more like a goddess than anything." Laughing slightly at the way that sounded. "I draw my power from the moon and the planets in this solar system. I am a guardian, a protector. It is my job to see that peace is kept, and that Chaos isn't created."

"The moon?" He questioned as his eyes gazed up at the light filtering through the trees. "It has always been written in myths and legends that the werewolves transform by the light of the full moon, but that isn't true. Still, we do draw strength from it, and we find that our abilities are at their fullest when we are within the light of the moon."

I smiled as I began to walk towards him. "That is because the moon offers a sweet and warm light. To those who can feel its energy, it offers much." His eyes fell on me once again and they widened.

"Your skin." He said in a shocked voice.

My skin was glowing once again as I stood in the light of the moon. "I am a descendant from the Kingdom of the Moon, Jacob." His eyes widened even more as he automatically fell to his knees.

"You are the daughter of Selene, aren't you?" He questioned.

"I am. Please, Jacob, stand up."

As he rose, his face met mine once again. "I've heard many stories about you. They have been passed down the line of our people, although I always considered them to be just tales. That is until this moment."

"Jacob, I came to you today to tell you of some alarming news. A large vampire coven will very soon know of my existence, and our fear is that they will soon show up to this area. I know very much how you want to keep the peace here, just as much as the Cullens, which is why I am here to ask you for your assistance should we need it."

"A vampire coven?"

"They are called the Volturi, and what we are figuring is they will either come here to take me to join them, or they will kill me."

"But why?"

"Because, I pose a threat to them." I answered him frankly.

"Serena, it's just…wolves and vampires don't mix. It's impossible for us to work together." Jacob said.

"I am asking you to make the impossible, possible. You know if they come here that Chaos will ensue. It's bad enough that I am at the center of this attention, but please, don't let me be the cause of this town's destruction." My eyes began to water. "Jacob, I need you. I know I haven't known you for very long, but I know that we have a connection with each other. We have an understanding. Could you please try to talk to your pack and see what they can do? I know the Cullens would never come here themselves, which is why I came."

He stared intently at me. "I'll see what I can do."

My face lit up in a smile. I ran to him and gave him a hug. His arms wrapped around me, and he held me there for a long while. His skin was so hot and warm, but it was still comforting all the same. I pulled away from the embrace. "Thank you…my friend." He gave me a small smile before I called on the powers of Pluto once again.

I arrived back at my house, and I quickly made my way to my room. I didn't even bother to change out of the clothes I was wearing. The day and the days before had been such an emotional ride, and I was completely exhausted from it. Tomorrow was Edward's first day back at school, and the last thought that ran through my head was that I hoped he could make it through.

School was as uneventful as ever. I got to speak with Alice a little more about the Volturi, but there were still no changes in her visions. I hated waiting on the brink of something like this.

It amazed me that Edward didn't ask where I was last night. Normally, he would have come to check up on me, but I'm guessing last night he didn't. I don't think he realized how happy this made me. Don't get me wrong, I love the fact that he is always concerned for me, but he does have some serious stalker problems. I mentally sweat dropped at that idea. Still, him not following me last night showed that he trusted me, and it showed the progress we were making in our relationship.

Lunch arrived quickly, and I was eager to get to my food. As I sat down in front of Edward, I immediately dug in. Edward, of course, paid me no attention because I always do this. Though, he was being a little bit quieter than usual. I looked up and noticed that he wasn't even looking at me.

I followed his line of sight, and my eyes settled on the new girl, Bella. She was staring very intently at him, and I couldn't control the slight touch of jealousy that passed through me.

"Edward, don't focus on her." I told him, knowing full and well that he was thinking about her blood.

"Yea." Was his only response.

Alright, I was confused and a little upset at this. "Edward, that wasn't even an answer. You're not paying me any attention."

"Yea."

"Quit thinking about her." I said in a strained whisper. People were starting to stare at how they were both looking at each other, and, in turn, their glances were starting to focus on me.

"Yea."

That's it! "Edward, look at me, I want to do unspeakable and dirty things to you. I want to touch you in inappropriate places and completely have my way with you."

His eyes began to blink rapidly as they refocused on me. Ha! I won!

"What did you just say?" He asked.

"Nothing. Just trying to get the attention of a typical teenage boy." I smirked as I said this.

"I'm sorry for focusing on her, but I know the smell of her, and it is drawing me to her like nothing I've ever experienced before."

"Well, she sure as hell doesn't mind you looking at her. You're giving everyone the impression that you are no longer interested in me. I don't want to be a part of the rumor that you're cheating on me, and you better not be or I will make you burn." I said in a very serious voice, pointing my plastic fork at him effectively.

Edward gulped slightly at my threat before he shook it off, knowing very well that I would never do that. He gave me a crooked smile before he said amusingly, "You're jealous, aren't you?"

"No." I answered a little too quickly.

He chose not to continue the argument, but that damn smirk still remained on his face, which frustrated the hell out of me. I looked back over to Bella and said, "Oh shit."

Edward looked up and noticed that she was coming over here towards us.

"Do you mind if I have a seat?" She asked in a very light, awkward voice.

We both shook our heads no, but I could see Edward tense up incredibly at her being so close. It was probably best that this was happening now. I knew that as long as I was here, he wouldn't do anything. I looked over at his family, and they were staring in our direction. All of them ready if they needed to intervene.

I quickly reached over and grabbed Edward's clinched fist that was lying on the table. I didn't care that Bella was right there in front of us.

She looked down at our hands, and then looked back up at him. "Look, I need to know if you have a problem with me."

Edward remained silent, so Bella continued. "You were extremely hostile when you were in Biology with me, and then you tried to change classes. Not to mention, you left for awhile there. What the hell did I do to you?"

Edward was about to take a breath, but he paused thinking that that wouldn't be wise. "I apologize for the way I acted towards you. I was having a really bad day, and my anger was not towards you in the slightest. I left town because I had an emergency that I needed to attend to."

"I have to take the blame for part of his bad mood." I added. "We had been in a bad fight earlier that day, so it probably didn't help the situation." I said, squeezing his hand for good measure.

"So, there's no problem?" Edward shook his head and forced a smile at the girl. She nodded, and after a moment of extreme awkward silence, she made her way back over to the table, tripping slightly on what I assumed to be air.

Edward let out a breath as he grasped my hand. "See, you did it." I said with a smile. He smiled back at me before he said, "You just had to mark your territory, didn't you?" He glanced down at our hands and I quickly pulled mine away blushing. "I was simply offering comfort." I argued with him. He only chuckled in response.

I glance back towards Bella, and she was still looking our way. "You know this isn't over." I said to Edward. "I can see it in her face. Curiosity is eating at her."

I looked back at Edward before I thought; could things get any more complicating?

There's another chapter! I hope everyone enjoyed it, and I hope you enjoyed the little bit of Bella I through in there. Normally, I would say that the next story to update would be The Forgotten Prophecy, but I'm kind of at a standstill with that and need a bit more time with the next chapter, so you might just see an update on War of the Titans or Illogical Choices. I guess we'll see. Don't forget to PLEASE REVIEW!!!

-Lizzy