Stormshadow13: You're welcome and thank you. But remember, wait until the ending to see if Edward really got off lightly.

"Trust but Verify."

Old Russian Proverb

Bella stood silent and unmoving, like a statue, overlooking the Carpathians. The wind howled and blew around her. There was no snow. Not until late September, at the soonest.

They had only a week for Edward and the Volturi settle their affairs. As such, Carlisle and Esme were making arrangements. And she would have to see Edward soon.

Inwardly, a part of her wondered if she regretted not visiting him more frequently during his imprisonment. But most of all, she was silent, even on the inside. The only thing playing in her mind being the series of visions that Lady Laima had showed her: one of an alternative future that she may have once had, another of a conversation between Edward and their siblings, most particularly Rosalie, which had recently occurred when Bella had conceived the idea to plead for a more lenient sentence for Edward, on the grounds of him possessing mental illness.

A conversation which every one of them had fully intended to keep secret from her- and from Renesmee.

Bella's hands curled into fists by her side. Her mouth trembled.

Did you do this?

A voice inside of her sneered that she shouldn't be surprised. That was precisely the sort of thing he would do. She had seen that Edward had made plans for an abortion without so much as consulting her. She'd heard every resentful, sulky, ugly word of the emotional blackmail he had handed to her throughout the early stages of her pregnancy. She had heard all the angry exclamations, all the arguments. All the resentment he'd felt. She had heard of his insistence. And she knew that Edward wasn't above- by his own admission- lying to her to force her to do what he wanted her to do. And he sure as hell wasn't above forcing her to be jailed and guarded out of petty jealousy and presumably being threatened by Jacob.

A bitter taste entered Bella's mouth.

She wondered if she truly felt love for either of them. All the clues and signs had been there from the start. If she truly had been in love with either of them, she wouldn't have had feelings for the other. She wouldn't have dragged both of them into this mess and put them through all this.

Guilt knotted her stomach. But Bella forced it away in order to focus on the track of thoughts she already had: Edward's intentions regarding their daughter.

She had seen the signs that she had been too blind to put together, like the pieces of a puzzle, even when it was obviously staring right in front of her. But what about the signs, clues and indications that Edward would plan something like this? That he- and Jacob- fully intended to harm her baby as soon as it was born? There was the outright admission, from the mouths of their own family, including Carlisle, that Edward and Jacob both wanted him to knock her out with drugs and perform an abortion, regardless of her explicit consent or lack thereof. And she knew that they would do something like this; she'd stuck close to Rosalie and Esme, after all, and contacted them behind Edward's back. Why else would she do it if she felt she could trust him? Bella didn't feel safe around him, and she certainly didn't trust him to be near their daughter.

She wasn't that stupid. But she was weak enough not to take a firm stand nor to summon the courage to see what he actually was.

But the real question was whether this was true or not. True, Edward hadn't denied these accusations, but Rosalie had only been speculating and accusing him at the end of the day. Bella would receive no direct answers from either of them. At least not truthful ones.

For that she needed magical help.

"Never underestimate someone's ability to find out the truth."

Unknown

"You're doing the right thing, you know," Adsila told her as she lay belly down on Gabrielle's bed.

Her legs were together, but her feet rose upwards. MACUSA personnel would never envision Miss Sizemore, an important member of the DMLE in such a way, but Gabrielle didn't bat an eyelash.

"I know," Gabrielle said quietly. Gabrielle was in her nightgown, tucked beneath the covers of her large, antique four-poster bed. An open book lay within her hands. Adsila lay on top of the covers, while next to her but also on the bed, Ava scrutinised a few magazine and newspaper articles including from those that Gabrielle recognised, like the New York Ghost and, to her dismay, the Daily Prophet. Her friend had been sorting what the international press was saying about this case and telling all their readers and viewers. Perhaps she should introduce and magically translate some non-English newspapers for her.

Ava, however, was currently reading Spellbound, a magazine tabloid, Gabrielle thought wearily. She'd long since discovered the lack of truth and consistency in gossip rags, sorry, magazines. They were horrid things, she privately thought. But she took care never to offend any reporters as much as she would dearly love to show them 'a piece of her mind' as Americans would say. No need for them to turn any readers and potential supporters against her.

Although funding... may not be such a problem anymore.

"And to think you have a lot more on your schedule," Ava remarked, flipping through the glossy pages. "You need a break, Gabbi."

"I can't afford a break," Gabrielle grumbled. "Not yet. Besides..." she silently checked the wards around the room, particularly the silencing wards. "I've been given an important assignment. If I succeed, I'll have all the funding I will ever need for my endeavours... and, potentially, political support."

The two looked right at her. Adsila was the first to speak.

"What do you mean?"

"The High Elder Markus and his wife, the Lady Laima, the two vampire progenitors have... given me an assignment." Gabrielle said hesitantly. "But this is strictly classified. If you still wish to ask me, then I will need your word, perhaps even the Unbreakable Vow, that you won't ever allow this information to fall into anyone's ears- even your families. Even by accident. Not even Kohana and Darius," she warned, citing Adsila and Ava's significant others, respectively.

Adsila straightened. She tucked her legs beneath her nightgown and dressing gown. "You mean it's that serious?" Ava swivelled to face her fully.

Gabrielle nodded.

Ava and Adsila exchanged looks. "I won't ask," Adsila said, breaking the silence once more. Ava nodded in agreement. "But... be careful, Gabbi. Vampire politics are always somewhat... antiquated and even more complicated and dangerous than our ones. Even with the lady's Sight there's only so much anyone can do. Besides, the things I've heard about this other High Elder, Viktor..." she trailed off hesitantly. Ava grimaced.

Gabrielle had to admit to herself that she was right. In fact, Adsila was vocalising the exact same concerns that Gabrielle had herself. Nerves rose within her. The third High Elder Viktor, even whilst buried under the earth and only due to awaken in another century, posed a significant threat and his very-present followers, no doubt still upset about the union between Amelia's son David and Markus' daughter Ruxandra, which inevitably, although perhaps unintentionally on the parts of both bride and groom, bound the two High Elders in an alliance leaving Viktor, whose sole heir had never been found, the odd one out. They had been among the guests at the wedding, Gabrielle noted. Some even within the official congregation, whilst others, less important, watched from the shadows, as was traditional. But they were none too happy about all of it. Although Gabrielle knew that they would have been happier had Sonja lived and married Radu, Ruxandra's older twin and Markus' heir.

The thought of that made her lips twist bitterly. A daughter of the Fair folk and of sorcerers had no place within this hierarchy, this society. Her very presence would likely be seen as a threat, especially as she could not be transformed into a vampire yet was more of a match for their most skilled magic-users and warriors, due to being both Vila and witch and whose blood was toxic for vampires to even make skin contact with. Or perhaps she would be a freak of nature, an oddity, seen as Markus' son's strange fetish or propensity for lovers outside his own kind, something like that. She had heard that some vampires exclusively preferred humans over their own kind. Edward was probably one of them, since Bella's humanity was what initially appealled so much to him, he had been afraid of changing her and not simply for the loss of her human experiences and future. And Radu could not afford to be touched by scandal with Viktor watching his every move and seeing him as a threat ever since he had heard of his birth, as the son of Markus and the grandson of Alexander Corvinus. His very life was at stake, along with the rest of his family, which now included David, his brother-in-law.

And Gabrielle felt both loyalty and a strong sense of identity with her Fey heritage, arguably, even more than her witch one, unlike Fleur. She had made her choice. She owed it to their kind and species. She may not be as brave as Fleur, but she refused to be ashamed or to hide her Vila and Fey heritage. But then came Radu.

Gabrielle sighed, putting the book aside. She placed it on the bedside table. She wondered how and when she would have to cut ties with him and worse... how she was going to do it and how she and Radu would both be able to live with that. One thing was certain, she thought wryly. Psychological manipulation and leaving someone in the woods, especially with a hidden foe that no one had a good plan on how to take care of them, was out of the list of options.

Just then, the wards flared. Gabrielle straightened. "Someone's right outside the tower." She stated quickly.

She got out of bed and slipped on a dressing gown, tying the belt into a knot. Gabrielle hurried out of her bedroom and into the common area of their assigned suite, before opening the front door.

She paused, startled as she saw who stood before her. Bella was there, standing in front of Yakov who looked slightly awkward and embarrassed. Gabrielle blinked. "Bella? What's happened?"

Bella took a deep breath. She stilled her hands which were trembling, Gabrielle noted with alarm. "I need your help." She said finally.

A few minutes later, Bella was in the living room of their suite, sitting on the couch as she explained the situation to Gabrielle.

Gabrielle was silent for a long moment. "You are certain of this?" Bella nodded.

Gabrielle knew that the Vampire Queen could be showing Bella a false version of events from either the supposed alternative future Bella would have had, had she not chosen Edward- or Jacob- or the conversation and subsequent revelations of Rosalie's suspicions about Edward's doings and intentions towards their then-unborn daughter. Or both. Bella certainly no longer trusted Edward to tell her the truth, no matter what she felt for him. However, whether it was true or false, Gabrielle understood Lady Laima's intentions behind showing Bella these visions: this was the price that Edward had to pay in return for a shorter term of imprisonment, being spared of execution, and acquiring medical treatment for his mental health issues. And Adriana Della Rosa had agreed to it.

Gabrielle knew that despite handing Edward some mercy so as to not be killed nor to force him to be imprisoned inside a coffin or sarcophagus within a tomb or grave, cut off from all his senses but conscious, at least for the most part, for centuries, he would still be forced to pay. This was no mercy, Gabrielle realised. The Vampire Queen fully intended Edward to suffer the pain of Adriana Della Rosa for the rest of his days, no matter how long they would be.

The price of showing leniency towards Edward, sparing his life and cutting his prison term short while giving him medical treatment... was his relationship with his wife and child. The two people he valued and cared about the most in the entire world.

They would never forgive him.

Gabrielle inhaled deeply. Now she knew how and why the victims' family had agreed to the reduction of Edward's sentence. Adriana Della Rosa certainly intended for Edward to suffer the same pain that she had. If Edward wasn't going to die like the Volturi, he would at least endure that, just as she would for the remainder of her life. At least she didn't try to kill either Bella or Renesmee the way that Victoria tried to do. Perhaps Signora Della Rosa also recognised them as being victims of abuse.

Gabrielle was simultaneously disturbed and impressed. The fact that Edward would be banished and not permitted contact with either his wife or daughter for the duration of three centuries meant that Bella and Renesmee would both be handed time to ensure that they would firstly be free from his influence and his attempts to convince them of his true feelings of love and benevolence, and to force them both to move on and live without him in their lives. And she gradually realised that Edward would be unable to defend himself from such accusations, nor from the realisation and understanding of the kind of life the two of them would have had without him and his influence, because Bella did not trust him to be truthful. She wasn't going to ask Edward whether he truly intended to offer up their daughter as a sacrificial lamb and a peace offering to the Wolves. He would only deny it and she didn't want to bring Maggie or any of their old friends again to really rub in what Edward had done.

If this was true, then Lady Laima at least had given Bella some small mercy by sparing her the vision of an alternative future where Edward had done such an atrocious deed. But there would be no more.

Gabrielle sighed. "Very well." She said quietly. "But if it is true, then what will you do?" She asked, waiting.

Bella's hands folded and unfolded themselves upon her lap. "I'm going to leave him," she whispered.

"I'll get a divorce."

Gabrielle sat stunned on her seat. Although a part of her had suspected this was coming, it was still jarring to hear.

"Very well," she managed. Her insides squirmed. She didn't want to be the one to do this, to hurt someone inevitably, but she knew it was the right thing to do. "Let me get dressed first. I won't take long."

Radu raised his eyebrow when he heard Gabrielle and Bella's request. Gabrielle then proceeded to explain to him what had caused this, and he stood, stunned but slowly understanding. He nodded and Gabrielle outlined the plan.

She decided not to use Veritaserum. Nor direct Legilimency. Instead, Edward would be given a Dreamless Sleep potion laced with blood. And while he was sleeping, Gabrielle would then extract his memories of the event and place it within a Pensieve that lay within the Elders' private library.

"A Pensieve shows memories once you've extracted it from someone's mind." Gabrielle explained to Bella. "This allows them to recollect and reflect in greater detail, particularly for anything they may have overlooked."

Bella nodded. Gabrielle then poured the Dreamless Sleep Potion into the pitcher of blood that would be placed for Edward. She told the guards to make sure he drank it.

Then, they waited. It took a while, for clearly Edward had no appetite. It aroused Gabrielle's curiosity that Bella felt no remorse about invading her husband's privacy, but then again, when had Edward ever respected hers? Or anything about Bella, for that matter including her right to free will and her own opinions?

However, soon one of the Death Dealers summoned both of them into the cell. When the cell wall opened, Bella was presented with the sight of Edward sleeping for the first time. It mesmerised and enchanted her at first. He was stunning, Gabrielle admitted to herself. He looked angelic, even, almost innocent.

Almost.

They worked quickly. Gabrielle pressed her the tip of her wand against Edward's temple. A silvery strand was extracted from inside his mind. Yes, this was the right one. It was harder to do this to another person, especially without them knowing, but not impossible.

She quickly placed the memory into the vial she had previously conjured whilst waiting.

Silently, they made their way out of the cell, leaving Edward in a deep sleep without dreams.

When Gabrielle poured the silver memory into the shallow basin, it caused ripples, despite it being neither gas nor liquid and she told Bella to simply press her face against the surface.

Gabrielle didn't think she wanted to take part in this. Whatever Bella would see... she wasn't certain she herself could stomach it.

Bella was finally learning to stand her ground. However, if this was true, she would have to use magic in order to help Bella obtain a divorce. Or else they would have to wait for thirty-three years.

Gabrielle sighed as she gazed at an awaiting Radu. Her brow furrowed in worry. Radu himself appeared concerned for her.

"Walter Bernhard," she said finally, breaking the silence between them. "He enjoys playing with his food."

Radu gave a brief smirk. "The other two were known for their diplomacy, sense of reason, justice and tact. We needed a balance."

"He wasn't so interested in the Volturi's case." Gabrielle's brow furrowed. "I thought someone like him would have pounced onto them at the first opportunity."

Radu shrugged.

"They were on borrowed time. What would happen to them was inevitable either way. They were assuredly guilty, and the extent of their guilt was bound to be concerning enough to merit the death penalty. But it stood to be determined on just how guilty Edward Cullen was. He proved more of a challenge." Gabrielle hummed thoughtfully. "And Walter relishes challenges."

"Well, the three of them were certainly thorough." She muttered. Radu nodded. "Most certainly. And having a Truthsayer certainly hastens the process." On that Gabrielle couldn't disagree.

The Truthsayer named Maggie had been one of the Cullens' closest friends and allies, along with her coven-mates, Siobhan and Liam. They had immediately believed Maggie when she confirmed to them that Edward and the rest of the Cullens had been telling the truth about Renesmee's Dhampir status and had immediately agreed to provide testimony to support their case, and, if necessary, they promised to fight alongside and defend the Cullens.

They had shown absolutely no hesitation to defend their friends. And now that trust, that loyalty, had been broken. At least in mutual regard to Edward. They might consider Carlisle and the others naïve or even foolish, but eventually the other Cullens could be forgiven. Not Edward. Gabrielle doubted it, if the looks on the faces of the audience was anything to go by.

But the fact remained that Maggie would have been among the first to stand up for the Cullens, yet she would also be compelled to point out truth from lies. Two judges were neutral. One was assuredly looking forwards to tearing Edward apart. The Truthsayer was therefore, if not neutral, drawn from a third party that had supported the accused in the past and possessed strong emotional ties of friendship towards him and his family. There was a balance there, yet Maggie, considering the magically binding vows she had previously made upon her appointment as official Truthsayer to this trial, and the fact that she would naturally be compelled to speak the truth and to point out lies, not to mention her status as one of the members of the species which the Volturi and Edward were all a part of (which was especially important that when the trials were being arranged, their species had yet agree to become a part of the Confederation), was vital to the lawfulness of these trials and the verdicts being universally accepted by everyone, including the members of their species.

And every individual who witnessed Maggie publicly seeing her own trust in such a friend broken, had resulted in the others seeing the truth behind Edward's motivations, not just his actions.

"They're not going to forgive him." Gabrielle said quietly. "He will be an outcast for the rest of his eternity." She looked at Radu. "And now your mother has granted him an easier sentence... at the cost of the love both his wife and their child have for him. This will destroy the bonds between them completely."

Radu was silent. "Perhaps they may yet forgive," he said quietly. "At the end of the day... he is the child's father."

Gabrielle's lips twisted. "Perhaps. But they won't trust him ever again." Three centuries was roughly half of what was the typical Dhampir's lifespan, regardless of their parent-species. Edward would be away for the majority of Renesmee's life, and he wouldn't have a chance to explain himself, assure her of his love and to be there for her.

Suddenly, Bella pulled her face from the basin. She stumbled and would have fallen, had Radu and Gabrielle not caught each of her arms in concern. Her face was blank. Her eyes seemed unnaturally dark, like holes cut into a sheet of white linen.

"Bella?" Gabrielle whispered, urgently.

For a long moment, Bella said nothing. Her face and form- everything about her was frozen. She didn't breathe. There was no sign of life within her.

Then, she spoke. Just two words:

"It's true."

"It was the calm before the storm, and holy crap, my bones knew it was going to be the storm of my life."

Tijan

Leah stared into the night. The sounds of popping, barely discernible to human ears, resounded. Slowly, she turned.

Gabrielle glided towards her. Her breathtakingly beautiful face was haunted and tired but resolute. Quil, Embry, Seth, Sue, Billy were all standing there. So were the rest of Jacob's pack, minus Jacob himself, and Old Quil. So were Sam and his pack and their imprints, bar Renesmee.

She stopped as she came before them. Silently, Gabrielle took in the sight of them.

"Edward's trial is over." She said, her voice flat and emotionless. "The verdict is guilty."

Silence reigned supreme into the cool air of the night. Above, the stars twinkled, crickets chirped and the sounds of a car in the distance indicated that life as the world knew it would not cease with such an earth-shaking event. Gabrielle observed them in silence.

The Quileutes all appeared stunned, like they couldn't believe that Edward would be found guilty by a court of law that wasn't as obviously rigged as the Volturi's attempt at a show-trial.

Slowly, the Quileutes all recovered and looked at each other, still stunned. "What's going to be his sentence?" Someone spoke.

Gabrielle closed her eyes briefly. "Thirty-three years of imprisonment." The Quileutes all looked bewildered. Adsila had previously warned them about Edward being unlikely to walk free and return to Forks for the duration of a long-lived human lifetime, at the very least.

"However, this comes with the addition of him being unable to meet, see or communicate and make contact, in any way, with Bella and Renesmee. He is going to be banished." Gabrielle paused. "For another three hundred years."

They all inhaled sharply. Gabrielle nodded. "You will never see him again." She promised. "And he will be absent for the majority of Renesmee's life, since even though she will live for a long time, as she's not immortal." She warned.

Everyone fell silent. They all looked at each other. Every one of them knew that Wolves lived longer, far longer, than regular humans, unless they stopped phasing like Ephraim and his pack had done, so they could live out a human lifespan. Taha Aki lived for two centuries, give or take a few years. But they had never heard, both from the Wolves of Vermont and the Appalachians, of any of their kind living for as long as Edward was due to be punished for. None of them, nor Charlie and the inhabitants of Forks, would ever set eyes upon Edward Cullen again, despite his life being spared.

They were still in shock, Gabrielle observed. But she also started to observe other things: how some shoulders seemed lighter. How people exhaled. For Renesmee's sake and Charlie's, perhaps even Bella's and out of sympathy for the Cullens, they would not rejoice in this verdict, nor in Edward's sentencing. But apart from astonishment and the need to absorb and process this shaking new development, they felt relief.

Edward was not loved or liked by them it seemed. Not in the slightest. And if he had ever gained their respect, like Carlisle and Jasper, or even Esme and Emmett, he had certainly lost it.

Grim looks were exchanged as they seemed to realise and understand the implications this would have upon Renesmee, Edward's daughter. Most of them still didn't know that Renesmee had found out about her father's intentions and everyone's plans right before and just after her birth.

"Renesmee doesn't know." Gabrielle spoke, interrupting them before this question could arise.

"Not yet." She looked at Billy. "Perhaps you could tell Jacob." Billy closed his eyes briefly, then nodded. He wheeled himself around, Rachel following. Paul made a motion to follow, but Sue Clearwater and Old Quil shook their heads and Kim and Emily held him back, giving him warning looks. Jared sighed and his shoulders slumped.

Billy wheeled in silence all the way back to his house. It was dark. Except for a few crickets chirping, everything was solemn and silent. Although he would normally be celebrating Edward's guilty verdict and the fact that he was unlikely to return, at least not for a very long time, he just wasn't. He didn't know whether it was because he felt bad for Renesmee or Bella, or even Charlie as much as he'd hated Edward, or even for the other Cullens, particularly Carlisle, who had gained his respect. Or maybe because, despite everything Edward had done, he had finally started to see him as not a monster, but a disturbed boy who needed help. Much like his son. And like Carlisle and Charlie, Billy felt like he'd failed. Failed as a parent. Seeing one's son or daughter fall from grace, suffer the full weight of the consequences of their actions and either suffering in prison or dying for it wasn't something that Billy felt that he could rejoice in, no matter what they were or what their son or daughter had done.

Perhaps that was a good thing.

Billy wheeled himself up onto the porch, Rachel followed and thoughtfully opened the door before him. Billy paused. The two looked at each other thoughtfully before Rachel turned on the lights. Billy wheeled himself through the hallway. Although his heart was steady, his insides tied themselves into knots. He pondered what would become of them in the future.

Everything would change, and he knew it. Their descendants shifting would, regardless of whether one saw it as a blessing, a curse, an honour or a burden, stay and occur from generation to generation, provided that they evolved and grew naturally without any interferences nor any attempts to fight it. It would no longer matter on whether a Cullen or any kind of Cold One would enter their territory nor the surrounding lands. This gift was here to stay. They were evolving into a separate species, apart from humanity, and they had to trust that Taha Aki guided them there for a reason. They would join and officially enter the world of the Loup-Garou Wolves.

And soon there would be a new Alpha. A Luna. One who would rise to lead them into a new life and world, succeeding a long line of chiefs and Alphas, from Taha Aki to his grandfather, Ephraim. And Billy sensed that it wasn't going to be Sam who was as entrenched in the past as much as Billy himself and the rest of Council of Elders were. Nor Jacob who had initially been chosen but had failed in his calling being diverted by and choosing his own wants and needs.

Billy wheeled to a stop in front of Jacob's door. Inside was silent. Judging from the lack of light visible through the cracks in Jacob's room, there was no doubt that his son was still sitting in the dark, lost in his own silent thoughts and misery.

Billy sighed, his hand on the doorknob. He took a minute to compose himself before turning the knob. Rachel turned on the light and gave Jacob a brief but concerned and worried glance before turning around and moving away to give her father and brother some privacy.

Jacob sat with his head bowed on the bed, much like when he had confronted him the last time.

Billy sighed softly. His shoulders slumped. "Jacob," he broke the silence. His voice was quiet.

"Edward has been found guilty. He isn't going to be executed, but he's not coming back. Not for more than three centuries, at least. Far longer than any Wolf can live for."

For a moment, Jacob didn't react. Then slowly, he lifted his head. "Renesmee is at her grandfather's house." Billy explained quietly. "She still hasn't been told. It's best if her mother and the Cullens would be the ones to speak and break the news to her as gently as they could, though they haven't come back yet. But they'll be taking her away to see her father for the last time and to say farewell. It's better that way."

Jacob's face was unreadable. No doubt he was stunned as much as the rest of them, Billy thought. "While Bella still hasn't returned, it's likely that the first place she and the rest of the Cullens will go is to her father's house to break the news to Renesmee as gently as possible. I suggest you give the poor girl some time and space, she's going to need it. We're going to have a meeting with the Cullens soon enough. Renesmee and Bella included. This time they'll be invited onto our territory, if only for one night. The Council of Elders decided it, though we still haven't discussed with the Cullens the exact time and date, or whether or not they'll see Edward off and Renesmee and Bella will say their goodbyes before or after the scheduled meeting."

Jacob stared. "Why?" His voice broke the overall silence that followed. Billy hesitated.

"The Wolves from Vermont and the Appalachians are coming." He warned. He could give no direct answer. "They'll arrive just before the Cullens do. I suggest that you prepare. Give Renesmee some time. Soon, she'll have to say goodbye to her dad." Provided she did not already hate him.

And soon Renesmee would have to say goodbye to all of them, those whom she had considered her friends. She was leaving Forks. And so was Jacob, although he didn't know it yet. Bella too. Billy knew in his heart that neither of the two, the mother and the daughter, would ever see Jacob again. Even if Renesmee forgave him. Even if Jacob and Bella forgave each other. The Cullens were going to leave. Even if they returned for brief visits to Charlie, they would never look for the Wolves, especially Jake. And Jacob would soon, unbeknownst to him, go to a therapy centre for Wolves in Canada.

And Billy would be there along with Rachel every step of the way to make sure he recovers. He silently prayed to Taha Aki that everyone would be able to heal and mend everything. That his children would live long and happy lives after so much heartbreak, and that his friends and their families would do the same.

Billy sighed and his shoulders slumped. He turned just as he neared the doorway. "I love you, son." He said softly. "I always have, and I always will. Your mother loved you too. She feared that you would have to carry this burden, that you would shift the way your great-grandfather did. She didn't want you to be isolated and alone, just as she never meant to leave you. Any of you. But hopefully, after all this, you won't have to feel alone, at least someday. Regardless of whether or not you have an imprint, you will always have family, Jacob, even if you don't see it as being as important."

Jake started. Before he could respond, however, Billy wheeled himself out the door.

While all this had happened, Sue walked back to her house, her children beside her.

This was a sobering moment. Although she felt that Edward deserved exactly what he had received, she couldn't enjoy his suffering. She wanted him gone, but, like Billy, she didn't want him to suffer.

Just how on earth, were they supposed to tell Renesmee? Granted, she already knew what kind of person her father truly was- a betrayal that wounded deeply. But Sue doubted that even she would wish her father imprisoned for decades then banished from her life and prevented from making all contact and communications with her and her mother for centuries.

Still, the witches and wizards didn't lie. Adsila Sizemore and her government, and Gabrielle was right: the vampire courts were thorough and efficient. Soon, it would be over.

Jacob would leave for Canada and get treatment, with or without reversing the imprint-bond between him and Renesmee first. He would cut all ties with and never make contact with Renesmee again. And if he refused any of those things, then Leah would have no choice but to step in and challenge him. Sue's fingers twisted into the fabric of her skirt.

She had to win. Sue's daughter had to succeed and take over as Alpha- as Luna- of the pack. Otherwise, she could lose her daughter, her baby, to Jacob's madness. And her son and the rest of the so-called dissidents whom Jacob, Sam and the packs would surely punish, even if the Council of Elders intervened. The council could be facing a rebellion themselves. The Wolves would tear themselves and their tribe apart. Emily, Kim and Rachel would be kept prisoners, even if Renesmee had escaped, although Sue was certain that the Cullens would have to be on the run for decades, if not centuries, if Taha Aki's lifespan was any indication of how long they would live and how much Jacob would be able to keep this up. The packs would probably force their way into the Makah Reserve, grab Claire and force Quil to take her back again, if it meant using the two of them to enforce their beliefs and to strengthen their grip onto Emily, Kim and Rachel as well.

Their entire future was at stake. Sue's stomach roiled. And only her daughter could save them. Her one daughter.

Sue perfectly understood the mind-numbing, stomach-churning, ice-filling fear that gripped not only her heart, but her entire body when her children's lives were at risk. When they were at the front line. It happened when she heard that there was a vampire army invading their land and that Leah would be among those who would face them, although it lessened slightly with the relief she had when she heard that her son would be kept away from the fight due to his young age- not that that lasted for long, she thought grimly, remembering how Seth had come face-to-face with the masterminds themselves. But Leah had to be the one to risk her own life, her honour and place within their society, to save all their futures, by fighting against her own Alpha and pack-mate.

Sam was compromised. He would never be able to do it. And Sue felt guilt that she had not put a stop to her daughter's relationship with him when she first had the chance. Instead, naïvely, she assumed when her relatives brushed her slight concerns to aside when she voiced hers about Sam and Leah's genetic closeness, there wouldn't be such a big issue. And perhaps there wouldn't be- had both of them been human and destined to live ordinary human lives always wearing skin and clothing and walking on nothing but two feet for the rest of their days. Instead, Taha Aki or the other packs' moon goddess, whoever was responsible had chosen both Sam and Leah, even if this meant that they would go onto separate ways forever.

Sam should've taken that scholarship. Even for a while.

Jacob was blinded, too absorbed by what he wanted. No, Sue gripped the fabric. It had to be Leah. She may not like it, and she never would, but it had to be her.

She just hoped that she could count on the Vermont and Appalachians Wolves to ensure that the rules of the fight would be followed, if the Wolves wouldn't listen to Billy, Old Quil and her. Her fingers clenched.

Taha Aki, she prayed save us. Protect my daughter, my son and their friends. Keep them safe. Let your family and your tribe's future flourish. Let that poor little girl grow up safe, happy and free.