„You did what?" Alice' voice had become high and shrill as she stared at her friend and sister in horror.
Sara shrugged her shoulders but remained firm. „It was the only way. Only together will we be strong enough to drive back the Volturi and keep them from taking Edward. And you have fought alongside werewolves before, haven't you?"
„That was a completely different situation. These wolves were our friends, and we had a common enemy. Samuel wants us dead as do the Volturi." Even the normally calm Carlisle seemed agitated and distressed.
„I believe that Samuel will leave us alone after we defeat the Volturi. He even agreed to let us hunt so we can be at our full strength," Sara answered, looking at each of her siblings. Some avoided their gaze, their looks varying from doubtful to dismissive.
„Please, can't you see that this is the only way? Alone, we are not strong enough to fight Aro and his army. They will kill Samuel and take Edward. We cannot allow this to happen. Please, Carlisle. We need to do this! For Charlie if not for us. He needs his father." Tears were stinging in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
As if on cue, footsteps sounded in the hall and after a few seconds, Edward appeared in the entrance. He looked tired and his eyebrows shot up when he took in his family, standing grim around Sara, whose purple and dark eyes had a pleading look to them.
„What is wrong? What happened?" he demanded to know.
„Sara went out and talked to Samuel. Without telling us. He agreed to fight with us against the Volturi," Emmet filled in his brother.
Edward's eyes widened and his gaze shot to Sara. „Is this true? Did you go out by yourself and talk to this monster?" He couldn't keep the accusation out of his voice.
Sara nodded; her lips pressed in a thin line. „Yes, and I would do it again. Because I love you and I love our child, and I would do anything to protect you. I know what Samuel said is true. He will let us hunt and he will fight with us. And we will find a solution for everything else, once the fight is over."
„Sara, are you out of your mind? He could have killed you! Why would you risk your own life for this smallest of chances?" Edward almost shouted, raking his hand through his hair.
Sara shot up. Her hands clenched into fists, she put out her chin. Her gaze was defiant as she met his eyes. „I did this for you, Edward. And for our son. Your grandson." She looked to Carlisle and Esme. „Your nephew." Her gaze rested on Alice and Jasper, Emmet and Rosalie. „And for myself. I love you and I am beyond grateful for everything that you have done for me. You took me in, gave me love and a family when I had nothing left. You gave me a life when I thought that my only option was death. And I will not let anyone take that away from me. I will hunt and I will fight. For me, for Charlie and for this family. If this means going out and fighting the Volturi alone with Samuel, then so be it. I will not sit down and watch them take away everything I have. And if I die then I will die knowing that I at least tried. I will protect this family, no matter what." With that she wanted to storm out to do what had to be done. But she couldn't. Sara felt a strong grip around her forearm, holding her back. When she turned around, her eyes met Edward's. They were black but deep inside them she could see a glimmer of hope. Of love. Of pride. He nodded, a small smile on his lips. „You are just like your mother, you know? Just like Bella. She, too, always wanted to do the right thing. She fought for us and forced us to open our eyes to the possibility of fighting with werewolves instead of against them. She was the one that forged the bond between vampires and werewolves to fight against Victoria. I am sorry, Sara. I know how much you love this family and that you would do everything in your power to protect them. Just like Bella did. If you want to go out and fight, then I will fight beside you." He took her hand and squeezed it gently. „I love you, Sara," he whispered.
I love you, too, she thought back and smiled.
Suddenly, she felt another hand on her shoulder.
„We, too, will fight with you. It was a mistake calling the Volturi and it is time we fix this mistake." Carlisle's voice was firm, yet soft.
„Yes, let's show them what it means to threaten this family," Alice chimed in. Her black eyes sparkled with a newfound determination.
„But first, we need to hunt and do it quickly. The sun will set soon, and we have to be at our full strength if we hope to have a chance against the Volturi and their army," Esme reminded them.
They agreed to go out in pairs but not too far from the house.
„And be back as soon as you can," Carlisle said before they parted. „And good luck"
His children grinned, then left.
Sara enjoyed the feeling of wind in her face and the smell of the woods surrounding her. It didn't feel as good as when she was in der wolf-form, but it beat being stuck in the house. At her side, Edward was running at the same speed, a huge smile on his face as he watched her. He grabbed her hand mid-run. „I love you, Sara Black. So, so much."
She turned her head, grinning. „And I love you, Edward Cullen. So, so much."
They stopped. The smell of deer hung in the air but for the time being they weren't interested in the hunt. Instead, Edward grabbed Sara by the waist and pulled her towards him, until their bodies touched, and their faces were only inches apart. He gently put a stray hand of her long, white hair behind her ear. She closed her eyes and rested her cheek against the palm of his hand.
They stood for what felt like an eternity but in reality could have been no more than a few minutes.
„You know," Edward spoke softly after some time. „I think it's time we do something about that."
Sara opened her eyes, looking at him questioningly. „What do you mean?"
He smiled. „About you being a Black and me being a Cullen."
Sara cocked her head. „Don't you like my name?" she teased him, but he remained serious. „No, of course I do. But it's not right. Not anymore." With that, he suddenly released her and got on one knee in front of her. Surprise and understanding crept in Sara's eyes and she began to tremble. „Edward? What are you doing?"
„I know that this isn't how you imagined it to be. You deserve a room full of roses and candlelight. You deserve a sunset at the beach. You deserve a walk under the stars. But with the great possibility of us not seeing the light of day tomorrow, I don't want to wait." He took her trembling hand in his. „Sara, since the moment I first saw you, I knew that you were special. You were dying but instead of grieving and cursing your fate, you had accepted it. You expected nothing from me and that is why I agreed to turn you. I wanted you to live, to give you a chance of experiencing everything the world has to offer. It was the best decision I ever made. I didn't know then but from the minute you woke up as one of us, I already loved you. You were mine as I was yours. When you accepted me as your mate, when you offered me your body and your soul, it felt like there was finally light in the darkness of my existence. You were the light that chased away the darkness. And when our son was born, I knew that my life was finally complete. Everything was as it should be. Sara, I want to stay at your side forever. I want to have a life with you, maybe more children one day and spend the rest of my existence showing you how much I love and adore you. You are the best thing that ever happened to me and so I simply have to ask you: Will you marry me?"
During his speech, tears had sprung up in Sara's eyes and this time, she was unable to keep them from falling down. Her cheeks were wet, but a huge smile had formed on her lips. She dropped down in front of him, taking both of his hands in hers. „Of course I will marry you. I love you Edward and I want to spend the rest of my existence with you. I want to have more children with you, want to watch them grow with you at my side. I want to spend every hour we have with you. I don't care about sunsets or roses. All I want is you and that will never change, as long as we both exist." She put her head forward until their lips touched. With this kiss she wanted to show him just how much she loved him. She leaned back so that she lay in the grass and pulled him on top of her.
They kissed for a long time. They wanted to do so much more than just kiss, but in the end, reality crept back in. No matter what just happened, the Volturi were still out there, as was Samuel. They parted reluctantly; their eyes bright with love. They stood up but before they took off to hunt the nearby deer, Edward took her hand once more. Then he pulled something out of his pocket. It was a silvery ring, small and delicate, with a small diamond embedded in the middle. With a questioning glance, he slipped it on her finger. It fitted perfectly.
„It was my mother's," he explained. „She gave it to Carlisle before she died, asking him to give it to her son when the time was right." He looked at the ring as he stroked her hand gently with his thumb. „She would have loved you."
„She would have loved her son being happy," Sara replied.
„That I am," Edward said with a small smile. Then he finally let go of her hand. „But before that, I believe we have an army to kill."
Sara nodded. „And we will win. Because there is a wedding do be held, isn't it?"
When they returned, their eyes were sparkling gold again. Their bellies were full, their strength had returned. They were ready to beat the Volturi, once and for all.
The others were already waiting by the time Edward and Sara arrived at the house. They looked healthy and strong and most of all, ready. Sara kept her hand behind her back but from the knowing looks on everyone's faces she knew that they knew. But no one spoke of it. Their engagement was something for after the battle.
The sun was just setting when branches snapped, and Samuel appeared. He was as huge as Sara remembered, towering even over Emmet. He growled when he laid eyes on Jasper but didn't approach him. Instead, he looked towards Sara and Edward.
„He wants to know where the Volturi are," Edward translated.
„They'll be looking for you," Carlisle replied. „We should meet them somewhere where we have the advantage." He thought for a moment. Then he nodded. „Follow me."
He sped into the woods, his family and Samuel following him. They stopped at a clearing, a few miles away from their house.
Samuel looked around.
„He says that it is big enough to fight but not big enough for them to send their full forces all at once," Edward said, reading Samuel's thoughts.
„How large is their army, anyway," Emmet wanted to know.
Carlisle shrugged. „I am not sure. When I was with them, it was about thirty fighters. But I don't know if their number has increased or if they even brought all of them. After all, they thought it was only one stray wolf and it's difficult for such a large group of vampires to move undetected. They'd be hungry when they get here and the Volturi cannot risk too many dead humans, or it would rouse suspicion. Therefore, my guess would be around fifteen fighters, Aro, Marcus and Caius excluded. They won't be fighting unless it's absolutely necessary."
„But shouldn't we try and kill them as well?" Jasper asked. „Even if we kill all of their minions, they'd only come back with double the force."
„We can certainly try. But unless they join the fight, focus on the other vampires. Kill them and the leaders will be exposed."
Samuel growled and shook his massive head. His fangs were bared; his claws digging in the mud.
„He wants us to focus on the fighters. He wants to go after Aro and his companions himself," Edward said.
Carlisle looked from Samuel to Esme and the rest of his family. „As you wish. But you have to know, Aro, Marcus and Caius are old, very old. And they are powerful. More powerful than any other vampire you've ever met. Going after them on your own will be dangerous."
But Samuel shook his head once more. He wouldn't stray from his plan.
Carlisle nodded; his expression grim. Then he turned towards his family again. „These are experienced fighters. Fight hard and fight swift. Don't hesitate. And always watch your back." His eyes rested on Sara. „You wish to phase." It wasn't a question.
The young woman nodded. „Although I am strong as a vampire, my wolf is stronger. He was designed to kill vampires and that's what I'll do." She gave Edward a loving look. „I'll stay by your side, no matter what." Before he could answer, she disappeared into the woods. A few minutes later, a slender white wolf emerged. She growled. She was ready for the
