Bella stood at the cliff where the pack would hang out and do some cliff diving. No one knew she was there so she staged her fake death. Her truck and packed stuff beside the cliff, her shoes on the edge and her phone thrown at the sides.

With one last glance at the forest, Bella Swan jumped off the cliff.

A day after Isabella Swan left, Aquila received an unexpected letter. She stood at the porch of the Cullens house as she read the content of the letter. After reading the whole letter, she sighted and frowned. Edward came from behind her and hugged her. Aquila knew who it was the moment she smelled his favorite perfume. She melted in his embrace.

"Who made my star frown?" He asked. She chuckled after hearing the nickname he gave her.

"Nothing I can't handle, Mr. Cullen." Aquila smiled. Edward raised his brow at her, clearly wanting more details. She sighted again. "The Volturi is expecting my presence tomorrow. They want to have a little chat about the war, especially about your involvement even after they declared neutrality."

"Then we will face them." Emmett declared for all the vampires heard what Aquila said.

"No. If your whole coven show up, they will see it as a challenge. You disregarded their declaration then your whole coven would show up in their doorstep, full force even though all they want to talk to was me. I knew this would happen. This is the reason why I didn't want to bring you into the wizarding world's mess." Aquila said, pacing back and forth.

"Then let Edward and I come." Alice piped in. "We'll be our Coven's representative."

"No. I am the coven leader. I should go." Carlisle said.

"Stop him, Edward." Alice thought. She showed Edward different possibilities and some aren't as promising as others.

"No, Carlisle. I should go. They will see reason for our defiance because Aquila is my mate making her an immediate coven member. Alice will be able to help us plan on what steps we should take if they change their decisions." Edward reasoned.

"But--" Aquila was about to object when Rosalie cut her off.

"Bringing Edward and Alice with you means more protection. It will keep our minds at ease." Jasper nodded at Rosalie's words.

Hours later, Aquila and Edward are sitting side by side in the plane while Alice sat on the seat in front of them. Edward had a long talk with Charlie bout keeping Aquila safe. Delphi and Teddy were quite fuzzy as if they could feel that Aquila would be away from them for a long time, if you call three days long. Aquila felt the same, making her anxiously look at the window of the plane. Edward noticed his mate's unease thus he did his best to comfort her, kissing her hands, temple and forehead from time to time.

When they arrived at the airport, two Volturi guards were already waiting for them. Edward and Alice stiffened because they didn't expect this. Demetri and Felix were smirking at them. Aquila returned the smirk much to Edward and Alice's confusion.

"Welcome, Lady Black, Cullens. They are waiting for you." Demetri said with a taunting smirk and tone.

"I would have said that it is nice to see you, Demetri, Felix. But alas Dolores Umbridge taught us to not tell lies." Aquila replied which earned her a snarl from Felix and a fake laugh from Demetri. Edward snarled back at Felix as he read his mind.

"I would prefer draining her dry than play nice with her. If it wasn't for the kings, she'd be dead by now."

Aquila kissed Edward's cheeks to calm him as they entered the black van that was waiting for them.

Felix snarled at them the whole ride as Demetri kept the fake hospitality up. Crowds of people wearing red coats parted letting the van pass.

"San Marcos Day festival. How ironic." Aquila whispered, not minding whoever heard her.

"Fascinating isn't it, Lady Black? We have our own statue of secrecy which keeps our existence a secret." Demetri voiced out.

"As you should. If not, then what do we need Volturi for?" Aquila retorted with an aloof expression. Edward and Alice have seen this expression on her a few months ago in the Ministry of Magic. They couldn't help but smirk with pride.

"The last time we saw you, you were just a moping little fifteen year old who shyly stood behind an old wizard. Quite amusing how three years could change your attitude." Felix sneered.

"Believe me, I was nowhere near shy when we first met. I just decided to hold back. I mean you weren't that worth it to talk to." Aquila's words made Edward let out a snort.

"Yet you are here, having a conversation with us. Are we finally worth it, Lady Black?" Demetri cockily asked.

"No, you're still not. But the mediocre entertainment you provide would suffice... For now."

Edward wanted to burst out laughing as he reads the loud thoughts of the two guards, one murderous and the other's ego deflated. They were already thinking of how to torture Aquila but Edward read how their mind changes as they remembered how Aquila almost burned the whole castle to the ground.

Three years ago...

Dumbledore stood in front of the three Volturi kings and their guards, Aquila standing boredly behind him. The headmaster was telling them the cons of joining Voldemort.

"Why would we decline the Dark Lord's offer? He is on the winning side." Caius asked with a devilish smirk.

Aquila had enough. She is done playing nice and doing the goody two shoes talk. They are in the middle of a brewing war. It's either you pick a side or stand aside.

"If you wouldn't decline his offer then just declare it already and stop wasting my time. Dumbledore insists you join the light side, I don't. I didn't come here to convince you to be on our side. I want to know what side you are on so I could decide whether to put a protective enchantment on this castle or just simply burn it down to ashes with you in it. So I will ask one time only. What side are you on?" Aquila said with a cold tone that sent shivers on the vampires' spines.

"We are on our fellow vampire's side." Aro answered, trying to prevent Caius from killing Aquila.

Aro held high respect for the Black family members. They were known as the purest blood and one of the most powerful family. He wouldn't admit but he is afraid of them. He remembered Phoebe Black, the mad witch who went on a murder spree in the 1830's, burning down villages after a human (muggle) killed her pureblood lover with an axe.

"Then declare neutrality." She said coldly as she started to walk away. But then she stopped and looked back at the kings. "And make sure to stay out of my way."

Jane was waiting for them when they arrived. The three Volturi guards escorted them towards the throne room. Jane quietly observed Aquila cautiously. She wasn't even trying to hide her cautious look, making Edward put a protective arm around Aquila's waist.

"What a happy confirmation! Aquila is alive!" Aro smiled at Aquila. "Isn't that wonderful?"

Caius sneered while Marcus looked like he'd rather be anywhere than there. Alec, Jane's twin brother, looked at Aquila curiously while the other vampires were on edge.

"I assume you loved my present." Aquila smirked.

"Ah, the heads of Stefan and Vladimir. That was unexpected." Aro said with an amused expression.

"Cut to the chase, Aro. What do you want to know? And if you want to ask, no laws had been broken."

"You did nothing, Lady Black. I couldn't say the same with the Olympic Coven." Caius smiled evilly. "We declared neutrality three years ago yet the Cullens interfered, fighting with the light side of the war."

"You may be the ruling coven. You are the enforcers of the law, which is to never reveal your secret to humans. But you are not in control of other covens decision." Aro looked at Aquila questioningly. "What? You think you're the only coven we talked to? We talked with other covens and your declaration of neutrality helped convince them to stay neutral. Do you really think that, beyond enforcing the law, you have any rights to control their decision?"

"You dare come here and belittle us?!" Caius roared.

Alec, Felix, Demetri and Jane were ready to attack. Jane used her gift on Aquila but Edward stepped in front of her, taking the pain instead. Alec's black paralyzing smoke surrounded Alice. Felix and Demetri sped towards Aquila but the young Black's reflexes were able to sense them. Aquila stunned Felix with a stupefy, who was sent flying through three walls, and petrified Demetri with petrificus totalus, who fell frozen on the floor.

She sent a on Alec then decided to levitate Jane to make her lose her focus with a wingardium leviosa.

"Now, brother. We wouldn't want to start a war again the Lady of six noble houses. News travels fast, Lady Black. Congratulations on winning your cousin's custody." Aro smiled. "But back to the matter at hand, we would like to know why the Cullens interfered. And can you let our members go?"

Aquila rolled her eyes and do as they say. Aro gave the Volturi guards a look, signaling them to stand aside. Aquila checked on Alice first then went to help Edward. She knew that Jane's gift might just be as painful as cruciatus curse. She kissed his forehead as he regained his composture.

"You're mates." Marcus stated, finally looking at the commotion in front of him.

"Yes. Aquila is my mate. That makes her an honorary member of our coven. We are only protecting our family." Edward said.

"But she's not a vampire." Caius argued.

"And that is none of your business." Aquila shot Caius a glare which he returned.

Aro rose and asked for Edward's hands. Edward already told Aquila that it was Aro's way to read his mind. Aro can read all of his memories through one single touch. Aro doesn't release Edward's hand as he looked at him.

"Anima gemella. Her scent appeals to you too much and the bond has been pulling you so much that it makes me... feel how you lust for her. How can you stand to be so close to her without giving in?"

"It's not without effort."

"I can see that. You're quite the telepath yourself, Edward. Though you can't read Aquila's thoughts... And her cousin's thoughts too." Aro's eyes lingered at Edward's before looking straight at Aquila. Aro smirked evilly at the three of them. He just found a reason to incriminate them. "Shall we discuss Isabella and Charlie Swan's knowledge about our kind?"

______

A/N:

YOU BETTER BE JOKING!

HOLY HELGA GUYS!

Truth be told when I saw the numbers turned 100k, I literally screamed and cried. Okay I know that I overreacted but I can't help it! I'm literally speechless, and by speechless I mean rambling. I don't know what to say. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you so much!

One more chapter and we're onto Eclipse, dearest!

Fun Fact:

Remus Lupin dated Luna first but they decided they're better off as friends. Remus was the one who introduced Luna to Sirius.