Disclaimer: So ironically this book is called War, but it's only the first of 3 wars in my Series… now you get to try and figure out when the other two are… oh and I'm still not Stephenie Meyer

Disclaimer Deuce: "Regardless of warning the future doesn't scare me at all"

Embry's POV

Why the hell am I going to see Destiny on her wedding day? You're a sick fuck who wants to screw with her head one last time. I wanted to think there was more to it than that but I wasn't sure anymore. I was bringing our child Ayden. It would be the last time she ever saw him and I figured it wouldn't matter what day it was as long as she got to see him. You could have picked any other day. I would be lying to myself if I said I didn't want to make a scene. I wasn't a saint, but at least I was doing some good. That's what you're telling yourself? You're doing this to get back at her for leaving you. Is that so bad? She got her happily ever after and I'm dying from a poison I got protecting her, and more over I sacrificed what little is left of my life to make sure she and our son have that life to experience.

I looked over at Ayden sleeping against my arm. He's aged so fast… He already looks like he's two years old, acts like he's 10, and he's only months old. I knew I made the right choice coming. I sighed reluctantly as I threw on my suit coat. I was going to a wedding after all I needed to look like it. I sighed. At least Alice made me look good.

"Ayden could you wait here?" Ayden nodded before yawning. We were in the middle of a wooded area but no man or animal could pose a threat to Ayden. I jogged across the wooded area to the church. Yes I was hiding our child in the woods behind the church they're holding the wedding. I jogged at a slow pace not to mess up my suit, it was painstaking to run the mile in over ten minutes. I walked out and looked at all the cars. I checked my cell phone. The service should be getting done now. I wasn't going to interrupt the wedding, just after it… I'm not heartless. I snickered at my own thought. I stood on the outside and I heard the doors open. I looked as two men in suits opened the door and smiled at me. That's not Nick, Carter, or Sam… I said naming her brothers. I saw the happy couple thanking the people that they came. I felt sick to my stomach watching her holding his hand in her white wedding dress.

Why the hell did I come here? I thought as I leaned away from the door. If they walk by and don't see me I'll forget this whole thing. All the guests piled out of the Church I leaned against the church and crossed my arms. They greeted everyone and thanked everyone. She was blushing. Guess they missed me. I watched as Fate spoke quietly to Destiny, Her eyes shot to me. I guess it's harder to hide when you're six nine. I saw her face turn red for a whole new reason. I said nothing as she parted the people and came up to me.

"What the hell are you doing here!" She screamed. I looked around at the crowd who was very interested in this. Fate came by quickly and took a swing at me. I caught his fist and squeezed. He yelled in pain.

"Remember what happened last time you took a swing at me? I broke your nose." I watched as Nick, Carter, and someone I assumed was Sam made their way over here, then her father Mitch. He's always been more reasonable and even tempered.

"Embry what the hell are you doing here." Mitch asked. I shrugged.

"I figured it'd be nice for Destiny to see her son one last time." Mitch gave me a look obviously disapproving.

"And you couldn't pick another day?" Destiny asked obviously angry.

"Now now D, I think that's hardly fair. I had to plan a flight in and out, I had to travel across the country and now you're getting picky?" I said humorously but no one was laughing. Everyone looked angry.

"I can leave if you'd like, but you might not get another chance to see Ayden again." She flinched then turned back to Fate.

"I'm sorry Fate, I need to see my baby." He nodded. She untied her dress shortening it significantly.

"Where's your car?" she asked. I shook my head.

"I flew out, no car… besides people can follow me in a car, they can't follow me on foot. I extended my hand. She knew exactly what I meant. She nodded and took my hand. I lifted her in to my arms and pulled her close to secure her to me.

"You really think we're going to let you run off with our sister at her own wedding?" Nick asked. I shrugged.

"I wasn't aware you could stop me." I turned around and took two steps prep then took two steps on the wall and jumped backwards as hard as I could flipping with Destiny in my arms. I landed on my feet behind the crowd of people.

"Don't worry Fate, I'll bring her back in one piece." I snickered before turning and running to throw them off.

"You didn't need to provoke him, or any of them." Destiny said calmly.

"I know, but it was fun."

"What do you mean I might never get to see Ayden again?" she said worried.

"Well it's hard to know… it's a long story." I said expecting to say nothing.

"I want to know what's going on." She stared in to my eyes… those beautiful green eyes… I couldn't deny her the answers.

"You should have stayed with me." I said trying to dismiss her again.

"You know you couldn't… You would have had to give up everything to be with me." I shook my head.

"You always expected that there was something I wanted more than you… but you're wrong…"

"What do you mean I'm wrong?" she said looking up at me.

"It's nothing." I said jogging carefully to avoid any sticks that would ruin her dress.

"No what is it?" She asked. I shook my head.

"You just don't understand." I said shaking my head still

"What? What don't I understand?"

"Telling you is a bad idea." I said carefully ducking under a branch.

"Tell me damn it!" I sighed and breathed slowly.

"I'm dying." I said quietly.

"What do you mean you're dying?" she asked.

"I never fully recovered from the bite…" I said drifting off.

"The bite you got protecting me?" she asked as if confirming her suspicions.

"Yes, that bite… If I keep phasing I'm shortening my life. If I were to stop completely I might be able to live a normal life…" I said.

"What do you mean might?"

"They don't know, I might die if I stop phasing, I might become a vampire… I might have no effect." I shrugged. And we were at the opening. I set down Destiny and scanned the trees for Ayden. I spotted him in a tree.

"Ayden come down here." I called up to him.

"No!" he called out defiantly.

"He can already climb trees?"

"Loves it." I said before pulling off my suit jacket. I sighed.

"Alice is going to kill you for making me come up there and get you."

"No she won't she loves me too much." I saw Destiny beaming with pride.

"Who said kids with brains were good?" I asked before jumping up to a branch and climbing up the tree by the trunk. I found him and he jumped to the next tree I finally caught him and pulled him down with me. I came down and looked up at Destiny as I held tightly on to Ayden. She really is gorgeous.

"Wow he's grown so much!" she said first addressing me. Ayden wriggled out of my grip. She turned her attention to him.

"I don't know if you remember me but I'm your mother." He nodded crossing his arms.

"I remember you. Dad did you really bring me all this way to see her?" I saw the hurt in her eyes I turned back to Ayden so I wouldn't be looking in to her pain filled eyes when she asked me for a reason.

"Ayden, that's not very nice she's your mother."

"She left us. You protected her and she wasn't even there!" I stood silently.

"She's no mother of mine." Ayden said to her face. Destiny looked on the verge of tears.

"It's not that simple dear." She said strongly.

"So because it was complicated you gave up me? You gave up Embry because this was 'easier' and that should make it alright?" Ayden said yelling.

"It's not like that! I love Fate."

"So I was just a mistake?" Ayden yelled.

"No! Of course not!" I grabbed Destiny.

"I didn't mean this to happen let's go." I said. She pulled away.

"NO! I deserve this." I stopped pulling.

"It's your fault daddy has to leave me! He left to protect you! And how do you thank him? You marry someone else?"

"It's best for everyone this way." She defended feebly.

"You mean it's best for you! Easiest for you… Forget about me, and move on with your life until I'm nothing more than an unpleasant memory." Ayden said angrily.

"It's not like that!"

"It's exactly like that and you know it!"

"I'd be with you, if I could but we can't, I'm not like you, I'll die when I grow old, you won't, Embry will… Embry will…" she said turning to me. The words caught in her throat. Don't tell him I'm dying. I stared at her.

"Embry… will make sure you're taken care of." She said.

"I don't want to talk to her, let's go home." Ayden said before leaving.

"I love you Ayden." She said quietly crying. I pulled her close and picked her up. Ayden was long gone and I couldn't catch him unless he wanted to be caught so I started heading back to her wedding.

"So the only thing you know for sure is if you stay a wolf you're slowly killing yourself?" she said I could hear the beginnings of tears. I thought about stopping her but didn't.

"Yes."

"You need to stop! You need to stop being a wolf, don't die live! We can be together." I laughed ironically.

"Look at what you're wearing Destiny… Your path in life is chosen… it'd be too difficult for you to change your mind and run off with me… and that's why we broke up in the first place isn't it?"

"Well… please stop phasing." I shook my head.

"I can't."

"Why? Why can't you!" I finally just yelled it.

"It's because of you Destiny! They wanted to kill you or turn you in to a vampire for knowing… I.. I said I'd join them for a year if you would stay safe." I could hear her gulp.

"Why would you do that?" I laughed.

"Because I love you, and no matter how stupid that makes me… it doesn't change it."

"But after the year is up you can come back… I can see you and Ayden." I shook my head again.

"No… The Volturi have a kind of… emotion control… after I'm there for a year it's quite possible I won't want to come back, even if I really do… and Xavier is still at large, you need to stay away from me, be happy." I tried to change the subject.

"Let's get you cleaned up and back to your wedding. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled herself up to me kissing me. I didn't know how to react at first but responded kissing her back. She pulled away out of breath.

"I love you Embry… In another life… We could have lived happily ever after."

"There is no other life. There is only here and now. Sacrifices must be made, and if they aren't people are left behind, don't say 'in another life' it's just saying you've got regrets. I don't regret anything I've done. Not saving your life, and definitely not our child." I said.

"You know I love you Embry." I laughed as I jogged back to the church."

"And I love you Destiny… but sometimes love isn't enough."

Goodbye naivety.

"Ironman" Jack Elzam's POV

I was ordered by Mr. Green to be here, but I didn't even know why. I looked in the other room and I saw why I was. Strapped down to three beds were Arthur, Lance, and Gavin. They were screaming in pain each of them. Pulling furiously against the straps they couldn't break. Each were leather and chains. I knew someone else was here but I couldn't see them.

"Enjoying the show Elzam?" A voice asked. I recognized it.

"Green, why did you bring me here?"

"You need to understand Vampires better."

"So you turned our men in to them?" I asked trying to ignore the blood curling screams coming from three men, among them none were weak.

"They all knew what they volunteered for."

"So you will use them?"

"You're damn right I'll use them! We can't stop an entire species of Monsters with six fucking people!" Mr. Green yelled losing his temper.

The screaming stopped for a moment and they fell silent. Both of us turned back to watch the vampires. And in an instant their bonds were broken, like they were paper thin. All three of them flew from their beds in to animals now in the room. They descended and bite down on them. I watched a vampiric feeding frenzy. It was disgusting… it made my skin crawl. I think I was starting to understand Vampires better… even if this would give me more nightmares than I already had.

Embry's POV

All of this… I may never see again. I took a deep breath and inhaled the cool Minnesota air. It's what I gave up to protect my boy… my everything. It's better this way. I don't belong here, I don't belong anywhere really. I intrude on Leah and Patrick, Destiny and Fate. At least I can give Ayden the opportunity to live. This way they don't need to know I was dying all along. They can live out their lives without worrying about the timer on mine. I felt a lump in my throat. Saying goodbye to mom was the hardest part so far. Being a member of the Volturi couldn't be that bad. After all everyone else looked like they were happy to be a member of the Volturi. Maybe I too would enjoy it. More than watching your child grow up? Of course not. Ayden… please grow up to be a good man.

Mike wasn't a good fighter but he had IT. I don't know how to describe it but he seemed to learn fast, and understand EVERYTHING about fighting. It's natural to him even if he doesn't know it yet he seems to understand it.

I watched from my room as Jasper relentlessly attacked Mike. It didn't matter how long he practiced, or hard, in one month his basic combat skills would not be up to the level of the professional killers the Volturi employed.

I sighed heavily. It wasn't fair the Mike was made a vampire, that he had to fight in a war for a cause he must not have believed in AND single handedly won the war. The weight of the world must be hard on him. Everyone else chose this life…

Goodbye freedom.

Mike's POV

They didn't try to stop me, neither one of them. I didn't want to leave everything I've ever known but I don't belong with the Cullens. It's obvious. I have feelings for someone who's been married for decades. She led me on and I guess I can only be called a fool for following. Tanya is still trying to get rid of me. She didn't try to stop me… I can see why. I was a fool to think she ever saw something in me.

I clenched my fists and felt energy in them. I calmed myself and the energy disappeared. I still couldn't control it. I couldn't summon energy when I was calm, and I couldn't use it effectively. I couldn't charge it in to a larger ball of energy… I couldn't do any of the things I did when the Volturi came to fight us.

Embry shouldn't be going with me. I thought to myself. He belongs here… He has a son to watch over now. I wish I could have stopped him from coming but the Volturi wanted him. I'm not so unselfish enough to try and tell myself I wanted him to stay. This whole new life scares me, at least with my friend I will have someone to go through it with. I sighed heavily. Did I do the right thing? Should I be leaving? I have nowhere to stay. I would have gladly stayed here if either of them tried to stop me… I still would. I wouldn't go to Volterra if I had one good reason to stay.

Goodbye deception.

Embry's POV

I sat in my car. It was a good place to think and be alone even though it was a far too expensive thinking spot. I heard a sound then heard someone sliding in the open window. The scent hit me and I knew exactly who it was.

"Leah?" I asked more to see why she was her then to confirm it was her.

"Don't go Embry." Was all she said.

"I need to. I have something I need to protect."

"What, Destiny? That skank that left you?"

"You left me too, but that's not the point. I need to protect Ayden."

"And how are you going to protect Ayden from the other side of the world?"

"Nothing but the Volturi pose a real threat to us. If I'm there it assures that he can live peacefully."

"So that's your plan?" she said shocked.

"Yes." I confirmed.

"Even though it's quite possible you may never come back."

"I've only signed up for one year." I reminded her.

"You know you'll be there longer than that."

"Probably but I'd give anything to protect Ayden."

"And what about your life Embry?" She said arguing for me. I shrugged.

"I've gotten to experience things that many people only dream of. I've been able to be strong enough to defend myself, I can pretty near fly, I can jump and do just about anything I put my mind to… If this is how my life ends I want to end it protecting the people I love."

"You're going to give up on life?" I started snickering.

"Of course I'm not going to give up… But maybe a life of servitude to keeping super natural beings in check isn't so bad."

"You'll never have the freedom to do anything!" she yelled at me. I kept my eyes forward as we sat in my car. I admired the car.

"I'll have freedoms the longer I work with them."

"But… But… you'll…"

"It might be that bad." I said honestly. I saw movement out of the corner of my eye but didn't react. Then I felt hands, she grabbed either side of my face and turned it in to hers. Without a second thought I kissed her back. Soon she was on my lap. I ran my hands up and down her sides as she ran her fingers through my hair. I wrapped my left hand around her and started running my fingers through her hair and finally we came apart just far enough that we could breathe. I inhaled her welcome scent. I retraced her body with my fingers, refamiliarizing myself with her.

"You always were always much too good at that." She groaned.

"You never complained before." I snickered in to her neck. What the hell are you doing? She's got a boyfriend! If I have something to come back to maybe I can make myself come back. I thought before continuing to kiss her neck.

Jasper's POV

"Mike?" I called before stepping in to the room.

"I'm leaving… I may never come back… I never got to say goodbye to James. I'll never get to see him graduate from high school, he had a dream of playing with Phantom Regiment… and now I'll never see if he makes it." He said more talking to himself. I thought about it for a moment.

"I might be able to help you… but you'll need to promise to be very careful… and work with me." I nodded. Alice walked up next to Jasper.

"We want to help you see your brother one last time… if Jasper keeps you calm and we both hold you back I think we can help you say goodbye."

Embry's POV

I woke up with pain in my neck. Why the hell am I sleeping in my car? I heard a soft murmur and felt movement. I looked down and saw Leah curled up next to me. I tried to adjust my neck gently not to wake her. I failed as my neck cracked loudly. She curled up quickly then looked up and saw me.

"That was… unexpected." She said.

"It was good I hope." I said smiling.

"Oh it was." I can't believe I just had sex with her… I missed it so much…

"So does this mean we're back together?" I asked. She smiled up at me and nodded.

"And we can spend all this time together, from today on." I felt my stomach turn.

"Leah… I can't just skip out on the Volturi… I need to go do that." She shook her head holding me tightly.

"No! You need to stay… stay here with me." She said kissing my neck.

"I want to… but I can't I have an obligation."

"An Obligation? You might not want to come back after a year!"

"Wait for me… I'll be waiting for you." I said honestly. She shook her head tears streaming down her face.

"Don't leave me Embry I'm right here!" I gritted my teeth.

"I'm going, I need to. Please wait for me." I said almost begging. She shook her head.

"No… I can't… I can't…" she said crying and then she was gone. I sighed heavily and suddenly wished I had taken up drinking at some time.

Goodbye Love

Mike's POV

I calmed my breathing down. Forcing myself to be calm. Jasper and Alice put me in a full nelson together. I relaxed my muscles and moved with them.

"Don't loosen your grip please."

"Mike it's going to be fine."

"If I snap go for the throat… make sure I can't breathe… I can't smell do anything to stop me." I almost begged. I felt Alice patting me even in the full nelson.

"Don't worry Mike nothing will go wrong I'll see if it does." I forced myself to calm down aided by Jasper. We moved in front of the house. I sighed forcing myself to breath in even though I could smell humans the pain wasn't unbearable. We jumped up to a landing outside the window and looked in. The smell wasn't bad from out here.

James walked in to the room sad. He sat on his bed and looked across the room to where my bed was. I saw a single tear flow down his cheek and he hit play on our old CD player.

"The flowers cut and brought inside
Black cars in a single line
Your family in suits and ties
And you're free

The ache I feel inside
Is where the life has left your eyes
I'm alone for our last goodbye
But you're free" James opened his mouth wiped out his eyes and started singing the chorus.

"I remember you like yesterday
Yesterday
I still can't believe you're gone
Oh I remember you like yesterday
Yesterday
And until I'm with you, I carry on" He let his head drop in to his hands.

"Adrift on your ocean floor
I feel weightless numb and sore
A part of you and me is torn
You're free

I woke from a dream last night
I dreamt that you were by my side
Reminding me I still had life
In me

I remember you like yesterday
Yesterday
I still can't believe you're gone
Oh I remember you like yesterday
Yesterday
And until I'm with you, I carry on

I'll carry on, I'll carry on

Every lament is a love song
Yesterday, yesterday
I still can't believe you're gone

Every lament is a love song
Yesterday, yesterday
So long my friend, so long." I felt a lump in my throat. I wanted to cry but couldn't. I coughed and James head turned Jasper and Alice pulled me in to the shadow.

"Mike? No… I'm seeing things…" he said they pulled hard on me but I was heavily sedated and I couldn't have resisted.

"Mike… if you're out there… please come back… I miss you." He said. I wanted to scream or cry but I didn't scream and I couldn't cry I just whispered.

"I'll come back James… I swear it."

Goodbye brother

Embry's POV

She's here with him! I can't believe she brought Patrick here. Maybe she feels like I betrayed her by choosing to go to the Volturi. I looked over at Mike who was nearly shaking in anger at the fact that Emmett and Rosalie were here, Tanya had long since gone back to Alaska. I had to say something to Leah I couldn't just sit here and say nothing I was too angry to.

"I should have known better… I should have known I'd just be a placeholder. And yet I didn't. I thought it was real…" I said looking over my shoulder back at her. Her boyfriend pulled her close to him but I could see the tears in her eyes. They were real.

"Come on Embry, we gotta go sacrifice ourselves for them now…" Mike said picking up his bags and motioning with his head towards the exit. I took one last look at her over my shoulder before leaving her… before leaving my life behind.

BEFORE I FORGET Laurazuleta18 made another poster for characters for me, this one featuring "Ironman" Jack Elzam's team, Check it out. And so ends Book V: War make sure to look for "Book VI: 9 habits of highly effective Volturi" I only have an introductory Chapter but this chapter is over twice as long as usual and I needed to write that chapter too. Remember to read, review, high five, give rolls of twenties and knucks. Thanks for my favorite 5, who have reviewed through thick and thin (I think) and I hope you enjoy my next story in the Series: "Book VI: 9 habits of highly effective Volturi" Catch you on the flip side