Dear Autumn,

If you're reading this, it means I'm no longer in pain. I didn't tell you or your mother about my illness, because there was nothing you could've done for me. No, not even magic could help - believe me, I tried.

Do not cry for me, child. I have lived a happy life and I will continue to have that peace knowing you and your mother have a family to help look after you, the Quileute tribe.

Giuliana's house now belongs to you. My lawyer will give you the deed to the house after the funeral; remember, the house may hold answers to the questions you are seeking. Our bloodline lives on, through you.

I love you, always.

Grandma

The words from Grandma's last letter replayed in my mind as the car rolled to a stop, the familiar crescent moons carved into the shutters as comforting as the fading sunset. My flowy black dress rustled at the slight cool breeze whooshing around my legs as I stepped onto the uneven sidewalk.

Crickets chirping somewhere in the grass ceased with each slow step I took, my eyes focused on the red front door. Behind me, Jacob grabbed the suitcases out of the trunk while Leah and Chloe stood nearby with Sam and Emily. I could feel their eyes watching me as I stopped on the porch, mere inches away from the doorknob.

After I returned home from Jacob's the night of the battle against the newborns, I found Mom sitting on the couch without the lights turned on. Confused, I reached for the closest lamp, my heart falling into my stomach as I took in her puffy red eyes. Trying to speak, Mom had waved to the coffee table in front of her; a letter addressed to me in my grandma's handwriting was propped against the flower vase, fresh carnations replacing the slightly dying bouquet from a few days before. Snatching the letter from the table, I quickly read the contents, collapsing onto the couch next to Mom as tears streamed from my face.

According to the letter Mom received, Grandma had been battling cancer since Christmas. She didn't tell us sooner because she didn't want to take the joy out of my graduation or my birthday, she wrote; tear stains were scattered throughout the thin paper, Grandma's handwriting shakily displayed in cursive. The funeral arrangements had been made in advance, her last gift to her loving daughter; the viewing was taking place a week after my birthday.

"Autumn," Jacob said softly, his hand on my shoulder, pulling me back to reality. "You don't have to do this right now."

"I do," I whispered, tears spilling onto my face. "I have to do this. It's what she wanted."

"We're right here for you." He squeezed me gently, comfortingly.

"Thank you," I gave him a wary smile before taking a deep breath. "Here we go."

Twisting the doorknob in my hand, I pushed the door open and stepped inside. The smell of vanilla and brown sugar reached my nostrils and I let out a sob but kept walking. Everything had been left the same since my last visit, except for a faint layer of dust covering every surface. As I stood in the front hallway, I closed my eyes and felt the lingering magic brush against my skin.

"I, Autumn Bernadette, daughter of Julie Lynn, granddaughter of Lily Penelope, descendant of Giuliana Valentina, call upon the elements," I spoke confidently, almost reciting the words from memory, "to listen to my heart and accept my birthright. I am the rightful owner of Crescent Hill; my magic binding to the women who come before me and give me strength. I shine in their guidance as I accept my place as Quileute witch, imprinted to the rightful Alpha of the pack. This shall be our home, blessed be of love and honor. Sia benedetto l'amore e l'onore."

Heat flowed through my body as if I was standing next to a fire for warmth. Rushing water flooded my ears as a howling breeze wrapped around me like a tornado. The faint smell of newly dug dirt filled my nostrils as the ground gave a slight quake under my feet. A strange tingling sensation traveled through my veins, causing the lights to glow brighter until there was a sudden silence. Turning to my friends, we shared confused glances before Chloe gasped and pointed to the fireplace. On the mantle was a large envelope with my name in gold lettering.

"That wasn't there a minute ago," Jacob said, raising an eyebrow as he shared a glance with Chloe.

"I think it had something to do with Giuliana's magic..." I trailed off as I picked up the envelope and read the letter inside. "The house is now in my name."

"Just like that?" Leah asked, turning to Sam with a confused expression.

"Just like that," Sam replied with a nod. "Giuliana must have known there would be a chance her descendant would imprint with a Quileute wolf, and that's why she put the "true Alpha" part in the incantation. Because the chances of a witch being imprinted from the Black lineage are stronger than the rest."

"The magical bloodlines are stronger," I added quietly, rereading the letter in my hands; the neat cursive flowed across the paper, Giuliana's name signed at the bottom.

"So now what?" Chloe asked me directly.

"I guess we get something to eat and figure out what to do." I shrugged. "There isn't anything else I need to do here, besides a quick dusting anyways."

"We could show them around," Chloe suggested. "Maybe the beach?"

"The beach sounds perfect right now, honestly." I grinned as a memory of Grandma lapping Mom in the lake flashed through my mind. "Besides, I don't want to run into Reed's parents right now... that's the last thing any of us needs today."

"He may have been a jerk, but a lot of our classmates went to his funeral," Chloe commented with a sigh. "One of these days, I'll have to take Casey over to see them... they at least deserve to see their granddaughter."

"We'll be with you when you do," Leah told her before squeezing her hand.

"Before we get too bummed out, let's get ready for the beach." I shook my head, trying to get rid of the dazed feeling struggling to take over. "The guys can get changed in the bathroom down the hall. Girls, my bedroom is upstairs!"

"Last ones to be ready in ten minutes buys ice cream for everyone!" Jacob called after us, followed by squeals and shouts of excitement.

"We have to beat the guys!" Chloe exclaimed, pulling her shirt off as soon as we entered my room. "Good thing my bathing suit is a one-piece!"

"Yeah, yeah, hush and come tie my top!" I giggled, moving my hair out of the way.

Within seconds, we were changed into our bathing suits and scrambling to grab our bags.

"Five minutes!" Sam's voice boomed through the house and I threw a mischievous smile at the girls.

"Ready?" I asked; the girls nodded. "Okay, hold hands. This might be a little dizzying."

Chloe, Leah, and Emily clasped their hands together before reaching for mine, giving me the okay to continue. I took a deep breath, pictured what I wanted to do, and grinned.

"Car."

In the blink of an eye, we were standing next to my grandma's SUV she left to me, giggling uncontrollably as we collapsed into one another. Seconds later, the guys rushed out of the house, stopping on the porch like deer caught in headlights.

"Hey, no fair!" Jacob whined. "Autumn magicked them from her room!"

"All's fair in love and ice cream!" Chloe teased back, blowing him a kiss. "Which one of you was the last one ready?"

Sam shot a sly grin at us before taking a step back to reveal Jacob, a grim expression on his face.

"That would answer your question, Peaches." I laughed freely, tears starting to form in the corner of my eyes.

"Jacob, have I told you you're my favorite brother lately?" Chloe asked innocently, causing Jacob to scoff playfully and roll his eyes at her.

"Don't worry, Chloe. You'll get your Superman ice cream. Don't be a suck-up," he said sarcastically.

"Alright, let's go. Sam, would you mind if I drove?" I turned to him.

"Not at all. You know where you're going, anyway." He tossed the keys to me. "I'll sit in the passenger seat to observe."

Almost fifteen minutes later, we arrived at the nearly empty beach; glancing at the clock, I realized it wouldn't be long before families headed for the cooling waters. Chloe must have realized that too because she scrambled out of the back seat and ran towards the sand. Her laughter was enough to send Leah after her, Sam and Emily close behind.

"Autumn," Jacob called softly from behind me and I turned to see him grabbing stuff from the trunk. "Are you okay? I mean, really okay?"

"I miss her," I admitted, grabbing the beach towels from him. "I don't want her to be gone... I have so many questions. Now, I just have Mom."

"I don't think that's true." Jacob struggled to lay a towel out flat on the sand. "I think that your grandma will always be there to help you, just now it'll be in spirit form. Her magic lingers around you, and so does Giuliana's."

He paused to kiss my forehead before sprawling out on the towel. Motioning me to join him, Jacob continued.

"And the tribe will help you in any way we can. You know that... you're a part of the pack."

"I know... Emily and Sue have been a great help since we found out. I can't thank them enough."

I smiled as I watched Emily splash Sam, laughing at his sputtering face. He dove towards her, the two of them disappearing underwater as he made contact.

"Speaking of, you do realize we have a wedding to plan when we get back." Jacob grinned, glancing at me. "Sue and Julie are driving my dad crazy with ideas."

"It's not as bad as Bella giving Alice full control of her wedding planning."

"We can still ask her for help," Jacob murmured, shifting into a seated position to face me.

"No, I want to do it. With my mom, and Sue, and the girls. I promise I won't be overwhelmed. Mom's been planning out ideas for years. She's got it covered." I said reassuringly.

"I just want to make sure it's what you want." He shot me a smile back, his gaze shifting to the shoreline. "Let's go for a swim."

"Sure." I held my hand out for him to pull me to my feet.

"I'm so sorry, babe."

"What - Jacob!"

I shrieked as Jacob picked me up over his shoulder and charged into the water, dunking us straight under the waves. Breaking above the surface, I wiped the water out of my eyes and sent a small wave over Jacob's head in retaliation, laughing as our friends engaged in a splash battle. Lost in the fun, I almost didn't notice a weight being lifted from my shoulders, slowly floating away in the crystal blue lake and disapparating into thin air.