Chapter 1

I was sitting in my room in Volterra, with my iPod dock playing Evanescence. My dad doesn't understand why I listen to this style of music, when it's kind of obvious.

It's because I have no love in my life. Yeah, sure, I love my family but I need someone else, a boyfriend, someone to say they love me, and that I'm beautiful every day. My thoughts were interrupted by a knock on my door.

"Come in!" The door opened to reveal a grinning Felix, who thought he was that person. I love him, though not the way he loves me. Our love is more… platonic. I turned him down many times before; my dad was disappointed though, because he hoped for Felix to be my mate.

"Princess, your father would like to see you in his office." I sighed, turning my music off and got off my bed. Walking over to the door, I turned to Felix and glared.

"I thought I told you not to call me Princess." I growled at him and turned around. I heard him chuckle and just hissed in return. Did I mention I was the Vampire Princess of the Volturi, the rulers of the vampire world?

We walked down the hall, completely silent the whole way there. When we got there, Felix turned to stand by the door and wait for me. I walked into my father's office. Father was sitting behind his desk with Uncle Marcus and Caius in two of the three chairs in front of him. I walked over to each of them and gave them a hug and kiss on the cheek, then went to sit down.

"Hello Father, Uncles." I nodded in turn as I greeted my loved ones.

"So, why did you have to interrupt my listening to great music, oh-so-powerful father of mine?" I giggled quietly. I heard Uncle Marcus next to me chuckling; he was always my favourite uncle because he was so much fun to be around.

"Oh, great daughter of mine," He smiled. "Your uncles and I have called you down here because we have discussed and decided something very important."

"Okay, so why did you need me?"

"Because it's about you, Sweetie," Uncle Marcus decided to step in then.

"We have decided you need to get out of Volterra for awhile," I smiled at his statement – which was very true. The last time I got out of the castle walls for more than a week was when my aunts kidnapped me to go shopping – which father wasn't too happy about.

"So, if you want, we are going to send you to your home town in America." He smiled kindly. I was speechless. Well, not entirely.

"!" Translation of my not-so-understandable English: Oh my god! Of course I want to go! I would love to! I started jumping up and down. I went to hug all of them.

"Okay, Sweetie, you have about a day and a half to get ready and say goodbye to everyone, then your car will be here to pick you up." Marcus said.

I ran out of daddy's office and ran back to the living room where everyone was waiting for me. The first ones to meet me were Jane, Heidi, and Chelsea.

"What happened? Are you in trouble? Are you getting kicked out? Is one of us fired? Is it because we dressed you up –"

"JANE! If you shut it for a second, I can tell you," I gave her a dry look, "And no. None of those things. Their sending me to America!" I yelled. It was silent for a couple of minutes 'til everyone started talking at once.

"Guys." Nothing...

"Guys!" Still nothing...

"GUYS! SHUT UP!" In the silence that followed, you could hear a pin drop.

"Okay, I know you don't want me to go but it's something I have to do. I haven't left the castle for a really long time. And the only times I do are when Mom and my aunts have kidnapped me. Which some of you helped scheme." I glared at Jane and Heidi, but couldn't keep it up, seeing the look on their faces.

"But, Bella, you're going to leave us with the guys..." Jane said quietly, looking at her feet. I'm sure if she could cry, she would be right now.

"Look, Jane, you know I love you and the girls. Heck, even some of the guys, but it's something I really want to do. It's only for the school year over there, and I will be home on the vacations." I smiled down at her. I opened my arms for her and she hugged me tightly. After a couple of minutes like that, I felt more arms engulf us. I looked up to see everyone hugging us.

"Are you guys going soft on us? I'm sure Father and Uncles will not be too happy." I laughed. I think I heard Felix growl, like he didn't care. That dude really needs to get it in his head that I do not like him!

~ DAY AND A HALF LATER ~

I was getting the last things into my bag, when I heard a knock at my door. I looked up to see a very suspicious Felix.

"Hey Felix. What do you want? I have to go soon." I heard the door close. I watched as Felix, with a grin on his face, locked the door.

"Felix? What are you doing?" I asked, starting to get uneasy.

"Well, Bells, I wanted to tell you something... I love you."

"Felix, we already went through this. I can't love you. You aren't my soul mate. I love you like a brother; nothing more, nothing less. Now, unlock the door and walk away." I growled.

"That's not the answer I was looking for Isabella." He tsked at me. "You are going to be my mate, no matter what you think or I will kill whoever is your mate." He had me up against the wall before I even knew what was happening. Then he kissed me. HE KISSED ME! Son of a bitch!

I pushed him as hard as I could, and sent him flying. I stepped over the broken rubble that was once the wall and stood over him. I grabbed his collar, leant down to his ear and whispered, "If you ever kiss me again, I assure you, you will be tortured before being burnt alive." I growled threateningly. I heard footsteps coming down the hallway, and watched as Father and Uncles approached us, all wearing identical masks of fury.

"Bella, what the hell is going on?" Caius yelled.

"Nothing. Just another piece of dirty scum attempting to be my mate." I snarled, glaring at Felix. Father stepped forward and knelt down beside Felix.

"Felix. I'm assuming that the Princess is talking about you? Is this true?" I looked into his eyes, seeing the fear within his gaze. Felix looked like if he could, he would be shitting his pants right about now.

"No Master." He said hastily. "I would do no such thing!" That's when I snapped. I jumped at his throat, hissing and snarling, only to be stopped by my Uncles' arms'.

"Let me at him! He's a filthy lying son of a bitch!" I screamed.

"Alec, Santiago. Take Felix to the throne room and wait for us to come. Girls, take Bella to the lobby and calm her down before she leaves." We left to the lobby. After telling the girls what happened I think after I leave, Felix is going to get a visit from them, and not a pleasant one. I heard the car honk outside. I turned back around to find everyone standing there; Father and Uncles in front, Mom and Aunts standing next to them, then the girls and the guys just behind. My whole family. My Father came up to me.

"Li mancheremo la mia figlia, non li dimentichiamo." (We will miss you my daughter, do not forget your family.) He whispered in my ear. I nodded forlornly. I ran into his arms and hugged him so tight that, if he was human, he would be in two pieces – or more.

After I was finished hugging everybody, I got in the car. As it started to drive away, the flash backs came.

5 years old

Mommy and I were in Italy, going to see this really pretty castle. Mommy sat me in a really comfy chair in the lobby-like room and went to talk to the really pretty girl standing behind the big powerful desk in the middle of the room.

Mommy came back and grabbed my hand, waiting patiently. A person in a black robe came. I couldn't see their face but I could see red eyes. We walked for a little bit 'til we saw a really big door. The person opened the door like it was nothing, and we walked in to a huge, round room that had three tall thrones at the back. My Mommy started talking.

"I know what you are." She said, breathing raggedly. Wait, their humans aren't they?

"Are you sure? Because, if you do, then you also know the consequences for such knowledge." The man in the middle said.

"Yes, but please, take my little girl out of here so she doesn't have to see it!" I heard the man on the right sigh.

"Alec. Take the child to the extra room please." Who is Alec? Can he be my friend? Then I felt a hand on my arm, trying to pull me away from Mommy.

"Mommy! I want to stay with you!" I cried.

"Baby, I'll be right behind you, okay? I just have to talk to Aro." She smiled at me and I knew that she was lying. I went with Alec, confused. Why would Mommy lie to me? Once we got past the door, it shut closed. Then I heard the screaming. I turned back and ran to the door. I slammed in to it, banging on it.

"Mommy!"

8 years old

"ALEC!" Where is he? He promised to play tea party.

"ALEC!" Maybe Daddy knows…

"DADDY!"

"I'm in here Princess!" I ran to his voice 'til I found him. I ran to him and scrambled into his lap.

"Now, what is so important that you are screaming Alec's name?" He smiled lovingly.

"I can't find him, and he promised to play tea party." I said, faking tears and pouting.

"ALEC! GET TO MY OFFICE NOW!" Daddy yelled then, out of nowhere, Alec appeared. I wish I knew how they did that. I ran up to him and hugged his legs.

13 years old

"So, let me get this straight." I said, checking things off on my fingers. "All of you are Vampires, Dad and Uncles rule it, and, to top it off, I'm the princess?" I asked my best friend, Alec.

"Uh, yeah, that pretty much sums it up." He said, looking down and fidgeting his thumbs.

"Sweet! I'm Princess!" I yelled. Alec laughed beside me then stiffened. I turned to him.

"What is it Alec?"

"There is one other thing that you need to know." He said, really quiet.

"What is it? You know you can tell me anything." I said comfortingly, holding his hands.

"When you get old enough, you have to change. It's for your own safety."

NOW

What is America going to hold for me?