Welcome to my new story. Don't worry this one is actually already finished so it won't be slowing down my others. They will be updated when I am satisfied there is enough interest still in them.

Please review afterwards it does mean I will post the next chapter quicker.

I own nothing!

Chapter 1

Carlisle looks out over the snow ridden mountains as the sunsets. In his hand is the invitation from the Voltura to a auction. He hated that the vampire royal family saw shape-shifters as pets. Not as mere human boys and protectors of their lands. His family had argued many times as if they should get themselves a play thing. In the end Carlisle was out voted and he was to go try and buy a shifter.

Esme walks behind him and hugs his waist kissing his shoulder gently. He couldn't understand why his family were being like this. He had hoped his years of loving would make them understand. Yet it seemed that he was the naive one. As leader of the coven he could have outranked them. However he didn't believe in not respecting them as a family unit. Emmett had been the loudest wishing to get an alpha wolf. He would be harder to train but he would relish the challenge. One would also cost more than the others.

Turning to his wife he kissed her lightly on the forehead. After nearly a hundred years of being with Esme he was happy with his lot. She was a good mother to their young ones and provided Carlisle with his needs.

"Don't be long Carlisle. We will be in Port Angeles when you return. Your new job starts in a few months. You know how you like to settle first." she pats his chest affectionately.

"I will return at once." he assured her.

He would be in Italy the following day giving him a few days to check out the shifters that had been captured. They wouldn't be cheap they never were. Why his fellow vampires continued to purchase the creatures he didn't know. The shifters were loyal to their tribes and rather than become a pet they would destroy themselves normally taking one or two vampires with them. Carlisle hoped that his family would respect the boy as a person more than a wild untamed animal.

"I should go." Carlisle kissed his wife while saying goodbye to his children.

"Bring me a puppy." Alice said as they hugged.

"We will see." Carlisle pulled back and smiled at her.

By time Carlisle arrived at the castle many vampires were already there. The smell of wet dog was obvious even with the amount of vampires the wolves scent dominated the air. Carlisle went to pay his respect to his former family having decided that he wished to travel and see the world. He never tasted human blood much to the amusement of the rest of the coven he once called family.

Aro, Caius and Marcus were sitting on their thrones greeting the visitors. When Carlisle walked in Marcus for the first time showed a hint of interest. No one had expected Carlisle Cullen to attend after all for centuries he had argued the shifters release.

"Carlisle my brother welcome." Aro smiled dismissing the other vampires from the throne room.

"Brothers." Carlisle inclined his head in acknowledgement.

"We had not dared hope of your presence, but we are happy to welcome you." Aro said standing and walking to his friend to embrace.

"I am just as shocked as you Aro. My family seem to have me wrapped around their little fingers." he chuckled.

"I see you haven't changed your preposterous diet," Caius chided.

"That will never change brother." the men shake hands.

"Well I shall get one of the guards to show you the creatures." Aro said making to click his fingers.

"I shall do it Aro. I wish to catch up with my brother. It has been many decades since we have caught up." Marcus said beside them.

No one was more shocked than Aro that Marcus was going to leave the throne room. Since the death of his beloved wife he had not had any interest in anything. He would sit and brood for weeks only stirring to feed when the need was too great.

"Very well. We will see you both later." Aro frowned and watched as the two men embraced and kissed one another's cheeks.

"Good to see you my friend." Carlisle said kindly.

"Come lets go to the creatures of the night." Marcus led the way out of the great room. People bowed as one of their leaders walked past. If they were shocked they never showed it on their faces.

"Clear the rooms. Carlisle will have a private viewing." Marcus ordered.

The rooms were cleared in a blink of the eye. There were seven nurseries set up each with viewing windows. In each there were between four and seven human children. Each with the scent of shifters. Carlisle gasped so this was how they managed to catch the shifters. They wouldn't change for years. Their scent made it repulsive to vampires.

"Why do you allow this brother?" Carlisle asked looking through the window.

"They get younger every generation. The buyers want what is considered a bigger chance of accepting them as their masters. It is yet to be seen." Marcus slowly walked to the next window.

"They are so young."

None of this was what Carlisle was expecting but even at a young age it was obvious who was to be the alpha's. They were the biggest of the shifters. In the third window Marcus stepped forward and pressed his hand against the glass. Carlisle noticed that the man seemed more relaxed. He let his eyes follow his gaze. There in a crib was a baby no more than a few months old. Like the others he was of native American accent. Along with the baby were three other young cubs. They were happily playing with blocks and trucks. When the biggest looked up he bared his teeth and went to the crib blocking Marcus's view. The other two looked up and stared at the two vampires not showing much of an interest.

"That one there is very protective of the little one." he sighed stepping back and moving on to the next window.

Carlisle didn't move and watched as the eldest boy tiptoed to look into the crib as if trying to make sure the baby was okay. Carlisle looked at the boys once again and smiled at one who waved to him. Waving back the vampire moved away. He stood on a piece of paper and stopped to pick it up.

Protect my mate.

Carlisle looked at Marcus who was looking at the next window but didn't look interested. Slipping the paper into his pocket they continued their viewings. Once it was done Marcus excused himself saying he had to hunt. Carlisle went back to the viewing rooms and stood in front of the room where Marcus had shown interest. There didn't seem anything remarkable about the small pack of four.

"Ahh Carlisle I'm glad I found you. I wish to call upon your services to check the health of the creatures. Our buyers are wanting them to be in good health." Aro said.

"Yes, yes of course. I would need to get my medical bag from my room." he smiled.

"Very well. I will have the nurse's make them ready." he walked away not looking back.

All up there were fifty shifter children that needed checking out. Each and everyone so far were healthy. It was their first contact with an actual vampire and some of the older ones became upset. That was until Carlisle produced a lollipop for them so he could check them over. He tried to warm his hands up as much as possible. But like any doctor his hands would make each of them jump. He had purposely left the small pack to last. When he tapped on the window the human nurse quickly opened the door locking it behind her. There was no way that even a vampire could penetrate the rooms.

"Hello." the one that waved at Carlisle earlier said.

"Embry don't talk to strangers." the biggest said pulling him away from Carlisle.

"But he is pretty. I like pretty things Jacob."

"Your such a girl." the boy named Jacob shouted.

"I'm not." Embry burst out crying.

The nurse went to pick him up and scold Jacob but Carlisle waved her away. The boys were slapping each other and he got to his knees and pulled them apart.

"Your mean Jacob. I'm gonna tell my mommy on you."

"Our mommies left us you idjit." Jacob burst into tears.

"Oh dear." Carlisle chuckled and pulled both boys into his arms and hugged them as gently as possible.

Little arms wrapped around his neck while they continued to sob. Standing up their legs automatically wrapped around his waist. If Carlisle had a heart it would be breaking at their bereavement. There was a tug at his pants and he looked down at the other eldest child his big brown puppy eyes welling up with tears.

"Are you our new daddy?"

Carlisle swallowed and was about to deny it. But in just a few minutes he had fallen in love with the young boys. He was a very wealthy man. In fact he had more wealth than any person on the planet be they dead or alive. He wondered if even he would be able to afford to purchase the boys freedom. Maybe two of them but all four he wasn't so sure of. What would his family say if he turned up with a pack rather than one?

"I can try. But there are other mommy's and daddies that would love you just as much as me." he tried to smile.

He hated lying to them but he didn't want them to be frightened anymore than they were. It was obvious that they were very close. When he looked down at the boy he was sucking his thumb and twirling his finger into his hair.

"So boys you going to tell me your names?" Carlisle asked as he placed the two boys on the floor again their tears gone.

"I'm Jacob and this is Embry and that is Quil sucking his thumb like a baby. And that is Seth he is a baby. He doesn't eat food yet. They give him milk." Jacob said.

"Well my name is Doctor Cullen but you can call me Carlisle. I am going to give you each a check over to make sure you are nice and healthy. And if you're good I will give you each a lollipop." he said.

"I don't want a needle." Quil said going and hiding under a bed.

"Me neither." Both Jacob and Embry shouted.

The baby finally woke to the noise and started screaming. The nurse went to pick him up and tried to sooth him. The room was soon filled with screaming and shouting and the nurse was trying to get order.

"Enough children. I will not be giving you any injections. Now sit down on the floor I am going to check over little Seth first. He will show you that I am not going to hurt you." Carlisle said in a firm but kind way.

The boys sat on the floor crossed legged quiet as mice. Carlisle let out a breath and went to take a still screaming Seth off the nurse. The moment he held him in his arms the child quieted to just little hiccups. His big brown eyes looking up the vampire. He was young maybe only four months old. The scent of a shifter hadn't gotten to him yet but obviously with being with the others it was presumed. If he went to the wrong vampire he wouldn't make it a day. Why was he here? He was pulled from his thoughts when Seth's little hand came up and grabbed his finger and stuck it in his mouth and started sucking on it. When Carlisle looked down the sucking stopped for a brief second giving a smile before continuing to suck.

Carlisle smiled and had to do his examination one handed. Everytime he went to remove his finger from Seth's mouth he would start screaming. He was not teething at all but for some reason he found comfort. Asking the nurse if she had a pacifier available she went off to find one in the stockroom. The three boys were still sitting there watching him. Quil had a truck in his hand and pulling it up and down his leg. Embry's eyes hadn't left the doctors. Jacob was looking bored but his eyes never left the youngest in Carlisle hand.

"Here we go." the nurse said handing over a new pacifier.

Removing his finger Carlisle placed the dummy in Seth's mouth only for him to spit it out again. This kept up for several minutes the boy was stubbornly refusing the rubber comforter.

"He likes sucking that other man's finger too." Jacob said.

"What other man?" The nursed asked frowning.

"The old one with black hair," Jacob shrugged. "He thinks I'm sleeping but I know he comes in and picks up Seth and cuddles him. He sings to him and stuff."

"Please Doctor I don't know how it is possible only I have a key to the children. I was hired to keep them safe."

"Relax dear lady. I know who it would be and as the master of the castle he would surely have the master key. Has he been in here during the day?"

"No sir no one is allowed in."

"Please it will stay between us. I won't tell anyone. But I believe this one is hungry perhaps you could give him his bottle while I check the other children."

"Yes of course doctor."

"Okay who is next?" Carlisle asked.

"Me." Embry shouted.

"No it should be me." Jacob said pushing Embry to the ground.

"Don't be mean to Em's Jake." Quil said not moving.

"I'm not being mean I'm the biggest."

"But I'm older." Embry shouted.

"Quil I will do you first come here. You both sit down and be quiet or no lollipop." Carlisle sighed.

"I didn't do anything wrong." Quil cried.

"Hey little one remember I'm not going to hurt. You get to pick your lollipop first." Carlisle smiled already placing the boy on the chair to examine him.

All three boys plus Seth were in perfect health. Embry sat on Carlisle knee while he sucked on his lollipop since he was the last to be examined. It was getting late and the boys were starting to yawn. They waited for their dinner and were put in the bath before sleep, tomorrow was going to be the day they would find out their fate. Not that the young ones knew.

"Can you read us a story?" Embry asked holding a book in his hand.

"Embry, Doctor Cullen has better things to do. Now come I will read you a story." the nurse said kindly taking his hand in his.

"No that is fine. I would enjoy it." Carlisle smiled taking Embry to his bed. The boys got in their beds and snuggled down.

Fifteen minutes later all three were fast asleep. Carlisle kissed each boy on the forehead before leaving them to sleep. He wanted to pick all four boys up and take them home. He was going to make sure he got those boys even if he had to sell Esme's island. The auction would start in twelve hours he had fed before he arrived and even though he wasn't thirsty thought it was best if he hunted to fill in the hours and perhaps talk to his family about bringing home four cubs.

After he had fed away from the city he tried to contact his family. He was surprised that none of them were available to pick up their phones and wondered if they had gone hunting together which wasn't unusual. Once within the confines of the castle he was requested to go see the leaders. The place was no quieter now than it was earlier in the day and again the throne room was emptied accept the three leaders and himself.

"Ahh Carlisle I hoped you would give us a report on the creatures." Aro said.

"Forgive me for not coming sooner. I needed to hunt. I am happy to report that all the children are in perfect health." he smiled.

"And will we expect you to bid for one tomorrow?" Caius asked.

"Perhaps."

"Oh do tell which one?" Aro said getting excited.

"Now, now Aro why would I tell you. Until bidding starts I like to keep that a secret. That is to say if I decide to take one." Carlisle chuckled.

They spent the rest of the evening catching up with the news of Carlisle family. Not that he gave to much away. His own coven were strong and he knew that his former brothers were worried if Carlisle decided to take power he could most likely to achieve that. The foursome split up when the wives of Caius and Aro arrived. Carlisle and Marcus were left alone the guards heading out to hunt.

"Shall we walk?" Marcus asked.

"Brother." Carlisle said.

"I gather you have questions?" Marcus asked.

"Perhaps I should just listen. But would you mind if we go down to the nursery I wish to take one last look at my patients." Carlisle's said.

"Of course." Marcus smiled.

Once again the rooms were emptied. The nurses were asleep in the rooms not letting them out of their sight. Not that a vampire couldn't easily enter without their knowledge. Marcus pulled a key out of his pocket and went into the room with Jacob and his friends in. Young Seth was cooing quietly in his crib. Marcus went straight to him and picked him up and cradled him in his arms. His finger being pulled into Seth's mouth. For the first time in centuries Marcus smiled a true smile.

"Why have you allowed him to be sold if he is your future mate?" Carlisle asked.

"This is no place to bring up a child. He is kind at heart. I want him to have the best life possible. Until which time he will become mine. If he stays here he will only know death and hate. With you he will learn family and love." Marcus kissed Seth's forehead.

"How do you know he's your mate? He is a mere child and a male."

"The moment I held him in my arms I just knew. Maybe I am a silly old fool but I believe he likes me too." he chuckled placing a now sleeping Seth in his crib and gently covers him.

"I will do my best for you my brother."

"So which one shall you be choosing?" Marcus asked.

Carlisle went and covered Embry who's covers had been kicked off him. The boy was truly beautiful. Brushing the hair out of his face he moved on to the others doing the same.

"I will take the alpha. But I wish I could take them all." he admitted sighing.

"I won't stop at any price for the cub. You bid till the very end. The money will be at your disposal as soon as the auction is finished. I have men waiting for my call." Marcus said just as they were leaving.

"Of course my brother. I will take good care of him until you begin courting him."

Marcus stopped in his tracks. "Court him?"

"My friend does your mate not deserve the chance to be courted just like your beloved Didyme? I will bring the young boy up as my son and yes you will be courting him. That is my one request."

"Yes, yes of course. Forgive me it has been so long."

"Very well. I must contact my family we have things to discuss." Carlisle left his friend standing in the corridor lost in thought.

Esme answered the phone on the first ring. "Carlisle how is it. Have you chosen a pet for the children?"

Carlisle hissed and proceeded to explain that they were just children and not in the least bit pets. Esme begged for forgiveness and asked about each one. She agreed with Carlisle that no child was to be left behind and would gladly give up all her worldly goods to take the children into her care. She was full of plans and idea's already on how she would make the children's bedrooms. Carlisle left her to her designing as he needed to get to the auction which was about to begin.

The big hall was full of vampires a circle in the middle where the children were to be brought out one at a time to auctioned. Carlisle was worried about the youngest as he had yet to have the shifters scent. However it would seem that it was already thought of as on each side of the room were Alec and Jane who had both been ordered not to hurt the child and to destroy anyone who even thought about attacking the cub.

"Ladies and gentleman we shall begin the bidding on the alpha's. You will remain in the castle until your transactions are cleared and then you are free to leave and do as you wish." Aro spoke.

And so begun the auction. The first young boy was big and never shied away from the crowd around him. He stood there head held high and arms by his side glaring at everyone.

"Ten million" someone called.

"Eleven." And so it went on. The first young alpha was sold for an astounding twenty five million dollars.

That one lone wolf would see the Voltura comfortable for many centuries and they had forty nine others to sell. Not that the more common ones would bring such a high price. So far five of the alpha's were sold. The first one being the most sought after. His new owner was from Egypt. Carlisle knew the man well and hoped he would take care of the young boy.

Young Jacob was escorted out. He was the youngest of the alpha's he looked around the room again like all the other alpha's his head held high.

"Who shall begin me with ten million?" Aro asked.

Carlisle had decided to bide his time not giving away that he was interested in the young boy. There was no one bidding for the boy. When people started laughing Jacob let out a growl and bared his teeth.

"Twenty million." someone shouted.

Jacob had shown that even though he was small he was strong and brave. Carlisle knew he would be in for a long fight.

The numbers kept coming thick and fast. At fifty million dollars the bidding began to slow. It was now between two vampires. Carlisle knew neither of them. But he felt that they would be cruel to the young alpha.

"Ninety million." Carlisle called out.

Everyone gasped and began talking between themselves. It was more than he had hoped to pay but he wasn't going to let the boy go. Jacob looked at him and a hint of a smile graced his lips.

"Do I hear more?" Aro said gleam in his eyes.

No one said a word. "Very well sold to Carlisle Cullen." Aro chuckled.

Jacob was led away and the next one came in. Carlisle went to check on his new son. He was waiting in the corridor with one of the guards. As soon as he saw Carlisle he raced towards him. Throwing himself at Carlisle he wrapped his arms around his legs.

"Jacob please listen to me." Carlisle got down on his knees and took his chin in his hands.

"I want you to tell the others not to wave or point out to me. If I am to get them to come home with us I need them to pretend that they don't know me. Is that understood?"

"Yes papa." Jacob whispered.

"Good boy. Now run along and do as the man tells you. I will come visit as soon as I can." he rubbed Jacob's head and made his way back into the hall without a backwards glance.

Already he had taken a chance of speaking to the young boy. He tried to hold his smile when he remembered what the young alpha had called him. Many hours later Quil was the next to come out. His thumb in his mouth he held onto the nurse's hand. He looked at his feet and didn't move.

Carlisle managed to get him for two point five million dollars. The young wolf didn't even look up when sold and followed the nurse out again. Carlisle let out an unneeded breath. He had made low bids on several others so not to arouse suspicion on him wanting the whole pack of cubs. Young Embry came out skipping and waving at everyone. He was adorable Carlisle couldn't help but smile and wave back to him.

The female vampires seemed to have taken a shine to the young cub and bidding went high. Carlisle wished not for the first time he had Edward with him or Alice. However he had to go by his gut feelings. He would not lose Embry at any cost. He had paid less for Quil than he expected and stood quietly as the bidding got higher. When it got to three million dollars he put up his hand. Embry tried to get out of the nurses hold to go to him.

"Carlisle it's me Embry?" he called out.

"Five million."

"Seven million."

Carlisle groaned Embry had given away his game plan. The other vampires wondered what was so special about the young cub that he was known to Carlisle. In the end it cost the doctor nineteen million dollars for the young cub. But the look on Embry's face was worth every cent. He pulled away from the nurse and raced towards Carlisle. Breaking from the circle Carlisle picked the little boy up in his arms.

"Go with the nurse and do as you're told." he said firmly.

Embry's little chin began to wrinkle and waters pooled in his eyes. It broke Carlisle heart to have to tell his little one off but he needed to keep him safe. As the nurse came to take him Carlisle slipped a piece of candy into Embry's hand and winked at him.

"Ever want to sell him Carlisle give me a call." Victoria said from the other side of the room. The room erupted into peals of laughter.

"I will keep that in mind." he chuckled. That was close any of the vampires could have attacked the child.

He had just spent nearly one hundred million dollars on three young children. The buyers had thinned out and only about one hundred were left after the alpha's and beta's were sold. The last one to be auctioned was young Seth. Jane and Alec walked beside the nurse into the center of the circle. The guards were ready to attack anyone who moved an inch. Carlisle risked a looked at Marcus who seemed bored with the whole auction. He had to give it to the man he hadn't moved and showed just as much disinterest as before.

"Ladies and gentleman this is our last sale of the day. He comes from good stock and will make a great addition to any coven. Shall we start the bidding at fourteen million?" Aro asked.

"Here" someone called.

And so the bidding began. Carlisle kept quiet and watched as the bids begun to climb.

"Have I got any more on twenty million?" Aro asked seeming disappointed the boy was not selling for higher.

The room was silent. Marcus still hadn't moved but his eyes never left the baby. "Well it would seem that he is not that special." Aro chuckled.

"Twenty one." Carlisle shouted.

"Twenty three."

Twenty four."

"Twenty five."

"Twenty six." Carlisle said.

"Eighty million dollars. Lets stop mucking around. We all know that he wants the baby. It means that it has something special someone called out.

Marcus sat up straight and leaned forward. Young Seth had started crying and the nurse could not quieten him.

"Really James do you honestly think we don't know how much money you possess Caius chuckled.

"As long as I come up with the money he will be mine." James hissed.

"Take him away he is wasting our time." Marcus said leaning back and waving his hand as though bored.

Aro turned to his brother before back to his audience. "Ladies and gentleman the last bid was eighty million dollars. If we don't have any further bids the child will be disposed of."

"Eighty one million dollars." Carlisle said going forward.

"Very well it would seem that my dear brother Carlisle has a need to take on mutts."

"Please won't you join us for a feast being brought in for us all." Aro said not giving a backwards glance as Carlisle took the young boy from the nurse's arm.

"We will escort you back to the rooms." Alec said kindly.

He smiled down at young Seth who was now happy sucking on Carlisle's finger. With a nod they were led down to the nursery. Once there the nurse took Seth from him as the other children raced to greet him.

"Are you our new father now?" Quil asked.

"I am." Carlisle said picking him up.

"Yay!" Jacob and Quil shouted.

Embry stood back and looked at his feet. Carlisle put Quil down and went to the young boy.

"Embry aren't you happy to be coming home with me?"

"Yes sir." he smiled at him and threw his arms around his neck.

"Let's go pack our bag." Quil said.

"We don't have a bag." Jacob said pushing Quil to the ground.

"Boys no pushing or shouting. You need to stay here a few more days until things are sorted out between the adults. But I promise to visit you everyday and tell you something's about your new family." Carlisle promised.

"But it's boring in here. I want to go outside and play I haven't seen the sun in a long time." Jacob pouted.

"Well it's raining out so no playing outside. There will be plenty of time to play outside when we get home. Now I can smell your dinner. Go wash up and get ready while I talk to nurse Lily." Carlisle said rubbing Embry's hair.

"Come on race you!" Jacob called as the boys made a dash to the bathroom.

"I take it you know what we are?" Carlisle asked the nurse.

"Yes. Although not when I first applied for the job. If I had known why I was being offered so much money I wouldn't have accepted it. Will I make it out of here alive?" she whispered.

"I will speak to the leaders. I will need help with the boys to get them back home. Even with my speed I think these four are going to be a handful. Once we arrive safely back in the states I will let you go. I suggest you don't' return to Italy however."

"Thank you Doctor." she said pulling Seth closer to her chest.

"Lily the boys are going to be loved. I am not like most vampires. I have never tasted human blood and as you know I am a doctor. All I ask of you is that you don't breathe a word of this to anyone. If you do I cannot take responsibility for your safety."

"Of course doctor."

"Quil didn't wash his hands with soap." Jacob called out.

"I will leave you to it. I have to go make arrangements to get the children home. I will return for their bedtime story." Carlisle smiled going to the door.