Hello. Ok so I very much like the Volturi, Alec being my favorite. But after having such difficulty trying to find a good Alec story, I decided to write one for myself.

Disclaimer: Sadly I own nothing; if I did the Volturi would get a hell of a lot more attention.

Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Don't act like an angel

-ooOoo-

The breeze from the open window was the only thing that was keeping her calm and quiet right now. She loved the night air; she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. It was cool and clean, something she desperately needed at this moment. The smoke coming from the center of the room covered that area like a cloud, its source none other than five young men gathered around a table playing poker. She turned an ear to their conversation just to make sure she didn't miss anything important.

"Angela, I need another drink"

"Hey man, what are you doing!?"

"I'm starving is there anymore food left?"

Satisfied that the exchange was useless she turned back to her own thoughts. This was supposed be a night with just her and Pietro. Then when he mentioned he had a poker game she thought she would at least be able to play-she had nearly given him a run for his money a few times- but no. It was a guy's only game, so why the hell bring her! Looking around the room, true she was not the only girl there but she doubted they were here for the same reasons as she. Pietro dropped the term girlfriend but she was not foolish enough to fall for that, she was probably the only one in a relationship with one of the boys. And if that was how he used the term, she really wanted to know just what kind of "girlfriend" she was to him. No, she knew better.

These girls were suspiciously dressed too provocatively for the cool weather and atmosphere they were in. Two of the girls had messy brunette hair, like it had not been combed today. Another girl was a tall redhead, but not a natural red, more like the type of fiery red that draws a second look and is found in a bottle on the shelf. The last girl was a pale blonde with lifeless hair; like she herself was just too exhausted from something and her hair was paying the price. All the girls were leaning against a wall standing a fair distance from the players watching the game with mild interest in their otherwise dull eyes. Despite their casual stance, each girl was slightly tense and alert. It was if they were expecting something, a reaction or maybe a command.

Sighing, her surrounding matched the situation and company. They were in an old wooden house in the lower part of the city that looked like it did not see many visitors. The room they were currently occupying was fortunately mildly cleaned. However the floors creaked every step you took and it was not uncommon to run across a loose floorboard. Everywhere you leaned or sat on had to be double checked for splinters; one of the girls already learned that the hard way.

Fortunately for her she was mostly protected in her jeans and long sleeved shirt, but she was still careful on the window sill she was currently sitting on. One of the girls, the blonde one was now crouched on the floor, her high heels adjusting ever so slightly to maintain her balance and her mini skirt rising to above her mid thigh. In her hand was a needle that she was currently injecting into her arm, the blonde did not even flinch, but she did. She briefly closed her eyes and looked back out the window. She hoped she did not get offered whatever the girl was taking, she did not want the attention at this moment. An extra strong breeze blew past and she rubbed her arms a little. She could not wait for this game to be over.

She wondered how she ended up in a situation like this and mentally snorted at her stupidity. But of course, how could she forget.

Her black hair was tied back with a clip and her vivid green eyes narrowed in concentration. She tried to follow what Max was saying about changing the Oil. She didn't really know very much about cars but she really wanted to. That was just the kind of person she was, forever curious and always wanting to try a little bit of everything. She may have lied to the owner of the shop a little about her knowledge of cars and given the chance to look around Max had clearly noticed. He took pity on her and decided to take her under his wing as well as keep her secret, for now he decided that she could be in charge of the basics like changing the Oil; and so that is where they were starting off.

A loud noise at the front of the shop broke her concentration and she looked up to see a red sports car pulling up. Three young men got out of the car but the one that caught her eye was the driver. He was tall and handsome; but more like the devilishly handsome type with his dark hair and dark eyes and even darker clothing. With that arrogant little smirk of his and the way he walked around strong and confidant like he owned the place he looked very much like the good looking villain in a movie you secretly love. The way the other two stood by him and how they moved according to his looks or words you could easily tell he was their leader of some sort. When his eyes fell on her he gave her a once over before meeting her eyes again, he tilted his head and the smirk he had grew even wider, his eyes now held a spark of mischief or arrogance. He started to walk towards her, his expression did not change but his eyes continued to rake over her like she was a car he was intending to buy. No one had ever looked at her like that; she hoped she was not blushing.

Max had warned her not to get involved with the customers; they were not exactly located in the best part of town. She didn't think it mattered at the time, after all she did not live around there, and that was the important thing right? She was naïve and ignored his warnings out of infatuation. Now several months later, look where she was. She must have zoned out longer than she meant to because the next thing she realized, her name was being called.

"Cricket…" The smooth voice that whispered in her ear was teasing, and she jerked slightly, startled by the close proximity.

He chuckled and kissed her temple. "Come on, time to go."

She looked around the room and true to his word the game was indeed over and in the process of being picked up. The other girls around each went to a boy, and the lust was so thick she could almost feel from where she stood. Fortunately she did not have to remain here for the rest of the evening.

As they were leaving Pietro grabbed her hand when they reached the street and asked "So, what now?"

"Well, I don't know about you but I'm starving."

He sniggered and gave a mock bow "Your wish is my command my principessa"

Cricket smiled a little but still rolled her eyes at his behavior. First of all, while slightly cute it was a little cheesy. And second of all, although he tried not to show it too much she could tell he much rather have her waiting on him instead.

They walked in silence for awhile but that quickly got old for her. Cricket herself hadn't really had any conversation tonight, and talking to anyone of his so called friends, well let's just say she would be surprised if they could chew gum and walk at the same time.

"So, I was thinking…there's this film in the theatre on Friday, about Van Gogh and his works, and I was wondering if –"

"You know that's not really my thing bella," He wrapped his arm around her waist and drew her closer to him. "Maybe next time."

She tried to hide her disappointment, after all Cricket was the artist here, but still she was hoping that this time he would decide to join her. Their steps echoed in the near empty street and the lights above cast shadows behind them.

"So, what else is new with you?"

He turned his attention to her and she could see that he was perfectly at ease even in the dodgy area they were in. Cricket didn't really mind either; she did not always grow up in the best neighborhoods herself. Taking the opportunity she decided to give him a second chance.

"Well, I think I'm pretty close to a lead about my parents." She turned to look at his reaction and was even more disappointed than before to notice confusion on his face.

"What?"

"You know, my parents" Cricket did her best to keep the bitterness out of her voice. "I mean true they died in America but they were born and raised here, in Italy."

She saw some slight realization on his features but it was not enough and already too late for that.

"Ah, that's right. You wanted to learn more about them."

"Yes." Her answer was short and cold, she was done talking for the night.

As they were approaching the more crowded part of town where the stores, the restaurants, and the vendors were mostly located Cricket was not the only one to notice a young guy leaning against the wall of a small store checking her out. Naturally she wanted to ignore him, she was not interested nor would she be that rude to Pietro, idiot or no idiot, she was with someone. She thought they would just keep on walking but when she felt Pietro's hand on her upper arm tighten almost painfully, she knew this was a little more serious. Because of the pressure of his arm Cricket was practically wrapped around him. However his attention was not on her, it was on the other who continued stupidly to look at her. She thanked every deity that she could think of that they were still walking, and judging by his tense muscles and harsh glare she had a pretty good idea what would happen if they stopped.

The dark haired guy leaning against the wall finally picked up on the tension and stood a little straighter. Noticing this she acted quickly and wrapped her arms around Pietro in the hope to distract him at least a little until they turned the corner and were safely inside the restaurant, because god knows once he starts something even she can't stop him.

It seems that luck was on her side after all because finally they turned the corner and strolled down the street, and finally he noticed her presence again and just how close she was to him. He looked down to see Cricket glaring at him for all she was worth.

"What?" he asked innocently with a smile on his face and that just made her even more infuriated.

She pushed away from him and said "Don't. You know what." She crossed her arms and waited for how he would answer this one.

"Don't be like that bella." He put her hand on her waist and had the nerve to kiss her cheek. "You know I don't like sharing."

She did not know whether to be more disgusted or angry. Wait, yes she did. She was angry! Beyond angry! She chose to hold back a retort-although it was incredibly difficult- and instead pondered on her future with this idiotic Neanderthal.

-ooOoo-

3 months later

Something needed to be done, this was unacceptable.

For months now - ever since that confrontation with those aggravating Cullen's - rage has been boiling within him; stirring, churning, whispering words of revenge that made his cold dead heart sing. How dare they humiliate him! He was above all! But a true master of deception could never show his genuine emotions for the world to see.

Many might compare him to the snake. Cold blooded, venomous, lethal, yes the similarities are impressive but you see…he has always admired the butterfly. The butterfly's natural deceptive nature is easily overlooked for its beauty, its grace, and its gentle touch. Does anyone pay attention to the cleverness of the butterfly when it confuses and thwarts those who wish to make him prey? No. For all they focus on are the mistakenly weak paper thin wings, much like his own mistakenly weak paper skin. All underestimate it for prey, when it is in fact the predator. With the butterfly, you see what you want to see.

And now, with his…family, gathered around the throne room, they needed to see their leader as collected as ever.

"My dear friends, family" he opened his arms as if welcoming each and every one of them into the Volturi for the first time. "Thank you all for coming today."

"What is this about Aro?" Marcus was always the first one to get straight to the point.

He did not tell either of his brothers why he had gathered every member of the Volturi here today, including their wives, better to tell them all together.

"Several months ago, we had an unfortunate meeting with our kind in which we did not see eye to eye with many of them. That is alright, disagreements are bound to happen. However…"

Aro walked down the steps in front of his throne slowly. The heels of his shoes hit the marble and echoed all around the large room, despite his gentle steps. The room was so quiet and the occupants ears so alert at their master's words that if anyone of them were breathing the sound would echo as well.

Aro took a few more steps towards the center of the room and looked around carefully.

"What is not alright is for the Volturi to look weak. None of you want that am I correct?" Aro allowed the smile on his angelic face to drop for an instant, one of the brief moments when he could let go of the façade.

A chorus of "yes master" was heard and the smile was back on his face again, as pleasing as ever.

"Good."

"Now, fortunately this incident brought my attention to the fact that we need to, expand our family." His arms opened a little again with his palms facing upward, gesturing to all of them.

"What do you mean Aro?"

Aro turned to the one that spoke "Ah, Caius I am glad that you asked. You see" He once again turned to gaze at the room's occupants. "For the past few months I have been keeping an eye on a rather…interesting girl."

"Human?"

"Yes Marcus, human. But you see" Aro clapped his hands together and had an excitement in his eyes that you only see in a child. "I believe that she possess unique abilities for her kind that we have not seen in these parts for some time."

"So you wish to turn her" It was not a question, from none other than Caius, but rather a statement. No one but he and Marcus would dare to interrupt Aro that directly and during a meeting.

"Yes, while I have no doubt that she will be gifted upon transformation, there is something else I have her in mind for." Aro's thoughts drifted away and along with it his gaze.

No one interrupted him this time, to curious and confused to do so. "As you all recall, the gathering a few months ago centered on the Cullen hybrid."

This particular train of thought has also run through his mind as of late. Once again the Cullen family had something that he did not, his inner tyrant roared with rage once again and demanded that he take whatever he coveted. A hybrid vampire as rare as they were had the potential to provide knowledge of their world, and knowledge is power.

"In order to avoid being influenced by ignorance, I propose we add one to our ranks." Aro waited for a moment to let the thought sink in and it proved fruitful when Marcus spoke.

"You wish to create a half breed? What ever for Aro?"

Aro smiled as if Marcus did agree with him. "Knowledge my brother, knowledge of our kind; and we can all imagine how valuable that is."

No other commented, which meant they all agreed. Of course they did.

"And you wish the human girl you have taken an interest in to participate in the creation of the crossbreed." Again it was not a question; they knew Aro too well for that.

"Yes I do. And speaking of participating…" Aro turned towards the high ranked guards with his hands together and a large smile on his features that was meant to be encouraging. "I wish for Alec to be involved as well. Imagine your talents with hers…"

Aro drifted off, his thoughts on the future. He was quite excited about this; Bella Swan was also a gifted human-it was time to fight fire with fire. So consumed he was in his own thoughts that he nearly missed Alec's reply.

"As you wish master."

Alec was reasonably surprised by these turn of events but obviously did not show it. However he had been asked to do something and he would do it. Alec was not one to fail; although he had a feeling this would be his most difficult task yet.

"And where do we find this mysterious girl Aro?" Marcus asked, regardless of today's dealings his voice never change from its uninterested tone.

Aro looked like he could not be any happier. "In Florence, her name is Cricket Gagliardi. "

"And I believe it is time she met us all."

-ooOoo-

Italian Translations:

Principessa – Princess

Bella – Beautiful

Please, please, please, Review!