AN: Since the last one ended with more questions than answers, I decided to follow up a bit sooner than I usually do. I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

The rain pelted Merek as he scanned the back alley to make sure no humans were around. It was a cold, dreary night in Anchorage, Alaska and the streets were void of activity. He knew the warehouse district would be empty, but checked one last time before darting to the backdoor of a large industrial building. It opened before he had a chance to knock and Merek bowed his head in greeting at the old vampire that answered. They cordially shook his hands as the vampire opened the door wider to let Merek inside.

"You picked a good time. Business is slow this time of year. Spring and summer are the city's biggest seasons for tourism. It makes it harder to handle delicate shipments without prying eyes. It has been a long time, Merek. I figured you already ended your existence after last time."

"Orwick, you should know me better than that. I am a knight at heart, no matter how much time passes. I always complete my missions."

"Yes, well, after the Volturi got involved I assumed the mission was over. I am a bit wary of giving you these supplies, especially if they will be used in the ways as before," admitted Orwick as he handed Merek a slender titanium box. Merek opened the box and smiled when he saw the contents. He placed it inside his jacket pocket.

"Fear not, my methods have changed."

"So you are not experimenting on humans anymore," questioned Orwick.

"No, I am not that man anymore. That was a long time ago."

"Time passes quickly for our kind, but change does not come easy. I am happy to help you, but I must caution you as well. The Volturi will not stand for it again. You managed to intrigue Aro, but Marcus and Didyme care about right and wrong far more than he ever did. Be careful, Merek."

"I will be. Trust me on that," vowed Merek as they shook hands. Orwick watched him dart from the back alley before locking up the warehouse. Merek sped through Anchorage amongst the shadows of the night, but slowed when he sensed vampires drawing near. He raced into a dark alley and turned to face the vampires racing toward him. He frowned in confusion when Alexander and Lena removed the hoods of their cloaks to reveal themselves to him. He bowed his head in acknowledgement of the guards.

"I mean no disrespect, but what are you doing here? I have broken no laws," said Merek and Lena smiled slyly at him.

"We aren't here on official business," she informed. Before he could question her, Carlisle leapt from the roof above them and pinned him to the wall. Merek gulped and glanced over at the guards.

"Do Marcus and Didyme know about this?"

"Don't worry about them. You need to worry about me," warned Carlisle and Merek winced.

"I see that. What do you want? Your grandson has not been in contact with me."

"That hasn't stopped you though has it? You were always persistent. What did Orwick give you," interrogated Carlisle.

"You are tracking me?"

"I know what you are up to, so hand it over. What did Orwick give you?"

"You have no right to….." Before Merek could finish, Carlisle threw him to the ground and pounced. Merek kicked him square in the chest in midair before Carlisle could land, sending him backward with a jolt. Merek flipped to his feet and Lena was about to step in, but Alexander held her back.

"Let them get out their frustration," suggested Alexander and she gave a curt nod as she watched the two men carefully. Carlisle flipped to his feet and dodged Merek's punch. He grabbed him by the arm and hurled him to the ground before pinning him to it.

"What did Orwick give you," shouted Carlisle and Merek hissed as Carlisle pressed his knee into one of Merek's hands. Crackling could be heard as the pressure created fissures in the appendage.

"Alright! Let me up and I will show you," bargained Merek. Carlisle stepped away from him and Merek surveyed his hand as he made it to his feet.

"Your skills in hand to hand combat are quite impressive. Jasper has taught you well."

"Show me," ordered Carlisle and Merek pulled the titanium box from his pocket.

"Fine, but only because you asked so nicely," grumbled Merek as he opened it. Carlisle's eyes widened when he saw the contents.

"Good God, Merek, what have you done now?"

"It isn't what you think, Carlisle. I have done nothing wrong!" Carlisle grabbed him by his jacket and pinned him to the wall again as he shook his head in disappointment.

"Humans were not enough. Now you are dissecting vampires? How many did you kill to get these teeth?"

"None, Orwick has connections all over the world. Vampires are dismembered all the time. He knows some scavengers and they grabbed some teeth before they could be burned with the rest of the pieces. I have not killed anyone. I am not that person anymore and who are you to attack me like this? You have no right!"

"I gained the right the moment you used the Volturi to observe my grandson. I gained the right when you became a threat to my family. You have obviously discarded your code of honor and broken your oath as a knight, but I will always protect my family."

"The code of a knight is to persevere to the end in any enterprise begun!"

"It is also to protect the weak and defenseless, to live in honor and glory! You not only broke that code, but you took away my right to honor it as well. You put blood on my hands and I will stop you this time before it can happen again." Merek laughed bitterly.

"So that is what this is about? Your honor, oh Carlisle, you always were dramatic. I will live with my mistakes, but I will not let you bear guilt and shame as a way to dishonor me even more. The blood is on my hands, not yours. Save your righteousness for someone else. I have not broken a law. You cannot take my supplies. If these guards allow you to, they are breaking their code as members of the Volturi and their dishonor will be of your doing, unlike mine. So what will it be?" Carlisle gritted his teeth, but gave the box back. He released Merek and the man placed the box back into his pocket before bowing to Alexander and Lena.

"Am I free to go? I have research to do," asked Merek. Alexander gave a curt nod.

"Yes, but you already manipulated past laws to summon the Cullens. We now have eyes on you," warned Alexander.

"So do I," added Carlisle and Merek chuckled.

"Come off it, Carlisle. You aren't worried that I am going to come after your family. You are worried that your family will come to me. Your grandson has a mate. The clock is ticking for her mortality and we both know that I can offer them a chance at eternity together."

"All I know is that you have one goal and you don't care who your agenda hurts. Tread lightly, Merek. Never mess with a man's family," threatened Carlisle and Merek scoffed.

"I am trying to help your family."

"And if it gets you what you want in the process, then all the better, right?"

"What is so wrong with that? I have lost plenty. If I can complete my task and be at peace while helping the most powerful vampire in our existence gain his mate, what is wrong with that? Face it, Carlisle. You are not mad because I am doing research again. You are mad because I may be right and the great Carlisle Cullen may be wrong. I see the look in your eyes. The scientist in you is intrigued and a bit miffed that my research has progressed more than yours."

"The scientist in me understands that you crossed lines to get it and the grandfather in me will not allow you to add my grandson to the list."

"Then it is a good thing Zachary has not called me. Unless of course you think that will change," challenged Merek as he turned to leave. Carlisle glared at the man as he sped away into the darkness. Lena smiled sympathetically at him.

"He is right. There is nothing we can do to stop him. Marcus and Didyme are more than happy to keep an eye on him for you, but he is not breaking our rules by seeking out Zach," informed Lena.

"Marcus and Didyme allowed us to come here as a favor after all the trouble the summit caused, but we cannot kill him without reason," added Alexander.

"I don't want Merek dead. If I did, I would have done it lifetimes ago. I just want him to stay away from my family."

"He isn't in Forks and you said it yourself. He has not been in contact with Zach since you left Italy," said Lena.

"Yes, but he chose Alaska for a reason. Out of every place in the world, he moved to Alaska to be closer to us. Not too close, not too far, it is how he works," explained Carlisle.

"But if Zach chooses to speak with him, isn't that a right he has? Plus, collecting vampire teeth is not exactly punishable by death. What is he going to use them for," asked Alexander.

"How do you cut into a vampire," asked Carlisle and Lena's eyes widened.

"If he uses them to harm someone else, we can stop him, but we must be sure that is his intent," said Lena.

"This one is on me. He is my problem, not yours. Thank you for coming with me, but I will handle it from here," said Carlisle.

"It was our pleasure. Keep us informed. We all know how dangerous a scientist can be in our world when he goes mad. Come on, let's get you home," suggested Alexander as the stealth jet appeared above them. Carlisle begrudgingly nodded. He wanted to follow Merek, but knew Alexander and Lena were right. There was not much he could do unless Merek crossed a line.