Mixed Up Mates

by ShipperGirlky

AN: Thank you dear readers for your patience. I know some of these chapters are filler but I don't want to time skip to the juicy parts. I also know that there are longer periods between chapters. My personal life has been hectic. Please bear with me.

"I don't know why you agreed to this Aro!" Caius growled to his brother in venom. "She is still human."

"You could put a mate mark on her. While it is uncommon, it is not unheard of brother." Marcus offerred up to him.

"I refuse to even try to bring her harm. You saw for yourself the way she looks. Even after these past few weeks, she is only just now making progress. Better that I destroy that Cullen than have him say hurtful things to Isabella." Caius' whole body tensed with imagined anger. "Her health affects mine. Why should I go through her pain just to satisfy those vegetarians?"

"Now, now brother." Aro held up the palms of both hands in supplication. "No one here intends either of you harm in any way. This is merely to resolve the issue. Carlisle has agreed to speak with young Edward before they arrive here. If things do not go well...the Guard will be here to take care of things."

Caius looked to Marcus. "What do you say? What of our bond?"

Marcus focused on the tendrils between the blonde king and his very human mate. The bond was almost a mustard hue. "She progresses well enough for her disposition. Her bond to you is still forming into maturity. Her human status hampers it from becoming a full bright gold. The bonds she has to others are blackened except for her father. A thin green bond showing a familial state." He turned to Aro. "This meeting could either help her move forward or set her back. It should be her choice but I fear what young Cullen will say to her. She may still be swayed by her past relationships."

"Then what can be done?" Caius threw himself onto his throne. Because of the sensitive nature of the conversation, even the upper Guard was absent from hearing the talk. "She may become frightened if I demand that she be marked before her meeting. It shows a lack of trust." He shook his head. "I want better for our bond than for her to feel she is not good enough on her own."

"Brother...brother..." Aro sighed as he too sat down. Marcus was already seated on his own throne. "Modern young women need to make the decision with their husbands. Or in your case, mate. If it makes you feel better, give young Isabella a sign of your affections." Aro suggested to the well known fashionable vampire king. "Just because Dora was not fond of such symbolism doesn't mean that your mate would not appreciate such a thing."

Caius straightened up in his chair. "Of course. Humans are happy with such trinkets." He looked at the signet ring on his own hand. "I will present her with a ring to match my own."

"Might I suggest that you do as the humans do with themselves." At Caius' blank look Aro continued, "You never married Dora but Isabella is not your semi-bonded companion. Most young women dream of a wedding. Tying yourself so publically to her can only bolster her confidence and show her protected status to others. Especially to the Cullens. They so adore their ceremonies."

Caius stroked his chin. "We don't hold to such conventions as a rule of thumb." He looked to Marcus for confirmation. "Will this really strengthen our bond?"

Marcus nodded his head. "Any ceremony or sign should make your bond grow. It would do well for us to remind ourselves of human convictions. It has been too long since we have had a reason to care about it." Marcus looked to Aro. "She should have her own jewelry. Nothing that Dora has ever used and nothing that has been passed amongst our Guard for temporary use. I would say it would offend our dear sister. It should be something new."

Aro nodded his head. "From Edward's mind, I can see that it should be a vintage piece. She abhors glitzy items. It will take time and we should take care in what piece we choose. We know she would accept anything even if it did not please her just to not cause a disruption." He looked to his blonde brother. "A jeweler can be summoned here tonight. Demetri uses one for his human female 'friends'. He spends a fortune. "Aro shook his head. "It will serve our purposes. I would kindly suggest that you ask Isabella before the Cullens arrive tomorrow."

Caius nodded his head. Aro finally summoned Demetri and Jane. "Demetri, bring your jeweler here so that Caius can pick out a suitable ring for young Isabella. Take Jane with you." Both nodded their heads and left the room. The other guards filed inside. Aro stood up and looked at each of them carefully before he spoke aloud. "As many of you know, Master Caius has found his mate. She is also human." Gasps rang through the room. Aro nodded his head seriously. "She is in poor health and has been kept from you. I expect her safety to be assured at all times. She is a future Volturi Queen." He paused. "The Cullen coven will arrive here tomorrow. Be on guard with them, especially Edward Cullen. Practice hiding your surface thoughts. She is to be within your sight and ears at all times. She is not to leave the castle. Anyone taking her from here is to be stopped even if it means death."

"Is she to remain human?" Heidi asked the kings. Caius chose to answer the question.

"No. Once she has recovered her health, she will join us in immortality." He leaned forward. "Until then, I expect everyone to treat her with care as though she were your own mate." The collective guard nodded their heads.

Several hours before midnight, the jeweler arrived at the castle. Both Demetri and Felix followed Jane into the room. They were hampered down with ring cases. Several tables dotted the room. As each case was opened and the rings laid out for inspection, anticipation rose in the room. A few minutes after the last item was set out, Caius entered the room. It ook an hour before he settled on a medium princess cut diamond in a raised setting. It would fit perfectly on Bella's hand. Now that the deed was done, the blonde vampire appeared nervous. Marcus waited until the human had left before shooing out the Guard.

"What ails you brother? Surely the hard part is done." Marcus frowned at Caius.

"I know she will not deny me but this is an action I thought unnecessary in my whole immortal life." He stopped his pacing and turned to look at his brothers. "I want this to be special. I cannot just ask her to marry me then mark her."

"Caius, just do one thing at a time. A mark may not be necessary once she wears your ring. You must try to think as a human would so long as she remains in that state." Marcus gave him a thoughtful look. "Just tell her what the bond means to you then ask her. As you've stated before, she is apt to say yes to you."

Bella heard a formal knock on the door to Caius' bedroom. Thinking it was a guard, she called forth "Come in." Imagine her surprise to see her mate dressed as formally as she had ever seen him.

"Isabella...Bella...there is something I feel I must ask of you. Please sit." He gestured to the stuffed chair before the fireplace. She sat down hesitantly. "When we first met, I was angry and unsure of what to do with a human mate. As these few weeks have gone on, you have shown me time and time again how precious you-and by extension our bond-has become to me." He knelt down before her. "I have long thought that Fate would leave me without a true mate." He took her hand in his own. "I say this to you with my very soul at your feet." He produced the ring to show her. "Will you become my mated wife? To spend eternity by my side? To give and receive all of my love and protection?"

Bella gasped. She nodded her head almost dumbstruck by the idea. "I would love to be your wife." She told him reverently. He slid the ring on her hand. She took the time to admire it. It reflected her personality perfectly. She threw her arms around his neck. "I never thought that we would marry! Marcus had said that most vampires do not hold with that tradition." She looked at him. "Is this because of Edward?"

Caius shook his head. "Not really although seeing his expression will bring me joy." He grinned at her. "This is about formalizing our bond for all to see. From now on, you may roam the castle at will. I will give you a Volturi pendant that you must promise me to wear." She nodded her head. "The Cullens will arrive tomorrow night. We will stand side by side in a united front." He kissed her on the lips for the first time. She melted into his embrace. They only parted lips once it became evident she required air.

Bella slept fitfully all night with her engagement ring firmly on her hand.

AN2: I know another update within 24 hours! Please give me time to write the next chapter. Hopefully it won't take long.