What? An update in a week? I'm on a roll! However, don't get used to these weekly updates. I don't know how often I'll be able to update but I'll try to update as often as I can.

This chapter - just a side note - is BEFORE any drama with the Cullens that you may be wanting (it'll come, don't you worry). Though, after this chapter, it may not be Cullen drama that you want. ;)

And now for the reviews! Thank you so much to the people who gave me them! If you haven't reviewed Chapter 10 please do so and also review Chapter 11!

Mortal-Twilight - Thank you! I really wanted to give her a friend so that she didn't feel alone and I've always been partial to Felix. :)

Persephone Vulturi Uchiha - I would too, honestly. Jane has never been the nicest. But I can't spoil Rennie's decisions. And thank you so much! I love how you continually support this story, it really means a lot.

EJM87 - Thank you! I shall reply in the format that you reviewed so it doesn't get confusing ;) 1) Thank you. This chapter will reveal more about Alec as well. 2) Yes that is exactly a reason, you read my mind haha 3) Yes it will. But the Cullens will make their appearance in the next chapter so we must all wait (I know, it's terrible). Jacob, however, doesn't come to Volterra. I doubt the Volturi will want a wolf in their midst and this is why we will not see him until later. And as for the Cullens POV, I will do something somewhat like that but not exactly. 4) Yes there will be lots of fireworks soon. 5) You read my mind again, are you Edward? 6) That will all be explained in the upcoming chapters. Thank you so much!

And now...THE CHAPTER! Please review it!

I was walking back from the beach. Felix had left some time ago, disappearing before Aro knew he was gone. I wasn't technically part of the Volturi so they didn't need to keep tabs on me. As long as I wasn't stirring up trouble with the humans, I was free to do as I pleased. But Felix was a higher guard and therefore was needed more.

The sun was beginning to rise again, it's yellow hue hitting the waves and turning them into a deep gold as if the sun had the Midas touch. I could feel the city of Volterra beginning to wake up; the sounds of human heartbeats quickening alerted me to the fact that the humans were waking up and the rising sun signified the coming out of birds and other animals. I had been sitting on the beach for many hours and had been alone all night.

I walked over the little cobblestone streets, liking how I could walk on the streets without worrying of being run over by a car like at Forks. I missed Forks dearly and was beginning to think that maybe I should go back. But for now, I was just enjoying the time I had alone with my thoughts. As soon as I reached the castle, I would never be alone again. Aro would be watching my every move and even my thoughts weren't mine. No, they too belonged to Alec.

I was soon getting to the center of the city, the looming clock tower reminding me of the fact that the Volturi was above everyone, just as the clock was above the buildings. I knew Aro had planned that out as he seemed to plan out everything else. The ever-present Aro always showing his power, I thought bitterly, glad that the Volturi didn't have anyone like Dad who could read my thoughts. As soon as I thought it, however, I felt bad. Aro had been nice and welcoming towards me and hadn't done me a bit of harm. I should've been more grateful.

I soon walked into the large doors belonging to the Volturi. Immediately, I was greeted by someone I would have preferred not to see. Ever.

"My dear Rennie. What a joy to see you here." Jane's voice sounded so sincere that I knew what she said had to have been false. She would be happier seeing me gone than here. She would be happiest seeing me dead. But something in my eyes detected joy. I knew I didn't cause that. Something was up with Jane, I just knew it. But what that was, I had no idea.

"Jane," I replied in the same cool voice that she used. Her eyes widened in shock to the point where I could see little lines in her iris for a bit before narrowing down just slightly. They resumed an almond shape as she glared at me for some unknown reason. With Jane, there would always be a new reason to hate me. This was a conversation she expected me to leave in tears but that wasn't what I had in mind. I kept going, just to bait her, "Always a pleasure to see you."

I could see her eyes burn red, turning the same deep crimson color as Felix's did at the beach when he talked about Valentina. I knew blood drinking vampires' eyes were naturally red when thirsty, but this wasn't thirst. She was angry with me and the fact that I wasn't a sputtering child like she expected me to be seemed to enrage her more. I was beginning to learn that Jane liked knowing what was happening and despised the unexpected.

"Are you done having your temper tantrum? My my, you sure do act like the seven year old you are," she spat, regaining the swagger in her gait and the smug look on her face. She was happy with her response. I didn't give her satisfaction of seeing me upset again, she didn't deserve that. She doesn't deserve anything, I thought.

Where were all these thoughts coming from? This wasn't like me at all. The Volturi changes you, a small voice inside my head whispered. What else had they changed? I had slowly begun to notice things about me that had changed since I had been there. I wasn't sweet little Nessie anymore, I was Ren: the mature adult who could make decisions on her own. I didn't follow orders from anyone anymore, not even Aro. But was it the Volturi who had changed me, or the dark eyed beast lurking somewhere in the corridors? I didn't know the answer; I hardly knew the answer to anything about him anymore.

Jane continued on with her taunts. "Should we put you in time out? Perhaps spoon feed you? Do we need to get you a babysitter?"

As soon as she said it, I couldn't help myself. It was as if I was word vomiting insults I wouldn't have dared to say if I was back home. "No, I'm not like you. They don't need to constantly fuss over me like a two-year-old just like they do to you. After all, don't you have nannies following you around everywhere?" I even dared to give her a sarcastic fake-pout, "Poor wittle Janie."

I felt terrible for what I said to her but I didn't regret it. I felt proud of myself and my ability to stick up for myself as I couldn't do before. Jane's face was as shocked as I felt, neither of us expected me to say anything about that. Her eyes were wide, her mouth slightly open and her body was frozen. I tried to mirror her same position from earlier. My arms were crossed and I had a smirk upon my face. If Alice were here, she would have reprimanded me for looking arrogant and would have demanded that I return to normal. But Alice isn't here, I thought with a mischievous little smile.

Jane didn't look shocked for long. I could practically see her mind sputtering to find a clever response and failing. I could tell by her eyes; she was as readable as a book. I wondered why I hadn't noticed it before, perhaps it could have helped me yesterday. I watched as her eyes burned red again and her hands became fists. Her jaw was clenched and her cheeks would have burned red if she was a human. This was the angriest I had seen Jane, which was saying something as Jane was a naturally angry person. Her mouth opened as she began sputtering and her eyes filled with even more fury. "Why you insolent little─"

"Jane." Someone said, cutting her off. I froze hearing the voice. So did Jane. Her eyes dulled back to dark again as her jaw unclenched and her hands resumed to their normal state. She seemed to instantly calm at the sound of his voice and if I was honest, so did I. "Leave our guest alone, you mustn't do her harm. Aro wants you in the throne room for an execution."

She nodded and left me alone with him. I turned around and began walking back outside just to get away from him. But he began speaking and that stopped me in my tracks. "I'm sorry about my sister," Alec said with sincerity. The difference between his sincerity and his twin's was that I knew it was real. Alec rarely said things with emotion, so when he did I knew it wasn't a lie. He paused, "And I'm sorry about myself as well."

I whipped around, shocked at this new revelation. Alec? Sorry? Surely that didn't happen often, if ever. "Why are you sorry?" I whispered. I could practically feel the happiness drooping from my eyes. I knew what was coming and yet I didn't want to hear it. I didn't want to hear how he treated me when he found out I was his mate anymore.

"Because," he grunted, then stopped. His brow was furrowed as he walked towards me. I could feel my heart speed up and my cheeks turning that cursed pink color as he moved to where he was just a foot in front of me. I could smell his intoxicating scent of men's soap, woods, and ashes; it all seemed to represent a part of him and his personality.

I looked up at him. "Alec?" I asked in an unsure voice.

"Because I've been an awful mate. I'm not there when you need me and I haven't been treating you as I should have," he said with a sorry tone. His eyes pleaded for me to forgive him.

My mouth was open slightly. I was sure I looked like a complete fool but I didn't care. Alec just said he was my mate but he didn't say it with disinterest or disgust. He said it with remorse. "Why is it that you have been that way then? If you are sorry for your actions?"

He sighed and looked at me with sadness in his eyes. I didn't want to see sadness on his face. It was the most painful thing to watch. "It's a long story, Nez. One I'm not sure you want to hear."

"I've got time. A perk of immortality," I said with a small smile that he returned. It was a nice look on him, I had never seen him smile. It made him all the more handsome.

"Okay, Nez," he muttered, possibly even blushing. He would have been blushing if he was a human (or in my case: half-human). The blush didn't last long as his eyes became dark and his eyes became sad again. He led me over to a nearby bench where he sat and began his tale.

"Many centuries ago, when we were humans, it was just me and Jane. Our parents weren't loving by any means and the village feared us. One day, my parents took us from our home. They told us─" he gulped. "They told us that we were going on a little adventure. Jane was absolutely excited, she couldn't wait for what was in store." He chuckled at his fond memories of his big sister. "I however, wasn't looking forward to it. Whenever my parents said they had adventures, they were usually just regular errands. Nevertheless, we followed them into town."

His eyes became distant, like he was back in England centuries ago. "When we got there, there were two stakes set up. The villagers had a fire ready to be started. Our parents were never loving but I didn't expect them to hand us to death." I gasped. His eyes teared up and so did mine. I couldn't stand seeing him in this pain and what was even worse was imagining him going through the pain of his parents sending him to be burnt at the stake. I could almost understand why Jane was so cruel, everyone in her early life was cruel to her.

"I remember being tied up to the wooden post. I was right across from Jane. They planned that out so I could see as she perished," he growled. It was guttural and deep, but it wasn't loud. I had a feeling it could have been worse. "They lit the fire. It was so painful; it burned everywhere. The fire's the reason we have our gifts, you know? I focused on getting away from my pain that I got the gift of taking away all feelings. Jane focused on the actual pain and can give the same pain that we felt to anyone she chooses." He chuckled bitterly, looking away from me at the ground. "The Witch Twins," he mocked with fake enthusiasm. "Born with all the gifts. Beautiful. But not loved."

I felt incredibly sorry for him. No one really understood why Alec was who he was. I didn't; not even Jane knew Alec's whole story. He was complicated, with many layers to be uncovered. Yet I manage to get rid of one, which was much more progress than I expected. Little by little, I was learning more about Alec and I was loving every little thing about him I discovered. "Alec─" I started but he cut me off.

"Renesmee," he said softly in a haunted whisper. My heart broke just slightly hearing him so broken. I didn't like the sound of his voice like that, "I've never known love, not from anyone but Jane. I don't know how to love anyone but my sister. These feelings are all new to me, Nez, and I don't like not knowing what is happening to me. I'm sorry I can't be a better mate to you, but I just can't. I'm a Witch Twin and we are not meant to love."

I thought for a bit, slightly crushed. Though I was glad Alec finally decided to open up to me and I knew at least part of his feelings, I was a bit confused on what our next action would be. But then a thought came to me. "What if we just started out as friends?" I asked, looking him the eye.

I could see his eyes move deeply in thought. His brow furrowed just like his sister's did earlier. In that moment, it was very easy to see that they were twins. I let him dive deep into his thoughts, trying not to disturb him. I watched the way his eyes moved, back and forth as if he was trying to decide between something. His mouth was open just slightly. If I hadn't known any better, I would have thought he was breathing. But that was silly. It was impossible for a full blooded vampire to breath.

I just watched him, enjoying the view I had of him. He was beautiful, there was no doubt about that. Every feature of his face was chiseled to perfection. His lips were full and kissable, his eyes dark. I wanted to run my hands over him, feel his soft pearl skin and touch the god-like features. He made me feel so many things at once. When I looked into his eyes, I was staring into deep pools filled with secrets that I needed to uncover. I could stare into those eyes forever.

After several minutes, his eyes finally locked with mine again. I scanned his face for any indication of his decision. He gave me a small smile and I couldn't help but return it. Seeing him happy made me happy. His smile widened and so did mine. I could see his perfect pearly teeth and I'm sure he could see mine. I giggled at our goofiness. He let out a big laugh and I loved it. It was the sweetest sound to my ears. He really is gorgeous, I thought to myself with a happy sigh. "Yeah, I'd like that," he said, continuing his smile.

I blushed just slightly. I had no idea why but him saying he wanted to be my friend was the greatest thing I had heard in a long time. "I must be getting back to my shift," he said, standing up from our position on the bench. He looked at me hopefully. "I'll see you later?"

I looked at him again. Alec, a voice inside me thought longingly. Bad Renesmee, my voice scolded the other one. He is not yours, I thought sadly. But when I looked at him, I didn't care. He was still mine, just perhaps not in the way I wanted. "Yeah," I said quietly, looking down at the floor again. I looked back up at him just before he started walking away.

"Yeah," he said, giving me a slight smile. As he walked away, I realized I couldn't wait to see him again.

Please review my lovelies! I would love to hear everything you have to say!

~Beautifully Falling