HEY GUYS! I know you guys are probably not happy with me right now for basically deserting you for like three months ( WHICH I DEEPLY APOLOGIZE FOR) but I did manage to get you guys a new chapter :) I'm pretty sure that I'll be sticking with you ppl all summer ;)

Also, I know that the switching POVS can get kind of annoying, so I'm gonna try to keep one POV for each chapter. Anyway- ENJOY!

~Onwind

Chapter 14

BELLA

Overhead, the mountains swallowed up the last bits of sun and brilliant orange, and a smoggy dark blue began to take its turn. Normally, days before a wedding would have your heart pounding all day from excitement and the days would drag on and on because you couldn't get the damn celebration off your mind. Not for me, apparently.

In fact, I really had no idea what day it was. I hadn't looked at a calendar in years. Or so it felt liked. Boredom clogged me to the bone over the last couple days. And it sucked.

Edward had been getting on my nerves, too. At random times, he would embrace me fiercely, or even kiss my forehead, telling me how beautiful I was or how much I meant to him. Perhaps he was getting nervous about the wedding, was what I thought at first. However, my thoughts quickly had risen to deep suspicion on this new game of his. And he seemed to enjoy playing it whenever we were near the Volturi.

And to even make everything more confusing, Edward had bailed out of all the meetings today to spend all day in my room. It used to never feel awkward when I was around him, free to just spill my feelings and for him to understand. But today I was on the edge. This didn't feel right. He was just doing his thing, looking through my CDs on the shelf and plugging some in to listen to, while I continued glancing at him from reading. Part of me yearned to demand why he was still here, but I held that thought on a leash. I didn't want to be rude. Especially to my fiancé. But damn it, why was he here?

"Um, Edward?" I finally spoke up. He snapped his gaze to me a little too quickly, his calm face replaced by a giant smile.

"Yes, love?" he asked warmly.

"Uh…you know, you can take those CDs if you want, you don't have to keep listening to them in here," I explained.

Edward chuckled. "What, I can't listen to music and be with my beautiful fiancé at the same time?"

'Nope,' I actually almost blurted out. Instead, I forced my best smile and resumed going to my book. Edward stayed for the rest of the day, occupied in my CDs without a word.

I felt trapped with him there, though. Like I couldn't even lay down on my couch or listen to my own specific kind of music. I debated with the idea to just leave, but I didn't want to leave him alone, either. Mentally, I groaned.

He finally left when it was around night time and the entire sky was darkened with stars in view. After he had gone, I took that at the 'okay' signal to finally leave my room, and I wandered into the living room to try and find Bree.

The living room was completely deserted. A haystack could've rolled in and it would've made perfect sense. Perhaps Bree and the rest of them had all gone hunting or had gone to a meeting with the Volturi.

I then realized that someone else must've bailed on the meetings today.

Caius was still sitting in the same spot on the kitchen table, deeply occupied in his writing. From the looks of it, he hadn't bothered to notice me. He must've been on a roll with that story of his, that mysterious story that I felt tempted to steal and read in a corner alone.

Before he could notice me, I ducked behind the couch, listening intently to the quick writing the pencil made. Stupid Bella, I thought. What the hell are you doing? He already knows your there, idiot. You're not exactly the quietest person in the world.

Still, I remained the vulnerable spot behind the couch. And the weird part was, I realized, that it wasn't because I was scared of him.

I mean, what really was to fear of him? He hadn't done anything vicious this whole time the Volturi had been here. He had been nice. And polite. The two things I was not expecting at all.

It's a trap, Edward would say. He's just trying to play innocent.

I sneered at what Edward would say. And I didn't know why I did, either. He probably was right; Caius was dangerous. I should have known that from my last experience. Even if I couldn't remember it very well.

Cautiously, I peered over from behind the couch to see if he was writing. He was. Still deeply engrossed in his story.

Alright, this is so idiotic, I decided. Here I am watching him while he writes, like a complete stalker, and trying to hide from him behind a couch. Little kids should do this. Not me.

Still, I didn't want to just pop up and totally let him know I had been spying on him. Cautiously, I slid my foot as far as I could reach and dragged myself quietly against the dark cherry floors, heading to the hallway. So far so good. I then took another cautious step.

Creak!

Damn it!

I quickly went still, mentally cursing the stupid creaky floor. What the hell? I was getting so confident I was going to make it without him noticing, and now, ugh…now I'm screwed.

Strangely, I didn't hear any noises coming from his direction. Did he seriously not hear me? Or perhaps he had but he was too busy writing to get up and check? Or he might have just not heard me at all. Even though I had to say it was pretty obvious…

I stupidly decided to test my luck by taking another step.

Bad mistake.

The floor creaked even louder! Oh my God! He surely hadn't been able to miss that one; someone could've probably heard that in the next city! As I was quietly cursing myself, I heard someone chuckle.

My eyes shot in his direction, automatically. It definitely was coming from him, yet he didn't turn around. He kept his face forward to the other side of the table, his back still turned to me. I felt myself starting to smile. Yes, he definitely heard me. He was probably laughing at my idiotic attempt to sneak past him. And he was right. I had no chance.

Taking that as a signal that my cover was over, I simply stood up and walked out the room. We didn't need to say anything directly to understand there were no hard feelings. Still, I felt like a complete idiot as I hurried down the hallway.

To my surprise, I totally shouldered someone without even noticing. I quickly whirled around, "Oh my God, I'm so-"

My eyes met a pair of round red ones. She must have been part of the Volturi, mainly because of her eye color and the royal robes. But she looked so innocent and surprised, an expression I never knew the Volturi could possess.

She stared at me confused, and then longingly, her beautifully shaped eyes tinted down in sadness. My body started to tear away from the strange vampress's gaze, but she took a step closer, like she was trying to get a better look at me.

Her eyes searched my face like she was reading something, even though it made no sense whatsoever. Finally, the Volturi guard's face changed, and it slowly crumpled, as if she would cry if she did.

"No, Bella…" the vampress choked out. Her voice would've been beautiful if it hadn't been made her tone so saddened. She then whispered. "I'm so sorry…"

And then she hurried away, and was gone before I could get a chance to ask what her deal was. Questions ran through my mind wildly. I felt bad for her, but…what exactly was she sorry for? She didn't do anything wrong.

Shrugging it off, I ventured upstairs to continue searching for Bree.

Yeah, before you guys ask, I will say that the sad Volturi guard was Chelsea, and you guys can probably guess why she's so ashamed of herself. Anyway, summer break's almost here so I probably will never keep you guys waiting that long again ^^ Reviews would be awesome and make me update faster!