Chapter 21

Hi people, I admit this chapter was not easy for me to write. But I swear the rough waters are behind Marcus and Elea and it will be smooth sailing for both of our heroes from here on out. Maybe the occasional wave of jealousy and possessiveness, but nothing to drive them apart again. The next chapter will be pure juicy mating smut. But I decided to hold back on the explicit smut and maybe post the details on an all grown up fan-fiction site. But it's still hot, I promise. I know, some of you might think I dragged their union out for too long, but I felt I had to give Marcus his time, to come to terms with his new love.( Oh, and btw. Calliste, means most beautiful, she is the daughter of the god Triton.) Please review! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoy.

Greetings King Aro

Of old school instincts...

Marcus first instinct was to follow Elea immediately after his body resumed his functions again.

But he had to sort through his fractured emotions and thoughts, so he resigned himself to just sit on the bed, and form a plan of action. He could feel his mates sadness and desperation through their bond. Her emotions where not that strong in its intensity, since they where not fully mated yet. It was enough however, to make Marcus feel uncomfortable. On top of that, he felt the typical anger of a dominant vampire, who's mate had just run away from him.

Elea and him where on their way to a true mating claim and he had no desire, to mess it up again.

He stared at the light pink stains that where scattered all over the sheets and the comforter. The blood stained tears of his mate, a mix of venom and blood. If she kept crying like this, she would have to feed pretty soon again, Marcus thought. He felt weak and exhausted himself and decided to eat. Afterward, he would chase after his mate and bring her back home. The pull was almost to unbearable to ignore, but he had to be strong for the mating ritual and for their talk.

Elea was zipping through the Italian countryside in full vampire speed. Tears where still streaming down her face and all she could think of, was to get away. She wished, she could leave it all behind. Marcus, the Volturis and all the confusing emotions that tortured her.

It was sundown, when she finally collapsed onto the ground amidst a row of old cypress trees, right next to a wide expanse of golden colored wheat fields.

The pain in her chest was agonizing, a pressure that felt like it would suffocate her from the inside out. She was deeply confused, when she realized, that she could feel Marcus emotions inside of her. His essence was in her heart and head. She could feel his anger burning in her. Her own feelings where that of confusion and guilt. She felt guilty, for leaving her mate, despite the fact, that she was the wronged party in their quarrel. The absurdity of this was not lost on her. It was infuriating but also frightening. A dark loneliness engulfed her, like a cloud of thick smoke. Her mates name fell in a whimper from her lips,while she dug her fingers into the cold soft ground underneath her. There, stretched out under the wide Tuscan sky, she finally understood. She would be lost without him. Her life would be empty without Marcus Volturi in it. Her whole being was yearning for her mate.

The wind carried his scent over to her. His unique smell of pine, cedar and ...She could never place that other scent,but now,with her heightened vampire senses, she could distinguish it. It was the smell of home, of comfort and safety.

She could make out his footsteps, they echoed in her ear, while her head was resting on the soft black soil underneath her. She slowly lifted her head and looked at a pair of black dusty leather boots right in front of her.

She jumped up,started by a feral snarl ,that froze her to her spot. The blazing black eyes of her mate where pinning her in place.

"Kneel at my feet", Marcus ordered her in a stern voice that booked no refusal.

Elea was stunned at his order. But she could not resist it. The thought to resist him,heightened the pain in her chest to an unbearable level. She cowered in front of her mate and knelt by his feet. The rational part of her brain was outraged at her obedient behavior. She was craving the deep approval that radiated of her mate, once she obeyed his order. It felt right to do this. Her chest pain lessened and Elea concentrated onto Marcus stern voice.

"Elea ,just listen to what I'm about to tell you and don't interrupt".

Marcus ordered her. He towered over his trembling mate and stared down at her. He hated to be so stern,but he had to teach her a lesson.

"Look at me when I talk to you."

Elea locked eyes with her mate's indigo ones. The sheer power and feral beauty that he emanated left her breathless. She wondered, when he changed into this powerhouse of masculinity and raw sensuality.

Marcus deep baritone voice demanded her attention and his face showed a fierce anger and determination when he spoke to her again.

"There are certain facts about vampires, that I haven't taught you yet and I thought for the longest time, that I could avoid them all together.

But ,as our relationship has come to a different level, I can not longer withhold this knowledge from you. You may ask your questions, after I explain everything".

Marcus who had stepped closer toward Elea, placed his hand onto her head and carded his long fingers through her hair in a soothing manner.

Elea shivered when his stern but seductive voice reached her ears again.

"I was worried about you, my mate. Don't you ever, and I mean ever, run away from me again. If you do so,I will punish you severely for it".

Marcus voice became softer now and his face relaxed.

"There is one important aspect, that I, in all our scholar endeavors, never explained to you.

As you know,we Vampires, are soulless beings, by default. As a result of this,we feel a void deep inside of us, that needs to be filled. As a way to fill this void, so to speak, we crave a deep connection to other vampires. Carnal pleasures are another way ,to fill this void. Vampires, that are not mated, are promiscuous and sexual liberal beings. But once they are mated,they crave this intimate connection with their mates. They detest to be apart from their mates for a long time, or over a long distance. Both partner will feel the effects of a separation quickly. The pain manifest in an emotional and physical way. The connection of their bond never weakens, but the couple learns,to deal with the negative effects of a separation. The longer they are together, the better they learn to deal with the fallout.

One of the major differences between us and the human mortals is, that the mated pairs always constitute of a dominant and a submissive vampire. No matter, if those mated pairs are a female and male partner, or two female or two male partners".

Marcus curled his finger under Elea's chin and forced her to look at him.

Elea's eyes where dark with emotion. Marcus could tell through their bond, that his mate was angry and confused.

"Love, why are you crying? Why are you angry? You have my permission to speak now".

He looked at Elea,a deep gentleness in his eyes.

"Marcus,I'm having a hard time to believe this!

I don't want to be controlled. I want my own free will. I'm not some submissive slave.

This is...sick. Was that the reason, that I found myself underneath you, in your bed"?

Elea sobbed, pink tears where trailing down her cheeks.

Marcus dropped down onto his knees in front of his mate and licked the tears with a gentle tongue of her cheeks. His hands, where cradling her head, he tilted her face up,to place a light kiss onto her soft lips.

"Elea, my sweet girl.

Believe me, this has nothing to do with it! I will explain it all. But first listen to me.

Being my submissive, doesn't mean that you don't have a free will. It means that you let me take the lead and decide what is best. It's the most primal form of care. But that doesn't mean, that you can not voice your opinion or have your own will. I will always take your input into consideration. Alas, be warned, we vampires are creatures of instinct. And instinct rules a lot of our actions,most definitely when it comes to our mates".

Marcus arguments did little, to convince Elea, that her fears where unfounded.

She could feel through their emotional bond, that Marcus was not wavering in his strength and determination. And she had to admit to herself, that his confidence made her feel secure. Marcus gracefully slid down onto the soft ground and pulled her into his lap. Elea had her head buried against his wide chest and her arms slung around his waist. She sniffed her mates unique scent and a sudden feeling of contentment enveloped her. She felt safe in Marcus arms. His voice reverberated through her, when he spoke again.

"Elea ,there is another reason, why I have to explain, how a relationship between bonded vampires is formed.

Even though, I have no intention to misuse my position as a dominant in our relationship, there are vampires that do. They have no problems to abuse their mate and to use them to their own amusement. Dominant vampires attempt, with the help of their dazzling, to lure a submissive into their coven. It's in their nature and most common in those vampires that don't follow our rules".

Elea shook her head, almost as to clear her thoughts .

"But Marcus, if this is a fact. How come,I never noticed any of this before? You never had to show your dominance over me.

Why now"?

Marcus smiled and kissed her on her forehead.

"I'm using it on you all the time, but, you being a newborn,never noticed it. There are only mature and experienced vampires around you. We all know, how to manipulate newborns, to a certain extent. Only, I would never ,ever, permit another dominant, to suppress you or abuse you".

This comment was accompanied by a furious growl of her mate. Marcus strong hands tightened around her waist. His voice was soothing when he went on.

"Well, this sounds more complicated now, than it is. We all, dominant or submissive,have to obey the coven leader, which in our case, is Aro. In all your time with us, did you ever had the feeling, that Aro suppressed you, or me ,for that matter"?

Elea thought hard if she could remember a situation, that would apply, but came up short. Aro always seemed fair and just in his actions toward her and Marcus. Sure Marcus and Aro would fight, but he never forced Marcus against his will. Remember Chelsea, a tiny voice in her whispered, but she dismissed it quickly. She shook her head in the negative to Marcus question.

"Was there ever a situation, when you where openly defiant or tried to exercise your will against one of us"?

Marcus regarded Elea with currious eyes.

Elea tried to remember but could not come up with one example. Fear made her stomach clench.

"Oh gosh, I never realized. Does this mean,I got manipulated,because I'm a submissive? Am I such a pushover? This is horrible,I had no idea,that I'm so weak and helpless", Elea whispered embarrassed. She was mortified .

"Elea", Marcus emphasized "don't you sell yourself short in this manner.

You are not a pushover and you are not helpless.

You are a smart, beautiful and strong submissive. Did you not get and accomplished everything your heart desired"? Marcus smiled at her, but frowned when Elea opened her mouth in protest.

"No,not everything that my heart desired..." Eleas voice cracked with sadness and she looked up at Marcus with tearful eyes.

"Elea, that was my fault.

I was acting like a complete fool,and all I can do, is ask for your forgiveness. I promise,everything will be better from here on out.

Just remember the main reason, I informed you about all of this. You my girl,will soon be the mate, to one of the leaders of the biggest and most influential vampire coven in the world.

There will be numerous occasions, where other vampires try to take advantage of you. Our enemies can smell the scent of weakness. Certainly, this connotes extremely to the dominants that are in charge.

I know, you heard what happened to Caius mate, Athenodora. They all say, that she found a new mate and that's why she left Caius. I do believe,that this might be true. However, we have to see for ourselves, if she really left, because she wanted to, or if a dominant took advantage of her. Athenodora is a submissive and trained by Aro, Caius and me, to withstand orders from other dominant vampires. But, she had to go against her natural instincts and is not above weakness.

You need to be prepared for a life with us. We are powerful for a reason. Aro, Caius and me will train you. We will teach you,how to resist dominants,that will try to pressure you,into doing their bidding".

Marcus stood up and pulled Elea onto her feet to stand beside him. He brushed her hair to the side and kissed her neck.

"Elea, you are not my slave or anything like that. I only asked you to kneel to appease my dominant nature and to prepare you,for what's coming. Once the mating ritual is over, you will have a better insight into the dynamic of our relationship.

And although I'm the dominant partner, our partnership will be that of equals. This,I will promise".

Elea looked up into Marcus black eyes, but all she could see was desire and warmth. She was torn between her varying emotions and thoughts.

"Marcus I try to comprehend all this, but it's difficult...", Elea's voice trailed of, she felt weak and helpless.

"Let's find someone to feed of and than let's head home love. You have to experience it in our daily life,to fully grasp the concept. There is so much I have to show you".

Marcus smiled and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at her.

Elea felt how her stomach did a nervous flip and Marcus enticing smell made her core clench. Her whole body was trembling with the sudden awareness of his body's proximity and his body heat. She was aroused and pressed her legs together to ease some of the growing need between her thighs.

Marcus growled low in his throat and yanked her against his hard sculpted body.

"I can smell that you want me, my pet. I promise, I will not disappoint you again. I have changed and I hope you will give me a chance ,to show you, how much I want you and how much I need you".

He kissed her so softly and sweetly, Elea wanted to cry.

"Nobody else can have you, Elea," Marcus whispered, his lips brushing against hers with every word.

"I stake my claim right now. I will claim you as mine today, if you'll have me"?

Marcus looked at her intently.

Elea was torn. She desired Marcus, but was he really sure, that this was, what he really wanted?

She had to be sure he knew the implications.

"Marcus, you know that this means I will claim you too? That this means forever"?

Marcus smiled, "Yes, I know what it means.

And yes I want you, us, in that way.

Eternity,and believe me, I know this, is a long time. So the question is, are you sure, you can put up with me forever"?

Marcus grinned at her and pressed her even closer to his body, while his eyes searched hers for her answer.

Elea smiled up to him and nodded, but her face became somber again when she thought about the one thing they had not talked about yet.

"Marcus, but you don't love me", she stated and her face fell.

"Oh Elea, I don't love you yet. But I could"!, Marcus answered .

"I know, I admire you and I want you in any way a man could possible want a woman. We could learn to love each other. A lot of marriages in my time where arranged and the couples came to love each other over time. I know,we both could try. I swear, by all the deities, I'm more than willing".

Marcus was aware, that he was not telling her the complete truth. He knew, he loved his mate already, but he did not trust himself to voice it yet.

Elea closed her eyes and thought of all the reasons why she should not agree.

What if,after they where mated,they ended hating each other?

What if he tried to send her away again?

But what if he didn't ?

All the reasons why they should get mated came to the surface then.

First of all, she already knew, she loved Marcus with all her heart, despite everything. And Marcus was right, if she did not take his offer, she would be in danger from all the other dominants in different covens. They would try to claim her and put her in an unknown position.

She knew she could trust Marcus, he was a gentle and loving vampire, despite his constant denial.

Marcus cradled her face and gave her a seductive smile.

"Do you say yes? I know we will be good together".He covered her face with tiny butterfly kisses and stroked his tongue over the side of her neck.

She felt his hard length against her thigh as he surreptitiously rocked himself back and forth against her.

Elea moaned and shivered .

She squeezed her eyes shut and took the leap.

"Yes"! she smiled.

Marcus startled her with his shout of joy.

"Elea, mi cara I swear you will not regret it"!

Suddenly, she was swooped of her feet and pressed into the embrace of her mates strong arms.

"Time to go..." he whispered into her ear.

Silent and to quick for any human eye to see, two vampires disappeared into the warm Italian night.