Peyton's POV
"It's the end of your week!" I sing as I barge into Valerie's room. The woman looks up quickly from her painting, splattering some orange on her smock. I giggle softly at her playful glare.
"Thanks for that. And really? The time has passed so fast." Valerie hums, her glare dissolving as she sits her brush and palette down on her easel.
"Yeah, it really has. I guess you might be leaving?" I ask, placing a hand on the back of a sofa.
"Well, I think I might stay. I haven't found my mate yet, yes, but I like it here. More than I thought I would." Valerie smiles.
"I'm glad." I beam. "I don't know if I'm staying though."
"It's your choice, Peyt. If you're not happy, then you can leave. Go home. I might stay here for a bit, you know, see how I like being in a coven." Valerie states.
"Hmmm, didn't you try with us?" I challenge, smirking.
"I did but I wanted to roam freely back then. Now, I kind of want a change." She states.
"Ouch." I jokingly pout. I start towards her painting to examine it when the door cracks open.
"Peyton?" Demetri's voice makes my heart flutter as I look at him. "Can I talk to you please?"
"Yeah, sure." I turn to Valerie. "I guess I'll talk to you later. Sorry for the short visit."
"Yeah, it's fine. See ya, Peyton." Valerie reluctantly picks up her brush, taking a glance back nervously at me before the door closes.
Demetri and I start towards his room silently. Felix stalks out of the library, smiling nervously at me, before he disappears around a corner.
Demetri ushers me into his room, closing it behind him quickly. I don't sit down, my nerves were growing too rapidly.
"What's up?" I ask, fiddling with my nail.
"Listen, are you going home or not?" Demetri's voice is cold.
"I don't know yet." I answer, narrowing my eyes.
"If you're staying, then I need you to make Valerie leave." Demetri starts.
"Excuse me, she's my friend." My voice starts to rise.
"Yeah, sure." Demetri sarcastically retorts. "And I was born yesterday."
"What the fuck?" I say. "What exactly do you think we are exactly?"
"How bout girlfriends! I mean, you talk all the time." Demetri fires back. I can't believe I am hearing this right now, and honestly, I lost my temper too quick.
"You think we are together when we are mates." I point between him and I. "We had a brief fling about fifty years ago!"
"Sure, a fling." Demetri scowls.
"Are you getting pissed at me because I was in love before I met you? Did you expect me to waste my life away alone waiting for the one? Excuse you, I was born in the 1800's!" I shout.
"Still, she's here!" Demetri growls.
"Because we were friends before and we are friends now. I can't believe you are fucking accusing me of cheating!" I yell.
"We are mates. Not you and her!" Demetri insists.
"Yes, we are! You and I!" I agree. "But that doesn't mean that since she's a lesbian and we are close that we are together!"
"How do I know that? You've been so distant this week that I'm not even sure!" Demetri fumes.
"I've been distant? Bull fucking shit! I've been giving you space because you're so distant." I protest.
"Just get rid of Valerie and we'll be good." Demetri waves me off.
"So, because we've kissed a long time ago, I'm not allowed to be her friend? How is that fucking fair? And we'll be good if you get what you want? What about my thoughts?" I snarl.
"What about mine?" Demetri growls.
"Then every single woman that you've slept with in this damn castle, they better get out. You've been alive longer than I have and you are telling me you've never kissed or slept with one person? I don't fucking believe that." I state, my voice icey.
"Of course I've slept with people before I met you!" Demetri glares.
"Then why am I getting yelled at? Why am I the one who's being demanded to lose a friend? You've probably slept with half of the female Guard members!" I glower.
"Half the female guard? At least my best friend isn't my ex!" He complains.
"God dammit, Demetri!" I shout. "You are my mate, not Valerie."
"I don't feel that now!" Demetri stares daggers.
"A relationship consists of two people and is built on trust. You aren't trusting me when I'm saying nothing is going on!" I snarl.
"Give me a reason I should trust you and I will." Demetri fires back.
"Oh my god!" I shake my head angrily. "I should just leave!"
"Then do it!" Demetri's eyes widen when he processes that. "Wait, what?"
A silent beat passes between us, Demetri's shock and my anger nearly tangible in the air.
"I'm going back home." I repeat, my voice firm. "I'm going back to Forks."
"No, Peyton." Demetri trails off, his voice showing his shock.
"I'm not taking this shit." I glare. "I am not letting you do this to me, telling me you can't trust me, accusing me of something I would never do. I'm going home."
"Peyton, I'm-"
"No, Demetri, I'm not a cheater." I hold up my hand. "I have to pack."
"Peyton, please, no. I'm sorry." Demetri apologizes.
I ignore him, leaving his door open as I storm to Valerie's room. I hear him chasing after me.
"Valerie, I'm going home. Can you help me pack please?" I call outside her door. In less than a second, she's opened the door.
"Yeah, I'll help." Valerie agrees, scowling at Demetri.
"Demetri, leave me alone." I plead, hearing him following Valerie and I down the hallway. Without missing a beat, Valerie whirls around, staring into his eyes.
"Leave her alone." Valerie's voice leaks with charm, making Demetri freeze. "She wants to go home."
I continue to my room, closing the door after Valerie is in. Demetri knocks on the door frantically.
"Valerie, can you tell Aro that I wish to leave today?" I ask quietly. She nods, disappearing into the hallway.
I start to shove clothes and art supplies into random bags. Valerie returns soon after, helping me pack. After two hours, my room is cleared of my stuff and clean.
A human servant comes soon after I'm done packing, informing me the private jet was here. Valerie helps me get my stuff as we start towards the front doors.
Demetri is nowhere to be seen as we emerge from my room. My heart twists painfully thinking about him.
I get all my stuff on my plane with Valerie's help. Most of the friends I had in the castle, including the Ancients, have all collected at the air strip. So, I go and speak to all of them.
"Thank you all for allowing me to be here. I'm sorry that it didn't work out." I sigh as I talk to the Ancients.
"My dear, don't apologize." Marcus comforts.
"We'll miss you. I haven't had someone around like you in a long time." Caius smiles sadly.
"Peyton, if you ever wish to return, we will be waiting for you with open arms. The castle has had a spurt of life for the first time in years." Aro offers.
"I'll miss you guys." I state. I hug each of them, which I can tell Caius and Aro weren't expecting before moving to the twins.
"Alec, Jane, y'all need to lighten up when I'm gone." I smile slightly, pulling the two into a hug.
"I heard about the fight." Alec murmurs. "I understand why you want to go."
"It's not because of y'all. In a way, you remind me of me when I was younger. My brother couldn't keep me out of trouble." I say fondly.
"Peyton, can we come and visit sometime?" Jane asks. "I don't want to stop seeing you."
"I can come visit. I can definitely do that. If y'all want, come to Forks. We can take a trip to Seattle and explore." I suggest sadly.
"Yeah." Alec nods. I pull the two into a hug, smiling one last time before I move to Felix.
"Who's supposed to be my pranking buddy now?" Felix sighs, pausing in front of me.
"I don't know. If Valerie stays, I know she will cause some trouble. Probably more than I can." I laugh softly.
"It's not going to be the same without you." Felix's smile fades away.
"Same to you. Come visit me sometime." I pat his shoulder.
"I will, trust me." Felix nods. "Come visit here too. I'm sorry that you are leaving."
"Me too. I'll see you soon, Felix." I hug him quickly.
"See you, Peyton." Felix nods, before starting back to the castle.
"What about me?" Valerie's voice comes from behind me, prompting me to turn around. We were the only ones left, besides the pilot I could hear in the plane.
"Oh, I didn't forget you." I pull her into a hug.
"Stay in touch." Valerie murmurs, squeezing me slightly.
"I will. Hey, watch after him for me. I know you know what that fight was about, and I'm not asking you to befriend him, but watch over him." I ask.
"I will." Valerie agrees, nodding sadly.
"I gotta go. I still haven't told Dad and Mama I'm coming." I sigh.
"Go ahead, Peyt. I'll call you later." Valerie pulls back.
"Bye Val." I back towards the plane steps.
"Bye Peyton. Be careful." Valerie waves, starting back to the castle. I sigh, shouldering my backpack and taking one last look towards the castle. With a sigh, I start to climb the stairs to the jet.
"Peyton?" I turn around, expecting Valerie to have lingered. My body freezes as I see my mate.
"Ma'am, we have to leave now." The pilot's voice comes from behind me.
"One minute." Demetri pleads. Reluctantly, I nod to the man.
"Peyton I'm sorry. Really, I am. I never should have tried to force Valerie to leave." Demetri apologizes.
"Ma'am." The pilot's voice is that in between zone of politeness and rudeness. After one look, he backs off, his heart accelerating.
"I think we should spend some time apart. Just for a little bit." I whisper. "I have to go. Maybe we can talk later."
"Peyton." Demetri starts forward, right when the pilot hits the button to pull up the stairs.
"I thought you should know that I love you." I state, before I disappear into plane. Within minutes, I'm in the air, on my way to Washington.
I pull out my phone, dialing Carlisle's number quickly. He picks up on the second ring.
"Dad, I'm on the way home now." I begin, my heart protesting.
"I was just about to call you." Carlisle's usual calm voice is replaced with a puzzled tone.
"What's wrong?" I ask, narrowing my eyes in concern.
"Edward just called. Bella's pregnant."
Chapter 21 is officially completed! Peyton's going home, Valerie is staying in Volterra, and Bella is pregnant!
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Thank you for all the reviews, follows, favorites, and of course, just reading! Have an amazing day or night!