No One's POV

The next few days passed fairly quickly, the Kings lavishing their attention on their mate, eager to show their affection and secure her permanent stay in Volterra with them.

However, as much as Anastasia enjoyed her vacation and stay, and as much as she was beginning to truly fall for the Kings' charms and gentle affections, her own mind and heart wandered; after all there was a lot for her to give up, a life she had back in the States, and much she would have to sacrifice.

"I am returning to the States." Anastasia decides one morning, only two days before her week would be officially over and she would need to return to America or decide to stay longer in Volterra.

The Kings still beside her in bed, their figures almost turning into perfect stone pillars.

The rejection burns through their minds, all-consuming, like a star burning out and exploding, and threatening to drown them in its fiery depths. What had they done wrong?

"Il mio amore-" Aro breaks, his voice nearly trembling.

"No, listen." Anastasia cuts off. "I am returning to the States. But I will come back. I cannot just simply disappear, I won't do that to my dad. It would destroy him. I have graduation at my school and I have plans this summer back home. I'm not just going to abandon them. And it would be really impolite and honestly horrible of you to expect me to do so in the first place. I have a life, friends, family."

"Of course, mio caro. We would never expect you to. We understand." Marcus immediately sooths, reaching out a hand to stroke alongside his mate's side, though he would like nothing more than to keep his mate captive here in this moment, in this room, and never let her leave his side.

"Good. We'll need to make a cover story, you know, for my dad. I was thinking, perhaps an internship opportunity. That way I can't come home too often. I'll be too busy." Anastasia discusses. "I would say choosing a university to finish my Master's degree, but I've already chosen my school, and it isn't here."

Caius hums in agreement, nose gently pressing against his mate's stomach as he curls tighter around her.

"Alright, I can see you three aren't interested at the moment. How about some breakfast instead?" Anastasia offers with a slight amused laugh.

A moment later Aro is in front of her, breakfast plate in hand.

However, despite the Kings' strong displeasure and melancholy Anastasia would return to America for the summer for her graduation and her father and friends in Forks, Washington (Demetri still her silent sentry), this her final step in her journey as she now returned to the heart of Volterra in late August just as promised.

Sorry for the delay & the short chapter guys.

This week was sooo crazy with school & work! Like, completely INSANE! Honestly, I had a complete mental break down by Wednesday. It was a horrible week... :/

Thank you for all the encouraging reviews! It really lifted my spirits!

Polkadottedgiraffe11

Edited 2/8/19