Hi everyone!
My sincere apologies for the delay in updating this story! It's certainly been a red-hot minute that's for sure!
Next chapter will be the last.
##### Smut warning, skip to the next line if that's not your thing 😊
Aro did not look pleased.
It was moments like these that I felt a bit conflicted.
Aro's unmasked expression made me so happy as it meant that he felt comfortable doing so (granted though, my mates and I were in our private library) but I hated knowing I caused it.
I inwardly sighed as I knew that there was nothing I could do. I refused to hide anything, not that I could hide anything from Aro's powers anyway. My mate would have seen everything, the storming of the base, the rescuing of my niece, the were-creature encountered and the subsequent execution of Operation Inferno…along with all the events that happened during that.
"In my defence," I quickly spoke as Aro continued to hold my hand, "I didn't know, and Nessie was in danger".
I looked at Caius for support but my mate simply sat stone-faced beside me with his arms crossed over his chest…so it was fair to say that he was still mad at me as well.
Marcus sighed as he surveyed the three of us, "Do I even want to know?".
Aro removed his hands from mine before he took a seat, "The floor is yours my dear".
"We stormed the base at 2am as per the plan. We split up as per the plan as well and Renata and myself were the ones who discovered Nessie. On the way to re-group with the rest of the teams, I encountered a mutant werewolf-"
I was interrupted by Marcus, "A mutant werewolf?"
"You've shown me the pictures and told me the stories of werewolves. The creature I came across seemed like a werewolf but not quite a werewolf at the same time. I defeated it by snapping its neck," I explained hoping what I said made sense, "If it was a true werewolf, snapping its neck wouldn't have worked. However, it did".
"We hypothesis that the creature our dear mate killed and the abominations killed by the Volturi guards were former humans who had been experimented on to create whatever the hell they were," Caius added.
Marcus hummed, "Continue".
"Once I disposed of the creature, we initially caught up with Demetri, Alice and Jasper before joining the rest of the members. That was when Jane and Alec joined us with a zombie-looking Sulpicia," I hesitated for a moment as I glanced at Aro but continued when he said nothing, "Once it became apparent that there were multiple creatures scattered throughout the maze, Operation Inferno was commenced".
Marcus nodded in understanding, "The most suitable method. It would be unacceptable if word of Joham's madness got out".
Operation Inferno was one of the first military tactics I had learnt that the Volturi used. It involved complete annihilation. Nothing or no one was left alive. Once the order was given, it was the sole purpose of the Volturi to destroy and set fire to anything and everything.
Leave nothing behind.
"However," Marcus continued, "I am curious to know why four prisoners were brought back. Joham should be the only one".
"I promised Nahuel that we would consider everything before passing judgement on his sisters," I hesitantly answered, "Two sisters surrendered to us and Felix captured the third".
When the two sisters had surrendered, I had to fight nail and tooth to convince Caius to bring them back to the Volturi with us. Volturi was famous for not showing mercy nor taking prisoners and yet I had somehow managed to convince the least likely person to do just that very thing.
If that's not a sign of his deep love for me, I don't know what is…considering how mad he has been this entire time at the situation, I had a lot of making up to do with Caius.
"Your heart is too kind i kardiá mou," Marcus replied.
I frowned, "The sisters gave us information which allowed us to carry out Operation Inferno much quicker and explained why Sulpicia was the way she was. They were fearful of their father and once they saw an opportunity to escape him, they took it".
"You are young vasÃlissa mou," Caius countered immediately, "The Volturi has destroyed their home and their life. They will want revenge. Nothing should be left to chance".
I opened my mouth to respond but stopped. As much as I hated to admit it, they were right in a way. My mates had decades upon decades of experience when it came to vampire conflict.
Silence settled across my mates and I as I tried to process what to say. How to voice my opinion but also being mindful that really, I was very underqualified no matter what I said given the circumstances.
"I understand," I finally broke the silence, "The Volturi is feared among the vampires and they fall in line as a result. However, we are so feared that when laws are broken, there is hesitation to report the crime in case the messenger is shot. I want vampires to report crimes or broken laws knowing that they will be treated fairly".
Aro smiled and placed his hand over mine, "What an honourable quest little swan. We will gradually work towards such a dream together".
"I'm sensing a but though," I sighed.
"Too many laws have been broken," Caius argued.
Marcus hummed, "I am inclined to agree with Caius about this. Word cannot spread about what crimes have been committed or the fact that there is a way to immobilise our kind".
"What's the plan then?"
I stood on the balcony staring out at the garden beneath me.
I needed a moment to think and to process the discussion I had with my mates. It was decided that Joham and the daughter who did not surrender would be executed while the other two would remain with the Volturi for an undisclosed amount of time to determine where their true loyalties lie.
While I was pleased with the outcome, I was unsure whether my mates truly believed in my vision of slowly changing the perception of the Volturi from fearful to respectful. As the saying goes, sometimes its best not to re-invent the wheel.
How many vampires knew about Joham's experiments but did not report anything as they were fearful of the potential consequences?
The Volturi had gotten lucky.
Joham was creating an army and if he had managed to make those creatures as strong as newborns, there could have been casualties or worse…I could have lost Caius.
"I do not believe we have been properly introduced," a voice called out.
I turned around and saw a beautiful vampire with messy dark coloured hair and bright red eyes…a very familiar no longer zombie looking beautiful vampire.
'Great,' I thought sarcastically to myself, 'Exactly how I wanted to spend my night'.
My inner beast was hissing at her like a feral cat trying to be hugged for the first time.
"Sulpicia," I greeted.
Sulpicia smiled coldly at me, "You know my name, I feel honoured".
"I'm glad to see you've feed and appear to be much better than when I last saw you," I replied politely…though I did enjoy the petty dig I had at her.
In all seriousness though, I wasn't quite sure where I stood with her.
Athenodora had made her intentions very clear when we spoke. I was much more cautious with Sulpicia. I know Aro had specifically modelled her into the perfect companion when she was human which already meant I had to be on my toes.
"Why are you here Sulpicia?" I asked.
I watched as her bright red eyes studied me, "I wanted to formally meet the Queen".
"And now we've met," I replied.
"And now we've met," Sulpicia agreed.
No one said anything for several very long, very excruciating minutes.
Sulpicia not so subtly studied me and I felt myself starting to become annoyed.
What exactly did she want?
"Is there a reason you're seeking me out? I have an appointment I must attend shortly," my question seemed to bring her out of her daydream.
"Did you know that I was aware of everything happening around me when I was paralysed?" she began, "I could feel my body wasting away and the hunger I felt was unlike anything I had ever felt. I heard it all but could do nothing to save myself".
"That must have been very hard," I responded.
Sulpicia nodded, "It was. All I could think about was how much I hated you for putting me in this situation. For kicking me out of my home and for taking away Aro".
I cautiously shifted closer towards the edge of the balcony, ready to make a very quick escape should Sulpicia move to attack. With my newborn strength, Caius' training and my powers, I had no hesitation that I could take her in a fight…but I knew how much she meant to Aro and did not want to put him in such a situation if I could avoid it.
"But as I laid there with nothing to do but think…I hated the fact that my bitterness about the situation was used against me more," she confessed, "Aro chose me as a human. He shaped me to be his equal and I acted like a child…and it almost cost me everything. He taught me better than that. I am better than that".
Sulpicia's gaze hardened, "Why did you let Aro visit me while I was healing? Was it to rub it in my face that he would never be mine again?".
I frowned, "No. You and Aro have been together for decades and shared experiences that I will never understand. You were hurt and while he may no longer be a lover to you, your pain was causing him distress. I love him with all my being and I would do anything for him. If he seeing you meant it would ease his concerns, even just for a moment, I whole heartly support him".
Sulpicia's eyes widened in shock, "Even if it meant that I might steal him away from you? Remind him of everything we have been through and that it has only ever been us against the world?".
"Even if it meant shattering my heart, he's happiness is all that ever matters to me," I truthfully admitted, "I would do the same for Caius and Marcus. All I honestly care about is them being happy. Whether I'm happy or not is irrelevant".
Sulpicia didn't say anything for several minutes, "I don't hate you. I hate the fact that you're everything I couldn't be for him".
"I know," I wondered if this was what Leah felt when Sam imprinted on Emily, "What will you do now?".
"Athenodora is currently travelling around Australia. I think I might join her and go from there," Sulpicia explained, "I know I don't need to say this but…if you ever betray Aro, I will kill you myself. Trust me when I say, it would be worse than anything you could possibly ever imagine".
I knew from her expression she wasn't joking, "I would expect nothing else".
Sulpicia gave one final nod before she disappeared. I stared at the spot where Aro's former lover once stood for a moment longer before turning my attention back to the garden below.
At least the pretty flowers don't cause me any drama and aren't trying to steal my mates away…though Caius did spend quite a bit of time painting those white roses once.
"I kardiá mou?" I felt two arms wrap around my waist and I was pulled into Marcus' embrace, "I passed Sulpicia on my way here. Should I be concerned?".
I turned myself into Marcus' arms and hugged him closer, "Not at all to fos mou. We both have a mutual understanding. How did it all go?".
"Joham and his daughter Serena have been executed and Demetri and Felix have confirmed that all evidence has been destroyed. Maysun and Jennifer have accepted their roles as coven members for the foreseeable future and Nahuel has returned home after so kindly thanking us for our mercy," Marcus planted a kiss on the top of my head.
I pulled away and looked at my mate, "Dance with me".
Marcus smiled at me fondly and followed my command.
Despite there being no music, we waltzed around the balcony and I felt my heart sore.
I slowly retracted my hands from his and wrapped them around Marcus' neck as we continued to sway. I felt the coarse material of his collar against my arms, it was only then that I recongised that I was still much more highly strung from the mission than I realised.
I felt my inner monster purr.
There's plenty of time before dinner right?
I tilted my mouth up towards his ear and let my breath drift across, "I love you".
"Careful i kardiá mou," Marcus warned as he closed the gap of what little space was between us, "We have a dinner with your niece we have to attend shortly".
"But we're the Volturi," I purred, "They can wait".
Maybe I was teasing my poor mate too much…and we did have dinner shortly.
Marcus' lips crushed against mine.
...and we were going to be late for dinner.
Well…this was awkward to say the least.
Marcus and I apologised as we arrived much later than we should have.
Marcus took great pride in his skills and he refused to rush…regardless of what engagements we had.
Maybe I shouldn't have teased him.
With another dress being ruined beyond repair (honestly, just because they could rip clothing away from my body like a knife slicing through hot butter didn't mean that they had too), I had changed into a dark blue gown. It was a personal favourite of mine as it was a sleeveless dress with a halter neckline and reached just above my knees. Though once Marcus saw me in my new attire, I had to really force him to go to dinner.
Aro and Caius had sent Marcus and I knowing looks while Bella and Edward looked like they wanted to be anywhere but here.
I suspected Bella and Edward knew why we were late as well but wisely chose not to comment.
"Aunty!" Nessie smiled fondly at me as she jumped from her chair and wrapped her arms around me.
"Hello my dear!" I returned her hug, "I apologise for keeping you waiting. Your uncle and I had business to attend too".
"That's okay," Nessie said as she released me and returned to her seat, "I got to know Uncle Aro and Uncle Caius better!".
If I could have choked, I would have, "And how did that go?".
"Splendid!" Aro chimed while smiling warmly at my niece.
Nessie nodded in agreement, "Uncle Aro is really smart!".
"And Uncle Caius?" I enquired because gosh he did not like anything Cullen related.
Bella and Edward looked uncomfortable.
They probably feared that a wrong answer would mean they no longer had a daughter. Which was absolutely ridiculous! Caius wouldn't ever harm Nessie because I asked it of him…though he did never not agree to harm my twin…which I should properly have another conversation with him about that.
Nessie laughed softly, "He was pretending to be a statue! He was so good that he didn't answer any of my questions!".
'Now that sounds more like my beloved mate,' I thought as my eyes drifted over to my stone-faced blonde-haired mate.
"He is very talented like that," I agreed with my niece, "Shall we get some food into you? You're properly starving! As the saying goes, when in Rome, do as the Romains do. A very special spaghetti bolognese for a very special hybrid".
One of the Volturi guards appeared with a plate of spaghetti bolognese, direct from one of the local restaurants that humans raved about.
I watched fondly as Nessie slurped up her spaghetti bolognese while Edward and Bella sat stone faced at the table.
Granted though, my mates weren't helping the situation.
Caius kept making snide comments under his breath about my twin and brother-in-law, Marcus stared unblinkingly at them and Aro chatted away as if nothing was wrong…though the fact either Cullen had yet to say anything didn't stop Aro from talking…be it a mostly a one-sided conversation...actually it was only a one-sided conversation.
It was only when my niece spoke that I was pulled from my thoughts, "Aunt Lottie, how did you get your scones so perfect? No matter how much I try, they're always too hard".
I smiled softly at my niece, "In most situations, the dough is overworked. You need to knead the dough softly. Maybe only two or three times. The dough can be very stubborn".
She hummed, "I'll need you to show me. I can never seem to get it right".
I saw Bella tense further from the corner of my eye.
I decided to take pity on my dear twin.
"Practice does make perfect," I advised, "You'll have to check with your parents first". Nessie's head snapped towards her parents, her eyes silently pleading for their agreement.
Bella gave a strained smile, "Maybe next time. The family is keen to go home". Nessie sighed and looked back at her food in disappointment.
"Maybe when you're older," I began as I took a sip of blood from my glass, "You could stay with us for a while".
Bella looked like she sucked a lemon.
While sleep wasn't a requirement of being a vampire, being able to laze around in bed was a must I refused to give up.
Even as a human, laying in bed and doing absolutely nothing was wonderful.
I sighed and stretched out my arms before rolling onto my side. My mates needed to wrap up some final things with the Joham situation. I was assured by my mates that they would join me shortly. Though 'shortly' seemed to drag on.
I closed my ears and enjoyed listening to the sounds of the wildlife outside.
There was something so incredibly peaceful about it that always lured into as close as a sleep as I could get.
Fingers brushed across my cheek.
My eyes snapped opened, and I saw my three mates standing in front of me. Their piercing red eyes made me suddenly feel like I was prey that had three big bad wolves just been cornered…though I could not bear to look away.
#####
"W-Welcome back," I breathed as Aro continued to caress my face. My other two mates would not be left out. I felt Caius' feather light touch on my leg while Marcus sat beside me on the bed and gently ran his fingers through my hair.
The bottom of the bed dip as Caius settled himself there and the lower part of my dress started to be tugged up around my hips. I felt Caius' lips on my calf and gently he started to create a path higher and higher towards a very specific destination.
"How beautiful you are my swan," Aro hummed as he leaned down and hungrily pressed his lips against mine. It was a clash of teeth and tongues fighting for dominance. I however lost the battle when Marcus tugged hard on my hair causing a gasp to escape me, allowing Aro to plunge his tongue inside.
It seemed that each of my mates wanted to have my full attention and they were willing to compete with each other for it.
Marcus removed his hand from my hair.
RIP
I heard and felt my once beautiful dress be torn from my body before two strong hands cupped my bare breasts.
'I really liked that bloody dress too,' I thought but that thought…and really all thoughts for that matter quickly left my mind as my senses started to go into overdrive.
I whimpered in Aro's mouth and arched my back trying to seek out more friction and sensation. Whether it was for Marcus' hands or Caius' mouth, I couldn't tell.
My mates responded immediately to my actions.
Caius' lips pressed firmly against the fabric of my underwear while Marcus' hands pinched and squeezed my breasts. Aro continued to pamper my lips with kisses and caress my face within his hands. It was a good thing I didn't need air to breath because Aro was ruthless.
Caius' hands slid under the waistband of my underwear and he tugged them down my legs. I was slightly surprised he hadn't done what Marcus had did and rip the clothing off my body-
My thoughts grind to a halt when Caius' tongue started to lap at my sex.
Between the barrage from Caius' tongue, Marcus' skilful hands and Aro's passionate lips, a familiar fizzling spark started to settle low in my stomach. As if my mates could sense the growing knot burning in my stomach, they ramped up their efforts.
My eyes fluttered closed at just how good it felt being on the receiving end of all my mate's attention.
My hips started to jolt upwards trying to match the rhythm of Caius' tongue while my hands sort out Aro and Marcus. Two pleased groans confirmed that my hands had landed on their desired targets and I started to stroke their respective hardness through the fabric of their pants.
It wasn't long later that I felt a pleasant wash of heat as I came.
The intensity from all my mates made my entire being feel light and floaty for a moment.
There was a shifting of bodies and in my haze, I was vaguely aware that my mates had turned me onto my hands and knees.
"Colour?" I wasn't sure which of my mates asked the question coming off my post orgasm high.
"G-Green," I puffed out as I gained my bearings.
I licked my lips as I watched Caius unzip his pants and pulled out his stiff manhood. Before my blonde-haired mate could even say anything, I opened my mouth and wrapped my lips around his cock. I hollowed my cheeks and suck Caius like a woman starved of blood.
Caius' moan was music too my ears.
"You already had your fun brother," Aro hissed behind me.
I moaned around Caius' dick as I felt Aro's fingers start to play with my sex. Two fingers entered and he started scissoring me open in preparation for his cock. I didn't have to wait long as Aro eased his hard cock into me but he did not immediately start moving.
I felt a hand guide one of mine to a now bare dick off to my side.
"I'm yours," Marcus whispered as he guided my hand to start pumping his hard stiffness. We pumped his dick together a few times before he removed his hand and I continued to jerk him off.
The utter delight and fullness I felt was incredible in very possible way.
It got even better when Aro started moving.
The throbbing of Marcus' cock in my hand as I stroked it in time with Aro's thrusting pace, the pleasant shivers all through my body as I redoubled my efforts on Caius' cock and the dick sliding in and out of me was almost too overwhelming in the best possible way.
Once upon a time, the slick wet sound from Aro's cock driving in and out of me would have made me mortified in embarrassment. Now however, I saw it as a sign of how much my mates drove me wild and they as a sign of accomplishment.
Caius' thrusting started to speed up and I heard his breathing start to become unsteady. His loud growl was the only warning I received before he's venom spurted down my throat.
"Lottie, oh fuck Lottie," Caius ranted again and again as I swallowed on reflex and continued sucking until I was certain I had sucked him dry.
Caius gently pulled his cock away from my lips. I mewled in delight as Aro's hands tightened on my hips and he began to drill into me faster causing me to close my eyes at the shear overwhelming pleasure coursing through my body.
"Lottie," Marcus called out, "I'm so close i kardiá mou. Please help".
I somehow managed to open my eyes, half-dazed and struggled to focus as I could feel a familiar tightness form in my lower belly.
My bond-seeing mate had removed himself from my hand and his stiff cock was in front of my face. I licked my lips and opened my mouth as I took him into my mouth. My brain was on cloud nine but I somehow managed to hollow my cheeks and sucked him like one would a lollipop. It didn't take too long before I felt Marcus' venom spurt down my throat as he moaned and my mouth was free once more.
Aro's growled grounded my thoughts and I started rocking my hips to help him along as my fingers fist into the bedsheets trying to contain my rugged panting. I could feel three sets of lust filled eyes drilling into me. I managed to lift my head slightly and saw that Marcus and Caius had made themselves comfortable on two nearby chairs, stroking themselves as they watched Aro relentlessly pound into me.
Aro's skilful fingers started dancing across my clit and I knew I was done for as I closed my eyes in pleasure. The ball of tension tightened once more in my core before my sex clamped around Aro's shaft and unravelled as I moaned his name. Aro's hips stuttered as his thrust turned into ragged plunges as I felt his venom come inside of me.
We both stayed connected for several moments as I tried to regain my breath.
I didn't need to breathe but gosh, those three took my breath away.
I could lay like this forever.
"Ah my little swan," Aro cooed as he gently removed himself.
Without his support, I collapsed fully onto the bed.
I was acutely aware that the sheets beneath me were soaking wet, that my thighs with uncomfortably sticky and wet and that venom was oozing from my sex. I vividly remember being mortified the first time but-
"Fuck your beautiful like this"
"Such a good mate for us"
"You're ours"
My mates loved seeing me in this state.
#####
I felt two arms wrap around my exhausted body and I was dragged upwards.
"You already got to cuddle our little swan," Aro argued as he pulled my naked body towards him. Marcus opened his mouth to respond but wisely decided against it since it wasn't untrue. We certainly had spent a great deal of time cuddling when we should have most definitely been at dinner.
My inner beast purred in satisfaction and the bond between the four of us pulsed with love and happiness.
I rested my head on Aro's chest while he ran his fingers through my hair, "How does the sex continue to get better each time".
Caius grumbled as he locked his arms around my waist and pressed his cheek against my bare back, "When you know how to play an instrument, the music will improve each time".
"…did you just compare me to an instrument?" I raised an eyebrow in disbelief.
Aro chuckled, "You are the rarest instrument ever to grace the earth little swan".
"And we thoroughly enjoy playing you," Marcus cheekily added.
"And that stamina is only ever going to improve with practice," Caius' hands started to make a downward journey on my body.
...and I was about to be played again.
So hopefully my first ever smut wasn't too cringey!
Next chapter is the epilogue!