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Bella - BPOV

A chuckle from Aro pulls our attention back to the dais, and I raise my brow questioningly at my father as he turns to look my way. He smiles softly as he says: "Get out of here, you two." I smile brightly as Demi leads me out of the throne room. We run to the garage the second the doors of the throne room close behind us. Demetri has us speeding toward Villa Bella a minute later. I sigh happily as I watch the Italian landscape flashing by, but I also can't help but wonder why Eleazar was staring at me and Jasper with that strange look on his face.

Aro - APOV

I smile as my precious daughter and her mate flee the throne room without a second glance. I don't have to read Demetri's thoughts to know what they will be up to the minute they get home. I should strangle him for thinking those sinful things, but Bella would have my head if I ever dared to hurt her mate. Not that I could ever hurt him, Demetri is a far better fighter than I ever was. Many vampires that dared to cross us learned that first hand, and Edward Cullen will most certainly not be the last. Demetri's protectiveness over my daughter is just another reason why he is the best son-in-law I could ever wish for. I pity the next fool that dares to harm a single hair on my daughter's head.

I turn to Eleazar, wanting to discuss the last thoughts that crossed his mind before Bella left the throne room, and find him and Jasper staring at me with a large smile on their faces. I shake my head as I move to sit on my throne and raise my brow questioningly as I say: "Surprised that Aro Volturi has a heart, after all, gentlemen?"

Eleazar laughs out loud as he moves to stand in front of me and says: "Not at all, Master Aro. I have seen firsthand that you care for your coven as every leader does. I just never thought that I would see the day in which Aro Volturi turned into a loving and caring father. Bella must be very special."

Jasper smiles even wider as he moves to stand next to Eleazar and says: "There's no one like her. Bella has the biggest heart, and she loves and feels with every fiber of her being. She is caring and selfless to a fault. I still can't believe that her faith in me didn't waver when I tried to drain her. That's how loyal she is. She is my sister in every way but blood, and I'm so happy that she found everything she ever wanted here in Volterra."

I nod approvingly at Jasper as I lean over to touch Marcus's hand. Jasper's strong feelings for my daughter have me wondering if there isn't more to their bond than meets the eye. Eleazar's last thoughts when he openly stared at Bella certainly seem to point in that direction.

Jasper carefully watches me as I sift through Marcus's thoughts about Bella's bonds. I close my eyes briefly as I find the one I'm looking for and try to make sense of it all. Could it be? Was my daughter somehow related to Jasper Whitlock by blood?

Jasper - JPOV

I raise my brow questioningly as Aro's emotions shift suddenly. He opens his eyes and stares at me curiously. The look in his eyes is the perfect mirror of his emotions, and it makes me wonder what the hell is going on. Aro smiles mysteriously as he releases Marcus's hand and turns to Eleazar while saying: "She might be even more special than you think, Major. Please, Eleazar, tell Jasper what you noticed about Bella's gift."

Eleazar nods as he looks my way and says: "Bella's gift has the same basic structure as yours, Major, and that's very rare. It only happens if the vampires in question have a blood connection. Jane and Alec are prime examples. For me, their gifts are almost identical; only the output is different. You told us that Bella is your sister in every way but blood, but I believe her to be a Whitlock by blood as well."

Eleazar's statement leaves me completely speechless, and I can hear Aro snicker as I continue to stare at the former guard member while my brain processes every possible scenario in which his statement could be true. There is none. Rose researched my family tree decades ago and came up empty-handed. My parents and younger brother died during the Civil War, and my sister Annabelle shortly after. Bella can't be a Whitlock, no matter how much I wish she is.

Aro interrupts my frantic thoughts as he claps his hands and says: "I don't have to be an empath to know that you doubt Eleazar's words, Jasper. I must tell you that he is not the only one that sees a blood bond between you and Bella. Marcus, please inform the Major of your findings."

My eyes snap to Marcus, who nods at his brother before looking at me. A soft smile lingers on his lips as he says: "Eleazar speaks the truth, Major. You and our Bella share the same blood. I can see it in your bond. It is too strong for the two of you not to be blood-related." Marcus stops talking as I shake my head in denial and whisper: "We can't be. They all died… I'm the last Whitlock."

Aro snickers as he motions toward to doors of the throne room and says: "I learned to never question my brother's gift, nor do I question Eleazar's. If they say that you and my daughter are related by blood then you are. Is there a reason why you doubt their words, Jasper? Do you not want Bella to be a Whitlock?" I shake my head frantically as I say: "Oh God, no! That's not it at all. I was devastated when Rose told me my human parents and siblings had all died. I want nothing more than for Bella to be my real family. It would be like a dream come true."

Aro nods approvingly as he motions toward to doors of the throne room and says: "Let us continue this meeting in the archives. Rose must have missed a crucial fact during her research, and knowing Bella, she will want to see proof. She's a stubborn little thing. Is that a family trait by any chance?"

I snicker as we walk toward the archives and say: "Yes, it is. I was stubborn enough to enlist in the Confederate Army, even though everyone tried to talk me out of it. And don't get me started on how stubborn my sister could be when she set her mind to it. A true Whitlock stands their ground."

Aro snickers as he opens the doors to the archives and says: "The proverbial apple and tree, I would say. Now let's find some actual prove, shall we?"

Bella – BPOV

I squeal as Demetri pulls into our driveway and Villa Bella comes into view. God, I'm so glad to be home. Demetri smiles mischievously as he parks the car in front of our house and trails his fingers along my thigh. I shiver in anticipation as he leans over and whispers huskily in my ear: "Home, at last, cara mia. What are we going to do now?"

I bite back a moan as he kisses my mating mark, and I say: "Don't tease me, Demi. You know how much I need you. I want you to make love to me every second of every day until Aro calls us back to Volterra. Take me inside, mio marito *, we're wasting precious time."

Demetri smirks as he places another kiss on my mating mark and says: "Well, we can't have that, can we?" He quickly exits the car and rushes to my side to open my door. I squeak as he throws me over his shoulder and carries me into the house and up the stairs at vampire speed. The next thing I know, we're standing in the middle of our bedroom while our clothes lay on the floor, ripped to shreds.

I bit my lower lip when I look up and find Demetri staring at me with so much love in his eyes. It would have taken my breath away if I were still human. I reach for him and sigh contently as he pulls me close and carries me to our bed. I continue to stare into his pitch-black eyes as he enters my body with one swift thrust, and my eyes flutter shut as a moan escapes my lips. Demetri kisses my mark as he starts moving in and out at a tantalizingly slow speed and says: "Dio mio **, I will never get tired of this, tesoro. I love you so much."

I try to pull him even closer as he continues to move inside me and say: "I love you too, Demi, more than life itself. Please…" The rest of my plea gets lost as Demetri kisses me passionately while picking up the pace. He has me shattering beneath him for the first time this evening within seconds. God, I will never get enough of him.

Demetri - DPOV

I stare in awe at my Bella as she shatters beneath me. I fall in love with her all over again. She is and always will be the most beautiful woman on this planet for me. It's nothing short of a miracle that such a perfect being is mine to love and cherish for eternity. Dear Gods, how did I ever get so lucky?

I slow my pace to let Bella come down from her high and snicker as she arches her back and growls: "Don't you dare slow down. You know how much I like it when you lose control." I groan as Bella drags her nails across my back, and I pick up the pace. Bella moans loudly as I slam into her harder and faster with every thrust, and her voice is almost a growl as she says: "God, yes! Don't stop!"

"You know that I can't deny you anything, amore mio. Hold on."

Hours and days pass by as we continue to make love to each other. The rest of the world disappears around us. We're in our little bubble, and I couldn't be happier and more content than I am now, laying here in our bed making love to my gorgeous wife for days on end.

In the meanwhile - Jasper - JPOV

"Major, come look at this."

I pull my attention for the mountain of documents I've been reading the last few days and walk over to where Aro is standing. My head is reeling from all the information the Volturi have stashed away in their archives. I wonder if there's anything they don't know about the vampires that roam the world. Aro smiles as I lean forward to study the document he's pointing at, and I can't help but gasp for unneeded air as I realize what I'm looking at: Bella is a Whitlock … My mind sort of goes blank right after that, and if I didn't know any better, I would have said that I went into shock.

A carefully placed hand on my shoulder pulls me out of my stupor. I shake my head, not knowing how long I stood there staring at Bella's name at the end of an unfamiliar Whitlock family tree as Aro says: "Dream do come true, Major. Bella will be thrilled when she hears of this. Do you want to tell her the good news?"

"I would love to, Master Aro. I can't wait to see her face when I tell her that she's a Whitlock."

Aro nods approvingly and says: "Very well, Jasper. I will leave you now. I can imagine you want to study the document in peace. I will let you know the moment Bella returns to the castle."

I smile widely as Aro turns to leave the archives, and I plop down in a nearby chair to study the Whitlock family tree in detail. How did Rose miss this?

Demetri - DPOV

The sound of my cellphone somewhere on the ground pulls me back to reality, and I groan as I realize that our alone time is over. I chuckle as Bella tightens her hold on me and says: "Leave it. I don't want to go back yet. It's too soon."

I place a soft kiss on her head and try to reach for my phone as I say: "That's a question of definition, amore mio. It's been seven days since we left Volterra. I would say that your father has been very patient, for a change. I expected him to disturb our happy bliss days ago. He is not known for his patience. You know that."

Bella huffs as she lets go of me and drops back onto the bed dramatically while saying: "How am I going to convince you to stay in bed with me when everything you say makes perfect sense? I hate it when you do that." I snicker as I pick up my phone, and Bella sticks out her tongue as I show her the caller ID. I blow her a kiss as I answer the phone and say: "Yes, Master Aro?"

"Demetri, why did it take you so long to answer your phone? No, wait! Don't answer that. I can imagine that you are both enjoying your time off. I called to tell you that the trial will start in two days. However, I expect you both to be here tomorrow. There is something that Jasper needs to tell Bella, and I know that Bella will want to know before the trial starts. Is she there, Captain? Can I talk to her?"

I raise my brow questioningly as I turn to look at Bella and say: "Cara mia, your father wants to talk to you." Bella smiles as I hand her the phone, and I shake my head as she pulls me back unto the bed and sits on my lap before saying: "What's wrong, papa? Why does Jasper need to talk to me? Did he change his mind? Doesn't he want to train me anymore?"

Bella – BPOV

Demetri softly strokes my hair in a calming gesture as I wait for Aro to respond. I can't help but feel sad, thinking that Jasper might have changed his mind about training me. I never thought that Jasper would be the one to break a promise …

"What, no! Mia figlia ***, Jasper is thrilled that you want him to help you train your gift. That's not why he wants to talk to you. It's nothing bad, Bella. I believe you will be very happy when you hear what he has to say, but that's all I can say about the matter."

I stare out the window while trying to figure out why Jasper wants to talk with me, as I say: "But, papa …" Aro snickers as he interrupts me and says: "No amount of pleading will make me spill the beans, Bella. You will have to be patient, dearest. Jasper will talk to you tomorrow when you return to Volterra."

Demetri pulls me closer and kisses my temple as I huff at Aro and say: "I hate surprises, papa, and I'm not a patient person. I can't believe you're doing this to me!" I can almost imagine the grin on Aro's face as he says: "You'll survive the agony of waiting less than 20 hours easily, dearest. I bet Demetri is more than willing to distract you. I'll see you tomorrow, Bella."

I turn to look at Demetri, who's failing miserably at trying to hide his smile, and say: "Why are you smiling, my husband?" Demetri growls as he pulls me closer and says: "Why do you think, amore mio. My father-in-law just permitted me to distract you to the best of my abilities, and I know a perfect way. Let me show you."

I giggle as Demetri throws me onto the bed and moves on top of me before I have time to react. His eyes are pitch-black, and I moan softly as he leans down to kiss his mark on my neck before saying: "Let me show you again how much I love you, amore mio. You won't even have time to think about anything else than the feel of me inside your body until it's time to leave."

My response gets lost in a moan as he moves inside me with one swift thrust, and I lose the ability to form a coherent sentence altogether as he starts to move in and out of my body fast and hard, just as I like it. Jasper and whatever he needs to tell me vanishes to the back of my mind, just as Demetri said it would, and I love him for it.

Demetri - DPOV

Time passes quickly as I thoroughly distract Bella, as Aro suggested. I smirk, knowing that this is not what he had in mind when he said it, but Bella doesn't seem to mind at all, and that is all that matters to me. Aro might be my coven leader, but Bella is the one that holds all the power when it comes to my heart. There's nothing I wouldn't do for this woman except leave her. I could never leave my gorgeous Bella. It would kill me to do so.

Bella smiles softly as I lead her to the bathroom to take a shower before we leave for Volterra and places a kiss on my cheek as we step into the hot shower. I lean my forehead against hers as I look into her love-filled eyes and say: "I love you so much, amore mio. This last week was the best of my life. You make me so happy."

"I need you like I need air to breathe, Demi. You're all I'll ever need to be happy. I wish we could stay here forever."

I kiss her forehead as I take the shampoo and start to wash her hair as I say: "We'll be back before you know it, tesoro. Maybe we can convince your father to let you and Jasper train here on the grounds instead of at the castle. We have lots of space, and you might be more at ease here than in the castle. What do you think of that idea?"

Bella's face lights up immediately, and I snicker as she jumps into my arms and says: "I love it, Demi. Have I ever told you that I find smart men extremely sexy?" I growl lowly as Bella's hands travel down my chest toward my member and say: "Is that so, my Bella? Do I need to kill someone, or are you talking about me?"

Bella's eyes turn pitch-black at the sound of my growl, and I groan as she moves her hand to my now rock-hard member and says: "Only you, my mate. There's no one else for me. You're mine." God, this woman is going to be the death of me. Aro will be so pissed if we're late, but who am I to turn down my Bella as she wraps her legs around me and takes me inside her slowly? I groan loudly as I push Bella with her back against the shower wall and give her what she's craving. My mate is insatiable, and I love her for it.

I stare at the clock as we race toward Volterra at full speed and sigh in relief as I see that we'll still make it in time. Bella smiles as she gently squeezes my leg and says: "Aro is not going to kill you if we're five minutes late, Demi. He wouldn't do that to me." I roll my eyes at her as she leans in to place a kiss on my cheek and say: "If you say so, amore mio, but I'd rather not take any chances. Let's just get there in time. Did you forget that Jasper wants to talk to you?"

Bella shakes her head as she focuses her gaze on the road in front of us and says: "No, I didn't. I don't know what he wants to talk about, and it's driving me insane. Teasing you distracts me." I smile as I grab her hand and squeeze it gently as I say: "Well then, tesoro, tease away."

Bella – BPOV

I take a deep unneeded breath as we finally reach Volterra and smile as I find my father waiting for us in the garage. He smiles as I rush out of the car to hug him and says: "Mia figlia, I'm so glad that you're here. I missed you. Volterra seems less bright when you're not here. Now, come along you two. Jasper is waiting in my study."

Demetri takes my hand in his as we follow Aro to his study and says: "Everything will be okay, tesoro. Aro did say that you would be happy to hear what Jasper has to say, so stop worrying." Aro nods in agreement as he opens the doors to his study and says: "Indeed, my daughter, you will be very happy to hear of our findings. Please, sit down so that Jasper can tell you."

Jasper snickers as I sit down in the seat across from his and says: "Stop being so nervous, Bells. It's not bad news. At least, I don't think it is. Let's see, where to start? I know you noticed that Eleazar kept looking your way right before you left Volterra a week ago. You must have wondered what that was all about."

I nod at his words, and he smiles at me as he takes a deep breath before continuing: "After you left, he explained to us that he noticed that our gifts have the same basic structure. That's extremely rare, and it only happens when two gifted vampires are bound by blood. I didn't believe him at first because I believed all my family members to have died during or shortly after the war, but Marcus confirmed Eleazar's findings. The bond we share is much too strong to be not forged by blood."

I gasp for air as Jasper kneels in front of me and takes my hands in his as he continues: "Aro took me to the archives in search of proof that you and I are family, and we found it. Bella, you're a direct descendant of my sister Annabelle. You're a Whitlock, Bella."

* mio marito = my husband

** dio mio = my god

*** mia figlia = my daughter

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