Chapter Twenty-Six
We stood in a clearing further up in the mountains. Apparently, this was where the Volturi had confronted them during their last visit. For a reported 'immortal child.' There had, however, been a last minute change. Demetri and Felix would be accompanying, as well as some blonde lady Alice didn't recognize. No one was anticipating a fight, but it didn't settle my anxiety. I stood behind the others, bouncing in place, chewing my lip, chewing my nails, trying to hide behind Emmett. Occasionally someone would glance to make sure I was still here but they otherwise stared ahead, waiting.
Figures appeared at the other end of the clearing. Walking directly toward us at painfully slow human speed. I took a deep breath, steeling myself. Aro didn't get to see me frightened. All he was getting from me would be attitude. I tried to avoid looking at him, looking everywhere else I could, but I did chance a glance at him. His eyes were locked on Carlisle, paying me absolutely no mind. As much as I hated it, I wasn't sure how I felt about that. Caius definitely was looking at me, though. Again, the phrase "if looks could kill" applied.
They stopped a good distance away, leaving plenty of space between our two groups. Carlisle immediately stepped forward, "Aro, dear friend. I hadn't expected to see you again so soon."
"Neither had I, Carlisle," Aro answered, cheerful but with a slight sharpness to his voice, "though, it is unfortunate that I'm once again here for business and not pleasure."
I never wanted to hear him say that word again, in any context.
"What is it we can do for you, then?" Carlisle asked, beating around the bush. Aro smiled, "It has come to my attention that you possess something that belongs to me. I have come to reclaim it."
The Cullens looked confused, not expecting that answer at all. I was the only one to see Aro's eyes dart to me before refocusing on the elder Cullen. Carlisle shook his head, "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean, Aro."
His expression shifted, his eyes burning, "You have my mate, Carlisle. And I would like her back."
Everyone immediately turned and looked at me. My heart had fallen through my stomach, anchoring me where I stood. Now I really didn't want to go with him. Hearing the 'm' word yanked forth the nightmare from the other night. Maybe it had been straightforward. Carlisle slowly turned back to the Volturi leader, "But, Lorna is a Child of the Moon."
"Yes, the irony of it hasn't escaped my notice either," Aro was beginning to sound impatient now, "but Marcus, here, can attest to its truth."
I looked at Marcus, feeling a bit betrayed. As if he had something to do with it. Had it been him that told Aro to mate me? My blood ran cold when Aro directed his words directly at me, "Lorna, my dear."
He held out his hand, a silent command. I only stared at him. After a moment, his fingers curled back, forming a fist. But, surprisingly, he didn't look angry, "Now, Lorna. Let us end this nonsense. Return to Volterra with me, and we shall pretend this never occurred."
Yeah, I highly doubted that. Aro began to approach me, his steps slow and deliberate. Or cautious? The way he moved now reminded me of the night we met. When he had been stupid enough to approach a werewolf to pet it.
"My dear," he said as he came closer, "I would hate to have to use force to get you home."
"Why?" I snapped, "Wasn't a problem the first time."
He stopped. The look on his face said I struck a nerve. "Different circumstances, Lorna. You're well aware of that."
"No, it really wasn't."
Aro fought to keep the smile firmly in place, "As you say, my dear."
I narrowed my eyes, "I don't want to go back to Volterra with you."
He didn't react, which was almost disappointing. Instead, he took several more steps forward, "I'm afraid that simply isn't an option. One way or the other, you will be leaving with me."
Well, I already knew that. As much as I didn't want to be anywhere near him, I did. It wasn't something I would admit aloud, of course, but I had missed him. There were times I had felt like I needed him, even. The downside to having to go back to him meant that those nightmares would need to be addressed...
"Aro-" Carlisle started to say, but the asshole held up his hand to quiet him. He reached out, his fingers brushing the underside of my chin, "You are my mate, my love. I cannot be without you."
I looked him dead in the eye, "If you say that one more time I'm going to barf on your fancy shoes."
He dropped his hand, frustration creeping across his features, "You may try to deny it all you'd like, but you will realize it sooner or later. I promise you that."
My stomach knotted, images of Glenn flashing through my thoughts. I winced. Which didn't go unnoticed by Aro. He frowned as he offered me his hand once again, "Come, my dear. We have much to discuss."
"You can say that again," I mumbled as I folded my arms across my chest. The next time he issued his command, his tone was more firm, "Come with me, my dear."
Fuck. I finally slipped my hand into his, unable to resist the authority in his order. He pulled me to him, placing his other hand on my cheek and dragging his thumb across my bottom lip. Please do not kiss me. He lifted my hand, pressing his lips to my knuckles, "I've missed you."
"Fuck you."
"I'm sure you will."
Aro rubbed the bridge of his nose while I leaned around him to look at the man responsible for those words, "Wow, Caius. I must have rubbed off on you."
The blond scowled, "Absolutely not."
"If you say so," I pulled my hand from Aro's so that I could make a heart, "Missed you too, buddy."
If he could have turned red, he would have. Not from embarrassment, of course, but from anger. He was going to be irate by the time we made it back to the castle. I could feel the looks of horror at my back. Had anyone else spoke to the man the way I did, they would be killed before they could finish their sentence.
You know what I absolutely hated at this moment? How natural all this felt. Being reunited with Aro and his brothers felt like a relief of sorts. But. Something I hadn't anticipated was feeling territorial. I glanced to the new woman among the Guard and looked back to Aro, who was still doing that frustrated thing with his face. I pulled his hand away, standing on the tips of my toes so that I could meet his lips. He seemed caught off guard at first. But soon enough one hand held my back while the other tangled in my hair, taking the kiss deeper. This, disturbingly enough, still felt right, too. I was even tempted to push things further, so that the blond woman would know to whom Aro belonged.
…I can't believe I actually thought that. Dear Artemis, I was being hit with so many different thoughts and feels it was starting to give me a headache.
I pushed away from him, "I hate you."
He hummed, brushing his fingers through my hair, "Yes, I can certainly tell."
An arm hooked around my waist and he took me along as he approached Carlisle, "I appreciate you caring for my mate, dear friend. For it, you have my eternal gratitude."
"Of course," the doctor replied with a smile. As typical, Aro had to get the last word in, "I do hope next visit will be of leisure."
With that, he turned us and began to walk away.
When I heard "private jet", I thought of one of those smaller ones with just a bunch of fancy seats in it and a mini bar. To actually see it, I shouldn't have been surprised it was fucking huge. "House on wings" was the better phrase for it. The plane had two floors, consisting of several rooms, a few bathrooms and a movie room. There was also a lounge area with an actual bar. Not sure why they needed it, but I wasn't about to ask either. That's where Caius, Marcus, and the others headed. Aro, on the other hand, pulled me the opposite direction, "Come."
Though I wished I had a drink or three, I let him lead me down a slight hallway. He opened a door to the right and gestured for me to enter. My eyes nearly rolled out of my head when I did, "Of course you'd take me to a fucking bed-"
His mouth on mine cut off my words. He held my face tightly in his hands as his tongue caressed mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him against me tighter. His fingers found their way to my waist, pushing my shirt up slightly. I broke the kiss and tried to push him back, "Nah-uh, buddy. We have talking to do."
"And we will, my dear," his voice was silk, hands dipping into the sides of my shorts, "Later."
I pushed harder, "No, now, Aro!"
He huffed a sigh through his nose, "Fine. What is it you'd like to discuss?"
My nose wrinkled, "You know damn well what I want to talk about!"
"The reason I did not tell you about Sulpicia is because we were separated," he stared me in the eye, "And getting divorced."
I stared back at him. He continued, "That is why she was there. So that we could make it final."
He waited for me to speak, but I didn't. Just stared. So he placed a hand to my cheek, stroking it gently. Finally, I managed to whisper, "You still should have told me."
"I should have, yes."
Dread filled my chest as the next question rolled from my tongue, "Who is that blonde woman?"
Aro's face flickered, "Natalia. She is a high ranking member of the Guard."
"Okay," I prompted, "And what else?"
He looked perplexed. All I could do was shake my head, "Come on, Aro. I'm not stupid. I saw how she was looking at you. She either wants you or she's been getting you. Which is it?"
The man frowned but didn't answer immediately. But when I took a step toward the door he finally spoke up, grabbing my wrist, "My dear, you must understand that my needs didn't vanish along with you."
I jerked my arm free, "So how many times have you slept with her, then?"
"None."
My eyes rolled, "Well, you obviously did something with her."
His lips pressed together, "She did something for me."
"Well, I hope it was amazing," I held the door open, "If you could leave now, that'd be great."
Aro scoffed, "Lorna, understand-"
I waved my hand at him, raising my voice, "You know what? Surprisingly, I do. I get it, alright? I'm not mad at you, I'm not mad at her, I'm just mad. And I could really use some time alone to work through my thoughts."
He stepped forward, but didn't leave. Instead, he pushed the door shut and placed a hand on my cheek, wiping away a tear with his thumb, "Tell me what is upsetting you, my dear."
"Why do you even care?" I snapped.
"Because you are my mate."
I grimaced. His look of concern intensified, "What is it, Lorna?"
My eyes narrowed and I briefly considered slapping him, "You're really stupid enough to ask me that knowing what Glenn did to me? ….Why the fuck are you smiling?"
It wasn't like a huge grin or anything but still. He took my hands in his, "My dear, you are misunderstanding how vampires mate. Though, you were also falsely informed on the ways of mating with your own kind, I'm afraid."
"What the hell do you mean?"
"Vampires are mated through a special bond. We were brought together by fate, my dear, as though nature itself knew we'd be best suited for each other. We do not choose whom we bond with, but it exists between us. You feel drawn to me, and cannot explain why, correct?" he kissed my fingers and waited from an answer. The look in my eyes must have said enough, "That is the mating bond. It pulls us together. And when we are apart, it is agony."
I hated when he was right, "What did you mean I don't know about werewolf mating?"
"Caius presented me with a tome he had acquired, written by a man who had been studying the Children of the Moon. He was one himself, I believe. It is true that the female the Alpha mates with becomes the Beta, but," he pulled me against him, laying my head against his chest, "what your Alpha did to you was not claiming you for his Beta."
I gripped his shirt in my fist, my voice cracked slightly, "….What is supposed to happen, then?"
He stroked my hair, "The female gets the choice. She must first accept the Alpha's invitation, of sorts, to be his mate. And there then is a specific mating ritual that is performed."
"I assume you know what this ritual entails?" I drew small circles around his chest. He hummed, "I do. Once you are prepared to accept me as your mate, we shall engage in it. Until then, we will carry on as usual. I will give the book to you once we are home for you to look over."
"Wait, wait," I pulled away slightly so I could look up at him, "What do you mean? Didn't you just say your mating bond wasn't a choice? And you're a vampire. Why would you want to mate me like a werewolf?"
"Because you are a werewolf. I feel it's important we do this...properly, if you will. That being said, you may not get a choice as far as the bond is concerned, but I refuse to be the monster your Alpha had been."
The man was blowing my mind right now. He was supposed to be an asshole. Why wasn't he being an asshole?! I nuzzled into his neck, trying to decide if I wanted to cry or fuck his brains out.
