Previous chapter: Demetri - DPOV

I notice how Bella is fidgeting with my cloak. She looks nervous, so I can't help myself and say, "What is wrong, cara mia?" Bella looks really worried as she says, "What if they don't like me?"

Demetri - DPOV

I chuckle as I say: "The masters already like you, tesoro. They all have a personal reason for that. Remember what I told you, Bella. Vampires are guided by their instincts. That's why we are such selfish creatures. The masters like you because you are of use to them in one way or another.

The guard members will like you because your gift will keep them safe in battle. Yet again, a selfish reason to like you because they don't want to die. In time they will learn to love you for who you are, and then they will fight for you and keep you safe. But you will have to earn that love and trust by proving your loyalty to the Volturi.

We are all loyal to the masters and the coven. We prove that every time we are sent out on a mission. That's the strength of the Volturi. But rest assured, even our loyalty has limitations. If we must choose between saving our own life and that of a coven member, we will save ourselves. That's how selfish we are. There is only one exception. The only person in the whole world a vampire will risk his own life for is his mate. I would give my life for you, and only you, amore mio."

Bella - BPOV

I can't believe my ears. Never in all those months I spent with the Cullens were they this open with me about anything vampire-related. Demetri doesn't weigh his words. He tells me the hard facts, and him doing that makes me like him even more. I hate it when people treat me like I'm fragile. The shock must be showing on my face because Demetri starts apologizing for being so direct, even though he told the facts. I smile as he cups my cheek and says: "I am sorry if this comes as a shock to you, tesoro, but that's how it is. We are vampires, not fairies."

I shake my head and say: "I'm not shocked about what you said, Demetri. I'm shocked you told me the hard truth without masking anything. You just told the facts, and you didn't try to make it look better than it is in reality. I'm not used to vampires being so brutally honest. The ones I knew always kept things from me."

My statement seems to shock him too. The disgust is written on his face as he lets out a low growl and says: "Why would I keep you in the dark, cara mia? It would only end with you being mad at me when you find out the truth. You're my mate, my equal. I have no intention of hiding things from you and making you angry with me, tesoro. I will, however, do everything in my power to make you happy."

Demetri - DPOV

The smile on her face as she processes my words is like a ray of sunlight. It makes her eyes shine like the brightest stars in the universe. She leans toward me and gives me a quick peck on my cheek before standing up. I'm still enjoying the lingering feel of her lips on my cheek as she tells me she needs a few minutes to do some human stuff. I nod and watch as she walks to the restroom before deciding to get her something to eat while she freshens up.

Bella smiles as she returns from the restroom and says: "How did you know I was hungry?"

I shrug my shoulders as I pat the seat next to me and say: "Well, it has been over seven hours since you ate, so I figured you might be hungry again. Ask me another question so I can answer that while you eat."

Bella nods as she plops down in the seat next to me and says: "How do you do it? Feeding off of humans? Don't you feel guilty?"

Ah, the struggle of the conscious! I had expected this question sooner. Seeing the Cullens feed on animals, I'm sure they told Bella all sorts of horror stories to make her believe that all human feeders are monsters. Little do they know how every vampire struggled with that issue long ago. We just decided on another path than they did.

"It may be hard to believe, tesoro, but we also went through that internal struggle. Most of us don't fight it. We simply accept that we're on top of the food chain. Like most humans don't feel bad when they eat a steak, most vampires see no harm in draining a human. There are, of course, exceptions, like the ones you met in Forks, which keep a strict animal-based diet. But many other vampires follow some alternative diet because they have moral issues with the whole feeding on humans thing.

I feed on humans, cara mia. I have done so for thousand years. I am a vampire, humans are our natural food source, and their blood keeps me strong. I can't be weak. It would put me and the coven in danger. Now that I have found you, I must be at my strongest to keep you safe. Human blood does that. But I don't eat just every human that crosses my path.

No, my tracking ability lets me see the essence of people. I use it primarily to find the vampires the Masters want to be brought to Volterra for justice, but with humans, it lets me separate the bad ones from the good ones. When possible, I will always feed on the trash of society: rapists, murderers, the ones that don't deserve to walk this earth.

When I went to feed in Seattle, I drained a man about to rape a woman in a dark alley. I can't feel sorry for killing him and saving her. I did humanity a favor. I'm certain that the Cullens told you we are all murderers without a conscience, but as you can see, tesoro, there are two sides to every story."

I don't mean to sound so harsh, I just want her to see my side of things. I don't have a problem with killing humans. When Heidi brings in the fish, I always take out the darker ones. They aren't always murderers and rapists, but a man that hits his wife is dark enough for me. The world is a better place without those people in it. I wonder how Bella feels about me now…

Bella - BPOV

God, I'm so gullible. I believed everything Edward told me, and I never questioned a thing that came out of his lying mouth. That's not how Charlie raised me. Whenever Charlie had a case that looked complicated, he would say, 'There are always two sides to a story, Bella. Remember that the truth lies somewhere in between'.

By now, I'm far angrier with myself than I am with the Cullens. I'm done being the weak link in a relationship. I've been given a new chance with a new coven, and I'm not wasting it. I'll prove to the Volturi that I was born to be a vampire, and most importantly, I'll prove that I'm worthy of Demetri's love. He needs a strong mate at his side, and that's what I'll be.

I'm seething with anger as I turn to look at Demetri and say: "You're right, Demetri. That's not the story Edward told me at all. He said human drinkers take pleasure in killing humans. He made it sound like a game where the vampire instates fear in the human, making him think that he can run, that he stands a chance to escape. James was like that. He toyed with me before he came in for the kill.

I believed Edward so easily when he said all red-eyed vampires act like that. I know Jasper has two old friends that feed on humans, but Edward wouldn't let them come over because he was afraid, they would harm me. Why would Jasper be friends with them if they are bad people? Hell, Edward didn't even trust his own brother to be alone with me. He always treated me like this breakable China doll, but I'm not.

I can manage the truth! I'm not running away screaming now. I heard every word you said, and I'm not scared by the fact that you feed on humans. I know that you will never hurt me. I feel it deep down; I feel it in my heart. You're not scared to tell me the truth, to show me your point of view without pushing it onto me. With him, I wouldn't have had a choice. I would have been so brainwashed that I would just follow his diet. But with you, I can feel that you will let me make my own choice and that you'll accept whatever I choose.

I fell apart when he told me he didn't love me. You saw the state I was in just because he left me. I reacted that way because he had me believing I was nothing without him. I do not want to be that weak, pathetic girl anymore. She died there on that forest floor. I'll be a strong woman who deserves her place within her coven and who is worthy of her mate's love."

I'm so lost in my monologue that Demetri completely catches me by surprise when he pulls me into his lap for an earth-shattering kiss. He tastes so good, and his hair is so soft. I love pulling him closer by his gorgeous brown locks. I feel how his hand travels down my back, and it feels so good that I can't stop myself from moaning.

Demetri - DPOV

Oh my god, she is even more beautiful when she's passionate about something. She is glowing, and it's getting harder to keep my focus on her words. I want to kiss her so much. My resolve breaks as she squares her shoulders and states that she wants to be worthy of my love. I'm turned on beyond measure by now. I need to stop her from talking, or I'll be ripping her clothes off in no time. Bella squeaks as I pull her back into my lap and kiss her like there is no tomorrow. She is surprised at first but starts kissing me back almost immediately. I let out a low growl as she puts her hands in my hair. God, I love how that feels and how she pulls at my hair to get closer to me.

I run my hand along her back, and a moan escapes her mouth. That sound alone has the power to drive me crazy. Oh, how I'm going to love making love to her. I growl lowly as Bella pulls back so she can breathe and says: "Damn you, Demetri, why don't you have to breathe?"

The laugh that escapes my lips puts a gorgeous smile on her face, and I chuckle before saying: "Because, tesoro, I'm already perfect." Bella huffs at my words, but I can see the twinkle in her eyes as she says: "Conceited much?"

I smile as I place a quick kiss on the top of her nose before saying: "Let me put it this way, cara mia. Is there anything you would change about me, or am I perfect to your liking already?" The way Bella starts mumbling and tumbling over her own words is so cute that I find myself smiling even wider as I say: "I thought so."

I kiss the top of her head and make my way to the pilot. I need to check how long we have until we arrive at Florence's airport. I hear Bella mumbling about 'bloody perfect vampires' behind me and smile as I walk back to her and say: "We'll be arriving in an hour. What do you want to do in that time, amore mio?"

Bella lets out a heavy sigh as she briefly glances out of the window before saying: "There is still so much I want to know, but would it be okay if we just sit here for the remainder of the flight and enjoy each other's company?" I smile as I nod and sit down next to her. She surprises me by cuddling up beside me. I put my arm around her, and I inhale her delicious scent. We sit together like that until we land in Florence. I wish we could have stayed like this a while longer, but now it's time to make our way to Volterra and see the Masters.

I offer her my hand as I stand to leave the plane and say: "Come, mia Bella. Let's show you part of Italy on our way to Volterra." I quickly order the ground staff to send the luggage to Volterra. There's no way that it will fit in my car, a black Lamborghini Aventador. That car was not designed with lots of storage space in mind. No, we'll just take Bella's bag with clothes with us.

I smile as I drop the bag in the trunk and help Bella into the passenger's seat. I instantly notice she looks a little nervous, and I give her a reassuring smile as I say: "Breath, Bella. We still need to drive to Volterra. We're not there yet. Try and enjoy the scenery. Italy truly is one of the most beautiful countries in the world."

She gives me a quick nod and starts to fasten her seatbelt. I walk to my side and get in the driver's seat before pulling out of the airport parking lot with a roaring engine. It's only a short drive from Florence to Volterra, but it includes some of the most beautiful landscapes in Italy. I never get tired of seeing it, and it always tends to calm me. I turn to look at Bella and notice she's enjoying the sights. A gorgeous smile rests on her face. I spot Volterra in the distance a minute later, and I smile as I point over to show her and say: "Look, cara mia. That's Volterra, your new home."

Bella gasps for air as she spots the city on the hill, and I smile at the awe in her eyes as she stares at the city while saying: "Oh my god, it's gorgeous. I never knew Italy was so beautiful." I smile as my eyes never leave her face and say: "Not only Italy, amore mio."

Bella blushes as she catches me staring at her. I chuckle as I turn the car toward the city gates before pulling into the garage. I park the car and speed over to help Bella out of the car. I immediately realize she's looking paler than five minutes ago, and I feel worried as I caress her cheek and say: "What's wrong, Bella? Are you scared?"

Bella looks frazzled as she shakes her head and says: "No. Yes. I don't know. I'm nervous, that's for sure."

I gently squeeze her hand to reassure her as I say: "You don't have to be scared. I'm here with you. And I understand that you're nervous, but you're going to blow them all away. As you said, you're a strong woman that will earn her place here by being who she is. Please let me talk to the Masters first. Just remember to be polite and respectful, and everything will turn out just fine."

I give her a quick kiss on her forehead before leading her toward the elevators. My hand rests on the small of her back. When we reach the ground floor, we walk over to the reception, where I order Gianna to call the masters and announce our arrival. We don't have to wait long before she waves us through.

I can hear Bella's heartbeat quickening as we walk down the hallway, and I give her a quick hug, hoping it will calm her nerves a bit. She gives me a small hesitant smile and nods as if she wants to let me know she'll be fine. God, she is so much stronger than she gives herself credit for. I open the doors to the throne room and proudly walk inside with Bella at my side. Of course, the first thing we hear, is Aro's energetic voice as he says: "Oh, this must be Bella! I'm thrilled you're finally here."

Thank you so much for reading my story

The update will follow soon

Please review!