Demetri
When Bella was safely ensconced in the feeding chamber with Emmett and Jasper I took a deep breath. I had potentially come closer to death than I ever had. Bella's hair whipped around her face in her shield's wind appeared in my mind's eye. Yes, she needed to be trained. Such power was explosive if not controlled. I would be more careful to make sure Bella remained calm while she trained. We should be cautious that she feeds regularly too. We only want that power used for good, not against our own. I shook my head and laughed off the last few hours and got back on with my day.
I settled into taking a shower and preparing myself for the next day. I did envy the Major. He had a mate that loved him beyond rational thought. She'd proved that when she wouldn't let me change her in the most efficient way possible. I hoped that I'd find that someday. I spent my shower fantasizing about a woman that might complete me. What would it be like to have that sort of unconditional love directed at me?
When it was time, I put my fantasies away for later, dressed in a suit, and went out to court. We only had one vampire needing to be seen today. It should be a short day.
Minutes later he was sitting on his throne as the accused was brought into the courtroom.
Peter
We were coming in to land and Char gripped my hand. Vampire or not she never did care for air travel. It amused Peter but he didn't allow himself to smile. Char didn't find it amusing. The wheels touched down and they grabbed their bags and left the plane.
They were greeted by Jacob Black at the terminal. He took the largest of Char's suitcases and said, "Welcome back. We've reserved a cottage for you in La Push. We knew you wouldn't want to be in the old Cullen mansion and Bella's house is no longer there. Is this alright with you?"
"Thank you. We'll have more time to put you puppies through your paces if we don't have to travel to Forks every day." Peter smirked.
Jacob just smiled and rolled his eyes, leading them out to the rabbit he had rebuilt with his own hands.
"So how are things on the reservation?" Peter asked.
"The redhead has been harrying our borders. We've kept her out, but Jasper was right that we really can't manage to kill her. That's why it's only me coming to pick you up. The rest are guarding the reservation." Jacob explained.
"We appreciate the ride. We'll help you get the redhead and prepare for the Volturi arrival. You'll need some education before they arrive, though it is in your best interests to accept the treaty. You can not fight them and win." Char said.
"What makes them so unbeatable?" Jacob asked.
"They are all battle-hardened warriors. Plus they more than double your number. If that wasn't enough they are the most gifted among vampires. The fact of the matter is that you simply cannot win. But we will teach you to bring down one or two vampires at a time and use your pack to the point you could possibly bring down three or four. However, with the Cullens dead and gone, you probably won't run into a large coven for some time." I said.
"The Cullens are gone?" Jacob asked
"Yes, they all but Esme, purposefully came between Bella and Jasper. They were killed and Esme asked to join Carlisle in death. The only one that survives is Emmett but he joined the Volturi." Char explained.
"Emmett's the big one isn't he?" Jacob asked.
"Yep, he is," Peter confirmed.
Jasper
Bella and I settled into a routine. She spent five hours learning law and history in the mornings while I trained the elite guard. In the afternoons she trained her shield with Renata while I watched to make sure she remained calm.
Weeks passed in this way. Bella's feedings were reduced to three a day and she was growing neater with her feedings.
After a month I judged that Bella was ready to start moderating her strength. A quick trip out to a game shop yielded children's games that would help her, and toys that she could play with. The elite guard had become fast friends with Bella and Jane took to playing games with her after her shield practice. I played sometimes, but I also played video games with Alec and Felix.
Bella's laugh often echoed through the recreation room. I cherished those moments when we all played and laughed together.
Game night was interrupted by Demetri one evening when he entered the room saying, "It is time to make a treaty with the wolves. They are expecting us tomorrow. I expect you all to be ready to leave in two hours. Go."
Bella's expression was a mix of happiness at her friends all meeting and sadness at being alone in the castle without her new friends. I rushed to her and sheltered her in a tight embrace. She took a deep breath and kissed me thoroughly.
Jane put the game of Jenga back in the box and reassured Bella, "We'll be back in a couple of days. Don't worry. We'll be nice to your wolfy friends."
I took Bella back to our room while the elite guard and some of the lower guard all packed their travel bags and went to meet the plane.
Bella and I had been so busy recently that we hadn't had time to ourselves. We made love slowly and tenderly that night. Our climax was earth-shattering that night. We came together so completely that it felt like our souls joined.
The next day it seemed like the castle was empty. There was no court, no training. Bella still could not control her strength well enough to study the fragile books of law so we didn't do that either. Instead, we watched movies in the recreation room wrapped in each other's embrace.
I thought a break would be good for Bella. She had been working so diligently. Things would recommence soon so I made sure we used the time we had to our best effect.
Emmett
We met with the wolves at dawn. We came through the trees in carefully fashioned rows that I had only just learned but I moved with the rest.
We stopped at my signal since I knew the treaty line and waited for the wolves to appear.
When they came out of the mist, there were gasps up and down our line. They were so large and there were so many of them. I counted. There were fifteen huge wolves. In front of them stood Char, Peter, and a Native American man that must be the alpha of the pack.
"Welcome to our home." Sam began. "I am Samuel Uley, the alpha of the pack. You know Peter and Char Whitlock. This is the pack.
"Thank you, Mr. Uley," Marcus said. "We have long waited to meet you. We have the treaty here for your review." Marcus offered the document.
Sam crossed the treaty line and took the treaty from Marcus. "You are the keeper of your histories?" Sam asked.
"Yes, I keep the archives." Marcus agreed.
"I would enjoy speaking with you in a less tense moment," Sam said and he carefully reviewed the treaty.
"I understand that you prize accounts of history. I have brought you a transcription of vampire history for your library." Marcus admitted. "I thought it would be a good starting point for you."
"I see nothing objectionable about the treaty," Sam said when he finished it.
"We must insist that you stop telling vampire stories to your children, that is the only thing I thought you might have a problem with. I am Demetri Volturi."
"Ah, you are the one that protected and changed Bella Swan. How is she?" Sam asked.
"She is doing very well. She would have come if she was able but she is still adjusting." Demetri offered.
"Please tell her we send our love," Sam said and Demetri smiled and nodded.
Sam read the treaty aloud to the wolves and asked for their agreement. One by one the wolves nodded until it got to Jacob. He looked at each of the vampires and seemed to weigh them then he too nodded. They continued down the line until the last wolf nodded his agreement.
Sam took out a pen and signed the treaty. He shook hands with first Demetri and then Marcus.
"Unfortunately we would like to ask for your assistance as offered in the treaty. There is a red-headed vampire that is trying to make its way into our village. Peter has informed me that her name is Victoria. Can you judge her under your laws while you are here? She has slipped our every attempt to confront her."
Heidi stepped forward out of the line and said, "Victoria was part of my coven centuries ago. She is gifted, Masters. She would not be easy to stop."
"What is her gift?" Demetri asked.
"Evasion Masters. She is able to get out of sticky spots. She left with her mate, a tracker, and I haven't heard from her in centuries." Heidi said.
"Very well, do you want to guard your own territory only or do you want to come with us?" Demitri asked.
"We would prefer to guard our own territory. This one is tricky." Sam decided.
"Do you have anything with her scent on it?" Demetri asked.
"We can fetch something. Jacob?" Sam directed.
The reddish-brown wolf barked and he and two others peeled off from the line and ran off.
"Jacob will go find some of her scent that hasn't yet faded. She tried us only last night. He will be back soon." Sam explained.
They all waited quietly until Jacob came back at a run with a boy on either side of him. Each boy carried a twig.
Jacob approached Demetri and offered the twig. Demetri smelled it and called, "Trackers."
Three others stepped out of the line and came to Demetri. They passed the branch around and each smelled it. "I have her location," Demetri said. "We will see to her, guard your own territory." He ordered.
"Y'all want some help with her," Peter offered.
Demetri nodded and Peter and Char crossed the treaty line.
"Guard, divide into five groups. Group one will be with me. We will approach from the south. Group two will go east of me. Group three will go west. Group four will go north. Group five will stay with Marcus."
I got into group one quickly. I wanted to see Victoria fall. She'd caused so much trouble with her mate and Laurent.
When I left Marcus was in tight conversation with Sam Uley and the wolves left to guard the reservation.
The run was invigorating, at least it was at first. Demetri was faster than Edward had been and keeping up with him as he was on the hunt was a challenge. I couldn't see the other groups or hear them. I only hoped this plan went flawlessly. I sped up again. This was a full-out sprint and I was almost falling behind.
After about a half hour Demetri suddenly swerved to the east and sped even more. We were getting high in the mountains. We must be getting close.
Five minutes later we passed the group that was to take the east and they fell in with us automatically. Jane was in this group and the smile on her face as she fell in beside Demetri and her brother was positively sinister.
We came to a ravine and Demetri lept it easily. I followed along behind.
Six minutes and eight seconds later I could see her. She was running for all she was worth. Jane glared at her and Victoria went down screaming.
"Jane, Alec, restrain her," Demetri ordered.
I smiled wickedly as jane glared at her while Alec's mist crept closer to her. When she was subdued Jane took one of her arms while Alec took the other. Felix arrived with his group. He must have heard the screams.
Felix took over restraining Victoria as Alec and Jane released her from their gifts.
When her eyes focused she ordered, "Release me."
"I think not. You have been brought to the attention of the Volturi. You, your mate, and your third are guilty of hunting one Bella Swan. You refused to give up even when your mate lost his life. Now you seek revenge. Even after Laurent lost his life you hunt. What do you have to say for yourself?" Demetri ordered.
"I will have my revenge," Victoria said.
"No, you won't. You see Bella Swan is now protected by the Volturi. You are dead. Felix?" Demetri commanded.
In a second Victoria had lost her head. In half a second more she was a limbless stump. Another second later the parts were on fire.
I thought I would feel something seeing her fall but I didn't feel anything. I did however watch her burn down to ash just so I could verify for Bella and Jasper that it was done.
"Back to the treaty line," Demetri ordered and we started running again. This time we ran a straight line and I didn't have to run particularly quickly to keep up. Demetri made phone calls to the other team while we were running, instructing them to meet back at the treaty line. Soon we were back at the treaty line and waiting for the other guards to fall back into formation. Victoria was dead.