Chapter three:

Secret Meetings

Taking a step forward and stopping a foot from his sister, Alec went to speak. "I had spotted one particular vampire acting quite off along the way back to the hotel." Alec explained, of course only mentioning it to seem that he was truly working - he didn't need his sister finding out that he had a so called 'infatuation' with a human like Edward Cullen from the Cullen clan had been, which would be considered betrayal to the Volturi. "Did you handle it?" Jane asked, raising an eyebrow. Of course, Jane would ask such a thing. "No. It's scent and direction would lead exactly to the spot of the newborn army." Alec pointed out. Jane paused for a moment, studying her brother before parting her lips to speak. "Good point, brother. Surely, we will be following your lead along with Demetri tomorrow night to the area that you suspect." Jane informed, getting up to walk into the bedroom. Alec knew he would have work extra hard on keeping this secret from his sister and the rest of the Volturi family.

But eventually, if he were to have an actual relationship with the human, they were bound to find out - especially Aro. For the rest of the evening, Alec had remained in the living room, briefly flipping through the TV channels, landing on a news channel while not particularly paying attention, his mind was more focused on the human girl he met, Bethany. Alec had considered himself lucky that his sister, Demetri and Felix weren't able to read minds which would be easy for them to find what he was up to if they could. The hours seemed to pass by slow for Alec as he watched the television and the others exit and enter the room. Before he knew it, it was edging midnight and they gathered themselves before leaving the hotel.

Jane turned to her brother Alec as to have him lead towards the area he had told her about earlier and nodded slightly towards Demetri to track the scent. "Which direction was it?" Jane questioned sternly, her red eyes stared at Alec. Alec calmly looked towards the road leading towards the rough side of Seattle, causing Demetri to speed away into the night tracking the scent. The others followed, finding Demetri near a gloomy alley, on top of a building that hovered over the alley from a distance. They spotted movement from dozens of bodies before there was a crashing sound of glass hitting the pavement from a beaten up vehicle.

"What did i say about keeping a low profile?!"

Alec had drifted his red eyes away from the scene below in boredom for only a moment before the shouting had caused his eyes to return to the destruction they were all witnessing. "They've already drawn too much attention." Felix stated, looking upon the havoc below them. Demetri flinched his red eyes to Jane as he parted his lips to give his opinion. "So has our 'inaction'. Others may begin to question the Volturi's effectiveness." Demetri pointed out realistically. It was obvious that Jane was getting irked by the constant questioning of the Volturi, Alec knew too well not to become critical of her decisions and actions early in their life. "Let them." Jane simply said in a daring tone, her eyes not moving from the scene they all were watching. "Maybe we should consult with Aro." Felix suggested, turning around as if to leave.

Jane turned around to look at Felix with a expression of discontent before piercing her stare, causing Felix to wither in pain in silence. "Aro's decisions are being watched. We must decide." Jane explained, releasing Felix from the pain and watched him drop onto the floor. Jane had then looked away towards the havoc below as Felix stood back up with Demetri's help. Alec stepped forward and gently touched Jane's shoulder to be supportive, as he always was of his sister. "Then decide sister. It's time." Alec said calmly, hoping that the night wouldn't go on much longer as he was hiding his secret meeting with the human, Bethany, from everyone else around him, although it wasn't until the afternoon. Jane turned to show a light smile at her brother before turning her head back to the scene. "Yes, it is. Either we let them do what they were created for - or we end them. Decisions, decisions..." Jane spoke, deep in thought.

They remained there for only a second longer before leaving back to the hotel to deliberate on the scene they had witnessed and what would be the best option to go on taking care of the situation. "I think we should just eliminate the problem and go back home. No point in staying any longer." Felix suggested, he wasn't much for being around humans. Alec had secretly disagreed with Felix, he wanted more time to sneak off and meet with Bethany but if they were to leave early, his efforts already had became pointless. Jane shot Felix a look but held off on the pain - for now. "That may seem logical, Felix. But, this apparent newborn army can play into our hands perfectly. Having the Cullen clan deal with them could be beneficial to us, perhaps ending the Cullens and having the problem taken care of at once." Jane explained.

Alec listened as everyone talked, shifting his red eyes from Jane to Felix going back and forth then on to Demetri. "We certainly know that Aro has his sights on the visionary Cullen..." Demetri pointed out, speaking about Alice. Most of the Volturi knew that Aro had his eyes on Alice Cullen since they didn't have a member with such an ability as seeing into the future within their clan. "I say we let the Cullens fight this one out and see where it goes. We step in at the end of the fight." Alec suggested. Jane looked over at her introverted brother, while sided with her. "Precise thinking, brother. We will keep tabs on the newborn army in discreet." Jane stated, making the final decision. Alec was relieved that his suggestion was made final and that gave him a little more time to seek out Bethany.

The night ended and they morning came, of course they didn't sleep as vampires never slept so the constant in and out checking on the newborn army to keep tabs and finding ways to be entertained in a hotel room became never ending. Alec had thought if it had ever came to the point on Bethany finding out that he was a vampire, he would have to change her or even worse, kill her. Alec couldn't see the latter happening - he wouldn't do it. Alec left the hotel room a little later and headed down to the coffee shop he was told to meet Bethany at, called The Brewing Bean. Having given Jane an excuse on going solo to keep watch of the newborn army, Alec entered the shop and scanned half empty room with his red eyes, noticing the female wasn't there. The moment he nearly have given up searching, Alec heard footsteps from the front door behind him. "You look sharp for coffee." Bethany said, causing Alec to turn around swiftly.

Alec had always worn a dark grey or black suit since he had been a vampire, but apparently it's only for special occasions or business work for humans. "Um, thank you." Alec thanked briefly, taking a pause for a moment. "You look ravishing." Alec added, his tone was clear and calm as always. Bethany brushed her hair behind her right ear in attempt to hide a blush as she liked the compliment. "Thanks. Though, I just got out of school." Bethany replied hesitantly before motioning to the front to order the drinks. Drinks. Right. Alec forgot that he wouldn't be able to consume human food or beverages without becoming severely sick, but he needed to keep his true self a secret from her if he wanted to keep her from harm, meaning his clan. "I'll have the Mocha latte please." Bethany ordered before looking to Alec. "What would you like?" Bethany asked. What do I want? Latte? Cappuccino? Such a pointless question I've ever gotten. "I'll just...have a Lungo macchiato, please." Alec ordered, basing his order off merely coffee shop menus he's seen in Italy over the decades. Luckily, this coffee shop had it.

The shop worker totaled the price and Alec didn't hesitate to draw out his wallet. "It's okay, I can pay for it." Bethany suggested. Alec furrowed his eyebrows silently before popping open his wallet anyway. "It's an Italian custom." Alec stated, forming a slight smug on his pale face as he grabbed the right amount of American dollars he had withdrawn upon arrival to Seattle with his clan, causing Bethany to be surprised at how many bills he had in one wallet before he stuffed it back into his pocket. Alec would feel guilty wasting his drink at her expense and besides, he saw this as his treat. Once the drinks were made, they took them to the table and sat across from one another at the table. "So, you're rich huh?" Bethany teased curiously, just starting the conversation. Alec guessed that's what the Volturi were - rich - but they were more so vampire royalty.

"You could say that, more so my family precisely." Alec replied, trying to keep it brief. It was bound to get more personal the more they would talk, Alec predicted so though he never had a date before, let alone having interacted with a human past devouring them. "What does your family do for a living? You know my dad is in the military but my mom runs her own online business." Bethany explained, sipping her drink. Alec hadn't touched his drink at all and kept his eyes mostly on Bethany aside from a few side glances to keep an eye on any of his clan finding him. "My family makes laws, specifically." Alec replied in short. Bethany nodded a little as she took it in. "Oh, so they're politicians in Italy?" Bethany guessed. Politicians? Sure, let's go with that. "Yes. In a way..." Alec replied, sitting up straight in his chair.

Alec picked up his cup and pressed his lips to the edge, having the cup only lift briefly without any of the liquid pouring out before setting it down, making it look like he drank a little but didn't. Faking it, though the fumes of the coffee made his nose cringe briefly. "What kind of music do you like?" Alec asked calmly. Of course there was only one kind of music that was played in the Volturi mansion but Alec was familiar with every genre known to man throughout the decades. "I like country and rock, mostly but I don't mind stuff like classical and jazz also. What about you?" Bethany explained. Alec smiled briefly before parting his lips. "Classical is my favorite. Not only classical but opera...and what this generation calls 'oldies'." Alec explained, noticing he slipped up a little. "That's quite different from most guys I know. Most are into hip hop and rap, but then there's the occasional metalhead. But, I like that." Bethany stated before attempting to make a move and gently touching Alec's pale hand across the table.

The moment her hand touched his, Bethany's hand jumped as if she had been shocked, noticing how cold he was. Alec felt her touch and he had to be honest, he liked it despite her reaction to his temperature. "You're freezing, Alec. Drink some more coffee, it'll warm you up." Bethany suggested optimistically. That alone caused Alec to slip out a tiny snicker before it disappeared, knowing that wouldn't help. They continued to talk and get to know each other more before going back home and Alec to the hotel. They continued to meet up in spontaneous places through the week but the day before their last day, Alec knew he would have to tell her goodbye - unless he made a way for her to go with him. Sitting on the bench at the town park, Alec knew he had to tell her that the next day would be his last day in Seattle.

"Is everything okay?" Bethany asked, studying his expression. Alec had never been around a female that he found himself attracted to and being a vampire, if a mate is chosen, they become very territorial though he and Bethany have yet to kiss. "Tomorrow is my last day in Washington before I return to Volterra...I have business in Forks that day...and I'm uncertain if I'm courting you or if I should due to my absence." Alec stated. Bethany wasn't used to the term 'courting' and found that to be ancient, finding Alec to be quite old fashioned. "Courting...yes, I think we are together, if you want to be. But, why tell me this now that you're leaving tomorrow?" Bethany stated, seeming quite disappointed in the news she received. Alec was happy that she had considered them dating after all the risky meetings he had sneaked behind the Volturi's back. "I would like that. And my family and I had planned only a week stay, unless you want to accompany me back to Italy?" Alec explained.

Of course it wouldn't be that simple and knowing he wouldn't be able to hide her away back in Volterra around Aro and Caius for sure. "Your family is here too? I...I don't know about going there with you. I have my schooling for a little longer..." Bethany explained. She had only knew Alec for a brief time but she felt herself drawn to him other than his personality and being financially stable, she didn't know what it was. "I understand. I can pay for your schooling in Italy if need be." Alec offered. Bethany sighed, she wanted to but her college wasn't the only thing stopping her. "It's not just schooling but also my parents...I can't just up and go..." Bethany attempted to explain, looking down then at the ducks in the pond nearby.

Alec understood but he was used to disappointment. Jane and Aro had both suggested he find a girl in Italy many times if he wanted a mate but none interested him. "I'll meet with you tomorrow at the library before I have go to." Alec replied, he was holding back his urge to feed and didn't want it to go wrong with the girl he was attracted to. Before she could say anything, he had disappeared. This was odd to Bethany on how fast he left, causing her to go home and research. Luckily, Alec had pulled off not being seen with the human for days at a time but had planned to meet her one last time before leaving the country at the library.