Marcus and I quickly arrived at the Seattle airport where we made our way onto the awaiting private jet. Ahura greeted us as we entered and I was relieved to see that Aro and Caius had made themselves comfortable on the lounges while they waited for us. Jane and Alec bowed upon seeing us and quickly disappeared to another section of the plane so my mates and I could be alone. After confirming we didn't need anything else, Ahura too retreated to the cockpit to give us some privacy.

"Jane and Alec will accompany us on the journey home. I've sent the remainder of the guards back to the coven to prepare for our arrival," Caius explained the presence of the two elite guards. I nodded but my brain was struggling to really understand the circumstances. All I could think of was what had transpired between myself and my friends.

"My little swan," Aro greeted as he stood from his chair and held his arms open. It was like he could sense my distress and knew I just wanted a hug. I launched myself into Aro's arms and curled myself around him as best I could. My heart desperately trying to overcome the loss of my friendship with Em and Q. I was vaguely aware that Aro had returned to his chair and re-positioned me to a more comfortable position on his lap. His fingers lightly trailed up and down my arm as I continued to bury myself in his hold, wishing the world would swallow me up and make the pain in my chest go away. Who would have ever thought that the unofficial leader of the Volturi was such a cuddlier when he wanted to be.

"Well," I muttered as the plane took off, "What a way to end the year".

"You did so well vasílissa mou," Caius whispered as he sat beside Aro. I reached my hand out and wrapped it around Caius' hand, craving more contact with another one of my mates.

I hummed as I lightly squeezed Caius' hand, "I got lucky. I only had to break my friendship with Em and Q. Part of me is relieved that Bella psyched out. The other part is dreading the conversation that is to come. Bella will have time to process everything and will be more prepared for our next meeting".

Marcus took the seat across from us, "Mourn i kardiá mou. It will help you move on".

"I don't know how to," I confessed quietly, "I can't cry so…how can I mourn them?".

Marcus smiled softly at me, "Tell us, what were some of the antics you got up too". So I did. For the entire plane ride, I told my mates all the stories I could think of that had happened between my friends and I. Their ridiculous antics over my baking (more like who ate the most), our car restoration project and all the other teenage nonsense we got up too. It was only after the many hours of talking did I realise why Marcus had done this, how incredibly therapeutic it was for me. Talking about the happier times reminded me how lucky I was to even have them in the first place.

"Thank you to fos mou," I smiled at Marcus, "I really needed that".

Caius gently removed his hand from mine and cupped my cheek to look at him, "Rest assured vasílissa mou, the pain lessens over time".

I placed my hand over Caius' and smiled at him, "I know ma force. This experience will make me a better leader. Every vampire has experienced in some shape or form what I'm going through right now. I can empathise better".

Aro chuckled as his arms squeezed me slightly, "My little swan! I thought I was the most ambitious one out of us. Turning this into a learning experience, I'm so proud".

I chuckled at Aro's comment, "I learned from the best mio salvatore". I gently pulled myself away from Caius' grip and turned my attention fully back to Aro. I placed my hands on his cheeks and pressed my lips against his. Aro and I shared several small kisses before we pulled away and rested our foreheads against each other.

"Thank you for your support," I told my mates, "I honestly don't know what I would do without it".

"We are your mates i kardiá mou," Marcus comforted me, "Any problems or issues we face, we face together". I gently untangled myself from Aro's arms and pounced into Marcus' arms. I had once asked Marcus whether my clinginess or constant need for contact was normal for a newborn vampire. I was shocked when Marcus advised no. We had a lengthy discussion about why this could be. Marcus and I hypothesised that during the last few days of my human life, any physical contact I had…wasn't pleasant. After being turned into a vampire, my inner beast needed the constant reassurance that physical contact was good. Hence despite my best efforts, more often or not when I was alone with my mates, I was either in someone's arms or had physical contact in some shape or form with them. Marcus assured me that my clinginess would gradually decrease over the next few decades but I wasn't, and I don't think, my mates overly minded.

"Forgive my interruption," Ahura apologised as she entered our private section, "We will be landing shortly".

Aro smiled, "Thank you my dear". Ahura bowed and quickly made herself scarce. I was content to remain wrapped up in Marcus' arms.

"Why didn't we run home like the others?" I asked curiously. During my short time of being a vampire, I discovered that vampires had the ability, when running fast enough of course, to run on water.

Aro chuckled softly, "We are royalty my little swan. We have these luxuries so we may as well enjoy them".

Caius scoffed, "Honestly vasílissa mou, can you imagine Aro running across an ocean?". An image of Aro's distained face flashed in my head as I could perfectly picture his annoyance at trying to maintain his perfect image while running fast enough not to fall into the ocean…I could definitely see Caius' point as I licked my lips nervously to hold back a laugh.

"Little swan," Aro warned. He didn't need to read my thoughts to know exactly what I was thinking.

I raised my hands up innocently, "I said nothing".

"You didn't need to," Aro sighed, "Unfortunately I can see that Caius is hell bent on corrupting you".

Caius scoffed once more, "I believe we both know that's not true Aro. They always say you have to watch the quiet ones…isn't that right Marcus?".

I felt Marcus' arms tighten around me as he rested his chin on my shoulder and kissed my chin softly, "I assure you Caius, I have no idea what you are talking about".


After the plane landed in Volterra, my mates and I quickly made our way back to Volturi. Before we met with the hybrid, who's name I would later learn was Nahuel, and Huilen, we changed from our cloaks into more suitable attire for royalty of the vampire world. I wore a sleeveless, halter neck dark red dress that reached my ankles that had a low cut back. My mates wore their usual royal attire which made my inner beast purr at the reminder of the status we had and the power my mates possessed. The meeting with Nahuel and Huilen didn't last long. It was obvious that the Volturi coven was the last place these two vampires wanted to be. Despite the shortness, the meeting was extremely productive. They had confirmed the events of the journal as well as gave us the name of this mysterious vampire.

"Joham?" Aro asked as he listened to Nahuel speak, "I have not had the pleasure of meeting him".

Nahuel looked uncomfortable at Aro's comment, "You're not missing out on anything…that vampire…there is nothing pleasant about him". Huilen didn't say anything but it was evident from her face that she agreed with her nephew.

The hybrid appeared to hesitate over his next words, "I've heard the Volturi are ruthless and are merciless".

"Of course," Caius instantly responded, "How do you think we have maintained power for all these years".

"But we are just," I quickly added, "All those who have faced the Volturi's justice have had it coming". Despite my best to reassure the hybrid, he still looked hesitant to speak whatever he was going to.

"I can see you have several strong bonds apart from your Aunt," Marcus commented softly, "Is this the cause of your hesitation?".

Nahuel looked troubled but eventually nodded, "I may not see eye to eye with them…but they are family…and I don't want them hurt".

I smiled at Nahuel and placed my hand over his in comfort, "I understand. Isabella Swan, the mother of Renesmee, is my twin. After you left, she tried to attack me. That in itself is punishable by death. However, like you said. Family is family. They didn't ask for the life your father bestowed on them and we will keep that in mind". Nahuel's gaze looked at my hand before he slowly looked at me.

"I was not the first turned," Nahuel confessed, "Serena, my older half-sister. The first of Joham's hybrids. She…she is too much like my father for my liking. Maysun, my next older half-sister. Not as corrupted in my father's ways as Serena. Jennifer is the latest addition". I noted that he didn't elaborate any further on Jennifer.

'I'm going to say she's his favourite based on that,' I thought.

"When did you last have contact with him?" Aro asked.

Nahuel slowly drew his gaze away from mine and looked at Aro, "It's been several years. I don't like my father so he normally sends one of my sisters to soften me up".

"Are you able to contact them?" Caius continued the questioning.

Nahuel shook his head, "No. They normally come to me. My Aunt and I stay in the jungle. From what I've gathered from my sisters, they normally relocate every few years. They've been paranoid for several decades that you've been onto them".

'Great,' I thought grimly, 'The only thing worst then trying to track a vampire in hiding is a paranoid vampire in hiding'. The conversation wrapped up shortly after that with Huilen and Nahuel eager to return home. We said our goodbyes as well as giving a gentle reminder that they should contact us should any of his sisters or Joham make contact with him. Aro and Caius had to attend to some last-minute duties so Marcus and I decided to enjoy what was left of the 31st of December in my room.

"Well," I trailed off as Marcus and I entered my bedroom suite, "That was an interesting conversation".

Marcus hummed in agreement, "Joham has been busy".

"The existence of three other hybrids…how is that even possible?" I asked as I laid on my bed and stretched out like a cat, "Renesmee was born because Edward and Bella were mates. Surely all those women couldn't be his mate?". I rolled over onto my stomach as I rested my head on one of my many pillows. While a vampire didn't need to sleep, it was always nice to relax and pretend I could. Sleeping was one of my favourite past times as a human…a typical teenager really.

Marcus laid beside me and I felt him lightly run his fingers up and down my exposed back, "Why would it be so different to us i kardiá mou?".

I shivered as his fingers continued to dance across my spine, "Fair enough but wouldn't the thought of his mate dying drive the fear in him to never do it again?".

"It could be his power," Caius commented as he entered the room. I felt the bed dept to my other side as Caius joined Marcus and I on the bed.

"What? Super sperm?" I joked. Caius chuckled softly at my response and I felt his hand follow Marcus' action and draw small circles with his fingers on my arm.

"I must confess," Aro announced his presence, I hadn't even heard him enter, "This is quite a pleasant sight".

"You would be proud of us brother," Marcus smirked, "We were discussing whether these women were Joham's mates or if these hybrids were a result of his ability…super sperm as our darling mate put it".

Caius chuckled darkly, "Political talk in bed? It's your ideal fantasy coming to life Aro".

I turned my head and smiled cheekily at Caius, "At least it's a normal fantasy compared to some". Suddenly, I found myself flipped over with Caius' body covering mine. He had gathered my hands easily in one of his and pinned them above my head.

"Don't be naughty," he lectured as I watched his eyes darken with lust. My inner beast purred at his actions and begged to meet his challenge.

I somehow managed to take enough control back to form a response, "Or what ma force?".

"My dear little swan," I saw Aro approach from the corner of my eye but quickly turned my attention back to Caius when I heard him growl, "You should know that Caius is not one to be tested". A hand pinched my chin and forced my head to turn away from Caius to look into Aro's almost pitch-black eyes.

"He won't show you any mercy," Aro concluded, "Nor do I blame him". I suddenly found myself dragged out from underneath Caius and wrapped in a pair of arms, effectively trapping me to one of my mates' chest. Marcus had somehow quietly knelt at the top of the bed and used my trapped arms as a way to drag my upper body into his hold. Caius, obviously not wanting to hurt me, didn't put up a fight when I was taken from his hold. However, I was very aware that my legs remained under Caius' body while my upper half was trapped in Marcus' arms. There really wasn't much room between us.

"Shame on you brothers," I heard Marcus lecture as he slowly unwrapped one arm and it started lowering to a place that would be very inappropriate in public...thankfully we were in the sanctuary that was my room. When I first met my mates, I had concerns about Marcus' gentle nature and how our relationship dynamics would work with Aro and Caius. I quickly came to discover, that Marcus wasn't as innocent as he first led me to believe. Caius' eyes followed Marcus' hand as it made its journey downwards and if it was possible, I swear I would have saw him drool at the sight. Aro wasn't much better though. His eyes remained locked on mine and I couldn't help but lick my lips at the erotic sight. Aro prided himself on control and it was evident that he was very close to losing it.

Marcus' hand made contact with his destination causing me to gasp in shock as I hadn't been paying attention, "To fos mou!".

Marcus ignored me as he started to make wonderful use of his fingers over my clothed body, "We always share".

"I very much like this dress and would very much like it kept in one piece," I warned my mates as I saw their lustful stares…not that my warning did much good in the end.


It had been a month since the confrontation with the Cullens and my mates and I were focusing on how to best approach the hybrid situation. Demetri had been sent out to track down this vampire so he could be further questioned but had yet to be successful in his quest. My mates and I were sitting in the throne room and I sighed after Demetri reported his latest unsuccessful find.

"I still don't understand how this vampire can hide for so long," I groaned in annoyance.

Demetri bowed deeply, "I'm sorry to have failed you".

I waved off his apology, "You have nothing to apologise for Demetri. My mates and I know you would have done anything and everything possible to find this vampire".

Demetri looked uncomfortable at my words, "Still. I do not enjoy the feeling of failing you my Queen".

Caius hummed from the throne beside me, "Dismissed Demetri". Demetri pulled his hood up and vanished into the shadows that lurked in the corners of the throne room. It was usually where the elite guard stayed when protecting us in the throne room.

"Did you have to be so short with him?" I asked softly so only my mates could hear as I stared at the spot where Demetri once stood.

"You pamper them too much," Aro agreed with Caius.

I frowned, "Am I? I thought I was being fair".

Marcus smiled, "It's endearing. It certainly shows the guards how much you treasure them".

I sighed but made sure to keep my voice low so only my mates could hear "I know but I'm struggling to get the balance between coddling them and showing my appreciation".

"Rest assured my little swan," Aro comforted me with his words, "It's a talent you will learn over the years. It's not something that can be perfected overnight…no matter how much you wish it. Experience matters most on these type of matters".

"Your highnesses," Felix's cloaked figure appeared in front of us, "The Cullen coven have arrived. Edward and Isabella Cullen wish to be granted an audience".

Caius scoffed in annoyance, "How rude. Just to arrive and demand to see us".

"How delightful!" Aro clapped his hands together, "Have all the coven come?".

"Yes sir," Felix responded, "We have taken the coven members to the guest wing for the moment. Edward and Isabella were very determined to speak with you now though. Jane…was getting a bit trigger happy as a result". I had to resist the urge to groan as I was not looking forward to this conversation. Bella had time to think. She had time to analyse the situation and would have questions ready to go.

"You don't have to see them," Marcus commented softly as he watched me carefully.

"I know," I acknowledged, "But it'll probably be better if this conversation is over sooner rather then later".

I felt a familiar hand rest on my shoulder as Aro said, "We will support whatever decision you make little swan". I reached up and squeezed his hand slightly, thanking him for my mates' support.

"Let's get this over with," I muttered as Aro returned to his seat. Felix opened the doors and my twin and her husband walked in. Felix closed the doors and disappeared into the shadows lurking around the throne room where some of the other elite guard where waiting, curiously watching the scene unfolding before them.

"Bella," I greeted politely.

"Lottie," she replied bluntly. I watched her eyes study me and then briefly flash towards my mates before landing back on me. No one spoke for several minutes…realistically it could have been hours though. Bella had come into my house, she was in my territory. I was content to let her squirm. She could speak first. I was in absolutely no rush.

"I think we need to talk," Bella eventually said, "There's some things we need to discuss".

I hummed, "And what discussions are those?".

Bella shifted nervously as she looked between myself and my mates, "Could…could we chat in private?".

My eyes drifted from Bella to Edward and back to Bella, "Only if it's just the two of us. Of course, there will be a guard with us due to my leadership role within the Volturi". Bella looked very uncomfortable at the suggestion but eventually nodded.

I looked over to the hooded elite guards lurking in the shadows, "Felix, please escort my sister to the private library. I'll be along shortly". Felix's cloaked figure emerged and led a hesitant Bella from the throne room.

I looked at my sister's mate, "Alec, please escort Edward here back to his room".

"I'd rather wait here for my wife," Edward immediately responded.

My poker face remained in place, "You're more than welcome too Edward. Though, my mates are holding some meetings in the throne room and then I do believe it's mealtime after that. You of course are more than welcome to join".

Edward frowned in distaste, "…I'll wait in my room".

"That's what I thought," I commented softly so only my mates could hear. Caius chuckled at my sass while I could practically feel the amusement radiating off Aro and Marcus. I watched as Edward was escorted from the throne room and mentally braced myself for the conversation ahead with my twin.

I looked at my mates one last time before I left the room, "Please get me when it's mealtime. Heavens know I'll certainly need it by that stage".


Hello everyone!

As always, thank you for your support and stay safe xxx