Life with the Volturi was... fascinating. Yes, fascinating indeed.

There were certains aspects that Anne was not sure she could ever get used to, like the fact when they drank blood straight from the vein of humans. While Anne did like the warm new blood, she still felt somewhat disturbed about bending down a man and drain him.

But Alec was very thoughtful, and Aro... Well, he was more generous than what she was told. She was spared from joining the... feast, instead, Aro let Alec bring blood for her.

It would not last for long, but for now, Anne mused, she could use his generosity.

And Alec was right, he always was. Human blood made her stronger, faster and more mature, in a physical sense of way. In less than a week Anne's body had grown more, and she finally looked like an eighteen year old girl.

Alec smiled when she told him this.

After the bliss of reunion with Alec, Anne was terrified of what her family would do. She had no doubt her parents would track her down to Volterra, even an idiot knew that. She shared her concern with Aro, but strangely, it was Caius that reassured her that all would be fine. Because she was Alec's mate, the guards would always respect and protect her, and if it was what she wished, she could join them, and officially become a Volturi.

The conversation ended there, when Aro squealed with the idea of holding a wedding for Anne and Alec. Caius growled when Marcus also joined Aro in the planning, and Alec groaned when dragging her out. It would take forever for Aro to plan, he sighed, because Aro wanted everything to be perfect, and by the time he actually had the wedding out, Alec and Anne would be as ancient as the vampire himself.

But Anne did not find it exhausting at all. She liked the idea of spending eternity with the man she loved, in a place where they both belonged.

So, the question about the head of Volturi was answered, Anne was officially welcomed here.

Ah, but there were other questions.


Other guards were still wary of her, Anne knew. The elite were more polite, but the guards of lower rank still occasionally glared at Anne, as if she had invaded their sanctuary. She did not let them get under her skin much, especially when she had Alec right by her side, and Felix proved to be an equally effective bodyguard as well.

She hasn't mentioned Jane, has she?

The first few days, Anne did not catch the vampire anywhere in the castle. When she asked Alec, he gave her a mysterious smile and said Jane had graced them with a few peaceful days. That said, she would bring one hell of a storm back later.

"No, she wouldn't." - Alec laughed. - "Jane was evil and possessive of me, yes, but she had promised she will never harm you." His bloody eyes stared into her soul. "Jane would not dare to play with my property, little one."

That settled Anne a bit better. But it sure as hell did not prepare Anne for their first meet.


They were snuggling up in Alec's room - their room actually. Alec had her hands pin up easily while the other hand of his was having a wonderful time discovering every line on her body.

Anne felt like she was being drugged, with Alec's low sexy voice murmured sweet nothing into her ears, his teeth sunk down just enough for her to feel the pressure. She had been marked as his, for now and forever.

They had gone so far as abandoning most of the clothes on the floor.

Imagining that, when Jane swagged into the room.

"EEEEEEK!"

"WHAT ON EARTH ARE YOU DOING IN MY ROOM?" - Alec roared, throwing a cover on both of them. Jane was by the door, covering her eyes.

"PUT SOME CLOTHES ON." - She shrieked, and and Anne, with what little left of her sense (which was not much, by the way), ducked down and hid under the cover.

"Well excuse my manner because clearly we are in the middle of something here!" - She could feel Alec's rumble on top of her. - "If it's not something important then you'd better leave right now, sister."

"I was looking for the two of you actually..."

"NOT NOW!" - Alec roared again, and this time, Jane finally left.

"Not the impression I want my future sister-in-law to have of me." - Anne said, once she felt Alec had calmed down. He pried the cover away to look at her face.

"Where were we?" The grin he had on was nothing but feral.


"Let's not talk about last night." - Jane said before Anne could open her mouth. She gulped, closing the door behind. Jane waved her to the desk. - "I want to talk to you, and my idiot brother finally let me do just that."

Anne dragged her feet to the seat opposite of Jane. The older vampire was eyeing her openly, probably silently cursing her all the way to Mars for stealing her brother's attention.

But she did not steal him, Anne wanted to say. Alec was still Alec, he was always Jane's first, nothing changed.

But Anne still kept her lips shut, waiting for the witch to begin.

Jane sighed. - "My brother loves you."

Okay?

"And I wish to see him happy, even though it pains me so."

Please, Jane. Anne prayed. Was this an approval or not? Just go with it please.

"Do you truly love him or not?"

Anne looked up to meet the souless eyes of the ancient vampire. This was a test, the only test Jane would ever give, and it only was because of Alec. If Anne failed, she would never set foot out of this room alive.

"Yes." Anne took a steady breath. "I love him enough to give up my sister, my parents, my family behind. I gave up all of what I was raised ro know. And I would do it again in a heart beat, as long as it means I am with him."

Jane did not reply right away, and Anne did not expect her to, either. She examined Anne carefully, looking for some answers she had not asked out loud.

Anne did not dare to breath until Jane sighed. "I suppose so." She waved her delicate hand. "Guess I have to accept you as my sister-in-law then."


They walked together to meet Alec at the throne room. Alec did not need to ask nor to say a word. With just a look, he knew. His sister and his soulmate had come to a silent agreement for him. Anne offered him a shy smiled, and Alec rushed to her side.

"Thank you, sister." - He said hoarsely. - "Thank you."

Anne snuggled up against Alec, breathing in his scent. Family, home. She was with the man she loved, and his wicked sister had accepted her. His family had accepted her as a whole being, not a fragile child, not a weakness, not an unwanted little surprise, not a burdened cursed.

Alec kissed her forehead sofly. Jane's eyes softened at the sight. Anne counted in her head. The witch let them hug for exactly thirty seconds before clearing her throat loudly.

"That's enough." - Jane pulled them apart forcefully. - "You are making me sick."

Alec's wink promised Anne of another spectacular night.