Disclaimer: I do not own Twilight.

AN: Read and Review please. Let me know.

Chapter 3

(Alice POV)

I was determined to beat Edward to Volterra. He did not have a right to be heartbroken over Bella. She was my mate. She was Jasper's mate. We were supposed to be a triad. He was an usurper. Jasper kept his distance on account of him being the newest to the "Vegan" lifestyle. Being an empath, he was constantly under assault with Edward's thirst for Bella's blood. The night of her birthday was terrible. Jasper nearly lost it when she cut herself with the gift wrapping. It wasn't his own thirst that done him in. It was everyone in the rooms piled onto Edward's. Bella was his blood singer. Her blood was exactly what he craved. Her blood would be ambrosia to him. And Jazzy had to contend with that pouring on to him. Then Edward made it worse when he shoved Bella back into the table with the glassware. The blood came worse. The thirst became overwhelming. But still Jazz fought it. He wished to protect her from the room. I knew he could do it. But Edward never gave him the chance. So, now here we are racing to beat him to Volterra and the Volturi.

I picked a gorgeous yellow Porsche from the car rental place. We had to get there fast. I watched Edward's decisions. He was still set firmly on getting to Volterra. His mind kept changing on how he would get their attention. He had not made it yet. We were getting close when I saw the walls around Volterra. We were stopped by a guard at the gate. It was St. Marcus's day. We had to park quickly in the city and make our way on foot to the Castle. We took the side streets so we could fly through the city to the castle without being seen by the humans. It was sunny out so I had a hat, sunglasses, and a scarf with gloves on. Jasper was dressed very similarly.

No sooner did we approach the castle did a hulking vampire in a long dark cloak with a hood appeared. He gestured for us to follow him. We did. He opened a grate and gestured for us to follow. Once down we followed as he sped towards the upper levels. Once above it was a matter of seconds when a reception desk with a pretty little human clacking away at a computer suddenly stood and greeted us. She was sweet and polite. I saw her future in a quick vision. Gianna was her name, and she would be a meal for the very vampire she sweetly greeted. I felt sad for the poor lady. But this was the life she chose. She knew the outcome could possibly be her death. Before I could contemplate more Felix, that's what Gianna called him, opened the large doors before us as well all entered.

(Edward POV)

I am so sorry. I wish I could tell her that. Bella, my precious Isabella. She deserved a long and happy human life. She did not deserve for me to drag her into this mess of vampires and immortality. She was too pure and innocent to be tainted by such damned creatures as us. I only pray that the Volturi would be merciful in their judgment of me and grant me a swift departure from this lifeless world. Without my Bella in this life I have nothing. No color. No joy. No meaning. I have nothing to live for. I have nothing to even try for. She was my light and my soul. Without her I am just an endlessly wandering soul sucking shell. Please let them take me from this hell I find myself in. I deserve nothing less than to burn forever in the bottomless pits of Hell.

(Bella POV)

"Hey, Bella?" Leah's voice called.

"Yeah?" I asked her.

"Demetri told me that Aro needs you in the throne room." Leah said as she sat near the fountain in the garden I was now leaving.

I wonder what he needed. He said that he would let me know when Caius had made the arrangements for the Cullens to be brought to Volterra. Maybe that was it. I moved gracefully towards the throne room. I could hear Aro speaking. Then I heard the voice of Alice. Alice! My undead heart hurt for a moment. I had been so hurt when they left. I was so close to her. I was so heartbroken knowing that I would never see or hear from her again. I opened the door and quietly reclosed them behind me.

"My dear Isabella, thank you for joining us." Aro crooned to me.

"Bella!" Alice cried; her gold eyes brimmed with unshedable venom tears.

I moved through the room and to Aro. I stood before Jasper and Alice. I met Alice's eyes. I felt something snap to in me. I felt this pull to her. She looked ready to launch herself at me. I then looked to Jasper. His gold eyes turned red. As the same with Alice I felt, like a chain, suddenly wrapped around me and was trying to get me to come to him, to them. I held my hand for Aro to take. He did then release my hand. He sighed and smiled at me.

"You are a triad my dear, remember?" was all he said to me.

My now red eyes widened then looked to them. I was in a triad with Alice and Jasper? Jasper offered his hand to Aro. Which Aro accepted. He had read Alice it seemed before I came into the room. Aro released his hand.

"My, my, my. So, this is where you have been Major?" Aro asked.

I heard Caius shift behind us and was suddenly beside Aro. Major? What are they talking about? Was it just his title? I knew that Jasper had been a soldier during the Civil war but how did that have anything to do with the vampire world? I stood and listened then. Jasper was apparently famous in the Vampire world. He was a heavy hitter during the Southern Vampire Wars. Killed thousands and then he just disappeared. He had been presumed dead. Obviously not.

"Well, Major, what to do?" Aro asked, "You still have not received your sentence for your part in those catastrophic wars with Maria.

I gasped. What was going on? Was Jasper going to die? I saw Alice move forward and reoffered Aro her hand. He accepted it and watched as her vision was playing out. When it was over, he released her hand.

"I would much prefer that you all become a part of the Volturi. There has been enough blood spilled around the Major." Aro said.

"I will speak to my mates, and we will come back with our decision." Jasper finally spoke.

I was frozen in place. Did he really consider me his mate already? How was it possible that I was now a mate of his? Why did he or Alice never say anything to me before now? Alice placed her hand on my shoulder to get my attention. I looked over at her and saw her smile. She was looking so gently at me. I wanted to have a few minutes with them. We obviously had a few things to iron over.

"You may leave and discuss this together." Marcus chimed in with his breathy voice.

"Thank you, Masters." I said to them and bowed.

Alice and Jasper did the same as I. We back away and turned for the door. I opened it only to come face to face with none other than the coward who abandoned me to die. Edward Cullen.

"Bella?"