Chapter 2
Caius POV
"Everything okay?" She asked. She was still needing blood.
"Yeah, I had never watched anyone truly hunt. We don't have to stalk our prey, as bad as that sounds. When you hunt it's beautiful." I said. She smiled and thanked me and took off again it smelled horrible. She sunk grabbed hold of the deer and sunk her teeth in it. She didn't play with this one. She drank and not a drop was spilled. She buried both carcasses and walked over.
"Thank you for letting me stick to my normal diet." She said smiling.
"You're welcome." I said, "Let's get you back. They will start to wonder."
"Alright I was enjoying my time out here. It feels like home." She said sadly. I understood.
"I will make you feel at home as much as I can. How often do you hunt?" I asked. Human blood held us over for weeks at a time.
"Once or twice a week. I'd like to hunt twice a week just so we can have this time together. "She said smiling. This was a start of a friendship. I hadn't had friends they were all brothers and it was hierarchy. I may be on top of it but that didn't mean I was liked. "It feels like a normal day. My daughter is at home with the family as I hunt and I socialize. The only difference is I won't be going back to her. I have to face that I won't see her for a while, and when I do it will be long periods of time in between." She said with tears welling up in her eyes. I hugged her and I didn't do that very often and when I did it wasn't a hug for comfort it was to restrain someone.
"I understand it will be hard. I will try to get a visit in as often as I can." I said with a smile. She nodded and thanked me. We headed back walking at a brisk pace but still able to carry on a conversation. She was an amazing girl. She was kind and caring under that protective barrier she wasn't going to break it down quickly it would take time and trust. Trust that I would have to earn. I wish now she never knew the side of me before maybe she could trust me. We walked into the castle. It was getting late. I didn't realize the time. We had been gone for 6 hours. It was 9 at night. The male guards smirked and I knew why. They thought the obvious. It was far different than what they thought.
"They think I slept with you." She said and it wasn't a question.
"Yeah, I'll set them straight." I said. They didn't need to disrespect her.
"Let them think it, I really don't care if they do." She said. That shocked me. I wasn't expecting that I expected her to be pissed.
"If that is what you want. I will honor that. They will make no comments about it though." I said. I was still floored. There were whispers. She just rolled her eyes. Bella would be a handful. I chuckled. We walked to the north wing and to our chambers. I smiled as she went into her room. I was sure I was falling in love. I walked into my room. Marcus was in there. What the hell?
"Brother, I needed to talk to you. Was it true what you said about Bella's family and leaving if Aro tried to hurt them?" Marcus questioned.
"Very true. I won't allow it." I said, "She means something to me. I don't know what. I can't tell honestly as she cares about me but as of right now she can't pursue anything. I understand that."
"She's your mate." He said. I shook my head, "Yes, she is. You are protective of her and won't let anything happen that would harm her physically or emotionally. Do you not feel the pull. I can see it. Why do you think you gave her the room you did?" He asked.
"I wanted her to have a nice room. That was all. didn't read into that. I gave her the options of the pink or black room." I said smiling. "She deserves that room. It's beautiful as she is." I caught myself. "Maybe your right."
"I am, I smell her in the room." He said with a smile. I shook my head.
"I was so far in thought when they came to get me to go hunt, I didn't sense them. They knocked and came in. She was in awe of the room. She loved it. She loves books. She was in awe of my collection. She has my original copy of withering heights." I said smiling. Marcus looked at me curiously.
"You didn't realize how much she actually meant until I just pointed it out. I had a suspicion. Usually you were ruthless and didn't care. You would have allowed that to happen today, but you didn't. Aro didn't pick up on it. He just thought you were rebelling against the decision. He has an idea now. The shower shut off. He nodded. "I will go." He said walking out. I heard Bella finding clothes. Her room was stocked with all her needs along with curling irons and all. My sister did it for me knowing how I felt. I smiled thinking about my conversation with Marcus. It made sense. I understood now. It was only now she had to realize it. I sensed Aro. What the hell did he want? No one would leave me alone. He came in.
"How was the hunt?" He said smirking. I knew that smirk. It took all I had in me not to rip him to pieces.
"It went well." I said not divulging anything of what happened.
"Good, I will leave you be then you look agitated. Sorry I didn't set up that arrangement." He said. I heard her gasp.
"Actually I am glad you didn't and I am glad I said no. She is an amazing person. More than you will ever know." I said. He smirked.
"I can read every thought you have. I will know." He said walking out. I heard Bella gasp again. What was wrong? I wondered. She started sobbing. It broke my heart. I was truly in love with her. I went to her room knocking. She didn't answer.
"If you would like to join me reading later you are welcome to." I said walking away. I wanted to cry. I felt horrible the pain we had caused. Her phone rang.
"Hello." She said sobbing.
"Sweetie I'm so sorry we will get you back." Carlisle said sadly.
"No, let me serve it. It will keep you safe. Will you ship some of my items to me. Please send pictures of Nessie." She said sobbing.
"Are they treating you well?" He asked concerned.
"Yeah, they are. Caius and his sister are wonderful." She said as sobs started to slow. He was surprised it was me that was kind to her. "Yes, he took me hunting. He really isn't that bad. He's quite caring." He still didn't believe her.
"Bells Em will possibly call you tomorrow. He is pissed and well wanting revenge. We will get it if you ask. Nessie explained it and by the way Edward is in pieces. We couldn't control Jazz. He is out of the family." He said. Good served him right.
"Good, I would have done it if she wasn't here. I wouldn't have blinked as I did it he smiled as she was drug out by Alice. Jazz wanted to rip him apart."
"Well he succeeded. Nessie thinks he was just kicked out. She didn't cry she said goodbye and that was it. No I love you's or nothing. Jazz lost it and ran after him after Nessie was asleep. We stopped him from turning him into ash."
"Okay," She said chuckling. "I kind of figured that would happen. I love you I will talk to you later."
"Bye sweetie we all love you. We will find a way to get you home."
"Thanks Carlisle but just let me serve, Caius is working it out so that I can have visits. He is really going out of his way to do things." She said. She was my mate and I would do what made her happy. "Love you too."
She hung up and started sobbing. I couldn't take it anymore. I went to her door. "Bella please talk to me, "I said sadly. She open the door. Her eyes were puffy and red. It made me want to cry.
"I'm sorry for all the crying." She said. I was in shock. Why was she apologizing.
"For one don't apologize. Come with me. Please read with me. It would be an honor." I said looking at her basically pleading. She nodded.
"I'm not going to hurt you and I just want to read with you. That's all don't think that. I see it in your eyes. I would never do that to you." I said looking at her with all the love I could give.
"But," She said I stopped her there.
"Bella, let me say this. The Caius I was before is no more. I have done many bad things. I will tell you that. I don't want to be that person anymore. Especially not towards you." I said looking in her eyes. She felt vulnerable. She didn't have any friends and she was out of her comfort zone.
"I know. I'm scared." She said. The girl I saw earlier was not this girl. She was scared.
"Why are you scared? Elaborate on it. We can talk in my room. It's practically soundproof as it could be with vampires around. I wanted it that way. I wanted privacy. It's hard to get, you know that." I said, she looked up at me and nodded. I put my arm around her and walked her to my room. She had the book clinging to it. It meant a lot to her either because of the memories the stories or for different reasons.
I sat her down on the bed and pulled her chin up, she looked like she was ashamed that I saw her weak. "I won't judge. I care, I want to know you. I don't want you shutting me out. I am your ally. This is the safest place to talk." I said she nodded. She still was quiet. She looked at me and smiled a half smile.
"I miss my family. I miss my daughter. I'm afraid I won't make the cut and Aro will kill me. I know I can fight but honestly I'm a new vampire compared to most you recruit I know you will do all that you can but isn't it Aro that makes the final decision. Most of all I'm afraid my family will try to plot revenge along with the wolves for you taking me and they will get slaughtered." She said sobbing. I was a little upset about her thinking Aro would kill her. This was not the girl who stood up to Jane. She has 2 modes, her defensive mode and her vulnerable mode, the one she afraid to show to anyone else. She was ashamed of it. There was no need to be. She was missing her daughter. I don't blame her.
"I understand all those reasons. Aro will not kill you for one I will not let that happen. I will die before that happens. I won't let anything happen to you. We wanted you on the guard for a reason. You are a strong shield. I'm not going to say I am sorry we wanted you here. I just feel bad on the terms that you had to come. I didn't agree about their plan but I didn't say anything. I also knew it wouldn't change anything. Aro still would have done it. Then I saw Nessie's face when he came out. That broke my heart and for someone to affect me it takes a lot. You mean a lot to me. I realize that now. Marcus really made me realize it. I am falling for you and I want you to know that. Whenever you are ready, I am. At that point Aro will know. He knows I care about you. We had an argument earlier. It was over you. I made my point clear. If he even remotely tries to hurt you or your family I will leave and no consequences will come to you are your family. He knows that. Marcus agrees that we need to honor the agreement. Marcus knows how serious I am about this. I want you to be ready before this goes any farther. I am happy with this. Just the closeness is enough. I don't want to push this. I will wait as long as you need. I promise and when I promise, I mean it." I said assuring her. She looked at me with eyes of understanding. She finally realized I meant every word.
"Can I trust you?" She asked with a look of hesitation.
"Yes. I promise you that. I am a man of my word. I can be your everything you have ever wanted. I will love you and provide whatever you want and need. That goes for your daughter as well. " I said smiling. She smiled a beautiful smile. "I always wanted children. I actually had a daughter before I was turned. She was 4. I never got to see her grow up. I had to leave. I was dead. I never knew what happened to her. I never tried to reach out. I wish I had now. At least I could have helped her. I can do that for Renesmee. I will love her as my own. She stole my heart at the clearing. I kept it to myself. She reminded me so much of my own daughter. I had to push it aside though. I was angry that you got that and I didn't. Now I know I was wrong. This is a lot to take in I know. I will let you think if you would like." I said looking at her she nodded and smiled.
"Okay, I don't fully trust you, that will take time. I think you know that though. My walls are still up. I will slowly break them down for you. I understand what you are saying. You're my mate but I need to come to terms with it. My question is what will happen with me being on the guard?" She asked. "What about missions.?"
"Well I may be able to get you off the guard possibly. I don't know if I can thought. If I can't get you off the guard I will go with you on missions. The pull would be too painful for you to focus. I will talk to Marcus about that one. He has a way with words. I don't exactly. I tell it like it is. That won't solve this problem." I said smiling. "I tend to be an asshole when I want something. Aro knows it too. We have had all out brawls because of a few things."
"Okay, can we read. I need to focus on something else right now. So much is running through my head. I can feel the pull . I am just not ready for it all. Thank you for being patient. It's been a roller coaster ride today. The plane ride sucked. I wanted to kill Edward the whole way. Jazz did too. Nessie was on edge and let's just say Jazz threatened him with his life if he didn't stop being an ass about the visit. Then Jane straight up pissed me off at the airport. Nessie had a few comments. It didn't help today's situation. Then the fact that I am attracted to you but I have so many mixed emotions right now. I want to accept you as my mate but it's still hard to trust anyone since Edward did what he did. He did the ultimate betrayal. Give me time, and I will return the love you hold for me. Until I am ready I would like to keep the room." She said. Those were all valid feeling and a simple request.
"That is fine. I understand all of that. I am still learning how to love. It won't be easy. I have been so evil for so long it may seem like I am being cruel at times. Please don't count that against me. Put me in my place but not in public please. That would raise questions that would second guess me as an authorities figure, pull me aside and talk to me. Give me time to show you I can be trusted. Your mixed feelings are to be expected. You have witnessed something traumatic today. I understand that. This will be a long hard road for us. I will give you as much time as you need. Let's relax and read if you would like." I said pulling her close and lying down pulling her to the head of the bed with all the plush pillows.
"Thank you. Their so soft. You smell amazing by the way." She said I chuckled.
"Well you smell like the sweetest flower I have ever smelt so forbidden afraid to touch it as if it would wilt. So rare that not another exists. So beautiful that everyone sees the beauty that it holds. So soft that nothing can compare to. So genuine and so pure. Making it a forbidden flower that is only perfection. No other flower can compare." I said smiling. I was poetic, at times. "Okay so that not exactly your scent but that is what I feel."
"It was beautiful. " She said kissing my cheek. That was a start. I pulled her closer. I was falling in love. I kissed her cheek. How I couldn't wait to actually kiss her. I wanted to taste her kisses. Oh how sweet they would be. I had stop thinking that way before I did push it too far. I must have been quiet. She was looking at me curiously.
"What were you thinking about?" She asked smiling placing her head on my shoulder.
"Honestly of how bad I wanted to truly kiss you." I said. She smiled. Maybe that was a good sign.
"I think I can handle that." She said smiling. That was a little surprising. I crashed her lips to mine. It was heaven. Her lips were so soft and so sweet. She actually wanted more. I granted her access. I would never get enough of her. She moaned in my mouth. Okay. We had to stop. I pulled away kissing her lips lightly. She looked at me curiously almost rejected.
"I don't know whether I could control myself if we continued. I want you to be ready for the mating. Because if we start it. I won't be able to stop it. It killed me to pull away, you are so sweet and well you see what it caused. I feel more desire than I have ever felt. I don't want to push it too far and too fast." I said smiling. Hoping she got what I meant. She started sobbing. Shit. Damnit. That was not what I was meaning.
"You don't find me attractive," She said. That was far from the truth.
"Sweetie, for one I have an issue that I will take care of later. I find you beautiful and you are the only one I want to see." I said smiling.
"Edward and I didn't have sex until we were married and that is what he always told me. I felt rejected every time. He almost said no to it on the honeymoon it was too dangerous. It just sounded like rejection" She said sadly. I wanted to, but I knew I would push her too far and too fast to her liking and it would only be a setback.
"Baby girl. I am far from rejecting you. I don't want you to regret it in the morning. It would distract you for a while. You want a distraction. I will tell you now don't use that for a distraction to take away your pain. It never works. It would also hurt me to know that it was just as a distraction. I want to make love to you the first time. It wouldn't be sex it would be our first time and I want it to be special. Not like this. I'm wanting you badly don't think I don't." I said looking at her meaning every word. I used to use sex as a distraction but I could never sleep with another. She was my world and I'd prove that.
"Thank you. I don't want to hurt you. In a way you just earned a little more trust in my book. I understand why though. I want it to be special too." Bella said smiling and kissing my cheek. Bella snuggled up and started reading the book. I kissed her forehead and got up to get a book for myself. I sensed my sister. She was nosy. I still loved her. I told her to come in. She looked embarrassed.
"Sorry to disturb you brother, and Bella sweetie but I was thinking of making you a few outfits. I just wanted to see if you would like them." She said. I was surprised. My sister never took a liking to the girls on the guard. She nodded and I grabbed a book. Didn't bother even looking at the title. I was more interested in the outfits. I laid down beside her. My sister smiled.
"He's taken quite a liking to you." She said. Okay that could have been taken wrong. I looked at her. "Sorry he likes you very much. I think you know that though."
"I do and I am accepting that I am his mate. It will take time and he is very understanding and know it will be a long hard road for both of us to learn to love." She said. I smiled and kissed her cheek. I would have screamed at the top of a mountain if I could. She just called me her mate. It was a big thing for me. That was the main thing that Marcus was concerned. It would take time and we'd have fights as all who are mated do. It would be a little different for us.
"I'm glad you two figured that out. I saw it from the start. I just dropped a few hints." She said smiling. She did. I recognized the signs but I didn't want to believe it. My sister pulled open her sketch pad.
"Sweetie I don't think it will take as long as you think. You two look more in love than most mated couples." She said as she started showing us the designs. I loved the pink dress she had drew up. It was a beautiful strapless with gorgeous beading on the bodice almost a corset, as well as the bottom hem. It was intricate yet simple at the same time.
"I love it. You would look beautiful in it." I said looking at her. Her smile lit up my world. It was a dark world and eventually it wouldn't be that way.
"I love it as well. Thank you. It is beautiful." She said my sister smiled. She was happy that they got along.
"It has a corset in it. I hope you don't mind." My sister replied waiting for her to veto it. She wasn't from my time when it was traditional. All the rules were different now. You didn't court the girl anymore. In a way I wanted to court her. I wanted to show her my love without all the physical aspects of it so soon. I'd wait for the physical aspects of it as long as she needed and that it wasn't a distraction from pain. We looked at the other sketches they were all beautiful. They always were. A few were couture, the others had sleeves or straps. Bella was blown away by the sketches. She was a humble person. I liked that. I needed someone to ground me. All these centuries she was who I was waiting for. I am happy I did. I will never be able to forget the horrible things I have done in the past. I know that. She will help in the healing process. My sister looked at me curiously.
"Bye brother. See you tomorrow. Enjoy the night." She said chuckling. I looked at her curiously as she left.
"You were off in your own little land for a few minutes." She said smiling. "you had the biggest smile on your face."
"I was thinking. You have me doing that a lot. "I told her chuckling. She crashed her lips to mine I got what I wanted a kiss from my mate. She deepened it causing me to moan. Her hands were roaming. I had to stop this before it got too far. I let her roam though.
"Bella," I moaned. She smiled. "Your irresistible right now."
"Am I?" She said as she said pulling away.
"Very." I said through my teeth. She saw the issue she created.
"Sorry," She said putting her head down. I didn't like that. There was no need to be sorry. I was quite enjoying it.
"Look at me please." I said in my sweetest voice. It actually surprised me. She looked up sadly "Don't be sorry. I love every minute of it." She nodded with a half-smile. "I want a true smile." She did finally realizing I wasn't lying to her. "I know this is sensitive but were you controlled?"
"Yeah, Edward was very controlling. That is why I hate being vulnerable and showing my emotions. He pushed them aside as if I didn't matter after we got married. That was why it surprised me with you tonight. I'm not used to it." She said sadly. We had a lot to work through.
"Don't ever feel that way about showing emotions with me. I won't push you aside. It breaks my heart to see you upset. I will never try to control you. I won't force things upon you. I may discourage things that I don't like. I can be jealous. I know this. I will be protective of you but never control you. You make your own decisions. I have a feeling that was taken away from you a lot." I said sadly. It was sad. She nodded. She needed to be able to make her own decisions. That was part of life and as a vampire control was a big thing. I didn't condone it. I was part of a power hungry group of ass holes. I was one of them but we did it for the reason of our race for the most part. Aro got a wild hair up his ass at times and I at times could care less that they had another vampire if he was gifted, yay we knew about them but if we chased every coven that added a vampire to their coven, we wouldn't do anything meaningful like trying to take Maria out. I hated that bitch and Bella does too. This will be interesting to see how this plays out. I have an idea she will be a key to all this.
"Baby do you want a bath. I will run one. Light candles and all. " I said smiling. She nodded. I went to find what I needed. I grabbed a few pink and white candles. I grabbed some bubbles. The girls loved them so we stocked them. I grabbed rose scented along with a few other things and headed to the room. A few of the guards looked at me funny. I told them who was boss. I wasn't going to be disrespected because I wanted to do something nice for mate. It was out of character for me. I made my way back to the north wing. As I walked in she was reading. She was so cute biting her lip as she read it. It was a turn on too. I pushed those feeling aside and started the bath running it to a nice temperature adding lots of bubbles and lighting the candles to let the aroma of the Fresca and lilac consume my senses. The rose bubble bath was exquisite. The combination was mouthwatering. It was ready as I called her in she smiled and thanked me. I wanted to do this. It was something I was new at but I wanted to show her my love. I stepped out so she could change and sat on the bed relaxing and getting into a book. She called for me to come in. I was a little nervous about this. I went in. She smiled at me with so much love in her eyes. "Come sit," She said. I did as she said. "Tell me about your life, what it was like to grow up when you did if you remember your human years."
"Okay, it's dark and I don't want to tell you it all. You will know in time. I have journals that describe it all. You are more than welcome to read them but honestly I will warn you. I was cruel. It scares me to think about how I wrote them. " I said and started telling tales of my beginning as a vampire, how I was turned and what human memories I had. She was in awe about the things I had seen. She loved history. I could give her accounts about history that few people witnessed. I was around for most of the changes in the world for the most part. She laughed at some of my accounts. They were funny now not at the time. It was about 6 in the morning. I had warmed the water a few times now. We both needed to get ready to train and she wanted to call her daughter. I left so she could get changed into her clothes and go change into training clothes. She kissed my cheek. I would show her to the courtyard. She was excited about her fight with Jane. I was too to be honest. Little bitch had it coming.
Bella POV
Caius wasn't such a horrible person after all. I was still leery of the trust but he would slowly earn it. I had the pull and I felt much more comfortable being around him than by myself. I felt the need to be near him. I also was jealous and protective. That was part of the reason for the confrontation with Jane. I was pissed. It wasn't the comment about Edward. She could gladly have him. We'll see how long it is until he cheats on Tanya. Hell she may not even acknowledge him after what he did yesterday. I'm sure Eleazar was told. He loved Nessie like his own and well he probably didn't take too kindly to it. I got my phone out dialing Nessie's cell. Yes she had a cell. We had if for her in case for hunting trips and emergencies.
"Mommy," She said happily. "I miss you."
"I miss you too baby. How'd you sleep?" I asked sadly. I didn't get to tuck her in and read her a story. That was honestly my favorite part.
"I didn't. Auntie Rose held me all night while I cried." She said sadly. It broke my heart.
"I'm sorry baby, I wish I could have been there. I love you sweetie. I am not doing this to hurt you I will be back. Not for a while baby. This is to keep you safe. Please don't hate me for it." I said about to sob. I couldn't break down. Not with her on the phone.
"Mommy why, I don't understand." She said sadly. I was so upset. Maybe I should have waited to call.
"Sweetheart there are things in this world you don't understand. This is one of them. Remember when the four of them came a few years ago and you were hidden?" I asked sadly. I had Nessie hidden. We didn't know why they were coming.
"Yeah, they wanted you to come join them. I remember you and daddy talking about it. That was a big fight. It made me cry." She said sadly emphasizing daddy and not in a good way.
"I know baby. I had to this time. I wanted you safe and I wanted Jake safe. The man that told Auntie Alice to take you outside is trying to get me a time to be able to see you. That is very kind of them. Most of the time we don't get to see the family." I said smiling. "He has also vowed to protect you and the family."
"I understand the first part but what do you mean by the last part?" She said. This was not the time to explain this.
"I'll explain another time. Can you put Uncle Jazz on the phone? I love you sweetie. I will try to call you later. Please try to sleep for mommy. Mommy loves you and everyone else does too. Don't worry them. I will be safe." I said with as much happiness in my voice I could muster. Jazz got on the phone.
"Are you okay?" He asked concerned. I wanted to chuckle. Typical Jazz.
"I'm fine Jazz," I said chuckling.
"What are you doing today and did I catch the drift you were going with without saying it?" He asked. Shit. This was not what I wanted to deal with.
"I'm training. I get to fight Jane today. She mouthed off about me getting her room as she put it and well Caius told her she deserved Edward. Speaking of which is he safe?" I asked chuckling.
"He's safe. If you catch my drift. Please continue how this all conspired. I don't like Jane but I know she doesn't fight well. I know you can kick her ass." He said. It made me laugh and I caught his drift meaning Edward was in pieces.
"Well she decided to pop off that he was hot. I didn't care about that comment. It made me laugh. She was being a bitch. I was still upset with her. I was talking to Athenodora about wardrobe and walked out told her she could have him and hoped he turned her to ash. Basically in a short version. I told her she was nothing without her gift and we would be equal. Caius actually suggested it." I said hesitantly.
"He wanted you to fight?" He said pissed. Fuck not good.
"Okay I wanted to, and I kind of in a way suggested it as well. But Caius means no harm. He actually quite loving and caring. We will both have to learn to love again but I think I will be okay. He is going to try to get me off the guard but I don't know what will happen then. I can't honestly say. " I said hesitantly. Hoping not to go into major mode.
"I knew he felt something for you and Nessie. He was flowing with compassion and rage as they brought Jake out. Nessie's reaction only made it worse. I can see why you're saying that. It's just convincing the others that." He said. That would be the hard part. I heard Em say what the fuck. Em wasn't happy. Em grabbed the phone.
"They took you and threatened you and hurt Jake. Caius really He's the biggest ass hole of them all." Em said pissed. Okay he was in big brother mode. How would I do this?
"Really Em he's not. He is actually a caring person. You know the other half brings out the compassion people hold. Look at my sister. She is complete and total bitch to most but is so loving and caring towards you. I love her but at first it was rough. You know that. Think of it in the same scenario. Until Nessie she absofuckinlutely hated me with a passion. "I said trying to make him understand.
"Fine, I will try to understand, if he hurts you I will go after him." Emmett said. Caius knocked and I opened the door.
"I understand Emmett. I will not hurt her." He said. I chuckled. Em was being Em. Always the protector.
"He better understand that. I will die trying." He said. I didn't need to think about that.
"Emmett there will be no fighting. I will discuss this later with you when we have more time." Caius said. I looked at the clock. It was 7:30. We had to go. "I have to go train. I love you all. Can you put Nessie on the phone?" I asked. I could hear soft noises in the background.
"I'm sorry she fell asleep. She didn't sleep at all last night." Em said sadly. "She missed you."
"I missed her too Em. I really have to go" I said with a sniffle.
"Bells we all miss you . Call soon. Nessie needs to know you are okay." He said sadly.
"I know. I will." I said as sobs were about to start. Caius looked at me smiling. "Bye."
I was mess now. "I'm not calling them in the morning. I'm an emotional wreck now," I said hesitantly.
"You'll be fine. Don't worry. Once you see Jane it'll all change she has been saying a few things this morning and well I think that may help you with your emotions. Just don't kill her." He said chuckling.
"Please." I asked smiling. He laughed.
"No, you cant. I would have done it years ago if I could have. Believe me. You like her as much as I do." He said making me laugh.
"I wouldn't say I liked her." I said smiling. He rolled his eyes. He showed me to the courtyard. About 10 other guard members were there now. Caius looked a little irritated. Jane smiled as we walked in. I wanted to kill her.
"Already jumped in his bed, you two smell like each other." She said. She chuckled. "If I didn't know better, I'll have to tell Chelsea."
"You will not talk to Chelsea and she will not do anything. I will rip both of you apart if she even tries. Got it." He told Jane, I just smiled.
"I got it. Let's see what the bitch of mate you have can do." She said, I could see how pissed he was getting. He shook his head at me.
"First off, she is a member of the guard. You of all people know not to push my buttons. You are right. She is my mate. You are lucky I can't dispose of you." He said. He really didn't like her. "We need to start training now but first we have a score to settle."
"I'm ready. What's the rules?" I asked smiling. Jane glared. I smiled.
"It will be a clean fight as in no biting and you may use your gifts." He said. I chuckled. Like they would affect me. The others looked a little scared for me. I just smiled. I heard one murmur that she'd take me down quickly without even touching me. That made me want to laugh.
"Don't want your precious mate getting a few battle scars." Jane said. Caius had a look that could kill.
"I was bitten as a human. I know what it feels like. Let's go." I said raising my eyebrows smirking. Caius smiled but looked at me curiously. He must not have known.
"Jane can't touch her with her powers. I know that was a big question for all of you. She is a shield. She was part of the Cullen clan and still is. You will all treat her with respect. "He said looking at them. I knew not to be too arrogant. I was a newcomer. I'd have to earn respect but at least I wouldn't be bad mouthed.
We walked out to the middle of field. I smiled. It was just as if we were home training. I sensed Aro walking in. Jane smiled.
"I'm his favorite." She said, I shrugged.
"You may not be after this." I said chuckling. Caius gave the signal to start. She ran at me , I caught her picked her up by the throat and threw her down to the ground. I waited for her to get up. I just stood there waiting. They murmured about who trained me. I was new and most couldn't fight like I could after decades of fighting.
"We going to continue or what?" I said chuckling. I let her grab me. I was still playing I was far from fighting like I could. She got a punch in. It actually phased me a tad bit, I pulled a newborn killing move getting out of her hold, she ran at me. I would go hand to hand now. Jane got in a few good punches I got in more. Aro looked at me in awe and looked worried for Jane. I was done playing. I went around behind her. She almost caught me as I bare my teeth on her neck. The others didn't dare clap. They couldn't block her as I did. I could push her as far as I wanted and she couldn't phase me. I let her go and walked over to the group looking at Caius while a pissed off Jane stomped over. It was funny to watch her throw a temper tantrum muttering stupid bitch. I had dealt with Rose when she hated me. I could deal. Aro and Caius came over. Aro clapped with that damn smile. I didn't trust him.
"Well the winner is Bella as you all saw. She is quite trained. A very skilled individual has trained her along with few other skilled vampires that were around during the vampire wars." Caius said smiling. They gasp.
"Isabella that was amazing. You are very skilled. You are a young vampire and I am impressed. You outdid Jane and she has been fighting for more than a few lifetimes. You are proving yourself to be very useful." Aro said. It was sickening. Caius wasn't too impressed either.
"You all need to do the regular warm-up. Jace you are to show her the warm up." Caius said looking at him of if you touch her you will pay look. I nodded. He watched us warm up giving cues and helping the other people. He smiled watching me train. We finished our training session. Aro was there the whole time. Jane was a little aggressive. I felt bad for the girl. I shielded her after a while. She looked at me curiously when the punches weren't as powerful. Jane looked at me glaring. I smiled and nodded. She mouthed thank you. Aro pulled me aside when we were done.
"How much do you know about killing newborns?" He asked. I was hesitant to tell him that I could kill a newborn no problem. I was trained by the major what the fuck did he think. I looked at him stupidly. "Answer the question."
I heard Caius muttering something about not going on that mission. "Well let's just say I was trained by 3 of the most known vampires at the time of the vampire wars. What do you think?" I said shaking my head.
"You don't talk to me that way. I have a mission for you then. We'll see how well you do." He said. I shrugged. Caius came over.
"You did ask her a very stupid question. You know who her brother is. You know he is still in contact with the other 2. Do you really think they wouldn't teach her that. She isn't going period. That bitch will not touch her. I'll ask you this what do you think will happen if they catch word of this. They will be pissed and the major would be the worst. Captain and Lieutenant would fight as well alongside her and then trying to kill us." Caius said. He did make a good point. Jazz had wanted to take Maria out for a very long time as did Peter and Char.
"Then they can come with us." Aro said. Fuck no. I wasn't going to let that happen. I must have had that look. Aro smiled. "Then I will make the call."
"Aro, do you really think that is necessary?" Caius asked pissed.
"Yeah, it is. They worked for her and fought beside her they will know more than we will. I can't believe I didn't think of this sooner. " Aro said. "How stupid of me."
I was shooting daggers at Aro by now. That was uncalled for. Caius put his hand on my shoulder looking me in the eyes. It calmed me. I was still pissed. He dismissed them to go off on to the rest of their day. I walked upstairs and we went into his room.
"Can I call Peter or would it be a good idea?" I asked. I was unsure. He was unsure.
"Yeah, call him I'm sure he will be called by Aro soon or they will make an appearance." Caius said concerned. Peter wouldn't go willingly. Maybe he would with me being here.
"They would rather die if that happened." I said.
"Call him. That is why I am saying yes." He said concerned. I dialed his number.
"Hey bellsy, how is life?" He asked.
"Good. I need to talk to you." I told him.
"I'm not breaking you out as much as Jazz and the others may want to. I know your mated. What's up?" he asked. "I know it isn't good and it's going to be a fight. I just don't know which side I'm on."
"Well the Volturi is trying to take out Maria. Aro will be getting a hold of you and Char along with Jazz so get your ass over here or be expecting a visit. Jane has it out for me and I don't want her to take it out on my family including you." I said sadly.
"Bella they better not send you on that mission. We'll come, when do you need us there?" Peter asked. "Why does she have it out for you?"
I chuckled. "Because I kicked her ass. " I said chuckling "I used some newborn moves. She didn't like it too much. She fights like a newborn. As for when to come I am not sure. Caius will have to find out because I don't know." I said hesitantly.
"Sweetie I know you're mated to Caius. I will be there in a few days. Caius can you explain what he wants us to do? We aren't joining. Jane couldn't fight I knew that. But I didn't realize she fought like a newborn." Peter said.
"Peter we just to rid of Maria. Bella can fight. You trained her well. I won't have to train her at all. As for Aro he mainly wants you to help take out Maria and probably train the guard to fight newborns. She really impressed him today. He is mainly doing it to piss her off but we want Maria gone and I'm sure you do too. We sent guards and they haven't come back yet. I don't think they are alive. "Caius told Peter.
"I heard Maria and Bella in the same fucking sentence. What the fuck is going on Peter." Char said. I heard her loud and clear. I chuckled. "Bella why are you laughing?"
"Char I am fine. Aro wants you, Jazz, and Peter to help take her out. He's doing it to piss me off. I kicked Jane's ass today to put it nicely." I said.
"No, Char she royally pissed Jane off because she just didn't kick her ass, she fought as well as an expert. She shouldn't be able to fight like she can being so young but if you have the 3 of you training her I can see why. Aro knows you guys can train considering your past. He wants to destroy her. Our guard as much as I hate to say it isn't as skilled in newborn fighting technique as you 3 are. Bella would be happy to see you as well. I plan to do trips to see her daughter and she is keeping her cell so she won't be isolated from her. I promise Char." Caius said. Peter told her it my cell number.
"Everyone is worried about you and misses you dearly. Nessie isn't doing well with it. She doesn't want to hunt." Char said sadly. My breath hitched and I was close to sobbing.
"I know, I didn't know about not wanting to hunt. I will talk to her. I know I wish I could do something. He is working on getting me to see her. I miss her too." I said sobbing.
"Bella I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said anything. I know you are missing her too. I'm sorry. It's a tough time right now." Char said sadly and apologetically. Caius was rubbing my back looking at me lovingly with a smile.
"It's fine Char. I am doing okay. Caius has really helped. He took me under his wing and turns out he is my mate. It's not all bad here. The worst part is not having the rest of my family here. I know they won't come. They are pissed and I personally don't want Em or Rose near Aro anytime soon." I said smiling. Caius chuckled. He knew what I meant.
"Yeah, not a good idea baby girl. She'd go after him I'm sure. He wasn't too accepting of Caius was he?" peter asked chuckling.
"Not exactly. He threatened him." I said chuckling.
"Yeah, typical Em. I love you sweetie. I am glad you are safe. Hell it makes me proud you kicked the bitches ass. That's my girl." Peter said with a smile. I didn't have to see it. I heard it in his voice.
"I love you too sugar. Keep kicking her ass for us. She deserves it. We will call Jazz and let him know. The less Aro knows the better." Char said. "I really want to see the bond. I just don't know how I didn't see it in the clearing."
"I love you both. If you see Nessie before I do give her a hug and kiss for me. I miss her Char. I know she isn't sleeping. She fell asleep after I called this morning. I'll talk to you later. I am still in training gear. I need a shower. I smell like Jane from the fight." I said laughing. Caius agreed laughing.
"Okay baby girl. Caius take care of my sister." Peter said.
"I will. She is my world. I promise. " Caius said. Char was a little speechless. We said love you and I hung up. He flipped my wrist and looked at the bite. You could still see the mark from James. Edward bites when he changed me only showed up only faintly and my neck bite never stayed. Carlisle never figured it out.
"What happened?" he asked. This would be a long story. I started telling him about the baseball game and how it all started. I told him about my trip to phoenix how I escaped and how James bit me at the ballet studio. How they burned it down and the fact that Edward almost killed me by taking too much blood. He wasn't happy to hear that. He figured out how the newborn army came about and why. That was always a mystery to them. It made sense now. About an hour later I finally finished up with the battle. How it scarred me to see Bree killed. That still bothered me. She was so young. It wasn't her fault that she was changed.
"So I can hardly tell where you were changed. That is the first time I have seen it." He said curiously.
"We don't know either. That has been the big question. He injected me with his venom first because that was when I gave birth to Nessie. I lost too much blood and I won't get into the birth and how but that was the reason I was changed and he injected it so I didn't die and I think Carlisle injected morphine as well." I said smiling thinking back to that day. It was the first day to my life with my daughter. I was changing but it was still an amazing day to me.
"You don't have to get into that. I have an idea. I think the fact that he injected and the morphine is what caused them because it changed the venom in a way. I am rather happy the marks didn't stay." He said smiling. I nodded smiling kissing him. I needed his comfort. He deepened it. Making me moan. He was doing things to my body I had never felt. It was the electric shock I had heard about. It was amazing.
"Baby," He moaned. I felt his issue and pulled back. I wasn't ready for that yet. I was starting to sound Edward. I let his hands roam awhile making me moan. I wanted more but my head kept saying no it was too soon. I pulled back. He groaned. I chuckled.
"I want to but I know I would probably regret it with it being so soon. This isn't a typical things for mates is it." I asked smiling. He shook his head.
"Honestly no. Typically when you figure out your mates you make love or fuck I would bite you marking you and we'd start the relationship then and there would be a lot of sex. " He said. "This is totally different. We recognize each other as mates but emotionally I don't think you are ready for that and I know you feel the same."
"I do and I understand, I am happy that as my mate you are willing to wait for me." I said smiling. He smiled and kissed my forehead whispering as long as I needed. I was in love with him. We laid there for a while. Just relaxing. It was our form of sleep. I got up to call Nessie. I went into my room. He understood.
"Hey baby girl. Mommy missed you today." I said smiling.
"I missed you too. Esme gave me a test today in math. I got 95% on it. I understand now you won't be able to be with me every day and it will be a long time in between us seeing each other. I will take care of myself. I know it's hard on you Auntie Char talked to me. I understand now. I promise. I will be strong as you mommy." She said. I didn't want her to have to do that. I was almost sobbing.
"I am so proud of you. Mommy did some training like when you train and when we trained with Uncle Peter and Aunt Char. You are amazing baby girl. You don't need to be strong like mommy. It's okay if you are upset. I understand. I didn't want you to leave either. I know you are better off with them than here. Caius is a very nice man. He is taking very good care of mommy." I said with a smile. She was an amazing girl. She was a strong girl.
"I want to be mommy. You are being brave for all of us and I can be brave too. Are you safe mommy? Is Caius your mate?" She asked. This was not a conversation I wanted to have so soon. I had to tell her the truth.
"Yes baby girl he is. He is not a mean man. He is very nice to mommy and really wants to get to know you. He had a daughter before he became a vampire. He is sorry for the way he treated you before." I said smiling. I wanted her to know at least that he was sorry. "I'll explain more when we see each other. I don't know when that will be but he is trying to find a time to come visit or you come here if I can't go there. I want to wait for a while because Uncle Em and Jake probably won't be too welcoming." I said sadly.
"Jake is okay. Sam isn't happy. I was there and he didn't know. He yelled at Jake. He doesn't like them. Jake doesn't like them." She said with a smile. Only a child could phrase something so serious so innocently.
"Yeah, they don't like them. I want to wait awhile for Caius to be in our home town at the time or near Jake at the least . I would like to maybe take you to a country or place we haven't been to. Maybe I can see the whole family. I don't know. We will see. You need to get some sleep baby. What are you reading tonight?" I asked. I tried to keep it as normal as possible. Soon Jazz would be here and would be gone another big event for her. Jazz was very close with her and it was the reason why he came with us.
"Uncle Jazz is reading the last part of Withering heights. My favorite part." She said I'm sure with a smile. She had the voice to match it." Rose is working her car. I am going to learn when I get older."
"Good. I am glad I hope you enjoy it. Mommy never really liked working on cars. I tried." I said laughing.
"I know you came in covered in oil. I laughed." She said happily making me laugh.
"Yeah baby. I did. I will talk to you later. Can I talk to whoever is closest?" I asked. I needed to talk to Alice. I just hoped she was around.
"Hello Bella." She said as cheery as she could be. I could tell she missed me. It was the voice when she left before the Volturi came.
"Hey cheer up sis. I am fine. I am doing okay." I said as happy as I can be to hear my sister sad.
"It's not that. I can see Caius makes you happy. It just makes me sad to know that it took you joining to figure it out. We miss you. I know Jazz has to go. I saw Aro's decision. I don't like it." She said sadly. "I want to come."
"I'll do everything I can to get you here. Please just no suicidal rescue plans." I said with a half-smile. I knew was planning.
"No, I know it won't work. I'm not even going to try. We'd all end up dead." She said. "Don't think I haven't looked into it."
She was getting some attitude and spunk back. "I miss you guys. Caius has been very nice and he is very understanding. I am not ready for it all. I need some time to accept all of this. He does care about Nessie." I said smiling.
"I've seen a few of his decisions and he does care. He loves you. That is the only reason why we aren't fighting this. We know he will take care of you and Nessie." She said.
"I won't take Nessie from all of you ever. I don't know what the future holds. That is your department but I hope to never be far from my family." I said with a smile hoping I didn't have to be too far from my family after I got done serving.
"I know. We'll see how it works out. I love you sis. Jazz will be there in a few weeks. Peter and Char are coming in a few days. I need to hunt. Nessie wants to say goodnight and read to you." She said as she handed the phone to her. She started reading the book to me. It was a beautiful sound. It was as if I was there. I could see her sitting in Jazz's lap as she read the book. She slowly drifted to sleep after a few pages. She was tired.
"Bella she smiled the whole time. I love you sis. I need to put her to bed. We miss you. I can't say that enough. A part of our family is missing. It will be a long wait for you to come back. It will never feel the same until you are home. Tribe isn't too happy about this. Now with you mated they can't touch him. We made an agreement. Jake was the one who actually came up with it. He didn't blame you for who you love and are mated to. We understand too. It's not easy to accept but we understand. Our mates are chosen for us. They are our second half. Bye for now. We are shipping tons of pictures, her baby book, some clothes, and your favorite books and personal belongings. Em is also sending one of the laptops to you so you can do video chat. They have a hookup there. It will help Nessie. Her emotions have been all over today but she is getting better she understood what Char said. Basically she explained that you were doing this to keep all of us safe and that you weren't able to come home for a while but you would visit as often as possible. Goodnight Bella tell Caius thank you. My main worry was that you were going to be treated badly. I see that isn't the case now." Jazz said with a little more emotion. Thank god. I didn't like the sad Jazz. I wanted happy Jazz. I knew I would have the best chance of living here because I was a shield I could block Jane. They couldn't. She would have taken her anger out on them is how I figured it.
"I love you all. Keep her safe. Thank you for sending that and thank Em. I will tell him. Have a good night. I miss you all. I feel whole because I found my mate but I also feel as if I have a piece missing because I don't have my daughter and family." I said. "Bye brother. Bye mom."
"Bye, I love you sweetie." Esme said. I knew calling her mom made her feel special. She was like a second mom to me.
"Bye Bells. Spend some time with your mate. He loves you." Jazz said with emotion.
"Bye, I love you too." I said hanging up. I had spent a few hours on the phone between talking to everyone. I was happy I could at least have a normal routine with her to a point. I got up and showered changing into a Victoria secret sweat pants with sexy on the ass and a tank top on. I just grabbed a pair. I didn't look at the butt and saw it as I was brushing my teeth and combing my hair. I sensed Athenodora. I told her to come in. I had a surprised look on my face. She chuckled. She had garment bags. I smiled.
"I know we took measurements but I wanted to see you in the ones that are complete." She said smiling. "I heard you on the phone and was giving you privacy. Can my brother see you in a few?"
"I would love to try them on and of course, I'd love to show off your beautiful designs to him." I said smiling. She was happy. I didn't sense Caius. "Where is he?"
She hesitated. "He needed to feed." She said. I nodded. It would take some time to get used to. "He went to the slums to feed don't worry. He's had a change of heart. He should be back any minute"
"It will take some time to get used to. I am okay with it. I know he feeds on humans. Peter and Char do as well. It's just not what I'm used to." I said swallowing hard. I sensed him back in the castle, he was on his way up. I smelled a sweet smell. My mouth watered. I had to push that back. I wanted to stay on animal blood. She looked at me concerned. "I'm okay. I have never tasted human blood. Personally I don't want to."
"I understand why you feel that way. I know it was traumatizing with your first experience here. I can only imagine how that felt. I don't agree on how they feed at times. I hunt as Caius hunted tonight. I have always hunted that way. I tried animal. I couldn't do it." She said. "I have a question, what do you plan on doing after you have served?"
"I don't know. I don't want to be far from my family and daughter most of all but I know it is his job here to stay and take care of the issues that come up. I don't want her here because she doesn't need to see what goes on here. I want to protect her for as long as I can. I would like to say that we could live near the family but I also don't want to make him choose either." I said. I didn't want to make him choose. His sister was here his family.
"That's understandable. I can see why you feel that way. I think you should talk to him about this because I think you would be surprised by his decision." She said as she was taking them out. "He will be quick. The pull is starting to get to him I think. I can tell with you it already affects you." She said. I did have a pull now thinking about it. It just lessens when I am speaking to my family. It was a dull ache and as soon as I was off the phone it was a different story. She pulled all the dresses out and put them on the rack in the empty closet. She asked me to sit and if she could do my hair. I wasn't sure how to act.
"If you would like to. You don't have to. " I told her curiously.
"I haven't gotten to do hair in a long time. I miss it. Please forgive me if I am being too forward." She said. I smiled and explained I wasn't offended. I was surprised. She relaxed a little bit and started curling my hair in big barrel curls. I was surprised when she was done I looked in the mirror. I couldn't believe it. She was talented. It was perfect. I loved it. I smiled and thanked her as I heard the shower go off.
"Let's get you in one of the dresses. You look beautiful." She said. I thanked her. It was all her who did it. I stepped into the dress. She loosened the corset so it wasn't too tight and tightened it back up as soon as it was on. The dress was gorgeous. I thought it would be hard to top my wedding dress. This was close.
"I take it you like it." She said smiling.
"I never thought I'd find a dress that could top my wedding dress and how they did my hair and makeup on my wedding day but this is close." I said. She smiled again.
"I know this is a ways off but would you allow me to design your wedding dress?" She asked. That was a shock. I nodded as a knock at the door. Athenodora answered the door and opened it. His eyes lit up.
"It looks even more beautiful on you than I imagined. I love your hair as well. You are beautiful no matter what but this tops it all you are a goddess in my eyes. " He said making my eyes well up. "Would you like to go for a walk in the courtyard?"
I nodded. He took my hand looking at his sister to make sure it was okay to take the dress out of the room. She nodded. We headed to the courtyard to talk. The night passed by quickly. Tomorrow I was going to be shown around the castle and train some more. In about a week my belongings would be here. I was excited for the video chat sessions because it would ease her pain in a way. I'm sure they had all our pictures we had taken were on their. Caius pulled me out of my thoughts.
A/N- I hope you enjoyed the chapter. If you have time please let me know what you think.