Inevitability

14


Wren's Point of View


Walking through the streets of Volterra, I couldn't help thinking that it wasn't nearly like what I had imagined. From the descriptions and memories that my parents had given me, I had expected a dark, depressing city, filled to the brim with humans and vampires alike, an aura of darkness surrounding the place like a bad video game. Of course, those memories had been tainted with sadness and anger, something I was becoming more and more used to, it seemed.

A fresh flood of guilt washed over me, as I looked over my shoulder to the four who had accompanied me here, on what I now knew was a foolish rescue attempt for Jacob. Seth carried Alex, my daughter that he had imprinted on. He looked so happy, despite being in a city run by and filled with leeches. Leah carried Jessie, both of them looking substantially less happy. I couldn't help but smile a little, remembering how Jessie would protest when anyone with a body temperature above thirty-seven degrees would try to hold her. I was glad that she chose now to be silent; perhaps a sixth sense of hers.

What would become of my children's futures? The answer to that question lay on today, on what happened here. My phone chose that moment to start ringing, pulling me from my dreary, darkening thoughts. I snapped to reality, pulling the small device out of my bag. The vampire that was leading us - Demetri, I believe he had called himself - glared at the inoffensive little thing as though it were a pipe bomb.

"Answer your father, and then we shall continue," he snapped, and I hurried to obey. Fleetingly, I wondered how he had known it was Edward, but I honestly didn't care enough to continue. Looking at the phone, I saw it was actually an alert, signalling that I had missed well over fifty calls, all from various members of my family. No sooner had I deleted the alert than the phone began to ring again, the Caller ID stating the other side to be my father.

"Hello?" I asked, already inwardly cringing as I prepared for his roar on the other side.

I wasn't disappointed; "Where the hell are you?" His voice was loud enough for Seth and Leah to cringe as well, even without using their heightened hearing.

"Dad…" I began, keeping the phone a safe distance away from my overly sensitive ears. "Calm down. I'm…in Volterra. Rescuing Jake, because let's face it, none of you were going to."

There was a pause. It was deadly, like the calm before the storm, and then his voice cam back, low and menacing. "You're in Volterra?"

I think I preferred the shouting.

"Yes, Dad. I'm with Demetri, and Seth and Leah are here with my daughters. We're going to see the Volturi right now, to try and plead for Jacob's release." Though I spoke as softly as I could, I knew the black-cloaked vampire could hear me; he smirked when I mentioned our reasons for being here. "Look, I'll call you later, okay? You have really bad timing."

"Renesmee Carlie Cullen…"

"Don't use that tone with me. You weren't going to come rescue him, were you Dad?" I snarled, my temper finally stressing. I let it all poor out of me, all the emotion, the stress, the anger and despair that I could now feel, free from the shackles of my Uncle's gift. "Admit it, you're still not okay with him, after all these years. You almost lost Bella to him; it kills you when you think about losing me too. Well guess what, I'm his, I'm not yours! I never was yours to begin with. You know it, we all did! Now I'm going to rescue Jacob, and you can get on a plane right now for all I care, but don't call me again until you have an attitude adjustment, because I can't deal with this shit anymore. I can't do it."

With that, I snapped the phone shut with enough force to snap the tiny thing in two. Flimsy piece of human garbage. I snarled lightly, throwing away the phone that was now little more than a piece of grey plastic and wires, meshed into the shape of the inside of a fist. I heard a satisfying crack and clunk as it landed somewhere in an alley way, no doubt smashing into further destruction. I smiled, turning back to Demetri.

"Now, I believe we were heading somewhere."


Jacob's Point of View


"Well! I believe we are to be expecting your imprint any time soon!"

I was really starting to get annoyed by that stupid leech's over-cheerful voice all the time. I was stuck in a corner of that giant hall, several vampires surrounding me. I wasn't yet at the point suicidal enough to try and take them all at once, so I sat, waited. Tried to bide my time.

Biding my time would be a hell of a simpler task if Aro would shut up for one fucking second. He made me want to put a gun to my head and just go crazy.

Far down the corridor that led to this room - something I had seen when one guard slipped away from Aro, down through the doors. Demetri, I think his name had been, when Aro called him. I lifted my head, looking towards the doors expectantly. There were a lot of footsteps echoing quietly down, getting closer, and for a second I thought that this was the legendary 'feast' that Edward had once told me about. The Volturi would bring in almost a dozen humans, and eat heartily. Just the thought made me almost hurl; surely they didn't expect me to just sit by and watch them kill humans? I wouldn't be able to control the werewolf side of me, then.

Maybe that was what they wanted.

My head throbbed dully, as it seemed to do when I tried to think too hard. Like some sort of timely migraine. I winced, rubbing the back of my head, feeling that wretched piece of raised skin where there was a pale scar, I was sure. Like Jasper, who had cuts all over him from newborn fights. Mine would stand out blatantly to the outside world against my dark skin.

Oh well.

It was then that I realized that, out of the many footsteps I heard, I only heard two strong heartbeats, heightened in speed by anxiety, perhaps. There were two more, but they were slower and softer, like that of children. I inhaled deeply, and caught the scent of werewolf. What I was about to pass off as my own smell became clearer almost immediately and, like a curtain had lifted in my head, I recognized the scents of Seth…and Leah?

What the hell was she doing here?

Smelling closer, if that phrase exists…I'm sure you know what I mean by it…I could then detect the three scents I loved more than anything in the entire world; that of Wren and my daughters. For a brief moment, all I felt was joy at the thought that we were to be reunited soon…in a few moments. Then, grief and anxiety replaced the emotion. What were they doing here? Had they been captured, like me? What was going to happen now? Aro had made no secret of his intentions for Wren…and what of my daughters? I would kill him if he touched a hair on any of their heads, guards be damned.

With a light growl, I pushed myself to my feet. The guards tensed, before the doors began to slowly push open.


Wren's Point of View


The scent of vampires was stale in the giant castle, mixed with the smells of must and mould, and the scent that things got when they were warm and wet, without being exposed to moving air. I wrinkled my nose, seeing my family - that's what they were now, family. Even Seth and Leah - possess similar looks of disgust. For a moment, seeing the range of emotion on my daughters' faces, I had to remind myself that they weren't even a year old yet. Must be the vampire and werewolf mixing in them, speeding them up.

Of course, a werewolf developed naturally, unless…

…surrounded by vampires.

Oh God.

Having a little werewolf baby that never aged would be cute as hell - I mean think about it, a little puppy! - but it would also be a royal pain in the backside.

Wow, where the hell was my mind today?

To try and refocus my thoughts, I looked around the room. This, at least, was exactly as I had imagined it; the high windows, the cold stone walls, right down to the thrones and their occupants. Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward, ready to march up to the three most powerful vampires in the world, most possibly, before I caught sight of Jacob. He was behind the thrones, and surrounded by many vampires, but I could see him clear as day. He looked dreadful, like someone who has been through hell and back. I wanted to run over to him, to hug him and promise that everything was going to be okay.

Of course, that wasn't an option.

"Ah, Renesmee!" That clap of hands and overly cheerful voice that I remembered from my childhood drew my attention to the centre throne, where Aro had positioned himself. I fought the urge to snarl. "So glad you could join us!"

"I'd never miss the opportunity to visit childhood friends," I said in reply through clenched teeth and a forced smile. I hoped he would just spontaneously burst into the flames from the red-hot waves of mental hatred I was sending towards him.

"Ah but of course," Aro replied, smiling brightly as he rose, gliding forward in that ethereal way. "I see you did have your daughters. What are their names?"

"Jessie and Alex." That time it was Seth who spoke, glaring at the lead Volturi with enough hatred to rival mine. I don't think I'd ever seen the boy angry. It didn't suit him. Marcus, then, rose from his seat, and behind me Leah tensed. I put a hand out to her, gripping her forearm. She looked like she was about to attack him, and that would definitely not help our situation. Marcus, however, ignored us as he glided over to his brother, and Aro took his hand eagerly, bending over it for a second, before letting go.

"Oh how marvellous!" he said. I couldn't imagine anything being 'marvellous' at this point. "It seems the young werewolf has imprinted on Jessie! Oh how delightful. I cannot imagine such a feeling like that, although your own werewolf lover has given me a good clue," he added, turning to me at the last part, gesturing to Jacob. I shifted my gaze to look to him, only to realize that Marcus hadn't moved; he stood in front of us still, blocking my view of Jacob.

I brought my focus in closer, going to Marcus' face. He wasn't looking at me though, or at his brother or my daughters. His gaze was focused on Leah, a slight frown of confusion on it. Was he really that stymied by the presence of a female werewolf? Granted, it was rare, an apparent result of being a 'genetic defect', as Leah so liked to call herself, but that was surely acceptable as a probability. There are always anomalies in life.

After another collection of seconds, he reached his hand out again to Aro, brushing it against his arm, before he turned back to the thrones. Caius wasn't there, but I could imagine his permanently sour expression. It was odd, but I preferred that to Marcus' dead face. Looking at him made me feel like I myself could no longer express emotion through my face or body. It made me feel so completely apathetic, that it was terrifying. I remembered being told that he had lost his wife many years ago, and that it had permanently altered him. Losing a mate would be terrible, it was true - I couldn't imagine a life without Jacob - but surely after so many years, the man could at least smile? Or find someone to make him smile?

"Well…" Aro's voice made me snap my gaze away from his brother, to him. He had the same slight frown on his face, but it was quickly drowned in his usual overly-bright smile. "We shall organize lodgings for you and your children, as well as our werewolf guests, while my brothers and I decide what to do with you now. I have to admit that you bringing guests has become a bit of a curve ball, but not to worry; I'm sure there can be a solution that all parties are happy with."

You mean that you are happy with. We won't have a choice, I rebuked silently in my head, glaring at him once more. A few vampires came forward, ready to act as our entourage, but I stepped forward, catching Aro by the forearm as he made to move away. He looked at me, surprise on his face as several of his guards came forward, but he waved them away.

"I want to see Jacob," I growled meaningfully, looking at him with a definite won't-take-no-for-an-answer look. He merely smiled.

"Jacob's quarters are to be located next to yours. You shall see each other soon."


Jacob's Point of View


I recognized the signs, clear as day. Being around as many of my kind as I have, almost all of whom seem to have gone through this, it was impossible not to know exactly what was going on.

Oh God Leah…no…no…


Wren's Point of View


Figures they would but me in a room eerily similar, if not exactly the same as, the room I had been imprisoned in beforehand. If I concentrated hard enough, I could imagine that I smelled my blood all over the floor. I could see the darker stain of red on the floor.

"Well…this blows," Seth said after what seemed like forever in silence. I giggled a little at this completely blunt thing to say. It was so…werewolf.

"Yeah, Seth, it really does," I agreed, looking to where my daughters slept, in a large old fashioned cradle that someone had partitioned into two, so each twin got their own little space. The divider was removable though, and translucent, so they could sort of see each other if they wished to. Both of them were currently sleeping, however, and I felt a stab of envy shoot through me as I saw how peaceful they were, dreaming happy dreams. Because reality was full of nightmares that they wouldn't be able to understand.

Just then, the door opened, letting in a very tired looking Jake. I all but flew into his arms, grinning madly from ear to ear as I hugged him with enough force to crush twenty humans. He coughed lightly, one hand stroking my hair back from my face when I finally pulled away.

"I missed you too," he said, before laughing again, and I rolled my eyes.

"Shut up."

"You gonna make me?" I grinned. It's amazing how light-hearted he could be when he looked so down beaten just a moment before. I then pressed my lips to his, immediately deepening the kiss when his tongue snaked out, asking for entrance by running along by bottom lip. We kissed like that for several long moments, eyes closed, arms and hands holding onto each other as if for dear life, as I pressed my body as close to his as I could. It had been a long time since that first…incident, but I hadn't forgotten the fire of his touch. I never could.

There was a light cough, which I ignored, then a heavier clearing of the throat. I grinned, still ignoring Seth, until he yelled "Get a room!" I couldn't kiss Jacob anymore, overcome as I was by laughter. Both of us were almost doubled over on the floor.

"Excuse me, but I missed my imprint," Jacob said, grinning at Seth and pushing the younger boy playfully, but with enough force to knock him off his perch on the end of the bed. "You're just jealous cause kissing yours would be paedophilia."

I burst into another round of laughter at the comment, smacking Jake in the back of the head like I had seen Rosalie do to Emmett several thousand times. "No teasing Seth," I said, poking my tongue out at him. "He can't help it."

The next hour or so continued in much the same manner, teasing and playful. We didn't spare a second thought to Leah, who had requested separate rooms to us. I didn't know why, but I figured maybe she just needed her space. I myself knew the feeling of becoming overwhelmed.

I needed to buy a new phone, and apologize to my father as soon as possible.

Add that to my mental list.

If we ever got out of here, that is.


Leah's Thoughts


What is this sudden obsession that I feel? This desire to serve, to completely lend myself to this man, this creature, this thing? I am meant to hate what he is, meant to hate what he does, what he has done, and yet I cannot. I cannot get over the look of his face; it's burned forever behind my irises, in the flesh of my eyelids. What can I do to make him understand this? I have no wish now but to serve him, with the same dogged loyalty as I would have served Jacob or Sam, as an Alpha.

Sam…my thoughts are no longer surrounded by you. You have faded to background noise. Does it make you jealous, would-be lover? Would you hurt if you found out I have a new love, a new person to adore? Perhaps you would…it's difficult to lose a fan girl.

I had always though myself a genetic defect, a break in the line by becoming a werewolf. But of course, why would I think this now? If I had been a male, then I would not have been able to be a member of the tribe, someone special, part of the pack. By being female, I can pass on the genetics now. I am stronger than my brother, stronger than my relatives and stronger than my Alpha. My future mate is more powerful than his. The thirst to serve such a leader drives me like nothing else I have felt before.

I have asked to see him now. He didn't pay attention to me much before, but he will now. He will have no choice.

I snap my head up; I can smell him. Approaching he comes, and yet I do not find his scent repulsive, like the rest of vampire-kind. I must serve this man, completely devote myself to him. Love him, nurture him…and make him love me back.

He steps through the door, and I cannot fight the smile on my lips. He is beautiful, though others may not think so. He comes unguarded; he already knows he has naught to fear from me. I step forward, falling to my knees in front of him, bowing as low as I can, and I feel my forehead press into the stone floor.

"I devote my services to you, my Lord Marcus, true leader of the Volturi…"


Author's Note: Two things, because people start freaking out. Alright, possibly three.

Number one: before people start freaking out about age, I would picture Marcus to be around thirty, and his skin problems is just cause he doesn't get any sun exposure and he's torn up about his dead wife. Number two: I know Leah's already met Marcus, in Breaking Dawn, at the big show down. I'm going to pretend that she was too distracted or whatever, focusing on Aro, so she didn't notice. I don't remember the book very well, so just go along with me on this.

Thirdly, this is the idea me and my friend came up with. She was talking about if a pure werewolf and pure vamp had babies, and I thought up the Leah/Marcus pairing, because obviously it would have to be a female werewolf and a male vampire, and she is the only female. Besides, Leah/Marcus would be hilarious. There's lots of fun to be had here. So inspiration came from sarahlizzie.

Read, review. Don't flame. I didn't proof read it well cause I was just too excited. So…yeah.

Love you all.

HigherMagic x