AN: Well, there's one good thing about people not reading this, and that's I can do whatever I want! haha! Though, thank you to the few who have taken their time to review, fave, and place it on alert.

Of course, a thank you to Laura for doing her thing!

Enjoy!


"How's she doing, Demi," I asked as I walked into Bella's room of the third day of her change.

Bella withered and thrashed on the bed, tearing the sheets underneath her. The effects of my venom were starting to show, turning her skin whiter, her lips fuller, her hair thicker. Lifting her hand, I felt her skin, noticing it was colder now, almost as cold as mine.

"It shouldn't be much longer," I commented letting go of her hand as Demetri growled lowly at me.

"I've been talking to her," he offered, looking a little lost. "I've no idea about anything in her life, though."

"It never means that they'll remember, Demi, you know this," he nodded, his eyes looking back at his changing mate. "You've got all the years to get to know everything about her."

"What if she doesn't want me?" He looked a little panicked. "You said she loves Edward. What if she wakes and refuses our bond?"

"I doubt she will. She'll be a newborn, completely ruled by instinct. Do you really think she'll be able to fight it?" I smiled. "You're gonna have to fight your instincts here and go slow."

"I know," he touched her face and Bella's head turned into his touch. "I can't help but feel scared she might."

Shaking my head, I realised how blind he was being. "Open your eyes, Demetri."

He narrowed them at me before he smirked. "I distinctly remember having a similar conversation with you over Caius."

"And what conversation was this?" Caius' voice suddenly filled the room. "Please, gentleman carry on with your conversation. Pretend I'm not here." He smirked, leaning lazily against the door.

"And stroke your already overly large ego? I'll pass," I said, looking over at him. "Why are you here? Thought this would be the last place I'd see you."

Caius pushed himself off the door, coming further into the room and picking up the book that laid open on the side."My bounty is as boundless as the sea, My love as deep; the more I give to thee, The more I have, for both are infinite." He quoted. "Romeo and Juliet. Have you been reading this to her?" He smirked.

"Yes," Demetri snapped. "She had the book open, so I assumed it meant something to her."

Caius laughed, throwing his head back. "You're reading a love story to your intended mate that ends in death? How romantic!"

"If you're going to be a pain, then go, Caius," I warned him, feeling Demetri's anger starting to boil.

"Why? When this is so much fun?" Caius smirked tossing the book to the side as I glared at him. "I'll behave." He rolled his red eyes at me. "I thought I would swing by and see how the change was coming along, though." He wrinkled his nose. "The baby needs changing."

Demetri growled standing protectively in front of his mate, narrowing his eyes at Caius, who returned his growl.

"Cool it off you two," I growled, flooding the room with calm. "There's two too many vampires in this room and she's going to be waking soon."

"I'll stay," Demetri growled. "You two can leave," Caius smirked and shook his head.

"Demetri, outside. I'll get you as soon as she wakes." He growled at me. "Out!" I ordered, seeing Caius wave bye to Demetri.

Under protest, Demetri left the room, demanding that I called him once Bella wakes. My gaze turned to Caius, who was smirking and looking at his nails Ideally.

"You just can't help yourself can you?" I asked as he shrugged. "Stop winding him up."

"Why? This was so entertaining il Mio Amore." His fingers linking through mine. "I agreed to play nice with her," he spat, shooting a glare at Bella. "I never said anything about anyone else."

"That's not the point," I replied, pinning him with a pointed look. Caius just shrugged and played with my fingers. "You made fun of him for reading her Romeo and Juliet."

"I said it was romantic." He replied.

"It is romantic," I rolled my eyes at him.

"It," His eyes focused on Bella with a disgusted look, "Sinks." wrinkling his nose once more.

Unfortunately, he was right, she did smell. Shooting my mate a pleading look, he smirked and shook his head, sitting back on the chair and placing his ankle on his knee. Groaning, I turned to look at Bella, wishing that maybe I shouldn't have argued with Caius of who was to turn Bella.

"Regretting this now, my love?" Caius smirked, looking highly amused as I glared at him.

"Fuck you!" I gritted out through my teeth. "You could help me, you know?"

"Nope." He smirked. "I'm enjoying your realising I was right."

I had forgotten all about this part of shiring someone. How your body will purge anything it can't change by venom. That, unfortunately for me, meant that Bella had purged all her bodily waste.

Quickly, I changed Bella, riding her, and the room of it. No one really wanted to wake up with that.

Discarding her old clothing, I washed my hands before returning back into the room, finding my mate grinning at me. His red eyes sparkling with glee.

"You're like a real mama now," he grinned showing me a full set of teeth. "congratulations, it's a girl. You must be so proud."

"If I'm her mama, that makes you her dad," I smirked, feeling his irritation increase.

"I'd fine dine on my own liver first," he sneered, causing me to chuckle.

Bella screamed loudly, bringing my attention back to her as her heart rate picked up, "Time for you to go."

Xxxxx

As Bella's heart accelerated as she let out a blood-curdling scream. Slowly, I backed away from her, hearing Demetri's low warning growl as he waited outside for his mate to wake. Her back arched off the bed, just as her heart stopped, and she lay still.

Standing there, I watched her take a few deep breaths, feeling her emotions going haywire. Bella's brain was now working faster than it ever had; taking in everything she could hear and smell. Her tongue peeked out, almost like she was trying to taste the air. I saw her eyes finally open, and her emotions spiked, startled by her new eyesight.

Bella breathed again, smelling my scent, making her sit up quickly. Her blood red eyes locking on me as her fear jumped up a few notches.

"Bella? Do you remember me?" I asked gently, slowly feeding her calm and trust. "I'm not gonna hurt you." I smiled softly.

Her brow knitted together as she looked at me, trying to piece it all together with her new eyesight. Everything would look different to her, she would finally be seeing things as they really were.

"Jasper?"

"That's right," I smiled softly at her.

"You look different," she asked, confusion covering her. "Everything looks different, so much clearer."

"You'll get used to it," I replied, still pumping the room full of calm. "How do you feel?"

"Confused." She whispered, a pang of regret leaving her.

"As I said, you'll get used to it." I smirked, "Do you remember much?"

"Edward…" Again her brow creased, as she tried to piece it all back together.

A growl pierced the air, low and menacing, causing Bella to jump and crouch in a corner. Her eyes went wide with fear, darting around the room, trying to locate the threat. Bella's eyes narrowed on the window behind me, her emotions letting me know she was contemplating using it as her escape. She looked at me, her eyes challenging as I smirked at her and dropped into low crouch of my own.

"Bella," I called softly as she growled at me. "You're safe, I promise you. There's no threat out there." Her eyes quickly fitted to the door, before looking back at the window. "There's one way out, and that's through that door. But you know there's more than one vampire out there, don't you?"

"Yes," She growled.

"So you think the window is the safer option?" I questioned, watching as she nodded slightly. "It's not, you'll never get passed me, Bella." Upping the tempo of calm, I watched as she slowly cooled off. "That growl out there…"

"It's your mate, isn't it?" Again her fear spiked.

"No," He was out there, but this wasn't the best time to inform Bella of that. "That's your mate's growl, Bella. He's not left your side since you started to burn."

"Mate?" She asked confused. "But…"

"It's not Edward." I watched as her face crumbled and a sob escaped her lips. "Bella, Bella listen. Breath the air, you'll find his scent, it will sooth you."

"I don't know what he smells like."

"You don't need to, your instincts will know. Take a deep breath, you'll rule out my scent, his scent is the second strongest in the room." I watched as she breathed in deeply, finally smelling the air.

Her face changed, softening slightly before she took another deep breath, blowing it out with a purr.

"He's waiting to meet you, Bella." Her fear spiked slightly, confused over her instincts and her love for Edward. "Don't worry, you have no rush. But he would like to come in. Do you want to meet him? And then we'll take you to feed?"

"My throat….It burns." Bella's fingers clawed at her throat.

"It will be better once you feed."

"Animal?" She sounded optimistic, but there was no way it was really going to happen. Shaking my head, she panicked. "But I don't want to hurt anybody."

"I know, I'm sorry." And I was. Bella had only ever pictured what her life would be like as a Cullen and their way of feeding.

"Why...I mean you...But the Cullen's…"

"Bella," I sighed, "It's not natural…

"Bambi's off the menu...Get on with this Jay." Caius cut in, his irritation and boredom getting the better of him.

I felt Demetri's anger spike, but he kept it in check. Fighting his instinct to kick the door down and take his mate.

"Bella?" I called, bringing her attention back to me.

She was confused. While her mind could handle everything it was seeing, smelling or hearing, she was struggling to process it all. Bella was trying to grasp how this conversation wasn't private, and everyone outside the door could hear it as though they were in the room. It would take her a while to adapt and understand the new workings of her brain.

"Do you want to meet him?" Sooner or later, he would appear, be it by Bella asking or him just walking in.

"What's he like?" She asked.

"He's nice," I replied, hearing Caius chuckle. "You'll like him."

"That's it?" she seethed slightly at me.

Chuckling at her I ran my hand over my face. "What else do you want me to say?"

"I don't know…..What's his name?" She was curious, which was good.

"Demetri."

"Demetri?" she repeated, allowing his name to roll off her tongue. "I've never heard that name before. Does anyone here have normal names?"

"Bella, half the guard are ancient," I mused, feeling her wonder

"How old is he?" she questioned, "How old is ancient?"

"Depends on who we're talking about," I smirked at her.

"Is he older than you?"

"Bella, I'm a baby compared to these lot," I smirked. "They're all old, stupidly old in fact."

"Older than Carlisle? Edward once said..." Her brow pulled together like she was trying to remember, "I can't right remember but he was really old."

"Older."

"Oh," the thought pondered. "How old was he when he was turned?"

"How you ask him? I'm sure he'll be more than happy to tell you everything you want to know about him. shall I call him in?"

"Shouldn't I know all these things, instinct and stuff?" she whispered, her eyes casting back to the door.

"Bella, you'll be drawn to him, but all this stuff, you'll need to find out the normal way."

"What do I talk to him about?" she frowned. "Did I see him? When I was human?"

"Bella, stop delaying. Let me call him in and you can meet him."

"No." She replied, shaking her head as I felt Demetri's disappointment.

"Okay, but he really wants to take you to feed. So how about we go out there, and you meet him there?" Demetri's hopefulness spiked slightly as I watched Bella process this information.

"Okay.." She trailed, a little unsure of it all. "Is it just going to be me and him, when I feed?"

"He's more than capable of handling you, Bella. Don't worry." I replied as she looked at me, her eyes filling with questions. "If you want me to come, I will, but, trust me, you'll be fine." Walking towards the door, my hand rested on the door handle. "Shall we?"

Turning the handle and opening the door, I saw Demetri smiling, only just managing to hold himself still, not wanting to scare or startle his soon to be mate. Smirking at him, my eyes flittered over to Caius; a smirk planted on his lips and he leant against the corridor wall, seemingly amused by what had transpired.

Pushing himself off the wall, he came towards me, as Bella walked out her room. Her eyes falling on Demetri, who was smiling at her and looking at her intently.

"Miss Bella," Demetri purred at her, bowing. The action caused Bella to feel a little embarrassed, so much so, that if she was still human, it would have made her blush. "Demetri," He held his hand out to her. Her eyes flickered to me, unsure if she could trust him or not.

"It's okay, Bella." I soothed, watching as she placed her hand in his.

Demetri brought her hand to his lips, and kissed it, never taking his eyes off her. "Such beauty," he whispered against her skin. "You were stunning as a human, but your beauty now is indescribable."

"Thank you," she whispered, her eyes running him up and down. "I saw you… Didn't I? You were in the throne room...it's all fuzzy, bit I'm sure it was you."

"My apologies for holding you," he smiled, "It was for the best." Caius snorted at Demetri, who in turn shot him a look. "You weren't making friends that day."

I felt Caius anger spike at Demetri's comment. No doubt Demetri would here about this later on, once he and Bella had gotten to know each other a little better. Though I knew Demetri had crossed a line of blatant disrespect, part of me hoped that Caius would let it slide.

Demetri was having a hard time right now. His mating instincts were fueling him, wanting nothing more than to claim the mate he had waited centuries for. He wanted to protect her, and Caius was pushing all his buttons by just being there.

Bella frowned, her eyes leaving Demetri and looking at Caius who curled his lips over his teeth in a silent snarl.

"May I accompany you to dinner?" Demetri's asked, bringing her attention back to him.

Demetri knew he had fucked up, and knew he had to get out of here pretty soon before things escalated.

"Yes." Bella smiled at him, a little shyly.

Caius moved behind me, as Bella walked off with Demetri, her hand still in his. A chuckle escaping Caius lips, causing his chest to rattle against my back.

"They grow so fast," He mocked. "Do you need a tissue?"

"Shut up." I playfully pushed him away before I began to walk away, only to feel his hand slip through mine seconds later.

"Well, that was entertaining." He said dryly.

"No one asked you to be there, darlin'," I smirked. "You're in a good mood."

"You make it sound as though it's a rarity." he squeezed my fingers slightly. "Did you really think I would not be here?"

Of course, he was going to be there, just as I would have been there if it had been the other way round. There was no way in hell he was willing to let me be in there, with Bella waking up and her soon to be mate outside. He stuck around in case Demetri lost his shit and attacked.

"No, guess not." I shrugged. "You're bored aren't you?"

"Is it that obvious?" He scoffed. "I could not stand to listen to Aro any longer, it's like sitting with a child!" he growled.

"Aww, and here was me thinking you just wanted to spend time with me," I smirked, feeling his arms sneak around my waist.

"Sempre il Mio Amore, sempre." He whispered in my ear. "Ho bisoqno di te." Caius nipped at my neck. Pushing me towards our quarters. "Do not deny me."

"Gonna throw you being king at me?" I moaned as his hands began to palm me through my jeans.

"If I must."

Xxx

Caius's bad mood was certainly starting to rub off on me as I silently seethed, making my way through the castle towards Bella. Her first feed had gone well, it was afterwards that was the problem.

I had been called not long after getting back to my quarters, being informed that Bella had freaked out, and was currently huddled in a corner of the feeding room. Refusing to move, much to her mate's distress.

"I wanted to try my power on her, shock her back," Jane said as she walked quickly with me. "Is that what you do when someone is hysterical?" she smiled, an evil glare in her eye.

"Let me guess, Demetri threatened you?" I all but growled out. "She's one newborn, you a lot should be able to handle her." I snapped.

Jane snickered. "You've been with Caius too long."

I ignored her comment, suppressing my growl at the thought of my mate's talented mouth leaving my cock as Jane arrived. Caius had taken it far too well, seemingly enjoying the fact that I had to go and sort Bella out, thus again proving he was right.

The smug bastard was gloating, and loving every second of me having to play dad with her.

"One...one newborn. Less than a day old and half the guard can't control her? She's making a mockery of you." I seethed.

"You really are turning into him," she smirked. "Or is it that you got cock blocked?"

"Shut up, Jane," I growled.

Jane was right, I was pissed because I had got clocked blocked. I didn't take into account that Bella might freak after feeding and Demetri wouldn't be able to make her move.

They weren't bonded yet, thus meaning he had no hold over her. It was impossible for him to make her submit to his command. Without that bound, his demands would fall on deaf ears. This now left him in a state.

He could force her out the corner, but he didn't want to cause that stress on his new mate, and he wasn't about to let anyone else do it either. So this left me, the only one to be able to get her to move. Bella would obey my shire command and do as I asked.

Rounding the corner, I heard Demetri's unmistakable growl rattling down the halls.

"I'll just cut off her senses, you can grab her." Alec offered. "It's better than Jane's option of pain."

"You do that and I'll burn you." He all but growled out.

"I don't see you with any other ideas?" Alec commented. "You just gonna leave her in there? Dead bodies and all?"

"Do you not think I don't want her out there? She won't listen to me." Demetri pained voice whispered out, clearly struggling with everything that was happening.

"I'll get her out," I told him, coming into view.

"Sorry," he muttered feeling relieved that I had arrived. His eyes went back to his mate, who I could hear whimpering.

Coming past him, I stepped into the feeding room, kicking the door behind me shut. My eyes fell on Bella, blood covered her with her clothes slightly torn. She had lost control of her instincts when she came in here and made a complete mess.

Bloodied bodies lay on the ground, with their throats ripped out. The smell of fresh blood tickled my throat, causing it to burn. My nostrils flared as I felt my blood lust begin to rise. I needed to feed and soon.

"Bella!" it came out harsher than I wanted it to, but this wasn't the best room for me to be in.

Her head snapped up, a slight whimper leaving her as she huddled in the corner. Flooding the room with calm, I stepped over the dead bodies and moved closer to her, but allowing her to have space so she didn't feel cornered.

"These people…" She whispered.

"Are dead, Bella," I stated. "This is the reality of what you are. The Cullen's live differently to the rest of us. It's not natural, I know you're struggling to accept this, you still cling to your humanity. But, It will get easier."

"I… I did that." she pointed at a throat that was impressively ripped from its owner.

"You'll get neater at eating. You're only a few hours old darlin'." I smiled softly, feeling Demetri growing more and more impatient as the seconds passed. "Demetri is outside, waiting for you. He's a little distressed that your huddled in this corner and won't come out."

"Demetri," She gently whispered his name, a soft smile on her lips.

"Sono qui, bello," Bella looked at me, confused by what Demetri had said.

"He said he's here." I told her, "Let's get up and go out there. He's anxious for you to return to his side."

"Okay," she whispered as Demetri slowly opened the door. A gentle, reassuring smile on his face, his eyes once again glued to Bella, as he stood in the doorway.

Bella slowly rose to her feet, her eyes quickly looking back at the bodies on the floor, before she looked at me.

"Go, Bella. I'll see you in the morning for training."

"Training?" She looked at me confused by what I said.

Did she really think that she wouldn't get any training? Aro wanted to know what her gift could do and to find out if she could expand it to other people or not. Money was on that she could, for her to have it when she was human, meant it must be powerful. Plus, whether she liked it or not, she would be trained to fight.

"That gift," I replied. "Need to know if you can use it or not."

"And that's tomorrow?"

"Yes. No special treatment, everyone that gets turned here is put into training the next day." I offered. "I suggest you go with your mate, get to know each other, fire off a load of questions so we don't have to cover them tomorrow."

"But what if I don't have a gift?"

"Jane can't touch you, that's a gift all in its own little right. Now we need to see if you can expand it, find any weakness and such." I shot a look to Demetri and smirked. "You know, Demi is our tracker, there isn't anyone he can't find. How about he explains to you how his gift works."

Bella nodded, her gaze falling back on back Demetri before she smiled. Pushing a tiny bit of trust her way, I watched her walk to him. Demetri pushed a stray lock of hair off her face, his thumb brushing her cheek as he did. She leant into his touch, a tiny purr leaving her.

"Let's get you cleaned up," Demetri said. "This way dolce." His hand sliding around her waist, pulling her closer to him before he guided them away.

"Wonder when Caius is gonna burst his bubble." Jane grinned as I left the feeding room. "Demi is soo going to get it."

"Ah Volterra gossip strikes again," I smirked. "Can anything happen in this place and it not travel within the hour?"

"No. I got it from Charlotte. She heard it from Flexi. Flexi said that Caius looked down right pissed off at Demetri's blatant disrespect with Bella. She said that Demi was looking less than impressed with him." She nodded her head at me like I actually cared about this.

"Right...And you're telling me because?"

"Just thought you might like to know." She shrugged. "You know, it's good to have you back. The place just hasn't been the same without you."

"I'm sure it hasn't been," I smirked knowing she meant that Caius mood was permanently in foul setting while I was away.

"Do you miss them?" Jane asked as she followed me through the castle. "The Cullen's, I mean."

I was a little taken back by her question, the surprise showing on my face that she had asked me this. Did I miss any of them? I hadn't really given them much thought since I left and landed back here. Though now she mentioned it, I started to think about them. Of course I missed them. During the last twenty years, I had formed bonds with these people, I had lived with them and been a part of their family. There were certain things I didn't miss.

My corner for one.

Or the animal blood.

Or going to school over and over again.

But I did miss them. I missed wrestling around with Emmett, placing bets with him and winding up Edward. Carlisle for his knowledge and the countless hours I spoke to him when I wanted to actually talk about something on a more intellectual level. I missed Esme, for how she loved and took care of you.

Part of me thought she knew I had a mate out there, waiting for my return. How sometimes she would look at me, a shimmer of understanding crossing me as she did. She never asked, but I think she, out of everyone, knew that there was something else when it came to me.

Rose. The ice queen. I liked being near her the most out of everyone there. How she acted, thought and the feelings she produced. Her emotions reminded me of Caius, and I couldn't help but enjoy them.

Maybe Caius was right and the animal blood had done something to my brain after all.

Alice, even though she had wanted more than friendship, I missed the friendship we had formed. Her happy, positive emotions, and how on some strange level, and without her knowing, she managed to sooth me when I missed Caius.

"Yeah, kinda hard not too." I shrugged, "I spent twenty years with them, Jane."

"Not something you can just forget about, is it?"

"No, but I'd sooner be here," I answered honestly.

"Never understood why you went in the first place," She shrugged. "Considering you and Caius seem to be pretty much joined at the hip."