DPOV

I was finally starting to make some headway with the newer vampires of the guard when Alec came into the training room and I knew from the look on his face I wasn't going to like what he had to say, but I never would have guessed that he was there to tell me my mate was gone and her scent vanished on the balcony.

I had never felt fear like that before. It was so intense that I was actually unable to concentrate well enough to use my gift to find her, something else that had never happened. I said nothing as I darted from the room, Alec on my heels. I had to give it him though, he sure as hell tried to keep up. I was on the other side of the palace from my room and didn't slow or pause for anything on the dash, even slamming into a wall when I took a turn too fast due to my foot sliding on a rug.

It wasn't until I was in my room that I calmed, finding her scent was still fresh in the air. Allowing the knowledge that she was here not long ago, a few hours but still not long, I was able to settle and focus. There was also no other scents that couldn't be explained and that aided in that endeavor. I moved out the open balcony doors and did in fact find out that her scent was indeed gone, blown away by the wind. However, since I wasn't drowning in fear any longer, finding her was a piece of cake. She wasn't far and still within the grounds, but she wasn't where she knew she was to stay.

Fear morphing to relief and reserved anger, I hurtled the railing, landing a little too close to the dogs and scaring the shit out of them, Alec landing right next to me. When I started her way, I took my time to give myself time to calm down for a different reason. I wanted to make sure there was a very good fucking reason she was where she was before I got mad.

When Alec and I got closer to where she was, I saw her standing at the base of a tree. She looked like she was fine and that was the biggest concern I had. However, I still wasn't happy. Ten feet from her, I spoke, trying to keep my ire out of my voice. "Are you alright?" When she nodded, I let my anger show. "Then what the hell are you doing out here by yourself?"

I heard her take a breath to answer, but before she could, someone else did.

"She is not."

My eyes snapped up to the tree and followed the body as it fell and landed next to my mate, shock sliding down my spine. "Master Marcus?"

He looked smug if I had to name it. "The Young Lady has been with me the entire time. We had a wonderful little conversation. If you care to be angry with anyone, reserve it for me. She has done nothing wrong."

When I saw Isabella's eyes widen, I knew that was a load of bullshit. However, I wasn't about to argue and was still going to get the real reason she was here. Still, I nodded to Marcus. "Apologies, Master Marcus. I hadn't known she was in the company of anyone."

He shrugged and turned to walk away. "Then perhaps, next time you will have all the information before you get upset." He paused and turned to Isabella with an actual smile on his face. "It was very nice to get a little more acquainted, Stella." He then turned to me. "You are very lucky, Demetri. I suggest you don't fuck it up."

*X*

The days following the incident and the most horrific scare of my very long life, I was far less inclined to allow my mate out of my sight. While she did eventually tell me the reason she was where she was, I was still a little upset with her over it. I could understand her reasons but that didn't negate the fact she went against my wishes and ran around the grounds by herself.

So, because of that, I had Felix condition the recruits for evaluation. He was just as qualified to do it as I was, so I saw no issues with him getting them ready.

The evaluation was set for the morning, but tonight was number seven since my mate woke up. At this moment, she was in the bathtub soaking while we waited for Heidi to return. Besides the obvious as to why I was looking forward to this evening, Isabella was actually going to dine in the main hall with others present, just to see how she acts. No one had the highest hopes for her and there not being some poor bastard that loses a limb, but at a week old, it was time to at least begin the drawn out task of getting her used to multiple vampires at once. It was for my peace of mind that no unmated males would be present.

Alec and Felix had also come up with a permanent solution to Bella's sense of smell that would both allow her to scent the area without getting overwhelmed but was also another mask so it was within her comfort level. Instead of cutting off her sense, it dulled it. She was still able to catch every scent around her, but it was far less strong. To put into perspective just how sensitive her nose is, when Felix covered his own nose with it, he couldn't smell anything. However, when Bella put it on and took a breath, she could tell you everything on the air. Alec still wanted to play around with it a little more, but for now, it would allow her to be around more than one person at a time and not affect her as badly as before.

As far as Bella went, I knew she was harboring something that depressed her, but she wouldn't tell me what it was and no amount of pressing on my part would sway her to do so. She would just shrug the questions off or ignore them altogether so I quit trying. Whatever it was I was sure would either work itself out or she would eventually tell me what was bothering her. At least I hoped so. It wasn't like I could force her to talk about something she didn't want to nor would I. Everyone was entitled to secrets and she was no different.

I was pulled from my thoughts by the sound of my phone ringing. Glancing at the bathroom door a moment, I picked it up, flipped it open and put it to my ear without looking at the screen. "Demetri."

There was a slight moment's pause before the voice of Eleazar sounded in my ear. "I just had a very interesting conversation that I thought you might be interested in."

I settled in my seat and cocked a brow at no one. "Oh? And what was that?"

"Carlisle called, asking for my family's aid in their endeavor of retrieving Ms. Swan. It seems that the explanation of her disappearance did not got over well with a few... others and they are being held accountable for it. If they cannot produce a living, breathing, human Isabella, they will be facing serious consequences."

I chuckled low in my throat. "You speak of the dogs, am I right?"

There was a quiet, contemplative hum. "I suppose them as well, but they are not who I am referring to. Her father is a high ranking law official and wants his daughter back. He last knew her to be with Alice making the Cullens the prime targets in the investigation of her vanishing. It would only be a matter of time before they are discovered to not be humans if Mr. Swan digs deep enough into their backgrounds. From what I could gather from his frantic words, they are of the minds that if they show up with enough backing, she will be returned to them once again."

Right, like that shit was going to happen. I snorted. "Took them long enough. Not that it really matters, but do you have a timeframe for me?"

"Not long I would imagine. Though nothing concrete, I am to assume they will be heading your way as soon as they are able. Every moment they wait is a moment closer to discovery. I cannot assume her father will stop simply because they ask him to. I wouldn't stop until I found one of my girls were they to vanish as she did."

I nodded. I didn't doubt that for a moment. However, "Why did it take so long for her to be discovered as missing in the human world, I wonder. She has been here for over a week."

"That I couldn't begin to guess at, Demetri. I haven't the slightest idea and I didn't want to ask."

I hummed and nodded. "Very well. It still matters little. By the time they arrive, there will be absolutely nothing left of the girl they once knew."

"And what of her father?"

I shrugged. "Nothing for you to be concerned about. I'll deal with him in accordance to his knowledge as I would anyone else. His fate lays in the Cullen's hands. If they were smart enough to cover their asses, he'll live. If not, his blood will be on their hands. My mate's father or not, he will see no special treatment."

"I wouldn't dare think otherwise. If I hear anything else, I will be sure to let you know. However, for now, that is all I have."

I smirked wide. "More than enough. And now for my end. I have spoken with Aro. You and your family are in the clear. He seemed to agree wholeheartedly with me that you were simply doing what you had to to protect yours. Something he can find no fault in. Since there is no indication that you actually saw Isabella with your own eyes as a human, he sees no reason to assume you had first hand knowledge of her. He agreed that simply taking in a nomad, that you didn't know could have been an exposure risk, is no cause for punishment. Also, he wished me to convey his condolences to your youngest on the loss of her mating interest. If there is anything he can do in aiding her in her mourning, do not hesitate to let him know."

He snorted, his voice cynical. "I see he is as gracious as ever."

"I would be careful, Eleazar. He can still change his mind on your fate. No matter our deal, his word is still my orders."

He sighed and I knew there was a probably a nod on his part as well. "Of course. I meant no disrespect." After a short pause he came back on and his voice was pensive. "Is there anything else I can do for you, Demetri?"

I hummed but shook my head. "Nope. However, a word to the wise; If I were you, I would stay out of this from this point on, Eleazar. If Cullen contacts you again, I would suggest you ignore it, or at the very least, deny whatever he asks. This is going to come to blows and you do you not want to choose sides."

He grunted an agreement. "No, I do not."

A lightly cleared throat behind me pulled me from my conversation to my mate where she stood in the doorway to the bathroom, a very sheepish look on her face and scrap cloth in her hands that was once a towel. She bit her lip and looked at me through her lashes. "I ripped it."

I just blinked at her. Not because she ripped a towel, she did that all the time, but because she held the two pieces in her hands that were held out to the sides to show me what she did leaving her completely uncovered. My mouth went dry as my eyes followed a water drop as it slid down her body starting at her neck. When it reached the dip of her hip, I swallowed hard and spoke into the phone. "I have to go. Remember what I said."

Saying nothing else, I closed my phone and set it on the table next to me never taking my eyes off that drop of water. I was so focused on that that when I heard my name, I didn't look back up, just hummed slightly in question. When she said my name again with a little more force to it, my eyes snapped back up to her face. "What?"

Her brows were drawn and her face was slightly concerned. "Are you alright?"

Once more my eyes roamed her form before I looked back up at her and nodded. "Couldn't be better."

She blinked at me once before looking down, her eyes going wide, a squeak of 'Oh, my God' soundin into the room as she brought her arms together so the two pieces of towel covered her. When she looked back at me, her face was covered in mortification. "Why didn't you say anything?"

I grinned at her as I stood up. "Why the hell would I?" Darting across the room, I forced her to turn so her back was pressed against the door jam. I set one hand above her head and used the other to grab the towel pieces in her hands and jerk them out of her grip. "I'm not that nice." Isabella looked down at her hands where she held only tiny bits of cloth before moving her eyes to the rest of the towel that now laid on the floor at her feet. I set my hand on the side of her neck I bit a week ago. Using my thumb to push her head back up to look at me, I dipped my head at the same time. Butting noses with her once, I then captured her lips with mine for only the second time since she woke up.

For that reason, there was a surprised intake of air on her part as her body tensed slightly. Her shock only lasted a moment before it melted away, her body relaxing near completely. Her movements here hesitant and unsure as she dropped the towel pieces she still held and lightly set her hands against my chest. When she closed her fingers on my shirt, her nails ripped the fabric causing her to pull back with a gasp. She looked first at my shredded shirt before her eyes snapped back up to mine. "I'm so sorry."

I chuckled lightly as I pulled my shirt off and threw it off to the side. Stepping closer to her, I set both hands on her hips and smirked down at her. "That's not going to be the only shirt I lose to you, Gataki."

She gasped again as I pulled her flush against me, her hands once again pressing against my now bare chest. "It's not?"

I chuckled and dipped my head, gently nuzzling my nose to her's. "Not even close."

I pulled back slightly and locked eyes with her. Her eyes said she was hungry, but feeding her right this second was the furthest thing from my mind.