Hey guys, Perth is hot, very hot. Anyway, I hope that you guys like this story, I know I definitely like the reviews I get, which reminds me to tell you: Please Review! They make me happy and know what I need to fix up. Thanks, so nothing else except: READ! Cheers.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of Stephenie Meyer's characters, only Alena and the plot.

Alena POV

Little piece of advice: Do not- I repeat- do not ever go shopping with pixie-like vampires like Alice, ever!

Collapsing, that exactly what I felt like doing. Alice had dragged me, at times which was literally what happened, to numerous stores. I had eleven bags in my hands, some had purses in them, and others had jewelry, shoes, hats, jackets, skirts… everything. Alice had bought me things I didn't even need!

"Alice! Can we go now?"

She looked at me in disbelief as she was browsing through some dresses.

"We haven't even bought our things for the ball!" She whined.

I groaned, "Are you serious?"

She nodded- her eyes wide and bottom lip puckered out.

"Yeah, how sad, I guess that means more shopping." She said sadly.

I rolled my eyes, "Kill me, seriously."

She grinned, "Don't worry, I found my dress." She had a faraway look in her eyes. With a sudden shake of her head back into reality, she looked around the store briefly and then pointed. I followed her finger to a beautiful dress on stand. It was a cocktail length dress. White, with a thin black trim at the top, it had a wide black ribbon which tied at a big bow on the side. On the bottom was another black trimming and it had a dot pattern on the bottom which travelled to the top, become fader and fader until it blended in with the white color.

"Wow, that is so… you!" I gasped.

She ran nimbly over to it and fingered the black dots on the dress.

"I'm in love." She sighed.

I laughed and clapped her back.

"What are you waiting for?"

She grinned at me and in two minutes flat, the dress was bought in put into a box for her, which, I was made to carry.

"What about shoes?" I asked her.

She shook her head, "I've got shoes that match this perfectly and some jewelry that would go great."

I smiled, "Can we go back now."

She looked at me, "No."
I moaned, "What?"

"We have not done you yet."

I dropped some of the bags I was holding, "I refuse to carry another bag."
She laughed her fairy laugh.

"You won't have to."

She heaved all the bags from me, all of them piling up over her. I reached out hesitantly; she looked like she should drop any second.

"No, I got it." She replied, sounding as though she were carrying nothing but air.

"Are you sure?"
"Who's the vampire, me or you?"

I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out at her.

"Exactly Lee!"

"Lee? What?"
She shrugged, "You know, Alena… Lena… Lee."

I nodded, "Right…"

She looked around to make sure no one was watching before she sped off towards the Porsche. In the next moment, she was once again next to me dusting off her hands.

"All done!" She sighed, very happy with herself.

I shook my head, "Can we do this quickly… I want to get back."

She gave me an unhappy grin.

"Really? You had to pick him?"
I frowned, "What are you talking about?"

She sighed, "Demetri."

We started to walk in the direction of more shops.

"I didn't plan this; I didn't want this to happen… it just did."

She sighed, "I feel like it's a re-run of Bella and Edward. Oh, I can't believe you found your mate!" She squealed the last bit happily.

I rolled my eyes, "Mate." I scoffed under my breath.

She pursed her lips for a second and stopped walking, "But how is this going to work? He's the Volturi and he lives in Italy, you're a Cullen and you live in Forks, Washington."

I thought for a second, "Wow, I didn't think about that. I honestly have no idea. But don't worry, it'll work out."

She grinned, "Yeah, it will." And she headed in the direction of a cute store selling formal dresses.

"Or not." I sighed under my breath.

"Oh, my god."

Alice turned to me after ruffling through some racks.

"What?"

I pointed.

There, a few meters away was a gorgeous, stunning dress, it was some shade of a deep, violet, going darker at the top and bottom. It had beaded chiffon and floor length. I hurried over to it, scared that the moment I touched it, it would disappear, a figment of my imagination. I reached out and fingered the dress, the beautiful material felt great. I read the tag and description as Adrianna Papell Beaded Chiffon Gown. (A/N: Look it up, it's so pretty!)

"Oh wow." Alice murmured.

I sighed and looked longing at it then to Alice with a hopeful look in my eyes.
"It's the one!" I sighed.

"One thing for sure, Demetri's going to love you in this."
"You think?" I asked, unsure.

She sighed, "I might as well come to terms with it."

I laughed, "Oh, Alice, please be nice."
"Oh fine! I'll try; I'm not saying it will work."

I hugged her, "Thanks Alice!"

"Oh, you just wait until Rosalie finds out." She grinned.

I laughed uneasily, "Yeah… um, tell me if she wants to attack me."

She snickered, "Oh don't worry, wait!" Her eyes blanked for a second and she looked a little lost.

I leaned against a wall with my arms crossed and eyes closed.

"Nah, it's okay, she's gonna be pissed, but not too much."

I sighed, "Oh she'll live."

The sales attendant walked steadily over to us, smiling as Alice drew out her credit card.

"Hello ladies, how may I help you today?"

Alice flashed a smile, "Uh, we'll be buying this dress."

The sales lady nodded, "That's a good choice. Wouldn't you like to try it on?"

Alice shook her head, "No, don't worry. It's fine."

The sales attendant frowned for a second, "Well, okay." She molded her smile back on and walked over to the desk with the dress in hand.

"Well, we are officially now all done." Alice sighed in content.

I, on the other hand groaned happily, "Finally!"

She pouted, "That's not nice."

I shook my head in defiance, "So is making me carry over ten shopping bags!"

"Oh okay, I guess we're even."

I flopped onto Alice and Jasper's bed and looked up to the high ceiling.

"What's it like?" I asked dreamily.

"What is?" She murmured back packing away all the things we bought.

"Being a vampire…"
Silence.

"It's… a gift, and a curse." She finally answered.

I sighed, "I can't imagine drinking blood."
She grinned, "If you ever become one of us, you won't even believe that you said that."
I shuddered at the thought of some living creature's blood running through my body, it sounded so… vulgar.

"Oh, by the way, I never got the chance to ask you a question."
"Go for it."

"Do you really like him? As much as he likes you…?"

I frowned, "I don't know how much he likes me."

Alice laughed, "Oh, a lot."

I smiled to myself, maybe he'd never admit that to me, but apparently everybody else could see.

"So… do you like him?"

I closed me eyes, "I like him as much as he likes me." I decided evenly. If he liked me just as a friend, then the feeling could be mutual, if he liked me more than a friend, well, that feeling I could handle too.

"Aw, that's cute, as ghastly as it is."

I grimaced, "Why are we such a big deal. Why don't you guys like him?"

Alice sat gently next to me, sweeping a stray strand of hair away from my eyes.

"He's a threat. The time Renesmee was thought to be an Immortal child; he was the only real dangerous peril to us. He's the best tracker in the world, no joke. Only Bella could hide from him. We were afraid that he'd get to one of the others of the family if not her, and the problem stood that no one could escape him. Besides, he's one of the best fighters in the Volturi. He's always leading the attacks, always at spear-point. I mean Aro definitely does not surround himself around second bests, if there was one better than Demetri, he'd already be replaced. He's a danger, to us."

I sighed glumly, "Wow."

She smiled humorlessly, "Yeah, you had to pick the dangerous one."

I poked my tongue out at her.

"Yeah, whatever."

"Don't worry, it'll work out."

"Alice, it's getting late, I think I'm going to crash."

She nodded in agreement, "Yeah, your eyes keep closing and I have no idea how many times you've yawned."

I heaved myself up, groaning all the while. The first thing I wanted to do right now was to dive into that comfy bed back in Jane's room.

"See ya." Alice called.

I stumbled tiredly to Jane's room, only making half the distance there before a voice called my name out.

"Alena."

Sleepily, I turned around, supporting myself against a brick wall. Out of the corner of my eyes I could see the indistinct outline of Alec coming into view.

"Hi Alec," I mumbled back sleepily, "What's up?"

His eyebrows creased slightly as he took my stumbling figure in.

"Are you drunk?"

I laughed tired, "No, just very, very exhausted and in need of a bed."

"Oh, right. By the way, Jane told me."

I narrowed my eyes.

"Great."

"It's not a bad thing, it's kind of cute, besides… everyone knows he likes you."

My eyes shot open.

"Everyone?"

He grinned mischievously, "Yep, everyone. Except him I think."

I groaned inwardly, these next few days were bound to be an awkward one.

"Hey," I spoke softly back, "Just because I'm human, does not mean I'm stupid. I know you ditched me today."

He laughed cheerily, "A little advice from Jane."

I mumbled something incoherent to him that even I didn't understand.

"Hmm, go to bed, you look really tired, what did you do today? I mean, canoeing cannot be that tiring."

I gave him a look and said all but one word, "Alice."
He laughed again, "Right."

I waved goodbye and finally made it to the bedroom and fell onto the bed. Pulling the covers over me, I began to a re-run of what happened at the bank-side today. With his Cheshire smile as he asked me to the anniversary. Butterflies erupted in the pit of my stomach, making me shiver and tremble in excitement. I was going with Demetri to the anniversary, as a date! I sighed happily and closed my eyes, letting the deep and dark mist take me into a peaceful slumber.

"Sleepyhead, do you know what time it is?"

I fluttered one eye open and then the next. The room was mildly dark with the figure of Alice and Jane leaning over me.
"What?" I mumbled sleepily.

"It's four o'clock silly." Alice murmured.

I sat up quickly, "What?" I repeated.

Jane smiled, "Time for you to go and get ready."

I nodded and hopped off the bed, "When are you guys getting ready?"

"We are."

I looked up and saw Alice in her black and white dress with some cute heels, her hair done up in small wisps of curls instead of sticking out in every direction. Her eyes were dashed with dark eye-shadow and eye liner. Her lashes were more pronounced with mascara and her lips a cute cherry color.

As I looked at Jane I was shocked. No longer in her usual black dress, black tights and pitch black cloak, she was donning a silver knee length dress, a halter with a pattern of two white stripes across her middle and out to the shoulders of the dress. The soft silk looked a perfect comparison to her angelic expression. Her eyes were rid of their darkness, with purple bruise like color faintly beneath. With her slightly silver brushed eyelids and dark lipstick. In her silver heels, she was considerable taller, and was looming over me.

"Wow, you guys look great!" I breathed out in wonder.

"And so will you when you're done!" Alice urged.

"I agreed to help." Jane sighed as she helped me up.

"You do have good fashion sense." Alice grinned.

Jane rolled her eyes and spat out a profanity under her breath.

Alice sighed and pushed me to the bathroom, "Go! And hurry up."
I growled and stepped into the shower, cleaning myself and ridding my hair of any lingering lake smell. I smiled to myself at the memory of yesterday. I walked out, drying myself off and wrapping a towel around me. I walked back out and was bombarded with a hair dryer and straightening tongs.

"When does it start?"

"In an hour." Alice panicked.

"What?"

"Stop saying that! It's not my fault you're so lazy and slept so late!" Alice whined.

I yawned discreetly.

"Jane, can you finish her hair, I need to get started on her face."
"Fine"

I closed my eyes and sighed, "You know, I can do this perfectly by myself."

Alice snorted, "I know, but I like doing it for you, besides you barely put any make up on."

I sat there for a while and closed my eyes, following their every direction: stay still, close my eyes, open eyes etcetera.

"Okay, all done!" Alice breathed out satisfied.

I opened my eyes and gasped at the person in the mirror. No longer did she have her wisps of waves in her hair, it was straight and silky, like corn silk. Her face was doused with makeup. Lips rubbed in lipstick and eyes swept with eye-shadow and even finger nails painted and little silver patterns nimbly painted on.

"Oh my goodness!"

Alice grinned, even Jane managed a smile.

"You like?" Alice pondered.

I gasped, "You guys are great!"
Alice clapped her hands and drew out the dress I was wearing.

"Here, put it on, we only have ten minutes."

I got dressed and smoothed out of the chiffon material, smiling at the cool feel.

I turned around and looked into the mirror, stunned by the beautiful figure. I reached out to touch her, it must be a figment of my imagination again, and I would never be that beautiful. The figure mimicked my action, I felt more shock, that figure was me! Sheathed in one of the most beautiful dresses ever seen, it was me in the mirror!

Alice smirked at my wonder and tossed me some heels; they were Zoupi heels and high! I strapped them on and stood up. Feeling a little bit unbalanced I held my hands out. I was taller than both Jane and Alice, even when they had heels on.

Jane smiled and looked at a bracelet she had on; it took me a minute to figure out that it was actually a watch.

"Mmm, Aro wanted me to be there early, so I guess I should be going now."
She walked up to me and gave me a small hug, "You look great."

I smiled back, "So do you."
As soon as she left, Alice took that chance to drag me to Rosalie and Emmett's room. Emmett was tying up his tie and Rosalie was putting the finishing touches on her hair.

"Alena, you look great!" Rosalie praised from the mirror.

Emmett grinned, "Trying to impress someone huh?"

I narrowed my eyes and scowled at him.

"Emmett, shut up!" Alice reprimanded.

Rosalie stood up, her Philosophy Di Alberta Ferretti Beaded Gown cascading to the floor. I think I could have cried as I saw her, so beautiful.

"I'm glad I'm not the only one in a long dress." I smiled, relieved.

Rosalie grinned, "Esme's in a long dress too."

Alice led me outside, "Let's get going, Jazz was going to meet us down there and it's looks as though Demetri is too."

I rolled my eyes.

Alice and I walked to the hall where the ball was to be held. I think we were already late because as we drew nearer, music grew more pronounced. I looked out the window, the sun was going down and the lights in the Square and homes were lighting up.

The door opened for us as Alice and I walked in, it was dark, candle-lights aluminizing the place. Some music was playing, by a band, humans, I saw. They probably had no idea that they were performing for vampires. Couples were dancing on the floor and others were talking with other covens. It seemed natural; expect there was no food or drinks...

"Oh! There's Jasper, I'll be back later." Alice touched my arm then bounded off.

I looked around, self-consciously rubbing my arm.

I saw a few vampires I knew, Alec, Felix, Esme and Carlisle, Edward and Bella, Jane, Aro, Marco, Heidi, Lia, Tanya, the guy I saw once after Aro and I had the turning-me-into-a-vampire conversation. I couldn't see Demetri though; strangely a part of me longed to see him. After I'd come to terms that I was in fact, in love with him, I started to feel like half of me was missing at times. Alice was wrong, like the others, I knew that now. I knew that my feelings were so much more than like, they were beyond that. I'd never felt this way before, I never planned to and I never knew I could.

"Hello." A voice murmured in my ear from behind.

I spun around quickly and my heart fluttered.

Demetri was behind me, a smirk playing with his lips. He was dressed in black as usual, with dress pants and a black button up shirt, sleeves rolled above his elbows. He had his cloak draped over one arm.

"Going out?" I wondered, eyeing the cloak.

"After, Aro has a little errand."

I sighed.

As if sensing my distress, Demetri gently rubbed my shoulder, "You look beautiful."

I smiled, shivering slightly at his touch. Oh wow, he was still tall, even when I had heels on; he was a forehead taller than me. Not that I minded.

He smiled back down at me and took my hand, very gently. I bit my lip as he led me out side where a small gazebo was. Fairy lights had been entwined around it and roses twined around the lights.

We walked up the steps and on the gazebo, tapping noise being made from my shoes.

He left me standing in the middle and went to a rosebush where deep red roses were. He pulled one off, leaving the stem long and walked back over to me, running his fingers along the stem, leaving the once thorny stem straight and smooth.

I chuckled and shook my head as he handing it to me which an over-dramatic grand sweep of a bow.

I took the rose lightly, smelling the deep fragrance it possessed. As I poked the flower through my hair so that it looked like a head piece, a new song started from up inside the hall. It was slow and sweet. It was Moon River.

"Hmm, I love this song." I breathed out into the air.

Demetri took my hands and placed one on his shoulder, the other held out in his other hand.

"May I have this dance?" He asked, his sweet voice blowing in the wind.

I smiled, "Yes, you may."

Pulling me a little bit closer, he danced with me to the music, sweeping me across the gazebo. I close my eyes in content and rested my head on the perfect crook between his head and shoulder. I felt him press one of his hands to the back of my head, securing me there.

"Hmm, I like this." He murmured.

I smiled, "Me too."

He took a little step back and looked into my eyes. I found myself drowned in his scarlet eyes, I looked away in fear that I would loose myself in them

"Alena, I'm sure you've heard from everybody already, the things they say about me and how I feel about you…"

I smiled and remembered back to what Jane had once said, "You think I'm annoying?"

A shocked look wiped across his face, "What?"

"Jane told me that you thought I was annoying… or something like that."

He breathed a laugh, "No, I don't think you're annoying, quite the opposite in fact."

I smiled, "Go on."

He smiled back, "In our world, when we find our… other half, they're known as our mate. The way they feel about their mate cannot be compared, it's a love so strong, even looks can't conquer that feeling; the most beautiful vampire cannot be compared to their mate. Some vampires go through thousands of years before they find their mate. Some like me, I found someone who makes me feel like there is possibly a reason to go on living, and I found someone who I can care for. And, that someone is you."

I felt the tips of my lips turning upwards.

Now it was my turn to talk.

"Demetri, I just need you to know that the way you feel about me…" I started off in a dull voice, quickly sneaking a glance into his crimson eyes; they were filled with fear and caution, it took me a quick second to realize that he felt… vulnerable. I couldn't blame him, he just told me, in one way or another that I was his mate and he somewhat loved me.

"…is," I continued, "probably not as strong as I feel about you."

He smiled and scoffed, "Oh I seriously doubt that."

I held up a finger and he shut his mouth and let me continue, "I think… I think I love you."

He grinned, "And that's where you've got your facts wrong about you feeling more about me than I do you, because I know I love you."

My heart jumped in my throat and I gazed deeply into his eyes. Part of me thought it was smart to register that his face seemed to be looming closer to me than ever before. He came closer and closer, so close that I could see his dark eyelashes that framed his beautiful scarlet eyes. His lips came closer and instinctively my eyes lowered shut as his lips brushed mine for the very first time. They came back again and a little more pressure was put on my own lips, his soft, soft lips were pressed against mine and while that was happening, I wasn't aware that I was slightly being dipped, even if I was, I wouldn't have cared, things could not get any better.

We broke up after what seemed forever and from the door in which we left the hall, we heard distant cheering. I glanced up in confusion at Demetri, my gorgeous vampire. He had a cheeky look in his eyes and gave a chuckle. I up righted myself and looked at the door. There was the Cullens, Alec, Jane, Felix, Heidi, Lia, Tanya and numerous others that probably knew Demetri were at the entrance of the door clapping and yelling out encouragement and cheers.

"Oh, great...." Demetri groaned.

I took his hand and together we walked back, at one point, he slipped his hand behind me and held me close.

"Oh la, la for the happy couple!" Felix teased.

I ignored him and detached myself from Demetri to go to my family.

Carlisle and Esme both gave me hugs.

"Congratulations sweetheart!" Esme said in delight, looking so happy it made my heart hurt.

"Yes, congratulations darling." Carlisle smiled warmly at me.

Emmett grabbed me in a rough hug, "The little one's got a boyfriend!!" He teased.

I escaped him quickly to be steadied by Rosalie. I gave her a puppy look. "Don't be mad."

She sighed, "Why should I? My baby sister found someone that loves her, doesn't mean I have to like him." I smiled and hugged her.

Alice bounded over to me with Jasper in tow.

"See! I told you everything would work out!" She grinned and smashed me in a hug.

I turned to Jasper, he was the quietest in the family, but somehow, the one I was closest to.

"Jazz…" I said wearily.

He smiled grimly at me, "Screw you."

I looked at him shocked, "What?"

His face broke out into a playful grin, "I swear if you two come within ten feet of me I will never talk to you again."

I looked at Alice confused, "He's been bombarded with love and lust feelings ever since we stepped into Italy, even now, especially with all the couples and everything."

I laughed, "Oh, sorry Jazz."

I hugged him reassuringly, "You'll live."

I walked over to where Renesmee, Bella and Edward were.

"Hi guys." I said meekly.

Edward forced a smile, Bella grinned and Renesmee looked downright bored, probably missing Jacob.

"Congrats," Renesmee smiled.

"Edward?" I ventured.

"It had to be a Volturi." He sighed.

I grinned, "Yes, it had to be."

"He's going to hurt you."

I shook my head, "No, he's not, even if he did, it would be my fault, not his and it wouldn't be intentionally."

Bella smiled, "Edward, why are you so jumpy about his, we were in exactly the same situation back in the day."

Edward sighed; he knew Bella was right, Bella was always right.

"Exactly." I smirked.

At that moment, Demetri popped into view and shot me his smoldering smile.

"Demetri." Edward greeted.

"Edward." Demetri smiled back.

"Demetri, promise me you'll take care of her."

Demetri gave a soft smile, "I'll do more than that: I'll take care of her and love her for as long as I am on the earth."

"You better." Edward growled.

I grimaced and took Demetri's hand and led him away, "Sorry about that, but you handled that well."

He smiled sweetly at me, "Anything for you."

I laughed, "Come on love-struck puppy."

He growled and let me tag him along as we went through the teasing of his Volturi brothers, congratulations of his 'sisters' and scary delight from Aro.

"Oh the young love." He sighed happily to us.

I smiled awkwardly.

"Hmm, I'm so glad it finally happened, who knows how long we were waiting?"

I gaped and turned to Demetri, "No, that's not embarrassing at all."

Demetri smiled sullenly and led me away, "My turn: Sorry about that, but you handled it well."

I smiled, "Oh god, I'm thirsty, they wouldn't happen to have drinks, would they?"

Demetri smiled the Cheshire smile, "Of course we do."

"Really?"

He nodded, "For the humans." He jerked his head towards the musicians.

"Oh, why did you guys get humans?"

"Not really anybody here plays an instrument." He sighed.

I raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

He smiled, "Really."

"What about you?"
"What do you mean, what about me?"

"Do you play?"

He laughed, "Yes, I play the piano."

I raised one eyebrow, "Really now? Like Edward."

He scoffed, "Don't compare to Edward, I've literally been playing thousands of more years than him."

I rolled, "Okay, okay."

He laughed and handed me a champagne glass.

"Here, take this."

I sipped the glass and the parched feeling in my throat died out.

"Should we go offer our congratulations to Caius and Athenodora soon?" I wondered, looking around, then I saw the bob of blond hair that belonged to Caius, I saw Athenodora next to him, her hair blond too. She looked so fragile and feathery that she may blow away any second.

"Soon."

As I was about to about to take another sip, the two double doors, that provided the entrance to the hall from the rest of the castle, burst open…

Everything stopped, people moving, talking, the music. Everyone became still. After a split second, Volturi guards flanked to Aro, Marcus and Caius. Jane and Alec were covered by two other guards. Out of the corners of my eyes, I saw the other covens crouch down in a defensive position, people in front of their mate, protecting them. Suddenly, I found myself swept off my feet, knocked heavily onto the hard floor under me. I felt the glass crash into my arm, I quickly looked back up. Demetri had knocked me down and was crouched in front of me, his teeth bared and fingers extended out like claws. I felt a little terrified; he had never looked so much like a vampire.

I looked to the door where everyone was facing. There was Stefan and Vladimir; I felt a stab of pure fear. They were here! Behind them was a woman, she was beautiful, her teeth bared too, I was shocked as I saw a little bit of blood on her lips, like she'd just finished feeding. Her tan skin was pale, somehow, and her face with full lips was framed with long dark hair. Next to her was a boy who looked no older than fifteen or sixteen, gangly with red hair and freckles. Both her beautiful and the red look in their eyes gave them a deadly look.

Suddenly, there was a pain in my arm and I looked at what had happened with the glass. It had broke, some of it cutting my arm. They were clean cuts and blood dripped freely from them. I gulped and looked around the room; suddenly heads were turning to me. I was stuck in a room with thirsty vampires. Shit.