Big thanks to cinni for reviewing! See you guys at the end of the chapter.

Chapter Three

Welcome to Volterra

I believe the correct thing to explain Volterra would be bustling. There were people everywhere you looked. Alec took my hand a couple times, just so he could keep track of me in the huge crowd. After turning a few corners, we headed into a small store. It was obviously a clothing store. The clothes looked a little different from what I was used to, but they had the basic needs: jeans and T-shirts. Alec gave me free reign to buy stuff but I ended up buying a couple of T-shirts, a long sleeved shirt, and a few pairs of jeans. I got a pair of tennis shoes a pair of flats. Alec handed the cashier a black credit card at the register while giving me the weirdest look.

"What?" I finally asked, as we were walking out of the store. "Oh, well, I thought girls like buying clothes and stuff," he said. "I do. Kinda… Well, I didn't think I'd need pumps and cashmere sweaters. I was thinking a little more practical. Plus, I didn't want to waste money," I said. He looked at me oddly, once again. "What's with the weird look?" I almost yelled. He busted out laughing, "Trust me, Renesmee, we've got plenty of money." I huffed and walked ahead of him.

We walked a few more blocks before heading into a small grocery store. Alec sighed next to me. "This place smells disgusting," he said. "Smells fine to me," I replied while grabbing a cart. "Okay, I don't have a refrigerator, stove, or microwave. So, I need something that doesn't need to be cooled, cooked, or heated up. This should be easy," I sighed, with heavy sarcasm. "You know, Italy does have refrigerators and microwaves…" Alec joked. "Yeah, but what do you want to bet that the Volturi don't?" I said in a low voice. "Good point," Alec grabbed my hand and dragged me to one of the last aisles. "Good thing for aisle twelve," he said. I realized that this aisle was stocked with mini-fridges, convection ovens, microwaves and similar items. Alec picked up a stainless steel mini-fridge and a stainless steel microwave and put them in the cart. "You could at least act human," I joked in a quiet voice. He looked at me, confused. "Hey, most people find it at least a little hard to pick up a microwave and a mini-fridge at the same time," I explained. He rolled his eyes and walked on.

We spent the next twenty minutes finding food to last me for a week or two. Due to my incredibly high metabolism, we had to get a lot.

We headed back to the castle, and when we got there Alec told me to go to my room and he'd meet me there. I brought in as much of the groceries as I could and headed in. Thank God that my room was located next to a side exit. When I got there, I found Alec carrying in a cabinet and shelves. I raised an eyebrow at him. "What? I figured you'd need a place to put the food that didn't go in your ice-box thing," he justified. I nodded and thanked him, not bothering to call him on calling the refrigerator an 'ice-box thing'. After we got done with bringing everything in it was close to seven thirty at night. "So, tomorrow we'll get on the computer and find something better for your room…" he trailed off. I jumped up. "No, no. We don't have to change it. I mean, you don't have to do all that," I argued. "Well, you're one of us now. Do you want to live in this for the rest of eternity? My sister really isn't the best decorator. Even I want to fall asleep in this dump," he said. I wanted to tell him that I wouldn't be here that long, explain that I would be leaving – hopefully - very soon. I just sighed in defeat. "Okay. Nothing too crazy, just the very basics," I reasoned. "Sure, whatever you say Renesmee," he said, in a very non-convincing way. I just shook my head.

"Well, this is my cue to leave. Apparently my sister requires my assistance. Night, Ren," he said, as Jane showed up in the door way. I just nodded, not really knowing what to say to someone who doesn't sleep.

For some reason, I couldn't stop thinking of the day with Alec. No one's ever called me 'Ren' before. Renesmee – yeah. Nessie? Well, that was Wolfie's name for me. Mom called me Ness – or a slew of other sweet nicknames- and everyone else just fell in line with saying one of the above. Thinking about it, Ren seemed like the obvious thing to call me. How anyone could come up with Nessie – I would never know, although I tend to go by that more than my full name. I know, it's stupid that I just sat there and thought about pet names, but it just interested me for some reason. Alec was a new person, he was completely new to me and different than anything I'd ever known. He even had something new to call me.

Yes, Alec was definitely my favorite person in this hole of horrible-ness.

I awoke the next morning to a loud banging on my door. "What?" I groaned. "Up. Now," growled a voice I recognized as Jane's. I groaned and pulled myself out of the sheets. "Get dressed, and meet me at the atrium in ten minutes," she ordered. I pulled on jeans and a T-shirt, then my green converse. I looked longingly under the bed where the box holding my rings was. With Johnny and Mab, I could at least wear them. Now, I have to hide them, out of fear that they would know where I got them. I know I'm pretty paranoid, but better safe than sorry. I grabbed a S'more pop tart and headed out the door.

I didn't know the castle yet at all, but I followed my gut and just walked down the hall until I spotted the bright blonde hair of Jane. "It's about time. Aro would like to speak to you," she said as she pulled me along.

We walked into a huge circular room. It had a tall ceiling and small windows at the top, the first windows I'd seen in the Volturi castle. Situated against the far wall were three throne- looking chairs. I recognized Aro in the middle chair and two more very old looking vampires on either side of him.

Aro clapped his hands together, effectively pulling me out of my thoughts. "Renesmee, we are so glad to finally have you here. So, I would like to ask you something. How much do you know about your abilities?" he asked. "My abilities?" I questioned. "Yes, abilities, like how fast you are, or how strong. Also, as a child you seemed to have an extra gift," he said. I knew he was talking about my touch – as I like to call it. It still works, but that is the only time anything can get into my mind. "Well, I'm faster than a human; I'm not sure about my speed in comparison to vampires. I'm stronger than humans, too. I'm pretty sure I can lift a car; I've never really tested my strength though. As for another, um, gift I do have one weird quirk," I stated. "Yes, yes. What 'quirk' would you be talking about?" he asked excitedly. "Well, I don't know how useful it is, but I can show people my thought by touching them," I said. Aro nodded.

"Alec, would you come over here?" Aro called, looking past me. I heard Alec approach and he stopped right next to me. "Yes, Master Aro?" he said. "Renesmee, I would like for you to show Alec your thoughts," he commanded. I began to worry. I'm notorious for not being able to control my gift. My gift takes over, and sometimes I show more than I mean can to. I looked to Alec and slowly moved my arm to where my palm was touching his cheek. This is my head. I'm guessing you can hear me? I said in my mind. By the incredulous look on Alec's face, I guessed yes. I quickly took my hand off of his face before I had the chance to slip up. I jumped when I heard Aro's loud cackle. "Wonderful, simply wonderful! Did you know that you are the only hybrid known to have a gift? This is simply wonderful!" he laughed, like a child on Christmas day. I just looked on.

"I should not be surprised. Your parents were quite talented. With a mental shield for a mother and a mind reader for a father, I should have expected this. Next we will test your speed and strength. I will send Jane or Alec after you later, until then you may rest, or Alec could give you the grand tour if you prefer," he said. "Uh, thank you. I believe I'll just go rest a little. Um, but first, may I ask you something?" I said, tentatively. I already knew the answer to my next question, but I wanted to know just how far they were going to take this.

"Sure, what is it?" he asked evenly, but his face had considerably darkened. "Who are – or, um, were – my parents?" I asked. His face showed no sign of change, but the atmosphere in the room completely shifted. "They did not abide by our laws, that much is for sure. It does not matter. You were not wanted there, but we were eager to take you off their hands," he replied darkly. I nodded and thanked him.

Alec walked me back to my room in silence. "Okay, Ren, if you need anything, just call me. My room is just down the hall, I'll be able to hear you if you just raise your voice a little. You okay?" he asked suddenly. "Yeah, I'm fine," I replied. "Okay, well, maybe I can give you the grand tour later," he offered. "Yeah, sure," I replied. "Okay, well, I'll see you later. Bye, Ren," he said as we walked off.

I went into my room and threw myself on the bed. I cried softly into the pillow. I rolled onto my back and stared at the ceiling. They lied about my family. They did want me. They loved me, right? I shook my head. Now is no time to second guess them!, I thought. At that moment, I vowed to get out of here – soon – if it's the last thing I do.

Like it? Just a little? Review, pleeeeeaaaseeee?

I still need a beta; I think that is obvious by reading this. I try to edit as I go, but a second pair of eyes always helps. If you're interested in becoming my beta, shoot me a message or say in a review.

I hope to go back to the Cullens on the next chapter. I know this chapter was a little boring, but the first half was really kind of a necessary filler, basically setting up part of the plot line. Stick with me, 'cause this roller coaster is about to take off!

Thanks for reading! :D