Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the creator of these intriguing characters. She and the filmmakers have made a fascinating and beautiful trilogy. I wish to borrow her background and add a plot twist of my own. I also made use of the site 'twilights wiki/Volturi' a fantastic site if I may say and well worth a read for twilight fans.

Chapter 30 – Alaska

Bella's POV

We were now on a flight to Alaska where I would be able to see my friends and their family. I was taken out of my thoughts by Caius's hand as it tenderly stroked my cheek. I looked into his eyes and wondered if Greece had been a dream but when he moved to kiss me I knew that it had been reality. Our new found friendship had grown in the last few days and surprisingly I realized that I was beginning to fall for him.

"I wish I could look into that charming head of yours my love" he said and then repeated his kiss but this time I joined in and our kiss became liquid fire.

When I came up for air my glazed eyes looked at his as I asked "How did this happen? When we left for Greece we were enemies".

"And now we are lovers" he laughed "That is what Marcus would call the influence of the mating. I did not believe it but it slowly took hold of me and with the wise words of Marcus and Athenodora I was able to attain you. I have deeply loved Athenodora but it was never like this".

I looked at his face and began a discussion that I had postponed since I knew we were going to Alaska "I shall willingly follow you Caius and give myself to the bond but I have one request".

He looked happy but also guarded as he asked "And that would be?"

I then continued "You will never ask or force me to use my powers against my friends. I cannot do that; it will destroy me and eventually our bond".

He then thought about it and said "Since we are setting conditions my love. I too have one stipulation; you will give yourself, mind and soul to me and accept my authority and domination as your mate when we are alone".

After saying this he gave me a moment to comprehend what he had said and added "Publically however you will be my partner in all things and will hold the honor and respect that goes with your station".

I felt like I was selling my soul to the devil but didn't have much of an option as we were approaching Alaska and the vampire family I had come to love. So I whispered "I accept"

Caius was thrilled as he said "My love, it sounds as if you have just negotiated your eternal life away but believe me, I adore you and we will be marvelous together. Your sun to my moon!"

I started to feel the jet descend and he took my hand and planted a kiss on it saying "I am glad you have feed well last night for I do not want you consuming animal blood; you are a Volturi and my mate I will not have you partake in such revolting actions. I have called Carlisle and he has agreed to have human blood on the premises for you".

I was shocked "Carlisle would never give up a human for consumption!"

Caius laughed at my expression and explained "He told me that being a medical doctor he is able to get blood from the blood banks. So you see my dear it is not necessary for you to hunt. No, we will hunt together once you are back with me in Volterra."

About a half hour later we walking down the aircraft stairs and I was very nervous. I had heard a lot about the friendly relationship with the Denali coven but had never actually met them. I knew this action of Athenodora and Caius must have hit them like a ton of bricks and I felt bad that they had fallen under the scrutiny of the Volturi. There was nothing I could do about it now so I walked next to Caius and towards Athenodora, Carlisle and a new face.

The three bowed towards Caius and me and we respectfully nodded our heads. To the right and further away I saw the Cullen group with a few new faces among them. To the left I detected another group which I assumed was the Denali coven.

Caius introduced me to them "My dear Isabella you already know Carlisle and Athenodora but this is Eleazar, he used to be part of the Volturi coven but is now part of the Denali coven and lives here with his group".

I smiled towards him saying "It is a pleasure to meet you; I have heard a lot about you and your coven from Alice, Jasper and Edward"

He smiled back saying "hopefully they spoke optimistically of us"

"Oh yes indeed" I said

Caius then pulled me close to him and I saw that the sneer had come back on his face but said nothing as we were lead towards a lovely villa. The villa was similar to the Olympic coven but it was much larger.

We all went inside, Athenodora did most of the talking and I was relieved as she did her best to put everyone at ease. At least almost everyone; Caius's assumed the same arrogant expression he always wears when he is around vampires he does not approve of. I felt like steam was coming out of my ears, I was so angry. Why couldn't he at least try to look friendly, these were my friends!

Then turning towards us Athenodora asked "My dears would you mind if I take Caius away for a minute we have some news to catch up on and what better way to do it that by looking at the beautiful lights of the Aurora Borealis?" I asked Caius if I could go to the others and although he was hesitant he allowed it. As they strode towards the front door I proceeded into the other room and soon located the Cullens.

Athenodora's POV

Strolling hand in hand while looking at the mystical auras in the sky, I leaned towards Caius asking "By that grin on your face I think I can safely assume that your trip with Isabella to Greece was a success?"

Caius chuckled "Very much so! Isabella and I now have an understanding and although a little blackmail was in order; I have her".

I automatically stopped and looked into his eyes. "What sort of blackmail?"

He smiled towards me saying "She does not want to be forced to use her powers against the Denali or the Olympic covens. I have given her my word; it will keep her pacified".

I searched his face "You do mean to keep your side of the bargain, don't you?"

He chuckled again saying "I will, but I can't guarantee that Aro shall do the same".

I gave him an angry and exasperated glance "You must keep to your bargain and not allow Aro to interfere!"

"Why ever not?" he asked "Over a short time she will have changed her opinion".

I walked further still holding his hand and forcing him to accompany me saying "I believe she is stronger than that. I also wish to keep these covens our friends. They have a lot to offer us if we should need them."

Mockingly he laughed "We are the Volturi; we will never need them or anyone else"

I again became irritated "You still do not understand; we are but a part of the Volturi. Aro had need of your services in a time when bloodshed was an everyday thing. We are no longer in the 1300 B.C.; our needs have changed in the last 3 thousand years. Now he collects 'special vampires' who can incapacitate vampires with their minds".

I waved my arm towards the villa and said "You should stop being so condescending my love and take an accurate evaluation of them. Most have gifts of their own but do not wish to be incorporated in the Volturi coven. I am sure Aro would do anything to possess their powers for himself and with the help of Jane he can do that. If he ever does he will have an invincible army and the exclusive power that he has always coveted. One, where neither you nor I will fit in!"

At first he let his mind consider this but as all those who do not wish to be confronted with the truth, he became irritated as he huffed "Enough of this nonsense! You and I walking in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness while at the moment I wish only to be with my mate".

Looking at him I explained "I asked you to walk outside because I do not want anyone to hear our conversation; it is too risky"

He then blew in his hands saying "Now that we have spoken we can go inside, can we not?"

He began to walk towards the house but I stood my ground firmly holding his hand in mine. Caius turned towards me asking "What's wrong? Do you have something else you wish to speak of?"

There was no way to say it mildly so I just blurted it out "We also need to investigate Didyme's demise."

His arrogance was gone and he was shocked "WHAT! If you're suggesting what I think you are, we are not going to have this discussion!"

I then began my appeal as we continued our walk "You must listen to me Caius I have always had your best interests at heart; Aro is getting too powerful; he has been collecting all sorts of gifted vampires if they want to join the Volturi or not."

I then talked about something dear to his heart "Having Isabella as your mate does not mean that she will be able to escape his grasp. If he can't have her he may force you to give her up and if you don't he may take drastic measures".

I stopped walking and looked him directly in the eyes saying "Remember when Didyme and Marcus had grew tired of the coven's aggressive way of life and planned on leaving? I know that Aro did not want to lose Marcus's powers".

Caius snickered saying "Don't be foolish, Aro never objected to their leaving the Volturi".

"Not openly ….." I answered and quickly continued "While living in the tower with Sulpicia I sometimes heard her talking in her sleep about Didyme. She would cry and ask Didyme for forgiveness as if she were overridden by guilt".

Caius looked at me questioningly and I just nodded my head as I confirmed my words "We both know that when Didyme was killed Marcus was destroyed. Oh yes his body and gift are intact so he is still of value to Aro but he is a shell of his former self. That could also happen to you or Isabella."

Caius was taken aback but then replied "He would never do that!"

Now I snickered "Why not, if he did have Didyme killed, his own maternal sister, what is to prevent him from destroying you or Isabella once either of you becomes difficult. Believe me; it's not as impossible as you think!"

Exasperated at my tenacity he said "These are all assumptions, there is not once scrap of proof; we cannot go back to the past and the prattling's of a half insane woman will not change that".

"No" I said "but I have discovered one that can find out the truth if you would but allow it".

He stopped in his tracks "What do you mean?"

I looked into his eyes "I have heard from Eleasar that the woman Alexia has the power to look in the past".

He sneered "What! That is impossible; we have never come across anyone with that gift!"

"Even she thinks so" I explained "She believes she only has the ability to perceive logical and emotional information; but Eleasar believes that it will enable her to go further and thus be able to see emotional events that have happened in the past".

Caius looked puzzled "What are you suggesting?"

I felt that I was finally chipping through his hard surface as I explained "I wish to take the Cullen boy and Alexia with us. He can read minds which can be helpful if we wish to know more. I don't know if Alexia is helpful but maybe she and the boy can work on her power to look into the past".

His facial expression was wary as he asked "Why are you so animate to do this?"

I looked in my mind concentrating on my answer "There are many motives I don't know where to begin. I think the most important reason is that if either you or Isabella are destroyed, my life will also be meaningless".

My eyes then cleared and were filled with conviction as I said "You must think of this! Aro is much more powerful than you think and his spies are all around us. I speak to the Cullen boy with my mind and that is why no one can hear us. Buy the last time I went to his room I was followed and if it wasn't your spy it must have been his."

He smirked "Have you been enjoying the company of the Cullen boy?"

I did not react to the insinuation and explained "We needed to converse without anyone becoming suspicious".

Caius was becoming very impatient as he turned to go back to the villa saying "Now that we have had our conversation, I wish to go inside and join my mate".

I quickly walked beside him saying "Please Caius try to be polite to the people, they are Isabella's friends".

He waved his had as if to brush my argument away as he snickered "But they feed on animals!"

I argued "It is their own choice, respect it! What they feed on does not change the fact that they are very powerful. They will be as loyal to Isabella as she is for them. Use their alliance to build one of your own; after all you are her mate. There is a new wind blowing and we must make sure that neither our prejudices nor arrogance make irreparable damages to future coalitions".

He was listening but not good enough for my liking so I said something to reinforce my words "Think about it Caius; you almost lost Isabella because of your prejudices; don't make that mistake a second time!"