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 wiki/Volturi' a fantastic site if I may say and well worth a read for twilight fans.

Chapter 44 - I want one person who needs me; who can't live without me!

Edward's POV

I felt his mind outside in the woods and realized he had not left because he was still worried about Bella and although it was difficult to see him in the black of night I spotted his wolf form at the edge of the woods.

I joined Bella and Alice and didn't know what to do. Everyone was relieved that Bella had been found ending what could have been a major catastrophe. I then thought of Bella and how she would look at it and knew this wasn't my choice to make. Thinking that I quietly whispered "Bella there is someone outside that wishes to see that you"

Caius instantly looked up and asked "Who?" as he pulled Bella closer to him.

"An old friend of Bella's; at first I didn't want to say anything but then I decided it wasn't my call to make."

Bella looked up and I said "Jacob is outside in his wolf form at the edge of the woods and he feels terrible about what happened. He wants to speak with you but is afraid that you hate him because of what happened".

I could feel her hesitation and looked at Caius saying "I have nothing to say about the matter as you are her mate but maybe you would allow her to close her human life so that she can finally begin her new future with you at the Volturi".

Caius was angry "He was the one to cause this entire problem in the first place"

"It was entirely my fault Caius" Bella said to Caius as she held his arm. "I told him to stay away for safety reasons otherwise he would have come to the Denali's and I wouldn't have been taken". She then held his arm and inquired "please allow me to say goodbye".

I could feel his anxiety at letting her go and after debating his options he began to realize that I did have a point. If she wanted to start her new life and future with him; she would have to appropriately close her old one.

Hoping it would offer the desired outcome, he made his decision and promptly said "Where is the boy?"

I pointed out of the window saying "He is at the edge of the forest hoping to get a glimpse of her".

Caius held Bella closer and silently nodded his head giving his consent.

I turned my body towards the Denali coven looking from one face to the other and ending with Irina's I asked "I know that Irina is angry with Jacob because he killed Laurent to save Bella. So I ask your consent too."

"No" Irina said "I will not have Laurent's murderer in this house".

Caius was then angry and said "Be glad they killed him; if he were here I would have done worse".

Tanya, the head of the coven swiftly intervened saying "Irina you must agree when Laurent was about to kill her he did it helping another female vampire. He knew that Edward had feelings for Bella and yet he left you to help her kill Bella. If he cared for you as much as you believe he would not have interfered and he would still be among us".

Irina hissed and turned to leave the room; Tanya then nodded her head and I went outside to get Jacob. I ran towards him calling his name. He cautiously walked towards me and after I told him of our decision he ran towards the house discreetly fazing back into a human and dressing himself.

We both came back inside and as soon as he saw Bella his face lit up. When he got closer to the group I noticed Caius sniffing the air and realized he smelled Jacob.

"What is that smell?" Caius spoke

"That would be me!" Jacob said as he stuck his hand in the air and looked our way.

"This is Jacob" I said "he is a good friend of ours 'I lied' and a shape shifter".

"Jacob" I said as I walked towards him my eyes warning him to say quiet "This is Caius; Bella's mate"

Fearing he might say something rude I put my finger to my lips. Although he was wise enough not to stretch his luck subtleness was not one of Jacobs's virtues. He thus ignored me and everyone else saying "How are you Bella?" as he went to kneel in front of her.

Having him so close to Bella; Caius began to growl warning him to back off. But Bella turned to Caius and soothed him by caressing his cheek as she said "Please my love, Jacob would never hurt me"

When she turned her face to Jacob he suddenly realized that Bella could not see and he gasped saying "My god Bella what happened to your eyes?"

She gave him a reassuring smile saying "It is just temporary, they need to heal."

She then clumsily touched his face saying "I wanted to say goodbye; something I never had a chance to do before I left for the Volterra. I will be leaving for Italy tomorrow and am glad I could talk to you before I left".

He then stood up as her words took him by surprise

"You can't go" he said and then he turned to Caius "Bells would never go of her own accord what have you done to her?"

Caius began to growl and Bella held him as he roared "How dare you speak to me like that; the only reason I do not kill you right now is because Isabella once asked me not to harm those she cared for and unhappily for me you were one of them. One more remark and I will forget my promise and kill you anyway"

I then quickly pulled Jacob away from both Bella and Caius as I gave him the following advice "Do not say things you have no knowledge of! Bella is his mate; just like the Quileute tribe imprint, you cannot avoid fate! Please Jacob, do not aggravate the circumstances by tactless words. Bella has been through hell and I don't want her to hear you fight; that is the last thing she needs at the moment"

It was difficult for me to voice these things to Jacob because by saying this out loud, I had to accept them myself. The small spark of hope I always held on to was now snuffed out for good and nothing would ever change that.

I looked at Jacob and realized the truth had hit him hard and when I turned to look at Caius I saw that he was taken aback by my words. I probed his thoughts and realized that he was beginning to understand the fact that I was no longer a threat for him and Bella. He had just begun to comprehend the extent of his affection for her but me saying this so blatantly both alarmed and thrilled him. I felt the extent of his affection but he could not recognize it for he had never, in all his immortal life, felt these feelings before. He was so fascinated by this revelation that he forgot about me and Jacob. I walked away pulling Jacob behind me and away from Bella as I decided to leave Caius to his thoughts.

"I am sorry Jacob" I whispered "Bella is bonded and both you and I will have to accept it. Caius does love her! I along with many others never thought he would be capable to love, not Caius! I don´t even think he realizes the extent of his feelings for her. Bella is his now and we have to give up any hope of getting her back".

I wished to touch his shoulder in an attempt to console him but backed away as I felt an unbearable heat radiating out of him. He then looked up at me and I understood his sorrow as we both mourned the loss of 'our Bella'.

Caius POV

I was about to attack the shape shifter when Isabella held my arm tightly and Edward stepped between us lecturing him. As he declared Isabella mine by fate I was sudden stunned as the words sunk in. I understood that all three of us were attached to Isabella but I had won and the other two had accepted their defeat. When he went further and spoke of love I was bewildered; was that what I felt? I had never really experienced this feeling before! Yes, I had cherished Athenodora but it had not been the same. My feelings towards Isabella were like moth flying much too close to an all-consuming flame.

I pulled her towards me as to proclaim her as mine to the whole world and she hugged me back her musical laughter ringing in my ears as I nuzzled her neck. At this moment I understood the pain that weighed on the shoulders of Marcus on a daily basis. I was more than grateful that he had insisted I take Isabella as my mate, recognizing our bond and knowing how precious and rare it was. He and Athenodora had both selflessly fought me to accept how important Isabella would be to my life. I could never repay them!

I had lived an immortal life of 2000 years and in all that time, never comprehended how two lives could be so intertwined as some were. My eyes had been as blind as Isabella's now were and I scowled at the idea of bonds; thinking I knew all there was to know. I would make snide jokes of things I could not understand or see. Knowing my feelings I would do everything conceivable to keep her as I decided I could not walk the lonely path I had walked up to now; no never again!

I would speak to Athenodora as I had to assure that I had the alliance of both her and Marcus in order to make sure that our bond would not be in danger by any of Aro's influences.

Jacobs POV

I watched Bella and her mate and understood that Edward was right their mating was indeed as strong as our tribe imprint. It seemed there was nothing I could say or do to win Bella back. I felt her bond with this king and it appeared to be even stronger than her bond with Edward Cullen had been.

As I was watched Bella, Edward continued to whisper "Bella is now happy and Caius is very much in love with his mate although it will take him a while to realize how much; as he has never held such feelings for anyone before now". I moved away from the group and I decided it was time to leave as there was nothing more I could do; Bella was now lost for me.

I was defeated and as I turned to walk away I felt a hand on my shoulder. It was Bella with an agitated Caius at her side.

"Bells?" I asked and her eyes followed the sound as she looked at my mouth she then moved her eyes to where she imagined my eyes where and I saw the compassion in those milky eyes as she spoke "Dear Jacob" she said as she caressed my cheek "I will always have a soft spot for you. You helped me out of so many deadly circumstances and were there when I desperately needed a friend and yet our relationship has never been more than that of good friends. I am so sorry; you don't deserve that! I am certain there is a reason for this and I am convinced it has to do with an imprint in your future. I have seen the imprint bond between Sam and Emily, I want that for you, you deserve that!"

"Be safe dear Jacob" she said "be safe and happy as I am. Your life will be normal and once you have found your imprint you will have everything you desire and will live with her and your children all your mortal years. Please know that you still have my friendship and if ever your tribe is in desperate need of an ally I will do my best to help".

With this she gave me a chased kiss on the cheek and took a step away from me, swiftly surrounded by Caius's arms.

Edward walked back towards me and we said our goodbyes and although I would never like him he did give me a chance to speak to Bells and I had to admit that counted for something. I guess he read my thoughts because he gave me an apologetic smile and while shaking my hand he placed a set of keys in them saying "This time you can go by car, after all we won't need it."

"No, that's not necessary I need the run" I said while Bella and her mate walked me to the door. I didn't have to worry about her watching me so I swiftly took off my clothes and fazed.

Just before I was out of hearing range I caught Bella's mate saying "By all the gods Bella you felt safe with that huge beast?"

"Very" was all she said.