An Unresolved Past

This story starts off five years after its prelude: 'Life is never what you expect it to be'. Bella is now Caius's mate and they are both very happily bonded. WARNING: This is an adult version of twilight and will have sexual submission and violence (after all; the story revolves around vampires). This is not for the faint of heart; it is very dark and has sexual content. 18+

Disclaimer: Stephenie Meyer is the creator of these intriguing characters but has nothing to do with this story.

Chapter 25Tragedy and pain may destroy anticipation but hope stubbornly lurks in the shadows

Her body trembling after Marcus's confrontation, Bella deliberated where she should go. It was vital that she have some time to collect her wits; momentarily she was too distraught to see anyone. At first she thought of going to the archives to avoid Aro. She couldn't face him….not now! She was afraid he would feel her turmoil. Although Aro was not be able to read her mind he was very astute to her body language and with the lives of so many loved ones hanging in the balance; she couldn't afford a blunder of any kind...Then remembering it was his custom to be in his office at this time, she decided it best to venture back to their apartments.

She cautiously opened their apartments and leaned against the door, her nerves taut. Listening, she thankfully heard no indications of Aro's presence. She shuddered at the thought of how Aro would react if he ever discovered what she had told Marcus.

Once she was convinced that their apartments were empty, Bella lowered herself onto the edge of the bed and gradually lay down.

The thought of Caius being alive made her ecstatic. She desperately longed to believe Demetri but was extremely wary; what if he was mistaken? She couldn't afford to cherish false hopes; the agony of Caius's loss had almost consumed her.

And now, after many years Bella had finally resigned herself to her fate making a bond with Aro only to assure the continued livelihood of her human family and friends. If she, in any way strayed from that agreement; they would no longer be protected from Aro's wrath.

After hours of contemplation a sigh escaped her lips as Bella realized that she had no choice but to trust Marcus to keep his word and his silence. Slowly arising from her bed she casually stood up and strolled into their private library where her subconscious sought solace in the proximity of books. The library being one of the few leisures she was still free to enjoy. Reading had always been her passion and she was fascinated by the diversity of the books that filled these shelves. Although she could not read many of them, Caius had taught her how to recognize the symbolic writing of old Greek, and Hebrew.

There was so much information at her fingertips and she realized how privileged she would be if she could read them. She sighed knowing it would take years before she would master all these languages and took a mental note to ask Aro for more lessons.

Then looking towards the shelf that Aro had arranged for her, she grabbed the history book and brought it back to their bedroom. She doubted that she could process any of its information but if Aro were to walk in and see it in her hands; well ….. at least it would explain her absence at their office. An inquisitive Aro was the last thing she needed at the moment.

When Aro came in the bedroom, he smiled at seeing the mussed up covers as he knew this to be a sign that Isabella had been reading. He heard noise coming from the bathroom and when he got closer he realized that she had not noticed his entrance. Listening to her sad tune, he watched as her body followed the sound and slowly became mesmerized. He pulled back into the shadows to admire his mate; his eyes drinking in her naked body. All of a sudden she stopped her movement and looking at the reflection of her eyes in the bathroom mirror he realized that she had seen him.

He gradually stepped forward from his refuge and closed the distance between them, his arms slowly encircling her waist as he whispered in her ear "I have need of your talents; it seems you have made me dependent of them"

As she watched him come forward she saw the admiration, desire and yes, even affection in his eyes as his arms slowly encircled her waist. He moved her hair aside; his mouth softly nibbling her neck as he watched her eyes close in the mirror's reflection. He was thrilled to see her enjoy the sensation of his kisses as he whispered "By all the gods you are like a long cool drink after an extensive walk through the desert".

Then tenderly taking her up into his arms he carried her to their bed and carefully laid her there. Playfully pinning her down with his body he carefully spread her thick amber hair on the pillow admiring its beautiful lustre. Slowly his hot gaze travelled downwards and she felt the tips of his fingers follow, claiming his privileges as he lustfully explored the curves of her body whispering "mio squisito incantatrice".

Inadvertently she turned her head away. She didn't know why; maybe excitement caused by the idea of Caius alive seemed to awaken her defiance.

When Aro raised his eyes to look into hers he realized that she had turned her head away from him. He smirked; his hands brushed her hair away from her face and cupped her chin. Turning her to face him he read the hesitation in her gaze and chuckled realizing she expected retribution for her actions.

Instead he softly said "My lovely Isabella you have captured my core, not only with your beauty but also with your light. You may have become a vampire but you radiate life, even in your defiance; I was wrong to try and crush that, for it is what makes you so different than all the others". He then drew her face towards him giving his lips access to hers and roughly taking the kiss he craved, knowing it would gradually evaporate her rebelliousness.

He raised himself and leaning on his elbow he rested his head on his cupped hand while surveying Bella. Captivated he tenderly caressed her face with his free hand, surveying her responses as he steadily moved down her neck to encompass her breast. He carefully bent over to cover her nipple with his mouth as his hand continued to travel towards her hips his hand resting on her inner thigh.

His fingers slowly then began to rub the delectable spot that he knew would set off the primal response from his mate and he wasn't disappointed. Bella moaned and leaned on to his hand, her body surrendering to its own needs and Aro smiled as his teeth sank in the tender flesh knowing it would push her lust even further. Aro licked the wound and raised his head to give her a long scorching look. Whispering "tu hai incantato mio cuore" he cunningly continued his ministrations; a smile passing his lips at this conquest. For although he would never possess her mind, he knew exactly how to manipulate her body and therefore he would always triumph.

Seeing Bella quickly progress toward an unconditional submission Aro promptly retracted his hand from her pleasure spot instigating a throaty protest from his mate. Then inserting his rigid shaft into her awaiting body he moaned his pleasure as he savoured the heat and tautness. His carnal desires demanded satisfaction but, wishing to savour every second, he cautiously allowed his mind to control every action. Bringing both hands to her hips he gradually thrust forward stretching her and allowing himself the full-measure of her tautness. Then he pulled out, his smile slowly growing as he saw the agitation clearly written in her features. She was furious; she needed release but realized he was in full control and would impose his dominance. In her frustration with both her body's ready response to his ministrations as his display of power she rebelled; clawing his chest as she attempted to buck him off.

Aro loved the ferocious hell-cat that awakened beneath him and dinging his nails into her flesh, he increased his thrusts. There was a short struggle as Bella thrashed under Aro but he kept her in check and continued his actions until she submitted and joined him. Shortly after that, Bella screamed and her body pulsated with violent convulsions. Feeling Bella's fierce contractions, Aro almost immediately followed.

In the peaceful afterglow that followed, Aro pulled Bella towards him and she rested her head on his chest. At that moment he felt he had finally found the comfortable haven he had been searching for most of his immortal life; a place of utter contentment.

Mio squisito incantatrice: My exquisite enchantress

Tu hai incantato mio cuore: you have enchanted my heart