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 34 – Hope never abandons you; you abandon it*

Alec had hoped that both Marcus and Demetri would have returned by now but as he hadn't heard of them since the day they left for Alaska, his concern for Bella grew. It had been two weeks now and he had not seen or heard from her since that day. Remembering his oath towards Marcus; Alec realized that he could no longer wait for their support and went to their apartments.

He softly rapped on the door and hearing nothing on the other side he carefully opened it and carefully started his search. He had just reached for the third door when he sensed Aro's presence.

"What are you doing in my quarters; do we have an appointment?" Aro asked

Alec squared his shoulders and turned to face Aro saying "Excuse me Aro, I knocked on the door but there was no answer. I have come to visit Isabella; I haven't seen her since the departure of Marcus"

"I'm sorry Alec but she hasn't been herself for quite a while" Aro explained.

"I was hoping she would help me continue our cataloguing of the archive treasure. I haven't seen her for quite a while; Is something wrong?" he probed.

"No, it's only that the departure of both Marcus and Demetri has taken its toll on her and unless you can get them back her I doubt you can help" Aro said with a smile.

"Oh, have you heard any news from them?" Alec asked his eyes roving the hallway ahead in the hope of getting past Aro as he innocently added "You see Marcus asked me to look in on her once in a while so I feel obligated".

"Oh did he? Has Marcus been bold enough to question my judgment or devotion towards my mate?" Aro coldly asked.

"Please excuse me but I do not believe that is the reason for their request; as you must know, he dotes on her!" Alec answered and then went on to explain. "I do not mean any disrespect. I only wish to speak to her; after all the archives are an immense amount of work and our system of cataloguing it is based on two independent workers".

"Well I'm sorry Alec but at the moment you will have to continue without Isabella's assistance. Her concern for Marcus's safety has caused a relapse. I thought she had finally accepted Caius's accident but unfortunately; she refuses to see anyone" Aro then dismissed him with his superior look but realized that Alec was reluctant to leave.

Observing Alec's hesitation Aro added "That reminds me. Where is your mate Messalina? Isabella wished to speak with her earlier, for what; I do not know".

Alec was perplexed by the abrupt change of their conversation and his expression changed accordingly.

Aro smiled "You know women with their secrets" Aro sighed then after a moments pause he added "Would you mind asking her to come visit?"

Alec was confused and realizing he would come no further without being rude, he stammered "Yes, of course Aro".

Once alone Aro walked towards his office as he considered Marcus's request that Alec look in on Isabella. He had allowed Marcus to leave with Demetri and the others but hadn't realized that Marcus harboured suspicions towards him. This bazaar request had renewed Aro's apprehension towards Marcus's; especially considering he had heard nothing him since their departure.

Aro had been so wrapped up in Isabella's rehabilitation and was initially relieved with the absence of Marcus's group. It was however time to evaluate the extent of Marcus's suspicions and with that knowledge; reassess the situation. But how?

A moment later his facial features suddenly lit up as Aro realized that there was one person who had spoken to Marcus just before he had left; consequently he spontaneously altered course. Ascending the tower stairs to the room in which Dragus held Isabella; he made use of a peephole in the door.

This not only allowed him to follow the proceedings without being seen by either Isabella or Dragus; it also helped make sure Dragus didn't overextend the boundarys Aro had stipulated. As he watched a part of him secretly admired the way that Dragus was able to manipulate Isabella with only a moderate amount of pain.

By constantly bombarding her day and night with half-truths and 'facts she needed to know' and allowing her no rest he was able to weaken her psychological barricade. Using these tactics, his gift and the blood, heavy-laced with drugs, Dragus was gradually able to convince her of 'her faults and delusions'.

Aro observed his mate. She was a thoroughbred; beautiful but useless until he had her totaal alliance.

After taking a moment to inspect the situation, he knocked. A moment later Dragus opened the door and stepped out to meet him. Once the door was firmly sealed behind him Aro asked "How is she progressing?"

Dragus smiled triumphantly as he replied "She is beginning to see her misconceptions towards you and the others. So, I would say everything is coming along nicely. Why have you come?"

Aro quickly explained "I need some information and I believe that only Isabella is able to give it to me"

Dragus bowed his head and Aro softly opened the door entering the room. His eyes focused on Isabella, she was sitting on the floor with her back against the wall and her arms around her knees. Her head was hidden behind her knees as if she were sheltering herself from the room and everything in it. As he softly sat down to join her she didn't look up but kept her eyes closed. Gradually he extended his hand delicately tracing her jawline as he whispered "Dragus tells me that you are finally beginning to comprehend the difference between fact and fantasy. I know that your misconceptions were caused by grief and cannot comprehend how painful it is for you to accept the truth. The knowledge however will help you find peace and might give us a chance for happiness"

Although she said nothing to acknowledge or question his words Aro gently took her chin in his hand and turned her face towards his as he continued "I must ask you a few questions for I need to find out what Marcus is doing. Do you hear me my love?"

Bella cautiously nodded her head, her eyelids were heavy and a perplexed expression marred her face. Aro bent over closing his eyes as he lightly brushed his lips along hers. A moment later he inquired "It seems that you had a conversation with Marcus in the Labyrinth and I wish to know what you talked about".

At first there was no reaction but slowly her expression changed, her eyes searched his as she slowly stammered "it wasn't my fault; I did not wish to talk. They cornered me in the Labyrinth and then forced me to tell him".

"Who did?" Aro probed

"Demetri and Marcus" Bella timidly replied and quickly added "But I didn't talk with Demetri; Marcus asked him to leave us"

Aro's face showed no emotion as he softly asked "What did you tell Marcus, my love?"

She tried to turn her head and when he gently held it in place she averted his eyes as she uttered "About how you had used my father to force my silence"

In a solemn voice he asked "Look at me dear heart" and after a moment of hesitation she complied. As they looked at each other he smiled and softly whispered "I must confess that using your father to pressure you was extremely inappropriate but after Caius's death you became unreasonable. I feared a repetition of the past; I have seen the spirit of a vampire destroyed by the loss of his mate. To my shame I was selfish; I loved you so much that I wouldn't allow that. However the pressure of Caius's demise and my blackmail must have weighed heavily on you. I understand your dilemma and believe me, I am not angry with your desperate act".

Lifting her eyes to meet his she shyly asked "You mean it?"

"Yes, of course. It must have been difficult when they compelled you to answer. But what I don't understand is how it came into the conversation".

Perceiving something akin to dread in her eyes he gently asked "Why did you tell Marcus? I know you were always afraid of exposing your human family to him? What changed your mind?"

He saw indecision cloud her features before she sadly admitted "He wanted to go to Alaska and I asked him not to".

"So you knew he wished to go even before I did?" Aro inquired.

He saw a small spark of reluctance but it was soon smothered when she heard Dragus cough. And she nervously muttered "Yes".

"But why would he talk to you of his plans to discuss the Egyptian coven with Carlisle?"

When she didn't answer but became even quieter Aro probed "Unless he talked to you of something else that he had to do with Alaska".

Bella once again tried to turn her face but Aro held her in place so she lowered her eyes instead.

Aro's facial features were unyielding as he continued "Come to think of it: why would Marcus explain this to you when he said goodbye? It was quite unnecessary if he had already discussed it with you the day before?"

Bella was still reluctant to answer so Aro continued with his customary persistence asking "No, my love when I look at all these points I have to ask you; why did you ask him not to go to Alaska?"

She comprehended that silence would no longer help or hurt her position. Now that the undeniable facts of Caius's death had been pointed out to her she had no choice but to accept them so she slowly explained "Demetri thought he had sensed Caius and they wanted to investigate"

Hardly able to keep the amazement out of his voice he asked "They found Caius?"

"No, Demetri thought he sensed something" she said the guilt of betrayal marring her expression "but I made him promise not to tell you. At that time I was sure Caius was still alive and was afraid you might hurt him".

Aro carefully scrutinized her and with a sigh of disappointment he said "you think that I would hurt him?"

"Because of our relationship; you wouldn't let me go!" she moaned.

"I admit it would be difficult but even so; we discussed this. I knew I could not compete with Caius if he returned; the bonding between the two of you cannot be broken. I was and still am, just afraid of losing you to the madness that has inflicted Marcus. Is it so wrong for me to take a woman that no longer has her mate" Aro explained.

Isabella opened her eyes and said "I am sorry; I just couldn't let go"

Aro's eyes captured hers as he continued "So because of you fear for me, you wilfully kept me in the dark? How could you think such a thing? Even worse; how could you take Marcus in your confidence instead of me? He must have a low opinion of me."

"No, not at all" she quickly added "As I said; Marcus understood my paranoia. When he realized that I was convinced Caius had survived and would do anything and everything possible to protect him; he decided to appease me. Marcus sensed something strange and at my request he gallantly held the information to himself as I asked him. It doesn't reflect on you but me".

Aro shook his head as he complained "I haven't heard of them since shortly after they left and I'm afraid it has everything to do with your secretive discussion." Then smoothing her hair to the side with a gentle touch of his hand he asked "What do you think now?"

"Caius is gone; he no longer exists" she sobbed "I stubbornly held on to my fantasies and in doing so have weakened the Volturi coven, disgraced Caius's memory and have damaged your reputation".

Aro then said "now you understand why you needed to be helped. The last few years I have treated you with kindness and compassion but you, in your grief and stubbornness refused to accept me. What is worse; you have made others doubt my merits. With your delusions you have put your friends in danger; for they have become traitors. Although I still love you, in my role as king, I could not allow you to bring the royal family and the coven that we rule into turmoil".

Hearing her many transgressions Isabella's body shook, her sobs intensified as remorse took over. "I'm so sorry" she muttered between the sobs "I was sure he still lived; I couldn't accept his death".

In an attempt to calm her, he wrapped his arms around her trembling frame and gently drew her closer. Rocking her back and forth in the shelter of his arms, he was gradually able to calm her and stayed with her until she relaxed. Gently he kissed her forehead and whispered more to himself than to her "I understand my love but now I have to correct the situation before it escalates; any further complications may cause permanent harm to the coven, myself and your friends".

Keeping his emotions masked he gradually released her and left the room.

*George Weinberg