A/N: Y'all still with me? I hope so because here we go

Warning for this chapter – Going forward themes of the "M" rating will be prevalent going forward in the story. I do apologize for the last chapter's warning system. For some reason, the asterisk doesn't save on the doc manager so instead, the warning will be a (Skip Here). I changed the warning on the last chapter so it will be shown.

(Skip Here) will always be before any major distressing themes in the story and with each new chapter going forward there will be a warning in the A/N and in the Skip Here will be in the story where you would like to skip.

I do my best to make the reading experience good for all readers and I try to be mindful of all situations and experiences. I hope you all have loved the story as much as I do and of course

Enjoy!

When You Love Someone

Chapter 26: Wondering

I wasn't sure how long we were in prison. Felix was better at tracking time than I was but then again, I was unconscious for a good portion of the time.

We've been planning for days, possibly a month. I'll be honest, I've lost track of time since I've woken up. Not that it mattered, we were no closer to an exit strategy than when I discovered my new prison. No matter what course of action we would have taken, there was always something preventing us from leaving. Either a guard, a trap, or the risk required was too great.

There were a few things that helped us keep track of some form of time though; the masked vampire came almost every day. He would taunt us, play us, and even on one occasion, he actually did go through with his threat to harm Felix. I'm ashamed that I looked away, but Felix pleaded with me not to look. He didn't want that, and I would do what I could to honor his wishes.

It wasn't a day that went by that he didn't try to harm me but thankfully my shield held up. As far as he knew I wasn't strong enough to cover a great distance, just a few feet in front of me and not for very long either. I admit I made a mistake in that first week. He got very close that day, but it covered my body and that was enough.

They couldn't physically hurt me, but Felix was right in the fact that it didn't fully protect me from what they had planned. Felix was right when he claimed they were very creative when it came to torture. Felix was right about many things when it came to surviving, his warnings and companionship made this hellish prison bearable. I was very lucky to have Felix with me despite the circumstances. I grew to listen to his warnings and musings and listened well when he warned that I should allow them the chance to strike me, fool them that I wasn't as powerful that way when we did escape, they wouldn't be ready.

I took it to hear and I remembered after that first week, the enemy realized that my shield had limits. I would do what I could to protect myself physically but mentally, it was all on me. I hadn't realized that our cells were so technologically equipped but that was our fault for underestimating the enemy. The masked vampire hadn't arrived which sent alarm bells to both Felix and me. It was then that the floor opened up below me and before I knew it, I was trapped underground.

I admit I blocked out most of that first experience, but they were testing my will not to drink human blood. I believed it was a family they brought in but I cast my shield around myself to block their scents. Thankfully I didn't give in that day, but I don't think it made much of a difference for the family. I don't know what happened to them, but I didn't dare think of their fates. I couldn't handle it. However as much as I hated this brand of psychological terror, it did give me a brief chance to explore more of our prison. They were very careful when it came to what we could and could not see but I never depended less on my sight than when I was held there. I allowed them to grab me and drag me through the prison, this way I would give the illusion that I was weakening, and I could save my strength for when it was needed most.

(Skip Here) I admit I let myself be out of my body during those times. They palmed my breasts and touched me where I wished they didn't but I withstood it for the only chance we had to gain information on where we were.

I once heard birds and smelled the wind; salt was present in the air and I knew that we were a few miles from a coastline. My guess is that there would be a river near here that led straight to an ocean. If we were in Romania, then possibly the black sea. I knew that in the outside hallway there were at least two guards present by the talks they would use and at least one was gifted. There were two windows since I felt more than one breezeway separated by either a wall or a door. The stupid guards were so busy "playing" with me that they never realized that I was gaining information on where to escape from.

During one of these excursions, I recognized the masked vampire that terrorized Felix and me in our prison cells. He was gifted which was the sole reason for his placement. It was terrifying yet beatable and most importantly I learned his name. Ambrose, the one with the terror infliction. He could go inside your mind and find what you fear most. He found Felix's fear and used it against him. My fear was much harder to locate thanks to my mental shield, but the stupid guard felt as if my fear was abandonment and to some degree, he was right but how much he knew that fear went he didn't know.

I passed along anything I learned to Felix, but we had to get creative on how we spoke to one another. Ever since I was sent tumbling towards the underground, we would write in the dirt of our findings and even spoke in a made-up language we invented that made the guards furious. Whenever we spoke to another a beating usually followed. Their own measly attempts to find out what we're talking about, but we never gave in. We were planning and the more information I found the better equipped we were and may have discovered a way to leave, now we just needed a way to execute. The coastline was miles away but not so far that a run through the forest wasn't achievable. We just needed to get rid of the guards.

Each day I tried to find something that would help us, but we never did. I never did and I felt that I was failing us. Felix felt differently, however, and his calm voice was my constant reminder: prison was a marathon, not a race. We just needed to survive one more day to live a hundred more. I just needed to survive one more day.

"Are you okay Bella?" Felix asked as I was thrown inside my cell, the gate closing with a bang as I curled up on the dirt floor and clung to Felix's hand as the tears entered my eyes.

"I can't stand it" I cried softly as I curled into myself and Felix nodded in understanding. "This ruse is costing me my sanity! I know my shield is important, they can't know the extent of it but my god I can't stand their touching, their jeering. What they did to you, what they keep doing to you and what they did to me." I sobbed as I felt Felix's comforting hand. "I did as we planned, I got them distracted to know where the door was, right behind is a window that we can smash through to create an exit, but it was horrible. They violated me with their fingers and objects. I feel dirty and awful and just…I wish I could have stopped it." I whispered as Felix shook his head.

"This is not on you Bella. This isn't on you or me or anyone else they do this cruelty too. You didn't allow it to happen or 'let them' touch you. You did what you could to survive one more day. You did what you had to guarantee survival for a hundred more days. We will escape this hell but in order to do so, we must defy the devils. We can do it; remember why we fight." He implored as I kept picturing Alec's face.

"Yes, your right. Sorry" I whispered as he gave my hand a squeeze.

"Nothing to be sorry for. Now, what were you saying about a window?" He asked as I straightened up.

"Along the outside hallway, if we can take out Ambrose, then we need to take out two more guards before the door leading to the window. It's would be a tight fit but if you can push through the wall then we can jump out to the field below. It's a steep cliffside so we need to jump in at the right angle, so we go down the cliff. It's a good-sized drop but from there we can escape into the forest and try and find the pathway to the sea."

"And from the sea, we can escape back to the mainland and regroup there. I still have access to my personal funds and withdraw if we need to. We just need to get out first." He whispered as I nodded.

"Alright, we can wait until nightfall, when we have the cloud cover. When Ambrose comes in you need to shield him. You said Jasper taught you a technique?"

"Yes, I'm still weak so we would only have a few seconds, but it should be enough. I'll wrap him up with me. When he comes into your cell, I'll wrap my shield around him, and you tear off his head. Grab the keys and then we run into the hallway where I block the two guards and tear off their heads while you get rid of the third guard."

"Then we run like hell and pray we both get out." Felix finished as he smirked before we both heard footsteps and we both nodded to each other. We got into position as I lied down and started to quietly sob and pulled Felix's clock up around me, just high enough to expose myself down there but not enough to tip him off. I knew Felix was in the corner and just like we practiced he would look defeated.

Now, all we needed was for him to take the bait.

I heard the door open with a creak and his scratching voice rung through the prison room. "Well, if it isn't my favorite prisoners. I was beginning to think you were growing tired of me but Miss Isabella from the look of it I'm to know I was wrong." He chuckled as I heard his footsteps come ever closer and I pulled the cloak tighter around me. "I'm glad to see your pussy juices waiting for me." He said confidently as I covered myself and eyed Felix.

"Oh, don't hide from me. I heard you got a good fingering from my friend Benjamin. I was so jealous when he licked your juices, and I couldn't even have a taste. Maybe I should. After all, Felix can wait, I know what he tastes like, I'm a patient man and you're so weak I doubt you can cover everything." He laughed as I heard my cell opening.

I gave a look to Felix as angled my chin to the opening of his cell. Even though we thought he would go for Felix, we can make it work for me, but I will make sure that Felix delivered the final blow. I want that for him. Benjamin, however, is all mine. Ambrose wasn't the only one who remembered.

I felt his hands on my thigh not a moment later and before he could touch me anywhere else I cast my shield as he was frozen on the spot.

"What – "He said shocked as I jumped up and immediately tore the bottom half of his jaw and made work of his left arm and right leg. I wanted him to feel it and all I needed was the key he so conveniently told us he kept in his left pocket. I grabbed the key from his discarded leg and smiled at the horror on his face. I tore his leg in two right in front of him before I hastily opened Felix's cell.

Felix was a man I had never seen before in those moments. He was a man on a mission and what he did to Ambrose I can never retell but I enjoyed every moment of it. Soon we raced into the hallway where I saw the two guardsmen and quickly cast my shield over them. I made work of one, ignoring the sound of her head being ripped from her body and tore the rest of her limbs while Felix dismantled the one on the left and I ran into the door where the guard was frozen on the spot just like the practice I had with Jasper all that time ago.

In those sessions, we discovered that if I concentrated enough, I could push my shield through physical barriers and I was never more grateful to Jasper's tutelage than in those moments.

Just as I thought, the third guard was taken out and the window was right there, and I guarded the both of us while Felix punched away on the concrete but what we hadn't counted on was the thickness and coating of venom. I blocked off the two doors as we both heard running feet and Felix barely made a hole big enough for us to fit through. I jumped out first as I was the smallest and I saw Felix right behind me.

I felt the wind rush on my face and, in those brief, wonderful seconds…I saw freedom.

The lush trees and the setting sun over the horizon. I saw the birds fly overhead as their wings spread wide and they soared through the clouds. I closed my eyes and for just a moment, just one wonderful, joyous moment I pretended.

I pretended that I was back home – I was jumping high into the clouds. Alec was by my side and any moment now I would feel his hands brush mine and Jane would be below smirking as she beat Edward in chess. Alice and Jasper would be around, smiling as they watched the game unfold and I would hear Emmett's boisterous laughter and hear Rose smack his head as Carlisle talked to Marcus about big ideas and the ideologies of vampires. Dimitri and Felix would yell as one would win a game and Heidi would announce that she was, yet again, going shopping and call out to me as Alice would squeal and when my feet hit the ground, I would roll my eyes at the antics of my family.

I would be safe; I would be happy…. I would be loved.

As soon as I felt Alec's hand brush mine, I knew everything would be alright when I opened my eyes. I knew that as long as Alec was by my side. I knew that when my family was safe all this sacrifice and turmoil would be worth it because everyone would be happy.

Everyone would be loved.

I kept my eyes closed as I saw this happy picture and clenched my hand around a soft, cold familiar hand.

My eyes flew wide as I saw Felix's shocked expression and I hit the ground hard before Felix dragged me to my feet and pulled his hand free. There were guards coming and two guards in front of us.

I wasn't home. I wasn't safe. I was still here trapped in this hell fighting for my life and the future that I saw in my head.

"Focus Bella!" Felix shouted as I blinked and saw Felix rip a head off a guardsman and sucker-punched a female guard as kicked his legs from under him and Felix fell hard to the ground. I blinked and before I knew what I was doing I jumped on her back and tore her head away from her body and kicked it away and grasped Felix's arm – dragging him away as we started to run for our lives.

"Felix, we have to make a run for the left side!" I yelled as Felix grabbed my hand and reared our left, the other two guards right behind us, and soon they called for backup.

"Shit! I don't think we can outrun them, Bella!" Felix screamed as I dodged through trees and glanced behind us as there were at least five vampires that tailed us. Fuck, he was right but he had to be wrong.

"We have to keep going, we have to get to the river!" I screamed as I knew he heard the running water as clear as I did. All the while I heard the pounding of their feet and even if we did make it to the river, they would still give chase.

They would run after us even if we did reach the ocean but unlike us, they were well-fed, trained, and at full capacity to fight. They would trail us and win. They would catch us and everything we planned, everything we endured would be for nothing.

Unless they had a wall to block them.

I trailed Felix but I saw he was slowing down. He was running out of energy and he knew it. I caught his eye as I tried not to think of my panicked expression and saw the steely resolve in his face. He knew he wasn't going to make it like this. I looked back and saw that when we slowed down, they sped up. We were going to be caught and I only had one moment to decide.

One moment was all I needed to figure out three truths in one.

Felix would never allow us to be captured. He would be so noble as to sacrifice himself so that I could make it to the sea. He would sacrifice himself and he would die doing so. He said it himself; he doesn't have any useful information that they would want. That's why they stopped torturing him for information and sent Ambrose in to be his terror. They wanted to break him. They had nothing more they wanted from him. They didn't care about his life…but they cared about mine. My life they wanted. They wanted my brain. They have tried so hard to see what I knew that I hid most of the gruesome details from Felix. Every day when I would be beaten for information it was always the same line of questioning. They wanted to know what I knew of Didyme and her mysterious potions. He didn't need that on his conscious and I wanted to spare him of that knowledge.

I had to get him to the sea… even if it wasn't with me.

Before I could think any further, I dug my heels into the dirt, turned, and stood my ground against the trailing vampires as Felix raced ahead and before he could turn around, I screamed "Felix, get your ass to the sea and tell Alec I'm coming back to him!"

I didn't turn back to see Felix's face. I didn't scream anything more, but I gathered what was left of my strength and made a bubble that surrounded me and the guards. The rewarding crunch of bodies that hit my shield told me everything I needed to know. I was right and threw my hands up in surrender before I was punched to the ground, but I still held it up.

I was kicked, punched, and beaten but I never took it down. What was best was I still heard Felix's retreating footfalls and even heard his quiet sobs, but what made me smile was I didn't hear him turn around. He kept going.

He would make it to the sea.

I laughed as they beat me and laughed more when they couldn't find a way through. I laughed and cackled even as they grabbed me, and I saw Ambrose's angry disfigured form in front of me. I laughed as heard his cursing and I laughed when a bottle was thrown at me and my world went dark.

Demetri

One year.

One year since the tragedy of Bella and Felix. One year since the ambush by Aro and then nothing. No information, no leads, and no chance of knowing what truly happened to Aro or Didyme. Just…nothing.

It had been a long year for everyone.

Every day I would enter Felix's quarters…just to fool myself that he was still here. His scent was strongest here and if I closed my eyes, I could picture his easy-going smile, the way his dimples only showed if he smiled wide enough. How he laughed with his whole self and the way his fingers felt so soft against my cheek. I missed my best friend and to the day I was no longer here…I would regret the day that I never told him my true feelings.

He was honest with me once, how he wanted more than friendship between us despite Aro's harsh rules and ideas towards people like us. I craved Felix's touch and his kiss, I would crave him, and yet I was too much of a coward to admit to anything more.

If I was honest with myself, I could claim him as my mate. His body curved into mine, his smile that was only for me. I wanted him yet, I was scared.

Scared of those intense emotions inside of me, the cravings that I was taught were wicked, yet they came so naturally to me as breathing. When I was human, I gave in to those indulgences and I had never felt freer. I was myself; in every way, shape, and form and I was able to love freely as well. It was bliss but never did I imagine what would happen if we were caught.

I almost didn't think of it. I didn't want to admit it but if we were caught, we would be burned. I didn't remember my human lover's name, either by choice or the change, but I did remember his eyes and that I loved him with every fiber of my human body. His eyes were so blue…they reminded me of the sea. They sparkled whenever we were together, and I remembered the stormy fear when we were discovered.

We were forced apart and we stood trial. Foolishly I believed in our love, I believed in him but when he was on trial, he spun a tale of witchcraft and deceit. How I was a warlock and cast a spell on him to make him do unholy things. His testimony sealed my fate and I found myself on the pyre.

I don't remember that night; I found it fascinating that Alec and Jane could remember their final moments, but I never could. All I could recall was I went asleep and woke up different after battling the fires of hell.

I was new and the sire that changed me demanded loyalty for saving my life. Belfiore was a stocky man and full of hatred for his own kind. After he discovered my gift, I was forced to hone it and do his bidding. I could track down his enemies and kill them for their wrongdoings.

Only when Belfiore met his end by a scorned vampire did I finally feel free. I traveled and searched and lived how I pleased but I ignored this crucial part of myself in a foolish idea of protection.

Of course, everything changed when I was invited to the Volturi for my talents and I came in contact with one Felix Ricci.

He was easy-going, cheerful and the most handsome man I had ever set eyes on. I was stunned and amazed that this beautiful creature ever wanted to join the Volturi. "For curiosity," he said, and he was invited on his strength.

I tried to ignore the feelings within me. The stirring in my belly whenever I came close to him but like all things…I couldn't stay away. We were sent on assignment together and one moment, one touch and one kiss, and I was done for. Felix had me forever and always and we were lovers from that point onwards.

I knew Felix wanted more than my physical company, we were friends, best friends. He understood me on a level not even I did and yet…I couldn't give it to him. I gave as much as I could, and he was satisfied with that, but I could never ignore the sadness in his eyes whenever I had to pull away when we're in public.

We both knew the consequences if we did.

Unlike Marcus and Caius, who really couldn't care what others did as long as they did their roles, Aro was very stern when it came to, as he put it "unholy matches", yet we stole every moment we could with one another.

We were each other's deepest secrets and I hated that.

Still, I always thought we had more time. One more day, one more moment. More time for me to get my shit together and confess what we both knew…however that was gone now.

Aro had stolen him away and the pain was unimaginable. What made it worse is that no one knew what was happening. I was alone and it was my fault. I wasn't brave enough to share our love and in his absence, my pain was silenced. Maybe it was a blessing, I remembered the looks and symphonies for Alec when we all came out of our spells. Perhaps he was the only being in this whole damned castle that understood was the aloof and miserable Alec.

He was never one for pleasantries or social obligations. He was stiff, cold, and quite frankly – never took bullshit. Once the sympathizers came for him he was quick to dismiss it and holed himself away. Not that I blamed him, kind words and sad eyes wouldn't bring Bella back.

It wouldn't bring any of them back.

His love was stolen from him and I admit that in my grief I confessed my regrets to him and was met with a hug and Alec's grief-stricken expression.

I know.

The look in his eyes told me everything. He understood and he even admitted in his own way that he knew about me and Felix. He admitted that it was our business but tried in his own way to help us spend time together that we didn't know was coming to an end.

"You both shouldn't suffer the longing of the heart because of one person's hate. Felix was a great man, and even more, he was a great friend. I'm not the monster that everyone seems to make me out to be" He smirked sadly as he looked back to Bella's cell where I found him, and I stared at the spot of Felix's demise as he continued quietly "I have to believe that I am not a monster… because she couldn't have held love for a monster. She couldn't have spent her last moments loving a monster." He whispered as he bowed his head and I looked away at the subtle shake of his shoulders and ignored the soft weeping of a strong man that was brought to his knees.

From then on, a bond had formed between us despite the lackluster friendship before. Before everything, Alec didn't have the same drive as I did to interact with other people or have mindless distractions. However, we both experienced something that no other did. They died together, both in agony, both with unspoken secrets and we were both so cowardly that we never admitted to the truth and as a result, we both lived with the knowledge of our regrets. Since Felix's room was the closest to Bella's, I would ignore Alec's grief as he mourned in her room as he did mine. Whenever the grief became too much, we would cover the other, make up some excuse for our absence or when their names were spoken, and the grief was overpowering we had our kinship to rely on. I had respected Alec before this great tragedy as a soldier but my respect for him only grew as a man and a friend.

I will hand it to Alec. The fire that burned within him was one that could move mountains. Within the week of the attack, Alec convinced Marcus and Caius to form a council of leaders. Like everyone in that room, we feared more corruptness. More power-hungry folks would sacrifice everything to achieve meaningless power.

Marcus and Caius agreed, and the council was born. Marcus, Caius, Carlisle, and Alec made up the core members. As a foursome, power would be distributed evenly, and to make power balance guaranteed other members were added. I was first to volunteer as well as Jane. Heidi followed soon after and Carlisle invited other members from around the world to come and apply.

Their goal was clear: representation and division of power among the clans and covens of vampires.

It was a smart move, and it sent a message that we would no longer be the power chasing Volturi that Aro tried his best to achieve. Instead, we were going to start fresh, new and the first order of business was to track the traitors themselves: Aro and Renata.

Easier said than done. I had both scents fresh however once the trail left Italy it went cold. Never had I experienced a cold trail. If they were dead, I could still follow it to their remains, the smell of ash would be on their scents and I could follow my nose to a more promising lead, but this was different.

Aro was a cunning villain and perhaps he was more attuned to gifted vampires than we had guessed. Marcus theorized that perhaps Renata had copied a shield, much like Bella's. Although hers was both physical and mental her shield couldn't block out scents entirely and to trackers such as myself, we would still be able to catch on to the scents.

Nevertheless, the facts were that Aro had an ace of his sleeve and he used it, thus leaving us no choice but to regroup.

I knew that I should have been in that meeting. As their best tracker, I should have been present when they were discussing the best way to locate the traitors. My input would be needed and my experience in locating the most difficult fiends would have been useful however, I couldn't bring myself to face failure. I couldn't tear myself away from this room even if I wanted to. Some days were easier than others, I could put aside my grief and focus on the task at hand. Other days were like this – where I could no longer hide, and it came back to me tenfold. I missed everything about him; he was the best part of this existence and every day I wondered if I should end my misery and join him wherever he was.

I knew that I couldn't, not yet anyway. I wanted to bring Aro back to justice. I wanted him to feel what I had no doubt Felix and Bella both felt. I wanted him to fear and suffer just as they did. Just as we did. I wanted him to burn.

I won't beg for death for anything less.

So here I was, resting on his bed as I relived the better memories we had before my phone beeped and I groaned. I guessed Alec couldn't cover for me today. What was so important that I was needed? What was so important that my phone wouldn't stop its annoying ringing and with a sigh, I picked it up and read the message as my eyes went wide.

Impossible.

I sat and waited for who knows how long. The pub had long closed and I felt foolish that I jumped and left without a second thought. Perhaps it was a cruel trick meant to mock me or maybe my mind had broken but every time I looked at the message, I knew it couldn't be.

It was Felix.

We had a code whenever we had to meet, whenever we had to see each other in secret that was what we sent, and we met here every time. No one else knew of it and no one would have any use for it anyway. No one else could have sent it and no one even has access to that number. No one else could have sent it and yet there was no sight of him. No scent of his either. How could that be possible?

Just as I was about to give up, I smelled him. His scent so clear in my mind that it could not be mistaken. I took off toward the woods and followed it clear as day until I saw him.

Felix.

It was like a nightmare I was finally being woken from and the clouds that covered the moon had no light yet there he was – bathed in a soft glow that was unmistakable.

He was crawling, his face and body burnt and misshapen but still he was just as magnificent. He was here. "Felix" I whispered as I couldn't believe my eyes and he smiled at me.

"Demetri" He whispered as I stood still in shock before my legs moved for me and I had him in my arms once more, and the tears came to my eyes. I gripped his back and noticed for the first time that he was naked and wondered what horrors he experienced.

"Felix" I gasped out as I cradled his face and he leaned into my touch "Felix" I repeated as he smiled and hugged me back fiercely before he gripped my face, and his lips were on mine.

It was as if time stopped and the sun shone, and the fireworks had reignited. He was really alive. He was here. Right here in my arms before he cut the kiss-off and looked at me gravely.

"Demetri, I need to speak to Alec. Bella is alive."

I brought Felix back to the castle as our reunion was cut short, but Felix was determined to relay his message. I still couldn't believe it. He was alive, he was alive and here and when he came out of the bathroom freshly showered and clothed, I would make sure he knew he was mine.

Before I could say anything though Felix came to me and took my hand "I know what you may think Demetri, but we will have plenty of time to talk later. I want to take my time with you" He whispered as he trailed kisses on my ear and down my neck. "But I need to speak with this council you told me about. I made a promise to a friend that I need to fulfill in order to move on. It's because of her that I'm here. She made it possible for me to escape at the expense of her freedom. I need to do this for her." He said gravely as he held my hand to his cheek, and I nodded.

Whatever promise he had made for Bella I would make certain he would have whatever he needed. Whatever he wanted he shall have. Anything he wanted; it was his. So, I sent out a code red and grasped Felix's hand in mine as I led us both to the council room.

As we walked, I could tell he was getting anxious and, on my suggestion, he should wait down the hall, away from everyone so that way no one would know and confront him if he wasn't ready. The council needed to be briefed and I wasn't sure what his mental state was at the time, but I highly doubted he wanted to be bombarded with people and their questions. He nodded his head, and I kissed his lips, something I would never tire of before I squeezed his hand and darted to the room, missing his company already. I never wanted him out of my site but for Felix's sanity, I could bear a few more moments. We would have many more moments together after all.

I was impressed with the speed that the others had, and I knew Alec would be the one who would have the most questions. As Felix would honor the promise of his friend, I will honor mine. Alec was the one I needed to focus on. The sweet feeling of relief and joy when I knew my love was alive was something, I would not take from him. This was my duty to him, and I would not squash it for the curiosity of the others. Before I even took a full foot in the door I was met with a bombardment of questions and looks as I scanned the room.

"Demetri why the hell did you pull a code red? What happened?" Jane demanded scowling as Alec simply pulled Jane back by the shoulder, his dead eyes and stoic expression never changing.

"I can explain" I started before Edward gasped and I gave him a stern look. Don't you dare say anything before me, I warned as he nodded, and I looked towards the tiny future teller and she simply made a motion of zipped lips. Good.

"Well, you have the room Demetri" Marcus sighed as all their eyes landed on me and I hoped they kept calm before I spoke. "I didn't pull it for me, but I pulled it for Felix and Bella. They aren't dead." I announced as Alec's eyes flashed and he growled.

"You better have a good reason for having her name in your lying mouth" He warned as I stepped forward and Jane looked at me worriedly and her eyes bounced between me and her brother as I placed a hand on his shoulder. A gesture he had done for me so many times before and he stiffened. I knew the only reason he didn't attack was that he considered me a friend and to keep his friendship, I had to pick my words carefully.

"Alec, my friend, I know that you have grieved for your love just as I had, so please listen to me. They are not dead. I can say with certainty that Felix is alive, and I trust his word when he says Bella is alive too, what we knew – what we were told was a lie." I said as gasps were heard from around the room as I heard Jane's whispered "Felix?"

I turned to Felix in the room, ever proud and strong and I turned back to a shocked Alec. I admit I do regret not looking at everyone else's reactions but the only person I cared to see, his reaction was worth paying attention to.

Alec had never been one to hope. He had been cynical, aloof, and never cared much for anyone other than his sister. He was a trusted comrade and one of the best-adapted soldiers and the best offensive weapons we had. He was someone who you knew would be honest and would trust to not lead you astray but despite all of his qualities of a soldier…he was content with being alone. He never made an effort to be anything other than that, a soldier.

Until Bella.

Everyone knew Bella changed him for the better. It was no secret that the smile he wore, the softness of his demeanor, the fact that he started to become more than just a comrade, but a friend was because of the smiling brunette who made a friend of everyone.

Wherever Bella was, Alec was not far behind. Bella was a very social person and practically made it her mission to have a bond with everyone here. It also helped that her favorite game was chess and unlike Jane and Alec who frequently played in their rooms; Bella made it a point to play in the open, in the entertainment room where everyone was.

It became a sort of game for us as well. The guards would place bets on who would win between a match of the three and even made it a source of pride that if any of the other guards were to beat them it was bragging rights for the month.

Alec lost the coldness in his eyes and even laughed and joked. It was a welcomed sight and although he still kept his distance, he was a friend. A close friend.

When we discovered the treachery of Aro, Alec didn't reverse to the cold-hearted person we once knew…he became worse.

No one could really understand his pain, his reason for becoming a dead man walking. No one could ever understand, except for the ones who experienced it. Marcus tried his best in the beginning, but Marcus knew better than anyone that it would never be better. It was Marcus who advised us both to use our pain as a source of fire to avenge them. Marcus himself admitted he had to tell himself that message daily to cope all these years.

When I knew Felix was alive and that Bella was alive too…I had to see Alec's reaction. My comrade, my friend…my brother. I had to see the hope come back to him. I needed to see it just as much as I needed the hope myself.

So, when I heard Felix step into the room, all eyes were on him, but my eyes were on Alec. I saw the ever-stoic Alec slack his jaw and his eyes go wide. I saw the shifting of emotions from disbelief, to pain to jealousy to the small spark of hope in the back of his eyes. The same feeling of hope that I dared not think of myself until I saw Felix in front of me. The pain of hope that we could have a second chance only for it to be stolen from us again.

I saw Alec, the dead man walking, come alive for just a few moments more before his eyes shifted to behind me and I turned as Felix stared at Alec intensely before he hugged him tightly and Alec remained unmoved.

They both stood there silent until Felix whispered the words that ignited the fire within Alec's heart. I saw it with my own eyes as he came alive once again.

"I have a message from Bella." Felix said as his eyes filled with tears "She says she's coming home to you, Alec."

I don't have the answers not today

It's like nothing makes the questions go away

What I'd give to see, if the grass was greener

On the other side of all, I've had and lost

Would it be enough?

Or would I still be wondering

Wondering – Julia Lester and Olivia Rodrigo

A/N: Don't forget to review and I'll see you all next Monday!