Hello loves. Sorry for the long wait, my daughter had a birthday party and life just gets busy and, in the way, sometimes 😊. As stated, Ava is going home. As for the pet. Someone needs to watch Ava. She seems to attract danger just like Bella. They are twins after all. This is a fun chapter; we have a sneak peek into life at Volterra at the beginning. See how our leading men are doing shall we? Carry on!

Also, there will be an animal from now on, so her thoughts and 'talking' will be *italics* she has telepathy only with Demetri, and eventually Ava. The only other person who can understand the dog to a point is Bella as she is Ava's twin sister and shares a bond with her, but she cannot 'speak' with her like Ava or Demetri.

Chapter 11: A Buried Past Always Comes Back

Volterra

"I don't care of the consequences master. Our mates nearly died in that decrepit building! Mine was seriously injured! How can you sit there and say we cannot go?" Demetri yelled at Aro, who continued to sit in his chair undisturbed. However, Demetri didn't know that Aro was in fact disturbed. He along with his brothers, Caius and Marcus knew it was an inside job. He hadn't told Demetri nor Felix yet as they would no doubt rain hell on who was responsible. But they did not have a suspect yet as they have people everywhere.

"Calm down Demetri. We are investigating everything and everyone. I do not take this lightly. I am thrilled you and Felix found your mates after waiting so long." Aro tapped his chin in thought. He looked at Demetri. His thoughts were going a thousand miles an hour. He concluded his thoughts in mere seconds as everyone waited patiently. "I have a suggestion though."

"We'll do whatever you ask of us master Aro." Felix bowed slightly showing his respect. He was fuming on the inside that his mate could have died, but he knows Aro would not take this lying down.

"Send Shae to guard them. Specifically, Ms. Wilson. I believe Ms. Swan will be alright. But as our intelligence told us Ms. Wilson was the one severely injured, she will need the help Shae can provide. Plus, that gives you a direct link to her Demetri. Since they don't know about you or Felix yet, Shae can be planted in their lives discreetly. If your mate bond is present at all with her, even the slightest feeling, Ms. Wilson will welcome Shae without a second thought."

"That! That might work," Demetri stated calming down. He called his faithful companion of many years. Shae is a female Belgian Malinois. She's bigger than the average Belgian Malinois since she was turned almost after Demetri was. Demetri found the dog struggling. Some stupid vampire had bitten her and thought it would be funny watching her struggle. Demetri came upon the site and took out the vampire like nothing, but when it came to Shae, Demetri 'heard' her pain. Demetri tried to calm the dog down through his mind and the dog immediately stopped. The dog was confused and whimpering but calmed down enough to 'hear' Demetri. Eventually he helped her through her transition as she was awake the entire time but laid by his side until the transition was complete. Once they figured it out that they could communicate with each other and no one else could 'hear' them, they were partners in crime. Demetri and Shae, as Demetri learned that was her name, became inseparable. The only vampires that Shae tolerated was Felix, she thought he as amusing, and Jane. Shae understood Jane's pain of being feared, respected, but lonely. When no one was looking, she would comfort Jane.

Demetri and Shae were an unstoppable force. Shae was a huge dog. Her muscles grew fourfold with the venom running through her veins. She cannot turn anyone, but she can shred them to pieces. Which she enjoyed doing. Especially when Demetri would get in a bind on a mission where he was clearly outnumbered, even Felix had a hard time helping him. She would come in like lightning and nothing would be left. No one messes with her master and friends.

"Shae, what do you think," Demetri asked his loyal companion. Everyone was quiet as Shae's eyes went from one vampire to another, then Demetri's. She nodded her consent.

"She's ready." Demetri told everyone.

"Listening for a dog's consent. My, how the mighty have fallen," Caius mumbled as he sighed back in his chair.

Shae growled while everyone else chuckled.

Caius waved his hand at her, "Yes yes, I know Shae, I'm just talking out loud, I respect you as Demetri's companion but still, you have to see where I'm coming from," Caius said glancing at her. She responded by stomping her foot.

"She says she does, but still takes offense," Demetri smiled patting Shae on the head.

"This is a matter of mates Caius, you understand," Marcus said to his brother.

"Of course. If it was Dora or Sulpicia, Aro and I wouldn't hold back," Caius looked at Demetri, "remember to be discreet. You and Felix may go but stay out of sight. No matter how hard it may be, it's not time to reveal yourselves yet. It's obvious the Cullens left a bad imprint on Isabella's mind. We don't want an accident."

"Of course. Felix, let's be on our way," Demetri said bowing once to the Kings and made his way out the door.

Once the two vampires made their exit, Aro rose from his throne, "Well brothers, it's been dull around here for centuries, but I dare say, Ms. Wilson and Ms. Swan are already livening up the place."

"And they're not even here yet, and they're human to boot," Caius said rubbing his temples like he had a headache.

"They will be an interesting addition to this coven," Marcus said as he rubbed his chin.

"You see something brother?" Aro asked as he touched Marcus's outstretched hand.

It only took Aro a second to read his brother's thoughts, "I'll be damned. Is that normal?" he asked Marcus, who shook his head 'no' in response.

"What is it?" Caius asked.

"They have bonds to Felix and Demetri already, I'm guessing from the dance they went to over Christmas, but Demetri's and Ms. Wilson's are, well, the coloring is not right? I have no idea how to explain it.

"True mate bonds are deep red mixed with a deep purple towards the carriers, but Ms. Wilson's end is well, pure white. Don't get me wrong, her bond with Demetri is the right color as true mates, but the tip towards her is white, like it hasn't made a connection yet. Ms. Swan's and Felix's are a bright reddish orange, meaning the connection was formed, it will darken once they get more acquainted. It is intriguing."

The brothers retired to their rooms thinking over the events of the day. Aro was most intrigued by the developments. The sisters plagued his thoughts as he had a feeling, they would be the best addition to his coven since Jane and Alec, possibly better.

Forks

"Penny for your thoughts Isa?" Ava said as she made her way into their bedroom from the bathroom. Ava sighed as she sat on her bed, she had crutches to help her get around as she couldn't walk on her own yet. Her legs were healing, she felt better than she did last week, but it was slow going, albeit not that slow considering. She thought it was the medicine that Dr. Cullen gave her. Whatever he was experimenting with was certainly helping. Just the skin started to peel from her legs every time she went to change the dressings. There wasn't fluid leaking anymore, which means everything closed up the way it should. Slight pain, but more a burning annoyance than anything. Even her hair started growing back to where they cut it to dress her wounds.

Bella shook her head. Ava noticed that whatever she was thinking of Bella was scared.

Ava went to remove the hair from Bella's face. "What's wrong Isa, tell me?"

Bella looked at her sister. Her sister is now home, which was great. But during this last week, everything came crashing down. Bella had found out her friend Jacob, and his 'friends' on the reservation were shapeshifters. They can turn into wolves on a whim. Also, the only reason they would turn into wolves was because there were vampires in the vicinity. The Cullens weren't around anymore, which left Bella confused. She knew there were nomads around, but they never stayed in one place. So, she didn't know what could've made Jacob and his friends shift. She continued to look at her sister but then shook her head.

"It's nothing Ava. Really. I guess I was just overwhelmed with you being at the hospital, but to have you home, it's comforting." Bella leaned in and kissed Ava's forehead.

"I don't believe you, but I won't push." Ava said getting up and going to the window. She was happy to be home. The smell of Bella and their dad, the house, was comforting. She continued to look out the window and she could've sworn she saw a flash of black through the trees. She shook her head and looked again, but everything was still. "Let's go downstairs and eat lunch with dad. He is going to the station after, let's see how his sandwich making skills are," Ava said heading for the door with her crutches.

Bella's stomach rumbled. She laughed. "The sandwiches are good, it's anything with the stove you have to watch out for," she said as the girls made their way down the stairs. Bella in front in case Ava lost her footing.

"I heard that," Charie's voice came from the kitchen. The girls giggled.

Outside was a different vibe….

"Okay Shae. The girls are well, you know what to do. Daily reports, got it?" Demetri asked his loyal companion. This would be the first time they'd been separated since they found each other. But for Demetri's mate, Shae would protect her for him.

*You have nothing to worry about master.*

Demetri nodded his head. He and Felix took one last look through the window where they could see the girls laughing and talking with their dad and satisfied, they took off up to Seattle. They were to investigate the burning of the building then report back to the Kings. The mating pull was a stretch for Felix, but it can be endured. Demetri, however, felt something faint, but nothing uncomfortable.

Shae walked to where she could get a good view, but out of site of the humans. She stayed put and listened.

"Okay girls, remember, stay near the house or the city if you go out. These damn animals are creating a bunch of trouble. I don't want anything to happen." Charlie said as he got ready to head out the door.

"Don't worry dad, with slow poke here," Bella nudged Ava with her shoulder, "we can't get far."

Ava threw a chip in Bella's direction. "Haha."

Charlie laughed. He kissed each of the girls on the head and he left with an 'I love you' to both.

Once the cruiser was gone the girls fell back into their chairs. Ava was hurting a bit with her legs, so she rubbed them. Bella just had a lot on her mind. But she noticed Ava.

"Time for your medicine, isn't it?" Bella asked as she saw Ava nod. She got up and went to get it.

Bella watched Ava take her medicine, "you know dad knows you're in pain, right? You don't need to hide it."

"The less he worries the better. His focus needs to be on his job, not his daughter, who is getting better." Ava said drinking her tea. Stupid medicine tasted horrible.

Once the girls cleaned everything up, they sat down in the living room. Ava looked outside. It was a nice day.

"Isa, let's go somewhere. I've been couped up in the hospital for so long and now that I'm home, I want to go somewhere.

Bella chuckled at Ava. She thought about places they could go, but looking at Ava's legs and crutches they couldn't do much.

Ava saw where Bella was looking and shook her head. "Don't worry about my legs, the medicine should kick in here in a bit and I won't feel the pain. Wherever you want to go I'm fine with."

Bella thought it would be good to let Ava in more. At least with her pain with Edward. Even though the pain is faint, hardly there, there was a place she wanted to close her heart to.

"Okay, there is somewhere I want to take you. I need to deal, and what better way to do it than with your help," Bella smiled at Ava. Ava returned her smile nodding.

After driving for a while Bella pulled up to the side of the street.

"Where are we?" Ava asked as she got out of the truck and made her way to Bella's side. She was looking at the edge of a forest. She situated her crutches and started moving along with Bella.

"Edward took me to a meadow that's here. It was…. our place." Bella whispered. She continued to walk and Ava was able to keep up with her with little trouble. Bella helped her when she couldn't get over a fallen tree trunk or if there were too many rocks, but for the most part, they made it with little trouble. Ava stayed quiet as to let Bella process. She understood what she meant by 'our place'.

Little did the girls know they had a four-legged stalker. Shae made sure to keep a good eye on them. Once the girls made it to the clearing Bella was looking for, Shae made sure to do a perimeter just to make sure all was safe.

"This is it?" Ava whispered as she looked around. Everything was dead. No flowers, there were weeds throughout. "Everything is dead."

Bella chuckled darkly. "Like my relationship with him. It's like nature knew." Bella said as she took her hand and went over the dried grass and stems.

"Well, your relationship was unnatural with him. Leave it here." Ava said, putting her hand on Bella's shoulder.

Bella took a few breaths and nodded. When they turned to leave Bella caught something out of the corner of her eye.

Bella froze where she stood. Ava looked at her and saw the fear in Bella's face. She turned to see where Bella was looking and saw a dark figure about fifty yards away. "Who is that?" Ava asked.

"Bella." The voice purred. It had a French accent to it. Ava didn't like it. She hopped to turn around and stood slightly in front of Bella. Grabbing a tight hold on her crutches.

"You're still here I see. And…" he clicked his tongue, "it seems you're not alone."

"The Cullens…." Bella started.

"Are not here." The man finished. "I went to see them, but it seemed they had not occupied that house in a long time. But here I see you, left alone by them. Weren't you a…. pet of theirs?" he chuckled.

Ava got a bad feeling. Bella held close to her.

"They'll be back, they're never gone long." Bella said as Ava side glanced her wondering what Bella was talking about. Bella stiffened again.

Ava looked and the man was right in front of them, only a few feet away now.

"What the fuck," Ava said as she stumbled back a bit.

"Ah…. a sister. Bella. You've been holding back from us?" the man said as he smelled the air. "Ahh, smells just as sweet too. However, there is something else I can't quiet place." He cocked his head to the side.

Ava noticed the man's eyes were red, "Whoever you are, you stay away from Isa," Ava yelled as she readied her crutches. The man laughed.

"Forgive my manners. My name is Laurent. I'm an…. an acquaintance of Bella's." he said.

Ava just nudged Bella.

"Weren't you supposed to be in Alaska. Laurent, you wanted to try animals instead, didn't you?" Bella tried to sound brave but faltered a bit. Ava looked confused, animals?

Laurent chuckled. "The family was welcoming enough. But Victoria asked me for a favor, and well, friends do favors for friends. She asked me to check on you, Bella."

If Bella could stiffen anymore, she'd be stone. "Who's Victoria?" Ava asked.

Laurent looked surprised, "Bella. She does not know?"

Bella kept her mouth shut and instead of fear in her eyes, hatred started to win out.

"She stays out of this," Bella seethed. Stepping in front of Ava who looked entirely confused still.

"Ah, but you see. Victoria still has a vendetta against you. Seeing your sister here, well I can get two for the price of one. She won't like it, but she's not here." Laurent clapped his hands together, eyeing both girls.

"Laurent please, you walked away before," Bella started to back up with Ava behind her. Ava's stomach started to get in knots.

"Oh, young Bella, I'm doing you a kindness. Victoria has plans for you, and when she finds out you have a twin sister, oh my dear, the possibilities are endless," he said as he reached his arm up to swipe at them.

At this moment there was a growl, what sounded like thunder on the ground, and then next thing the girls knew Laurent was screaming with his arm torn off and was in the mouth of a….. dog?!

The dog turned to the edge of the woods and listened. It spat out the arm and started nudging the girls to get into the woods.

"What the hell is going on?" Ava yelled as she tried to get up with Bella's help.

*Get in the woods, now!*

Ava turned in surprise to the dog but did as she said. Once Bella, Ava, and Shae were in the woods there were howls. The girls while lying down behind the brush and looked to see six wolves appear from the tree line. They seemed to be stalking Laurent.

"That's impossible," Laurent whispered as he grabbed his arm and whisked himself away as fast as he could. The wolves followed.

After a few minutes of no noise, Ava got up. "Okay, what the hell is going on?"

Bella just sighed and started to cry. Ava looked around and saw the dog that, saved them, was nowhere to be seen. Ava shook her head and decided to deal with that later.

"Isa." Ava stated.

Bella looked up at Ava.

"Something is going on. I have a feeling it deals with you. We're going home and you're going to tell me everything." Ava said, putting her hand out to help Bella up.

"I can't tell…." Bella started.

"Bullshit Isa. I have a feeling I nearly died. And I don't know what's going on. A stranger shows up out of nowhere, turns out you know him, you guys talk about your ex's family, he rushes in front of us like nothing but wind, he fucking has red eyes Isa! They don't look like contacts. I see a fucking dog rip his arm off and no blood, but clear liquid spewing out. Like what the hell Isa?! We're going home and you're telling me, now!" Ava grabbed Bella's arm and shoved her to the front.

As the girls made their way in silence back to the truck, their four-legged savior, unbeknownst to them, followed right behind.

Sorry again for the long wait. I'm working on the other chapter to get it out by the weekend to make up for it. What did you think of Shae? The long awaited talk comes in the next chapter. Bella needs to fess up to Ava. Until then...