AN: Hi everyone, here's the next chapter.

Bella and Edward have a talk and Aro seems to be stirring up trouble.

I'm trying to update once a week, but sometimes my schedule gets a bit busy, so sorry if it takes a bit longer every now and then!

hope you'll enjoy reading!

Chapter 8

BPOV

I headed up to my room once everything had calmed down again. I decided to unpack the things I had brought to make myself feel more at ease here, not like I was just passing through. Because I knew now that whatever happened, I wanted to be someone this family could rely on. I wanted to be someone this family would welcome into their lives. For the first time in my long existence, I wanted to be apart of something.
I was busy putting my clothes in the closet when there was a knock at the door.

'Yes?' I called out.

Edward opened the door and walked in.

"I thought perhaps we could talk?' he asked, looking down at his feet, and rubbing his neck awkwardly.

He seemed like a nervous schoolboy and as I looked at him my heart fluttered for a moment. I nodded once as I desperately tried to force these feelings away. He gave me that crooked smile and then walked over to sit down on my bed.

For a moment we just stared at each other. Then he took a deep breath and seemed to steel himself. I waited.

'I know you have secrets.' He started after blowing out a big breath. 'I don't know what they are, but I know you have them and you are afraid to share them with me. With us.' He said.

I looked away, biting my lip. How did this family notice so much about me? How could they see right through the lies others always believed? Was it their compassion that made them see things clearer? Or see beyond what others always wanted to accept; the easiest option?

'I won't force you to tell me. Or bring it up again after this, I just want you to know that you're safe with us. Your secrets are safe with us. I… I would like for you to get to know me -us - better, and for me to get to know you better. And then perhaps in time… you wouldn't mind sharing your secrets anymore. You'll see we'll take care of you.'

I shook my head. 'Edward, it's not that I don't trust you with my secrets… I just… I can't…' I looked down at my lap.

For the first time since I'd opened my eyes I hated my existence. I hated who I was and what I was supposed ot do here. I hated the fact that if I gave in to these feelings I would jeopardize not only this man, who I could see myself loving so easily, but his entire family. His loving and adoring family. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to them because of me. I couldn't tell them my secrets.

'I don't want to endanger you.'

'you don't have to worry about that. I know you are pretty much untouchable with your shield, but we're no pushovers eithers. We've been around. we know how to handle ourselves.'

he grinned at me with such conviction in his eyes that for a moment I was torn. Could I perhaps tell them somethings? Could I tell them who I was? Or why I was here? Would they be able to handle it?

When I didn't respond he turned serious again. he leant forward, bringing our faces closer together and the by now familiar hum of electricity seemed to spark in the air between us.

'I just want to understand.' He said softly. 'I just want to understand you, and this connection I feel to you. When I touch you… I feel alive. When you left so abruptly yesterday, it left an ache in my chest.' He rubbed his chest as if he remembered the pain and I felt an echoing response in my own chest. 'I followed after you, but I couldn't find you and then when I found your trail leading onto Quileute land. I just…' he let out a harsh breath and yanked on his hair. 'It felt like my world stopped. The thought of you out there, hurt somewhere… or dead…' he choked out. 'I almost went insane. I couldn't imagine a world where you didn't exist. I know we haven't known each other long, but I feel this bond… this connection to you.' his gaze locked on mine then, anguish and pain and confusion and hope all swirling around in that molten golden honey gaze, and I swallowed hard. 'Please tell me you feel it too.'

'oh Edward.' I sighed, any hope I might have had that I could ignore this. That it had been anything else than the beginning of a mate bond, that only I had been the one to feel it, went out the window. He felt it to. It was true. It seemed that after all these eons… I had found the one thing I had thought was impossible. I had found my mate.
I closed my eyes as pain blossomed in my chest.

What was I to do now? Either I accepted this twist of fate and found a way to protect him and be with him while also fulfilling my role, or I caused us both immeasurable pain and rejected him. either way the path I chose would be hard and filled with hurdles for both of us. Not the least being the fact that he still didn't know who I truly was.

'Please just tell me if it's all in my head. If it is… I'll just go and you won't have to worry about me hanging around. I'll visit once in a while to keep my parents and siblings happy, but I'll stay out of your way.'

I grasped his arm to stop his rambling as I shook my head. 'It's not just in your head.' I told him my voice unsteady. And then I lowered my shield as I replayed the memory of him stroking my hair out of my face in the library the other day, the feelings coursing through me.

I got scared. I admitted in my thoughts. I felt it too and recognized the beginning of the mate bond and it scared me. So instead of facing you and talking about it, I chickened out and ran away instead.

He gasped as his eyes locked on mine. His gaze was filled with wonder as I confessed my feelings in my thoughts.

I'm so sorry. I hoped he would understand that at least. Then I quickly pulled my shield back up again.

'This isn't fair to you.' I continued out loud, pain spreading throughout my body. 'My secrets… They're huge and dangerous and deadly. I can't drag you or your family into it. Staying with you all for a while is one thing, but giving in to this…' I shook my head.

Edward was sat like he was frozen. Then he grasped my hand that was still on his arm. 'Are you in danger?' he asked.

I shook my head. 'No, but if you know everything, you would be.'

He seemed to debate that with himself for a moment, before reaching out slowly. I froze. His hand reached out and cupped my cheek. I closed my eyes at the feel of his touch, leaning into it on instinct.

When I opened my eyes again, his gaze was intense. His eyes flickered down to my lips and he leant closer. His scent washed over me hypothesizing me for a moment and before I knew it, his lips were pressing firmly on mine. Hesitant and careful at first, soft butterfly kisses that caressed my lips. I let my eyes fall closed again and gave myself over to the feelings he was invoking inside me. his lips grew more urgent and passionate. He shifted until he was kneeling in front of me, then wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me against his chest. His firm muscles pressed against me as his tongue wept out and trace my bottom lip. I opened my mouth and his tongue slid inside, stroking mine, filling me with his wonderful taste. I clutched him tighter at the same time he pulled me closer.

His kiss turned softer then, his hands gentler as he cupped my face. He kissed me once, twice more and then pulled back, pressing his forehead to mine as we caught our breaths again.

'That' he mumbled. 'was worth anything you could throw at me.' I opened my eyes to find him staring into mine. I saw the conviction and determination there. 'I've finally found you and nothing is going to scare me away.'

I swallowed hard. He was knocking down my defences and my will to deny this bond with every sweet word and gentle touch.

He pulled back slightly, dropping his hands to rest on my shoulders instead as he took a deep breath. 'I wish to claim you, Bella.'

My eyes widened in shock.

'You're my mate.' He said confidently.

'I…' I hesitated. I wanted nothing more than to stay yes. My body was screaming at me to say yes and accept this boy, this man, but there was so much he didn't know. So much that could put him in danger. So much that was confusing about this entire situation. I groaned.

'I want to say yes.' I whispered.

'but?' Edward asked, his brow furrowed.

'but there's too much you don't know.'

'then tell me.'

I sighed and bit my lip, weighing my options. Could I tell him? At least part of it? Or even all of it? If I really wanted this, and my body was screaming at me that I definitely did want this, than I would have to tell him eventually anyway. I guess there really wasn't any way around it anymore. 'not here. Not now' I finally said.

If he were to accept to be my mate, it was inevitable that he had to know about me. but that didn't mean his entire family should also know. At least not yet.

'When then?' he asked, looking slightly hurt.

'Tomorrow. We'll go out to the meadow.' I lifted my shield and pictured the meadow where I had first picked up his scent. He was the one that frequented it. I figured it was a favourite spot of his.

He looked at me in surprise. 'you've been there?'

I nodded. 'it's peaceful.'

he smiled and nodded. 'I like going there on sunny days and just relaxing.'

I smiled back. 'What else do you like to do?' I realized that even though my body felt like I knew Edward already, in reality I knew very little about him. his likes, dislikes, how he relaxed, what wound him up… I only knew the basics. And I wanted to know everything there was.

'I enjoy music a lot. I play piano and compose.' He admitted a bit bashful.
'could you show me?' I asked excitedly. He nodded and grabbed my hand. He led me out of the room, down the stairs where there was a grand piano off to the side of the living room. He sat down on the bench and pulled me down next to him.

He turned to me with a smile. 'any requests?'

'something you wrote.'

he nodded and turned to the keys, he looked thoughtful for a moment as he ran his hands across the keys. Then he nodded to himself and with one last look to me he started playing. The sweetest melody filled the room around us. I closed my eyes, letting the music fill all my senses. It was beautiful. it was harmonious and rich and contained such emotion that I was stunned speechless. How had a vampire composed this? Before I'd met the Cullens I would have said it was impossible for one of my kind to create something like this, with so much feeling and beauty. So many of our kind only saw the destruction and the violence. It was a shame really to think there was more potential in our kind, and that perhaps a loving and nurturing environment could bring it out of them. As the song ended I turned to Edward with awe.

'That was beautiful.'

he ducked his head. 'Thank you. I wrote it for Esme as an anniversary gift for her and Carlisle. It's about the love I've seen between them. Carlisle turned me first, you see, he was like my father and it was just the two of us for around fifteen years. Then he rescued Esme. She was on the verge of death when he found her, but he couldn't let her die. He'd fallen in love with her five years earlier, and he couldn't stop himself. He turned her. I thought I would resent her at first, I'd been used to being alone with Carlisle for so long by then, but she was so honest and warm, that I couldn't help but love her too. From the moment she opened her eyes after her change, I watched their love grow. It was humbling and inspiring and continues to be so to this day.' he looked wistful as he explained it to me. 'she's been my mother for all intents and purposes for so long, I can't even remember my human mother.'

'She seems really kind.' I agreed with him. from what I'd seen so far, Esme was an example of pure selflessness.

'She is.' He smiled. 'Now tell me something about you.'

I smiled. 'I like reading.' I shrugged. It was the best I could come up with. 'and writing.'

'what do you write?'

'journals.' I looked way from his gaze, I had never told anyone this. 'I keep track of everything that happens in our world and the human world and I chronicle it. I've been doing it for centuries. Sometimes I analyse things that are happening or have happened and publish my research. I've earned a few degrees and PhD's along the way.'

'that sounds amazing.'

I shrugged. 'I like it. it keeps my memories alive and it makes me feel like I'm contributing in some way as well.'

'could I have read some of your works?'

'you might have. I've covered a wide range of subjects for a long time.'

I gave him the title of one of my more recent publications, a book about the war of the roses in England. A really fascinating time to have been alive. He hadn't read that one but he promised me he would. We spent the rest of the evening talking like that. It was refreshing to just talk to someone, and get to know them simply to build a relationship. It was something I hadn't really done much. especially not with other vampires. It felt normal. Almost like I was normal.

But of course I couldn't escape my duties for too long. At midnight my phone rang. Edward and I had moved ot the couch in the living room and I quickly pulled it out of my pocket with the intention of putting it on silent when I saw Jane's name flash across the screen.

'sorry, I have to get this.' I mumbled to Edward.

He nodded with a smile. 'sure.'

I stood up and was quickly headed out of the house, making sure I was out of earshot before answering.

'Jane?' I asked.

'What's going on? why didn't you pick up sooner?' her tone was panicked.

'Jane. Calm down. I'm sorry. I had to make sure I was alone first. What's going on?'

'Aro's going fucking insane.' Jane hissed down the line. There was some shuffling. Then Alec came on. 'He's pressuring us on joining the inner guard. He's somehow found out about our gifts.'

I growled. 'what?'

'I don't know how.' Alec sighed. 'we've been careful.'

I sighed. 'I know. It was inevitable that he would find out. he probably had you followed the moment I left, everywhere you went, hoping to find out about your secrets. He knew I've been hiding something from him. I figured he wouldn't dare, but I guess his greed had become greater these past years and he's finally began to make his move.'

'what do we do now?' Jane asked.

'what's been going on exactly? Tell me every detail.' I told them.

they explained that Aro and the brothers were inviting them to every feast, every ceremony and every council meeting that had been going on since I'd left. Declining an invitation from one of the brothers was not done in Volterra, so they'd accepted. Every time they'd been present the brothers had introduced them to everyone, praising them for their loyalty. Though of course that loyalty was to me, not the brothers, but they conveniently left hat part out. I grit my teeth at that. Aro ahd been bumping into them in the castle as well, taking time to talk to them, or question them more like. He stoked them with questions about me, our relationship, what they did for me, everything. The siblings hadn't really been forthcoming with answers, and Aro was growing restless because of that.

everything had culminated a few hours ago, when Aro had once again summoned them to the throne room, where all the inner guard had been present and made the formal request for them to join.

I sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of my nose as I thought everything over when they finished telling me everything.

'Did you give him an answer?' I asked them.

'No. we bought some time by asking if we could think about it.'

'Are you sure you weren't followed now? is there any chance someone is listening in?' I asked, suddenly anxious Aro might be spying on them right now and I was unwittingly putting them in danger. I knew they could handle themselves, and my shield protected them as well. but still, I wasn't exactly sure what Aro was up to, and I was worried about them being so far away from me.

'We're sure. We're at a busy café.' Alec chuckled. 'none in the Volturi would set foot in this dive bar.'

'good thinking.' I smiled despite my weariness. 'alright, let me think. I don't think he knows the full extend of your gifts, or the fact that you are under my protection. I think he's hoping to influence you both and use Corin's gift to bind your loyalties to him instead of me. he's probably already begun that proces. Well tried to at least.'

'Corin? Isn't that the one that can influence bonds?'

'yeah' I sighed. I wasn't exactly happy when Aro had brought her into his coven. She was dangerous and could be sued as a weapon. I'd been keeping my eye on her, making sure Aro wasn't abusing her. he'd asked my permission to use her when Marcus lost his mate, currently Corin was the only thing keeping Marcus alive, so I'd allowed her continued existence. But if Aro was using her to unduly influence vampires loyalties to basically kidnap gifted vampires, it was time for her to go. 'but you're safe from her. her gift is mental. So Aro might think it's working, but your minds are always safe.'

'So he thinks we're growing more loyal to him right now?' Jane asked, sounding slightly disgusted.

'It sounds like it. we can use this to our advantage. Accept his offer. Make him think you're his now. don't use your gifts though, avoid being used as much as possible. If it can't be helped use your gifts at the lowest settings possible, make him think you're weaker than you are.'

'for how long do we have to pretend to be his puppets?'

'It won't be long now. Aro's begun to move. Knowing his impatience, it won't be long until he makes his move on me.'

'can't you call him up and tell him to back off though?' Jane asked. 'or let us come to you?'

'No, if I call him and call him out, he'll know you report to me. he'll turn on you then. I don't want that to happen. You're safe, but he can still lock you up somewhere because I'm not there, and then use you against me. I'm not going to let that happen. I need you two to be strong for me.'

'we can do this.' Alec assured me.

'good. Then go ahead and accept his offer and call me when he's begun to make his move.'

'Alright.' Jane sounded slightly dejected.

'I promise I'll give Aro a call more often to make sure he's still unaware. The moment I think he might be onto you, I'll pull you out. I won't let anything happen to you.'

'don't worry about us.' Alec grumbled. 'we can take care of ourselves.'

'Yeah, we'll be fine.' Jane finally seemed to have found her courage. I was glad. I didn't feel good just leaving them to their own devices, but then again, they were nearly two centuries old by now, it was time they stood on their own two feet.

'I'll always worry about you.' I told them earnestly. 'be careful, and make sure to keep me updated, but only when it's safe to do so.'

they promised they would and we hung up. I grit my teeth and quickly pulled up Aro's number next. I was curious if he would gloat.

the line rang three times before he picked up.

'Aro.' My voice was cold.

'Milady!' his voice grated on my nerves. 'I wasn't expecting your call.'

'So it seems.' I remarked. 'I called to get an update.'

'you can trust us to handle everything, Milady. We've taken care of the monk. And there was a little dispute between two covens that we settled. Nothing major.'

'alright. that sounds good.'

'how are your friends?' he inquired his voice innocent, but I knew he was fishing for information.

'Aro.' I rebuked him. he knew I would never answer questions like that, but it never stopped him from asking which annoyed the fuck out of me.

he coughed once. 'I've added two new members to the guard.'

I paused. Really? Was this how he was going to do this?

'Oh?' I feigned boredom. I had never showed an interest in his guard.

'yes, two very promising members. Very useful gifts.'

'Aro. Are we going to have a talk again about using vampires for their gifts?' I asked my tone harsh. I'd warned him about using vampires as his own personal army before. It had been just after the newborn wars, Aro had gone on a collecting spree then, because it had scared him that he'd been close to losing his position. The armies had been more powerful than him. it why I'd needed to intervene myself. The talk had ended with a few of his limbs being removed.

'No!' he quickly shouted down the phone. 'I mean. I would never use them like that. These vampires presented themselves at the court and asked to join.'

I waited, wondering if he really expected me to buy that. It seemed he really did.

'Really?' I asked sarcastically. But he didn't pick up on it.

'Yes. Honest.'

I sighed. If this was how he wanted to play it, I would play along. 'alright. I'll contact you again in a few days.'

'yes, milady.'

I hung up before he could say anything else. Or lie to me some more. I shook my head at his brazenness. It seemed he had really begun his moves. His army had been gathered and now that he thought he'd taken two of my prized players, he felt confident enough to start the game.

I chuckled to myself. Oh, Aro. If only you listened all the times I'd warned you against going up against me.