Alright so I know it may not seem like it, with how soon the next chapter came out. However, this chapter was a thinker. I initially wanted it longer, and to have Dru scenes. However, I feel like this is going to be a rather important transition in the story. Trust me.

Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN TWILIGHT

Volterra

Caius was yet again grumbling about getting his mate in trouble, acting like a huffy teenager, instead of a vampire that was originally born in 1300 BC. He stared at the mobile device in his hand, unsure of what to say to his mate's witty response. He had also noted that his darling mate had yet to message Marcus, which greatly amused him and troubled his undead heart. He wondered briefly if he should have been more patient, allowing their mate to message them first; but Caius was anything but patient. He knew the word, and the definition, but to act on it, that was not his forte.

"Brothers, I am sure our mate will message us all soon." Aro's voice floated around the study, today they were in Marcus's. "Do not worry, Marcus, I am sure she will be delighted to message you, any moment now."

Marcus nodded, his cellular device sitting in front of him. Red eyes watching and waiting, he knew Carlisle had told the girl about them. Anger simmered slightly, as to all the negative comments the Cullen head could have told her about them. However, Aro, reassured Carlisle was not like that, which only irritated Marcus all the more. How could he be sure, that the Cullen hadn't overstepped his place, what if she knew about- he shuddered at that. Could it be possible, that their mate knew they had all been formerly married? Could, she resent them for that? A movement caused Marcus to quickly retreat his hand from Aro's, giving his brother a rather irritable look.

"Brother, she will message." Aro sighed, sitting back, a slight pout on his face. Truth, be told he too was worried, but he would never admit that out loud. He knew Carlisle would not overstep his bounds, but the same could not be said for his 'children.' Aro did not doubt that the young Edward had probably filled his mate's head with horror stories of them, and well that did not sit right with the normally eccentric leader of the Volturi coven.

A knock caught their attention, and when they bid the word for whoever it was to enter. They noticed Heidi walking into the room, she looked amused about something. Her eyes met that of her masters, with a wicked grin.

"Heidi, what a surprise." Aro gleefully greeted, while he noted his two brothers went back to staring at their phones.

Nodding in respect, "So, according to Demetri... your mate got into some trouble." That caused all three to snap at attention, their minds going through all the outcomes of what could have happened. Panic could be seen evident on Marcus's features, and Heidi was quick to reiterate. "Nothing like that," she assured, amusement dripping in her voice as she spoke. "However, apparently she decided to skip the rest of her school day to message you back, Master Caius."

Caius looked up at that in surprise, "she skipped out on her education, to message me back?"

"Our, darling mate is a bit of a rebel," Aro mused, nodding to Heidi to continue with anything she wished to say.

"Indeed," the female responded, her brow raising at the irresponsibility of her future queen. Knowing full well the young woman was going to be a handful for her masters, they were going to have fun trying to get submission out of their mate; she doubted that was gonna happen. "Her father has grounded her for the next three weeks in response."

Marcus was not accustomed to the word, but he assumed it was some sort of discipline. "What does that entail?"

"He took her phone," Heidi replied, "so there won't be any communication on her end for the next three weeks."

A deep sigh came from Marcus at that, his phone was not utterly worthless to him for the time being. Grabbing one of the many books, Aro had decided to pile up, quickly flipped through the pages.

"Is there anything else, Heidi?" Aro asked his guard, he was just as upset about this development as his brother.

She nodded, "Demetri thinks she is going to try and sneak Edward's phone to at least let you know herself." She giggled at that, "may I be bold?"

"Tread carefully," Marcus replied, but he and his brother nodded slowly.

Heidi understood his warning, she understood it well. "Your mate is an interesting one. I haven't met her yet, but something tells me, she will be a much need light within these castle walls." The guard began, before biting her lip. "However, I do worry about the amount of trouble she is gonna put you three through." The woman was still very much amused, but her concern was evident. "She isn't like the women from the past, she is spirited, that much was evident when she threatened you, Master Aro."

The three nodded in consideration at this, they understood what their guard and long-time friend was trying to say. In the vampire world, the males were typically the dominant ones, protective of their female mates, females were thought to be submissive. Now, female mates were just fiercely protective of their male counterparts, but in the dynamic of the relationship itself expected to be submissive. However, all three had noticed Dru was more than likely not going to go for that, she had a fire to her, one that Aro had experienced first-hand, and the entire castle had heard it, and those who were not in the throne room, well news traveled fast within the guard.

Had Dru not been their mate, more than likely Jane and Alec would have been sent to eliminate the girl, or bring her before Aro so he could do it himself. Aro couldn't help but think if that had been the case, would the girl still have the same fire? A flicker of pain flashed through his heart, as he quickly squashed the thought. Remembering the brief conversation, a smirk formed on his face after a moment, his head shook visibly as he realized he liked how their little mate was.

"I just feel important to bring it up," Heidi cut him out of his thoughts, Aro nodded after a moment, considering her words carefully. "I feel she will be good for the castle as a whole, but it will probably be an adjustment."

It was Caius who sat back first, dismissing Heidi as he did with a mere look, the younger vampire was gone. "She brings up a valid point," the blonde muttered, rolling his red eyes. "Drusilla Swan is probably not going to give submission easily."

"We will worry about that when the time comes," Marcus replied, causing both his brothers to turn towards him. "She is young, yes legally an adult, but still very young," he began in explanation. "And, from what we have gathered she never saw herself becoming like us, but knew it to be likely if we ever found out about her."

Caius huffed in annoyance, "She should have been made aware of the fact, as soon as both she and the other human learned about our kind-"

"Brother," Aro said warningly, cutting his hot-headed coven mate off swiftly. "Marcus is right, we must take our time with her." That statement shocked both of his brothers, Aro never really tended to agree, nor did he truly ever disagree. "However, there is something else we need to do."

"What might that be?" Caius questioned, watching him, his red eyes narrowing dangerously.

"Well my brother, I thought you understood." Aro mused, earning a scoff. "These mobile communications, are simply not enough."

Alright, so again, I am so sorry this one was so short. However, I felt that if I added a Dru scene..like yeah Dru is great, love her... she is currently my favorite character that I have ever created myself. But, I feel this scene with Aro, Marcus, and Caius was way to important to potentially overshadow. I have always felt that in the vampire world, it made sense that although both in the relationship are protective, that the male or whoever is the alpha in the mating bond would be dominant, and probably expect a submissive mate. I hope that clarifies why its so short.