Felix POV

We were all worried about Bella. It wasn't because of her fragile condition that the bitch- Victoria caused her, but also how much Edward had destroyed her will to live. He was lucky enough that neither I nor any of the guards had managed to get a hold of him, to pay for what he had done. It wasn't acceptable treating Caius's mate like that, nor treating a human like that so carelessly, leaving them out in the forest like that where someone or something would easily pry on her. He left her so grief-stricken- her face and expressions so empty and hollow as if something had sucked the life out of her, and made her a shell.

No one had a right to treat anyone like that- least of all a vampire's king's mate, but the point still stood.

Of course, it was hard not to notice the slight change from Isabella- from the last several days. They were subtle changes, but the way her eyes always shone bright when she was around Caius, or the small smile she gave him, or how he cared for her when she was in pain and was hungry. No one in a thousand years ever imagined that Caius, a ruthless vampire king that would end you, would act like a soft person when it came to his mate.

Her presence has changed here for the better. I don't think any of the guards would have expected to have a human in our midst, clearly not scared of us in any way, nor the way we would actually care for her- in the human ways. We weren't the monsters, the bloodsuckers ones, instead we're out here caring for one human- who would have thought?

I headed back to the guard's room where most of us spent the time idling away through the night, playing pool, watching TV, playing video games, or just playing board games and card games in the meantime. It was a way for us to cool down after either going out on missions, or doing whatever that needs to happen around the castles. It kept us entertained in our immortal lives.

Yet, when I got there- there was barely any of that happening. Demetri, Chelsea, Afton, Jane and Alex were sitting in the corner- their cloaks hanging off the couches in the room- all in various shades between black and dark gray. Jane and Alec were sitting next to each other on the couch with Demetri sitting at the very edge, leaving me space while Chelsea and Afton sat on the floor, covered with a dark carpet. They were all obvious in conversation which wasn't hard to guess as I caught snippets from down the corridor.

"So, how is she?" Jane asked, her red eyes following me as I sat down between the space between Alex and Demetri. "After her encounter with that stupid Cullen boy."

I shrugged, "I don't know. They weren't discussing much about any of that when Caius called me into his quarters. However, I assumed after her lovely conversation and from the few snippets I've heard from down below- it went really well, considering she told him that she no longer loves him. It's such a shame that we can't kill him yet," I explained to them. "I wouldn't mind even beheading that idiot, but I have a feeling that honor would go to Caius, himself."

"I just don't understand how someone could just leave a human- barely an adult in the forest like that. I'm just glad she's with us, and hopefully will open up to us," Chelsea chimed in. "She's such a lovely person that I could probably see her as a sister in the future, if she so desires."

"I don't think that'll happen," Alec pointed out. "Besides, you remember the day we officially met her when she got into Volterra- she just didn't care. She wasn't interested, so why should we push her?"

"I don't think some of us could forget where we found her- I know I couldn't," Jane murmured. "I understand that we're cruel, but what that bitch had done to her just took the cake. No one should be that cruel to anyone, least of all a vampire to a human like that."

"You're being awfully quiet tonight, Felix," Demetri chimed in. "Penny for your thoughts?"

"Just thinking," I murmured, casting my eyes away from the group and towards a wall that contained the collection of DVDs we had for whenever we wanted to watch a movie for our entertainment pleasure, or simply have a movie night. "It's obvious that Bella has changed us for the better- especially Caius. I don't think I have ever heard much patience and caring words out of him, and has anyone noticed the lack of doors slamming since she got here?"

"It's been much quieter. The lack of temper from Caius is almost scary, but no has really dared to piss him off too much," Alec pointed out. "There really hasn't been much happening since they got back."

"Too bad it wouldn't last much longer, not with Cullen's boy trial in a matter of days. I'm sure the rest of the Cullens would attend his trial and prove his innocence or some sort," Jane said in a low voice, disgust lingering in her tone. "I'm sure Aro would certainly be pleased with that. He always looks forward to seeing the Cullens in the too-few visits they do, if at all."

"I don't see how Aro gets entertained by them, and especially Carlisle," Alec grumbled. "Besides, perhaps, Aro's friendship with the Cullens will alter once the trial happens and the boy is sentenced to death."

"Do you think Bella is even ready for that?" Chelsea asked. "The poor thing is still incredibly hurt and traumatized from that boy's actions."

"Did you forget that Bella came down to the dungeons with Caius to see the boy and stuck up to herself? Honestly, I'm sure she's ready for his trial," Demetri pointed out.

A lot of the guards ended up agreeing with Demetri's sentiment, nodding their heads in agreement. However, I couldn't help but think about the fragile state of Bella. It was known knowledge that humans were weaker than us, vampires, but how much could you push a human before they break down? Especially when dealing with Bella's fragile mental state.

Something like that could possibly trigger something in her.

Update (7/2/2024): No idea where the guard's gossiping came from but regardless, I thought it was super fun. I'll get the ball rolling more on this story more than anything right now.