Caius POV

After Bella sent me away, I felt the anger coming back to me in waves as soon as I left the room, and the thoughts were the only thing that kept me company. I wondered if Bella freaked out as soon she saw the fact that I had lashed out and destroyed a piece of furniture. It would probably explain why she had just distanced herself like that.

Although, that sounded ridiculous because she knew about my antics- she knew about me even before she meant me. So what has changed? Unless…

Unless, something had happened on that little shopping trip of theirs that they weren't telling me. Although that just didn't seem like that was possible. Corin said she was fine when they went shopping and it wouldn't be like her to just lie to me whatsoever to save face. Their loyalty was to the Volturi after all, so then what could be the reason?

Soon, after I left the room- I heard Bella's heartbeat increase slightly, and the sound of her sobs echoing through the room shattered my undead heart. All I wanted to do was just go in there and take her into my arms, telling her that everything was going to be okay. Yet, I couldn't. I didn't want to hurt my mate any more than what she was already hurting.

Besides, she told me to go away- to leave her alone.

I had to respect her wishes, even if it killed me.

It took everything within me to leave the area, just to hear Bella's louds sobs from the other side of the room, but I had too. So, I decided to head down towards the library to where I know that there wasn't probably going to be anyone else in there. Or at least, I hoped. I honestly hoped that neither of my brothers were not in the library, and they were in their respective studies and room for the night, either doing paperwork or ogling with their mate.

Sadly, no such luck.

When I entered the library, the fireplace was already lit. It crackled in the background, sending embers in the air and lit up the library in an orange glow. Marcus was standing, his back to me, flipping through a book while Aro was sitting at the table, with several books open in the process. I was curious about what they were reading, but it didn't matter to me.

Aro was the first one to notice my presence in the room.

"Aah, Caius! I was wondering when you wanted to embrace us with your presence!" He greeted me with a cheerful smile.

Marcus looked over to where I was standing before resuming his attention back to his book. I headed towards where Aro was and sat down. I sat across from him, and he arched an eyebrow at me.

"Caius, I'm surprised to see you, considering you've been with your mate the last couple of days or just plain avoiding us. It's been very quiet, otherwise."

"Really, Aro," I replied, sounding rather annoyed. "Must you keep up with your theatrics?"

Aro didn't seem to pay attention to what I said, which wasn't a surprise. He never really pays attention when I decide to comment on his theatrics. If anything his cheerful persona was merely an act, just to hide the fact that he wasn't as bloodthirsty, and ruthless like I was, at times.

"Why do you look so miserable?" Aro asked, "I thought you would be glad to finally be able to find your mate. It's not because she is suicidal, is it?"

"No," I sighed, looking away from Aro. "It's just Bella's not happy and I don't know how to fix it."

Aro let out a gasp, and clutched his chest as if his undead heart finally started beating or something. I rolled my eyes. I don't know why he had to be so dramatic at times, but it was probably part of his act or something.

"What did you do?" He asked.

"Since when was this an interrogation?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Why are you asking me when Bella is right there? Perhaps she did something?" I knew this was a losing battle, yet I still had to try- as hopeless it may be. Besides, we all knew the reason why: Aro couldn't read Bella's thoughts whatsoever and who knows whether it worked on Jane or even Alec's gifts whatsoever.

"Caius, why have you been so stubborn?" Aro continually questioned.

Rolling my eyes, I gave Aro my hand and he took it gratefully into his own. He clasped his hands around them, and his smile disappeared to a blank expression.

"Honestly, human affairs are complicated, as I've heard. Don't sweat it Caius… Honestly, I can't remember the last time you actually worried about this, or cared so much- even before we sent you to the United States to get the girl," Aro said. "It's still very surprising to see you actually care this much for a human girl- and yet, here you are."

"She told me to leave. What else was I supposed to do?" I retorted. "I want to give her some space and respect her decision, so I did. It's not my fault that human lives are so fragile and with this one's ability to block you out is something else."

"And yet, look what came out of it, brother. You have found your mate in this human girl. And her potential when she becomes a vampire would truly be remarkable. Her gift is already so powerful, as a human."

"You better not treat my mate like that- like she is one of the guards," I threatened.

Aro laughed, "Oh goodness, no. I'm just saying that she has a truly strong gift. She's talented. We haven't found talent like that for centuries, not since we gained Jane and Alec. Even Renata's doesn't compare to hers."

"Right," I murmured, glaring at him. "Because you enjoy collecting trophies of vampire gifts, and wouldn't stop until you gained them. The fact that you already have Bella's isn't enough for you… There's something else that isn't there."

Aro smiled, "I wouldn't mind having one's talent of seeing the future. A member of the Cullen's family has that power- and having tha, we would be unstoppable. Our enemies wouldn't be able to get anywhere near us with that kind of power…" Aro went quiet for a second before he continued on, "The Cullens are coming tomorrow- perhaps, one of them would want to join us. Some of them did have a good relationship with Bella, of course."

Update (November 12th, 2024): Sometimes, real life comes knocking and then I'm just reminded of the reality of things. I don't like those things so here I am, ignoring them and escaping my problems. For the record, I have 8 more work days left until fall break, 2 chapters that have like 500 words in them and about 10 chapters left in this story.