Alice POV

It broke my undead heart to realize that Bella was here in Volterra, looking as if she had been through hell and back. I wondered what Victoria had done to her besides the obvious broken leg that she managed to get- or what else that made her look so frail. It had to be something, because this didn't seem like Bella whatsoever.

Bella was such a lively person, who normally kept to herself, albeit a little clumsy, who fell head over heels for Edward- and yet here he was looking like half a skeleton. Did Victoria just simply keep her in confinement that didn't bother feeding the human? Even then, I knew that wasn't right. Victoria was planning her revenge since James' demise, but that was kept until almost the last minute.

Yet, everything that Bella was saying was even worse. I didn't realize how much we all had hurt her until now.

"All of you left me. You don't get to dictate how I feel right now. I thought you guys cared about me. Was it all a lie? The fact that you broke my heart, basically told me that I don't belong in your world and left me nothing besides my memories. It broke me, Alice- and yet, here you are trapezing around like nothing has happened these last few months. I don't want to hear your excuses, at all," Bella ranted, her voice sounding like she was about to cry any second now.

I was hoping whatever she was saying would help ease her pain. I wouldn't mind having Jasper right next to me, hoping to help curb some of Bella's feelings right now, but he was back with the rest of the Cullens- in the sitting quarters that the Volturi had gracefully accommodate for us- while we stayed with them for the next couple of days until everything is situated. Although, I wouldn't be surprised if they also sentenced the rest of us as well- considering that we were also the ones that kept Bella's existence under wraps and let her in.

Besides, the Volturi wasn't known to give anyone a second chance- least of all to a vampire that had knowingly broken a law.

Yet, I knew that wouldn't make Bella feel better at all.

"If it helps, Bella- we didn't want to leave you at all," I suggested trying to keep my voice as high-pitchy and singsongy as much as I could muster. Hopefully, I can help make Bella feel a lot less upset than she was now. "But Edward convinced us all that we should leave. That we were all a danger to you and wanted to protect you from that life. Being a vampire isn't an easy feet-"

Bella didn't seem to appreciate my reasoning as she sneered back at me with her reply, "Because Edward is always to blame. It's easier to blame someone else for the actions that everyone else caused, and not deal with the consequences, isn't it? You left as well. I spent months trying to contact you and there was nothing. Nothing to suggest that you were real, Alice."

Oh, Edward, what have you done? I knew listening to him was a mad idea, but it didn't hurt nonetheless. We hurt her to the point where she thought that we betrayed her, and meant to do the no contact thing on purpose- when we didn't know what to do ourselves, while we were in Ithaca.

I sighed, "I don't have any excuses for my behavior. We were convinced that it was good for you. We didn't want to cause the pain that you had felt, and even worse- with the circumstances. It would kill the rest of us to know that you hate us because of our past actions. Besides, the rest of us want to see you, especially now that you are here."

Bella rolled her eyes before she responded back, ""Yes, well- I don't want to see the rest of them. Besides, there's nothing good for me to see them. You made it perfectly that you wanted nothing to do with me these couple of years so…"

"It wasn't a suggestion. You're going to see them, whether you say yes or not." It was the only thing I could think of for Bella to see the rest of the Cullens. I wanted her to get closure from them, before she might potentially just shut us out of her life forever, which was understandable. She was going to have a good life with Caius, and the rest of the Volturi in time, but I saw nothing about whether or not we were going to be in her life after this.

I didn't give Bella much time to even protest before I lifted her up and carried her until we got to the quarters we were staying in for the time being. It was where I knew where the rest of the Cullens were at- just doing their own thing, trying to keep their mind off of what was happening tomorrow. I knew they were going to be surprised to see Bella, hell even I was.

When I opened the door, they looked up from what they were doing and noticed Bella that was right in front of me. Carlisle was the only one to break the silence, as he said with a warm smile,

"Bella, how are you?"

"Fine," She murmured, looking away from Carlisle and looking towards a gray wall that had nothing on it. I ushered her in a little bit more, closed the door behind us and made her sit down in a nearby chair. She didn't really seem to protest, but that was okay. I just wanted her to get closure.

"May I ask why you're here? We haven't heard anything from you in months. Why are you with the Volturi? What happened?" Esme asked.

Bella shrugged, "I don't see why you care considering that you gave me no-contact when you left, and now you're going to act like nothing has happened. And to answer, your question- Victoria got me. I would have died, if it wasn't for Caius saving me."

Esme let out a loud gasp, and I was pretty sure that if we were allowed to cry, she would be crying considering she looked like she wanted to burst out in sobs. I looked at the rest of the Cullens- Emmett, Jasper had looks of shock, while Esme looked like she was about to cry without the tears and Carlisle with a neutral expression, only Rosalie sneered.

"Caius saved you? That's very unlike him," Carlisle spoke up, "He would never do such a thing. He hates traveling, but human as well… Unless Aro forced him, and that just seems likely."

"And yet, what makes you so special? Since when did the Volturi ever care about human life? Since when do they let humans reside with him without being a piece of snack for them?" Rosalie piqued up- her voice laced with disgust.

Bella rolled her eyes, "I'm only here because I'm their pet human, essentially. They made it very clear that I play a part in his trial and reveal my knowledge of vampires to them."

"And they'll kill you right after," Rosalie commented, pointing out the obvious. "You're there for their entertainment, and they'll dispose of you right after."

Bella shrugged, "I doubt it. They made it clear that death wouldn't touch me, and I would live out my days here. I don't think I'll mind. Besides, Caius has been very good to me and is very patient."

Shocked faces were written on everyone's faces, besides mine. Honestly, it wasn't my place to tell everyone who Bella was mated too. Besides, it honestly seemed that she and Caius were rather good for each other.

"Well that's good, Bella…" Carlisle said.

He seemed a little shock on what else to say, just like everyone else here- because it was. Caius was known for his rash and aggressive personality- one that would easily kill you if you even looked at him wrong. And here Bella was, saying that he had been very good to her. Such a shock to all the other vampires.

Only Rosalie didn't seem to think this was great with the way her expression turned into a sneer.

"Aw yes, sleeping with the Volturi now? What was Edward not good enough for you that you had to run all the way to the Volturi to kill him."

Bella didn't seem to like that answer, and I couldn't blame her. This was Rosalie's ugly side and she seemed to overstep. It wasn't Bella's fault that she managed to get into his mess. Honestly, it was Edward's fault mainly.

"I didn't have a choice to be here, Rosalie," Bella tried to explain. "If I had the choice, I wouldn't sentence Edward at all. Yet, they have made it clear to me multiple times that I have to be there to testify about my knowledge of vampires- because surprise, surprise, they can't read my thoughts. I don't know what you expect, but I didn't come here to ruin your life."

"Right because you act like you're not a tramp. You're going to kill our brother, whether you like it or not. You're a killer, Bella- like it or not," Rosalie snarled.

Oh my god, what has she done?

Bella didn't seem to take it as well as her breathing seemed to become uneven and her heartbeat spiked. In a castle full of vampires with super hearing, I wouldn't be surprised if Caius picked up on that, and would come rushing in to make sure that everything was okay.

Before anyone else could react, Caius came storming into the room with an angry expression on his face, and I was pretty sure that he was going to kill someone if given the opportunity. I shot Rosalie a dirty look because she should have known.

"Are you okay?" Caius asked Bella, making sure that his mate was okay.

Bella's nod was subtle as tears ran down her face. This was not good at all.

"Who made my mate upset?" He asked, his eyes narrowing as he looked at everyone in the room.

No one dared to answer, not even Rosalie who finally seemed to come to her senses and kept her mouth shut. Though, I already figured that he wasn't going to leave until someone answered his question.

"Well," He growled.

"Caius, please. We didn't mean to upset her. That wasn't our intention at all. However, my daughter seemed to have an outburst and as a result, hurt your mate's emotions. I'll take complete blame for her, and hope that you will accept our utmost apologies," Carlisle spoke, breaking the silence.

Caius didn't seem to buy it as he growled out, "May I remind you, Carlisle- that I am one of the kings who reside here, and you are a guest, as such… It's only because of my brother's hospitality and the fact that he regards you highly as a friend that I won't harm either one of you. However, if you try to step out of line again, you might find yourself not as lucky as you are today… Come, Bella."

He guided Bella out of the room, with one hand on her side, clutching her near him as he guided her away- slamming the door closed behind him. No one dared to say anything for about a minute or so before Carlisle spoke,

"Rosalie, you are so lucky right now. You need to mind your tongue around them. Caius is the most unpredictable king there is, and probably would have killed us if it wasn't for me and Aro's friendship- we might be dead."

"But she deserves it," Rosalie murmured.

Carlisle raised his eyebrow, "I don't want to hear it from you. You almost got us killed. I just ask that you mind your tongue until we leave. If something happens to Bella, we're dead, and that goes for all of you."

Update (November 24th, 2024): Bella and the Cullens reunion and almost dying at the same time. I'll get chapters out this week so be prepared.