Update (November 25th, 2024): This chapter kinda gave me some troubles so hopefully, everything is relatively easy enough to read. Granted, a lot of it was me literally trying to figure out something logistical for a future chapter and couldn't focus on this current one, until later. Also, I hope you don't mind the angst I put in here.

Caius POV

The Cullens' arrival to Volterra was something that was going to annoy me to no end. I knew the only reason why they were here was because Aro thought it was fitting to send a letter to Carlisle, informing him that a member of his coven will be standing trial because of the fact that he told a human about our existence. If it was me, I would have killed that boy as soon as we found out that he broke one of our laws surrounding our existence.

Of course, because of that I was stuck in the throne room, unable to see Bella as the Cullens were due to arrive soon. I just wanted to do how Bella was doing- I wanted to make sure that everything was okay with her and she was just upset- nothing major.

Soon, the Cullens arrived, right behind Felix and Demetri who were sent to fetch them and bring them to us. Looking at them, I could already tell that they were troublemakers, and didn't have much regard for our rules. Considering that they brought Bella into our world and had no regard for her safety whatsoever- that one was something I wouldn't ignore whatsoever.

"Aah Carlisle… It's been way too long since you last stepped foot here. Were your travels well I presume?" Aro asked, clapping his hands together and met Carlisle and where the rest of the coven stood halfway.

"It was well, Aro," Carlisle said with a warm smile, "Please tell me what has my son done to trouble you like this? I assure you that we don't mean to break any of your laws." I rolled my eyes. It wasn't hard to figure out what law Aro meant by how much Carlisle was trying to hide his information about Bella.

I scowled.

Carlisle's bronze eyes flickered towards my direction, before returning his gaze onto Aro.

"It's nothing to worry about, my old friend. Besides, you'll find out more about it tomorrow, when we give your son a trial," Aro told him.

Leave it to Aro to not say why they were exactly here. Besides, we all know what law they broke- just how stupid were the Cullens.

Aro was quiet for a moment as he considered something before he snapped his fingers, "Felix."

Felix appeared right next to Aro.

"Felix will show you where you'll be staying. The trial is set for tomorrow so we'll leave you to it. If you need to feed, don't be conspicuous about it," Aro told them. "Don't forget, you're not allowed to hunt within the city walls."

"Thank you, Aro," Carlisle said, "I assure you that won't be necessary. My family and I were already fed before we arrived here."

Felix took the rest of the Cullens to one of the spare rooms that we had for when guests came over. It was quiet until I decided to say something,

"So why can't we kill them?" I asked.

Aro sighed, "Because, as much as I know they broke the law, by letting a human in their midst. I value his friendship. Besides, we get rid of the perpetrator, and the rest of them will fall back in line. The only reason why Bella knows about the rest of them is because Edward told them and Bella is here with us…"

I scowled, "Because the rest of the Cullens can't do no wrong, in your eyes. Honestly, Aro, may I remind you that they hurt my mate?"

Aro sighed, cocking his head to the side, "We can't forget what they did to young Bella. Alas, broken hearts can mend in time. Besides, the biggest hurt was on young Edward, don't forget that."

I looked away towards the wall, "I still don't like it."

"You just have to deal with it, brother. Relax, I'm sure they'll prove you wrong."

I refused to say anything after that. I wouldn't give my brother that kind of satisfaction whatsoever. If he wanted to put his hopes in the Cullens then so be it. Besides, I'll prove them wrong- they'll act up and I'll prove it to Aro.

Of course, I couldn't do much. Instead, I headed towards my study- eager to do something other than just sitting there. Of course, there were several journals I've been meaning to flip through which occupied my time. It filled my time until my ears picked up that it seemed like Bella and Alice finally reunited.

I frowned.

But if my mate wanted to go socialize with these vampires, then who was I to stop her? Besides, the way it sounded like Bella didn't want anything to do with them and she was incredibly pissed at them. Good. Give them a piece, considering that they had hurt her to the point where she was shattered.

"I didn't have a choice to be here, Rosalie," Bella explained in a weak voice. "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."

I tried to study the words on the page, but my curiosity got the better of me. Besides, what it sounds like it wasn't going well whatsoever. I sighed, marked the page, closed the book and headed towards where Bella's heartbeat and where the Cullens were.

It was probably a good thing too because what came out of Rosalie's mouth pissed me off.

"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.

Nope. No one was going to talk to my mate like that. I wasn't going to let that one side. I didn't care if I hurt Aro's feelings or not, but I had to protect Bella. Besides, they would be lucky if they made it out of there unscathed. Of course, it didn't seem like my mate appreciated it either with how uneven her breathing became and her heartbeat increased.

I slammed the door open, to the point where I was a little surprised that it stayed on its hinges where I looked at the Cullens with a murderous intent on my face. I didn't miss when one of the vampires- the one with the pixie hair- had flickered her eyes towards the blonde girl who had her hands onto a tall, bulky boy with a buzz cut.

I wasn't worried about that as Bella was crying silently. She tried wiping away some of the tears away from her eyes, and watching her- made me even more angry. She shouldn't be like this at all.

"Are you okay?" I asked.

Bella's nod was slight. I clenched my fists and turned my attention to the straight-faced Cullens.

"Who made my mate upset?" I asked.

It was a pointless question. I already knew who it was, but I wanted to be the one present when someone made their confession. It would make music to my ears so at least that way I could destroy them slowly and make sure that they will never mess with me, or Bella ever again.

"Well," I growled, sounding very much impatient.

Oh, how much I hated when the vampires just ignored me, and looked at me like I was an idiot. I wasn't born yesterday. I was one of the kings and they had to respect me.

"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, finally being the one who ended the silence.

Of course it was righteous Carlisle that would take the blame for one of the coven member's actions. Granted, none of them were rather desperate enough to give up who exactly it was. As much as I wanted to kill them- Aro would have killed me for ending his and Carlisle's friendship by killing one of them, so as such as I forced to say,

"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."

Bella didn't bother looking up or even acknowledged what I said. Instead, I helped guide her out of the room, keeping her as close to my side as possible and slammed the door closed, hearing the door get off its hinges.

It didn't seem like Bella had much of a capability of walking, instead I picked her up. Her fists balled onto my black cloak and tears streamed down her face as she squeezed her eyes close, finding the comfort in my grasp.

It didn't take long to get to my quarters to where I placed her on the bed, letting her hold me as she silently cried onto me. I waited until she was ready to talk when her sobs finally quieted down and all she did was hastily wipe her tears away with one of her hands.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Nothing… You already know anyways, so I don't know why you're asking me," Bella shrugged it off, getting all dismissive.

"I already heard, but I want to hear it from you," I told her. "Besides, just tell me and I'll handle it."

Bella laughed hallowly, "What? By killing them?"

I looked up with an arched eyebrow, "Yes, by killing them. That is no way to talk to you. They are disrespecting their queen. Besides, I could always beg Aro for forgiveness later, if that's what it takes. I mean, they should not disrespect you, at all."

"Caius, don't kill them. Rosalie didn't mean what she said," Bella protested. "I promise you it's only because she's upset. We all know you're going to kill Edward tomorrow and they've family- you can't blame her for lashing out like that."

I scoffed, "And I'm supposed to believe that? You don't get disrespected from someone like that. They are meant to respect you. Besides, the way it sounds like- she normally sounds like that."

"So she's always been such a prickly person, so what. It doesn't mean that you should always kill them. Killing people isn't always an answer, Caius."

"Are you sure about that?"

Bella huffed and immediately stood up. I grabbed her wrist out of habit and instantly knew it was the wrong one. I felt the wrapped bandage through one of the long sleeves and pressed hard on it. She gasped out in pain, tears swelling up in her brown eyes. She let out a loud gasp.

"Let me go, Caius," She told me and I couldn't do anything, but let her go.

I watched as she slammed the door behind her (a move I knew all too well) and heard her heartbeat increase even more. She was crying even more, and I fucked up. I messed up and now Bella hated me.