Chapter Nine
*Third Person's POV*
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over the Cullen household, Addi was finally resting in her room after a week of intense rehearsals for the upcoming concert. The anticipation and excitement had kept her on her toes, but now, with the concert just a day away, she felt a mix of nervousness and exhaustion. She closed her eyes, allowing herself to drift into sleep.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Cullens were engaging in their usual evening activities. Carlisle was at the dining room table, reviewing some medical journals, while Esme tended to the plants in the living room. Edward was playing the piano, while Emmett and Rosalie were playfully arguing over a game, and Jasper and Alice were discussing the final details of Addi's performance. Laughter and chatter filled the air, creating a sense of warmth and normalcy.
Suddenly, a low rumble of engines broke through the calm of the evening, drawing Carlisle's attention. He stood up, moving to the window to get a better view. The other Cullens followed suit, curiosity piqued. "Do we have visitors we weren't expecting?" Carlisle asked, glancing at the others.
They all peered out, their expressions shifting from curiosity to shock as they saw several sleek black vehicles pull up to the house. The doors swung open and members of the Volturi Guard emerged, instantly recognizable with their imposing presence. Jane, with her striking features and cold demeanor, led the way, flanked by her twin brother Alec. Demetri and Felix followed closely, their expressions unreadable.
"It's the Volturi." Edward said, his voice barely above a whisper. "They're here?" Jasper questioned. Carlisle processed the sight before him. "But they're not supposed to arrive so soon. Why are they here early?" He spoke. "Maybe they're trying to make a point. They want to intimidate Addi before she even gets a chance to perform." Rosalie speculated, her arms crossing, defensively.
Before anyone could respond, the Volturi Kings themselves emerged from the last vehicle. Aro, with his charismatic smile, was flanked by Caius and Marcus, their expressions serious and purposeful. The air in the room thickened with tension as the Cullens realized that this was not just an unexpected visit; it was a direct challenge to everything they had prepared for.
"What are we gonna do about Addi?" Alice asked, sounding concerned. The Cullen family exchanged anxious glances, knowing that Addi was peacefully sleeping in her room and unaware of the looming presence at their doorstep. "We can't wake her. We'll handle it ourselves." Carlisle whispered, as he was figuring out how to handle the situation without alarming her.
As the Volturi members approached the front door, Carlisle, steeling himself for the encounter, moved to the entrance, opening the door just as Aro stepped forward, with a smile spread across his face. "Ah, Carlisle, my old friend! It's a pleasure to see you." Aro said, his voice smooth and inviting, though it held an underlying chill. "Likewise, Aro." Carlisle replied, maintaining a calm demeanor despite the tension thrumming in the air. "I didn't expect you all to arrive so soon. Is there a particular reason for your early arrival?" He questioned.
Aro waved a hand dismissively, glancing back at his brothers and the Guard who stood attentively behind him. "We simply couldn't resist the opportunity to see our mate—and to get acquainted with you all for being so kind to her." He explained, while his gaze flicked to the interior of the house, an almost predatory gleam in his crimson eye. "Please, come in." Carlisle invited, stepping aside to let them enter. Aro led the way, followed closely by Caius and Marcus, with the rest of the Guard trailing behind.
As they moved into the living room, the rest of the Cullen family stood frozen for a moment, their expressions a mix of surprise and wariness. "Welcome." Carlisle said, motioning for them to make themselves comfortable as he tried to maintain a sense of normalcy despite the tension. "Ah, the famous Cullens." Aro said, his eyes gleaming with interest as he surveyed each member. "It's a delight to see you all." He greeted. "We weren't expecting you." Alice said, steadily despite the uneasiness.
"I believe it's best if we discuss the nature of your visit." Carlisle interjected, his tone firm yet polite. Aro nodded, with his expression shifting slightly as he recognized the seriousness in Carlisle's tone. "Of course. We have much to discuss, especially regarding our dear Addi." He said. Carlisle glanced at the Cullen siblings, sensing their vigilance. "I think it would be best if the rest of you excused yourselves for now. Esme and I will handle the discussions with the Volturi." He ordered. The siblings exchanged worried looks but nodded in agreement, understanding that the conversation would require a delicate touch. They shot Carlisle a supportive glance before they made their way out of the living room.
As Carlisle and Esme settled into their seats in the living room couch, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation. Aro, Marcus, and Caius positioned themselves from opposite of the Cullen couple, as their expressions were a mix of curiosity and authority. "Thank you for coming." Carlisle began, breaking the silence. "But I must ask—what brings you here so unexpectedly?" He asked. Aro smiled, with his eyes gleaming with interest. "Ah, Carlisle, we thought it would be better to see Addi in person. It seems that all three of us have recently felt a tug of the mating bond. Marcus, in particular, was quite aware of it thanks to his unique ability." He explained.
Carlisle nodded, while his concern for Addi was evident. "I understand your intentions. I will let you know that Addi did feel the sensation of the mating bond the other day. It happened after she saw the painting of the three of you in my office. It was a significant moment for her." He said. Aro's interest piqued at that revelation. "Ah, so she is beginning to sense the depth of this connection. How wonderful." Aro said, happily. "Indeed. We thought it was better to approach this delicately to meet her in person since she had felt the connection between us." Marcus added, his voice calm but firm. "Once she does meet us, we'll be more than happy to claim our mate to her rightful place with us. It's rather important that this bond shall not be broken." Caius stated.
Carlisle hesitated, weighing his words carefully before speaking, "I should mention that Addi is aware of the Volturi coven as I had explained it to her. However, she is not aware that she is the mate to the three of you." The revelation hung in the air and Aro's eyes widened in shock. Caius and Marcus exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of disbelief and concern.
"Why hasn't anyone told her? This is a critical piece of information that she must know." Aro questioned, with a mixture of disappointment and anger. Carlisle sighed, feeling the weight of their scrutiny. "We didn't want to push her. Addi has been through a lot—dealing with the trauma from her father and running away from her home to escape his abuse. We thought it best to give her time to settle in before introducing such a monumental truth." He explained.
Esme reached out to gently squeeze Carlisle's hand as she thought about Addi. "She's still healing and adjusting to her new life, Aro. We want her to feel safe and supported. We were concerned that revealing everything too soon might overwhelm her." She said. Caius frowned, clearly unsettled by the news. "But she deserves to know her place in this world. Keeping this from her could lead to confusion and resentment once she eventually finds out." "I understand your perspective. But we had to prioritize her emotional well-being. We wanted her to feel at home with us before introducing the complexities of her connection to you three." Carlisle replied, his voice steady but firm.
Caius regarded Carlisle with a piercing, suspicious gaze flickering in his crimson eyes. "You didn't tell her because you've all grown attached to her, haven't you? You've allowed your feelings to cloud your judgment." He sneered. Carlisle met Caius's gaze, resolutely. "Yes, it's true. We care deeply for Addi. She's become a cherished member of our family and we didn't want to burden her further during this difficult time." Carlisle confessed. Caius' expression hardened as he spoke again, "But by keeping this from her, you're allowing her to live under a lie. She deserves to know the truth about her connection to us, not just for her sake but for your own. This bond is not something that should be hidden or dismissed."
Esme's brows furrowed with concern. "We never intended to deceive her. Our hope was to provide a safe space for her to heal first. We believed that once she was settled, she could learn about her place in our world without feeling anxious." "Safe spaces are important, but the truth has a way of surfacing, often when least expected." Aro interjected, contemplatively. Marcus nodded thoughtfully as his demeanor was calm than his two brothers. "You are right to consider her feelings. Still, we must find a way to convey this to her soon. The longer she remains unaware, the more difficult the revelation will be. You also realize if she finds out and denies the bond, it could destroy her, fatally." He stated.
Carlisle and Esme felt the weight of their words and the thought of losing Addi if she denies the bond hit hard. "I understand. We want to approach this delicately, but we also recognize the importance of honesty. We'll find a way to reveal the truth to her, ensuring she knows she is loved and supported." He said. Caius crossed his arms, still skeptical before he replied, "Be cautious, Carlisle. Allowing her to remain in the dark for too long could lead to resentment once she discovers the truth. Make no mistake; she will find out eventually." "True. But we could be an assistance in this process. It's vital that Addi knows she is not alone and that we are also here to support her as she navigates this new reality." Aro said, thoughtfully. Carlisle nodded, grateful for their willingness to help.
After a moment of reflection, Carlisle had finally made a decision. "We'll tell Addi tomorrow, after her performance. It feels right to give her that moment first, to allow her to shine without any added pressure." He stated. Aro's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Ah, a performance! I wasn't aware she possessed such talent. My brothers and I would be delighted to witness it." He exclaimed. Caius raised an eyebrow, his skepticism momentarily replaced by intrigue. "A talent like that must be worth seeing. I assume she has the skill to captivate an audience?" "Absolutely. She has an incredible voice and her stage presence will be remarkable. It truly is something special." Esme replied.
Carlisle, however, felt the need to inject a note of caution. "I must remind you, though, that you'll be in the presence of other humans. We need to ensure that your excitement doesn't lead to any...unfortunate incidents." He said. Aro waved his hand dismissively, with a grin on his face. "Fear not, Carlisle. My brothers and I, along with the Guard, are more than capable of maintaining self-control over our thirst for blood. We understand the importance of this occasion." He acknowledged. Caius nodded in agreement, though his expression remained serious. "It would be unwise to disrupt the performance. We can manage ourselves, but you must ensure that she is not overwhelmed by our presence." He responded.
Carlisle felt a sense of relief at their assurances. "Very well. You're welcome to join us and see Addi perform. Afterward, we'll find the right moment to discuss the truth with her. I believe that will be the best approach." He explained. Marcus smiled as his demeanor was softening. "Thank you, Carlisle. We appreciate your willingness to let us be part of this experience. It will be exciting to see her in her element." He thanked.
Aro leaned forward, his enthusiasm palpable. "We look forward to it, truly. And afterward, we will ensure that the conversation about her future is handled with the utmost care and respect." With a nod of agreement, Carlisle felt a renewed sense of purpose. They would support Addi through this transition, allowing her to embrace her talent while preparing her for the truth about her connection to the Volturi.
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