She was a wolf. She was death, devourer of the worlds.

CHAPTER NINE©

Caius | Mania

"Caius, do you ever plan to return to Italy?" Carlisle asked.

I stared at Carlisle, my fair eyes meeting his golden ones as I considered his question. "No, I plan to make Forks my permanent home. This is where Mania is most comfortable." The words rolled off my tongue with a sense of finality.

Carlisle's brow furrowed slightly. "What about Aro and Marcus, what will they say?" he asked, voicing the concern that I knew lurked in the back of his mind.

The Volturi, the coven that had been my home for millennia, would undoubtedly have strong opinions about my decision to abandon them.

I waved a dismissive hand. "I do not care, they have no say in my life. And if they have a problem with it then I will destroy them." The words were laced with a quiet determination.

After all these centuries, the Volturi's hold over me had been broken. I was my own coven leader now, beholden to no one but myself and the woman I loved.

Carlisle's eyes widened slightly at my bold declaration. "Would you really stand against the Volturi for Mania?" he asked, his voice tinged with a hint of disbelief.

I scoffed at the question. "Such a stupid question to ask, Carlisle, if you have not noticed I will do anything for Mania, even drinking animal blood to please her so of course, I would stand against them."

The idea that I would not defend Mania, my mate, my everything, was laughable. She was the center of my universe, and I would move heaven and earth to ensure her safety and happiness.

Carlisle's expression grew somber. "I fear this may cause a war, Caius," he said, his tone grave.

I met his gaze unflinchingly. "Aro, is not that stupid to start a war with me. He will lose. Why do think he has Chelsea bond everyone to him? He is not has strong as he makes you all believe."

A humorless chuckle escaped my lips. The Volturi's power was built on the illusion of invincibility, but I knew the truth. Aro was a manipulator, relying on the talents of others to maintain his grip on power.

Carlisle's eyes narrowed slightly. "You knew what he did?" he asked, his voice laced with surprise.

"Yes, I did and I have had the bond weakened. Poor Chelsea is also very stupid and does not know that I have weakened the bond and so has Marcus. We've been planning to overthrow Aro for some time now but we have not come up with a solution since Jane and Alec are the most gifted and major threat to us." I revealed, a sense of satisfaction coursing through me.

For centuries, Aro had kept us all under his thumb, but no more. Marcus and I had been working in the shadows, chipping away at the foundation of his power.

Edward, who had been silent until now, spoke up. "You could have done it when you all came for my daughter."

I nodded, acknowledging his point. "Yes, we could have but my pregnant mate would have been caught in the middle and Aro, would have Jane kill her and I could not risk that."

The thought of Mania and our unborn child being caught in the crossfire was enough to make my blood boil. I would never have risked their lives, no matter the potential rewards.

Edward's expression softened with understanding. "We understand but you do know Aro will come after your child and even Mania, right?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

"Of course, I knew that's why Mania did not want me around. I know she thinks I will take and use our child as a weapon but that is not my intention. I just want a family. A real family. I know what Aro will do and that is why I'm asking, just like you've done before to gather everyone and prepare to help me fight Aro when the time comes and I know it will," I answered.

The words tumbled out, a mixture of determination and vulnerability. After centuries of being denied the simple joys of family, I craved nothing more than to have a home, a place where I truly belonged. But I knew the price of that happiness would be a war with the Volturi, and I was willing to pay it.

Carlisle's expression softened, and he placed a hand on my shoulder. "Caius, we must talk this over with everyone before we give answer." His voice was gentle, but firm.

I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I understand, Carlisle."

As I stood there, surrounded by the Cullen coven, I couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had led me to this moment. For centuries, I had been a part of the Volturi, a coven that had ruled the vampire world with an iron fist. But my loyalty had always been divided, torn between the demands of the coven and the longing for a life of my own.

It was Mania who had changed everything. When I first laid eyes on her, it was as if the world had shifted on its axis. She was the missing piece, the one who had the power to make me whole. And with her by my side, the pull of the Volturi began to wane. I no longer felt the need to answer to Aro, to follow his orders without question.

Instead, my focus turned inward, to the life I wanted to build with Mania. A life of peace, of stability, of true happiness. And Forks, this small, unassuming town, had become the perfect canvas for that dream. Here, away from the constant power struggles and political maneuverings of the vampire world, I could finally find the peace I had been searching for.

But I knew that my decision would not come without consequences. Aro, with his insatiable thirst for power and control, would never allow me to simply walk away. He would see my defection as a betrayal, a challenge to his authority. And he would not hesitate to strike back, using every weapon in his arsenal to bring me back into the fold.

The thought of Mania and our child being caught in the crossfire was enough to make my heart ache. I had already lost so much in my long, tumultuous existence – my family, my sense of self, my freedom. I refused to lose them too. And so, I had made the decision to stand firm, to fight for the life I had chosen, no matter the cost.

As I stood there, surrounded by the Cullens, I knew that I was not alone. These coven members, once my adversaries, had become my allies, my friends.

They understood the gravity of the situation, the high stakes that hung in the balance. And I knew that when the time came, they would stand with me, ready to face the Volturi head-on.

The path ahead was fraught with uncertainty, but I was no stranger to adversity. I had weathered countless storms, and survived countless battles.

And this one, no matter how daunting, would be no different. With Mania by my side and the Cullens at my back, I was ready to take on the Volturi, to fight for the life I had chosen, and to finally find the peace and happiness that had eluded me for so long.

Mania | Caius

As I paced anxiously back and forth in the dimly lit clearing, a thousand questions raced through my mind.

What was I doing here, meeting two vampires alone in the dead of night? This felt like a colossal mistake, a setup or trap that I had foolishly stumbled into.

I should have known better than to agree to this clandestine rendezvous, especially given my precarious circumstances.

Caius and I were already on shaky ground with the Volturi, and now I was consorting with his former coven mates behind his back.

What if this was all part of some elaborate scheme to undermine us? My pulse quickened as a creeping sense of dread washed over me.

And yet, even as these doubts swirled, a part of me couldn't help but feel intrigued. Felix and Corin had sounded so urgent, so adamant that they had vital information to share.

They claimed it was a warning, that Aro was plotting against Caius and I - against our unborn child. The thought of my baby being in danger-filled me with a fierce, primal protectiveness.

If there was even a shred of truth to their claims, then I needed to know. I couldn't afford to ignore this, no matter how great the risk. So I steeled my nerves and continued pacing, waiting with bated breath for the two vampires to arrive.

Finally, I heard the telltale crunch of leaves underfoot as Felix and Corin emerged from the shadows, their crimson eyes gleaming in the moonlight. "Hello, Mania," Felix greeted me, his deep voice resonating through the stillness of the forest.

"What do you want to talk to me about so badly?" I asked, cutting straight to the chase. I didn't have time for pleasantries - I needed answers, and I needed them now.

Corin stepped forward, her lithe frame exuding an aura of quiet intensity. "We've come to warn Caius and you," she said solemnly.

"Why?" The word came out more sharply than I'd intended, betraying my growing unease.

Felix exchanged a meaningful glance with Corin before responding. "Marcus sent us. He says that Aro plans to kill you and Caius to take your child."

My breath caught in my throat, and for a moment the world seemed to tilt on its axis. Aro wanted to kill me and Caius. And all for the sake of our unborn baby? It was almost too much to comprehend. "Why would he do that?" I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.

Corin's expression was grave as she answered. "He knows that Caius has weakened the bond Chelsea placed on him. He knows Caius secretly has been hiding his gift. He knows what Caius plans to do."

I shook my head in bewilderment. "This doesn't make any sense." How could Aro possibly know all of those things? And what exactly was Caius planning that had the Volturi leader so threatened?

Felix stepped closer, his towering frame casting a long shadow over me. "Mania, there is a war coming your way and this time there will be a fight. We want you to know we will stand with you."

"And so will the others," Corin added, her eyes shining with determination.

"Even Jane and Alec?" I blurted, unable to hide my skepticism.

Those two were among the Volturi's most fearsome enforcers - the idea of them betraying their allegiance was almost unthinkable.

Felix let out a dry chuckle. "Well, they don't know what we have planned, so no."

I let out a shaky breath, my mind racing to process all of this information. "Shouldn't you guys tell Caius all of this? Why me?"

"Because Mania, we know what you're capable of, and we're running out of time," Felix replied, his tone laced with urgency.

Corin's golden gaze bored into mine. "You must prepare. Aro will send Afton to check if you have given birth by spring, and then he will come with his witnesses."

The weight of their words settled heavily upon me. Aro would be coming, and he would stop at nothing to get his hands on my child. I couldn't let that happen - I wouldn't let that happen.

"I will talk to Caius, and we will come up with a plan," I said, my voice steely with determination. "Because there is no way Aro will get my child."

Felix nodded solemnly. "We must go now."

"Yeah," I agreed, reluctantly.

As they turned to leave, Corin paused and fixed me with an intense stare. "Take care of yourself, my queen."

"My queen?" I echoed, baffled by the unexpected title.

Corin's lips quirked up in a small smile. "If everything goes as planned, Mania, you will be our coven leader."

I stared at her, dumbfounded. "You want a werewolf to be a coven leader of vampires? Are you crazy?"

She shook her head, her expression earnest. "La lupa, you will be more than just a werewolf to us."

Felix stepped forward, his crimson gaze alight with conviction. "Yes, you will be our queen, a leader of a new era where there is peace and freedom."

I felt a surge of bewilderment and trepidation. "You guys have way too many expectations," I muttered, overwhelmed by the weight of their words.

As Felix and Corin disappeared back into the shadows, I stood there, my mind reeling. Queen? Coven leader? The very idea was almost laughable. I was a werewolf, an enemy in the vampire world - how could I possibly be elevated to such a position of power and influence?

And yet, a part of me couldn't help but feel a spark of intrigue. The thought of ushering in a new era of peace and freedom was alluring, especially given the constant threat of conflict that hung over the supernatural world.

Perhaps, with the right strategy and allies, I could help reshape the future, not just for myself and Caius, but for all our kind.

But first, I had to get back to Caius and relay everything that Felix and Corin had told me. I knew he would be furious that I had met with them without his knowledge, but the gravity of the situation demanded that I put my pride aside. Aro's plans for our child were a threat that we could not afford to ignore.

As I hurried through the forest, the adrenaline coursing through my veins, I couldn't help but wonder what other secrets Caius had been keeping from me.

His hidden gift, his plans to undermine the Volturi's control – it was all so tangled and complex, and I felt like I was only scratching the surface. But one thing was clear: we were on the precipice of a war, and we needed to be prepared.

I burst through the doors of our secluded cabin, my eyes wild with urgency. "Caius, we need to talk. Now."

The ancient vampire looked up from the book he had been reading, his brow furrowing with concern at the desperation in my tone. "What is it, Mania?"

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for his reaction. "Felix and Corin were just here. They have a warning for us – for you."

Caius's eyes narrowed, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Go on."

And so I launched into a detailed recounting of everything the two vampires had told me – Aro's plot to kill us and take our child, the weakening of the bond Chelsea had placed on Caius, his hidden gift, the impending war. With each revelation, Caius's expression grew darker, his posture increasingly tense.

When I had finished, he let out a long, weary sigh. "So it has come to this." He fixed me with a penetrating stare. "Mania, you are now at the center of a storm that has been brewing for centuries. The fate of our kind hangs in the balance, and Aro will stop at nothing to seize control."

I nodded, my heart pounding in my chest. "I know. That's why we need to act, and quickly. Felix and Corin said Aro will be sending Afton to check on me in the spring, and then he'll come with his witnesses."

Caius's jaw tightened. "Then we must be ready. We will need to assemble our own allies, fortify our defenses, and prepare for the fight of our lives." He reached out and grasped my hand, his crimson eyes burning with fierce determination. "I will not let Aro take our child, Mania. I will die before I allow that to happen."

I squeezed his hand, drawing strength from his unwavering resolve. "Then we'll do whatever it takes. For our family, for our future."

Mania | Caius

As I walked through the front door, arms laden with boxes of piping hot pizza, I was met with the beaming smile of my younger brother Seth. He was always happy to see me, especially when I came bearing food.

I tossed a box to him and another to our cousin Leah, who was already settled in the living room, eyes glued to the flickering screen of the TV.

We plopped down on the couch together, eager to dig into our cheesy, saucy sustenance and indulge in some mindless prime-time viewing.

But it seemed Leah had something more pressing on her mind than the latest episode of our favorite drama.

"So you've volunteered to do another patrol tonight, Leah," Seth observed, glancing over at her as she took a large bite, cheese and sauce dribbling down her chin.

"Yep," she mumbled through a full mouth, not bothering to swallow before responding.

That was unusual - Leah typically avoided extra patrols and pack duties whenever she could. Something must be weighing on her.

"You never volunteer. What's with that?" I asked, my brow furrowing in concern.

Leah was always the one trying to get out of work, not the one eagerly taking it on.

She shrugged noncommittally. "Just felt like it," she said, her tone casual, but I could sense an underlying tension.

Seth's eyes narrowed as he studied Leah, not buying her nonchalant act for a second. "You seem different today, not your normal self," he said, his voice laced with worry.

Leah's eyes darted to me, her expression hardening. "You shouldn't be asking me questions, especially when Mania smells like two unfamiliar leeches," she snapped, her words laced with venom.

I winced, realizing I had made a mistake. "Oh, that. I had a meeting with Felix and Corin today," I admitted.

"Why?" Seth asked, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Oh, you know, they came to warn me," I replied evasively, not wanting to burden them with the full weight of the news just yet.

"About what?" Leah pressed, her eyes narrowing suspiciously.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself for their reaction. "That Aro plans to kill Caius and me to take our baby," I revealed, my voice barely above a whisper.

"What?!" Seth exclaimed, his eyes wide with shock and alarm.

Leah's gaze bored into me, her expression a mix of concern and disbelief. "Mania, why are you so calm about this?" she asked, her voice laced with urgency.

"Because we have until spring, that's when he plans to come," I explained, trying to keep my tone level and reassuring. "And we'll be prepared."

"How will we prepare?" Leah demanded, her hands clenching into fists.

"Well, first, I need you to do some tests to see if you have a similar gift to mine," I said, turning to my cousin. "And then we'll get the pack to help."

Seth's eyes lit up with determination. "We're going to ask the Cullens for help, too," he declared.

Leah let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through her long, dark hair. "Looks like more teens from La Push will be phasing once again," she murmured, her voice tinged with resignation.

I nodded, understanding the weight of her words.

As we sat there in tense silence, the TV droning on in the background, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread and uncertainty.

Aro's plan to steal our child was a chilling prospect, one that sent a shiver down my spine.

The thought of that power-hungry vampire coming for us, for our family, filled me with a deep, primal fear.

But I knew that we couldn't let that fear paralyze us. We had to be proactive, to prepare for the battle to come.

Leah, sensing my unease, reached out and gave my hand a gentle squeeze. "We're in this together, Mania," she said, her voice soft but resolute. "The pack and the Cullens, we're all going to fight to protect you and that baby."

I gave her a grateful smile, drawing strength from her unwavering loyalty and support. Seth, too, reached over and placed a comforting hand on my shoulder, his eyes shining with determination.

"We're not going to let Aro take you or your baby, Mania," he said, his voice firm. "We'll do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

I nodded, feeling a surge of hope and resolve. With my family and the pack by my side, I knew we could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Aro may have the advantage of time and resources, but we had something far more powerful – the bond of our pack, the loyalty of our allies, and the unbreakable love that we shared.

As we finished our pizza and turned our attention back to the TV, I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding. The coming months would be a test of our strength, our resilience, and our determination.

But I knew that we were up for the challenge. We would train, we would strategize, and we would fight with every fiber of our being to protect what was ours.

The road ahead would be long and arduous, but I was confident that, together, we would prevail. Aro would not succeed in his twisted plan – not while we had breath in our lungs and the will to fight.

We would stand as one, a united front against the darkness that threatened to consume us.

And when the time came, we would be ready, prepared to face whatever the future held in store.