38AN: Thank you all who have read and/ or responded to this in some way. It means the world to me that you guys like what I made.
This is long overdue, but I hope you can forgive me and that you will enjoy the last chapter.
Epilogue: My declaration – Eliza Bennett
His tongue traced across my lip as if asking for permission and I was more than happy to give it to him. As soon as our tongues touched, I felt something primal take over and I brought my body flush against his. He let out something between a moan and a growl, which made the butterflies in my stomach go wild. I felt dizzy when he pulled away in order to trail kissed down my jaw towards my neck.
We were rudely interrupted by a knock on the door and Alec growled as I pulled away with a slightly annoyed sound, which I instantly felt embarrassed about.
"We can never seem to catch a freaking break" I heard Alec mutter in annoyance as I went to open the door – hopefully not looking as disheveled as I felt.
"Noel, wait!" Alec called after me in an urgent whisper. As I turned around, a question already forming on my lips, he stood in front of me.
"Your zipper" he told me with a wry smile and motioned for me to turn my back to him. I brought my hair over my left shoulder with embarrassment. I couldn't believe I forgot about that! The zipper was the entire reason for our rather heated make out session in the first place!
He pulled up my zipper from the small of my back towards my neck painfully slow while trailing his fingers across my skin. It sent shivers down my spine and I bit down on my lip. When he finally finished he planted a delicate kiss on the side of my neck.
"Alec…" I said warningly. I really had to pull myself together in order to remember why we even pulled apart in the first place. I tentatively looked back over my shoulder to meet Alec's eyes and my breath hitched even though I didn't need to breathe.
An impatient knock pulled me back to reality and I almost jumped in surprise. Alec chuckled with amusement and I grumbled halfheartedly at him. He enjoyed distracting me like that far too much – not that I could ever mind. That much.
"Thanks" I muttered with embarrassment as I quickly shoved my hair back in place. All this had barely taken two minute, but I still hurried to the door.
"About freaking time!" Beth exclaimed with exasperation as I opened the door. During the six month I had been a vampire, the others had taken to knocking instead of just barging into my room like before. I guess they had walked in on Alec and me one too many times, and I got to admit, it was nice not having to fear my friends suddenly appearing – especially after Alec and mine's relationship had become far more physical than before. Gosh, just thinking about how fast everything went after I turned, could still make my head spin, but it was endearing. I had never been more happy than I have been the previous months and I kept fearing something would show up and destroy my happiness.
"I'm sorry, we were just…" I began apologizing, but she cut me off with both hands raised dramatically.
"Spare me the mushy detail, thank you very much"
"Is it time?" Alec came up behind me in the process of trying to bind his black bow tie. Beth went past me as if she owned the place and I didn't bother closing the door. We were leaving soon anyway.
"Yeah, it's time, so you better get your punk ass ready and over there!" Beth crossed her arms in front of her. She was wearing a blood-red dress that clung to her body all the right places and reached her ankles with a long opening in the right side that went dangerously high. Her hair fell in soft curls down her back and left side, while she had gathered all the hair on the right with a black, metal rose. She finished the look with red lips and black stilettoes.
"You look beautiful, Beth" I sighed, but was starting to feel a little self-conscious too. My hair was properly a right mess even though I had spent fifteen minutes with a straightening iron and thanking God I couldn't burn myself – that bad - anymore. I barely wore any make up, just some mascara and rogue. I had picked out my own dress – for a change –, but I suspected Beth and Heidi only let me, because they liked it too.
My dress was emerald green and complimented my auburn locks. The bodice hugged me nicely and it fell delicately from my waist to just below my knees. My pumps were in a skin-toned glaze.
"I better. I spend the last five hours getting ready" she smirked self-righteously. I giggled. Of course, she had. Alec let out an annoyed huff and I turned to look at him. He was fumbling with his bow tie and seemed about ready to give up.
"Don't tell me you can't even tie your own bow. How old were you again?" Beth mocked as she lounged in one of my chairs, elegantly crossing her legs, which caused most of her bare legs to be revealed.
"It's not like I wear these all that often" he hissed at her as I went up to him.
"Let me help. I spent the week leading up to my brother's prom learning how to tie a bow tie because he had a date and I refused to let him go without either a regular tie or a bow tie" I giggled at the memory. Trevor had indulged and let me do as I pleased.
"Why does that not surprise me?" Beth teased almost as if speaking to herself. I ignored her and easily remembered how to tie the bow tie. Alec smiled at me gratefully before giving me a quick peck on the lips.
"Thanks, princess" he said as he turned to look in the mirror. He ran his fingers through his hair, as it was still a bit ruffled after our make out session. It was a good thing I couldn't blush anymore.
I put on my pumps while Alec tied his shoelaces. He grabbed his tux-jacket and looked around as if to make sure we hadn't forgotten anything. I took one last glance in the mirror, just to make sure my hair didn't stick out or anything. Beth was already standing by the door, impatiently tapping her right foot.
Soon we were out the door and rushed down the corridors. I was starting to feel giddy and excited even though this day wasn't about me.
We arrived at the side door that lead into the circular throne room a few minutes later.
"About time!" an anxious voice greeted us and Jane took a few steps towards us in her white, satin dress, the wail delicately flowing behind her. She looked like a porcelain doll – one of those dolls that is so pretty, you don't even dare touching it.
"My apologies, dear sister" Alec smiled and kissed her cheek. She huffed, but I knew she was just nervous about today. It was her wedding after all.
"I'll see you in there" I told Alec before turning to Jane.
"You look wonderful, Jane. Tom is a lucky man"
"Yeah, well, let's just hope Demitri manages to keep him at the alter" she said and it took me a moment to realize she meant it as a joke – well, Alec's chuckles and Beth's smirk helped a little. I giggled before taking her hand and giving it a light squeeze.
"Where's your faith?" I giggled. I didn't wait for her to answer. Beth and I went into the throne room. Everyone seemed to be there already and the entire room had been transformed. It looked as if taken straight out of a fairy tale. I never would've guessed the dark, marbled room could ever look this bright. Garlands made of white silk cloth, and white- and red roses hung from the ceiling and between the pillars. Two rows of chairs had been placed on the floor facing the three thrones – or rather were the three thrones used to be. Today a white arch replaced the thrones - decorated with the same silk and roses as the rest of the room. Aro stood under the arch with folded hands and a furtively smile. Tom stood to Aro's left with Demitri obliquely behind him. He was currently leaning closer to Tom, apparently whispering something to him with a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
My eyes flew across the audience. It seemed the entire Volturi had assembled and a few others I knew to be friends of the Volturi. Everyone seemed to have already found their seats and I felt guilty about arriving late. Beth strutted towards the front row and found our seats on our left side.
"Oh, Noel, good you're here. How is our dear Jane back there?" Sulpicia asked as I sat down. She had to lean slightly forward to speak over Beth, who sat between the two of us.
"She's nervous" I smiled.
"It's only to be expected" Sulpicia nodded and leaned back as she resumed her former conversation with Athenedora.
"Ey, sugar, have you seen who Tom's sister brought? Or rather, what she brought?" Beth whispered almost conspiratorial. I glanced towards the other rows. A girl with black, almost-shoulder-length, curly hair in an elegant orange dress, who resembled Tom enough to make me certain she was his twin, sat beside a rather huge, tan man. At first sight, nothing seemed to stand out all that much. She might seem rather small compared to his larger frame, but they were a cute couple as they sat there, holding hands and smiling at each other every now and then. However, when you looked closer they both seemed a bit tense, especially the man. I furrowed my brows. What was…
I almost jumped in my seat as I realized he had a heartbeat, although it was a strange heartbeat.
"What is he?" I whispered.
"Shape shifter. It's said they were created with the sole purpose of killing vampires and their shape shifter genes only activates in the presence of vampires. That one belongs to a pack in the US who can shift into wolves" she told me still with that conspiratorial voice of hers. I looked at her in surprise and recalled my first day as an immortal.
"Like werewolves?" I asked tentatively.
"No, nothing like that" Beth smirked. I glanced back at Ann and her boyfriend. It seemed as if everyone was avoiding sitting anywhere near them and I instantly felt bad. They seemed nice enough. Maybe I should go talk to them after the ceremony.
"Why doesn't anyone sit beside them?"
"That's the best part! No one wants the shape shifter here, isn't that great?" Beth raised her voice slightly, but not enough for them to hear – luckily.
"How is that great?" now I felt even worse even though I hadn't really done anything.
"A little scandal does wonders at parties, especially weddings. I'm telling you, pet, I'm not going to be bored with those two here" she smirked almost wickedly. Why didn't that surprise me? She was far too rebellious sometimes. Weddings wasn't that boring, not that I had been to that many. I actually only recalled ever going to my aunt and uncles wedding, and that was when I was like 8 years old.
I was about to answer when the music started playing, announcing the bride. Everyone stood from their seats and turned towards the large double-doors I had once arrived through before I knew about vampires or the Volturi. Back when Heidi had merely been a beautiful guide and thoughts of getting home was still an option. However, I had come somewhat to terms with the loss of everything from my human life. I still missed my family gravely, but I also understood why I couldn't go see them. No one could know about the supernatural. Visiting my family could result in them becoming witnesses and witnesses were never allowed to live. I would rather have them believe I was dead than watch them die before they were old and had lived a full life.
The doors opened dramatically, but instead of tourists and old memories pouring in, came Jane with her hand gently placed on Alec's arm. At first sight, she seemed absolutely calm and collected, but when you took a closer look, you could see how tense she was. Her shoulders were a bit too stiff and her eyes a bit too round, but as soon as she laid eyes upon her husband-to-be she immediately relaxed and her face was lit up with a gentle smile. I glanced up at the groom. Tom looked bedazzled and completely lost in his Jane. I might not have spent all that much time with them – seeing as Jane was still reluctant to be around me, although not as much as back when I was human – but I still knew how much they complimented and deserved each other. They were so different and yet still so alike. They outweighed each other so perfectly. While Tom was the one to openly show emotion and kid around, he was lost in a way I couldn't explain, but Jane filled whatever loss he was carrying, just as he seemed to make her feel more at ease with the world around her. It was as if Jane had never experienced "fun" in the most innocent and pure aspect of the word. Nevertheless, Tom somehow made something within her melt and forced her to smile genuinely.
When they reached their destination, Alec gave his sister to Tom with a light nod of his head. As soon as Alec joined me, he took my hand and gave me a quick peck on the cheek that sent sizzles of electrifying energy all the way to my toes.
We all sat down and the ceremony proceeded. It was beautiful. Aro was truly an amazing "priest" and I wondered if he was the one who always performed the weddings in the Volturi. It would make sense. Caius didn't seem to care all that much about stuff like weddings, he only thought about the Volturi as a whole and what could be a danger to their power or our world – hmm, when did I start thinking about it as our world? Well, it was true, wasn't it? Anyway. Marcus wouldn't be as qualified either seeing as he was too lost in his own pain. I truly felt sorry for him. I couldn't imagine losing Alec the way he had lost his Didyme – Demitri had told me the entire story after my own run-in with the children of the moon. Oh, back to focus, Noel! Aro was doing a splendid job being the preacher, although I couldn't help but think about how Beth once accused him of loving to hear his own voice a wee too much – not her exact choice of word, but I didn't feel comfortable with the way she said it.
When we reached the wedding-vows I started sniffing dryly. It was weird: crying without shedding any tears. It felt too odd and wrong. Alec drew my attention to him by squeezing my hand and planting a soft kiss on my temple. I smiled at him before we both looked up at the bride and the groom to see them say their "I do"s, not to mention their first kiss as husband and wife.
.:-:.
"Let's go meet Tom's sister" Beth smirked as soon as the throne-room had been cleared to make way to a dance floor. The chairs had been placed along the walls, around round tables with stunning centerpieces made of white roses that had been formed into swans. The archway had been removed and in its place was a band setting up with their violins, cellos, saxophones and a grant piano.
Beth dragged me towards Tom's sister who was currently congratulating her brother and new sister-in-law while her mate seemed rather tense. Tom didn't greet him as hostile as some of the other attendant were looking at him, but he clearly didn't agree with his sister choice in men, though it would seem he accepted it.
"Hello there, I'm Elizabeth, but everyone calls me Beth" Beth greeted them with an almost mischievous smile. Oh dear, this could very well end wrong.
"Congratulations, Jane and Tom, it was a very beautiful ceremony" I told them. Jane gave me a curt nod with a smile grazing her full lips, while Tom hugged me with verbal thanks.
"Don't be so formal, Noel. We're practically family. Well, as soon as Alec can pull himself together and propose, we will be. Ah, I almost forgot. Sister, this is Noel Donovan. Noel, this is my sister Ann and her mate Paul Lahote" Tom introduced brightly before snaking an arm around Jane's waist. I reached out my hand to Ann, who gently took it with an almost shy hello, before extending my hand to Paul.
Alec was at my side immediately, making me almost let out a surprised yelp when he took Paul's hand before I had the chance.
"I'm Alec" he said with a barely hidden threat and I saw him squeeze Paul's hand just a tad too much. I gasped at how rude he was.
"Alec! They are guests! Would you behave yourself?" I told him before taking Paul's hand.
"I'm sorry about him. He can get rather protective over nothing. And I apologize for Beth too. She can be a handful" I shot Alec a look to which he simply shrugged.
"Oh, come on, strawberry-head, you're no fun" Beth pouted mockingly.
"It's ok, you don't have to apologize" Paul said with a smile and put his arm around Ann who giggled.
"Paul gets quite protective too. It's not something we're unfamiliar with" Ann smiled at me.
"So, Paul…" Beth dragged our attention back to herself – Jane and Tom had left to go talk with some of the other guests in the middle of the introductions.
"… how does it work? Turning and all?" she asked with a smirk and Paul looked completely taken aback by the question.
"What do you mean?" he clearly didn't expect anyone to ask him that sort of thing – I doubted he even expected to talk to anyone all the much aside from Ann during all this.
"I know werewolves experience a lot of pain and it takes half the damn night for those fuckers to turn" Beth smiled almost innocently while I cringed at her language. It was no use reprimanding her anyway. I had tried in vain one too many times.
"It's nothing like that. Most of the time we can control it, but if we get too angry, we'll turn even if we want or not" Paul smirked a tad nervously. Well, I did warn them about her, but I was glad she wasn't being too outrageous. Sometimes she enjoyed pushing others buttons a little too much.
"Yeah, well, from what I hear, werewolves and shape shifters don't have all that much in common, so I'm not surprised" she stated as if she had already figured out the answer before Paul gave it.
"I wouldn't know. Never met a werewolf" Paul shrugged, seemingly getting more and more used to talking to Beth. I was happy she was making a friend instead of only causing trouble like she had planned, but I guess us talking to Paul already was a cause for outrage with some of the other guest. It was too bad really. Paul and Ann seemed so nice.
"And you most likely won't either. We're currently trying to locate the last known group of werewolves" Demitri seemed to pop up from thin air and I almost jerked back in surprise. How hadn't I sensed him coming? Felix chuckled and ruffled up my hair. He had been right behind his fellow guard member.
Paul shifted with unease while Ann glanced uncertainly up at her mate before looking worriedly back at Demitri.
"What do you mean? What are you planning on doing to them?" she hesitated to ask, clearly afraid of what the answer might be. I knew that feeling all too well, but I was more used to it – as staying with the Volturi and all kind of did that, although, most of the time I didn't even dare to ask.
"Kick their sorry, hairy asses back to the Hell from which they came, what else?" Demitri shrugged before high-fiving Beth with a smirk.
Ann watched them with a horrorstruck face while Paul looked about ready to throw up.
"Demitri this is barely a suitable subject to be discussing at a party" Felix interjected, but the shorter guard merely shrugged without care.
"I hear shape shifters have something similar to how we vampires bond with our mate. What is it called?" Felix tried stirring the conversation back to more friendly matters.
"Oh, it's called imprinting, but I think it's a bit stronger and physical than having a mate – not that I'm degrading it or anything" Ann hurriedly said and looked at Alec and me to make sure we weren't offended.
"I'm sure you're right. Aro mentioned it was something about nature binding two individuals together?" Alec asked and I perked up. That sounded interesting, almost like something from a fairytale.
"Are you two imprinted?" I asked with a wide smile, to which Paul smiled wryly while Ann gave a single nod as she smiled gently. She looked up at Paul with a look in her eyes I couldn't help but wonder if I got whenever I looked at Alec.
"Yes, but imprinting is a little more complicated than how you described it – or at least, it feels a bit more complicated. It's like being struck with lightning one day and suddenly the world is in place. She becomes your only concern and you worship the ground she walks on" Paul explained, clearly uneasy saying all this to a bunch of strangers, but it earned him a kiss in the corner of his mouth by Ann.
"Sounds so romantic" I breathed dreamily while Alec chuckled by my side.
"Sounds like a bore" Beth scoffed.
"How could love ever be boring? Especially when you are immortal"
AN: I know it's a weird way to end it, but I'm considering making a fanfiction with Beth as the protagonist. Moreover, if anyone had read my fanfic "Heal me" you might have noticed what I did in this story – to you who haven't read "Heal me", I'll reveal that it's about Paul and especially Ann, but one doesn't have to read one to understand the other. Although some of you might've been confused as to who Ann and Tom was, but IF you read "Heal me" you'll know I'm not just throwing random OC's all over the place O:)