Alec's pov.

"Alec, my boy you have finally returned!" Exclaimed Aro theatrically as I entered the throne room, I never understood why he put up a show everytime one of us arrived back but I never questioned my Masters. Truth to be told I couldn't wait to get back to the castle after this mission, it was too simple and boring for my liking, the job of a lower guard but I was sent instead, at first it caused me great annoyance but I accepted it and finished the job as soon as I could. I had to go all the way over to China to check on the Sho coven due to the gossips circulating around our community which were about them having a telepath. Turns out they indeed have one but he is too weak to be offered a place amongst our ranks.

"Yes, Master." I replied as I placed my hand in his iron grip to let him inspect my thoughts. The last time he decided to go through my mind was about fifty years ago so I expected him to do so anytime now. Aro thought that the less he searched our thoughts the more respect and discipline he had from us. He believes that we wouldn't turn on the Volturi if we have our independence and the freedom of our thoughts, but to maintain complete control he checked from time to time to remind us that our thoughts are not only ours.

"Marvelous. I see you were in a hurry to arrive back, unfortunately you missed our feast, but you may go hunting later in the night." He offered which I just nodded at and turned to leave as he let me go.

I was used to the feeling of hunger now. A thousand years of practice did me good, now the dry ache in my throat which was now stronger, the hollow feeling in my stomach, the venom pooling in my mouth, I could easily ignore it, but I accepted Aro's offer as I felt the strange pull towards the city which I couldn't explain.

I knew that I had to make a quick stop at my sister's room to greet her and give her her thousandth pair of earrings, this time it was from Pandora. She has always been interested in fashion and beauty and it has only gotten worse as times changed, I cringed as I remembered the first time she wore make up.

"Alec!" Squealed Jane as she opened her door before I could even knock on it and brought me in a tight hug. Despite what everyone thinks about the Volturi, we are not bloodthirsty assholes whom kill for fun, my sister is the perfect example for that. She is so sensitive and fragile on the inside, always worrying about those she loves, but on the outside she is ruthless and takes full advantage of her gift.

She snatched the gift box from my hand and quickly unwrapped it. I couldn't help but smile as she turned around inspecting her new pair of earrings showing it to me with a grin on her face.

"Do you like them Sister?" I asked as she hugged me again.
"I love them, thank you. Tell me all about your time in China." I quickly filled her in the details but stood up after only half an hour.

"I really need to go and hunt, we will talk some more after I get back." I promised as I stood up to leave, giving her hand one last squeeze. She has been so lonely for the last few decades I honestly felt bad for leaving her alone just after I got back to her.

I tried to make my way through town as fast as possible because we are not allowed to hunt in Volterra and I knew my self control wasn't at it's best, but before I left the 'party district' which is located at the outskirts I caught the most mouthwatering scent I have ever smelled.

I have never felt like this before, the dull burn in my throat increased to full force and I needed all of my willpower to stop my tracks and try to clear my head. That scent was so close to me I couldn't seem to find an escape, I started to make my way towards that heavenly scent, the no hunting rule long forgotten, I could only concentrate on finding the human whose blood is singing to me.

Ariana's pov.

This party sucked. Big time, I decided as I made my way through the abandoned streets so I could catch a bus to take me home. I knew I should have not let Cassandra and Erika to convince me to come to this crappy place to celebrate Cass' boyfriend's birthday.

I knew they'd bail on me but I came anyway. How can I be so stupid? They are great but when it comes to boys they are lost cases, that's why I never go out with them.
The minute we arrived I knew this party could only end bad as they left me with an asshole friend of theirs who tried to hit on me every second and couldn't take the message to fuck off. So I took matters into my hand and compelled him to go away, I know it's not nice to get inside people's head but he was so annoying.

"Fuck." I mumbled as I realized I was completely and utterly lost after taking the wrong turn for the third time, I was about to take my phone out to find out where I am but a suddenly yells reached me as a loud group of five men turned on to the street , which made me drop my phone and shatter the screen.

"Lost, little lamb?" One of them yelled. I quickly picked up my phone and turned on my heels and went the other way.
"Hey! Wait! We just wanna talk." Another voice called which was followed with laughs and pig comments.

Their thoughts didn't help one single bit they were all about what they'd do to me and I was seriously frightened now. I tried to call my mother but my phone didn't work at all so I just prayed for someone to show up and help me.

I knew that my freak show ability to take control of people would only work on one person at a time and it wouldn't last for long enough, so I picked up the space of my steps and broke out in a run after I turned the next corner.

"You little bitch!" Another shouted as they saw me running down the street, I knew I had to get to a crowded place but wherever I looked there was noone and I was getting closer and closer to the driveway which led out of the city.

My heart was beating fast, my legs were on fire and my eyesight was blurry because of the tears, fully avare of the fact that noone was coming to save me. Suddenly out of nowhere I saw the silhouette of someone and against my better judgement I run straight to them.

'Please, help me! Please!' I begged to the guy around to my age. I couldn't make much out of him except that he positively looked murderous with his scowl, when he didn't answer I was about to make a run for it again but in one swift movement he pushed me behind him as the five men arrived.

"There you are sweetheart! Come play with us instead of that loser." Their leader said gesturing to my saviour. I could only whimper out of fear because it was clear that they outnumbered him and I wasn't much of a help in my current state.
"Leave. Now." His voice sounded more like a gowl and it had a dangerous undertone, two men flinched but none of them made a move until the leader spoke again.
"No, look kid you don't understand. You should leave and let the grown ups play a little." He wiggled his eyebrows at him. "If you know what I mean." When the leader saw that he wasn't about to move he spoke again.
"Then let's do this the hard way." And he swung his clenched fist and I closed my eyes.

The whole fight lasted about twenty seconds and it was completely one sided. My saviour caught the leader's fist mid air and broke his fingers the same time, then he kneeled him in the stomach and hit him on the back sending him to the ground. The others looked amazed for a second but quickly charged at him, which he just smiled at as if it was entertaining to him that four grown man were about to beat him up. He took care of them in such a graceful way I have never seen before, for God's sake he didn't even break a sweat.
He gave one last kick to the leader which sent him a good meter away from his feet and slowly turned around still looking venomous.

He seemed to be deep in thought so I glanced at him, he was taller than me I could tell that much. He wore black button ups which clung to him perfectly with matching black pants, his features were perfect, angelic even. But what fascinated me most was as hair fell into his eyes which seemed to be burning holes into my soul as he looked at me.

"I think now is when you should say thank you." His voice sounded like a thousand bells nothing like before, but as soon as I realized what he said I tried to snap out of my trance and blushed.
"Thank you..." I said in a small voice and trailed of at the end in hopes of him telling me his name.
"Alec. And your name is?" His voice was still like silk which wrapped around me and calmed my rapid heartbeat.
"Ariana." I replied still lost in his eyes. "Thank you again Alec, I..I should go..home, yes I should have been home hours ago." My mudded brain finally started working as I could clearly picture my mother's scolding I'd get after arriving home.

"Let me walk you home Ariana, I wouldn't like you to get into a situation like this ever again." Before I could say anything he continued. " I don't take no for an answer, this city is dangerous for a girl like you." I don't even know what happened to me, if any other person had said that I would have sent them to warmer places but I couldn't seem to get out of my daze.
"That would be..nice. Thank you."