Author's Note: Hello new and old readers! I am so excited to announce that this is my first chapter in years! It would make me so terribly happy to hear feedback from all of you. I hope that you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I have never and still don't own the Twilight Series!

Jacob's POV

Waiting for everyone to arrive was unbearable. All I wanted to do is leave and get to Bella as fast as possible. Not knowing where she was… who she was with… It felt like I was losing my mind. I wanted to be the one that saved her, and I knew there was a chance that I wouldn't be. If he somehow gets to her first, I know that all hope will be lost.

I suggested coming to them but Carlisle insisted on them coming to me. The Cullen's wanted to scope out the scene where Bella was taken to make sure their assumptions were correct. I didn't argue, but now I wish I had. I sat on Renee's couch in silence, tapping my foot, watching the clock tick by.

A few hours later, a car that I could never, ever afford that I'm sure was picked up after riding in their private jet, sped into Renee's driveway, and not minutes later the rest of my pack came barreling out of the almost nonexistent forest of Renee's back yard. I watched from the window as Carlisle, Esme, Emmett, Rosalie and Jasper each stepped out of the car at a vampiric speed that made me want to vomit; but no Alice, and more importantly, no Edward.

This meant that they were already on their way.

This meant that I had already lost.

I furiously clenched my teeth in my stupidity. Why did I listen to that leech? Why didn't I just go when I had the chance? Why didn't I chase him down and rip him to pieces? I could have saved her myself even if I had died trying. I struggled to find hope, but I knew deep down that it was over. I had made such a huge mistake. She would always choose him. She would always love him more than me; even when she doesn't remember either of us.

Everyone made their way in after checking around outside. By the confidence in Carlisle's face I figured he knew for sure who had Bella. I glanced around the crowded room and my anger faltered for a quick second as I wondered what Renee would think if she knew that a group of supernatural creatures were convening in her living room while she was at work. I hoped for everyone's sake that neither she nor Phil would get home early. I decided to speak first.

"I didn't get a good look at the bloodsucker that took her because he had a large black cloak on."

"We know who took Bella, Jacob, and we are pretty positive as to why," Carlisle replied solemnly.

"So this is your fault," I couldn't help but to say with intense disgust. Carlisle ignored the remark and continued. I balled my fists and focused on my breathing to calm myself down.

"We have to come up with a plan, and we have to make it fast. Bella doesn't have much time, and she is probably feeling alone and terrified. Don't forget to take into consideration that she has no memory. She won't be thinking as she normally would, and I'm sure she thinks that no one will know where to find her."

"And who exactly took her?" Sam asked. The mood in the room hadn't lightened. I knew Sam was angry that he had to be a part of this at all. For the first time, I saw Carlisle's features lose all composure and turn dark.

"The Volturi. The most powerful, gifted vampires you can imagine. They are the ones that make sure the vampire laws are being abided by, and they consider themselves royalty. They are not to be trifled with or taken lightly. They want Bella because she is a human that knows our secret which is very obviously against their law. She also means a great deal to us, and we are a large coven with great power that refuses to join them. We are a threat. They may simply try and use her as a bargaining chip, but they will her to be turned, and I have almost no doubt that they will try soon. Aro thinks she may be capable of great power. "

I could feel the rage emitting off of the rest of my pack hearing these newly acquired facts about our enemy, and I knew they were doing their damndest to keep from changing. The stench each party smelled didn't make anyone feel better about being in our small quarters together, either. A wave of calm took over the room and I nodded at Jasper in appreciation. Normally I hate the idea of one of them using their freaky powers on me, but I knew it was more than necessary.

"How many are there?" Sam directed his question at Carlisle, sounding a little less frantic.

"Five, however their guard is more than sufficient in stopping unwanted visitors," Carlisle replied. His face looked strained.

I decided to chime in. "I say we just storm the place. There are plenty of us and just five of them, guards or not. They won't have an army ready if they don't know we're coming… and what other choice do we have anyway?" Emmett seemed to like my idea, and showed that by fist pumping the air.

"I suppose you're right, Jacob. I'm sure they expect us at some point, but probably not just yet," Carlisle replied. Most everyone nodded in agreeance.

"Well, what the hell are we standing here for? Let's save our vampire princess, yet again," Leah said, her voice dripping with tasteless sarcasm. She didn't wait for anyone's cue to leave.

Bella's POV

Only minutes of sleep filled with nightmares of red eyes interrupted the hours of silence that followed mine and Gianna's chilling discussion. It dawned on me sometime during the night that no one knew where I was. I had hoped that Jacob would contact the Cullen's or his wolf friends and pass along my kidnapping information- but even if he did, I knew I was on the other side of the world. Gianna's accent and my few recently recovered Volterra memories gave way to that horrifying knowledge. Maybe they will just kill me quickly and it'll be over for everyone.

But I doubt it.

The sound of a key turning the rusty lock pulled me from my thoughts, and my heart started skipping beats. I knew immediately that someone was standing in the darkness in the front of the room. I could sense it. Whoever it was took a long whiff. Smelling what? Oh, that's right.

My blood.

Gianna whimpered silently in the corner but made no protest to their presence. I took a deep breath and shut my eyes as tight as possible, awaiting my imminent death. I thought to imagine something beautiful. Something I wanted more than anything. Something that would make the world seem less terrifying in my last moments.

Without my permission, in my mind, I was back in Edward's arms. Not Jacob's. Somehow, even without my memories, I recognized our different connections. Edward's image made me become brave in a situation that didn't leave room for bravery. I can accept my fate because I have experienced true love. I know now that I have only ever needed Edward, and I want nothing more of this life without him. Losing my life didn't make me want to weep; realizing how I could have been so blind and left him out of stubbornness did.

"I'm sorry, Edward," I whispered out loud, then took a deep breath and stretched my neck out for my killer to drain me.

I felt a gust of wind though there was no breeze and heard a rattle of chains. In that moment, quicker than a snap of the fingers, our captor was gone and the door was shut and locked once again.

I didn't move my body from the position of offering my life for some time. My heart was pounding and my knees were shaking like I was out in the snow barefoot. I had readied myself for death and instead they took Gianna. I'm sure I knew her fate. She had said it herself; they would never change her now. And now that she is gone, what could they possibly be saving me for? I suppose if I were a vampire living in Italy, I wouldn't travel all the way to Phoenix, Arizona for dinner. This must be something bigger than having me for a snack.

I can feel deep in my bones how limited my time is in this dungeon.

Edward's POV

The last few hours have felt like years.

As the rest of my family had one of our private jets heading to meet Jacob at Renee's house in Arizona, naturally Alice and I took the back up to Italy. Every minute of the plane ride was more grueling than the last. Bella was so far out of reach. I wished now more than ever that I could sleep. The only thing that kept me sane was Alice's visions of Bella.

Luckily we had some animal blood in our small refrigerator on the plane. I hadn't fed since Bella's accident and I was getting weaker. I needed every bit of strength to fight for her. Alice and I shared our dinner as we watched her premonitions wordlessly. Knowing she was still locked away was painful, but at least she wasn't in the hands of the Volturi. Yet.

Besides keeping an eye on Bella, we were kept busy the rest of the plane ride by choosing different paths of getting in the castle and Alice would show me how each would play out. They weren't exactly easy to watch as most of them resulted in someone's demise. I wondered if we had just escaped death so regularly that it was tired of knocking on our door, and ready to break it's way in. If that is the case, I would rather perish by her side than exist without her.

"Alice," it was the first time either of us had spoken since we boarded the plane, "If I die-"

"Edward, don't," she interrupted.

"You've got to hear me out, Alice," I turned toward her in my seat. She pursed her lips and furrowed her brow in frustration and I lowered my voice to make sure she knew how serious I was. "You saw the visions, Alice. You saw how many times the outcome was my death. If I die, I want you to make it known to Jacob that he must take care of her. He must do everything in his power to keep her safe until death takes her as well. To continue to love her with everything he has. If I'm not there, someone has to. And I would rather it be him than a stranger, no matter how much I may hate him. I know his love for her is real."

She turned away from me to look out the window.

"Alice."

"I get it, Edward. We will find the best way into the castle; one where everyone can survive."

I hoped so deeply that was true.

The Pilot's intercom chimed to announce that we would be landing in Rome within the hour.