The Contentment of a Sacrifice

Prologue

Tangled in silk sheets, fairly comfortable in my sleep, I started to stir as the curtains were pulled back to let the much unnecessary glow of daylight in; and which so happened to zone in on my eyes.

"Wake up Lupa. Today is a day you certainly do not want to sleep in on."

"Really, because any day is a perfect time to sleep in, like today for instance. So go away you damn disco ball." I retorted while covering my head with my feather stuffed pillow.

"So other than the usually much needed Caffè e latte, what else would you like for breakfast dear." The women said as she open the double doors that led to the bathing room. Normally she doesn't draw Leah's bath, but obviously in no mood for her stubbornness and procrastination, she wasted no time.

Hearing the running water, I knew it was time get up. Sitting up, bringing along my sheets, I reach for my robe tossed over the bedside chair and put it on under the sheets. Silly, yes, but I could never shake the feeling I'm always being watched.

"Your bath is ready; I've left your café and some fette biscottate on the side of your bath. Have you decided what you would like para prima colazione?"

"Considering I have French lessons later today, how about some French toast, thick slices with strawberries and scrambled eggs, with plenty of bacon, and assortment of fruits and pastries." I said excitedly.

"Very well and just let you know your French lesson has been cancelled for the day."

Before I could question her further she scurried off. Shouldn't complain, but that lesson was the first one of the day, and if it was cancelled why the hell did I still have to wake up early.

I began to disrobe slipping off my satin nightdress, letting the discarded material pool at my feet. Stepping into the tub, I could feel the tension through my body unwind. Normally I don't like others running me a bath, but she did at least put plenty of bubbles. I usually use excessive amounts. Like I said before, can't shake the feeling of being watched.

After my aversion to possibly being poisoned, I reached for my coffee and a cookie. After all this time here, I'm still suspicious that my food is poisoned, but at least I would die happy. Especially since the desserts are to die for, this shouldn't be surprising considering a dead person most likely cook all most my food.

"Lady Lupa." I heard a velvet voice call after I just finished dressing.

"Mmmm. It smells delicious." I tell her as my eyes devour the elaborate platter, which looks almost too good to consume. Well almost.

As I stuff myself into a food coma she made quick work of my hair. I've been allowed to let it grow out, and it now brushes my collar bone. As I poured my third glass of orange juice, she finishes styling my hair with soft curls.

"After you had your fill, you can change."

"Chag?" Food spilling out of my mouth as I questioned her. What was wrong with what I was wearing, I grabbed it out of the wardrobe she supplied.

"Leah." she said sternly, with needing to say nothing more. She would believe there's no excuse for my slipped manners since I aced my etiquette lessons. I guess I'm stilling breaking in. She reached for a garment bag and went behind the four paneled carved room divider.

"Your father had sent you a collection for the trip. Come. Make haste."

"What trip? What about my lessons for the day?"

"The sooner you stop dillydallying, the sooner you'd discover why your lessons for THE WEEK have been cancelled."

Knowing better than to ask any more questions, I took one last swig of my juice. Reluctantly I went over to change, and slightly moving the panels so it was giving me more coverage for more privacy. I unzipped the dress bag, pulling the garment out letting the delicate fabric dance with my fingers.

Slipping on the beaded halter necklace, I self-tied it behind my neck. There was no need for a bra, much to my dismay - funny how I use to complain when I was phasing. My perky breasts were covered by the lightly padded cups, offering support I barely needed. The center bust overlays with pleating through bodice, which was lined around the top. It was an allover black, bronze, and white floral graphic with metallic print. The hem just fell mid-thigh; hopefully no one is going to expect to bend down or anything. The dress is too short, and will become shorter with the black four and a half inch couture peep toe heels I was just handed.

Coming around the panels, I see two unhooded cloaked figures standing in my door archway. I blushed in embarrassment. God please don't tell me they we in my room as I was changing.

"Could you gentlemen please escort the Lady Lupa to the master."

The red eyed mirror image of Emmett Cullen let his eyes travel the length of my body which has me shifting under his lengthy gaze, which were particularly focus on my bare legs. "Of course." He suggestively winked which caused me to swallow my own bile.

His ash blonde haired partner gave a small smile with a roll of his eyes, then nodding head towards the hallway.

"Come now child mustn't make your father wait any longer." She nudged me out the door as she handed me a handbag.

Like usual, the two guards accompanied me to chamber room below. To my some extent relief, the tall one leads the way with the tracker on my heels. When it's the other way around, I could feel broad-shouldered leech leering eyes on me. Plus it's not like he was hiding it with his crude remarks.

We were nearing our destination as we passed the reception desk, which currently was occupied by carmel haired woman. She gave a quick greeting and an obnoxious giggle when Felix responded flirtatiously. I liked Gianna better, she had the same antics but her laugh wasn't unbearable and she was at least sincere. Not bothering to remember this one's name, I just nodded in her direction. She'll live out her usefulness, and she's in denial if she believes they would turn her. She's one of a million and if my presence here the past few months is any indication, they only appreciate the unique and exclusive.

Finally walking into the lavish room, I see the bane of my existence standing in the center fixing the cuffs of an undoubtedly overpriced suit.

"Marvelous, simply marvelous." The pallid man said as he was gesturing for me to come to him. "If I thought I had trouble keeping the men off you before, I can't imagine me succeeding now. You look divine, Leah."

"Thank you, Master Aro." The words slipped out my tongue but not without ease. "So why have my lessons for the week, which are at your insistence, have been cancelled."

"First I want you to meet an acquaintance. Demetri tracked him just in time for my surprise. This is Meriwether Frey Lewis, rightly named so. He has come as a favor."

Though I'm pretty sure I've never met him before, I can't help to think that I've seen him before but where.

"Pleasure meeting you Lady Lupa." In one ear out the other. My focus zone in on Chelsea and Corin standing in the corner. Them here explains my placated self.

"Frey here has a remarkable gift. Rightly named so, he can manipulate the meteorological conditions and he has agreed to join us on our outing as a favor."

"Wait, you mean you control the weather?"

He simply nods. "Well I can manipulate it."

"So where are we going?"

The doors open again with Heidi's entrance. "Master, arrangements are set."

"Frey, gradually if you may. See Leah, you have been doing so well with your lessons and your behavior has improved immensely." Of course they have, he doesn't just have Chelsea and Corin doing his duty work, but he has to involve my family and home. "So I thought a little vacation could be rewarded."

My heart soared. But as fast as it had, it doubled back. I'm being an idiot to believe the Volturi would allow me to visit home. I can't even hope for a simple phone call. I thought by now they would have come for me. I haven't seen the pacific in over six months. My home, mom, Seth, the Pack, the Cullens, I miss them all. Now they all are becoming distant memories. But as long as they can live out their lives, it's worth living through those memories.

"Did you hear me, Lupa?" Aro said grabbing my attention again.

"Oh, sorry Master. I guess I'm still a little sleepy."

"Well you may catch some sleep on the journey there." He said as he offered his arm for me to take. "Milan's fashion week waits for no one."

Not surprising. Aro does attempt to make me as comfortably possible. More so trying to keep me distracted from missing my home. But nothing will defer me of what was taken from me.

AN:/ I had two people ask about Leah's dress, so I placed a link in my profile.