I went to bed that night hoping that I didn't wake up, that the sun didn't rise. It was around 4am when I woke up with a throbbing headache. 'Was I not good enough? Why didn't Edward care? Did the others care? Why was I such a disappointment? Maybe I was a monster.' The thoughts made my headache worse until I had to bite my lip so I wouldn't cry. Someone entered the room, I didn't bother checking who it was.

"Lyra I know you're awake," Carlisle's voice rang out. I didn't want to talk, I didn't want to get up.

"Bunny I need you to get up and listen to me," sometimes it felt like Carlisle could read my mind. My headache worsened as I sat up.

"Bunny... I want you to move to Volterra with the kings," silence. It was there, the abandonment I was fearing my entire life. My face must've looked as defeated as I was feeling because Carlisle's eyes softened and he got up to sat on the edge of the bed.

"We're not abandoning you Lyra, we all love you. I just want you to be safe."

"I'm safe with you," my voice was more confident than I felt. "Bunny I wish that was true, but you and I both know it's not." Carlisle looked up at me. "I know nothing makes sense right now and you just want everything to stop, but bunny you're one of the bravest people I have ever known. You saved 2 lives yesterday... without even lifting a finger, I know you can do this" I wanted to believe I really did but I couldn't. Carlisle continued, "do you know when I found you, Esme and I were happier than we had ever been in so many years. I was happy when we found the others, but you were special. You were kind, you smiled despite everything, you were everything anybody would want in a daughter. and you always will be".

"Thank you," it was genuine.

"Lyra it doesn't matter where you are in the world you will still always be a part of this family and as long as I live I will not stand by anyone who wishes to harm you." His tone was firm and I felt soothed by his words.

"I'll go to Volterra, but you and Esme have to promise to visit at least once every month," my voice came out as a squeak and Carlisle laughed. I frowned, "promise?" Carlisle didn't say anything but nodded. "I'll pack your clothes," Carlisle said getting up.

"Why thank you kind sir for hurrying up my departure," I said with rich sarcasm. "There she is, I was starting to wonder if you were just a doppelganger," Carlisle chided.

I got out of bed to open a window. My mates were standing outside the house talking to Rosalie and Emmett. Well Aro was talking, Marcus was staring at the trees and Caius was smoothing out his coat and sending the odd glare here and there. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad after all.

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I didn't completely realise I was leaving until Carlisle had packed all my things. Walking through the house it felt like I had never even been there in the first place. I felt miserable at the notion of leaving my home, but excited and a little nervous at finding a new one. All these emotions were really taking a toll on me. Even after 10 hours of sleep I still felt tired. My mates and my family were waiting downstairs with me as I grabbed the final objects from my room. I grabbed my toothbrush, my jewellery box and all my soft toys.

I stopped when I saw the dinosaur plushie that Edward had gifted me on my 13th birthday. I didn't bother taking it with me instead leaving it on the bed, my backpack was full anyway. 'Hey at least this way a piece of me will still be here'.

My mates seemed to have been in a serious conversation that stopped when I entered the front porch. All my mates broke into a smile. I felt a tug from the mate bond and obliged by speed-walking towards the 3 of them. I lost my balance halfway there, but Marcus was close enough to catch me.

My eyes widened as I was firmly pushed into his chest. I froze and he smiled. His res eyes shone brightly and I found myself getting lost in them.

It was Caius made a whining sound that we broke free from our embrace. I cleared my throat as Aro took my bag from me.

"Could I please have a second?" I tentatively asked my mates. They all nodded (eventually) and went to sit in the Mercedes Guardian parked in front of the house. I turned to my family and smiled sheepishly. Emmett and Rosalie were the first to address me, "Lyra please don't forget to message us every once in a while," Rosalie practically begged me. I chuckled at the desperation in her voice. Emmett went in for a bear hug but Rosalie stopped him nodding towards the car.

"Don't mind them Emmett, the worst they'll do is rip your head off," I laughed. Shrugging Emmett lifted me off my feet and hugged me as tightly as he could without hurting me. When he put me down a very angry blonde man was standing behind me with a scowl on his face.

"Caius-" he looked over at me with puppy eyes before sitting back down in the car. Esme was next to envelope me in an embrace. "You better take care of yourself bunny," she whispered in my ear. I smiled and hugged her. Carlisle was next to embrace me, "don't get in trouble... and don't forget about your old man," I feigned hurt and looked at him, "when have I ever forgotten anything Carlisle?" Completely ignoring the comment about trouble. Jasper and Emmett decided to chime in "only when you forgot how old you were 2 weeks ago," "and what year it was".

I frowned "alright no need to gang up on me". Jasper walked up to me "you insult me my queen, I would never", he gently took my hand, bowed and placed a small kiss on my knuckles. I giggled at his antics. Jasper pulled me into his side and ruffled my hair, "I'm going to miss you captain".

"Me too soldier... me too," he stepped aside to let Alice talk to me. "Lyr-", "I forgive you so don't bother apologising". Alice looked surprised as I stepped up to her and wrapped my arms around her. "I know what happened, I know you were just trying to protect me... don't ever do it again", I choked out the last 5 words. Alice buried her face into my shoulders. "You are always going to be my little sister and I-I love you so much," Alice stammered.

"I know," I patted her back and broke free from the embrace. "Plus how am I supposed to be stylish without you," she laughed at this. "Fair point," out of the corner of my eye I could see Jasper roll his eyes.

After a few more goodbyes, I found myself wedged between Caius and Marcus in the backseat. Aro had his sleeves rolled up and was driving. Caius and Marcus were both wearing their volturi cloaks over the top of white shirts. Aro was wearing a plain cream red shirt with black pants. I tried to rank who looked the best but gave up after about 5 minutes. I leaned into Caius and felt smugness radiate off of him.

"When is our flight by the way?" I asked no one in particular. "Whenever we get there tesoro," Marcus replied. "What do you mean?"

"We're travelling in a private jet mi amor," Caius answered. I tried hiding my surprise but failed as I saw amused looks being passed around me - all free of malice. Deciding to change the topic, I asked them about the guard. I was nervous about meeting them and I wanted to know as much about them as possible.

"Do not be afraid mia cara the guard have no reason not to love you, it is quite hard" Aro chuckled. I smiled at the compliment. "From what I can see the guard already has a growing respect for you," Marcus exclaimed.

"But why?" I was confused as to what I had done to earn the respect of people I had not even met. "You saved my life mi amore," Caius looked shocked at my confusion, "you are incredible and they know that". I internally cursed as I felt my cheeks heating up. Marcus noticed and looked away smiling. "It really was nothing," I said weakly, but Caius shook his head.

The rest of the ride passed without much conversation, with me asking the odd question here and there. I was expecting the kings to get annoyed but only Aro showed any signs of impatience. I found out a lot about 'trials' and their roles as the kings of the vampire world. It was fascinating to learn about, but also terrifying when I realised this was a role I would also have to step into.

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By the time we reached the airport it was 7 am and my fatigue caught up to me. The entire plane ride to Volterra was spent with me sleeping on someone's shoulder. Caius and Marcus alternated every time I woke up claiming that it was 'only fair'. Aro spent most of the flight sifting through mysterious paperwork. Caius did throw a small fit when he realised that I had spent most of the flight leaning on Marcus' shoulder, but that was quickly dispelled when Aro shot him a glare.

It was around 7pm and still light out. We were now travelling in a vintage Bentley that Caius was driving. I was excited to now cuddle against Aro, but he decided to sit in the passenger seat. Marcus noticed my disappointment and pulled me into him and all negative emotions immediately dissipated.

"So who are the elite guard?" Once again curiosity got the better of me. My mates had explained to me of the ranks of gaurds within the coven. "Oh there are several individuals tesoro," Marcus replied with a smile. "The main elite guard consists of Jane, Alec, Demitri, Felix and Renata," Aro stated sounding defeated. I had heard of all those names before, Carlisle had taken it upon himself to educate me as much as possible before I left. "Renata is Aro's personal bodyguard and Felix and Demitri are our right hand men amore mio," Caius decided to input. "They usually accompany us on any trip and are in all trials." Aro continued to explain.

"What about Jane and Alec?" I asked. At this Aro chuckled slightly, "Ah yes, Jane and Alec. They're non-identical twins, I'm sure you've heard of their gifts from Carlisle". I nodded. "Incredible, both of them". Aro was smiling when talking about the twins. Marcus leaned over to me, "As you can probably tell tesoro, there is a deep fondness between Aro and the twins, their bond is similar to that of you and Carlisle." Though Marcus was whispering I could tell that Aro and Caius had heard. Aro's smile dissolved into a more neutral expression and Caius began grinning.

The rest of the trip passed by silently. In the silence my overthinking began. Aro's behaviour was beginning to bother me. He seemed so irritated when speaking to me, but it wasn't just his mood. I dispelled the gnawing thoughts, thinking that I was over-analysing.

I couldn't have been more wrong...