Tenebrous ↠ Volturi Kings {1} ✓

038

"Would someone in my family pick up their damned phone?" I practically snarled, ending the call as I got Edward's voicemail for the fourth time in a row. That hadn't been unusual for the past few months; getting a hold of anyone in my family, outside of Rose and Emmett, had proved to be nearly impossible.

"Have you tried your parents?" Marcus suggested gently. Family had become something of a touchy subject for me as of late, considering my family was all but refusing to acknowledge my existence, and my mates knew to tread with care. Aro had suggested on more than one occasion that we pay them a visit, but I refused; I didn't want to go where I clearly wasn't wanted.

"I tried Mom, she answered but said she was busy. I assumed that included Dad," I responded, glaring angrily down at my phone. "I've also tried Alice, Carlisle, and Edward, but you know how those all turned out."

"It can't hurt to try Emmett as well," Marcus reasoned.

"I guess. I won't have my hopes up," I said, dialing Emmett's number. I was on the verge of ending the call when he picked it up.

"Hey, pipsqueak!" he said, his voice a forced kind of cheerful.

"Don't 'hey pipsqueak' me," I snapped.

"Whoa, whoa. What's going on?" Emmett asked.

"Oh, you mean other than the whole family ghosting me? Not much," I said sarcastically. "Why the hell are you and Mom the only ones answering your phones?"

"I'm sorry, Ro-bear. You haven't done anything. Bella's a newborn now, and we've told you how difficult that stage is for a vampire," Emmett said.

"Look, I just wanted to know if I'd be able to come back for Christmas, but I guess you just answered my question," I said bitterly.

There was a pause. "I'm sorry. Really. If it were up to me... but it's not. I'll make sure everyone else reaches out more, though, alright? Nobody meant to hurt you."

"Yeah, well, you did," I said. Marcus gave my shoulder a comforting squeeze. "I'll talk to you later, Dad."

Emmett sighed heavily. "Alright. I'll do my best to call soon."

"I won't count on it," I said, hanging up the phone and setting it aside.

"Bella should be stable enough to be around humans by next Christmas, mia cara," Aro said.

"And I just can't visit until then?" I asked. "I mean, I get it, I do. But Forks is my home, too, just as much as Volterra."

"We understand, amore," Caius said.

"We'll ensure that you have a lovely Christmas here. I know many of the guard celebrate the holiday; there is no reason for us to not do so as well," Aro said. "Seeing as Christmas is twenty-three days away, I believe some decorations are in order. Jane, Alec?"

Jane and Alec, who had been standing silent guard by the door, walked across the room to stand in front of Aro. "Yes, Master?" Jane asked.

"I would like you to gather some of the guard - lower or higher, it does not matter - who celebrate the Christmas holiday and have them aid you in decorating the castle," Aro ordered.

The twins bowed. "We will not disappoint you, Master," Alec said. The two turned and left the room.

"I'm glad that's settled. We'll be happy to help you decorate your wing as well," Marcus offered.

"Can I have a piece of paper? I'll make a list of what I'll need," I said, determined not to be upset by my family's neglect. I wouldn't let this ruin Christmas for me.