Chapter 37: 37. City Of Stars.
I woke up feeling utterly exhausted but with a strange sensation of someone being close to me. I was drugged up to my eyes still. Whoever was next to me, was a woman. I could feel the softness of her breasts pressing against my back. I was lying on my side. It took me a while to fully wake up and comprehend what was happening. Soon, another woman moved to the other side of me. Her hand hit my shoulder and I could hear her mutter a sleepy curse.
It was Shadow. She always cursed a lot. Then, I heard a very sleepy Mimosa trying to say something. Behind me, someone else groaned. It was Mariella. I tried to open my eyes and realized I was wearing a nightgown. We were all in a huge bed, just us women, and everyone seemed to be sedated or very sleepy. I was trying to get my mind awake enough. My eyes wanted to be closed. I was so sleepy still.
Mariella groaned and asked, "What the hell is going on?"
Mimosa said, "I have no idea. I feel drugged, and why are we all sleeping in this bed?"
Mariella shook me, telling to me open my eyes. I groaned, opened my eyes, and said, "The last thing I remember is that we were eating, and then you guys passed out. Number one must have taken me here. He came at me and bit something in my wrist, but I have no idea how long ago that was."
Suddenly, the door opened and Damon stepped in. I wanted to sleep still.
He chuckled as he walked in, seeing us all doped up, and said, "Good morning, my lovelies. Wake up, it's time for you to get moving. Time is of the essence, and I don't think you want to laze around too much. But first, Mimosa and Shadow, Number two will take you two into the shower while I tend to these two. Mariella, you're first, so get your ass moving. By the way, congratulations, ladies. You have less than three weeks before giving birth. You're pregnant, and these are the babies that were put to sleep when that infection hit Mimosa and Mariella."
I yanked my eyes open; I fell silent, feeling my belly and the fullness of it. I could feel slight movements as I pressed on it.
Damon continued, looking at me. "You, my baby, have the least amount of time. You only have 17 days left. Mariella, you have 20 days, Mimosa, you have 22, and Shadow, you have 24 days left. I will explain more later, but for now, up, up, and to the shower. We will wash you and tend to you."
Mariella got up, followed by the wolves, as they moved to the other room. I remained in bed, stretching myself and trying to clear my mind. I sent my happiness to my babies, and they sent it back to me. We were bonding again, and it made me smile, despite being heavily drugged. I was slowly directing my blood circulating more into my liver, feeling it clearing drugs out of my mind. I could hear passionate sounds coming from the shower, but I wasn't in the mood for that. I was a mom again.
It took them quite a while to finish their shower, and Damon's passion was clear, even though he had a towel on. His cock was visible, more or less tenting his towel. Mariella went to sit on the bed, on the other side of it, still wearing a towel around her hair and a thick robe.
I told him, "Go ahead, have fun. I can shower by myself."
I didn't want him to feel unwanted, and he looked at me sharply. I was having too much fun with my babies. There were so many emotions that I wanted to teach them.
He approached me and said, "Come on, get in the shower. I'll wash you and find out what you don't want me to know."
I tried to maintain a neutral expression as I got up from the bed. My nightdress smelled fine, so I decided not to put it in the laundry. It was a nice night dress, so it would do several nights. I walked into the bathroom, placed my nightgown on the shelf, and Damon came up behind me. He quickly grabbed my nightgown and threw it into the laundry chute without saying a word.
I stepped into the shower, rolling my eyes, and Damon joined me. He turned on the water, making sure it was almost steaming hot, and began washing me. He wasn't trying to have sex with me; it seemed like he sensed my lack of interest or perhaps he was in the mood for someone else.
I reached for my new shampoo but couldn't find it. Instead, Damon started washing my hair with my usual shampoo. His grip was firm, and I enjoyed the sensation of someone else washing my hair. I allowed him to wash it a few more times before he applied for conditioner.
He turned me towards him, gazing into my eyes, and asked, "Come on, what is it? Show me."
I replied, "It's nothing. To you, it might not seem important, but due to hormonal changes, it's something wonderful for me."
He nodded and urged, "Well, show me or tell me."
I placed my hand on my belly and explained, "It was after you removed those chemicals from me, and I was feeling miserable. I was thrown out of the sauna, more or less, and I promised myself that I wouldn't suppress my emotions. So, I went to the bedroom and let myself feel. The first feeling that came was loneliness."
He looked at me, his expression softening.
There was regret in his gaze as he nodded and said, "I am a teacher, and my lessons can be harsh, but they are for a reason so that you won't repeat your mistakes. Please continue."
I let out a heavy sigh, my breath escaping as I continued pouring my heart out to him. I gazed into my husband's piercing ice-blue eyes, searching for solace. The shower and bathroom were well-lit, casting a soft glow on our faces.
"There I was, engulfed in a whirlwind of emotions. Loneliness, exhaustion, and an overwhelming sense of despair consumed me. I was so tired of my existence alone. I knew I was more or less supposed to be alone, not have a TLC or anything but a lesson of stupidity. And then it happened. But amidst it all, I felt a glimmer of something else. Love. It took time for me to identify it, but it was my babies. They sensed my pain, my loneliness, my anguish and sent me their love, their unwavering trust. In return, I reciprocated, no longer feeling alone or fatigued in my existence."
A tender smile graced Damon's lips as he spoke, his voice filled with understanding. "So you sent your feelings to them, and they have already responded," he remarked.
I nodded in affirmation, my eyes meeting his.
"Let me try as well," he suggested, placing his hands gently on my swollen belly.
He closed his eyes, and a comforting warmth spread beneath his touch. Soon, his smile widened, his eyes glistening with unshed tears.
His voice grew husky as he whispered, "They sent their love to me, too. Oh, baby, this is an indescribable feeling."
The moment lingered, our connection deepening as we exchanged love and emotions. He was also teaching them so many emotions. Eventually, we reluctantly emerged from the shower. Damon wrapped me snugly in several towels, adorning my head with one in a turban-like fashion. Leading me to our bed, he lifted Mariella to stand, repeating the same gesture with her babies. Mariella's face lit up with delight as she, too, felt the connection. In an instant, they teleported elsewhere.
I exhaled, a sense of contentment washing over me. Though I couldn't deny a hint of longing, the experience had been nothing short of extraordinary. I continued drying myself off, selecting clothes from my maternity wardrobe. My belly had grown larger, allowing for a variety of options. I had not noticed my quite pregnant body when I had woken up, but the truth had come out when I had taken my nightdress off.
I opted for a vibrant silk blouse and loose, multicolored pants. I quickly towel-dried my hair, gathering it into a simple ponytail without bothering to brush it. I was more than happy. 17 days to get to know my little ones.
With a rumbling stomach, I made my way to the kitchen. The room was abuzz with activity as the Salvatores occupied the space. Number three glanced at me with a furrowed brow, engaged in a silent conversation with someone, likely number one. Despite his apparent displeasure, he prepared my meal.
I didn't mind, understanding the complexities of our reality. With nine other Salvatores, Charles, Adam, Lepard, and Demon, I had plenty of company if desired. But ultimately, I found solace in the presence of my babies, and that was all I truly needed. I was not too lusty when I was pregnant with babies. I was a mom, not a lover or wife.
I eagerly awaited the opportunity to create my nursery, envisioning the different items I would choose for my babies. Perhaps I could even ask them what they would like. It would be a new and exciting experience for me, deepening my bond with my little ones as we shared our feelings.
As I consumed the food given to me, I couldn't help but notice number two's lingering gaze. He seemed perplexed as to why I wasn't upset when number one chose Mariella. But this was our life, and besides, I didn't need a man by my side when I had my precious babies. I was not Mariella; I was not visibly hormonal and maybe he had been with wolves who were very hormonal when pregnant.
As someone brushed and styled my hair, I couldn't identify who it was, but I welcomed the care. I just noticed that firm hands unwinding my ponytail and soon my hair was brushed and put up. It was a pleasurable sensation, a minor act of kindness that reminded me of my hormonal state and the need for extra care. However, I remained in control, allowing myself to savor the nurturing from deep within my being.
I refused to succumb to the emotional and needy state like Mariella. No, I was determined to be composed, in control, the perfect alpha female. I would live up to those expectations, regardless of their falsehood. Even deep down. I was hormonal as whenever I was pregnant; it was just me not showing it to anyone, and I was not sure if I ever will.
After the meal, I took a stroll to explore the perfect nursery that number one had permitted me to set up. He reminded me of the available help should I need it. I discovered a corner room on the top floor, a challenging space to decorate with its five walls instead of the usual square or rectangular shape. However, I was determined to make it work. I saw here opportunities instead of problems and I was eager to set up my nest here.
The room was spacious, with enough room for cribs, dressers, and even activity areas with mats and toys for my babies to explore and study their surroundings. I remember having soft mats that I once had in one of my cub's rooms. They could be laid on the floor, creating a comfortable and safe space. As it was years ago when I had had them, so I was not sure. Time was of the essence to gain them, as doubts arose regarding their availability. I knew I had had them in the past, but was not sure if I had them in my warehouses or storage rooms and if they were manufactured anymore.
After a few hours of walking and planning, my stomach grumbled again. I made my way to the kitchen, where several Salvatores were buzzing around. This time, Mariella and Damon were there, too. As I sat down, I couldn't help but notice the familiar scent of freshly cooked food filling the air. I had experience with my four girls, so I knew what I would need. There was a good-sized bathroom in there too, so bathing babies was on again.
I casually mentioned to Number Two, "I found my nursery, so I'm eager to set it up once I'm done eating. There's a lot to do, and time is limited. There is a good-sized bathroom, so I can bathe my babies then."
He smiled at me, while Number One spoke suddenly, "Well, baby, after we finish our meal, the rest of us will find our nurseries. Then, as a pack, we'll help you out."
Silently, I reminisced about the times when Mariella had been displeased with Number One's decorating skills in the nurseries. She had her own taste, and Damon always seemed to overrule her. I wondered if there would be another explosive disagreement this time. She had a few times screamed at him and he, as usual, had used flanks to calm her down.
Sitting there, I realized that despite having some things already in hamster storage and a few other places, there were still items I hadn't acquired. My time with those four girls had taught me so much about caring for babies for longer than a few weeks. I had quite a mental list of things I needed. However, I hesitated to share it with the others, unsure of their reaction.
If I kept everything to myself and they discovered that they had missed out on some essential items, they might accuse me of sabotaging their family life. On the other hand, if I started dictating what was needed, they might see me as overbearing and simply override my suggestions. Either way, they would likely be mad at me.
My over-analyzing mind was getting pretty good merry-go-round already.
Number Two looked at me and reassured me, "We will get you everything you need or want, and you don't have to explain why. This will be a learning opportunity for all of us. If we're foolish enough not to follow your example, someone who has raised babies for months, then shame on us. But as for me, I will learn from you, my baby."
Mariella remained silent while Number One looked at me, unaware of my thoughts. It would be interesting to see how this played out, especially considering Mariella's tendency for jealousy. She might try to seduce Number Two to keep him away from me. Then again, maybe not. I could not see into the future, so these were all just my pondering.
I ate a lot again as I was hungry and I needed my strength so could do stuff to myself too. I liked to put things together, to see cribs done, and lay those pieces of mats if I could find them or have them. It had been nice to put on those pieces of mats. I was a doer and Mariella was a watcher, more or less. She usually watched as others did the work, but I was the opposite of her. I like to do stuff myself and it gave me satisfaction to get things done.
Of course, me being pregnant in the middle of almost a sea of eager protective husbands who wanted help meant that I would not be doing so much, not unless I was a little sly and got them to help the others but first I needed to get going and those other ladies should find their nurseries too so men could assist them.
Damon was feeling pretty damn smug as he listened now to Mimi's thoughts. Oh, if she would know what this would be like. They had prepared for this over those three weeks what it had taken to get her well and in top shape, so they had a plan, actually.
Number three had asked him about it when he had gone and fucked with Mariella after Mimi had shown that connection, then he had remembered their plan and he was ready to follow it through. After enjoying their meal, the trio of pregnant women expected that finding nurseries would be relatively straightforward, especially as they were not as picky as Mimi had been. Mimi had always been meticulously selective about her living spaces, so it was fortunate that she had already chosen one for herself. This decision would certainly streamline their search.
After finishing my meal, the other women had already departed for their nurseries. I had already staked out my nursery to claim it as my own. My next task was to gather a few items for my room. I made my way to our larger storage room, which was filled with chairs, sofas, and tables. A particular item caught my eye - a selection of beautiful rocking chairs.
I carefully selected the perfect one, envisioning it as the ideal spot to nurse my babies, as it was spacious enough to accommodate two or three people. I also found some bedding and grabbed a few soft fleece blankets and pillows to make the space even more inviting.
I had a perfect spot in my room for that rocking sofa, a thought that lingered in my mind. So, I closed my eyes and imagined it, and suddenly, I felt a peculiar sensation as I teleported. Opening my eyes, I found myself in my room, and there it was - the rocking sofa. Then I returned to storage. Excitedly, I began searching for the pieces of mats, but to my disappointment, there were none to be found.
I went back to my room, my nest. Deciding to search online for alternatives, I sat down on the rocking chair, lost in my thoughts. Just then, the door swung open, and in walked Damon, followed by all the Salvatores. Damon was holding a thick folder that I had never seen before. He noticed me sitting in the oversized rocking chair, or more accurately, the rocking sofa, and approached me with a smile.
"Well, baby, this time we've done things differently," he said, his smile widening. "Here's your folder. We've gathered everything for you - from TV, the internet, and magazines. We did this while you were resting, so every woman would have the same folder. Take a look, this is your folder. It's pink and tailored to your preferences. Choose what you like, and if something is missing, just let us know, and we'll make sure to get it for you. This is how it will work - you choose, we get it."
I was utterly speechless, my mind unable to process the overwhelming gesture. I held the folder tightly in my hands, unsure of how to react or what to do. We would be doing this truly as a pack. This was the first for me.
Damon reassured me, saying, "Go ahead, open it and see. Take your time to choose and let us know. Here's a pen. You can cross out what you don't want or show us what you prefer. And if you want any modifications, just tell us. We get it and put it in place."
With trembling hands, I opened the folder, and my eyes were met with an array of cribs. There were so many options - different materials, colors, and sizes. I had never imagined choosing cribs in such detail before. I realized this process would require careful consideration and time.
I said out loud, my voice echoing through the room, "This will take some time." My room was empty still, but not for long. So many decisions to be made. So much to choose from.
Damon nodded in agreement, his affirmation barely audible amidst the quiet hum of anticipation.
"You have time, baby," he reassured me, his voice soothing and comforting. "Just choose at your own pace, take it easy, and we'll help you."
As the others moved about the room, their footsteps creating a soft shuffle, I could feel their eyes on me, waiting for something.
Damon leaned in closer, his voice gentle as he spoke to me while I continued to peruse the folder.
"Don't mind us," he whispered, his warm breath brushing against my ear. "We're here to gather your pheromones, your nurturing and caring essence. The air-conditioning has been meticulously rigged to spread those pheromones, ensuring that every female in the pack will be drawn to this moment. You will be the first to give birth, surrounded by the entire pack, a truly magical experience. And this time, you won't have to share me."
I nodded, captivated by the enchantment of it all, uncertain if I could make a decision. Each crib held something special, something enticing, and I sighed, allowing my mind to wander. As I began to plan, a constant presence remained by my side, their comforting presence never far away.
I barely noticed when some of them slipped away, passing on folders to the other women, who eagerly began their own nesting preparations. Lost in thought, I spoke aloud, comparing and contemplating the options before me. Should I prioritize practicality or aesthetics? Where could I find a compromise?
And then, there he was, Damon, sitting beside me, engaging in the discussion, offering his opinion on various ideas. I had no idea about time. Together, we meticulously crafted our plans, weaving them into a tapestry of love and partnership. It felt extraordinary, a new and exhilarating experience.
Even when he occasionally stepped away to converse with the other women, Damon always found his way back to my side, sitting with me on the rocking sofa as we created our nursery. After a few days, when various items had been brought in and carefully arranged, I found myself drawn to the blank expanse of the largest wall.
While my attention had been focused on the surrounding walls, I had acquired a drawing tablet, the latest model with a built-in projector, allowing me to project my creations onto the canvas. So there I sat, contemplating the vastness of the white surface, as I sketched a scene.
I was not Rembrandt, but I was trying. With each stroke of my stylus, colors bloomed and trees took shape. It was a simple yet captivating piece, a sprawling painting brought to life. If I could capture it just right, perhaps the Salvatores could use their magic to bring it to fruition. My art piece was pretty damn simple, as I was not good at drawing. It would be play with colors more or less. Maybe a few stylized figures. I had a vision but no skill to do it. It was a compromise, something that I could suffer to watch.
As I focused on my art piece, Mariella silently entered the room. I had just made a few improvements and was projecting it onto the wall. The artwork was not yet perfect, lacking that certain something. It was just different colors, a few black figures, few trees.
Mariella glanced at it and remarked, "You have a nifty little toy in your hand. I see that you have vision."
I nodded and replied, "My problem is that I can't seem to make it work perfectly. It will take time for me to get it right. I have vision alright but no skill to do it, so I have to compromise and make this pretty simple. "
Suddenly, the sweet scent of passionfruit filled the air as Damon stepped in.
He murmured to me, "Give me it, just think what is your idea and let me help. "
He approached me, took my tablet, and drew. His strokes were skillful, and a slight frown on his face revealed his intense focus. I was thinking about my original idea. I remained silent as Mariella watched him, a sweet smile on her face. She then left, leaving him to create his masterpiece.
After an hour, Damon projected the artwork, and it took my breath away. It depicted snowy mountains, a forest, and a pastel-shaded sunset with feline figures, appearing incredibly three-dimensional.
I exclaimed, "It's perfect, just what I had envisioned."
Damon humbly replied, "I tried to extract it from your mind and bring it to life. If you'd like, I can refine it further. Just give me a few days, and it will be perfect."
I nodded and said, "Absolutely perfect. Take your time. I have no rush."
He took the tablet and assured me, "I'll create something like this for everyone, as per Mother's vision. Don't worry, you'll have your wall. Just think about what you want on the other walls."
I looked at him and said, "Surprise me, Salvatore."
He smiled, smirking at me.
With that, he walked out, carrying my tablet. I felt a sense of happiness, as if it was the right time to create a family nest, easing the pain of my loss. I had come close to telling him so many times, but I chose to keep my mouth shut, not wanting to hurt him. It was better this way. I would bear this loss, this pain, and protect him. It was my duty.
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