Capítulo 190: 30. Frostbite.
Mariella gazed at Damon, noticing the troubled expression on his face as he contemplated what needed to be done for Mimi. She could sense his frustration and his desire to help her. Although there was no other choice, Damon blamed himself for not realizing the situation sooner. As her protector, he knew he had to show tough love and intervene, even if it would take weeks or even months, as Wulfe had told them, he had warned them rough road ahead. Damon understood that this wouldn't be an easy or enjoyable task.
Mariella wrapped herself around Damon, trying to offer him support, but she knew there was little she could do at this point. They would have to limit their interaction with Mimi during this time. Even then, Mimi would likely unleash her anger and say hurtful things. They had to remind themselves that it was the addiction speaking, and not take it personally. But could they really do it? What they think Mimi would be, was something they had seen on TV, a junkie, a pitiful creature willing to do anything in order to get her fix.
Before they could reach that point, they needed to find Mimi and bring her back. They would have to explain what was going to happen and then let the process unfold. Removing the addiction would be grueling for Mimi and challenging for them. Damon had no idea what would come next. It might be a long pause in their lives, and his dream of the perfect pack life and wedding seemed to fade away. However, he took solace in the fact that he had a strong pack behind him. They would all need to band together to overcome this obstacle.
He was torn almost in two by this revelation; he wanted to be there for her but he knew she was way too dangerous creature for him to do this in any romantic, supportive way like in some novel or movie, where one can support another while she is puking her guts out and trembling. He had no idea what physical symptoms she would even have.
Damon realized that not everyone could see Mimi during this time. She didn't have to upset everyone when their presence was needed for her recovery. Alaric and Magnum had discreetly informed everyone that Mimi was not well, and that help was coming. They were doing their best to handle the situation behind Mimi's back, ensuring her privacy and the pack's well-being. It was clear that she had made little messes here and there, but then again, there had been quite many new ways to do things, that actually worked well.
And during that time, someone had to ensure that things were progressing smoothly and that the villains were being dealt with. They had base leaders for this and it was obvious that after this and during this time, no one would be able to focus that well on working, but they would have to trust base leaders doing their parts and keep the organization going.
Damon sighed internally. He had to fulfill the role of pack leader and be a husband to Mariella, Mimosa, and Shadow. However, Mimi was not his to keep, she wasn't his fiancée or wife. In fact, he wasn't even sure what she meant to him, aside from being a pack member and a potential alpha female. Their bond had been closed off by Mimi, and he had done the same. Perhaps this arrangement would be for the best, without any extra emotions complicating matters. But, he worried he might come across as too clinical and cold towards her. Since she was still recovering, maybe tenderness and loving care could come later. For now, she was a dangerous being, messed up, and it would require serious action to bring her down, get her treatment, and then proceed from there.
They had devised a plan, and now it was time to execute it soon. The room was prepared, and constructed with sturdy enchanted plexiglass. The three walls were opaque and adjustable. It included a shower, toilet, a decent bed, a table, a chair, and not much else. The ventilation shaft was filled with thin filaments that created a maze even a mouse couldn't navigate.
There was access to another room, a larger space designed for feline activities, with climbing structures and such, in case she needed to embrace her feline side. An intercom system was in place, and they wouldn't visit her frequently. A large digital clock was mounted on the wall, allowing her to see when she would receive her next blood supply. They approached this situation clinically, treating Mimi as if she were a drug addict unwilling to do the work on her own. They would guide her through this process, and eventually, things would improve, even if they had no idea what the future held.
As the future remained gray, Mariella chose not to ask about what lay beyond their assumptions. She did not check from upstairs. Again, if she only would have, things would have unfolded so differently. Deep down, she knew there was more to the situation, but she preferred not to face the facts. It was easier for them to view Mimi as weak, rather than the perfect creature she often appeared to be.
This time, they would handle things better. They would spend a significant amount of time in the castle of Ireland with the entire pack, and Mariella was excited to showcase her beautiful castle to Wulfe, Magnum, Alaric, Taylor, Tim, and others. They would have feasts around their grand table, sit by the fireplace, and engage in meaningful conversations.
Mariella was determined not to let the mood become somber and sad, despite Mimi's struggles. Perhaps they could share stories about her, so that she would have some good material once Mimi was feeling better. Mariella wanted Wulfe and Magnum to let loose and unload their worries. She wanted them to talk, relax, and be happy with others, not just Mimi. Their lives did not solely depend on Mimi's happiness, but this was their pack, after all.
Every Salvatore felt guilty because of the past, but this gathering would be the perfect distraction. They would cook, talk, and maybe even drink. Mariella wasn't sure if they would get drunk and pass out as a pack, letting their frustrations boil over. Mariella had so many good ideas for what they could do and when Mimi would be better, she would see that her five could have fun with others too. Mariella's powers caused her mind not to function like it should and jealousy was the first thing in her mind.
Meanwhile, Colin was busy with Samuel in the depths of the Indian jungles, dealing with several nasty epidemics. They didn't see this as a good enough reason to inform him, as he was engaged in important work. Mariella and the entire pack were unaware of the truth, failing to realize that this was not a normal addiction, not in the slightest.
Damon addressed them as they gathered in Ontario House, a place Mariella had wanted Damon to buy in time. It was modern and sleek, though impersonal to Magnum and Wulfe. However, the bedrooms were designed for passionate encounters, and maybe Mariella would learn to decorate the entire house in due time.
Damon's voice was firm but calm. "I will be the one to maintain most of the contact with Mimi, but not too much, as this will be rough for her. We don't want her to notice us witnessing her state. My staff will keep us informed of her progress and condition. They are professionals, so there's no need to worry. She won't be sedated or given any drugs. If she experiences symptoms, it's better to let them run their course. Her system is what it is, and she can overcome our help with her willpower. If we intervene, as we are the ones keeping her imprisoned, it might make her attack any help we offer."
Mariella smiled patiently and with great affection, envisioning herself as the perfect wife to Damon as if he were almost God. Wulfe stared at the cold, hard, white floor in the kitchen, silently sensing that things were not going in the right direction with every sentence Damon spewed from his mouth. Wulfe's heart felt like it would burst from the pain when he thought about Mimi all alone, suffering God knows what in that damn cube.
Magnum glanced at Wulfe and recognized the pained expression on his face. Damon's words didn't sit well with Magnum either, but Damon was the pack leader and it was his decision. Magnum vowed to himself that if this hurt Mimi more than necessary, he would not stay silent when the truth came out.
Charles and Adam remained silent. This was not how things were supposed to unfold, and they had completely different ideas about how to help Mimi. However, Damon had made it clear that his word was law and there would be no negotiations.
The entire pack's health and well-being were at stake, and Mariella had been declared the alpha female. She sat next to Damon, looking smug and as though she belonged there. But Charles sensed something off about her fitness for the role of alpha. The white power still had a powerful influence on her, showing that she could become a threat, and Damon would have his hands full trying to control her. Charles smiled thinly, thinking it served them right. Her jealousy and manipulative behavior were pretty clear, and Charles could not rule out Mariella spending some time in the cage if Damon would get his sense back.
Adam didn't even look at Damon. He believed he knew about addiction and such, but he was mistaken. There were no real medical schools teaching vampire neuroanatomy, and not many people even studied it. This phenomenon was not well-known, and very few knew how to handle it properly. It had nothing to do with an individual's lack of willpower or mental weakness, or their inability to control their urges. It was simply a chemical reaction, and even Mimi didn't have that much control over her physiology. She could do miracles in her body but against this, well, if she would have known, maybe but not right now. She had no clue what was happening in her mind and brain.
Damon's initial rebuke had a profound impact on many pack members, and due to his stubbornness, he ruled over them. This meant that he was not a good leader, as he did not allow everyone to voice their opinions. Instead, he acted as a tyrant, simply telling them what to do without listening. The pack seemed impervious to his flaws and the wrongness of the situation.
So, what would have been the correct way to deal with this? Well, the best and most efficient approach would have been to nest, helping Mimi and keep her in the nest as this was not that much about withdrawal than losing one's feelings. Unfortunately, Damon's anger towards Mimi, Mariella's drugged state influenced by the alpha power and her status, and Wulfe and Magnum being compelled to obey prevented any of them from acting as they should have.
Ironically, none of them knew that they had all experienced the same state before. However, being imprisoned and tortured during that time made those feelings disappear. Wulfe didn't realize that his addiction, which led to his injury during the mission, resulted from this. It had affected even him, and it would take time for them to acknowledge, learn, and ultimately move on from this situation. The truth was, they weren't as perfect as they had believed.
Their pitiful state in the hospital, their inability to function, their depression, self-hate, it had all been because of that one pouch of that blood. It had triggered their brains to overdrive as well and when the crash came; they were in the hospital. Why it had taken that long? Sedatives had slowed their brains down, but the need had not gone away fully. Their drugged state had kept them unable to have the stimulation.
It would be a difficult time for them when the truth finally emerged. They would have to face the facts, acknowledge their biases, and perhaps even seek Mimi's forgiveness. However, Damon had no idea just how mistaken he was. Mariella couldn't think clearly as conflicting powers once again consumed her thoughts, causing her to act out like a brat.
Charles and Adam were also at a loss, as this was new territory for them. Damon's words had a profound effect on them, painting Mimi as weak-willed and permanently flawed due to her tragic past. It seemed almost merciful for her to remain in the pack. Damon couldn't see the bigger picture. Wulfe, Magnum, and Alaric were busy sorting out the remaining issues, giving orders on how to handle them.
Damon had instructed the entire pack to reside in Ireland during this time, emphasizing the importance of bonding and becoming accustomed to one another. There would also be medical and feeding lessons, as well as other enjoyable activities to partake in as a pack. Waiting for Mimi to recover would be challenging for everyone, but life within the pack would continue once she did.
Damon believed that Mimi should have a period to prove that she could fulfill her responsibilities as the alpha female, much like a trial period in a job. His motivation for this decision stemmed from Mariella, who was becoming increasingly influenced by her alpha powers.
She desired Damon for herself and needed to assert her role in their interactions. It would be up to Mariella to ensure that Damon belonged to her and not Mimi, should Mimi ever return. However, Mimi had no rush to come back and would have to respect Mariella's position as the alpha and Damon's wife. Mariella took great satisfaction in this fact. She, along with Damon, Number 2 and 4, Wulfe, and Magnum, formed a team that was preparing to locate and capture Mimi. Damon planned to take her to the hospital and explain the situation to her.
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