As we walked, Damon persistently attacked my throat, his relentless strikes sending shivers down my spine. I could sense Wulfe's presence in my mind, as he probed for information about my vampire alpha power. Wulfe seemed displeased, realizing the extent of my power, which made it crucial for him to uncover every detail.
However, I, being myself, was hesitant to divulge every aspect of myself. The children, oblivious to the situation, happily cooked and chatted away. Mariella Mimosa and Shadow now sported collars, with one of the Salvatores walking them. The children saw no issue with this, but I could sense the dissatisfaction of a few telepaths in my mind. I brushed it off, not dwelling on their disapproval.
Then, I made a slight mistake, not being entirely knowledgeable about everything. To distract myself, I allowed "In the Shadows" by The Rasmus to play in my mind.
However, Damon abruptly slammed me against the wall, his voice a menacing whisper in my ear, "Don't do that. You mustn't fight back or attempt to hide. Your clever little mind games and the song playing simultaneously may seem harmless, but stop it right now."
I felt his hand hover over my heart, his fingers poised to strike as if he could tear my heart out of my chest, even in front of the children. So, I ceased playing the songs. Little did I know, they actually served as an effective protection against telepathy, but I learned my lesson well. He administered three sedative puffs to my lungs from his flank organ, rendering me nearly unconscious as we continued our walk, with him relentlessly delving into my mind.
As we walked, my hand involuntarily reached for my neck, instinctively touching my marks. Once again, Damon forcefully slammed me against the wall, gripping my hair and slamming my head harshly against the wall, making stars seen in my eyes.
He growled, "You belong to me, not to the ghosts of the past. Stop that!"
His agitation was clear, but I remembered that the potion he consumed heightened his irritability. I knew I had to behave flawlessly and remain completely calm, trying to figure out what would pacify him rather than upset him further. I understood he was in a merciless mood, and even if I were to share an old memory to appease him, he wouldn't be inclined to rectify the situation or offer help. It would only serve to anger him for my attempt at diversion.
The kitchen buzzed with the enthusiastic chatter of eager teachers, sharing stories of Thanksgiving with the busy kids. My four girls were among them, engrossed in their lessons. As we walked, he would occasionally drain my energy, prompting us to find a sofa where he could hold me close, stroking and touching me. His actions, despite his anger, strangely made me feel safe, as if he had completely overwhelmed me and shown me my place.
We found a sofa, and I nestled my head against his chest, curling up and wrapping my hands around him. With my eyes closed, I drifted off to sleep, feeling a sense of utter safety. Perhaps the drugs played a part, but there was an undeniable trust I had in him, regardless of what he might do to me or the challenges we had faced. Even with Wulfe, Magnum, and others in my life, Damon was my ultimate source of safety. Maybe the bed reminded me of that. I slept deeply, free from nightmares, experiencing pure rest and security.
When Mimi pressed her face against him and fell asleep, Damon let out a sigh. Despite his previous terseness and irritation, this display of trust warmed his heart immensely.
He wrapped his hand around her, planting a gentle kiss on top of her head, whispering, "Sleep, my love. We have a few hours, and I'll make sure you get the rest you need. You're safe. Shh...just rest...I'm here."
Wulfe had played a role in her life, but this level of trust was something different. Damon had no desire to be anywhere else but there for her, keeping her safe and allowing her a few hours of peaceful sleep before they dressed up for a glorious Thanksgiving feast with more guests.
I woke up a few hours later to the gentle touch of Damon, his voice coaxing me awake.
"Baby, come on, it's time to wake up. There you are," he whispered, his eyes locked onto mine.
As he ran his thumb over my bottom lip, I noticed a dark, wet patch on his shirt.
He smiled and said, "Yep, I let you drool all over me. Come on, it's time to get dressed. Dinner will be served soon, and there will be more guests."
Slowly, I adjusted myself into a better sitting position, although being in Damon's arms felt perfect.
I told him, "I've missed this, being close to you."
He nodded and replied, "Wulfe and Magnum told me about your biological need to be near me. I try, baby. I try to be there for you, too."
Eventually, we made our way back to our bedroom. Damon didn't take off my collar; it had become a part of me, and I had grown accustomed to it. I had become flexible in my mind, not letting it bother me too much. After all, Damon took care of me, and I had learned a lot about vampire life from the books in Bridgette's house. I wasn't sure why she had an obsession with vampires, but not everything was meant for me to know.
Damon selected my outfit, a blood-red velvet dress that accentuated every curve of my body. My black diamond collar contrasted against the dress perfectly. He handed me white high-heeled shoes, a choice slightly different from what I would have chosen, but it was Damon's style. He meticulously styled my hair, making sure it was flawless. He placed a hairnet adorned with actual diamonds, adding a shimmer and sparkle to my hair.
Then, he wrapped a heavy golden chain belt around my waist, leaving one end loose so he could clip it to his belt. I remembered how this used to be a fashion statement between Charles, Adam, and me. Now, Damon had made it his own. I also recalled Damien using it long ago, but that was in the past. It was time to move forward, make new memories, have fun, and see where our journey would take us.
One can never truly anticipate what the future holds, so it is important to embrace life and have fun whenever the opportunity arises. This valuable lesson has been ingrained in me over the years, and despite the ups and downs of my existence, there have been moments of joy. I am determined to cherish each and every second, knowing that I can draw upon these memories during tougher times.
As we made our way downstairs, a grand table awaited us. The children were dressed in their finest attire, with the girls adorned in pretty dresses and perfectly styled hair. My four daughters wore satin dresses, although I knew soon they would require something more accommodating for their growing bellies.
Damon turned to me and said, "Do you think our girls are pregnant, my love?"
I nodded, and he reassured me, "They have four months of pregnancy ahead, so there's still time. Let's go."
We took our seats at the end of the table, where the Salvatores were busy serving food. There were people from the Magic House and the Fleas, as well as more children - Mariella's kids and the offspring of wolves who were born around the same time as our seven. Laughter filled the air as our now-grown children took care of the younger ones.
I couldn't spot Derek or Meredith from my first litter, but I did catch a glimpse of Lilah and several cheetah wizards engaging in conversation with Wulfe and Magnum. Murdock, Dexter, and Colin were also present. When Colin looked at me, he gave a subtle nod, indicating that he was fine with me being with Damon. I noticed one of Mariella's daughters flirting with Colin, and I couldn't blame her - he truly was a strikingly handsome creature.
Mariella's vibrant red dress caught everyone's attention, but it was her silk dress that accentuated her curvier body, drawing admiring gazes. The wolves donned dark blue satin dresses, while the Salvatores opted for tuxedos and suits. Even the little ones had their own adorable tuxedos. Apollo proudly strutted in his well-fitted tuxedo. The air was filled with the sound of cameras clicking as guests captured precious moments of children and the grandeur of our castles.
My sharp memory reminded me that I had never taken so many pictures before. Perhaps it was time to fill my photography room with cameras and capture beautiful Christmas memories. As dinner commenced, Damon allowed me to eat on my own, but he lovingly fed me from his plate and stole kisses. Sometimes, he playfully took a delectable morsel out of my mouth. It was a subtle display of dominance that no longer bothered me.
I had grown, embracing my role, or perhaps craving this level of control. Damon skillfully balanced his position, neither abusing it nor letting me do everything myself. It was perfect for both of us. Conversations flowed, filling the room with a lively buzz. The children sat nearby, and Damon beamed with pride, knowing they were well cared for. I couldn't help but notice a few Salvatores, particularly the seductive couple 9 and 10, eyeing Mariella's girls and the wolves' girls. Little did Mariella know she would soon become a grandmother. But at that moment, we were all happy and content.
Damon could be quite playful while feeding me, and Mariella was kept busy with number two. However, Mariella loved to talk, so she was easily distracted by the many people she conversed with. Meanwhile, I was still bothered by those damn sex dreams and Damon's seductive behavior. Even his occasional blood thirst didn't cool me off, as those lustful dreams continued to invade my mind. After a particularly vivid scene from the dream, where I was tied down as a helpless little sex slave, with Damon's cock thrusting in and out of me, I noticed Wulfe raising an eyebrow and looking at Damon questioningly. I wasn't sure what that was about, and I hoped Wulfe hadn't picked up on that image from my mind.
I had little time to dwell on it as my partner, Damon, kept me busy. Well, he wasn't actually my husband, so perhaps "partner" was the right term for him in that moment. Although I almost thought of him as my husband, a quick glance at my hand reminded me of the reality - no rings.
Once we finished eating everything, or at least what was good for me, there may have been a spoonful of something left on my plate. I had to primarily eat wagyu, as the creature next to me ensured that. The animals were also milling around, but they would soon be moved to other realms to live there for our Christmas time.
It would be a fun time, but we needed it, and having kids around added so much more to our lives. Although I knew they grew incredibly fast, I caught glimpses of my miracle twins who looked about three or four years old, and they were stunning. However, I also knew that having a family around all the time wasn't for us. We were more like breeding machines, leaving the raising and tending to others.
The food was perfect, truly delightful. I got to taste so many things, thanks to the very dominant and protective creature beside me. He was quite inventive, allowing me to taste various dishes, but then he would come in, kiss me, and take the morsel out of my mouth before I could swallow it. He wanted me to taste but not fully consume them.
Of course, to our guests, it appeared as though we were deeply engrossed in each other. However, I knew this fox well enough to recognize his patterns. He was as arrogant as ever, but he knew exactly what he was doing. I wasn't sure if his protector radar had kicked in yet, but he knew my system so well that he instinctively went along with it.
As everyone finished eating, we began to move around the castle, engaging in conversations, having fun, and enjoying the sight of children running around with animals. Since I was linked to my partner, I couldn't wander off on my own. I noticed Mariella giving me a few jealous glances, but she eventually calmed down when Wulfe approached her to talk. I wasn't sure what they were discussing, but Mariella controlled herself and moved on to talk with Colin or Magnum, whoever was available.
I turned to Damon and said, "You see, Mariella gets to go around and talk to everyone. But what if we limit her movements? Not with a chain-link belt, but maybe a golden rope. It's one of the latest fashion trends."
In my mind, I showed Damon an example of a fashion outfit that incorporated ropes and cords, similar to the string dresses Mariella wore as belts.
I continued, "Imagine if we made a rope for Mariella and attached her to number two. She wouldn't be able to freely talk with everyone, but she would be under control. It could work with the wolves, too."
Damon whispered in my ear, "You're quite mischievous, you know that. But fine, if that's what you want, I can make it happen."
I was surprised, but also thrilled, to be the one coming up with ideas instead of always receiving them. It was fun to have Damon by my side, making my ideas a reality. We walked and talked together, enjoying each other's company. It was satisfying to see Mariella's irritated expression as she was attached to number two, who decided whom she could talk to and for how long.
I spotted number four, and Colin engaged in a lengthy conversation. I suspected I was the topic of discussion, but I didn't mind. From time to time, I would inform Damon about the identities of the people around us, and he would use his telepathy to determine with whom we should chat. Of course, individuals like Taylor received veiled threats, as he had to publicly acknowledge his connection to me.
As the evening progressed, a fleeting thought crossed my mind, triggering thoughts of those damn sex dreams.
Damon whispered in my mind, "I can make that happen, baby. It seems intriguing, and it can be easily arranged for you to experience it."
I blushed deeply, causing Mariella to look at me curiously as I nearly choked on the glass of dry white wine Damon had poured for me. The wine had golden sparkles, adding a touch of glamour to the evening.
Damon calmly and collectedly said to me while I was enjoying my wine, "Remember that one cruise? The one with metal poisoning and that werewolf girl, the wife's club, and the special spumante? Well, this is it, the real deal. I wanted you to enjoy it. It's safe."
I didn't pay much attention to the smirk on his lips or Samuel's surprised expression when he noticed what I was drinking. It was incredibly tasty, with the perfect balance of sourness and bubbles, and a hint of sweetness. Damon kept pouring me more glasses, and that's when snippets from my sex dreams started to invade my thoughts.
Damon's silky voice commented on them, promising them to me. It became clear that this wine was affecting me in a very specific way. The scent of strawberries and champagne filled the air, causing Mariella to raise her nostrils and smile at Damon. The guests began to leave; the kids were tired, and we had planned for Mariella's children and the wolf kids to be here during Christmas. So now there were plenty of children and adults around.
Despite it being the perfect Christmas, that damn wine had put me in a certain mood. I was no longer interested in anything other than seducing someone or perhaps multiple people in my bed and having mind-blowing sex. Let's see what the night brings.