章節 84: 4. Right Here Waiting.
As my sleepy consciousness slowly awakened, the melodious tune of Richard Marx's song "Right Here Waiting" penetrated my mind. It was one of my all-time favorites, and amidst the haze of drugs, I tried to make sense of my surroundings. I found myself in bed, heavily drugged, struggling to recall the events that led me here. The sting on my side reminded me of Charles holding me, but everything else remained a blur.
It was evident that I had been drugged thoroughly, hindering my attempts to regain full clarity. Nevertheless, I knew I had to pull myself together and continue my work. With determination, I forced my eyes open, only to find myself in a dimly lit bedroom. The curtains were drawn, allowing a subtle hint of sunlight to peek through. This was my mansion in La Paz, and I was clad in one of my old nightgowns, remnants of a time before Damon had given away most of my clothes. I hadn't bothered to buy many new ones, perhaps someday, when the pain of loss subsides even slightly.
As I struggled to sit up, my muscles refused to obey, a clear sign of the heavy drugging I had endured for an unknown period.
To my surprise, the door creaked open, and Colin entered the room. "Hello, dear," he greeted softly, concern etched on his face. "You're still quite out of it. You should try to sleep it off. The Salvatores went on missions after Magnum dealt with them. You've been out for three weeks."
I groaned, realizing the implications of my absence for three weeks and the potential victims that may have suffered during that time. Colin hushed me gently, assuring me that Magnum had taken care of everything. They had a crew nearby, and the facility was no longer a threat.
"You're safe, my love," he whispered as he caressed my cheek. "Would you like to talk about what happened? The Salvatores only know about Krycheck raping you, and Wulfe showed them the aftermath. There's not much else they know. And he didn't show them what transpired between you."
I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of the memories I couldn't recall weighing me down.
"Not right now," I replied, my voice filled with both vulnerability and reluctance. "It's not pleasant to hear, and it makes me feel like a victim. I still have no recollection of where I was when Krycheck abducted me or how long I was held captive. With my memory being so easily manipulated, it's terrifying to think about how much control he had over my mind."
With Colin's help, I managed to sit up, though my body still felt weak and unresponsive.
He said, "Salvatore's cocktail had pretty much muscle relaxants, but you will be fine. Drugs can alter and hinder your memory and even I could make you forget pretty much if I wanted to. Your memory is not hard to mess up, so don't think that he is the only one. It is humiliating, but true. Most of your enemies just don't bother to mess up with your memory."
I said, "I need to recruit more people here. We need more."
Colin said, "Magnum and Murdock are on it, they can persuade pretty well. How about you take it easy? You have been working for a long time now and it would be good for you to focus on something else, just for a while. Time for you to be Mimi."
I said, "I am not ready yet. I can't be Mimi yet. My mind is not ready."
Colin said, "You are ready. Working and keeping your work persona on does not make that pain go away, not at all. You need to live for a while. Have some fun, do something for you."
I was silent. I was really not sure what I could do, what would help, what would be a distraction enough. But it seemed that my five were more or less forcing me not to work and deal with this. Fine then. I was not sure where Wulfe was, what he was feeling, how much he saw. Enough for him to get mad enough.
I was trying to think what to do and fine; I was going to work for our animal clinic. I could do that work and it would be just fine. It was work, but different in that being a leader. I wondered why Magnum sent the Pack away. Was he jealous, protective, or what? Did he see something that Pack was going to do and wanted to spare me? It was just one more mystery for me to think of.
Colin stood up and promised to get me something to eat. He had kept my playlist on, so my favorite songs were softly playing as background music. Natalie Cole's "Miss You Like Crazy" seemed a little out of place, but then again, it was spot on. It brought that pain straight back on, and I had no other choice but to start dealing with the whole darn thing. It would not help me if I refused to deal with it, not think about it, so I let myself feel.
I started to go through everything I remembered. What Krycheck smelled like, how he touched me. His voice, gentle and seductive next to my ear, his hands on my body, arousing me, caressing me. Him coming on top of me, spreading my legs, thrusting his cock into my cunt, over and over again. Making me feel, not hurting me, but not just making love. He was fucking in earnest.
I could still hear the sound of his grunts echoing in my ears, his breath hot against my skin. The feeling of his release deep inside my womb lingered, as a powerful sensation that sent shivers down my spine. I recalled from the files that they had opened my womb. They had called it into a vampiric womb and conducted many tests and procedures to see if my vampire side could conceive.
Biopsies were taken from my ovaries, my wombs, and my eggs, as they attempted IVF and manipulated my DNA. My uniqueness seemed to fascinate them, driving them to want to do more, even attempting to clone me. But such endeavors never succeeded, for there was something beyond scientific explanation at play, something tied to higher powers and my own destiny.
In the midst of my thoughts, I remembered the texture of Krycheck's hairy chest against my skin. However, it was quickly replaced by the memory of Jake, whose chest was even hairier, unexpectedly arousing. I could feel Jake's grunts and his passionate thrusts, his eyes filled with desire. Strangely, the memories of what Krycheck had done to me faded into insignificance, as if they no longer held any meaning. Instead, my mind conjured images of the nights I spent with Rob and the time I shared with Jake. It was as if my mind was healing itself, or perhaps there was something more, an unexplainable force that I couldn't yet articulate.
Lost in my thoughts, I sat on the bed, unsure of how much time had passed. Whether I said it aloud or not, I whispered, "Thank you, guys. I needed that."
It may have been my imagination, but the marks on my neck felt warmer, as if they were responding to my gratitude. Just then, the door swung open, revealing Colin with a large tray of food and a cup of coffee that smelled heavenly.
I informed him, "I'm fine. I'm about to head to our vet clinic, and maybe later I'll attend some dog shows."
A smile crept across his face as he replied, "Little one, it's good for you to have something other than being the leader all the time. It will do the world good, and the fridge is stocked with Salvatore's cooking, so you'll have plenty to eat before you go."
I began to eat and savor the coffee, ready to embrace my role as Mimi. After all, I had an entire pack working alongside me, allowing me the luxury of some time off. It was one perk of being the leader.
I devoured an entire tray of delicious food, feeling the weight of each bite in my stomach. With Colin's help, I managed to make my way to the bathroom. My legs felt weak, requiring support as I emptied myself. Colin drew a warm bath for me and helped me into the tub. He checked on me every ten minutes, ensuring my well-being. I stayed in the bath for a blissful 30 minutes before Colin assisted me in getting out.
A dazed sensation washed over me as if I had been drugged. I couldn't help but think that Salvatore must have injected me with a potent concoction. Although sleep would elude me, Salvatore intended to keep me subdued. However, I was determined to focus on being a veterinarian, aiding pets, and their owners. Perhaps, at some point, I would consider becoming a judge in dog shows.
The departure of the pack left me uncertain of my emotions, but Colin assured me that Magnum had driven them away. The reasons behind their departure were irrelevant now; I needed to move forward with my life and see what the future held. I had already fulfilled my duty of saving the world, more or less, and now it was time to take care of myself. However, what lay ahead as a veterinarian remained uncertain. Would I continue in this role for months, a year, or just a few weeks? I had no idea what destiny had in store for me.
Nevertheless, the change of pace felt refreshing. It had been quite some time since I had worked as a vet, and I was confident in my ability to handle consultations at my clinic alongside my own practice. As I reached for my laptop, a familiar scent of passionfruit wafted from my favorite chair. Salvatore must have spent some time there.
I opened my clinic email, greeted by a flood of consultation requests. It seemed that I had plenty of work to occupy my time. As I delved into the first case, Colin entered the room without a word, taking my laptop. I assumed he intended to handle the consultation requests himself. Our hidden bond, though sometimes irritating, allowed him to understand me more than I understood him. It frustrated me to feel less in control when the men in my life took charge. Yet, I was powerless to stop them. They only wanted to ensure I didn't burn myself out completely.
I walked to the living room, where I had an extensive collection of books. Selecting a large volume on veterinary diseases and surgery, I settled into my favorite chair. The scent of passionfruit lingered, a reminder of Salvatore's presence.
I vividly remembered the way he always claimed my chosen chair in every new house we moved to, and occasionally even took my side of the bed. Those memories brought a nostalgic smile to my lips, reminding me of the excitement and novelty he brought into my life. It felt overwhelming, like a tantalizing blend of danger and seduction. However, it has been nearly 200 years since then, and I have undergone significant changes. Yet, according to Wulfe, people, including myself, do not change that much. I had no idea about that.
One particular Christmas stood out in my mind. Damon had affectionately dubbed it the "Christmas of Love," fulfilling a dream I had always cherished when we were together. But then Mariella entered the picture, and I thought I would never experience that kind of Christmas again. To my surprise, they orchestrated a grand celebration in Halifax, transforming it into a Christmas mansion. Damon held me tightly in his arms, cuddling with me on the sofa. He even recited the beloved Christmas poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas," during those enchanting nights. We shared the same bed, indulging in passionate encounters with Mariella.
The intensity of our connection was undeniable, even if it meant navigating the complexities of sharing me with ghosts. Damon understood the depth of their love for me, and the profound bond we shared. It wasn't easy for him, as I knew him well enough to understand that being with Mariella provided a simpler path. She was entirely his, unburdened by the ghosts of my past. She hadn't experienced the presence of two men who had once held more significance in her life than him. For Mariella, Damon was her entire world, just as he had once been mine. But our choices, our lives, and our love couldn't withstand the tests of time—it died, more than once.
I went to eat when Colin gently told me, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. I could see the anticipation in his eyes, as if he had been asking me to join him for a meal countless times before. As he approached me, he reached out and took my book away, leading me towards the kitchen. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air, enticing my senses. Frank Sinatra's "My Way" softly played in the background, creating a soothing ambiance as we sat down to eat.
I held my work phone in my hand, keeping it in silent mode, not wanting any distractions or messages that would interrupt our meal. The song played on, its lyrics touching on the topics of death and dying. While it was a wonderful song, it didn't quite resonate with my own perspective on life. I had always believed that I was invincible, that death was not something I would ever have to face. Despite this, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride for the work I had accomplished.
My memory flashed in my mind, of a time when I had excitedly shared my achievements with my friends. I had mentioned my formula and my plans to drive again, only to be met with disapproval. Wulfe, in particular, had promised to curse every car I attempted to drive. He was a strange guy, and I hoped he was doing alright, even though I hadn't heard from him in ages. I reminded myself that I wasn't responsible for his well-being and that he was capable of taking care of himself.
As I continued to eat, thoughts swirled in my mind. Would I ever truly belong to the pack? Was there any hope for a future with Damon? I didn't have any expectations or longings. Instead, I focused my thoughts on the future, uncertain of what it held. If my life were a romance novel, Damon would be right here beside me, professing his love as I woke up. But reality was far from that; my life felt more like a horror story. Only time would reveal where we would end up, whether I would return to work and find my colleagues still there. Perhaps, once the initial excitement faded, they wouldn't be as eager to embark on missions anymore. It was out of my control, completely beyond my grasp.
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