Mariella was now with Damon, and I realized I had fallen asleep at some point, whether it was because of a flank or a bump, just exhaustion, but I didn't have time to analyze. I was still so exhausted. Of course, I thought I would take a shower, and I could eat because the two had now found each other.
I teleported out of that dimly lit room into one of my cozy nests, surrounded by the softness of fluffy blankets and the faint scent of lavender. I had quite a few of these nests scattered around, providing me with a sense of comfort and familiarity.
Feeling refreshed, I indulged in a quick, warm shower, relishing the sensation of the water cascading down my skin. I carefully selected an outfit, the fabric soft against my fingertips, and got dressed with a renewed sense of purpose.
With hunger gnawing at my stomach, I made my way to the dining area, where delicious aromas wafted through the air. The tantalizing scent of freshly cooked food greeted me, urging my taste buds to come alive. I savored each bite of my meal, the flavors dancing on my tongue, momentarily distracting me from the weight of my situation.
After satisfying my hunger, I ventured to the hamster storage, embracing the opportunity to engage in a different activity. It was a delightful change of pace from my usual routine, a chance to immerse myself in something new and enjoyable. Well, this had been one favorite hobby, but as I had been engaged with other activities lately, this was a wonderful change of pace.
The monotonous tasks of my storage work typically consumed my days, surrounded by stacks of boxes waiting to be opened and sorted. Despite the repetitive nature of my job, I refused to let bitterness seep into my thoughts. I reminded myself of the realities of my situation but also found solace in the moments of creativity when I would decorate or set up rooms, transforming the space into a wonderful castle for a week.
However, my thoughts were interrupted when Damon called the entire pack for breakfast. As I entered the kitchen, a distinct scent hung in the air, signaling the onset of a rutting season. I stifled a laugh, knowing that this would be a lush and plentiful breeding season for them. I couldn't help but wonder if Damon had intended to involve me in this as well.
From the moment I woke up, I sensed his ulterior motives, but I refused to let him dictate what happened to my body. It was my body, my choice, and I had taken the necessary steps to ensure I wouldn't be a part of it.
It was disheartening to realize that his passion for me had been driven by a dark purpose, a desire to exert control over me rather than simply being with me for the joy of it. His plan had been brewing in his mind since the moment he seduced me to that island.
However, I chose to cherish the memories we shared, allowing them to remain as good times that empowered me for the future. They served as a reminder to guard my heart and not let him back in, as the world felt much brighter without his sinister plan looming over me.
Fortunately, his plan had been derailed when he and Mariella found each other. Their connection had allowed me to regain control and maintain autonomy over my own body. As I continued to eat, I remained completely neutral, my emotions carefully guarded. Then, Damon spoke seriously, his words carrying weight in the room.
"As you can see, we have another heat period coming up, and Mimi, you don't, so you don't," he stated, his voice tinged with a hint of disappointment. "I was going to include you in this, but it's not working out that way. So, you get another three months off, maybe longer, because we'll probably breed. And then, I don't know if I can let you stay in the same house, instincts, you see."
The gravity of his words settled upon me, but I remained composed. I understood the complexities of their instincts, the primal forces driving their actions. Yet I refused to let their decisions dictate my own path. I would continue to assert my autonomy, maintaining control over my body and my choices, regardless of the challenges that lay ahead.
I nodded, the weight of disappointment settling heavily on my shoulders. The room was filled with a heavy silence as I gathered my thoughts, my mind racing with the need to react, to give voice to my opinion. Taking a deep breath, I finally spoke, the words laced with a mix of frustration and sadness.
"I'm just so damn disappointed in you," I said, my voice filled with a tinge of anger.
The room seemed to grow tense, the air thick with tension.
"There was never a need for you to be with me, only to rule my body. And I am what I am, so it will not obey you."
The scent of tension mingled with a faint hint of regret hung in the air.
A flicker of regret flashed across Mariella's eyes as I continued. "I am glad that I kept my heart under control. Not let my emotions get the best of me because this plan of yours, the only purpose for you, was to get my powers, make me go in heat, and breed me, not love me or want to be with me."
The room seemed to grow colder, a chill creeping up my spine.
"Well, it is what it is," I continued, my voice tinged with resignation.
"I'm never a threat to the puppies or babies, but you go with your instincts. You just don't want me anymore as you can't make me do as you decide, so I am nothing to you or this pack!"
Damon's silence spoke volumes, the weight of his unspoken words hanging heavy in the air. Mariella's shame was palpable, her eyes cast downward.
The realization of their true intentions struck them like a lightning bolt. They had treated me like an object, attempting to force me into a role I never asked for. The scent of guilt permeated the room as they struggled to find their words, their actions laid bare. Uncertainty filled the air, a mix of regret and confusion swirling around.
As I sat there, uncertainty gnawing at my core, I couldn't help but question my place in this pack. The room seemed suffocating; the walls closing in around me.
"Enjoy your time in Ireland," I said, my voice sharp and filled with bitterness. "I am not sure where I am going to go or if will I want to be in this pack!"
They left in silence, the sound of their footsteps fading away. The empty room echoed with my anger, bitterness, and disappointment. I had reacted, finally letting my true feelings be known, but it seemed to have made no difference. They would continue their lives in Ireland, raising their offspring, and living as a pack, and I would be left behind, an outcast.
The scent of despair lingered, mingling with the fading remnants of their presence. I wasn't sure if I truly wanted to be here anymore. Damon's decision to go to Ireland had less to do with instinct and more to do with the pack's desire to breed, with me no longer a part of their plans. The Irish castle stood as a symbol of their unity, while I remained on the outskirts, a chaos that didn't belong.
The weight of isolation settled heavily on my chest as I stood alone in the empty room, contemplating my future.
Throughout the exquisite meal, the aroma of delectable dishes filled the air, but my mind was consumed with one question: why was I always excluded from the coveted Irish castle? Why did I constantly feel like an outsider in the pack?
As I glanced around the table, I could sense that Damon, too, shared the same thoughts. It was the usual pattern - prioritizing the comfort of others over my own, never considering a solution that could benefit everyone, disregarding the possibility of my own pregnancy.
It was a twisted way of reminding me that I had lost control over my own body, with Damon seemingly holding the reins. In retrospect, it was fortunate that things didn't work out as planned.
The departure of the others was met with a deafening silence. No apologies, no explanations, no pleas for me to stay. I knew it was time for a change, a shift in my surroundings, without disclosing my exact destination. The idea of indulging in a shopping spree followed by seclusion in my secluded German castle, a secret hideaway under an alias, seemed enticing.
However, bitterness was not an emotion I wanted to cling to, so I redirected my focus to other matters, like my impending shopping expedition. But fate had different plans for me, as the very next day, everything changed drastically.
Unexpectedly, I found myself confined, my willpower tested to its limits, as a searing heat coursed through my body, relentless and unyielding. Enduring each day with no sexual release, the pain, anxiety, and torment persisted, unrelenting. This was not a mere craving for physical pleasure; it was an agonizing ache that refused to subside, no matter the circumstances. It felt as if thousands of knives were mercilessly piercing and twisting in my belly.
Reluctant to seek assistance from Colin or Samuel, fearing the information would reach Salvatore's ears, I resolved to endure the ordeal alone. What made matters worse was that even my rage proved futile in alleviating the excruciating pain.
I don't know why, but there was a strange feeling inside me, a mixture of my own messed-up state and uncertainty, that led me to face this job alone and endure it until the very end. I consumed food, swallowed potent painkillers that could knock me out, and drowned my sorrows in alcohol. Sometimes, I sought solace in the bath, although it rarely provided any relief.
For three long months, I suffered in silence, and no one uttered a word. Exhaustion consumed me as the intense heat finally subsided. When the primal urge to procreate vanished, I realized I should probably hire a cleaning service because, well, let's just say I had left my mark, literally, when my instincts compelled me to seek a mate.
On the verge of falling into a deep slumber, Damon's voice suddenly echoed matter-of-factly in my mind, "Baby, we're pregnant, and my instincts won't allow you near, so we'll handle this in Ireland and decide if we still want to care for them after the babies are born."
I simply replied, "Alright, I'm still in Hawaii."
He offered no response, no apology, just continued silence. I remained infuriated and bitterly planned my departure, perhaps indulging in a shopping spree, refusing to believe in their picture-perfect, happily-ever-after façade. After I finally succumbed to a deep, uninterrupted slumber that lasted a staggering 50 hours.
Slowly, I regained my strength, and a sense of joy washed over me as the intense heat dissipated. I allowed the stench to linger in the castle, a lingering reminder for the pack, if they ever returned, of the suffering I endured.
I did not try to erase my marks; they would serve as indisputable evidence. It was another lesson from me, always unexpected. If only they had taken a blood test or tasted my blood, then... but no. That's just the way it is. It seemed as though they had almost anticipated my absence during that heated moment.
After two grueling weeks of recuperating from the heat, I thought, no fucking way. I had envisioned indulging in a lavish shopping spree across Italy and Spain, with their dazzling fashion weeks promising a treasure trove of new dresses exclusively for me. Dresses that wouldn't fit Mariella or wolves, of course. But once again, my grand plan was thwarted by my own body.
I was pregnant. Two weeks and already carrying human babies. Oh, fuck fuck fuck fuck.
And yet, amidst the chaos in my mind, a small voice whispered, "We won't tell Salvatore. Let him focus on his kittens first, and then the babies. We can manage on our own here."
Then, a better idea sparked within me. I'd switch houses, without divulging the true reason behind it. We'd relocate to Fuengirola, a haven that had transformed into an idyllic place for children, brimming with safety. I couldn't help but be sly, even though our pack bonds were closed. He would still hear me, but I doubted he would mind my decision to move or not. Nevertheless, let's show him that we're fulfilling our responsibilities.
"Damon, can I make a move? I'm growing restless, and since you're taking your time, I thought I'd take matters into my own hands," I cautiously queried the pack leader within my mind.
I had to be stealthy, praying that our connection wasn't strong enough to reveal my condition. However, I doubted it, considering their blissful family life.
"Sure, baby. Just let us know where you're headed, so we can find you." His voice resonated in my thoughts.
Now, I had to maintain a low profile and appear convincing.
"Fuengirola. The pack hasn't explored it yet, and it's undergone renovations. I crave some tranquility and relaxation. I'm uncertain if I'll stay there the entire time or if you guys will prolong your perfect family life in Ireland. So, I might venture out," I responded, attempting to sound genuine.
"Fine. I reckon we'll join you in just over a month unless the babies demand our attention sooner. And baby, please, no need for hostility. This is just how things unfolded, and I trust my instincts. We'll welcome our little ones in less than a month, for the first time," Damon reassured me.
I wanted to retort that I'd be the first to give birth, but I restrained myself. I had a plan in motion, knowing they would remain in Ireland. Even their caring for cubs wouldn't be flawless because of my reaction. They were ostriches, yearning to bury their heads in the sand.
So, I began executing my plan, taking on the role of a mother, settling into Fuengirola, one of my safe havens, my sanctuaries, and renovating the nursery. The room was filled with the scent of fresh paint and the sound of my tools at work. I still had an abundance of supplies, unsure of how many I would eventually need or who would come into this world through me.
If I had been sensible, I would have informed the pack about my heat or even my pregnancy, but wisdom and sensibility are not always my strongest suits. I am flawed, far from perfect, and despite identifying as female, I also possess the nature of a woman. It is evident when anger or betrayal consumes me, transforming me into a vengeful and spiteful creature.
And the fact that the alpha female of the pack, who happens to be pregnant, keeps her secret from the male is not a sign of a harmonious relationship by any means. Nor does she reveal the pain and longing she feels during her heat, the need for mating and intimacy. I am not always wise, and sometimes it is my hormones that push me to act foolishly and subject myself to suffering. But what can I do? I can only be true to myself.
Damon sighed and said, " Now do we do puppy or nursery darling?"
Mariella and the other females were still not maternal and had been more or less annoyed by a week of breeding in the traditional way, and then they had been given a sedative up the arse, so they had slept and bred very well. They had babies on the way, which didn't hit them that hard, either.
Damon had been during the whole heat little depressed by Mimi's reaction and Mariella had to admit that she was ashamed as well, they had treated Mimi as an object, not as a woman and she had fucked up when she had seen through it all, and despite the heat being intense time, she had seen Damon being alone, sitting in somewhere and looking in distance, regret written all over his face.
It hadn't been all just work. He had truly enjoyed his time with Mimi, but he could not deny it either. He had not been with her just for fun, but to control her. It had been wrong and now he had retreated into Ireland to give her some time and hope that having cubs and babies would ease him, too.
Mariella thought about it while she was cooking and doing things, and then she remembered. When the alpha female usually puts nursing care in the pack. She tells them it's breeding time, and since Mimi wasn't part of it, their breeding would never be complete without the alpha female. They had not gotten her pheromones and since she had not been part of the heat and she was not pregnant, well, no instinct to care and nurture.
Mariella looked through her radar, habitually, like she used to. She also opened Mimi's guardian radar and furrowed her brows as she looked into history. Her radar could record the history of their subjects. It was upgraded, given by Mimi's powers. There was a notification on the radar that prompted her to investigate a little further. She was curious.
There had been, for three months, she calculated, throughout their heat, Mimi had been in some sort of distress or physical problem, and she had said nothing. It had been severe and long for three months and it had led then some other problems. She was not sure if these directly resulted from whatever had plagued her for three months.
Now Mimi's caloric needs had increased, and she seemed to be a little short on nutrient absorption, anyway. She had also elevated blood pressure and her blood thirst was stronger. And her metabolism was faster too.
"I don't know, Damon; I just remembered that to be a complete pack and to have proper nursing care, we need Mimi, and she needs to reproduce too. Her pheromone and alpha power tell us it's puppy or baby time." Mariella reminded Damon as she went to him, wrapping her hands around him and kissing him.
Damon grunted and said, "It is what it is, then. We can give our offspring to the magic house and concentrate for next time, even as soon as Mimi is in pretty good shape, so we could get her in heat and then do this in the pack. I just hope that we can make it work and get her to cooperate this time. I hate to force her, but she needs to have heat from time to time, too. "
Mariella frowned and said, "I am not sure if she is ready yet. Has she been doing something to herself when she was so fucked up with us, such as drinking? The only thing why I ask is I just checked on my radar and there had been something amiss with her. My radar tells me that Mimi had some kind of distress throughout our heat, and now her caloric intake has increased, her nutrient absorption is deficient, and she has slight deficiencies in one thing or another, her metabolism has spiked. Her blood pressure is elevated, and she needs more blood to drink. You have told me that is not good for Mimi to drink heavily and I don't have evidence but during the three months, it had been severe. Whatever she did."
Damon looked at his wife, thought for a moment, and said, " Fine, I won't open my radar yet, but let's get number four, our pharmacist, to examine Mimi; they are surprisingly close now and then, so we'll know what's wrong with her. Surprise, surprise. Mimi assumed I would just ask her what was wrong, and she would answer suitably vaguely, but when we put in one Salvatore, she can't fool me. She would think that I would give her time and not be near her, not after that explosion and our heat and everything. Let's not be like we used to be, shall we?"
Mariella laughed and said, " Yes, you have changed. Believe it or not, you've become so much more cunning and daring and willing to work with Mimi, and you were very upset that you couldn't get Mimi to go along with this lust and procreation. I know you were deeply sorry about that manipulation and I was too, but it is time to move on and see what is wrong with her."
Damon nodded and mumbled, "I can't always help myself. I just have to treat her wrongly and ruin everything that could have been perfect just because I am stubborn and I need to show her I am stronger. It is what it is, and then, if it ever worked out, I would enjoy it. I'd show Mimi what I could do as a father and as a partner, husband, too."
He focused, talked with number four telepathically, and sent him to investigate Fuengirola, one young lady, their alpha female.
Mariella said, " Let's have dinner and wait for the report of the Four."
At least they had now a plan in place, and then they would know what to do, what was wrong with Mimi, and how to fix her. It depended on so many things. Maybe they would have babies and cubs here and not care for Mimi if she was fine. Mariella couldn't predict what the outcome would be.
Damon nodded, and they started to eat.