29. The Boxer.

Wulfe let out a tired sigh, his breath echoing softly in the dimly lit room. He slowly rose from his seat, careful not to disturb the silence that enveloped the space. Hunger gnawed at his stomach, but time was scarce before the Unicorn would again require his presence. Despite his ability to communicate telepathically, his distinct scent provided her with a sense of security. She needed his proximity.

With brisk steps, Wulfe made his way to the kitchen, the faint sound of his footsteps resonating through the hallway. As he reached his designated spot, he reached up to retrieve his meal from the shelf. It was a peculiar arrangement, having his own shelf where were plates full of food. the Salvatores prepared his meals. Yet, it felt strangely fitting, a testament to how well he had adapted to living within the pack.

Just as he settled into his seat, he noticed Magnum approaching the kitchen, appearing worn down. Magnum, too, retrieved his meal and took his place at the table. Each member of the pack had their assigned spots, strategically positioned between the Salvatores, away from Mimi. Wulfe couldn't help but feel a sense of contentment, knowing that he belonged.

Magnum, seemingly exasperated, muttered, "God, that woman is insatiable. I'm exhausted from her insatiable libido, but I still lack the stamina. At least not yet."

Wulfe chuckled softly and inquired, "Princess?"

Magnum grunted, shaking his head slightly before responding, "Mimosa. She's insatiable. Nothing seems to satisfy her, even when it's the five of us with her. She drains me completely."

Wulfe's amusement persisted as he recounted his recent endeavors, saying, "I finally put Mimi to sleep. She had been tirelessly working for two weeks straight. Once I found her, she drifted off like a light in my arms. I carried her to a bedroom and have been there for the past five days, tending to her mind, ensuring her slumber remains undisturbed."

Magnum furrowed his brow in concern and stated, "That's a good catch. It's been over a year since she last had a proper rest. She's accumulated quite a sleep debt. But at some point, she'll need to eat."

Wulfe grunted in agreement, acknowledging the necessity, and replied, "Once I manage to untangle her mind. It's a mess, thanks to Salvatore's uncontrollable rage. He punished her instead of helping her, forcing her to kill innocent humans."

Magnum's disbelief was clear as he shook his head, struggling to comprehend the situation. "What the hell? Why? Who?"

Wulfe explained, "It was that cruise, a long time ago. There were 21 humans involved. Mariella uncovered the memory and informed Damon. Damon promised to eliminate them all. He manipulated Mimi, drugging her to ensure compliance as she carried out half of the killings."

Magnum's mind raced, trying to make sense of it all. While he understood Salvatore's commitment to fulfilling promises, he couldn't fathom subjecting Mimi, already fragile mentally, to such trauma. Perhaps Salvatore saw her vulnerability as an opportunity, a way to exploit her. Magnum, however, vowed to never treat Mimi as prey or victim. His feelings for her ran too deep, ensuring her safety above all else. 

Wulfe quickly devoured his meal, savoring each bite as he ate with efficiency. Time was of the essence; he needed to return to Mimi before she woke up, fearing that her absence of his scent would stir her from slumber. Throughout the night, he had slept next to her, protecting her while his spell and telepathy gently cleared her troubled mind. But it would take time and careful handling; rushing would only provoke her resistance, as she sensed the nature of his actions.

Mimi was who she was, believing that she alone bore the weight of the world. However, Wulfe refused to let her endure such suffering any longer. He had to be cunning, and persistent, and perhaps one day, she would relax and accept that true happiness was not beyond her reach.

Magnum interjected, "You're going back to her, right? I was thinking we should explore these rooms. I spent time here once, caring for her, and cooking her meals. But now, this place feels more like home to me. I haven't seen everything, and there are secret passages Damon used to stalk her."

Wulfe grunted, reflecting on the twisted history between Mimi and Damon. They had experienced moments of bliss and turmoil, with Damien often exacerbating the situation. He finished his meal swiftly but sufficiently, knowing that he needed to maintain his strength to maintain control over his powers. Eating was necessary, but being close to her was his priority. Observing her peaceful slumber, despite her clear fatigue, he vowed to let her rest as much as possible. However, if Salvatore interrupted their tranquility with his inquiries, Wulfe was prepared to reveal the truth to everyone.

He could sense the underlying blame towards Mimi from the pack, even if they didn't voice it aloud. Charles' resentment was especially palpable through his telepathy. It would benefit everyone if they confronted their concerns about Mimi. Wulfe was ready to show them how she slept peacefully in his arms, how he became her rock and her unwavering source of trust, now and forever.

Returning to the bedroom, Magnum accompanied Wulfe. It was a simple room, like the others, but it housed Mimi in her slumber. She lay sprawled on the bed, still fully dressed, her face etched with weariness despite being in a deep sleep. Her hands clenched slightly, while the drawn curtains cast a dim and serene ambiance. The room felt cool, but Mimi was partially covered, ensuring her comfort. She stirred slightly in her sleep, lost in the realm of dreams.

She appeared visibly distressed; her furrowed brows and trembling lips reflecting her inner turmoil. Without his telepathy, Wulfe could still sense the nightmares pressing against the barriers he had erected in her mind. It was time to restore her sense of safety, to let her know he was there for her.

Wulfe walked to the bed, settling himself beside her and gently lifting her onto his lap. As he held her, he could feel the warmth of her body against his, his familiar scent calming her senses. Slowly, she relaxed, sinking into a deeper sleep as Wulfe tenderly stroked her hair. Magnum entered the room, quietly gathering her used clothes and placing them in the laundry. This routine was nothing new to him, having lived with her long enough to know her habits.

Magnum softly suggested, "Should we change her clothes and put a nightgown on her? It might offer more comfort."

Wulfe replied, "I hadn't considered it yet, but it could be beneficial. She'll be in a deep enough sleep soon, so she shouldn't wake up. Do we have a nightgown for her? We can wash her clothes as well."

Magnum searched through the room, finding a selection of clothes for her. He sorted through them, including the half-used ones she had placed on the shelves, setting them aside for washing. Meanwhile, Wulfe began to undress her, murmuring soothing words even as she slumbered. He carefully removed her thick shirt and warm undershirt, feeling the heat of her soft skin beneath his hands. As he caressed her, his fingers brushed against her delicate breasts and the contours of her ribs. Slowly, he unbuttoned her jeans, aided by Magnum, who had found a clean nightgown.

Together, they gently eased her tight jeans off, followed by her panties, which she preferred not to wear while sleeping. Magnum carried her clothes to the laundry and returned with a washing bowl filled with warm water and soft washcloths. They began to cleanse her body, being mindful not to disturb her slumber. It was clear just how exhausted she was, her weariness not stemming from drugs, but from the sheer weight of exhaustion. The feeling of safety enveloped her, allowing her to remain blissfully asleep even as they tended to her needs. 

Damon rolled off Mariella, sighing as his frantic heartbeat started to calm down. The heavy scent of their sex hung in the air, mingling with the dimly lit room and the messy, tousled bed. As he lay there, he replayed everything in his mind, realizing that once again he had messed up, and this time, it was a big one. He had no idea what was left to salvage. No breeding season had happened as cubs and babies had been cleanly cut out in one swift operation and sent to the magic house.

"I did it again," he confessed, his voice filled with regret. "I let my rage take over, and I took it out on Mimi. And then this. We're not even married, and I strongly doubt she wants to be with me anymore. I made her kill those guys. I drugged her and forced her to kill innocent people until her vampire side took hold and started to enjoy it. It's one thing she resents, not wanting to kill, but I just don't understand."

Mariella responded, her tone filled with disappointment. "I have to say, you really blew it this time. We can't change the past, and I'm not sure if a wedding is anywhere near in our future. We're all on the road to recovery, and as much as I want to say I won't blame Mimi, I would be lying. Her war with those vampires..."

Damon interrupted, frustrated. "You're not the only one. Magnum and Wulfe are the only ones who don't blame her but instead help her. Did you know she hasn't slept in a year? With her physiology and all the stress, natural sleep is crucial for her. But she's sleeping now, with Wulfe. She feels safe with him. She needs him by her side."

Mariella suggested, trying to find a way forward. "How about we go shower, grab something to eat in the kitchen, and then figure out our next steps? We need to try to move on and see where we go from here. And if Mimi could wake up now and then and eat, that would be good too. My radar shows she's been sleeping for a week straight, not waking up to eat. She'll have to do that at some point."

Damon grunted, feeling a mixture of shame and determination. He knew he needed to face Mimi, even if he was ashamed of his actions. Mariella was right; she needed to eat, or else her body would suffer. It was time for him to step up as a leader once again. He knew that Magnum and Wulfe would see him as a jealous bastard, using this as an excuse, but deep down, he just couldn't bear the thought of Mimi being with anyone else. It felt like an excuse to wake her up, to not let her be with them, but since he couldn't be her security, he had to do something.

They entered the steamy shower, the water cascading over their tired bodies. The dim light in the bathroom cast a somber atmosphere, matching their weary spirits. The weight of their lives, their choices, and their burdens hung heavily in the air. Sex was not the solution they sought, but rather facing the harsh reality they found themselves in.

It was difficult not to assign blame, but that cursed spell had wreaked havoc on them more than they cared to admit. It was time to move forward, to see what lay ahead, and to ensure that Mimi would wake up and nourish herself at some point. He yearned to make it right, to not be a jealous bastard, but instead a caring doctor or a strong pack leader.

After the shower, he dressed himself and handpicked clothes for Mariella, the ones he had purchased for her. He had bought little for Mimi, and he reminisced about the first time he took her clothes shopping, a distant memory now. He knew that the entire pack held varying degrees of blame toward Mimi, but perhaps they shouldn't. Maybe it was time to face the truth that they had enemies, not just Mimi. However, the complexities of their situation made it far from simple. He knew that his mind always sought someone to blame, regardless of if they were truly guilty.

As they made their way to the kitchen, a few Salvatores were cooking, almost done, and Adam and Charles were busy preparing desserts. Damon noticed Charles' tense posture, a clear sign that something was bothering him. Before Damon could say anything, Mariella approached Charles and wrapped herself around him, concern etched on her face.

She asked, "What's wrong? Something is clearly bothering you. Tell me."

Charles grunted and replied, "It's nothing special, just a lesson learned."

Damon spoke in a quiet voice, "Mimi, right? You saw her sleeping in Wulfe's arms?"

Charles nodded, his voice rough as he said, "I understand you so much better now. It must have felt like this when you saw her sleeping in my arms back then..."

Damon nodded in agreement. "It was like a hammer striking my heart, a painful blow."

Charles admitted, "He sleeps with her at night and for a long time in the morning. I understand, as she hasn't slept in over a year. I should have been the one to notice, but instead, I played the blame game. So much for being there for her always and forever."

Mariella leaned in to kiss Charles and reassured him, "Wulfe told Mimi that the spell was rotten, that it affected all of us. It will take time to rid ourselves of its effects. Wulfe is incredibly important to Mimi, and we need to learn to appreciate that. We must step up our game, show her we're still here, and not give in or retreat from her."

Damon added, "First, let's eat. Then we'll try to wake her up and get her to eat. Her body suffers if she goes without food for too long. It's a clinical decision, and you know it as well as I do."

They sat around the cozy kitchen, enveloped in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Damon couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia as he realized how many times he had dined here before. He remembered how he had demanded in the past this a party spot, a place where he acted foolishly, meaning fucking party, and blaming Mimi because she had been ill. As he glanced at the comforting curtains, he couldn't help but acknowledge that this kitchen, this manor, was Mimi's true home.

Several Salvatores were gathered, indulging in food and drinks, engaged in a lively discussion about Mimosa and Magnum. They speculated how Mimosa's insatiable nature would eventually wear Magnum out, leading to their inevitable encounter in bed. Damon listened halfheartedly, feeling the weight of his age, realizing that the ongoing crises had taken their toll. Perhaps it was time for a holiday.

Late summer transitioned into autumn, and Damon knew that once Mimi was well, they could embark on a much-needed break. He wasn't sure how long it would be or what they would do, but he considered the Azores, or maybe Ireland, to regain control over himself. Mimi would likely return to work, and he had no intention of denying her that freedom.

Finally, just as they were finishing their meal, Wulfe entered the kitchen, his expression neutral. He made his way to the fridge, hoping to grab a bite, but Mariella intercepted him.

"Wait up, boy wonder," she said, her words laced with a hint of protectiveness. "Let me examine you for any anomalies. It's part of my duty as a protector."

Mariella sank her fangs into Wulfe's neck, tasting his blood to detect any irregularities. After a moment, she withdrew, lost in thought, while a few Salvatores went to the fridge. Wulfe rolled his eyes and took his seat, patiently waiting for his meal.

As the food arrived, Damon noticed Wulfe eyeing the smoothies suspiciously.

Mariella reassured him, explaining, "Your vitamin levels are all over the place. These smoothies will help balance them out. As a wizard, you need more than just blood; you require substantial nourishment. What you've done for Mimi has drained your energy, so eat up, boy wonder."

Wulfe cautiously sipped on the smoothies, and Damon voiced his concern, "Mimi needs to wake up. It's been a week since she last ate. Once she does, we'll assess the situation and decide our next steps. At some point, we'll all take a holiday, and you're free to do whatever you please, even if it's not a sex-filled getaway."

Wulfe nodded as he savored each bite, the taste of the food filling his senses. He had meticulously cleared Mimi's mind, erasing any traces of confusion, allowing her to awaken. Locking eyes with Damon, his pale and sharp gaze revealed both wisdom and age.

His voice held a firm tone as he stated the facts. "I have spent this entire week cleansing her mind, ensuring she regains her semblance of self. As a telepath who loves her dearly, it was an easy decision for me to make. Keep her resting and assist her."

Damon nodded in understanding, a silence settling between them. There was little to be said at this moment. Soon, Mimi would awaken, and they would have a few weeks to acquaint themselves with this unfamiliar place. Damon realized the surroundings needed attention - renovations and repairs were clear. They didn't need to rely solely on magic; they had a skilled crew for the magical house who would handle the necessary tasks once they devised a plan.