As I, Mimi Salvatore, alpha female, pregnant one with five little ones, watched the fireworks on New Year's, I felt overwhelmed. I was pregnant, my belly growing daily, and Salvatore's need to boss me around was escalating. I was pregnant, not incapacitated! I was sick and tired of him threatening to get Charles to remotely control my sedative organ if I didn't stop whatever he'd forbidden.
What was with the men? Whether I was climbing in the hamster warehouse, moving boxes to sort them, or doing my stretches and acrobatics at the gym—activities vital for maintaining my fitness—Salvatore's snarky voice would comment on the extra calories I was supposedly burning. Who cared? It was my body, my choice.
Wulfe was there for me, but unlike Mariella, he wasn't automatically on my side. If Damon talked to him—and he certainly could—Wulfe would demand that I stop what I was doing, which infuriated me. When I was angry, my voice boomed, and I lost all filter, but the men had become thick-skinned to my outbursts.
This also frustrated Mariella, as her usual comments didn't work on the men either; they were just damn patient with us. I might scream at Damon, and he'd simply raise a very condescending eyebrow, arms crossed, waiting for my tirade to end so he could make his point. Like I was just a child throwing a tantrum. I was hormonal and didn't want to behave perfectly all the time; I had fucking rights.
At least there were still things I could do, although butchering meat wasn't one of them. It wasn't because sharp knives and I were a bad combination, or because of the risk of infection; it was just bullshit. They simply wanted to do it themselves and make sure I couldn't. It sometimes felt like the only things I was allowed to do were breathing and eating; any activity that used my muscles was off-limits. For instance, I had been doing pelvic floor exercises with a gym ball, but they removed it because they were concerned about the risk of somehow forcing my cervix open, given that I had carried five babies.
After Christmas, Mariella had convinced Salvatore and the others to work with me. They had been off for the entire holiday season and were scheduled to return to work after the New Year. I was already feeling stressed when my massive flower order arrived. It was a substantial order, and I now had eight to ten eager florists to create arrangements.
My shop was also open, and we were selling a lot of flowers and crystals. I had become fairly skilled at wire wrapping and creating simple crystal designs, and Mariella was educating customers about crystals and their uses. She had a few highly sought-after, "loaded" crystals, which she sold at a premium price, and despite their powerful effects, there was always a demand for them. For example, she once sold a pink opal carving, "loaded" with my lust, to Sheila and Harold, who would then spend hours in bed, regardless of their visiting grandchildren.
I had also created some modern designs, like arrangements where flowers were arranged around the stems like vines on a pillar. This style particularly appealed to one florist, number one, who was very enthusiastic about it. Charles, another florist, also created large, expensive arrangements using my flowers, and they always sold. I had huge, almost multihued hydrangeas, multicolored roses and carnations, and oh boy did he use them.
However, right now, I was standing outside in the frigid air. Despite my warm clothing, the wind howled, nipping at my face, and my fingertips were numb with cold. I was also officially in my second trimester, and I anticipated an increase in my already volatile temperament. Adam stood beside me as Lepard and Demon set up more fireworks.
We watched them illuminate the dark night sky, as it was truly dark here, with no city lights visible and no moon in sight. The darkness was almost ethereal, but it made the fireworks even more spectacular. The city hadn't organized official fireworks, but citizens were permitted to set off their own, likely to save money. I wasn't sure.
I really didn't care, to be honest. Of course, there were always problems to solve and money to consider, but I had to remember that I also had a life to live.
Adam grabbed me, put his arm around my shoulders, and pulled me close, murmuring, "Oh, honey, this is just so perfect. Just wait until next year, when we have so many small versions of you with us."
I muttered but smiled, "Oh, am I not enough for you? You want more of me?"
He turned to me, kissed me passionately, causing Mariella to grunt. Adam had been really cold towards Mariella, clearly choosing his side, and he wasn't afraid to show it. He had found his alpha side, too, though it wasn't all good for me still. I was so damn happy.
As we finally went inside, Salvatores went to the kitchen to get some hot chocolate and marshmallows or whatever. Charles and Adam made sure the fireplace had a good fire and the living room was warm enough for us. I was tired, of course. It seemed I got tired more these days than before, but then again, maybe it was just good for me.
I had known it, I had slept alone in our bedroom all through Christmas. Wulfe had been busy, as Charles needed him to see to the finances, and Damon had spent time with Mariella. Salvatores had entertained the girls, and I was fine.
Sure, I had known it, but what pissed me off was the real reason why I had been evicted from my original bedroom. It was because Mariella wanted it as her nursery, even though their bedroom was across the hall. Oh my god, she had no sense of safety, a nursery in a room with a fireplace? Come on! Or did she maybe plan to have multiple nurseries as her kids grew up?
But fine, Charles was pissed off as well when this had come out, but he had let it go, just making it clear it was her project, and neither he nor Adam would help her. She would have to rely on Salvatores, and as pack leader, Charles had made no vow of being fair when it came to certain supplies.
My nursery was on the third floor, and there was a bedroom nearby where I could try to sleep, but I knew from experience it wouldn't happen, not at first. Charles had made sure that what I had wanted was moved behind a locked storage room so Mariella couldn't get it. Actions and consequences, time for her to learn it too. This time, Damon would not be there, handing her everything she whined for and leaving me without, but it would be the opposite. Me first.
I sat in my chair, attempting to quell my anger, which seemed to be my default emotion when it came to certain pack members these days. I was utterly fed up with the needy little princess, and my catty mind began formulating small, harmless ways to get back at her, considering I was the pack leader. Wulfe came over and squeezed in next to me. It was a tight fit, but he managed to wrap his arm around me, placing a hand on my bump.
"My unicorn," he said, "I love you. Tonight, I have a special bedroom for us, so you don't have to be alone. You'll be with me, and tomorrow is still a free day."
He kissed me passionately, and I kissed him back, letting him feel my love. I noticed Mariella watching, pursing her lips. Number One was discussing our health check results from yesterday with Numbers Four and Five. Mariella's values weren't perfect, causing a slight concern, which did not sit well with her as she wanted everything to be fine and dandy, without any medical drama.
I was just a few days short of week 14, and my five little ones were the size of an orange. It was no surprise that I was sporting a bump, containing oranges inside me, though I couldn't yet feel the movement. Damon wanted to come to my health check next week, and I wasn't particularly eager, as my 'me' attitude had resurfaced, and I preferred to handle things on my own.
Several Salvatores had read my book, my so-called bible, and they found much to consider. For instance, my immune system would be less active, prioritizing the babies over me, preventing infections. Some of them would be with me at work, able to take days or weeks off, since they could also find other jobs.
Numbers Six and Eight had already applied for driving gigs, which paid better than their bakery jobs. Charles had invested for each of us, managing our investment accounts. He was a financial genius and knew how to make money. The fact that my shop would soon be ours further motivated everyone to contribute.
Mariella watched Wulfe cuddling me, and she sneered, her lip curling slightly. Of course, Wulfe saw this, and his hands became restless. My libido had been extremely low, and I hadn't had any intimate activity in ages, but this creature with me was determined to change that.
This, of course, got Number Five's attention, as he was starting to feel possessive over me. His jealousy, rivaling almost Number One's, was awakening, and for good—but not for Mariella, for me. I could almost hear the gears turning in his mind, plotting how to include himself in our little nighttime activity.
Mariella finally said, "Wulfe, please, we are soon getting some hot chocolate. Stop trying to fuck Mimi in that spot."
Wulfe didn't care, but his lips moved to my neck, and he sank his fangs into my throat, drinking as seductively as possible. The orgasm hit me fast, and I panted, sweat pouring down my forehead. My nipples seemed to grow, my pussy lit up, gushing juices, and a heady mix of strawberries and champagne floated in the air.
Mariella knew that if she tried to get Wulfe to drink her blood, there would be no orgasm, only pain. But then again, she liked pain here and there, and maybe it would get Damon to pay attention to her, too. As Wulfe finally stopped feeding, he smiled, his lips slightly red, and a beastly look on his face.
Mariella had finally gotten Number One's attention, and she was eagerly telling him how Wulfe was feeding from me, and whether it was good for me.
Damon said in a bored voice, " 'Ella, calm the hell down, or I'll ask Charles to press your button a few times. She can take feeding, and it's just good to get her lust awakened. Stop being a cow, you jealous hag."
He returned to his conversation, and it seemed Number One was not feeling so tender toward Mariella after all, or perhaps his nerves were fraying. Mariella pursed her lips, and she had a certain expression that told me she had noticed that too. She was aiming to rile Damon up, even more so.
Mariella rose and approached Charles, who was seated on the sofa.
She settled onto his lap, saying, "My protector, I crave blood. I'm in the mood for yours. May I?"
Charles grunted. He was now clean-shaven, a consequence of my earlier fun with him and Adam's hair plucking. I'd been careful to moderate it, wanting it to remain a special experience.
Charles pulled Mariella closer, positioning her to straddle him. "Hmm, darling, you seem eager, even with your pregnancy. But certainly, you can have a meal."
His voice was dark and seductive, which caused Damon to turn his head and frown, his brow furrowing. Still panting from the recent events, I heard Damon snap his fingers to get my attention. He then tilted his neck slightly. I needed no further invitation. I rose like a starving jaguar and stalked towards my blood meal.
My bloodlust, already significant, was now overwhelming. Despite consuming five liters of super-strong blood weekly, a significant increase from my usual three liters twice a month, no amount seemed sufficient. According to Wulfe, this was partly due to me and partly due to my babies. Blood was nutritious, and I was pregnant.
As I straddled Damon, I wrapped my legs around his thighs, restrained his arms, and sank my fangs into his throat – fast and brutally, without mercy. Hot blood gushed down, a sensation of pure heaven. Wulfe had assured me I wouldn't experience any VENOMS from this, meaning I wouldn't mess up my freaking neural chemicals chasing a high and burning them out.
I fed. A pregnant vampire with quintuplets, it showed. My babies, being vampires, also enjoyed Damon's or anyone's blood, and since Wulfe had recently drained me, my appetite was even more ravenous. My feeding session soon caused Mariella to cease her play.
I was now Damon's target, as I was giving him something he craved but rarely asked for: pain, and a hard, hot pain as I tore into his throat. I felt his muscles straining, grunts emanating from deep within his chest. Pain flooded our bond, yet there was a dark pleasure as he relished pain; he wanted to feel alive, and pain was something that made him feel something real.
As I continued to feed, he reveled in it, then sent me "Eternal Flame," momentarily distracting me. But I wasn't finished. It wasn't time to stop. I drove my fangs deeper into his throat, tearing into his jugular with gusto, and let the blood gush. My appetite eventually began to wane, and by then, he'd likely be feeling weak, no longer eager to seduce Mariella.
Mariella, feeling his pain and pleasure, grew jealous; she couldn't give Damon what I could. Knowing all the Salvatores were similar, I knew I'd have meals ready to suffer whenever Wulfe released my bloodlust. He was the one keeping an eye on me, ensuring I didn't lose control, but I got enough blood so that my blood hunger wouldn't mess with me anymore.
After 45 minutes, I finally stopped, pulled my fangs out, wiped my lips, and got off. Damon was wet with sweat, shaking, and pale. As soon as I was done, Mariella rushed to him, cooing and crooning. I went to sit in my chair, next to Wulfe, and sipped my hot chocolate.
This was exactly what I wanted: my vampire side fully at rest, belly full of hot blood, and this perfect cup of steaming hot chocolate. Wulfe was beside me, his seduction still ongoing, and I knew watching me feed had him ready for some bedroom activity. Charles, Adam, and number five were in on it too, and I guessed my night might be quite lustful.
I was so ready; my pussy was wet, getting wetter, my breasts seemed tender, tight, throbbing, and my skin was so sensitive, adding even more to my arousal. Mariella helped Damon to stand and directed him toward a bedroom. The girls took the Salvatores, and the boys were with me. Oh yeah, it was a good ending to the year. Let's see what the next one brings, shall we?