After taking a few hours to recover, the first thing I remember was being heavily medicated. Then, almost half the pack surrounded me, making sure I was alright, which I was. Number one and number four gave me a bed bath, helped me get dressed, and fixed my hair. Finally, I was heading to the kitchen to eat, a slow process with five toddlers clinging to me, unwilling to let go. Eventually, they relented.
Salvatores and Mariella ushered them to the kitchen, and finally, after they were seated and I was too, waiting for our meals, I rolled my eyes. My alpha feline side purred happily as Damon kept his focus on me. My vampire side was dormant, almost in a coma, and I could feel Damon's vampire dominance over it. He had his issues with my vampire side, but there was also Wulfe's influence present.
Surprisingly, I felt a new layer of shielding and containment over my darkness. While it was restless at times, and I didn't always have many tools to deal with it, aside from my willpower, which was only slightly stronger than my rage, I used almost all of my free willpower to keep my rage contained, leaving my darkness restless. However, I also had heavy layering of pure Wulfe's will, as well as several spells in my mind, keeping that part down.
My mind, recently "serviced," hadn't diminished my desire for independence. While savoring thick wagyu steaks, I realized they were prepared by Number One. I was planning a plan, and Mariella was also eating, when my hormones surged again, causing my mind to spin out of control. This meant I was feeling catty and competitive. Damon sat beside me, his expression neutral, but his gaze flitting between the toddlers, me, and Mariella.
Ready with my plan, I communicated through our bond to Damon, "My love, I'm being catty again, but do you want to hear my latest idea about Mariella? My hormones are raging, so this is going to be nasty, kind of."
Damon glanced at me, then at Number Five, who smiled slightly and nodded.
I asked Number Five, "I don't know how many I have, but would it be too difficult for Number One to wake up a few more embryos inside Mariella so she would only have one fewer baby than me? Now her total is six, I have five, and what I'm cooking up means her new brood would be much bigger than just three."
Number Five's smile widened. Number One blinked a few times, glancing at me sharply, then allowed a smirk to form.
I felt his warm hand over my belly, and his voice whispered in my mind, "Well, we have another five here. I can surely add a few more of mine to Mariella, making her a little heavier, just watch."
I rolled my eyes internally. Another five? Yippee, ten babies! As I'd said, I am so damn fertile; my body just loves to make babies. Finally, after we had eaten several platefuls, Damon got up and went to Mariella. He pulled her up and kissed her. She was a bit overwhelmed but wrapped herself around him and returned his kiss. They walked out of the kitchen, Damon still smirking predatorily.
Having once been the very picture of innocence, I saw a potential benefit in allowing Damon and Mariella to reconnect. This would give him a chance to forget me, and the little "snowball" had too many plans of her own to constantly be bothered by her husbands.
Additionally, Mariella's pregnancy, now with a few more babies on the way, meant she'd be surrounded by a veritable sea of worried husbands, ensuring she was well and that preeclampsia wouldn't be an issue. This left me free to focus on my own tasks, which included leading the pack and tackling a possible new mega-order.
I was, after all, only about six weeks pregnant, so I had time. The big order was needed in approximately 15 months, giving me plenty of leeway. However, I still needed to spend some time with the kids, re-orient myself in business, optimize our wing, and ensure everyone was on track. It was a rather enjoyable prospect.
As I was planning, Number Two informed me, "The pheromone lab is now ready. So, today, when the kids are out with the girls, you have some pheromone teaching to do."
I rolled my eyes and replied, "Well, for starters, we could discuss how to identify each of our pheromones. I have a special alcohol in mine, a version permutation of whatever I do; it's my signature. Each creature has its own signature, which is not easy to find. One has to create several and then find the common denominator, a process that takes time. So, there's a little project for you."
Number Four chimed in, "And surely you have this alcohol documented chemically so we can analyze it? And since we are your halves, it's highly likely we do something similar, which could give us a head start."
He was fully immersed in scientific mode, just as I'd hoped.
I responded, "Yes, I have my pheromone listing, detailing what I've done and what's been identified. Colin expects me to identify many more by the time this is over, so I need to get moving."
Number Two then said softly, "Baby, this isn't just you and Damn Ferrell anymore. Learn that this is us. We teach, we study, not just Colin. Sure, he's brilliant, and he helps, but we are your husbands, mates, your other halves."
I nodded, sensing some tension. Hmm, I needed to find something to distract him, too.
"My unicorn," Wulfe's voice echoed in my mind, "take it easy. You're good at distracting the Salvatores, but I'm not so easily fooled. This potion has linked us even more, and it's also linked Number One to you, and you to him. You might even experience some of his sensations. I have searching spells that will seek out specific sensations in your mind, and once they hone in, the memory will be hidden from you. No more stalling. I'm not letting you decide what's 'nasty' enough. All I can do is inform the Salvatores of what I find and have them interrogate you, forcing your mind to reveal its nastiness."
I rolled my eyes. Wulfe was truly freaked out. He wasn't listening, wasn't taking it easy, and wasn't being polite. It seemed he had brought out the big guns.
Calmly, he continued in my mind, "Oh, honey, these are just medium guns, and not even all of them. I have much more in my arsenal."
Fine. It seemed my life was once again taking a turn, and it would require some serious planning. I walked towards the living room or kids' playroom, intending to sit and watch them. Then, my thoughts drifted to the future—five more babies. I remembered just how much it took to care for the current ones.
The new set wouldn't likely be much bigger when they came, so I'd have five shrimps and five potentially jealous toddlers on my hands. Not easy times ahead. We have a lot of people in this pack, but if Mariella had a bigger litter too, we'd be plenty busy.
I began crafting my steps in my mind. I'd have to figure out if I'd get a chance to work a few days in my flower shop, and how difficult this pregnancy would be. Adding the stress of toddlers...oh my god. Things just started to flood my mind, one thought building upon another as I listed all possible complications and how to handle them.
To be honest, I hadn't fully processed everything. I clearly had issues with Damon, considering what happened with me, the babies, their illnesses, Damon's weakness in handling everything without a breakdown, his little anarchy studies, and now this: I was pregnant. I was four weeks along, meaning Mariella was likely twelve weeks or more. Good for her.
I needed to get my mind in order and deal with my issues. Otherwise, my thoughts would quickly become a mess again, with me twisting and turning things, blaming myself. I needed to be strong for my babies, but I also needed someone to be there for me, or at least keep an eye on me. Being strong and trying to do everything was a huge trigger for my neurosis, and being pregnant while letting my mind get into knots wasn't ideal.
Frankly, I was fed up with being a victim or needing things; I just needed some peace or a way to move on. That was easier said than done, knowing myself. My mind started to race again. I focused on the next task, refusing to just sit and think.
There was always something to do; the list of tasks and chores seemed endless. The Salvatores wanted me to teach them about pheromones. I wasn't sure if it would be easy or feasible, but I could try. I had some pheromone analyzers and a small, hidden pheromone studio in the cellar. Still, the kids were so active and wanted to be with me, so it might not be a priority yet, as it would take time and effort, and with several curious Salvatores around, I would need to stay focused. I wasn't in the mood.
God, what had happened? And my pregnancy…I wanted to react, to feel, not control every aspect of my mind, and that wasn't easy. I had a new order to consider. Taking it would mean a huge payday and a boost in reputation, and I could probably do it.
But the bigger question was whether my overeager husband would let me take it, or if I was under constant surveillance. I hoped not. I still had months to go, and since Mariella would be having hers much sooner than I, and if Damon could make her carry a good litter, it would keep the males busy. Hmm.
I needed to review the order, perform my calculations, and then provide an estimate, all while trying to remain unnoticed – a task that proved more difficult than anticipated. I also wanted to spend time with the children, but nighttime arrived, bringing with it the need to assess chores, assign tasks, and ensure their completion. Then, there was the matter of teaching.
My mind became a whirlwind of responsibilities. I began making lists, prioritizing tasks and devising backup plans. As I sat, lost in thought, pleasant memories, especially those of Jake and Rob, began to surface. I wasn't sure why, but their presence was strangely comforting. Perhaps I was trying to understand myself better, to compare who I was then to who I am now, and to consider how this current life would change me. Would I become completely domesticated, a housewife devoid of the adrenaline-fueled adventures I once craved?
May and Emmylee joined me, Emmylee asking, "What are you thinking? You have a strange look on your face. The kids are napping, by the way."
I nodded and replied, "Old stuff, memories, good ones. I'm trying to figure out why I'm dwelling on them. Am I going through some sort of identity crisis, or is my neurosis flaring up again? Am I completely crazy, or what?"
May rolled her eyes and said, "Nope, you're not crazy, at least not according to us. Tell us a story, will you?"
Before I could respond, the men arrived. Several Salvatores, Adam, Charles, the other boys, and Wulfe all gathered, waiting for a story, a memory from the past.
I had a few, at least, and I agreed, "Fine, it's nothing too special, but here goes. I was once deep in missions, working back-to-back, and frustrated with the men who were always partying. So, I focused on my work. It was Christmas time, and I was in Belfast, pursuing some pharmaceutical bosses. Back then, I planned my missions as solo operations, but there were a few guys in my organization who were fiercely protective of me."
I smiled slightly. Time, of course, had given me perspective, and memories like this were less a burden and more a blessing.
Number Five gave me a look that I could feel jealousy emanating from him, as well as from at least Numbers Four, Nine, and Ten. Despite Jake and Rob having long been dead, they had been such a significant part of my journey that they still managed to make the Salvatores jealous, which was quite amusing.
My voice was slightly amused as I continued, "I was walking in Belfast a few days or perhaps a week before Christmas, when I intended to lure and trap my victim. Suddenly, a cab stopped near me, and the door opened. To my utter surprise, Jake approached me, his voice tight as he said,"Listen to me, Mimi, and listen well: no solo gigs. You've read the reports; they might have WEG on them, and you're not taking any risks. No solo gigs." WEG, of course, was short for Wanderfield Electromagnetic Guard, a fancy machine that created a forcefield, shielding them from sniper and regular bullets. We usually dealt with them as a pair. One of us had a scrambling machine to disable the WEG while the other took out the target. This was necessary because the WEG's modulation oscillations could change its frequency, requiring the scrambler operator to make adjustments. So, there I was, getting another lecture. WEG was rare, but since it was one of Sark's inventions, a High Priority Target (HPT) might possess them."
I took a breath as Number Four's voice, deceptively soft, asked, "Pray tell me, wife, are there still WEG around?"
I nodded and replied, "We usually have tiny scramblers attached to our gear now, with AI handling the takedown. No need for a separate team. Magnum's invention, ironically, required shed session machines to make them. We have them on about 60% of our gear, and loose versions if there's evidence of WEG."
He pursed his lips, unhappy but thoughtful, since this life hadn't required me to do any missions for years. As for the future, only time would tell.
Number Nine then asked, "Go on, what happened next? Did your mission with Jake go well?"
He smirked, sensing that it hadn't gone as planned.
"Yeah, I must admit, and this will be a surprise for you too, but did you know that Jake was about ten times more jealous than you? I mean, when I went to my first victim with all my gear—top, pants, coat, makeup, the whole nine yards—and this sleazy fat pig next to me drooled almost on my cleavage, Jake lost it. He came up to him and punched him in the nose, and hard. We both got thrown out. He yelled at me in the alley that I went too deep into my role.
He said, 'Mimi, we men are easy. I get you are upset as men are with other women, but come on, you don't have to pimp yourself that hard. Less is more, no more this shit, you hear me?'
He called Murdock, told him as well as a few other snipers, or our killers, and let's just say I didn't kill a single one of my 33 targets when Jake wouldn't leave me alone."
I sighed as I watched my husbands, several of them howling with laughter, having way too good a time at my expense.
Adam finally said, "I mean, I would never have guessed, but he loved you, and I have to be honest, if you're going to do that kind of work, I am not sure if I should let you."
Number five said, "I won't, nope, no seduction of strangers, not in a million years, so just accept it, baby."
I rolled my eyes; it's not easy to live in a pack of 14 husbands and one soulmate whose disdain for that kind of seduction was now too evident. Wulfe had not been jealous in the past, but then again, our relationship was so damn deep, so I couldn't blame him.
My life, at least it is interesting, and that is something. Well, let's see what our life will be from now on. I hope to get some of my husbands into a more relaxed mode, meaning I don't need 14 burdocks on me all the time. I need some me time, and I'm usually pretty good at getting it. I was planning my little plan, called 'Having My Own Time.' But this was our family life, perfect with its imperfections.