The Salvatore Saga, Part Four: My new Life

Damon rolled off Mariella and sighed. He gazed at the ceiling, taking a few deep breaths. Mariella squirmed slightly, a smile on her lips, her skin flushed, and the air thick with her arousal. She was happy and not really thinking about what had just happened, simply basking in post-orgasmic bliss.

Number two groaned next to her, saying, "I must say, she can do it."

Mariella smiled and replied, "Thank you."

Number four's bitter voice snapped, "He was not talking about you, you harlot!"

Mariella quickly learned that number four was different from number one in that he was blunt with her. While number one was blunt with Mimi, this was a lesson for her that some of the Salvatores would snap at her and call her names unrelated to seduction.

Rolling her eyes, Mariella said, "Oh yeah, Mimi, right? Now, please share with the class what she's done."

Number two retorted, "Like you wouldn't understand, but fine, I'm not explaining. I'm going to shower. I've had enough of playing boy toy for your fragile ego."

Number two, ever since breaking off from number one, had not held back his words. He got up and walked into the shower, while number four also rose to leave the room, heading to shower in another room.

Damon wrapped his arm around Mariella and got on top of her, kissing her and murmuring, "Don't mind them. I have to make sure you understand which one of us is on top."

Mariella giggled as their passionate frenzy took over, with Damon plunging into her wet core forcefully and dominantly, igniting flames of lust within her. 

I was in the kitchen, keeping an eye on my béarnaise sauce. Number five was patiently teaching me, but Milo, who was strapped in front of me, was making things challenging. He was babbling, eager to put everything in his mouth. I distracted him with a rolled-up cabbage leaf.

Not sure if they were teething or just curious, but the babies seemed to be developing faster than human children. Just a few days earlier, I noticed Marco crawling. Milo was on his way, too. I kept him in front of me to give him attention and watch his grabbing and tasting skills.

Mona was strapped to my back, cooing to someone or something. The babies had learned to cry in different ways, and it took us a few days to understand their different cries. The daycare room was perfect, and the babies enjoyed spending time there.

There were cribs for napping, and usually, there were four babies per adult, totaling 28 babies if they were all present. With only seven adults needed, we had time for laundry and other tasks. I got to know each baby well, including caring for Mariella's, Mimosa's, Shadow's, and my own babies.

Though I spent a few hours in the daycare center, most of my time was dedicated to cooking. We protectors were cooking in storage, aiming for a four-week supply - two weeks in the fridge and two in the freezer, with full daily calories and necessary nutrients. It was challenging, and while we had ordered more supplies, there were still some shortages. I considered ordering from a local producer.

I told Number five, "When this is ready, I'll go get more ingredients. It won't take long, and these two love our little excursions."

Taking the babies with me to get what we needed was no issue for me or anyone else. Most of us had a baby strapped to us, filling the kitchen with the sounds and smells of giggles and coos. 

As I glanced around the calm, colorful kitchen filled with life, I couldn't help but feel so happy. This was family life - messy but filled with love. I adored the moments when someone would pull funny faces to make the babies smile or when someone would notice how much they had grown.

Dressing them up was always fun; the girls usually wore dresses and other girly things, while the boys had a variety of styles, from formal suits to edgy rock clothes. Being Salvatores, they could pull off any look effortlessly.

Different tantalizing aromas filled the air, mixing with the clinking and clanging of pots and pans. The sounds of cooking combined with the giggles of the babies created a joyful atmosphere.

There were murmurs as pack members chatted about various topics - from sharing recipes to giving advice. Some were protective of their dishes, snapping at anyone trying to sneak a taste. We also pored over books and notebooks, brainstorming suitable meals for everyone in the midst of this controlled chaos that had been ongoing for days.

I had my sauce ready - a bit lumpy and thin, but the best I had managed so far.

"I'll go get more supplies. It won't take long. I'll see what I can find for you, Magnum, and Wulfe," I announced.

They grunted in acknowledgment as they busily followed Lepard's instructions in the kitchen. I still had stashes of supplies in my various houses, having emptied out my homes in Moldova and Paris and planning to check Bhutan and Qatar next, where I had stored meats as well.

With many eager helpers ready to fetch the supplies, I just needed to point out where everything was. A few men swiftly headed to the portal room to gather more items for us.

I had things pretty well under control, multitasking to cater to ten protectees, each with their unique needs and preferences. When it came to Mariella's charges, whoever was free would take charge of cooking for them.

But now, I was a free agent, as most of the Salvatores were busy cooking. I made sure my sauce cooled, not caring if Number Five would save or tweak it. It was just another skill I had learned, and it was fun to show the pack I wasn't perfect. Elena and Katherine were more eager to learn how to cook, boosted by it, with Number Ten teaching them to bake desserts.

I grabbed a heavy but empty cart and pushed it into the elevator to reach the portal room upstairs for a huge load. Humming as the elevator ascended, the babies giggled, having fun. Mona was laughing at her reflection as the elevator doors pinged open.

Pushing the cart down the corridor, I finally reached the portal room. The babies sensed magic but couldn't reach it. Opening the door, I first pushed the cart in, followed by me and the babies. I selected my grandest palace, shimmering portal forming, and stepped through.

Its opulence was one of a kind, feeling like home despite its resemblance to something from "1001 Nights" or "Aladdin." I had lived here from time to time.

Softly, I told my babies, "Welcome home, let's go to the kitchen."

This floor housed my huge kitchen, among many others in the building. The spa section of my palace was my ultimate treat. Maybe one day, I'd come here when others were on holiday. 

I walked into the kitchen, finally reaching it. The golden and pink color palette greeted me, with pink countertops reflecting golden tiles near the sink, walls lined with rose-patterned wallpaper, and a ceiling made of golden tiles. Deep blue soft rugs lined the floor.

I pushed the cart next to them towards my huge freezer. I opened the door, pushed the cart in, and started to pile my meats. The babies would be fine for a few minutes with me here. I had all kinds of deer species, moose, bear, small animals like squirrels and rodents, as well as huge frozen sacks of bones, skin, and organs. I had my uses for them, too.

After taking most of the meats, I went to my fridge and piled up a huge amount of exotic eggs, ranging from chicken to wild species. I also had novelties like lizard, snake, and turtle eggs, all species that were plentiful and actually farmed.

I had never used this sort of eggs before, but they were not fertilized, just like chicken eggs. Those animals laid eggs without mating, so I had something new to taste. Once my cart was as full as it could be with coffee beans, exotic flours, and other items, I prepared to return.

The place smelled like home, with a hint of spices, fitting for this kind of palace. I pushed the much heavier cart back to the portal room, with the babies cooing and Milo trying to grab whatever was in the cart.

I pulled a clean pacifier from my pocket and gave it to him, attaching the strip so it wouldn't end up on the floor when he found something else to put in his mouth. It was just one part of being a parent. And despite how lovely they were, a part of me was happy that one day I could give them to their true families and be done with them. I didn't hate them one bit, but this was hard work, and I was doing heavy lifting. Then it would be time to give them where they belonged.

I realized again just how different I am from humans. No human mother could simply give her babies away and not miss them. But I was a jaguar, a feline, and it was natural for me to move on.

I had fulfilled my duty and followed my instincts. I would always cherish them and this moment. Maybe it was all part of the plan. I would never lose them, not really. I was spared from dealing with terrible threes, tantrums in shops, worrying about schools, or handling teenagers. I was safe from that chaos, but who knows, maybe someday I would have to face those challenges too. One can never be certain.

Lost in my thoughts, I pushed my overflowing cart out of the portal room, only to find numbers two and four waiting for me by the wall.

Number four dryly commented, "Quite a haul, darling. What are you going to do with all of those?"

My heart raced as I sensed their displeasure, but I remained composed. These two were trying to take control from me, and it was up to me to handle the situation without escalating it into a conflict. They knew me better than number one, and my usual tricks wouldn't work on them.

Though my voice remained steady, Milo dropped his pacifier, recognizing him with a smile and a giggle, "Food, for you and others too, if it's not too obvious." I could be sarcastic as well.

Number two questioned, "What's with the trend of carrying babies everywhere?"

I rolled my eyes and replied, "Do you have a problem with that? It's not obligatory, so don't worry. I'm not imposing it on anyone."

Number two's eyes flashed with jealousy, for various reasons - perhaps for me, or for the babies as Charles had Marco, and Adam had two little wizardlings with him. Number two was visibly upset, just as Mariella had him. I learned all this through the hive. Despite not being able to disable it, I had mastered its use and continued to be the queen of the hive. 

Number two took the cart and pushed it into the elevator, saying, "We did a bit of reorganization while you were out and about, so you catch on pretty fast."

I nodded. Mona was cooing to number four, trying to communicate something. I bounced on my heels and toes, making her giggle since she enjoyed movement.

Number four then said to me, "I'll take her to the kitchen so she doesn't have to be on your back. We can have fun that way."

I didn't argue; I felt their alpha powers pushing at me, requiring a lot of willpower not to push back. I knew they were relatively easy to win over, but I had my pendant and didn't want number two to use it to strip me of my powers. Nope, I decided to behave, cook, enjoy my time, and avoid power struggles with them.

Upon reaching the kitchen, a huge display on one wall caught my attention. There was a list with different colors.

Number two said, "Come on, you need to eat. Let number four take Mona, and I'll take Milo."

I had no chance to resist as they took my babies and strapped them onto themselves. I sat at a smaller table where it was easier to eat. A horde of Salvatores, as usual, brought me coffee, drinks (mainly Coca-Cola and smoothies), and food.

Number two explained, "Now, you see these four columns on the display; they represent the four weeks – a four-week target. For example, Adam already has three weeks ready, while Lepard, Wulfe, and Elena only have one week full. We need to ensure everyone has enough food, not just the protectors cooking, but others too."

I replied, "Fine, but each of you has your own needs, and I have my radar to know what you need. It's a bit challenging for me to start educating you on what to do. It's easier for me to handle the food."

Number four then brought me a stack of books, or what seemed like notebooks, saying, "These are our recipe books – magic ones. You touch them, and they write what is needed. Go on, give it a try."

I touched a book, planning my next meal for number ten in my mind.

Soon, it read "Damon number ten" with a title. I opened the book and turned to the first page, finding everything missing about number ten detailed there. It seemed to be extracting information directly from my radar as it stated the date when this information was taken, and it even suggested when to taste his blood again to see if he has gotten some of his nutritional lacking out.

I raised my eyebrows as number two said, "As you see, it works. Now, think of one of your recipes and try the next page."

Once again, as my fingers brushed the cool paper, words began to form. My recipe was intricately written, including instructions on what ingredients were needed, how much of each ingredient, how to prepare it, its nutritional content, and details on how number ten processed certain substances, like selenium. This element was essential for magic, so I made sure to include Brazil nuts to provide the selenium. He could utilize selenium fully if I crushed the nuts or roasted them.

It was both satisfying and frustrating to reveal my secrets and recipes, knowing that my husbands, including the boys, who were skilled in cooking, were all eager to learn my techniques. Damn copycats. Although it was important for everyone to have access to the information, I couldn't help feeling irritated.

I continued to let my hand rest on the book while eating, allowing my recipes and knowledge to seep into its pages. I was curious to see what my feeding guide would reveal and hoped it would help me find time to cook for myself as well. That is if salvatores would leave it somewhere for me to read.

 My life was full of unexpected twists, with surprises - both good and bad - becoming a regular part of it. I had to control my emotions, not push the Salvatores too far, and pray that if number one and Mariella ever returned, they would be too preoccupied with each other to focus on my actions.

It was evident that number two and four were aware of my deeds, and I knew they wouldn't fall for the same trick twice. They were freaking astute individuals, and I hoped like hell they wouldn't divulge too much to number one, as I didn't need the alpha male interfering in my life. I was content being an alpha female.