11. Ladybird.

I was thrilled to have breakfast early the next morning. Since it would take a couple of hours to drive to the farm and Penn often wanted to serve coffee, it could take almost a whole day, but I had time. It was the first day of June, and it was going to be quite warm. Everything started to be once again quite nice and living and life was tasting pretty good. 

The car would have air conditioning, but I wanted to get around the farm without getting sweaty and wet. That's another advantage the rest of the pack has. The energy creature can so conveniently turn all the extra heat energy off themselves so they never get hot, or they can wear an energy shield to keep them cool. Not me. All I could do was feel the sun on my skin, the heat getting at me and all of this solar energy pouring into my tanks as my siphoning would be on.

I would put my siphoning small, no need to harvest hundreds of tanks of solar energy, as I had quite a lot. My lust, well, not that kind that always fucked as you can have a lust for another thing as well. Like revenge or killing, blood too, as I was one freaking strong vampire nowadays.

I had collected a lot of different energies in my traveling around Portugal and when you went to like the market, there was a multitude of energies to be siphoned, so I had quite a selection to be tested and used. Some of them were already familiar, but then again, as there had been families and children, I had gotten a lot of new types of energies to test on. 

I went into the wardrobe because I had one built in here, and I started picking out clothes—a pink short-sleeved, looser silk blouse and then a slightly darker knee-length silk skirt. Bell-sleeved, so it was cool. These clothes would be good-looking without being overly sexy and cool, and good for a long drive, too. 

Mariella was excited about the new farm. They would teleport there, and then the first Damon and she would watch Adam and Charles, the wolves and they would start to get meats, and the other things while the number two Damon took over Mimi. So they would do the shopping while number two would get to know Mimi a little more closely.

He needed to take Mimi because he's sort of the pack leader and Mimi has to learn from the beginning to be a good girl. Now is not the time for Charles's declarations of love. This would be epic and one young lady would soon learn just what kind of guy this number two really is. He was more than ready to sedate one lady and get her a little enraged, too.

Also, Mimi was scheduled for a rage release session, and that would not be a straightforward task because, first of all, she doesn't want to give her rage away, and then when she gets it, she doesn't put it away. She was quite a volatile creature, so handling her would be a very delicate task, not to go overboard but then again, not to take it too easy too. 

After that, the hormone therapy would start. First, there would be an extensive health check and blood tests, and then we would get down to business. But the primary task for number two was to get Mimi mad so that her rage would be on the surface and could be more easily released. Mariella was quite certain that it would work just fine. 

I went for a drive and thought this was going to be a wonderful day. Those wonderful moments when you can do it with the power of one, you don't always need another. Then somewhere in between, when you go to the pack, you take another Mr. Cornick or Hauptmann to it and seduce them so damn well. I had an idea for it, but I would not carry it out when the time came. 

The drive went well, and oh my god, how enjoyable it is to have a fucking splendid car to drive and your driving pleasure. No need to control yourself and your thoughts for fear of being velveted. Although, nowadays, it would probably just fuck Mariella. I could fuck freely to other road users and it was actually good to vent out loud. 

Mariella's life was pretty intense, I suppose with two damons. Well, at least the girl gets double the penetration now that she has two Damons. Something about that felt familiar, and I knew I'd have to remember a phrase, but it'll come up when the time comes. It was like an itch in my mind and I just did not yet get it, but I knew it would surface in someday and then something would happen. 

I arrived at the location, and it immediately struck me as a remarkable place to be. The towering buildings possessed a sleek, modern appearance, while the presence of healthy and happy cows and chirping and clucking birds in the yard added to the picturesque ambiance. The air was filled with a symphony of animal noises, mingling with the distinct scent of grass and the occasional whiff of manure.

Although it was undoubtedly a farm, the sight of state-of-the-art equipment and machinery emphasized its fusion of tradition and innovation. The yard was neatly paved, devoid of a multitude of cars. Upon closer observation, I noticed that the large cold storages were adorned with clear signs, indicating their contents, and a prize list was openly displayed.

I skillfully parked my car in a manner that allowed for an effortless exit, shutting off the engine and reaching for my bag. At that moment, the door of the main house creaked open, revealing a tall figure with a slightly stooped posture. Gray hair framed his face, which bore the gentle creases of time. Despite his physical stoop, his expression exuded happiness and contentment.

I watched in silence as Penn, a familiar face from the fleas, aged before my eyes. Although I couldn't pinpoint his exact age, the marks of time were evident in his weathered features. He had fed on my blood during our encounters at the fleas, which had granted him additional years, but it was clear that age was catching up to him. It had been several decades since he left the fleas.

As I gazed at him, a realization struck me with even greater force - my immortality. It served as a poignant reminder that I was not truly human, not even remotely close. One day, all the individuals I had come to know would inevitably pass away, whether due to illness, old age, or unforeseen accidents. This understanding had never permeated my consciousness so deeply.

Time had always seemed inconsequential to me, as I remained untouched by its effects. Yet, humans aged, and I was acutely aware of it now. The duration of a single European trip or a solitary act of heroism that saved the world spanned over a year, not to mention the subsequent recovery period.

Time had slipped away and continued its relentless march, while my attention had been diverted elsewhere. However, in this moment of reflection, the profound truth resonated within me - humans aged, and time held sway over their existence. Even something as seemingly simple as a holiday on the Azores could consume several months of our shared pack life. And when a litter of puppies entered the picture, time became even more elusive, slipping through our fingers like sand.

The heat for three months, the gestation for two, then how many litters you make, and the final care. Even one litter takes two months, even if they are out for another month. If you have four litters every week, it will take another month, then recovery and holidays, and the year will be over quickly.

And if the females had their puppies at different times, you'd be looking at another month or two even. Time passes. People age where I don't. I finally finished my philosophy lecture for the day and got out of the car.

I grabbed my bag, felt the weight of it on my shoulder, and locked my car with a satisfying click. I didn't even make it far before Penn, with his confident stride, was already strolling towards me. The sound of his footsteps echoed on the pavement as we closed the distance between us. We hugged tightly, feeling the warmth and comfort of each other's presence. 

Penn circled my car, his fingers gently grazing the sleek surface, admiring the luxurious SUV. I could see the reflection of his awe in his eyes as he marveled at its design.

He turned to me and said, "Now, flea, let's see what this beauty's got. I heard from Cooper that you've got some of the best equipment in these cars these days. Come on, show me."

I couldn't help but smile, amused by his curiosity. "You keep tabs on me?" I teased. "Fine, I need to talk to Cooper not to reveal all of my secrets, but I'll show you." 

He nodded, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Yeah, I keep contacts on Cooper, Pointdecker, and Harris. They visit me and we get together from time to time. I heard you have now become a mother, too."

I let out a small grunt, a mixture of pride and exhaustion. "Yep, got my litter a few years ago, and Damon or two of them nowadays pretty surely are planning for me to have more. Not that they ask me. It was quite an ordeal, but you know Damon, so there was again one of those times after it."

Penn looked at me with sympathy, his eyes reflecting the memories of the past. He had been there when Damon had been with other women, witnessing the ups and downs of our not-so-ideal marriage. Now, with Mariella in the picture, our conversations had become more frequent, sharing the details of my life. He was a dear friend, one of the few that remained.

I motioned for Penn to follow me as I opened the back door. The familiar scent of leather greeted us, mingling with the crisp air. Inside, on the side wall, was the panel. I pressed my little finger into it, feeling the cool touch of the surface against my skin, and gave a drop of blood. This car was well-equipped, and we took our time exploring every feature and gadget, savoring the excitement in the air.

He meticulously examined each of my guns, running his calloused hands over the smooth metal surfaces and inspecting the intricate mechanisms. The faint scent of gun oil lingered in the air as he carefully examined my collection of ammunition, the metallic clinks as he sorted through the rounds, creating a rhythmic sound. Moving on, his weathered hands delved into my medical kit, the distinct smell of antiseptic filling the room as he checked the contents. 

A glimmer of admiration shone in his eyes, perhaps a longing to be part of the action or a nostalgic remembrance of his past. He had witnessed the birth of the entire storage system for my cars, and his experienced gaze recognized the gear I had stowed away. Despite the slight stiffness and signs of wear in his hands, remnants of his laborious farming life, his grip remained professional. His hands had seen both the toil of a farmer and the rigors of a soldier in my resistance many years ago.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I asked, "Do you ever yearn to return to the field?"

His gaze met mine, and after a brief pause, he replied, "If I were in your shoes, perhaps I would miss it. But with hypertension, diabetes, and rheumatism, I don't long for it. I find solace in tending to my farm, which I've automated to minimize the physical strain."

I couldn't help but smile at his contentment. 

I decided to share some news with him, saying, "Did you know there are two Damons now? One was concealed within a precious jewel, and Mariella has two men in her life."

Penn's expression remained unchanged, a grunt escaping him as he chose not to comment. He had his own opinion of Damon, and it seemed his perception of him wasn't favorable. Penn was a gentleman who valued how a woman should be treated, and Damon's questionable behavior with multiple women, including Mariella, had tarnished his image. In Penn's eyes, I would have been better off with just Adam and Charles.

Putting my car's storage system aside, I joined Penn in examining the products. He handed me a scanner, and together he showcased a variety of specialty meats that he had specially reserved for me. The exotic aromas mingled in the air, enticing my senses. These were meats that were rarely sought after or consumed by ordinary individuals.

He knew I was a feline shifter, and I consumed a lot of meat. I had promised him someday to show him my feline side but not here on the farm, as I did not want to spook these lovely animals. 

Mariella watched with her men as Mimi generously showed him the contents of her car, which was very comprehensive. Mimi's car was a luxurious, stunning piece of machinery. Yet another thing that irritated Damon. The farmer was an older, tall, little stooped man and Mariella remembered he had procured Mimi those squirrels and groundhog years ago when she had come and their pack life had been at a starting point. Damon worked up another rage because Mimi didn't hand out the contents of her car. Well, Mimi would soon be in control and would probably show them the contents of the cars. She would be a good girl. Number two would make sure of that.

Damon knew that Mariella had found no solutions yet for those secret compartments in the cars because they were magically and energetically protected. Miss knew how to protect her stuff and he was not happy about that at all. 

They started walking calmly towards Mimi. This was going to be fun. Mariella had not visited with Mimi any farms other than that one time when they found out about being pregnant, but she had gone to farms with Damon and Pack during that year, but not with Mimi and she knew Miss liked to go farms to her own. No flanks.

As I carefully selected game birds and small game like squirrels, groundhogs, muskrats, and beavers, I couldn't help but notice the specialty meats that Penn had procured for me. The rich aroma of the fresh cuts filled the air, mingling with the earthy scent of the farm.

Penn interrupted my thoughts, saying, "Oh, it seems the rest of the pack is here. Ah, there are two salvatores. That Damien encounter was truly intriguing. So, how has Damon been faring?" 

I replied, "He has Mariella. He has fully embraced his role as a Merlin class wizard, and he bears a distinctive mark. Every magical creature within our pack carries their own mark. Damien, however, has fixated on me, making me a constant target. But those creatures, they're insatiable, driven by lust. You can only imagine what that entails. I too possess desires, but not solely for sex, as you know."

Penn glanced at me knowingly, understanding the depths of my fury. He had always been one of the few who could soothe my rage, even when it surged uncontrollably. 

Realizing my impending sedation, I assured Penn, "Don't concern yourself with me. Feel free to converse with Adam and Charles. If you happen to speak with Mariella, be prepared to be captivated, as she enjoys engaging with people."

Penn smirked in response, remarking, "Well, then you'll be quite tranquil. Alright, I'll go chat with the guys."

Internally, I cursed and braced myself for yet another intriguing farm experience.