30. Breaking The Habit.

"Mimi, come on, wakey wake up, come on, baby, wake up, come on, up up," a persistent voice kept disturbing my peaceful slumber.

I gradually woke up, sensing the faint lightness of the room even with my eyes still closed. My body felt heavy and sluggish, desperately craving more sleep. However, someone shook me, coaxing me to open my eyes. Reluctantly, I obeyed, allowing my surroundings to come into focus.

I found myself nestled in bed, snugly covered and dressed in a comfortable nightgown. The last thing I remembered was drifting off to sleep in Wulfe's warm embrace. How did I end up here? How long had I been sleeping? I couldn't recall, but it didn't matter. Damon sat beside me, his ice-blue eyes gazing at me.

I mumbled, "I'm awake, why won't you let me sleep?"

With a sigh, he replied, "You need to eat. You've been sleeping for a week, but it's time to nourish yourself and be awake for a while."

I blinked, startled by the revelation. A week? Surprisingly, I felt refreshed, my mind gradually awakening from its usual foggy state. Wulfe sat nearby, his smile radiating warmth.

He explained, "While you were sleeping, I tidied up your cluttered mind. Hopefully, it will help prevent you from getting tangled up in your thoughts again."

Grateful, I murmured in my still sleep-laden voice, "Thank you. It's good to be able to think clearly instead of being a neurotic mess."

Damon stood up and urged, "Come on, get up and get moving. Take a shower, then join us in the kitchen to eat. We'll figure out what to do next."

I detected a hint of regret or something similar in his eyes, but I pushed myself to sit up, gradually awakening even more.

Magnum was also present in the room, mentioning, "We bathed you with Wulfe, with no drugs, while you were peacefully sleeping. But now it's time for you to take charge. No more bed baths. Go shower, Mimi."

Exhausted but determined, I managed a tired smile as the men exited the room. As I made my way to the bathroom, I noticed that one of my bedrooms had been meticulously cleaned. Passing by my closets, I realized they had been thoroughly organized, with my half-used clothes neatly put through the wash. I pondered if I had any of my beloved angora shirts here. The cozy warmth they provided was a comfort to me. Though I couldn't recall if they were present, I knew I had yarn to knit a few more if needed. They were simply perfect for me.

As I walked beneath the water, the shelves were lined with familiar washing soaps and shampoos, nothing exotic but safe. It was a bit dull to always play it safe, but did I really want to suffer from intense itching for weeks if I used the wrong soap? It was time to be reasonable, to not be too reckless in every aspect of my life.

I washed myself and was taken aback by the whole bed bath experience. However, I now had two people who would always be there for me, no matter what. They clung to me like burdocks, which was a little unsettling as I had grown accustomed to my independence and solitude. But now, I had constant company. It wasn't all bad, though; perhaps I could find some missions for them if my need for some me time would be too bad.

After drying myself off, I noticed a set of brand-new clothes left for me. I sighed to myself as I examined the sky blue satin shirt, black tight jeans, and heels. It seemed Mr. Salvatore was feeling sentimental. This was the first outfit he had bought for me, almost identical to the others, but tailored to fit my slightly fuller figure. The shirt hugged my breasts tightly, with no need for a bra, and the lacy panties were barely there. The heels were elegant. I tied my long, curly, blood-red hair into a ponytail. I couldn't help but wonder if I would be the only redhead around here, though I highly doubted it. It would be interesting to see if Mariella's independent streak would persist or if she would revert to being Damon's little doll. Only time will tell.

As I entered the kitchen, it was bustling with activity. The table had been replaced with a larger one, but this was still one of my homes. It had been mine for as long as I could remember, my first true home. Though I wasn't sure if Mimosa saw it the same way. Perhaps this sentimentality was unique to me.

I went to the fridge to grab some food and drinks when I noticed Damon and Mariella, who was a redhead as well as wolves too, were red, eating together. Most of the others were also enjoying their meal.

Suddenly, someone wrapped themselves around me, whispering in my ear, "Remember the lesson, obey me. Now, go to your place. I will feed you, but first..."

He forcefully turned my head to the side, sinking his fangs into my throat and feeding. It wasn't just a taste, but a full-fledged feeding. I was left with only two liters of blood remaining as I stumbled back to my seat. 

I savored the taste of several smoothies, feeling their coolness and freshness awaken my senses. Although my vitamin levels might have been low, it didn't matter because I felt fine. The clarity in my mind was like a breath of fresh air, allowing me to think about what I needed to do next. I knew that some of the equipment in the room would soon become outdated, and I contemplated updating it.

As I consumed plate after plate of food, I could sense the gaze of others upon me. There was a subtle tension in the air, something that I intended to address once I had satisfied my hunger. This newfound clarity made me realize that it was pointless to shoulder the blame, as it wasn't my fault. Wulfe had been a significant teacher in my life, imparting valuable lessons over the years. Unlike Damon, who employed a more brutal approach, Wulfe would engage in conversations, helping me see things from a different perspective. Although he occasionally used his power against me, it was always for my own benefit and never for anyone else's. In contrast, Damon's motives were always centered around Mariella, regardless of the circumstances.

After dessert, I gathered everyone's attention and stated, "I have something to say, and I won't repeat myself. Listen carefully, and you can think about what you want. There's no need to explain anything to me."

Damon seemed to sense the seriousness in my tone and suggested, "Let's move to the living room to talk. This place has the potential to become a home for all of us, not just a stopover. We haven't made many houses feel like homes, but maybe we can learn to do that too."

I made my way to the living room, a space where I had spent countless hours. I remembered tending to the fires in the fireplaces, providing warmth and comfort. With autumn approaching, I considered the possibility of lighting the fires again someday, creating a cozy atmosphere. 

As I entered the room filled with countless sofas and chairs, the soft cushions engulfed me, offering comfort and support. I rose from my seat; the floor creaking beneath my weight, and made my way towards the crackling fireplace. The warmth embraced me, creating a cozy atmosphere.

Taking a deep breath, I spoke with determination. "My message is clear. I refuse to bear the blame for this spell. You all accuse me, believing that those who came after me are at fault, but the truth is far from simple. I can elaborate further, but over the years, Wulfe has drilled into my thick skull that I am not solely responsible for every unfortunate event. Damon said to this back on the farm that this was not my fault but my mind was as messed up as yours, yet no one takes that into account. It's time for you to realize it too. It's easier for you to see me as the scapegoat, so you don't have to confront your own shortcomings. You all assume I am one who can take it all and just go on, that this spell would not mess my mind. Damon's jealousy and whatnot flooded from each of you, instead you want to put this just again my fault."

All eyes were fixed on me, their surprise clear. Number two spoke up, "Please, go on. Tell us why we are to blame, so we can prevent it from happening again."

I gazed at him intently and continued, "Alright, let's start with whom initiated this. Freya, she never targeted me directly. Instead, she linked the spell to draw power from me because I am the strongest. But her true objective was to control all of you, the men. Like every vampire woman, she desired your loyalty, forever. So, if there hadn't been a promise for her to gain control over the Salvatores, she wouldn't have done it. Angelus confessed it. It took a great deal of persuasion to convince her to come after you, as she didn't see me as a threat. She knows that if you don't provoke me, I won't attack. Cole was in the same boat, and being a former wizard and married to a witch, he desired Mariella and the wolves, not just me. I was merely one piece of the puzzle, but there were others for him."

Damon looked astonished, but understanding dawned in his eyes. Charles and Adam hung their heads in shame, while the boys grew enraged. Wulfe and Magnum, on the other hand, displayed pride in me. Wulfe nodded slowly, silently praising my words. He had cleared the clutter out of my mind, enabling me to see this.

As I looked around the room, my emotions were etched clearly on my face. The weariness, frustration, and disappointment were visible to everyone. I met their gaze and spoke, my voice tinged with anger and exhaustion.

"Now we can move on. Perhaps the magic house can do some of the work, or maybe Damon can inform the vampires next time someone comes after me. But Mariella is your priority. Even Angelus broke my mind, yet none of you went after him. Why? Because it seems that my experiences don't matter. Only Mariella deserves protection. But that ends now. I have Wulfe and Magnum, two men who will come to my defense against anyone who dares to harm me. And you know what, Damon? It feels fucking amazing to be protected, to be someone's priority. They will seek revenge for months if needed. Wulfe didn't ask questions, he just acted, because Krycheck did something truly awful to me. Now tell me, would you all have restrained yourselves if Mariella had been the victim? No, the whole pack, including me, would have unleashed hell on Krycheck."

I found a seat, and Wulfe came to sit beside me. He took my hand in his, a comforting gesture. I glanced over and saw Mariella sitting in Damon's arms. Magnum observed the scene, witnessing it firsthand. He spoke in a quiet, angry voice.

"Salvatore, you are one of the biggest idiots around here. You're so damn divided. You talk one way, but your actions don't align. You've complained for so long about wanting Mimi back, wanting to marry her. Yet here you are, holding onto your crutch. You're a damn hypocrite."

My voice, tired yet firm, responded, "I'm tired of feeling sorry, tired of thinking this is all my fault when it's not. I already have enough responsibilities and burdens to bear. It's time for you to carry your load as well. This house is my home, it always has been. And don't worry, Damon, I won't go to the main bedroom. You can have it with Mariella. That is what you two are planning again: get the room just for you. You probably blame me for the missed breeding season as well."

Damon's voice softened as he gently pushed Mariella off his lap. "We haven't gone there yet, but one day, baby, you and I will make it sacred, along with many other houses. You've always spoken sense, and now I see it too. I've been too complacent, letting you handle everything, and not doing enough even though I had the means. You were right about that, too. This is another lesson for me to learn. And Wulfe, thank you for helping her see the truth. You're truly irreplaceable."

Wulfe nodded in acknowledgment but remained silent. He stayed by my side, not moving an inch. He was truly grown into my hip, more or less.

I said, directing my words to everyone, "There are locked rooms. Damon has keys. Most of my equipment might be outdated, antique literally, as it has been over 100 years since I got them, so this is a museum, more or less."

Mariella said, "Well, let's see if these are suitable for our museum too and not everything is outdated. 100 years does not mean nowadays some that back then."

I walked away, not anywhere specific as I saw the pack moving too. Damon walked next to Wulfe, touching him. I didn't want to witness Damon seducing Wulfe. I didn't care where I was going. I wandered the room to sit and thought about my little pondering until a vibration on my hip woke me up from my reverie. I glanced at my phone. Oh, those test results of those cases, fine. Let's go do some work while the pack is exploring.

I walked back to my office, put my laptop on, and focused on my work. Now taking those open cases and printed out results, seeing if those helped and what I could move into solved cases. I was focusing on my work, not even paying attention to the time or the fact that I had not eaten for some time now, when again, my buzzer made me flinch. I assumed it was Wulfe, so I just pressed the button to open the door, but it was the whole damn pack.

Damon walked in and said, "Did you know, baby, that you should eat? Again, you have been here three days straight without eating anything. Are you doing paperwork or what?"

I grunted and said, "Nope, my clinic. Gotta get these consultations done. Colin and Samuel are busy. I am swamped with these."

Damon walked calmly to my desk and looked. I had at least 30 case files in front of me. They had printed results, but I hadn't had time to review them yet. He took one file, sat on the chair, and started to read it, looking through the results and grunting.

He said, "How about it, baby? You have a pack full of doctors. We can look through these and get them done, so you are not so swamped and soon the clinic will be one again, Salvatore, as will you too."

I looked at him and said, "No thank you for flank weddings. I am not really there yet, but fine, you can look through them. And you need laptops to write your reports, so you can send them off."

Damon said, "Numbers 5, 7, 8, go get laptops. Mimosa and Shadow, you will be our secretaries. You will type as we send you the final report. Get comfortable. This might take time. Wulfe and Magnum, you are feeders, so get us something to eat and coffee, especially that one."

He gestured with his head to me.

I was focused on my case and it wasn't until Wulfe brought a steaming trayful of food in front of me I put it away. As I sat in the office, I observed Salvatores engrossed in their cases, their eyes scanning the pages, while Mimosa and Shadow tirelessly typed away on their keyboards. Mariella, clearly annoyed, flipped through a document, her frustration evident. These were challenging cases, not easily solved. Every now and then, someone would walk up to the bookcase, place a folder inside, and pluck another one from the shelf next to my desk. The sound of the pages being turned echoed in the room.

To ease the mounting workload, I would print out new cases whenever the stack dwindled, much to Salvatores' dismay. There were times when it was just me and Wulfe in the office, the only two members of the Lust Pack present. But they always returned. I couldn't keep track of how long it took for us to complete everything, but eventually, there were no more new cases left.

Damon, exhaustion clear in his voice, sighed. "Four weeks of hard work, but it's finally done. Feels good to have something accomplished."

It may have taken a month, but I was fine with that.

Wulfe reminisced, "Unicorn, do you remember when you were struggling with your darkness, and we played board games to distract ourselves? Those were fun times."

I smiled and replied, "Yep, I've got quite a collection of games. But you weren't a very gracious loser in Monopoly."

Mariella chimed in, "That sounds wonderful. The entire pack could join in."

Wulfe said, "This room is perfect for that. Pack's board game room. You don't need an office, or if you do, get a smaller one. This is just right on the spot."

As I opened my mouth to voice my thoughts, Damon's eyes flashed at me, silencing me without a word.

Damon spoke up, "It's a good idea, but this place needs renovation, both inside and out. So, here's the plan. It's time for a holiday, and I can't say how long it will take. I apologize, baby, but we need time to move on. Let's go to the Azores and maybe spend some time in Ireland."

I nodded and replied, "That's fine by me. I haven't decided my plans yet."

Wulfe looked at me sharply, aware of my true feelings. I was disappointed, but I kept it hidden from the pack, though not from Wulfe. However, this was just a part of pack life, and only time would reveal what would come of it.

With not much left for me to do, I made my way back to one of the bedrooms to pack a few bags with my clothes, the ones that Damon hadn't had time to give away. Magnum had gone on missions to the base, and Wulfe stayed with me. The rest of the pack had left a few days earlier, and the renovation crew had already arrived. It was time for me to leave and see what the future had in store. Unsure if I would return to work or perhaps try my hand at driving, the world was my oyster. I had time, so there was no point in moping around when the pack needed to distance themselves from me.