7. Lucky.

I was sitting in my chair, pondering what this trip would bring us. Being a hunter, I knew I could handle it. However, with 30 people to feed, it meant we needed a lot of meat. I couldn't rely on fishermen or birdcatchers, as they were harder to catch. It was up to us to provide most of the food.

Damon mentioned, "Now, we will have coffee, spices, and other supplies with us, along with cookware. The cooks will be in charge of these things, and Mariella, you might need to gather some additional items, so keep that in mind."

Mariella nodded, looking a bit sour while the rest of her team seemed excited.

I inquired, "Firstly, what kind of climates will we encounter?"

Damon grinned. "I can't say for certain, but think of what Australia has. We have 6-8 months, so it's good to be prepared for anything, right?"

It was quite a vague response, but I had another question. "You mentioned the cooks will have cookware, but what about plates, utensils, and cups?"

Damon remained neutral as he replied, "I won't give a definite answer, but be ready. You'll have something to eat even if you don't prepare. The motto of this trip is to be prepared for everything and anything. It's about survival, and even though I can't predict what we'll encounter, I do know our route. There will be surprises and unpredictability, making it truly exciting. I know you always think of others, but now it's time to think of yourself. This is a lesson for you - be selfish but work as a team. One for all, all for one, right?"

 Oh, okay, not easy, but it gave me a few ideas. Let's be selfish and then see what Mr. Salvatore likes about our selfishness. We were soon moving out from our living room into some room or storage to get our supplies and I walked first into hamster storage.

I had a few orders there that I would need; they were supplies we had no storage room for yet, and it had been one of my drunken sprees when I had bought them. Well, I had been browsing Facebook and whatnot, seeing ads about this and that, and just ordered away.

Sure, I had a few of my large orders there as well, and this time, a few of them would be useful. I was smiling as I saw Dresden walking, checking on his phone, learning about Australian climates and weather, and trying to see what the next 6-8 months would be like.

I had my saddlebag with me as I packed my tents. Yeah, three pop-up, very compact tents in, as well as five air mattresses, just in case they might get broken. I was not going to sleep on the ground, and I was selfish.

Sure, I had a lot of other stuff to pack with me, like a pile of plastic cups, plastic plates, as well as plastic utensils. Damon had not specified where we would be eating, and I did not want to eat from a banana leaf or something like that. Nope, this was me prepared.

I was going to fill one bag of my survival stuff, like tents and mattresses and a lot of other stuff, and on the other side would get my clothes, washing stuff, and whatnot. I was also going to take a few items on my person, not stash them under my skin as Damon had forbidden it, but as bracelets and hairbands and stuff. I was inventive.

I might come out like I would not trust others to get us all the supplies, but this was me, a leader, making sure this would be as fun as possible. And sure, I might share some of my stuff, but it would be my choice. At least I hoped so, not Damon's orders.

As I was still in the hamster storage, I noted my bag from earlier, and I thought, why not? Here we still had it, meaning the place in the medbay where I would put my poisons and substances so Colin could see them through.

This castle had been mine during that divorce, when others had been in another realm. And Colin had insisted that I empty my fangs, and he would get the substances.

As I had told him or reminded him how it was way back from the start. When Samuel came up the tube mail system, where I had to put my poisons, as I tend to make them if I get mad.

I grabbed my bag and was already on my way there. Next, it would be time to pack some clothes, but first, I needed to empty my poison bag. I entered one of my bedrooms, placed my saddlebag there, then picked up my poison bag and headed to the medbay.

Unfortunately, the bracelet we wore prevented us from teleporting too frequently, so walking was the only option. Although I didn't mind the walk, it was a bit inconvenient.

Upon reaching the medbay, I saw number four and one with Colin, deciding what to pack into the medical bag. I casually whistled as I made my way to my deposit box, opened it, and started digging through my bag.

Colin noticed me and jokingly asked, "Do you have some treats for me?"

I replied, "Yeah, I had my poison bag in hamster storage, so I thought of depositing these before leaving. No need for Max and his crew to wonder what's in my bag."

As I began taking out the first jars, Damon suddenly appeared behind me.

He took a jar from my hand, opened it, smelled it, and asked, "Potent stuff, as always, but what's this about?"

Colin explained, "We made this during that divorce when you were in another realm. She was quite poisonous in fight clubs, and Wulfe ensured she put her stuff in here. This is one version of the system that Samuel created for her, while Damien was still in the picture, way back when we discovered enzymes. I have the keys. She does not, except for that deposit box, and Wulfe's magic will teleport those substances here."

Colin walked over to a large cabinet full of bottles and jars, neatly labeled with my stuff. There were also several shelves filled with unprocessed items.

Damon's hands clenched slightly, number four grunted, and Damon stated, "I need the key, too. It's my responsibility to handle this. I am the most potent teeth vampire in this pack, so this is now under my control. Keys, Ferrell, now."

His tone was firm, and at the same time, number four approached me, took my bag, and carried it to the cabinet. He began stacking my jars, smelling each one before placing them inside.

I shrugged and began to walk away when Damon said, "Baby, this will be in every medbay from now on, and it will be mandatory for you to empty your fangs when entering a house. We will make sure of it. Let's see if we can implement this for others as well. And please, empty your fangs before you leave."

He handed me a large bag with collectors attached, filled with his blood to ensure my fangs would empty out. He had shut them down so that nothing new would form, but whatever I had would pour out.

I sat on a chair, slipped the collectors onto my fangs, and felt a rush of substances flooding out.

I tried to control my expression as Damon patted my head and said smugly, "Atta girl, just let it flow."

He could be so irritating at times, my smug husband. I had several husbands, but he was the one who could get on my nerves, making me struggle to keep my cool. Since my recovery from VENOMS (Vampire Syndrome), which drove my brain into a frenzy, burned out my neurochemicals, and left me unable to feel anything except negative emotions like depression, agony, loss, and desperation, I have been learning to react more and more.

It took time for me to get my brain back in order, but it also taught me how to feel. With my memory retaining everything, I felt the emptiness and the lack of color in my world. Perhaps this drove me to want to experience as much as possible.

I remained seated until my teeth had emptied out, and Damon then removed the collectors from my fangs, carrying my striped bag smugly into the cabinet.

I walked away, attempting to control my frustration. He always knew how to push my buttons, and I suspected he was purposely trying to distract me so I would forget something, allowing him to have fun at my expense.

However, I remained focused and returned to my bedroom to choose my clothes. I had a few outfits that were not suitable for work, as they were made of quite thin silk but perfect for horse riding in the heat, so I packed them into vacuum-sealed bags to maximize space.

I meticulously packed my belongings, including three packs of cotton panties, each containing 50 pairs, ensuring I had enough for any situation. I also packed detergent to wash my clothes on the go, as well as other essentials to survive. 

I believed in being prepared, so I packed 60 disposable raincoats to stay dry during the rainy season. Additionally, I packed a charger, that I could load up manually by kinetic force for my handheld music player, along with cooling packs that could be recharged quickly by burying them in the ground or a stream.

I also packed lightweight netting that could be used for various purposes, such as making hammocks or traps. Furthermore, I included five foldable metallic walking sticks, as they were sturdy yet compact for easy packing. 

I prided myself on my knack for anticipating my needs—and those of others—when preparing for our wild escapades. I packed not just for myself, but also for anyone else who might require supplies. Among my collection of gear was a sturdy foldable saw and a crossbow; while firearms were strictly forbidden, the crossbow and knives were perfectly acceptable.

Though my experience with crossbows, as I was more of a sniper with a gun, was modest, I was eager to embrace the challenge of using the crossbow. After all, it wouldn't always be feasible for us to hunt in our feline or canine forms.

I made sure to pack a diverse arsenal of weapons, for I was a hunter at heart and needed to be well-equipped. Of course, I would consider lending these tools to others in need, but ultimately, that decision was mine alone—Damon wouldn't dictate who got what.

In addition to weaponry, I was careful to bring an assortment of comforts. I had neatly packed my soaps and shampoos into smaller bags to maximize space, and I included a few different lotions to combat my sometimes dry skin—though I'd prefer not to use them unless necessary, given the quality of my products.

Once again, it was all about my choices, not a matter of pleading with Damon for anything — I was cunning as hell. According to him, his bump, meaning his cream of love, stuff that he made inside him and ejaculated into females during sex, would be the best lotion for my skin, internally and externally, but I did not have any bump reserves here, so I would not beg donations from him. I would use my lotions. 

Finally, my bags were packed. I had changed into a more relaxed outfit: loose, off-white silk pants paired with a flowing silk blouse that had half sleeves, perfect for the occasion. My hair was gathered up with multiple hair ties, and I sported five bracelets made from paracord, appearing like ordinary accessories but with utility hidden in their design.

I wasn't about to share the contents of my bags with anyone else; the reveal would come in time. As I strode into the lobby with my heavy saddlebags, I felt a wave of smug satisfaction. Damon glanced at me, and I noted that almost everyone else was ready to go—save for Mariella, the girls, the wolves, Adam, and Charles.

I was genuinely excited about this trip, eager to find out how my carefully considered plans would unfold. Wulfe smirked at me, as though he could sense my confidence. He was so deeply entwined in my mind that it felt almost unsettling. At times, I struggled to distinguish where my thoughts ended and he began.

Damon was also quite perceptive, but his connection to me was nowhere near as profound as the one I shared with Wulfe. I was relieved about that; Damon's curiosity could be a double-edged sword, and knowing that he was delving into my psyche wouldn't end well.

I had too many secrets, too much shit in my mind, and Damon, would go nuts trying to mend me, and besides, I was not ready to let him know me that deeply; it was vulnerability, a weakness almost, and I realized it too. Some part of me was starting to realize just as much stronger as he had become, and it was not over yet. Maybe one day, he might surpass my strength as well. 

During this trip, I found myself in a leadership role as the alpha female, taking charge and rolling with the momentum. I was determined to keep moving forward with no one hindering my progress.

I made sure to avoid having an overpowering alpha mate constantly by my side, allowing him to enjoy his time with Mariella and the rest. This way, I could have my own space and freedom to do things my way, as alpha females typically prefer.