I had slipped into my thick fluffy light pink woolen shirt, feeling the softness against my skin, as I was still shivering from the cold. My loose black velvet pants provided some comfort, allowing me to move freely. With my hair flowing down and no makeup on, I appeared youthful and pale, my tiredness clear. I had no desire to dress up or draw attention to myself.
Descending the stairs, I discovered Damon's presence. Sitting on the couch was a woman, perched on his lap. I couldn't help but overhear Damon affectionately calling her Darling. This was the real Damon, not the distorted version created by Damien. They were deeply in love, and I wondered if he would flank her as he had done with me before. However, I was now devoid of his flanks.
This woman differed from anyone I had seen Damon with before. His tenderness and kisses displayed an overwhelming happiness. It felt as if I was peering into the past, but I knew I wasn't the one in Damon's arms. Yet, the scent of passionfruit lingered in the air, a reminder of our shared past. This aroma was even stronger than the scent that filled the air during our weddings.
This was the true Damon, and he was genuinely content. The woman on his lap adored him, fulfilling the role that she was meant to. Damon deserved someone who could truly understand and be with him, rather than being wedded to her work.
She was beautiful, resembling Vivien Leigh, and a pang of jealousy gripped my heart. I knew that women like her were Damon's ideal, as he had once confided in me during a cozy evening on a couch in Chicago, watching "Gone with the Wind". It was a cherished memory.
However, a brief flash of the torment i had endured in the shed crossed my mind, causing Damon to glance at us with a slight frown. After all, he still possessed his telepathic abilities. But then, I felt him withdraw from my thoughts.
There was a difference in him. Damon lovingly stroked the woman's hair, his passionate kisses revealing his true happiness. His hands wandered, and his expression confirmed his contentment.
I stood my ground, controlling my emotions entirely. I focused on what I had: Charles and Adam. Though they may not have been as flawless as they seemed, I was adept at pretending, and I could make it convincing. It was time to bring an end to this chapter on my terms. I would no longer wait for the inevitable divorce. I was fully prepared now.
Only I could truly help myself. Bran had been correct. Emotions were a vulnerability, and I was currently suffering from that weakness. I discreetly coughed under Charles' arm, trying to regain my composure.
Damon lifted his head, and the beauty in his arms gracefully adjusted her position. The woman stood tall, like a gazelle, her slender figure towering over me by 10 cm. She had a perfect hourglass body, captivating and alluring. I could sense Charles's admiration for her. Fine, it was inevitable that she would captivate the attention of all the men in the pack; let her.
As she approached us, the aroma of her perfume filled the air. She extended her hand first to Charles, then to me. I was prepared to introduce myself. Charles embraced her warmly, indicating that they had met before. As I gazed at the woman, a distant memory resurfaced - we had crossed paths long ago when my vampire nature awakened. She was there.
I extended my hand to her, introducing myself, "Hi, I'm Mimi. Damon must have mentioned me to you. Feel free to believe whatever you've heard. But we have met, haven't we? Decades ago, I asked you to be my meal."
The woman chuckled, affirming our encounter. "My name is Mariella, and it seems we are now sharing a husband. Ah, yes, it was God's will. He created me just for that purpose. He had glimpsed your thoughts... So, you are the legendary Mimi. Based on Damon's tales, I expected you to have at least a halo."
Her voice had a dark, soothing melody to it. Everything about her was flawless. Her emerald eyes sparkled beneath her thick black lashes, her lips were irresistibly kissable. I knew she exuded a seductive allure, and I had to remain on guard, or I, too, might succumb to her charms. Somehow, I just knew it.
At that moment, I realized Damon didn't truly belong to me. Damon rose from the couch, and an aura surrounded him, unlike anything I had known. He looked at me, his gaze penetrating, as if he wanted to unravel every inch of my soul and thoughts.
It was as if I were a stranger to him. Just as he was a stranger to me. Almost curious. Not passionately or intimately, but as if he were studying me. I had seen this same look in Medbay, but had disregarded it then. But now, he was no longer in my mind.
"The halo is now being polished. I'm convalescent. I can show it off when I'm at full strength." I replied, amused.
Mariella stood still, and as Damon got closer, she wrapped herself in him. I could smell somehow that these two had been in bedtime workout and a lot, but when Damon came closer, I sensed his lust, too.
I didn't hug him or offer my hand; I just said, "You look great. It's good to see you all on your own, and I don't miss the flanks, but in all honesty, I don't know who the hell you are, as you are not the same as you were with me. "I said to Damon and smiled.
Damon came closer to me and took my hands in both of his. "Mimi, baby, I don't know who or what I am. And I don't even know my feelings for anyone yet except Mariella. I take my time with these things. It's probably better if you don't assume anything about me or us because, frankly, I don't know if we exist anymore. Damien messed everything up between us, and I don't know what's left. You have traumas left, and I don't blame you. I am myself in searching for myself. I still don't know what Damien's feelings were or what they were mine. You don't have to divorce me. I know it'll only complicate things. But please, baby, let me go. Don't hold this against me. I'm not doing this out of spite. I'm just being who I am. I know that this is not fair to you. But I can't help it. Right now, I feel nothing for you. There is no love for you, not yet, anyway. Remember, the biggest difference between me and Damien is that I always tell the truth."
I replied, my voice filled with a mix of resignation and sorrow, "Damon, go, you're free. Enjoy it for God's sake. You deserve it."
The scent of freshly cut flowers filled the air, mingling with the faint aroma of passionfruit and peaches.
I could feel the weight of my words, heavy on my chest, as I continued, "Go live that perfect life you always talked about. I know I'm not part of it, at least not yet, if ever."
I looked into Damon's eyes, searching for any hint of remorse or hesitation, but found none. The silence hung in the air, punctuated only by the sound of our shallow breaths. It was as if time had stood still, holding its breath, waiting for the inevitable.
"I'll let you go when you let me go," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
The room seemed to close in around me, suffocating me with its emptiness. I fought to maintain my composure, not wanting to show any weakness.
"Don't worry about me. Don't even think about me. I'm a survivor, cockroach. I'll be all right."
Damon's gaze shifted, his eyes drifting away from mine. Mariella, his new love, clung to him, her presence a reminder of the life we once shared.
"You're together," I said, my voice tinged with bitterness. "You're each other's halves, much more than we ever were."
I couldn't help but feel a pang of regret, a sense of failure. "I didn't get it either, Damon. All these years, and somehow, I got it, but I couldn't get it right."
The weight of my power, the strength that I once prided myself on, felt heavy and burdensome.
"And I'm supposed to be the strongest being in the universe, but I couldn't save you. It wasn't my job." As the words left my lips, a wave of numbness washed over me. The room seemed to spin, the world tilting on its axis.
"I really do not know who you are," I confessed, my voice trembling. "As Charles explained to me, the one who was with me is no more, so you are free. So my feelings for you, there are none."
The realization hit me like a punch to the gut. "What comes to divorce? Let's see if you need to be free of me. I won't oppose it."
I glanced at Adam and Charles, my remaining pillars of support. They stood beside me, their presence a comforting anchor in the chaos.
"I have Adam and Charles. You have just Mariella, though she is part of the god."
Damon's gaze bore into mine, searching for something. Was he looking for a flicker of love, a glimmer of hope? I couldn't be sure. And then, in one swift motion, he released his grip on my hands.
Mariella remained wrapped around him, her whispered words of reassurance filling the void. "You did all right, Damon dear, all right. I got you, I have you."
My strength wavered, threatening to crumble beneath the weight of my emotions. But I held on, refusing to let my vulnerability show. Adam moved to my side, offering silent support, as I mustered a polite smile.
"It was lovely to meet you guys, and best of luck to your life if you will excuse me," I said, my voice steady but strained. "I am just recovering and need to go and rest."
As I walked away, my footsteps slow and deliberate, I could feel the fragments of my heart shattering further. The absence of the vampire wedding mark on Damon's palm served as a painful reminder of what once was, now erased from existence. He had seen my mark, my claim, on him, but it held no significance anymore.
I continued down the hallway, Charles and Adam trailing behind me like loyal shadows. The world seemed to blur around me, the pain and betrayal becoming a hazy backdrop to my shattered reality. Damon was no longer mine, and even in his absence, I couldn't help but feel a profound loss. He had become a stranger, a distant memory of the person I once loved.
At that moment, a resolve settled within me. No more. If he ever divorced me again, I would never marry him. I would focus on healing myself, on finding solace in my strength. I didn't need men; I would sort it out myself once again.
Damon leaned back, the soft fabric of the couch pressing against his back. He gently pulled Mariella closer, feeling her warmth against his chest. The room was filled with a sense of freedom, a feeling he hadn't experienced in a long time. At this moment, Mimi didn't occupy his thoughts. She was a distant memory, as he basked in the wholeness he felt with Mariella.
Yet, he couldn't deny the pang of something he felt when he thought of Mimi being with Adam and Charles. There was a complex mix of emotions that stirred within him. He was devoted to Mariella now, completely and unequivocally. She had spoken openly about her aversion to the old-fashioned vampire marriage tradition, and he respected her wishes. It didn't feel right for them.
Mariella, however, remained confused about many things, her mind tangled in a web of uncertainty. But amidst the confusion, one thing remained certain - Damon belonged to her, and she to him. Their bond was unbreakable, surpassing anything Mimi had ever experienced.
Damon had no desire to delve into his feelings for Mimi, if there were any left. Mimi was a mystery, a pretender, and he had come to the realization that he would never truly know who she was.
Damon saw Mimi as a victim, someone who had taken on the responsibility of saving him and the world countless times. He understood the armor she had built around herself, a shield so impenetrable that even Adam and Charles failed to recognize it. Damon had once built a similar armor, and he knew the difficulty of shedding it. He longed to help Mimi, to strip away that protective shell and set her free to feel again. But now was not the time. Now he needed to heal, to love, to be with Mariella. Time would reveal what his future held with Mimi.
As he watched Mimi leave with Charles and Adam, a twinge of jealousy coursed through Damon.
Mariella's eyes followed Mimi's graceful steps as she guided the two men, one on each side, out of the room. The sound of their footsteps echoing against the hardwood floors filled the air. A sense of unease washed over Mariella as if Mimi posed a threat to the love she shared with Damon. But it was more than that. It was a newfound feeling, swirling within her, almost overwhelming in its intensity.
As Mariella contemplated her emotions, she couldn't help but feel a surge of curiosity. It was as if a door had opened, allowing her to see the world in a different light. But amidst all the thoughts and observations, one thing remained steadfast in her mind - nothing could break the bond between her and Damon. They would be unbreakable.
Her thoughts shifted to Mimi, trying to understand the enigma that she was. What lay beneath the surface of that thin, pale figure, adorned in a heavy woolen shirt and velvet pants? Mimi appeared fragile, yet there was an underlying strength that emanated from her.
Was it the weight of her experiences that reflected in her eyes? The resolute determination that shielded a heart shattered countless times? Or perhaps it was the soul that had endured too much, always betrayed.
Mariella couldn't help but feel a desire to help Mimi, to teach her the power of trust and belief. Mimi was a puzzle waiting to be solved, and Mariella longed to uncover the pieces. But it was Mimi's vulnerability that posed the greatest threat - the scars of her past, the moments of vulnerability, and the starkness of medical facilities, all etched upon her gaze.
Despite having two men by her side, Mimi kept her distance, her arms wrapped protectively around her frail frame. She yearned for solitude, choosing to walk the path alone. Mariella's memories resurfaced, reminding her of the horrors Mimi had endured, always forced to fend for herself.
A sudden realization struck Mariella - what if Damon discovered the truth? Would he attempt to heal or cure Mimi, his baby? The gravity of the situation dawned on her as she recognized the significance of this house. It was the very place where Mimi and Damon had first crossed paths, their initial connection.
Their separation marked the end of one era and the beginning of a new, promising chapter. Mariella, with unwavering certainty, knew that Damon belonged to her, and she intended to keep him by her side. She even whispered this sentiment to her loyal companion, Shadow, a wolf with fur that mirrored the hues of a tortoiseshell cat. Despite her petite size, Shadow exuded a powerful presence.
Turning to Damon, Mariella expressed her desire to educate the pack leaders, Adam and Charles, about harnessing their energy as beings. She aimed to weave an intricate energy web, seeking to draw more power from them. While they were both eager, Mariella yearned for an even greater abundance of energy to fortify their network.
Damon, content just to be with the love of his life, grunted his agreement. In his eyes, nothing else mattered except their bond. They settled onto the couch, their love radiating between them.
Mariella's ambition soared as she envisioned creating an energy network so formidable that it would form a protective bubble around each house, shielding them from intrusion. Recognizing Mimi's connection to the magical houses, Mariella saw the potential for involving her. Mimi's involvement would undoubtedly prove invaluable.
However, thoughts of Mimi led to questions about her place within the pack and her relationship with Damon. As they spent hours on the couch, Damon sensed Bran, who sought to meet Mariella. They approached Bran, who, as the Marrok, welcomed Mariella into the pack. Yet Mariella couldn't shake the feeling that Bran regarded her with a primal desire, as if he would pounce over his massive desk and claim her right then and there.
Damon shared with Mariella the troubling actions Bran had taken over the years, prompting Mariella to resolve to confront him one day and seek answers. Eventually, they left Bran's presence and returned to the familiarity of their own home. Mariella couldn't help but notice the pain in Bran's eyes, a pain she knew she possessed the power to heal. She possessed a unique radar for those in need of salvation, and she was determined to be their savior.
They stayed in their house for a few days, and Mariella wanted to try to pack life. Maybe she would get in touch with Mimi or get to know Adam and Charles. Samuel was still a question mark, and Bran Mariella dealt with it one day. When they moved into the house, they got the master bedroom.
Damon was taken aback and felt a knot of unease in his stomach as he contemplated the idea of sharing a bed with Mimi. However, when they entered the room and Damon swung open the door, his apprehension melted away. The room had been completely transformed - the bed had been shifted, and every trace of their previous belongings, including curtains, rugs, and personal items, had vanished.
As Damon glanced towards the slightly open cupboard door, he could see that Mimi had taken all of her clothes with her. She had left him. Damon approached the bedroom door, his eyes scanning the half-empty room, and he swallowed hard, his throat tight with emotion.
Mariella sensed Damon's turmoil. Although he wasn't sure if Mimi would still be a part of his life, the room held countless cherished memories. A deep feeling stirred within him, but he pushed it aside for now. It was time for Damon and Mariella to embark on their new life together.
Mimi had found another place for herself. Charles, their friend, explained the situation. Damon and Mariella left to go shopping, their footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. They purchased new bedding, rugs, curtains, and even a fresh mattress. Charles proved to be delightful and amusing, and Mariella marveled at the kindness of the men she had encountered.
Damon had even bought her some clothes, showcasing his impeccable taste. Mariella reveled in the joy of being pampered and showered with gifts by Damon. She had yet to grasp the concept of financial hardship, so money was of no concern to her. Together, they lovingly arranged their new room, creating a haven that felt perfect to them.
As they worked, Mariella encouraged Damon to share stories and reminisce about their past, often mentioning Mimi in their conversations. Mimi seemed to be the thread that wove their lives together. Mariella's curiosity grew, and she became increasingly intrigued by Mimi. There must have been some profound secrets held by Mimi, and Mariella's curiosity burned within her.
Damon recounted, "When I first arrived at this house, Mimi made her famous strawberry cake, marking a fresh start in her life. We used to go strawberry picking together, and Mimi would blush at the slightest compliment. You wouldn't believe how angry she got when I affectionately called her 'baby.' But those memories feel like a distant past, and I was a completely different person back then."
Mariella laughed; she was not the easy-blushing type.
Damon almost seemed to relive the moment, and Mariella slipped her hand under his shirt, causing the reminiscences to fade for a while. They used up the new bed very well and Mariella smelled of peaches and white wine, where Mimi had been strawberries and champagne.
At least from what everyone said, Mimi was a terrible patient. Mariela showed a few tricks, as they were now energy beings, and so were Adam and Charles. Mimi didn't; she had tanks but was an energy-exploiting being and had chaos power.
When Mariella released Damon, Mimi had become chaos. She had known she was chaos long ago, but her chaos, power, and willpower had now been activated.
Whatever that meant remained to be seen. What Mariella also wanted to explore if it could be exploited by collecting was Mimi's rage. It was already legendary. Mariella wanted to energize her energy grid, and rage could be one unimpeachable source, but when Mariella talked about using Mimi's rage, Damon changed the subject. He wasn't ready to face Mimi again. Something had broken inside him when Mimi had left him, literally moved away from him.
It had been two weeks now, and Mariella's jealousy towards Mimi had completely dissipated. Instead, she now desired to reunite Damon with Mimi. As an energy being, Damon possessed the ability to manipulate energy, and Mimi's rage was a potent source.
Mariella believed that if she could convince Damon to seduce Mimi and share a passionate encounter with her, he could tap into her intense anger and redirect it into the energy grid. During their shared meals, Mimi's presence was noticeably absent, and Damon did not attempt to intervene. In Mariella's eyes, Damon had become the true leader of their pack, overshadowing Charles.
Although Charles and Adam occasionally brought food to Mimi, she rarely appeared to partake in their offerings. Surprisingly, Mimi had caused no trouble for them either. This lack of Mimi's presence did not bother Mariella or Damon, as they found solace in each other's company. Adam and Charles also had their own responsibilities to attend to.
Mariella had taught the men the importance of their lustful nature, and she coldly seduced both Charles and Adam, inviting them into her bed. Damon was present during these encounters, and it was during this time that Mariella discovered the unique connection she shared with Charles. Just as Damon was Mimi's protector, Charles served as Mariella's.
They had a profound understanding of one another. Charles not only provided sustenance by preparing meals for Mariella, but he also tasted her blood, ensuring her well-being during their lunches. Mariella and Damon passionately engaged in wild sex and rough fucking for a staggering 14 hours a day. They would eat when the pack ate and engage in conversations with Samuel, Adam, and Charles if they were present. On occasion, Damon would accompany Mariella on her runs through the forest, where she transformed into a wolf, embracing her primal nature.
Damon saw this new era, the era of Salvatore's pack. He was no longer just with Mimi, but now he had his pack. He had accepted his leadership status in the eyes of Mariella and it felt somehow right. Only time would tell what the future brought to them, but now every day was new and fresh. He was enjoying life like never before, seeing all the wonders of it, feeling love and connection.