Bella
I was waiting for Demetri in the recreation room. I was surprised when Jasper walked in alone. He was always with Gianna and Riley.
"Where are your shadow's," I asked him with a smile.
"I was looking for you. Alec is watching them."
I tensed. "Why were you looking for me?"
"Everything is okay Bella, I just wanted to tell you how sorry I am that I left you to those other vampires. I was very wrong. I knew better but I let the others talk me into doing something I knew was wrong." Jasper apologized. "I don't expect you to forgive me immediately but I hope someday we can be friends."
"I forgive you, Jasper," I said hugging him tightly.
I was surprised by Demetri's roar of rage behind us. I turned quickly and unafraid I jumped into Demetri's arms. "I was only accepting his apology my mate. There is nothing for you to be jealous of."
Demetri turned with me in his arms and ghosted to our rooms. He took us to the bathroom and put me in the shower turning it on with me fully clothed.
I took off my now sopping clothing and pulled Demetri into the shower with me.
"Now my mate," I said, "Let me show you who I belong to."
I took his clothes off him and fell to my knees in front of him. Taking his hard erection into my mouth I pleasured him with my mouth and hands until he grasped me under my shoulders. He drove himself into me and pressed me against the shower wall.
"You...are...mine," Demetri ordered while pounding into me.
"Yes, yours, Demetri. I'm yours, only yours."
Demetri stared straight into my eyes and saw the truth there. His pace slowed from driving and claiming to a romantic mating. His eyes turned from pitch black to ruby red. "I'm sorry my mate," he said, leaning his forehead against mine."
"Show me who I belong to my Demetri, I'm only yours."
Demetri smiled a wicked smile and went back to claiming me.
When we were lying panting on the bed, Demetri looked at me hesitantly. "You know I'm going to have to change the girls soon don't you, my mate?"
"You're changing them?" I asked excitedly.
Demetri looked at me with an odd look on his face. "Yes, I'm going to be the one changing them."
I thought about it quickly, for less than a second.
"I'm glad." I said, "I know you'll change them with as much care as possible."
"I'm so relieved to hear that Bella, I was afraid that you'd be jealous."
"It's the least we can do to let them borrow you for a few days, they're scared, Demetri. They deserve as much care as possible and I know you will show them that."
"It's starting tomorrow."
"We're going to be busy."
"Indeed we are my mate, indeed we are,"
"So let's take advantage of our last quiet night together?" Bella asked.
They made love through the night and into the morning.
Demetri left her in the morning. Bella decided not to watch the changes. She didn't want to get possessive at the last minute. Instead, Bella got dressed and went to the training room.
She sparred with all of the elite guards and Jasper too. Sparring with Jasper was a different experience. He instructed her on ways to handle newborns versus adult vampires. He showed her how to predict her enemy's attacks and by the end of things the elite guard was ringed around her and Jasper, watching and learning too. They sparred slowly and at full speed. Bella found herself being taken down easily and her technique corrected after every match. When she realized all the eyes she had on her she was mildly embarrassed.
After an exhausting day in the training room, Jane approached her with a hug. "You know we never got that shopping trip in." She declared.
"Do you want to go today?" I asked. "Demetri is busy and I have a free night ahead."
"I know, that's why I got his credit card. Chelsea is coming with us. Go get dressed for a night out?"
Bella found herself laughing as she was ushered out of the training room. Jane went to her own room while I showered and changed into a dress and heels.
I met Jane and Chelsea outside my door in thirty minutes.
We were off and ran to Florence to shop. The girls pulled me into the lingerie store. They insisted I get no less than ten filmy outfits for Demetri's pleasure. By the time we were finished choosing we were all giggling like school children.
I picked out a few things at other stores but mostly shared the experience with Jane and Chelsea. They were having loads of fun, and she played along with them. By the time they were finished, they were loaded with bags and running full speed back to the castle. Laughing and talking the entire way.
I loved my new family.
Demetri
I had changed all the girls they were now screaming in pain. Felix and Alec were both helping me guard them for the three days of their change. Training would be overseen by Jane and Jasper would come to collect each girl when it was time for their first feedings.
Bella, Jane, Chelsea, and Reneta would help them in the showers and such, everything was planned, down to how to feed each girl separately. We didn't want them destroying each other fighting over meals.
We were all going to have our hands full for the next year and I didn't think Bella realized what an onerous task this would be. I would have to call in some of the lower-level guards to help out but that wasn't a problem. I put the men under Jasper's command temporarily.
"So we've got three days of this," Felix said with a smirk.
"Bella has spoiled us. We're in for it now." Alec said with his own smirk.
"Ah, boys, we really are in for it now. Luckily Jasper has the majority of the responsibility. I don't envy him."
We all fall silent again, listening to the cries of pain. I think of the difference between Bella's change and these poor girls. There is no one to remind them of their past, no one to talk them through, no one to wrap them in a safe embrace. I wonder how much these things helped Bella become who she is.
The days pass at a slow, grueling pace. Jasper comes to claim each girl as her change is complete. Alexis is the last. I have Felix guarding her. I have gone to find my Bella. After much searching I find her in the showers, helping Deidra dry her hair.
"Alexis's change is finished?" She asks me, greeting me with a kiss.
"No, Felix is guarding her now. She is safe."
I walk with her as she takes Deidra outside the bath where Jamison is waiting for her to usher her back to Jasper.
"I've missed you, my mate," she tells me when Deidra is gone. She jumps into my arms and kisses all over my face. "Jane will see to Alexis's shower, come show me how much you've missed me."
We run to our rooms and soon are making love with a fevered intensity that fills me with a sense of peace and belonging far beyond what I thought I would ever deserve.
Felix
I hear Alexis's last heartbeat and open her door. I'm ready for an attack, but she doesn't. She only sits up and asks me if it is over.
I go to her slowly, reassuringly, despite my tall stature. "It is over young one. Are you thirsty?"
"Is that what the burning is in my throat? She asks."
"Yes, that's what it is," I tell her, still startled that she hasn't attacked. "Come with me and we will get you fed."
That was when I took a breath. Her scent left me shocked and shaken. This young woman is my mate.
I take her small hand in mine and lead her from the room. I take her down to the catacombs and insist on guarding her myself while she feeds. I've never seen such a violent feeding from a newborn. It makes me smile. By the time she is finished, I take her to the showers and Jane is waiting there to help my young Alexis with her shower. I can't bring myself to leave my mates protection to another so I get out my phone and call Demetri.
"Felix," He barks at me and I laugh knowing I've interrupted him and Bella in a private moment.
"Master Demetri," I say formally, "Young Alexis is my mate, I would like to take responsibility for her protection and training."
"I'm coming." Is all he says before he hangs up. In less than two minutes he is there, decidedly bed-rumpled and with a smile on his face.
"Congratulations, Felix," He greets me with a one-armed hug. Bella appears by his side.
"Alexis is really your mate Felix?" She asks.
"Indeed she is. I discovered it when I opened her door after her change was complete."
"I want her to stay with the other newborns, Felix,"
I start to argue but he puts up a hand to silence me. I stand firm, holding my tongue for now.
"But I won't stop you from being with her to protect her. You are relieved of duty while you see to your mate's care and well-being."
"Thanks, Demetri," I say softly, respectfully.
"I'm so happy for you Felix," Bella tells me with a genuine smile.
The door opens to the showers and Bella steps away from Felix, knowing that proximity to another female would likely anger the newborn. Alexis steps out with Jane following.
"Alexis, do you remember Bella?"
"Hi Bella, thanks for explaining everything to me before I was changed. It would have been so much scarier if you hadn't."
"I'm here for you anytime Alexis."
"And this is her mate, Master Demetri,"
"Master Demetri," Alexis said shyly. "Bella told me you were over two thousand years old."
"Bella was right." Demetri agreed.
"Are you ready to join the others, Alexis?" I asked softly.
"I guess so, what happens now."
"Now we go to the other newborns and you learn how to be a vampire," I explained.
"Then I guess I'm ready, will you be coming with me?" She asks me hesitantly.
"Yes, I'll be with you the whole way."
I take Alexis's hand gently in my larger one and lead her away to the part of the castle where Jasper is keeping the newborns.
I know the days ahead will be fraught with challenges but I am content with my mate by my side.
