* Please review! The first few chapters are a lot of fluff and stuff. Have to do it before I bring on the drama!*
Jerry opened the door and Winter stepped back so she was half way behind him. Raphel was in front of the group of vampires standing outside their house. The house was set back into the woods, completely by it's self. He offered the couple a bright smile. He did not need an invitation into the house. Besides Jerry, he was the only vampire Winter was comfortable with. He walked in and embraced his night child. A few thoughts went through maker and child before Raphel pulled away and moved to Winter. Jerry started inviting each vampire into their house, making sure to use their names.
" My vampire daughter-in-law." Raphel said. He placed his hands on either side her neck and kissed first her right cheek, then her left. " Do not be nervous, my beloved." He whispered to her. Winter smiled and brought her hands to his sides. Raphel had become like a dad to her.
" I'm trying not to be." She whispered. He pulled away and took her hand.
" Come and get this old man a glass of wine." He said.
Winter laughed as they started for the stairs. It always made her laugh when he referred to himself as an old man. Raphel was 2000 years old but didn't look a day over 25. Raphel tucked her hand into the crock of his arm. He covered her hand with his. Raphel had been there when Jerry changed her and he had helped her deal with the change. When she had come back into herself, she had been upset with Jerry and needed some time away from him. Being Jerry's maker, Raphel had taken Winter in and took care of her. He had helped her with getting the house and making it vampire safe. He had set her up with the new name of Jillian Winters. She had spend some time with his clan but hadn't ever felt completely comfortable with them.
Jerry had to invite each and every vampire into their house by their names. When he reached the end of the line, his eyes narrowed to see a certain vampire couple. He hadn't wanted Giselle and Nickolas to come but couldn't turn them away without causing a scene and making Winter question why they weren't allowed in the house. Giselle and Jerry had a past. Nickolas never cared who she slept with as they weren't a true mated couple. Nickolas had even watched Jerry with Giselle a few times when they were having sex. Sometimes Nickolas would take Giselle in his mouth while she worked Jerry over with either her hand or mouth. They had also went on killing sprees a times in history.
" You don't look happy to see us, Jerry." Giselle said with a smirk.
" Was it too much to hope that you won't come?" Jerry snapped.
" Yes, it was. We just had to see the human who made you settle down." Nickolas said.
" She isn't a human." Jerry said.
" She's barely a vampire. I heard she isn't even a year into her change." Nickolas said.
" You sure you want to do this, Baby?" Giselle purred out. " If you are mated to her then we won't get to have anymore of our good times, unless she doesn't mind sharing."
" We are a true mated couple with or without the ceremony." Jerry snapped.
" Yes, they are. Can't you smell her in him? He is filled with her scent and blood." Nickolas said.
" She smells good. Maybe she won't mind letting me have a lick." Giselle said with a smile. Jerry's eyes narrowed.
XXXXXX
Winter watched the vampires that mulled around her living room. Some were talking together, others were talking and glancing at her. Raphel was beside her, talking with his mate. Winter was feeling uncomfortable and wondering where Jerry was. She didn't have to wait long. He entered the room but she didn't feel any better. She could feel the annoyance and anger coming from him. Her eyes shifted behind him to the couple walking in with him. Jerry hurried to her side.
" What's wrong?" She whispered. He took her hands and brought them to his mouth. He brushed his lips against her knuckles.
" You know that I haven't always been nice. You know I have been downright ruthless in my past." He whispered, keeping her hands against his lips.
" I know that." She whispered. He locked eyes with her.
' There are some here that know my more wild side, that were there for many of my nasty times.' He sent to her. ' But I am not that vampire anymore and I want you to remember that.'
' Who?' She sent back as he rubbed his lips back and forth against her.
" Well why don't you introduce your mate?" Giselle asked as she came forward. Jerry squeezed Winter's hands as the room quieted. He sighed and turned them to face the crowd.
" This is Winter. She is not only my mate but also my night child." Jerry announced.
" Is that a ring you are wearing?" Nickolas asked with a laugh. Jerry's arm were around her shoulders. He squeezed her tightly to him.
" Yes. Winter and I choose to show the human world that we are mated, or married in their eyes." He said.
" Let us get this ceremony underway." Raphel said. The vampires around the room started to move around the chairs that had been placed in the center of the room. Giselle and Nickolas came forward as Jerry moved his hand to grip Winter's elbow.
" It is so nice to meet you, Winter." The tall, beautiful blond said as she extended her hand. Winter glanced at Jerry. She noticed how tight his mouth was and how he glared at the vampire. Winter looked back at her.
" Hello." She said as they shook hands.
" You are not what I thought you would look like." Nickolas said as he took Winter's hand next. " I expected a tall, model type vampire but you are very much the opposite. You are pretty but in a plain type of way." Winter frowned as her face flushed.
" Watch it." Jerry growled out low and deep. Nickolas smiled as he kissed her hand. " Come on, Love." Jerry said as he pulled her away. Winter turned and glanced over her shoulder at the two who smiled back at her.
' Never mind them. You are more beautiful then Giselle and you know I'm not just saying that. I can't lie to you. Look to our bond to know my truth.' Jerry sent to her as they moved towards the chairs. She knew he was telling her the truth. He did find her more attractive then he found Giselle. He didn't see Winter as plain at all. In fact, Jerry thought Winter was stunning, always had, and she couldn't help but smile and feel undeserving of his feelings. She had always thought herself completely ordinary.
He lightly touched her back and motioned to the chair for her to take. Winter looked at Jerry who smiled and nodded. She swallowed hard but sat down. Jerry sat down directly in front of her. He reached forward and took both of her hands in his. Reassuring feelings and thoughts started to flow down their bond and into her. Winter couldn't help but smile at him.
" We are all gathered here tonight to celebrate the mating of these two vampires. Mating of vampires has been going on for thousands of years but it is still a joy to united couples." Raphel started. " I am Jerry's maker and I have come to know Winter well as I took care of her for a while and I can say that there is no couple that is better suited to be together then these two. Now, Jerry, repeat after me, I take you, Winter Collins, to be my mated partner." Jerry smiled and squeezed her tightly.
" I take you, Winter Collins, to be my mated partner." He said.
" I shall take your blood into my body and share my blood with you." Raphel said.
" I shall take your blood into my body and share my blood with you." Jerry repeated.
" I will lay down my life for you." Raphel said.
" I will lay down my life for you." Jerry said.
" I would give up my blood for you to live." Raphel said.
" I would give up my blood for you to live." Jerry said.
" Winter, repeat after me..."
Jerry squeezed and rubbing her hands with his thumbs as she repeated the words back to him. He finally understood why males mated their females. Saying the words to her and hearing her say them back to him was creating a feeling inside him that he had never had before. He felt warmth flowing between them and barely noticed anyone else in the room. He smiled at her, making her smile in return.
" Now is the part of the service were the couples share blood and seal their mating. This is the last chance each have to move out of this. If you want to continue with this, Winter, then offer Jerry your neck." Raphel said. Winter smiled and moved her hair over her shoulder. She tilted her head. Jerry's fangs descended as his eyes drifted to her neck. " If you want to continue, Jerry, offer Winter your wrist." He pushed up his sleeve and held his arm out to her. " When you are ready, you may strike."
Winter was still slightly embarrassed at her reaction to blood and her fangs which were sliding down. They moved closer to each other at the same time. Jerry's fingers glided over her throat. His thumb stroked over her pulse point as he brought his mouth down. Winter's breath shorten a second before his fangs touched her. She took a hold of his wrist and brought it to her mouth. They bit down at the same time. The second Jerry's blood hit her senses Winter's eyes shut. She tighten her hold of his arm and growled. Jerry moved closer to her and pulled harder on her vein. He closed his eyes to enjoy her completely. His free hand moved into her hair. He twisted his fingers around the strands.
The couple drank from each other for a few minutes, both forgetting about the others around them. Winter moaned, making Jerry's pants tighten as he harden up. He was ready to rip her clothes off when he felt Raphel's hand on his shoulder. He opened his eyes and pulled back. Winter mimic his withdraw. They both start lightly licking the wounds that had been made.
" The circle is completely. The couple is mated. No vampire may come between them. No vampire may drink from either one." Raphel announced. To her surprise the other vampires around them started to clap. Jerry grinned and took her face in his hands. They kissed hard as her hands came up and took his wrists.
' I love you.' Those three words started moving through her mind and body over and over again as they made out. His tongue twisted and untwisted around hers. ' Mine.' When Jerry pulled away he smiled at her. Winter smiled and felt all her fear melting away