Cheryl’s POV
SEVEN MONTHS LATER / BLACK ADDER PACK
These last 7 months have been absolutely wonderful. Anton makes me happy every single day. He treats me better than anyone in my life ever has. I am so glad I decided to take a chance to be with him forever. Our home was built quickly, and he had it built with 6 bedrooms. Our master bedroom, and two bedroom were downstairs, the other three bedrooms were upstairs, along with a game room, and a home office. Anton built his home office at the top of the stairs, with the guest bedroom directly across from it. He built a home gym in the next room down, with the game room across from it. The boys rooms were across the hall from each other next door to them. Each of the rooms upstairs is very large, the home gym, and game room alone were 20x20, and the boys room’s about the same size. The end of the hallway is what I lovingly call the “hang-out” for the boys.
Anton spared no expense making it exactly what the boys wanted upstairs. There was a large TV on one wall and plenty of seating in the game room already set up. It has every gaming console that you could think of, set up and ready to go. They also had some arcade games set up in there as well, for the ones that were no longer playing on the console. They loved to have competitions against each other and there was usually a lot of noise coming from the room, if they didn’t shut the door. Anton had each of the rooms upstairs soundproofed, as well as our bedroom. I had gotten so embarrassed when he mentioned that as a necessary item for the home. He just squeezed my hand and winked at me. It reminded me of the first time we met, when I couldn't stop looking at him. I thought it was just an interest in vampires in general. But I was only looking at him, and not really checking out any of the others. It was like he attracted my interest from the very start, and I didn’t know why. His wink still makes my heart sing each and every time he does it, because it reminds me of the first time we met.
The last room at the end of the hall was set up where they could watch movies on one end of the room, and the room was massive. It ran the length of the house and was 65 feet long, and 20 feet wide. They had a full fridge, and a countered snack area, which was situated right next to it. Whatever you could think of whether salty, or sweet, or both, could be found up there. I restocked the items on the counter each week, and put the remainder in the storage under the counter to keep the area straight. I also set up two garbage cans for them to never have an excuse to not clean the room. I had Anton put a sink in up there too, so they could dump out any unfinished drinks before they left. I guess I might be a stickler for it, but I don’t want to be dragging any leaking trash bags through my home. It was complete with one of those old-timey popcorn machines, with the little pot to melt butter in and wheels on it so you could move it around.
Anton had the snack area built in between the theatre area, and the games to protect the TV from any stray balls that could fly over and shatter it. There were couches, chairs, and bean bags scatter around for everyone to get comfortable to watch a movie up there. Sometimes the adults came over with the kids, for the kids to stend time together, and we would watch a movie ourselves. There was a pool table set up at the far end of the room, with a foosball table, an air hockey table, and a basketball game. The walls were set up with wall protectors on them in case one of the balls was hit into it. It was a really nice area, and the boys were so proud to show their friends our new home. Neither of them had really had friends before we came here. Plus even if they had, they were not allowed to bring anyone into the Alpha’s quarters. So they never got to have friends over before now. They always went over to visit with Jaxon and his brothers, but this was built with them all in mind. The fact that Anton cared, and planned this specifically for them, made me love him even more. He cared about how the boys felt, and it showed in everything that he did. They were so excited about their new rooms, and their new home. They got to decorate how they wanted their rooms to be, and the boys were just flourishing here. We had only been in our new home for 2 months now, but I loved our it. I also loved the fact that Robert had taken his cue from Kevin, and had given Anton a chance.
Anton’s office upstairs was 15x20, with a bookcase built all the way down the wall, one with storage underneath it. He also had additional storage built in at the end of the wall. He had a picture on his desk of us with the boys, that we took last month. He had some spots on the wall that he said he was saving that space spacifically to put up our pictures when we get married at the end of the month. I did not know it when I was turned, but Alexei and Anton were both very wealthy. Like very, very, wealthy, which is why it amused Anton so much that I was willing to pay to build us our home. He never mentioned it until we were making up the house design, and he was having me pick out my dream kitchen. What I wanted, and what I could afford were two very different things. When he told me to make it exactly what I wanted, I balked. I didn’t need the fancy stuff, I just needed him. He was pleased that I wasn’t after him for his money, like Lauren had been. The fact that he didn’t spend enough to keep her, was why she went with Draven. That should have told him that she was just in it for what she could get, not for love.
Anton has been training the boys for months, with their friends joining in the training, and Justin tagged along too. Justin was highly impressed with how Anton trained. Anton was excellent at helping the children understand just how to do it. He thoroughly explained foot placement, and how to move through each one of the moves that he taught them. He even wrote a manual for Justin to implement it with the rest of the pack for them to be trained as well. They can only be stronger for the additional training. I train as well because Anton wants me to stay as safe as I can be. Learning tactics from him, gives me an edge. I was already really strong when I was a wolf, but I am stronger and faster now, than I have ever been. I
I thought that people would be very judgey of me after I became a vampire too, but no one has really mentioned it. Well, at least not to my face, but this pack has had a treaty with the vampires for 15 years now. They have had no trouble with the coven at all in all this time, and are used to them coming here and interacting with the ranked wolves. There is no longer any real fear of them, here at Black Adder, just a little curiosity about them as a whole. So the overall opinion of the vampires is pretty high here. Anton excused the reason for us having so many rooms as being that we needed them for our children, and my heart sang when he claimed them as out children. He also wanted the guest room upstairs to be for Alexei for when he came here to visit with us, which was more frequent now that our home was built. He also wanted a space for Casey, if she decided to come and visit after the fight was over. Anton had thought of everything, including a generator that kept our fridge in the kitchen, and the one we had in our bedroom to where they would still run, even with a power outage. Blood tends not to like to get warm, and has to be used quickly if we did loose power. We kept that fridge seperate, as I didn;t like to remind the boys that I had changed. Our power grid is attached to the human world, and occasionally power outages happen. The big generators at the pack makes sure that the refrigerators and freezers always keep working no matter what, at both packhouses. It would be very expensive to have to replace all the ruined food if they didn’t have the generators.
My decision to become a vampire was the best decision that I have ever made. Knowing that I get the privilege to be with Anton, for the rest of my life, makes me so happy. I catch him staring at me sometimes and the look in his eyes makes my knees weak. He loves me and doesn’t try to hide the fact from me. He wants me to know how much he loves and cares for me each day. He stopped aging at 25, and I am stopped now at 38, which did cause me a little bit of concern, especially at first. I was worried that he would not want me because I was older in my appearance than he was. According to him, he cannot tell any difference between us. The fact that he even said that to me, made me love him even more. He is so handsome to me, I cannot stop glancing at him, because in my eyes he is perfection. I can feel our bond growing stronger day by day and I can feel a tug similar to the mate bond.
Anton is such a big help to me, I have been tired since before we even moved in here, and he has just put everything where I wanted it. He had a crew come in with the furniture that we picked out, I only had to point out where I wanted it to be placed. He takes such good care of me, and each night with him, is better than the last. I feel the need to be with him all the time. Like I crave his presence near me and I am so glad that he can work from home. Our time together has been wonderful, the only down side was the day that I was turned. That was a truly horrible day from a pain standpoint, and that was putting it mildly. I had spoke to the boys the morning that they were going to do it. They were both anxious for me, but they both knew how much I truly loved Anton. they both hugged me, and Raven was nice enough to have them sleep over at the packhouse, as non one knoew how log it was going to take. Alexei had told Brandon that it would be best for them to have one of the homes that did not have a family currently staying in it. One that was further away from the other homes, would be preferable. The only thing available that fit the criteria, was one of the patrol cabins for the warriors that patrol. It was away from the other homes and is there for the men in inclement weather, or in case of injury to be able to get shelter, or the medical bag from it. Brandon advised the patrols of what they could expect, and asked for us to not be inturrupted during the process.
It only had a table and chairs, and two twin beds on opposite sides of the room. They had a small fridge in there, and Alexei, Anton, and Doctor Gurin were all there with me. The doctor set himself up on the bed across the room, as he was only there in case of emergency. It still cracks me up thinking about it to this day, as I was literally losing my life that day. So, what kind of possible emergency could have come up that would have been worse than that? I had asked that very question, jokingly, a few weeks later. Anton told me that some have actually died during the process, and not become immortal. They just died, instead of their body accepting the change to become vampires. I was glad I found that out, after the fact. Alexei has not lost anyone yet, but the possibility of it happening was terrifying. I am honestly glad no one mentioned it before I was changed. The pain was bad enough that I knew I was dying, and I was scared. That was not a great thing to hear, and I was glad that Anton didn’t mention it until I had made the joke I had. Anton had marked me the night before I was changed, and he marked me during sex. I remembered fondly that I had never had an orgasm hit me so hard ever before. Not even when Blake marked me during sex. Whatever was between us, was clearly very strong, and I believed that we were meant to be a love for the ages.
Anton was proud of his marks too. I marked him at the beginning when I was a she-wolf, and I also marked him as a vampire too. I am sorry, Vampiress, which I never knew, but it makes sense. I loved the fact that I got to mark him twice. He was so proud of his mark on me, that the only thing he asked me to do as far as the wedding was make sure that the wedding dress would not cover his mark. He wants everyone to see it, and know that I am his. Alexei and the doctor teased him a lot during the process, while I was suffering, because he was so worried about me. They were worried that he might lose control and hurt someone so while we held hands, they teased him about something that he could look forward to. There were trying to get his mind off of what was happening to me, by having him focus on something that made him happier. He had already asked me to marry him, and I had agreed instantly. Why would I refuse? I was becoming a vampire for him, why would I refuse a wedding? I wanted to claim him, as much as he wanted to claim me.
That alone was rare. Vampires do have a type of bond already. They are serious about keeping their mates safe from harm. But they normally do not marry their mates. I had wish I had felt better to jump in on the teasing of him as well, but I just stayed quiet. I was scared if I opened my mouth, the screams that I were so desperately trying to hold in so hard, would have escaped. It felt like I could feel every square inch of my skin, and it was so uncomfortably hot. But that wasn’t the worst part of it. I felt like a thousand tiny bugs were crawling on me, biting me inside my body. I felt like I could feel them as they moved, and nipped me, and I knew that my body was dying, that was what had to happen for me to complete this. It was putting up a fight to not die, but the venom was moving through my veins, shutting down all my organs. It was a long and painful process, one that I thankfully will never have to repeat, but it was incredibly arduous. Alexei had told Anton that he might have to go away if my screams got too bad, before we even started. I knew if Anton left me, that would be the worst thing of all. I knew that I could push through as long as I could see him, and feel his hand in mine. Anton calms me, and I knew that if he left that this whole thing would probably be twice as bed, and I couldn’t even conceive the level of pain I was in right now, before today. I don't think I could have handled it it Anton was not there to help me through it, I honestly don't think that I would have survived it without him.
I was lucky that Alexei had done the honors of turning me, is what Anton later told me. Alexei had turned numerous people into vampires. He was one of the most knowledgeable vampires about what needed to be done to turn someone. The fact that they were royals also helped as it sped up the process. Anton was so upset as he brushed the hair back from my face. He looked like he wanted to scream out in pain for me. It took almost a full day, 20 hours, of intense, unbelievable pain. Both Alexei and the doctor were impressed, with my strength. Apparently they had done this, at least 80 times together. They told me afterwards that they had never had anyone manage to get through it without screaming from the onslaught of pain. I was the first to successfully get through it, and I knew Anton had felt my pain. I watched him cry for me, at least twice during the whole process. The fact that he was hurting, because I was, let me see how much he really cared for me. I know that I had passed out from the pain of it for a little while too. That helped me manage for about an hour of it, but it wasn’t much for downtime. I was just exhausted and needed to sleep.
So, I looked into his eyes as his brother and the doctor tried to take both of our minds off of what I was going through to discuss our wedding. They were trying to help, but I just couldn’t open my mouth to answer. Anton kisses my forehead and said, “Well, first off, Cheryl will be needed a ring. I know what I like, but she needs to be the one to pick it out. I have no idea what size ring you wear, or I would have already surprised you. You don’t have any rings in your possession as I was going to take one in to the jeweler to get your ring designed already. So, I knew I needed to take you in, but I have been ring shopping for hours online since you agreed to be mine. I have a top three picked out. As soon as your up to it, I wanted to take you into the city to pick it out. Also, I would like for you to start looking at dresses. I want to see you come down the aisle in a gorgeous dress. It is up to you on the design of it, you look gorgeous in anything. I only have one request, please do not cover up my mark on you. I want it to be front and center in all of our wedding photos. I cannot wait to have your smiling face on our bedroom walls, the living room, and in my office. I want to look up wherever I am in the house, and still see your beautiful face in any room I am in. I cannot believe how strong you are my love. I know how painful this is, but it is a necessary evil. I have participated in these before, and it was horrible, nerve wracking with the screams of pain. I am so proud of you my love, I am so glad you were willing to do this, for us to stay together for the rest of eternity.”
Even in the midst of my greatest pain, he always makes me feel better. I felt a tear escape out of my eye, and run down the side of my face. I reached out my free hand to him and stroked his face, as I let my eyes tell him how much I loved him too. I would do anything for him, including die for him. The pain grew to an uncontrollable level and I passed out a second time. When I awoke, the room was absolutely silent. Alexei was at the table workign on his laptop. The doctor was napping the the bed across the room. Anton was on his knees next to the bed with his head laying next tp my waist, on the bed, with my hand in his. I touched his head, and ran my fingers through his silky hair. The excruciating pain that I had felt, was now gone, and I have to say that I was relieved by that fact. I have never hurt so much in my life, but to live out the rest of my days with Anton, was entirely worth it to me. I felt his head move as he was waking up and I could see his excitement that I was awake. I remember hoping that it was over, that the pain was done at this time, but I honestly didn’t know if it was or not.
Alexei and the doctor came over to check me out, and I sat up on the bed, while they did it. Anton sat right next to me and continued to hold my hand. His loving gaze leveled on me, and I didn’t want to look away from him. “Please let me be the first to welcome you to our family,” Alexei told me as the doctor completely his examination. He seemed so happy for Anton and I to have found each other. Maybe it was because he knew that Anton was much happier now with me in his life than he was before. I grinned back at Alexei, as I was really happy right now too.
The doctor said everything went well, and they were both very impressed at me for not screaming through the entire process. I guess it was a matter of pride for me as well. I have always been tough, as the important men in my life expected me to be. My father, my chosen mate, Blake, they always expected it out of me. I lived to please, so I always did what they wanted me to, but this was different. Anton made me happy. He was the reason for the smile on my face. He loved my sons, and risked his own life to get Robert out of Black Moon. He was injured trying to protect me, and Robert. He is my safe place, and just his presence around me, calms me. I did this for him, I did this for me, because I wanted our lives to be forever entwined with each other.
I remember vowing that very day I was changed, that Graham was going to die by my hands. He was going to get what he so richly deserved. Not just for what he did to me and Kevin, but for trying to hurt Robert, and trying to kill Anton. If he had killed Anton, I would have found a way back into the pack, and the last thing that Graham would have seen would have been me. I knew where the extra keys were to his house. We had a set in our room. I made another mental note that I needed to get to training. I had been feeling puny for a while now, and I needed to keep my strength up. I was going to enjoy the surprised look on Graham’s stupid face when he realized that I was going to take his life, and that I was now much stronger than him as a vampire.
I head out with Kevin and Robert to go to the afternoon training session. Raven and Stella were leading the class. She and Stella were excellent fighters. Hands down the best in the pack, but Reagan and I were no slouches out here either. The move into the new house, and the double training had me more tired than usual, but I was so happy with our new life. Anton would take me out at night so I could work on my new skills that I got with the change. My speed is incredible, as is my newfound strength. I enjoy our little night adventures, and getting to spend one on one time with Anton. We had split off into pairs to spar with each other, and I drew Stella. She grinned at me as she jogged over to stand next to me as we waited our turn to practice what we had learned today.
Reagan and Raven were going first, and they put on an impressive show. Raven was good about paring people up with people of similar strengths in the pack. I knew to pull my strength as I didn’t want to accidentally hurt Stella. It was almost unfair to fight them now as I felt with the change, I was kind of a ringer. So many things had heightened and was so much stronger right now. The only thing different was I couldn’t phase into my wolf anymore. Thankfully, I could still communicate with her, as she has been there with me for so long. I would have missed Akayla if she had left me. She is always trying to tell me to slow down, to stop pushing so hard. But I want to stay a strong fighter for the pack. I want Anton to be proud of me as his mate too, especially as I continue to gain better control over my new abilities. Akayla said her staying with me was a gift from the Moon Goddess herself. She was someone who was always there for me, and I depended on her much more than I realized.
Anton and Alexei could not tell me what was going to happen to me after I became a vampire . This was unchartered territory for them too, as they couldn’t tell me what my new normal ws actually going to be. The only thing that we did know for a fact was that I was no longer a real werewolf anymore. I couldn’t phase, but with her still inside me, my senses seemed even more heightened than Anton’s were. I can smell the warriors, and the animals on the packland much sooner than others can. My reflexes as amazingly swift. Raven and Reagan finish their sparring and stepped out of the circle, and Stella and I entered for our match. We do not spar to hurt each other. We are just going through the motions, but pulling the actual punches and kicks. We were about 5 minutes into the match, when I got a little dizzy. I didn’t see it coming, and I had not had any blows to my head. I was a little concerned, but I started to control my breathing, and continued on. I was pretty sure that because I was panting, that was the reason for my dizziness. I was just out of breathe. I got another few minutes in and I saw Stella stop mid fight to ask me if I was OK, right before I passed out.
What the Fate's Allow