BK 2 - Chapter 54 - Good News
The weeks had flown by, and everyone was busy preparing for the little cub that Cat was carrying around. Kitty had finished the mural on the nursery wall where she had painted Saira and Atlas looking over the crib. She was proud of her painting, and everyone was impressed with how good it came out.
The guest house had been completed, so work on the group home had begun. Cat and Trey had moved into the guest house, while Kitty and Aiden continued to stay at the pool house. Cat was ready to have the little cub any day, so Kitty and Aiden spent their days working at the guest house to be close to her.
"What do you think? Does it look the way Cat had described?" He was standing in front of the mantle he had hand-carved to make it look like a forest full of redwood trees. The design was so intricate and beautiful that Kitty was speechless.
"It's fantastic, and it will look incredible over the fireplace." She ran her fingertips over the extremely detailed little trees.
"Can you help me put it up? I'll lift it, and you hold it steady while I attach it." Aiden lifted the heavy mantle easily and sat it on the braces. Kitty held it in the middle while he tightened the mounts so it wouldn't move. Once he was done, they stepped back to look at it. Everything was coming together.
*"Aiden, Kitty, come to the guest house Cat just had the cub."* When they got the mindlink from Trey, they smiled at each other. Their nephew was finally here.
They ran out the back door and to the guest house. When they got inside, they went up the stairs to the primary bedroom where Cat, Trey, Valerie, and Roger were. Valerie was holding a tiny little bundle with a head full of black hair. She leaned over and handed him to Kitty.
"Meet Theo," Cat said with a smile.
Kitty looked down at the little cub with tears in her eyes. She had been worried about going into heat at any time and getting pregnant, but looking at Theo, she felt all her fear evaporate. She kissed his soft forehead and handed him to her mate. Zola purred her approval at Kitty's thoughts.
Aiden couldn't believe how perfect Theo was. The little cub was so tiny he felt like he was going to crush him. He had seen Kitty's reaction when holding him, and he hoped that meant she was getting closer to wanting a cub of their own. He was ready for her to go into heat, but she was nervous that it was too soon. He handed the little one to Trey and smacked him on his back.
"He's incredible." Aiden walked over to Kitty and put his arm around her.
"How are you feeling, Cat? You look amazing." Kitty smiled as Trey handed the cub to Cat.
"I feel great. I know it wouldn't have been this easy if I were still a human."
They all visited for a little while, and then Trey kicked everyone out so mom and cub could get some rest. Aiden thought he was probably tired of sharing Cat and Theo with them. He, Kitty, Roger, and Valerie returned to the group home to get some more work done until they were allowed to spend more time with Theo.
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Thatcher watched from high up in a tree. He saw Caterina had the cub, but he was no longer as anxious to take her. He had been back to see Janel several times over the weeks he'd been in Sacramento, and he had come to the conclusion that she was his mate.
He had tried to be with other women to get her out of his mind, but they all turned his stomach. When Thatcher had gone to find her a second time, she was more than willing to welcome him back. She was like an addiction to him. It was the first time he felt an attachment to someone throughout the centuries he'd been alive.
As he thought about Janel, he decided it was time to tell her what he was. If she accepted him, he would consider turning her into a vampire and ask her if she would take him as her mate. Thatcher sighed as he spied on the house down below. Now that his cold dead heart was starting to feel something, he wasn't as willing to take Caterina away from her family.
He quickly left the area to meet with Janel at her apartment. She didn't know it, but her decision would change the lives of many. He was hoping she accepted him and agreed to be his for all eternity. Thatcher had never dreamed of finding his mate. It wasn't as common for vampires as it was for shifters who could find them based on scent or touch. Vampires had to go on what they felt for someone.
When he arrived at Janel's, he walked to her door and knocked nervously. The pretty blonde opened the door with a smile and threw her arms around him. Thatcher wrapped his arms around her and held her tightly against him.
"I'm so glad you came." She looked up at the handsome man that melted her heart with happiness. Janel couldn't believe he wanted to be with her. She was a nerdy nobody, but he kept coming back when she expected him to leave her without an explanation.
"Can we talk for a few minutes? I have something I need to tell you." He put his arm around her shoulders and led her to the couch. She was thinking, here comes the goodbye. She just knew he would tell her she wasn't suitable for him. That was a discussion she'd been dreading.
"Okay," Janel answered nervously, trying to hold back her tears.
Thatcher sat her on the couch, and he sat next to her, holding both of her hands in his. He was trying to formulate the words to tell her what he needed to say. He was terrified that she would ask him to leave and would never want to see him again.
"I should have told you from the beginning, but I didn't realize I would have such strong feelings for you. I have been around for many years, and I have never felt for anyone the way I feel for you. If we are going to stay together, things will change. Hopefully, you'll think for the better." He stopped to calm his nerves.
"Please tell me what you need to say. You're freaking me out." Janel was thoroughly confused. She hadn't expected him to say what he had said so far, but she needed him to finish before she passed out from anticipation.
"I'm not a human. I'm a vampire." Thatcher stared at her, expecting her to scream, laugh or cry, but instead, she looked thoughtful.
"Is that why you bite me sometimes, and then I can't remember you leaving?" He was tongue-tied as he stared at her in surprise.
"Yes. I drink enough of your blood to quench my thirst but not enough to kill you." He spoke quietly, thinking maybe what he had said hadn't fully sunk in yet.
"How come when you bite me, it doesn't turn me into a vampire?" She tilted her head to the side questioningly, and he still couldn't get over her reaction. Thatcher hadn't expected it to go like this at all.
"We must release our venom to turn a human into a vampire. It's not automatic. Why are you acting so calm about this? I was expecting you to be scared, angry, or disgusted." To his astonishment, she started laughing.
"My dear vampire, do you know what my major is in college?" He shook his head, wondering what that had to do with anything.
"Mythology. I have always believed there were others on this earth who weren't as they seemed. Most people who take this major wish that the mythical creatures we study are real, but I actually believe they do exist. Now, what did you mean that if we stay together, things will change?"
Thatcher couldn't believe what he was hearing as she looked at him excitedly. He leaned down and kissed her passionately, sliding his tongue into her mouth. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, willingly moving her mouth with his. When he was afraid he wouldn't be able to control himself much longer, he pulled away from her and put his forehead against hers.
Janel loved that he was a vampire. It was like she had hit the jackpot. She knew there was a reason she was drawn to him besides his incredible sex appeal.
"If we stay together, I'll want to release my venom into you, so you'll also be a vampire. I think you're my mate and want you by my side forever." He kissed her neck, where he would bite, and then trailed kisses up her jaw until he found her mouth again. When they parted, she looked into his eyes with a shy smile.
"I want that too. Please make me yours." He wasn't ready to bite her yet, but that wasn't stopping him from making her his in other ways. He stood up and lifted Janel into his arms before carrying her into the bedroom. This time he wouldn't bite as she came. He wanted to see her expression as he pleasured her.
The next thing on Thatcher's agenda was to warn Trey and Caterina that they may be in danger. Not by him anymore, but by their own family. That would wait until tomorrow after he pleases Janel over and over.
