The Vampire’s Servant novel Chapter 182

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It was early February and Stanton was resting in Bellamy’s office. He liked how soothing the room was. Even with her pups in it, the room seemed calm. There were no paintings or pictures on the walls and the windows were tinted so no one outside could see in.He was holding little Helene as Elisabeth was being fed. Lunette and Étienne were in a playpen with some toys. They talked to each other in gibberish. It made him smile.

Even though he wasn’t thirty yet, he longed to find his mate, like his cousin Randy had. Becky, Randy’s mate, was away at college learning to design clothes. She wanted to be a designer of clothing made for shapeshifters. Things that were easy to get in and out of and was easy to carry in animal form.

Stanton was proud of her. She would be an amazing leader of Randy’s sleuth. Randy was searching out territory for them to occupy. He was starting his sleuth young.“You have that far off look again, Stanny-bear.” Bellamy said.

“You got me, baby Belle. Just thinking about cubs. Maybe waiting until I’m thirty is silly. Randy found Becky young. I could start setting up my sleuth nearby. There are some bears in your collective. I could have them join.” He replied.

“They’re mostly black bears. Would they be okay with being in a grizzly sleuth?” She asked.

“I don’t mind having a mixed sleuth. If your collective has taught me anything, it’s that combining species might be the healthiest idea.” Stanton chuckled.

“Is it being surrounded by all the babies that’s getting your biological clock ticking?”

“I wouldn’t mind a cub or two. I certainly wouldn’t keep my mate pregnant like Lucien seems to be doing with you.” He winked.

“So you caught the scent?”

“You always smell sweeter when you’re pregnant. I think it’s your happiness. With your luck it’s going to be another set of twins.” Stanton laughed.

“Probably. They run in the family. I don’t mind it, though. Want to trade babies?” She asked.

He stood up and carried Helene over. Bellamy finished burping Elisabeth and he easily handed one off and took the other. Stanton looked at the tiny baby in his arms. She cooed and reached up. He wasn’t falling for that one again. Last time, she grabbed his hair and slobbered all over his nose.

Stanton had his long black hair pulled back in a ponytail. He let her creamy tiny hand grab his dark finger. She gurgled at him and squealed a little. He walked her back to the couch and sat.

“You should go with Richard to see the witches.” Bellamy said, pulling Stanton’s attention from the chubby little girl in his arms.

“Is he still doing that?” Stanton sighed.

A few months earlier, Richard felt the pain of his destined mate dying. They hadn’t met, so it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. He was hopeful that there was a new mate for him.

Bellamy had been watching him for a new connection to a mate, but none had formed yet. It was understandable, though. It could take a while for the goddess to find just the right girl for him.

Richard wanted desperately to find his mate and start his family. The pack house was filling up with babies. Not just Bellamy’s, Cara just had her first pup and was making plans for a second.

Soon, Bellamy would be up to numbers five and six. Jean-Claude and Dillon were in the process of adopting a few orphaned ex-packs from the collective’s orphanage. His little sisters were babysitting a lot and talking about when they found their mates, since they were getting ever closer to seventeen.

Talia came into the room. She had a big smile as she swooped in and took Elisabeth from Stanton. She danced the baby around the room.

“What’s going on, Tallie?” He asked.

“I’m going to be a grandmother. Victor left a message while I slept. Echo’s pregnant!” She replied cheerfully.

“Congrats! I thought she was waiting.” Stanton smiled.

“Accidents happen. How long before you’re ready to find your mate and make me an auntie? I’m not getting any younger, you know.” Talia scolded. A familiar question from her.

“To answer your question, Stanton, he is still doing that. Richard gets grilled about as much as you do. I think Talia stays here for all the babies.” Bellamy chuckled.

“I just love babies. They grow into such interesting people.” Talia sighed happily.

“Maybe I should go with him. I think I might be ready to settle down early. I’ve been running my business out of your collective for long enough. It’s time to make my own permanent territory, find my mate, and start a family of my own. So Talia can have some cubs to play with.” He laughed.

“All my little pets. I’m so happy. To think we’d all end up in a place like this, surrounded by love. I should have my Zendaya come visit. She isn’t as fond of shapeshifters as I am, but she would love all the babies. We’ve raised our share of orphans after several of the major wars.” Talia said.

“She is welcome. The usual rules apply.” Bellamy stated.

Stanton stood. He towered over Talia at his full height of 6’8”. It made him smile that the deadliest adult in the room was the tiniest one. Even Bellamy had grown stronger than he could have imagined when he was just a boy taking care of the tiny wolf girl.

“I think I actually will go see the witches. It will give me a head start on finding my future Ursa.” Stanton said.

“Good. Tell Tonya I’ll see her on the next vampire night.” Talia told him.

“Will do.” He nodded and headed out.

It didn’t take much searching to find Richard. He was in his office, reading through files that were neatly stacked on his desk. Stanton knocked briefly and was called in. He sat in one of the guest chairs.

Richard looked up with a smile. He had the same eyes as Bellamy with copper colored hair, like his brother, and an elegant build. Stanton knew he was a keen fighter and a hard worker.

“How’s it going?” Stanton asked.

“Good. Just getting used to the Gamma’s duties. My dad is bumping me up to three days a week. I think he’s just trying to find more time for all of Bellamy’s babies.” Richard sighed.

“Bellamy suggested I go with you to see the witches. I was wondering when you were going next.”

“Looking to know your future? I get that.” He got a distant look in his eye.

“Still no news on your mate?” Stanton asked.

Richard shook his head. “I wish I had found her before she passed. Maybe I could have saved her. I wonder what she was like. I bet she was amazing.”

“If she was supposed to be one of Bellamy’s supports, you know she was. The moon goddess is working some sort of design with your cousin.”

“Let’s go now. I’ve finished everything important for today. Come on.” Richard smiled and stood.

Stanton pretended he didn’t see the tears that were forming in Richard’s eyes. He couldn’t imagine living through losing a mate. He wouldn’t judge the young wolf for his feelings. It was enough to make anyone tear up a little.

They grabbed their light jackets, went downstairs, and left the pack house. Richard led him over to some SUVs and pulled out his keys. A light layer of snow covered the vehicles.

“I have the keys to the Gamma’s transport. They won’t mind when I tell them I was driving you. You don’t exactly fit in my car.” Richard chuckled.

“I don’t fit in most cars.” Stanton snorted.

After they pulled out, they headed from the pack lands and toward the city. Richard explained that they were going to the old downtown area. He went on about how good the tea was at the witch’s teahouse. They did tealeaf readings for customers who requested it.

Stanton didn’t really like to have things floating in his drink, but he wanted to know if there was anything that could help him find his mate sooner. The city felt nice. He’d noticed it on a few of his trips in.

The old downtown area was actually on the edge of town now. The city planners had made the change so they could keep the authenticity of the original city while still having the tall buildings and more modern look in their new downtown.

It was quaint and homey. They pulled into an alleyway and parked. Stanton got out of the SUV and heard the sound of someone struggling with something.