Rise of the vampire queen

A new family

Dana' P.O.V

They guys walk to my window and jump out.

I look with my mouth agape, and wait to hear them hit the ground, but all I hear is a little thumb and Jayden asking if I have changed my mind? When I look outside, all the guys are standing there with big smiles on their faces, and something else - a challenge, maybe?

I take a deep breath and then jump instead of crawling down the wall like I usually would do. I land on my feet and give a little squeal in surprise and victory.

The guys look so proud of me, and I have to giggle at their antics.

"Come on, little one, we have to get going," Max says, and I know he is right.

We walk, but don't get too far, before I can hear my adopted father bellow after me, he is clearly in my now empty room.

I give the guys a scared look, and like they can read my mind, all of them gather around me and usher me to run.

As soon as we are over the borders of the mansion, the guys clearly relax. They know Brandon, my adopted father, can't get to me here. Although I'm not of age in the human perspective, I am of age in the vampire perspective and therefore legally an adult.

We reach the mansion in 5 minutes, and I stop rooted to the spot. I have never seen this mansion in the 6 years I have lived here, but it is beyond beautiful!

The building is about 4 stories high, white with black accents, and enormous windows on the ground floor. We walk through the garden, and when we reach the building, the doors flow open.

There stands the most beautiful woman I have ever seen - she is about my height, curves every woman would die for, caramel hair and bright green/blue eyes.

But right now, she looks absolutely outraged, and I can't help but hide behind Jayden.

"Hello mom," Storm says with a small smile, but the woman isn't having any of it.

"HOW DARE YOU JUST DISAPPEAR LIKE THAT?" She all but shout at them, and all three boys shrink under her death glare. "Mom, we had to go." Storm tells her and goes up to her. He gives her a hug, and the woman stiffens a bit.

"Who have you been with? Where have you been?" The woman suddenly sounds a bit panicked and looks around.

Her eyes then fall on me, peeking out from behind Jayden, and her eyes widen in shock! Storm smile at his mother, and then at me, looking between us.

"Well, your reaction actually gives me all the answers. But I will ask you, anyway. Mother, did you give birth to a little girl 16 years ago?" I then realize who he is implying this woman can be, and he called her mother? Is Storm really my brother? This was the final straw, and I fell to the ground come at me as the darkness take over, and I faint.

Jayden's P.O.V

I see my aunt standing in the doorway, and I can feel her aura blazing towards us. Her eyes are shining, showing her vampire side out in full force.

She is beyond furious, and I know why, but I can't help it. I had to go to Dana.

But how did I explain that to my aunt without revealing that Dana is my mate and frighting her more that she already is?

When my aunt freaks out over Dana's scent, I am confused, and then Storm smiles like a loon, looking between his mother and Dana. When he asks if she had a girl 16 years ago, something clicked. Dana is my aunt’s daughter, but not blood related to me, because she had only married my uncle. This is becoming complicated, and fast.

I then watch as Dana goes limp, and I catch her before she hit the ground.

My aunt looks at Storm, and then asks him how he can know that?

"Uhm, Aunt Kristy, can we go inside before answering all your questions?" I ask her, Dana in my arms (finally)!

The feeling of this wonderful creature in my arms, head over my heart, and her scent surrounding me, making me painfully hard, but also happier than I have ever felt. My aunt looks at my love in my arms and moves so I can get her inside.

When I walk in the hall, my mother practically jumps on me for leaving dinner the way I did, but stops as soon as she sees my mate in my arms. She takes a deep breath.

"Jayden Xander Hamilton, why on earth are you caring an unconscious girl in your arms?" I look down at Dana, a smile on my lips. "That is kind of a story, mom, and I will gladly tell you, but you have to promise me to keep calm, and not jump on her as soon as she comes too!" She eyes Dana in my arms, then me and then Dana again, understanding growing in her eyes.

I can see her eyes glazing over a bit, and soon hear my father’s thunderous footsteps before he appears beside my mom. I shake my head at their knowing smiles and can't help but chuckle.

I go into the living room and sit down on the couch. I keep Dana in my arms, and watch as Max, Storm, my parents, and both Storm and Max's parents walk in and sit down, too.

My uncles and Max's mother look at my Dana utterly confused, but I don't care, because I have my mate with me, and she is all that matters.

"So, now that everyone is gathered here, maybe we can all be informed why we are here?" Max' father Malachi asks while he eyes my aunt’s rigid stature and Dana, who is still out like a light in my arms.

"Of course, uncle." I answer.

"When Storm, Max and I went for a small walk this afternoon, we came across a scent that drew us all in. As soon as I smelled it, I instantly knew who she was; my fated mate." My mom squeals and jumps up to hug me. I smile at her, and know she already sees Dana as her own.

"When we found her, she was bawling her eyes out, and we sat down to keep her company knowing some guests this afternoon actually feed on humans. We didn't know, for sure, but my mate is definitely not human." I look down at Dana and still can't quite understand how this beautiful woman was mine.

Storm understands I have lost myself in my mate, clear his throat and continues.

"This evening at dinner Jayden felt a rush of emotions that was not his own, and he realized it was Dana. He mind-linked us, and we all went over to her cottage. We overheard Dana having a discussion with her ,"father". He said some really hurtful things to her, and she stormed out. I stayed there, and Max and Jay went to her room to make sure she was okay." All eyes are on Storm now, and he gives his mother a look. She sighs and carries on.

"What Storm later overheard was that this girl, Dana, is..." She trails off, and I see the understanding in my uncle's eyes.

"She is your daughter, isn't she, love?" He asks, while staring at Dana. My aunt sobs and nods. My uncle puts an arm around her and kisses her temple. He sees the confusion on everyone's faces and speaks up.

"15 years ago, Kristy came to me. She said she had something to tell me and understood if I wanted nothing to do with her afterwards. Then she told me about meeting a man, her fated mate. As you all know, Kristy is my chosen mate, and had a quick affair with him over on her vacation. She then realized that she loved me, despite him being her fated mate. They rejected each other in mutual understanding and went their separate ways. Kristy soon found out she was pregnant, but she was also ashamed and didn't want to do anything to hurt me or our kids. So just after the birth, she asked her lady's maid, Milan, to adopt the child, which she did. We have been searching for 15 years for the girl, because despite not being mine biological child, she is my daughter." A single tear slid down his cheek after the story.

We all look at each other, and then down at Dana. She is waking up, but I don't want to let her go just yet.

"Darling, you need to tell her she is your mate and explain what that is. You also need to explain how mates works, and how rejection works and the consequences of doing so." My mother says to me. I give her a look of horror at the thought of this beautiful woman rejecting me, and my heart shatters at the mere thought. My mother chuckles at me and gives me a reassuring look.

Dana' Point of view

I wake up to the sound of a lot of voices, and a woman telling Jayden that he has to tell me we are mates. Jayden is my mate?

This thought gives me butterflies in my stomach and a warm feeling all over my body. I actually feel tingles everywhere and know I am in someone’s arms. But by the feeling of the tingles, I'm fairly certain I am laying in Jayden' arms.

My eyes flutter open, and the first thing I see was Jayden's wonderful eyes. He smiles at me and helps me sit up, but never lets me go.

I still sit in his lap, and I try to wiggle my way out of his grasp, but to no avail. I hear someone laugh and look around. There are A LOT of people I don't know, and my face turns beet red. I hid in Jayden's chest, and I feel him rumble.

Then the bit of conversation I overheard come back to me, and I look op in Jayden' eyes.

"Why haven't you told me I am your mate? Are you ashamed? If you want to reject me, I totally understand, but could you maybe do it now so..." Jayden interrupts my ramble, putting his hand over my mouth.

"First; I didn't tell you, because I did not know if you knew what a mate was. Second, I would NEVER reject you! You are everything I have ever wanted, and a mate is a precious gift granted by the blood moon goddess." Someone then clears their throat, and I see Storm staring at us.

"Dana, we have something to tell you, and I don't want you to faint again. But this is important, and there is no easy way to tell you this, but this woman," he points to the woman from the door.

"She is your biological mother, and her name is Kristy. This makes you my sister, and I have a twin named Sami who isn't home now, who is also your sister." My eyes widen in pure shock and then I look at the woman Storm pointed at.

Jayden feeling my nerves and starts rubbing small soothing circles on my back.

I take a deep breath and look at Kristy.

"You gave me up." It wasn't a question, and the woman sobs while she nods.

"Why didn't you want me? Didn't you love me? Did I do something wrong since you gave me up like that? I have so many questions." Kristy shakes her head. But it was the man besides her who answers me.

"We have been looking for you for 15 years, sweetheart. But every time we came close, you disappeared." A memory washed over me; my parents quickly packed our things, and we had to go away, but I didn't know why. I stared at them, a started counting all the times we had moved just because. That was, until we moved to the cottage by this mansion. No one ever came close to it and we never moved again. I would find out why later.

He was telling the truth, that much I knew - but that was also all I knew.

"Uhm, guys. Who are all these people, besides the woman, uh, eh Kristy?" Storm comes to the rescue, seeing as Jayden is too busy rubbing circles on my back and Max is looking a bit confused still?

"That old man over there is our uncle Malachi and his mate, our aunt Kayla." The couple smiles at me, but Malachi doesn't look very pleased to be called 'old man'.

"The couple over here," and he points to the couple besides our first uncle and aunt, "is my father, eh? Our father, Leonidas or Leon for short, and our mother, Kristy." They also offer a smile my way, even Leon, which surprises me.

"And finally, the couple opposite you are Jayden's parents and our other aunt and uncle, or you’re in laws. Goddess, I am confused right now. Anyway, they are called Nikolaj, or Nik for short and Ada." At her mention Ada jumps up, snatches me from Jayden' arms and gives me and big bear hug.

"Mom, would you try not to kill her, please?" Jayden says, and his mother put me down again.

"My, you are just beautiful! Of course, being Kristy' daughter, who would have thought differently, and your eyes are just mesmerizing! But you are all too thin. You would have thought those people didn't feed you enough?!" At the mention of food, or lack of the same, my face flush red, and it doesn't go unnoticed.

"You are not saying that those people starved you, right?" Ada asks sharply, and I can't do anything but nod. Jayden stands abruptly and takes my hand. He spins me around and hugs me close to him. I can feel him shaking slightly, but the anger radiating off of him isn't directed towards me.

"Jayden, you need to calm down. You are scaring poor Dana!" His father says sternly. It seems to do the trick, and Jayden inhales my scent deeply and relaxes again.

"Why on earth would they starve you?" Jayden asks, but it is his father who answers, seeing as I do not know myself.

"Maybe her not being fed enough has kept her powers and vampire side at bay after she turned 16. But already, from the age of 15, her powers and vampire side would become more present the closer to 16 she becomes. Her aura is there, but it is weak." Everyone looks at each other, and Ada announce I would never go starving EVER again because, "my daughter is going to be healthy, and don't worry darling, we will have you back to normal in no time at all."

I feel someone approaching from behind, and when I turn around, I'm surprised to find it is Kristy.

"Dana, I want you to know just how much I love you! I loved you when you were born and even before that. You were and still are my darling girl, and I died a little inside the day I had to give you up. But something you don't know is the vampire goddess, also called the blood moon goddess Ophelia, came to me and Milan the day you were born. She told us you were not just blessed by her, but you were to be the next Supreme vampire Queen. Your blood is as pure as it can be, because Ophelia is the one to put you in me. Your biological father is still my fated mate, but only the blood of the goddess runs through your veins. This made you a target, and I thought by giving you to Milan, you would be safe." I take a second to comprehend what she had told me, and then I hug her!

She seems surprised at first, but soon wraps her arms around me, and I break down. Her embrace feel so warm, so right and so much like home, just like the guys did in the forest.

She soothes me and guides me to the couch. We sit down and I dry my eyes.

"How come you have been searching for me, if you thought I'd be safe with Milan and Brandon? Not that I'm not happy to hear that you looked, but I'm confused." It was Leon who answers me.

"After Kristy told me about you, and I had a little time to think it all over, we agreed you belong here with us! That we would keep you safe, and besides, I felt you were mine too! Even though some of your genetics belong to another, you are our daughter." Hearing him saying those words, claiming me as his daughter despite everything, had me all teary-eyed again. The others were silent, but suddenly both Max and Storm jumps up and tackle me on the couch. They both give me a big bear hug and only let go when Jayden lets out a small growl. Storm smiled at me.

"Jay, you've got to relax a bit - she is my sis and I'm going to hug her." Jayden just stands up, takes me in his arms, and holds me close.

"MINE!" is all he says, and the entire room bust out laughing.

"He used to make fun of possessive males before he found you and would tell them to chill when they got all jealous. It's just funny to see him act the same way," Malachi explained between laughs. Jayden scowls at his uncle and tightened his hold on me.

When they were done laughing, we decide it was best to call it a night, and no one would hear my protests about finding somewhere else to sleep and stay.

"No way you are going anywhere else, sis! You belong here, and I will hunt you down if you try to leave." Storm says. And I can't help but giggle at him. Then a big argument out folded, because they couldn't agree where I should sleep. Jayden wanted me on his floor of the house, preferably in his room, but Storm and his parents wanted me closer to them and on their floor.

I learned that Jayden and his parents occupied the 4th floor, Max and his parents were on the 3rd and Storm and his parents were on the 2nd. The first floor is for other guests, conference rooms, library and offices. The ground floor hold a big kitchen, dining room, living room, spa room, and a game room.

Outside the living room there is a big patio, with a hot tub, dining table, big BBQ area and a lounge area. Down in the garden there is a swimming pool, lounge chairs, another BBQ area, tennis court and an area resembling a little park, all done with enormous trees, benches and nooks for privacy.

There are lights everywhere, so even in the evening you can enjoy it all.

The argument kept ongoing until they all turn to me. I had been so far away in my own thoughts that I missed the question.

"Uhm, eh." I blush deep, and Jayden chuckle at my expression of confusion.

"We asked where you want to sleep tonight, baby? You can sleep on your parent’s floor, my floor or in my bedroom with me." The last part was clearly what he wanted the most, but I wasn't sure if I was ready for that yet?

"I don't want to hurt any feelings by choosing one over the other." Looking intently at Jayden and then Storm. I don't feel comfortable with Kristy or Leo yet, so I avoid eye contact with them. Storm sighs and then tells his parents that I probably should sleep on Jaydens' floor, because as of right now I was to be the next Supreme Queen. Kristy looks comprehensive, but nods. Then she turns to Jayden and put a finger in his chest.

"Jayden Xander Hamilton, I will only say this one time! You treat my little girl with love and respect, or I will show you what hell looks like. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?" Jayden pales, swallows, and nods solemnly. I roll my eyes but can't help but smile. "Well, now that this is all solved, how about you boys show Dana to her room, and take her things?" Ada says, but then she notice the two bags and my pillow.

"Where are the rest of your things, darling?" She asks me and I blush again.

"Eh. This is all my things." I answer, and the look on Ada's face is one of confusion and then anger.

Kristy' Point of view

My baby girl is back. She is here, and I got to hold her. I can feel the doubt towards me and Leon, and I can't blame her at all. I abandoned her all those years ago, even though it was not without regret and hurt. My heart broke, and then it would break again every year on her birthday. I remembered her birth like it was yesterday;

"PUSH! Your highness you need to give one more push." The midwife tells me. I'm exhausted and just want it to be over with already. "The baby is crowning. Just one more big push, your highness. Your baby is almost here." I give it all I can, and a minute later I hear the most adorable sound in the world, my baby crying. The midwife gasp, and I open my eyes.

A bright light surrounded my baby, and then we feel it. The aura on this little one is incredible and everyone (Milan, Kostov and the midwife) bows down.

"Is it a boy or girl?" I ask. "It is a girl, your highness. A beautiful little baby girl." I smile when she is placed in my arms, and then she looks at me with eyes swirling between blue/green/grey, and it seemed to never stop swirling. She made some wonderful baby sounds, and when I look at Kostov, he seems mesmerized by our little princess.

A couple of hours later, Kostov has to get back home to Russia. He kisses our girl and gives her a pendant. She is to get it on her 16th birthday. He doesn't know I will not keep her, but I don't want her to grow up in Russia, because I know he will take her had I told him.

I'm alone with Milan and my little angle when the room is suddenly filled with a bright red light. When it subsided, there is a woman standing there and smiling at us.

"Hello my child." She says. Something about her is so familiar.

She is a tall woman, with midnight black hair, full red lips and bright piercing blue/white eyes. She is pale, and her aura screams power!

The woman must have picked up on my confusion, or maybe read my thoughts, because she goes on.

"I am the blood moon goddess, also called Ophelia. I am the sister of the werewolf goddess Selene and the cousin of the wicca goddess Monica. I come to give you a warning. That little girl is special and holds special powers. She will be a target to dark forces and will be in danger all her life. I will lead her mate to her, so she can be protected and loved as early as possible, but she needs to be kept safe and a secret until her vampire genes and powers surface - I have suppressed them all, well almost all of them." The last part was said with a glint of mischief in her eyes. It is then I finally take my decision, and ask Milan to adopt her, keep her safe and show her love. Milan promise me to do all of that and return to the cottage near our mansion when she is older, tell her of her heritage, and make sure no one ever harmed her. I decide to call her Dana, my little angel.

I sigh. It is clear as day that they had not kept all the promises. I am not sure if Milan had forgotten her promise or what had happened, but something was definitely amiss.

Dana is underweight, her cloths is worn, and the two bags and pillow told their own story of how they had not treated her well.

There is also something in her eyes, something haunted my baby girl, and all I wanted was to make everything alright again, but she wouldn't even look me in the eye.

She kept avoiding me after the hug she gave me, and my heart broke all over again. I know I have a lot to make up for, and I will do anything in my power to earn her trust and show her how loved she is!

"What are you thinking about, my love?" Leon asks me.

"I'm thinking of Dana. They starved her, Leon, and everything from the lack of belongings to her worn clothes tells me she has not known kindness and love for some time. Maybe never. I know how apprehensive Brandon was about taking her in, in the first place, but Milan promised him he could have his affair with Corine in peace.

He just needed to be a present and a good father to Dana." Leo nods. He knows I had sent one of my witch friends to monitor Dana, and she had regularly reported back, until Dana's 10th birthday, where they had disappeared from the face of the realm. They had lived amongst human in their realm so far, but after that move my friend could not locate them again.

She had told me about the little merry girl, who seem so close with both her parents, but then after her 10th birthday, nothing.

I knew they would move into the cottage at some point, and I promised myself to keep an eye on her when they did, but nothing ever gave way that they had moved in.

"I think it is time for a conversation between Brandon and I." I told Leo.