Rise of the vampire queen

Bonding time

Jayden's P.O.V.

"Let's try to get some sleep, my love. I've got plans for our trip tomorrow. Best to be well rested." I say as we both lay down after Storm and Max have retreated to the room next door.

She looked at me, puzzled, as we lay down. I grab her hips and scoot her closer to me, so I'm spooning her from behind.

I can feel her tense for a moment before she relaxes into my embrace.

I inhale her sweet scent.

"Say the word if I'm to forward with this, but after what happened, I need you close to me." She moves impossibly closer as a silent response, and just lay there for a moment.

"No, I like this. You feel like home for me, Jayden. I just. I fear being hurt again. You and the guys have shown me so much kindness, and I can't help thinking when the other shoe is going to drop?" I can hear the sorrow in her voice and my heart breaks for my little mate. She has already been through so much.

"Baby, I will never hurt you! We will fight, and we will make up, but that is how any relationship works. But I will never hurt you or break your trust. You are my world, and I will protect you always." Dana is quiet for so long that I think she has maybe fallen asleep. "Thank you, Jayden! I feel so safe with you, and I also never want to break your heart or trust." She went silent again, but my heart burst with pride and love at her words.

"By the way. What did you mean by plans for our trip tomorrow?'" I smirk in her hair, kiss the back of her head, and tell her it is a secret. She sigh, nods and gets more comfortable. Soon her breathing evens out, and she is sleeping soundly.

I mind-linked the guys; " I know you overheard our conversation - and I want to spoil and pamper Dana tomorrow. Her birthday was 3 days ago, and we need to celebrate her! If I'm right, she didn't get any birthday celebration from her 'parents'. What do you think?" Storm and Max were quiet before I hear Max reply.

"I think it's a great idea, but how in the world do you know her birthday was three days ago? And seeing as tomorrow is Saturday, we can have the whole day to do this and ask your sister to come along." I was a little apprehensive about telling the guys that I actually had asked Aunt Kristy about Dana's birthday. But I remembered she would get very emotional every September 10th. So, I had an inkling it might have to do with the fact that she missed her daughter all those years.

"Well, I may or may not have asked aunt Kristy earlier." I answer the guys.

" I should have known you would do that. But I'm in on the shopping trip, and the spoiling - I wouldn't expect less from you, Jay. You have been longing for your mate more than the two of us, so I'm immensely happy you've found her, and you know we will protect her with you." Storm chimes in. I smile at him mentally, knowing me so well that he suspected me to have asked about Dana's birthday. I cut the link and go to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be so much fun.

Dana' Point of view

I wake the next day and am utterly confused for a second why I'm sleeping in bed with a man's arms draped over me.

Then I remember yesterday’s events, and I feel the familiar tingles everywhere he touched my skin, and I know it is Jayden laying behind me.

I smiled to myself, close my eyes and just enjoy being held. The feeling of Jayden stirring, and then small light kisses down the side of my face. I giggle and try to wiggle out of his grasp, but he holds on tighter.

He then peppers kisses all over my face. I laugh and try to tickle him, but he holds my hands over my head and looks deeply into my eyes.

"Good morning, beautiful." He says, and then he moves in slowly. I close my eyes and feel him press his lips to mine softly.

It feels so good, and the tingles erupt throughout my entire body, as I feel my core moist and can't help the moan escape my mouth. He snakes his tongue inside my mouth, and our tongues fight for dominance.

It is incredible, and when we break the kiss, Jayden looks nervous.

"s**t baby, I, I, I didn't mean to." But I cut him off by crashing my lips to his! He is mine, and should never say sorry for showing me affection.

"Don't apologies for kissing me, babe. I might not be very experienced, but you can kiss me whenever you want to." I simply tell him. Then someone clears their throat from the joint door, and we see Storm and Max stand there. Storm looks affronted and Max has a smirk on his face.

"Seriously dude, do you have to make out with my sister in front of me like that?" I can't believe him. He is acting foolish, even though I appreciated the sentiment.

"Yes, he does! Because you two doodles could just go away. What are you doing here, anyway?" I ask them and then smack my hand up to my mouth. Where had that attitude come from? It is like something changed in me last night, and I'm finally being the true me. The me that had always been buried deep within me.

"Hahaha. Man, your mate has got an attitude, Jay!" Max says, while doubling over in laughter. Storm just shoot me a glare, but I can see the smile he is trying to hide. They both go to their rooms, and I go to the bathroom. Jayden suggested we take a morning shower together, but even though I really wanted, I just wasn't ready.

After I got ready, Jayden takes me to the dining room. I had not paid a lot of attention to the details of the rooms yesterday, but the house was beautiful! The walls were all painted off white, and the floral patterns continued though out the house. The dining hall had a big, medium brown, polished mahogany table with lighter mahogany wood around the edges. It could easily fit 30 people and was set for 10 with a full breakfast comprising scrambled eggs, egg Benedict, eggs sunny side up, four different cheeses, a big spread of bread, bacon, sausages, beans, all kinds of fruit, tea, coffee, juice and ice tea.

They also had all kinds of pastries, and my mouth watered.

I don't believe I've ever seen so much food all at once in my life. Jayden just lead me to a chair and started putting a bit of everything on my plate, and I couldn't help the tears that formed.

"Baby, why are you crying?" Jayden asks, concern clear in his voice, but I shake my head as to say that it doesn't even know why.

"I, I just. There is just so much food, and for the last two years, well, even over two years, I only ever had the bare minimum. I got what I needed to survive, but only just barely." I whisper the last part, but I know Jayden had heard me.

His eyes get darker, almost black, and his aura is thick with suppressed rage towards Brandon and Corine. It didn't face me, but none the less I stand up and sit in Jayden's lap to get him to relax, before he went over there to kill those two.

After everything they had put me through, I still didn't want them dead. Only out of my life.

Kristy and Leon interrupted us. I had thought long about them, especially Kristy last night, and concluded that she had done what she did out of love and deserved a second chance. Besides, the words from my adopted mother still rang clearly in my head.

‘Sweet girl, always hold love, forgiveness and joy in your heart! Trust in it, in yourself and in your powers. Someday it will be alright! ' That someday, I had decided, would be today.

I got up from Jayden's lap, much to his chagrin, and went over to Kristy and Leon. I give them both a big smile and a hug. Kristy looked like Christmas had come early, and I couldn't help but giggle at her.

"So, how does this work?" I ask them.

"Would you two be okay, with me calling you mom and dad, or ma and pa?" Kristy look so confused, until the biggest smile form on her face.

"Whatever you are comfortable with, sweetie, but mom and dad would be lovely." She answers, and Leon nods eagerly.

"Mom and dad it is then." I say with a big smile.

After breakfast, Jayden, Storm, Max and I were going shopping. They were all three adamant about me getting more things.

I didn't really like the idea of them spending money on me, but there was no arguing with the three of them.

When we came outside, there was a Volkswagen Atlas waiting for us. Storm got in the driver’s seat, Max in the passenger seat and Jayden and me in the first row of the backseats.

"So, guys, where are we going today?" They give each other glances, and Jayden answers.

"Well, we want to take you shopping, so we are going into town. Have you ever been to Rose city?" My eyes widen in shock.

"Eh. No?" I say, unsure. I didn't even know we lived near a town called Rose city. Wow, I really had been isolated the last six years.

Storm drives, and it takes about an hour to get downtown. We park at a mall, and the guys lead me inside.

I almost couldn't believe my own eyes; this place was gigantic and held every kind of store. But I notice how every person we passed bowed slightly to the guys and eyed me curiously.

"Guys, why do people bow to us, or rather, you?" All three of them laugh and explain that this was an all supernatural city - vampires, witches, wizards and werewolves and the occasional fay, and they would bow down as a sign of respect.

We arrive at Forever 21, and the guys tell me to buy whatever I want.

Max follows with me inside, while Storm and Jayden 'have business to attend to'.

I started looking around and kept checking the tag, just to put the piece back down. After an hour, I had two pairs of jeans, two warm shirts, a pair of socks and a PJ.

Jayden came back in with Storm and looked at me funny.

"Baby, where are the cloth you want?" Clearly ignoring the cloth in my arms. Max came after me. Where had he been? And my mouth then dropped open. He had a basket full of everything I had looked at, plus some summer dresses, warm dresses, skirts, shorts, and tops. My eyes bulged out of my head.

"Max, what in the world are you doing? Put that back right now!"

He just smirk, shrugs, and put the basket on the counter. The lady behind it smiles so widely and then tags it all.

Jayden finds a credit card and pays the ridiculous amount of clothes and took the bags. Leaving while taking my hand.

I glare at him, but he only chuckle and kisses my hair. The next shop is for shoes, and this time all three of my guys (Yes, I'm coming to think of them as my guys!) were hovering over me. Jayden kept telling me to stop looking at prices, but it is so hard not to.

We left with 10!!! pairs of shoes. I now had boots both flat and with heels, ankle boots, flip-flops, a pair of beautiful pink sneakers, stilettos in different colors and ballet flats. After Max paid for everything, because "it's my turn to spoil my cousin," Storm went to the car with the bags. And when he comes back, we go to Sephora which has all kinds of beauty products.

I got every form for skin care, makeup, nail polish, bath bombs, body wash, shampoo and conditioner. Storm paid this time, and afterwards both he and Max announced, "happy late birthday, Dana. " I was so confused.

How did they know my birthday, and why would they want to celebrate it, when no one else gave a damn?

"Baby, we want to spoil you and fill up that walk in at home. Besides, we never got to celebrate your birthday on the day, so Max and Storm are doing this as your birthday presents." I smile and give them both a hug, but Jayden snatches me back into his arms and kisses me deeply.

"Feel better now, babe?" I ask him slyly, and this time Jayden blush. As we walk, I laugh with Storm and Max.

"I'm thinking lunch now, and then more shopping afterwards." Storm says, and I groan.

"I thought we were done?" I answer with a small pout, but none of them fall for it.

"Uh, huh? But you still need underwear. And one of my own surprises." Jayden replies with a smile as he leads me over to the food court.

As we arrive at the food court, a young woman greets us. She gives all the guys a hug and then looks curiously at me.

"Baby, do you remember Ophelia mention my sister last night?" Jayden asks me, and I nod.

"Well, this is one of my surprises for the day. This here is my sister Jordyn. She is 15, and currently in boarding school a couple of hours away." I look at the young woman and see some similarities. They have the same eye shape, but Jordyn's eyes are a lighter green than her brother. Her hair is a shade lighter than Jayden's. Well, going to her mid-back. She is petite and seems very kind.

"OH, my goddess! You are so pretty! I can't believe that the oaf of a brother of mine actually got a mate who is this pretty! I'm Jordyn, and I hope we can be best friends." She rambles all in such a hurry I almost missed it.

"Sis, calm down! Take a deep breath and talk like a normal person."

She just sticks her tongue out at Jayden, takes my arm and led me to a place called Chicken king. We eat in peace, and Jordyn tells me some embarrassing stories about the guys.

I laugh so hard my tummy hurt, but I'm having such a good time with all of them!

After lunch we went back to shopping, and Jordyn lead me to a*****e called Victoria's secret, shot a look at the guys and told them to wait outside. Storm and Max were more than willing, too, but Jayden followed us inside, much to Jordyn's chagrin.

"Do you think she will disappear if you don't monitor her?" She asks, and instead of getting annoyed, Jayden just told her about last night’s almost k********g and how he would not let me out of sight of him or Storm or Max until they solved this!

Jordyn nods, eyes wide, and shows me all kinds of underwear. I didn't even know the world held some many styles, but I ended up with at least twenty different pairs of underwear and bras, 5 PJ sets, night slippers, a bathrobe and some sexy things that I was embarrassed Jayden saw us buying.

He smiled sheepishly and wiggled his eyebrows until Jordyn smacked him on the head with a hanger.

"Stop embarrassing the poor girl, and get useful instead, by paying, for example." Jayden scowl at his sister, who just smile innocently, takes my arm to lead me outside to where Storm and Max are waiting. They are sitting at a Starbucks, and the rest of us order something to drink as well. When we were all done, Jayden takes my hand again and starts leading me to a*****e that sold electronics.

Jayden's Point of view

Taking my baby girl shopping was a blast, at least for me and the boys. Dana tried to pick a bare minimum in the cloth store, but I knew Max would have my back and take everything she even looked mildly interested in and bring it to the counter.

He was the one with a fashion sense of all of us, so I mind-linked him to not let Dana not chose anything.

But when I saw her with the inconsiderable amount, I was about to shout at him, before he then turned up with that basket. It was all worth it to see my sweet little mate get so flustered and order him to put it back. Of course, he didn't listen, and I kept laughing internally as to not piss Dana off more.

As the day progressed, I think Dana started enjoying herself, and of course she and Jordyn just hit it off. I had an inkling that they would do that, and she seemed to get Dana to relax more. This was the perfect bonding time for all of us. I also couldn't stop noticing how Storm was following my sister with his eyes, as if he had to know where she was, always. They were friends, as we all were, but this seemed deeper somehow. I would ask him later about it.

After Starbucks, I took Dana's hand and started leading her over towards the electronics. I had a plan on buying her a new laptop and a phone at least. But she could have the entire store if she wanted to. When she had set the pout up at lunch, I nearly caved. She was so freaking adorable, but luckily my sister had interrupted us before I could. The sweetest voice in the world shook me from my thoughts.

"Why are we going to an electronics store?" She looked utterly confused.

"We are here because you need a new laptop, a phone and everything in between that, that heart of yours desire." Her eye widen in shock, and then the most beautiful smile forms!

"I can have a brand-new computer. AND a phone?" My eyebrows furrow at her question.

Had she not had both before? What kind of house did she grow up in?

"Yes baby, and everything else you want." I answer as a saleswoman approach us. She looks surprised to see all three of the crown princes of the vampire kind in here and then ignores both Jordyn and Dana.

"What can I do for the three of you today, your highnesses?" She asks in what was supposed to be a seductive voice. But before I can tell her to leave and get a male colleague, my queen speaks up.

"You can start with acknowledging that there are, in fact, five of us here. And then stop eye f*****g both MY mate, my brother and my cousin in front of my sister and me!" The saleswoman looks taken aback by the outburst from Dana, and open her mouth, probably to talk back, but Dana beat her to it.

"And now that you have entirely made a fool of yourself, you can get a colleague for us and go away." I practically busted with pride and took Dana in my arms and kisses her deeply.

"I like when you get all jealous and go into full queen mode like that. That is sexy as hell." She giggles in my mind.

"You are MY mate, and no low life bimbo is coming here and try to flirt with you in front of me - and that goes for my guys too!" I broke the kiss and looked into her swirling eyes. "Your guys?" I asked with a laugh, and all she did was shrug and smile. I was so proud of my baby girl! She was already showing the world what an awesome queen she'd make one day.

We look around, and not long after, a salesperson walked over. He introduced himself as Jackson and ask what he can do to help us. I explain we need a new computer and phone for my fiancé, and Dana just shoot me a look of surprise.

"I am not letting him get any ideas! You are also MINE, just as much as I am yours, my love," I said in her mind, and she giggles at my antics.

We settle on a pink HP Chromebook, a Samsung phone, and she really wanted a watch with the phone. I bought some wireless earPods and a wireless JBL speaker. I also got her a beautiful floral sleeve to her computer and a new bag for everything.

Dana refused to let me buy her a Samsung tablet, but Jordyn came to my rescue and bought both the tablet, pen, and a cover that matched the sleeve to her computer.

Dana glared at us all when we came out of the store with everything.

"This is too much! I, I, I can't accept it all. I can't pay you back." She cried and whispered the last part. We led her to a bench area and sat down.

"Why on earth should you pay us back, Dana?" Jordyn asks, bewildered. But Dana is crying harder now. I sit her in my lap and cooed her.

"Baby girl, no one wants you to pay anything back. We do this because we all like you, and well, some of us love you." Yes, I said the L word! And even though it had only been a day, I knew it was true. I loved this beautiful girl with every fiber in my being, and I would protect her with my life should it ever come to that. We kept reassuring her until she stopped crying.

"I just. Since my mom, eh, adopted mom, died? There hasn't. I mean. I just wasn't part of the family anymore. I already had the computer for schoolwork, but Brandon denied me a phone because I didn't 'need' it when I was forbidden to go out. We had a teacher coming every day to teach me, and he gave me homework that I would work on after the sessions. I just. I think I believed I was worthless, and no one even cared." My heart broke for my little mate. We still have a way to go, but I would do anything to show her how much we wanted her, loved her and that those two couldn't reach her anymore!

We all headed to the exit and drove home.

When we reached the house, Dana's mood had improved a lot, and we agreed that the day had been good.

We entered the mansion, and Aunt Kristy came out to greet us. She had a concerned look on her face and asked all five of us to come into the living room. Dana looked around as if she really didn't notice the room yesterday, which she probably didn't. The room was big, with off-white walls covered in different paintings. There was a fireplace with white marble tops and a big TV hanging above it. Under the TV, there was a shelf with a DVD, PS and a Wii. We loved to be in here playing games, even though we also had the game room.

Three big dark grey couches surrounded a coffee table in the middle. Of too the left side there were French doors opening to the backyard, and on each side of the fireplace there were floor-length windows giving the space a light and airy feeling.

"Mom, what is the matter?" Storm asks, clearly picking up on his mother’s emotions.

"While you were all out, someone came to visit us. A vampire lord named Tony Henderson. He is in the southern US vampire council and holds a lot of power down here. He asked if we had seen a girl named Dana Sanders, because when he went to fetch her from her home yesterday afternoon, she had run away." I growl loudly. No one was coming here to 'fetch' my mate! Aunt Kristy nodded at me, as if to say, 'I know what you mean'.

"We told him the truth, that Dana was now living with us because of her being your mate, Jayden. We, of course, didn't tell him about Dana being my child. But we told him that there was an attempt to kidnap her last night." She now had tears in her eyes, and Storm and Max went to comfort her.

"He, he. He almost admitted that the kidnappers were his men. We didn't want him anywhere near Dana, so we told him to leave her alone, seeing as she was to the next high queen. We didn't want a bigger target on your back, darling, so we, of course, did not tell him about Ophelia and the supreme king and queen ordeal, either." Tears slid down her cheeks.

"But I know Tony. When he sets his eyes on a 'prize', nothing is stopping him from having it. And I fear he is going to at least be very adamant to meet Dana." I tightened my hold on my mate, and she rubbed small circles on my hands. That bastard had tried to kidnap my mate, his queen, and now he wanted to meet her? Over my dead body, would that happen?

"Aunt Kristy, don't worry. I took the liberty this morning and asked the staff to turn the spare bedroom room into a living room for her and I, so that we will have the same bedroom from here on out. I had a feeling this is not over, and until the thread to my mate is taking care of, she is not leaving my sight!" Aunt Kristy let out a breath, and I can feel the looks from Dana.

This was not up for discussion, but I also knew she would agree.

I felt a bit bad for not giving Dana the opportunity to give her view on things.

"I'm sorry I didn't ask you before this was done, baby girl, but I am not letting you sleep alone. None the less, I should have at least informed you of my intentions - for that I apologies." She has a small nod and smile in response.

She didn't seem mad. That was a big weight of my shoulders.