We woke up to the fireplace out and a couple of inches of snow on the ground. Looks like it was going to be a white Christmas. We went downstairs and got some coffee started. I put together the ingredients last night to make monkey bread this morning, a new tradition I wanted to start. All I had to do was pop it in the oven this morning, and we would have some delicious dessert for breakfast.
As the bread baked in the oven, the scent of cinnamon and brown sugar wafted through the air, making Blair’s stomach grumble. That wasn’t all we would be eating, but it was a good start. I had decided to also make eggs, bacon, and fruit for us. I wanted to make sure Blair had a balanced diet.
Even though our baby wasn’t born yet, I still bought Blair a couple of presents for Christmas that she would be able to use once our baby was born. I couldn’t wait to give her the presents I had for her. She probably would think they are way too over the top, but I really didn’t care. I was going to take care of my mate and give her everything she would everneed or want.
We had presents underneath our Christmas tree to open. I went ahead and started a fire to warm up the living room. We sat next to the fire as we both drank some hot coffee and slowly opened the presents together.
The first thing she opened was some baby clothes I knew she liked, but didn’t buy. They were nature-themed, covered in plants and animals. She held them close to her chest, sniffling. The next present I bought her was a new down pillow. I had noticed hers was old and lumpy. Each present she had, she cried, thanked me over and over again, while I kissed away her happy tears.
There were a few more simple gifts for her. I had a difficult time not buying gifts for her, but the last present was the most important. I gave her a small, red, velvet box with a shiny, green bow on top. She took it from me, slowly opening the lid. Her eyes widened in disbelief, a gasp leaving her lips as she stared at what was inside.
“Asmodeus! You didn’t…” she swats at me playfully, tears tracking down her cheeks.
“I did. You’re my mate, but I still wanted you to have something that was a human custom.”
“It’s beautiful,” she whispers, staring down at the ring nestled in the box. It’s a gold band with a purple amethyst and an emerald stone next to each other, representing us.
“Thank you,” she murmurs as our lips touch. I can feel the gratitude and love emanating from her.
For the rest of the day, we relax at home and enjoy each other’s company. It’s quiet and peaceful, I take it all in since next Christmas we will have a little one with us, and it won’t just be us anymore.
Since Christmas and New Year’s Eve were close together, I kept the Christmas tree in the backyard in hopes of a bonfire on New Year’s Eve, digging a giant pit in the backyard for it. I made sure that it was away from anything flammable. We had planned to relax at home and spend time together for New Year’s Eve; there wasn’t really a reason to go out for the night.
New Years Eve
We had sat outside for a couple of hours around the bonfire, the fire roaring and crackling, bright against the dark night sky, relaxing underneath the stars. It was extremely cold out, ensuring she wore layers and had a blanket to keep her toasty warm. Before midnight even hit, she had fallen asleep curled up in my lap. I wrapped my arms around her and carried her inside. I walked up the stairs, heading into the bedroom. I was gentle when removing her clothes from her body, ensuring I didn’t wake her up. She must have been exhausted that she fell asleep easily. I tucked her into bed, turning on the heated blanket we had on the bed to keep her warm until I lay in bed with her.
I left the room to go take care of the fire. I wanted to extinguish it before I fell asleep. I grabbed the shovel that was leaning against the shed before I headed over to the fire. I threw some dirt into the hole, snuffing out the flames. As I was putting out the fire, a chill ran down my spine. It wasn’t a chill from the cold either; this was something sinister and dark.
Was it the same hellhound as before? Is the same creature back again even though I told it to stay away? Why hasn’tanyone from the demon world even noticed? Suddenly, there was a threatening snarl and a loud, tortured howl that sliced through the air.
I walk towards the forest following the direction of the howl. It was pitch black out, the only light came from the stars and light pollution from the city. I had night vision and didn’t need light, but it would have made it feel less ominous. I walk into the tree line, and the smell hits me– Death, blood, and decay– assault my senses. I walk forward a little more until I find the source of the stench. It’s not the hellhound, but something he left in its wake instead.
A large animal was on the ground, ripped apart. The head had been decapitated from its body, as well as all four of its limbs. There was a giant gash against its abdomen, its insides falling out all over the ground. I growled and snarled out into the darkness. I hope the hellhound could hear it. It was a warning call of my own; I would not back down. The hellhound thought it could intimidate me; they had another thing coming. I had a mate and a child to protect now, and I would doanythingfor them to ensure their safety.
All I wanted to do was crawl into bed with my mate, but instead, I had a mess to clean up because the hellhound couldn’t control its temper or couldn’t accept no as an answer and fuck off. It may smell when the body decays, but my best bet was to throw the carcass into the pit I had dug for the bonfire. It was large enough for the animal, and hopefully, the fir ashes would soak up the blood and scent.
I dragged the largest part of the carcass first, the body making a large thump noise when it fell in. Next were the limbs, which I was able to carry two at a time. The paws were huge on this animal, with large claws protruding from itsflesh. The last thing I grabbed was the head. From what I could make out from its features, it was a black bear. Once all the body parts were thrown in, I took the shovel and covered them with the dirt that was nearby, filling the hole. This was going to take me a while,sigh.
After two hours of constant labor, the hole was finally filled, and the dead animal was covered. I stripped my clothes off outside, throwing them in the trash can. I don’t think I would be able to wear those again. I trudged my way back inside the house naked, going straight for the bathroom.
I turn on the shower as hot as it will go and step inside. I wait for the water to steam, washing away the grime. I scrub at my skin with a washcloth, making sure I get all the blood, death, and dirt off. Once I’m clean, I step out, dry off, and then go lie in bed with my mate. Holding her close with my hand on her belly, I fall asleep.
28
Chapter 28 - Blair
March 2nd
16 weeks pregnant
It was a crisp winter morning. There were multiple inches of snow on the ground, the snow plows starting their work clearing the roads before people began leaving for work. I was still working at the bakery part-time while I was pregnant. I finally started showing and had a small bump to look at; I was starting my second trimester and hit the sixteen-week mark.
Tomorrow is Asmodeus’s birthday, and Thea was letting me take over the kitchen today so I could make a cake for him. It was not every day that a man turned 250. Thea said that she would help me if I needed anything.
She let me in on a little secret that Asmodeus absolutely loved her chocolate cake, letting me use the special recipe for his birthday. I loved how she filled this role in Asmodeus’slife and now mine. She was caring and understanding, filling the mom role perfectly.
Before my shift started, I started off making the batter and baking the main parts of the cake. She already had icing ready for me to use, something she always had on hand pre-made. I was making a two-layer round cake with cream cheese icing. I planned to ice the cake after my shift, letting the cake sit and cool down.
