The Vampire's Mate

Chapter 11: Bratty Day

Ella's POV

I was fighting with Tom as he tried to get me to take a nap. He had been trying to get me to for about twenty minutes but I was refusing. "I am almost twenty. Why do you insist on treating me like a baby?" I glared at Tom.

"You didn't grow up a vampire. You are a baby. Darlin', you aren't a mortal anymore. You can't keep acting like one. I'm your Sire but I haven't been acting like it. I've been treating you only like you're bound. It's time I teach you to be the vampire you are and since you're a baby you take naps," he pulled me to him.

"But I don't want a nap. I'm fine," I whined trying to pull away from him. He picked me up like I was as light as a feather and carried me up the grand staircase to our room.

I tried to grab onto the railing of the stairs but he stopped me before I could. He smacked my bum in response for me being bratty and continued walking up the stairs.

"Aren't the guys coming over today?" I groaned, looking up at him. He had moved me in his arms so that he was holding me bridal style so I wouldn't try to get out of his grip.

"They are which is exactly why you're taking a nap while they're here," Tom said, walking into our bedroom. He pulled the covers back from our bed and set me in it, tucking me in on my side of the bed.

"I'm not gonna nap without you here," I looked up at him, reaching my hands out toward him. He shook his head and put my arms under the covers. I pulled them back out and grabbed his hand as he turned to leave.

"Let go. I have things to do and you're not helping by not letting me do them," he looked down at me, speaking in a strict tone. I pouted and kept holding his hand tightly, refusing to let go.

"I can't sleep without you. That's why I hate naps. You always make me go to sleep and never stay with me," I complained, still pouting. His features softened and he sat next to me.

"Darlin' I have work to do and I can't do it if you're being a brat," he looked down at me, brushing my hair out of my face.

"So I won't be a brat. Just don't go," I laced my fingers through his. He sighed and walked to his side of the bed, crawling in and laying next to me.

"You know, most people recommend a changeling be an infant or a small child. You're already used to being treated and acting like an adult. It's difficult being treated like that then having to go to being treated like a baby. I see you've noticed yourself acting different. Sometimes you're super mature and then you'll act like a little kid. That's natural and if I give you more responsibility it'll stop sooner," he explained, holding me tightly to his chest.

As he talked he played with my hair which instantly calmed me down and made me more sleepy than I was before. My head was against his chest and as he spoke his deep voice was soothing and relaxing.

"Awe. How cute. Someone's getting sleepy," Tom chuckled, rocking me in his arms. I grunted a soft response and snuggled into him, finally falling asleep.

I woke up from a dreamless sleep still in bed. I got up and went to look for Tom. When I walked past his study I heard Fred talking. Slowly I crept in and stood in the doorway shyly. Eric noticed me and smiled, gently nudging Tom's arm and pointing at me.

"Did you have a good nap, sweetheart? Your makeup is a little messed up. It looks like you were drooling," he chuckled, touching up my eye makeup and my foundation for me when he sat back at his desk.

"I had a good nap but when I woke up you weren't there again," I pouted cutely, looking up at him with big puppy dog eyes.

"Sweetheart, I had to come in here. Work is getting stressful and I have to work some things out with the guys before the next few months come," he looked down at me, holding me close to his chest.

"You could've took me with you. I don't like being away from you," I muttered, pouting. It was super annoying acting like an adult at some times throughout the day and the rest acting like a little kid.

"I'll try to keep you with me at all times, love," he smiled down at me and held me close to his chest. I snuggled into him and watched the guys as they all worked.

I just sat in Tom's lap and gently sank my fangs in his neck when my stomach started growling. He didn't seem to mind me feeding off him as he did his paperwork and held me more protectively in his arms.

The moonlight outside was starting to fade as the guys got packed up to go home. Once they left I looked up at Tom and kissed his cheek.

"Let's go back upstairs. I miss your snuggles. You're warm and comfortable and it's getting early," I smiled up at him.

"Darlin', what do you say?" Tom asked, still doing his paperwork and not bothering to look away. He had bags under his eyes and he looked exhausted but I could tell he wasn't going to give the "raising me as a vampire" thing up.

"Now," I giggled cutely to try and get his attention. I must've said it too sassily because he picked up a paddle lying next to his desk and whipped me hard with it.

"Try that again and this time, don't be a brat," he glowered down at me, obviously not in the mood for games or anything this late.

I bared my fangs at Tom in response to him punishing me for trying to be cute. A surprised look appeared on his face before it was replaced with a glare. "I have had enough of this attitude problem you've been having today and I damn well intend to fix it," Tom grabbed me by my arm and led me upstairs.

I was honestly a bit surprised at myself. I never usually act this bratty. There was no way I was gonna let him win though and admit I was being bad.

"So you're good while we have company but when everyone leaves you're back to being a brat?" Tom looked down at me.

I didn't say anything and looked away from him, not saying anything. He grit his teeth and marched me into our room and set me in bed.

"If you're going to act like a spoiled brat I'm going to treat you like one, my mate or not. Now it's bedtime. You're going to stay up here and go to sleep while I go downstairs and finish my work. When I get back you better be asleep," Tom spoke in a strict tone.

"But-"

I was cut off by him forcefully pulling the covers over me and a glare aimed down at me. My pout deepened as I looked up at him. His fangs were glinting in the moonlight as he looked at me.

"Goodnight," he walked out, slamming the door on his way. I sat up and wiped my eyes, not even realizing I had been crying.

Quietly I crept over to my closet and slipped on my clothes I wore when we went out. I grabbed my umbrella since it was almost dawn and I slipped out the window, still wiping my eyes.