Hey everyone! Sorry it took so long for the update! Just for a heads up, this is the finale for the first book of “A Maid's Tale.” The first chapter of the second book will be up within the next few weeks! I hope you enjoy the final chapter :)!

Aramis held the door open for Cassie as she entered their bedroom. Walking straight over to the bed she collapsed onto it and melted into its feathery softness.

Following suit, he shut the door quietly behind him and headed towards the bed. “Tired?” he asked her with a grin.

“Exhausted,” she responded. Cassie leaned up on her elbows and smiled at Aramis. “Want me to take your shoes off for you?” he kindly inquired.

Nodding she fell back onto the bed again, feeling as lazy and useless as a rag doll. “You know you didn't do too bad for your first time,” he commented as he slid the filthy, mud caked shoes from her feet.

Letting out a short laugh she leaned up again and shook her head, “You're just saying that to be nice.”

“Well...” he trailed off in a joking manner. “I mean we come back and it looks as though you're returning from a dinner date, and me...” she shook her head in embarrassment.

“Technically it was a dinner date,” he grinned as he kicked off his shoes and climbed onto the bed with her.

Aramis began sliding his arms around her thin waist but she squirmed away from him. He frowned in confusion, “Something wrong?”

“Uh yeah. Do you really want to cuddle with me when I look like I just left the house from Texas chainsaw massacre?” she joked.

“Where?” he was instantly puzzled.

Cassie giggled and shook her head, “Never mind. Just let me clean up and then you can cuddle with me all you want.”

“Don't leave me alone,” he pouted, enjoying this intimate moment between the two.

“Now you're just being silly. I really do want to clean up Aramis, I don't feel...attractive when I'm covered in the blood of--” she couldn't quite remember what she had lunged at.

“A fawn,” he laughed.

“Oh my god! You're right, I can't believe I killed that baby deer. It was like slaughtering Bambi,” she shook her head in shame.

“Don't be hard on yourself. I am impressed. The first time I ever went off hunting with my brothers, all I got was a squirrel. They never let me forget it,” he smiled, remembering old times.

“Well you were born this way, so you probably were really young your first time,” she glared at him.

“...that's true, I was only about five or six. But come on, your new at this and getting used to it. I mean didn't the meat taste wonderful?” he grinned.

“Of course it did. I am just embarrassed by how dirty I am and ashamed that I killed a little fawn,” she sighed, running her fingers through her tangled hair.

Laughing Aramis sat up and kissed her cheek, “You're too sweet Cassie. Go take a shower, I'm not going anywhere.”

Cassie slid off the bed and began to walk towards the bathroom but was halted when she felt two arms wrap around her waist. She squeaked in surprise because she hadn't even heard him get off the bed.

“I love you,” he whispered in her ear as his lips then trailed down her neck from behind.

“And I love you too. And if you give me fifteen minutes I can prove it to you once I am decent again,” she hinted, turning around and pecking his lips.

“Not a second longer or I'm coming in after you,” he joked, letting go and ushering her towards the bathroom.

Cassie giggled, “I'm not afraid of the big bad wolf.”

“You should be,” Aramis smirked in a playful way and winked at her. Cassie shook her head and giggled softly under her breath once more as she shut the bathroom door behind her.

Later as she stood in the shower, she watched the water at her feet turn a light pink as the blood was rinsed from her skin and mixed with the water.

Her dirty clothes lay in a pile on the bathroom floor in a bloody and muddy heap. Tonight had been Cassie's first night out hunting in her new form. It had taken her a few weeks to get used to the new changes, both mentally and emotionally.

The full moon had gleamed high in the sky tonight as she transformed for the first time since the night she had been changed a few weeks prior.

The transformation had been a little painful but it was well worth it once her and Aramis had gotten started.

Never before had Cassie felt such freedom. Completely letting go of all her worldly problems, no one else seemed to exist in the forests but her and Aramis.

Running side by the side the two mates had enjoyed the thrill of the late night hunt, with Aramis easily taking down a black bear while Cassie had only been able to take down a fawn. Which had delectable meat, but still the guilt loomed over her for killing such an innocent creature.

“It's just my new nature,” she whispered to herself as she scrubbed at her muddy skin, trying to reassure herself that it was fine, what she had done.

After fifteen minutes Cassie emerged from the shower clutching a lavender robe to her freshly clean form.

“All better?” Aramis smiled from the bed, where he lay sprawled across the quilt only wearing his dark boxers and a black shirt.

“Yeah,” she returned the smile and sat down on the edge of the bed, fingering her wet locks.

“Something wrong?” he frowned, sitting up and massaging her shoulders.

Sighing in content she leaned back into him, “Not exactly. I just did some thinking in the shower and remembered something you told me once.”

Blinking in surprise he let up on her shoulders, “What did I say?”

“About how...well first of all about how you're not immortal and secondly that you'd never heard of a female werewolf. I'm very confused about all this,” she confessed.

Shaking his head he pulled her into his lap and nuzzled against her, “Listen to me. You have nothing to worry about. To be honest we are both immortal and yet we aren't. Let me explain, like vampires who drink blood to sustain their life, they can be killed by the sun, correct?”

Cassie nodded, it was true after all. “Well that proves that yes they can continue to live forever, until they tire of being alive. They also are technically immortal and mortal. They can still die. As much as vampires like to act like they are, they aren't gods. They are not impenetrable to the rays of the sun, it will wipe them out easily,” Aramis explained on.

“So how are werewolves like that?” she meekly inquired.

“When we decide to stop transforming and hunting. Or basically when we begin to deny or ignore our other form then it slowly dies away leaving us with only our mortal forms which will begin to grow old, like any other human would and then eventually die naturally,” he simply stated.

“So as long as both of us continue to hunt like tonight?” she asked.

“Then we'll be just fine for however long we like. And as for the other concern, it's true that I've never heard of any female werewolves who were born this way. For example my cousin is married to a female werewolf, but like you she was turned, but in her case it was at a very young age. So yes female werewolves do exist, I just meant I've never heard of one being born, it's just not possible I believe,” he finished up.

“Well as long as we are together, that is all I need,” she whispered, leaning against his warm chest.

“Same here,” he whispered into her hair, holding her to his chest lovingly and enjoying the gentle sound of her heartbeat.

“Please show our guest to their room,” Julia ordered as young Megan clutched the heavy suitcase in her small hands.

“Yes ma'am,” she obeyed. “Right this way mistress,” she bowed her head and began to lead the way up the steps towards the guest rooms on the upper floors.

Eventually they reached a guest bed room and Megan pushed open the door and dragged the suitcase inside.

“Is this room to your liking ma'am?” she calmly asked, setting the suitcase on the double sized bed.

“I wouldn't know, light an oil lamp so I can see my quarters foolish slave girl,” the woman hissed in annoyance.

“Y...yes my lady,” Megan whimpered out, not wanting to anger her master's guests.

With trembling fingers she opened the night stand drawer and found a box of matches, every guest room had them.

Striking the match she lit the oil map on top of the dresser and the room was brightly lit.

“A bit smaller than my room at home, but it'll do for now,” the woman sighed and sat down in a chair by the empty fireplace.

“Can I get you anything mistress? I could light a fire, get some blood tea, or...” Megan started to list off.

The red haired vampiress glared at the young child, “Or you could shut that annoying little mouth of yours. But yes I will take some blood tea.”

Curtsying, Megan headed for the door, “It will be up right away ma'am”

As soon as the young slave had closed the door, Aurelia looked around at the small guest room. The walls were painted a warm burgundy color with cream trim. The bed had cream blankets and burgundy pillows to match. “This will do for now, until I can move my belongings into the master suite,” she grinned maliciously.

This event was the perfect time to get Alexander's attention. She had heard about how his so called fiancee had run away with another man, a werewolf to make matters worse. Of course Alexander was completely ashamed by this but still had the courage to be holding the annual conference of the local vampire lords and ladies from various covens from the lands around his manor.

Aurelia who had experienced a brief but satisfying relationship with the handsome Lord du Mort a few centuries prior was determined to win his heart this time. She would be staying in his home for two nights, that was just enough time to get to work on her scheme.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts and she stared at the piece of wood with a dirty glare, “Enter,” she commanded.

The door slowly creaked open as an extremely young child entered clutching a tray in her tiny grasp.

Aurelia was surprised to see a new servant in her room, “What happened to the other slave?” she asked.

“My sister had to help prepare dinner so I brought the tea up. Is that okay?” Jody asked, her voice trembling.

“Yes yes it's fine. Set the tea on the table and pour me a cup,” Aurelia gestured to the table near the fireplace.

“Yes ma'am,” the six year old obeyed and carried the heavy tray to the table and set it down gently.

Picking up the teapot she poured the warm liquid into a dainty china cup. “Here you are ma'am,” Jody smiled with the innocence of a child.

“I hope you like this kind, cinnamon is my favorite kind of tea,” she handed the cup to the vampiress.

Aurelia took a small sip of the tea and growled in displeasure as she threw the cup towards Jody. The porcelain cup shattered at the child's feet and the hot tea splattered all over her bare legs.

Crying in pain, Jody whimpered as Aurelia began screaming at her, “I told your annoying sister that I wanted blood tea! Not disgusting cinnamon tea! Why the hell would an immortal want to drink some disgusting flavor of tea that mortals enjoy? The house staff at this manor is horrendous! You cannot even follow a simple order for blood tea! You and your sister will be punished for your horrible service!”

By this time Jody was crying and pleading with the vampiress to forgive her, “Ple...please I can go get you the right kind...”

“Shut your mouth!” Aurelia screeched, slapping the child across the face, her razor sharp nails catching the skin of her cheek.

“Ah!” Jody collapsed to her side, clutching a hand to her bleeding face.

“Jody!” a voice came from the hallway as the maid saw the young girl sprawled across the floor of the guest room floor, shattered glass all around her feet.

“What is going on? Who hurt you?” Mona demanded entering the scene and picking up the crying child.

Aurelia glared at the pretty young maid who dared to enter her quarters, “I was rightfully punishing this girl for her insolence and bad service. And now you dare to enter my room without being summoned and speak to me in such a tone?”

“Like I care if I come into your room without being asked! I won't stand by and let you hurt this innocent child!” Mona yelled at the vampiress, not intimidated by the beautiful immortal at all.

“Why you little bitch. How dare you stand there and bark those words at me!” Aurelia lifted her hand and was about to strike Mona when she was stopped by an angry voice at the door.

“What in the hell is going on in here?” Alexander growled from the door. He was not pleased by the site in front of him. Mona was clutching a crying and hurt Jody to her chest as Aurelia, her hand still lifted, looked as if she could kill.

“Ohh Alex, your staff is being horrible,” she whined, walking over towards him, playing the victim.

“All I can see Aurelia is you being horrible to my staff. You dare to raise a hand to not only one of my youngest servants? But to Mona as well? I won't stand for this,” he shook his head.

“But Alex...it wasn't my fault,” she sighed, leaning into him, her bosom pressing against his chest.

Pushing him off of her with a growl, Aurelia landed on her back in surprise and glared up at her former lover, “Get some dignity Aurelia and stop throwing yourself at me, it makes you look pathetic and disgraceful. You are to leave my house at once,” he commanded.

“Alex, come on...” Aurelia sighed. “Stop being ridiculous.” Sitting up she brushed the red hair from her green eyes.

“No, you are leaving or I will throw you out myself. Now leave with some pride or I'll embarrass you in front of all my guests,” he threatened.

Aurelia glared at Alexander with her dark green eyes and knew she couldn't win this argument. She had to obey him, he was the master of this house and a higher ranking member of the council than she.

“Fine,” she hissed, grabbing her bag and storming past him.

“Are you alright?” Alexander asked as he heard Aurelia storm down the hall and eventually the steps.

“Yeah,” Mona nodded as she cradled Jody against her chest, and the child was now asleep, tired from all her crying.

“She'll be fine, I can take care of her cuts,” Mona smiled at him. “Thanks for basically saving us from that crazy woman.”

“You're welcome,” Alexander smiled, “her temper is scary to me. The wrath of Aurelia is not something to take lightly.”

Mona followed her master out of the guest room as he led the new servant down towards an extra guest room.

“She can rest in here, they are definitely better than her current quarters,” he gestured to the open door.

“Thank you master,” Mona complied, as she laid little Jody down on the bed to rest.

She gasped as she knelt beside of Jody and suddenly felt a cold yet gentle grip on her shoulder, “I am impressed how you protected her, you're very motherly.”

“It was instinct I guess,” Mona smiled up at him.

As Lord du Mort watched her smile at him as she caressed Jody's hair in a fond way he was suddenly overcome with emotions.

He was never usually one to give into temptation, but he leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips.

Mona's hand froze on Jody's forehead and her eyes widened.

What was it about Mona that drew Alexander in? Her kindness? Her beauty? Her maternal instincts? Or maybe it was the fact that he barely knew anything about her, and starting something new and fresh was exciting.

Whatever it was, he knew he liked what he felt when he kissed her soft lips and as he pulled back and stared into her green eyes he saw for the first time acceptance as she blushed slightly and whispered to him, “How about another one?”