Fight For My Loves

Chapter 6: Second Mate

Elle POV

“Ed? He’s good. Did you call me ‘daughter’?”

“Yes. You are my daughter. I created you from a part of my heart, but needed your mother to carry and care for you. You are special. As is Ed. I am sorry for your lives being so long and tragic. But that was the only time I could give you to your parents. I needed you both to make it. It was the safest time.”

“Safest time?”

“Yes, dear. Your beloved was with you. He made sure to protect you until your wolf came. He wanted to be with you longer, but he needed to go into the slumber. Someone interrupted the ritual and caused him to sleep for too long.”

“But…he woke up 75 years ago. He chose to be with someone else.” My voice cracked.

“That’s not his fault, my darling. He was bewitched. He was essentially given a love potion to switch his beloved from you to her. It doesn’t compare to how strong your bond is. It will be slightly strained while the two of you work through this difficult time. I am sorry, again, that you have to go through this.” Her head dips. Then she looks back at me, smiling. Turning from me, her arm points to some people walking towards us. “There are a couple of people here who wish to say hello to you.”

“Who is-MOM?! DADDY?!” I was momentarily confused, until they came closer and I knew. I would always remember their faces and scents for as long as I lived. I sprinted towards them as fast as my feet would carry me. I jumped into my dad’s arms, sobbing, feeling a love I hadn't felt in a long time. My mom wrapped her arms around both of us as we all cried. We just held each other for what felt like forever.

“We are so proud of you, my little goddess.” My father beamed at me, stroking my cheek with his thumb. My mom brushed my hair, “We’re proud of your brother too. He’s working with your aunt’s coven to bring you out of this, so we won’t have much time together, but we want you both to know that we love you, and a lot more love is coming for both of you.”

“For both of us? Is Ed finally going to get a mate?” I smiled at my mother, and she just smiled back at me. Running her hand over my hair.

“It’s almost time for you to leave us, my darling girl.” Selene said to me. “They will have worked through your subconscious in a few moments.”

I stood up, holding my mother and father one more time. “I love you both so much. I will keep praying to you also, Mother.”

“You will always have my protection, my darling girl. You and your brother. Also, please don’t be too hard on your beloved, nor your mate. And let your brother know he needs patience with his mate. She has been through a lot. She will need him soon. You both must return to Montana.”

Not sure what to think of all the information given, but knowing I can talk it out with Ed when I wake up. I received a kiss from each of them. My birth mother first, my father next, and then the Goddess, my true mother. After her kiss, I tried opening my eyes, but it was too bright.

“Ed?” I croaked out.

Sobbing, I heard him whisper, “Thank Goddess. Thank you. It’s been too long, sister.”

Finally opening my eyes, I see Adrian tied to a tree, a witch keeping her eye on him. Two other witches sitting on the ground, looking exhausted. “ED! You sure you all aren’t…ya know? Stronger than you’re telling us?”

“Not at all.”

Edwin POV

Once the witches left, and Elle said Adrian needed to come back to the manor with us. Elle was still not speaking with Adrian, and using her mindlink to talk to me.

“I have something to tell both of you. I need to talk to Ed privately about something also. The Goddess has come to me.”

“The goddess?!” Adrian shouted.

“Keep it down you dolt! You’re not supposed to be in this pack. Wait until we get inside. This needs to stay between us.”

“Of course, Ed. Sorry.”

Rolling my eyes, I stayed close to Elle. I had an arm around her, just in case she needed a hand after all she’s been through. Once inside, Elle put up a sound barrier. We didn’t need anyone to know she’d been visited by the goddess or what they were talking about.

“Adrian, Ed. There are a few things I want to say to each of you individually, but I need to fill you both in on what the Goddess said. Alright?”

“Yes, of course.” We replied.

We all sat in the living room on the couches. Adrian and I each had three fingers worth of scotch, while I poured a glass of white wine for Elle. Once we had all taken a sip of our drinks, when Elle began.

“The goddess, Ed,” she said, looking me straight in the eyes, “is our mother. She made us with pieces of her heart. She gave us to our mother to carry and care for us. We both have her mark on our wolves. Though I am the one who inherited the powers, you are the one who inherited her strength. She gave us to mom and dad then because Adrian was there to protect us until we got our wolves.” Looking at Adrian, she continues, “She also said that you are not responsible for the other woman. That woman used a love potion on you that was akin to the bond between beloveds. It isn’t nearly as strong as our bond. Though it is damaged because of the betrayal, she advised you to give me time. I will come around; I don’t think it will be easy to renew the trust though. May I speak with you individually now? Adrian, please stay first.”

He nodded and I got up to leave. Giving Elle a quick kiss on the cheek, I told her via mindlink, ‘If he tries anything, let me know. I’ll just be a room away.’

‘I’m leaving our link open, so you can hear what’s going on.’

‘I’ll pay attention to every detail.’ With that, I sat down in my study and listened.

Adrian POV

“Now that Ed has left, what did you want to talk about?” I asked, a ball of nerves floating through me.

“First off, I want to let you know that I understand you were under a spell somewhat, but it still hurts. A lot. Artemis is not ready to speak to you yet. She and I feel the same way. It’s hard to see you and hear you. The goddess said “you all need to go back to Montana.” Take that how you will. Either she meant all of us, or she meant just Ed and me.” Of course, I was going with them. I’d only just got her back. I wasn’t about to lose her again. I still had a lot to make up for and prove to her. She wasn’t going to get rid of me that easily.

“I’m coming back with you. I don’t need long to pack. I’ve got nothing of too much importance. I can always just take my documents with me and buy clothes when we get there if we’re in a hurry.”

“Alright. There’s one more thing.”

“What is it? When do we need to leave?”

“I’ll talk to Ed about it and one of us will let you know. The sooner, the better though.” She got quiet, fidgeting with her fingers.

“She, um… she said. She said, I have my beloved…but that I also have a mate.”

What? I misheard her. I had to have. “I’m sorry, I do believe I misheard you.”

“You haven’t. I have a beloved and a mate. Obviously, we know which one you are. I do not know who my mate is. But she said head back to Montana, so I assume I should start there.”

My heart feels like it’s stuttered to a stop. I feel all the blood rushing to my ears. It's almost like I’m underwater and everything is muffled. How can she have a mate too? Am I supposed to share her? She’s what I’ve been waiting for over 300 years for. This could blow up in my face as well. She could turn to rely on this mate more than her beloved, me. I needed to make sure I do everything I can to show her how reliable I am, and how devoted I am to her. She is my life. She is my moon. She is my breath. She is the sun on my face that warms my soul. I will not lose this woman.

“I shall head back to pack the few things I’ll need. Will we be able to go shopping once we get to Montana?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. I shall take my leave.” I gently grasp her fingers in mine, pulling her hand to my lips as I bow before her. “I shall return within the hour, my beloved.” Glancing up at her while holding her hand to my lips, I say, “You are the only woman in this world that I would bow before. As the Vampire King, I cannot have anyone other than you above me. You will always be first.” With that, I strode out of the room before she could say anything.

Edwin POV

Wow. That was an intense conversation. The confession that she would always be first for a king is…huge. Walking back into the living room, Elle was staring out the window. Following her gaze, I saw Adrian walking away, looking back every few feet like he could still see her sitting on the couch. Looking at her, she looked like someone deeply in love, and heartbroken all at the same time. Elle, noticing my presence, smiled at me. It doesn’t reach her eyes.

“Sister.” I say, opening my arms for her. She stands and comes into my arms, a few tears rolling down her cheeks. Holding her, she stuns me when she says, “Mom and Dad send their love,” she practically whispers into my chest. My eyes feel huge. Did she say mom and dad? Did she see them? Did she actually die during that unconsciousness?

“What? How? When? Are you sure?”

She lets out a laugh, “Yes Ed. I’m sure. I hugged them. The Goddess said that it was because I needed them. They wanted me to let you know they’re proud of you. And your mate is close, but we will need patience with her because life has not been kind to her. She needs love, patience and strength to help her.”

My heart is happy to hear my parents are proud of me. And that I do in fact have a mate. She’s out there. And she needs me. My blood was boiling at that. My mate has been through hard times and will need love and patience. That can only mean someone has been horrible to her, and she will not trust easily.

“The goddess said we need to get back to Montana soon.”

“I’ll call to ready the jet. We need to leave as soon as possible. Can you pack up or shall I have Jason pack up for us?”

“I already asked him to do that, Ed. Our bags are in the car already. We just need Adrian to come back.”