Fight For My Loves

Chapter 2: Adrian

Elle POV

After eleven hours of travel, I was so thankful to be back at our manor in our original pack, The Royal Pack. Though someone else holds that position now, you can still feel in our aura that we’re Alpha blood. Thankfully, we were able to keep the family home we grew up in, “in the family” all these years. We try to go back only a few times a generation, unless we’re in disguise.

Jason, our butler, handled all the day-to-day things here at the manor. Our home was a modest five-bedroom mansion built in 1658 by my father and grandfather. We all lived together as a family, all having our own rooms. We’ve kept it pretty much as is, only doing upkeep and updating when new things come out, such as indoor plumbing, electrical, etc. We haven’t added central air or heat, the windows are all custom fitted and new within the last 10 years, and we have fireplaces when it’s cold. We don’t see a need for it.

“Miss.” Jason knocks on the door of the study.

“Come in”, I called out. Looking up from the mountain of paperwork for the manor that I have on the desk, I see Jason come in with a wary look on his face. “Master Edwin is out at the moment, and there is a guest at the door who wishes to speak with you, Miss. If you prefer, I can let them know when your schedule is free.”

“I’m not that busy now. Show them in, Jason.” I nodded to him, moving the paperwork off to the side and turning it over so as not to share anything with someone else. You never know who you can trust. “Jason.”

He stops at the door, “Yes, miss?”

“Do bring some tea and biscuits, please.”

“Yes, miss.”

Artemis had been pacing in my head all morning, giving me a migraine. Reaching for some tablets and a bottle of water, I mentally rolled my eyes.

‘Artemis, girl. You need to quit pacing. If this is who you’re hoping it is, I’d really like to enjoy the moment without a migraine. Please?’

‘Sorry. Just so nervous and excited. I hope it’s him.’

‘Me too. But I need to know what happened. I need to know why he left us over 300 years ago. I’m not saying that I’m going to reject him, but if his reason isn’t valid or if there was another…’ I let the sentence drift off because I can’t even finish the thought. The thought of him choosing someone else over us hurts.

‘Okay. Please give him a chance to explain, so we can have a mate if he is our mate. We have waited too long for him already.’

‘Promise.’ Smiling, I closed my eyes, with my chair turned towards the windows overlooking the gardens we have in the back. All too soon, there was a knock at the door, and I could feel Artemis trying to press forward to share control with me.

‘Down girl. We don’t want to scare him away, right?’

‘Sorry. But we can smell it's our mate.'

“Come in,” I called out. As the door opened, I smelt Jason mixed with the most wonderful scent of sandalwood, lavender, and cedar. It was such a relaxing, soothing scent. I didn’t dare turn around though.

“Miss, this is Adrian Whitley. He has asked for this meeting to discuss your ancestors.”

“Thank you, Jason.” I tried to say as indifferently as possible. I won’t give anything away. I won’t let him know if he gets to me. I also won’t look at him. Not directly in the eyes. Not yet. I want him to feel like he’s going to lose it as we get closer to the answer. We’ve waited 303 goddamn, horrible, agonizingly miserable years for these answers. I hear the door close, and I know Jason has given us privacy.

“What do you want, Adrian?” Turning my chair slightly as I say this so I can see if it’s really him after all this time. It could be someone else with the same name. I need to be sure. Through my peripheral vision, I can see it’s him. Holy. f*****g. s**t.

‘Stay calm. Don’t give anything away.’

‘Right. Thanks. I almost lost it.’

‘I know you did. Breathe. Something about him has changed. I need answers too. I know he’s ours. But we have to protect ourselves first. We are special. Mother has always said that.’

‘Artemis. No s**t we’re special. You’re named after a f*****g Greek goddess!’

“I was hoping to speak with you about your ancestors. I was curious how much you knew about them. Has this place always been in your family?”

“It has. After the fall of the family, it was maintained by the staff. Records show, and the story goes, the twins fled. They came back one year later, killing the people who targeted them. Change in the crown was that time period, I believe. I assume the events were related, seeing as our last name is Knight, the former Royal Family.”

“That is what I have heard. I am interested in talking about the twins.”

“What about them? They were the first and last set of twins on record.”

“Seeing as we’re on Royal Pack lands and I didn’t have to check in with his Majesty, the Alpha, it seems they are aware of the reason they sit where they do.”

“That’s a very…improper thing to say. Depending on your stance, that could be seen as a treasonous statement. Either that, or you are simply curious how any of the previous Royal Family is still alive after being usurped."

“I am simply trying to see where you stand, milady. And I am curious as to how they survived.”

Starting to make his way around the room, he attempts to get a better look at my face. Holding still because I know if he senses me moving, he’ll know he has me. “All I know about the twins is what was written in the records and some of the few stories left. My brother will be home soon. Is there anything else I can help you with?”

He needed to leave. Ed will be here soon. He’ll sense my distress at being this close to Adrian again, if he hasn't already.

‘We’re here, sister. We won’t leave you alone right now.’

‘Thank you. He’s trying to see my eyes.’

I see he’s moved more to try to see me head on. I breathe in, closing my eyes at the same time. I pinch the bridge of my nose, keeping my eyes closed. I don’t want him to know I was mindlinking anyone, or seeing my eyes. That’s how vampires find their beloveds, their fated soul mates. Heaving a deep sigh, I do what I can to keep the memories back.

We had a plan. We were going to look into each other’s eyes at the stroke of midnight on the night I was to turn 18. We were going to whisper words of love to each other as we found our souls were forever intertwined.

“I just wanted to see you. I just need to see your face. I know you’re her. I know it’s you, Eleanora Hart.”

“Please leave, Adrian. I do not wish to see you. It’s been over 300 years,” I said, waving my hand towards the door. A silent acknowledgment that he needed to leave. Suddenly, the door burst open and Ed walked in. His smell calmed me and Artemis. I’ve only ever felt 100% safe with Edwin after Adrian left. He was older than me by three minutes. He always took on the role of big brother. Ed’s footsteps are all I hear as I’m tempted to open my eyes to see my brother. As soon as the thought crosses my mind, Ed covers my eyes.

“I’ve got you little sister. You’re safe now.” Hearing the bite in his tone, it sounded a bit like Apollo.

“She has nothing to worry about. I am not here to cause her harm.”

“No. You’ve already done that. You’re not welcome here. Leave. Your invitation has hereby been revoke"

“NO!” I shouted at Ed! He cannot be thinking of revoking the invitation to enter before I get my answers. Nitwit. “I’ve got questions. I need answers. Then I will think about everything. I will call for you after I’ve made my decision, along with Artemis. She has the right to be included in this also.”

“Your wolf’s name is Artemis? That’s beautiful.” I can hear the awe in his voice, like learning the name of our wolf is the best thing he’s heard in centuries. “What do you wish to know, my love?”