Aleesia POV

I sighed as I watched Elijah walk out of the kitchen. His hands clenched into fists as he brushed passed Adrian who stopped him but he shrugged Adrian's hand off.

"The hatred isn't good for him. I don't want him to turn bad like his father. I assume he told you about most of his own last with him?" I said looking straight at Adrian in the eyes.

"Yes he did. He even threatened me that if I ever hurt you, he would make my life a living hell." Adrian chuckled

"You believe him?"

"Course. He's your son. He has fire in his blood that could never change him. He has your Alpha blood. He's powerful just needs to find away to get it out because his own Father broke him from it." Adrian said.

"How do you know so much?" I asked

"A story that I will tell when the time comes." Adrian said

"Touché " I murmured

I continued to make pancakes on the stove while humming the beauty and the Beast theme. Mother always sang that to me. As well as Once upon a December. 

Moments later Elijah came back sweaty and scarred. I eyes him cautiously afraid of what he did.

"What did you do Elijah?" I asked. He snapped his head up to mine. His beast was furious. And anxious.

"Nothing I just went for a run." He snapped.

"Elijah tell me. What did you do?" I asked glaring at him. Another man came in he was furious as well. But he was also proud.

"What's going on Alaric?" Adrian asked stopping him from coming towards Elijah who was eyeing him.

"The little pup had the nerves to challenge me. He should know better than to challenge a master of arms." Alaric snapped.

" I just needed to get my anger out. That's all." Elijah growled out.

"Fighting won't do that for you. It'll only make you worse pup!" Alaric said glaring at him.

"I am not a pup." He snapped

" Then what are you? A warrior?" Alaric growled out.

Elijah opened his mouth to speak again but closed it like a fish out of water.

"That's what I thought. Now go run it off." Alaric said.

"You can't tell me what to do." Elijah snapped fuming with anger.

"Elijah! Go. Now." I snapped Elijah snapped his head towards me. Which he looked me up and down when Adrian growled at him, and Elijah gave in and ran off.

I let my breath go not knowing that I was holding it. My shoulders sagged.

" What's wrong with Elijah mama?" Caddy asked her eyes wide.

"He's just upset that's all sweetie. Now eat your pancakes and then we can go and play." I said sighing.

***

I was sitting in a play room with Caddy when Elijah finally came in from his run. I stood up leaving Caddy to play with the toys. Elijah was looking a little pissed but hurt.

"What's wrong Elijah?" I asked cupping his face making him look at me.

"Nothing mother. I'm fine I let off the steam like you told me to." Elijah muttered

"Look at me." I said

"Mom I'm fine." He scoffed not meeting my gaze at all.

" Tell me what's wrong. I want to help you Elijah." I murmured

" I... Just don't want to be like him.... I feel like all this anger is coming from him..." Elijah choked out.

"Listen to me. You are not him."

"You are so much more than him. You are me. You are pure. And I will make it that way. The way he hurt us, is not how our family should run. We need to be strong and fight." I said rubbing his cheek.

" I'm sorry mom. For the way I've acted since we got here. I'm just trying to protect you. I don't want to lose you. Or Caddy." Elijah murmured while looking at his little sister.

"You won't. I promise. I love you Elijah." I murmured kissing his forehead. And drawing him in for a hug. I saw Adrian standing in the hallway.

"Watch Caddy for me?" I asked letting go of him.

"Of course... Wha-" Elijah was cut off by looking at Adrian. Who cocked his head to the right for me to follow him when Elijah stood in my way.

"Elijah. Please move. I'll be fine." I said putting a hand on his shoulder. He finally nodded and went to sit next to Caddy, while I went to follow Adrian.

"What do you want?" I asked.

" I wanted to talk to you. About... Him." Adrian said I knew where he was going with this. But I didn't want to tell him yet. I wasn't ready to bring out my past right away, just because of how Elijah is acting.

"I can't... I'm not ready to tell you about him yet. I'll tell you eventually." I murmured.

"Eventually? How long will that take?" Adrian scoffed glaring at me. We were standing in his office I walked away from him to look out the window.

"When I'm ready." I said

"That's not enough. I want to know, why you won't tell me. Why that thing you call husband..." Adrian almost shouted. Trailing off in the end when I flinched.

" Adrian, what was in the past stays in the past. He's not my husband anymore and I will never go back to him. My children will be here with me. And I will protect them until my very last breath." I said

"I will not lose you. Don't you dare say that. Your children will never be without a mother. I can promise you safety and protection Aleesia. Just join my pack. Since your still connected with your birth pack he will never find you." Adrian said trying to reason with me.

"I... I don't know. How can I know to trust you? With my children? How do I know that you won't be like my past?" I said hugging myself.

"I am not him I am your mate. You feel the bond right?" Adrian said while taking my hand and putting it on his heart. Tears brimmed my eyes.

" Yes." I choked out.

" Then let me show you that you can trust me. Along with your children. I know Elijah doesn't trust me at all, but I can promise you that I'll try to be the best father ever." Adrian said As I looked up at him. He had determination, willing to make me trust him as his mate. As his forever.

"Okay..." I whispered and with that he engulfed me in his huge arms.