Chapter 7 - How Dare He Claim MY Wife

Xavier’s POV



The day after Eloise had left my castle, I was in my council chambers having a meeting with my generals and subordinates. We were going over how to reinforce Normand’s defenses for the winter months.



“The northern borders are in good condition. The mountains will be more than enough to thwart any attacks from that direction.” One of my generals spoke.



“And what of the southern border that leads into Noah?” Adrian asked.



“Lieutenant Alex has just been assigned a new squad of recruits.” I spoke up. “He has his hands full with training procedures but as long as he is able to develop their strength in the coming month, the southern Normand borders will be fine, too.”



Another general nodded. “For now, that just leaves the western and eastern–”



Unexpectedly, our discussions were interrupted when a guard barged through the large oak doors.



He got on one knee and bowed his head. His breathing was labored, too. Why was he in such a hurry?



“Lord Xavier, I apologize for interrupting such an important meeting but Sir Adrian has returned and has requested to see you immediately.”



My eyebrows knitted together in confusion. “Oh? Adrian has returned already, has he?” The trip to Noah is not a quick one…



I felt knots begin to twist and turn in my stomach as I thought of Eloise. Even Lyon began to whimper in the back of my mind. Something’s wrong!



“Apologies as it seems I have other matters I must attend to. This meeting is adjourned until I can schedule another date for us to wrap up our discussions.”



I calmly walked out of the council chambers. When there were no prying eyes, I raced back to my study.



Throwing open the door, I found Adrian already kneeling on one knee with his eyes glued to the floor.



“What happened? How are you back so soon from your trip to Noah?”



“I’m so sorry, Lord Xavier. It’s due to my own incompetence. Lady Eloise has been kidnapped.” Adrian wouldn’t look at me directly.



I gritted my teeth together and spoke in a lower tone. “Has she been located?”



“Yes, my Lord. I’ve dispatched a regiment of guards to comb through our previous campsite for clues. They were able to catch her scent, so I sent some scouts to go further and follow it.”



“And?” I couldn’t control my impatience.



Adrian continued. “The scent stops just a few yards away from the castle of the vampire prince, Adam.”



My heart dropped into the pit of my stomach.



“That insignificant and illegitimate prince thinks he can take claim to MY wife?!” The blood that coursed through my veins was beginning to boil.



It didn’t matter how much I despised the Wisdom daughter and her treacherous family. She pledged her life to me! She was MY wife!



She belongs to me and no one else!



Without another moment to spare, I gathered my best generals and soldiers from the council chambers, and began the march to Adam’s castle.



————



Adam’s POV



I rushed out towards the courtyard. Once I reached the bridge that overlooked the property, I was able to get a good glimpse of my enemies. Large werewolves stalked the castle yards and were surrounding the palace.



My eyes darted to the small group of vampires that were stationed around the skirts of the grass but they were severely outnumbered.



“I need every damn one of you out on that field NOW!” I ordered the useless vampires that stood around doing nothing. “Go out there and assist those on the frontlines!”



I looked back at the oncoming wolves that made their way towards my castle.



Their steps never slowed as they forced my men back towards the castle doors.



From the horizon, I saw a large black wolf step out into the moonlight. The smaller wolves that surrounded it howled as they parted down the middle.



I couldn’t tear my eyes from the golden eyes of the black wolf. The massive beast radiated such power that commanded obedience and attention from anyone who dared to look at it. It made me shudder.



But then I saw the wolf’s mouth move.



Fear ran down my spine.



“Kill them all,” the wolf said.



I looked out into the courtyard and watched as one vampire after another fell to the ground after being torn apart by the werewolves.



It was an absolute bloodbath.



It was shocking to witness a vampire’s self-recovery speed be outmatched by a werewolf’s attack speed.



That black wolf… That has to be Alpha Xavier. How could he have possibly trained so many soldiers to such an unholy and undefeatable level?!



I watched as Xavier ripped out the throat of a vampire who stood at his feet. The thick, glistening color of maroon dropped from his teeth as he smiled up at me.



“Damn all of you! Must I do everything myself around here?!” I cursed and stomped away towards the gate.



One of my guards stepped in my way. “Your Highness, these werewolves are much stronger than we anticipated. It won’t be long until the gates break. You can’t go down there!”



“You dare command me? I’m going out there and I’m killing that damned Alpha and his whole pack!” I shoved my way past the guard.



“Your Highness, I’m sorry but I can’t let you do that! Your priority is Miss Eloise and now that she’s here, it’d be reckless of you to charge into a battle you may not come out of.”



I clenched my fists together. Damn it, he's right! I did everything to ensure that Eloise was right where I wanted her—I wasn’t going to let her be taken away from me a second time.



I hurried back into the castle and ignored the screams of agony and howls of triumph. It frustrated me more that I wasn’t in the fight to lay waste to Xavier and his lackeys.



I hated how arrogant Xavier was. It boiled my blood just to think about how he thought he could claim Eloise for himself.



She was mine first, you dog! I swear you will pay for taking her from me!



Just as I rounded the corner, eager to return to Eloise, I saw many of my servants running in the opposite direction, screaming their heads off. My eyes widened as I saw the room I had Eloise kept in was being consumed by a raging fire.



I pushed and shoved my way past the people who were running into me. Someone grabbed my arm and attempted to stop me from running back into the flames.



“Don’t touch me!” I bore my fangs and hissed.



I continued to force myself against the sea of people who were attempting to flee the castle. Anyone who tried to convince me to turn around, I screamed at them. If they tried to touch me, I would scratch them.



My eyes began to sting as tears streamed down my face. I would walk through every plane of Hell if that meant I wouldn’t lose Eloise again!



A pair of strong hands suddenly grabbed me. I thrashed about as foam flew from my mouth, yet I couldn’t break free. “No! Get the hell off of me!! I can’t lose her again!”