My eyelids felt heavy as I strained to open them. Exhaustion battered at me while I tried to remember what had happened. Oh right, panic attack. Finally managing to crack open my eyes enough to take a look around, I realised I wasn’t in the office anymore. I was clearly in a bedroom, probably a guest room as it was very plain with only the basics in it. Turning my head to the left I saw a wardrobe and chest of drawers as well as a door that was opened to an en suite. Wiggling my toes, I felt that I had enough energy to reach the bathroom so I slowly and careful shifted until I was sat up right on the bed with my legs off to the side. Dizziness swam through me making me clutch my head.
“So, you’re awake then?” That deep voice sounded familiar and came from behind me.
I merely grunted in return. Words were beyond me right now. When my head finally stopped spinning, I chanced turning around to spot Alexander sitting in an armchair near the bedroom door. I felt like I should say something witty but didn’t have the energy, so I settled for a half hearted attempt at giving him the finger.
Chuckling, he moved until he was crouched next to the bed. Unable to stand the pity in his gaze, I looked away from him.
“D..Don’t…” I tried to get the words out, “pity me.”
Sliding my gaze back to him, I tried to glare at him to underpin my words. He seemed to search for something in my face before finally nodding.
“I have one question. Who claimed you and are they dead?” I was shocked to hear the anger in his voice.
I smirked at him as I felt my strength returning.
“That’s two questions. You get one freebie.”
Rolling his eyes, I could see a hint of respect in his eyes at my jesting. It was strange, I shouldn’t want him anywhere near me so soon after my panic attack but annoying him felt… natural.
“Who?”
I wasn’t surprised at that. Considering what we learnt earlier, claiming was a serious thing. So, I answered him truthfully.
“No one. I was meant to be a gift.” I stood up shakily, and moved towards the bathroom, taking care not to touch him in the process. Deciding I didn’t want to talk about it anymore, I attempted to change the conversation.
“What time is it?”
“8pm. Your father arrived a few hours ago with your mother, they came to check on you. Your… brothers as well.” I could hear the question in his voice. Understandable considering the four of us looked nothing alike. Deciding to reward him for not pushing the panic attack issue, I answered him.
“Adopted. Mum and Dad adopted the 4 of us.”
“Now you’re awake, I’ll send word down for the evening meal to be prepared. I’ll let your family know as well.”
He walked towards the bedroom door but stopped and turned back once more.
“I’ve told everyone that they are not to touch you.”
Before I could thank him, he walked away. Shaking my head, I went into the bathroom to freshen up a bit. Dressing in the casual clothes I brought with me, a t-shirt that covered my scars and yoga pants, I left the bedroom.
Clay?
Autumn! You’re awake!
Well, yes. Where are you lot?
Door to the left of yours.
Finding said door, I knocked before walking in. Looking up, I suddenly found myself in the middle of a group hug. Clay, Flint and my mother were all gushing around me. Staring across their shoulders, I found Hawk and Dad standing off to the side. Sending a help me look, Dad chuckled.
“That’s enough, you’ll squeeze the poor lass to death.”
“Oh shush Cormac, let me hug my baby girl.”
Rolling my eyes, Clay and Flint let me go before ruffling my hair. Shooting them glares, I gently hugged my mother. I felt her tense slightly before she relaxed. Pulling away from me, I could see tear stains down her cheeks.
“Sorry I made you worry Mum.”
“Oh shush, just like your father you. I’m allowed to worry.” She glanced up at me, “You promise me you’re okay now?”
Nodding, I turned to everyone else and tried to make light of the situation.
“Well, least we know how to get Dad to leave the pillar once in a while. We’ll all take turns whenever we want to go somewhere.”
Accepting the weak change in subject, they all acted like nothing had happened. As we all stood chatting about inconsequential things like how the amount of luggage I could see that my mother had brought in the corner of the room was excessive, we heard a knock at the door.
“Who is it?” My dad sounded suspicious.
“Wyatt, sir. I just wanted to let you all know that dinner will be served shortly. I came to show you all the way to the main dining hall.”
I felt my stomach grumble loudly in answer to his statement. The silence in the room lasted for all of 5 seconds before my family burst out laughing at my expense. Rolling my eyes, I strode towards the door.
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