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Chapter 13
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Joining training had given me a renewed sense of purpose. Instead of thinking about what I had lost, I filled my mind with thoughts of tomorrow. I waited for the fear to consume me at any moment, realizing I had made a horrible mistake in joining. When the fear refused to settle into my bones, I found myself surprised and relieved.
With something new to fixate on, the tears that waited behind my eyes began to fade and I found myself enjoying my day with Tyra and Nicki.
"See, nothing a good old girls' day can't fix." Nicki shrugged, examining her freshly painted nails. A smile of approval formed on her face, and she held them out for me to see.
"Their beautiful." I nodded, taking my wolf's advice to remain in the present. "But how do you fight with fake nails on?"
"Very, very carefully." Nicki rolled her eyes, "You wouldn't believe how many times I've chipped a nail."
"Were werewolves, Nicki." Tyra rol
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One Month LaterLiam had taken time forming specialized groups to locate the rogues. Each day they would venture deeper, scouring for any sight of the rogue's camps.For weeks they had come up empty handed, leading Liam to believe the rogues traveled frequently. They must've packed and ran after their loss against our pack, forcing their injured to run or risk staying behind. Liam was determined to wait, knowing that sooner or later they would regroup and return.Liam had been kind enough to tell me he was speaking with Alpha's from other packs, informing allies and neighbors of the potential rogue threat. He had mentioned nothing of Atlas, and I refused to ask, regardless of how much I wanted to.* * * * *"Block it, Rae!" Nicki shouted from the other side of the mat; her blonde hair pulled back in a tight pony tail. Dustin stood beside her; his face set in grim lines as he watched me get beate
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I attended dinner that night with Liam and his family, making idle small talk while my mind was elsewhere. The roasted chicken and potatoes on my plate tasted like ash, as most food did this past month.Frustration bubbled in my gut, making my stomach contract in an effort to keep the food down. The anger I had been feeling towards myself was growing stronger, threatening to consume me. Out of all the people I blamed for my Mom's death, I blamed myself the most. I entered warrior training as an outlet for my anger, as a distraction from what my poor decision had done. Instead of finding a suitable outlet, I'd trudge back to the packhouse coated in bruises.'We have two options, Raelynn.' Lila snapped, fed up with my downward spiral of bitter self-hatred. 'You can either quit and go back to locking yourself away, or you can try harder.''Try harder?' I scoffed, 'I got knocked out because I kept trying.''Poor Raelynn.' L
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Tournament Day - Beginner LevelAs I sat on the cold metal bench in the large feild directly in the center of town, I swore I was going to hurl.The tournament had been the talk of the town for a week now, and somehow Liam had convinced me to participate. He had taken the time out of his day to train me each night, working me to the brink of exhaustion.The fat on my body had disappeared, leaving behind firm muscle. I had expected my curves to soften from the loss of fat, but the muscle made them more pronounced. My bottom had become rounder, as Nicki and Tyra insisted on reminding me every time we went shopping.Liam continued having me lift weights, but also incorporated sparring into the mix. Liam was a lethal combination of strength, speed, and complete feral determination. His fighting style put Cassie and everyone else to shame. I could see why Liam had been named the best warrior in the pack, but I secretly
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Two weeks after Beginner's TournamentThe thrill of my victory during the Beginner's Tournament was short lived, as we all returned to our usual routines. I trained with Liam late at night, sometimes leaving the house to spar with him under the stars. Nicki and Dustin continued pushing me harder during training, leaving me exhausted and bruised by the end of the day.Where I had once been stumbling along, trying to keep up with the rest of the trainee's, I was now managing to stay afloat. My skin toughened, and I began to use the pain as motivation. While I used the physical pain as a distraction, it wasn't a cure-all.My newfound purpose was to take Liam's place as the best warrior in the pack. I knew my goal was a long shot, but it gave me another welcome distraction. Lila continued to warn me about pushing aside the pain of losing my mate and Mom, but I refused to listen. Where I was once drowning in my own emotions, I wa
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I pushed myself harder in training the next couple of days, only stopping when exhaustion forced me to the ground. The blistering pain in my muscles was a welcomed distraction, each ripple of pain a constant reminder as I moved into a sitting position. My private training with Liam had become strained. Our feelings for each other were a constant wall between us, bright and blazing, it made itself known with every step, every touch, and every lingering glance. Liam knew I couldn't love him the way his mate would, and yet the feelings were still there. Liam had become a safe space in the midst of the constant storm brewing within me. The churning ocean swallowed all live, determined to suck me into its depths, but Liam kept me from drowning. What awaited me in its icy depths was beyond me. I was playing a fragile game, treading the water on a thin beam, seconds away from falling. Since my victory in the Beginner's Tournament, I often stayed behi
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Our kiss was not soul-shattering. It was not a kiss filled to the brim with toe curling, eye rolling passion. My kiss with Liam was one of hopeful promises, one of comfort and security. Our kiss was one of risk, of inevitable heartbreak and broken beauty.The week following the Star Shower Festival was one of the best weeks I had since my Mom died. Mine and Liam's strange relationship wasn't one of sexual tension and angst, it was unique, much like my Mom's relationship with Beta Ned.I had given Liam a piece of my heart, and I knew he would carry it with him always, no matter what paths our lives might take. In return, Liam helped pull my head from the clouds, helped me face the pain I had long come to ignore.He no longer stayed away when I woke in the night, skin slicked with sweat and tears beading in my eyes. He would hold me until the early hours of the morning, whispering sweet words as I processed my latest nightmare.
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Liam's reaction was instant, his eyes glazing over as he mind-linked the rest of the pack. I couldn't hear his words, as I had yet to complete the ceremony that made me an official member. Liam and I had talked it over many times, putting it off until after my Tournament. It seems we waited just a moment too late.The crowd erupted in panic, parents grabbing children left and right as they raced as far away from the rogues as they could get. Blood already began to stain the grass, and I felt my limbs threaten to lock up in fear.Not this time, I told myself. I forced myself to look at every child, parent, and grand-parent. It wasn't myself I was fighting for, it was them. I had two choices. I could run and seek safety--completely throwing away all of the progress I had made. Or I could fight, I could release the anger I had been feeling for so long--since before my Mom died. The anger that blistered through me the day Atlas rejected me.&nb
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One Year Later “You could be over here with your true mate and not sweating your ass off, but no—violence prevails.” I sighed dramatically, grabbing a grape, and plopping it into my mouth. Atlas was easily a hundred feet away, his skin porcelain and shimmering with sweat. I eyed the thick muscles that spanned his shoulders and back, running down the length of his thick arms. “Well, I guess the view isn’t that bad.” “Speak for yourself, I love a little violence to start off my day. Nothing gets the blood pumping like political intrigue, vigorous training or a good old-fashioned fight.” Nicki grinned manically, leaning against the thick truck of the tree she sat in front of. Her chestnut hair had lightened from spending the year in Liam’s court, beneath the blistering sun and thick humidity. It now held golden undertones that matched her tanned skin. The dress she wore was bound at the shoulders with golden pins and reminded me of the Greek goddesses taught in
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I pulled Nicki into my arms, my heart swelling with the strength of my best-friend. I said nothing because Nicki needed no reassurance. She could see the flame that burned within her as well as everyone else; Nicki never once doubted her place in the world, or her own importance. Even on my darkest days, when Atlas’s rejection sapped the happiness from even the smallest of things, the undying confidence Nicki had in herself and the people she loved fueled me. Once Dustin appeared and dragged her away, I was able to catch up with Liam and see how things were going—and to get some elaboration on the previously mentioned assassination attempt. Atlas had kept his snarling to a minimum when Liam pulled me in for a bear hug, even if his eyes were hardened shards of granite afterwards. “Really, it was awful. Not even a whole-hearted attempt.” Liam shook his head, disappointment for the unskilled assassin. His lips twitched into a smirk, and the teasing note in his v
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Three Months LaterMy stomach was twisted with nerves and excitement as I stood beneath the magically crafted arch of waterlilies and cherry blossoms Tyra herself had created. Atlas was at my side, his arm looped through mine as I leaned against him for support.We were initially skeptical about the pure white flowers, but the delicate aroma they emitted was well worth it. Clusters of tulips, orchids, and peonies were strewn throughout the courtyard, which had been completely remodeled for the grand ball I had been planning for months now.With Atlas by my side, I stood atop a long staircase looking down at the arduous work of countless fae, myself included. It was easy to forget about the sprawling crowd down below, watching us with interested and eager eyes.From the decorations to the guest list, I had full reigns of this project. Of course, I had a near endless supply of assistants at my side, all of which were introduced to me by Alette and Adelina.
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Micah and Liam could only stay for a few short days, each one packed full of planning and introductions. Micah and Finn were helping Atlas and Liam, teaching them the differences between High Lord and Alpha—though they technically were both. We hadn’t figured out a way back to the human realm, but there was plenty here to keep us busy; for now. Our first day in the castle, Alette confided in me that during the last moments of battle, she had flung a gust of ice and rage at Aralia, sending her flying into a portal. I followed Alette through the castle, while Adelina rejoiced over the fact that Melia was alive and well, along with her five sisters. “There’s no way she would have survived it. Not when it hit her square in the chest like that.” Alette insisted, her eyes welded forwards as we wandered the maze-like halls of the castle. She knew where she was going without a fault, while I had become lost an hour ago. “I assumed she would end up here, in th
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Nicki and Dustin had taken charge, helping the newly turned Fae that came through the wall. Every five minutes another blinding flash of light would appear, leaving spots that danced in our vision and more fae in our wake.My attention momentarily flickered over to Atlas, who was speaking with a group of warriors, some of which had passed through days ago. Duke stood at his side, silent but always watching. A flash of midnight hair and clothing darker than the night sky appeared from the western corridor. Ambrose, High Lord of the Night Court’s slender form appeared from around the corner.Ambrose was the only one to have improved in looks after the battle we had all endured. He had been thin before, a testament to the damage his sister had done on his body and court. His face had filled out since the battle ended; his slim frame now etched in lean muscle. He approached Atlas and Duke, nodding at the various warriors who bowed in his midst.“Oh, don&
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We formed a line, with each of us walking in pairs of four.Most who chose not to pass through lingered, watching with eyes that bordered on curiosity and fear. It was that flicker of curiosity that gave me hope, because sooner or later they might feel the call of this place.There was a part of me that trembled with excitement, almost desperate to return to the vibrant colors and scents, and the rush of magic within every gust of wind and drop of water. I wanted to learn the secrets of this realm and explore the hidden corners of the court under Atlas’s rule, mastering the wild magic that fluttered in my chest.Another part of me, the small part that would always remain mortal, mourned the memories, and ghosts I was leaving behind.At the very back of the line were the warriors. A sea of metal headpieces and colorful armor stood out as fae from every court gathered. Those who fought to the death days ago, now walked side-by-side.There had b
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Surprise and indecision rippled across countless werewolves faces as the word spread, and they finally began to understand the decision that lie ahead. I never enjoyed public speaking. Having the attention of so many eyes burning into my skin was unsettling, but I wasn’t alone. Along with the steadying presence of Atlas beside me, I had friends who had stood by me through all of this. Each of us had taken turns speaking, sharing our story and what we had come to learn. I told the crowd what I had done, merging the two realms together, separating them with a wall of pure magic. It was the only choice I had, the only thing that would have saved them both. The very connection that brought our realms together would have destroyed us both. It was Atlas who revealed the truth of the past, that werewolves were not from the human realm. A very small few of us had come here a long time ago, forgoing immortality for this new world. The only thin
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Something rippled behind Liam, towards the center of the charred circle of earth.The scent of rain filled my nose, marred only by the slightest hint of blood. The fae and werewolves must have been busy, identifying and burning the dead. My heart threatened to sink for the families who had lost loved ones in the battle, but I couldn’t let myself drown in the emotion, forever stuck in the past. I needed to press forward.The ground crunched beneath my feet, and I stopped when Liam placed a hand on my shoulder. I tilted my head, watching closely as the sun crested the trees, hitting the spot where we all stood.It looked like a thin film that spanned west and east, far into the sky where it vanished within the fiery light of the sun. I marveled at how it shimmered, the colors rippling like shaky water. When its color rippled like that, it was near impossible to see through. There seemed to be nothing on the other side, just the rest of the park.&ldqu
Alpha Atlas Chapter 121
I woke Atlas as the sun began streaming through the curtains, turning his platinum hair silver. His eyelids were pale blue, the dark circles beneath an even deeper shade.He shifted in his sleep, eyebrows furrowing as he felt my guilt. He really was exhausted.I tried to pry at the thick arms that were wound around my torso, pinning me to his chest. His plush lips moved as he mumbled, letting out a satisfied hum as he tightened his hold.The voices coming from the first floor of the house were growing louder. Tyra and Dustin were talking, heading through the kitchen and towards the stairs that would lead to Atlas and me.I smirked and pinched his bicep, “Tyra and Dustin are seconds away from knocking on this bedroom door. Either I can get you up, or they can.”A surprised yelp escaped my mouth when he rolled in bed, never once loosening his grip on me. My legs dangled uselessly as he stood from the bed, holding me against his chest.
