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Chapter 48
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Dad lifted my shaking, sobbing form into his arms and hugged me closely. His grip never slackened, even when we stepped back through the portal and into the human realm. The sun was vacant from the sky, leaving behind the moon. Hours had passed since we walked through the portal, that much was clear. What I couldn't understand, was how the portal had stayed open for so long and how the three men who took me seemed to create one on command.
I was back inside the house, watching as the child version of myself eavesdropped on a conversation between Mom and Dad. They were sitting in the master bathroom. Dad sat on the edge of the tub; his shirt removed as Mom fretted over the shoulder wound he had. I could make out each jagged cut from the creature's teeth. Dad's skin was pale and clammy, his knuckles white as Mom cleaned out the wound.
"I don't know what kind of creature it was. I've never seen anything like it." Dad groaned, wincing in pain as Mom dabbed a wet cloth agai
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Alpha Atlas Chapter 49
Irritation flashed in Atlas's eyes as Liam's rough knock sounded. He must've seen the relief on my face and stiffly turned to open the door. I wasn't sure how much Liam had heard, or if he knew what he interrupted but his hard face gave nothing away.“I wanted to make sure you were alright.” Liam frowned, his eyes flickering to Atlas for just a split second. That quick gaze lasted long enough for me to read the suspicion in his eyes, along with begrudging disapproval.“I’m fine. Better than last time.” I grimaced, stepping away from the two of them.Atlas’s scent danced in circles around my head, and I found myself desperately needing a breath of fresh air. His scent, his presence—it all distracted me from my thoughts.“Nicki and Dustin are going to take over training tomorrow.” Liam replied, “I think it might be good for you to take it easy tomorrow.”I didn’t argue with him a
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A few minutes later, we all parted ways. Liam was staying at a local Inn with Lydia, who insisted on tagging along to Atlas’s pack. Even now, I felt no animosity towards her. She was timid in a way that reminded me of myself. I had once been shy and afraid of the world. Losing Atlas and my Mom had ripped the fear from me, leaving me with only anger. That anger seemed to come in waves lately. Ever since I lashed out at Atlas and told him how I felt, I couldn’t muster up that same red-hot rage.My mind fought against the mate-bond relentlessly, but my body had a mind of its own. My heart seemed to sense Atlas’s presence, and would speed up anytime he was near. My fingers would tremble when he stood too close to me, the heat from his body washing up my spine. I gave myself those few moments to think on our bond, and what I might do once this was all over. I couldn’t see myself forgiving him—nor did I want to, but he made it hard.‘Give
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Nicki had been withdrawn the rest of training, but did a good job keeping it to herself. Atlas had left shortly after, heading in the direction Dean had went. I kept my eyes on Nicki, and knew her mind must be whirling. Nicki and I had only ever talked about mates once. She was eighteen and hadn’t ever been pressed to find her mate. Nicki had always been incredibly independent, and knew she’d meet her mate when it was time. I knew she hadn’t expected it to go this way. To find her mate, just to have him run away. None of us ever expected it—these things just seemed to happen. Once the damage was done, you’d sit there wondering where it all went wrong.I had an hour to clean up once we made it back to the house. I took a quick shower and changed into a pair of jeans and a long sleeve top. I opted for comfort rather than style, as Atlas and I would be stuck on a plane together for multiple hours. As I brushed out my overgrown hair, a light knock so
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I woke up as the sun just began to set. The earth had gotten much closer in my time asleep, and I knew we would be landing soon. I jumped when I looked up, noticing Atlas’s eyes on my face. He sat with an ankle on top of his thigh. His fist rested under his chin as he stared at me with unwavering strength. His lips twitched and just as I thought something snide would come out, he smirked.“You talk in your sleep.” Atlas remarked, turning his head as one of the attendants came into the cabin.The middle aged she-wolf announced that we’d be landing in just a few minutes. She turned and left the way she came, the navy curtain fluttering behind her. I grimaced at Atlas’s smirk, shoving the poetry book into my duffel bag.“I do not.” I snapped, feeling the heat rise to my cheeks.I pulled my bag onto my lap and turned my head away from Atlas. I grabbed some of the winter gear Atlas had laid out on the seats and walked
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"Here's some extra blankets for the two of you." The human woman smiled, setting the bundle of old quilts down on the bed. "One of you can come down and grab some dinner. The shower works, but you gotta give the hot water heater a few minutes to wake up.""Thank you, Ma'am. It'll be perfect for the night." Atlas nodded at the woman, giving her one of his frigid yet polite smiles.I held in my snort at the politeness of Atlas's tone. It only further proved how little I knew the man. I had gone to school with him for years, but made it my mission to ignore him and his indifferent attitude. The only time I actively noticed Atlas was when his friends were bullying me. Even then, I knew little about the man and even less about his family. I had seen the Alpha and Luna of his pack a few times, but had never spoken to either. From what I gathered, Atlas's Father was a strict man and an even stricter Alpha. I shook off my budding curiosity and looked around the small bedroom I
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Guilt, sadness, exhaustion, hope.I missed the Atlas who exuded confident indifference to the world around him. I missed the Atlas that never let anything show, that stuck to his little friend group above anyone else. It was easier to hate that Atlas, easier to dehumanize him into the cold-blooded enemy that rejected me. This Atlas was different, was that much harder to hate. While his alabaster skin and platinum hair made him look cold, the emotion in his eyes was anything but—emotion reserved for me and me alone.“What’s the point in giving in?” I found myself replying, fighting to keep the hurt and anger from my words.
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The memory crept up on me without my notice. There were no telltale signs that I would soon be sucked into the past. My head felt pain-free, better than it ever had. As I slipped into unconsciousness, an explosion of color appeared behind my eyelids. The colors churned and swirled until I felt my very essence being pulled far, far away.I drifted even further, into the colors that now surrounded me. My sight sharpened, as did the colors and shapes lingering on the outskirts of my vision. The large splotches of green and brown became thick tree's, a million emerald leaves dangling from thick branches. The spattering of black became the main road in Atlas's pack. The road sat through the middle of town. Thick, healthy grass grew underneath my feet and the scent of something sweet lingered in the air. The sun was bright and warm, but I couldn't shake the lingering sadness that held me in its grip."Mommy, how long are we going to stay here?" A familiar voice whined. "I wa
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Even as awareness crept into my subconscious, I kept my eyes tightly shut. Warmth and a thick husky scent enveloped me, nearly coaxing me back to sleep. I couldn't remember the last time I slept so soundly. Not a single nightmare had worked its way into my head. I lingered in that blissful nothingness, content on forgetting the memories that danced along the cusp of my mind. A beam of sunlight danced through the sheer curtains on the window, explosions of orange and yellow light danced behind my eyelids.Something soft yet firm rested against my face, and I burrowed deeper into the source of warmth. My eyes snapped open as my pillow shifted, and a rough hand gripped my thigh. The hand belonged to Atlas, as did the delectable scent. He pulled my leg up and over his waist, resting his palm on my lower back. My long sleeve t-shirt had risen up in the night, and I nearly flung myself from the bed when his hand grazed my bare skin. The sparks seemed to vary in purpose, but never i
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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.
