ATLASI knew she was gone even before I stepped into the house. And I came unnecessarily pissed off. She had assured me she would be here.Hearing that, I didn’t bother telling anyone to inform me of her whereabouts. Else, I would have know when she left. I would have been there to try and stop her. Or make her see reason to come back.A lump formed in my throat and my eyes burned, stinging painfully for some reason. Like someone had sprayed hot pepper spray on me.Having very little hope, I went to my room and she was’t there. I searched hers and the reality hit me then she really was gone.Everything that she had left before was gone. It was just a room, with no personal touches. Even her scent wasn’t there any longer.I growled, wanting to scream. Needing to let out that anger and frustration out. But I didn’t know how.My body shook as I headed out of the door. The housekeeper was calling my name, probably trying to tell me what I already know but I walked past her. Not having the
JADEI need an escape but I didn’t know who to call.I hadn’t thought this through. It was only after I had left the house that it clicked in my head. Atlas knew where Jaiya lived, and if he doesn’t find me in the cottage, that is the next place he is going to.And I didn’t want to cause any more trouble for her. Because he wouldn’t be happy.I sat for the longest time and contemplated if I should just wait for him. I had give him my word that I’ll be there when he got back. And while I hated that I had to break my word. I knew it was the best thing to do. Because if he was there, I wouldn’t be able to leave. He knows that. And I know that too.I was in the cab with no destination in mind when my phone rang. And it seemed like the answer to all my problems.“Dad,” I didn’t know when my voice broke.Just knowing he was on the lie mad eye feel comfortable enough ti be vulnerable. Because I knew, if I were to fall. He would be there to catch me.“Jade, darling, what’s wrong?” He asked, s
JADEThe room Nara took me too had to be the size of an apartment. It was ridiculously large and so beautiful. It had white pain with blush pastel touches. A queen sized bed in the middle. A living area and a very large walk in closet.I didn’t have any clothes with me but she said it wasn’t a problem. Dad had already stocked up my closet. He had been planning on asking me to move into the house before this happened. So it was just the case of right place right time.“I hope it’s not anyone’s room, I don’t want to introduce.” Nara waved my worry away with a small laugh.“You have a room in every room that your father has ever but. He didn’t care that he might know you, he always provided with the hopes that maybe you’ll live in either one.” She motioned around. “It is why the decorations are minimal. He wants you to turn it into your space.”“I love how it is.” She nodded and smiled.She glanced at the watch and made a small sound. “I should go and prepare for lunch. Your siblings wil
JADEI was still in shock when I saw the lone cat. And it's obvious hate towards me. A girl who I could only assume was Aidan’s twin sister ran into the room.Her blond hair was pulled into a bun and she was still in her school uniform. She also looked a lot like dad. Just a female version of him. Just with the prettiest hazel eyes I have ever seen.I smiled in a welcoming way. Trying to think of what to say. There wasn't really a guidebook to meeting your siblings for the first time. I’m kind of lost.“Let’s go.” She tugged her brother’s arm, not even sparing me a glance.Well, that was a little cold but maybe she just needs to warm up to me.“Raya, wait first—“ she glared at him and he sighed before hugging his cat closer to him and following her out of the door.Okay. She doesn’t like me. Good to know.At least he didn’t look like he wanted to get rid of me immediately.I found something in the closet to wear. There were a lot to choose from that I just had to stand for a few minut
JADERay looked at me, confusion clear in her expression. She didn’t seem very happy that I was laughing at her failed attempt at an apology. But she seemed glad that dad didn’t call her out.“Was that okay?” He shot her a glare which she smiled at and he shook his head.“Don’t mind her. She thinks being rude is cool.”“I’m not being rude.” She argued. “You said I should let people know my true feelings and I’m doing just that.”“That was in relation to your classmates that pressure you into getting in trouble. It is not an excuse for you to be rude to your sister.” He pulled out a chair for me opposite the, sitting here, I was facing Aidan directly, with Ray beside him.“Dad, that’s mum's chair.” She eyed where I was sitting.“And mum is not here.” He didn’t miss a beat, she pursed her lips, not looking at all happy.“You never let me sit there.” She added under her breath.“Because it is not your place.”That already set the tone for the brunch and I didn’t like how I was the elepha
ATLAS“Again,” I called out at the heavily breathing woman.She stops and glares at me, then with much effort, starts running again.I hear footsteps coming from behind and knowing it would be one of two people. Andrew or Samuel, one of our warriors and the person relieving Jade. I didn’t care to turn around and acknowledge them.I realized it was Andrew from his scent. Even before he spoke. My eyes were still strictly pinned to the woman who looked real wobbly on her feet.I was pushing her to the extreme. But she still hasn’t reached her limits. She isn’t about to break right now and that is what I’m hoping to do. To break her.“You’re trying too hard,” Andrew starts saying but I don’t turn around or even think to reply to him.He has been doing this every single day for the past two weeks. It isn’t about to change my mind and the sooner he accepts that, the better it would be for him.He may not be tired of hearing the same thing come out of his mouth everyday. But I am.“If you wa
JADEI’ve been here for a little over two weeks and I still haven’t seen my dad’s wife.Jay has started warming up to me and Aiden, he is just his usual self. I don’t think he minds about things that much. He leaves all of it to his sister.But sometimes, he would join her and they’ll just give me the cold shoulder. I wish I had more time to really experience the teenage tantrum. But I have resumed work. Fortunately and unfortunately at the same time.Like this morning, Jay woke up pissed and she has been giving everyone attitude. Me, especially. I asked how she slept, as I always do and the look she gave me suggested I should be very careful when I go to sleep tonight.We carpool to save the environment. According to dad. I have a feeling he just likes his kids too much and he loves spending time with them.Getting ready to leave is always a sport. There’s a lot of screaming and yelling involved.It was like being on the field again. Only without the sweaty guys and physical strain o
JADEJaiya was happy about the extra guest and she insisted we all get ready at her place.“It’ll be easier to go from there.” She pleaded with puppy dog eyes.Not that we were going to argue much to begin with.“Do you have a stack of clothes that you keep in hoped people will need it?” I asked who she excitedly brought out a clothing rack with different dresses on them.Jaiya looks at me over her shoulder and smirks. I shake my head, chucking a little bit. I should have expected it. She is crazy.“Wow, this is amazing.” Willow says, utterly in awe.We dressed up. Well, they did for the most part. I picked out a nude gown that flared from the waist down. It stops just below my thigh. I paired it with tights and boots. I have no idea what Jaiya has planned or where we are even going. So if it is appreciate for there, I don’t know. But she didn’t say anything so I guess I’m good.“Are you driving?” She has mentioned how much she hated that which is why she always uses uber. That its be
JADEWe set out early the next day. Thankfully, Palm Springs wasn't a very long flight. All we had to do was just set out early and we'd be there by mid day..This time around, Atlas and I were in one car while Ray and Andrew were in another car. She did want to stay with me so that she would be able to help me out but I wanted her to stay with Andrew.By the time the sun was high in the sky, we had already spent two hours on the road.“So do we know where in Palm Springs we're going?” Atlas asked.I really didn't know. But at least, I felt that we should get there first.If we figured out where we should go the first time, I'm sure we'll figure it out again.“Let’s get there first.”I didn't have to pee as much today. Maybe it's because I didn't eat so much this morning so we eventually had to stop at a restaurant along the way and get some food.Andrew and Ray entered the restaurant after us and we ordered food. I had to take my time to eat because I didn't know if Atlas would want
JADERay didn't think we should waste any more time. The earlier we went to look for answers, we could put an end to the million unanswered questions going through each of our heads.So we used the next day to get ready.Atlas had decided he was coming with me and there was nothing I could say to stop him.“Don’t you want me to come with you? Why do you keep trying to stop me?”I placed my band on his shoulder.“Don’t be ridiculous. That's not it. The reason I'm trying to stop you is because I know that you faced a lot from the elders when you left and that was because of me. It would be selfish of me to ask you to come with me again. I don't even know how long we'll be gone?”He removed my hand from his shoulder and held it.“I don't care. They'll say what they want to say but it still won't change what I want to do. You don't have to worry. You're my queen and you come first.”This man was the best to ever exist.Norman was going to be coming with us too in case anything happened o
JADEWe told Atlas about what we'd found.He listened to us as we sat and narrated everything to him.“And your grandmother never spoke about why she only gave it to her?”Ray shook her head.“No, I thought it was just because she loved her more.”That stung for a reason. Ray didn't look sad but I imagined how she must have felt at that point.“The place where trees are wet giant humans.” Atlas repeated.“It doesn't make any sense to me.” I confessed because I knew he was coming to me next.I brought out a map of the country and placed it on the table.Then I pulled out my phone and searched for all the places relating to trees.As I circled the places that popped up, it didn't make any sense.“Our family doesn't have a tie to any of these places so why would she be talking about them?”Ray came to stand beside me and she looked through each of them with me.“That’s true. It can't be any of them.”Atlas just started at the necklace.“And you're sure you heard her well. Maybe you didn'
JADEWe spent the night together and I'd never felt so happy when I woke up.Waking up in his arms made me feel like a married woman..like I actually had a husband and I wasn't just married in name.We spoke about a whole lot and I just sat there and listened to him while he told me some of the things that I forgot.When it got to the really intimate things, I couldn't believe that I did somethings.I was still asleep when he left and I felt his lips on mine and my forehead, telling me he loved me as he left.“Well, something has you in a good mood.” Ray teased.I didn't tell her what happened. I just nodded.“That’s because I am. What's for breakfast?”She brought the tray around and I stared at it for some seconds, inhaling it and picturing myself eating it. That was the only way I knew if I wanted something or not.The baby seemed to like it too.“So tell me, is it Atlas?”I didn't see any need to deny it.“Yes, it is my husband.”Saying that, knowing that he loves me feels so gidd
JADEIt felt really good to be back home. What I loved the most was my bed.Maybe also the comforting feeling of knowing that I was in my house. It's not like I didn't feel comfortable back there but the fact that it wasn't my home and the fact that there have been two attempts on my life just made me feel like I needed an out.Last night, I slept more peacefully than I have in a long time. It was either I woke up with a headache or I woke up with one pain on my body that I didn't understand.But not today.I felt very refreshed..or maybe it was because I slept till noon.Oh well, I started my day with food. As usual because that was the most important part of my day. Without food,I would be a very angry pregnant woman.Atlas came into the room later to say hi to me. Since we got back, i hadn't really seen him.“I'm so sorry I haven't come to say hi to you. The elders caught me as soon as I got back and I've been working ever since.”Did he ever get rest?“Stop work for a while or sus
ATLASNormally, we were supposed to set out very early in the morning so that we could get to the pack earlier..I hated arriving during the night.But because of Jade, we had to wait till the sun was up. I didn't want to wake her up forcefully so I waited till she was awake.It was almost noon when we finished loading everything up into the car.Zade and Feyre were outside with us.“What should I do with the prisoners?” Zade askedId even forgotten about them. Left to Zade, he would kill them both without caring.“You said you would free Kira once Jade wakes up.”He nodded.“Yes, I will. What about Sophia? What should I do? And don't even say I should set her free. That's not going to work.”Well, I didn't know what to do then.“What do you want to do?”I couldn't say anything.“Do you release her into my care then?”I didn't want to have to take her back with me. It just didn't make sense to take a prisoner from another pack back to mine.“Yes, I do. But don't kill her. Okay?”He did
ATLASJust as I'd expected, we got home late that day.The sun was almost completely down when we entered the pack. Another reason I didn't mind was because I knew that the market would have been closed already and that would mean that most people would have gone home.It would reduce my chances of being seen by anyone.Ray helped Jade go to her room because she needed to eat and rest.I had a hard time getting Andrew to wake up and he ended up falling asleep on the couch again. I didn't want to disturb him either because I knew that he had been doing so much with me gone.He had handled most of the administrative work without complaining. I knew how packed my schedule was so I knew that he had done a lot of work and gotten little to no sleep.It seemed like everyone in this house needed sleep.First though, I needed to eat something because I hadn't eaten all day.Norman entered the house and I realised that I'd completely forgotten about him.“Norman, come in and sit. I'll get a mai
ATLAS“What are you thinking about?”Andrew joined me on the balcony.“When did you get back?”“A few hours ago. I had to get some rest.”I'd forgotten that I'd sent him back to the nomads to find out about the girl.“Everything about her is pretty basic. There's nothing special..she's just a normal girl named Evelyn. She lives with her family.”“Nothing more?”He nodded.“I didn't find out who Anika was. I followed her everywhere. There was nothing suspicious. She's just a little girl.”Well, that was another option thrown down the drain.“So will you tell me what you're thinking about?”I did want to tell him but I was not in the mood to talk.“Im just wondering who on earth would want to kill Jade.”“What are you talking about?”I forgot he wasn't around when it all happened so I gave him a run down of the two attempts.“What in the world? Who do you have in mind?”Right now, I am trying to think.“I don't know. The only person coming to mind is Damien. I know he hasn't done anythi
ATLASMika was down in the cells because we didn't trust him. He hadn't exactly made any move towards harming Jade hut that didn't mean we should bring him into the house and give him a bed.So while he was innocent, he might as well stay where he can be monitored because he can't be trusted.Feyre was walking in front of me because I didn't know where he was being kept.She just stood there and waited for me to come.“Mika.”It was getting dark so I couldn't really see into the cell.There was movement to let us know if he was actually there.Feyre brought out a flashlight and shone it into the cell.He was lying and facing the wall. He appeared to be sleeping.She turned to the guards. “Bring him here.”“Yes, Luna.”They entered the cell and picked him up, bringing him to stand in front of us.He looked so confused.“What is going on? What have I done this time?”“You have done nothing wrong. We have a few questions to ask and we were hoping you could help.”He burst out laughing.