I had a bit of fun with this chapter, because with Raiden I can be silly because he's arrogant and he doesn't care what people think.
Atalanta’s pov “Those are the twins.” My new roommate, Suzie, said. I had been here one week now, and she kept hanging around me. Suzie…. It’s such a sweet name. Why did a werewolf name their daughter something so nice? Probably so that nobody suspects anything. I mean, she doesn’t look like a werewolf. She’s pretty, really friendly, and generous. Nothing you’d think a monster looks like. It’s probably an act. But why would you feel the need to act around your peers? Why be so nice to me? Nobody is ever nice to me. As soon as the two men, because while they might not be eighteen yet, they sure looked like men, came around the corner, I stood there with my mouth open. They'd warned me that werewolf men were attractive. They are all extremely attractive, probably to hide that ugly part of them inside. But these two were beyond attractive. Beautiful? Godlike? I don't know, but I couldn't look away from them. “Twins?” I asked after swallowing the saliva that had gathere
Raiden’s pov“You’re mean,” my best friend Zev said.It was just a joke.The girl needed to get some hair on her chest. Not literally; I mean, some people might be into that sort of thing, but I like my girls as hairless as possible.But she needs to toughen up. I have no clue why anyone that timid and shy is here. Nothing about her screams high-ranking wolf. She looks sick, weak, and maybe kind of pretty with those big blue eyes and pouty lips. If you like that heroine chic look, I guess.This is an academy for the best of the best. A school where you can learn to become even better so you can serve your pack. A place where you can make allies that can benefit you for years to come.My grandpa is actually the one who started this school as a way for our packs to learn to get along. We were so busy fighting stupid pack wars that we failed to realize how much we had in common.But that wasn’t even the primary reason to open the school. Grandpa Vince explained to me a few years ago, bef
Zev’s pov I had no clue why Raiden invited the poor girl. She’s not the type of girl who hangs around him. Not the type of girl he invites back to our room. Not that Raiden’s very picky. As long as they have boobs and a pretty face, he's game. That man is an ass man, though. If the girl has a good butt, he’ll try extra hard for her to like him. Not that he really has to try. Raiden is one of the most well-known Alpha heirs. People want to hang around him all the time, either to try and get a meeting with his dad or to be friends with the next Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack. Alliences with our pack are like covited treasures. I guess I’m lucky. I don’t have to do anything. I’m born to be his best friend. Our mothers were best friends. They became pregnant together and even gave birth to us on the same day. Mom died when I was young, and ever since Luna Grace and Alpha Ethan took me in. They’re like my parents in a way. I’m lucky to have them in my life. Grace, Ethan, Raiden, and
Atalanta’s povI couldn’t believe how much food Raiden bought for me. I knew I couldn’t refuse it, even though I could never finish it. But I hoped that I could take some back with me.It meant I would have food for a few days.But then Raiden ate it all, and I’m embarrassed to say I almost cried when I saw him shove everything inside like it was nothing. I shouldn’t have been surprised; he had been cruel to me from the moment we met.Well, not all the time. It was very confusing. He would call me mouse, "our mouse", which meant who's? Zev’s and his? Or everyone’s?And then he would buy me food, which seemed nice but also felt like a test. But then the cookie... Why did he feed me part of a cookie?And why. And this is the big one. Why did I like it when he called me “a good girl”? Probably because no one has ever called me good. Yeah, that must be it.It took a lot of money to send me and my brother here, which I was reminded of countless times. But since General Sweets, our leader,
Raiden’s povCertain classes were mandatory, but there were some you could choose from. Of course, I go to every Alpha class the academy provides, taking full advantage of my time here.It was also a great way to train with other alpha heirs. After a while, it gets pretty boring sparring with the same people. We with alpha genes are built differently, and we’re a lot stronger than the average wolf.So far, nobody has been able to beat me in a sparring match, but that might change once some of these here get their wolves.When we get our wolf, we grow even stronger. We’ll be able to shift, mindlink our pack, and more. I can’t wait.I wonder what my wolf will be like. In some cases, their personalities match those of their human counterparts, but sometimes they’re polar opposites. Whatever the Moon Goddess deems necessary, I guess. Same goes for our mates.And after the day I had, I need to blow off some steam.I have no clue why it doesn’t bother Zev that I keep annoying our little mou
Atalanta’s pov“I can’t be there tomorrow,” Suzie whispered.“What do you mean?” I replied.“I have practice tomorrow. Very early. I’m sorry.”At the academy, they had special werewolf training, but they also had other teams you could join. One of them was tracks, where you, I guess, run on a track? They had a few other clubs; some weren’t athletic either, but since I wasn’t going to stay long, I had not looked into those.It wouldn’t help with my mission anyway. And I was already behind on homework since none of the werewolf classes were mentioned in the homeschooling I received. And even normal classes like math were hard for me because mom would often make me do chores while she taught Archer. She said I didn’t need to know any of that anyway.So I wouldn’t have the time to join a club, even if I wanted to.But this meant that I would be having breakfast with Raiden and Zev, and whoever else would join us, by myself.Thus far, Suzie has stuck up for me. I wasn’t sure why, but I rea
Zev’s pov“You’re going to lose!” I yelled as I started beating up his avatar, pushing buttons as fast as I could.Raiden smirked, “you’re never this competitive. Did something happen? Did I get under your skin? I can’t always step it up, you know. Maybe next mealtime, I will flirt a bit harder. Or maybe, -“I sighed, making Raiden stop midsentence. “Just stop it. It won’t work.”“You’re lying… You like our little mouse.”“If your aim is to get me to fall for her, why do you continue to call her ours?” I teased my friend back.He shrugged, “because she is. Until she’s not... when you claim her as yours."Goddess. Was he always this annoying?Yeah. He was, but it wasn’t usually directed at me. Raiden had always wanted me to meet girls, but he never worked this hard to make it happen. He had said a few things or tried to set me up on a double date, but most of the time it was just jokes and nothing more.But this? This felt different.I hadn’t even seen Raiden hang around a girl he had
Atalanta’s pov Raiden’s questions were making me nervous, and I didn’t even realize I was tapping my food. Lying didn’t come naturally to me. Being close to people didn’t feel normal to me. Having a normal conversation was already very strange since I was usually ignored. But I had done my best to remember my bio by heart. Did the hunter back home think I wouldn’t stand out? That I’d never have to answer even one of these questions? Did they see me as a mouse as well? Someone who’s small and can go wherever she wants without being noticed? Because, for some reason, these two men do notice me. They notice me far too well. Stay calm, Lana. I thought, trying to test the new nickname out. Raiden’s hand grabbed my upper leg, keeping it still. But it didn’t stay there. His large hands moved up and down, trying to calm me. But instead, it was doing something else. Did he notice how dangerously close his fingers came to my core each time his hand went up? Zev sat on my other side
Raiden’s povAlthough we don’t celebrate Christmas, because you know, we don’t believe in Jesus or God, we do have our own celebration. Our celebration is rooted in pagan holidays such as Saturnalia, the winter solstice, and Yule, which also serve as the basis for Christmas, but we won't delve into that.The lights, the tree, the gifts—it's all there. Just no Santa and definitely no nativity stable and stuff.But I was working to a point… My point is, we have watched a few Christmas movies, and I am familiar with some of the songs.And the one that keeps repeating in my head is, “he’s making a list. He’s checking it twice.”I have a list as well. It’s sort of like a naughty or nice list, but it only contains those who have been bad. Those that need punishment.And I am not talking about some coal in their stocking. No… Just some good old-fashioned murder.First on my list is, of course, that fucking dickhead General Sweets. Not far behind are mommy dearest and stepdaddy. I’ve already
Atalanta’s povI looked around me, trying to hear and see if anyone noticed me. I had run here quickly, and with my size, I wasn’t as noticeable as Raiden or Zev. But I am still a wolf in a hunter's village.Everyone around me seemed too busy with the wolves near the borders of the village. People were either hiding or going out to fight, none of them expecting one of the wolves had already gotten through.I could run back. I could stick to the plan. But this is probably where the scout is being held. This could be a chance to free him.While I had my eyes closed during the night the General took me down to his laboratory, I could still hear and smell. And the only other person who was there was the doctor. Most of the people here weren’t even aware of the experiments the General performed.There could be a chance he was hiding him elsewhere, a place prisoners usually are kept. But I had this feeling in my gut. General Sweets would want more than information if he found a strong male w
Atalanta’s povTo say I was freaking out was an understatement. The only thing holding me together was reminding myself why we were doing this.It was for our future. Raiden, Zev, and I together, having our own family.And a safe place to raise that family with people that we cared about.I don’t know when the idea of having a family, of having a baby, popped up in my head. It might have been because of Zev’s letter.Even now that we’re marked, he continues to write me little notes or letters on the days I’m scheduled to work alongside Raiden or Odin.In one of them he shared how Suzie made him see sense by showing him what he could have. He described this family, with us as parents. There was no intent behind it, no pressure for me to have a baby. He was just saying that in a perfect world, one day that could be us.And it made sense. Zev and I both wanted a loving family more than anything. Raiden already has a loving family, so he’s in less of a hurry.‘And he wants you all to hims
Zev’s pov“Do you think Odin remembers what I told him about hunters using the bow and arrow first? because it makes less noise?” Lana asked while Raiden kissed her neck.She moaned softly as I unbuttoned her shirt, as instructed by Raiden during the meeting.‘We’re going to distract our mate as much as possible while enjoying each other to the fullest.’ Raiden had mindlinked me earlier. ‘I need your help, because I’m pretty sure she’s freaking the fuck out.’He had used his stupid alpha voice when he asked me. I’m not even sure he realizes he uses a different voice for some things. It’s like more authoritarian, lower somehow?To me it just sounds stupid, because I’ve grown up with the man. Honestly, it sounds like a little boy's version of how a big, strong man should sound.But if it makes him feel good, who cares, right?I removed one sleeve, and then the next, while Raiden’s kisses went lower. “He knows, little mouse.”Lana looked at me, “first bows, then guns, then knives for clos
hi, I'm sorry for the lack of updates. Last Friday I had a meeting about my oldest and the school informed me he is doing so well, they think he can transfer to a different type of school. so, from special education to a school that still has smaller classes, but the kids there need less help. he's currently going to a school with kids who are on the autism spectrum, have adhd or behavior issues. it would be a chance for him to be in a classroom that isn't as loud or disruptive. Anyway, I've been busy contacting schools and visited two today. also my husband got a vasectomy today, so I'm his nurse lol. tomorrow I should be able to write. but I wanted to explain why it's been a bit hard to find time. I'm fine, just busy.
Raiden’s povBeing the alpha is fucking awesome. Especially when you have many people around to do all the parts of the job you don’t want to do. I’m the alpha of delegating.I don’t like numbers, so, Zev, why don’t you and Stephen handle it?I’d rather hang out with my mate instead of speaking to a girl I used to hook up with once, because she has a complaint. Suzie, you’ve got this. Go speak to someone who's probably going to be pissed because I don't remember anything past her name.I need to talk to some alphas who are supposed to be our allies. You know what, Dad… Aah, fuck, that is actually something only an alpha can do.To send someone else would look like I was disrespecting them. Not that I respect most of these dickheads; they’ve been working against me and my mate behind our backs.But it’s been a few weeks now since we took over, and I think it’s time to start hunting these hunters. And I’d rather do it with more people than less.Which means I need other packs to support
Atalanta’s pov“Are you getting your period or something?” Raiden asked before Zev hit him against his arm.“You can’t just ask a woman that!”Raiden rolled his eyes, “as if you would know when she’s about to have her period; you have only been back in this relationship for a little over a week.”“That’s not the point!” Zev argued back, while I stayed quiet, watching them fight over nothing.“What is the fucking point then?” Raiden asked. “Atalanta has been more quiet than usual and a bit grumpy,” he looked at me. “Sorry, little mouse, but you are a bit moody.” Then went back to Zev, “it’s just a question.”Zev sighed, “it could be many things, and to blame it on hormones is so immature.”“Besides,” Suzie added. “Lana was probably never allowed to behave differently during her periods back home, so who knows how differently she acts around that time? I mean, I never noticed anything, and we shared a room.”Raiden looked at her while shaking his head in disbelief, “you do know we share
Atalanta’s pov“Today was perfect, everything… Just, thank you, Lana. The breakfast, my surprise, the party. I’ll thank the rest later, but I knew you had a hand in most of it.” Suzie said, as we walked to the woods together.“Not the car; I had no idea Raiden was doing that.” I replied.“Yeah, that’s crazy.” Suzie laughed nervously.“Are you sure you want me there and not him?” I knew it might be better if her future alpha was here, instead of someone who had only shifted once.She shook her head, “no. I want you there. Besides, if Stephen and Raiden were both there, they would end up bickering, and I would be too busy telling them to shut up to shift.”I giggled, “probably.”“Besides, your first shift was so different. With the being knocked out and everything. I think you need a do-over. And I like the idea of doing this together with someone for the first time. I don’t need someone telling me what to do; I have my wolf for that. I just need people around me who have my back. Who wi
Raiden’s pov‘It was so beautiful to see, and I just can’t believe how well the shift went.’ Atalanta said this as we ran back to the packhouse, still in our wolf shape.‘Uh-huh,’ I replied.She giggled, ‘you don’t want to talk right now?’‘No,’ I answered truthfully, until Zev loudly scoffed in our shared mindlink.‘Raiden! You can’t just say that!’‘Little mouse, normally I would love to hear all about how you supported your friend and how well your second time shifting went. I would love nothing more than to hear every single detail about tonight, but after. Not now.’Our mate giggled, while Zev growled. ‘You’re such an ass.’I sighed, ‘Zev… You know me better than anyone. Do you honestly think I possess the patience to listen to a story mere minutes after our mate informed us she wants to mark me?’‘Us.’“Yeah, whatever us. Do you think I’d actually be able to listen to anything she has to say? It would be a disservice to our sweet mate to let her tell her story about tonight, beca