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Raiden’s povZev came back from visiting Atalanta looking like he had seen a ghost. Was our little mouse that badly hurt?“Everything go okay?” I asked, not trying to show how worried I really was.“Yeah, um, fine. She looked perfect. I mean, not perfect. Um. I don’t know. I need a shower.” Zev said, sounding frazzled.What the hell happened there?While I wanted to see her to make sure she was okay, I knew it wasn’t a good idea. I doubt she wanted me there anyway, and I surely knew better than to go to her right now. If I saw how hurt she really was, I’d probably go finish the job and kill Dylan for real this time.Not that I could stay away from our little mouse for long, even if I wanted to. I had to train the mouse to become a wolf. An impossible task and one I really didn’t want. How could I possibly stop this stupid crush or whatever obsession I had when I was going to be training her?Training meant touching. Being close. Smelling her. Damn, it was going to be impossible not to
Atalanta’s pov“He’s just cranky,” Suzie reassured me after Raiden stormed off. But I knew it was more than that. Once again, I had made life harder for someone. It was my inability to fight and to keep a low profile that had caused problems.The day had started off great. Suzie had woken me up very early in the morning by singing Happy Birthday. I didn’t even notice the decorations and presents; I was too surprised that she had remembered.The song would have honestly been enough.I felt so guilty accepting the gifts she had bought me.“They’re from me, Zev, and Raiden,” Suzie clarified after putting present after present on my bed.I had never gotten a gift, and now I had a few dozen lying around me. It was so overwhelming, and I didn’t know where to start.Every time I tried to argue that it was too much, Suzie would scold me and say that not accepting the gift would be an insult to our friendship.“It’s like half of what girls like Lisa get for their birthdays, and to be honest, I
Zev’s povSuzie offered to buy some supplies yesterday while I helped Atalanta study. Apparantly, she needed to train her brain, according to Suzie, who was very worried about Atalanta’s health.She looked fine.Yeah, of course she wasn’t fine. Her hand hurt, her wrist was sore, and it was clear her throat wasn’t fine either. You could tell it hurt to swallow and talk, not that Atalanta would ever say that. It took me a while to feel comfortable sharing my feelings, but Ethan, Grace, and my therapist helped me with that.They showed me that showing emotions or asking for help wasn't a sign of weakness but of strength. Admitting your feelings takes guts; hiding them is far easier.That didn’t mean that I was always upfront about my feelings or shared everything I was thinking about or struggling with. Some things are just too big to let out.But I feel like Atalanta holds everything in. “So how much homework have you still got to do?” I asked Atlanta.She grabbed some papers from her
Atalanta’s povArcher was right. I was trying so hard to keep my head down and not be the center of attention, but everything that happened with Dylan and me hanging out with Zev and Raiden made people talk and stare.Nobody said anything outright, mostly because Raiden kept growling at anyone who came close to me.He didn’t want to be close to me either.There was a sense of relief knowing I wouldn’t have to tolerate his teasing today, but for some reason I missed it. Raiden always tried to distract me during class, whispering things in my ear or touching me somewhere. And now he seems to be ignoring me.It was obvious that he was angry with me. If I had done better at training, he wouldn’t have pulled Dylan off me.I’ve heard stories about how aggressive werewolves can be, especially alpha males. That’s probably why Raiden beat up Dylan so badly. He wanted to help me but lost control; now he’s being punished for it.How will Raiden be during training? Will he be as rough as Dylan is?
Raiden’s pov “Dad asks if you will please behave when you’re in another alpha’s territory, since you’ll be representing our pack as the alpha heir.” Mom said, but by the sound of her voice, she knew it was unnecessary to ask. Yes, I had almost killed Dylan, but that wasn’t normal behavior for me. Especially not in other people’s packs. I knew how to conduct myself; I had all the formal training that was necessary to act like a good boy. Everything from dance, social skills, how to eat properly, which I only did when absolutely necessary, and everything else that was needed to be a well-behaved little Alpha heir. Dad meant well, but it still felt like a bullshit reason to call. “I’ll behave,” I uttered, and before I could stop myself, a low growl let out my throat when I saw Atalanta walk down the steps. Suzie was doing this on purpose to torture me; I just knew it. That dress she had our little mouse wear was braless, no less. It fit her like a glove, so well that I could see ever
Atalanta’s povI woke up with a massive headache and a stomach that was growling loud enough for Suzie to hear.“O, the joys of a hangover. I always forget how bad the next day is going to be when I drink.” Suzie sighed, sounding like she didn’t sleep much either.Her eyes went to mine, “let’s get some food in you. Thankfully, with our fast metabolism, we’ll be back to normal in an hour or so.”Will Raiden be there? And Zev?I felt mortified thinking about what I did yesterday. I did everything the people said I was doing. I danced with both and not just danced, like slow dance and sexy dancing, or whatever people call it.I don’t even know how to dance, but with alcohol in my system, I didn’t seem to care. About anything!Thankfully, I didn’t reveal my real identity or any other secret; I just embarrassed myself by throwing myself at two best friends. Both of them didn’t even want me. At least, I think?My mind went back to yesterday while I slowly got out of bed and into the shower.
Zev’s pov "No, because it’s not fair. Something inside of her is broken, and you’re making it worse. We all feel it. She needs help. Either her parents abused her or someone else, but there is something not right about her pack or family.” I told Raiden. Raiden shrugged, “that doesn’t mean you can’t date her.” I sighed, rubbing my hands through my curls, even though I knew it would mess them up. “She doesn’t need a boyfriend. She needs friends. Look, I know this started off as some weird game between us. You tried to make me jealous or something, and I let you. But she deserves better, man. You know it. Somehow we have both grown to care for her.” “As a friend.” Raiden asked with a tone that said he didn’t believe me. He didn’t believe I could be just friends with Atalanta? Well, he’s the one who showed everyone how he really felt on the dance floor yesterday. “A friend you find attractive enough to kiss on the neck and rub yourself against on the dancefloor. And she didn’t
Atalanta’s pov What was I supposed to do now that I knew they were only friends with me out of pity? Should I just tell General Sweets everything I know about them? Out of some kind of revenge? Because that doesn’t feel right. Even if it’s out of pity, these three people have done more for me than anyone has before. They see me. Not every part of me, but the one thing I’ve tried to hide. The one thing nobody ever seemed to care about. They see how much I’m hurting. And it kills me to know that to them, it's so easily visible. Does everyone see it? Did my family break me? Turn me into something broken and weak, or was I born that way? What did General Sweets call me? A damsel in distress? Do men find that attractive? Someone weak and fragile. Someone who needs help. “Are you nervous about training?” Suzie asked me, and I didn’t feel like lying. "Yes.” How could I not be nervous? Not only was I really confused about Raiden’s feelings for me. He seemed to find me attractive, whi