it's harder to write for Zev. He's angry and I need to show that, but I don't want him to act like an asshole all the time.
Atalanta’s pov“It’s okay, little mouse. It’s okay.”Raiden tells me this every time I wake up at night, with his arms tightly around me.The first night I went back to the packhouse with him, he offered me my own room. He said to give me space and to let me be the one to choose when I felt ready to share a bed.But the first night I couldn’t sleep. I paced around the room, scared what would happen if I slept. I knew deep down my uncle couldn’t get to me here, but that didn’t make me any less scared.It didn’t help that I couldn’t remember anything from being in a coma. I was out for two weeks, who knew what people had done to me in my sleep?Sleeping felt dangerous.Finally, by the fourth or fifth hour of staying in a room by myself, Raiden knocked on the door and told me to come to bed with him.It didn’t feel like he was forcing me, but like he was offering me comfort.He asked what I needed to be able sleep, and I couldn’t think of anything that would work.“Do you want me to hold
Raiden’s pov“No fucking way!”Dad growled at me, his aura spreading throughout the room. I tried to stand up straight and not give a fuck what he thought. I am not doing it, no matter how important he claims it is!“Raiden! Since when do we use such language? I am still your father and your alpha.”I finally had no choice but to lower my neck, his alpha aura pressing me down. “Since you told me I needed to leave my mate behind to talk to some other alphas.” I growled as soon as he let me go.Dad sighed, “so you’d rather wish I would send Steve?”“Yes!”Dad raised his eyebrow, “I am doing this for you and for Atalanta. Son, look at me.”He still looked fragile, although he’d never show it around anyone other than family. Part of me felt bad he had to use his alpha aura on me because it would weaken him.‘But the other part is pissed off,’ Atlas growled.I looked at my dad and sat back down in my chair. I trusted my old man, but this was just too much. Sending me off to some meeting wit
Zev’s povWhen I entered the library, I noticed Atalanta was there too, but like usually, I didn’t bother acknowledging her. It was easier this way.‘You’re punishing her.’ Rishi voiced. But I’m not punishing her.I’m avoiding her. I promised Raiden I wouldn’t do anything to upset his precious mate, and if I were to talk to her, something mean would most likely come out.I still feel betrayed. Even more so now that I’ve learned the full truth of what’s going on.She could have trusted me. I trusted her, and look what that got me.Raiden had asked me to investigate half-wolves throughout history. It’s something I knew a little about but hadn’t researched thoroughly before.He had explained what Atalanta had overheard that general guy say. It was ludicrous to think that would work—breeding half-wolves to fight against full-blooded werewolves?But that man sounded crazy anyway.They’d never be strong enough to defeat us, but they would be perfect spies and could potentially attack us from
Atalanta’s povMy old phone had been at Ardale when everything happened, and I guess every message I had sent had been examined. I only communicated home by calling, so it probably wasn't very helpful. But once I arrived here, I got a new phone since I couldn’t mindlink. It only had Raiden’s number and the packhouse number, just in case.Part of me wanted to reach out to Suzie, but I wasn’t sure if it was safe. She knew I was here, so if she wanted to speak to me, she would, right?‘You’re scared.’I am. She has every right to hate me, but to actually receive that hate would be heartbreaking. Now I’m in a limbo of not knowing how she would respond. I can pretend we're still friends—just friends who don't speak.I could just find out what Artemis meant by looking on my phone; it wasn’t something I was used to, but I had learned how to use a cellphone at Ardale, and I knew how to search online.But Artemis wanted me to be at the library.‘I like the smell of books.’It was weird hearing
Atalanta's pov “First we get naked, then I will explain,” I said, needing him inside of me more than ever. I helped Raiden out of his pants and lowered mine to the ground. He shredded my top with his claws, which I somehow found extremely sexy even if I didn’t have that many clothes. Luna Grace said we could go shopping soon, though, but I haven’t felt brave enough to go into the city. “You’re so beautiful,” Raiden said while he looked at my naked body. We had showered together a few times, but he had been extremely respectful. But that was over. I gigged to myself. His erection was standing proud, while his eyes roamed my body. “Fuck, you’re sexy.” “Can I taste you?” I mimicked his words. He nodded, “yes, Atalanta.” I got on my hands and knees, bent over his body, licking his tip like an ice cream before sucking it into my mouth. “Fu-uuuck, that’s good.” I hadn’t heard Raiden swear much, but it didn’t bother me. My family used a lot of bad language around each other. I starte
Raiden’s pov“No fucking way.” Dad had told me not to curse during these meetings, but at this point it was either use a few profanities or totally lose my mind.‘Let’s kill them all,’ Atlas growled, clearly feeling just as frustrated as I was.“We would like to know your source and question him or her ourselves.” Alpha Samual spoke calmly.This was his counteroffer, because another ally of ours had just asked me to hand over my source and let him torture her.Dad had warned me against mentioning Atalanta. He said it was my choice in the end, but if everyone realized who my mate was, the conversation would switch to her rather than what was important.“That will not be possible,” I replied, trying to keep Atlas’ anger, and well, my own, under control.“Future Alpha Raiden, how can we trust your source speaks the truth? Where is the proof?”I shrugged, “there is none, other than their word. But if you don’t want to believe me, that’s fine too. I just figured that it would be good to kno
Zev’s pov“You killed my son!”I did not expect today to go like this. I assumed I would be able to help Alpha Ethan with some work or to take out some anger at the construction site where we were currently rebuilding one of the houses along the border that was destroyed.But instead I was asked to accompany Luna Grace and Atalanta to the city.When we all had breakfast together this morning, both Atalanta and Luna Grace seemed different.‘They had sex,’ Rishi stated.Apparently Alpha Ethan was feeling well enough again because Luna Grace was walking around with a big smile, smelling even more like her mate than usual.And Atalanta, the person I was supposed to keep an eye out for, seemed different. She was either deep in thought or talking to her new mother-in-law. But she seemed more at ease, or less sad somehow.I don’t know; maybe it was the way she carried herself. Her shoulders weren’t up to her neck, her head wasn’t to the floor, and I even saw her smile a few times.It angered
Atalanta’s pov‘Say something. You didn’t do it!’ Artemis growled inside my head, but I couldn’t. This woman had lost a child because of me. I told them about Belladonna; I should have warned someone when Archer said everything was coming to an end.I should have known they had something planned.‘You could not have known.’ Artemis argued, but by then Luna Grace had already stepped up and started to defend my honor.It was very different from how Raiden would defend me. Luna Grace remained calm, stating facts and still showing sympathy. But she would not allow the grieving woman to call me names.I had never been defended this way. It didn’t even seem like the way a werewolf handled anything. I was taught they were animals, violent creatures.'While our sexy mate may have a more primitive approach to defending you, that doesn't mean we're incapable of using different methods to solve a problem.' Artemis said. Raiden is sexy, and his protective nature has always attracted me to him.Eve
Raiden’s pov“Can I give you a hug?” Alpha Tharon asked Atalanta as soon as we stepped into my office.I growled, “no,” while Zev said, “how do you know you’re her father?” at the same time.We both felt very protective of our mate. None of her family had ever treated her right, so who was to say what Alpha Tharon would be like?From what I knew, he was an okay guy, but that didn’t mean shit right now.Atalanta softly spoke, ignoring us both, “maybe another time? Hugging is kind of new to me.”“What do you mean?” Alpha Tharon asked. “New to you how?”Atalanta smiled, “well, Beta Suzie was the first one to hug me this year. Since then I’ve gotten more hugs than I can count from these two and from some other people, but it’s not something that comes really naturally to me.”“Nobody ever hugged you before?” he whispered it almost, as he stood there staring ahead with his eyes wide.I took my seat, and Zev quickly grabbed a chair for Alpha Tharon to sit in; our little mouse didn’t need he
hi, I know I left you with a cliffhanger. yesterday, I had an appointment at the hospital to talk to the doctor because the surgery didn't work, and the hernia is back.it's painful at times, like mild cramps, but I am getting a ct scan next month, and following that, we'll discuss a possible new operation. Anyway, my mind had been a bit busy with all that. I'm kind of claustrofobic, so I'm not looking forward to the ct scan machine. it's also just the world right now and especially the US that's on my mind. we have our own right-wing politicians, but nothing like what's going on now. from my writing, you should know I don't support hate, discrimination, and just plain evil behavior like what's been happening. I just hope it's not going to be as bad as it looks for the next 4 years. it's scary. I mean, I'm from the city where Anne Frank lived. and her book is now banned. All of it is just making me worried and when I can’t concentrate I can't write. but I'll keep trying.
Atalanta’s povI did not want to go to this meeting, mostly because I didn’t want to sit across from different alphas, betas and lunas who might hate me because of who my mother and great uncle were.They might think the same way our pack did, before they got used to me.‘Used to you makes it sounds like they just accepted you, because they didn’t have a choice. You’ve proven yourself to them and shown the pack who you really are.’ Artemis reassured me.Raiden had forced me to attend and when I pleaded with Zev, he had told me he agreed with Raiden’s choice. I wasn’t just there to represent the Crescent Moon pack, I was there because I have valuable knowledge of the hunter community. Because I have trained to be a hunter and I have witnessed what the general and the doctor were doing first hand.I had been the one to free the prisoners and while there testimonies would be read today, it was important for someone to be here that had seen how they were held and in what conditions.It did
Zev’s pov“You two can leave. Little Mouse and Zev, can you two stay behind? I’d like to talk some more.” Raiden said after we finished our meeting.It was like nothing had ever happened, well, to most people. But Raiden still had his moments where he felt angry or sad or guilty. We had a good talk just a few days ago about what it does to a person to feel so helpless and trapped.He would brag that he had got rid of his shit in just two weeks, as if it were a contest. But everything is a contest to an alpha, and I wasn’t bothered by it. I was just glad I got my friend back.Stephen, Suzie, and the three of us had a meeting to discuss the future of the pack. Stephen, Lana, and I had spoken to the council we had put together several times to see what the pack members thought could be improved.Raiden and Suzie had been out in the pack themselves as well to talk to the people, and he had several discussions with nearby packs to see how we could defend ourselves better. Not just against h
Raiden’s povBeing inside Atalanta felt like coming home. I might have said it as a joke, but it truly felt that way.And not just because her pussy felt like a warm wet hug for my dick. It was more than that.We hadn’t discussed me not being able to get hard. It was like this big elephant in the room. Because we all knew it. It was obvious. I’m usually the one in charge, dominating my mate, while Zev is the one who is more soft and doesn’t mind being told what to do.But lately all I’ve been doing is eating my mate out or working her pussy or ass with my hand. And trust me, it’s not a bad job. Not at fucking all. I love being the reason my little wolf has an orgasm.I love seeing her squirm, hearing her moan because of me.And I didn’t even mind being the only one who didn’t get to finish.It just didn’t feel complete. Like I was failing at another thing.Because that’s what it comes down to, right? I failed as an alpha, as a mate, and now even as a lover, because I can’t even fuck my
Atalanta’s pov“You know how long it took you to open up, so why do you expect Raiden to do it so quickly? It’s been less than two weeks.” Grace told Zev, while I sat on his lap.She had come into the office to discuss something else, but the conversation inevitably led to Raiden.Things hadn’t felt right between the three of us.And it wasn’t just the lack of intimacy; it was like there was a wall between us. It scared me to think what he was hiding.“He tells me everything, Grace. Even stuff I don’t want to know.” Zev replied.She chuckled, “yes, my son does have a tendency to overshare.”“We’re just worried,” I explained.“I understand that. But he’s not acting out. He’s working and behaving normally, albeit a bit down,” Grace answered.Zev sighed while running his fingers past my arm. “You don’t see it, but he’s different. I can feel it through the bond, and I know that holding it in will only make things worse.”“You’re projecting a bit, assuming that Raiden deals with things in a
Raiden’s pov“So, how are you?” Suzie asked, once I entered my office.“Not you too?” I sighed. “I’m fine. Please, just get to work.”She shook her head and tutted, “look, you had your rest for the last two days. Me and Ven held down the fort while you got to sleep in, -“I stopped Suzie, “I never asked you to do that. You offered. No, you more than offered it. You pushed.”Suzie scoffed, “really? Goddess, Raiden. You’re a horrible liar.”“Liar?!” I growled.“Yes!” She shouted at me. “You think nobody can see through this act?! Everyone can see you’re miserable. Goddess, we can feel it! Your mood is like a dark cloud hanging over everyone and making people walk on their toes around you. It’s annoying, and it needs to end!”“What the fuck, Suzie. You’re exaggerating.” I rolled my eyes at my beta. “Let’s just get to work, please.”“No, no, Raiden. Not, what the fuck. Talk to me, or someone... Do something. But this is going too far.”“What do you mean ‘this” is going too far?” I asked, t
Zev’s pov“So, what’s up, man?” I asked, once Raiden shifted back after a while of running around.“Nothing,” he replied. “Just blowing off some steam, you know.”“Yeah, I do know.” I pointed to the mark he had left on my neck. I knew he was full of bullshit. He was not blowing off some steam, he was freaking out.“Motherfucking wolves,” he growled under his breath.I nodded, “yup, so no use in lying.”He shrugged, “I’m fine. Just tired and not looking forward to telling some people their family member died.”“I could come with…?” I offered.He shook his head, “nah, Odin already volunteered, and three big dudes coming to your house might be a bit much.”“And Lana?” I asked. “She’s coming?”“No, I don’t think that would be wise.” Raiden said as he looked around the forest, avoiding eye contact with me.“For her or?” I asked, wanting him to clarify. She’s our Luna. She should be there.Raiden sighed, “there are still some that blame her or tie her to that community. I don’t want to give
Raiden’s povI left Atalanta to go find the prisoners while I chased after the doctor. He was pretty high on my list, and since it would be just the two of us, I might finally get some time to kill him.I had to rush her dad’s death, and her mom was already dead… Her uncle—well, my little wolf got rid of him herself.So the doctor was the last one I really wanted to kill.With arrogance and eagerness to do some damage I chased his scent, hearing his footsteps running away from me.Hunting a hunter, it’s ironic, and it feels so good to finally return the favor.These were the hunters that hurt my grandpa back in the day, that took my people, that killed my people. But most importantly, these were the hunters that hurt my mate. Especially this doctor.I should have paid more attention, because if I had, I would have heard his footsteps stop. I would have heard his heartbeat slow down and his fear replaced with another scent. I would have realized that something was wrong before I felt th