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 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