I know Osiris called Lily "my love" too. I usually try to stick with new nicknames for each character, but since Atalanta uses simple language a lot of the time, it feels like it fits her character. she wouldn't call him something funny. She's still getting used to calling him her mate and her boyfriend seems like it's not enough. clearly I'm an overthinker.But maybe another nickname will come up later in the story.
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
Zev’s povIt was much easier to deal with the idea of Atalanta being half werewolf than dealing with what my Alpha and Luna had told me regarding my parents.I had confided in them over the years about my reluctance to take on a mate. Raiden knew better than anyone why I didn’t want a mate, but even he couldn’t understand how deep my fears rang.It was so much easier to blame the death of my mother for my dad breaking down. In my mind, it had been like night and day. The severed mate bond turned him from a great father and fantastic mate into a monster.Losing the love of his life literally broke him.But that wasn’t the case. My mom losing her life had only been part of the reason for my dad's behavior. It were his choices that started the breakdown between his wolf and himself.But the hardest part to come to terms with was that my dad had always been capable of hurting those he loved. Maybe not as brutally as he hurt me, but there had always been something inside my father that made
Atalanta’s povAfter Raiden and I had phone sex, something I had never heard about until that day, we talked a bit more.“Go sleep in one of my shirts; it will help.” Raiden had made the suggestion, and I smiled just thinking about how comfortable he was around me.His clothes were so nice and expensive, yet he didn’t care that I slept in one of them. His t-shirt was like a dress for me, but I loved smelling him all around me.“And don’t wear any underwear; when I come home, I want to smell your pussy on my shirt.”I blushed, thinking how strange werewolves and their obsessions with scents can be.‘You’re one of them, remember...’ Artemis teased me.My body had felt tired; my mind was busy with everything that had happened today, but eventually the tiredness of my body won.Raiden had stayed on the phone, promising only to hang up when I fell asleep.However, as soon as I drifted off to sleep, I experienced the most terrifying nightmare I've experienced since arriving here. It was lik
Raiden’s povThe anger I felt toward Zev did not go away, even after speaking to Atalanta. Although I was relieved she had a good night's sleep, I still felt anxious and pissed off that I wasn't there for her right now.It probably didn't help that everyone here, including the alphas, was out to get me.‘They’re not,’ Atlas tried to reassure me.Sure, a few seemed to be fine with the idea of Atalanta as my mate, but they were still too curious for my liking. Even if they weren’t arguing for her imprisonment or to be questioned like the rest were, they still wanted to know more about her.My dad had been right to hide her identity, because most of the morning Alphas had been asking me questions about my mate. How fast could she heal, could she use the mindlink, how could she handle poison, could she fight better or run faster than humans? What would it take for her to be able to shift?And those were the “nice’” questions! Then there were the weird questions about our mate-bond and the
Zev’s pov “Go see Grace, because I am losing my patience with you, Zev!” Alpha Ethan barked at me. I had shown him considerable disrespect, but I could only tolerate so much. Why, in Goddess name, did they think this was a good idea? Just a few minutes ago, I had asked my former mate to accept my rejection. And now they wanted me to spend the entire day protecting her. It felt like an insult, especially since both of them knew how much I was already dealing with. ‘She can’t accept the rejection; her wolf is already weak,’ Rishi whined. She said she could, so why did it hurt to think about it? Wouldn't Atalanta accepting my rejection solve everything? It would severe the remainder of the bond between us, finally giving me a chance to move on. It wasn’t like Atalanta felt the bond anyway. She has a wolf now; shouldn't she at least feel something? I stomped over to Luna’s office, which was next door to her mates. “Zev… So, Ethan says you have issues with our request?” “He didn’t
Atalanta’s pov“You’re here…”He was stroking my hair, holding me in his arms. Gone was my nightmare; now all I felt was shock and confusion.“You had another nightmare,” Zev admitted, looking awkward as he moved back from me.Another? So he was here yesterday? Artemis had been right.I looked down at him, “and you’re naked...”He quickly grabbed one of Raiden’s pillows and placed it over himself, which I would need to change before Raiden came back tomorrow. I don’t think Raiden would like to sleep with Zev’s dick smell near his head.“It’s Rishi; he shifted and came here when he heard you cry. He feels weirdly attached to you still.”His wolf. Of course. It was his wolf who had forced him to be here. That’s why he’s naked. He shifted back.Zev had been pretty nice to me today. But maybe he just felt bad for me.I wanted to tell Raiden over the phone, but I didn’t think telling him about everything that happened today was a conversation you should have over the phone.Especially not s
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