AMELIAHe raises an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "Is that a complaint or a concern?" he asks, his voice laced with amusement.I blush, taken aback by his response. "No, not at all. It's just... I thought maybe you didn't want to, or that I wasn't...," I mumble.Atlas leans closer, his gaze intense yet gentle. "Amelia, believe me, it had nothing to do with you. It was more about me wanting to take things slow and make it special for you."I bite my top lips not sure I understand what he means by that, how was doing that making it special for me, "For me?" I question."I didn't want it to be all about my needs," he explains, his hand reaching out to brush a stray strand of hair on my face tucking it behind my ear."I mean that could clearly lead to you getting pregnant and I don't know if that is what you want right now," he continues. His words soothe my concerns, and I feel a wave of relief washing over me, for a moment I thought maybe I didn't please him but hearin
AMELIAHer face is swollen and bruised, her body bloody with scratch marks as she lays on the bed unconscious but that isn't what is currently making my body tremble at the sight of her.It's the knife mark boring deep into her skin from her eyebrows down to the bottom of her eyes, who did this to her? Who hurt her? Who was the monster who dared to do that to her face?'Don't do that Amelia,' I hear Atlas's voice in my head despite his gaze not being on me but on Enzo.'Who did this to her?' I grind the back of my teeth together as I stare at her.Whoever it was has to die, the person shouldn't be spared or made to see another day. The sight of her like this breaks my heart, and I am tempted to touch her, to check if she is actually okay.'Don't!' Atlas's voice comes into my head again. "If truly a member of his pack did this I am giving you my word that I won't spare that person," Cane says to Atlas."Giving me your word?" Atlas scoffs. "We both know he did this, and this being my t
ATLASShe gulps, her heart pounding in her chest. I thought the mate bond would somehow make us closer but it seems I was wrong about that. I have been with a lot of women and disobedience isn't something that quite sits well with me, it isn't even something I have experienced from any of them. They were always obedient, and willing to listen to me whenever I spoke or gave an order. Despite my warning, she paid no attention to me, why didn't she listen to me? "I am sorry, I didn't mean it," She stutters and my eyes soften at her words."We can't be acting weak, you are now a LUNA," I inform her as she narrows her eyes at me. She isn't listening again, she is twisting my words in her head.Why is she like this? Of course, she isn't from royalty, she doesn't understand this, how to act, how to be a Luna, but maybe if she listens to me for a second she would understand it better. "Do you think I don't care about what happened to Ethel?" I ask her. Of all the maids in the mansion, I h
AMELIAAs I reach my room, I close the door behind me, leaning against it for support. My hands are trembling, and I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down. I messed up, and I know it.Revealing Ethel's secret was a grave error, one that could have serious consequences for her. Even if the Blood Moon pack has witches in their territory it doesn't mean they all love them and Ethel must have kept her identity hidden for a reason.She even made me promise, and I failed her by not keeping my mouth shut. 'She will be fine,' Lycia reassures me.I pace back and forth in the room, feeling helpless as I run my hands through my hair. All I wanted to do was help her, to find out who did this to her, and make them pay.But instead, I've only made things worse. Atlas's anger is understandable, and I can't blame him for being mad at me. He did ask that I trust him, but it wasn't easy for me to see him talk about the merge and not Ethel.'We could always sneak through the wardrobe to her ro
ATLAS"And why is my presence needed when you know what I will do?" I ask Cane as we sit in the back seat of my car heading to the border where the Midnight Crescent pack is already settling in and taking over the witch's houses in the border. My instinct was right earlier, he was going to handle the situation himself. He had come to my office to ask that we both go to the border to get this over with. He looks straight ahead running his hand down his tie with a mischievous grin, "You can do as you please Alpha Atlas, I promise I won't hold you back," he says and I suspect he is up to no good. I can't trust him, his mission is to get me killed and if I play right into his trap he might do it today. "I heard your sister went back home," I say."Yes, we both know she is better off back home than looking like a desperate little pup," he says grinding the back of his teeth like my question had bothered him.I know he doesn't get along with his sister, they seem to just put up with eac
ATLAS The gruesome scene unfolds as Cane carries out his brutal act on the man's eyes, leaving a chilling silence in its wake. My eyes narrow, a mix of anger and apprehension coursing through me as the witches bowing down shivers in fear. I figure they are wondering if they are next, they seem clueless of what the man has done. If they knew he had beaten up a woman and branded her face, I am certain they would gladly kill him with their bare hands. Just as we wolves will never lay a hand on women, also do the witches believe the same. The scream of the man fills the air as blood gushes out of his eyes, Cane yanks his head backward rubbing off the blood-stained knife on the man's cheek.Cane smirks at what he has done, there is no doubt in my mind that he enjoyed every bit of it. He places the knife to the neck of the man and I know what next is coming. I have to take control of the situation."Enough, Cane," I command sharply, my voice cutting through the tension. I step forward,
AMELIAAs we arrive at the market square, I can't help but notice the bustling activity around us. Vendors are selling various goods, pack members going about their day, and children running around playfully.I have been in the mansion since I got here and I didn't know how much I missed this. Back at Alpha Hector's mansion, I always look forward to restocking day.Going to the market and feeling an air of freedom even though his guards were always on my tail making sure I didn't escape. "Is there anything you want to get?" Enzo asks raising an eyebrow. If I had been asked this question a month back I would have had a lot of things to buy but knowing Atlas he will certainly get me anything I want, all I have to do is ask. "No," I reply shaking my head.Enzo nods before leading me through the crowd, I walk briskly behind him trying to keep up and not get lost. My eyes fall on the things being sold ranging from food to clothes and drinks. My eyes suddenly notice a shed with accesso
AMELIAI glare at him, a mix of embarrassment and frustration filling my chest. "Well, thank you for pointing out the obvious," I retort, trying to wriggle out of his firm grip.He chuckles, loosening his hold on me. "Don't worry, Luna. It's all a learning process. You're here to train and get better, remember?"I take a deep breath, rubbing my wrist that he had gripped as I regain my composure. "Right."Easton smirks. "Let's get on the boxing ring; you will be more comfortable there," he says as we walk towards one of the free rings.Easton offers me his hand, and I grab it, climbing into the ring with him. Once in the ring, he takes some steps away from me, getting into the same position he had put me in earlier."Now, it's just a simple position, but you just have to stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Distribute your weight evenly on both feet," Easton explains as I mirror his position."If you're right-handed, your left foot should be slightly ahead of your right foot. If
AMELIA My heart swells with pride and joy as I hug Atlas tightly. I can't believe that he was chosen as the Alpha King. In a way, I dreamt of him being the Alpha King but I was also accepting if he came home otherwise. It all didn't matter to me but this is a testament to his strength, courage, and leadership qualities. He is a good leader who always puts his pack first and I know he will do well to protect his pack and other packs at large. "I'm so proud of you," I whisper this time, my voice thick with emotion. "You're going to do great." He smiles down at me, his eyes filled with love and admiration. "Thank you, my love," he says. "I couldn't have done it without you, so 'We' are going to do great." He gently cups my face in his hands and leans in to kiss me. The kiss is slow yet passionate and filled with all the love and longing we have been feeling for each other during our time apart. When we finally pull away, I can't help but smile. "I love you, Atlas." "I love you," h
_TWO WEEKS LATER_AMELIAI roll over in bed, waking up to the sunlight streaming through the window and casting a warm glow across the room. I stretch and yawn, then roll over to check my phone on the bedside table. There is a message from Atlas.[Good morning, beautiful. Miss you tons here. Another day closer to seeing you. :)]My heart skips a beat as I read his words. It has been two weeks since he left for the Alpha King Chosen Games, and I miss him more than anything. We have been communicating constantly over the phone, but it isn't the same as being with him in person.To think he just got back after being away and now we have to talk over the phone again, I just hope this doesn't become a constant thing. I get out of bed and walk over to the window, looking out at the forest below. The trees are still bare, but I can see the first hints of spring in the air. I wonder what Atlas is doing at that moment. Is he training? Is he competing in one of the challenges? Is he thinking a
~ONE WEEKS LATER ~ATLASIt has been one week since Amelia's mother died, by rites we had to conduct the burial two days later but the burial was shifted to today because Amelia wanted her mother to be cremated.In her words, she doesn't want anyone to be able to use her mother's body ever again. I know her mother's death took a toll on her, so I made sure to keep the burial within the mansion.We stand by her mother's body watching it burn into ashes, Amelia sobs silently in my embrace. She has barely said a full sentence over the past few days, as long as she eats and allows me to comfort her I do not bother her about talking. I understand the pain she must be going through, to lose someone yet again, and this time right before your own eyes knowing you could have saved them if you knew sooner. In a way, she blames Griffin. I saw it in her eyes when we left the room as she cried out in my arms. She blames him for keeping her out of their plans for years and she blames herself more
AMELIA"Don't be, my child," my mother whispers, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's not your fault."I shake my head, tears streaming down my face. "But it is," I sob. "I should have been there for you, I should have protected you."If I had not been so naive, if I had been more observant then maybe I would have seen that her death wasn't real. Maybe I would have picked up on her closeness with Griffin and why? I squeeze her hand tightly not wanting to let go of her, tears streaming down my eyes uncontrollably."You couldn't have known," she says softly. "This was meant to happen.""No, it wasn't," I argue. "You didn't deserve this." The Alpha King did this to her, and I am grateful he is dead now but I can't lose her, I can't lose her again. She needs to fight this and stay with me."I know, my sweet," she says. "But it's too late now and we must accept our fate."I grip her hand tightly, refusing to let go. "No, it's not too late," I say fiercely. "I'll find a way to save you.
AMELIAAfter Atlas leaves, I close my eyes hoping to fall asleep but my eyes open at the sound of a knock on the door. I tilt my head slightly to find Griffin by the door with a grin on his face, he steps in and closes the door behind him."Hey," he says walking towards the bed. "I thought to come and check on you after what I heard happened to you."I straighten up on the bed pulling the duvet over my chest, "Atlas told you?" I ask wondering how he knew I was in Atlas room. He shakes his head in a sign of No, "I have my ways Amelia, the only issue I am having currently is getting into your head," he replies grabbing a chair in the corner of the room and placing it next to the bed. His eyes fall on the table broken into pieces by the side of the room as he takes his seat, he smirks at the sight of it and turns his gaze to me. "What have your beloved mate been up to?" He asks. "I thought he would have died by now but turns out he has been able to hold on for a little longer."My eye
ATLAS I get up from the bed reluctantly, my mind filled with worry and uncertainty. As I walk down the corridors of the packhouse towards the living room, I mind-link one of the guards to get me Ophelia but I find her in the living room discussing with one of the guards. "Alpha," she turns around sensing my presence, and bows her head. "I was discussing with the guard to watch over our Luna, I suspected that you might be tired from the journey," she says a hint of concern in her voice."I need to talk to you about something," I reply, my voice filled with urgency as I raise my hand in the air waving the guard off. The guard bows his head and excuses us."Something is happening to me, something strange," I admit to her going to sit down on one of the couches, she follows behind and takes a seat opposite me. Ophelia's eyes narrow as she studies me, sensing the gravity of my words. "What is it?" she asks.Taking a deep breath, I begin to explain everything that has been happening. The
ATLASShe responds eagerly, her arms wrapping around my neck. It is a kiss filled with passion and longing. As we break apart, I gaze into her eyes, seeing the love and trust reflecting on me.She sits up and leans closer to me wrapping her hand around my waist and pulling me closer to her, a smirk falls on my face watching what she is doing. She places her head on my chest snuggling in, "You feel so warm," she mutters.I place my hand to her shoulder pushing her off slowly away from me. She raises an eyebrow at me with a questioning look but her eyes soon soften when she sees me getting in bed with her. Pulling her closer to me she snuggles in closer to me again resting her head on my chest as I wrap my hand around her.My hand suddenly trembles on her, I raise it to look at my hand feeling the darkness consuming me again, she raises her head to look at me wondering what's wrong. As her eyes meet mine, her lips part, "your eyes," she says sitting up straight. "It's red." I nod agr
ATLASI stare at her neck yanking her hair further back as she swallows in, her eyes flickering with fear at what I am about to do to her.Placing the silver blade to her neck, a knock suddenly falls on the door. I stare at Easton, and he nods going to check who dared to interrupt us. Easton opens the door slightly making me unable to see who is on the other side but I don't miss the words of the woman behind the door. "Ophelia asked me to inform the Alpha that our Luna is awake."My hardened gaze softens at the realization that Ophelia was able to keep her alive. I let go of Nicole's hair, she breathes out relief washing over her face. "Take care of them," I instruct Easton, gesturing the silver blades toward Zayn and Nicole. "A slow death."Easton nods, "Yes, Alpha."I rush out of the cell following the woman back to my room, my heart pounding with a mix of anticipation and fear. As I enter, I see Ophelia and the other witches by her bedside. "She is better now but will take awhi
ATLASEaston quickly nods and rushes out of the room to carry out my orders. I can sense the fear emanating from him, knowing that he has let me down in the worst possible way. I turn my attention back to Amelia, my heart aching with every passing second. Her breathing is shallow, and I can see the struggle on her face. It's as if time has slowed down, and the weight of the world rests on my shoulders.I lean closer to her, "I am right here, Wildcat," I say aloud hoping she can hear me.I can feel the connection between us vibrating with energy as if begging her to hold on, to fight. I pour every ounce of love and strength I have into the bond, hoping that it will somehow reach her and ignite a spark of hope within her.Minutes turn into hours, and I refuse to leave her side. I whisper words of encouragement, recounting the moments we've shared, reminding her of the love that we shared. But still, there is no response.I decide to freshen up, I reek of blood and sweat and if she wake