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"You barren bitch," Sage yells as she grabs my hair and I grab hers, swinging blows into her jaw as she continues to swing toward my face as well. I can sense the people in the gym, already looking towards our direction but I don't care about them. I plan to teach her a lesson, a very good one."Stop this both of you," Easton yells his hand still holding on to my waist firmly but I don't yield. I am not planning to give her the upper hand."Now," Easton yells letting go of my waist and trying to step in between us. I feel Sage slowly letting go of me and I do the same taking a step back. Easton takes a deep breath placing his hand on his waist as relief washes over his face but I surprise him and Sage when I reach out quickly grabbing the collar of her shirt, and pulling her closer to me as I head butt her as hard as I can.She staggers back and falls to the ground groaning in pain. I close the distance between us about to pick her up from the ground and beat her up some more
AMELIAAs we drive back to the mansion, my mind is consumed with thoughts of what Sage said. Why would Atlas not want a child? It seemed unfathomable to me. I thought having an heir was the natural course of action for an Alpha.Every single Alpha I knew of always looked forward to having an heir, having someone who would take over the pack once they were gone.Once we arrive, Easton helps me out of the car and we make our way inside. He continues to walk behind me and I realize he is following me to my room and not looking for Enzo or Atlas. "You really don't have to follow me to my...""I insist, Luna," Easton interrupts me smiling at me. "Your safety is important to me."I nod my head not wanting to argue with him, we walk through the corridor to my room. The maids and guards on duty bow their heads to me as we walk past them."My room," I mutter once we are at the front of my room door."Your nose is turning red, doesn't look like you pressed that ice pack enough," he says squint
AMELIAStartled, I quickly try to step in between Atlas and Easton, my heart pounding in my chest. "Stop it, Atlas! He didn't do anything wrong!"Atlas's grip only tightens on Easton's neck at my words, I can see clearly in his eyes, that his wolf is taking over. "I saw his hand on your chin, Amelia. Tell me the truth." He demands, anger still evident in his voice."A-Alpha," Easton's eyes widens at the intensity of the grip on his neck, his hand reaches out to hold Atlas's hand trying to break free."Let him go, Atlas," I say sternly, grabbing Atlas's arm. "Now."Reluctantly, Atlas releases his grip on Easton, but he continues to glare at him. Easton takes a step back coughing out and rubbing his neck. He soon stands upright bowing his head to Atlas, his expression calm despite the confrontation."Alpha, I didn't mean to cause any trouble," Easton says calmly, his voice laced with a hint of apology. "I was just checking her bruise. I didn't notice it back at the gym."Atlas's eyes f
AMELIAHe raises an eyebrow, confusion etched on his face. "What are you talking about?" he asks.He is acting clueless. "You know what I mean, Atlas," I say, touching his face and brushing my fingers through his hair. "You won't let me in there; I know you are blocking me out. You are keeping things from me.""Trust me, you don't want to get in my head," he smirks, shaking his head."So, you don't trust me, but you want me to trust you?"Atlas's expression softens, his eyes searching mine. "It's not that I don't trust you, Amelia. It's just... complicated. There are things that I can't burden you with right now.""But I want to share everything with you, Atlas," I say, my voice wavering with emotion. "You said we should trust each other and-""I do trust you, Wildcat; you know this," Atlas interrupts me."We're supposed to be partners, a team. Isn't that what you said? What you want? How can we truly be that if you are shutting me out?" I ask.I just want to know what is going on and
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