(LUCIEN’S POV)Kaida lay motionless on the ground.That was a pool of blood spreading ominously beneath her head.There was no mistaking it.She was dead.Kaida was dead!My gaze snapped around, desperately seeking answers, and I was jolted by the unsettling realization.The culprit stood in the open, bathed in the harsh light of day. The figure responsible for this horrific scene was none other than our pack alpha—Atlas himself.And if a murder scene was this easy to solve, I had a strong hunch that things would just not go well from here on out.The shock and outrage surged through me, and I couldn't contain the raw, frantic energy any longer.“What’s going on here?!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, my voice echoing across the basketball court.Atlas remained unnervingly calm as he stepped closer, forcing me to instinctively retreat.My pulse quickened, heart nearly leaping out of my chest when he suddenly swung his hand in my direction. But instead of the strike I braced for, he
(RHEA'S POV)A flush crept across my cheeks, and if exhaustion hadn’t weighed so heavily on me, I would’ve fought harder to break free from Atlas’ firm hold.“You can put me down, Atlas. I can walk,” I murmured, my voice carrying a tiny hint of desperation.“No.” His reply was curt, unyielding.Realizing I wouldn’t win this battle, I gave up any further attempts to resist. Atlas was too stubborn to let me go, and I didn’t have the energy to spar with him over something so small.As I settled deeper into his embrace, I became acutely aware of the warmth radiating from his strong arms. It wrapped around me like a soothing balm, easing the ache that pulsed through my bruised and battered body. Cradled against his chest, I felt a sense of surrender creeping in, the tension in my back slowly unraveling as I melted into the safety of his hold.At first, I expected him to carry me to his chamber, where I could finally rest. But instead, he moved past it, continuing down the dimly lit corridor
(RHEA'S POV)"Daisy, I’m not—” I started, trying to explain that I was fine. But Daisy's worry was too overpowering, and she wasn’t hearing a word I said.She lifted her head, blinking at me with a look that said she had everything under control."Rhea is a loyal maid who always strives to fulfill her duties. The head maid constantly relied on her, often choosing Rhea to handle the tasks others found too difficult," Daisy began, her voice steady as she came to my defense.There was a spark in her tone that struck something deep within me. I knew Daisy had always been by my side during my time at Glorywayne Manor, but I hadn’t expected her to stand up for me so boldly.“Even though she might not seem like it at times," Daisy continued, a sly smile forming, "She always wears that ‘head empty’ look, making her appear distracted. But trust me, Alpha Atlas, it’s only because she’s sleep-deprived!”My lips twitched at the sharp turn in her words. Where was she going with this?“She may seem
(RHEA’ S POV )The lighter atmosphere immediately turned at Hera's arrival.“What’s wrong?” Atlas asked, his own voice laced with caution.He must have caught the crisp scent of mint in the air, because his gaze snapped toward the source—Hera, gliding beneath the vine-draped arches with a predatory grace that immediately put my nerves on edge.I felt Atlas tense beside me, a subtle shift as he moved in front, shielding me with his broad, sturdy frame."Greetings, Alpha Atlas." Hera’s voice dripped like honey, smooth and tainted with arrogance—the kind only a daughter of Geisterfell’s Alpha could wear so easily.She offered a curt nod, her calculating gaze flickering between us. "I believe this is our first official meeting. I am Hera Ragnorak of Geisterfell, daughter of Alpha Mortis."Atlas remained silent, his stance unwavering, eyes never leaving hers.From the corner of my eye, I saw Daisy stiffen. She took an instinctive step back before bowing deeply, as expected of a maid in such
(ATLAS’S POV)I stepped forward and caught Hera’s wrist mid-air before she could even reach Rhea. The intensity of the moment seemed to freeze time. Her hand was poised, ready to strike, but I intercepted it with a firm grip."Enough!" I commanded, my voice echoing through the corridor, sharp and unyielding.Hera’s confident facade faltered for a brief moment, her fiery demeanor cracking. "Alpha Atlas?" she whispered, her voice trembling with uncertainty.The sudden shift in her behavior would have been almost pitiful if not for the arrogance that swiftly returned. Her expression hardened again, and the fire in her eyes reignited."You’re defending her?" Hera spat, defiance burning in every syllable. "She insulted Geisterfell—a great ally to Nightspire! If my father hears of this, we’ll leave and declare your pack as enemies."The audacity of this woman was astonishing. If I hadn't came back to life and experienced two times death, I would've panicked hearing her statement.Yet, her w
(ATLAS' POV)"I want them to have a full-body examination," I gave a firm command.The nurse before me struggled to maintain her composure, her hands trembling slightly as she jotted down notes. She nodded quickly, eyes wide, and avoided meeting my gaze."Y-yes, Alpha Atlas," she stammered, nearly breathless. Her gaze flicked to Rhea and Daisy, who were already lying on their beds in the emergency ward. "I'll inform the doctors immediately."As she hurried out, I turned to Daisy and Rhea. Daisy, ever the curious one, was gazing around the sterile room, her eyes wide with awe."Whoa... So this is what First Hospital's emergency room looks like. Not much different, but... whoa. It's so quiet. And there's AC," she muttered under her breath.I couldn't help but be slightly amused by her fascination, but I remained silent, my focus shifting to Rhea. Her normally vibrant eyes were dulled with fatigue."You didn't need to order a full-body exam, Atlas," Rhea murmured, reaching out to touch m
(ATLAS' POV)"What did you just fucking say?" I let my wolf instincts surge, my senses sharpening without fully transforming.The tension in the room was palpable, the air heavy with fear and adrenaline. My vision honed in on Lucas, the arrogant bastard standing before me, completely oblivious to the dangerous line he had crossed. In an instant, I lunged at him, my hand gripping his collar before he could react."You get on my nerves, you bitchy boy. It's because I respect this hospital performance so much that I'm holding back," I said holding myself back from tearing him apart right here and then."Get the full check-up running, you bastard," I growled, my voice low, thick with menace.The words felt like a threat more than a command, and I relished the flicker of fear that crossed his face, though he quickly masked it.Lucas chuckled nervously, his prideful mask crumbling but not entirely gone. I could smell the fear rolling off him in waves, mingled with the bitter scent of arroga
(ATLAS' POV)"You're so dumb... How did you even become a doctor?" I muttered under my breath, shaking my head in disbelief."What did you just say?" Lucas snapped, anger flaring in his eyes. The nurse had just finished tending to his nosebleed, her hands still lingering with the final touches.I sighed, refusing to meet his gaze. The longer I looked at him, the more my irritation threatened to boil over.Instead, I focused on calming my breath, letting the fury simmer beneath the surface. The dean would be here soon, and I wasn't about to waste energy arguing with someone as thick-headed as Lucas.Click.The door to the lab’s waiting room swung open, and the hospital dean walked in with purpose.“Forgive my lateness, Alpha Atlas,” the dean said, his voice carrying the weight of authority. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”Wayne Cladwell was an older man, his graying hair a testament to the stress of running a facility as esteemed as the First Hospital. His sharp eyes quickly to
ATLAS' POVI cursed softly, trying to make sense of my surroundings. The ground was damp beneath me, the scent of soil and decay filling my nostrils as I fought to shake off the fog of wolfsbane still clinging to my system.“Why are you here?” The voice was heavy, unmistakable. Mortis.“He busted me out,” Lucien replied coolly, dropping the end of the metal chain wrapped tightly around my torso. “Figured I’d just bring him straight to you—let you do what you want with him.”Mortis's gaze hardened. “Why are you here, Lucien?”Lucien’s eyes lit with a twisted amusement. “Me? I’m just keeping my end of the bargain. You wanted Atlas under control, right?”“And you brought him here, to my base?” Mortis’s voice was calm, but I could sense the barely restrained irritation beneath it.“Yeah, so here he is,” Lucien replied with a huff, glancing at me one last time before stepping closer to Mortis. “I’ve done my part. I want out of this.”I looked up, locking my gaze on Lucien. My tongue worked
RHEA’S POV“Daisy,” I called softly, reaching out to my best friend.On her bed, she kept staring out the window, her gaze unfocused but intense, as if she could somehow see beyond the horizon. Every now and then, her shoulders would tense, and I knew she was thinking of Lucien.I felt a pang of guilt—not because I regretted stopping him, or letting Atlas deliver his punishment, but because I could see how much Daisy was suffering in the process.We were both here, confined to this hospital room to heal, but Daisy’s worry was tearing her apart. Her mate, Lucien, was likely in a torture chamber right now, facing consequences he’d brought upon himself. But knowing that didn’t make it easier for her.Slowly, Daisy turned to look at me, her expressive eyes filled with sadness. She had always worn her heart on her sleeve, making her emotions plain as day. If she had been in her werewolf form, I imagined her ears drooping, her tail tucked low—a picture of pure sorrow.“Rhea…” she whispered,
ATLAS’ POV“Ugh… fuck… my head…” Lucien groaned as he stirred awake. His eyes fluttered open, squinting against the dim torchlight that flickered in the cramped, dank cell.He slowly tilted it upwards, the surprise in his eyes was a sign that he knew he was bound against a rough, wooden stake. The iron chains wrapped tightly around his body.Lucien stopped struggling after a while and shifted his stare onto me. “I’m not into your play kinks, Atlas,” he sighed.From the hospital, I had taken Lucien into and underground prison in the Glorywayne manor. The same prison cell where Kaida died in my last life.“Thought you’ll stay dead,” I said, leaning back in my chair a few paces away. My tone was cold, deliberately distant. I had no intention of showing any sympathy.Lucien let out another groan, this one tinged with more annoyance.“Did you really have to knock me out, Atlas?” His voice carried a casual nonchalance that grated on my nerves. “I was just teaching that omega some manners, y
(RHEA'S POV)I lay in Atlas’s arms as the waves of pleasure subsides, the warmth of his body wrapping around me like a comforting blanket. We were both breathless, lost in the afterglow of our passion, and for a brief, blissful moment, the worries of what was about to come faded into nothingness.I nestled closer, resting my head on his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat. For those few precious seconds, it felt as if nothing could disturb the peace we had found in each other’s embrace. We were safe, together, exactly where we were meant to be.But reality has a cruel way of shattering even the most perfect moments.“Let me go!”A desperate cry echoed from somewhere nearby, jolting me back to the present. My body tensed, the tranquility of our moment together slipping away, replaced by a growing sense of dread.“Did you hear that?” I asked, my voice barely more than a hoarse whisper, though my senses were now razor-sharp.Atlas’s frown deepened, his expression darke
(DAISY’S POV)My steps reverberated on the stairs. I was heading up towards the VVIP ward where Rhea was staying. I returned to check on Rhea, thinking that she and Atlas had finished their conversation.There were still things that I wanted to clarify with her. About her feelings towards Atlas. Could she really be accepting the alpha or was she simply forced because of her circumstances as an omega mate to Atlas."Ah!"That was Rhea's voice!"Oh no!"My footsteps echoed even more as I hurried stepping up the stairs and eventually reaching Rhea's VVIP ward. My heart pounding with a sense of unease I couldn’t shake. Rhea had been through so much—too much, really—and I just wanted to make sure she was okay.I needed to see for myself that she was all right.As I get closer to Rhea’s room, I came to a realization that something completely different might've been happening to her."Atlas!"Then, I heard it again—Rhea’s voice, but this time, it was accompanied by something else. A low, dee
(RHEA'S POV)A sharp intake of breath that betrayed my attempt to remain calm. I kept my heads down, not daring to look up and see Atlas’ expression.I couldn’t remember the last time I experienced my heat in my previous lifetime, but I did remember the satisfied look on Lucien’s face when he almost had me in the poolside house. That memory alone was enough to send a shiver down my spine, tainting any sense of safety I might have felt.When Atlas touched my shoulder, I flinched. The reaction was instant, a reflex born from those painful memories. My body betrayed me, recoiling from his touch even though I wanted nothing more than to be close to him. Atlas immediately drew back, his presence retreating from the bed as if he had done something wrong.“Sorry. I should’ve controlled myself.” There was a slight tremble in his voice as he stepped away, guilt and uncertainty lacing his words.“You did nothing wrong, Atlas. It’s just… my heat.” My voice wavered as I tried to reassure him.The
(RHEA'S POV)“Rhea!” Atlas’s voice snapped me out of my daze.“What?” I blurted out, startled.He sighed, his voice tinged with impatience. "I was asking for your thoughts on the upcoming banquet. We’re on the brink of being wiped out—remember?"“Oh, right…” I stammered, my cheeks flushing with heat. I couldn’t believe I’d almost lost control and jumped on him.'What is wrong with me?' I screamed internally.The growing ache in my lower abdomen made me shift uncomfortably, hoping it would pass.“Sorry, Atlas. I don’t really have many ideas,” I confessed, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over me.Atlas's eyes bore into mine, a faint growl rumbling in his throat—a clear sign of his irritation. But instead of the scolding I expected, he merely shrugged and continued applying the ointment.“Never mind. It’s probably better if you rest first. We can talk about it later,” he said, his voice carrying a note of resignation.“Sorry,” I mumbled weakly, lowering my head in guilt.A wave of d
(RHEA'S POV)“Oh, you’re here,” Atlas remarked, pausing just inside the doorway. His gaze settled on Daisy, who stood beside my bed, her posture stiffening at his arrival. In his hands, I noticed two small green tubes of ointment. “No wonder your ward was empty.”Daisy jumped slightly at the sound of his voice, clearly startled. “A-Alpha Atlas!”Atlas frowned slightly as he moved closer. “Are you alright? Did the hospital staff treat you poorly?”“No, not at all!” Daisy quickly shook her head, her hands flailing a bit in her haste to dismiss the idea. “The nurses were incredibly kind. They gave me my shots and medicine. I just left my room because I wanted to check on Rhea.”I could see Daisy growing more anxious as Atlas closed the distance between them.Sensing her discomfort, I turned to Atlas, who had stopped just a few steps away. “Atlas, you’re scaring her.”At this, Atlas blinked, as if suddenly aware of how intimidating he might seem. His expression softened, and he tilted his
(ATLAS' POV)The door to the examination room finally creaked open after what felt like an eternity."Alpha Atlas?" Wayne called, stepping into the waiting room where I had been sitting for the past hour.0He was carrying two thick bundles of documents, which I assumed contained Rhea's and Daisy's examination results. His expression remained professionally composed as he took the seat across from me. I straightened up, meeting his gaze with a steady resolve."Alpha Atlas," he began, his tone respectful but laced with a heavy seriousness, "we’ve completed all the necessary tests. There are some things you need to know."I nodded, bracing myself. "Tell me everything."“Please, follow me,” Wayne gestured towards a nearby office, a quiet space away from the bustling corridors of the hospital. Once inside, he closed the door firmly, ensuring our privacy. I took a seat opposite him, my anticipation growing with every passing second."First," Wayne said, opening a thick file overflowing wit