Chapter 3- Atlas

**Atlas**

I woke up groggily. It was instinctive for me to wake up early, as it wasn’t unusual for me to undertake work at this time. I remembered I wasn’t alone. Urgh. Why had I let her stay? It was always worse getting rid of them when I let them stay.

I unceremoniously removed the girls’ arm from my chest. This action woke her, and she made a dissatisfied moan. What was her name again? Lana? Anna? I couldn’t remember. She’d been average in bed, but nothing special. She certainly hadn’t been worth the lack of sleep. I decided I wouldn’t want to repeat the experience.

“You should go, I have work to do” I said. She rose up on her elbow pulling the sheet around her chest. “But it's so early, the first bell hasn't even been rung” she pouted at me “come back to bed”. I turned my back to her pulling on my shirt and trousers. There was nothing less attractive than a woman who couldn’t take a hint. “I won't ask again” I replied, as I picked up her dress, still on the floor where I ripped it off the night before. “Here” I said, as I threw it next to her on the bed. She angrily got up, not bothering with the dress, and instead carried it in her tight fist. I watched her naked arse wiggle determinedly towards my chamber door. She turned and spat “Do you even know my name?” “Lana?” Her face turned the same red as her hair “It’s Amanda!” She growled at me and turned on her heel, still naked and slammed my door on her way out. I chuckled out loud to myself. Werewolf women certainly were feisty. It was a shame she hadn’t been memorable, I doubted that I could get much opportunity to indulge myself in female company until we found the hybrid. I hadn’t found my mate yet, and quite frankly I didn’t want to. I found most women uninteresting unless they were naked. It was pig headed. I was aware of that. At least I was honest. Seeing what people would sacrifice for their mates too was just ridiculous. Those who were mated appeared to do or give up anything for their mate, and I was too selfish for that. If I was going to sacrifice anything, it would be for the sake of the entire pack, not one individual.

I washed my face with cold water and ran my wet hands through my hair. Time to find a hybrid I thought to myself. I mind linked to Doran and Asher, the two most trust worthy in our pack and asked them to meet in one of the smaller chambers in the castle that others rarely went near. We needed to keep this a secret for as long as possible. 

On my way there I thought about what Jarin had said last night. This castle was beautiful, and I would hate for it to be destroyed. My footsteps echoed on the flagstone flooring, and it had that familiar smell of candle wax and last night’s open fires. The very first signs of dawn were illuminating the stained-glass windows I walked along side, casting a pattern on the path ahead. On the adjacent wall were paintings of previous Alpha's. I always felt as if they were watching me, judging me on my abilities as a Beta. Jarin was a good Alpha, but he was not always as ruthless as I felt he should be. I knew the task ahead would be difficult for him. Jarin would likely get a lot of backlash from our people for the decision to appoint a hybrid as the next Luna. I thanked the moon goddess silently once more that I was Beta, and therefore did not have the weight of responsibility he did. Lucky for me, it was still enough power to attract a slew of beautiful women into my bed. Before my mind could wander back to the talents of female werewolves, I reached the meeting place, and pushed the door to the small chamber open. Most of our chambers were named by colour or function. This one however was unnamed, as it was out of the way of most of the pack. Compared to the rest of the castle, it was very plain. Just a simple oak table and chairs were at its centre. The only other furniture was a candle stick stand. The room had a small fire which we always had to light ourselves as castle maintenance weren’t asked to look in on these rooms. One half moon window provided the only natural light. Because of it’s infrequent use, it always smelt musty and damp.

Doran and Asher had made it there before me and were waiting inside. As I sat down, Doran gave me a bemused look. “I saw quite a sight this morning, a very angry, but very beautiful, naked woman stormed past me on my way here” he raised his eyebrows “that wouldn't have had anything to do with you, would it?” “Of course not” I replied innocently. Asher rolled his eyes. He didn't approve of anything that wasn't work or for the benefit of the pack. He would likely take my position if it ever became available. Although seeing as that would be a result of my death, I hoped not. Doran however, chuckled. He found his mate, Bessie, very early when they were both 16, so he never really had the wonderful experience of multiple women. As a result, he found it funny to follow my conquests. “Haven't you run out of women yet? Especially since there aren't as many of us!” he asked half laughing. “One of the very few good things about our current problems is that a lot of the women aren't worried about getting pregnant, and therefore, are a lot more eager to open their legs” I shot wickedly. Asher huffed angrily “If you're quite finished making light of our impending extinction, I'd like to get to the reason why you called us here”. If anyone else spoke to me like that, as Beta, I would be well within my rights to remove their head from their shoulders. Asher was different though. He worked hard and I trusted him with my life. “Alright Asher, back in your box, you'll be pleased to know this meeting concerns our impending extinction”. They were both quiet now. I took a deep breath and began to explain the encounter with the seer that me and Jarin had experienced the night before. 

Asher was the first one to speak “The people won't like this solution”. I nodded, “I agree, but this is the only option we currently have”. “Also, I know it was one of the traitor rouges, but I don’t think handing over a werewolf skeleton is going to instil any kind of faith in this seer. What did she even want to do with it?” “I’m aware Asher, but what other bright ideas would you have had in order to save us all?” Knowing full well he didn’t have any ideas he shut up.

Doran was looking thoughtfully out of the small window to his left. He had the look of a constant dreamer. “Doran?” I prompted, inpatient to hear his thoughts. He sighed heavily. “I was just thinking of the sacrifice Jarin will make. It is very unlikely this hybrid, if we find her, will be Jarin's mate” he paused “I think that's a huge personal sacrifice to make”. I gave a small smile in his direction. As the only one of us who had found his mate, it was not surprising that this would be something he would consider. “You're right, it is very unlikely she will be his mate, in fact, I've never even heard of a pure werewolf having a hybrid mate”. Asher agreed “I've never come across it in our history texts, but looking at this practically, it's also not easy to find a hybrid”.  I leaned back in my chair “Yes but, I was thinking. Have we ever tried to find one? Maybe it’s easier than we think…” They didn’t look convinced but said nothing.

“Either way we must start immediately, however, I know I don't need to remind either of you that this task stays between us and the Alpha” They both gave a serious nod to acknowledge this. I looked at Asher, “Asher, I'd like you to begin by talking to any ex pack members that are living as rouges, maybe one of them, or hopefully more has come across a hybrid whilst traveling around”. I turned to Doran “Doran, I need you to visit as many human villages as possible. Ask around and see if anyone has noticed anything odd about someone who lives in the community”. “Yes, Beta” They replied in union. They moved to the door and left me alone with my thoughts.

I heard the first bell sound. People would soon be roaming around the castle and getting on with their day. I wanted to leave as soon as possible before I ran into too many people on my way out of the castle grounds. I decided I would need to go and visit someone I hadn’t seen in a very long time. My mother.