Mia POV
I woke up to the aroma of freshly cooked food, the scent swirling around me like a warm embrace. My hand instinctively found its way to my rumbling stomach, still half-asleep. Before I could fully open my eyes, I heard Atlas's hearty chuckle, followed by Flint's voice chiming in, "See, I told you Mia would always wake up if she smells a home-cooked meal."
As I groggily sat up, memories flooded back of being cradled in Atlas's arms. He must have rescued me. I moved closer to Atlas, placing my hand gently on his chest. The bandages were gone, leaving behind only a few faint red marks. "You healed," I exclaimed, excitement bubbling in my voice. Relief washed over me, knowing he was better. He grabbed my hand, his touch reassuring. "I luckily healed just in time," he replied.

Flint, on the other hand, gave me a stern look. "I know you were thinking of my safety, Mia, but do not fight alone like that again. Today was a close call. I understand that you believe it's your duty to keep us safe, it's how you were raised. But working as a team is better," he explained to me, his words carrying a sense of wisdom.
"I understand now. I didn't sense the vampires. I shouldn't have commanded you to leave me," I admitted, a tinge of regret in my voice.
Flint nodded and then turned his attention to Atlas and then back to me. "Looks like your mate is a good fighter. He took down a vampire without ever having fought one before," he remarked, filling me in on Atlas's unexpected prowess.
"You did?" I said, a mix of surprise and admiration in my voice.
Atlas chuckled once again. "Have a little faith in my skills," he teased playfully.
"My lycan spoke to me. I never knew how startling it could be to have another voice fill my mind. It's because the spell is starting to break that I sensed you were in trouble while sleeping," Atlas confessed, his words carrying a mix of wonder and vulnerability.

"Thank you for coming for me," I whispered gratefully, the memory of being carried away by Atlas still fresh in my mind. The silvery net that had ensnared me still haunted me, its effects lingering in my body. "It was no ordinary net," I confessed, "It was spelled silver, one of Alpha Artemis's many weapons. Most wolves wouldn't have lasted as long as you did under its spell," Flint explained.
"He needs to be stopped, and quickly," I muttered, as my stomach growled.
Suddenly, Atlas stood up and returned with a steaming bowl of soup, its aroma wafting through the air. "Bryn is going through the files on the flash drive Flint managed to obtain, but she suggested you have some soup. The spelled silver might have upset your stomach," he said. Grateful for his thoughtfulness, I took a bite . "It looks and smells amazing," I admitted. "And it tastes even better," I muttered, savoring the flavors.
"I'm glad you like it. It was my grandmother's, or rather caretaker's, recipe," Atlas explained. Shocked, I exclaimed, "You cooked this?"

"Yeah, you were out for nearly five hours on the couch." Flint chimed in. I felt Atlas's hand on my back as I continued eating the soup he had prepared. When I finished, Atlas gently took the bowl from me. "I should go find Bryn to see what she has discovered," I said, starting to stand up. But before I could move, Atlas grabbed my hand. "She wanted the night to go over everything and insisted that the three of us get some rest after the events of the past 24 hours," he explained."Fine, that makes sense."I conceded.
Flint got up and threw a log into Bryn's fireplace, causing the fire to crackle and dance. As the flames flickered, memories of the night my pack was attacked flooded my mind.
I briefly got up and excused myself, heading to the bedroom and then the bathroom, where I closed the door behind me. Desperate to escape the haunting images, I closed my eyes, leaning against the cool tiled wall of the bathroom. "It's normal to feel panic over those memories, Mia. We shouldn't hide from them," Inara's voice resonated in my mind.
I could still hear the haunting echoes of screams in my mind, as if they were a constant reminder of my failure. The memories of that night haunted me, refusing to let go. Inara's words acknowledged my pain, but I wasn't ready to fully discuss it yet. As the screams intensified, I shook my head, desperately trying to block them out. But they persisted, growing louder with each passing moment.
Feeling overwhelmed, I whimpered, "I just want them to stop." Seeking solace, I turned on the tub faucet, filling it with warm water. I climbed into the tub, hoping the soothing sensation would drown out the cacophony in my mind. But instead, the screams of the children filled my thoughts, as if I was cursed to relive that night over and over again.
Determined to find respite, I held my breath and submerged myself under the water, willing anything to mute the torment. I stayed beneath the surface until my lungs burned, finding temporary relief.
"Mia, we have to breathe," Inara's frantic voice penetrated my consciousness as she tried to take control. But I resisted, convinced that I was fine. I would resurface for air soon enough. Before I could do so, however, I felt warm, soothing hands on my body, pulling me from the water. My heart raced as I was enveloped in a tight embrace.
"Why were you under the water like that?" Atlas asked, his voice filled with hurt, refusing to let me go. "The fire," I whispered. "I saw, Mia. It was like a movie playing in my mind." Atlas confessed, his hold on me unwavering.
"You saw?" I whispered, realizing that I must have accidentally linked minds with him.
"I saw, is that why you ran to the bathroom, is that why you were huddled under the water, I don’t even know what to say over what I saw, Mia. The images of the attack tore at me, even though you had already told me about it. But you can’t blame yourself, you did everything you could to save your pack," Atlas explained gently, allowing me to sit in the warm bath.
"I'll give you space if that's what you need, but please, don't hurt yourself. Don't punish yourself," he pleaded, his voice filled with concern, as he moved to leave.
"Stay," I whispered, not wanting to be alone any longer. Atlas obediently sat next to the tub, and we sat in silence for a few moments. When I finally got out, he wrapped me in a soft towel and held me close, my heart still pounding in my chest.
"I can sense his Lycan now, I can't yet speak to him, but I sense him, Mia. That means Atlas can mark us. He doesn't need to fully shift to do so," Inara's voice chimed in my mind.
"I know, but that's something I want him to initiate. Atlas will mark us when he's ready. For now, I'm happy that he allowed our mark," I admitted to Inara in my mind.
"Today, you scared me, Mia. I know it wasn't intentional, but feeling your pain and knowing you were in trouble away from me ignited a rage, not at you, but at myself and those who harmed you. I had never felt such anger before. When I saw you on the ground like that, the only thing I saw was red. I may have killed a Vampire, but I don't remember much. It was as if some sort of protective instinct kicked in. I never want to see you like that again. I want to become strong enough so that you will always go with me, rather than facing danger alone," he confessed to me.
"You are already strong enough, Atlas. I don't regret leaving to help Flint, but I was wrong to believe I could handle it all alone in the face of the danger I'm facing. If you hadn't sensed me in danger, I could very well be gone. From now on, we fight together. I will continue to help you train, and I'm sure Flint will as well. I have no doubt that when you finally shift, you will be the strongest among us. Together, you and I will seek justice and keep our world safe," I reassured him.
Once I started to get dressed, Atlas came over to me and gently brushed my hair away from my neck and shoulder. I could feel the warmth of his touch and the softness of his lips as he pressed them against my skin, taking in my scent. It was a clear sign that his lycan was trying to move forward and mark me, but I didn't want to rush it. Atlas needed to be guided by his lycan's instincts for this.
"Are you ready to go back downstairs, or do you want to stay in the room?" he asked.
"We can go downstairs. I'm feeling a lot better now," I admitted, as I pulled a shirt on and turned in his arms. "Although Bryn wanted time to research, I still need a moment to speak with her," I confessed, as we made our way down the stairs.
Once I descended the stairs, I saw Flint lounging on the couch, his gaze fixed on an invisible point in the distance. "Flint, would you mind assisting Atlas with his training for a while? I need to have a conversation with Bryn," I inquired.
"You really have no concept of rest, do you?" he teased, rising from his seat and joining us.
"Hey Atlas, let's go train?" Flint proposed. Atlas simply nodded in response as they headed outside. Meanwhile, I made my way to Bryn's office and gently tapped on the door. "Come in, Mia," she beckoned.
"I knew you would come. Please, take a seat," Bryn offered. I complied, settling into a chair. "Bryn, your expertise lies in magical barriers and potions, correct?" I inquired. She nodded. "Yes, I'm afraid my offensive magic is not my strong suit," she admitted. "That's alright. Your knowledge of protective barriers and potions is invaluable. What do you think about our chances of infiltrating the werewolf realm unnoticed and establishing ourselves in the old Lycan kingdom? Could you create a barrier to protect the palace and the Lycan land? It has been sealed off since the battle, untouched by anyone. If we can break the seal, we might gain access to valuable land and Lycan weapons to aid us. It's clear that Alpha Artamis and other packs are resorting to dirty tactics," I explained. Bryn considered my words carefully. "It's possible. I am familiar with the spell that preserves the kingdom, but it can only be broken by a royal Lycan. Once Atlas undergoes his shift, it would be possible. I can arrange transportation that conceals us and create the barrier. However, it will require a significant amount of power, possibly even tapping into your wolves' abilities. This could be draining for you. I agree that establishing a base there would be advantageous, and you can start recruiting allies," Bryn outlined.
"Regarding Atlas, are you able to do any sort of tracing magic to see if any other Lycans are alive, or is Atlas really the last one?" I asked.
"I have already attempted and as of now, Atlas could very well be the last one unless more were spelled like him," Bryn responded. I could hear the slight strain in her voice as she spoke.
"I see," I replied, my voice tinged with a hint of sadness. I reached out, and Bryn took my hand, her touch comforting and warm. "It is going to be hard getting werewolves to look up to him, but Atlas could very well be the one needed to keep peace, especially due to a Lycan's lifespan. He can rule a kingdom for a long time." Bryn admitted.
I struggled to keep my emotions hidden, but I knew she could sense them. "Have you told him yet, Mia, that the reason he does not even look his age is because Lycans age incredibly slow?" Bryn asked, her voice filled with curiosity.
I shook my head slowly, my eyes downcast. "I have not, especially since, as a wolf, I age close to humans. Although being a rare wolf grants me a slightly longer life, it is nothing in comparison to a Lycan. And not just that, it was found that most female wolves who were taken in to be breeders either passed during birth or shortly after. Lycan pups take a huge toll on our bodies. If I am to give him an heir, it could cost my life," I admitted, my voice trembling slightly.
"Although I have no evidence to support what I believe, Mia, I doubt the two of you would have been bonded together if you could not have his child. Not just that, there are very limited last accounts before werewolves and Lycans fought, of Lycans granting werewolves the longer lifespan by changing them. But unfortunately, most of that knowledge has been lost, so I cannot verify if it is simply rumor or truth," Bryn responded, her voice filled with understanding.
A soft smile tugged at my lips as I looked at Bryn, grateful for her support. "I'm sure you are right. Over the past hour, I've started to sense incredible strength in Atlas. It is clear he will be a very strong Lycan. And by the way he is also a good leader," I said, my voice filled with pride.
Bryn nodded, her eyes filled with reassurance. "I'll go check on Atlas and Flint now. Please let me know if you need assistance going over the files," I said as I got up and left Bryn's office.
Once in the hall, I wearily leaned against the cool, smooth wall, seeking a moment of respite. There were so many lingering thoughts, conversations I needed to have with Atlas. Would his Lycan provide the answers for him? But deep down, I couldn't help but ponder the feasibility of our eternal togetherness. I, destined to age, while he would remain young.
"We will find a way to stay together, Mia," Inara's comforting voice echoed in my mind, her words laced with unwavering conviction. "Just look at the way Atlas gazes at us. He will never abandon us."
Curiosity piqued, I moved towards the window, drawn by the distant sounds of laughter and the clatter of training. Peering out, I witnessed Atlas and Flint engaging in playful combat. Their movements were fluid and precise, a mesmerizing dance of strength and camaraderie. I hesitated to interrupt their bonding, realizing that Atlas had never experienced the true companionship of a loyal friend like Flint.
Deciding to grant them their moment, I retreated to the sanctuary of the bedroom. Seeking solace in the tranquility, I prepared myself for much-needed rest, knowing that a new day awaited with its challenges and uncertainties.