Atlas POV
I knew Mia's power was crucial for our safe passage to the palace, shielding us from an overwhelming attack. But seeing her unleash the extraordinary power bestowed upon her wolf took a toll on her, and it filled me with a simmering anger. It wasn't directed at Bryn or anyone else in the car it was an internal frustration, a desperate desire to do more for her.
The sight of her coughing up blood sent waves of worry crashing over me. I could almost feel the physical strain she was enduring. Why would someone be blessed with a power that slowly erodes them? I pondered to myself.

"All power has a cost even for witches," Mia's voice filled my mind. I must have linked my thoughts with hers.
"Atlas, I need you to come with me to open the entrance to the palace," Bryn admitted. "Flint, stay with Mia and keep guard. We are still not safe until the door is unlocked, and that could take some time."
I hesitated, not wanting to put Mia down, but Flint reassured me, "Mia is safe with me. I won't let anything happen to her." With his words, he slid into the other side of the car, his presence offering comfort. I trusted him and reluctantly released Mia. She shivered the moment I moved away from her, but Flint scooted over. "I'm just doing this to keep her warm," he said, his protective outlook evident as he pulled her against him.
"I've been with her a few times when she lost control. The same thing happens to her," Flint explained, his gaze shifting between Mia and me. "I know well how to help her, and I'll teach you as well." His words reassured me, and I nodded, appreciating his genuine concern.
I walked with Bryn to the entrance, the anticipation thick in the air. "The more she uses her power, the less toll it will take on her," Bryn explained, her voice filled with both regret and hope. "Although what I asked of her was a lot, and I apologize for having to do so. She could have easily won a fight in only a quarter of the time I asked her to constantly let her power flow, but her connection with you should heal her fast." I simply nodded, understanding the sacrifice Mia had made for our safety.
"Now, Atlas, I simply need to put your hand on the symbol carved on the door," Bryn instructed, her voice steady as she chanted a spell. I heard howling off in the distance, the haunting sound echoing through the night. "The enemy is getting close. Mate is too weak to fight right now," My Lycan's voice boomed in my head, filling me with a sense of urgency.

"Done," Bryn declared just as I heard and smelled several werewolves approaching the car, their presence overwhelming. Flint shifted as he jumped from the car, his protective instincts kicking in as he guarded the door. This time, my Lycan moved forward, and my shift was painless and almost instantaneous. I charged at the wolves, driven by my primal instincts. I could not let them get to Mia.
Surrounded by a pack of wolves, I could hear Bryn's distant chanting, a melodic spell meant to aid us. With fierce determination, I launched myself at our enemy, my eyes catching a glimpse of Mia leaping from the car in her wolf form, her presence both brave and concerning.
Despite her condition, she fearlessly fought alongside us, her teeth bared and claws extended.
My heart raced in my chest, pounding with adrenaline as the fury and protectiveness surged through my veins. Every muscle in my body tensed, ready to unleash its full strength upon our enemies.

With each swipe of my claws and snap of my teeth, the scent of blood filled the air, mingling with the earthy musk of the wolves surrounding us. The pain and fear emitted by our adversaries only fueled my rage further, driving me to fight with unmatched brutality. I could feel the raw power surging through me, as if Bryn's spell had transformed me into a force to be reckoned with.
As I lunged at another wolf, my senses heightened. Time seemed to slow down as I registered every movement, every growl, and every threat. Mia's agility was astonishing, her white form blurring through the chaos of the battle. She was an unstoppable force, dancing gracefully between our attackers, her movements a deadly symphony of speed and precision.
But then, my attention was abruptly drawn back to Mia as one of the wolves managed to latch onto her. A surge of panic coursed through me, mingling with the rage that consumed my being. The scent of her blood filled my nostrils, a stark reminder of the danger she faced. I unleashed a primal roar, a mixture of anger and desperation, as I tore through our enemies, ripping and tearing with a newfound ferocity.
With a final, brutal swipe of my claws, I managed to free Mia from the clutches of her attacker. Her eyes met mine for a brief moment, a flicker of gratitude and determination shining through. Ignoring the pain, she shook herself off, her wolf form radiating a fierce resilience. It was as if the mere scratch she had received was nothing more than an inconvenience in the midst of battle.
Together, Mia, Flint, and I fought on, a united front against the onslaught of wolves. Bryn's chants continued to infuse us with strength, empowering our every move. The battle raged on, but with each passing moment, our resolve grew stronger. We fought not just for survival, but for each other, our bond forged in the heat of this chaotic confrontation.
As the last of the attackers fell, I watched as Mia shifted back, her body trembling, struggling to stand. I quickly shifted and ran to her, pulling her into my arms. Flint, grabbed the bags and followed us. Bryn, led us inside the dark palace and swiftly cast a temporary protective barrier. I could feel the tingle of the magic in the air, promising safety.
"I know where to go. It is important I finish the barrier," Bryn said urgently, running off into the vast darkness of the palace. Flint tossed two outfits from our bag by me. Mia was shaking in my arms, her body still recovering.
"She is going to be cold for several hours. Her body is focusing on recovering power," Flint explained, his voice laced with concern. I knelt down and gently helped Mia dress, feeling the weight of responsibility on my shoulders. Once done, Flint approached cautiously, his arms outstretched, seeking permission before he held Mia so I could dress, a silent gesture of trust. "Thank you," I said, my voice filled with gratitude as Flint nodded.
With Mia in my arms again, we made our way through the palace. Flint remarked on the opulence of the surroundings as the power came on, illuminating the space. Paintings adorned the walls, their colors coming to life under the warm glow of the lights. A plush red carpet led us up the grand staircase, its golden steps beckoning us deeper into the heart of the palace.
"You lycans really like to live fancy," Flint chuckled, breaking the tension. We continued up the stairs, the sound of our footsteps echoing through the empty halls. It was as if no one had ever left, the air stagnant with memories of a forgotten time. I carried Mia down a long corridor and up another flight of stairs.
Finally, we reached my parents' chambers. I pushed open the door, revealing a magnificent and spacious bedroom. Moonlight now filtered through the large window, casting a soft glow on everything it touched. A gentle breeze carried the scent of night flowers, wafting in from the outside world. The balcony beckoned, a promise of freedom and serenity.
Flint appeared at our side, finding us with ease. "I'll find and help Bryn, but for now, we should be safe. Right now, the best thing for Mia is for you to continue holding her," he said, his voice filled with understanding. I nodded, grateful for his presence and the space he gave us. As he left, a sense of calm settled over the room, and I held Mia tighter, knowing that we were finally safe, if only for a moment.
"Your lycan is an amazing fighter," Mia whispered, her voice barely audible against me. A faint cough escaped her lips, leaving a trace of blood.
"With us, mate, she will become stronger," Brutus spoke in my mind. Mia's lips brushed against mine, and I felt a surge of desire. But I knew I couldn't risk hurting her. My lycan was awake within me, making me stronger, but also igniting a primal hunger for her. I wanted to kiss her, to explore every inch of her again, but I had to control myself.
My hand moved under her clothing, eliciting sweet moans from her. Her scent, her arousal, overwhelmed me. But I stopped before we lost ourselves completely. Mia looked at me, startled by my sudden disconnection. "Is something wrong?" she asked. "I want you, Mia, but let's take it easy for now. Let's explore this place, find books about past Lycan and werewolf mate bonds in the library.” I suggested.
"Sounds like a plan," Mia said, her voice filled with renewed energy as she hopped off the bed. However, Brutus could sense she was still recovering.
"Promise me you won't push yourself, Mia," I pleaded, noticing her true exhaustion. "You don't have to hide your feelings from me. That car ride took a toll on you. You were in no shape to fight, yet you still did. That alone amazed me. I understand the need to stay alert and prepared, but remember, you have me, Flint, and Bryn to help you."
She gave me a soft smile, "I won't. Just being with you for a short time makes me feel a lot better. To be honest, I've always wondered what this palace looked like. I've heard so many stories, but I've never seen it with my own eyes. This bedroom alone is like the size of four in my old packhouse."
"Then let's explore," I suggested, taking her hand. "I may have my memories, but it's been so long that this place seems foreign to me."
As we walked out of the room, the grandeur of the palace enveloped us. The marble floors felt cool beneath our feet, and the chandeliers above us twinkled with a soft, warm glow. Bryn had set up a makeshift workshop near the entrance, surrounded by materials she had scavenged from the palace.
"As expected, this palace has everything we need to build a strong barrier," Bryn proclaimed confidently. "No one will break through this one. It's the perfect base for you guys to start recruiting allies and stop Alpha Artemis and his supporters."
Just then, Flint emerged from another hallway. "I'll head out tomorrow to start talking to nearby packs for information and support," he declared.
"Is that safe?" I questioned.
Flint grinned. "I'm pretty good at staying hidden and navigating through packs. We have to gain support, and it's probably best for Mia to stay safe in the palace until we do. And you too, Atlas, since not everyone will be happy about a new Lycan in town."
"I'm going to work more on my barrier," Bryn said.
"I'm staying to help Bryn," Flint declared. Bryn waved him off dismissively, but I noticed Flint leaning against the wall as we walked away.
"He needs to tell her how he feels about her," Mia sighed once we were far enough away.
"Seems like it, but I'm sure he will when he's ready," I admitted to Mia. She nodded, her head bobbing in agreement as I guided her into the grand library.
Mia's eyes widened with excitement as she scanned the rows of shelves, her fingers gently tracing the spines of the books.
I felt a sense of nostalgia as I located the book I had once perused as a child. Placing it on the table, Mia looked at me with surprise. "You read that at seven?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity. "I vaguely remembered doing so. My parents emphasized early studies for me," I explained. Mia nodded, understanding dawning in her eyes as she continued to explore the library.
Time passed as I scanned the pages, searching for any knowledge on extending Mia's lifespan. The thought of a future without her was unfathomable. Meanwhile, Mia wandered the library, her footsteps barely making a sound on the polished floors.
After what felt like ages, I finally stumbled upon a small passage in the book. It revealed that once I marked and mated Mia, her wolf would undergo a transformation. She wouldn't become a Lycan, but her aging would slow, just like mine. Relief flooded through me.
"So we just have to mate her. Next time, don't stop our connection," Brutus's voice echoed in my mind, causing a chuckle to escape me.
"I've already mated with her," I reminded my lycan.
“Not since we shifted” he reminded me.
I continued my search through the dusty pages, my fingertips gliding across the yellowed paper. My next concern weighed heavily on my mind - the possibility of getting her pregnant. I refused to take that risk without knowing for certain it was safe.
"She would not be our mate if she could not carry our pup," Brutus assured me, his voice resonating within my mind.
I rose from my seat and set out to find Mia. Finally, I discovered her amidst a sea of palace records, her eyes fixed on a particular document. Her brows furrowed slightly, revealing her unease.
Eager to understand, I knelt beside her, attempting to read the words on the page. However, she gently grasped my hand, halting my curiosity. Whatever she had discovered seemed to have stirred emotions within her. Taking a deep breath, I leaned in closer and finally comprehended the significance of the text. It detailed the palace's attempts to obtain the white wolf, hoping that a pup born from a lycan and a special wolf would create the first special Lycan.
"I guess everyone really does want me," Mia murmured softly, her voice barely audible. Without hesitation, I reached out, my hand tenderly caressing her cheek. "But no one but me will ever have you," I vowed, a smile tugging at her lips in response. "I know what needs to be done so you can age like me," I teased, a mischievous glint in my eyes. Confused, she questioned my statement. "You will learn soon enough," I said to her, a sense of excitement filling the air as we hurriedly left the library, ready to explore a little more.