MIA POV
One could easily get lost in the grandeur of this palace, its vastness stretching out before me. My father may have been the wolf king, but our pack house could never compare to the opulence displayed here. It was a stark reminder of the differences between our kinds. Though the palace was undeniably magnificent, a sense of unease settled within me. However, it did provide safety for now, and I was grateful that Atlas could finally return to his rightful home.
As we ventured through the palace, uncertainty clouded my thoughts about what the future held for us. Nevertheless, Atlas's excitement to explore alongside me brought a glimmer of hope. The Atlas I first encountered in the lonely shed had transformed into someone entirely different, and it filled me with joy. Walking beside him, I couldn't help but realize how foolish I had been to ever consider leaving him. He was my happiness, a feeling I hadn't known I needed until now.

After our exploration, Bryn and Flint joined us, and we made our way to the oversized kitchen. My astonishment grew as I discovered that not only had the spell preserved the palace, but all the food remained fresh and edible. "The power of the spell cast on this palace is truly remarkable," Bryn informed us. "It has frozen time, ensuring that not a single day has passed. However, the witch who cast this spell is now in the service of Alpha Artemis. She is one of the few remaining immortal witches, and her power may surpass that of my entire coven combined."
"Mia, I am pretty sure based on the rumors I have heard, you know the witch as well. Her name is Thora," Bryn said, causing me to stumble back a few steps. The words hung heavy in the air, accompanied by the scent of damp earth and the distant sound of leaves rustling in the wind.
"Yes, I know her. She came to my pack shortly after I turned eighteen and caused a good amount of trouble, or at least I think she did," I admitted, my voice tinged with uncertainty. The memory of her arrival brought a chill down my spine, as if a shadow had passed over me.
"It's the first time you lost control after shifting, correct?" Bryn asked, her voice breaking through the silence. I nodded my head, my heart pounding in my chest. The weight of that moment still lingered, a mix of fear and confusion.
"Yes, I woke up a week after she left, so I am afraid I am not sure exactly what happened. But I remember she had something to do with it all, and my father threatened harm to her if she did not leave. Once I blacked out, I have no memories. I know my pack was looking for me, and I was found in some hidden compartment in a shed on the border of our pack lands. I don't know what they did, and no one ever told me," I confessed, the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.
As I spoke, I felt Atlas's warm breath against me, his presence offering a sense of comfort and protection. And then, I noticed Flint, his gaze shifting towards the ground for a moment. The tension in the air grew thicker, and I braced myself for what he was about to reveal.

"Your father hired her to come to our pack. I only know this because of your brother. You went missing, yet the spot you were found was one that I had witnessed your father, as well as the witch, visit multiple times while I was on watch. When found, your father may have acted angry at the witch, but your brother was suspicious it was an act. Although I have no answers as to what happened during that time, it was clear your father was involved. But it is possible whatever did occur is information that Alpha Artemis has now," Flint explained, his words hanging in the air like a dark cloud.
Taking a deep breath, I tried to gather my thoughts. The weight of the revelation settled heavily upon me, like a burden too heavy to bear. But I knew dwelling on it wouldn't change the past.
"Let's make something to eat. I'm hungry," I said, my voice sounding forced and strained. I desperately wanted to change the subject, to escape the weight of the truth that had just been revealed.
Bryn's soft smile gently illuminated her face as she spoke, her voice filled with understanding. "I know none of this is easy to talk about, especially since you looked up to and respected your father, Mia. But I also know you are well aware of the importance of gaining as much knowledge as possible about our enemy. I knew Thora went to your pack, but I had no idea what happened to you until I brought it up to Flint while the two of you were exploring. I hate to ask you to relive past memories that haunt you, Mia, but we need to ensure that Thora did not do anything to harm or lead you to them."

Bryn's words hung in the air, heavy with concern. She continued, "I can create a special potion for you, blended within a comforting tea, that will enable you to see the memories of what exactly happened to you during that time. This potion only works if you have a mate, allowing you to share those memories with him. Although your mind blocked you away, you still witnessed all that happened to you, both while conscious and unconscious. And it will share all of that with Atlas. If we do this, he can provide us with any helpful information regarding possible spells or tests they conducted on you."
Atlas, understanding my discomfort, instinctively wrapped his arms around me, offering his support. "I'll do it with Mia, as long as she allows it," he stated firmly, his voice steady.
"Fine, I understand the importance," I whispered in agreement.
"I will prepare the tea then. Atlas, I'm sure you've noticed, with your Lycan abilities, that you feel his emotions as well. If anything you see angers you, it will anger him as well. You must remember to stay calm. Whatever happened to her is in the past. We can seek justice, but anger won't solve the problem." Bryn explained.
"I will do my best to stay calm," he assured them, his voice resolute.
Bryn immediately got to work on preparing the tea, the aroma of the brewing leaves filling the kitchen. Meanwhile, I rummaged through the cupboards, searching for a small snack. After finding something suitable, I settled down at a table, the smooth surface cool beneath my fingertips. As I ate, there was a comfortable silence between us, broken only by the sound of Flint settling down next to me.
"I'm sorry, Mia," Flint's voice carried a tinge of regret. "There were so many things I should have said to you over the years, but I let them slide because of your father's position as the King."
"I understand, there's no need to apologize." I reassured him.
"No, I do," Flint insisted. "I knew all along that you were essentially a prisoner on our pack lands. Many of us did, yet we did nothing about it. We watched you tirelessly fight for us, putting your life on the line, and we just stood by."
I reflected for a moment, "I never felt like a prisoner. For the most part, I was content. Yes, there were times when I wanted to explore beyond our borders, but I believed it wasn't safe. My family, treated me well. I protected our pack because I loved them. Now, I'm learning the truth, and maybe I was naive to believe all the lies I was fed. Maybe I should be angry, but I don't want to be. I want to believe that everything happened for a reason. I don't want to have a different opinion of my father."
Flint nodded, understanding my perspective. "Just know that I'm here for you now, Mia. I will make up for not supporting you in the past. You and Atlas are my pack, and I will always stand by the two of you."
"Thank you, Flint," I expressed my gratitude as Atlas approached from behind me.
"Mia, Bryn is almost finished," Atlas informed me. "She wants me to take you to the room for this. She said the tea will make you fall asleep, but I will remain awake. Our minds will link, allowing me to see your memories. Bryn will stay with us to observe and ensure your well-being. She suggested that Flint stay in the room too, just in case something angers me too much and he can help me stay in control."
"Bryn thinks I can restrain you?" Flint chuckled.
"You were a beast today in the fight," Flint admitted to Atlas with a chuckle. "I'll do my best," he finished, determined to support us.
Once Bryn announced she was finished, she instructed me to get prepared, insisting I truly do my best to get comfortable. So, I decided to head to the room and shower, and get dressed in a more comfortable outfit out of the few I traveled with. Atlas led me to the King and Queen suite again, since the room he once had was more suited for a child. I made my way into the bathroom and turned on the shower. The shower alone was like the size of a small room, and it was almost like a rainstorm from the ceiling, with spigots on the wall as well. I got in and closed my eyes for a moment, allowing the water to flow over me. The sound of the water hitting the tiles created a soothing ambiance. I was scared, yet I also knew I was surrounded by people I could trust right now.
"Is it okay if I come in with you?" I heard Atlas ask at the bathroom entrance after a few moments. I appreciated how much he respected my possible need for privacy at times, but he would soon learn that I'm most comfortable in his arms. "Yes," I responded as I heard him undressing. My eyes still closed, and then soon a slight draft entered the shower as he opened the glass door and joined me. His arms wrapped around my body as he pulled me against him and held me under the flow of water. I could feel the warmth of the water cascading down my skin, creating a comforting sensation. He brushed his lips gently against my skin. His hand massaged my bare skin in a way that made me completely relax against his body.
"Is it okay if I wash you?" he whispered against me, and I nodded in response. The scent of green tea from the body wash he used filled the shower, creating a refreshing aroma. He slowly washed my body, his hands so tender, always making sure I felt good but also protected. Once he was done, he washed himself and then gently pushed me against one of the walls, kissing me. The taste of his lips was addictive as they moved against mine. His hand knew the right places to trail against my body, sending a tingling sensation through me.
I wanted him, but then again, I always did from the moment his hand first touched me. And I knew he wanted me just as badly, as I felt his arousal against my body. But as much as we both wanted to continue our connection, we did not, since we knew we needed to focus on the task at hand. But we also knew that once we surrendered ourselves completely again to each other, we would be locked away in this bedroom for some time. He had his lycan now, meaning his drive would match mine, if not more. And we needed to not only allow ourselves the intimate connection, but we needed to allow Inara and Brutus to move forward, so they could have a chance to connect as well.
For now, the soothing sound of the water cascading down in the shower, combined with Atlas's presence beside me, helped me relax and prepare my mind for what is to come. I trust Atlas with my life now, and I am willing to allow him to see moments of my life that still haunt me to this day. I know that if I am ever truly to heal from these haunting memories, Atlas would be the one to aid me in doing so. He is my lifetime partner, the one I should always be open with and share both the bad and good. With him by my side, I feel loved and supported. As the water shut off, I whispered against him, "I'm ready." It was time for me to move forward with my life, no longer being kept away from the world. I needed to embrace this chance to finally create a future for myself, one in which I could thrive and be happy, with Atlas always at my side.