Atlas POV
Mia, may be a petite girl but she had an insatiable appetite. She was a delight to watch when it came to food. Despite her small size, she could outeat me effortlessly. The mere mention of food would light up her face with excitement and that made me happy. However, I couldn't shake off the guilt of hurting her during our little test.
But everyone else seemed thrilled by it. Bryn, curious about the duration of Mia's power boost, wanted to chart it out. "If you let her do that, you will soon have a schedule for when you and Mia need to mate," Flint chuckled. Mia blushed slightly, and I couldn't help but replay our earlier encounter in the bedroom in my mind. I had never lost control of myself like that, but her enjoyment of it only fueled my desire for her.
"See, Mia, Atlas is already lost in thoughts of your mating schedule," Flint teased.
In response, Mia flung a spoon at Flint's head, hitting him perfectly. Flint chased her out of the kitchen, and Bryn asked if I would stop them. I shook my head. "No, I've learned that Flint poses no threat to Mia. His antics are his way of cheering her up," I replied.
"You have remarkable self-control, Atlas," Bryn commented. I looked at her, slightly confused. "Many of your kind, or werewolves, would not tolerate their mates having harmless fun like Mia and Flint. But you take the time to see that he means no harm to her. It's a valuable trait," she said as she turned on the oven to prepare something.
"You seem wise, in the sense that you have experienced much. I know we talk about immortal witches, but I've never asked if you are one," I asked Bryn.
"I am one, although I have not lived as long as Thora," she said. "In human years, I am eighty-six, yet I stopped aging when I reached adulthood."
"I'm sure now that you know that, you can understand why Flint and I may like each other, but it makes it difficult for us to be in a relationship." She explained.
Her words weighed on me, filling the room with a mix of empathy and sadness. But then, a thought sparked in my mind, reminding me of the book I had stumbled upon in the library. It spoke of a way to transform a wolf into a Lycan, gifting them with a life akin to that of an immortal witch.
A glimmer of hope danced in my eyes as I realized that helping flint become a Lycan could not only benefit him but also Bryn. A plan formed in my mind, urging me to act swiftly.
"I will be right back," I promised Bryn, my footsteps echoing through the empty halls as I hurried to retrieve the book. The anticipation fueled my steps, as if time itself was urging me forward.
As I burst through the heavy library doors, the sound of Mia's exasperated shouts filled the air, echoing off the towering bookshelves. Her voice was a mix of frustration and amusement, causing me to burst into laughter involuntarily. Despite being adults, it was clear that Mia had missed out on the carefree joys of childhood, and now she was finally experiencing them with Flint.
"We should join in," Brutus whispered in my mind, his voice eager.
"We will, but let her have some fun with Flint for now. We can't smother her all the time," I responded silently, quickly returning the book to the kitchen before flipping it open to the page detailing the transformation of a werewolf into a powerful Lycan.
Bryn's eyes gleamed with excitement as she scanned the page. "This library truly is a treasure trove. As the Lycan prince, or rather, the last of the royal bloodline, you have inherited a wealth of knowledge."
"Feel free to use and read as much as you want. This place belongs to you, Mia, and Flint as much as it belongs to me. We're all in this together," I reassured Bryn.
"I truly appreciate that, Atlas. And thank you for showing me this book. If the spell it describes truly works, it could help you build a formidable army. If Flint chooses to change, he will be stronger in the upcoming fight, just like Mia. He has a choice now," Bryn explained, her words filled with hope and determination.
Just as she finished speaking, Mia and Flint burst back into the kitchen, their laughter and energy filling the room once again.
"Mmmmm….," Mia's voice trailed off, her eyes fixated on the oven as the delicious aroma of the baking dish wafted through the air. She turned to me, concern etched on her face, and asked, "Are you still feeling okay? You mentioned earlier that it felt a little overwhelming."
I nodded, feeling the warmth of her presence beside me. "I feel a lot better now," I confessed, a hint of relief in my voice. "Your power still courses through me, but it's more manageable."
Mia's gaze shifted towards Bryn, determination gleaming in her eyes. "Once we confirm it's safe, I've decided to take on the power of the relics," she declared. "Everyone is already doing so much for me, and if it helps ensure our success, I'm willing to do it."
Bryn nodded, her voice steady with assurance. "I'm glad to hear that. Rest assured, we'll ensure the safety of whatever we do."
Meanwhile, Mia began rummaging through the kitchen, the sound of utensils clinking and cabinets opening adding a rhythmic melody to the atmosphere. Curious, I inquired, "Looking for something?"
"Wine," she replied, a mischievous smile playing on her lips.
"Follow me," I instructed, intertwining my fingers with hers, as I guided her through a hallway. The musty scent of old wood filled the air as we descended the creaky stairs leading to a hidden cellar.
"My memories are slowly resurfacing, but I do recall where the wine was stored," I explained softly, the words echoing in the silence. As I opened the heavy cellar door, a cool breeze brushed against our skin, carrying the scent of aged oak and rich, velvety wine. Her gasp of awe filled the space, mingling with the faint hum of the cellar's machinery. "Is it even ok for us to drink these?" she inquired, her eyes wide with anticipation.
I chuckled, my laughter echoing off the stone walls. "Of course. Drink to your heart's content, but perhaps savor them over time," I replied, a mischievous glint in my eyes. She eagerly selected a few bottles, her fingers grazing the glass.
"Tonight, let us have some fun. For now, let's forget the stress and immerse ourselves in this moment," she declared. Understanding her intentions, I reached out, taking the bottles from her, sharing the weight as we prepared to embrace the night of fun.
As soon as we stepped into the kitchen, the aroma of the meal Bryn was cooking filled the air. Mia, quick on her feet, swiftly located a bottle opener and effortlessly uncorked a bottle. The sound of clinking glasses resonated through the room as she poured a generous glass for each of us. Knowing that Bryn's culinary masterpiece would require time, we made our way into a snug, inviting room. Soft cushions embraced us as we settled down. Mia, gracefully carried yet another open bottle with her, ready to keep the conversations flowing.
"This is a new side to you, Mia," Flint said, his eyes studying her intently.
"How is this new?" she asked, her eyebrows furrowing in curiosity. “ Seeing you have real fun?" he admitted, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. "I've had fun before," she laughed, her voice filled with a hint of playfulness. "I guess just not around you," she admitted, taking a big swig of her wine.
"Take it easy," I cautioned her, my voice laced with concern. "I will, but you have to realize our tolerance is a lot better than humans," she said to me with a smirk, the corners of her lips curling up.
Bryn then handed the book with the information I had shown her to Flint, the pages rustling softly as he took a moment to read it. His reaction was priceless, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "Wait... I can become a lycan? Hell yes, my wolf is game. Let's do this!" he exclaimed with excitement, his voice echoing through the room.
"Says the wolf who did not like lycans," Mia muttered, her voice filled with amusement.
"Hey, now that was before I met my new best buddy Atlas," Flint said to Mia, his voice tinged with fondness. He took the bottle from her and refreshed his glass, the sound of the liquid pouring filling the silence.
"So to the future," he said, clinking his glass against Mia's, the sound of the delicate clinking resonating in the room.
"Yes, to the future," Mia agreed, her voice filled with uncertainty. "Although I'm not exactly sure what we will do, I'm starting to think about starting a pack or maybe even this kingdom as a mixed species. I know we have already been through a good amount of crazy together, but I sort of like living with all of you and would like a future where we all stay together," she admitted, her voice filled with a mix of vulnerability and determination.
"I like that idea. A place that welcomes and is safe for all," I said, my voice filled with conviction.
"Just not vampires," Flint stated firmly, his voice tinged with caution.
"I actually have a few good vampire friends. I was going to suggest contacting them to help us as allies," Bryn said, her voice filled with hope.
"Why not? I mean, humans were forbidden my whole life. Lycans were the enemy to us, as well as the vampires. So we might as well. I'm starting to believe that all of our kinds can work just fine together," Mia said, her voice growing more confident as she finished off her wine glass and poured another one.
"So Bryn," Mia said, her voice filled with curiosity, "you seem to know a lot about all of us, yet I know very little about you."
Bryn, sitting across from Mia, flashed a reassuring smile. The glint in Mia's eyes caught my attention, a mix of gratitude and wariness. It was clear that despite the trust she had placed in Bryn, she was still cautious and eager to uncover the truth.
"Ask away, I'm an open book," Bryn replied, her voice steady and calm. Mia's eyes narrowed slightly, a sign of her analytical nature. She was determined to learn who Bryn truly was.
"Let's start with who you really are," Mia began, her voice gentle yet firm. "I know you were a member of the coven my mother was friends with, and you have proved yourself as a protector of the white wolves. I also know you are an immortal witch, but I can sense that you hide your true identity. Inara, fortunately, does not sense any malicious intent from you, so it's clear you're not deceiving us. However, since we're all working together, and I'm entrusting you to introduce me to powers that could benefit an immortal witch, I believe it's best for us to be completely honest with each other."
Bryn's smile widened, a genuine expression of admiration for Mia's perceptiveness. "You are very smart, Mia," she acknowledged. "Yes, I do hide my true identity, and I did so to protect you. As you may have learned in your pack, there are three immortal witch bloodlines. However, after witches were hunted by humans, only one bloodline survived. I am not from Thora's bloodline. My survival is owed to my mother, who concealed me. Interestingly, it wasn't the humans who hunted us, but rather Thora's bloodline. For the longest time, I believed it was their desire to be recognized as the most powerful, but now I understand that my bloodline was always linked to the Royal white wolves as their protectors. Since I lost my family at a young age, I didn't receive the same training, and as a result, I'm unaware of many spells passed down to the other witches. The coven that raised me specialized in Barrier magic and potions. My true name is Breeanna Evenwood, and I am the last-born immortal witch, also making me the youngest."
As a small timer went off, its gentle chime filling the air, temporarily halting our conversation. The tantalizing aroma of dinner wafted through the room, enticing us. "I will tell you more as we eat," Bryn said, pausing briefly to retrieve the food. In that moment, Mia muttered "Evenwood".
"The immortal witch line, who has always stood by the Werewolves, They are the ones responsible for creating the original barrier that separates this world from the human world," Flint spoke. It was clear that he didn't know Bryn's true past either. Now, I was intrigued to learn more as we all got up and went to help plate the food.