Atlas POV
I know the feast later was supposed to be a celebration. It was necessary for us to strengthen our relationship with this pack. However, I couldn't shake my worry for Mia. The knowledge of a future prediction, foretelling her falling into the hands of our enemies, ignited a fiery anger within me. Despite my confidence in her strength, the mere thought of her being taken away from me stirred an indescribable turmoil.
Restlessly, I sat on the couch in the room provided for us, while Mia finished getting ready. I couldn't stay still, as Brutus, ever watchful, insisted that she remain by our side at all times. He warned of the unknown warriors within this pack, emphasizing that even though we had earned their respect, a single corrupt warrior could jeopardize our mate's safety.

As I waited, a knock resonated through the door, followed by Bryn's voice. Reluctantly, I left Mia in the room, with Flint taking my place. Mia reassured me with a gentle touch, promising that she would be fine. Stepping into the hallway with Bryn, I couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Bryn led me into another room, where Alpha Jack awaited. Bryn proceeded to inform me about her search of the pack lands, her voice filled with concern. She revealed that during the fight, she hadn't initially detected any traces of witchcraft, but upon conducting a second search, she had discovered faint remnants. Small traces of magic lingered in the air, confirming that it was Thora's witchcraft.
Bryn assured me that Alpha Jack and his beta had been cleared of suspicion. However, the possibility of Thora being disguised or having left her mark on these pack lands couldn't be ruled out. To ensure our safety, Flint and a select few of Alpha Jack's warriors would shadow us during the feast. Bram had been stationed on the outskirts, keeping a watchful eye for any signs of danger.
"I understand," I replied, my voice tinged with concern. "I will stay alert, but I will also remain at Mia's side. I've had a bad feeling all day, a gnawing sensation in my gut that goes beyond the news you shared about Mia's future. I won't allow any danger to reach her tonight."
Bryn nodded, her eyes scanning the room. "We should always trust our gut feelings," she said softly. "So please keep me advised if you sense anything else."
As I glanced at the door, Bryn's words caught my attention. "We have one more thing to discuss, Atlas," she continued. "I've been in contact with Alpha Jack, and he has some helpful information for us."

"My pack was among those who attacked the Lycans in the battle that led to the fall of the kingdom," Alpha Jack confessed. "But our loyalty was never fully with Mia's father, the corrupt wolf king. I wanted the Lycans to fall, for personal reasons."
Taking a deep breath, he shared his heartbreaking story. "A week after giving birth to our pup, my mate was taken by the Lycans and used as a breeder. I never saw her again. While searching for her, I felt our bond snap, a painful indication of her death. Our son also passed, leaving me alone. I never took another mate, knowing that I would eventually have to assign a new Alpha."
His voice quivered with a mix of grief and determination. "Driven by my desire for revenge on behalf of my mate, my pack joined forces with the wolf king. But the day before the attack, Thora, approached us. She foresaw the battle and offered our pack seven years of luck, ensuring our crops thrived and our pack survived."
Alpha Jack’s eyes locked with mine, his voice filled with a mix of guilt and uncertainty. "In return, I was tasked with finding the Lycan prince and delivering him to Thora. She wanted the child alive, but never revealed her true motives. I obeyed her orders, bringing the child to her. Thora erased his memories, sealed away his Lycan nature with a spell, and instructed us to take him to a witch she knew, who would raise him. It's possible that Thora knew who you truly are" he concluded.

"I have not sensed any additional spells on you, Atlas," Bryn began, her voice tinged with caution. "Unless she hid something, but with this news, we must also be cautious” she explained.
“Is there anything you can do to test me?" I asked.
"Yes, it's a painful process, Atlas, but I can," Bryn explained, her tone serious.
"Then please do so as soon as possible," I responded.
"Thank you for that information, Alpha Jack," I thanked him, acknowledging his help. A warrior entered the room, interrupting our conversation.
"I am sorry to interrupt, but Mia is in the pack kitchen and she asked for Atlas to join her," he informed us.
"Kitchen?" I questioned, confused. Mia was supposed to be with Flint, but I suppose it wouldn't be odd to find her in a kitchen.
"Thank you, can you show me the way?" I requested, grateful for his assistance. He nodded, and I followed him to the kitchen. Mia stood there, surveying everything.
"Hey, Atlas," she greeted me, a smile forming on her lips.
"Where is Flint?" I asked, curious about his whereabouts.
"No idea, he wandered off," she replied casually, reaching out to take my hand. "I need to show you something, but we must be fast."
"Okay, but we should find Flint first," I suggested.
"No time, we must be fast. It is very important," she insisted, urgency in her voice.
"Okay," I agreed, trusting her judgment. She led me outside, walking quickly towards the forest that surrounded the pack.
"Mia, where are you taking me?" I inquired, a little confused by our destination.
"I have a strange feeling something is out here. But I am also worried we can't trust everyone inside, so I want to investigate with you," she explained.
"I understand," I replied, remembering Bryn's warning. I followed her as we ventured deeper into the forest. After a while, she abruptly stopped.
"I knew it," she growled, her voice filled with anger. She moved aside a pile of leaves, revealing an underground shelter door. Bending down, she examined it before opening it.
"We need to check this place out," she declared, her voice resolute. I hesitated for a moment, but she entered before I could stop her and disappeared into the darkness. Worried, I followed her, and as soon as I descended a few steps, the door slammed shut.
"Mia!" I called out, my voice echoing in the confined space. "Atlas, hurry! There is someone trapped down here!" she urgently shouted, her voice filled with concern. I quickened my pace, determined to help whoever was in need.
I saw a young woman, her wrists bound tightly with chains, her back pressed against the wall. Without hesitation, I sprinted towards her, joining Mia who stood nearby. "I need help," Mia exclaimed urgently. "We have to set her free." I crouched down to examine the restraints, the clinking of the chains echoing in the underground room.
The woman’s eyes were filled with terror as she struggled against the gag in her mouth. "Don't worry," I reassured her, my voice filled with determination. Meanwhile, Mia took charge, instructing me to keep the girl calm while she searched for a key to unlock the cuffs. Slowly, I reached towards the girl's mouth. But as I made a move to remove the gag, a sudden, sharp pain pierced through my neck. Instantly, my entire body went numb, and my vision started to blur. Amidst the haze, I heard Mia's voice, dripping with disdain. "Your kind disgusts me," she spat. "You blindly follow your mates." In that moment, Mia's body underwent a grotesque transformation, morphing into an entirely different person. And then, everything went dark.
____________
I woke up disoriented, the room spinning before my eyes. The woman who had disguised herself as Mia stood menacingly in front of me. I growled, my vision blurry as I struggled to reach her. But a cold, metal collar around my neck, connected to a chain, kept me restrained. "Thora," I growled again, my voice filled with frustration.
"Good, so at least you know who I am," she said, her voice dripping with malice. Most of my clothing had been stripped away, leaving me standing in only my boxers. The other woman was chained against the wall still, her eyes filled with fear.
I tried to focus on my link with Mia, while attempting to break free from the chain that held me. But my efforts were futile. "It's spelled," Bruitus growled in my head.
"What do you want with me?" I asked, my voice laced with defiance.
"You, Lycan Prince, it is time for you to perform the next step of my plan. We must prepare our little white wolf so she can help raise the one who will set this world right," she explained.
"Do what you want to me, but I will never do anything to harm Mia or lead her to you," I snarled.
Thora laughed, her steps bringing her closer to me. "We will see about that. You see, I need the little white wolf to break in order to cast this spell. The first step is to weaken your pure mate bond. The bond you and Mia share is stronger than any other, and it needs to be weakened. One way to do that is if you, Lycan Prince, are intimate with another," she spoke, an evil glint in her eye.
"I will never do that to Mia," I growled, my voice filled with anger. Thora walked over to a small table and held up a vial. "This is a potion I injected you with. It will start working any moment now. It will drive your senses crazy until you mate. So, Lycan Prince, I believe you will do exactly what I want, since no one can resist this," she taunted, her gaze shifting towards the woman chained on the ground, within my reach.
Then, she walked towards the ladder leading out. "My work is done for now, although I will be seeing your mate soon, once she is broken and ready for me to take," she said, her voice fading as she disappeared, leaving me alone with the trembling woman on the ground.
"I'm not going to do anything to you. We will find a way out of this," I said, my voice steady, trying to stay calm. But a strange, warming sensation began to spread throughout my body, intensifying with each passing moment.
It didn't take long before an intense heat engulfed my entire body, making me feel as though I were being consumed by flames. Waves of uncontrollable arousal coursed through me, causing my head to pound as I desperately tried to resist. I finally understood what she had meant about the potion - it was driving me to the brink of madness. The only relief I could imagine was to give in to my primal urges, but I refused to succumb. I would not break Mia, nor would I force myself upon a helpless she-wolf.
Struggling against the unyielding chain around my neck, I found myself unable to shift, trapped in this torturous state. A growl escaped my throat, as if pleading for someone, anyone, to hear my distress. Regret flooded my thoughts - I should never have followed her. I had sensed something off about her, but her scent had been unmistakably Mia's.
Desperation consumed me as the effects of the potion continued to intensify, threatening to strip away my self-control. I knew it wouldn't be much longer before I completely lost myself.