Flint POV
I despised the knowledge that Atlas and Mia faced such a challenging road when they were two of the kindest, most loyal individuals you would ever come across. It was no wonder they were the first destined mates. They radiated love for each other, along with a sense of respect and protectiveness towards others. The lycan kingdom now buzzed with life, as two neighboring properties near the palace housed Alpha Jack's warriors. Not only that, but he also assigned some of his pack's staff to temporarily join us for meal preparations and basic upkeep.
Once everyone settled in, I led the warriors to the training facilities on the land, while Mia assigned a few of them to venture into the human realm to gather intel on Alpha Artemis. Bram had informed the other vampires about Thora’s attack on Atlas and how, despite his resilience, we needed to anticipate her next move. Atlas remained with Bryn inside the palace as she prepared to test him for any remaining spells. I could sense Mia's unease, as she was already upset about Atlas' suffering, despite her reassurance to him. We all knew he blamed himself.

When everyone was in their respective places, Mia and I walked back towards the room where Atlas and Bryn were. However, Mia stopped me in the hallway before we entered, emphasizing that with the help we now had, there wasn't much more we could do that day. She suggested that Bryn and I take a break and spend much needed time together, while she and Atlas managed things and kept an eye on everyone. Mia's words surprised me, as I jokingly remarked that I never imagined getting relationship advice from her, since I saw her as a little sister.
As we neared the room, we heard Atlas growl, causing both of us to quicken our pace. Despite his initial request to handle it alone, I knew Mia was going to charge into the room now, and I couldn't blame her.
Atlas sat in a worn-out chair, his arms tightly bound for his and Bryn's protection. Beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, glistening in the dimly lit room. His eyes remained shut, as if engaged in a battle within his dreams. Bryn, standing nearby, assured Mia, "We're almost done. Though it may cause him some discomfort, no real harm is being done."
Giving Bryn space, we watched as several minutes passed. Eventually, Atlas's eyes fluttered open, and Bryn nodded approvingly at Mia, signaling her to release his restraints. "You're free from any lingering spells, Atlas," Bryn explained. "It seems that she hid you as a child, knowing you were Mia's destined mate. She needed you two to come together at a specific moment to cast her spell."
Mia took Atlas's hand, guiding him out of the room, urging him to rest. We all needed to prepare for what lay ahead. I glanced at Bryn, a mischievous smirk playing on my lips. "What's with the playful expression?" she inquired.
"Mia suggested we take the rest of the day off and spend some quality time alone," I revealed. Bryn chuckled. "Well, then, what would you like to do? I could use some downtime."

"Make you mine," I declared, pulling her closer and gently brushing her hair away from her neck. Her intoxicating scent ignited my senses, and I wondered if she realized that she wasn't just someone I was interested in she was my second chance mate. I pressed my lips against her marking spot, expecting her usual resistance. To my surprise, Bryn allowed it without hesitation. In that moment, as a lycan, I was the happiest I had ever been. "Let me mark you," I whispered against her skin, briefly pulling away to gauge her reaction.
"Let's take a walk and talk, once done if you still want to mark me I will accept." Bryn said. I couldn't help but smile, the happiness evident on my face. Although Bryn had allowed me to be close to her and share a few stolen kisses, she had held back from fully accepting our relationship. It was as if she was battling with fate, unsure if she was truly right for me.
As we stepped outside, the world around us seemed to fall into a hushed silence. We walked side by side, the crunch of gravel beneath our feet the only sound. The sunlight filtered through the leaves of the trees, casting a dappled pattern on the path ahead. Bryn finally broke the silence, her words cautious yet filled with sincerity.
"I know I'm your second chance," she began, her voice tinged with vulnerability. "I never meant to hurt you by not saying anything. I've been wrestling with myself, trying to figure out how to address the topic of us, if and when you asked to mark me. It's clear that I love you, Flint, just as you love me. But I question if I'm truly right for you."

I stopped her for a moment, my gaze locked with hers. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of green, held a mixture of fear and hope. "You are perfect for me," I reassured her, a genuine smile lighting up her face.
She continued, her voice filled with a hint of sadness. "I am much older than you..."
I interrupted her, my hand reaching up to gently cup her cheek. "Age is just a number," I said, my voice filled with sincerity. "Besides, you may have more years under your belt, but you remain frozen in the state of an eighteen-year-old. And even if you weren't my mate, I would have fallen for you."
Her laughter filled the air, a sound that danced like a sweet melody. "That's not the only reason I doubted if I was right for you," she confessed. "I've observed you, Flint, and I know one of your greatest dreams is to settle down with a mate and have a pup. You dream of being a father."
A sense of longing filled my heart as I spoke, my voice soft yet determined. "That's true. We all share the pain of losing our families. My own father was not someone to be proud of, and as I grew older, I made a promise to myself. I vowed to one day have a pup and be the father mine never was. I want to bring my pup up in a loving, supportive home."
Bryn gently withdrew her hand from mine, her touch momentarily absent. As she spoke, her voice quivered with a mix of vulnerability and determination. The scent of uncertainty hung in the air, mingling with the soft rustle of leaves outside. I could see her body tremble ever so slightly, her emotions laid bare before me.
"I can never gift you a pup," she confessed, her words carrying a weight of sorrow. "I am unable to bear a child, no matter how much witchcraft is employed. In my youth, I was deceived by another, I have faced my fair share of hardships alone. One such trial was falling in love, or at least what I believed to be love. I had a pregnancy scare with a human man, a distant relative of a witch. He slipped a potion into my drink, hoping to prevent an unwanted pregnancy. Though it turned out I was never pregnant, the potion he obtained was made by an inexperienced witch, rendering me infertile."
Her story hung heavy in the air, the silence broken only by our soft breaths. Without hesitation, I pulled her into a tight embrace, the warmth of our bodies melding together. She may have been smaller in stature, but she fit perfectly against me, a puzzle piece that completed the picture of my heart.
"Is this the reason you believe you are not good for me?" I whispered against her, my voice filled with tenderness and understanding.
"Yes," she admitted, her voice cracking with emotion. "It is true that I long to be a father, but we can always adopt. I won't reject you because you cannot carry our pup. And now, more than ever, I want to hold you and seek justice for the sick bastard who harmed you. They took something precious from you, and for that, I am deeply sorry. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I cannot bear to imagine a future without you."
As we approached a small house on the kingdom's property, the crunch of gravel beneath our feet echoed in the stillness. Bryn pushed open the door, revealing an empty space awaiting new memories. She locked eyes with me, a glimmer of determination shining through her gaze.
"Mark me and claim me, then," she demanded, her voice laced with a mix of anticipation and hope.
The joy swelling within me threatened to burst, my heart pounding with happiness.
I don’t think I could have closed the door behind us fast enough, causing Bryn's infectious laughter to fill the air once again. My heart raced, my lycan instincts going wild within me, ecstatic that our mate was going to accept us. The anticipation was overwhelming, and I vowed to savor every moment of this special day.
Bryn took the lead, her steps light and confident, as I followed her like a love-sick puppy dog. I didn't mind being in her shadow all that mattered was that she was a part of my life. As she turned and looked at me in the room, I noticed a hint of nervousness in her eyes, a rare emotion she usually concealed so well.
"You know I will never hurt you," I reassured her, and she nodded in understanding. Closing the distance between us, I slid my hands under her shirt, relishing the feel of her soft, warm skin. With utmost care, I removed her shirt, ensuring her comfort every step of the way. Gently, I lifted her and carried her to the bed, untouched by time in this abandoned house.
Kissing her collarbone, I trailed a path of tender kisses, aiming to relax her body completely. This was a side of her I had never experienced before, and she was breathtakingly beautiful in every way. Moving my mouth to her marking spot, I kissed and gently sucked on her skin before allowing my canines to elongate. With a controlled bite, I marked her as my own.
Bryn's initial reaction was a mixture of pain and pleasure, her arms wrapping around me tightly. It pained me to see her hurt, even momentarily, but slowly her body relaxed, and I could feel our bond strengthening. As the mark settled, a flood of emotions washed over me, revealing everything she had kept hidden. My heart ached as I realized the immense suffering Bryn had endured in her life. I made a silent vow to myself to help her learn that it's okay to open up to all of us.
After removing my teeth, I licked my mark, expecting her to drift off to sleep as some do. To my surprise, her eyes met mine, filled with desire and curiosity. Her hands explored my body, sliding under my shirt, before retreating. With a fumbling touch, she attempted to undo the zipper on my pants. A growl of excitement escaped my lips, thrilled by her boldness. Bryn was perfect for me.