Atlas POV
Mia, was not only strong but the bravest soul I have ever met. Her determination radiated from her, a palpable energy that filled the air. Instead of running, avoiding or hiding, she faced all challenges head-on. I admired her for that since, although I strived to be the same, I was in no way as brave as she was.
I did not want to keep anything from her and was not trying to hide the inner turmoil I was facing. The weight of my fear of losing her consumed me at times, but that was only because I deeply loved her. She truly completed me. However, this fear began to ignite an anger within me, a fire that burned fiercely. It sparked a desire to lock her away, to shield her from any danger, and keep her all to myself.

I fought hard to push that thought away, but the more I resisted, the more it consumed me. It gradually transformed into a madness that consumed my thoughts within just a few days. I started to dream about losing her, a haunting nightmare that I openly admitted. But in those dreams, I also envisioned a present and a future where I kept her confined and safe.
However, other thoughts began to infiltrate those dreams as well. They whispered of her longing to escape, for Mia needed to run, to be free. Yet, in those dreams, I did not allow her to. I not only trapped her in a room but bound her for attempting to flee from me. Anger consumed me, anger that my mate would not want to be with me. And sadly, that anger manifested in ways that made me sick, going against everything I believed in.
Even when we were awake, I still saw the mate I cherished, but also the one I feared losing if I did not confine her.
I just needed to fight whatever madness this was, for deep down I knew Mia would never leave me. The bitter taste of the potion slid down my throat, its cool touch sending a weird sensation through my body. Almost instantly, it began to push some of my chaotic thoughts aside. Mia stayed with me throughout the process, her presence a comforting anchor.
"This should help for now, Atlas," Bryn said, her voice carrying a soothing tone. "I will find a way to completely relieve you of the anger after some more time and research. We leave tomorrow, so I will leave you and Mia alone for a little while, so you can talk more."
As Bryn left the office she was using with Flint, the door closed behind her with a soft click, enveloping us in a cocoon of privacy. Without hesitation, I took hold of Mia gently, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine. Our lips met in a real kiss, a passionate connection that had been absent for days.

Mia responded eagerly, her hand wrapping around my neck, pulling me closer. The intensity of the moment grew as I pressed my body against hers, aching to strip off her clothing and claim her right there in the room. But, she deserved my openness, even though the potion was helping. In this moment, I needed her to help me find calm.
So, I did just that, and I admitted everything I had been feeling over the past week. I feared she may be afraid of me, but instead, she nuzzled against me. I could feel her soft breath on my skin and the warmth of her body. "All that you just told me, I know that's not you, Atlas," she whispered, her voice filled with reassurance. "And now we can fight that anger and madness that has been threatening you."
"What if I hurt you?" I asked, my voice trembling with emotion. "I will know it's not really you," she replied, her fingers gently stroking my cheek. "Although you did seem to take pleasure in tying me up, I know the real Atlas would never do so out of harm or to lock me away." She kissed my lips again, her lips soft and sweet.
"Now, let's take some time to prepare for tomorrow and then get rest. I'll stay by your side," Mia explained as she took my hand, her touch grounding me. She led me to the outside training area, where the sun was shining brightly, casting a warm glow on everything. Mia had a mischievous smirk on her lips, causing me to chuckle. She knew well how to always brighten the mood.

"Fight me," she said with excitement, her voice echoing in the open space. Without giving me any time to react, she ran at me. I could hear the sound of her footsteps, quick and determined. I felt the rush of adrenaline as she tackled me to the ground, causing me to laugh. Several warriors, who were now staying here as well, stopped to watch us. They marveled at Mia's strength and skill.
As Mia leaned in, her breath mingled with mine, she whispered, "Looks like we have to give them a good show." I lifted her off of me, feeling her weight in my arms, and prepared to spar with her. We spent a good hour, both of us matching each other in strength and skill. It was exhilarating, and we had a blast with each other. I could feel the sweat trickling down my forehead, the heat of the sun on my skin.
The warriors joined in, eager to learn from Mia. They listened intently as she gave them advice, her voice commanding and confident. I could see how happy she was, not just to be working with others, but for them to want to learn from her. Flint soon joined in as well, his laughter filling the air. As soon as he did, training turned into entertainment, with his playful antics adding a sense of joy to the atmosphere.
The rest of the day flew by in a blur, the minutes slipping away like sand through my fingers. Before I knew it, we were loading into the cars, the engines purring to life. The scent of gasoline filled the air as we prepared to head towards Alpha Artemis's pack lands in the human realm. Thankfully, they were tucked away in a secluded area, hidden from prying eyes.
We would travel by car until we reached a nearby forest, and from there, we would continue on foot. The anticipation of what lay ahead weighed heavily on my chest.
"Are you ready?" Mia's voice broke through the silence, her eyes searching mine for any signs of doubt.
"Yes and no," I confessed, my voice barely a whisper. "I believe we are well-prepared for the attack, but the uncertainty of Thora's whereabouts worries me."
Mia nodded in understanding. "I would assume she is on the pack lands, but remember, she can disguise herself as anyone. Stay vigilant, she may try to deceive you by masquerading as one of our allies."
Today, our plan was to bring down Alpha Artemis and his pack. Once we accomplished that, we could focus on Thora. However, the thought of taking her down seemed daunting, as she possessed both cunning and power. But eliminating the pack she had been using would be a solid first step.
"We will fight together today. I will not leave your side," Mia promised as the cars roared to life and we set off on our journey. The vampires and hybrids who had joined our cause would also be joining the fight. Bram had left earlier to meet up with them, briefing them on any additional information they needed.
The car ride was filled with an anxious silence. I could sense the tension radiating from Bryn and Flint, their nerves palpable. Yet, Mia exuded an air of calm confidence, as if she had already emerged victorious.
"I can't believe how calm you are right now," I said to Mia through our link, marveling at her composure. "I try to focus on the things that bring me joy before stepping into danger," she revealed, her voice laced with vulnerability. "It may give off the illusion of calmness, but deep down, I'm paralyzed with fear. I worry for you just as much as you worry for me, Atlas. Yet, I'm channeling that fear into strength.”
A loud rumble of thunder echoed overhead, sending vibrations through the car. Rain started pounding against the windows, reminiscent of the night I had helped Mia find solace. Unbuckling myself, I moved closer to her, pulling her into my embrace. I brushed my lips against her mark, feeling the warmth of her skin.
Brutus's voice echoed in my mind, urging me to bite her mark to calm her. I gently moved her hair aside and bit her mark once more. Surprisingly, I had always thought she was the calmest, but there was a hidden turmoil within her. As sleep claimed her, Mia went limp in my arms. Brutus assured me that she wouldn't sleep for long, and that she wouldn't be angry with me.
Flint, glancing back from the front seat, chuckled and commented on my brave move of exerting dominance over her. Confused, I looked at him for an explanation. He revealed that as her mate, I could simply bite her mark to assert control when needed, temporarily inducing sleep that she couldn't resist. The guilt washed over me, but Flint reassured me that I had done the right thing.
Bryn, her voice filled with emotion, confessed that Mia's fear ran deeper than any of us knew. I understood her fear, the fear of being separated from us. I wished I could promise her safety, but Bryn's visions of the future made it clear that it was inevitable. Mia simply had to survive it. After about thirty minutes, Mia stirred against me, her eyes fluttering open. I apologized to her, and she placed her hand against her mark. With a smile, she thanked me and admitted that she felt better now.
The remainder of the drive I held Mia close. It was silent for the most part, but the tension in the air was palpable. No words were needed between us. As we parked, followed by the warriors, we prepared to enter Alpha Artemis's pack lands to launch our attack.
The moment we stepped outside, Mia's head perked up, her senses alert. I could tell she was taking in a scent, her nostrils flaring. "No," her voice cracked, and we all turned to look at her. But then, Flint also seemed to detect the scent. "That's impossible. You felt his pack link snap," Flint said to her.
Mia turned to Bryn, her eyes filled with concern. "Can an immortal witch mimic someone's scent if they are dead?" she asked. Bryn shook her head, her expression grim. "No, only someone alive," she admitted. Mia looked out into the forest, her gaze searching. "Then that can mean only one thing: Leo. He is alive, and he is near or on Alpha Artemis's pack lands." Her voice trembled with emotion.
"They may have captured him, then Mia. This very well could be a trap," Bryn explained. "I'm well aware," Mia growled, her anger evident. "She really does want to play games with me, and I'm going to make her pay." Thunder rumbled overhead, adding to the charged atmosphere. "I'm ready to fight," Mia declared, her determination unwavering.
As the warriors started shifting, the sounds of bones cracking filled the air. Flint followed suit, his transformation seamless. Mia took my hand, her grip strong, and looked at Bryn. "Let's win," she said with conviction. Then, she shifted into her wolf form. I followed suit, my own Lycan form taking shape. With a surge of adrenaline, we all began to run, our paws pounding against the forest floor.