Atlas POV
All eyes were fixed on Mia as I guided her into the connecting room at the rundown motel. The flickering fluorescent lights hummed softly overhead, casting a pale, eerie glow on our surroundings. As we stepped inside, Mia insisted that I could put her down, but she leaned against me for support, her weight pressing against my side. I kept my hands securely on her, feeling the warmth of her body through the fabric of her clothes.
"I am glad to see you awake," Bryn's voice broke the silence, addressing Mia. The air was heavy with anticipation as Flint wasted no time in crossing the room, seeking my approval before enveloping Mia in a tight bear hug. "Don't ever scare us like that again," he scolded her, his voice filled with genuine concern. Mia reciprocated, wrapping her arms around Flint, a sense of relief evident in her voice. "I missed you too."

Leo's gaze shifted briefly to me before he turned his attention to Mia. He approached her cautiously, his voice laced with restraint. It was clear he was treading carefully, mindful of my comfort. "How are you feeling?" he asked, his words hanging in the air. Mia responded with a small smile, her eyes meeting Leo's. "I'm feeling a lot better," she replied, gratitude evident in her voice.
As we settled into the worn-out chairs, the room filled with a hushed conversation about Mia's plans. Bryn remained composed, her voice steady amidst the mounting concerns. However, both Flint and Leo voiced their apprehension, worried about the idea of us separating. Leo took a more direct approach, his gaze focused on Mia. "Will you at least tell us where you are going?" he asked, his voice tinged with both curiosity and a hint of worry.
"No, but we will keep in touch over the burner phone. It is best that Atlas and I keep our location hidden for now, for everyone's safety," Mia explained, her tone resolute. Bryn chimed in, emphasizing the potential danger we faced. "I'm sure you are aware they may even have eyes on where we are staying right now," she warned.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, I turned to Leo, seeking his expertise. "Leo, I know you are skilled with spells. Can you do anything to mask our scents, even if only temporarily?" I asked, my voice filled with a mix of hope and desperation. Leo nodded, his expression focused. "Yes, I can, but it will only last a few hours," he informed me.
"That should buy Mia and me some time," I replied, relief washing over me. Mia then surprised me by asking Bryn about the money she had stashed in the trunk of the car. I had no idea she had planned ahead. Bryn confirmed its existence, pointing to a duffel bag in the corner of the motel room. "Yes, it is there. I haven't touched any of it," she reassured us.
"You were prepared for this," I stated. Mia nodded, her gaze meeting mine. "Yes, I considered the possibility that we may have to separate. And now that it is dark, we should get going as soon as possible," she admitted, her words carrying a sense of urgency.

Leo approached us, his voice low as he began chanting a spell. He placed his hand on both Mia and me, and a surge of energy coursed through us. The spell was so potent that I couldn't even detect Mia's scent anymore.
I rose from my seat afterwards and slung Mia's duffel bag over my shoulder. With determination in my eyes, I scooped Mia up in my arms, ready to defend her at any cost on our journey. Flint, Leo, and Bryn prepared to leave in the car while we planned to sneak out the back. Brutus was ready to protect Mia from any potential threats.
As we made our way out, the scent of a few Rogue wolves lingered in the air, fleeting yet ominous. "They are following the car," Mia whispered, revealing her sharp senses. For now, we remained undetected as we reached the nearby bus terminal. Gently, I set Mia down on her unsteady legs, reluctantly releasing her from my grasp. She leaned on my arm for support as we purchased tickets for a destination several hours away.
We found two seats at the back of the terminal, granting us a vantage point to observe our surroundings. I kept a watchful eye, scanning the area for any potential threats. Mia shifted uncomfortably in her seat, her gaze fixated on the crowd. It dawned on me that she was not entirely at ease around humans, a realization I had overlooked amidst the chaos of the city.

Feeling a connection between us, I reached out and clasped her hand in mine, providing a sense of comfort. Through our link, her voice resonated in my mind. "I envy them," she confessed. Intrigued, I asked her why. "They have it easy in a way," she explained. "They are oblivious to the dangers our species face. Their worries revolve around mundane things like meals and rent, while we bear the weight of saving the world."
"I guess, in a way, you are right," I murmured. She leaned against me, her weight a comforting presence.
"But they are also blind to how magical our world is," I continued. "Yes, we may have to face great danger, but we get to witness the world in a way they never can. We get to shift and feel the breeze brush past us as we run, embracing the exhilaration. We get to live for what feels like an eternity, watching the world change and experiencing countless new things."
"They may find their soulmates, but they don't experience the wonderful sensation a mate bond provides. The warmth and tingling sensation of holding the one connected to us," she admitted. I brushed my lips against her head, a gentle gesture of reassurance.
"I believe that even if I were still human, and maybe if you were one as well, Mia, we would still feel this strong connection to each other," I said softly. An announcement echoed through the air, signaling the arrival of our bus. I guided Mia onto the bus, finding her a seat.
Fortunately, the path ahead appeared clear for now. Mia's voice resonated in my mind, her words carrying a sense of concern, "How is your anger?" I paused for a moment, feeling the weight of my emotions, or perhaps more accurately, the hint of madness they held. "I can feel it at times, like a raging storm within me. But I have learned to manage it," I replied through our private mental connection. As the bus began to rumble, Mia's gaze met mine, her beautiful smile radiating warmth. "Bryn said I would be captured in the future, but now that I have overcome that and survived, our only concern now is ending Thora," she reassured me. I knew she was trying to soothe my troubled mind.
"We will accomplish that together, as a team," I promised, my voice steady. Mia turned her attention to the passing scenery outside the window. "Once all of this is behind us, I will show you the wonders of the human realm. We'll have fun in a way that brings you joy. And I'll take you on a real date, not just a simple dinner in the city. I want to experience that with you. I also want to marry you." I expressed, my words filled with sincerity. Mia's eyes glimmered with a hint of excitement as she locked her gaze with mine.
In our research, we had come across tales of past relationships between lycans and werewolves. However, a marriage between our kinds had never been recorded. Just as we aimed to create a more inclusive world, our union would symbolize not only our love and commitment but also the dawn of a world that embraced all types of unions. A world that welcomed hybrids with open arms.
I knew I slipped the marriage part in, wanting to gauge her reaction. "I want to marry you as well, Atlas," she spoke softly, her attention briefly shifting to the window again.
"Thora will quickly learn of our separation, she's cunning. But what she fails to see is that no matter what she does, she can never sever the bond we share. Once we reach the new town and find shelter, we may only have a day or two before we must face her." Mia's voice trembled with a mix of determination and vulnerability. "But, Atlas, I want you to remember how deeply I love you. No matter the tricks Thora plays or the ways she tries to manipulate our minds, she can never touch the love that resides in our hearts and souls.So, if you ever question our bond, focus on the feeling that emanates from your heart, reminding you of our connection." The weight of impending challenge settled upon me. "What lies ahead will be the greatest trial we've ever faced, and many will deem it impossible. But together, we will prove Thora wrong. We are stronger than her." Mia proclaimed.
During the remainder of the bus ride, Mia slept against me, her head resting on my shoulder. I stayed awake, vigilant, my eyes scanning our surroundings. As we disembarked, the air held no scent of danger, but we remained cautious. It was then that I noticed the curious glances directed at Mia, still clad in a hospital gown. We needed to find her suitable clothing, and perhaps the hotel we stumbled upon would have a gift shop.
Determined not to draw attention, Mia squeezed my hand tightly as we walked down the road. Consulting a map, I discovered that the nearest hotel was over a mile away. Concerned for Mia's weak state, I advised against exhausting herself further. Reluctantly, she relented, allowing me to carry her in my arms. Each sound I heard made me tense, my gaze darting in its direction.
Finally, we reached the hotel and, with some extra cash, convinced the front desk to provide us with a room despite our lack of identification. Inside, I entered a nearby gift shop, Mia nowl slumbering in my arms. With practiced efficiency, I procured a shirt and shorts, paying for them without setting her down. Once in the room, I gently placed her on the bed and draped a blanket over her. She continued to sleep soundly. Leaning towards the window, I surveyed the small town below, its unsuspecting inhabitants unaware of the imminent danger. This would be the final battleground against Thora, and my only wish was to protect Mia but also the innocent humans preventing harm from befalling them.