Atlas POV
I was never one to sleep in, but as I woke up, the soft rays of sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow in the room. I felt surprisingly well-rested, as if I had slept deeply for the first time in ages. As I stretched, I realized that the bed was empty, causing a pang of uncertainty to creep into my mind. Had I really spent the entire night with Mia nestled in my arms, or was it all just a dream?
The rich aroma of freshly brewed hotel room coffee filled the air, mingling with the crisp morning breeze that wafted in through the open window. I sat up on the bed, and faint murmurs of conversation reached my ears from the attached living room of the suite. Curiosity piqued, I left the bedroom and found Mia by the window, holding a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and a prepaid phone in the other, engrossed in a conversation.

As our eyes met briefly, she smiled and gestured towards a second cup of coffee that was brewing in the machine. Grateful for the gesture, I accepted it, realizing that no woman had ever made me a cup of coffee before. In my past relationships, I was always expected to be the one who catered to their needs. Mia finished her call and turned her attention back to me.
"Thank you for last night, Atlas," she said softly, her words filled with genuine gratitude. I returned her smile, touched by her appreciation. "I will always be a shoulder for you to cry on," I promised, wanting to offer her support in any way I could.
Her eyes momentarily sparkled, and she shifted her weight as if slightly uncomfortable.
"Is everything okay?" I asked her, concerned.
"Yes, I'm still adjusting to everything that has happened in such a short period of time, but I'm okay," she replied. Her voice held a hint of uncertainty. "Actually, I need to go somewhere today and I was wondering if you could accompany me. You see, I'm not used to the city or being around humans yet. I just called a trustworthy ally from our pack, and she suggested meeting someone in this area whom she claims I can trust. It shouldn't take long, and based on the address she provided, it's just a short car ride away. It would be best if you could help me navigate the city and transportation, but I understand if you don't want to join," she explained.
A wave of relief washed over me, and I eagerly responded, "I'll help."

"Thank you. Here's the address we need to go to. It's a shop owned by a member of her coven who will assist me and keep my location a secret," she informed me.
"Coven, as in witches?" I inquired, my curiosity piqued.
"Yes, she is a witch," Mia confirmed, adding to the growing list of real things that I had always believed to be mere make-believe.
"We can go once you are dressed," Mia said. I took it as my cue to hurry and get ready. When I finished dressing, Mia was already waiting by the door, a small smile playing on her lips. The warm sunlight streamed through the window, casting a soft glow on her face.

"Let's go," Mia said. As we stepped outside, the busy sounds of the city enveloped us. I waved my hand in the air, trying to flag down a taxi. Finally, one pulled over, and we climbed into the back seat. Mia sat close to the window, creating a slight distance between us. It was a subtle gesture, but it made me wonder.
She was hard to read, but since she had been so open with me, I found this behavior off. I reached out and placed my hand on her arm, realizing she felt slightly warm. "Are you sure you're okay?" I asked, a hint of concern in my voice. Despite her telling me she heals fast, I couldn't help but worry about how she was coping after everything she had just endured. There was still so much I didn't know about her, making it difficult to offer any assistance.
"I'm fine," she replied, turning to look at me. As we sat in the cab, the driver initiated small talk. "First time in the city?" he asked both of us. "First time staying in it," I admitted, knowing he was just making conversation. "We have a great aquarium worth visiting," he suggested.
"Sounds fun," Mia responded, her attention drawn back to the window. The rest of the short ride was spent in silence. When the cab pulled up to a small shop on a busy street, I helped Mia settle the fare, and we stepped out. "So, this is someone you can trust?" I questioned, looking at her.
"Yeah, witches typically don't meddle with our kind, but my pack had a relationship with this coven because my mother was very good friends with the witch who referred me to meet the witch here. I still plan on being cautious, even with the relationship," she admitted as we walked to the door and entered.
Upon entering, a young woman stood at the front. As soon as she laid eyes on Mia, she quickly approached us. "Mia, we've been expecting you ever since we heard what happened. I have much to discuss with you," she said, promptly locking the door. "And you brought a human with you," she added, looking at me.
"Yes, he's with me, and it's actually something we need to discuss," Mia responded. The woman motioned for us to follow her, and Mia complied. However, I stopped Mia for a moment. "Why do you want to discuss me?" I whispered to her.
"Witches keep extensive knowledge on all creatures. I've never heard of our kind having a mate bond with a human, but she may know more. It's just that we are different, Atlas, and I want to know if this has ever happened before," Mia tried to explain, her voice filled with curiosity and uncertainty.
"I understand," I responded, the scent of calming incense filling the air as we entered a room adorned with shelves of books and jars brimming with aromatic herbs. The woman guided us to a plush couch asking us to sit.
"My name is Bryn," she said, taking a seat across from us. "I knew your mother, Mia, and I know all about you. I am happy you managed to escape, but I'm afraid you will surely face more danger in the near future." She said to Mia.
Mia nodded, "I'm aware," she replied. "Have you heard of someone named Artemis? I've never come across that name before." Mia asked Bryn.
Bryn leaned forward, her eyes filled with a mix of caution and worry. "Artemis is an Alpha wolf who was raised in the human realm," she explained. "He is one of the strongest Alphas we have ever witnessed. His father, Alpha Blake of the Blue Ridge pack, never accepted your father as the wolf king. They assumed their pack was wiped out in a rogue attack, but they actually relocated to the human realm to escape your father's rule."
Mia's brows furrowed as she absorbed the information. "Alpha Blake recently passed," Bryn continued. "Ever since, Artemis has been plotting to get his hands on you, Mia. He has gained the support of multiple packs silently in the werewolf realm. Many believe your father was selfish for not taking advantage of his mate's power, so werewolves would not need to hide on hidden land. Artemis wants to take down the barriers separating werewolves and humans," she explained.
"He plans to use your power to take over some of the human lands, making werewolves superior even here." Bryn warned Mia.
"If you have this knowledge, why did we not have it?" Mia questioned, her voice filled with confusion and frustration. "I have never heard of Artemis or him working with other packs. I was aware that some wanted my father to form new alliances by selecting a chosen mate for me, and I knew that some did not like that my father never used my mother's power. We had enemies, but if multiple packs were working with a wolf hiding amongst the humans, and your coven has knowledge, I just don't understand why we did not."
Mia shifted her body uneasily next to me, her restless movements showing her discomfort.
"Your father was aware of the danger your pack was in," Bryn replied, her voice steady and calm. "But he only learned of Artemis's plan and the packs he got to side with him a day before the attack. That's unfortunately when we learned as well. Artemis is working with witches. They are masking his moves and have been keeping his meetings with other packs hidden. Not just that, we have knowledge that he has been trying to alter his wolf with the help of experiments and witchcraft. He is not going to be an easy enemy to face, Mia."
"If you can provide me with all the information that you have on Artemis, that will be helpful," Mia said. "I know our pack had many allies, but with my father gone and my pack fallen, I don't even know if I can trust them any longer."
Mia's words hung in the air, heavy with the weight of uncertainty. I couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for her as I listened, the gravity of her situation becoming clearer with each passing moment.
"I'm afraid you are right to remain cautious," Bryn explained to Mia, her voice tinged with a hint of concern.
"Unfortunately, when presented with the chance for more power, many allies can turn into enemies. Many will want to mark you as their chosen mate. If Artemis gets his hands on you, he will destroy the balance between our worlds." Bryn explained to Mia.
"I won't let that happen. I'll find a way to take him down so he is not a threat." Mia spoke softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Bryn cleared her throat, "I'm assuming the human is your mate," she asked, her gaze shifting between Mia and me.
"Yes, he is. Bryn, this is Atlas," Mia introduced me. I offered a polite smile.
"I was hopeful maybe you knew of other werewolf-human bonds," Mia asked, her voice filled with hope. Bryn let out a friendly chuckle, the sound echoing through the room. "Unfortunately, I do not. Although, it has been foretold by another witch a long time ago that a white wolf would end up with a human that would maintain the balance between both worlds. That very well could be you and Atlas," she said.
I honestly did not know what to say. The weight of Bryn's words settled on my shoulders, leaving me speechless. "You even feel the bond with her, don't you?" Bryn asked, her eyes searching mine for confirmation. I nodded slowly, unable to deny the inexplicable connection I felt with Mia. It was as if our souls were intertwined, bound together by an invisible thread.
"You have my protection, Mia. Our coven has always sworn to protect the Royal white wolves. I will do everything I can to aid you. I will put all the information we have on Artemis together for you," Bryn promised. Mia's face lit up with gratitude for a moment, her body shifting again on the couch.
"Thank you for your support and help," Mia said, her voice filled with sincerity.
"May I use your bathroom for a moment?" Mia Asked Bryn.
Mia left for a moment, leaving me alone with Bryn. As I sat there, Bryn spoke softly, her voice filled with a mix of concern and admiration. "I knew Mia's mother, and I can already see her in Mia just by sitting with the two of you. Mia is a very special being, not just a white wolf, but possibly the most powerful being in existence now that her mother has passed."
"She will have many, including Artemis, after her. They will try and mark her, claim her, and use her. Mia will have to fight to survive. The question is, are you willing to fight by her side, Atlas?" Bryn asked.
I glanced towards the bathroom door, where Mia had disappeared moments ago.
"Her world is different from the human world," Bryn continued. "You will be thrust into situations that could mean your life. A mate bond for a werewolf is sacred, strengthening both individuals who accept it. It surpasses a mere chosen mate, creating a lifetime link. I don't know how the bond will work if you accept Mia and she accepts you, but based on the vision I was told of the white wolf and the human, their bond was incredibly strong."
"I'm telling you all of this, since Mia is already in danger. And although she is incredibly well trained to fight and strong, what she is about to face, I fear, is a danger unlike what any other of her kind has had to face. One that could put the human world in danger if she is taken by Artemis. I can already see the bond has started with her, and I fear if the two of you don't complete it, she may not be strong enough to face what's to come. Are you willing to accept a lifetime bond to her, Atlas, and stay by her side?"
"I am," I replied, "as long as she accepts having a human as her mate. I may have just met her, but I already know I don't want a life without her. I can feel it, we were meant to be together." My words caused a genuine smile to form on Bryn's face, her eyes reflecting a mix of relief and hope.
"I am glad to hear that, Atlas," Bryn said, her voice carrying a hint of relief. She glanced towards the closed bathroom door and shook her head, her eyes filled with concern. "When Mia comes out, take her back to the safe place where you are staying. We will meet again tomorrow, and I will provide her with the information she needs."
"Tell her that you accept her, Atlas," Bryn continued, her words laced with urgency. "Right now, Mia needs to go to the place you are staying. I cannot force her into anything, but she is starting something that will bring her immense pain and discomfort if she doesn't accept the bond she shares with you. So, the best thing you can do is be open with her and let her know that you accept her."
Confusion washed over me as Bryn rose from her seat. Just then, the bathroom door creaked open, and I turned my attention towards Mia who came out. Her face was flushed, a tinge of red spreading across her cheeks. I was worried about her, I could tell something was wrong.