MIA POV
Despite all that was happening, I had an incredibly enjoyable time with Atlas at dinner. As we sat together, I immersed myself in getting to know him better, just as he wanted to know everything about me. I discovered that he excelled in school, although he never quite fit in. Before college, he lived with his grandmother in the small town where we met. His circle of friends was limited. He had also been in multiple relationships, and his face turned pale when I asked about their intimacy. It was a genuine curiosity on my part, as it didn't bother me that he had been with others before me. I tried to reassure him that our worlds were different, but I sensed that my words may have hurt him.
After finishing our meal, we stepped back onto the busy city streets, and a refreshing breeze gently brushed against my face. Initially, I hesitated, wanting to ensure his safety, but I was ready to mark him. Inara insisted that we wouldn't harm him. "Your eyes are glowing again," he chuckled as we strolled along. I needed to control this tendency of mine in public. I turned to him and nuzzled my head against his chest, causing him to laugh. "That's one way to conceal them," he whispered, wrapping his arms around me briefly as we paused on the sidewalk.

"I had a wonderful evening tonight. Thank you for spending it with me," I expressed my gratitude. "I haven't had this much fun in a long time, maybe even forever," he admitted, breaking our embrace so we could continue walking. I observed the city around us, taking in its sights. It was a great place to explore, but there was one downside - there was no safe place for me to shift. I would have to find a solution, perhaps the witch could offer some advice. While most werewolves could go without shifting for extended periods, it was dangerous for me and made Inara weak. She needed space to run, and for now, we would have to settle for shifting in our hotel room.
"We should shift in front of our mate, so he can get used to it," Inara suggested in my mind. "You just want me to shift in front of him so you can cuddle with him," I chuckled in response.
Once we entered the hotel room, I allowed Atlas a moment to settle in. Inara was brimming with excitement, eager to mark him. But before that, I needed to explain about needing to shift, as my wolf was unique. As soon as I mentioned shifting, his eyes lit up with anticipation.
"So, you need to shift into a wolf right now?" he asked, a hint of excitement in his voice.
"Yes, if you're comfortable with it," I responded, watching as he nodded eagerly, resembling a child receiving a gift. I began removing my clothing, and he turned around, causing a soft giggle to escape my lips. "You don't have to look away, Atlas. You're my mate," I whispered, my voice filled with tenderness. He chuckled in response.
"I know, it's just... well, Mia, the sight of you like that turns me on," he explained, causing a smile to spread across my face. It warmed my heart to know I had such an effect on him.

"I'm going to shift now," I announced, gracefully transforming into my wolf form. I nudged him with my head, signaling him to turn around. He ran his hand through my fur, his touch gentle and comforting.
"So, you are Inara," he stated, and she nudged him once more, affirming his assumption. "You're beautiful," he complimented, settling down on the ground. Inara relished in the attention, taking her time to explore, sniffing and even playfully licking his face, causing him to burst into laughter. Eventually, I regained control and shifted back, startling him slightly. But he quickly composed himself and rewarded me with a smile.
He hesitated for a moment before wrapping his arms around me. "Is it okay for me to hold you right now?" he asked.
"Yes, I like it when you hold me," I confessed, feeling a sense of security in his embrace. His lips brushed against mine once again, the kiss gentle yet filled with warmth.

"Atlas, do you still want me to mark you?" I asked him, my voice filled with anticipation. "Yes, Mia," he replied. "I want to try and complete this bond we have. I want to stay with you." As I took his hand in mine, I could feel the warmth of his touch, urging him to follow me to the bedroom.
"I don't know how this will work with you," I admitted, my voice tinged with concern. "You don't heal like me, and I have to bite deep. But I will watch after you and make sure you are safe. I just don't want to cause you pain." His understanding gaze met mine, and he reassured me, "I understand. I have a feeling I will be okay."
Leading him towards the bed, I whispered, "Get comfortable." He obediently removed his shirt, revealing his sculpted body, and settled against a few pillows. My fingertips brushed against his skin, feeling the contours of his body as his eyes roamed over mine.
"I can get dressed if you are not comfortable with me this way," I offered, turning to retrieve a nightshirt. But Atlas stopped me. "Don't. I like you this way, as long as you are comfortable. Just like your wolf, you are beautiful, Mia. It's hard for me to take my eyes off of you. I like that you are comfortable being unclothed around me as well." His words brought a smile to my face as I climbed onto the bed and straddled him.
It was my turn to explore him, to make sure he felt relaxed before I bit him. I took my time, savoring the sensations as my lips moved up his body. His hands moved against me, adding a layer of desire to the air. I noticed how he liked to cup my breasts, his touch gentle yet filled with longing. Each caress he bestowed upon me sent waves of pleasure coursing through my body, intensifying the connection between us.
And then, finally, I made my way to his lips again, savoring the taste of him as I kissed him with a passionate hunger. My fingers brushed against the spot I was going to mark him, feeling the warmth of his skin against my touch. As we broke the kiss, I trailed kisses along his neck, my lips pressing against his sensitive flesh. I could hear his ragged breaths and the soft moans escaping his lips as his hands moved against my sides. Lust filled the air, mingling with the scent of our desire.
I traced my tongue over his marking spot, tasting the saltiness of his skin and feeling the slight tingle beneath my touch. And then, with a mix of anticipation and excitement, I allowed Inara, to move forward with me. As I did, my canines slightly elongated, ready to leave my mark on him.
As I bit into his marking spot, a surge of emotions flooded into me, overwhelming and intense. I could feel what Atlas was feeling - his affection for me, his worry about losing me. The bond between us grew stronger, electrifying me with energy. He was connected to me, and it was working.
Slowly, I removed my teeth from him, my tongue soothingly licking my mark. Inara's voice echoed in my mind, her words ringing clear. "Mate's tired, our mark is changing him, Mia. I sense something in mate now that I did not before."
Sitting up, I gently brushed my hand against him, feeling the warmth of his skin against my fingertips. He fought to keep his eyes open, but exhaustion weighed heavy on him. His mouth opened to speak, but no words emerged. I smiled softly, placing my finger against his lips.
"I can feel it, Atlas. It worked," I whispered, my voice filled with awe. "Thank you for accepting me. I will always stand by you." I watched as his eyes fully shut, his body succumbing to sleep. "Now sleep, my human mate. Your body needs the rest."
As I felt him drift off, a sense of contentment washed over me. Our bond was sealed, and together, we would face whatever challenges lay ahead.
I brushed my hand against him, feeling the warmth emanating from his body. "I hope he will be okay," I whispered softly. Inara's voice echoed in my mind, "Mate is strong, Mia. Sealing the bond can be draining. If he were a male wolf marking us, it might have had the same effect."
I carefully pulled the blanket over him, tucking him in, and climbed into bed beside him. Sleep eluded me I just wanted to keep a watchful eye on Atlas, despite Inara's advice. I needed to ensure his safety. I wondered if I could sense his emotions, if he could feel mine when he wakes. Would he be able to feel the love I already have for him?
The night dragged on, and I drifted off briefly a few times, only to wake up immediately, my eyes never leaving Atlas. As morning broke, I slipped out of bed to make coffee and contact Bryn. But my attention remained on Atlas, my concern growing as he seemed to still be in a deep slumber.
I asked Bryn to come to the hotel instead of us going to her shop. I didn't want to leave Atlas alone. Thankfully, she was accommodating and even brought some food with her, knowing I was uncomfortable leaving him unattended. Grateful for her support, I took my time getting dressed.
After an hour, Bryn arrived with a box full of donuts, a tantalizing scent filling the room. I had never tried them before. She also brought a large file filled with information about Alpha Artemis and the packs aligning with him. She seemed genuinely pleased that I had accepted Atlas and marked him. However, she agreed with me that even though we had completed the bond, Artemis remained a threat, and we had no idea what he had planned.
I couldn't simply run and hide from him. Doing so would only allow him to pursue power in the werewolf realm, endangering both my kind and humans.
The file Bryn gave me was filled with valuable information, it even included vampires potentially working alongside him. As I read through the documents, a heavy sigh escaped my lips, burdened not only by my duty as the daughter of the wolf king to protect my realm but also by the knowledge that I was the last remaining royal white wolf. Determined, I resolved to formulate a plan that involved Atlas. Despite the imminent danger, I knew I needed him by my side.
"He may be asleep for quite some time, Mia," Bryn reassured me. Her voice held a soothing tone, laced with confidence. "You are powerful, and it seems that some of that power has transferred to Atlas. It could be a day or two before he wakes. I also sense something stirring within Atlas, but my own power fails to identify its nature. Perhaps when he wakes, I can assist in uncovering its true essence. I have a home outside the city, surrounded by a decent amount of property, and it is well-protected. The two of you should come stay there. It's safer."
Gratitude filled my heart as I nodded. "I really appreciate that," I replied, my gaze shifting to Atlas once more. "I am assuming you want us to come with you now. If that's the case, I may need your help getting Atlas to a car."
Bryn agreed, her eyes reflecting understanding. Together, we gathered our belongings and the money I had on hand. With Bryn's assistance, we carefully carried Atlas out through the back entrance, our movements fast and silent. By some stroke of luck, no one seemed to notice or question our actions as we loaded Atlas into the back of Bryn's car. He remained motionless, his sleep unbroken. Inara kept reminding me that he would be okay.
Once settled inside the house, gratitude overwhelmed me once more as I expressed my thanks to Bryn. I promised myself that I would repay her hospitality by helping around her home as much as possible. As she departed once more for her shop, I found solace in a comfortable chair in the bedroom. With the weight of the situation pressing upon me, I began to go over everything in the file, waiting patiently for Atlas to wake up.