Atlas POV
Her intoxicating scent wafted through the air, captivating my senses and sending a rush of desire through my veins. Yet, she was composed and seemingly unaffected. Her cool demeanor only intensified my curiosity, making me question if her scent would continue to drive me wild as her heat increases. This was a new sensation for me, as I had not sensed her heat the first time.
She confessed her fear of hurting me, but now, I shared the same fear of causing her pain. I was still acclimating to this unfamiliar aspect of myself, grappling with the realization that there was a force within me capable of exerting control. It was a constant struggle as I felt an entirely new side of me emerge, one that would relinquish all restraint and hold nothing back. This newfound power both excited and terrified me simultaneously.
Her piercing purple eyes locked onto mine, the intensity palpable as our bodies pressed against each other. Despite my uncharacteristic actions, I could sense her unwavering trust in me through that gaze alone.
I focused intently on her eyes, trying to maintain composure. With her permission, I refused to do anything that would cause her pain or harm. Doubts swirled in my mind, questioning my ability to touch her gently. Could I manage such a simple task without losing control?
As a Lycan, I knew my strength surpassed hers. I had witnessed it firsthand when I fought off the wolves effortlessly. But with Mia, I feared losing control and hurting her. She was the first thing I had ever loved, surpassing even the love I had for my own family. My childhood memories paled in comparison.
Brutus's voice echoed in my mind, reassuring me. He promised that he would not allow any harm to befall our mate. He understood the preciousness of our bond, just as I did. And now, he wanted to take control and shift, to show Mia that she would be safe.
Releasing Mia, confusion momentarily flickered in her eyes before comprehension dawned. She understood what was happening. "Atlas, it is safe here," she stated, her voice steady. "Brutus wants to take control and shift, right?"
"Yes," I replied, my voice strained from holding back the powerful force within me.
"Don't hold back, Atlas," Mia urged, conviction in her voice. "He won't hurt me. Shift, Atlas."
Before I could utter another word, the sound of fabric ripping filled the air. I could feel the raw power coursing through my body as the transformation began.
I was just a passenger in my Lycan form watching through his eyes. Brutus took a deliberate step towards Mia, his hand reaching out to gently touch her body. I could feel the thump of her heartbeat against the palm of his lycan hand as he pressed it against her for a moment, showing a rare display of gentleness. But then, he slid his sharp claws down her shirt, ripping it off her body. "What are you doing?" I snapped, a tinge of worry creeping in. However, this time, he didn't respond, and I had no control over the situation. All I could do was watch.
He locked eyes with Mia, and she nodded as if they were communicating silently. Slowly, she removed her pants, panties, and then her bra, standing before me completely vulnerable, her flawless body on display. But then, the memory of that man, the one who had violated her, flashed through my mind, and a growl erupted from Brutus, not me. It was a powerful growl, but it didn't scare Mia. Instead, she brushed her hand against my lycan form. "Something from my memories must have set you off. I'm sorry for that," she whispered, apologizing for someone else's actions.
"Mine only, mine," Brutus declared, startling both me and Mia. Her eyes widened in surprise. "You can speak," she whispered, looking up to meet his eyes.
"Special, just like you. We were made to protect you, little white wolf, always," he explained, as she nuzzled her head against his body.
"Do you want me to shift?" she asked. "No, we must show Atlas. I cause you no harm, tiny mate," he assured her, lifting her and placing her in front of a full-length mirror. He wrapped his arms around her, forcing me to look at our reflection while our vulnerable mate stood against us. He wanted to prove that his touch wouldn't hurt her. "You are a tiny mate, but I would never hurt you. Do you fear me?" he asked Mia. "No, I love and trust you," she responded, as he held her still for a moment.
My lycan stood tall, towering over Mia. At 8 feet, possibly even more, he dwarfed her petite 5-foot frame. His fur was a deep, pitch-black shade, and his long legs and arms gave him an imposing presence. His form was a blend of wolf and human, capable of both standing and running on all fours. His paws, or hands, were a unique combination of both, allowing him to easily hold Mia. His eyes, like the glowing moon, illuminated the darkness.
As Mia relaxed in his embrace, her scent remained unchanged. Perhaps my touch helped keep some of her heat at bay, and it was a relief. I yearned to fulfill my promise to her, to explore every inch of her body and witness the pleasure in her beautiful eyes. But for now, I also wanted to have a conversation with her. I needed to share what I had discovered from her memories, the truth that she deserved to know.
"I give you control now," Brutus's voice echoed in my mind as I shifted back, holding Mia against my body. She turned in my arms, her voice calm and composed. "You truly are remarkable, Atlas and Brutus. I'm grateful that you allowed me that moment with your lycan, Atlas. And when you're ready, we will also give Inara and Brutus the chance to take control of our human bodies, so they can intimately be together as well."
I simply wrapped my arms around her, cherishing and protecting her, as I gazed at our reflection in the mirror. She was the perfect fit for me, and these arms of mine would always keep her safe.
I held her in silence for a few moments. Gently, I lifted her and placed her on the bed, her eyes locked on mine. She waited for me to speak, her scent enveloping the room, growing stronger by the second. I sensed her discomfort through her subtle movements as I joined her on the bed.
"You want to share what you saw from my memories, don't you?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"Yes," I confessed, knowing it wasn't the ideal moment. "I feel wrong keeping them from you."
"How bad?" she murmured, as my hand caressed her skin, trying to ease her rising heat. It was my mark that had triggered this for her.
"Enough to make me want to tear them apart," I admitted, my honesty pouring out.
"Show me," she pleaded, and I held her close, brushing my lips against hers. Her fingers tangled in my hair as the kiss deepened. As I shared what I had seen, I maintained the connection, wanting her to feel the depth of my love and the safety I offered.
A soft whimper escaped her lips as I continued to share, my hand trailing along her body. I longed to erase the touch of another, to ensure that she only remembered my intimate caresses. For I was made solely for her, and she deserved nothing less.
Once I finished sharing, Mia clung to me tightly, her fingers digging into my skin. "Thank you for sharing," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I know I said part of me was happy I blacked out, but knowing the truth as well also helps me understand my past, even if the truth is painful."
As she spoke, Mia released her grip on me for a moment, her fingers trembling. "Based on Bryn's information," she continued, her voice strained, "it is safe to assume the young man was Alpha Artemis. He really has been planning this for a long time. I wonder what sort of spell they cast on me. But it also seems they wanted me to complete the bond with my mate, with you, before anything really set in motion."
Mia's words hung in the air, heavy with uncertainty. She moved to get out of the bed, but I reached out and grabbed her hand, holding her back. "Atlas, we can't mate right now," she said, her voice filled with longing. "Since you marked me, we have not mated. Typically, to finish a bond, we have to mark and mate. And although I know we have mated more than once, it was before you marked me."
Her body trembled against mine, her scent intoxicating. "I'm in heat right now, since my body naturally wants to finish the bond. But until we know what the spell is, we can't finish it, no matter how badly we both want to. Finishing our bond could very well play into their hands."
Mia's words echoed in my ears as I held onto her, feeling the warmth of her skin against mine. Suddenly, a loud knock resounded through the room, breaking the tension. "Mia," Bryn's voice called out from behind the door. "Yes," Mia responded, her voice tinged with anxiety as she pulled away from me again.
"You're in heat," Bryn said, her voice filled with concern. "You can't be around Atlas, the spell will activate. You and Atlas cannot mate until I find a way to break it. The spell will drive your wolf to go to the caster, and if we stop you, it will hurt you. I will find a way to reverse it."
Mia's face paled, and she nodded slowly. "I understand," she said, her voice filled with resignation. "I figured. I will leave the room, and you can seal me in another room away from Atlas."
"I can control myself," I said firmly, gripping Mia's hand once more.
"Bryn, we can't mate, but I can still help Mia with her heat in other ways, right?" I inquired.
"Yes," Bryn replied cautiously, her voice muffled through the closed door. "As long as you don't mate with her, but resisting a she-wolf's heat won't be easy. Your primal instincts will urge you to claim her."
"I know, Bryn. If it comes to that point, I'll remove myself from this room. But I'm certain I can control myself."
Bryn acknowledged my determination and left us alone. Mia, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, spoke softly. "Atlas, you really don't have to do this."
I gently brushed a stray tear from her cheek, feeling the warmth radiating from her body. "Yes, I do. You're my mate, Mia, and I won't let you suffer when I can help. But I'll only do it if you want me to."
"Okay," she whispered, her voice barely audible. I carefully lifted her into my arms once more, feeling the heat emanating from her body intensify.
I watched intently as she moved her legs together, a desperate attempt to calm her body's insatiable need. As I pressed my lips against her warm skin, I could feel the electric tingle of anticipation. The scent of her, a delicious mix of desire and temptation, drove me wild. But my desire to keep her safe outweighed any primal urges.
I reassured her, my words mingling with the tender kisses I placed on her body. Mia let out a soft moan, surrendering to my touch. With gentle hands, I supported her legs, spreading them slightly for better access.
"Atlas," she moaned, her voice filled with longing.
"Don't worry," I whispered, my breath caressing her skin. "I will ensure that your heat brings you pleasure and not a hint of pain. I won't stop until it has run its course."
I knew we would be here for days, dedicated to bringing her comfort and pleasure during this intense time.