Leo POV
I never could have imagined the day I would go against my mother. For so long, I blindly followed her wishes, believing in the logic of separating all kinds. We for once were the ones who instilled fear, but everything changed when I crossed paths with Mia. Disguised as a Rogue child, I infiltrated her pack. It was a constant struggle, altering my appearance to appear to age naturally over time. My purpose was to spy on the pack, to keep a close watch on Mia. Little did I expect that she would become my friend.
Rogues were treated as outcasts, but Mia showed me kindness. She treated me with compassion, despite the mistreatment she endured. She wore a smile, concealing her pain from the world, except for me. It took time and effort to earn her trust and for her to confide in me. In her presence, I experienced genuine happiness for the first time in my existence. I fell in love with her, longing to escape with her and keep her safe.

However, I knew that revealing my true identity would shatter the smile that had captured my heart. So, I remained committed to the plan, hoping that by stopping my mother in the future, I could ensure Mia's survival. Even if it meant seeing her with her destined mate, I hoped that my efforts would not only save her but also redeem myself in her eyes.
I yearned to see that precious smile from my dearest friend once again. Above all, I desired to be a part of her life, even if it was just as a friend.
I carefully arranged the final ingredients on the old wooden table in the room, their colors vibrant against the worn surface. As Bryn prepared Atlas, a tremor ran through my hand. This was my only chance, my heart racing with the weight of the task ahead. Failure to cast this spell correctly would mean losing the opportunity forever.
My sacrifice to be made, I was resolute and grateful for Bryn's offer to assist. The spell was arduous, and it would temporarily drain her energy. But her help ensured that my life would not be claimed by it, for which I was immensely thankful.
"Ready?" I asked, my gaze shifting between Bryn and Atlas. "Yes," they both replied in unison. But then, Atlas turned to me, his eyes filled with gratitude. "I'm going to make sure Mia, as well as everyone else, knows what you did for us," he spoke with sincerity. "Thank you for aiding in bringing her back and protecting her."
I nodded, feeling a swell of emotion. "It's the right thing to do, and I'm happy that in the end, I can help her," I admitted, a flicker of determination igniting within me. The candles on the table were lit one by one, casting a soft, warm glow in the room.

"Keep in mind that this spell may take a few days to fully take effect on you," I cautioned Atlas, my voice filled with a mix of anticipation and caution.
"I understand," Atlas responded, his voice steady and determined.
"Good," I said, taking a deep breath, feeling the air fill my lungs.
I handed Bryn a piece of paper with an incantation. "When I grab your hand, I will need you to recite this and then continue holding my hand. You must not let go," I instructed, my voice filled with a sense of urgency. She looked at the paper, her eyes scanning the words as she committed them to memory. Carefully, she set it down on the table.

I then took a silver blade and cut my hand, a sharp sting filling my senses. With measured steps, I walked over to Atlas, his powerful presence commanding the room. Reciting several words, I allowed my blood to drip onto him, each drop falling with a rhythmic sound. Satisfied, I made my way back to the table, my hand still throbbing from the fresh wound. I gathered the ingredients, each one possessing its own distinct scent and texture, and began mixing them as I recited the incantation. Every ingredient had to be placed at the right time, a delicate dance of precision.
As I finished, a swirling smoke filled the room, its tendrils curling and twisting in the air. I brought the bowl filled with the concoction over to Atlas, the smoke wafting towards him. He inhaled deeply, his nostrils flaring as the smoke enveloped him. In that moment, a sharp pain pierced through my temples, a pulsating ache signaling that the magic was taking effect. My body tensed, preparing for the consequences that would surely follow.
I turned to Bryn, my hand reaching out to grab hers. She read her portion of the incantation, her voice steady and determined. I followed suit, reciting the words that held the power to reverse my mothers spell. The smoke in the room darkened, a heavy shroud descending upon us. Atlas's head jerked back, a primal growl escaping his lips. "Fight it!" I yelled, desperation lacing my words.
Suddenly, a burst of blinding light illuminated the room, its brilliance only temporary. As the light faded, an intense pain seared through my chest, causing me to crumple to the ground. The smoke above Atlas shifted, its color morphing into a haunting shade of blue. Through the haze, I managed to utter the words, "It's done, it worked," before coughing uncontrollably.
I released Bryn's hand, and she clung to the table for support. Flint, swift in his movements, entered the room, checking on her. Other than being visibly exhausted, she seemed unharmed. Blood dripped from my nose as I struggled to stand, my body weak and trembling. Atlas remained unconscious, a temporary state that he would soon awaken from, as was customary.
Flint extended his hand, helping me up from the ground after he settled Bryn into a worn-out chair. As he looked at me, genuine concern filled his eyes. "How are you?" he asked, his voice laced with worry.
"Alive," I managed to cough out, blood staining my lips. "I'll be fine, even though I no longer feel my powers. I was prepared for that."
A loud growl interrupted our conversation, drawing our attention to Atlas, who was slowly waking up. "Mia, we need to free her now," he urgently spoke, his eyes glowing bright yellow.
"We will find her, Atlas," Bryn reassured him.
Atlas's expression was filled with panic. "Something is wrong with her. I can feel it. Something is happening to her when she sleeps. Shortly after you cast the spell, I got this bad gut feeling. It's almost like Thora is tormenting her even when trapped," Atlas explained.
I let out a weary sigh. "I should have known. My mother is strong, and she most likely ensnared Mia in something before Mia sealed them away. She's trying to break her."
"Bryn, since you're connected to Mia, you can try to enter her mind and see what's going on. I'll teach you the spell," I said, another cough escaping my lips. Bryn looked at me with concern, but I reassured her. "I'll be fine. Atlas is right. We need to save Mia, and we need to do it fast. Let's find out what's happening to her."
I guided Bryn through the incantation, having her repeat the words after me. Her eyes glazed over as she entered Mia's mind.
After a few moments, Bryn's eyes shot open, and she looked at all of us. "She's trapped in a memory, but it's from before she met Atlas. She's being treated poorly. I think Thora is trying to make her forget her love. I tried to reach out to her, to tell her to remember Atlas and hold onto who he is."
“Does she truly not remember me?” Atlas asked, his voice filled with trepidation.
I turned to Atlas. "Until the goddess guides you, we have no idea where Mia is. Right now, the best thing you can do is focus on your bond. Keep talking to Mia, even if she doesn't respond. We must hope that your words reach her. If she forgets the bond, when my mother wakes, she may be able to use that to take any power left in Mia. And there must be some power left in her for Thora to be doing this. Mia can't forget you."
I attempted to move but stumbled, unaccustomed to feeling so weak.
"She is in a cave nestled deep within the dense forest of her old pack lands," Atlas spoke, his words catching us all off guard. "It's strange, but I can feel it in my bones, that's where she is. And I also feel different, as if the spell that bound me has already shattered. I need to make my way to that cave,"
"We all will," Bryn chimed in, her voice firm and resolute. "But first, you need to rest, even if it's just for an hour. We'll need every ounce of strength and preparation."
Atlas walked over to me. "There's a book here," he began, his voice low and earnest. "It speaks of certain ways that can turn someone into a Lycan. Given your immortality, it's possible that you could undergo this transformation. It won't restore your powers, but it will grant you strength. And considering you've lived as a shifter for so long in the past, it might be a path worth exploring."
I pondered his words, the weight of the decision settling on my shoulders. "I understand. But becoming a Lycan would mean you biting me. It's not like a mate mark, but it would bind us as family," I replied, my voice steady.
His response was immediate and unwavering. "You already belong with us, as our family. We want you by our side."
With resolve, I made my decision. "Then I accept. But not until we rescue Mia. She comes first."
"Although I would like to join in Mia's rescue," I said. "I may hold all of you back. So I will stay here and wait for your return. I will gather ingredients and prepare potions for Bryn to make while you are away. Potions known to help strengthen someone, as I know Mia may need assistance."
"Thank you, Leo," Bryn replied gratefully, and Atlas nodded in agreement.
"Atlas, I am unsure of how to break Mia free," I continued, my voice filled with uncertainty, "but I sensed something in you earlier today that may help. I sensed the same type of electric power Mia has in you. Tap into that, and it may aid you."
"Supercharged," Flint whispered.
"What does that mean?" I asked, curious.
"We called him a supercharged lycan after Mia slept with him, since she shared her power," Flint chuckled, revealing the secret.
Understanding dawned upon me. "I see now. Well, then we should be thankful you have slept with Mia recently, as the power she gifted you may be the key to freeing her. Bring her back safe, Atlas, and we will all aid in helping her recover the best we can," I explained, my voice filled with hope.
As Flint helped Bryn out of the room, Atlas left as well to prepare for their journey to bring Mia home and end my mother once and for all.