Atlas POV
As we made our way toward Mia's old pack lands, I kept reminding myself to breathe. Since Leo broke the spell linking me to his mother, I could feel Mia again, but all I sensed was her suffering and confusion. Does she really not remember me? That thought devastated me. But our love is forever, and I vowed to make her remember.
In the car, I closed my eyes and focused on my memories of her. "Please hold on to the memory of me, Mia. I love you," I whispered in my mind. "Remember that we're connected forever, remember our bond." I continued speaking silently, pouring all my energy into trying to reach her.

Soon, we pulled onto her pack lands, and Flint gasped at the sight. The remnants of houses and buildings lay scattered on the ground. Someone had cleaned up the bodies, but the stench of death still hung in the air. This was Flint and Mia's home, and I couldn't fathom the pain he felt seeing it like this.
We all stepped out of the car, and Flint grabbed a blanket from the back. I looked at him, confused. "For Mia. Chances are she has no clothing," he explained. I nodded, grateful for his thoughtfulness. We were all anxious, unsure of how Mia would be when we found her and faced Thora. But I had faith that Mia wouldn't forget our bond, even though Leo warned that it could give Thora access to her power if she did.
Flint spoke up, offering his knowledge. "I know of one cave, although it was already caved in when I lived here. Unless you know the way, Atlas, I can lead us."
"It's the cave she used to read at. I saw an image of it in my mind, with Mia sitting outside," I explained.
"That's the one. I'll lead the way," Flint confirmed. "But we must be prepared to fight. Breaking open the entrance will wake Thora," I warned everyone. Bram and Crimson had joined us as well, and their help was invaluable, especially since we had discovered Thora's ability to summon an army of the dead.
I knew Crimson and Bram were exceptionally fast, their speed surpassing ours. As I gazed at them, I urgently spoke, "When we open the Cave, I need both of you to ensure Mia's safety. Keep her away from Thora." They nodded in understanding. "You have our word. We will protect her," Crimson assured me. Grateful, I replied, "Thank you." My heart longed to keep Mia by my side, but her safety was paramount. She had endured so much already. Now, it was our responsibility to shield her from harm.

We ventured through the dense forest, the shadows of towering trees casting an eerie ambiance. Time seemed to stretch endlessly until we finally arrived at a cavern. A colossal boulder obstructed the entrance, its presence reinforced by a potent enchantment, as confirmed by Bryn. Bruitus, howled with anticipation within me. He sensed Mia's presence within, tantalizingly close, yet cruelly out of reach. Determined, I approached the massive boulder, placing my hands upon its rough surface. Frustration surged through me. How could I possibly free her?
Stepping aside, I transformed into my lycan form, my senses heightened. With all my strength, I launched myself against the unyielding boulder. But to no avail. The immovable obstacle remained unbroken. And then, Leo's words echoed in my mind. Mia's power resided within me. I needed to harness her power to overcome this barrier.
I focused on my memory of when I first trained after she gifted me some of her power. I tried to remember that feeling again, the surge of energy that coursed through my veins. I let it flow through me and slammed my body against the boulder. This time, a small crack formed, giving me hope. The impact sent vibrations through my bones, resonating deep within me.
I focused even more, shutting out the sounds of the world around me. I delved into my memories of Mia, recalling the moment I found her with the arrow lodged in her side. The scent of pine trees and damp earth filled my nostrils as I replayed the scene in my mind. Even then, I questioned- was she the wolf? But in that same instant, love had welled up inside me, as powerful as a raging river. I had loved her from the very moment our eyes met.

Even then, she had sacrificed herself, taking that arrow meant for me. A mix of anguish and gratitude washed over me, blending into a primal growl that escaped my lips. "Let us make sacrifices as well," I demanded silently, the words echoing in my mind.
With newfound determination, I slammed my body again into the boulder. This time, a large crack formed, and with it, Mia's scent enveloped me. I knew she was just one more attempt away, waiting for me.
I opened my eyes, surveying the scene before me. Flint shifted, ready for the impending battle. Bryn, her eyes gleaming with newfound confidence in her mastery of battle magic, stood by my side. Bram and Crimson, loyal and unwavering, were prepared to retrieve Mia and escape with her.
With my allies by my side, I took a step back, my heart pounding in my chest. I summoned all the strength within me and slammed myself into the boulder one more time. The memory of Mia's radiant smile and unwavering kindness fueled my every move. And with that final strike, the boulder crumbled, falling apart.
My heart pounded fiercely in my chest, its rhythmic thumping echoing in the dimly lit cave. As my eyes darted across the cold, stone floor, they landed upon the bodies of Mia and Thora. A shroud of black mist seeped into the cavern, enveloping the scene in an eerie darkness.
A chilling laugh resonated within the cave, unmistakably belonging to Thoras. With lightning speed, Bram scooped up Mia, and in an instant, they vanished from sight. The air crackled with electric energy, Mia's power. But how?
"She doesn't remember you," the voice taunted, its words dripping with malice. "I possess the remnants of her power, the very essence that allowed her to feel anything for you. If you kill me, Mia will never feel the bond to you."
I scoffed at her words, refusing to believe her lies. Our love transcended any bond bestowed upon us by the goddess. Our souls were forever intertwined, even if we couldn't feel the bond. With a fierce growl, I lunged towards the source of darkness, my fur bristling with a newfound intensity.
As I attacked, a strange sensation washed over me. My fur felt different, as if Mia's presence was infused within me. I realized that I, too, was channeling her power. In this way, Mia was still fighting alongside me. With unwavering determination, I vowed to destroy this malevolent force and put an end to it once and for all. Together, as a united team, we would prevail.
Thora summoned shadow figures to fight us, and they materialized, lurking around us. However, we were ready, determined not to let her escape.
Bryn's voice resonated with power as she chanted ancient incantations, her words weaving a web of spells to ensnare Thora. The magical energy emanating from her caused the cave to pulsate with an otherworldly glow.
Flint and I fought with unyielding ferocity, our movements fluid and precise. Every strike we delivered was fueled by the sheer determination to reach Thora.
As the shadow creatures lunged towards us, their forms twisted and distorted, their movements erratic. Each time they made contact with me, I unleashed a burst of raw strength, flinging them off with a primal force. The anger within me transformed me into a relentless beast, unyielding and untamed.
Yet, despite our best efforts, Thora remained elusive. Every time I drew near, she vanished, leaving only echoes of her mocking taunts behind.
“You’re just wasting your time,” Thora taunted, her voice dripping with confidence. As we continued to fight her shadow creatures.
With a sinister laugh, she declared, “Her mind is now mine. Mia trapped herself with me, unwittingly allowing me to infiltrate her thoughts.”
Determined not to let her words sway us, we pressed on. Bryn's spells intensified, forming ethereal barriers and trapping the shadow creatures in an attempt to halt their relentless assault. The cave became a battleground, crackling with surges of magic.
But Thora's confidence remained unshaken, her voice dripping with malicious triumph. She believed she had won, confident that the fractured bond would draw Mia back to her, making her a formidable enemy against us.
With each strike, each incantation, and each surge of power, we fought on, refusing to succumb to despair. The battle against Thora's shadow creatures was far from over, but our determination burned brighter than ever. We would not rest until we had killed Thora.
"You really think you can destroy me when you can't even break through to me? You are pathetic, all of you," she taunted, her voice dripping with arrogance. I growled in response, the low rumble reverberating through my chest, causing the ground to tremble beneath my feet. "My spell has already started, you fools," she laughed, her words punctuated by a blinding flash of light and a deafening clap of thunder outside the cave. The sudden display of power drew our attention, leaving us momentarily stunned.
"She may have sacrificed her power, but remember, she holds the power of all the guardians. You played right into my hands, just as I planned. And now, with a fractured bond, she has lost control. Her lightning will awaken my mate, and with his revival comes the destruction of this world you so desperately want," her voice echoed ominously around us. And then, in an instant, she vanished into thin air.
I turned, my senses heightened, knowing exactly where she was heading - towards Mia. Without hesitation, I sprinted out of the cave, the air crackling with electricity as lightning struck the forest floor, setting it ablaze. The acrid scent of burning wood filled my nostrils, but I pushed through, fueled by determination. There was no way in hell I was going to let her get to Mia.
As lightning crackled and struck the ground, I sprinted through the forest. Mia's intoxicating scent permeated the air, growing stronger with every step. In the distance, Bram and Crimson lay motionless on the forest floor. A deep growl escaped my throat as my eyes locked onto Mia. Her body radiated with electric power, but even from a distance, I could sense something was wrong.
Flint and Bryn caught up to me just as Thora materialized beside Mia. "We can't let her have Mate," Brutus growled urgently in my mind. Thora's voice boomed through the forest, taunting us, "You will all witness Mia completing the final step of my plan. Watch as I destroy everything you hold dear."
Desperate to reach Mia, I attempted to run closer, but Thora conjured a formidable barrier, blocking our path. Bryn chanted spells, fervently trying to break through the barrier, while Thora positioned herself behind Mia, who remained eerily still.
"Mia, fight back! Remember our bond, remember the family you now have" I pleaded desperately through our link.
Thora's voice echoed through the air, commanding Mia to unleash her electrifying energy into the earth. I watched in horror as Mia's body crackled with electricity, a blue glow forming around her. Sparks danced from her fingertips. Desperate to reach her, I slammed my body against the barrier, feeling the jolt of the electric energy against my skin. Flint joined me, both of us straining against the invisible wall. Meanwhile, Bryn relentlessly attempted to break through with magic.
Through our mental connection, I pleaded with Mia to stop. My heart skipped a beat as she turned her gaze towards me. Thora's voice pierced the chaos, ordering Mia to release her power. Electricity swirled around Mia, building up like a volatile bomb. But then, in that fleeting moment, I saw a small, almost imperceptible smile grace Mia's lips. I strained to read her silent words as she mouthed, "My forever," her eyes locked with mine.
Suddenly, a blinding light erupted, obscuring our view of Mia. The sheer force of her released power knocked us all off our feet. Electricity crackled through the barrier, causing the ground beneath us to tremble and crack. We were left stunned and disoriented, trying to regain our senses in the aftermath of this electrifying spectacle.