LOGIN~Atlas~I watch Apollo storm out, confusion taking root in my soul. Something is really wrong, and I have no idea what it could be. What I do know is that whatever it is, it has Apollo and Luka in a chokehold.I look down at the folder in my hand and know that whatever is inside is going to change my life forever. I’m barely aware of Marcus in the room with me. It’s his stench that reminds me he exists.I pull my hand away from my body with the intention of opening the folder. My hands are shaking, and I can barely breathe. I take a deep breath in and slowly let it out, opening the folder as I do.The white paper is bright with words in black jumping off the page. I let my eyes skim the paper, each section making my heart drop a little more. “Wh…” My throat is thick with emotion, and my eyes are starting to blur. “Where did th
As crowded as it is, Ares could be in the mall, and we wouldn’t know. He could be watching us, waiting for the perfect moment to snatch me. I wanted to get out of the packhouse and even wanted to get off packlands for a while, this is true. It’s also true that I didn’t think this through all that well. I didn’t fully consider the dangers and opportunities that being on packlands provided. I probably should have listened to Atlas and Apollo and stayed where I was. I swear if I make it back home safely, I won’t question their choices again.My anxiety is in overload, and though I haven’t seen him, I swear Ares is behind every corner. I just need a moment to pull myself back together. I pull Esme into a shoe store, wanting to escape the crowd and eager to look at shoes. We walk further in, but I bump into someone on their way out. “I’m so sorry.” I don’t look up, my mind pleading for
~Akia~It’s been amazing having those I’m closest to under the same roof. I feel bad because I’ve been spending so much time with them, and not much time with my mates. I know they are missing me, and I miss them. I guess I’m just basking in the comfort right now. It isn’t even that my mates don’t comfort me; I just have a lot going on.As great as this has been, I’m feeling a bit stir crazy. I haven’t been off packlands since I got here. It isn’t just me feeling this way, Esme agrees. Uncle D and Auntie Kyla are telling me to settle down; it isn’t that serious. I hear them, but I just want out. “So, have you asked them yet?” I sigh and turn my head to Esme. She really, really wants to get out of here for a bit.“No, not yet.”“What are you waiting for?” Esme flops on the couch next to me. “Just ask them already, will ya? They will agree because you’re their mate.” I shake my head.“Look, they are just trying to keep us safe. What if Ares appears and snatches me?”“Goddess! It’s not l
~Ares~I’ve been up and down this block, grabbing women. They are supposed to be professionals, supposed to excel at making men feel good. They are all shit! I feel nothing but anger. They can’t even help me get it up!I push another one out of the car and drive off, not caring to listen to her complaints. I’m quickly losing myself, and I don’t know how to stop the fall. I don’t know how to fix everything that seems to be breaking around me.I lift the block between Adolf and me. I can barely see him in the dark corners of my mind. The only thing visible is his eyes. Well, isn’t this an interesting development? Don’t start, Adolf.Don’t start what, human? Don’t start telling the truth? Don’t explain how royally you fucked up?I KNOW, OK! I know. My chest is heaving, my breathing heavy. I know that I fu.cked up and all of this is my mess.I told you to grab her as soon as we found her. She was amenable to us. She had hearts in her eyes when she looked at us. You should have marked her
~Atlas~I sit at my desk, trying not to let recent events weigh too heavily. There’s so much going on, and it’s all pretty crazy. I have no idea how to navigate it all, but I know I will figure it out. I can take comfort in the fact that I’m not alone in this. I have Apollo and Akia by my side. I would move heaven and Earth, if need be, to keep her safe. It doesn’t matter who I have to keep her safe from, including my brother.Apollo is working diligently at his desk, and I’m in awe of it. It amazes me that with all of this going on, he can still be so calm and focused. I’m losing my mind, trying to make everything make sense. I wish I could be like him right now and focus on what needs to get done.The office door slams open, making me jump at the sudden noise. Our father walks in, his movements stiff and almost robotic. Apollo barely looks up from his work, and I’m stuck with my eyes on him. “So are we running a shelter or something, now?” His jaw is tight, and his words are coming
~Selene~I sit back in my chair, not trying to hide my amusement. I knew that Apollo would be the best one for this, and he isn’t disappointing me at all. This is already highly entertaining, and nothing has really happened yet.I have no idea what Apollo’s plan is, but he’s already disrupting Ares, which is half the battle. I know that it won’t take long for Ares to confront his brother directly. I can only hope that it works out in our favor when that happens.The door opens and closes while my eyes are still on the scene below. “So this was your plan? Playing cat and mouse games is what’s going to end the crazy man?” I sigh and shake my head. I think I’m starting to understand why her place is where it is. She’s absolutely no fun and has no vision.“These aren’t cat and mouse games. This is just the warm-up. This is the public acknowledgment that he’s been found out; his mask has slipped. This is just calling him out and waiting to see what his next move will be. I think you’ve bee
~Ares~I don’t walk back into the living room; instead, I ask for the bathroom. I needed to get away from this fool trying to insert himself in my relationship. I don’t care if that’s his niece. Akia’s my mate, my little flower. Absolutely no one gets to interfere with our relationship.As soon as
~Apollo~The car is quiet, except for the hum of the motor. Atlas is neck deep in pack work on his laptop, and the warriors in the front are doing their jobs quietly. I’ve been sitting next to Atlas, lost in my own thoughts. We are heading to Akia’s pack right now so we can meet her family.We went
~Akia~My time in the woods was amazing. Atlas is someone that you never see coming, but when he does, he overwhelms you in the best way. We talked, and we made out a little. It was such an amazing time.I hate that he was called away to handle Alpha duties. I wanted to spend more time with him. I
~Atlas~Akia and I walk through the open field behind the packhouse. We are walking next to each other, occasionally brushing against each other. Neither of us has said anything, and the silence is a bit uncomfortable. I guess the issue is the presence of Ares.My brother has always been different,







