Atlas Novels & Stories

It was really true that Dana Hamilton was a mother to Clara. Philip looked at the Harriot in the picture, he was smiling without the effort of pain and a wave of bitterness swept through Philip. He felt like losing his mind for a second by lamenting the fact that he had met them again but he knew better than to lose his control. He tucked his phone into his pocket and looked at the painting one more time.

Only now I pay more attention to his form - covered from head to toes in dark red goo. My breath hitches as Lenox slowly turns around and waves his hand. “Sorry, pal, that was my friend Atlas. The fucker isn’t a friend, but it’s not like I can get rid of him. You know, like that itch on your ass cheek that’s supposed to disappear once you scratch it, but instead of fading, it becomes worse? Yeah, that’s Atlas.” I keep opening and closing my mouth but even a word doesn’t leave me. I’ve seen plenty of crazy things in my life, but this one is taking the cake.

“Rest a bit. I’ll wake you when we’re home.” Naomi nodded obediently. The car fell into a comfortable silence. Atlas picked up a finance magazine and flipped through it casually. Their villa was in the suburbs of Elaris. By the time they arrived, the sky had already begun to darken. Naomi was sound asleep. Atlas stepped out of the car, draped his coat over her, and gently carried her in his arms. Just as he was about to head inside, headlights from a car across the street lit up. Without a change in expression, Atlas turned sideways to shield the woman in his arms from the glare. ***

And then the worst part—Kael and Lisa hugging, ganging up against me like I was the villain in some silly story. I rubbed my temples and groaned. “Unbelievable.” “You’re still brooding?” I lifted my head slowly to see Atlas leaning against the doorway, arms crossed, amusement practically dripping off him. He had that look—like a cat who had cornered a mouse and was enjoying the helpless squeaks. “I’m not brooding,” I muttered. “Oh, yes you are,” Atlas said, strolling inside like he owned the place. “That little wrinkle between your eyebrows? That’s the ‘Enzo just got humiliated’ wrinkle.”

"I'm here." His eyes barely opened. "Are we safe?" Mom froze. So did I. "Yes," she said softly. Leon closed his eyes again. "Okay." She carried him upstairs. I followed. Atlas was sitting on the floor in the hallway. Selene was beside him. Both were looking at a laptop. I stopped. "Why are you two awake?" Atlas looked at me. "We have a problem." My stomach dropped. "What kind of problem?" Selene turned the laptop toward me. A map filled the screen. Red dots were scattered across it. "What's that?"

“And whatever you do, do not touch me.” I roll my eyes and nod. “I’ll avoid that like you’re the plague.” “Good,” he says firmly. The rest of the trainees leave the room, leaving only us, the Gamma, and a woman I don’t recognize. But something about her feels familiar, like I’ve known her before. “What you need to do is very simple,” Atlas begins, his eyes locked on me; cold, and devoid of emotion… yet beautiful. He has his father’s eyes, but his are a deeper and brighter shade.

His presence filled the space before he even spoke. “Mrs. Blackthorn,” he said smoothly, his tone refined, charming even. “I hope I’m not intruding. I do intend to come on time when it is meetings like this.” I gestured for him to sit. “Not at all. You have me at a disadvantage, though. I don’t believe we’ve met. And given your scent, I can tell that you are not from here, Alpha.” He smiled, slow and confident, the kind of smile that didn’t quite reach the eyes. “Forgive me. Alpha Lorenzo D’Amaris. But I choose to go by Mr. D’Amaris when it is amongst humans.”

I asked. Atlas leaned back slightly. “We’ve integrated, and we live among humans now, like I told you. As you can see, we’re in Palm Springs, where there are humans, but they have no idea we exist.” He explained, and my face scrunched up. “That sounds fake.” “But it’s not.” “Our packs own businesses and… “What kind of businesses?” I interrupted him. “All kinds of businesses, Scarlett.” “We invest. We own companies, restaurants, hotels, construction firms, and even security companies.” He said, and my jaw dropped in shock.