My boys had a birthday party for a friend, so I had some time to write this morning and finished it when we came back. Did you think this was his scheme all along?
Atalanta’s povI couldn’t fall asleep after that, so instead I tried to find a way out. At the same time, I tried to piece together what I had heard. Even if I didn’t want to know the truth before, it was needed for me to survive this.My mother had unknowingly slept with a werewolf. Did she fall in love like I did? Or was it just a fling? A way to escape this community and her pending marriage to my dad.When did she realize what I was? Had she always known? Is that why she hates me?I was born as the prey she was meant to hunt.And General Sweets was going to make more people like me. How? Was he going to use the women here?Or have some huntermen force themselves on the shewolves they caught?Both options were extremely wrong for so many reasons.They didn’t need me for that part though, so why keep me? So my great uncle could do unthinkable things to me in his bedroom instead of a laboratory, or was I still necessary for their tests?Proof of why the general’s plan could work. No w
Raiden’s pov“There’s more you found out, isn’t there?” Dad asked once we sat down in his office.I had been so damn hungry, but hearing them all speak about my mate like that made me lose my appetite. Okay, not really; I was still starving, but it was either walk away or beat them all up, and I had just showered.I was here for one day, and I did not want to beat up anyone just yet, especially not in front of my parents and grandparents.“Atalanta and Archer smelled like werewolves; they had strength humans don’t possess. She wasn’t as strong as the rest of us, but she was still stronger than a human.” I explained. “One of the hunters mentioned a serum they used. Archer said the same thing, but what he either didn’t know or didn’t tell me was that the serum is dangerous.”“How so?” Dad asked.“It killed a lot of test subjects,” I said, worrying about my mate. Was she okay? Why was I wasting time here when I could be out there looking for her?“So they were both sent to Ardale with a h
Atalanta’s pov I was almost out of the hunter’s compound when someone spotted me. I was stronger than him thanks to my mixed blood, but I wasn’t healed yet from my fight earlier today, so it took longer than I wanted to take him down. He got a few good hits in before I kicked him in the groin. In the end, I had to use the knife I brought, stabbing him in the neck. I had never killed anyone before, and I threw up when it was over. I’m not brave or strong. How I wish I had memorized the route to the Crescent Moon pack, but I didn't. It probably took me longer than it needed to, but I tried to follow the tire tracks from all the cars that had left. They couldn’t drive the main roads but had to use dirt roads not to stand out so their tire tracks were easy to follow. It was still light out, but it was starting to get darker. It would have been beautiful to see the sunset and the blue moon shine, but I didn't have time to watch it. My eyesight is better than that of a human, and it
Zev’s pov“You probably don’t want to hear from me. I’m the guy who threw his mate away like she was nothing.”Suzie sighed on the other end of the phone, “stop feeling sorry for yourself, Zev. I do want to talk to you. I might not have done the same thing, but we’re still friends.”“Are you still friends with Lana too?” I asked, still angry about everything that has happened. I was trying so hard not to be, but it’s difficult when she’s here and I can’t leave.“I don’t know. Is it true what they said?”“What did they say?” I replied, not sure what news had gotten to Suzie’s pack. She didn’t attend the party, even though we did send out an invitation. Some things we had tried to keep under wraps; Raiden didn’t want everyone to know about Lana, I guess.Suzie sighed, “there are different rumors going around. One of them is that one of the hunters came inside on fire, like a suicide bomber almost, trying to set the pack on fire.”I scoffed, “they think Lana was trying to kill everyone by
Atalanta’s pov“You love me?” I asked. Was I still dreaming, or was this some sick joke?“I was trying to find you all this time.” Raiden said, moving towards me. I was still scared he would do something to me. He hurt Archer for being a hunter, and I’m one too.“To kill me?” I whispered.He shook his head, his hand reaching out for mine. His fingers brushed past mine, and it felt very strange when our skin touched, like goosebumps or static electricity. But instead of hurting, it felt nice. Comforting even.“I don’t want to kill you. If I wanted to kill you little mouse, I wouldn’t do anything I could to save you, would I?”“Maybe you just don’t like the taste of burned skin,” I said without thinking.He chuckled, “I’m sure you still taste fine. I would love to find out once you feel better, but, -“ A sense of realization appeared on his face. “You saw what I did to your brother?”I nodded; everything still hurts, and my skin felt so tight. Every moment felt restricted, like I was wea
Raiden’s povAll this time I was looking for Atalanta. I had been angry, but there had been another emotion buried underneath, which was fear.I was petrified she would be hurt or worse.And now I feel this need to protect my mate above anything else. To the point where I can’t think straight.I’m trying my best to sound calm, to keep my voice gentle instead of growling. I had screamed at people for these past two weeks, grunted and growled instead of using my normal voice.But not that I am back; I am forced to go back to normal. To pretend like I am not different. That I didn’t kill hunters and rogues on an almost daily basis.However, I will be calm for her. I will try to not let my anger get the best of me.“What’s this about, little mouse?” I wondered why she was asking these questions. Was it because I marked her without her permission?Or did something happen with those bastard hunters?“I don’t want them to do any tests.” She said.“Then I will tell them not to.” I replied. I d
Zev’s povWhen they asked me to stay a bit longer and I said yes, I did expect Lana to be staying at the packhouse.Apparently she’s scared of doctors now or something, because Raiden thought it was best she’d stay here. In his room.‘You sound jealous,’ Rishi teased.I am not jealous. I’m angry.Besides a few questions, Lana has not paid for anything she has done.Lana… I should stop calling her that. It's a pet name—the name for who she pretended to be.But in reality she is Atalanta, the huntress. Archer, Atalanta... all of them with a name that pointed to their real identity. But none of us saw through her scared little mouse act.Maybe we only saw what we wanted to see.Raiden is busy during the day covering for his dad. Our pack can’t look weak. Not to the hunters, but also not to our enemies. And even our allies we have to be careful around.If they knew how fragile Alpha Ethan still was, they’d might rethink our alliances. Normally he would be healed by now, but they didn’t jus
Atalanta’s pov“It’s okay, little mouse. It’s okay.”Raiden tells me this every time I wake up at night, with his arms tightly around me.The first night I went back to the packhouse with him, he offered me my own room. He said to give me space and to let me be the one to choose when I felt ready to share a bed.But the first night I couldn’t sleep. I paced around the room, scared what would happen if I slept. I knew deep down my uncle couldn’t get to me here, but that didn’t make me any less scared.It didn’t help that I couldn’t remember anything from being in a coma. I was out for two weeks, who knew what people had done to me in my sleep?Sleeping felt dangerous.Finally, by the fourth or fifth hour of staying in a room by myself, Raiden knocked on the door and told me to come to bed with him.It didn’t feel like he was forcing me, but like he was offering me comfort.He asked what I needed to be able sleep, and I couldn’t think of anything that would work.“Do you want me to hold
Zev’s pov As I was shadowing Raiden, - ‘Shadowing? He knows you’re there. There is not even a tiny chance of him being unaware of your presence.’ Rishi teased me. As I was saying, while I was shadowing Raiden, I was impressed by how easy he moved through the crowds of hunters. He took several hunters on at once, going through them with ease. Guns were going off near his head, but he didn’t flinch. He just kept going. ‘Just impressed?’ Rishi asked. We were waiting outside of Lana’s childhood home. I felt it was my responsibility to keep everyone out, so I started fighting with anyone who came close. ‘You can’t lie to me.’ Rishi was acting like my therapist once again. ‘So stop avoiding the tough stuff and tell us what you’re really feeling.’ Rishi said. Seeing Raiden kill hunters so easily wasn’t just impressive. It was scary. Not because I was worried for his safety, but because it took him so little effort to kill. There was no hesitation. He was like a killing machi
Raiden’s povAlthough we don’t celebrate Christmas, because you know, we don’t believe in Jesus or God, we do have our own celebration. Our celebration is rooted in pagan holidays such as Saturnalia, the winter solstice, and Yule, which also serve as the basis for Christmas, but we won't delve into that.The lights, the tree, the gifts—it's all there. Just no Santa and definitely no nativity stable and stuff.But I was working to a point… My point is, we have watched a few Christmas movies, and I am familiar with some of the songs.And the one that keeps repeating in my head is, “he’s making a list. He’s checking it twice.”I have a list as well. It’s sort of like a naughty or nice list, but it only contains those who have been bad. Those that need punishment.And I am not talking about some coal in their stocking. No… Just some good old-fashioned murder.First on my list is, of course, that fucking dickhead General Sweets. Not far behind are mommy dearest and stepdaddy. I’ve already
Atalanta’s povI looked around me, trying to hear and see if anyone noticed me. I had run here quickly, and with my size, I wasn’t as noticeable as Raiden or Zev. But I am still a wolf in a hunter's village.Everyone around me seemed too busy with the wolves near the borders of the village. People were either hiding or going out to fight, none of them expecting one of the wolves had already gotten through.I could run back. I could stick to the plan. But this is probably where the scout is being held. This could be a chance to free him.While I had my eyes closed during the night the General took me down to his laboratory, I could still hear and smell. And the only other person who was there was the doctor. Most of the people here weren’t even aware of the experiments the General performed.There could be a chance he was hiding him elsewhere, a place prisoners usually are kept. But I had this feeling in my gut. General Sweets would want more than information if he found a strong male w
Atalanta’s povTo say I was freaking out was an understatement. The only thing holding me together was reminding myself why we were doing this.It was for our future. Raiden, Zev, and I together, having our own family.And a safe place to raise that family with people that we cared about.I don’t know when the idea of having a family, of having a baby, popped up in my head. It might have been because of Zev’s letter.Even now that we’re marked, he continues to write me little notes or letters on the days I’m scheduled to work alongside Raiden or Odin.In one of them he shared how Suzie made him see sense by showing him what he could have. He described this family, with us as parents. There was no intent behind it, no pressure for me to have a baby. He was just saying that in a perfect world, one day that could be us.And it made sense. Zev and I both wanted a loving family more than anything. Raiden already has a loving family, so he’s in less of a hurry.‘And he wants you all to hims
Zev’s pov“Do you think Odin remembers what I told him about hunters using the bow and arrow first? because it makes less noise?” Lana asked while Raiden kissed her neck.She moaned softly as I unbuttoned her shirt, as instructed by Raiden during the meeting.‘We’re going to distract our mate as much as possible while enjoying each other to the fullest.’ Raiden had mindlinked me earlier. ‘I need your help, because I’m pretty sure she’s freaking the fuck out.’He had used his stupid alpha voice when he asked me. I’m not even sure he realizes he uses a different voice for some things. It’s like more authoritarian, lower somehow?To me it just sounds stupid, because I’ve grown up with the man. Honestly, it sounds like a little boy's version of how a big, strong man should sound.But if it makes him feel good, who cares, right?I removed one sleeve, and then the next, while Raiden’s kisses went lower. “He knows, little mouse.”Lana looked at me, “first bows, then guns, then knives for clos
hi, I'm sorry for the lack of updates. Last Friday I had a meeting about my oldest and the school informed me he is doing so well, they think he can transfer to a different type of school. so, from special education to a school that still has smaller classes, but the kids there need less help. he's currently going to a school with kids who are on the autism spectrum, have adhd or behavior issues. it would be a chance for him to be in a classroom that isn't as loud or disruptive. Anyway, I've been busy contacting schools and visited two today. also my husband got a vasectomy today, so I'm his nurse lol. tomorrow I should be able to write. but I wanted to explain why it's been a bit hard to find time. I'm fine, just busy.
Raiden’s povBeing the alpha is fucking awesome. Especially when you have many people around to do all the parts of the job you don’t want to do. I’m the alpha of delegating.I don’t like numbers, so, Zev, why don’t you and Stephen handle it?I’d rather hang out with my mate instead of speaking to a girl I used to hook up with once, because she has a complaint. Suzie, you’ve got this. Go speak to someone who's probably going to be pissed because I don't remember anything past her name.I need to talk to some alphas who are supposed to be our allies. You know what, Dad… Aah, fuck, that is actually something only an alpha can do.To send someone else would look like I was disrespecting them. Not that I respect most of these dickheads; they’ve been working against me and my mate behind our backs.But it’s been a few weeks now since we took over, and I think it’s time to start hunting these hunters. And I’d rather do it with more people than less.Which means I need other packs to support
Atalanta’s pov“Are you getting your period or something?” Raiden asked before Zev hit him against his arm.“You can’t just ask a woman that!”Raiden rolled his eyes, “as if you would know when she’s about to have her period; you have only been back in this relationship for a little over a week.”“That’s not the point!” Zev argued back, while I stayed quiet, watching them fight over nothing.“What is the fucking point then?” Raiden asked. “Atalanta has been more quiet than usual and a bit grumpy,” he looked at me. “Sorry, little mouse, but you are a bit moody.” Then went back to Zev, “it’s just a question.”Zev sighed, “it could be many things, and to blame it on hormones is so immature.”“Besides,” Suzie added. “Lana was probably never allowed to behave differently during her periods back home, so who knows how differently she acts around that time? I mean, I never noticed anything, and we shared a room.”Raiden looked at her while shaking his head in disbelief, “you do know we share
Atalanta’s pov“Today was perfect, everything… Just, thank you, Lana. The breakfast, my surprise, the party. I’ll thank the rest later, but I knew you had a hand in most of it.” Suzie said, as we walked to the woods together.“Not the car; I had no idea Raiden was doing that.” I replied.“Yeah, that’s crazy.” Suzie laughed nervously.“Are you sure you want me there and not him?” I knew it might be better if her future alpha was here, instead of someone who had only shifted once.She shook her head, “no. I want you there. Besides, if Stephen and Raiden were both there, they would end up bickering, and I would be too busy telling them to shut up to shift.”I giggled, “probably.”“Besides, your first shift was so different. With the being knocked out and everything. I think you need a do-over. And I like the idea of doing this together with someone for the first time. I don’t need someone telling me what to do; I have my wolf for that. I just need people around me who have my back. Who wi