ATLAS’S POV
I was not blind not to see how Cohen changed after the mating season. It started when he found out that we were both mated with Tessa. He could not believe that we had the same mate and harboured anger towards me even if I was not doing anything to upset him.
As much as possible, I did not want to feel angry towards him. We were best of friends before this hurdle happened, but I doubted it was still the case for him right now.
My gaze followed Tessa as she went inside the house, stealing glances at me before she closed the door and proceeded to her room. I could hear the loud beating of her heart from where I stood. She was completely shocked by this sudden confrontation, and so did I.
“What are you still standing here for?” Cohen growled at me angrily. “If this happens again, I swear I’m not going to go easy on you, Atlas. Fight fairly, will you?”
I tilted my head and smiled mockingly. So he thought I wasn’t fighting fairly now?
“I didn’t ask her to come with me to manipulate her mind and force her to choose me, if that’s what you’re concerned about,” I explained, but I could tell he didn’t believe me.
Cohen looked at me suspiciously. My eyes drifted to his hands and saw those forming fists. If he ever tried to punch me again, I’d be forced to defend myself; to remind him of his place and who he was trying to fight.
I am still the future Alpha and I would demand his respect.
“Then what did you do in the forest?”
My brow arched. “I just wanted to show her the cat.”
That perplexed the four of them. I know they would not believe it, but it was not my problem anymore. I bowed at Alice and Harry, and then left the premise without any word to say.
What happened in the barn was so special that I didn’t let any of their anger ruin my mood.
My lips formed a little smile, recalling the kiss Tessa and I shared last night.
I had kissed so many lips before, yet her innocent kisses were the only thing that made me and my wolf go insane. Her lips became my favorite. I could not wait to taste it again…
Luna Serene preached to me as soon as I went home. She had gone mad to the core, thinking that I had eloped somewhere and decided to turn my back on them. My mother was never a calm she-wolf. I could still remember those times she would hit my hands whenever I forgot to memorize the laws she had me read when I was four, and as I grew up, the strict method of education that included severe physical punishment did not stop at all. It was only when my wolf awakened at thirteen that she no longer went physical with me, for she knew that the Alpha power had awakened in me and I could fight her whenever I wanted.
“A responsibility will be passed on to you soon, Atlas. Don’t go around fucking some Omegas and going home whenever you want to. That is not a perfect image for a soon-to-be Alpha,” she said before she left my room.
I could only smile wryly, shaking my head.
***
As the council meeting began, I sat behind the Alpha, listening to the concerns raised by the Elders and members of the high-ranking officials to the Alpha and Luna. The concerns were mostly regarding the trade and bilateral relations the pack had with other packs, and resolving conflicts in the most diplomatic way.
The meeting bored me to death. Sure, I needed to attend and learn how the Alpha dealt with the pack, but the routine was very dull. My father was a great Alpha, I had to say. But he lacked emotion for everything he did. Sometimes, even remorse was not visible in his expression whenever he dropped an order to attack some packs to acquire some land by force.
I didn’t want to become that kind of Alpha.
I excused myself and did not bother looking at my mother, who obviously threw me a glare. I went out of the private chamber and lurked around the White House.
It was the weekend, yet the high-ranking members of the pack were working and kissing my father’s ass. I shook my head as I felt disgusted with my own thoughts.
My mind was suddenly filled with thoughts about Tessa and the cat we took in. The excitement went through my chest, and I began to miss them, so I decided that I would go visit them for a little bit. I went to the main door and was about to exit when a familiar strong scent of a woman lingered in my nostrils.
That scent…
My gaze followed that scent, only to see Julie ascending upstairs. Wearing an all-red coordinate clothes and a hat on her head, she walked gracefully until she reached the end of the stairs, and then saw me.
“Atlas…” she called to me, walking to the main door.
“Julie,” I said, narrowing my eyes a bit as I did not expect her to be here.
“Are you going somewhere?” She smiled sweetly and then craned her neck as she looked around. “It must be a busy day here. I came to visit the Luna. She calls for me to have some tea.”
Luna Serene… I shook my head slowly as an idea suddenly popped in my head.
“You look pissed off. Is that because of my presence?” Her brow arched.
“Why would I be pissed off with your presence, Jul? If your intention to visit my mother is pure and you aren’t expecting anything from her or me, then I should say we’re cool.”
“What did you say?” She frowned. “Are you accusing me, Atlas?”
“Is there something I should accuse you of? I can’t say for sure, though I have an idea.”
She gasped, and smiled mockingly at me. I could see how her face reddened with anger. I didn’t mean to offend her in any way; I just wanted to know the truth.
Julie Davis was my ex-girlfriend. I had to say that we had a good time together for four years, but my love for her faded upon realizing she was not my mate. I used to dream about being mated with her, but she wasn’t the right woman for me. Before the situation got even worse, I ended up in our relationship. I had to respect the moon goddess, yet she could not accept my decision.
She went abroad for some unknown reason, and I thought it was her way to move on from what happened between us. However, now that she finally went back and she was here visiting my mother, I couldn’t help but question her motives. Why?
Her closeness to the Luna was never a secret. Everyone knew that my mother wanted her for me, but it wasn’t the path I wanted to take because Julie wasn’t my mate. I didn’t want to hurt her eventually.
“Whatever you are thinking, it’s just all made up by your imagination,” she said softly, walking near me and cupping my left cheek like she used to do before. My jaw clenched at her sudden action. “But if you want to reconsider and to reconcile with me, I would be happy to welcome you with open arms. After all, what we had was remarkable. It can’t be changed nor replaced…”
“No, that’s not true.”
“Atlas, don’t say that.” She shook her head. Her hand moved down my chest and tapped it. “In the event you change your mind, and want me back, you know where to find me.”
“I have found my mate, Julie.” I took her hand away from me, glaring at her. “We’re over.”
Julie clenched her jaw as she gazed at me, deeply hurt with her tears starting to pool in her eyes.
“Your mate…” She gasped softly and then blinked her tears away. “I heard from Mikhaela that you and Cohen are fighting for one wolf-less girl, and according to what I heard, she likes Cohen so much. Do you think you have a chance, Atlas?”
I heaved a deep breath. This was the first time it was rubbed in my face that Tessa likes Cohen. I already knew it. The first time I saw her bumping into Cohen on her first day at university, I knew she liked him. However, I’d like to think it was a simple infatuation. No one could tell who Tessa would choose once she felt the mate bond.
Basically, I still had a chance.
Julie raised an eyebrow. “Think about it, Atlas. I don’t want you to waste your time.”
“Right,” I clicked my tongue. “I shouldn’t be wasting my time talking to you, Julie.”
“You know, that’s not what I mean.” She sounded offended. “I want you to listen-”
“Luna Serene is still in the meeting,” I said, interrupting and walking past her. “You can wait for her in the waiting room.”
“Wait! Where are you going?” she asked.
“None of your business,” I answered as I went downstairs and did not respond to her anymore, even if she was calling my name repeatedly.
***
TESSA’S POV
It had been two days since Atlas and I went back from the forest, yet I hadn’t seen him nor felt his presence during those times.
He said he would be visiting the cat, but now I doubt if he would really do that…
Sitting on the balcony where I could see the trees and lake near the house, I breathed in the fresh air while playing with the cat, which I named Blue, because of his bright blue eyes that reminded me of the future Alpha.
“It seems like your real owner forgot about you, Blue,” I told the cat as I petted his head. “He said he would visit you every day, but it’s just a lie.”
“It’s not a lie,” said the familiar deep, arrogant voice that made my heart skip a beat.
A loud shift happened in the air. In a flash, Atlas jumped from the ground all the way to the balcony, crossing the railings without breaking a sweat.
I blinked. My heart pounded fast inside my chest as I glanced up at him. He was only wearing a simple white shirt, jeans, and rugged shoes, yet he oozed with such charisma that he seriously made me feel… something. Before my wild imagination consumed my thoughts, I turned my gaze back to Blue, feeling the flush on both my cheeks.
“W-Why are you suddenly here?” I stuttered.
“To visit someone special,” he said.
My eyes lifted to his, and I swallowed hard when I noticed the smirk on his lips.
“The cat, I mean,” he clarified.
I looked away and pouted my lips. I did not know why I felt disappointed that he only meant to visit the cat.
And why was I feeling this way though?”
He joined me on the floor. My body tensed up as our arms touched for a split second. I was about to move a bit, but his hand was fast enough to stop me by pulling my waist. Instead of getting away, I was pulled closer to him.
I could have sworn that my chest was about to explode, seeing him this up close. Seconds later, the memory of how we kissed that night in the barn played in my head, waking up the familiar sensation in my gut.
He looked at me as if he was reading an interesting book, his eyes radiating intrigue and all other emotions I could not name.
“S-Space…” I gasped and instantly moved away from him.
He chuckled. “I sometimes wish I could read your thoughts. I want to know what’s running in your head… and what’s making my mate’s cheeks flush that way,” he said as his eyes drifted to my lips.