The moment I turned around, Atlas's furious gaze took me aback. Is he that mad because I kicked his boyfriend out? I steeled my nerves and tightened my resolve. I'm here for things far more important than my mate's boyfriend.
"What deal are you talking about?" he couldn't wait to ask me any second longer. Instead of indulging his question, I walked towards the bookshelf and stared at the candid picture.
"I thought he already told you about it. You don't hide secrets from each other, right? Just like how you told him about me being your mate?" I gave him a saccharine smile. Though I want to mock the hell out of him, this is not the time. We need to talk about things calmly.
"What's the deal?" he repeated. Sadly, he wants to make sure Luke wouldn't be in any danger first than checking about his pack's well-being.
I gave the picture one last look and turned to face the furious man. The way his thick eyebrows scrunched together in agitation satisfied me in a way.
"You indeed looked good in long hair. Take a seat," That being said, I took the nearest seat as I waited for Atlas to follow me. The agitation on his face changed to something close to apologetic. I scoff in my mind. If he can lie outright in my face, then so be it.
"I don't want to hurt you--"
"Doesn't matter. Take a seat, Alpha," if he can play with authority, I sure as hell can. I'm his mate and a Luna to him. We're equal in any sense. If can play with power and get away with some.
Atlas grimly took a seat opposite me. His hand is on his knees as I track his movements with my eyes.
"As I had said to you yesterday, I'm taking Arabella with me. But since she's not in a situation to be traveling around, I'll stay here until she can." I started. I could feel a refusal coming from him. It's understandable since he is the Alpha.
"No, she's staying here. She's one of my pack, and she'll stay right here," he said in a hard voice. Fair enough of Atlas to say, but I'm going to find a way around here.
"Wish you could've said that years earlier," I couldn't stop myself from giving him a little jab. "We'll have to ask Arabella later if she wanted to stay here or not. It's high time she got another option besides seeing her mate frolicking around with another," I smiled at Atlas sweetly.
Atlas wasn't able to give me a reply as he got absorbed with his thoughts. His darkening face speaks volumes as I challenge his authority over his pack.
"Also, absolutely no one, I repeat, no one Alpha. No one should know about the concoction Arabella made. It's a threat to our kind and definitely to humans. I don't know how she came by with it but keep it in wraps," I casually negotiate as I leaned back on the leather couch.
Atlas tightly entwined his hand together as he thought about my words. I sure hope no one inside and outside of Atlas's pack would covet such concoction. Who knows what people will do with it.
With the unknown numbers of things that were lethal to humankind and our species, this should be something of concern. Arabella's concoction is a level higher as it slows down the healing process and worsened the body's immunity.
If it is lethal to us werewolves,t would be instant death for humans.
"I'll take care of it, but Arabella's place is here," Atlas's gorgeous face blinded me for a moment when he stared at me in defiance. I pursed my lips to avoid showing any emotions.
"Arabella will decide for us. You're not the type to force someone to stay, are you?" Atlas's penetrating look shoots me straight to the core. I was the first one to look away. I get the feeling that he's somewhat like that.
"There's one thing I'm curious about," I added. Atlas nods my way. It's something that bothered me right after I arrived in this Pack.
"Where's the Beta? How come you can travel to and fro out of your Pack when I don't see your Beta everywhere?" It is one of the small things I have noticed the first day in the pack. During that dinner, on my first day here, there was no introduction with the Beta or any of the hierarchy. It puts me off, knowing that this pack has no visible person of authority that would lead them when the Alpha is away.
If a person's face could be even gloomier, Atlas would be the first. He didn't notice that I noticed him wringing his hands.
In anger or anxiety? I don't know.
"There's no Beta. The Beta's family left after my father handed down the Alpha seat to me." his words were getting slow as he explained it to me. I scoff loudly this time. What the hell is wrong with this pack?
"Right, and you got the guts to tell me how proud you are of this pack," I gritted. I'm slowly losing my control again. Did he not learn anything from his father? I thought he trained a lot before. He could always assign someone else from the pack to be the Beta. Someone that could be trusted to lead when he's not around.
"I am proud of this pack. This pack doesn't follow the norms anymore. We can love whomever we want here. We can choose to stay with our mates or arrange something beneficial that would satisfy both parties. Why would I need a Beta when Luke can handle the affairs, and there's Nana to assist." Atlas's jaws were pronounced as he gritted his teeth in slow-burning anger. My jaws dropped in disbelief. What a twisted way to think.
"You're an Alpha! You're a werewolf. If you wanted to be free from all of these things you should have left your pack to someone capable!" My shuddering breath filled the room. I couldn't help screaming at him. I couldn't understand why he would be thinking this way. From the start, we are different from the rest. He knows it.
Nana is already old. Luke can't both assume the Luna's roles and the Beta, at the same time. The fact that Luke accompanies him everywhere he goes, the pack would be left vulnerable. If rogues banded together to invade Sterling Pack they would be overcome with no sweat, at all.
"The audacity of you thinking like that! If you cannot handle being an Alpha and a boyfriend to Luke at the same time. You better choose one. What's wrong with you?" I tried my best to modulate my voice and stop myself from screaming again.
"I'm a gay Alpha. If I'm free to love anyone, my pack should be also free to love whomever they want," Atlas replied. I want to smack the hell out of him.
"Can you not hear what you're saying, Alpha?" I mockingly put an emphasis on his title. I never thought my mate was like this. The first time I met him, I thought he looked just and a good Alpha. It was fucking disappointing.
"Then you should've been human instead. There are limitations to things, Alpha. You cannot be happy while stepping on others' happiness. Look at your pack. Try to look at them with eyes wide open. Do you know that Dion wanted to go with me back at my pack?" I told him in frustration. Atlas's eyes squinted in anger as he glared at me.
"So, you wanted him?" his voice suddenly went deeper than his original one. I cursed in my mind. He doesn't have the right to act jealous or anything like it. He got no right at all.
"Get your fucking mind out of the gutter. You didn't even listen to what I've said but instead, focus on things you just wanted to believe. Dion gave up. He wants to leave this pack because he can't stomach to see his mate make a family and a home while leaving him hanging. He waited years and got rejected. Do you understand Atlas? You've neglected your Alpha duties. Everything's not about your freedom to love Atlas. It's not all about love."
I breathe in, "There's also respect to think about, their dignity. The harmony to last you a lifetime. If you want to be happy, please include your pack's happiness. Give time to know your pack's pain and give them options. How could you even let them stay in one roof?" the degrading thought made me sob. I looked away.
"Mavis, we're not seeing eye to eye," he gently said this time. I can see it in his eyes that he wanted to comfort me. He's my mate, after all. A mate in discomfort would tug at their heartstrings, always.
"Of course we don't. I'm not trying to be old-fashioned, but Atlas, we can never change our identity. I don't mind you choosing someone else over me. You're gay I know, heck I don't even mind that you would reject me, but Atlas, you got a pack to run. This is not all about you and Luke," I let the tears fall once again. "The moment you ascended being Alpha, it's not about you anymore."
"Mavis--" he moved to approach me, but I shook my head. I don't want him near me and be allured with the bond again. My concerns should be addressed today.
"Don't. I don't need your comfort. I just want you to fix your pack. Give them options just like how I strike a deal with Luke." the scene earlier played in my mind. "Well, it's doesn't count anymore," I sniffled. I don't have a hanky with me. It would be unsightly to see me with tears and snot running down my face.
"What's with that deal?" Atlas sighed in resignation. He stood up, and take a box of tissue from his table, and gave it to me.
"I would have to do everything I can to make you love me. That was the deal," I slowly narrate between hiccups.
Atlas's flinched and looked away, but not before I saw the glint in his eyes. I choose to ignore it.
"Everything so that if you reject me in the future, you won't have regrets." I snickered in between hiccups. "Funny thing that you haven't told Luke about my rejection yet," I make use of the tissue and clean my face the best I can.
"I always felt guilty about how I told him about you being my mate without asking you first." He said like it'll explain everything that's happening right now.
"Would you like to change positions? I'd do the Assent and you the rejection?" I offered. Rejection can be taken back by simply revoking it.
If our roles would be reversed back then. It would be quickly over if it was him who rejected me first. The feelings were not matured, and it was just the plain bond. I would have Assented to it without delay. If that's what happened, I wouldn't have to fall for him in the first place. The rejection would have been easier to bear.
Atlas shook his head in answer. I couldn't still understand why he wouldn't give me the Assent. If this is how it is going to be, then, might as well go all out and confess everything.
"If they wanted to go with you, I'll consent to it. I'll let Alpha Cedric know." he looks at me meaningfully, and I know right there and then that he won't divulge our connection.
"I would also think about what you told me today," he amiably uttered as he walked, facing the huge window. I remained in my seat and watched him gaze at the falling snow outside.
"You should. You can't leave your pack vulnerable while you travel with Luke. Nana's not that young anymore." I murmured.
The silence that followed after wasn't exactly uncomfortable. The roller coaster of emotions we had a while ago turned into something akin to understanding. The choice to take the criticisms and evaluate one's priority in the end. This is what makes the bond special in a way. If one struggles to understand, the other one would give way and balance it out.
Being a mate is not only being fated to live with someone. It is a bond that balances the weaknesses and strengths of the pair. That's why a fated pair was given time to know each other. It strengthens everything.
As the snow slowly descends from outside. The silence grew more. Some things must be said and done. The thing that would mark the beginning of an ending.
"I'm in love with you. Please give me the Assent soon." I left the room.