Serena burst through the front door and stomped up the stairs. Heads of the other pack members in the living room followed her fuming figure until it was out of sight. They looked at each other, puzzled looks and questions buzzed in the air.
"What was that?" Atlas poked his head out of his office room.
"Dunno. I think it was Serena." Somebody yelled back across the hall.
"Huh." He gave a confused look up the hall before venturing down toward the thundering beast.
He entered the second floor and glanced about. Turning on his heel, he made his way toward the Master bedroom, his bedroom, and pressed his ear against the cool hardwood door. Soft sobs came from inside. His hand gripped the doorknob tightly and he let out a shaky breath before opening the door slightly. He peaked inside and saw the small frame of Serena. She was huddled against the bed, quivering and dirt covered. With a deep breath, he stepped through the doorway and made his way over to the woman.
"Go away," She cried quietly. "I don't want to talk to you, Venus." She turned her back against the door and clutched her knees tightly against her body.
"Good thing I'm not Venus." He replied softly. He reached for her but hesitated. The heat from her shaking body rose and tickled his fingers. Mere inches from her skin, both could feel the other's presence but did nothing despite the longing for touch, any touch. She straightened her back and took a deep, shaking breath.
"Oh..." She exhaled slowly and wiped her eyes before turning toward the kneeling Atlas. His red eyes pierced hers. They were soft and relaxed, full of concern for the crying woman before him. "What did you need?"
"I just heard you earlier..." He scratched his head lightly and grimaced. "I just wanted to make sure you were okay. It was your first day sparring and with what happened at brunch-"
"What happened at brunch!" She snapped. Her eyes were bright and angry, and her fists clenched tightly. Her nails bit into her skin. Atlas reached out at clasped her hand gently. His hand enveloped hers, taking in her tension and frustration. As he did this, her eyes and face began to soften.
"Nothing happened. Elder Lin was out of line. You did fine." The corner of his lip quirked up slightly, an attempt at a reassuring and comforting smile. "I thought you did a fine job."
She relaxed and gave a quick sniff. Her wet eyes looked up at his with a plead.
"Really?" She sniffed. Another tear slowly slid along her cheek.
"Yes. You have gone through a lot this last week and it was unacceptable the way that Elder Lin twisted your words. She does that with everyone and I apologize on her behalf." He crossed his heart slowly and gave her hand a quick squeeze before releasing it. "I also apologize on my sisters' behalf."
He said as he cupped her face gently. His fingers traced her bruises and her cuts. Gently his thumb went to every bruise and cut on her jaw before ending on the cut on her lip. His thumb remained there, gently rubbing a slight circle around it. His eyes stared down at her soft lips while hers stared only at his. Examining each and every crease in his face and the scar that zigzagged from his eyebrow to his jaw. He blinked, shook his head, and snatched his hand back to his side before clearing his throat.
"She can really push you sometimes, but she is one of the most understanding and thoughtful people you will ever know. I don't know what she did to make you cry, but I am sure that if you talked to her, she would surprise you. You have had a lot happen and you need to talk about it. That's how some people grieve best. Talk to her."
He rose from his position and moved toward the door. A slight tug pulled him back. He looked down and Serena held onto the corner of his shirt and looked up at him from her position on the floor. He gulped and sat back down.
"Thank you." She said, looking at his shoulder.
"What for?" He cocked his head and moved to meet her eyes, but she turned away.
"For letting me stay here. I know that I am a burden."
"You are not a burden." He grabbed her chin again and pointed her face toward his. They were close. Close enough to feel each other's breath and see the flaws on the other's face. "You're here because I want you to be here. If you want to go home, say the word and I'll make it happen." She still avoided his gaze. "Serena." Their eyes met and tears welled up in her eyes. "You are not a burden." He whispered as the tears flowed silently down her red cheeks. With a slow swipe of his thumb, the tears were caught and removed from her beautiful, but bruised face. "Talk to Venus. She can help you better than I ever could. You are hurting. Talk to her, please?"
"Okay..." She said weakly, her lip quivering. Atlas' eyes darted down to them and then back up to her emerald eyes. She bit her lip slightly and Atlas gulped. He released her face and rose again to leave the room. This time, Serena didn't stop him. And oh, how Atlas wished she had.
It was late when Venus entered the room. Serena had already taken a shower and laid in bed for hours without getting any sleep. Venus crept quietly toward the bed and slid under the covers. Serena shifted and Venus froze.
"Serena? You awake?" She whispered.
The summer's crickets chirped wildly outside the open window creating an ensemble of glorious noise and rhythms.
"Serena?" She tried again.
Still, no reply save from an owl off in the distance.
"I'm sorry for getting mad at you earlier today. It was not your fault and I apologize." Venus whispered into the dark room. "I guess I was jealous that you were able to spin Elder Lin around in circles like that and give her actual answers. I have never been able to do that and I don't even think my dad was able to..." She trailed off.
"It's okay..." Serena whispered back, turning to face Venus. "I'm sorry for storming off. I've had a lot happen this last week and I never have been able to properly process things. I know it isn't a very good excuse, but I need to talk to you." She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "If you'll listen..."
Venus slid over and hugged Serena tightly.
"Of course, I'll listen."
"My dad lied to me about a lot of things..."
Serena began, letting out a shaking breath. Her body trembled beneath the thin sheet. Venus slip onto the bed and wrapped a comforting arm around the girl.
"He kept the fact that my mom was a werewolf from me until the night that I met you all." Serena slouched and tucked her knees to her chest, resting her head gently on them.
"If this is hard for you..." Venus began.
"Thank you, Venus." Serena started again, her breathing unsteady, and her eyes were wet with the tears she had been holding back. The day had been long and had not gone how she had wanted it to. As a result, she lashed out at someone who had only been trying to help. "I don't really feel like talking about it all right now, but want you to know where I'm coming from and why I said the things I said." Serena nuzzled her face into the soft sheets, letting the fabric soak up the grief, hate, and sadness that came rushing out with her hot tears.
"I understand." Venus pulled Serena close and rest her head on Serena's. "That's all you needed to say."
The morning sun rose bright and early. Too early if Serena had anything to say about it. The bright rays were too full of happiness and warmth for the type of sleep she had gotten that night. She pulled the sheet close and snuggled deeper into the soft mattress.
"We need to get up." Venus groaned and pulled the blankets over her head.
"We should..." Serena agreed.
"Good morning!" Eli burst into the room and threw the covers off, exposing the two to the cool air. "Time for some training! Today will be the day that you spar with our Alpha in all his glory." Eli mock bowed and exited the room, a slight skip in his steps. The two grumbled and groaned the entire time they changed, ate breakfast, and made their way toward the training grounds.
Eli's happy face was there to meet them.
"Okay! Let's do some laps!" He cheered as he pushed them into a run around the dusty track.
"I can run by myself, you know." Venus groaned, pushing Eli's hand off her back and propelling herself into a jog.
"I wasn't sure based on the wonderful awakening you two had this morning." He grinned ear to ear as he let go of Serena and began his own warm-up.
The three ran a few laps and then met in the center to do some stretches.
"Sweetie, do some basic stretches. I gotta go talk to Atlas." He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her in. With a quick kiss, he let go and left toward the packhouse.
The two continued to stretch, and as they were finishing, Eli returned. Followed closely by Altas's tall frame.
"I see you brought a friend," Venus called to the two men.
"Yes, I did..." He glanced at Atlas out of the corner of his eye.
"I figured it would be good to have an even number. Better to work in pairs." Atlas said as he walked over to his sister. "I need to speak with you for a moment." He pulled her a few paces from the others. His face was stern and his brows knit. The two were deep in a heated conversation.
Serena approached Eli quietly and whispered,
"What happened?"
"None of your concern. Just some pack stuff. He needs to get her approval before he can move forward." He dismissed her with a slight wave of his hand. She bowed her head and moved back, kicking some loose stones along the way.
Venus and Atlas soon joined the two, faces dark. Venus made her way to Serena and pulled her aside.
"Hey... We're gonna need to speed this up. There have been some rumors about the rival pack attacking other packs looking for someone or something. So we need you to be ready just in case something happens. But Atlas is taking care of this and keeping his eye on it. There is nothing to worry about. You are safe here, okay?" She clutched Serena's arm gently and rubbed her thumb against Serena's skin.
"Okay. I really don't mind. Teach me all that you can." She smiled weakly and pulled away from Venus's touch.
"Okay..."
The two women made their way back to the men in silence. As they approached, the men's conversation died. They looked directly at Serena, eyes piercing and cold. Serena lowered her head and clasped her hands tightly together. A warm hand rested gently on her shoulder. Venus.
"Let's do some basic maneuvers, okay?" She said to the group, who all nodded and separated. Atlas and Eli paired up to do their sparring and training, while Venus pulled on Serena.
"You ready?" Eli joked with Atlas, taking a swaying stance against the mammoth.
"Take your time." Atlas grinned as he stood, lazily picking at his nails.
Eli lunged at Atlas, who quickly side-stepped just in time for Eli to fall face-first into the dirt. Eli grumbled, rose from the ground, and wiped his face.
"Really?" He grumbled.
"Sorry. You made it too easy." Atlas smirked. "It's been a while since I've fought in human form, so go easy on me, Delta."
"Oh yeah, I'll try." Eli rolled his eyes and took a step toward Atlas. They squared and danced. They were dodging and colliding fists. Their movements were fluid and consistent. A dodge this way, meant a punch that way. A side step here, a swift kick there. One flowed with the other like they had done this dance a thousand times.
Serena and Venus watched as it unfolded until Venus nudged Serena's arm.
"Let us try." She pulled Serena's arm gently toward her and took a ready position.