The cool morning breeze set shivers down Serena's spine. The air nipped at her skin and goosebumps rose in retaliation. Atlas halted his walk through the woods, turned, and came behind her. A warm, loose jacket draped around her shoulders and the goosebumps melted back into her skin. It was oversized and thick. The fabric weighed heavily on her shoulders but brought a sense of comfort with that heaviness.
"Better?" Atlas cleared his throat and moved back in front. His broad shoulders were now exposed to the nipping air, exposing themself more for her sake.
She blushed slightly and took a deep breath, soaking in his intoxicating smell and presence.
"Much." She murmured, close behind him. She pulled the zipper up and snuggled into the jacket.
Atlas slowed his long strides to walk alongside her. He eyed her in his jacket and smiled slightly before smiling and erasing that good feeling from his face. He did not deserve this happiness, the pull he felt, but he wanted it so badly. He pulled his hands from his sweatpants' pockets and kept them close to his sides, flexing his fingers into fists.
Serena continued to walk beside him slowly, half in a daze. The morning of just the two of them brought butterflies to the bottom of her stomach. She patted her stomach before resting her hands at her sides, but the flutterings remained. The beginning rays of sunshine shone onto Serena's hair. It shimmered and glistened all shades of auburn and red in the light. Atlas turned his head and stared. His eyes were captivated by the strands of brown ribbons flowing with her movements and the breeze. He swallowed hard and turned back toward the ground.
Slowly, he lifted his hand and traced the cuff of the massive sleeve of his jacket Serena was making look better than he ever could. Serena continued to gaze at the world that was waking up for the day. Birds began chirping, and she glanced about in search of the hidden birds. A slight pull of her right sleeve caught her attention. Her eyes darted down but quickly moved back up toward the path and trees. She shifted her hand further down until her fingertips brushed the morning air. The air nipped at her exposed fingertips and palm, sending pins up her arm.
Atlas dropped his hand further and brushed against her fingers. They darted back for a moment, shocked by the cold. He clenched his fist again and pulled the sleeve up to her wrist. His hand wrapped gently around her fingers, sending warmth through her entire hand. The instant heat from his hand chased to cold away, leaving a fire between their fingers.
They walked in silence, holding hands until they reached the grounds. Atlas cleared his throat and released her hand. Taking a few steps forward, he opened the door and held it for her. The absence of his hand was emphasized by the cold air and jacket cuff.
"Thanks." She dipped her head and entered the grounds. No one was there yet, which was not much of a surprise. Most people avoided the grounds early in the morning. The life of the night was all they lived for.
"You're welcome." He gave a soft smile to the birds and squirrels in the woods before approaching the benches on the far side of the grounds. "Everyone's still asleep, so we won't be disturbed." He dropped his small bag on the ground and sat on the bench, patting the spot beside him. Serena obliged but faced away from him. She covered her face with her sleeve-covered hands in an attempt to hide the pink flush creeping up her face.
Atlas watched her carefully for a moment before turning back to the grounds.
"What did you want to do today?" He cleared his throat and fiddled with his fingers.
"I thought I was learning to fight a wolf today?" Serena turned toward him, her brows furrowed, and the morning sunshine made an auburn halo on her hair.
Atlas smiled toward the ground and sighed.
"I don't think you're quite ready for that." He turned back to her. "Did you want to do anything else?"
"No." She turned away from him sharply and crossed her arms across her chest dramatically. In the jacket, she looked like a child. A defiant child that couldn't have the toy she wanted.
Atlas chuckled slightly and reached for her closest sleeve. He stood and pulled her up. She resisted, but with a sharp tug from him, she was on her feet, face about to collide with his chest. He caught her by the elbows and looked down at her face. His eyes crinkled slightly, just like Venus' when she was happy, and the tip of his nose and ears were pink. Her nose was pink too, but her eyes were wide. Absorbing the happy face before her. She smiled softly back, her eyes bright.
"We could get a bit rougher with our spars today..." He teased, a sly grin on his face.
Serena pushed away and spun on her heel.
"N-no. That's okay." She stammered, shielding her face from his.
He leaned around her, but she continued turning away.
"Don't be shy. You know that's not what I meant." He smiled as he pulled the hood of the jacket back toward him. She stumbled backward but caught herself.
"I-I know." She punched him gently. He winced and rubbed his arm mockingly. "Let's get this over with." She rolled her eyes and stormed off to the sparring ring.
"We need to warm up first, Lacuna!" He yelled after her.
She froze, spun on her heel, and walked toward the track, her ears red and lips tight.
"I know." She fumed, completely ignoring his sniggers.
"Lacuna," Atlas said from his position behind her. His arms were completely wrapped around her small body. Hands pinned against her sides, his chin in her hair, breathing in her vanilla and cherry scent. He could feel every one of her breaths. Every move of her abs and her diaphragm seemed magnified against his fingertips and palms. They burned. Her back rubbed against his stomach and he groaned softly. "Serena. Let me go." He clenched his jaw and turned away, clearly uncomfortable with his position.
"Stop calling me Lacuna. I don't know what the hell that even means." She pulled his hands tighter toward her body. She was hunched over, holding most of his weight on her back, trying to throw him and his massive frame over her shoulder. She gave a frustrated sigh and with one last pull, she released him. The two fell to the ground. Serena fell onto Atlas' lap while he took the brunt of the fall. Granted, it was only a short one.
He groaned again and leaned forward, his chest against her back. His hand landed on her thigh and he squeezed as her full weight hit him. Her muscles flexed, and Atlas could feel every ribbon of the muscle move. She breathed in sharply and held her breath, her hand on his.
A disgusting feeling, but oddly attractive when it came to this woman. He had been pinned by other women. But none had come close to making him feel this way. What was it? Pride? Adoration? Guilt? This woman was nothing but a frail human not that long ago. But now, she was someone he would be willing to call his Luna and him, her Endymion.
He was not sure when it happened. The occasional eavesdropping at the door, the evening sparring sessions, and the attempts at talking to her turned into the need to see her. The need to be there for her in every aspect.
He shook his head, washing away the thoughts swirling. He removed his hand from her thigh and pushed her back off him.
"Oh, sorry." She dusted herself off and took a few steps away from him.
He turned from her and flopped on the benches, a few paces away. Tired. It could have been from the limited sleep, the long meetings with the Elders, the threats toward his pack, or from this woman he wanted to spend all his time with. He leaned his head back and rest it gently against the wood wall, soaking in the late morning sunshine and warm breeze.
Sweat dripped down his forehead and ran its path along his jawline, plopping softly on his shorts. Something soft pushed against his forehead, blocking out the warm rays. He squeezed his eyes tight. The soft fabric began dabbing his face, disrupting his moment of relief. He lifted his head and opened his eyes. Emerald-green eyes were intensely staring at his face. He jerked his head back and hit sharply against the wood. He winced and brought a hand up to his head, running his hand through his wet hair.
"Are you okay?" Serena clutched the towel in one hand while the other reached for him but retracted when it got too close.
He grimaced and straightened, closing the distance between them.
"I'm fine. Startled is all." He pulled the towel from Serena's hand and grabbed the other with his empty hand. She pulled in a sharp breath and remained focused on his head. They stood there for what seemed like the day. His hand held hers. His thumb lightly traced circles on the back of her hand. He closed his eyes and leaned forward, resting his head against her stomach. Her breathing quickened slightly and became more shallow, he smiled slightly and leaned further. "Let me just... Rest." His shoulders slumped and his head dropped a bit. Serena's hand caught his chin and held him close against her abdomen, soaking in his scent and presence.
His breathing slowed and Serena felt the muscles in his face relax. She smiled softly and slipped her hand from his grasp. It dropped into his lap gently. She ran her fingers through his thick, black curls. Damp from the sweat, they stuck together. But with a little care from her slender fingers, she detangled some of the locks. He groaned slightly at the little tugs from her hands and pushed further against her stomach. She chuckled, glancing down at his broad shoulders and his hand that now rested against her thigh.
"Serena!" Venus called from beyond the wood wall. Serena stopped, mid-detangling, and shot her head up. Atlas, startled awake from his slight doze, jerked away from Serena and out of his seat.
"Serena!" Venus called from the entrance. Her small frame entered the yard and stood still, surveying the grounds for her friend and brother. Her eyes fell upon the two, standing close and awkwardly together on the other side of the track. She huffed and smiled. "Serena! I need you for a bit!"
Serena sighed and grabbed the towel that had fallen into the dirt.
"Coming." She called back and waved at Venus. She turned to Atlas, who was staring daggers at his sister, and she chuckled under her breath. "Thank you for the spar this morning." Her voice was silky smooth and low.
He looked down at her and his gaze softened.
"Anytime, Lacuna." He gave a soft smile and turned his back toward her.
She nodded her head and pursed her lips and made her way to Venus. Serena's and Venus' figures receded into the shadows beyond the door, and Atlas let out a heavy sigh. He grabbed his bag and water bottle and turned to follow them.
"You always have perfect timing Venus..." He fumed to himself the entire way back to the packhouse. He really needed to talk to Eli.