"What's that you're wearing?" Venus repeated when Serena jogged up to her.
Serena looked down her the dark blue zip-up and then back to Venus' intense gaze.
"It's a jacket." She stated, lifting her arms and flinging the excess fabric in the air.
"I can see that. Where did you get it? Why aren't you wearing what I gave you?" Venus plucked at the hem of the jacket, and Serena rolled her eyes.
"I would have frozen to death in what you gave me."
"Oh, come on..." Venus waved her hands in front of her face. "It wasn't that bad. Eli said you looked nice."
"Only after Atlas did." Serena crossed her arms and turned away from Venus.
"Atlas said that? Tell me exactly what he said. Now." Venus grabbed Serena's arms and turned her around. Serena pulled her head back and shook off Venus' grasp.
"He just said I looked nice. That was all." Serena pulled at the cuffs of the sleeves and wiggled her toes.
"That's all? That can't be all." Venus narrowed her eyes at Serena, who turned away quickly.
"That's all. I'm going to shower, eat a late lunch, and then read. I'm tired, okay?" Serena gave Venus a quick wave as she walked toward the packhouse. Venus stood there for a long moment, waiting for Serena to come running back and spill all the morning's events that she knew were there. But Serena kept walking. With a huff, she left for her house and an afternoon with her son.
"Eli. Help me." Atlas slammed the door of his office open. Eli jumped up from the chair, wide-eyed.
Atlas' hair was a mess, his eyes were wide, and his expression hopeless. Atlas flopped into a chair across from the desk and sunk low into the cushions.
"What happened..." Eli drawled, concerned at Atlas being a mess for once in his life on earth.
"How did you do it?" Atlas asked, head propped on his hand, staring intensely at the pile of papers on the desk.
"You're gonna need to be more specific. I have done a lot of things." He chuckled. "Your sister included."
Atlas shot him a harsh glare, and Eli straightened.
"Sorry." Eli dropped his gaze.
"How did you get my sister to like you?" Atlas ran his fingers through his hair.
"My charm and humor mainly. Not sure otherwise. You would have to ask her." Eli leaned back into the chair and laced his fingers together. "You, oh wise Alpha, who was never going to marry, let alone date, have a crush. Don't you?" Eli smirked slightly.
Atlas shot his gaze back up and met Eli's eyes. The intense burning and anger hid behind them.
"No." He retorted, looking away again and stroking the scar along the chin.
"You do." Eli leaned forward onto the desk, his eyes twinkling. "It's Serena, isn't it."
"No." Altas shifted in his seat.
"It is! I'm happy for you. She's gonna make a great Luna."
"I said it isn't her." Atlas shifted again and picked at the dirt under his fingernails.
"Atlas, I have known you since we were kids. I know when you're lying. Or at least you are trying to ignore your heart. You were gonna tell her this morning that she was going to be accepted into the pack even though she's not a werewolf yet. You were the one that made that happen. You talked to the Elders and made a case for her without her knowing. You wouldn't have gone out of your way for anyone else. Stop lying to yourself."
Atlas ran his fingers through his hair again, playing with the knots and strands.
"I know..." He trailed off. "How did you know?"
"How did I know what?"
"How did you know that Venus liked you back." Atlas placed his face in his hands and sighed. "This is so embarrassing."
"Atlas. You need to talk to her about it. I knew because I was clear and upfront about my feelings for your sister. You didn't know, but Venus and I would pretend to get married as kids. Lucian played the Elder-"
Atlas shot up from his seat and smacked a hand on the table.
"Don't you ever speak of Lucian again."
"Yes, I know. I'm sorry." Eli held up his hands in surrender. Atlas sat back down and buried his face in his palms. "All I'm trying to say is be honest with her. Did you do something today that made you realize these feelings?"
"We..." Atlas stumbled over the words and thoughts. As he thought over the morning, his ears flushed, and he pulled back into the chair again.
"You?" Eli waved a hand, gesturing for Atlas to continue.
"We held hands." Atlas turned his gaze from Eli, who sat there shocked.
"You held hands?" Eli repeated.
"Yes!" Atlas cried out.
"That's great! But is that it?" Eli leaned on the desk and stared at Atlas. Atlas fidgeted and sighed.
"Yes. She fell on me, but that's nothing unusual for sparring. Lots of women fall on me when we spar, but this was different." He stroked his chin and narrowed his eyes.
"What was different?"
"I don't know... Forget I asked." Atlas rose from his seat and opened the door.
"Atlas! Wait." Eli jumped over the desk and crossed his arms. "Try something simple."
"What?" Atlas shook his head.
"I mean, give her something. Maybe flowers, breakfast in bed, invite her to spar, just you two. Maybe even take her out at night to see the stars or some shit. That's what I did for Venus, and that's how we are where we are. It's the little things that get to a woman. Find out some of her favorite things. Go from there." Eli placed a hand on Atlas' shoulder and gave it a bit of a shake. "I'm happy for you. You deserve to be happy after all you've been through."
"Thanks, Eli. That was almost good enough for me to let the joke about my sister go." Atlas exited the office and walked down the hallway to the front door.
"Come on now! That was a joke!" Eli yelled out the doorway. Other wolves peeked their heads out of the rooms nearby and flashed confused glances at Eli. He mumbled, "It was..." before he ducked back into the office.
A soft knock sounded through the hardwood door.
Serena flipped her head up from the thick book in her lap, eyes wide and heart pounding.
"Yes?" She slammed the book shut and slid it under a pile of furs. "One second!" She scrambled around the room, picking up clothes and pillows that had been discarded in every crevice of the room. She tossed them into their baskets and drawers. She was smoothing the furs and plush blankets on the king-sized bed as the door creaked open loudly. She spun around, leaning against the tall bed awkwardly. An uncomfortable smile plastered to her face.
Atlas entered the room slowly, glancing about at the clean room.
"Sorry. Did I interrupt something?" He scratched the back of his head as he closed the door softly.
"Oh! N-No." Serena breathed out, looking at the floor. She raised and cocked her head. "Why do you ask?"
Atlas shifted slightly and cleared his throat.
"I heard you running around and slamming the drawers..."
Serena closed her eyes tightly and grimaced.
"Shit..." She muttered under her breath. "Nice going..."
"And I uh can see the book you're reading." Atlas nodded his head toward the book sticking out of the furs.
Heat rose into Serena's face like wildfire on a hot, dry day. She twirled around and grabbed the book.
"Oh! This! Your sister gave it to me... She said I should give it a try." Serena rambled as she fidgeted with the creased pages of the novel.
"I'm sure she did. She likes-" Atlas paused, eyeing the title and cover. "Those books especially." A small smirk grew on his lips as his mind and eyes wandered.
Serena slid a thin hand over the risque cover and tucked it behind her back. She flashed a sweet smile as she cursed Venus under her breath. Her eyes were blank when they opened and met Atlas' childish gaze.
Serena cleared her throat and rocked on her feet.
"Did you have something you needed? Or did you just come here to gawk and tease me for my choice in literature?"
Atlas straightened, and the smile teasing his lips vanished.
"I came here to ask you something." He paused, chewing on his cheek and eyes drifting to her feet.
She waved her hand and cocked her head slightly. When there was no response she took a step toward his normally solid body, faulting before her. Atlas took a large step back, hitting his back against the wall. She stopped midstep and retreated slightly, retracting her hand back to her side.
"I just wanted to know if you would have dinner with me tomorrow after your training."
"Don't we spar tomorrow?" Serena furrowed her brows and fiddled with burning her fingertips.
"No. I have some pack business I need to take care of I have neglected it enough." He raised his head from her feet. Dragging his gaze along every curve of her exposed legs and arms. Her shorts ruffled against her smooth skin and her t-shirt baggy against her waist. Her slight pear shape still shone through the attempt to hide it. Atlas gulped as he gazed into her wide, innocent eyes.
"Oh..." She dropped her gaze to her fingertips and nails. They two stood in awkward silence. The ticking of the clock kept the time reminding them of the seconds that were passing them by. She took in a sharp breath and turned back to the bed, hopping up, a slight bounce in her land. Atlas watched a look of longing hidden behind his long lashes. "I hope that goes well for you." She flopped on her back and wrapped herself in a white fur blanket.
Atlas shifted in his place against the wall, tapping his toes against the worn floors. He let out a heavy sigh and shook his head. He approached the bed and gripped the white fur blanket tightly in his fist.
"Have dinner with me. Tomorrow. Seven?" His voice was taut as his fist clutched the blanket tighter, turning his knuckles white. His face was vulnerable and open, whiter than usual. Serena rolled over and met his nervous gaze. His eyes were soft and anticipated the next few words that came out of her mouth.
She rolled back over and pulled the fur close to her cheeks. The follicles tickled her flushed cheeks, and she nuzzled deeper into the protection of the blanket.
"Yes."
"Yes?" He breathed, a smile forming on his lips. His shoulders dropped, and the color came rushing back into his knuckles as he released the fur.
"Yes. Seven. I'll be ready."
"Okay." Atlas moved toward the head of the bed. A soft tap sounded on the nightstand behind her. Atlas' footsteps retreated and the door creaked one final time closed. She flipped over and fixed her gaze on the nightstand.
A tall, thin glass bottle rest next to the clock. The light from the lamp reflected off its surface, creating the illusion of shimmering starlight in the glass itself. There was a single flower resting in its finish, leaning daintily against the rim. The light green, hairy stalk, and oval leaves led up to the bright pink bloom and the yellow halo of a zinnia. Serena reached out and touched the delicate, soft petals. A smile filled her face and her heart beat irregularly. She gazed at the light petals and shimmering bottle late into the night. A smile was firm on her face and heart.