Serena's body shook like a leaf, but her jaw and gaze were set. Hope dangled before her as Atlas bit his lip nervously. He pinched the bridge of his nose and ran his fingers through his loose mess of hair.
"Where did you find him?" Serena demanded, her voice cracking as she finished her sentence. She stared up at Atlas. He shook his head and sighed.
"He's by the river. His body washed to the surface after the heavy rain."
Atlas wrapped his arms around Serena's shoulders and pulled her into his chest. She fell against him willingly and slid her arms around and rest them on his hips. Tears flowed from the creases of her eyes and wet Atlas's shirt. Her sobs racked her shoulders and shook her body. Her knees quivered and the whole of her weight fell against Atlas. He pulled her up and closer as her legs failed, bracing her body against his. He rubbed his hand against her back, squeezing her.
After a few moments, her sniffling stopped and her small hand pressed against his chest, pushing away. She wiped her eyes with a thumb and lifted her gaze. Her eyes were moist and red as she spoke.
"I want to see him." Her voice quivered from her intermittent sobbing.
"No." Atlas pushed her away and toward the desk. He turned his back on her and face the door, rubbing his face.
"Why not?" She followed Atlas and pressed a hand on his back firmly, forcing him to turn around.
He lowered his gaze and flexed his fingers as he was forced to turn.
"We need to perform an autopsy and fully unbury his body. I do not want you present for that." His voice was monotone and steady, almost rehearsed.
Serena leaned back and crossed her arms defiantly.
"Why shouldn't I be there? He's my dad."
Atlas slumped his shoulders and sighed.
"It will be hard for you to see your family like that. I don't want you to be any more emotionally distressed than you are now."
"Emotionally distressed?" She asked, her voice rising as her eyes flashed angrily.
Atlas spun around and walked long strides toward the door.
"Yes. Emotionally distressed. I will not allow you to be anywhere near the crime scene until after your father is removed and properly buried. Now. Please leave and we can continue this at a later time." He swung a hand out the doorway, showing her the exit to his study.
She huffed and exited the office. As Atlas closed the door, she stuck a foot between the door and its frame. Atlas shook his head low before opening it wide, a fake half-smile plastered on his face.
"What did you need, Lacuna?" He pressed a hand firmly against the frame, blocking her from entering the office again, clearly annoyed.
"When you fully recover him, may I see him before we bury or cremate him?" Her eyes wandered up his body to his red eyes. She looked small, smaller than she normally was, and vulnerable. Serena pulled at her sleeve and rubbed the top of her foot with her other foot.
Atlas exited the study and squeezed Serena tight against his chest. Her body pressed close to his, her warmth flooding his body. He rest his chin on her hair and inhaled her scent deeply. Everything about her invading her senses.
"Yes, you may, Lacuna." He kissed her messy hair and nuzzled his nose against her bun.
He pulled away and looked down at her face, framed with messy strands of coffee-colored hair. He pushed away the strands and cupped her face in his calloused and scarred hands.
"I-" His voice caught in his throat, lodged in between his vocal cords and his mind. His mouth hung open, and his eyes froze on hers.
She tilted her head and looked at him, puzzled.
"You..."
Atlas stared for a moment, blank-faced. He shook his head once and blinked a few times.
"I just... I care about you and... and I don't want to hurt you or cause you pain."
Serena's eyes softened as she smiled up at him.
"You could never do anything to hurt me." She pressed up against him and leaned her head against his chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.
Atlas placed a hand on the back of her neck and gently nudged it back. She lifted her gaze, surprised at his hand. He leaned down and pressed his lips against her forehead. Holding her there while he savored the touch of her skin against his lips. The spark between them nipped his skin, a dull pain making him yearn for more.
Atlas pulled away reluctantly and pushed her away gently.
"Thank you. Now, I have some work to do." He turned toward his desk and made his way there.
Warm arms wrapped around his body, engulfing him in a tight hug.
Serena pulled him back and held on.
"Serena-"
"Why do you call me Lacuna? What does it mean?" She interrupted the Alpha.
"Do you need to know what it means?" He froze. Holding his breath as she fidgeted her fingers against his abdomen.
"Yes." She muttered into his shirt. Her voice was barely audible. She buried her nose into his back and pressed her body closer, her chest imprinting on his back. Atlas' face flushed. He wiped a hand over his face and released a breath.
"It means a missing part." He replied, turning around in her grasp.
"Missing part?" She cocked her head and gazed up at him. "Am I missing something?"
Atlas laughed lightly and smiled down at her. His eyes crinkled and his nose bunched up. Serena smiled back at his joy.
"Not anymore, no." He traced a thumb on her jawline, tingling as their skin touched. "You were mine."
Atlas dipped his head and captured her lips with his. He pulled her closer and tight against his body. She kissed him back, closing her eyes, and accepting his advances.
He slid his hands down her body, stopping at her waist. He clamped them firmly against her skin and pulled her closer. She stifled a moan as he clutched her hips tightly. Atlas' lips curled up at the sound Serena made. He locked his lips with hers and continued devouring her.
Atlas slid one hand down her back, over her butt, and cupped her thigh, pulling her closer. He waddled back, pulling her along until he hit his desk. He grunted and bit her lip. She pulled away, eyes wide in shock.
"I-" She stuttered, a hand pressed against her lips, teasing him with what he just had within his own and no longer could. "I shouldn't have done that." She spun on her heel and fled the room. The sound of her retreating footsteps up the stairs pounded loudly in his ears.
Atlas breathed heavily, leaning against his desk, and hand clutching the wooden top. He held a hand up to his reddened, stinging lips. His eyes flicked about the room, never really registering his surroundings.
"Shit..." He breathed out raspily.