The moonlight pierced the forest canopy in fragmented shards, dappling the ground with ghostly patterns that shifted with the wind. The air was thick with tension, carrying the mingled scents of pine, damp earth, and the faint metallic tang of blood. A soft rustling of leaves punctuated the silence, the forest holding its breath as Atlas leaned against a towering oak, his arms crossed over his broad chest.
His piercing blue eyes bore into Lee with unrelenting intensity. Atlas's bronzed skin gleamed faintly in the silver light, the hard lines of his face shadowed yet striking. Though his posture seemed relaxed, the tension in his frame was unmistakable—a predator waiting to strike.
Lee stirred on the ground, a groan escaping his lips as he regained consciousness. His dark brown hair was matted with sweat and dirt, clinging to his forehead. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear the haze clouding his vision. The dull ache in his jaw and the pounding in his head were sharp reminders of the confrontation that had landed him here. Memories flashed: the heated argument, Atlas's fist connecting with his face, and then… darkness.
"You're awake," Atlas said, his voice low and devoid of warmth. The sound cut through the stillness like a blade. His lips barely moved, but the menace in his tone was palpable. "Good. Now we can talk."
Lee struggled to sit up, his hands trembling as he pushed against the damp earth. He froze under Atlas's gaze, the chill in those blue eyes rooting him to the spot. There was no anger there, no fire—only cold calculation, and that made it infinitely more terrifying.
"W-what do you want?" Lee stammered, his voice cracking. His heart hammered against his ribcage, every beat echoing in his ears.
Atlas tilted his head slightly, the motion slow and deliberate. "What I want," he began, his tone measured, "is to know why you were spying on me and Carley. Explain."
The accusation hit like a slap, and Lee flinched. His face flushed, a mix of guilt and humiliation creeping over him. "I wasn't… I didn't mean…"
"Don't lie to me." Atlas pushed off the tree, his boots crunching against the ground as he closed the distance between them in two swift strides. He crouched, bringing his face level with Lee's, their noses inches apart. "You couldn't take your eyes off her, could you?" His voice was a whisper, but the venom in it was unmistakable.
Lee's mouth opened and closed, the words refusing to form. His breathing grew shallow, panic clawing at his chest. "I didn't mean any harm! I just… I wasn't…"
"Just what?" Atlas's lips curled into a humorless smile. "Watching from the shadows? Pretending she's yours?" His voice dripped with mockery, but beneath it was something darker, something raw. For a fleeting moment, the mask of control slipped, and an unmistakable possessiveness flashed in his eyes. He straightened abruptly, towering over Lee, the air around him charged with barely restrained fury.
"Let me make this clear," Atlas said, his voice regaining its icy composure. "Carley is not yours. She never will be. And if I catch you even looking at her the wrong way again…"
He didn't finish the sentence. Instead, his boot connected with Lee's stomach in a brutal kick that sent the younger man sprawling onto his back. Lee gasped, his body curling instinctively as pain radiated through him. A strangled cry escaped his lips, his hands clutching at his midsection.
"That's mercy," Atlas said coldly, his expression as unyielding as stone. "Next time, I won't be so kind."
Unnoticed by either of them, Lilly watched from the shadows, her slender frame concealed behind a cluster of bushes. Her breath hitched as she took in the scene, her heart pounding in her chest. She had never seen Atlas like this—calm, calculated, and utterly ruthless. It terrified her, yet she couldn't look away. There was a magnetic quality to his presence, a gravitational pull that left her torn between fear and fascination.
She pressed a hand to her chest, trying to steady her breathing, but the turmoil inside her only grew. What was it about Atlas that drew her in, even as his actions repulsed her? The conflicting emotions churned, leaving her dizzy.
As if sensing her presence, Atlas turned his head slightly, his gaze sweeping the shadows. Lilly ducked lower, her fingers digging into the soil, but when she dared to peek again, he was already walking away from Lee, his strides unhurried yet purposeful.
The crunch of Atlas's boots grew louder as he approached Lilly's hiding spot. Her pulse quickened, panic bubbling to the surface as he stopped mere feet from her. She held her breath, willing herself to disappear into the ground, but her hopes were dashed when his voice broke the silence.
"You can come out now," Atlas said, his tone calm but carrying an edge that left no room for argument.
Lilly hesitated before slowly rising, her hands trembling as she brushed the dirt from her knees. She avoided his gaze, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and fear.
"I… I wasn't spying," she stammered, her voice barely audible, each word a fragile thread threatening to snap.
Atlas regarded her with an unreadable expression. Then, to her surprise, he stepped closer, his piercing blue eyes locking onto hers. "Is that so?" he asked, his voice low and almost hypnotic.
Lilly nodded quickly, though she couldn't stop trembling. "I heard something and… I just…"
"Relax," Atlas said, his tone softening. He reached out, his hand cupping her chin and tilting her face upward. His touch was firm but not harsh, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek. "I'm not going to hurt you."
The words should have reassured her, but the intensity in his eyes made her knees weak. Before she could process what was happening, Atlas leaned in, his lips brushing against hers. The kiss was deliberate, his dominance evident in every movement. Lilly's eyes widened in shock, but she didn't pull away. Her heart thundered in her chest as she surrendered to the moment, caught in the gravitational pull of his presence.
When he finally pulled back, his hand lingered on her chin, his thumb tracing her jawline. "You're going to keep this to yourself," he said, his voice low but firm, each word heavy with warning. "Understand?"
Lilly nodded, her voice caught in her throat.
Atlas's lips curved into a faint smile, one that didn't reach his eyes. "Good."
He stepped back, his hand sliding to her waist as he delivered a sharp smack to her backside. Lilly gasped, her cheeks burning with a mix of humiliation and something she couldn't name.
"And remember," Atlas added, his tone carrying a hint of warning, "if you disobey me, there will be consequences."
His hand lingered for a moment before he turned and walked away, leaving Lilly standing in the moonlit clearing, her thoughts a chaotic whirlwind of confusion and unease.