Atlas

I couldn’t stop thinking about what I had witnessed the other night. It had been over a week since I had been out and about, because I couldn’t get over the fact that there was something so close to home. Whatever, or whoever they were, they didn’t want people to enter their domain. 

But I couldn’t get over the fact that my alpha and omega wanted me to go back. Typically, I’d tell my papa about it, but this time, I felt compelled to learn who it was myself. My little secret to keep. 

Why did I want to react the way that I had? Why did I want to submit? I hadn’t wanted to ever do that with any of the partners that I had been with. The only person I ever submitted to was my grandfather Alexandre and my papa. Did that mean whoever that man was, was an alpha?

What if? What if he was the one? 

I just needed the courage to go back. 

I had stayed in my bed all week long, well, aside from normal tasks like eating and helping my dad out with a few things.

Surprisingly enough, the pack did take to Emilio becoming alpha. My papa was spending most of his time preparing him to take over, meaning the time he had spent with dad and me was slim to none. And the times we did see him, it was dinner time.

Typically, he’d bitch about me staying in bed all of the time, but since I was 25, I didn’t know how true that would be anymore. I preferred to be in my bed away from everyone, reading my books and escaping reality. 

I rolled over and sat up on the edge of my bed. I stretched and then rubbed my face. My heart fluttered at the mere thought of going past the pack border and finding others that had been so close to our pack.

— — — 

I waited until the night of the new moon to go back to the area where I had seen the border. I didn’t know if I’d be able to touch it like I had previously. I waited until the evening, much like that night. This time I didn’t have the moon to illuminate the area, so I made sure to bring a flashlight. 

I knew the borders wouldn’t be heavily guarded like they would be on a full moon. So I would be able to slip away, and the only people that would know I left would be my dad and papa. I quietly left my parent's house and shifted, grabbing the small bag between my teeth to carry to the clearing. 

For all I knew, it was probably a waste of my time. I probably couldn’t see the border anyways, let alone break through it. Something called me back to that clearing, even if I didn’t find anything. 

I knew it would be easy for someone from the pack to spot me because half of my coat was white. Before I reached the border of the pack, I sat my bag down on the ground, and I rolled around in the dirt to darken my coat a bit before continuing. The closer I got to the clearing, the more I felt the electric buzz, and my heart began racing. 

I shifted and threw on the clothes I had put in my bag, and grabbed my flashlight. I turned it on and walked around, trying to find the marking that I had made on the ground, but I couldn’t find it. 

I didn’t know why, but an overwhelming sadness took over, and I could no longer stand. I tried a bit longer but still couldn’t find it, and in defeat, I dropped down to the ground and let out a small choked cry. 

Why was I sad? 

My wolves were hopelessly clawing inside of me, making it just that much more unbearable. 

“Listen, little wolfy,” A thick Irish accent cut through the night. 

I snapped my head back toward where her voice had come from. 

“What’re you tryin’ to get into my layer for?” She asked. My flashlight caught a glimpse of her red hair. 

“I don’t know,” I replied honestly. “Something brings me here. It almost feels electric.” 

“Well, I don’t think it’s smart for a little puppy like you to play around with a witch. Dontcha think?” She asked. 

My alpha didn’t like being called a pup, but I pushed him back in my mind, and I shook my head. “There’s someone else with you?” I asked. “I heard a man's voice that night. Who was it?” 

“Little pup, I should ask you why you thought it was okay to stick your hand into my border. Better yet, how did you? We’ve seen plenty of puppies like you walk right on through it.” She took a step toward me and put her hand out, grabbing my face between her ice-cold fingers. “You’re a strange one.” She stared into my eyes.

I didn’t have any answers to her questions. 

“Omega hair, but not?” She cocked her head to the side. “Alpha, but not?” She hummed. 

She looked me up and down, and I could almost see her eyes glow purple with excitement. 

“I’m both Alpha and Omega,” I replied. 

“An Alpha Omega?” She raised one of her brows. “Now I think I know, but I think I need to do a little test.” I could see her eyes light up with excitement.

The witch disappeared for a couple minutes and reappeared a couple moments later with a cat on her shoulder. Not just any cat, I could tell it was a shifter as well. He hopped down onto the ground and walked strutted up to me with grace, tail swishing behind him. He rubbed his ears against my legs. He walked back to the witch and shifted. 

I dropped the flashlight in an instant, the petite omega stood in front of me nude as the day he was born. The first noticeable thing I could pinpoint was his pink hair. The next was his overpowering scent. 

Mate.

My wolves said in my head. 

Mate. 

I held my breath. He was the reason why I so badly wanted to come back here. It made perfect sense. He looked shocked, and I desperately wanted him to speak. I wanted to hear the sound of his voice. 

“There’s no way.” I could hardly hear his voice. “There’s seriously no way.” His eyebrows were furrowed. I could tell he wasn’t processing the information like I had. 

It made me feel rejected, and I didn’t have anything to respond with other than a quiet “Please.” 

“There’s seriously no way?” He looked at me with concern. “I already have a mate.” His voice was so quiet I almost didn’t hear him. 

“Looks like the little goddess they worship decided to play games with you, cat.” The witch giggled. “I wonder how Gage will react to this news.” 

Gage? Gage. The name sounded familiar, but I couldn’t quite pinpoint it. 

“Honestly, he’s probably pissed you snatched me away without telling him why. Hell, you didn’t even tell me why.” 

“Well, you’re my familiar, contractually bound to me.” She pursed her lips, holding her wrist up, showing her bonding mark that matched the one on the omega’s wrist. “What if I really needed you for something important?” 

“Maeve,” The omega rolled his eyes, finally naming the witch. 

“Hey, if I didn’t take you for a few minutes, you wouldn’t have this cute little curly-haired puppy as another mate, would you?” She pointed at me.  

“Is that even possible?” The cute little omega asked. 

“It is,” I spoke up. “My uncles are mated. I’ve also met several poly couples when I traveled.” 

“Do you think that he’s also Gage’s mate?” 

“I’m sure he is,” Maeve smiled, tapping her chin. 

Suddenly, our surroundings changed, and the light was glowing from a cabin now in front of us. My mind couldn’t comprehend what was happening. 

“What the hell, Maeve,” An Alpha stepped out onto the porch, and he turned the light on. “A little warning, maybe a little– Who’s this?” He pointed at me.

His scent was much like the pink-haired omega’s. 

Intoxicating. 

Mate. 

My wolves went haywire for the second time in the night.  

I wanted to cry from the joy I felt. I felt as if everything had fallen into place. 

Finally, I found them—my mates.