The next morning was complete chaos. Everyone had overslept, which of course made my dad furious. Still, we managed to get on the road by 10 a.m. A miracle considering the mess of last night.
Diya decided to return with us since she still had family in her mate's pack. Niya went back home with her parents. She looked better this morning, though I knew it would take time before her bubbly self fully returned.
Cain was driving one car with Diya, Hunta, and Lana. I rode with my parents, which was perfectly fine with me. Luke and Sophie followed behind us in their own car.
Mom chatted happily with Dad while I sat in the back with headphones on, blasting music and reading. Last night had been the worst sleep I'd ever had. My wolf was restless the entire night, leaving me moody, though I tried to hide it. I knew exactly what Mom would say, that it was because I wasn't with my mate. And unfortunately, she'd probably be right.
My phone buzzed, pulling me out of my thoughts. I glanced down to see a message:
"Two days, and then I'm coming to take what's mine."
How did he even get my number? And who did he think he was, referring to me like I was just his property?
Anger surged as I typed back: "One—how did you get my number? And two—don't ever refer to me as property. I am my own person."
The nerve of him. I couldn't believe he'd actually said that.
His reply came quickly: "Sophie gave me your number. And I'm not calling you my property, Anaa—I'm calling you my mate."
I scoffed and typed back, "That's not how it sounded. Now I'm going to sleep. Bye."
Seconds later, another message lit my screen: "Anaa, it's taking every ounce of my self-control not to drive down there right now and bring you back. Your sass isn't helping."
A shiver ran through me at his words. I could almost hear his dangerous tone. Why on earth did that excite me? My traitorous body was betraying me.
I sighed and typed, "Okay, sorry. But I really am tired."
His response came softer: "Sweet dreams, Anaa. Thank you for coming into my life. Message me when you get home safe."
That message wasn't meant to make me melt, but it did. My wolf stirred restlessly, furious that I had left him behind. My entire body seemed to disagree with my mind. Even so, warmth spread through me as I drifted into sleep.
---
"Anaa, wake up—we're home." Mom's voice shook me gently.
I rubbed my eyes and blinked. "Home? Already? I slept the whole way?"
Dad chuckled. "You were knocked out cold. Didn't even stir when we stopped at the service station. Your mate called too, but your mom told him you were sleeping. Oh—and Cain may or may not have taken a few pictures of you."
I gasped. "What?! Cain took pictures of me asleep?"
That bastard. He'd use them to blackmail me, no doubt.
Groaning, I jumped out of the car and marched over to him. He was grinning from ear to ear, talking with Luke and Sophie.
"Cain! Delete those pictures right now!" I snapped.
"Nope. They're perfect blackmail material, Smiley. I'll keep them for later." He smirked and ruffled my hair.
I turned to Diya, whispering, "Please tell me you're on my side. Delete those stupid pictures."
She smiled slyly. "Don't worry. I've got your back."
Smiling in triumph, I went back to the car to help unload. Luke trailed behind me like a shadow.
"You know you don't have to follow me everywhere, right?" I muttered.
"Don't have to, but I will," he replied simply.
Great. My last two days at home, and no privacy at all.
After dragging my stuff inside, I collapsed on my bed and pulled out my phone. For some reason I couldn't explain, I called Atlas. He picked up on the first ring.
"You're home?" His deep voice instantly sent shivers down my spine.
"Yes, just got in. Dad said you called earlier, sorry, I was asleep," I replied, trying not to stutter.
"Ah, yes. They said you must've been really tired. Why? Didn't you sleep well last night?"
"Of course I slept well," I lied.
"Really?" His tone said he didn't believe me.
"Yes. Why are you asking?" I asked defensively.
"Because, my little mate, I know you didn't. You're lying to me," Atlas replied smugly.
My jaw dropped. "How… how did you know?"
"Because I didn't sleep either. I barely got an hour after messaging you," he confessed.
I frowned. "But why? That doesn't make sense."
"You don't understand? The reason I didn't want you going home is because my lycan and your wolf crave each other. Being apart only causes us both pain. And besides, you've already started transitioning into a lycan."
My stomach dropped. "What? But… isn't shifting supposed to happen after the mating process?"
"For normal werewolves and normal lycans, yes," he said with a low chuckle. "But you, Anaa, are not a normal werewolf. And I… am not a normal lycan."
That chuckle. It wrapped around me like silk, sending sparks racing over my skin.
"Oh. Right," I said lamely.
He went quiet for a moment before his voice softened. "I had given up hope of ever finding you. I'd resigned myself to being forced to mate with another lycan to appease the council. But then… I saw you. And you reignited a heart I thought was long dead."
I gasped softly. "Atlas…"
"No. Don't say anything. Just let me fall asleep to the sound of your breathing. It feels like you're here beside me."
I listened as his breaths grew slower, steadier, until he fell asleep.
I waited a little longer before whispering, "Goodnight, Atlas," and hung up.
My phone slipped from my hand as I sighed deeply. Atlas was turning my entire world upside down, making me feel things I had never felt before.
Instead of wanting to escape him, I found myself wanting to stay.
And that thought terrified me.
The next two days passed much faster than I expected. I found myself buried under all the packing I had to do. Without fail, Atlas called me every day, and to my surprise, I began to look forward to those calls. He always asked about my progress, and when I answered with a simple "boring," he would tell me I should have just stayed with him instead. I reminded him that I wanted to say a proper goodbye to the place I grew up in, and he understood.
Cain stepped right into his role as alpha, with Diya always by his side. Seeing them together either made me want to smile or made me feel slightly sick. Honestly, I think Cain purposely made out with my cousin in front of me just to tease. True to his word, Luke never left my side, following me around everywhere. His cautiousness was obvious. As for me, I had accepted that there was no escaping this time—but that didn't mean I had given up completely.
Sophie came around often too. She helped me pack and spoke about all the changes that lay ahead. It all sounded overwhelming, but I just nodded and smiled as if I were ready. Still, there was one person who made me increasingly uneasy—Hunta. Every time I glanced at him, I caught him already staring back at me. The pain I once felt because of him was gone, replaced with something far more uncomfortable. It felt as if he were trying to stake a claim on me. That would never end well for him—Atlas would never allow it.
This morning, at nine sharp, Atlas called to tell me he was on his way to my pack. The moment I heard those words, I jumped out of bed to get ready. The thought that this would be my last time in my room filled me with sadness. That room had been my sanctuary for as long as I could remember, and leaving it behind was harder than I wanted to admit.
Mom peeked her head through the door. "All packed?"
I didn't trust my voice, so I just nodded. She sighed softly. "Baby, I know this is difficult, but it's a brand-new chapter for you. You should be excited. This will always be your home, no matter what."
"Oh, Mom… how can I leave everything behind? This is all I've ever known." I collapsed into her embrace.
She stroked my hair and whispered, "Anaa, I raised a strong girl. Change is always hard, but you'll get through it."
I sighed and nodded. "I'll try."
"That's my girl." She smiled warmly.
The next two hours were spent moving everything downstairs. Cain and Diya came to help, though Cain spent more time annoying me than actually assisting.
"Smiley, don't leave," Cain said, giving me a sad smile.
"Don't start, or I'll cry," I warned, shaking my head.