Chapter Three

Atlas hadn't slept a wink. He'd checked his shoulder a thousand times in the bathroom mirror, but there wasn't a mark to show where Kellen had bitten him.

"I must have been totally wasted last night," he said to himself as he readied for work. "So drunk that I felt sober."

He was dying to call Braylon and tell his best friend what happened, but Atlas wasn't even sure what had happened. He'd had the best sex of his life, followed by the most terrifying moment.

His hand shook as he grabbed his door handle, letting himself out and locking up behind him. Atlas hurried down the stairs, squinting as he emerged outside.

Fuck, the sun was bright. He waited a minute or two until his eyes adjusted and then walked to his car, thinking about how he'd paced all night, waffling between packing his shit and leaving town to missing Kellen like crazy.

That made no sense. Why on earth would he miss someone he didn't even know or that possibly wasn't even human? Instead of going to work, Atlas needed to drive to the hospital and check into a padded room.

Last night wasn't imagined, no matter how much he tried to tell himself that he must've come home black-out drunk and dreamed the whole thing. His backside was too sore. Either he'd gotten it on too fiercely with his dildo or Kellen was real.

Since he didn't own a dildo, Kellen was real.

Atlas pulled into the parking lot of Wild Tiger Barbeque and just sat there staring at his steering wheel. The sun's rays were directly on him, making Atlas sweat even though he had the AC on.

"You can't tell anyone about last night. If you open your mouth about what you saw, Kellen might come after you."

As hard as he tried to make sense of things, he couldn't.

Atlas screamed when someone tapped on the driver's window. He looked up to see his boss standing there, a deep frown furrowing his brows. "I didn't mean to scare you. I came outside to get something out of my truck and saw you sitting here looking zoned out. Are you okay?"

If Atlas didn't pull himself together, he wouldn't be able to function at work. Mason stepped back as Atlas grabbed the handle and swung open his door.

"Yeah. I just had a rough night." Understatement of the century. "I didn't get much sleep." Not a wink.

"Why don't you come inside and get some coffee?" Mason kept a Keurig in his office since Wild Tiger didn't serve any coffee.

"I might drink your entire stock." Atlas locked his car door and followed his boss inside.

"Do you want to talk about it?" Mason slowed so Atlas could walk next to him. The guy was six-four, his strides longer.

"No." He shook his head. "I just need to throw myself into work."

Atlas rubbed his chest, yearning to see Kellen. What had that guy done to him? Was there some kind of drug in his bite? Even during the good times, he'd never longed for Glen like this. Atlas felt like he would start crying at any moment as the ache of missing Kellen consumed him.

"Hey, Atlas!" Elijah, Mason's boyfriend, said brightly as Atlas walked inside. Elijah was seated at a booth with his friends. That was nothing new. Atlas had been working there for six months, and at least twice a week, Elijah and his buddies showed up to eat.

They were cool, always respectful, though Atlas would never understand why Gage always wore that colorful cloth cap on his head. He'd never seen the guy without it.

"Hey, guys." Atlas nodded in their direction, but kept walking. He was trapped in his own headspace and not in the mood for conversation. After clocking in, Atlas changed into his work T-shirt and grabbed some order tickets off the back counter and started filling them.

"You seem out of it." Mason crossed his arms and leaned a shoulder against the doorframe. "Come into my office."

"Mason, really. I'm fine."

"Now." He turned and headed toward his office.

With a groan, Atlas set the Styrofoam container aside and followed him. Though he appreciated his boss's kindness and generous pay, sometimes Mason could be a bit too concerned.

Atlas entered Mason's office and noticed his boss loading a K-cup into the coffee machine. He gestured for Atlas to take a seat as he settled into his own chair behind the desk.

"You were fine when you left here yesterday afternoon," he said. "Something has happened since then. I've never seen you look so out of it."

Atlas had been awake since yesterday morning, and his brain was struggling to function. He was beyond exhausted, but he also knew that even if he left and went home, he wouldn't be able to sleep.

"I just…" He massaged his chest, struggling to suppress the tears threatening to spill. Why in the hell did he want to drive to Kellen's house? He should be avoiding the guy at all costs.

Mason got up and closed the door before he sat back down. "What we talk about stays between us, Atlas. Not even Elijah will know. Tell me what's going on with you."

"It's my mom." The lie popped into his head so he decided to go with it. "She's riding me about bringing a date to Jennifer's wedding. A female date."

It wasn't really a lie. That was one of Atlas's issues.

"She doesn't know you're gay?" Mason grabbed the cup from the coffee machine and set in on the desk in front of Atlas.

"She refuses to acknowledge it." Atlas picked up the cup and held it in his hands. "When I broke things off with Glen, I went to her house, and the next thing I know, I'm crying. When I told her why, she said that wouldn't have happened if I'd been dating a woman."

"I'm sorry to hear that." Mason entwined his fingers on the desk.

"The wedding is in two weeks, and I'd rather take my best friend than pretend to be someone I'm not. We have family members coming in from out of town for the wedding. She's been telling them for years that I've been dating woman but I like playing the field. That's why I haven't settled down."

The only reason Atlas knew any of that was because Jennifer had told him.

"It's a tough situation. From the way you talk about your sister, you adore her. Is she okay with your sexuality?"

Atlas took a sip of his coffee. "Jennifer supports me. My dad doesn't care either, as long as I don't try to talk to him about my relationships. He doesn't like thinking about his kids having sex."

Mason chuckled. "Most parents don't. Just like we believe our parents have a purely platonic marriage."

"It's just a lot of pressure on me." Atlas took another sip, hoping the caffeine kicked in soon. "She told me I wasn't going solo, and I told her I wasn't asking a female to go with me."

"Have you tried appealing to your dad?"

Atlas snorted. "My dad is strong in so many aspects of his life, but if it's something my mom strongly believes or wants, he caves."

Mason shook his head. "I know the feeling. All Elijah has to do is stick out his bottom lip and stare at me with those green eyes and I'm a goner."

An image of Kellen's emerald green eyes staring seductively at Atlas filled his mind. He'd managed to stop thinking about the guy for five minutes. Now that was all Atlas was thinking about.

He placed his cup on the desk and pressed the heel of his hand into his chest, willing the feeling to go away. It was a heaviness that felt as if it weighed a million tons.

Mason came around the desk and hunkered down in front of Atlas. "This really is messing with you."

The guy was misinterpreting why Atlas was rubbing his chest, though he wouldn't mind some advice on what to do about a date for the wedding.

"Why don't you talk to your sister and see what she has to say about all this?" Mason suggested. "It's her wedding. She might not care if you go solo."

"She already has enough going on without her little brother whining to her." Atlas didn't want to burden her with his problems. She already seemed frazzled as it was.

Mason patted his knee. "She probably does. Weddings are a big ordeal with a lot of behind-the-scenes preparation. But I'm willing to bet she'd set aside some time to talk to you, especially if she knew how much this was affecting you."

"I'll call her sometime this week and see if she can meet up with me." Atlas covered his mouth when a wide yawn gripped him.

"If it wasn't for the huge order we need to get ready, I'd send you home." Mason stood. "Unfortunately, tomorrow is the Peterson family reunion."

Atlas groaned. How had he forgotten that? Carol Peterson had placed the order two weeks ago and had already paid the bill.

Mason chuckled. "You forgot, didn't you?"

"I have my sister's wedding on the brain." Atlas grabbed his cup of coffee. He was taking it with him.

"You're going to help me prepare the food for the cookout while Kenny takes orders at the counter."

"I don't understand why someone is having a family reunion on a Monday." Atlas opened the office door. "Don't people usually have those on the weekend?"

"It's summer, and Mrs. Peterson planned this reunion five months in advance so everyone could take time off of work." Mason walked out behind him. "You just have to get the sides ready. I'm slow-cooking the meat so it'll be ready by tomorrow, but I still have to keep an eye on things so nothing burns or overcooks."

The lack of sleep was making Atlas drag ass. His shift couldn't end soon enough.

* * * *

It had been the longest day of Atlas's life. By the time he clocked out, his head was pounding something fierce, his eyes were burning, and every step was a struggle not to fall over.

How he'd gotten into the parking lot of his building without dozing off at the wheel was a complete miracle. Luckily, he wasn't on the schedule for tomorrow.

No matter how confused and scared he was about last night, nothing was going to stop him from collapsing into a coma for the next nine or so hours.

Atlas groaned when he saw all the parking spaces were taken on the side of the building, which meant he had to park in back and walk around to the front. The back door required a keycard, and Atlas had forgotten his upstairs.

Worse, all the spaces closest to the building were taken, so he had to park all the way at the end. He thought about just falling asleep in his car, but he was looking forward to stripping down to his underwear and face-planting in his bed.

He made a mental note to silence his phone so he wouldn't be disturbed by any calls. It would be just his luck for someone to call him when he'd finally gotten comfortable and drifted off to sleep.

A yawn escaped him as he reached for the container of food on the passenger seat, exited the car, and clicked the lock button. When he woke up, he was smashing everything he'd brought home.

Two of the security lights were out, making the parking lot seem a lot more eerie in the dark. He began to walk—more like staggered—as he tried not to think about crawling onto the grass and closing his eyes.

The sound of footsteps made Atlas look around, but he didn't see anyone. He rubbed his eyes with his free hand and shook his head, trying to make the grogginess lift long enough to get inside.

Atlas felt as if he was being watched. Where the tree line began, something moved. Atlas stopped and focused his bleary eyes in that direction, but with some of the security lights out, all he saw was darkness.

A cat, maybe? Or was it something else? He tightened his grip on the food container as he started to walk again. A sound came from behind him, like shoes on the pavement. He spun, looking around, but again, no one was there.

His heart beat a little faster as he quickened his pace toward the building. He tried to shake off the feeling of being watched, but it only intensified with each step he took.

A breeze whispered through the trees and caused the leaves to rustle. The lights that were working did little to pierce through the cloak of darkness settling around the edge of the building.

Just as he was about to call out for the person to show themself, a nearby cat screeched loudly. He told himself he was just overtired. His exhausted brain was hearing footsteps that weren't there.

He was almost at the back of the building when something grazed his nape. The container in his hand dropped, spilling the contents as he spun around.

A stranger stood there, staring right at Atlas, his irises so dark they looked as if they blended with his pupils. He was tall, lean, and his stylish black hair touched the collar of his silky red dress shirt. When he spoke, his voice was seductive. "You smell just like that wolf. His scent is all over you."

"You h-have me mistaken for someone else." It didn't make sense what the stranger was saying, and Atlas was too frightened to try and figure it out.

"The nose never lies." The guy walked in a slow circle around Atlas, his hands tucked behind his back. "I just want to know where he is."

"I don't know who you're talking about." Atlas tried to ease away from the guy, but every time he took a step back, the stranger moved behind him and used his body to herd him away from the building.

Then the man gripped Atlas's chin in a bruising hold, forcing Atlas to stare right at him. "Just tell me where the wolf is."

"If you lost your pet, I'd suggest asking the sheriff or checking the local vet." Atlas didn't know what advice to give since he'd never owned an animal.

The guy stared into Atlas's eyes then frowned. "You're one of those rare humans that beguiling doesn't work on."

Atlas spun and ran, but he'd only made it ten or so steps before the stranger gripped his arm and yanked him back.

"You have the wrong person! I've never seen a real-life wolf!"

The stranger curled his hand around Atlas's throat and lifted him until his feet were dangling in the air. He gripped the stranger's arms, trying to stop his neck from being snapped or his throat being crushed.

"You have one last chance to tell me before I start draining you of your blood." He bared…fangs?

Atlas would think the man was delusional, but his strength wasn't. It was getting harder and harder to breathe.

Something shot past Atlas, slamming into the stranger and making him lose his grip. Atlas hit the ground then clawed at his neck. Every inhalation felt like scorching flames were being sucked down his airway, causing his eyes to water. Atlas rolled to his side and tried to get up, only to collapse back down.

Hearing deadly snarling and loud hissing, Atlas looked up. He quickly scooted backward on the ground, his eyes glued to the intense fight between the stranger and a giant wolf, both determined to destroy one another.

Atlas rubbed his eyes in disbelief, trying to make sense of this. His mind was struggling, but failing, to process the fight that was unfolding in front of him. His arms trembled and refused to support him when he tried once more to get off the ground.

The stranger effortlessly lifted the massive wolf above his head, and then swung downward, but the animal twisted free and leapt sideways. With a fierce snarl, it lunged for the stranger's throat, sinking its teeth into his flesh.

Atlas's eyes widened in horror as he saw blood gushing from the man's neck. The guy dropped to his knees, clutching his throat. Atlas opened his mouth to scream, but nothing came out as the wolf transformed into a naked male, revealing a sculpted physique.

With his back to Atlas, the guy drove his fist into the stranger's chest and ripped out his heart, letting it drop to the ground. Atlas rolled to his hands and knees and vomited. He had never witnessed such a violent act before.

The wolf…man…whatever the hell he was, turned, and Atlas's brows shot up as he quickly scooted backward.

It was Kellen!

"It's not safe out here, Atlas." Kellen walked toward him, his honed, naked body on full display.

"Don't come near me," Atlas croaked, his throat too sore to shout.

Kellen reached for him, but Atlas slapped his hand away.

"We can't stay here," Kellen snarled. "There are more of them."

"Don't touch me with that bloody hand." Talking was only hurting his throat more.

With one arm, Kellen pulled Atlas off the ground and crushed him to his chest. "We'll take my car. It's close."

Atlas looked over Kellen's shoulder at the lifeless body on the ground. He began to shake uncontrollably as they passed his car, heading for the darkest corner of the lot, and then cut through tall hedges. Now they were on a sidewalk, but Atlas was too dazed to wonder why they were on the next street over.

Kellen opened a car door and gently placed Atlas on the passenger seat. Nothing seemed real as Atlas was closed in and Kellen walked around the hood before slipping into the driver's seat.

The engine purred to life seconds before Kellen pulled away from the curb. Atlas remained motionless, staring blankly ahead as they sped away.