Chapter Thirteen

Cathy

Three Months Later

Atlas and I have settled into a routine that suits us and we both seem to be loving it. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, I work at Dark Side of the Moon while he works on completing the studio he promised me. I only do two sets per night and no private dances. I don’t dance for the men, the money, or for the attention anymore. I do it for me.

The rest of the week we spend all the time together that we can. I have settled into life with his pack, he will be Alpha someday, after all. Everyone is friendly and for the most part, I have been fully accepted. There are some people I have yet to meet and others who stay away because they don’t trust outsiders. But both of those issues will sort themselves out with time and I’m not worried.

My phone rings and I smile when I see my mate’s name flash across the screen.

“Is there a reason you would be calling me right before you’re supposed to be home for dinner?” I ask.

“Well, I was hoping you’d be interested in seeing the progress on your studio.”

“Are you serious? Of course I would love to!”

I’m giddy at the prospect of getting to see what he has been working on. He’s kept it all a little hush-hush and I didn’t push, but the curiosity has been killing me.

“It’s just inside the western gate post,” he explains while I grab the keys to my car. “Please bring beer.”

I laugh because I already have them in my hand. “See you in a minute.”

I slam the door behind me and hop in my car. I see the building the moment I come around the bend in the road. The dark-stained wood facade stands out between all the houses. My heartbeat accelerates and I get a little teary just staring at what he’s done. He’s even put up a name: Ballerina’s.

My door opens and my mate pulls me out, holding me against his chest.

“What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” he asks, concerned. “Did someone hurt you?”

“No,” I say shaking my head, although I can’t stop the tears. “I’m just overwhelmed. It’s beautiful.”

“Oh.” He looks a little embarrassed. “I’m glad you like it.”

“I love it, Atlas.”

He walks me around the outside, describing what he’s done and what he is still planning to do. There are gaps in the wood where glass panes will be installed once they arrive. The inside is just as stunning. The bare, exposed rafters high overhead make it seem even bigger than it actually is. I spin in a circle, smiling like a damn loon.

“I assume from your reaction that I did good?” Atlas chuckles.

“You did perfect! I couldn’t have asked for more.”

I run at him over the laminated wood floor, jumping into his arms. Atlas catches me with ease, using the momentum to turn us and pin me to the wall. It’s one of his favorite things to do.

His lips descend on mine in light and feathery kisses. He teases me gently, drawing little sighs from deep within me. My eyes fall closed as I breathe in my mate, enjoying the attention in this magnificent structure he has built for me.

A click sounds from the doorway and Atlas draws away from me. The moment I open my eyes, I can see strain lines etched deeply into his forehead.

“Stay behind me,” he whispers as he places me firmly on the ground.

Atlas turns his back on me, shielding me from view.

“What are you doing here?” His voice is devoid of any emotion. I’ve never heard him sound like this before and it sends a frisson of fear running up my spine.

“Atlas,” a husky female voice says.

“No.” He cuts her off firmly. “I already said everything I needed to say. I thought seeing me with my mate would be enough to make you understand.”

“Please,” she begs, and I lean around my mate’s large frame to see what the hell is happening.

The woman stands a few feet from us. Her dark brown hair hangs limply around her gaunt face. Tears streak her cheeks as she stares at the man I have fallen in love with. She holds a gun in her hand and fear freezes me to the spot.

“No, Jana.”

Her gaze collides with mine and she lifts the gun, pointing it at me.

“If I kill her, we can be together again,” she mumbles. “I don’t care that you fucked her or let her mark you.”

Atlas steps into the path the bullet would take and I want to scream at him. What the hell is he thinking? She could kill him.

“Move, Atlas,” she orders but he remains in front of me.

“Jana, you’re acting crazy,” he says angrily. “If you kill my mate I’ll die of a broken heart.”

“I’ll be there for you. I will be your mate.”

“I already have a mate, Jana. I tried to explain this to you.”

Jana sobs and I take the opportunity to peek around my mate once more. I need to know what is going on. She shakes her head before her face blooms red with anger.

“And all the years we spent together,” she yells waving the gun around. “Did it mean nothing? Am I just some whore to you? How can you so easily discard me?” Her voice raises an octave as she waves the gun around. “You said you loved me!”

“Jana.” Atlas sounds sad and defeated. “I love you as much as a person can love another. But this is different. Once you find your mate you will understand.”

“Fuck you!” she screams, pointing the gun at Atlas.

The shot goes off as I try to push my mate out of harm’s way. Jana screams loudly as Atlas wraps me in his arms. It takes a moment for the ringing in my ears to stop. Pushing out of my mate’s grasp, I inspect him, looking for any signs of injury. When I am sure he is fine, I push at his chest.

“You could have been killed!”

“I’m sorry,” he mumbles, pulling me back into his arms. “I had to keep her distracted. I saw Phillip outside and knew he would pick the right moment to intervene.”

He kisses my forehead before releasing me. I watch a man tie Jana’s wrists together with a length of rope that was lying on the floor, her gun against the wall. She is sobbing uncontrollably and even though she could have killed either of us, I just want to hug her until she feels better.

Walking closer, I make my way to her. Sitting on my knees I push her hair away from her face.

“I’m sorry you got hurt,” I say once she looks at me. “I know you’re in a bad place right now but we’ll get you some help. Someday, this will be nothing more than a bad memory.”

“You took my world from me,” she sobs. “Atlas is all I’ve ever wanted.”

“I know, sweetie. But fate had other plans,” I say softly. My heart is breaking for her. I can only imagine how much losing Atlas would hurt but it’s not a thought I wish to dwell on. “Now, we need to get you healthy so you can live the life you deserve.”

Atlas and Phillip stare at me like I’ve grown a second set of eyes, but neither say a word.