Chapter 48

Nothing had kept my attention for long. I had paced the room most of the day. Atlas last texted me around dinner and apologized for the delays. Since information had not been shared beyond that I could do nothing. It was made worse knowing the creepy uncle was around with an unknown for me. There was no way for me to feel comfortable exploring the library or anything else on this floor.

The window had already gone through different shades and colors as the sun moved across the sky. At first I watched the grounds as the light moved across the sky, then I paced the room before trying to read the diary. Nothing settled my nerves. The anger from the heat not yet arriving had been replaced with rejection and fear.

For the umpteenth time I stood up from the messy bed and started to pace around the room. It was my fault for kicking Atlas out. For once I should have been just a little selfish. Just a little bit would not hurt. Maybe I should have scented him before he left, claiming him just that small amount. I knew it was my instinct going haywire but it was still thoughts outside my little heat.

Wait! My heat! The irritability was gone. I froze in the middle of my pacing. My heat felt like it was back on track. Or was the anger all I would get and this feeling was false? Would this be my norm now? "UGH!!"

A small chuckle had me whip my head towards the door. "Am I late?" There in all his glory was Atlas. "I can't believe you kicked me out this morning." Atlas walked over to me with a small smile on his face. Looking into his eyes I could see him tremble with some emotion I could not determine. "To think I would arrive to see my mate pacing, while his pheromones scream for me. What a delicious sight."

"Atlas." I growled a warning with his teasing. "What happened today?" I barely had enough time to cross my arms before he grabbed me in a bear hug.

"We are at a stalemate. Zion and the data teams are looking into the validity of the claims from Alpha Heil. For now we have to wait for results." I growled a warning. He still did not tell me what it was all about. "Entertain me for a little before the news, please let me have this?"

I could only sigh in defeat. "Fine. But we WILL discuss this." A small squeak escaped when he picked me up and carried me to the bed.

"Hmm, you made a nest?" I looked at the bed and realized he was right. "With your new scent I would say your heat is naturally arriving." Atlas just held me. His nose to my scent gland.

"Feel better yet?" I knew he needed comfort, but I also needed answers. "You have been very cryptic today and it has set me on edge. I know it was my fault for pushing you away this morning, but…" I could feel tears threatening again as the fear of rejection stood out.

"Kash. You are mine. There is NOTHING you can do to change that." His arms soon released me allowing my body to sit beside him now. I could smell him releasing a calming pheromone. "Alpha Heil arrived with an unexpected hiccup." I growled. "He has a contract between your father and himself. Where it came from and when it was contracted are being looked into. As it sits, it will be war if the contract is in fact what it is."

"Which is? You have yet to explain." I stood up to face him.

"You being his contracted mate." Atlas was barely at a whisper, but I heard it like a shout. My arms dropped to my side. "When we met there was no contract. All your father talked about was getting his son's mated. So it had to have been performed after we met. Which makes no sense."

"When Jace dropped his contact and my father disowned me. The threat." I shivered. "What does it mean?"

"It means we know who is behind most of the troubles that have been caused." Atlas sighed and pulled me back into his arms. "It changes nothing between us."

"You can't declare a war. The lives that could be lost! Atlas, that would be unfair!" I tried to wiggle from his hold.

"No. Me losing you would mean war. Kash, you are my Luna, my mate, my partner and best friend. There is no way I am going to allow a small threat to separate us." Atlas growled as he spoke. With his actions and words my instincts purred. "Neutralizing this threat will increase our pack tenfold. So be prepared. Alpha Heil took over his current pack by fighting and killing the old Alpha."

"That has not been done in a long time. Very archaic of him. What else do we know about him? For example, the whole reason he wants me?" Atlas was right. I could not go with that Alpha to prevent a war. To prevent a war, we had to know the enemy. At whatever costs before other packs were affected.

"He is after the crown. Though he is not born a royal, a royal Luna will change that status. I still have not understood what my Uncle is getting from this, or the rogues." Atlas quieted while in thought.

"How about we eat? I am a little hungry and I am sure you have not stopped to eat much. Oh! And before I forget, it um..you smell good." I went red and ran off to the kitchenette to find food.

"So do you! Trust me." His groan had me chuckle.

"You know. You could always mark me and he would have no say?" I barely whispered my thoughts. "It's not like he could prevent it from happening."

"No. That is true, but the war would still happen as he would try and take over our pack lands. He already is laying claim to your brother's pack for the breach he declares happened."

"Is Jace okay?" I was concerned. Yeah he had been a dick, but he was still family.

"Zion is trying to contact him and get a game plan in place to protect his pack from Heil." I chuckled when he dropped the Alpha honour. "The Princess and Alpha Martin are working with him to secure them."

I hummed. "You think Alpha Martin and Zion…never mind." Food in hand I grinned at Atlas. "Let's eat!"

The rest of the night Atlas and I spent scenting each other. It was different for me to not feel as much pain as previous heats, and to be comforted around his scent. I know I purred enough when he entered the nest and we spent time holding our bodies close. Nothing more. Okay, well he may have licked my scent gland once or twice, but it was just the comforting motions of scenting each other. I could not have asked for more. Honestly, I was more than content.

The morning light in our room pulled me from the solace around me. Atlas had duties to attend, and I was going to stay put. There was not much I could do. Atlas had grown more possessive since yesterday. Not that I blamed him. I felt the same.

"How about I send a visitor up to keep you company today?" Atlas's voice pulled me from my thoughts of how to entertain myself alone once more. "You're on the cusp of your heat, but a known and friendly Omega might be a good change of pace?"

"Really?!" I know I might have sounded a little more excited than I should be, but yesterday was absolute hell. "Who do you have in mind?" It's not like I really knew many people.

Atlas chuckled at my expression as I thought of who it might be. "Oh? You know that many Omega's eh? Please enlighten me?" I groaned. "I shall give you a hint. This omega is strong enough that I will have no worries if you go under attack."

Of course I was drawing a blank. Atlas just hugged me. "I will talk to them and see if they are available. If they are I will text you the time to expect them and who it is then. Do not open the door for anyone else!" I sank into Atlas to comfort him as he growled. It angered me a little that he thought me so stupid. "I hate dealing with so many unknowns in my own lands."

"Can Alpha Martin stop by and…umm so I can." I hated feeling so uncomfortable still with my omega side. "Never mind. Thanks for thinking of me when you have so much on your plate."

Atlas pulled me away from him a little and my red face turned to the side. "Alpha Martin and Zion will stop by for lunch. Doc has been busy with a small illness in one of our packs, and I would feel more comfortable if you had another check over." Embarrassed, I curled back into Atlas's arms.

We stayed like that for sometime. Just enjoying the company before life came back. Breakfast came and went, and with the clean dishes in hand, Atlas moved to continue his pack duties. At first I paced like my pattern of yesterday. Then I saw it. My laptop. Sitting on the coffee table.

'Zion! Hey, am I still connected to the Luna stuff you showed me?' Before I even texted Zion I was powering up the laptop. I waited for the main screen with login flashing at me and the text to verify I could be helpful.

I could barely contain my excitement when my phone vibrated. 'How are you doing Kash? Altas filled you in I take it? Yes you are and I may have even added some extra access. Login information is the same, but please change the password. I will forward some emails to you. Maybe you can take over some of the other duties and reduce the load on Atlas some.' As I was putting my phone down it flashed again. 'By the way. Atlas informed us of the check up. Martin and I will be up within a few hours! We can talk some more then.' I was starting to suspect something between Alpha Martin and himself lately, and this last text with first name and no title made me chuckle.

After inputting my information, changing the password and scrolling through missed emails, I looked at my phone once more. Should I let Atlas know I plan to help? My internal debate did not take long. He would not be a good mate or leader if he denied his Luna to help. 'Hey, I am gonna take some of the basic pack duties from you and Zion. Zion has already sent some emails to me to get started. If there is anything else that needs a higher priority, send it my way!'

My phone buzzed not long after I set it down to start on the emails. His response had me smile. 'About time! Do not hesitate to ask Zion or I for any help either! We are all here to work together. Trust me to deal with my Uncle and Heil though. Please.'

I could almost see his puppy dog eyes with his text. 'Yeah, yeah. Go back to work Alpha.'

A buzz right after had me grin. 'Just a heads up. The one I wanted to stop by can't right now. They are out of town. I feel bad leaving you alone.'

I giggled as I texted Atlas back. 'Won't you get in trouble by Zion if you keep texting when you're supposed to be working? Stop worrying and get to work. Miss you! See you later.' "What a kid." I muttered under my breath.

With the texts stopping, I was able to focus back on the work at hand. It took no time at all for the time to pass. Before I knew it, a knock at the door pulled me from my screen.

"Hey Kash! It's Zion and Alpha Martin. Let us in. We brought lunch!"