49 Chapter 49

"Thanks for stopping by Alpha Martin. I have been a little worried." I smiled bashfully while I spoke. "My usual anger seems to have tapered off, and Atlas states he can smell my heat, but besides that I really feel like it is over. I have no other symptoms."

"That's to be expected. We were not sure how the drugs and stress would affect you. I am guessing the scent is one of the few symptoms you will get this round. From what I understand, a good thing too. Alpha Heil mentioned that if it was not illness but a heat he was in his right to claim you. Since it is what we can pass off as an illness, you're safe." I sighed. "However, it does not mean he won't stop. Zion and I plan to doctor some reports to keep you bed ridden for a little while longer."

Zion piped up when I just stared at them in shock. "Yup! We can even do it in a way that no outside visitors are allowed. Martin of course fine tuned the right stuff, I have no medical jargon in my brain."

I chuckled. "You two have been getting close." I noticed the pause of breath with Zion. "It makes me happy. Zion is a loner, he needs more friends." When Alpha Martin coughed trying to hold in a laugh I smiled more. "Thanks again for lunch. I guess you both need to head back?"

"True. We have another meeting with Alpha Heil to fully explain your absence to the air head. Then we have a meeting with my sister on some intel reports. Such a busy visit. This was supposed to be a celebration with relaxation and fun." The childish moan finally had me laugh. "Don't work too hard Kash. Zion here will be monitoring it. You might be having a more minor heat than you expected, but you should still be resting."

Slowly the pair got up and walked to the door. "The work is easy compared to what I did in my last pack, so don't worry! I do need to get out for a run soon. This house arrest is driving me nuts."

Zion gave a gentile smack to my back. "Don't worry pup. Atlas will have this all figured out in no time!"

"Pup!!" Swiping Zion's arm away he laughed at my reaction. "Okay, okay I get it. Try and visit again. It is boring here."

"We will do our best to send Atlas up for meals instead. Keeping him around you will keep both your heads sane." Alpha Martin then grabbed Zion before he had a chance to say more. "Let's go, trouble maker."

I could not hear Zion's reply to the name but I laughed anyway. They are definitely getting along. Taking a deep breath I got back to the work at hand. There had been several emails going back to before my kidnapping that had not been handled. Some were simple accounting issues, but some were more in depth, taking time to process and reply to.

It must have been several hours later when I realised that Atlas should have been home already. The sky must have been dark for a couple hours, since the stars could be seen. My phone had no new notifications, so I should not be worrying. Of course I was. Atlas had not texted me once since this morning. All I could do was take in a deep breath and slowly let it out to calm my mind.

"Penny for your thoughts?" I smiled from the voice behind me. Soon his arms wrapped around my waist as he brought me in. "Sorry for the radio silence. It is to help with your whole bed ridden case. I will try and sneak emails when I can. Though from what I gather Alpha Martin and his sister have arranged that I am able, well, actually, I am medically to visit you during meals. Something about my pheromones helping your body relax."

"Alpha Martin and Zion mentioned getting you up here with me to help keep you behaving." I chuckled when he tickled my hip. "Seriously! That's what he said."

"Sure he did." Atlas picked me up and tossed me on the couch and a small surprised squeak escaped my lips. "I feel like he said it was to keep both of us sane. Not just me." Atlas grinned when I tossed a pillow at him. "Feel better?"

"Hmm." Still a little out of breath from the surprised flight to the couch I could only hum my reply.

I scooted over to allow some space for Atlas to sit beside me on the couch. "We have a small lead, and your brother has finally contacted us." Atlas started off when my breath settled. A million questions I was sure he could see in my eyes. "First, both your brother and father are okay. Your father seems to be keeping locked in his room and we promised medical care for him when Alpha Heil is dealt with." I sighed. "Your brother's mate is strong. She has helped maintain the pack behind Alpha Heil's knowledge, while your brother has pretended to submit to him."

"It still hurts though." I curled a little closer to Atlas. "They pushed me away, never had me part of the pack in the first place. Why was I technically abandoned from birth? I am not sure if I can look them in the eye anytime soon."

"I am fine with that. They are not allowed to look you in the eyes anyways. You are the Luna for the packs. Not just the pack around us, but all packs in my territory. That means your brother looks up to you, or down at your feet if you prefer." I chuckled. "I know that's not what you mean. It will take time to heal, but I will be here for you the whole way."

"Thanks Atlas." The cool evening breeze coming in from the window had me shiver. "Should we have some super? I bet you hardly ate all day."

"Yeah, you caught me. Zion was busy with Alpha Heil and his sister, so I did not have my usual nanny." He sighed. "You will take over his place soon. Then I know I will just get fat."

"I could always have more veggies added to your diet." I grinned with my joke. "Like carrots. I know you just looove those!"

"That's it! Meal nanny revoked from you! Besides, dinner tonight is stew. Have to feed the sick with hardy but gentle foods." Atlas hugged me before he got up to serve the food he must have brought in with him.

"You know. I feel less and less wolf. I did not hear you come in, and most certainly did not smell the food. We need to start my training back up. I want to be one who can stand proud beside you." Though I knew deep down there was no way he would feel less of me, I still wanted to prove to him, to others, truthfully to myself that I was a wolf. A wolf who could truly help lead the packs.

"I promise that Raven can play with you in the training barracks when this threat has been neutralised. Not before." His growl of protectiveness had me want to purr.

"My big strong Alpha keeps protecting me. What if I wanted something different? I want to be able to protect you and the pack as well. Maybe feel like a man, more than…what have people called me? Oh yeah.." I grumbled. "A pup."

"Kash?" Atlas's voice softened. "Do not think of yourself so little. You are one of the bravest, smartest men out there. Body strength does not make a man."

"It makes the wolf! You can't deny that!" My huff could barely be threatening.

"Not really. When you look at a pack of wolves, where do you see the pack leaders?" Atlas held me once more.

"Easy. The front. The strong ones to protect the rest." His conversation had me confused. "That does not help your point."

"What makes you think that the leaders are the strongest? They might be one of the smarter ones instead. You can not lead a pack with brawn only like Heil tries. The pack needs leaders who have strength of mind as well." Atlas lifted me into his arms and had me look him in the eye. "Without knowledge there is no power. In order to survive, the pack needs to know where to find shelter, how to track their next meal and where to find water. If the pack was all muscle, it would die from the weather, lack of food and more. When you look at the Alpha and his Luna, they compliment each other. They work together and that is what gives the pack power. I love you Kash. More than the word itself speaks." Atlas leaned in and gave a small kiss to my forehead. "You are my strength. Without you, I am half of who I am."

I curled my face against Atlas's neck taking in his scent. I could feel him purr with satisfaction before he spoke once more. "When you find yourself Kash. You will be a more unstoppable force than you are now. I am looking forward to it."

After a quiet dinner Atlas and I spent the time curled on the couch. Sharing scent, and warmth. My thoughts had gone back to what Atlas spoke of and pack leaders. If he truly saw me as an asset, then I will do my best to prove it to myself. I will do all my duties as expected and then some.

"Kash?" I could feel someone poking my nose, but I was warm and comfortable. "Come on, sleepy head. We need to have breakfast."

"I think we can stay in bed. Just call in sick." Then it hit me. The contract was after I left for Atlas's place. "Atlas!" I bolted out of the bed. "The contract! It is no good!"

Atlas was slower to crawl from the bed, but I had his attention. "We know that. Just looking for the proof." He cocked his head to the side obviously trying to figure out what was going on in my brain.

I ran over and kissed his nose. "You're so cute. I figured it out! It was made after I planned to visit. When my father's behaviour started to change. He was acting differently and angry at me over nothing. We just need to prove that my father was not in the right of mind at the time. My..er..Alpha Jace was starting to take over and the other pack members must have noticed something?"

I could see when the connection was made in Atlas's eyes. "You're a genius! I will have the team get the information right away!" Giving me a big bear hug before he got dressed had me smile. "This was the key we had been missing. My uncle was taking Heil on a small tour today, so if possible you want to join me for a little bit today?"

"Do you think Zion or Alpha Martin will allow it? They worked hard for all the sick documents. I would hate to ruin it by mistake." I kind of wish I kept my mouth shut, but at the same time, the idea of meeting with any of the visitors. I shuddered.

"Man, I forgot about that. Okay, we can wait." Atlas came back and pulled me to his chest. "I miss you being around. Let's have breakfast before I have to leave for work."

I felt a chill when he left to grab the food. My wolf cried at the loss of him leaving the room and honestly I felt the same. So maybe I feel a little needy with my heat as well, guess that would make some sense after all we have been through. It still made me smile that we have become as close as we have. Never did I think I wanted a mate. Then this big whirlwind of a soft brute Alpha shows up. I couldn't be happier.