Page 97 of Those That Are Lost

From the constant quizzing Ty’s been making us do, I know this is Atlas; one male we should be able to trust. Clearly, from the use of my name, he knows who I am too.

“I thought it was about time I returned.” I slip into my rehearsed role with ease.

“No. Run. Get out now,” Atlas barks at us, pointing back towards the city wildly. “You can’t be here.”

Interesting…

“I thought I was meant to be the co-leader of this pack.” I level my gaze and hold eye contact with male now a few feet from us. He looks bewildered by my answer. He also seems to spot Antares at that moment but his eyes move back to me quickly.

“Where is he? I don’t sense any others besides you two. Surely he’s with you.”

Atlas’s power is a superior sense of presence. He can feel supernatural beings at much greater distances than the rest of us. As we are still several minutes walk from the house, I’m guessing that’s how he seemed to know we’d entered theproperty. That, or he likes taking random walks alone at dusk.

“Who?” I feign ignorance.

“You know who.”

“I have no idea what you mean.” The words fall from my tongue. It’s easy to lie when it's for the protection of my mate.

“You mean he never found you?” Atlas looks genuinely worried now, rubbing a hand over his forehead.

Ty and I had discussed how quickly I could let Atlas into the secret, we’d agreed it best that I test him first even though Ty was quite certain about him defecting from Adicious.

“You’ll have to tell me who you’re talking about for me to answer that.” I keep my voice calm.

“Ty,” Atlas whispers.

“Ty’s dead. He never made it out when I left.”

“Yes, he did. He left months ago. He’ll be searching for you. You need to go.” I can see Atlas’s calm demeanour slipping. Fear over his old pack mate evident on his face.

“I’d rather come home.”

“You mean you don’t want to find him? You don’t care where he is right now?” Atlas doesn’t hide his shock.

“I…” I can’t force myself to sayI don’t want toorno I don’t care. Apparently, there are some lies I can’t stretch to. “I want to come home. To Froan,” I repeat instead.

“You’re really set on this?” Atlas asks.

“Yes, this is where I belong.”

“He’s going to force you to be his.” Atlas is no longer talking about Ty.

“He can try. I’m doing this on my terms.”

Atlas’s eyebrows shoot up.

“Gods, Aurora. What has happened to you that you’d want to come back here? I can’t stop you from walking up to that house, but I wish you’d reconsider.” His words nearly have me cracking and telling him everything here and now.But it's too soon. His clear concern over Ty tells me his stance is exactly as we expected. He’s risking Adicious’s wrath right now. If he knew one of his pack members was trying to stop the female he’s been hunting from entering his property? The gods would feel that fury, I’m sure.

“Would you like to escort us to the house?” I ask, moving the conversation on.

“I can’t. I’m technically on house arrest,” he admits flatly. “Luckily, I was in my room when I felt you cross the boundary. I needed to see who it was so I snuck out the window.”

“Fine. Then leave. I’d rather like to get out of these woods.” My words earn another assessing look, like he can’t believe what I’m saying.Believe me for now Atlas, but not too much.

With another shake of his head Atlas leaves us. I wait until I know he’s out of earshot to whisper to my companion, who was shockingly silent through that whole exchange.

“What’s up with you? That was the longest you’ve gone without speaking in the whole time I’ve known you.” Which granted isn’t that long, but still.