Remember the time when the

covers on our bed

were the only shield and armor

we needed against

the terrifying everything

that surrounded us?

~T.K.G.

***

Late.

That's what I am.

Jay stands upon the porch.

I can see, literally see, a dark cloud descend down and swirl around him as he eyes the approaching truck.

Slowly he goes down each step until he stops, arms crossed and waiting.

I look past him to see a nervous Daisy. Her shirt today reads, 'Never forget Pluto.'

Atlas idles to the side. He still has paint on him. Faint traces on his neck. The purple looks faded onto it and I blush at the sight, remembering my mortification when we had first emerged from the room.

Everyone had left. Breakfast gone and the pack going about their daily routine. The only one still remaining at the table was Lilah, with a happy Sandra cooking lunch in the background.

"About time," she groaned, shaking her head as she watched us from her chair.

I blushed at her words, but Atlas just growled, his threat obvious within the air.

Lilah smiles at me, a knowing look in her eye as she walks towards us. However her smile stutters when she sees Atlas.

"Um...Atlas do you...want everyone to see that?"

She clears her throat awkwardly, her eyes darting between us as she takes in the faint paint marks.

"Lilah be quiet."

Atlas walks away from us, grabbing two breakfast bars. Sandra's eyes widen as she takes in his faded marks.

Lilah shuffles over to me, "Okay first. Wow."

I blush again. I should apologize. Apologize for showing their Alpha in such a disgraceful way.

"I never knew you had it in you sista," Lilah's excited eyes reach mine as she nudges me with her elbow, giggling in glee.

I stare at her in silent confusion, not understanding what she meant.

"I counted at least....omgosh seven. Are you for real Lexie," Lilah's happiness has me staring at her in blank confusion as she squeals and hugs me.

"Enough Lilah." Atlas barks the order out, gold rimming his eyes as he glares at her.

She makes the motion of zipping her lips, sealing them from another word, as Atlas walks across the room, dragging me out and into his truck to drive to Jay's.

"What..." I look at Atlas but he's smiling. My confusion is pounding now within my head, "Lilah doesn't mind paint on you?"

Atlas bursts out laughing. Like he's been desperately trying to hold it in, but no longer could.

"No," He continues to laugh as he glances at me, "she thought they were hickeys."

There's a stunned silence on my part as Atlas fills it in with his gleeful laughter.

"Hi...wha...," I feel heat slowly build and build within my cheeks as I realize what he means.

"Omygosh."

My words only prompt Atlas into another fit of giggles.

"Omygosh."

He continues laughing, taking pleasure in my mortification about the whole thing.

His laughter soon sobers up as we enter the drive to Jay and Daisy's house.

As we pull up to the waiting figure.

"Good luck."

"Wha-," My words are cut off though with Atlas's lips.

He laughs again as I stumble out of the truck. I can almost hear his laughter echoing as he drives down the road.

"Jerk," I say it under my breath, but I know Jay can still hear me.

I turn slowly to meet the towering dark figure.

"Morning Jay...,"

"Mmhh," Jay glances down at his watch. "Morning. That's funny. Good morning. Since it's almost the afternoon I think the appropriate greeting is 'Afternoon Jay.'

My panicked eyes meet Daisy as she slowly slinks into the house.

Jerk.

"Mind explaining why you were late?"

I squint up at Jay. He's tall. Looking up at him has me looking into the sun as well.

"Not really."

My response has him blinking twice down at me.

"No excuses?"

"Um...no."

We stare at each other in silence before Jay shrugs.

"Get the wheels out of those shoes. We're running around the lake."

I sigh in relief. The awkwardness of the situation no doubt, was lost to Jay. I've noticed within the past few months of training with him, that he didn't read social cues that well.

Having to explain to him that I was late because his son held me hostage in the shower wouldn't have gone over well for either of us.

I can still tell he's sore about it though. He pushes me to the point where I am standing over the grass, throwing up and heaving everything out.

I look up and meet his smile. "Good."

Urgh. These males were cruel.

The day continues the same, resulting in me lying upon the ground with Daisy pressing a cool rag to my forehead and neck.

"Really Jay...," her sigh of disapproval at least earns a guilty look from him.

"Training is very important."

I want to laugh as Daisy mouths the words, exactly when Jay says them.

It makes my chest clench. Makes my heart stutter because I want that. I want to have that kind of connection.

I don't look up as I hear the sound of a truck pulling up.

The slamming of the door though, makes me raise my head.

"What did you do?"

Atlas growls out the words as he runs towards us, his sight set upon his father.

"Just a little punishment for being late."

Atlas lets out another growl.

I see Jay's eyes flicker to his neck. I almost want to groan. Why had Atlas not tried scrubbing those marks off yet?

"Uh...." Jay clears his throat, his eyes looking away. I glance at Daisy, completely and utterly mortified, but find her grinning down at me. Taking small pleasure in Jay's discomfort.

"Did you walk about the pack, looking like that?"

Atlas starts at the question.

"Really dad?"

His voice is low, but Daisy and I can still hear.

"I'm just saying, that's very unprofessional for your image as an Alpha."

"It's not even what you think."

"Oh no, please don't explain it to me," Jay holds up his hands waving away whatever words Atlas was about to say.

"I can't believe we're having this talk."

I can't help it then. The small whine in Atlas's voice. The hidden smile in Jay's face.

Laughter escapes my mouth, and I soon realize that Daisy has joined in with me.

The males look down at their females, bewilderment clear in their features.

"Let's go home Lexie," Atlas sighs as he approaches me.

Daisy quickly gets up and scoots around him, making her way to Jay.

They stand together, watching as without a word, Atlas picks me up, cradling me within his chest.

"I can stand," I protest.

"I know," he says, grinning down at me.

I smile.

And there it is. That darkness that is still lurking in the shadows.

That sick feeling that is pressing against me.

Tell him, tell him, tell him.

I don't want to though.

So instead I hold in my fears and secrets, flashing my fake smile up at Atlas.

To be honest, this is my favorite chapter