Chapter XXVII

Atlas did not leave my side from the time he first saw me in the hospital. Artemis was growing annoyed with him because he wouldn't let anyone but Josh and the doctor in the room. Dr. Riley said I needed my rest to gain my energy back and Atlas was taking that literally. Celeste was down for the count also. The medicine they had me on made her sleep so she could recover fully. It could be a couple of days before she woke up.

I called my parents this morning and they wanted to come as soon as possible. I told them that it was not necessary right now, they needed to focus on the Alpha's duties while he still recovered. I made sure to let them know I was well taken care of as Atlas is my caretaker.

Atlas did everything for me except coming into the bathroom when I used it. I was going to be discharged soon and I knew that meant he was going to be up to my butt about resting because we would be at his house. He took a week off of work to be with me. He told Leo that he was to only be reached if there was an emergency. I truly appreciated it but I did not want Ellie to blame me for Declan being busy all the time.

"I had the locks to the house changed, so we won't have to worry about unwanted guests," Atlas said getting off his phone call that he took in the bathroom.

I snickered at him a bit and adjusted myself on the bed. The tape on my head wound was driving me up the wall. I made Atlas check it every hour so once it was healed enough I could take the bandages off. "They are only unwanted to you. I don't mind everyone coming over,"

"We can have everyone over in a few days, how about that? Josh can still come over whenever he likes though. I'm not limiting his time with his sister," He walked over kissing my cheek. "I talked to Legacy, Lux, and most of the packs around here. I gave them the description of your attacker," His smile faded out as he looked at my bandages.

"Thank you," I said to Josh's statement and grabbed his hand into mine. "You had no idea this was going to happen, Atlas. Do not beat yourself up over something that you can not control. A lot has happened and I just want to go back to normal,"

He nodded and sighed pulling me into a hug. "I thought you were gone forever. I felt the bond breaking, and I couldn't do anything but watch other people help you," He let out a shaky breath, "I am going to kill the bastard that nearly took you away from me,"

"Well, I am right here. Do not get stuck on what happened when we do not have any information yet. What you need to worry about is how many Frappuccinos you owe me and how you're going to pay for that," I giggled as his chest vibrated out a chuckle.

He leaned away and kissed my nose. "Anything for you,"

Getting discharged from the hospital did not take long. As soon as the paper was drawn up, I signed it and my boneheaded mate had me in his arms walking out the door. "I can walk,"

"I know that. Helix is acting a bit on edge, you need to save your energy and you are just wearing a hospital gown," He said walking in the direction of the house.

Helix was a pain in my ass but he was still technically my mate so I just brushed it off. "Can you check my head again when we get home?" I asked changing the subject.

"Yes," He smiled down at me.

It seemed like it took forever to get to the house and get inside. I was so ready for a relaxing day, it wasn't even funny.

Atlas had placed me on the couch in his bedroom and went to grab something. He wouldn't tell me what it was but I quickly figured it out when he came in with a stack of hoodies in his arms. "Artemis brought them over yesterday and washed them. They smelled like a closet,"

There had to be at least 15 of them in all kinds of colors but the majority were black or gray. A smile was permanently glued to my face as I made grabby hands at them.

His chuckle filled the air and he sat down next to me.

They did not smell like Atlas.

A frown formed my face and I pouted looking through them. "What's wrong, love?" Atlas asked, tucking a curl behind my ear.

"They don't smell like you," I said just as an idea formed. "You are to wear hoodies this entire week! And sleep with them!" I demanded.

He looked at me baffled but sighed into a smile anyways. "Anything for you. Even if I have a heatstroke. As long as you're happy,"

"Damn straight," I smiled and picked up the hoodie that he had over his shoulder. "I'm taking a shower," I went to stand but he instantly grabbed me.

"You can take a bath here. I do not have to worry about you falling over. I'll bring your stuff and get you the clothes that you need," He said and gave me a light kiss. "Just sit and let me take care of you,"

"Fine," I mumbled and sat down. "Hurry up, I'm tired of having lake water hair,"

He just shook his head at me and left to get what I needed.

He was taking forever, so I decided to get up and look around his room. I hadn't explored yet so I let curiosity get the best of me.

My feet carried me to the area by his closet. It was filled with books. I knew that Atlas loved to read but this was an extraordinary collection.

"I'm sorry, Dad called me and he had a few things to get taken care of," Atlas came into the room and I twisted to face him. He let out a breath with a disapproving gaze. "You're supposed to be resting,"

"I got bored," I shrugged and walked over to him. "Thank you," I took my clothes from him and walked to the bathroom.

He was right behind me and put my shampoo, and conditioner by the bathtub that sat all by itself at the end of the room. Atlas ran the water and placed something in it to make it erupt with bubbles.

I smiled as he stepped away from the bubble bath and grabbed two towels and a washcloth from a cabinet and put them on the counter. "I will be in the room,"

"Thank you, you are so sweet," I kissed his cheek and allowed him out the door.

"Only for you," He smiled and closed it behind him.

I grabbed the washcloth and stripped from the hospital gown. When I got in, the warm liquid brought a wonderful feeling to my skin. The massive tub was designed for Atlas as the edges came to my shoulders but he made sure not to make the water too deep for me. The bubbles covered the surface and covered everything until my collarbones.

I searched for my body wash. Atlas must have forgotten it so I lathered up in his and enjoyed its musky scent that reminded me of him.

I tilted my head back and sank into the water to get my hair wet. The water was silent against my ears and I closed my eyes to relax.

As soon as my eyelids met each other, I was in the lake again. The silence around me was sophisticating and my lungs burned for air. I looked up to the surface and desperately clawed for it. I opened my mouth to scream but only bubbles came out.

Pressure found my shoulders as I was yanked forward out of the silence. I was crying and I couldn't stop the overwhelming feeling of my lungs trying to expand.

"Baby, open your eyes," A voice commanded me but I couldn't do it. I couldn't face the emptiness of the water around me.

"Everly, listen to me. I need you to open your eyes. Please, baby. Open your eyes," The voice broke as the pressure left my shoulders and went to my cheeks. Tingles spread through the area.

Atlas.

My eyes snapped open to see him sitting on the floor facing me. His shirt was soaking wet and his thumbs rubbed circles on my face. "That's it," he praised me with worried eyes. "Now breathe..." he inhaled and exhaled as an example.

I copied him but mine came out with a cry. His face stitched together in sadness and he continued to breathe with me. "You're doing great, just keep breathing,"

I nodded and followed him until my tense muscles eased in the water. I let out a shaky breath and he wiped my tears from my face. "Do you want me to help you with the rest?"

I quickly nodded and he scooted my body closer to the edge of the tub.

"Atlas, you ruined your shirt," I choked out.

"Shush, it doesn't matter to me," He whispered and kissed my naked shoulder before grabbing a cup. He placed it beside him and put some shampoo in his hands before gently rubbing it in my hair. Once my hair was completely covered with the strawberry-scented soap, he rinsed it.

The process was repeated with the conditioner and now we both sat in silence in the bathroom. My skin was pruning but I did not care. His fingers were tracing patterns on my back and I was doing my best to enjoy it.

"The water is getting cold," Atlas pointed out softly.

I just sniffled and nodded towards the towels. Atlas grabbed them both and put one on the floor while still keeping the other in one hand. He then reached for both of my hands. When I gripped his palms, he pulled me up out of the water with his eyes latched shut.

I stood and the cold air made goosebumps form on my skin. He let go of my hands and opened the towel for me. I wrapped myself up whispering to him, "you can look now,"

His hazel eyes opened to me but to my surprise, he did not take them off of mine. He lifted me out of the tub and placed me on the floor. "I will be in the room. Yell if you need me okay?" He said and made sure I paid attention.

I offered him a small smile and a nod. "Okay,"

Quickly, I got dressed in the clothes he got for me. It was a pair of running shorts, underwear, a bra, and a t-shirt but I decided to just go with the shorts and undergarments. Once I had my clothes on, I pulled on the hoodie that I took from him earlier. I did not even look like I had shorts on, on my leg, there was a greenish bruise. It must've gotten there from the fall.

The nerves in my stomach arrived again.

Someone tried to murder me. We had no idea why. I died and Artemis brought me back to life. A small whimper escaped my lips as I held onto the counter.

I have never been so scared in my entire life.

With a huff, I wiped my face and grabbed the other towel, wrapping my hair in it. I tried my best to make it look like I was not having another breakdown and exited the bathroom to see Atlas with one of the hoodies and basketball shorts on. He had already put Grey's Anatomy on the TV.

"Don't say anything. Just come here," he lifted his arms for me to climb next to him on the sofa.

I bit my lip to the point of it almost bleeding as I padded over and fell into him.

"I got you, I am never letting anyone ever hurt you again," He whispered into my ear and kissed the side of my head as a sob broke through my lips.

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