Chapter XXX

Atlas was sound asleep right after his shower. Even with my human ears, I could hear him snoring from downstairs. I guess he was not lying about that aspect.

Artemis, Ellie, and Josh are all crowded around the living room floor with me. Before they got here, I spent an hour in my bathroom straightening my curly hair. Atlas would probably comment on it later but at the moment I just wanted to be presentable for them.

Once I saw the girls, we all had a good cry.

Artemis was immediately apologizing and made sure I knew she saved my life so I couldn't be mad at her for the rest of it.

I told her that I was never mad at her and that just made her cry more because I am "an angel sent down from the Moon Goddess with how much patience I have for the Lycurgus siblings." That made me laugh.

Poor Ellie was just clinging to me like a koala and hovering like a mother hen. She was worse than Atlas.

Josh just sat on the ground and pouted. He begged me for Willow to come along, but I said no out of respect for Artemis.

"We should do something tonight," Artemis said, throwing the tv remote in the air and catching it.

All of our eyes went to her. Ellie looked intrigued, Josh looked excited, and I know my face held confusion. "What do you mean?" I asked.

Josh rolled his eyes at my question. "Don't mind her, she has never enjoyed nightlife before."

"Really? Never?" Ellie was the next one to judge me on my inexperience. To be honest, I thought she was in the same boat as I but it seems I was wrong.

"Nope." I say, popping the "p". "I did not ever have time."

"Liar. I always used to ask you to go to the clubs with me but you were too scared of Mom and Dad." Josh rats me out, making my face grow hot.

"Well," Artemis interrupts me before I light into him. "That changes tonight. We all have been through a lot these last few months, I think we all should take the night off from our lives."

"I agree," Ellie backs Artemis up and their eyes fall on me.

I did not know what to say. I'd rather stay home and recreate what happened on this sofa with Atlas tonight. I couldn't say that to them.

Luckily I didn't have to say anything because Josh stood and cleared his throat. "Okay, I know you three have hard feelings for Willow,"

Artemis and Ellie both looked at him like he was crazy, as they had no idea that the blonde demon was his mate.

"I just really want you all to give her a chance. It would mean the world if my sister and my mate could get along. I know Everly won't try unless you," he looks at Artemis, "give her the go-ahead. Everly is extremely loyal like that."

The girls' eyes widened after he laid it all in front of them.

"She's your mate?!" Artemis stands along with him. "This is crazy! When did you find out?"

"The day after Everly beat her up," Josh mumbles at Artemis' outburst. None of us knew if it was good or bad.

"Invite her. Tell her to leave River at home. No one has time for that Bitch." Artemis says, shocking everyone in the room.

Ellie and I looked at each other trying to figure out if Artemis was planning something. We must have been caught because Artemis scoffed at us. "Chill you two. We are going to give your sister-in-law the benefit of the doubt. She just better understand that I'm your favorite."

Josh gave an excited squeal and ran out the door, slamming it. I jumped and growled out at him. "If he woke up Atlas, I swear," I say, sounding like a mother with a napping newborn.

"That is another problem." Ellie pipes up from the recliner she is sitting on. "How are we going to get Alpha to agree with Everly coming?"

"Alpha," Artemis makes fun of Ellie's formality before continuing. "Can get over it. He can not lock her away forever."

"Alpha is right here so let's include him in the conversation." Atlas' voice brought goosebumps up my body.

We all twisted to see him strolling toward the couch I am sitting on. He looked 10 times better than earlier.

How is that even possible?

My breath was caught in my throat, taking in his confidence.

The events this morning still had me in his grips. I did not understand it. He was a drug and now that I had a taste, I was addicted. I wanted more. I needed more.

He eyed me suspiciously when he came to sit next to me. I crossed my legs and squeezed them shut, silently praying that he would not be able to smell my arousal again.

Goddess, he looks so good in basketball shorts and a t-shirt.

"We are wanting to go out tonight. Josh, Willow, Ellie, Declan, and I. We want Everly to go." Artemis explained, completely oblivious to my misery.

"Do you want to go?" His gaze wraps around me like a blanket. I need to release whatever spell he had on me. I need him to stop looking at me. I need to get away from his intoxicating presence.

"Uh-" I gulped and ripped my green orbs away from him. "Yeah. Why not?" I knew what I wanted, but he did not want to give in as I did. I needed to separate and distract myself from him.

I don't get what was happening to me. Normally it was Celeste with the naughty thoughts and behaviors. I couldn't use her as an excuse.

"Then we are going. When are we leaving?" Atlas tells everyone and they both stare at him shocked.

"Really?" Artemis narrowed her eyes on her brother. "Just like that? You are convinced to go just by her saying she wants to?"

"Yeah," Atlas shrugs. "Have you seen her? She's adorable. How could I say no?"

A blush permanently takes residency on my cheeks when a small smile goes to my face.

Artemis rolls her eyes and looks back to Ellie who was spooning at Atlas' comment.

"You mated pairs make me want to vomit." Artemis groaned and got up. "So where are we going tonight? I am thinking R.E.M."

Atlas let out a huff and looked over at me. "What do you think?"

"I don't get a vote. I have no idea what you guys have around here nor have I ever done anything like this before."

"R.E.M. it is!" Artemis squeals much to Atlas' annoyance. "You two are going to love it. It is the hottest club in our part of California. Plus it is only twenty minutes away."

"What's twenty minutes away?" Josh and Willow walk hand in hand together.

"R.E.M." Ellie glares at Willow and stands to walk over to them.

I immediately stand to have her back which causes Atlas to put an arm around my waist. "You are not getting involved. Celeste is not around and I can stop it before it gets bad."

I let out an irritated groan and folded my arms over my chest. "At least do not let her break another vase on Ellie's head."

"Woah now!" Artemis throws up her hands. "Let's all calm down. Ellie, Everly, give the girl a chance."

"Says the one who was bullied by her." Ellie scoffs.

Willow releases Josh's hand and walks in front of him. "I am sorry. River told me the complete opposite of what happened because she was embarrassed that her mate did not want her. I believed her out of loyalty. Josh told me everything and I feel terrible for my part. River is no longer a friend of mine. I can go if you all want."

Ellie exhaled looking at Artemis and me. We both shrugged. "You can stay. But, if I catch you talking trash about anyone in this room, I will make you wish that Josh had never found you."

Harsh.

Josh was about to say something which caused Atlas to release me and step forward. Willow stopped everyone by raising her hand to silence Josh. "I can agree to that. Artemis, I am so sorry. I will do anything to repair what I have done. Luna, Alpha, I am so sorry for what I said. Luna, I lied. Nothing has ever happened between us."

Atlas looked utterly shocked. I would have laughed if- no, I laughed. Willow's eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

"I know Willow. I knew from the moment you said what you said. I just gave in to my urge to beat the shit out of you for everything else. Oh," I say, coming towards her. "You are only forgiven if you never call me Luna again. First of all, I prefer Alpha Female. Second of all, you are my sister-in-law. Everly will be fine."

"Oh..." she looked speechless at my honesty but then smiled. "Can I make it up to you all by helping you prepare for tonight? I may have brought a bunch of stuff."

"Yes!" Artemis yells over everyone. "Every female to Everly's room! Josh, get the shit!"

"Did everyone forget that this is my house and not the packhouse?" Atlas scrunched his face at his sister.

"Don't be a grumpy old man." I kiss his jaw and hurry away to my room with the girls and Josh hot on my trail.

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