Chapter XXXVIII

"That would be perfect, Everly! You should become an event coordinator." Ellie says sitting next to me at my desk as we talk through the setup of the wedding.

I wave off her comment and start printing the pictures we have picked out for our vision binder, "I have always liked doing stuff like this for a hobby, but the real dream has always been in music. Shocker, I know."

"What in music?"

I ponder on the question for a second but smile as the flashbacks of me teaching Aria, a little girl in Aurora Dawn, how to play the piano. "A teacher. I love the feeling I got from watching the light spark in someone's eyes when they finally got it or when they first dip their toes into it and find the same passion I feel every time I sing and play."

"Wow." Ellie smiles at me with a ray of joy and understanding, "You can teach my pup whatever you like. They will not be one of those kids that plays video games all the time."

"What is wrong with video games?" A male's voice makes us both jump.

Ellie holds her hand on her chest and narrows her eyes on Declan who is standing at my doorway with Atlas right behind him.

"Video games cause kids to turn into bone heads like you." She says standing and walking towards him.

He fake gasps and holds his hand to his mouth, "rude."

"But true," Atlas says pushing past Declan and coming over to me. "What have you two ladies been up to?"

"Everly just offered to sing at our wedding. Isn't that so nice of her?" Ellie winks at me and I turn my attention to her in a second.

"I did not-"

"I told you she would be the best maid of honor." She tells Declan patting his chest, completely catching me off guard. That was a huge responsibility and honor to given that label, it was meant to for the bride's best friend and lifeline.

My lip poked out without permission and tears gathered in my eyes, "I guess I can't say no now."

"Awe, my love." Atlas cooed and rubbed my back, but I did not pay attention to him as I got up.

I walk over to our betas and push Declan out of the way before engulfing Ellie in a hug.

"You have been my ride or die since day one, Ev. It was a no brainer from the beginning who was going to stand by my side." Ellie smiles into my hair until we pull away from each other.

Declan pops his knuckles and stretches his back, "Yup, hopefully Atlas won't be too mad with you being so close with Fin all night."

Atlas let out a dry laugh at his best friend, "yeah okay, like you picked Fin over me. You cannot stand him."

"I can't stand you either, Harambe." Declan chuckles and pats Atlas's shoulder when Atlas gets over to us.

Atlas pulls me towards his front with a groan at Declan and then completely ignored him, "Well it looks like Everly need to head to the house to prepare the food."

"Are we inviting Hudson?" Ellie asks Atlas with a small smile.

Atlas visibly deflates at the question which makes me giggle and answer for him, "yes, he is a part of the family now."

"No, he is not." Atlas scoffs holding me tighter to him, "he is just her mate."

"Oh," I quip turning to face him with a brow raised.

"Uh oh," Declan snickers and pretends to eat popcorn.

"Is that all I am? Just your mate and not a part of your family?" I ask.

Panic flusters me from the bond as Atlas struggles to find words to say. "What?" He starts and rubs my arms reassuringly, "Of course you are a part of my family; you are my everything. I would use Declan as a wolf shield to protect you if it came down to it. Actually, I would still do that if it didn't come down to it. Either way, my point is that you are different."

"Hey!" Declan shouts making Ellie laugh.

Celeste rolled with joy and basked in his words, and I have to admit that it gave me butterflies, but I still needed to straighten him out. "How am I different? I am your mate, he is hers. She accepted me with open arms."

"She is my little sister, and I cannot see her hurt again, Ev." He finally breaks and then looks at Declan and Ellie embarrassed.

I look at them also and Ellie gets the hint to remove themselves from the office and close the door behind them. "How do I make you feel?" I ask when they are completely gone.

"What?"

"How do I make you feel, Atlas?" I ask again and place my hand on his chest.

"You make me feel like I am on fire."

My nose twitches and I am about to speak when he places a finger on my lips. "Let me finish, sweetheart. You make me feel like I am on fire because every time I catch your scent, or a glimse of you, my nerve endings go haywire. When you touch me, my mind and body heat up like a lava pit and I have a burning desire to love you in every way possible. When we are close, you provide warmth that I just can't get close enough to. And, oh Goddess, when you tell me you love me? It is like you took a match and lit my insides to life."

Tear form in my eyes again at his beautiful speech and I try my best to sniffle them back so I can get back to the task in hand. "Atlas... That was..." I have no words to describe what that was so instead I take a breath. "Don't you want your sister to feel that?"

"Baby, if I could bottle it up and give it to people on the corner I would. It is absolutely cruel that the whole world cannot feel what I do being with you,"

• • •

We decided on making steaks and sides for dinner tonight. I honestly think Atlas insisted it so she could mark his territory considering he is now in the backyard grilling them mumbling "I bet Hudson cannot grill a steak, she should just stay in Phoenix Moon."

I understand his worries when it comes to Artemis because of the fact that he has lost his mom and his little sister was attacked but this is her mate me are talking about here.

Putting the subject to rest within myself, I finish up the potatoes and go to the back to see Atlas sitting in a lawn chair with sunglasses over his eyes and a beer in his hand. He looked like he belonged on an island somewhere minus the suit. "Why don't you go change? I doubt anyone else will be wearing a suit."

He sighed and stood to his full height, "do not let my steak catch on fire."

"I would not dream of it," I laugh at his serious tone and watch him go inside.

Sniffling a soft chuckle, I look around the backyard. I hadn't been back here yet. The first thing that caught my eye was an inground swimming pool. I felt my breath hitch in my throat, and my feet start to move. I could not let my 'incident' rule me. The thought of even being by it caused nausea to swirl in my belly. I tighten my jaw and fight it back until I am standing right next to the pool looking down into the water.

A calmness washes over me seeing my reflection in the tame water. An urge to jump in hits me but I know it is way too cold to swim. Yet, like I have no control over my body, I step closer to the edge.

Celeste barks at my trance like state.

I don't listen, in fact, it sounds like I'm underwater.

"Baby?" Atlas makes me jump fourteen feet in the arm as he grabs my arms and pulls me away from the pool. He is wearing a pair of black basketball shorts and a t-shirt now but the worried expression on his face cuts me off before I can complement him. "What were you doing? I called your name three times until I came over. Celeste told Helix something was wrong."

I put on my best smile and hug him, "I just freaked out a bit, do not worry. I am okay."

"Do you want me to get rid of it? I can arrange it tomorrow."

My heart melts at his offer but I shake my head, "no, just put a gate up please. I would hate for a kid to fall in there and..." I do not finish the sentence and I do not have to by the nod he gives me.

"I'm on it. In the meanwhile, go hang out with Artemis and Ellie. They are in the living room." he kisses my forehead.

"Atlas, want another beer?" Declan swings his head out of our patio door.

Atlas turns with him and starts walking me back to the house with a secure arm around my waist. "No, I am about to bring in the food."

I plant a gentle kiss to his jaw just as Josh pushes past Declan and comes outside, "Stop eating so many zebra cakes, Declan, your ass is a dump truck."

"Ellie likes my dump truck, thank you."

I roll my eyes at them and hug my brother. "Hey Joshy."

"Hey Ev," he greets before pulling away. "Willow is inside with the rest of the girls."

"Where is Hudson?" I ask all of the men in front of me.

"He is finishing up something for his Alpha and then he will be here," Declan answers with a swig of his beer, "I will make sure that Atlas does not harm him, do not worry."

"Yeah, yeah." I wave them off before heading inside.

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