Chapter XLIII

Unedited

"We will see you two tonight," my mom says waiting by the front door for my dad, "try not to get too crazy at the bachelorette dinner."

I shake my head and grab her purse for her, "it's just going to be the regular group of us. Plus the boys will be here too. I really hate to kick you two out but I know dad doesn't like to be around alcohol or any loud noises,"

"Oh nonsense, don't worry about it. Your father is taking me to a restaurant and around the pack on a date night. It will be fun." She smiles and kisses my cheek.

"There you two are." My dad comes from behind me, "ready to get the show on the road?"

"I have been ready. You're a slow poke," she teases him with a wave bye to me as they walk out the door.

I love my parents. I do. I am extremely lucky but I would be lying if I said they weren't exhausting to be around all day long.

I can hear Atlas approaching me way before I turn to see him, "everyone will be here shortly. Is there anything you need?"

"About four shots," I sigh and lean against the front door. When I do, I'm instantly hit with it and sent into Atlas.

"I'm ready to party!" Artemis busts into the entry way with bottles of alcohol and a smiling Hudson behind her.

Atlas let out a gruff growl at her but I remind him through our bond to be nice.

"Hey you two," I smile and hug both of them, "any word from the rest of the wedding party?"

"Ellie said our dresses came in and they will be here shortly. Declan had something come up," Artemis explains before walking to the kitchen to put the bottles on the bar.

"I still find it funny how Declan is having Josh stand with him instead of Fin," I follow behind her completely forgetting about the other two men in the room. We do this a lot when we are together, men are irrelevant when the baddest duo is together as Artemis says.

Artemis laughs and looks over all the food my mom and I prepared today while Atlas took my dad on patrol, "Fin is hardly Declan's friend, and he has known Josh for years. They went to that beta summer camp together one year."

Oh, yeah. I completely forgot about that.

She didn't wait for me to say anything before she wondered over to the pasta dish my mom was known for at Aurora Dawn.

"Back away from the food Artemis before I kick you out," Atlas warns in the door way, and then turns to me, "Josh and Willow are here."

I quickly drop the conversation and go to greet my brother and his mate.

"Hey Ev," Josh smiles and pats the top of my head. "Hey Atlas," he continues when he sees him "I just ran into Declan. He and Ellie are on their way. They had to wait on his sister to get ready."

Just like that, my face went from smiling to Celeste pushing to take over. I could practically feel my claws poking from right under my skin.

Atlas' hands were rubbing my arms in an instant as he told Willow and Josh we will meet them in the living room.

His touch did the opposite of what he was thinking it was doing. Every loving stroke reminded me that some bitch hurt him. She took advantage of him. She used him like a toy.

"Baby, I need you to put Celeste away," he says as he stands in front of me. I hadn't realized until that moment that my canines had elongated and my vision was my wolf's.

"Declan didn't mention it so she might not be coming here tonight. Maybe he had to drop her off somewhere." His voice was soft like I was glass and if he went over a whisper I might lose it.

I breathed in nonetheless and I felt Celeste going back to her regular spot of my mind. "There you go." Atlas praised me before planting a big kiss on my lips.

Not even 30 seconds later, there was a knock at the door and I braced myself when Declan allowed himself in then held the door for Ellie.

A sigh of relief exited me as I did not see anyone else when they entered but it shortly turned right back around when the only person on my hit list walked through the door like she owned the place and said, "Everly! You look so good and nice place Atlas. Definitely a step up from the pack house."

I could hear my blood pressure rising in my head as Atlas stiffened.

"Oh yeah, Esme came home early. We invited her, I hope you two don't mind. She said she knew Everly," Declan smiles and pats Atlas on the shoulder "let's get the party started!"

"Let's" was all Atlas said out loud as I felt him push a mindlink into my mind,

I could feel myself getting more angered by the second but I knew I had to respect his wishes. He was the victim after all.

Instead of answering him I grabbed his hand and began leading him to the living room.

• • •

Dinner was tough as Esme constantly tried to talk to me and even had the nerve to try to include Atlas in conversations.

Thankfully, no one wanted to linger at the dinner table so I was finally left alone to clean up while Josh and Atlas went outside for a beer and everyone else was getting ready to get in the pool.

Atlas tried to help me but I insisted he hang out with one of his friends and relax. It broke my heart that he hesitated to drink anything since she has been here. I literally had to get a beer from the fridge myself that was previously stocked this morning and open it so he would take it.

Willow, Artemis, Hudson, Ellie, Declan and Esme all came into the kitchen in their bathing suits heading outside. Willow stopped as she got to the sliding door, "Hey Ev, are you sure you don't want to help? I know you aren't going to be out there with us and I'm more than willing to stay inside and help."

"No, I'm good. I'll be outside in a few." I tell her and the rest of them file past her.

Well, all but Esme who smiled at Willow, "I'll be here in a few, I want to talk to Everly."

My hands grip the tray that I was washing with so much strength that I bend finger marks into it when I hear that.

Willow just returns the smile and heads out the door.

Esme wastes no time walking over next to me and I turn off the water, wiping my hands off with a hand towel.

"I sense some tension between us, Everly. I get it, I didn't tell you I grew up with Atlas. It just was an awkward place to have a conversation." She starts with her thin lips smacking together from the lip gloss she just applied.

I almost laughed in her face. How stupid is she?

Atlas asked through our link in almost a panic.

I reply before clearing my throat. "It's fine, Esme. Go enjoy the pool."

Her brow raised with the bland tone of my voice and I let Atlas' words ground me. This was his choice. I will always support his choice even if it's like pulling teeth.

"I really don't feel like it's fine, unless there's another reason you are avoiding me" she says crossing her arms over her chest, "please if there is, be a woman about it and tell me."

Celeste broke her silence for the first time tonight.

I felt like a blue balled volcano, just needing to release.

Cel points out making me turn my attention completely on Esme.

My eyes narrow in on her and she leans her weight back on one foot, "I know about everything." I don't let my voice come out more than a whisper, "and I highly suggest you don't ever step foot in my house after tonight."

"Oh please, Everly" She laughs. She actually laughs. "Atlas and I have history, yes, but it's hardly enough to act like this over."

I tighten my fists at my sides as I take a step away from her trying to get me arms reach of her because if I don't, I will strangle her, "history? I don't think you can call it that, and I think it's best if you leave now." I couldn't bring myself to say exactly what happened that night, bile rose in my throat even thinking about it.

"Fine, I will leave," she says with a click of her tongue. "Just answer one question for me," she walks towards me until we are shoulder and shoulder before she whispers, "was it as good as I remember it being or did he under perform because he realized you can't compare to me?"

All mental control I had over Celeste evaporated at her words. It was out of body experience when I grabbed her head cracking it off of the marble island.

She screamed out as her blood dripped onto my clean floors but I wasn't done there. I driven by a blood lust I have never felt before.

My fingers snaked into her hair picking her up from the floor before throwing her into the counter making her body crash into it and crumble to the floor.

A snarl escaped me as she tried her best to stand. Once she made it to her feet she ran towards me with her claws out.

I was more than ready for her to fight back and made light work of her swings.

Celeste buzzed with power, something I never felt before.

Cel howled in confidence as I grabbed ahold of Esme's swinging arm and twisted it.

Once she yelped I sent a head butt into her direction but she swung the other hand into my face, scratching my cheek. Which just pissed me off more.

I held my face before I raised my foot kicking her square in the chest through the sliding door to the outside patio.

As soon as she made contact with the ground, I was on top of her sending my fist into her face repeatedly. Each time, I felt myself slipping into a more feral side of myself.

She hurt Atlas.

Hit

She acted like it didn't matter.

Hit

She hurt him.

Hit

She raped him.

This time I lifted my fist but strong arms came from behind me lifting me off of her. I screamed and thrashed out as the blinding rage still pumped through me.

"Everly stop!" A voice commanded me frantically. "She's down!"

All I could do is growl out and try to break free. She wasn't down enough. I need to kill her.

‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾Please Vote and Comment☽༓･*˚⁺‧͙