Chapter 40

I was unsure if I could trust the man before me. Quietly listening while the other spoke, observing his body and scent for any signs of lies. For all I knew, the man was telling more stories in order to get close to me. The people here had all been trying to get information from me. Something inside did not trust those people, but my inner wolf liked this guy without a doubt. I huffed when he spoke of people that were claimed to be my family. "So you claim I am loved and cared for, except by my family? A little contradictory, yeah?"

Not getting mad with my comment, Atlas laughed instead. "Yeah, a little. Your brother seems to be under threat and made to protect your old pack by separating from you, and your father I believe is under the influence of his mate's loss. Either way, their behaviour from when I first met them to what is happening now, is very much off."

"If I had a pack I would be able to mind link, right? So you lie about me being any part of a pack. What more did you make up to try and get me to talk or think that I am to trust you?" I growled at the man before me. This man wanted to claim he was my mate and that I knew him well. Finally I had enough and shifted back to my wolf. Hackles raised, I gave him a simple warning to get out.

"Kash, I am sorry you are going through this. I will do everything in my power to help you." Atlas said no more, stood up with a sad look to his smile and walked out the room. 

The wolf inside of me cried at the loss of his presence, but I also had so many questions to filter through and to fully gather my thoughts in order. The mind link part came to me from questions the others asked when they visited. They questioned if I was a rogue but also commented that my smell told them differently. Then asked about my link to my pack. The man, Atlas, had a scent that felt, well, like home to me. There was no mind link with him either, but something deeper called out to my instincts.

As soon as Atlas walked out and closed the door, and my wolf went on edge, I felt the need to pace. I wanted to get out of the room with instincts screaming at me to run. Frustration welled up inside with being fully trapped in the room. Soon, my wolf showed me a memory of a green meadow with poppies and the image had me feeling home sick for a place I did not remember. Letting my wolf fully take over, I sat on his haunches and howled in pain.

There were no further visitors that day. In fact the next few days there had been nothing more than food delivery. It was a nice change over the hounding questions I would usually get, but there was a part of me, not just my wolf, wondering where the new man was, and if he would come back. His scent was no longer in the room and it made me feel even more on edge. 

By day three I started to refuse the food service by very aggressively charging the people in my wolf form. I had not switched from it since Atlas left. I promised myself, when he came back, I would shift to speak with him and no other. Circling my room once more, deep in thought a loud knock sounded at the door.

"Kash? Would it be okay if I came in?" Atlas's voice was the voice I heard right after the knock. "I apologise for being gone so long, but I still have Royal Duties to see to." From the sound of it Atlas would wait by that door for a human answer.

Huffing, but pleased, I shifted and changed into the clothing provided. "You may enter." Sitting back into my corner, the only place that felt as much as a safe zone I could have in this room.

"Thanks Kash. My uncle has been trying to locate me and I would rather he not find out." Atlas sat a smidge closer today and his scent soon hit my nose.

Closing my eyes, I sniffed the air subconsciously. To me, Atlas's scent was home though and through. "How did I get here?"

"There was an attack by rogues while you were out for a walk with your personal guards." He shifted in his seat. It seemed Atlas was not willing to tell me this part. 

I was not pleased, as it seemed even this man thought it best to keep me in the dark. "You keep wanting to dodge this part and I do not get it. You never told me about guards before. Why did I have them?"  Trying not to draw in his attention I moved towards him an inch pretending to readjust my position. His scent really was what I wanted.

"Kash, it is a huge trauma and maybe why you are blocking the memories. The doctors here don't think I should tell you right now." He had a smile and for some reason it felt like he knew how I would react to being told how I should take the information of being denied this part of my past.

"They never asked for my opinion. So I want you to tell me. What happened to have me here?"  I turned and gave a middle finger to the camera knowing they were watching.

Atlas laughed. "I missed this."

"Missed what?" Turning back to him, I tilted my head to the side with confusion.

"You telling people off for underestimating you. I got a little of it, well deserved of course. Though, I do have reasons." He chuckled once more. "I think it would be best to tell you what we saw of the fight, rather than hide it. You learning about it later from someone else, or from your own memories will anger you while you mourn."

There was a shiver down my spine when he said the word mourn. "Was it that bad?" Whispering, I now shuffled closer to Atlas as if he was passing on a secret.

"Hmm." Looking down he finally spoke up. "You lost a guard and one of your first friends." My breath started to speed up as something deep started to creep forward. "We were in lands that should have been well guarded, in fact they are still looking into the breach. I sent you alone with only your two personal guards. I am just as at fault for the loss." Atlas paused in thought as he leaned closer, a need to comfort me must have been pulling at him as much as I felt the need for that comfort. "Either way, by the time we got the link, we had lost you. The fight from what Colton said was fast and fierce. The rogues attacked with a combined effort of a well trained pack. Something we have never seen before. I am not sure how you were taken or the exact details, but you lost your friend.."

I soon remembered the name and whispered it. "Karr…" The forest, the laughing before, the screams after. It started to come back to me. Tears fell from my eyes. "Why did he have to be taken away?"

Atlas moved in and took me into his arms. "I know. All I can do is offer an apology for something that was never meant to be. There is nothing I can do to bring him back, but I'm really, truly, sorry for the loss." Atlas held me in his arms. A feeling we both missed, but the reason for it at this time felt wrong all the same. 

I remembered. I remembered it all, and I really wished I could not. The blood and lifeless eyes of my friend. "It's...it...was..my..fault. I.." I broke up trying to speak. "I should have listened! Atlas…it..it was my…it..shouldn't have…happened to…why did they have to….?" No more words could flow from my mouth as the tears increased. The time hidden and locked away now pouring out my pain.

"Shh. I'm here and you're safe." Atlas was now rubbing my back when the door flew open.

"I told you to keep it quiet. And yet." The woman who stormed in then smiled. "Welcome back Kash."

Atlas growled. "Not the time, your highness."

"Truth be told, it never is. But at least we can get some answers before you leave." She stepped closer before backing up with a wrinkled nose. "His heat is near and you will soon be preoccupied. To maintain our truce, we need the answers."

My tears had slowed already and my face turned bright red at the mention of my heat. I turned my head into Atlas's chest. "Please don't mention that."

Atlas, true to himself, chuckled. "Okay, okay. Let me bring in his clothing. Let him get cleaned up and I will meet you in the conference room as before."

The woman nodded and walked out. I watched the strange one walk out. "She was in charge of my care I think and kept the strange man in check."

It was Zion's laugh that filled the room now. "His highness will love to hear how you thought of him. But for now Kash, here are some clothing of yours."

"Zion!" I smiled slightly, pain still etched in my eyes. "Thank you!"

Zion nodded. "I will wait for you in the hall."

Atlas was watching all of my reactions it seemed. "It was all Zion to get us here and to help locate you. We'll have to give him a good gift."

I grinned. "How about a month off. To look for his own mate."

Atlas laughed and stood up. "I shall leave so you can get changed."

This froze me in place. Would I forget everything when he left? "Please. Just stay. Umm..turn around though."

Atlas looked at me concerned with my behaviour and sudden request, but after looking into my eyes, he seemed to sense the small panic. "It's okay Kash. I won't go." Atlas turned around facing the door waiting for me.

It really did not take long to change in the clothing provided. Though I did make a note to shower when I arrived wherever Atlas had been staying. I was not comfortable with the idea of showering here where they may still be watching. When I finished I grabbed Atlas's arm, a little out of character I knew that, but I really needed the comfort to know this was real. That my nose and eyes were not playing tricks on me.

Atlas was surprised with my grab of his arm, and stood looking into my eyes once more with slight concern. "Ready?"

"As much as I can be at this time. Do you have any idea what they are looking for?" I was hopeful that Atlas had insight for me.

"Not really to be honest. They have what they need for how you got here. Zion and myself will be here so you can feel safe." Atlas puffed his chest out just a little while releasing pheromones to keep strangers away.

I felt better right away with that knowledge and the scent Atlas gave off. "Thanks."

It was my first time seeing the area and I was shocked at all the wolves I could sense. Atlas must have felt me stiffen with the other scents around us and spoke up. "This place is built to help wolves heal from loss. Many revert, like you did, to their wolves to protect themselves. They created this place to guide who they can through the process of coming back. Those who never do have a safe place to stay from harm for the rest of their life." Atlas smiled while rubbing my arm. "If it was not for this place, who knows where you would have ended up."

His understanding had me smile. "So what you're telling me is, even though they are strange, I need to play nice."

"Kash!" Atlas chuckled at Zion's reaction. "Boss, it's not funny."

"I know, I know. We are working on a truce here. So please Kash, best behaviour."

That caused me to sigh. "Depends on the weird guy. Seriously, he freaked me out and was so demanding." Then I shuddered with memories. "I get it though, diplomatic, yeah?"

Atlas smiled while he spoke. "Yup. Make sure it's Kash style. I feel like this is a good welcome to Luna duties." Not much could bring Atlas's mood down right now it seemed. "Soon we can be home."

The mention of home had me smile. I really had one and could not wait to make it official. Subconsciously I rubbed where Atlas bit me last time, the mark long since faded. With a bright smile I spoke up. "Homeward bound we go!"

They had all been in the meeting now for what seemed like hours, but really was only minutes. I had already lost my temper at the man who was weird. The same man was apparently the King to be and his sister who was the princess watched in the corner according to Zion.

"You have no right to ask that!" I was red in the face with the question.

"He claims to be your mate, so have you both mated. It is a simple question, little one." The creep of a man was smiling. It looked like Atlas had to hold back his own anger. Perhaps seeing how close to shifting I was, the man threw his hands in the air. "Okay. I call truce. I already know anyways. The biggest reason I want to question you both has to do with what we have heard. Atlas told me this was not the first time rogues have tried to collect you. We would like to know why."

Atlas growled. "If we knew why, then we would have put a stop to this. I am not happy that my mate is in harm's way no matter where we go."

"Then tell me about Kash. There has to be something about him that makes him special." The man now sat down.

"Sir, why would I tell you about me, when I don't even know who you are?" Growling I glared at him.

This time the man laughed. "Ah..yes, I failed introductions." Motioning to his sister they both stood and bowed. "I am known in these parts as Alpha Martin, and this here is my dear sister; Princess Grove. We already met Alpha Atlas and his beta Zion. Now we know you more in wolf form and have your name now as Kash. There, introductions are done."

Atlas must have sensed that Alpha Martin was losing patience but I never really cared. "Kash." He put his hand on my arm. "Let me take over." When I sighed and nodded Atlas looked back at the royals. "It has something to do with his birth. That is all we can tell. Kash's documents were forged by his own father. The date of birth was placed as a day later. He really was born during the lunar eclipse."

This had me groaning with the reminder of my fathers betrayal. "Does that really make a difference?"

"Yes of course it does!" Alpha Martin was excited. "Your bloodline is new. It is royal, and only you can start a new pack!" He looked towards Atlas. "You are very lucky to have found him as you did. However! You delaying the mating and pack bonding is the whole reason he is still in danger. The rogues will not stop at the chance to take him. Truthfully, they might continue until you find their ring leader in it all. Someone knew of his birth, and what it would mean."

Zion stood up to speak. "We knew his birth had something to do with this, but how do you know so much?"

The eyes of both royals went dark. "Because 300 years ago the Eclipse Royal pack stole what was ours to create who they are now." The room went quiet. Not even a breath could be heard. " Of course, now we are given the chance to fix past mistakes."

Watching Atlas, I saw him grow still at his implied words. "How do you propose this?"

Alpha Martin chuckled along with his sister. "No need to fear dear Atlas. We have no want to steal your mate. If that was our plan we would have taken him earlier by force. What we would like to suggest is a pack bond with your mate. Allow us to adopt him to our pack. With his blood he can be part of two. Allowing us to once more take back what was ours while allowing him to be with you."

Zion grimaced. "You are suggesting a pack alliance by adoption. While not allowing his first pack bond with you to be annulled?" 

"Wait! That could kill him! No wolf can be in two packs at once." Atlas jumped up.

"And how many packs are in your ruling Alpha Atlas? King of Eclipse Royals and Alpha of Alphas?" Alpha Martin smirked. "Think of it."

"I never thought of it that way. I was trained as a youth how to ignore most links and never really see my packs as separate." Atlas sat down realising his error. "I'm sorry for my outburst. But normal wolves never go through this."

"Your mate is anything but normal." Princess Grove spoke up. "He is born to be a leader."

"Me? A leader? I think you mock me." I was less than impressed. "I am but a wolf still learning what it means to be a wolf. How could I expect to lead anyone?"

"That is not our current debate." Alpha Martin spoke up now. "You both need to be on your way for his heat. I would like to make this alliance with our packs. Question is; do you accept us?"

That had me  standing up once more. "I will accept this for an alliance. But if at any time harm comes to those I love from you, I will remove the alliance myself." Atlas laughed when I spoke. "How is this even done?"

Alpha Martin chuckled. "We won't do it now. As your mate stated you have no practice with this and our pack does not need to hear your heat life." This had me going beet red and growling. "We will make a ceremony out of it. Once here on our lands and once in your own. Allow the packs to meet and possibly if all goes well, meet mates they may never have the chance to before." Alpha Martin was looking right at Zion and smirking. "Now then. We will do up a contract and send it your way and further arrangements will be made. Welcome to our pack Kash. And Alpha Atlas, we look forward to our alliances."