ALEKS

“You’re beginning to get on my nerves, Atlas Hyades. Stop staring it me like a sad kicked puppy. Yesterday wasn't your fault and believe it or not, it wasn't the worst thing that's ever happened to me. I'm fine.” I said pointing the knife I was using to chop up cucumbers and a few more salad ingredients with at the infuriating man who insisted on sighing pitifully and moving away from me whenever our paths crossed.

Kristin, who was helping me with the chopping and mixing, smiled and shook her head at her husband. She too had obviously noticed his actions because he had not been subtle in his guilt and obvious regret and despite the fact that I had truly accepted his apology when we had all had breakfast together this morning. Atlas had looked more disheveled and quite than I’d ever seen him before, his body visible taut with stress and his eyes filled with regret and grief as he'd gravely apologized to me. Despite how hard and painful it had been to fight off a feral wolf, it hadn’t been as bad as everyone seemed to think it had been because Atlas had been valiantly fighting whatever had poisoned him and had spent more time howling in pain and growling in agony as he flashed between man and beast than he'd spent attacking me. Sure the gash on my shoulder had been significant and painful but it was really nothing compared to the pain I had felt every time Alexei fed on my neck. I had developed a high pain tolerance since then so the incident with Atlas was more worrying than traumatic to me, which was something that seemed to puzzle the Hyades. But at least with the absence of the scar, I hadn't had to scare the children with the truth after they'd noticed all the worried looks thrown my way and I had told them that I had grown a little sick last night and had had to return home early. I also refused to remember the healing process my body had gone through.

‘I'd never let myself.’

The surety and the determination in Leukas' voice couldn't be denied and I knew then that settling for something as intense and emotional as sex with Leukas would potentially ruin me. So I’d resigned myself while I slept in my bed. I'd promised myself that I’d move on.

Because of the fact the previous night’s incident and the fact that Harpah had decided to go with her parents after all, Lanthe and Jason decided to stay an additional day and host a small and private barbecue for the family only since non of them had enjoyed much of yesterday after the incident. Luckily none of the other guests knew what had happened and Atlas had been able to deliver his speech well and on time and had even stayed till the end of the gathering without anymore drama.

So when afternoon had come all the employees had been dismissed from the island and only the family remained, all of us mingling and laughing as soft music wafted through the air along with mouthwatering scents of grilling steaks, sausages, chicken, hot dogs, patties and pork. The huge table which had been erected near the various grills was littered with different condiments for the hot dogs, some buns, rolls and bowls of potato salad, coleslaw, Greek salad and a cooler filled with sodas, juices and beers along with some cutlery. The hotdogs and burgers had been done for a while and everyone had been helping themselves in between the various activities that were going on all over the garden.

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Harpah, Malarkee and Bené were kicking a ball at the far end of the grass, Bene's delighted giggles turning my head every so often before I’d roll my eyes when Malarkee gave me a flirty wink. Jason and Elena were playing had been stationed at the giant chess station, taking turns to move the big pieces in a game that was filled with cheating and made up rules, most of them by Elena. Adrian, Atlas and Leukas were in charge of the grills and I tried very hard not to notice how hot he looked while he talked and laughed with our son, confidently teaching showing him when and how to flip the meat over while Adrian listened intently. Kim had gone ahead to wherever they would be headed for the upcoming months and Lanthe, who had clung to baby Max all day was noticeably absent, probably getting something for the baby inside the house, while Kristin mostly silently observed and smiled at the various chatter and activities. I had learnt that Kristin was mostly quite, talking mostly when spoken to and when necessary. I could tell that she wasn't necessarily shy either, just the silent type but her love for Atlas was quite obvious. They made a very cute family together.

Atlas, who had absently grabbed two beers had frozen as soon as he had noticed me next to the cooler and I could see how much he longed to bolt. After a day of him dodging me I had finally decided to confront him because he had become a good friend of mine and I hated any kind of tension between us.

Atlas froze and sighed, turning back to face me with a sheepish smile on his face. I stepped around the table and pulled him a to a shade a bit further away from everyone and raised my eyebrow at him, my arms folded while he fidgeted with his eyes cast on the ground.

“I attacked you and hurt you, Aleks. I promised I wouldn’t and I did. If they hadn’t come in when they did…”

“But they did. And you and I both know it wasn’t your fault Atlas. I was there. We were set up and you weren’t in control. You can’t tell me you’re going to punish me because of some mysterious sabotage….”

His eyes widened comically. “Punish you? I wouldn’t.”

“But you and I are friends and you’re suddenly avoiding me. We live together and we’ll work together soon. I’m not mad at you, Atlas, I’m worried that someone wants you and me destroyed or at least at odds with each other. We have to stick together now more than ever.” I said, rubbing his arm and watching him closely as he took a deep breath before suddenly pulling me into his arms in a tight hug which I returned. We were quite for a while as we clung to each other and I knew that we were both thinking about last night. I wasn’t traumatized by it but it didn’t mean I didn’t see the pain and the agony that Atlas had been in whenever I closed my eyes. It didn’t mean I couldn’t remember the flashing of his eyes and the sometimes confusion on his face before rage once again overcame him. It didn’t mean I couldn’t see the flash of regret on his face every moment after he swiped his claws down my body.

He spoke in a low voice after a while. “That was the scariest experience I’ve ever had to go through. I thought… I thought I’d kill you…. I couldn’t control my body and I was…I thought I’d die.” I had no idea what to say so we just held on to each other for a while more before we pulled apart. Then Atlas was looking at me with a slight smile on his face.

“Thank you.” He said before kissing my forehead and leading us back to party. I met Leukas’ eyes from across the field and when he winked at me, I couldn’t quiet brush it off as I had Malarkee and I looked away when I felt the flush that I had begun to associate with him warm my entire body.