Chapter 10: Chapter 10

MEL:

I move around in bed feeling something that seems to be a wall behind me and that with every firm movement I make it squeezes me. I groan trying to stretch out in search of more space, but I can't get rid of her grip.

Wait... What?

And as if by magic, all the events of the previous day come to mind, from the party to the moment when I even realized I had fallen asleep. I widen my eyes finally visualizing the situation we are in.

I was lying on my side being held in a prison by strong arms that held possessively around my waist, while I felt Atlas' breath hitting my hair.

With a lot of effort, I manage to turn to look into his face and I regret it bitterly. He was simply beautiful, his serene expression, but still virile and impotent, only made me even more delighted and at the same time scared by the whirlwind of feelings he was giving me in such a short time.

I heard that the connection between partners was intense, but I didn't expect to feel dependent on the presence of someone with such depth and so fast.

I couldn't even begin to think that I had finally met my parents and I wonder how someone in their right mind who has spent their whole life wanting to meet them can forget everything when they are in the presence of their partner.

Luna had commented something about instinct and maybe the fact that we are wolves changes our behavior in situations like this. We probably act based on the animal instinct that is inside us and not with much rationality as humans do.

I shake my head, dispelling these thoughts, then with more time I will reflect on all of this, now I have to deal with this shirtless man who insists on pulling me to meet him every time I make a move.

— Atlas wakes up — I swing his arm trying not to be too rough, after all, nobody deserves to be woken up abruptly — come on, I need to stretch.

I notice that her eyes squint in the light that comes from the window as they open, and I can't help but sigh when I catch a glimpse of the blue and shining ocean inside two beautiful spheres directed toward me.

I realize then that the man who appeared in my dreams was him, I would never forget those eyes and being as close as he is now only makes them more alive.

I focus on him and the heavens, I feel mesmerized, every cell in my body reacts to him uniquely and amazingly. I blink, trying to snap out of my stupefied state, and finally stand up, juggling myself out of his arms as I walk away, still not knowing exactly what to do.

— Is that the right bathroom over there? — I don't wait for your answer and I'm already walking towards the door that I believe is the bathroom. I get in and close, leaning against her with my breathing somewhat uneven.

Why am I like this?

I do my hygiene and use a still—wrapped toothbrush I found in the small cupboard. I wash my mouth and face to finally work up the courage to look at myself in the mirror. I almost sigh in relief when I realize that it was one of the days that my hair wasn't all messed up.

I run the comb that was on the counter and make a loose bun on top of my head, feeling satisfied that I looked presentable. The only problem now was this dress, which was already all crumpled and crammed, becoming uncomfortable.

I open the door a little — enough to put my head through it — and I see the person responsible for my torment still lying on the bed with one arm covering his eyes.

— Can you lend me some clothes? — the somewhat shy tone is notorious in my voice — this dress is uncomfortable — I watch him get up with a little smile on one side and I wonder why that smile.

He goes to the closet where he spends a few seconds and comes back with a white shirt that I'm sure will be huge on me. He approaches and hands me the clothes still with that blessed smile on his face. I arch an eyebrow in question, but then close the door and start to undress with the goal of taking a quick shower and heading home.

I use the soap that was, as well as the toothbrush, packed and remove all the foam from the body, trying not to wet my hair in the process. I finish and find a clean towel in the closet which I use to dry myself off. Amazing how this man's bathroom is all organized.

I wear the shirt and finally understand why that damn smile. Her fabric was transparent to the point that my breasts were visible since I wasn't wearing a bra, after all, the previous dress had cups. Luckily, at least the panties and the length of the shirt didn't allow anything else to be seen.

I close my eyes trying to control my bad temper and finally look in the mirror and smile at the idea that came to mind.

He wants to play right? So let's play...

I open the bathroom door and Atlas, who was previously busy pacing back and forth and talking to someone on the phone, soon notices my presence and freezes in place. His piercing gaze roams my entire body with extreme intensity and I can't deny how much it affected me.

I approach having to lift my head to meet his eyes and I see when he swallows hard, still staring at my body. I feel strangely powerful and beautiful having his eyes on me.

The person he was talking to on the call said something, but he makes a point of answering before turning off the phone and throwing it somewhere on the bed. I'm pulled against his chest and my breath quickens at the contact.

I'm falling into my trap.

I sigh, pulling away the slightest bit, trying to recover my wits and remember what my objective was with this — joke—. His gaze is now confused by my detachment and I almost end up laughing, but I hold my ground, or at least I appear to be.

— I'm leaving. Do you know where my purse is? — I sweep my eyes around the room trying to remember where I left it and soon I find it on the floor next to the bed.

— Going away? — I see disbelief and a certain disappointment in your eyes — like that? — he looks back at me up and down now exasperated.

— You who gave me this outfit, I don't see any problem with it — I shrug wanting to laugh at her incredulous expression — and you can let me return it washed and ironed later — I blink and pick up my bag from the floor while looking for my cell phone.

His growl is audibly loud and would certainly scare anyone, but it just makes me want to laugh about the situation. I watch from the corner of my eye as he marches towards the closet, where he again takes a while and returns with some clothes in his arms.

He places the clothes that are now a black shirt and gray sweatpants in my arms and makes his way toward the bathroom without saying a word.

Men are so predictable.

I change my clothes when I hear the shower running and I feel a thousand times more comfortable when I see that my shirt this time shows nothing. I choose not to call the taxi yet, I'm starving and the smell of freshly brewed coffee is coming into the room, nothing like a good breakfast.

I spend a while looking out the window that overlooks a really beautiful garden and I realize how big this place is, literally a castle. It snapped out of my daydreams of Atlas coming out of the bathroom drying his hair and dressed in a dark shirt and sweatpants similar to mine.

Sexy, damn sexy...

I don't have much time to observe him, as the room is soon invaded by the alpha and the luna, aka my parents, who enter the room in a hurried and somewhat hurried manner.

— I tried to wait until you had some time together, but I honestly couldn't — Elisabeth justifies herself, not giving us a chance to respond as she pulls me firmly into a warm hug.

I feel ecstatic at first because I didn't expect it, but I can't resist the delicious feeling I feel when I'm hugged for the first time by my mother, the woman who didn't abandon me, but had her daughter cruelly taken from her and spent her life your search.

I hold her tighter in my arms and tears shamelessly fall from my eyes. The warmth of her arms reminds me of safety and tranquility, something I had only felt with Aunt Maria.

Another pair of arms reach out around both of us and I see that Christian, my father, has joined in our family moment. I am really happy with this outcome. I look for Atlas, but I don't find him in the room, maybe he left to give us privacy.

We spent a lot of time talking about different subjects and trying to get to know each other better. I noticed that Elisabeth is very kind and welcoming, the classic doting mother type. On the other hand, Christian is more reserved, but he has shown to be very protective and attentive.

Both of them were good people, regardless of whether I know them well or not, they said such sincere words that it touched my heart. I would give myself a chance to finally have parents.

— When you turned six Christian bought you a bike, he had an absurd desire to teach you how to ride one so it didn't take long to come up with the pinkest and brightest one in the shop, my eyes are a little blind to this day — I laugh and Christian clears his throat — it's been years and more years waiting for you daughter, it wasn't easy, but I thank the heavens that you're here today — I wipe the tear that was running down his cheek.

— We will have many years to learn new things from each other from now on. Also, I want to see this famous bicycle that blinds eyes — I blink and we laugh together.

Atlas chooses that moment to reappear and I confess that his presence alone makes me a little anxious, something that is still very strange to me.

— I came to call you for coffee. Mel wanted to go straight to bed yesterday and didn't even have dinner, she's going to end up feeling sick for not eating for so long — she gives me a reproachful look as she approaches, sitting on the edge of the armchair I was in.

— I would feel sick if I had eaten without wanting to — I reply narrowing my eyes in her direction and receiving an arch of eyebrows in return as a challenge.

Abused!

— What do you mean by — Mel wanted to go straight to bed?—, you by any chance... — Christian swallows dry rubbing his face in clear distress. Understanding his train of thought, I decided to intervene.

— I had my head full from so many revelations and I needed to rest, that's basically what he meant — I can see that he is more relieved, but he remains tense. I think the realization that the daughter he's waited for so long is no longer a little girl scares him.

— So many rooms left — he grumbles and receives an elbow from Elisabeth. I try to hold back my laughter— let's eat soon if I still have an appetite— she keeps muttering as she makes her way to the bedroom exit, followed by her partner.

My stomach decides to come out now as if to assure me that Atlas was right and he gives me that damned smirk again, pulling me by the hand and leading us into the dining room.

The place was huge, mainly because the room was a bit far from the staircase and as we walked down the corridor it seemed as if it would never end. When we finally got to the dining room, I was ready to throw myself into any seat as quickly as possible.

Sedentary mode on.

What is my surprise, and happiness, when I come across a full and extremely neat table? It had from breads, cold cuts, and juices, to the most varied types of cakes.

— Who prepared all this? Can serve a battalion— I exclaim more to myself still dumbfounded by so many delights.

— Gloria, our housekeeper. I didn't know what you liked so I asked her to prepare a little of everything— Atlas replies looking at me amused when he sees me attacking the first bun I found, which by the way was wonderfully fluffy and soft.

I make a mental note to personally thank the person who made the meal.

— I never imagined seeing the supreme the way he is today, so relaxed compared to how he normally acts— Elisabeth maintains a somewhat perplexed look at Atlas, who after the comment goes back to adhering to the cold and indifferent expression that he uses daily.

— Well, I don't know how he normally acts, but I'm willing to take a few smiles from this grumpy old man— I try to relax the heavy atmosphere that had formed and successfully because my parents laugh and the little ogre next to me tries to hide his amusement.

It was a breakfast that for many could be something normal, any day to day having coffee with the family, but for me, it meant a lot. A moment that will stay in my memory.

After all, only those who have never had something they've always dreamed of having can say with certainty how rewarding it is to finally be able to conquer it.