Chapter 12: Chapter 12

MEL:

I watch confused when, a tall girl with hair so platinum that it almost blinds me, enter the castle— house of Atlas, taking off the heels she was wearing and leaving them somewhere in the corner while heading towards where we were sitting.

I can't lie and say that that situation wasn't bothering me, all I can think about is how close they must be to that, since even — love— the girl had called him. I feel inside Luna growling demanding control.

Damn, it wasn't enough to control myself, I still had to deal with an angry wolf inside me.

Excellent!

— What do you think you're doing here Valkyrie? — She was already sitting in the armchair in front of me and had just crossed her legs, raising the tiny dress she was wearing even more.

— I didn't know I was receiving visitors — she looks me up and down frowning as she analyzes me — if I'd known for sure I would have come earlier to welcome them — I keep my eyes fixed on hers, understanding exactly where she wants to go.

— Go home Valkyrie — Atlas' cold words, even though they are simple, cause a clear wavering in her posture, which she soon tries to disguise.

— I wanted to meet my little cousin, the whole kingdom doesn't talk about anything other than that the future supreme is back and how absurdly beautiful she is — she rolls her eyes in disgust — she's not even all that.

I hear his whisper I think that was the intention. If it was the old Mel, she would probably care about that comment, but the current one doesn't.

— Did you want to meet me?— Well, Mel Williams, future supreme and Atlas' companion — I pull one of his hands into my lap and wrap it around mine — but I think you already know that, right? I ask rhetorically and smirk while arching an eyebrow.

His gaze shifts to our joined hands and I watch as anger bubbles up inside him. This Valkyrie woman, who is supposed to be my cousin, has an obvious interest in Atlas, what she doesn't know is that I don't share what's mine, much less my man.

— Not everyone deserves that position — I feel the venom in each of her words. I feel Atlas shift beside me and I know he's losing what little patience he appears to have. I squeeze his hand in a sign of calm.

She wants discord, to release her poison and destabilize us, but I won't give her that taste.

— Exactly, that's why only I was graced with such, after all, it's not a matter of wanting to have the position, but of being destined for it — her fists clench and I see Atlas go on alert, I think she also notices, take a deep breath before getting up.

— I'm leaving — she mutters turning her back, but turning around again as if remembering something — yeah, I bet you're still not used to our customs, so if you want some tips on how to be a true supreme, you can consult me — throws the falsely platinum hair back squandering the neckline.

I notice that Atlas wants to get up, but I spread an open hand on his chest to stop him. I get up and move closer keeping my eyes fixed on his that show a certain kind of apprehension with every step I take. I smile internally, enjoying knowing that her wolf shudders, even if involuntarily when my still controlled inside me is present.

— I appreciate your offer, but it is baseless. There is no supreme logic to receive instructions from a subordinate who doesn't even have half of her strength — I smile putting her hair forward again — and darling, I don't need anyone to welcome me in my house — I whisper releasing a little of my dominance and causing her to lose her composure as she stormed out.

She doesn't know how to play, so she doesn't go down to play, cousin.

I didn't even know I had that power, I never even thought about using it on anyone, but that girl had simply crossed the line. I turn and question my supposed companion with a look.

— I'm sorry for making you witness this ridiculous scene, Valkyrie just doesn't have any sense — he sighs in exasperation.

— Have you ever been involved with her?— I'm direct and I feel my wolf growl furiously with that.

— Of course not Mel — he denies approaching and taking my face between his hands — I would never hurt you that way, if you want I can bear the idea of taking another female that is not my partner.

I lower my head trying to hide the smile, but I realize that he noticed because I feel his body relax.

We hear a knock on the door, taking us out of our bubble again, and Gloria appears with a notebook in her hands.

— Forgive the intrusion, I'm going to the market and I would like to know if you want something specific for lunch. — She asks shyly and a little fearfully, probably afraid of having interrupted something.

Atlas looks at me waiting for me to answer and then a delicious Bolognese lasagna comes to mind, my mouth is watering just thinking about this wonder. Aunt Maria made it for me whenever possible.

— Gloria bolognese lasagna, please — I bet my eyes are shining like a child's because Gloria smiles at me and Atlas looks at me... I don't know how to define that look.

— Of course supreme, anything else? — Write down the ingredients you need in your notebook.

I deny it and look at the Atlas.

'Ask Alfred to get me a whiskey and a red wine for Mel' — he looks at me as if expecting approval and I nod — something old and mellow I think is a good combination.

— Yes supreme, it will be ready soon — said the lady I found out to be a witch, approximately years old, and as witches are not like werewolves and vampires, they age physically, that is, she already has a certain age.

— You can leave — I arch an eyebrow in her direction — and Gloria… thank you — she stops where she was, but soon pulls herself together and waves at us, smiling contentedly as she leaves, closing the door behind her.

— Did you see how a simple thank you makes a difference — I joke and I'm serious at the same time, only those who have been treated rudely know the feeling that this causes, especially in our psychology.

The same mumbles something pulling me toward the office, where he spent the rest of the morning explaining everything to me about the kingdoms, the duties as supreme luna, and other bureaucratic matters.

I listened carefully and gave opinions on many points, there were many things I didn't like about the current rules and I made it clear that I would not be a perfect supreme luna puppet: the one that only serves to reproduce descendants.

Atlas agrees with me and tells me that it has already abolished many of the absurd old laws, those created by councilors who use the term — tradition— to try to camouflage the clear machismo present there.

Soon, Gloria was already calling us to lunch and perfection is the word that describes her food, even the ogre next to me was already on his fifth piece, even though he vehemently claims that he didn't like it that much.

Imagine if you liked...

I notice that his posture is more withdrawn in the presence of other people, always with a closed expression and a frown, but every time I make a silly joke I notice a slight smile in the corner of his lips.

Our conversations flowed very well and we've only known each other for a day — which is super weird, because it seems like years¬¬— is a connection that an ordinary human being would never understand.

— Let's watch something, I'll take today to give you my full attention — he says after I help Gloria clear the table.

We went upstairs and entered a room filled with pillows and blankets, as well as a huge screen that certainly would never fit in my house.

We settled down and reached yet another impasse: choosing which movie to watch.

— Not, horror movies are not my strong suit — I deny your choice — I don't see the fun in a bunch of crazy people who agree to enter a strange, dark house and who say someone has died who now haunts the place. What is the logic of this? It's practically asking to die!

He gives a hot laugh looking at me amused.

— Why don't you just say you're afraid?— I see the clear provocation in his voice and I refrain from advancing on his neck. I'm not one to deny challenges and even if I don't sleep at night, I won't turn down this one.

— Make it scariest — I strike a badass pose and hope I can maintain it until this movie is over.

— He is sure? We can watch another one, I was just teasing you, you know that — I deny him with a glare.

We watched and honestly, only some parts were scarier, the problem for me is when I went to sleep because whenever I watched movies like that I had to sleep with Aunt Maria next to me, as it gave me a horrible feeling that at any moment something would appear and I ended up getting so paranoid that I couldn't even close my eyes.

We marathon a series of horror movies and I mentally recriminate my pride and stubbornness, all I could think at the end of the day was: how would I go home when I didn’t even dare to go to the kitchen alone?

And it was exactly this argument that he used to convince me to sleep — again — at his house. He lent me some of his clothes and I went to shower in his room while he used the guest room.

As I had already eaten a lot of junk food during the movies, I preferred not to have dinner, I was satisfied.

I sit on the bed waiting for his return, after all, I need to know where I'm going to sleep, and it doesn't take long for him to appear drying his still-wet hair and wearing nothing more than sweatpants, showing his damn perfect muscles.

Images of me touching each one of them flood my mind and I feel my wolf grunt in satisfaction.

— Your face is pink — she approaches throwing the towel on an armchair beside her — could it be a fever? It wasn't like this before... — She puts both hands on my face trying to feel my temperature and I want to stick my head in a hole when I realize my thoughts.

His eyes drift to mine, while his hands are still under me and I see clear concern in both of them, the situation would be very cute if I wasn't focused on how close he is and how good he smells.

— Are you feeling well? — he asks with my silence — I'm going to call the doctor, lie down here... — I interrupt the same one who insisted on lying down, stopping his movements and smiling slightly to reassure him.

— I'm fine — I see her suspicious look — I'm really fine Atlas — I feel her body relax a little, but now she looks at me puzzled — I was just trapped in my thoughts — I keep looking away.

— And why would your thoughts leave you that way... — He stops looking for my eyes again and gives one of his cheeky smiles again. I blink away from looking at him, which only makes him smile even wider, holding my face towards his with one hand.

— It's not what you're thinking — I dismiss.

— And what am I thinking?— He questions suggestively, arching one of his eyebrows.

— You know, that kind of thing... — I try, but I end up winding myself up even more, I don't know why I react that way to him.

A walking shame!

— Perhaps you'd better show me.— I see the glint of challenge in his eyes, and it stirs the instinct within me.

I take my hand to one of his arms and see his surprised look when I touch — and squeeze — his muscles which become more rigid under my touch. I go against his abdomen which is contracting and I contour every bud present there.

I had never touched any man that way, so this sensation, besides being new, intrigued me. Not that I didn't know anything about it, quite the contrary, I just never put it into practice.

I feel when one of his arms pulls me to him, and I find his dilated eyes inspecting me like a true predator.

Fierce, absurdly fierce.

— You have no idea what causes me, do you?— His hand is now wrapped around my neck, lifting my face towards him, in a clear demonstration of dominance.

— Perhaps you'd better show me.— I whisper the same words in a challenging tone.

A sparkling red flashes in his eyes and that's all I see before he places his lips under mine. His warm and refreshing breath mingled with mine, his mouth just moved over mine and I could already feel a whirlwind of sensations throughout my body — and yes, the damn butterflies exist.

I feel when your tongue asks for passage and I don't even think twice before giving it space, feeling it slide smoothly through mine. We start with something slow, just enjoying the moment, but it soon turns into something hotter, I feel him pulling my hair lightly and I let out an approving sound.

That is wonderfully good.

I only realize we're going too far when he puts me in his lap. I pull away slightly, having his hands possessively on my waist.

— I think we better stop — I see the clear desire on his face, but he nods, kissing my forehead and then putting me sitting on the bed and then getting up.

— I think I need another shower — he says, picking up the towel thrown over the armchair and walking towards the bathroom.

I lie back and smile as I reflect on her question.

Yes, now I have an idea of what I'm doing to you.