Chapter XI

The conversation with my parents went as well as I thought it would. My Mother was okay with it but my Father did not like it. It took some convincing on my Mother's end to get him over the fact I was already on my way to Phoenix Moon, but by the end of the phone call, all was well.

The drive was silent most of the time due to Atlas constantly getting mindlinked, so I slept like a rock.

"Rise and shine, sleepyhead." He called out, looking at me. "We are almost there."

I groaned and moved the jacket over my face. This thing was better than any blanket that I have ever had. It was so cozy and smelled just like Atlas. I could literally sleep for days if I had it 24/7.

"Don't you want to see the cafes we have?" He teased and reached over, nudging me a little.

A nudge was not necessary. I shot up faster than Josh on the toilet after Taco Tuesday. My hands went to my eyes, but then I remember I had mascara on. That would have been a disaster.

"I figured that would get you up." He laughed and put the hand that nudged me back on the steering wheel. "Past the treeline is my territory. The entire town is Phoenix Moon."

I nodded eagerly as we entered the tree line. It was thick, and the road curved around a few times until out of nowhere a town appeared. Unlike Royal Crest's buildings, which were more modern than anything, Phoenix Moon held a woodsy aesthetic. Most buildings were stone or wood and held plant life outside. As we kept driving through the small town, we hit wooden houses that were placed like neighborhoods. The deeper we got, the more Cel and I fell in love with the charming place.

There was a field filled with wolves of all ages, colors, and genders training. A giant house filled with windows came into view. I assumed it was the pack house. The pack house held members who chose to live there and all the offices for the high-ranking wolves. At Aurora Dawn, we had pack dinner at ours every Friday.

By the way Atlas kept driving, he must not live there. I was kind of glad because it could be a lot to be the new girl and live in the pack house. There was always someone wherever you went. Not far past the house, we pulled into a driveway that was owned by a medium-sized house. It was absolutely gorgeous. It was all wooden, with a stone chimney spouting from the side. It held a giant porch on the front and rocking chairs. I could tell it was two stories by the break in the metal roof, allowing two separate windows to protrude out. It was so simple, but elegant at the same time.

"Welcome home, Everly." Atlas said and put the SUV in park.

I just gawked at him. "It is so pretty, Atlas."

He just chuckled and turned off the engine.

"I am glad you like it. I had it built two years ago. I could not stand living with Declan at the pack house anymore."

"Oh, come on." I say when he comes to my door, opening it. "He is not that bad."

"You have not been around him that much." He helped me out after I put on my heels. I frowned, seeing the driveway was gravel. If I fall, I hope the Moon Goddess just ends me then and there.

"Speaking of which, I need to call Elianna." I say as a reminder to myself.

He nodded in agreement and went to the back to grab our bags. I followed him with my arms crossed over my chest in the attempt to calm myself from this new place. "I am glad you have already made a friend-" He was cut off by a loud yell coming from the porch.

Both of our heads snapped to see a girl that had the same smile he carried running towards me. My eyes widened as our bodies smacked into each other, making us fall to the dusty driveway. Her arms held me like a snake, constricting me from the air my lungs desperately needed.

"Artemis!" Atlas growled out, pulling her off of me like she was a little kid. When he reached down to help me up, I could see his eyes shifting from normal to their darker hue.

"I am fine." I reassured him in a hurry before Helix decided to pop back up. Before I even knew what I was doing, I pulled his hand into mine, giving it a squeeze. His eyes leveled out, and he gave me a grateful squeeze back.

"Stop being such a brute, Aly." Artemis pouted before pulling me from him into a hug. "Hi sister!" She practically squealed into my ear.

I could not help but to laugh and hug her back. "Hi." Once she pulled away, she matched my smile.

"You are so pretty!" She exclaimed cheerfully and then looked at Atlas with a scowl. "Hurry up, Brute! I want her to meet Dad before you whisk her away."

"Dad is here? Where the fuck did you two get a key?" He slimmed his eyes at his sister.

She shrugged, grabbing my hand, walking towards the front door. "I have my ways. Now come on, Aly!"

The nickname she had for him tickled me, so I turned to tease him. "Yeah, come on, Aly."

His narrowed eyes landed on me and a grin spread across his face like wildfire. "I am coming."

"I like you." Artemis giggled and slowed our pace for Atlas to catch up.

Once he did, they led me up the porch and into the house. Artemis ran off somewhere, and Atlas followed me around as I explored. The house had hardly any decor, but the skeleton has a lot of potential. All the walls were white, and the furniture was either made of wood or brown fabrics. The living room was the room with the stone fireplace. It was cozy and I could not wait to use it. I then remembered we were in California. Why in the hell did this man have a fireplace?

Assuming he saw me eyeing it, Atlas whispered to me, "we have cold and wet winters here. It is nice to sit by it after patrolling."

That was an acceptable answer. "Ah, I see." I said and looked at him.

He was smiling down at me with something written on his face that I could not figure out. "I was hoping that my mate could make this place less magazine and more like home."

I tilt my head at the statement, "Are you asking me to do interior design for you?"

He looks away and eyes the surrounding room. "Well, for us. You live here too now."

"I do not work for free, Alpha Lycurgus." I picked at him, making him smile at him. "I do not know if you can afford my price."

"What is it?" He laughed. "As many frappuccinos as you want?"

"I was going to say one a day, but since you offered, that will work." I giggle as he rolls his eyes at me.

We were torn from our business deal when an older version of Atlas walked into the room with Artemis. Atlas grabbed my hand, erupting electricity through veins and walked me over to the man.

"Everly, this is my father, Leo. Dad, this is my Mate, Everly." He introduced us and Leo held a small grin when he extended his hand out to me.

I placed mine in his hand and gave him a firm handshake, as my father had always taught me.

"She knows how to shake a hand." Leo compliments then turned to Atlas, letting my hand fall to my side. "Try not to scare her off, Atlas."

"I do not plan on it, Dad." Atlas responds, allowing me to stay quiet.

Leo smiled down at me. "Will you be joining us at dinner at the pack house?"

I looked to Atlas for an answer, since I had no idea what he planned for us this evening.

He shrugged at me. "It is up to you. I normally eat there for breakfast and dinner. No one is going to blame you for not wanting to tonight."

"I would love to." I answered Leo after Atlas finished.

His smile grew wider than before and patted his son's shoulder, making his way to the front door. "Wonderful. It was a pleasure to meet you, Everly. I will see you both in an hour."

"The pleasure was all mine." I responded by giving him a wave goodbye.

"Bye, Dad." Atlas said, turning back to me.

"Bye, Dad." Artemis copied Atlas and slumped down on one of the couches.

Atlas groaned in irritation at her. "Bye, Artemis." He said, trying to get her to leave.

She turned her head to look at the both of us. "I am not leaving. You have Disney Plus." She then grabbed the remote and turned on the flat screen TV that was mounted on the wall. "Come on, Everly. We can watch Beauty and the Beast as it is your life now."

My eyebrows came together on my face.

What did she mean?

Atlas growled and snatched the remote from her hand. "Out, now."

Artemis did the 'Oh, I am so scared' gesture and got up. "Yes, Alpha. Right away, Alpha." She saluted him, then marched out the door like a soldier.

A giggle passed between my lips at her, and he faced me, still frowning in annoyance. "I like her." I said.

"That makes one of us. Come on, I'll show you your room."

My room?

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