ATLAS
“Jade…Jade, wai-” She brushed past me, not giving me another second to say anything.Had I heard right? A divorce?“She’s joking, right?” I asked Andrew who just shrugged and went back to what he was doing.I’d even forgotten he was behind us until I saw the shocked look on his face when she walked past.She had to be joking. Jade couldn't be asking for a divorce. Not after four years.She's been here for four years and she has never complained for once but all of a sudden she wanted a divorce?“I should talk to her.” I said to myself.But I doubted she would listen to me. I really wanted to be here but Annie said I had to be present at the hospital during her check up and since it ran late. I had no choice but to stay longer than I had planned. But I made sure to come as soon as I was finished.“Hey, are you guys cool? I mean, she's not mad about anything, is she?”Andrew simply shook his head.He was the only one that could tell me anything about Jade. I knew they were best friends and he was basically the only person that Jade let come close to her.“But tell me, what’s been going on with Jade lately? What do you know? I mean, is she upset about anything? Is anything going on in her life?”I was actually interested in knowing what he was going to say but he simply shook his head, indicating that nothing was going on.Why was everyone giving me a cold shoulder today? I had a feeling he was sharing in Jade's anger that I didn't attend the wedding so I decided to feed him what he wanted.“Drew, listen, I know I screwed up but something came up and I couldn't be here earlier. Things have just been crazy and I haven't had time for her-”“But that's the issue, Atlas. You've never had time for her.” He shrugged, giving me a pointed look. “Before, you simply didn't regard her and now, it's all about Annie. When will it be about her?"Andrew was angry which was fair but everything happened so quickly with everyone asking me for everything too early.“Andrew, I'll admit that I haven't been the best husband but you don't know the half of it. You know, we haven't had the best marriage. I just met her and I found out that she was my mate and I was supposed to marry her when I had a girlfriend of three years who I loved so much.”Thinking back to that time when I just found out that I had to marry her was a nightmare. I hated my parents so much and Jade was the centre of my hatred and anger. It wasn't fair on her. But at the time, she was the only one I was seeing and she looked quite satisfied with herself.I loved Annie and I had looked forward to starting a life with her only to be told that I had to marry someone else.“It wasn't her fault. Do you think she wanted to get married?”I nodded.“I know, I know she didn't ask for it. But after four years, I've seen her, Drew. I've seen how strong and resilient she is. She's an amazing woman and a wonderful Luna.”Andrew came to sit beside me.“Are we still talking about Jade?"I laughed.“Yes, yes we are. And she loves me. She loves me so much that it'll be very cruel of me to deny it. So I just live with it. I'm trying so hard, so hard to return how she feels.”“Well, it doesn't look that way with the way you carry Annie around. Everyone can see it, you don't care about Jade's feelings.”Was that what it looked like?“I do… I just. Annie is pregnant.” I sighed. “It was a mistake… sleeping with Annie was a stupid mistake but now, she's pregnant and I can't do anything about the baby. Besides, everyone is on my neck for a baby. The pack needs an heir.”I couldn't do anything about the baby even if I wanted to. The baby was innocent and I had to think about the future of the pack.“So what are you going to do? Because Jade seems pretty sure she wants a divorce.”I couldn't divorce her, she was my Luna.“I can't give her what she's asking for. I can't give her a divorce. Jade is my Luna and no one is going to take that away from her. She deserves that position.”“So how're you going to convince her?”I had no idea. Andrew was the only person I knew she listened to, the only person she spent time with.“Could you help me talk to her? Just help me make her see reason. Let her know that divorce isn't the way to go. We've been together for four years, she wants to just throw that away?”“You didn't think about that when you slept with Annie and got her pregnant. You didn't think about that either when you brought another woman into your home with her and cast her aside like a dog."He was right. Jade had every reason to divorce me and I deserved it. It doesn’t mean I’m going to let her. She won’t get rid of that easily.“Listen.” he stood up on his feet “I’ll try my best but I can't do much, okay? I don't need her getting mad at me."I thanked him and watched as he walked out of the room. He was my only hope.If Jade divorced me, it would mean that she would become without a pack and that would make her a rogue. Jade didn't know how to live on her own so life would be hell for her.Life has been tough for her and with her grandmother's death now, I was sure she wasn't thinking straight.“Atlas,” Andrew walked back up to me “If you're truly sorry, you should show it. Small gestures count."I thought hard about what I could get her.My phone rang and I saw that it was Annie. I was about to pick up when my recent conversation rang in my mind so I ended the call and put the phone back in my pocket.Flowers. Every woman loved flowers right?I decided to get her some lilies I saw and on the way, I got the best idea ever and I was sure she was going to love it.“Is it ready? Can I see?”The clerk handed me the box and I gently opened it.It was a locket with her mother and grandmother's pictures in it.JADEI threw my clothes towards the direction of the bed and my suitcase, not even turning around to see if they actually fell on the bed or on the floor. Actually, I didn't care. As long as I packed my things and was out of here as quickly as possible, that we all that mattered. Divorce. It was something that has been on my mind for a very long time. I'd touched the papers over and over again, even scared to bring it out of the envelope because I didn't want to accept that I actually wanted a divorce. I wanted this marriage to work but now. I HAD wanted this marriage to work. I knew it wouldn't work no matter what I did. No matter how much I tried, it was doomed from the start.How could I even be fighting a war with an opponent that didn’t care?I stuffed my belongings into my box, not wanting to leave anything behind.I had already signed the divorce papers and they were on the bed, waiting for him. Whenever he decided that he wanted to stop being Annie's lap dog and come back ho
JADE Atlas threw the flowers to the floor with a panicked look when he realized what I was saying. Of course, he wouldn't know anything about me. He had spent the better part of our time together hating me and the remaining time, doting on Annie. “I had no idea. I didn't get them for you anyways.” He cleared his throat awkwardly and turned to his mother who was scowling. “Mum, I didn't get her that bracelet. It's hers.” His mother rolled her eyes and threw the bracelet back on the floor, along with my other things that were scattered. “Whatever. It was probably the other man she's screwing that got it for her.” She walked out of the room after that, leaving my things all over the floor. I packed my things in silence, making up my mind to walk out of here a free woman. With my bags packed, I went to the bed and picked up the envelope. “Here, this is–” I started but he cut me off. ”Jade, just hold on for a moment.” Atlas said, refusing to take the papers from me. “What are y
JADE I didn't know who to turn to after all of this. I had nowhere to go. No one to even call. There was no family that I know of anywhere. It had always been just me and my grandmother since my mum died. And when the alpha found us in the woods and brought us to his pack. It became our new home. They became our new family. Everyone that I know is tied to the pack. And I can't call Andrew. He lives in the pack and Atlas is still his alpha. He may want to help me but he can’t defy Atlas if he uses his alpha dominance on him. I came down from the cab. I’d checked the farthest motel from the house and told the driver. A breath escaped my dry lips as I stood with my lone suitcase outside the large building. “Jade?” I turned when I heard my name. My eyes squinted at the sight of the familiar face. I recognized Atlas’s uncle, Brandon, immediately. They didn't particularly share any physical similarities, even with Atlas’s father but I knew him well enough from the few times he has b
ATLAS Andrew’s nonchalant attitude was pissing me off and I was seconds away from smacking him. The voice in my head wasn’t helping by reminding me that everything that happened was my fault and of my own doing. I made Jade finally snap and leave. Divorce? I don’t know why I never thought she would actually be capable of asking for that. Well, I underestimated her and now she is gone. “What do you want me to tell you? I have no idea where she went because she didn’t tell me.” He shrugged his shoulders. Seeing how he was acting told me he knew where she was and she probably told him not to tell me. If he didn’t know she was alright. He wouldn’t even be sitting here opposite me right now. He’ll be looking for her. “You’re the only person she talks to. Do you want me to believe you have no idea where she is and that she didn’t tell you?” He gave me a blank look before nodding. “Yes, that is exactly what I’m saying.” I balled my hands into tight fists, gritting my teeth to stop
JADE Brandon was right when he said no one would bother me when I’m here. Except for the delivery man that came to bring the groceries he had ordered for me, no one has knocked on the door. Not even him. He called me a few days ago through the home phone to say he was going out of town and it had been unexpected. He gave me his beta’s contact to call in case of emergencies. After assuring me that he wouldn’t tell anyone where I was. His exact words were; “Trust me, no one will know where you are unless you tell them yourself.” I had no one to call. My phone was even off. Knowing Atlas would probably blow it up with calls. Or I thought he would. He has never cared for my presence. He is probably relieved I’m gone. He can start the life he has always wanted with Annie. I don’t know why that still left a bitter taste in my mouth. I shook my head, getting rid of any more thoughts of him. It has been one week since my grandmother’s funeral and since I told him I wanted a divorce. I’
JADEAndrew looked confused. Like he couldn’t understand why I was laughing. I didn’t know what was so funny either but I couldn’t stop.Atlas misses me?Yeah, big chance.That was the best joke I have ever heard.“You don’t believe me?” He asked and I snorted in response.“I know he is your friend and alpha and all. But please, don’t try to defend him.”He sighed and his lips turned down. I felt bad for shutting him down the way I did. I would rather he doesn’t say things he believes I want to hear just because he wants me to go back.I’m never going back there. And I’m glad none of them know I’m here—“How did you find me?” I asked, even before the thought had finished forming in my head.“It is a small town.” He responded with a shrug.For some reason, I was sure Brandon didn’t tell him. But it was so weird that he knew exactly where to go.“Don’t.” I shook my head and he grumbled before leaning back in his chair.“Fine.” He huffed. “I looked for you. It wasn’t so hard to figure ou
ATLASAnnie had roped me into coming for her latest checkup. She kept complaining about… everything. And I’m getting sick of it.But I guess it came with being pregnant.‘Oh please, don’t act like she hasn’t always been a bitch.’ I recognised the voice of my wolf, Kian.He never truly was a fan of hers. He never liked the way I treated Jade either. She was his true mate and he wanted to get to know her wolf and have many pups. That obviously wasn’t going to happen seeing as he had to go through me to do that.And just the thought of touching her had always left me feeling a strange way.“Do you see that?” Annie squealed, squeezing my hands so tight. If I was a mere human, it would have dislocated.I pulled my hand away from her and nodded at the grainy image on the screen. I couldn't understand jack shit I was seeing but she seemed happy enough so I faked a smile.“Yeah, that’s lovely.”“I know.” She agreed, her eyes glowing with happiness at whatever she was seeing. “Can we know the
JADEI’ve been working at Harrison and Garrett for a week now. And I have to admit. I love office work. More than I thought I would.I’ve always been a field worker, being a warrior and all. But dressing up in corporate and coming into the office has been great.Thanks to Brandon and how close he was with the owner, I was able to get a position as an assistant. Even without going to college. I was super grateful for the opportunity.I have always been kind of an overachiever. So I always made sure to do everything I was supposed to on time. I didn’t want to give my boss any reason to complain. Though, he was a nice man in his fifties. He was the director for this branch.His meeting ran late today so I had to stay longer than usual. He was going on a trip with his secretary. and we needed to get everything else settled and make sure he doesn’t fall back on work.Instead of coming in earlier tomorrow. I just decided to stay and send out all the emails I was supposed to.His secretary,