Capítulo 44: Chapter Forty-Four
"What?" Serena mumbled into Atlas' chest. She was absolutely bewildered at the change of events that happened within a span of fifteen minutes. "What happened to you?"
"I just realized something." He stroked her hair, pulling the strands through his fingers loosely.
"Okay?" She spread her hand over his chest and gently pushed him away. "As much as I love and need to know more about this change of heart, I need to see Venus."
Atlas released her but followed her arm to her hand. He intertwined his fingers with hers and pulled her toward the house.
"I'll take you."
Serena nodded and tightened her grasp on his hand. Atlas smirked, but she couldn't see as the shadows hid his face.
The two approached a small, neatly kept house at the end of the next section. A few windows were lit, while others were draped closed. Atlas pulled Serena to the door, knocked with the knocker, and waited. Serena shivered as a cold wind passed over her spine. Atlas pulled her close and draped his arms over her shoulders, nestling at her belt. Serena flushed and shifted under his weight. But the warmth of his body soothed both her nerves and body.
Eli swung the door open. His expression was shock as he saw the two standing on his doorstep.
"H-Hello." He stammered. He clutched the doorknob tightly as he took in his Alpha snuggling behind Serena. He shook his head once and regained his composure. "What do you need?"
"I'm here to see Venus," Serena demanded, pulling herself out from under Atlas and into the doorway.
Eli slid to the side of the door and held an arm toward the stairwell.
"She's up the stairs on the left."
"Thanks." Serena dipped around him and bounded up the stairs faster than light.
She charged through the door and scanned the room. Venus lay under the covers of the bed opposite her.
"Venus!" Serena shouted as she ran toward the bed.
Venus had barely enough time to roll over, groaning, as Serena launched herself onto the bed. She narrowly missed the groggy Venus in her descent.
"Watch it..." Venus grumbled, pulling the covers over her face and away from Serena.
"I didn't hit you. I would never hit an injured person." Seren turned up her nose.
Venus scoffed and rolled over, turning her back on her friend.
Serena's face darkened as she turned toward her.
"Are you okay? What happened?"
"I don't want to talk about it." Venus retorted.
"Come on. We're best friends. You tell me everything." Serena placed a hand on Venus' shoulder and squeezed.
Venus didn't reply.
"Right?" Serena's heart froze. Something was wrong.
"Yeah!" Venus said, her voice lukewarm. She pulled at the thread holding her comforter together. Her fingertips rubbed against the loose threads methodically, occupying her mind and hands.
Serena placed her hand back in her lap and tossed her head back.
"What happened today?" Serena pushed, her voice steady.
"I just needed some fresh air. Eli and I fought, so I needed some head space."
"Wait, you guys fought? Are you okay?" Serena's face and voice were anxious. She searched the edge of her friend's face, looking for any sign.
Venus sighed and closed her eyes.
"Yeah, we're fine." Venus pressed her lips tightly together, refusing to give more explanation.
"Okay. How did the wolf find you?"
"I found it. It was by some cabin and chased me back toward the pack. Eli was looking for me and came just in time."
"Good," Serena replied adamantly. "You guys better now? You and Eli."
Venus gave a curt nod in reply.
Serena pursed her lips and rocked on the bed for a few long moments.
"I'm glad you're safe. You're the only family I really have..." Serena whispered to Venus' gloomy air.
"Yeah," Venus whispered back, her voice tight and hoarse.
Serena opened her mouth but paused. She looked at Venus and then back at her feet. She snapped her mouth shut, and it remained there until a soft knock came from the bedroom door.
"Come in," Serena called, hopping down from the bed.
She turned the nob as Atlas pushed open the door. He froze as his eyes met Venus lying on the bed. He pushed past Serena and kneeled before his sister. His crimson eyes were wet as he clasped her hand in his.
"I'm sorry for not being there for you. I should have been there. It's my duty as an Alpha and your brother to protect pack members. You're my family. You should've been my priority. But I failed you. Please forgive me."
Venus jerked her hand away from his. She lifted her cold, dead gaze to meet his repenting one.
"We need to talk." She said in a monotone voice. It was not a request. It was a demand.
Atlas gulped and closed his eyes tight. He turned toward Serena and nodded. Serena flicked her gaze between the siblings before she left the room, closing them off from the rest of the house.
Serena leaned against the closed door and slid to the floor. She ruffled her hair and sighed. Tears wanted to fall, but they wouldn't come. They had been spent on herself and her own pity. When they were needed, they were far away, out of her reach.
The little pattering of footsteps bounded up the stairs toward Serena. A blob of brown curly hair emerged from the stairwell, followed by a toddler in dirty and ripped clothing. Serena chuckled as the dirt-smeared boy bounced toward her. His smile was missing a few teeth, but that just added to the cute factor.
"Is my uncle in there?" The boy pointed to the door behind Serena.
She smiled and nodded.
"You must be Regus." She stuck out a hand. The boy did the same and shook hers with all the strength he could muster. She chuckled and smiled back.
"You must be the new Luna." He beamed. "Can I see my uncle? He promised to play with me."
Serena closed her eyes and tucked her feet under her body.
"No. He's talking to your mom right now. We can't disturb them. Where's your dad?"
"He's talking to the neighbor." The boy tossed a thumb over his shoulder and firmly planted a hand on his hip. "He sent me up here to see if mom wanted some dinner."
"Why don't we wait until Uncle Atlas comes downstairs. We can make some food in the meantime." Serena groaned as she rose to her feet. Regus spun around and raced down the stairs, beelining it for the kitchen. Serena went after him.
Regus was already in the kitchen with a stool under his feet, and Serena found the room. He was straining to reach the top shelf of the refrigerator, groaning, and grumbling as he reached his little fingers for the jelly.
Serena laughed as she reached over him and grabbed the jar, placing it in his grimy little paws. The two made jelly sandwiches, Regus' favorite snack, while they waited. They spread the blue and purple jelly over the bread as much as the table. Regus beamed as he ate the sandwich. The contents oozed all over his already dirty shirt, making it an even bigger tie-dyed mess.
Serena was wiping Regus' face when a low voice cleared their throat behind them. The two whirled round, jelly everywhere, to see Atlas staring dazed at the two. His arms crossed and a stern look on his face.
"What do we have here?" He grumbled, quirking an eyebrow.
Serena and Regus slowly turned to look at each other. As they made eye contact, they both burst into laughter. The two's laughter filled the room and lifted the atmosphere. A corner of Atlas' mouth quirked into a smile. He hooked the two around an elbow and joined in their laughter.
"Let's clean you up." Atlas pulled Regus by the collar out of the kitchen and up the stairs.
A few moments later, his heavy footsteps could be heard returning to the kitchen. He took Regus's place beside her and slid a hand on her knee. He squeezed it tight and sighed. A bead of sweat slid down his forehead and over his nose.
"I-I need to talk to you." He said quietly, his voice tense.
She nodded as she placed her hand over his, rubbing her thumb along his skin.
"Tomorrow at dinner?" He wiped his head with a free hand and looked at Serena. His eyes were wide and anxious.
"Sure." She smiled softly at him and nodded her head once.
"Okay." He squeezed her thigh once more and got up from the table. He exited the house quietly, leaving his family and Serena behind.
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