Fated To The Lycan Brothers
Chapter 60

Suri Nightingale

Monday - a day I used to dread throughout my entire existence because it meant both work and school, but this time, though I still had both, there were a few notable differences.

For starters, Atlas was waiting for me downstairs because he offered to drive me to work this morning. Actually, scratch that. He didn't exactly offer because he flat out insisted/demanded instead.

He mentioned something about having to leave early anyway because he had to get to boxing camp and so he can drop me off before that. I had no choice, but it's not like I was going to decline.

The second difference was that instead of being scared of going to school because I knew I was going to face a bunch of low-life bullies, I was actually looking forward to seeing them because I too had something exciting in mind. My revenge plan regarding the 'Queen' of Diamonds was set and all I had to do was roll the dice and start the game.

Of course, it helped that I was likely no longer in 'rogue status'. At least I assumed that since the brothers and I were finally on relatively good terms.

I think? Okay, I should really ask Atlas about that.

Speaking of, I see him standing by the door of his black range rover. I only know what the car is because it says so in bold and capital letters on the hood.

He doesn't seem to notice me walking towards him as his brows are furrowed and he's visibly engrossed by whoever he is texting. I wonder what it was about? He looked a little stressed.

Atlas tilted his head back as he let out a deep exhale and when he looked to have inhaled deeply, that was when his head turned to my direction and he saw me.

I have no idea what happened there. Did he just smell the air and catch my scent? How is that even possible? Does he have some kind of heightened sense of smell?

Whatever it is, I can't deny that the way Atlas looked at me intensely made me feel all nervous and hot inside.

I couldn't tell exactly what he was thinking or feeling. His face is a mask of disinterest, but there was a lump that had lodged in my throat the second I caught his eyes.

The steely gray depths pulled me in effortlessly. The closer I get to him, the faster my heart beats.

He's annoyed about something. Maybe even angry? I'm not sure, but he looks at me and I can see the fire burning in his eyes.

"Get in." Atlas said with a cold tone that I was slightly taken aback. It was the same tone he used to talk to me with before... you know... everything.

So much for no longer having that rogue status. I don't know what the hell happened since the few hours we didn't talk to each other until this morning, but there had to be something if Atlas is acting as if he didn't just confess to want me so badly he was willing to share me with his brothers.

I felt shivers run down my spine at how loudly he slammed the door on me as soon as I sat on the front seat. Something was wrong with Atlas, but I don't know what and I'm not sure I have the guts to ask him about it.

So, as expected, the drive to the café was possibly the most uncomfortable thing I had to experience. Even more uncomfortable than that time we were both forced to ride to the academy together and that's saying a lot. When Atlas stopped the car by the sidewalk, I didn't know if I should just get out without saying a word to him or talk to him.

But the few minutes of agonizing silence told me enough - he did not want to talk.

And so without uttering a single word, I turned around and was about to unlock the door only to be completely shocked when Atlas grabbed my arm and pulled me to him and I collided with his lips.

Oh.

Oh.

My mind went completely blank as I focused on the intensity of his kiss. His one hand is at the back of my neck as if to stop me from moving away from him, and the other is holding onto my face as he dug his tongue to explore deeper into my mouth.

This kiss is different. It seems so much more than just him wanting to kiss me, but as if he's trying to tell me things through it. Things he can't say to me now or words that he can't replace that he has to use his mouth and his tongue to let me know that he's still here. That he doesn't want me to feel left out, but there are things in his life that he just can't explain for now.

When he pulls away, my body shudders at the loss of contact. He placed his forehead against mine and I can feel his breath on my skin. He has both his hands around my jaw, keeping me close to him as if I would disappear if he lets me go.

"I can't stay away from you..." He said with a deep and raspy voice that had me melting on the seat.

"Why do you want to? Why are you pushing me away?" I asked, surprised that I was even able to.

Atlas shakes his head, his forehead rubbing against mine as he pushes himself closer to me. It's almost as if he wants us to become one.

"It's... it's complicated, baby... I... I'm f****d up and I can't have you the way I want to... The way I need you..." He licked his lips and bit them just as his thumb gently caressed my lips before planting a gentle kiss at the top of my head.

I moaned softly at his touch, closing my eyes to really feel him before one day, I no longer can.

"Is... is that why you gave me the rogue status?"

Atlas moved back when he heard my question as his brows furrowed into confusion and this to me made me feel unsure.

"Um... you did give it to me, didn't you? That's why everyone's been ignoring me and that's why Stefanie and her friends have been treating me like s**t?"

The confusion on Atlas' face immediately turned into anger before he spoke loudly. "She's been what?! What f*****g rogue status? I haven't done that s**t a long, long time ago and even then I didn't really do much. It was just some crap Wes and I made up and considered a joke. What exactly did Stefanie tell you?"

I blinked at Atlas in shock. "She told me that whoever you deem as such is an outcast and can be treated however they want to. Wait, are you sure you had no idea?"

"No, Suri, for f**k's sake, of course not. I mean-" Atlas shakes his head as he pushes his hair back in frustration. "I know I acted like I wanted you gone and I'm not going to lie, I did think about that, but I just-" He sighed as his eyes focused on mine and the intensity in his look almost felt like he was looking right through me.

"I just couldn't do that to you. Even back then, no matter how pissed off you made me... I couldn't hurt you, baby. I couldn't." Atlas confessed just before he lifted my chin up to his face and kissed me again.

And I wished so desperately at that moment that we could stay here forever. In this car. Me and him. Our lips intertwined together as we kissed in a way that I have never been kissed before.

It was sad, but it was loving at the same time. Longing, but scared, and somehow also at peace.

There were so many raw emotions connected to it that I almost felt myself wanting to open up and show Atlas who I am. Who I really am. Who I've been, where I've been, and so many more things I was afraid of letting other people see in fear of being abandoned. But not with him. Not at this moment.

Unfortunately, all things must come to an end as Atlas' phone started to ring and he instantly pulled away to mutter a curse under his breath.

He looked at it for a quick second before turning to me with the look of a torn man in his eyes.

"I'm sorry, I have to go. I'll see you on the weekend, okay? And about Stefanie, I can take care of it. I'll-"

"No," I cut him off. "I can do it. I... I want to do it. Trust me. I'll be fine." I reassured him and there was a flicker of hesitation in his eyes before he gave me a small smile and nod.

When I was out of his car, standing on the sidewalk, Atlas rolled down the window and looked like he was about to say something.

"Suri," he said my name like he never wanted to say another name again.

"Hm?" I stood there, hopeful and anxious of what it was.

His mouth opened and stayed like that for a few seconds, but then he cleared his throat and gave me a faint smile instead.

"If anyone else bothers you, don't hesitate to tell Wes or Devon. I'll take care of them for you when I'm back, but my brothers are good enough as a sub." He said with a grin that lightened up the mood a little, but I could still tell that he was hiding something. Whatever he was about to say there, he took it back.

Now I don't think I'll ever replace out what it was.

-

Another indicator that my life has now really been turned into a full 180 is that I loved my job. My boss wasn't always just ordering me around and screaming at me, but instead she loved giving me reassuring compliments and was patient when it came to things I still needed to learn.

"I'm going to miss you this weekend, my little helper." Maria said as she cut stems of some flowers.

At this angle, where she's turned her head to the side as she is engrossed by what she's doing and her hair is tied up into a bun, she looked a lot like my mom and my heart tugged at that thought.

"Will you have someone to help you around? I can stay if you want because I don't want you to have to work alone."

"Nonsense, child. I'll be perfectly fine, and yes, I will have a sub come in, so don't worry. You have a marvelous weekend. It's those Wolfe boys' birthdays and I'm sure they would want you there." Maria said with a hint of playfulness in her tone and this made my cheeks blush.

Did they? They didn't really say much about me going. Not unless you can count Wes asking if he could see the swimsuits I was going to pack or Dev saying our rooms were right next to each other.

The boys and their assertiveness, Dev's specifically, was something I definitely have yet to get used to.

Oh and then there was Atlas somewhat saying he couldn't wait for the weekend. I just wasn't sure if he meant for his birthday or to see me again.

I shrugged my shoulders at Maria. "I guess..."

She gave me that smile that adults do when they know something only you can know if you've experienced more than your average teenager. "They're good to you?"

Her question surprised me, but I managed to give her a shy nod.

Her smile lit up her face. "Lucky girl," she said with a wink and turned around, focusing on her flowers as she hummed a tune.

I have no idea what she meant by that, but it did make me feel giddy inside.

Was I lucky? Or was it the other way around?

My heart says the former, but my newfound confidence says it's the latter.

-

The upside of being in the honor classes is that nobody seems to mind anybody because they're too busy trying to get to the top of the class to even care.

That means I'm invisible to everyone, but in a way that I like.

Except, of course, when I ended up becoming the top of the class, which was the spot every single one in this class was vying for.

And frankly, I would never have in a million years expected to get it either, but I guess all those late night studying paid off. It turns out the only reason I never really excelled in my old schools was because I never had the time, since I had to prioritize keeping a roof over my head.

"Congratulations, Suri. Keep it up." The honor class teacher, Mrs. Filemona said with a proud smile.

"Uh, th- thank you." I said shyly.

But deep down, I was really proud of myself.

From barely keeping up with my classes to suddenly being at the top really meant a lot to me and it showed that my life was definitely finally coming together.

I had no idea that it could even happen and there were times that I felt like giving up as I kept losing hope that things would never become better for me, but now I'm glad I didn't because if I did, I wouldn't have been able to see and experience how good it is now.

I wouldn't have met Keith. I wouldn't have met my friends. And of course, I wouldn't have met the brothers who though were such dicks to me in the beginning, if I hadn't stood my ground and left, I wouldn't have gotten close enough to them and realized how important they were going to be in my life, too.

When the bell rang, signaling the end of classes for the day, I had almost forgotten what I was so excited for until I walked out and saw Wes waiting outside by my locker.

I texted him to meet me here without any other reason so he's looking at me like he's waiting for something from me. I don't think we're on the same chapter here, let alone the same book.

I realized I was right when I stepped in front and he was leaning forward to me, seemingly to give a kiss, and I quickly placed my Spanish book in front of his face and he ended up kissing that instead.

"Buen beso (good kiss)?" I joked as I pulled away the book and he was giving me a look.

"Laugh it off, chica. You won't be acting so smug once I've got you all alone and those jamóns of yours are wide open for me." He said before licking his lips and his blue eyes looked like they were undressing me.

Good lord almighty, not right now.

"Shut up, Wes." I managed to change the topic as I gently punched his arm. "I texted you because I need your help on something."

He raised a brow at me. "And what could that be, honey bee?" He said with a mischievous grin.

Damn him for looking so good at whatever expression he makes.

I shoved those thoughts away before tip-toeing so I could reach his ear level to whisper. "I need to get inside the varsity girls' locker room."

Wes let out a loud laugh that made almost everyone in the hallway turn to us, prompting me to put my hand in his mouth to shut him up. "Be quiet or else everyone will be suspicious!"

The moment the look in his eyes turned devious, I knew I had just made a mistake by doing this in public because not a second later, he took my hand on his mouth and used it to pull me towards him, making me hit his chest. He wrapped his arm around my waist and looked down at me with so much want in his eyes.

"Trust me, baby boo, that's the least of their concerns right now. You could say whatever the f**k you want and once I kiss you right here, they'd forget everything in seconds." Wes said and the movement of his lips was making me blush like crazy and tempting me to actually say yes to his proposal.

I shake my head to get out of my own fantasies before this all gets out of hand.

Nope, nope, nope. Priorities, Suri!

"Thanks, but no thanks, Wessie. Now are you going to help me or should I just ask Dev instead?" I gave him a raised brow as I wriggled my way out of his hold.

"No, I can do it. I'll do it. Come on before I haul your pretty a*s up over my shoulders." He said with a grin and shot me a wink just as he lightly tapped my a*s, making my cheeks burn in seconds.

Good god, these brothers are going to be the death of me.

I followed Wes as we went outside the academy. I had no idea where we were going, but I trusted Wes knew what he was doing. I mean, I did ask him for help for a reason. It's because he's the one who I'm sure has/had various rendezvous in that place and I needed to replace a hidden way in and out in order to remain undetected.

The curious eyes that followed us wherever we went were not hard to miss, though, but as long as they didn't know what we were doing together then it was fine with me.

When we reached the back of the gym, I finally realized why we took this route. There was a backdoor entrance for the cleaners.

Oh my god, this sneaky little s**t. This has been the entrance and exit he's been using this whole time.

I definitely asked the right person for this job.

"So, are you going to tell me why we're here or do I have to kiss it out of you?" He asked as he suddenly pinned me against the backdoor and my heart practically jumped out of my chest.

"Wes! Not now! I'm- I'm on a time-critical mission here." I exclaimed and he let out a low chuckle before backing away from me.

"Alright, my bad, little miss mission impossible. Is this about Stef and her diamond army?"

I gave him a nod as I tightened my grip on the bag that was slung on my shoulder.

A grin curved up his lips and his eyes twinkled with amusement.

"Naughty, naughty girl." He said with a tempting gaze that I had to tell myself to focus on my mission which is definitely not to make out with Wes.

"You're... not going to stop me?" I asked with a tilted head.

Honestly, I also debated whether or not I was going to ask Wes since he had 'history' with her, but I figured f**k it and just went with it. Now I wanted to know what their deal really was.

"Me? Stop you? I'd pay to f*****g watch you do whatever it is you plan on doing to those girls. Just so you know, I don't and never cared about any of the girls that have come and gone in my life." Wes explained and I wondered where he was going with this sudden confession.

"You, however..." And then he took a sharp inhale as his face lowered down to me, our lips an inch apart, but he didn't let it touch, making the ache in me grow stronger.

His hand lifted me to face him, his eyes staring at me with so much eagerness and desire that my mind was going crazy of the things he could do to me right here.

"You're different, and I'd burn the whole world down for you and make sure not a single flame touches your pretty skin."

Shudders traveled all throughout my body as his fingers trailed my collarbone.

Fuuuuuckkk meeeee, why does he have to do this now?! I can't even enjoy this because I have to finish what I came here for!

"Wes-" I said and he pulled away, much to my disappointment.

"I know, I know. Your mission impossible awaits. Go forth, my naughty girl. And maybe after, we can celebrate." Wes said before taking my breath away with just one haste kiss that made me yearn for more, but alas, as Wes said, my mission awaits. And so, I turned around, and entered the girls' locker room as quietly as possible.

Amusement flooded my face and excitement reigned in my veins when I saw exactly what I was looking for and interestingly enough, it was like it was waiting for me, ready for what I was about to do.

A devious grin broke through my face.

Just you wait and see, 'Queens'. I'm about to give you all a royal pain in the a*s, exactly as each one of you deserve.