Hiding Atlantis

Chapter 7

"Renzo is arriving in 15 minutes. They had a meeting with the Alpha about Atlas' coronation next week. You can stay here for the night." said Elaine to me after Renzo, his mate, mindlinked him of his arrival.

Renzo is one of the pack warriors. He is two years older than us and they just met this year after Elaine turned 18 last May.

I felt my palms sweating when I remembered something. Werewolves can finally meet their mate once they turn 18. And my 18th birthday will be in a few days!

Elaine sensed the sudden shift of my emotion and reached out for my hand.

"I know what's going on with that pretty little head of yours." She said while smiling, trying to lift up my mood.

When she saw uneasiness on my face, her smile faded and was replaced by a more serious look.

" Are you worried about your mate?" She asked.

I looked at her, confirming her intuition.

"Well, the time has finally come to let us know if the ever so wonderful moon goddess followed your suggestion." She said jokingly.

Instead of smiling at her joke, I felt a tug on my chest.

"My suggestion is in vain anyway. Atlas is already in love with his chosen mate. I will only get hurt if I continue dreaming of him."

"Tsk, tsk. My dearest Liliana," Elaine suddenly stood up from sitting on the bed and pulled me towards her window where the beautiful waxing gibbous moon could be seen.

She held my chin and made me look at it before she stood next to me.

"The moon goddess has its own way of making things work, Liliana. I've told this to you before. Giving her suggestion is futile because she already has a plan for us even before we were born."

"The only thing you could do is to trust her. She knows what's best for us. She knows what's inside our hearts." she said and I nodded.

She opened her arms for me and I hugged her warmly as she combed my hair using her delicate fingers.

"Whoever your mate is, I know the moon goddess knows what she's doing." She whispered in my head and I finally smiled.

When she lets go of me , I can see that she's smiling as well.

"So... you're up for a sleepover?" She asked while giggling, making me laugh as well.

"Come on Liliana, stop standing there like a stick and join me here!" Elaine shouted at me while swimming.

I hesitantly looked at her direction before turning my head to the group of men and women gathered together in a distant part of the shore.

I closed my eyes fervently asking the moon goddess why, of all the days in a year, would I cross paths with Atlas and his friends just when...

"I thought you want to try wearing your first bikini? Why are you still standing there?" Elaine shouted again causing my heart to palpitate as I tried to motion her to keep silent.

She's been in the water for quite a long time now and I'm sure she was not aware that we're no longer alone here. I wanted to tell her to shut up and let just go but it's too late when I saw the heads of Alas and their friends turn towards us.

I'm pretty sure they heard what Elaine said so I immediately put my head down in embarrassment.

I can see my friend walking in my direction but I didn't dare raise my head in fear that I could see judgment from Atlas' eyes.

"I'm sorry I didn't know." Elaine whispered to me after she finally became aware of our surroundings.

"I-it's okay. We can come back some other day." I assured her before gently pulling her hand so we could finally leave.

Just when we're about to step out I heard loud footsteps running towards our direction.

I didn't dare to look back and tried to continue leaving when I felt a hand holding my arm trying to stop me from walking away.

"Liliana" Alas called me using his soft voice.

I heaved a sigh before turning my head to face him. I smiled awkwardly when our eyes finally met.

"I didn't know you guys were here. You should come join us." He offered while studying the features of my face.

"Maybe some other time. We're tired." I lied to him.

I saw the sudden shift of emotion from happiness to disappointment in his face after hearing my words.

"What do you mean tired? We just came here. You haven't even soaked your pinky toe in the water." Elaine said nonchalantly, causing me to turn my attention to her.

I asked her what she's doing through my facial expression but she just mouthed 'trust me' to me.

I tried to think of another excuse but when I turned and I saw the widely smiling face of Alas, I knew I can't say no to him anymore.

And with that, he guided me towards his friends while Elaine is on our back happily tailing us after her betrayal.

When we reached their spot, my breathing instantly hitched upon knowing that I got to be near Atlas again!

"You should thank me later." Whispered Elaine on my left but I chose to ignore her and her teasing.

"Liliana, glad to see you here." Altus, Atlas' brother, welcomed us.

I nodded at him, "Elaine and I came here to have a quick dip." I told him and his eyes traveled to my best friend who's still wearing her bikini.

"I can see that." He said before turning his eyes on me again.

"But why aren't you swimming then?" he asked again.

"I changed my mi–"

"She just changed. She's ready to take a dip now." Elaine answered, cutting me off.

"What are you doing?" I silently asked her through my mouth.

She came near me and out of the blue hugged me.

"Just trust me. I'm sure you'll thank me for this." She whispered so faintly that even I couldn't hear her well before I felt the cold breeze enveloping my body.

I looked at her in shock before my eyes went to her right hand where my dress is.

She. Ripped. It. Off.

My best friend ripped my dress in front of these guys. In front of Atlas!