Fragmented bond

“Oh, sorry. I didn’t realize you had company,” Felix said, but I was still unable to see him.

A gasp slipped free as I made the connection. The only reason Felix would be here and Atlas would be hesitant to share his family tree, was if he was Lukas’ older brother. The one from a different mother. I never heard his name since Lukas despised him and rarely spoke of him. He once made some pointed barbs about him when I was at his family’s house for dinner, but that was the extent of him mentioning his brother.

I could tell from the looks his family members shared, they were annoyed, but used to this. After Lukas’ comment, none of his family members ever mentioned his brother again, ensuring I’d never know his name.

Atlas nodded at the myriad of shock painted across my face. A muscle ticked in his jaw from how hard it was clenched and I knew the feelings of hatred were mutual. During our time together, he never said Lukas’ name. I had just assumed he’d done so to avoid sending me down into a spiral. It also explained how he knew what happened since when I asked others, they hadn’t known Lukas had cheated on me or rejected me.

From the way he searched my face as I struggled through this new revelation, it was clear he was checking to see if I was upset about this. I wasn’t. He never explicitly lied and it wasn’t like we spent too much time talking about him. In all honesty, I understood why he kept it to himself. Not only would he have wanted to avoid causing me any pain, but I had a feeling he didn’t like others knowing they were related. Now, if they had a close relationship and he had kept it a secret, I would’ve been pissed.

As his father approached, Atlas set me on my feet, and I felt a hint of worry about how Felix would react. The last time I saw him I was sort of mated to his other son and was discussing where we wanted our mating ceremony. I didn’t know if he’d been aware of his son’s cheating and manipulative ways. I’d been too scared to find out since I wasn’t sure I could handle discovering another had lied straight to my face. Felix had always been so nice to me that it would fucking hurt if it was all a lie.

What would he think about this situation? Would he think me a whore for moving on to his oldest?

Atlas stepped out of the way so I could see his father. He remained close, coming to stand at my side, and kept an arm wrapped around my waist. Felix was shorter than Atlas, but his build was bulkier. His eyes briefly widened as they met mine, but other than that, he didn’t seem surprised as he came to a stop a few feet in front of me. I briefly wondered if he knew about mine and Atlas’ history.

I held completely still as his dark purple eyes—so dark they were nearly black—flicked between Atlas and me.

The smile he’d always been quick to give me made an appearance, softening the harsh lines of his face. “It’s so good to see you again, Thea.” I could’ve sighed in relief at his genuine and warm reception. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d ever show up.” His grin became mischievous as he shot Atlas a look.

The humor vanished from his expression as his gaze returned to me. “I’m so sorry for everything that happened. I hadn’t known until afterward, but I’m ashamed that my own son could do such a thing. Agnes and I thought we raised him better than that.”

A couple of years ago, I would’ve tensed at the mere mention of all that went down, but not anymore. I was proud to say I was almost completely unaffected. It had been a long and difficult journey, but in the end, it was worth it.

Hitting rock bottom had been as awful as you would imagine, and I never wanted to go through anything like that ever again, but it made me stronger. I had to rebuild myself and in doing so, I wasn’t the same weak girl who gave up in the forest that fateful day.

“We should get Thea out of the heat,” Atlas said, rubbing circles along my lower back and saving me from having to respond. Something I was grateful for since I had no clue what to say—other than calling Lukas a bunch of swear words that I doubted Felix would appreciate.

Felix went in ahead of us, and I still couldn’t believe this was happening. There weren’t any resemblances between Lukas and Atlas. Their facial features were completely different, with Atlas’ being more chiseled. But now that I knew they were related, I could easily see some of the similarities between Atlas and Felix. The similarities in their facial shapes were obvious, and that was why I’d been so quick to realize how they were related.

“I know you have many questions, and I will answer them when we don’t have an audience,” Atlas murmured, holding my gaze until I nodded in acceptance. He guided me to the house, where an audience awaited us. I sure picked an interesting day to show up.

The interior of his house was warm and inviting. All of the furniture was varying shades of blues and greens. In the living room was Agnes, Lukas’ mom, sitting on a small sofa next to Felix. A kind smile lit her face as soon as she saw me. She came to stand before me, not hesitating as she pulled me into a tight hug. “You look well. I’ve been worried about you these past few years.”

She didn’t need to give any explanation as to why she hadn’t contacted me to see how I was doing. It was clear she hadn’t been sure if it would’ve been welcome, or if it would’ve only served to hurt me more.

After some pleasantries and asking how Mira was—obviously we didn’t speak about her shitty son—she returned to the sofa and without Agnes as a distraction, my gaze was drawn to the other woman. She was sitting on one of the many cushy chairs, her silver eyes on me. Unlike Agnes and Felix, she was an elemental.

“Thea, this is my mom,” Atlas murmured to me.

“You can call me, Irene.” Her voice was lilting and pleasant, and I had a feeling she had a beautiful singing voice.

I was stunned, having not been expecting all of this. It was more than a little overwhelming and terrifying.

Irene’s expression was hard to read as she continued observing me, and I was utterly terrified of what she thought of me. A small sigh of relief escaped me when her gaze lifted from me and landed on Atlas. “I was beginning to think she’d never show,” she finally said, a smile lifting her lips and softening her features.

“That’s exactly what I said,” Felix said with a light chuckle.

I glanced up at Atlas, noting that both of his parents had alluded to him not only waiting for me but that he clearly told them about me. He let out an exasperated sigh as he tipped his head back to look up at the ceiling.

“You’ve been talking about me?” I tried to keep the smile from my face but failed.

From my peripheral vision, I saw Irene open her mouth to answer and probably say something to embarrass her son. “Don’t you dare,” Atlas said, not looking her way, but there wasn’t any aggression. If anything, there was a light playful quality to it.

“I’m sorry for just showing up out of the blue and interrupting.” Even though it seemed like they hadn’t minded, I still felt weird standing here with the parents of the man who destroyed me, and Atlas’ mother.

Atlas’ arms tightened around my waist, pulling my back flush against his chest as he rested his chin on top of my head. Rather than be embarrassed by his public display of affection, I was too busy feeling the buzz of excitement and contentment at being in his arms once more.

“Nonsense, we’re thrilled to have you here. I’m just so happy I’m finally able to meet you.” Irene waved away my apology. I could tell she wasn’t saying that to be polite. She was genuinely happy for me to be here.

“We were waiting for Mira to show up for dinner,” Agnes said, letting me know I wasn’t intruding.

As if mentioning her name summoned her, Mira came into the room from behind us. The fifteen-year-old halted when she saw me, her gaze bouncing back and forth between Atlas and me. Before I could wonder if Atlas had also told her about me, or worry she’d judge me, she threw her head back and laughed.

Well, that wasn’t what I was expecting. “Serves that fucker right; I couldn’t think of a better revenge myself,” she finally said once she got her laughter under control, wiping a tear from her face. “Can I please be the one to tell him?”

“Mira,” Agnes chastised, but it was marred by the smile she failed to hide.

Mira’s words hadn’t sat right with me. They made it seem like I was a petty bitch and was only here as a fuck you to Lukas. Which couldn’t have been further from the truth. Not only had I not known they were siblings, but I wouldn’t be with someone just to annoy him. I’d already let him and his actions take too much from me.

When I put him behind me, it hadn’t been pretty words. I meant it. I wouldn’t waste any more time or energy on him.

“Just so you know, I’ve always thought he was the dumbest fucker in the realm for letting you go and throwing away the best thing that ever happened to him. I hope he’s miserable; it’s only fitting,” Mira said casually with a flippant shrug.

“Thanks?” It wasn’t that I didn’t appreciate her words, but this whole situation was already awkward enough.

“We should eat before she starts listing all the ways she thinks her brother is a fuckup,” Felix said, shaking his head with a small smile.

Based on the way his sister talked about him, and how their parents barely chastised her, it was easy to guess Lukas had lost their respect. A petty part of me was thrilled by this. That when he took from me, he also lost something in return.