There he stood with his backpack on his back and crutches in his hand. Niel had no idea where to go. He walked for a while when he thought Lucas would be his best option. His friend's place was far away from him, but Niel had no other option, unfortunately.
Lucas didn't live in the suburbs like most of the people did in Wheaperlyn Lake, his parents had their own bookstore in town and they lived above it. At the same time, it was also the only bookstore in town and a very popular one that. It was because when Lucas' parents found out Young Adults books were the favorite genre of teenage girls they had hit a jackpot. This was also in Lucas' favor. Girls were coming to his house without even asking for something the hormonal teenager was very happy about.
Niel wasn't even halfway through the suburbs when he felt exhausted. His hands started to blister and the muscles in his arms started to cramp. He sighed in relief when he saw a bench in the distance.
When he plopped down exhaustion hit him like a brick in the face and he didn't know if he could get up anymore. It was then it slowly came to Niel that he wasn't welcome home anymore. He didn't have a home anymore to flee to, to find rescue to. He felt too numb to let realization hit but sad he was. The teenage boy sat there for almost an hour, staring into space.
Niel was brought back to reality, however, when a car drove up to him. His head snapped to the jeep that was coming closer and closer. By the looks of the car Niel had only one person in mind, still, he wished it wasn't true. Silently Niel hoped it would be the crappy car of Lucas, the car he had bought from some old man that wasn't in a good condition but the only one he could effort.
The jeep stopped right in front of him and Niel managed to make out two silhouettes in the front seats. The engine was cut off and soon both car doors opened and there he was. The very same person who ruined Niel's life.
"Please go away," The teenager pleaded.
Atlas walked up to Niel and crouched down, concerned to find his mate in this state. Behind him stood Levi watching over the area. "What happened? Why are you out here and not at home?"
Niel closed his eyes, not in the mood for anything. The only thing he wanted was to be left alone. "Just go."
"Not before you tell me why you are here with a packed bag all by yourself."
Atlas stood up and crossed his arms, raising his brows. Soon other creatures might find out Niel was his mate and would become therefore a target, meaning he would be in danger when alone. The need to protect Niel increased by the minute because of that.
Niel on the other hand didn't understand that, didn't even know he could be a possible target to beings he had never heard of who would be way more dangerous than werewolves.
"If you are really wondering what happened... I got kicked out because of you." Saying it out loud was even worse than thinking of it, Niel thought.
"Kicked out? What do you mean?"
Niel sighed. "I mean kicked out of the house, meaning I have no home now, so thanks a lot...not."
Atlas' face softened. He tried to grab his mate's hands, trying to comfort him. Niel didn't appreciate that, however. He yanked his hands out of his grip and looked away.
"All right, how about you come with us? You can move into your old room."
Niel's eyes widened. "No! First of all, it was never my room to begin with. Second I am not coming with you. You only give me trouble. Stay away from me!"
It was now Atlas who sighed. "It wasn't an option, Niel." With that, the big guy took the backpack and moved it into the car. "Come."
Niel couldn't believe what was happening. Atlas never was the person who listened to him, but he was always friendly about it. But this kind of controlling behavior was something he hadn't witnessed before and it scared him. It also didn't help that Atlas wore a tight short-sleeved shirt that defined every muscle and with his hair tied up he could see his clenched jaw, indicating Atlas didn't have much patience for him anymore.
When Niel didn't move immediately Atlas took the crutches and gave them to Levi. "What are you doing?" Niel questioned but remained unanswered. Atlas picked him up and put Niel in the car. The teenage boy was perplexed. Intimidated by the werewolf's actions he stayed silent.
Upon arrival at the big mansion, Levi took Niel's stuff and Atlas wanted once again to carry his mate. Even though Atlas didn't thoroughly enjoy the disobedience from the youngster and had to act more dominant with him, Atlas felt great joy to have his mate in his arms. And even felt great pleasure Niel submitted to him when he acted more dominant with him.
Niel didn't let him, this time. He moved his body away from Atlas in the hopes the big guy would take a hint. "Niel, how do you want to get inside without your crutches?
"I will find a way."
"No you won't," And without a second thought, Atlas leaned forward and took his mate in his arms. Niel tried to escape but failed every time. "I suggest you keep still."
Niel looked at Atlas for a second and then kept on going, trying to wriggle out of his supposedly mate's arms.
Atlas had enough. In one swift movement, he threw Niel over his shoulder and kept on walking, entering the mansion. Niel was too surprised to react. A wave of silent anger rose inside the teenager's body. The way he was manhandled he could not even phantom right now. The only thing he was glad about was there was no one to witness how much his ego was being crushed right now.
When they entered 'his' room Atlas carefully put his mate on the bed. The werewolf could see he had struck a nerve, but the beast inside of him needed Niel to listen to him. Atlas' wolf wasn't one who took orders from others and needed submission, especially from his mate.
The human side of Atlas, however, could also understand how extremely overwhelming everything was to Othniel. He wanted nothing more but the rock in his mate's life to hang on to. "I apologize if I came off too strong."
Niel stayed silent.
"Niel-"
"Just go away."
"Niel I didn't mean to upset you, I-"
"Go away!" Atlas could see the glisten over Niel's eyes. The joy to be finally close to his mate made him forget that Niel might have one of the worst nights of his life. And it was the worst night in Niel's life. Him being kicked out was the ultimate answer to his question if he had disappointed his parents. He felt like he failed his father, mother, big brother, and mostly his younger sister. She would be now all alone with their parents, having to be the perfect example to show the residents of Wheaperlyn lake my parents didn't fuck up with their parenting.
When Niel was alone he curled up on the bed and silently cried as he finally let all his emotions in and tried to process everything that happened to him over the past two weeks. His life had literally hit rock bottom.
The next morning when Atlas came to check up on Niel he didn't answer his questions. Atlas had asked how he was feeling, if he felt like going to school or if he was hungry. The questions remained unanswered, however. Niel ignored him completely.
It happened again in the evening.
And again the following day.
And the day after that.
When the third day had arrived Atlas had enough. He felt like he gave Niel enough space and now it was time for the youngster would take care of himself again and try to move on with his life.
"All right this gone on long enough." Atlas opened the curtains, which made Niel turn around, away from the light. Atlas then went to the bathroom and Niel could hear shortly after that the sound of running water. Soon Niel felt the arms of his mate encircling his body, picking him up.
The teenage boy had no energy left in him to fight and let Atlas do whatever he wanted. He could feel how they moved around and soon they entered the bathroom where he was put on the toilet seat.
"I am running a baht for you, do you need my help or can I leave you alone?" Atlas asked softly. His voice was soothing and just above a whisper. Niel didn't respond again, however. The big guy took that as a sign and carefully undressed him, leaving his briefs on.
When undressed Niel was carefully put in the warm water. Atlas took great care of his mate, washing his hair and body, and talking softly to Niel in the hopes he would respond.
Niel, on the other hand, was gone. He had locked himself up mentally in a place where he couldn't feel anything, so he didn't have to face reality. Niel didn't want to believe that the life he once had was gone. He wished so badly everything could return to normal. A life where he was still captain of the soccer team, he had good grades, was liked by his peers, his parents were proud of him, maybe even had a girlfriend, didn't know about the werewolf world, and most importantly a life where his big brother had transgendered to a woman and was still alive.
It was when Niel felt a tingling feeling on his forehead, like tiny electric shocks he came back to the land of the living. It was a pair of lips that kissed his forehead. "What are you doing?" He asked.
"Ah, you're back. I began to get worried." Niel could see the worry in Atlas' dark brown eyes. From a far point of view, people might say they were black. But with the right lighting, you could see they weren't black and had some light to them.
When Niel noticed he had made eye contact he immediately looked down. It was then he saw the predicament he was in as he looked down at his now wet briefs. "Are you some kind of pervert?" Niel asked shocked and angry.
Atlas stood immediately up. "What?! No! You weren't responsive to anything the past three days, I just hoped a bath would help out. And don't you think you would be naked if I were a pervert, which I am not." He stressed again.
He had a point, Niel thought.
"Will you give me some privacy now?"
"Yeah, yeah, of course. Clothes are on the counter, meet me downstairs. I will have something to eat for you ready." And with that Atlas left the bathroom.
Once he was alone Niel felt even more lost than he already was.