Dangerous Desires

Is She Crazy or What?

Atlas

The woman was stunning, even as soaked and bloodied as she appeared. Atlas couldn't stop staring. She was the smallest thing he'd ever come across since moving to the White Paw pack as a teenager; the people of the town were all large, including the females, though they did still have a slight height difference in comparison to the males. Still, it had been a while since Atlas had come across any human women, so it had shocked him to find one roaming across his lands during the storm while wearing a dress that looked like it weighed a hundred pounds before getting soaking wet.

With her raven black hair shining nearly violet, with electric blue streaks running through the tresses, and large silver eyes that seemed to glow every time lightning strikes, it was hard to imagine the little human as anything but ethereal. Even so, he couldn't help but wonder where she had come from dressed the way she was, or what had caused the mess of blood turning the purple fabric dark red in some areas.

When he had felt the surge of power flash across his land, Atlas had been concerned. He'd been living on the ranch his parents had purchased when he'd been a teenager after they died, and hadn't ever felt the kind of power that he'd experienced an hour before. He'd been concerned and decided to investigate while his son Aaron had been asleep upstairs. Atlas couldn't risk this being some form of attack, though who would attack them he hadn't the faintest idea. There had been power struggles between the witches and warlocks in neighboring areas the last few years, but Atlas had made sure to keep his family out of it after his wife had left them a few months back because she had fallen in love with a warlock in the next town over.

Anyway, when Atlas felt the power surge, he had been quick to ward his house before leaving to investigate... only to come across the woman stumbling through his forest during the storm. He couldn't decide if it was some kind of trap or ploy to get him off his lands, since they were nearing the border that separated his ranch from the state forest, so he followed her for a good half an hour.

The women had looked so haunted, lost in whatever memory that was causing her such grief, that it took her a while to realize she was being followed. He got the feeling that was not how she normally behaved once she refocused on her surroundings and immediately found where he'd been following at a distance

Just in case it had been a trap, Atlas had tried to appear threatening, to scare her into running off. She was human, after all. It wasn't every day you would come across a large, wild jungle cat. But instead, she had just started at him with a curious expression, before throwing attitude at him and asking what he wanted.

It was then that she got distracted and burned from a tree being set ablaze but a stroke of lightning. She let out a startle cry of pain, and his animal had not liked that at all. Neither had he, truth be told. He'd shifted back to his human form immediately to make sure she was okay, only for her to end up staring dumbstruck at him.

He wanted to snark at her for getting so distracted by his appearance. Yes, he knew he was attractive, and was used to women--human and shifter alike--throwing themselves at him, especially in the last six months since Maria left him and filed for divorce. So, it wasn't anything new to have someone stare at him the way this woman was, but really? Come on. Surely there was a time and a place for it, and during a dangerous storm, one where you had nearly been burned to death, wasn't that time or place.

Right?

It took a lot to not roll his eyes, but was appeased when she visibly shook herself and apologized before asking him what he had said in the first place.

He had to grin, though. While she didn't seem like the type to normally blush, he had to admit it was kind of adorable on her pixie like features.

That had been half an hour ago. Now, he was leading her back to his place, which wasn't very far all things considered. He wasn't sure if he should warn her about the rest of the houses occupants, though, or if he should warn them about her.

Just to be on the safe side, he lowered his mental shields. Incoming.

Immediately, he was flooded with the thoughts of men he considered brothers.

What's up? came Austin's reply.

Found a human woman wandering around our land, he replied. No idea where she came from, but she's a mess. I'm bringing her back now

Explain, came the gruff response of his twin, Keith.

You'll just have to wait and see for yourself.

Atlas noticed the woman giving him a quizzical side glance, though she didn't say anything.

"What?" he asked.

She frowned. "Nothing, I suppose. I've just never been to Earth before. You're the first person I've come across since arriving. You're kind of fascinating."

Atlas blinked. and blinked again. Come again? "What do you mean you've never been to Earth before?" Was this woman batty?

She arched a slender black brow at him in amusement. "You are a Beast, yes? Surely you know of the Realms that coexist with the Earth Realm?"

Before he could even begin to think up some kind of response to this woman's delirium, they approached his house as the front door was opening to reveal two of his three brothers.

She came to an abrupt halt at the sight of them, her back ramrod straight as she stared them down, almost the way a predator would when threatened by another.

Atlas watched her curiously as Austin and Keither made their way down the front steps over to them, their eyes entirely focused on the crazy woman next to him.

"Who is this?" Austin smiled warmly at her. His gaze moved over her entire body, taking in the blood stained dress and grime that covered her rain soaked body, before flicking to him in concern.

She remained silent, watching them carefully.

Keith frowned in thought, before stepping aside and gesturing towards the front door. "You're safe here, miss. Please, come in. We can find something for you to change into, and you can take a shower and get warm. No one here will harm you, I promise."

She seemed to think over his words for a few minutes before hesitantly nodding and slowly making her way up the front steps and throw their front door.

The three males exchanged confused frowns before following her inside.

Just who was this woman, how had she ended up on his land, and what had he just brought into their lives?