The Taste of Seduction

Meredith knew too well that it was never in Atlas\' nature to snap at her. He was always a soft-spoken, sweet man--a man who always loved her wholeheartedly and would ask for nothing else but her love and loyalty.

But she knew that she couldn\'t blame his reaction either. It was normal given that Atlas gave his complete love and dedication to her. Atlas never wanted her to be near Marcus given that he also has strong romantic desires for her.

They even talked about their interaction--how Atlas warned her about Marcus, for Pete\'s sake! Yet upon his touch, upon his kiss… before she even knew it, she succumbed to him.

"Fuck it, Meredith…" she whispered to herself, remembering the disappointment, anger, and hurt mixed in the eyes of the man she chose and love, Atlas. "Why couldn\'t I resist?"

Remembering Atlas\' order, she frustratingly removed her clothes. She stared at her reflection on the mirror, meeting her own eyes. She rested both of her hands on the sink before her, the woman seemingly talking to herself--scolding herself.

\'You can\'t always blame the bond between you and Marcus, Meredith… maybe we should also look for ways on how to control oneself,\' she thought, rolling her eyes at herself even. \'I\'d give a gajillion gold for that if there is an easy way to do it--to break the bond even.\'

Meredith then let out a sigh and went towards the bathtub as she decided to take a bath as well. A warm bath should do to relax her nerves as well other than taking off the scent Marcus left on her.

She let out another sigh as well when she realized she had to dispose of the clothes she just wore and wear new ones to satisfy and make it up with the angry Atlas…

Meredith stared at the bathtub being filled up with warm water. She cocked her head to the side as she was now pulled in deep thought, wondering what could be done with her bond with Marcus.

Since Atlas is angry with her, she decided that having some time apart while she bathed would maybe help him calm down. Besides, she needed to reflect on her mistakes and think of ways on how to remove, or at least weaken, her bond with Marcus.

Meredith turned off the faucet. She dipped her left foot first to get a feel of the water, before entering the tub then slowly submerging herself to let the water hit her skin. She let out a sigh of relief and closed her eyes the moment she rested her back on the tub then allowed herself to reflect.

---

Almost half an hour had passed since Meredith entered the bathroom to get rid of Marcus\' smell off her. And Atlas could tell since the whiff of him in the air and on the body of Meredith from the bathroom started to go away.

Atlas stared out the window, his angry expression never leaving his face. His lips were in a tight line, his eyebrows creased together as well as he remembered the kiss Marcus and Meredith shared.

If only he was not blocked off by Marcus, he would have shred him to pieces and wouldn\'t even care what Meredith would feel if she saw what he did to him.

He loves her to bits, for fuck\'s sake! Imagine trusting her and believing that nothing would happen. Yet before his eyes, he saw how Marcus took advantage of her kindness and kissed her.

What hurt and broke his heart more was the sight that Meredith gave in to the kiss and enjoyed it, and had forgotten that he was with them--watching.

Meredith had completely forgotten that Atlas trusted her and her words. She had completely forgotten about the talk of them getting married after all this. She was completely brainwashed. She acted as if he was not really around!

Atlas\' jaw clenched. Heaven forbid, he even felt like crying seeing the woman he loves kiss another man after having an intimate talk with each other. He knew that this memory would forever be etched in his mind.

How could he ever forget?

But he also knew that Meredith was surprised as well. She was under the influence of the bond she shared with Marcus. But even though he knew that as a fact, Atlas still acknowledged the pain in his heart. Of course, he just couldn\'t brush off his pain. The heart wants what it wants. And it\'s her.

It will always be her.

Always… Meredith.

"Atlas…"

The werewolf snapped out of his thoughts when he heard her call out his name. He even felt her arms wrap around his waist from behind, the man slightly frozen from where he stood.

He had not sensed her at all--not even smelled her scent. It made Atlas realize that he was vulnerable to his emotions that he didn\'t even know that she was done and was coming.

"I know that words are futile with what you\'ve seen but--" she buried her face on his back, trying her best to hold back her tears. "--I\'m sorry, I truly am."

Atlas had not said a word. He felt a lump in his throat, doing his best not to cry as well. Heck, he knew he\'s an Alpha and that he is a powerful fighter at that… but trying not to cry is indeed a challenge, too.

Even then, he still didn\'t dare show this to Meredith. Deep down, he\'s still angry at her. But will he be, though, forever? Will he be able to forgive her and be convinced that she meant it--her apology?

He didn\'t dare move an inch--didn\'t even dare to speak a word as well. However, what she said next made his eyes widen, not something that he\'d expect from her.

"I\'ll do it… break the bond between me and Marcus. We will find the book I promise."