Artemis Lupine- The Complete Series

by Catherine Banks

  Jason gasped, "No way. Asena's children were the only ones who were supposed to be able to do that."

  I frowned. "Who's Asena?"

  Jason and Gregory stared at me in shock. Gregory asked, "You don't know who Asena is?"

  "I told you that I didn't know I was a werewolf until yesterday. Your speech last night was the first I have heard about us."

  Gregory sighed. "I thought they were joking and just wanted me to talk. Alright. I'll have to tell you our story then."

  I smiled. "Okay." I adjusted myself so that I was a little more comfortable before he began.

  Gregory cleared his throat. "All of us that are born werewolves are descendants of the Mother of all werewolves, Asena. She, herself, was not a werewolf, but...I'm getting ahead of myself. A village was raided by soldiers, killing everyone but one infant, who the general took pity on and only gave the infant cuts on his arms and legs. Asena, a great she-wolf with grey fur and sky-blue mane saved the boy and nursed him back to health. The boy eventually impregnated her and she gave birth to ten boys. Those ten boys were half man, half wolf. The very first werewolves. They ruled over the Empire, but many of the boys became bored of their home and left to explore the world. They went to Iceland, Germany, Scotland, England and many other places. The men would mate with women in those countries, thus passing on their half wolf traits to their offspring. That's how we came about. There are some who came from Greece who claim that they are descendants of Lycaon who tried to trick Zeus into eating human flesh and then was turned into a wolf by Zeus, but I don't believe that. They are just descendants of Asena like us."

  I stared in disbelief of the story he had just said, but strangely it made sense. "Why are you killing all the humans now?"

  Gregory frowned. "During the medieval times in Europe, there was a rash of wolf killings. Instead of realizing the reason there were so many more wolf kills was that the wolf population had gotten out of control, they started the search for werewolves. Unfortunately for some of us, we really did exist and lived in Europe at that time. I don't know how the notion of werewolves got into their heads, but they started looking. Soon after that they started searching for witches as well. I had many witch friends who died. It was horrible. We all went into hiding then. Some of us managed to come to America and start over here, but others went into the sewers with the vamp...with the others."

  I shook my head. "What were you going to say?"

  He shook his head back at me. "I can't tell you that part yet. I'm sure soon, but not yet. Anyway, the others decided it had been long enough and we planned our take over. I give it three months before the world is completely taken over by us preternaturals."

  I shook my head. "What's a preternatural?"

  He sighed. "I'm telling you too much already. Preternatural means exceeding what is natural or regular. All races that possess gifts, as you humans call them, are called preternaturals. Basically, anyone that has characteristics that surpass natural human abilities is a preternatural."

  I nodded. "Like witches."

  Gregory smiled. "Yes, like witches. Now let's play some more thirteen."

  I smiled and nodded. "Alright. How long do you think it will be before Ares is back?"

  Gregory smiled. "I'm not sure, but you don't have to worry about Ares. He is the toughest of us. Did he tell you that's how he became prince?"

  I shook my head. "We haven't really talked much." I felt a blush starting and shook my head.

  Gregory sighed. "Well, I will let Ares tell you about the ways to become powerful." He picked up the cards on the floor and started shuffling them. I turned and saw that Jason was staring at me curiously.

  "What is it Jason?" I asked.

  He looked down. "Nothing."

  I laughed. "You can ask me whatever you want. I promise I won't get mad."

  Jason looked up and smiled. "I was just trying to remember where I saw purple eyes before."

  Gregory frowned. "Enough Jason."

  Jason sighed. "Alright."

  I frowned at Gregory. "What? Why can't he tell me where he has seen purple eyes before? It might help me find my mom."

  Gregory shook his head. "Sorry. We can't tell you that. When Ares wants to, he will."

  "Whatever. Let's play." I said to change the subject.

  We played for a few more hours, but the sunlight started to peek through the curtains, and I couldn't stay awake anymore. Jason fell asleep on the floor, snoring softly. I stood up and started to walk back to my room when I felt Ares. I threw the front door open and ran out on to the front porch. I looked around, but couldn't see him anywhere. I inhaled and could smell him. How the hell do I know it's him? Is this one of those weird things about being tied to him? I know he is here. Where is he? I continued to scan the yard and turned as Gregory came out.

  "What is it Artemis?" He asked me, looking around too.

  "Ares is here, I can feel him and smell him, but I can't see him."

  Gregory inhaled then nodded. "You're right. He must be close for me to be able to smell him, too. Come on, let's go look for him." I followed Gregory down the porch steps, still frantically searching for Ares. Gregory led us towards a large white warehouse and stopped me at the black metal door, "You can't come in here. I'll be right back."

  I inhaled deeply and jumped up and down. "He's in there. Hurry."

  Gregory stared at me strangely, but walked in the large warehouse, shutting the door tightly behind him. I paced back and forth in front of the door as I waited. People passed me with odd expressions on their faces, but I ignored them pacing back and forth and back and forth. Ten minutes passed, and I started to get worried as I reached for the door handle, the door swung open nearly hitting me in the face. Koda looked around and finally saw me standing next to him. He frowned. "What are you doing here?"

  I sighed. "I can feel Ares and smell him. What's wrong? Is he hurt?"

  Koda laughed and grabbed my shoulders stopping me from jumping around. "He's fine Artemis. Calm down. I'll go get him for you."

  "Why can't I come in? Gregory went to get him for me ten minutes ago."

  Koda sighed. "Just stay here, and I'll get him."

  I snarled and crossed my arms over my chest. "Fine, but you better hurry."

  Koda shut the door behind him as he went back inside.

  I picked up my pacing route as I waited yet again for Ares to come out. I walked a few feet away from the door then spun around as I heard it open.

  Ares stared at me then smiled and walked quickly towards me.

  I walked as fast as I could without running to him wrapping my arms around his neck as he wrapped his around my waist. "Are you okay?" I asked frantically.

  Ares nodded, inhaling my hair. "I am now."

  I sighed in happiness and pulled back to kiss him on the lips softly. He kissed me back, pressing harder. I pulled away and asked, "What's going on? Why didn't you come see me?"

  He frowned. "I was talking to our prisoner."

  I gasped, "Is it my dad? Was it him that was taking the humans to find the wolves?"

  Ares pulled away from me and nodded. "Yes, but your dad is not the prisoner I have. Darren got away before we could catch him."

  I sighed. "Does that mean you are going to go after him?"

  Ares shook his head. "I ran into Darius again and he said he will take care of it." I started to say something, but he held up his hand. "He promised not to kill him until you and I speak with Darren."

  "Thanks." I realized that I still had my arms wrapped around his neck and pulled away from him blushing.

  Ares laughed. "I wondered how long it would take you to pull away from me. I don't understand why you won't just enjoy it?"

  "Because I shouldn't have such strong feelings for you so soon. It's not normal."

  Ares smiled. "We aren't normal anyway. And by the way, Bret is doing well. We should be able to let him out tomorrow, to spend time with you."

  I smiled. "That's great. Thank you." I sighed an
d looked back up at Ares. "Is it true that you are one of the strongest of the werewolves?"

  Ares frowned. "Has Gregory been telling you stories?"

  "He explained about Asena and Lycaon, but said it was your choice to tell me about how you became prince and how that works."

  Ares smiled and extended his hand to me, waiting for me to take it. "I'll explain everything back in the house."

  I took his hand reluctantly, but once our skin touched, I felt much better. We walked in silence back to Gregory's house and into my bedroom, so Jason could sleep. I sat cross-legged on my bed, with my back against the headboard, as Ares closed the bedroom door.

  He sat down cross-legged facing me and smiled. "Alright, here it is. I come from a family of kings and queens who ruled humans in Europe. Of course, my ancestors are from Asena and that is where my slanted eyes are from.” He noticed my shocked face and whispered, “Yes, I saw you looking at them.” He shifted on the bed before continuing. “Anyway, I technically was a prince in Europe, but in the order of werewolves to be king or queen is by fighting. I fought my way up to Prince one hundred years ago, and have stayed there because no one has tried to fight me for that place. Darius just became king a few years ago, after defeating our old king. His wife, who happens to be my mother, got her place because her husband, the old king, made a decree that a king could choose his own queen or have the queen he wanted kill the old one or keep the current queen. Unfortunately for my mother Darius chose to keep her." Ares snarled as he finished his explanation.

  I gaped at him, "Darius killed your step-dad and is sleeping with your mom?"

  Ares snarled. "No one said they were doing anything like that. Although, sometimes the ruling pair do end up becoming a breeding pair. That is not the case with my mother and Darius."

  I shrugged and couldn’t help smiling a little. "Whatever helps you sleep at night."

  Ares sighed. "Anyway, I killed Darius' son to become prince and I think that was his motivation to become king."

  I asked, "Are you going to fight him to be king?"

  Ares laughed bitterly. "Someday, but not anytime soon."

  I stopped talking and stared at his thoughtful face. "Have you ever done modeling?"

  Ares smiled and nodded. "I actually did. When I lived in London, I did some modeling for money. Why would you ask that?"

  I blushed. "Don't make me say it."

  Ares crawled forward on his hands and knees until his face was just in front of mine. "I love that you blush for me."

  I looked up slowly, and my breath caught in my throat.

  He is too handsome.

  I reached out and stroked the side of his face with my hand. His muscles were hard as he clenched his jaw. I smiled. "Why are you clenching your jaw?"

  He slowly relaxed his jaw and whispered, "I am trying to hold myself back."

  I shook my head. "From what? I don't understand." I ran both my hands down the sides of his face and felt him clench his jaw again. I leaned forward and kissed the right side of his jaw softly. "Stop clenching your jaw."

  He relaxed his jaw then leaned forward kissing me on the lips. His lips were burning hot and all I wanted was to kiss him back. I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him back, letting him feel how much I wanted him. He grabbed my legs and uncrossed them pulling me down the bed so that I was lying under him. Our lips melted together as we kissed. I felt his joy and it was suddenly my own.

  Why had I been so reluctant to give into him?

  I heard the door open, but did not stop. Ares tried to pull away, but I held him in place, kissing him harder and flicking my tongue across his lips. He groaned and pulled away from me, jumping off the bed.

  I smiled at him then turned to the door.

  Bret stared at me with wide eyes and I watched as the hurt sank into his eyes.

  I sat up quickly and shook my head. "Bret, I…I didn't know you were there."

  Bret shook his head, looking at the ground. "I should have knocked. I'm sorry."

  He turned away to leave, and I jumped off the bed running to him. "Please don't...I'm sorry. I don't know what got into me."

  Ares sighed. "I'll leave you two to talk." He started to walk past me, but I saw the sadness in his eyes.

  "Ares, what's wrong?" I asked.

  Ares shook his head smiling. "I know you are young and inexperienced, so I won't hold tonight against you."

  I groaned. "What did I do?"

  Bret sighed. "You are trying to please both of us and can't, Artemis. You tell me that you don't know what came over you, that you weren't in your right mind, but that means that you are telling Ares that what happened wasn't what you wanted. Either way you are hurting one of us. Just tell us the truth, don't try to please us."

  I groaned and turned away from both of them. "I don't know what to say. Did I enjoy kissing Ares? Yes, but I didn't want it to happen in front of you, Bret."

  Ares cleared his throat. "I know that you want to talk, but I can't let you two be alone while he is still adjusting to his instincts."

  Bret growled. "I would never hurt her."

  I scoffed. "No, not hurt me, just eat me."

  Bret’s eyes widened and then turned to Ares. "Did I try to eat her?"

  Ares shook his head. "No, but you were saying that she smelled like food and that you were going to eat her. You didn't hurt her or touch her, though."

  Bret grimaced. "And that's because you protected her, right?"

  Ares nodded. "Yes, but you were not in your right mind."

  Bret sighed. "I don't want to talk to her in front of you."

  I turned to Ares. "Can we use the same deal that I had set up with you before?"

  Ares groaned. "I don't know why you are trying to be secretive with me, but I'll agree to it. Koda!"

  Koda appeared in the doorway without making a sound. "Yes?"

  Ares smiled. "These two need to talk, but they can't be alone so you are going to stay here and make sure he doesn't try to eat her again." I cleared my throat and Ares sighed. "And whatever they say you can't tell me."

  Koda frowned. "Are you sure about that last one?"

  Ares looked at me and smiled. "For her, I'd do almost anything." He walked towards me then looked at Bret and sighed. "Good night, Artemis."

  I kissed his cheek quickly. "Good night, Ares." He smiled and walked out of the room towards his bedroom.

  Koda sat in the chair which was beside the bed.

  Bret walked towards me slowly with his hands out, but when he was close enough to touch me, he dropped his hands. "I'm sorry I tried to eat you."

  I laughed. "It's alright, Bret. I know it wasn't really you. I'm sorry I got you into all of this and you ended up becoming one of us."

  Bret shrugged. "There are a lot of upsides to being a werewolf, especially since they are taking over the world now."

  I groaned. "Don't remind me."

  Bret laughed. "I know. I’m torn about how to deal with it as well. At least our town is okay."

  I nodded. "Yeah." I looked up at his face and realized that I no longer thought of him as very attractive.

  I guess when you have to compare him to the God of War, he isn't really that handsome. Still attractive, but no contest. Okay, Ares isn't the mythical God of War, but he is very handsome.

  I groaned. "I'm sorry about everything, Bret. I didn't want any of this to happen. The plan was that I would leave, and the town would go on like normal while I started my new life with Ares. You would stay home and fall in love with one of the local girls and live happily ever after."

  Bret shook his head, smiling. "I already fell in love with one of the local girls."

  "Bret, I can't be with you. Whether I like it or not, Ares and I do have a connection. I can't explain it, but I crave...I…ugh! I don't want to talk to you about this, but I want you to know."

  Bret sighed. "I can see how you two look at each other. I know you have feelings for him."

  I shook my head. "It's deeper than
that. We are connected so much that when he feels sad, I feel sad. It's why I could feel him yesterday. He was worried and I started getting worried. I thought he was in trouble and had to find him." The truth to that statement shocked me. Until then, I hadn’t even been aware of that fact.

  Bret frowned at me. "That's not possible to be like that."

  Koda scoffed. We turned to look at him and he shrugged. "Sorry, but you two do not know about the connections our kind can have. If Artemis's father had taught her, she would have felt similar to that with Darren. She could have been connected to him like Ares, but obviously not the physical attraction part."

  I shivered in disgust. "Thanks for that visual."

  Koda rolled his eyes. "Don't you understand? If you form a connection with another werewolf you feel what they feel. Now, of course, you and Ares' connection is a lot different because your ties are like when you bind yourself to someone, but without the death factor. What I'm saying is that although Ares and Artemis's connection is very unique, you can have a much smaller version with any werewolf you wanted."

  I nodded. "I understand."

  Bret shrugged. "Whatever you say. The point is that I love you Artemis and that won't change. I know you are with Ares and can't be with me, but I want to be close to you. I want to stay with your group."

  I asked, "Even if that means having to see me with Ares?"

  Bret sighed. "Yes. I will have to deal with it."

  I smiled and hugged him tightly. "Thank you for staying with me."

  Bret hugged me back and kissed the top of my head. "Anytime."

  Koda stood up. "Alright, time to go."

  Bret kissed my cheek quickly then walked out the bedroom door. Koda smiled. "Good night, Artemis."

  I smiled back at him. "Night, Koda." I waited until Koda closed the door to throw myself on my bed burying my face in my pillows.

  Why me? Why do I have to deal with two men? What happens if I start to develop feelings for Bret? Oh God!

  I shook my head and started thinking about Darren. I tried to focus on my thoughts, but sleep overtook me.