Ares sat down beside me and placed his hand palm side up on my knee. I stared at it for a moment then sighed, giving into my desire, and placed my hand in his. My heart picked up tempo, and I felt content. I closed my eyes, and Ares sighed happily beside me. “Thank you.”
I rested my head against his shoulder. “It’s getting much harder to fight. Plus, it’s not like I don’t like holding your hand.”
Ares laughed and kissed the top of my head. “I like holding your hand, too. You should sleep now. It’ll be a while before we reach our destination.” I closed my eyes and enjoyed the feel of his hand holding mine, but sleep wouldn’t come.
I shifted on the seat, and Ares released my hand so he could pull me down into his lap. I started to protest, but knew I would be more comfortable. I laid my head in his lap, and he draped his left arm across my stomach and began stroking my hair with his right hand. I rubbed my cheek against his pant leg and sighed happily. For once, it felt right to do this. With Bret, it had always felt wrong somehow.
Could it have been because I was meant to be with Ares?
Time dragged on, but Ares never stopped rubbing my hair. The vehicle finally stopped, and I sat up stretching my arms above my head. Ares frowned. “You didn’t sleep?”
I shook my head. “No, but it was relaxing.”
He smiled at me, and it was so gorgeous that my heart skipped a beat. Koda cleared his throat pulling me out of my trance. “I’m hungry.”
Ares sighed. “You’re always hungry.”
I looked out the window and gasped, “My town!”
Ares smiled. “We need to rest for a day and I thought you might like to get some of your other things from your house.”
I climbed out of the SUV and looked around the deserted streets. The only lights were coming from the pub and I could hear everyone talking loudly from inside. I turned to Ares and hugged him. “Thank you.”
He kissed my cheek softly. “I’ll have to remember to do things like this more often.”
I looked at his naked chest and frowned. “Maybe you should find a shirt first?”
Ares frowned. “Are you embarrassed by my body?”
I laughed. “Definitely not! I just don’t want to have to beat all of the girls off of you when we go inside.”
He smiled. “Aw, you’re jealous.”
I snarled. “Don’t patronize me.”
Koda tossed Ares a shirt from inside the car and Ares quickly put it on.
I started towards the pub before Ares could tease me anymore. I turned around before opening the door to make sure that Matt, Koda, and Ares were fully clothed then walked into the pub. Everyone ignored me as they watched the news of another attack. I walked to an open booth and waved at the waitress, Darcy.
She smiled at me and nodded. I waited until all of the guys sat down then sat on the edge seat beside Ares. He smiled at me and continued whispering to the others.
The news story ended and Tyler, Skankzilla’s dad, turned off the television.
Darcy hurried over and smiled at me. “Hey Darlin’! I was worried about you and your dad when you both disappeared.”
I smiled. “Oh, we just went camping. You know how Darren loves camping.”
She laughed. “So, what do ya’ll want?” I rolled my eyes and Darcy laughed. “The usual?”
I nodded. Ares nudged me and I sighed. “Darcy this is Ares, my boyfriend.”
Darcy looked him over with lust in her eyes. “You do know how to pick them. Well, what do the rest of you want?”
I looked around the pub as the others ordered and caught Skankzilla glaring at me and storming towards me. I tensed, and my lip pulled up in a snarl. I quickly pulled my lip back down and smiled at her. She put her hands on her hips and glared at me. “Where’s Bret?”
I batted my eyelashes. “Why would I know that, Skankzilla?”
She growled at me, and it sounded so pathetic that I almost laughed. “Listen, you hooker trash. I’ve taken your crap because of Bret, but if you’ve done anything to him—”
I stood up an inch away from her face. “You’ll do what?”
She stuttered and took a step back. “I…I…” Ares cleared his throat, and Skankzilla looked around me to him. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw him. “Oh, hi.”
He smiled. “Bret moved. He said to tell you he’s sorry he didn’t say goodbye.”
She stepped around me and flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Oh, well I’m Trish.”
Ares winked. “I’m Ares, Artemis’ boyfriend.”
Skankzilla’s eyes widened and she gaped in disbelief. “You’re dating her?” Ares nodded and she asked, “What did she have to do to date you?”
I reached back to punch her when Billy grabbed my arm. “Calm down, Artemis. She’s not worth it. You know she’s just mad that Bret left without saying bye to her.”
Ares glared at Billy’s hand on me, but stayed perfectly still in his seat.
I pulled my arm away from Billy’s hand gently. “You’re right, Billy.”
Skankzilla turned to talk to Koda, but he waved his hand dismissively at her. “Beat it, child.”
Billy looked at the four men sitting at the table with me and frowned. “Who’re they?”
I smiled. “Billy, this is Ares, Koda, Matt, and Victor.”
Billy nodded at them. “So, are you staying, or you on your way out?”
Ares was still glaring at Billy, and I remembered that Billy had tried to shoot them while they were wolves.
I shook my head. “Just stopping at my house for some things and staying the night. We’ll be leaving tomorrow morning.”
Billy smiled at me. “So, you’ll be here tonight? You could come over—”
Ares shook his head. “She’s taken, boy.”
I glared at Ares. “Ares, I can handle this.”
He folded his arms across his chest and continued to glare at Billy.
Billy frowned. “What’s he talking about?”
I sighed. “Ares is my…I’m dating Ares.”
Billy looked Ares up and down. “How long?”
I frowned. “What?”
Billy looked at me. “How long have you been with him?”
“Not long.”
Billy shook his head. “Artemis he’s…” He pulled my arm gently turning me away from the table.
I heard Ares growl softly, but it was too low for Billy to hear.
“Artemis, I don’t like this guy.”
I smiled and patted his back. “Good thing it’s not up to you then. It was nice seeing you, Billy, but my food’s here.”
I turned to sit down, and Billy grabbed my arm hard, pulling me back toward him. “What’s does he have that I don’t?”
I stared down at his painful grip on my arm and opened my mouth when Ares spoke slowly beside me. “Manners for one. Release your hold on her before I lose my temper.”
Billy smiled smugly. “And why should I worry if you lose your temper, huh, freak?”
Ares smiled, and the promise of pain was plain on his face. “Try me.”
Billy started to tighten his grip, and I punched him in the face with my other hand. He let me go and stumbled backwards, falling against the bar.
Ares pulled me back against him.
I glared at Billy. “You were always so jealous. I thought it was just of Bret, but you’re just too insecure.”
Billy glared at me. “You’ve always just been Bret’s pet freak.”
Ares moved across the aisle faster than I could see and picked Billy up by his throat with one hand. “I would prefer it if you refrained from insulting my girlfriend. As you can see, I lose my control when that happens.”
Ares dropped Billy to the ground, and Billy gasped for breath.
J.D. started to move towards us, but Jess grabbed his arm and shook her head.
I smiled at Jess and she smiled back. She pointed at Ares then put two thumbs up nodding her head smiling.
I smiled back at her and pu
lled on Ares’ arm. “Come on, let’s eat before it gets cold. He’s just a loser like Bret.”
Ares looked at my arm where a small red mark still sat from Billy gripping me. He kissed it softly. “Do you see what I’ve told you? I’m fast, but not fast enough at times.”
I kissed his cheek. “It’s alright.”
He sat down, and the judgmental eyes of the others in the pub glared at me.
I sat down and we ate in silence. The noise started up again in the pub, but I could hear every painful comment from everyone talking about me. I finished my burger and chocolate shake and walked out of the pub.
Jess walked out behind me and smiled. “Hey.”
I smiled at her. “Hey. Sorry about that.”
She shrugged. “Why are you apologizing to me? That’s the most excitement we’ve had in a long time! And your boyfriend is sexy. Man. I couldn’t believe how he held Billy up with one hand,” she said in awe.
I giggled nervously. “Yeah, he gets really angry when people hurt me.”
She sighed. “I’m sorry about how we treated you before, Artemis. You don’t have to leave, you know?”
I shrugged. “No worries.”
Ares walked out of the pub and wrapped his arms around my waist. The feel of him holding me released all of the tension in my body. Ares asked, “So, have you told her your good news?”
I frowned. “Um…no.”
Ares started pouting. “Well, that’s one way to hurt my feelings.”
Jess gasped, “Are you pregnant?”
I yelled, “Hell no!”
Ares frowned. “What she meant to say is that we’re engaged.”
Jess looked at my hands. “I don’t see a ring.”
Ares sighed. “I told you to let me get you a ring.”
“No, you—”
He pinched my stomach and smiled. “She was very worried about Darren finding out. But we’re eloping.”
Jess frowned. “Eloping? I thought you said you haven’t been with him for very long?”
Ares laughed. “We’ve known each other a while, but we’ve only been officially dating a little bit. We’re family friends.”
Jess smiled. “Oh. That’s cool. Well, I hope you have fun. Maybe we’ll see each other again soon?”
I shrugged. “Maybe.”
I walked away from her, and Ares followed me silently. Koda, Matt, and Victor caught up with us when we were at the feed store. I stopped and turned around to glare at Ares. “What the hell was that?”
He frowned. “What?”
I yelled in frustration, “Eloping! What is it with you and making sure everyone knows I’m yours? Can’t you just let me deal with them? I mean, it’s bad enough that I’m stuck with you…” I gasped. “Ares, I…I didn’t mean that.”
He shook his head. “Yes, you did. I’m sorry. That boy just set me off.”
“We better get to the house. I’ve got a lot of hunting to do,” I said, happy for the subject change.
Koda asked, “Hunting?”
I smiled. “Come on.” Ares walked back with Matt and Koda, talking quietly to them.
Victor walked beside me and whispered, “You shouldn’t be so hard on him. He’s trying.”
I scoffed. “So am I, Victor. This isn’t easy.”
Victor nodded. “Think how hard it is for him.”
I frowned. “What do you mean?”
He sighed and rubbed his temples. “Ares is the second fiercest warrior of all of the werewolves in the world. He doesn’t bow to anyone except the King and now he’s got you to deal with. You’re pigheaded, strong-willed, and he’s been bending over backwards to try to make this easy on you when it’s tearing him up inside.”
I stopped and stared at Victor. “How?”
Victor sighed again. “Being tied or having a match requires almost constant touching in the first few months and most often requires you to seal the bond. You’re young and inexperienced, so Ares isn’t pushing you, but you keep pushing him away and refusing to touch him, and we all know you would refuse to seal the bond. It’s eating at his control. If we aren’t careful, he could snap.”
I frowned. “So, I’m causing him pain?”
Victor nodded. “More pain than you could imagine.”
Ares frowned when he saw us standing still. I whispered, “What do we have to do to seal it?”
Victor smiled. “I’m sure you can figure that out.”
I groaned. “No! No way, Victor.”
He shrugged. “Would it be so bad?”
I watched Ares walking gracefully towards us and felt my lower body tighten. Ares stopped walking and stared at me in shock. I groaned and covered my eyes with my hands. “No, anything, but that. Not yet. Can’t we just cut each other’s palms and press them together or something?”
Victor laughed quietly. “This is why he is giving you space, but just think about the pain you’re causing him. I’m not telling you to do it tonight, but it will need to be done soon. The sooner you seal your bond, the safer you both will be.”
Ares frowned. “What are you two talking about?”
Victor smiled. “Nothing.”
I shook my head and jogged towards my house. Headlights raced down the street towards me. I stopped jogging and the truck skid to a stop in front of me spraying gravel. Ares pulled me backwards and I sighed. “He wasn’t going to hit me.”
Billy climbed out of the truck with Jake and Jeff.
Ares shook his head. “We need to go.”
I saw the seriousness on his face and wondered what was wrong. I looked at Jake and Jeff and noticed they were holding bats. I asked, “What are the bats for, boys?”
Jeff smiled. “In case things get out of hand.”
I smiled. “Do I really scare you that much, Jeff?”
He frowned. “What?”
Jake, one of Bret’s other good friends, laughed and tossed his bat into the truck bed.
I smiled. “Thanks, Jake.”
Jake winked at me. “You ever need a change of men, call me.”
I rolled my eyes. “You know you couldn’t handle me.”
He sighed. “Too true.”
Ares frowned. “Is there something I don’t know about?”
I shrugged. “Just that I’m too scary for the boys here to deal with.”
Ares snorted and stroked my cheek. “Scary? Not hardly. Sexy? Definitely.”
Billy asked, “Artemis what’s happened to you? This isn’t like you. Why are you with these scumbags?”
I frowned. “Nothing’s happened to me. And they aren’t scumbags.”
Billy rolled his eyes. “They are obviously much older than us, and I’m sure Ares is really after your heart.”
Ares snarled, and I put my hand on his chest, stopping him from moving forward.
Jeff smiled. “Silenced by the bitch? Wow, that’s a new low.”
I pointed at Jeff. “You! You sleazy jerk. You have no room to call me names. I’ve seen the girls you go out with and the diseases you give them. And I didn’t silence him. He is just letting me fight my own battle. And whatever Ares is after is none of your—”
Jeff smiled. “So, you’ve already given him what he wants. Interesting.”
I snarled and leapt towards him. He swung at me with the bat, and as I put my hands up to block it Ares moved forward, grabbing the bat from Jeff’s hands. Jeff’s eyes bulged as Ares took the bat from him and tossed it into the truck. Ares pushed his finger into Jeff’s chest, making him step backwards. “Just because she has better taste then to date you does not mean she’s given up anything. Not that it’s your business, but she hasn’t. If you ever try to lay a finger on her again, I’ll kill you.”
Billy pointed at Ares. “And he’s better than me how?”
I swung around and punched Billy in the face, knocking him to the ground. “I’ll be leaving tomorrow, and you’ll never see me again. So, just shut up.” I turned to Jeff. “And do something useful with your life. Football is useless.”
Victor frowned. “I like football.”
I sighed. “Not now, Victor.”
We walked the rest of the way to my house, and I stared up at the porch steps. This had been my strange, but cold home. The house used to be a place of fun, but now it only brought me sadness. I walked into the house and straight to the cupboard under the sink. I pulled out Darren’s hidden bottle of whiskey and took three giant gulps before Ares jerked it away from me. The burning of the liquor distracted me as I wiped my mouth. “What?”
Ares snarled. “What are you doing?”
I shrugged. “It’s not like I can get drunk easily.”
Koda laughed. “No. Wait, how do you know that?”
I smiled. “I drank with Billy and Jess and J.D. one night, but nothing happened. They were smashed, but I wasn’t.”
Ares snarled. “Did he do anything?”
I rolled my eyes. “No.”
Victor opened the fridge, and I watched in astonishment as he flipped a switch and a hidden compartment slid forward. Victor grabbed two bags of blood and closed the compartment again. Victor smiled at me. “It’s customary for werewolves to keep blood on hand in case a vampire comes to visit.”
I turned to Ares and asked, “So, now what?”
He smiled. “We rest here tonight.”
The desire to touch him started intensifying, and I remembered Victor’s words that it hurt Ares more. I walked forward slowly and leaned my head against his shoulder. The pain receded, and Ares sighed. I walked into the living room and sat down. “So, when you told Jess we were engaged, you weren’t just being possessive were you?”
Ares shook his head. “How many times do I have to tell you this? You and I are the perfect couple.”
“I’m an eighteen-year-old girl tied to a man I barely know who likes to kill people.” I said irritably.
Ares frowned. “I don’t like to kill people. It’s just necessary.”
Koda snorted. “Unless it’s a Sidhe, then you like it.”
Ares snarled at him and I asked, “What’s a Sidhe?”
Ares sighed. “Another preternatural I do not want to discuss with you until necessary.”
Artemis Lupine- The Complete Series Page 19