Song of The Moon Artemis Lupine

by Banks, Catherine

  I frowned at Ares. “Why won’t you let me know what my mother is and what I am?”

  He smiled. “I will soon, but for now it’s best if you don’t know.”

  I didn’t believe him, but decided not to press the matter. I ran a finger over my newly healed skin and smiled. “Wow.”

  Koda walked over. “The seamstress is here with the clothes for Artemis to choose from.”

  I looked around Koda to see a girl, no older than twenty, standing beside a rolling clothes rack filled with dresses. I looked at Ares and groaned. “A dress? You’re making me wear a dress?”

  “Don’t you want to look nice for the King and Queen of the Vampires?” Ares asked.

  I folded my arms across my chest. “The King has already met me. I’ve never even worn a dress before.”

  Ares kissed my cheek. “Then this will be a good learning experience for you. Besides, don’t you want to look nice for me?”

  There was no winning this argument, so I sighed and walked towards the girl. She looked from my toes to my head and then back again, frowning nonstop. “She is the one I am supposed to dress?” Her thick accent caught me off guard and it took me a moment to decipher what she had said.

  Ares bowed at the waist to the girl. “Hello, Lucy. It’s always an honor to see you.”

  Lucy folded her arms across her chest. “Flattery will not win you any points with me, Ares. I’m not a magician you know.” She looked at me in disgust again. “Am I to bring our beautician in as well? She looks to need it.”

  I opened my mouth to call her one of the rude names I could think of, but Ares spoke before I could say anything. “Lucy, it would be wise to remember your place as well as what mine is. She is my passt genau, treat her with respect. Your insults of her are direct challenges to me.”

  Lucy’s bottom lip quivered, but then she shook her head and straightened her back before turning back to me. “I apologize for my insults. I’m old and ’ow you say? Cranky, yes, ’zats the word.”

  I looked at her face and frowned. “Old? You don’t look old.”

  Lucy smiled. “That is one of the benefits of being a dhampir.” She saw my puzzled face and frowned at Ares. “You bring ‘er to the vampire’s ‘ome without training as to what we are?”

  I waved my hand at her. “I know what a dhampir is, half vampire and half human. I’ve just never seen one before. And I thought you were supposed to be enemies with vampires?”

  Ares said, “I have much to teach her Lucy. I only found her a few days ago.”

  Lucy turned back to me. “Dhampirs and vampires are enemies, but my father is very powerful and ‘as enough pull to keep me alive and ‘appy as long as I don’t kill any of the vampires.”

  “I understand,” I told her.

  She sighed heavily. “Let’s get started. We ‘ave only an ’our to prepare you.”

  She walked to the dress rack and tapped her chin thoughtfully. Ares walked towards her and she hissed. “Go get ready. I do not want you breathing down my neck while I prepare ’er. I will do my best to make ’er perfect for you.” Her French accent seemed to grow stronger whenever she spoke to Ares.

  Ares sighed. “Fine. Koda will stay in the room with you, Artemis.”

  Lucy stared at Ares in shock. “You do not trust me?”

  Ares smiled. “I don’t trust anyone to be alone with her.” Ares walked over and kissed my lips quickly before hurrying to the bathroom. My skin began itching and I began breathing faster.

  Koda walked over to me and touched my shoulder. The smell of forest and wolf slowed my breathing, but the desire to run after Ares was still very strong. Lucy smiled. “Interesting.” She turned back to the dresses and picked out a purple dress and held it up to my face. “It matches your eyes, but I am not sure if it will work. Put it on.”

  I pulled off my jeans and t-shirt, trying hard to ignore the fact that Koda was right behind me, and pulled the dress on over my head. The bust was a little tight, but manageable and the material was soft against my skin. I spun in a slow circle for Koda and Lucy. Lucy tapped her chin and turned to Koda. “What do you think, Wolf?”

  Koda smiled. “It’s perfect.”

  Lucy frowned. “Hmm…per’aps I will like it more once the makeup and ‘air is done. I’ll fetch the beautician.”

  She pushed her cart out of the room leaving me alone with Koda. The bathroom door cracked open and Ares asked, “Did you find a dress?”

  Koda answered, “Yes and it’s very nice.”

  Ares asked, “Did Lucy leave?”

  “Yes,” I answered.

  Matt walked out of the bathroom with a towel tied around his waist. I found myself staring at his abdominal muscles and remembering what it felt like to touch Ares’ in the tub. Ares growled softly. “Artemis, what are you thinking about?”

  I swallowed. “Uh, nothing.”

  Matt laughed. “It’s alright Love. And that dress looks amazing on you.”

  Ares groaned. “I want to see it.”

  I yelled, “NO! You can’t see me until you’re ready. Plus, I’m not ready yet.”

  Ares sighed. “Fine, but stop thinking whatever it is that you were thinking.”

  I blushed and looked towards the bedroom door. Two soft knocks brought Koda’s attention to the door as well. He opened it to reveal a tall, thin French woman in a business suit and four inch heels. She winked at Koda. “’Ello ’andsome.”

  Koda smiled. “Hey there, Madeleine. You’re looking scrumptious as ever.”

  Madeleine walked to me and frowned, crossing her arms over her small breasts. “Let’s get started. I ’ave much work to do.”

  I growled softly. “Why are the French so rude?”

  She shrugged. “We’re French, it’s in our blood to ’ate Americans.” She grabbed my forearm and led me to the desk, carrying a large suitcase that I was sure held torture devices in every imaginable shape. I sat down in the chair and she opened the suitcase to reveal the devices which were much worse than I had imagined. Ares walked out of the bathroom and Madeleine spread her arms out to hide me. “What are you doing?! Get out of ’ere!” She yelled.

  I looked through her arms to see Ares averting his eyes. “I’m not even looking at her Madeleine. Artemis, I’m going out for a little bit. Matt will stay here with you.”

  My stomach cramped and my pulse started beating in double time. “When will you be back? Where are you going?” I asked nervously.

  Madeleine sighed happily. “Aw, it’s so nice to see true love.”

  Ares ignored Madeleine. “I’m just going out for a little bit. I’ll only be gone thirty minutes and Koda is coming with me.”

  “Hurry, please.”

  Ares sighed happily. “Of course.” Koda blew me a kiss then followed Ares out of the room.

  Matt sat down on the desk and was thankfully wearing a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Matt placed his hand on mine on the desk and smiled. “He’ll be back before you’re even ready.”

  I picked his hand up and inhaled the back of it. I could still smell wolf fur and his smell, but the soap he had used took away the forest. “I don’t like feeling like this. I understand he’s my match and we’re pack, but I really don’t know him. My wolf is getting harder to ignore too.”

  Madeleine watched me curiously. “How long ’ave you known you’re a wolf?”

  Matt answered for me as I continued to inhale the smell of his skin. “Only a few days. As long as she’s known Ares.”

  Madeleine’s eyes widened. “She must be at least sixteen. ’Ow ’as she not known?”

  Matt sighed and rubbed my hair softly. “Her father chose to not tell her and kept her away from our kind.”

  Madeleine looked at me with pity in her eyes. “That must ’ave been very difficult. Come, let me make you gorgeous for your mate.”

  I growled. “Don’t call him that.”

  Matt shook his head at Madeleine. “Don’t ask.”

  Madeleine sighed. “Wolves are always fu
ll of drama.” Matt held my hand as she worked on my face. My nervousness increased as the minutes ticked by without Ares near me. Madeleine brought in another woman who brushed and fixed my hair into a half up and half down style, with everything lightly curled. Ares came in just as they made the final touches to my makeup and hair. The two women and Matt covered me as Ares walked by to the closet. I thanked Madeleine and the other woman and then walked to the bathroom to use the restroom. Madeleine had refused to let me go while she was working.

  I started to come out of the bathroom, but Koda blocked my exit. “Ares is finishing getting ready. It’s your turn to wait.”

  I looked over Koda’s new outfit of a tailored suit that fit all of his muscles nicely. His Mohawk was gelled up and the gel made the green dye seem even brighter. “You look nice,” I said honestly.

  He spun in a slow circle. “Thank you.” He smiled at me. “You look great too, very beautiful.”

  I blushed and then asked, “How much longer is he going to take? I’m hungry.” A chill swept over my body as the sun set and the powerful presence I had felt the previous afternoon caused fear to close my throat. I wrapped my arms around myself and shivered.

  Ares spoke from outside the bathroom. “What’s wrong Artemis? Why are you so frightened?”

  “It’s a strange…I know I’m going to sound stupid when I say this, but there is this powerful darkness I’ve been feeling since we came here. It got really strong just now, when the sun set.”

  Koda smiled. “It’s alright dahlin’ it’s just the vampire King.”

  Ares spoke from farther away in the room. “I’m almost done, just finishing my hair.”

  I turned and looked at the mirror in the bathroom and stared at the woman looking back at me. I still couldn’t believe it was really me. I raised my hand up to my face and pushed on my cheeks. Koda smiled at me, but stayed quiet as I stared at the purple eyes my mother had given me. Ares spoke from near Koda, “Are you ready?”

  I scoffed. “I’ve been ready.” I turned around and instantly felt self-conscious. What if he thinks I look horrible? What if he decides I’m not good enough for him to be with? He’s got so many attractive women vying to be with him and I’m just…

  Ares interrupted my thoughts by stepping into the bathroom and staring at me with wide eyes. He looked perfect. His suit looked like it had been stitched to him and his black hair gleamed with the gel in it and looked spiked, but still natural somehow. His blue eyes sparkled and I wanted him to want me, to approve of me.

  He smiled and walked forward slowly. “Artemis, you look…”

  I blushed and looked down at my hands. “Don’t…”

  Ares wrapped his arms around me and kissed me on the lips, hard, squeezing me against his muscular body. He smelled like wolf, Ares and cinnamon. He pulled back from me and whispered, “Perfect. Beautiful. Delicious.”

  The worry fluttered away and I smiled. “You look great, Ares.”

  He shook his head. “Nothing can compare to your beauty.” I blushed a darker shade of red and he smiled. “I got you something.” I stared at him in shock as he pulled out a white box. He opened the lid to reveal a beautiful diamond heart necklace. Ares took the necklace out and whispered, “So that you will know that my heart is yours alone.”

  I shook my head as I stared at the shining diamonds on the necklace. “That’s too expensive. I couldn’t…”

  Ares raised his hand and I stopped talking. He walked to stand behind me and put the necklace on. “Nothing is too expensive for you. Besides, I have quite a bit of money saved up and I can spend it however I like.”

  I touched the heart lying on my upper chest and smiled at Ares. “Thank you. It’s beautiful.”

  He kissed the side of my neck sending chills down my spine. “You’re welcome. Are you ready to meet the vampires?”

  I curtsied to Ares and spoke with a deep voice trying to sound seductive, “Is my lord ready?”

  Ares bowed at the neck and smiled. “Always for you, m’lady.” He extended his bent elbow to me and I put my hand on the inside of his arm. He asked, “How do you know what to say?”

  I shrugged. “I watched a lot of renaissance movies.”

  He kissed the back of my hand. “You’re the most beautiful Princess in the lands.”

  I frowned. “Wait. In order to be Princess wouldn’t I have to fight the others?”

  Ares shook his head. “As my mate you become my equal in power.”

  I frowned harder. “So since you’re Prince then I am Princess? What if someone else wants my position?”

  Ares sighed. “That’s something we’ll discuss much later. For now, let’s focus on the task at hand.”

  I curtsied again. “Of course, my lord.”

  “You really are perfect,” he said as he squeezed my hand and led the way out of the bedroom. Koda walked in front of us while Matt walked behind us silently. There were a lot of people walking down the hallways and all stopped to stare or moved aside to let us pass, while others whispered. Koda led us downstairs and into a well lit underground portion of the mansion. Koda maneuvered around the confusing hallways, going in what seemed to be circles. Ares squeezed my hand reassuringly, as we stopped in front of two large ornate doors.

  Victor walked up to us with two identical looking male vampires and stepped in front of us. “You all ready?”

  Ares nodded his head. “As ready as I ever am to walk into a room filled with vampires.”

  Victor winked. “We’ve already eaten for the night.”

  I asked, “What are they celebrating tonight anyway?”

  Victor smiled. “They are celebrating the return of the Prince of the Vampires and the continued alliance with the werewolves.”

  I nodded my head. “That’s right. You’re a Prince, too.”

  Ares scoffed. “It’s more impressive when you have to get it for being the strongest, but Victor is one of the most powerful vampires.”

  Victor sighed. “Yes, you are truly a powerful wolf, Prince Ares.”

  I shook my head smiling. “This is all so strange.”

  Koda rolled his eyes. “Tell me about it.”

  Two werewolf guards opened the doors and we walked inside behind Victor. The room was by far the largest room I had ever seen. Twelve long tables with bench seating filled up most of the room. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceilings and gave a soft reflective light from the hundreds of candles that hung on the walls and sat on the tables in elegant holders. In the center of the room sat a thick wooden table with three thrones in the center. The vampire King looked like Victor’s twin, but unlike Victor, he was wearing a puffy pirate shirt that was open to the middle of his hairy chest. His pants were black and looked like a replica of pirate’s pants too. A beautiful woman, wearing a blood red dress, sat beside him on his right side. Victor walked down the center aisle, which was adorned with a dark red rug, and bowed to the King and Queen. The twin vampires dropped to one knee beside Victor.

  The King held up his hand and the room silenced. He stood up and smiled. “Welcome Prince Victor of the Vampires. It has been too long since you have returned to your home.”

  Victor stood up straight then bowed his head at the neck. “Greetings, King Maurice and Queen Isabella. I am glad to return home.”

  Maurice still smiling said, “Stand, faithful guards of the Prince, Jean Pierre and Francois.” As he said each of their names they stood up as though puppets and the King the puppeteer.

  Victor spoke just loud enough for everyone to hear, “May I introduce our allies, Prince Ares of the Werewolves, his mate Artemis and his two guards Koda and Matthew.”

  Ares began walking forward and I stayed beside him as we walked. He moved his arm to the side so he could bow and I curtsied as low as I could, staring at the ground. Maurice spoke with a voice that caressed around my body like a warm hand. “Greetings Prince Ares and his wolves.” Ares stood up and I stood with him, all the while keeping my hand on his arm. Maurice continued
, “I see that you are still convinced that she is your mate.”

  Ares spoke loud. “She is my ivraie vivace. My perfect match.”

  The room was filled with gasps and then whispers of shock. Maurice raised his hand and the room silenced. Maurice stared down at me and for a moment I returned his gaze. I felt his power and quickly averted my eyes to his chin. He spoke in a soothing voice, “I had not thought it was true. Could you tell us how you found her?”

  Ares spoke loud enough for everyone to hear, with a voice of power, and yet it was soft at the same time. “I felt her presence when she was born and all other women paled before me. None held my interest any longer and I craved no woman’s caress. I searched for a long time, all over the world, until I had my first dream of her and her of me. By chance we met and the dreams continued. I sent out my call shortly after meeting her and she answered in half transformation, and then subdued her wolf.”

  The crowd began whispering loudly again. Isabella raised her hand and the crowd silenced, but more slowly than they had for Maurice. She smiled and asked, “Are you to tell me that for the past eighteen years you, the Prince of Wolves, have restrained from the temptations of a woman’s bosom?”

  Ares smiled. “I have.”

  She continued as if he had not spoken, “You, the most powerful bachelor, have not so much as craved a woman’s touch or the sweet words of a female for eighteen years?”

  Ares turned his head to me and smiled. “Not until I found her.”

  Maurice walked down from the throne he was sitting on, to stand in front of me. My wolf’s fear spiked through me, making my heart beat faster. I forced myself not to step back and instead squeezed Ares’ hand. Maurice smiled. “You have no need to fear me child. I will not harm you.”

  I said nothing and stared at his chin. I wasn’t sure if the movies were right, about the vampires being about to take control of you with a look in their eyes or not. It wasn’t a chance I was willing to take. Maurice inhaled. “Obviously she is not full blood as we discussed previously, but she also does not smell of you Ares.”