Pertemis: A Wolf’s Tale novel Chapter 19

Artemis’s point of view

Two weeks already passed and there was still no new of Percy. She had chased him across California through every corner and forest until she finally lost his track at Utah. The only thing she was concerned was if he was in the trauma and uncontrolled stage that his werewolf would tear the entire western united states to pieces. Not only that but now the Olympians were chasing him and with Perseus being on a rampage would draw attentions.

Artemis devoured the meat as her appetite seemed to disappear any moment. She missed his cook, the magnificent taste that always made her head exploded with fireworks. Artemis often found herself standing in his tent in the morning the past 2 weeks, maybe she had formed a habit of waking him, or she was waiting, hoping that he would be soundlessly asleep on his bed. Neither did occur.

"Milady, is there any new about Perseus?" Annabeth suddenly asked.

Artemis looked up and shook her head with a sigh following. She was concerned and perhaps irritated sometimes with Annabeth being too close to Perseus, but having her to be considered his only friend in the camp made her pleased a little. If it wasn't for Annabeth, things would've gotten worse if she didn't report the prank to her.

"He's probably too scared to return" Thalia scoffed. "Coward and hopeless male"

Artemis was about to speak to her when the young hunters snapped. "You have caused this mess Thals! things were fine until you chased him away. Now we can't even have a decent meal"

"So now you guys blame this on me" Thalia slammed her palms on the table that rattled the plates. "Don't ever forget your past with males girls! And what does things fine before huh? His arrival just messed up everyth-"

A sound of flesh against flesh occurred through the pavilion as everyone gasped in shock at the sight. Annabeth stood there trying to control her breathing while Thalia was holding her cheek with five red weal marks of fingers on it. The hall turned cold as the sky darkened.

"Annabeth what the hell!?" Phoebe yelled as she lunged at her, other hunters clashed in and pushed her back, leaving Annabeth remained intact. Meanwhile, Thalia just stood there still shocked from the slap from someone she considered as her sister.

The pavilion exploded into a fight with young hunters protecting Annabeth while the others wanted justice for Thalia. The food was thrown over the place, there were yelling and cursing and Artemis, who was completely stunned by what was in front of her. Never in her life since she established the hunt had experienced this antagonism and conflict. What brought Artemis a little hope where Annabeth's side was supporting Perseus and waiting for his return while the opposition kept trying to grab at Annabeth and yelling insult and their vows. That was until Zoe take action.

"Quite!"

Her palms hit the table and the crowd silent.

"Are ye not see the Lady presence?" She glared around with intimidation. "At least act like civilised people."

"Girls," Artemis looked around with exhausted gaze. "This is not just about Perseus, but also the safety of the immortals as well. You sure know that werewolf' bite can end our life right."

"Then let the Olympian chase him down and execute him." Phoebe huffed. "It's not our concern anymore. We have no more responsibility for him."

"What are you talking about?" Amara, a hunter who had been in the Hunt for nearly ten years snarled. "Have you ever felt appreciated with the chores and meals he provides us? What did he do wrong anyway? By far he's been the most decent male I have seen in my life."

"And I have promised my mother to take care of him, Phoebe," Artemis said from her seat, all heads turned to her. "Even when you guys  have no responsibility with him, it's still mine."

"But we can't just let you find him alone," Phoebe said.

"That's why I'm asking for your aid now."

The hunters behind Thalia started to shift, no apparent enthusiasm on their faces. She knew the task was not easy. Hunting werewolf without confronting it ever before, even Artemis was inexperienced

"Cowards" Annabeth muttered and picked up her bow. "Who's coming with me? I'm finding him."

Some hunters started to move after HER as the others made way for them, Zoe looked at them,

"Outrageous!" She yelled. "You guys are disrespecting the lady."

"Let them go, Zoe," Artemis stopped her. "They ha-"

Suddenly, thunder rumbled across the sky like it wanted to rip it in half. Zoe turned to Artemis to inform her. Her blood turned nervous, the least thing she wanted was being summoned by the Olympians. 

"I'll be back," Artemis stood up and looked around. "Meanwhile, Zoe will take charge."

"Milady, what about Annabeth and some others?" Thalia spoke, but Artemis just gave her a sigh and vanished into thin air.

She walked through the palace of gods without even looking at her surrounding. But somehow she noticed the atmosphere around her. It wasn't boisterous like normal, even the wind had stopped blowing and the doves of Aphrodite seemed to absent in the gardens. Something must have gone wrong.

The steps to the throne room were empty with only the marble stone reflected her face. The golden doors rose to her vision as the highest steps and they gleamed in the sunlight, but she knew, behind it was somehow worse than the doors of death.

The metal doors creaked open, it sounds vibrated throughout the vast hall. All heads turned to her as the goddess strolled down across the room. She resembled on her throne, only then she noticed the absence of her brother, Apollo.

"Father you summoned me" she gave him an acknowledgement nod.

"Yes," he said, though his face was grim and a bit nervous. "We have got some tracks about the werewolf after three months of losing it."