Artemis Lupine- The Complete Series

by Catherine Banks

  I frowned. “Why not?”

  He spoke in clipped words. “Because I refuse to. I refuse to acknowledge their existence. Now, moving on, when we get to Victor’s place there are going to be other werewolves there. Don’t look the alphas or betas in the eyes, and you have to act submissive to them. The females are very aggressive towards each other, so for now, try not to make any eye contact with other females. You’re especially going to be a target.”

  I frowned. “Why me?”

  Koda smiled. “Because Ares was the hottest bachelor when we left. They’ve been drooling for him to come back and now you’ve taken him. So, they’ll try to kill you so that he’ll want them more.”

  I felt my jaw drop open and looked at Ares. He was gorgeous, but worth killing someone over? I tried to imagine him with another woman and a large growl ripped through my chest. My wolf stretched in my body, and I pleaded for her to go to sleep. Ares stared at me and I giggled in embarrassment. “Sorry, just testing a theory.” I sighed. Dammit I can’t be willing to even think about killing someone over a man. It’s so…true. Dammit. I barely know him and the thought of him with another woman makes me want to rip her head off!

  Ares smiled. “You have any questions?”

  I nodded. “Do you have alpha females?”

  Ares nodded. “We have ranks like the vampires. King, queen, prince, etcetera. To get to a place of high rank for werewolves, we have to defeat the current person in that rank in a battle. Vampires are all about bloodlines and crap, but our method is that the strongest and most powerful are the rulers. Survival of the fittest at its best.”

  I asked, “Are werewolves like vampires, where they get stronger or more powerful the older they are?”

  Victor looked at me curiously. “I never told you that.”

  I smiled. “You can learn a lot from movies.”

  Ares nodded. “To a certain extent. Darren is very old, but not very powerful. It depends on your aura and abilities.”

  “But as a new werewolf, I’ll be pretty much helpless against older ones?” I concluded.

  Ares smiled. “That’s why you have me. No one will be able to defeat me to get to you.”

  “If I am ever going to gain the respect of anyone in the pack, I have to fight my own battles!” I said, my hands forming fists. Ares frowned at me, and I could tell he wanted to order me not to get into battles ever. I rubbed my eyes. “I think we’ve talked enough tonight. I have a lot to think about and I’m tired.” I started walking down the hallway to my room when I felt him behind me. “What, Ares?”

  He laughed softly. “How’d you know it was me?”

  I shrugged and turned to face him. “I can smell you. Plus, you have a weird feeling about you, like I want to bow to you.” I groaned realizing I had said the last part out loud. “I didn’t mean that.”

  Ares smiled. “It’s normal for all wolves. As beta, I have a lot of authority, and it gives me a powerful aura.”

  I frowned, remembering Darren had discussed auras with me when I was younger. “Do you have an aggressive aura?”

  Ares’ brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

  I shrugged. “Darren said that people with aggressive auras are more likely to go on a rampage.”

  Ares shrugged back at me. “You can’t see your own aura so you’d have to ask someone else.”

  “Well, I can’t see anyone’s aura.” I said. Ares smiled at me and put his hand against my face. I instantly started to lean into his hand and jerked back. “I don’t like that I’m like this.”

  Ares smiled. “What? That all you can think about is me touching you? I told you that you’re my passt genau. We are destined to be together, forever.”

  I frowned. “What if I don’t want to be with you forever?”

  His smile slipped away into a look so filled with rejection, that I instantly regretted my words. He asked softly, “Am I not pleasing you? Is there something you would like me to change?”

  I looked at his sculpted body and his handsome face and knew nothing needed to be changed. The girls I knew would do almost anything to be with a man like him. And here I was trying to throw it away before I even gave him a chance. I spoke softly. “It’s not that Ares. I’m just really overwhelmed by my feelings for you and the fact that I don’t know you. Maybe you could tone down on reminding me that I’m stuck…I mean that I’m supposed to be with you forever. I’ve never even had a boyfriend, and to be told I’m destined to be with you seems like a sentence, not a blessing.”

  Ares nodded and smiled a little. “I’ll try. Just know that I’ll do anything for you. No matter the cost.”

  I smiled. My hands ached to touch him and I gave in, letting my body rush forward and hug him quickly. I pulled away before I kissed him and darted into my bedroom and on to my bed. I listened to all of the new sounds I could hear with my heightened senses and smiled as the sound of the creek at the other end of our property gurgled. I drifted in and out of consciousness, but couldn’t get the feeling that someone was going to attack me out of my head. I decided I needed sleep and even if I looked like a child, I would ask one of them to sleep in the room with me. I opened my door and screamed.

  Victor, Koda, and Matt ran down the hallway then sighed in relief when they saw Ares sitting on the floor outside my door.

  Ares frowned. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you. I just didn’t want to be too far away.”

  I finally regained my composure. “It’s okay—you just startled me.” He looked at me as if waiting for me to continue, and I looked at the ground. “Could you sleep in here tonight? I’m just—”

  Ares jumped up and smiled. “Of course, I would prefer it actually, but I didn’t want you to get the wrong idea.”

  I smiled at him and nodded. Victor winked at me, making me blush. I walked to my bed and heard him close the door quietly. I quickly took my shoes off and climbed into bed, closing my eyes. Ares climbed in behind me, and I tensed. Not exactly what I had meant about sleeping in here. He put his arm around my stomach, but kept space between our bodies. As much as I wanted to object, it was comforting to have him with me. I pulled the blanket around me tighter then realized I was sweating.

  Ares whispered, “Having two werewolves in a bed at once usually makes blankets obsolete.” I nodded and kicked the blankets off. We settled in, once again, and my brain shut off. The sound of arguing woke me. I opened my eyes and was instantly lost in Ares’ sky blue eyes. He smiled at me. “Good morning.”

  I swallowed the lump in my throat at the realization that I had just technically slept with a man. Okay, okay. I know it’s not the same thing, but he was in my bed because I asked him to sleep with me. “Morning. Who’s fighting?”

  “They’re discussing politics. Nothing important.” He rubbed my back slowly. “Did you sleep well?” He rolled on to his back, and I scooted over laying my head on his warm, bare chest. I inhaled his now familiar smell and nodded. “Very well.”

  He asked, “Are you feeling better?”

  I sighed. “I’m realizing that being a werewolf isn’t as scary as I first thought. I’m still worried I could go on a killing spree…”

  Ares stroked my back with long, even movements. “I won’t let you do that.”

  I smiled and looked up at his face.

  I had expected him to be smiling, but he was serious. He stared into my eyes with a desire I had never seen before and then I felt it.

  I reached up slowly, fearful of his reaction and ran my hand down his face.

  A small smile played at the corners of his lips, and I couldn’t hold myself back.

  I moved up on the bed and kissed him on the lips.

  The instant our lips connected fire shot through me and I moaned.

  Ares’ responding moan let me know that he was feeling the same thing. He kissed me back with a need of his own and wrapped his arms around me.

  I ran my hands over his chest as we kissed and felt my lower body tighten. I gasped and tried to p
ull away, but Ares had repositioned us so that he was lying on top of me. I ran my hands through his thick black hair and kissed him harder, grabbing a chunk of his hair in my hands and pulling him to me.

  He moaned again and thrust his tongue into my mouth. He kissed my lips once more and then moved down my jaw to my neck. My breathing sped up, and he smiled at me. The smile was perfect. Admiration, desire and happiness all in one. He kissed my lips one more time, before he jumped off me.

  I frowned. “Where are you going?”

  He smiled at me from the bedroom door. “I want you for your heart, not your body, but if I stay any longer with you kissing me like that, I don’t know if I can hold myself back.” He walked out of the room and my face erupted into a blush. I grumbled to myself as I changed clothes and went through my morning routine.

  I walked out into the living room and stared at the pile of dishes in the sink. I opened the fridge and growled. “What happened to all of the food?”

  Koda laughed. “You have three male werewolves in your house and you wonder where your food went? It’s in our stomachs!”

  I glared at him. “And you didn’t think to leave some for me?” Koda’s smile faded, and I sighed. “I’m sorry, I’m just hungry.” I tapped my foot then sighed. “Well I guess we’ll just have to go to the pub.”

  Ares asked, “Do you have money for the pub?”

  I laughed. “You don’t know Darren very well do you? I told you I had to go hunting.” I walked to the bottom middle kitchen cabinet and pulled all of the canned food out onto the floor. A piece of tape held down a tiny white string, and I pulled on it, opening the small compartment Darren built into the cabinets. He always hated banks and being a couple hundred years old explained it better. I reached into the compartment and pulled out the long slender bag hidden inside. I shut the compartment and put the canned food away then tossed the bag to Ares. I walked quickly into Darren’s room and tried to move the bed, but it was too heavy. I turned to see Koda in the doorway, smiling at me. “Can you move this?”

  He shrugged and walked over to the bed. He put his foot against the base and with a slight movement sent the bed flying across the room and into the wall. Ares ran in the room and sighed. “Koda.”

  Koda smiled. “Sorry. Couldn’t help myself.”

  I rolled my eyes at him and walked to where the center of the bed used to be and sat down. I traced my fingertip along the edge of the two boards and smiled when I felt the air coming up on the edge of one. I pressed against the very end of the board and it popped up. The boards were only three inches wide so I had to turn my hand sideways to get it in. When my hand was in down to my wrist I had an evil idea. I hid my smile and then screamed as if in pain and acting like I was trying to pull my arm out. Koda rushed over to me and started trying to pull my arm out. He looked at my face, and I smiled. “Sorry, couldn’t help myself.”

  Koda sighed. “Shit.”

  Ares laughed. “Looks like she’ll be a handful for you too, Koda.

  Koda groaned. “Damn, a prankster and a smart aleck like me. Wonderful.”

  I finished reaching under the floorboards and pulled the bag up. Darren must have added more while it was in the hole because it wouldn’t come out. I stared at the small space and didn’t want to ask for Koda’s help again. As a werewolf, shouldn’t I be able to break it apart? I made a fist and punched the board next to the open one and smiled as it broke apart. I punched the board on the other side of the hole and it broke open, too. Koda watched me with a small smile on his face. I cleared the piece of the board and grabbed the bag. I gasped when I realized how heavy it was. What used to be a three-inch by three-inch bag was now a ten-inch by ten-inch bag. I smiled and tossed it to Ares. “I think we have enough for a while.”

  He opened the two bags and smiled. “Darren didn’t like banks, did he?”

  I shook my head. “Not one bit.”

  Koda frowned. “What’s in the bags?” Ares tossed him one and Koda’s eyes lit up. “Damn, that’s a lot of money.”

  I stood up then frowned at my hands. A couple of pieces of the boards were sticking out of my hand and it was bleeding. Ares rushed over to me and tossed the other bag of money to Koda. He picked my hand up gently and sighed. “This is why you don’t punch wood.”

  “Thanks for telling me now.” I said through gritted teeth. He started to pull a piece of wood out of my hand, and I groaned. “Ow. Ow. Ow.”

  He sighed. “You’re going to have to let me pull these out.”

  I gritted my teeth. “Fine, but do it fast.”

  Koda laughed. “That’s what he’s best at.”

  I turned to him and wanted to ask what he meant, but Ares snarled. “Shush. Let’s get this over with so she can eat.” He smiled at me and then kissed my lips softly. Fire exploded on my lips, and I stared into his blue eyes. Maybe being tied down to him wouldn’t be so bad. I mean, man is he gorgeous. He kissed my cheek and then dropped my hand. “That wasn’t so bad now, was it?”

  I frowned and looked down at my hand. All of the pieces of wood were out and the wounds were already healing. “Wow.”

  Koda snorted. “She’s easily impressed.”

  I shook my head. “I’ve never really been injured so I never knew we could heal so fast.”

  “There are downsides to that.” Koda said.

  “Like what?” I asked curiously.

  He smiled. “Healing too fast and having to cut out the pieces of wood.”

  I cringed. “Ow.”

  Koda nodded. “Definitely.”

  Ares asked, “Are we ready to go eat?”

  I looked at him wearing Darren’s jeans and t-shirt and smiled, “Almost. I need to pack some stuff.” I took the money bags from Koda and walked to my bedroom, finding one of my backpacks. I shoved clothes and hygiene products into it, slung it on my back and then the men talking quietly out on the porch. I started to walk down the steps when Ares cleared his throat. I stopped and turned around. “Yes?”

  He sighed. “Don’t laugh, but can I hold your hand?”

  I stared at him in shock for a second, then looked at Victor’s face. He tilted his head to the side and I smiled at Ares. “Sure.” I held my hand out towards him and he gave me his perfect smile again.

  He interlaced our fingers, and we walked through town toward the pub. It felt good to be holding his hand. No, it felt perfect. He picked our hands up and kissed the back of my hand quickly. “Thank you.”

  I rubbed my face against his shoulder and sighed in contentment. “No problem.”

  The pub was slow, as usual, so we got a seat right away. I looked around for Darcy, but a new waitress I had never seen before walked over to our table. The instant Ares saw her, his entire body tensed. She smiled and spoke with a thick southern drawl. “How y’all doin’? What type of drinks can I start ya’ off with?”

  I smiled. “You’re new here. I’m Artemis.”

  She laughed. “Oh, I know who you are, honey. I’m Sally.”

  I frowned. “You know who I am?”

  She nodded and tilted her head towards the bartender. “He talks a lot about you and yer dad.”

  I smiled. “Oh. Well I’ll have a soda.” The men stared in frozen shock at her. I frowned. “What do you guys want?”

  Ares shook his head. “It’s time to leave.”

  I frowned. “Why?” I looked more closely at the waitress and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary except that she was very attractive. I shrugged. “Guess we aren’t eating here.”

  As I started to get out of the booth, she frowned. “Why her? Why not me?”

  I stared at her, and Ares sighed. “Sally, she’s my passt genau.”

  Sally’s eyes widened, and she shook her head. “I don’t believe you. You’re just with her because she’s younger. I’m not that old.” She lowered her voice. “I’m only a hundred. You know that’s young and you know I’m better.”

  Ares shook his head. “Sally, it wouldn’t have worked between us ev
en if I didn’t find Artemis.”

  Sally snarled. “Let me kill her and prove I’m better.”

  Ares anger exploded from his body and his authority as beta beat against me like a wave of fire. He pushed me gently out of the booth and Koda grabbed me, wrapping his arms around my body. The instant Koda touched me, Ares’ anger and authority stopped pressing against me. Ares spoke slowly, “Sally. She is my passt genau. You know the rules about that. If you kill her, it’s an automatic death sentence. What would you gain?”

  She smiled. “It’s not a death sentence if she agrees to the fight.”

  Ares arms flexed, and she fell to her knees. “You will not speak of fighting or killing Artemis again. If you do, I will let the King judge you for attempted assassination.”

  She whimpered. “I just want to be yours.”

  Ares temper faded, and the pressure released as he squatted down and looked into her eyes, “You can find many others that would willingly be with you. I’m sorry, but I’m taken.” Ares stood, and reached out for me. Koda released his hold on me and I walked quickly to Ares. He led me past the weeping waitress and outside.

  We were almost to the SUVs when she burst out of the pub. “No! No I won’t let her win. She’s only a pup and not fit to be your mate.”

  I stared at the furious woman and could see the bloodlust in her eyes. Ares started to let go of my hand and I grabbed his bicep. “Please. Please don’t kill her.”

  Ares frowned. “She wants to kill you.”

  I shook my head. “Being shunned for another woman younger than you, is defeat enough. Let’s just leave. Order her as beta to go to the nearest wolf town and stay there.”

  He frowned at me. “You want to spare her life, even though she’s admitted that she wants to kill you?”

  I nodded. “It’s not worth it. Please Ares.”

  He sighed and rubbed his temples. “Alright Artemis.” He kissed my cheek and walked towards Sally who was glaring at me with utter hatred. I turned to face Matt, and he put his arm around my shoulders. Ares picked my hand up and whispered, “It’s done.”

  Sally stood and give Ares one last pain-filled look, and me, a look of contempt before running into the forest.