Kiss of a Star Artemis Lupine

by Banks, Catherine

We continued down the dirt road and past shops selling clothes and food. A small group of children stood outside one shop with ice cream cones. I stopped and stared at the cluster of toddlers and elementary aged kids. Children? I mean, I knew they had children. I’d seen the ones at the first werewolf village I’d been to, but so many young ones, just walking around?

  Did Ares want children? Would he want me to have a child? A werewolf child?

  Artemis?

  I looked at Ares and shook my head. Nothing.

  He looked towards the kids and lifted his lips in a wolfish grin. Yes, we do have children here, just like at the other village.

  I moved away from him. Can we just get to wherever it is that we’re going? I want to change.

  Ares shut his mouth and looked upset, his tail tight against his body. Alright.

  He led the way in silence as we passed more houses and more people. I couldn’t believe there were so many werewolves in one place. If the humans knew about this, it would be chaos. Of course with the preternaturals taking over the world the humans already had plenty of chaos to deal with. Ares finally stopped at a two story log cabin with a wraparound porch on both floors. It was beautiful, warm and inviting.

  Ares changed forms and signaled for me to do the same. Koda and Matt changed forms and walked into the house without looking back at me. Achilles stepped onto the porch and spoke to Ares over his shoulder, “I’ll wait inside.”

  Ares watched him walk inside with a fierce look on his face. He turned to me and his face softened. “Come on, Artemis.”

  I closed my eyes and pictured my human body. My body rippled and I stood up in my human form. It still amazed me how easy it was to switch between forms. It also made me wish that I’d known about it sooner.

  “Welcome to Lyngvi,” Ares said.

  “Lyngvi?”

  Ares nodded his head. “That’s the name of this town.”

  He picked me up in his arms and started walking up the stairs. “Ares!” I gasped.

  He smiled and stopped in front of the door. “I want to carry you over the threshold.”

  “We’re not married.” The words left my mouth before I thought of the repercussions.

  Ares’ smile vanished and he looked at my face with pain pinching the corner of his eyes. “Artemis, you’re my mate. That means we’re married. How many times do we have to go over this?”

  I had to fix the pain I’d caused him. I took a minute to plan out what to say before starting. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean it like that. I just meant that taking me over the threshold is only done when humans get married.”

  “This is my house, well ours now. You accepted my last name, ‘Lupine’, like a human married couple would have. Why can’t you accept this?”

  “Alright. You win. Take me into our house,” I said quietly.

  He kissed my cheek and smiled victoriously. “I always win.”

  He stepped over the threshold and then ran up the stairs, to the right and into a bedroom. He set me down on my feet slowly just inside the door. A large bed with luscious purple silk sheets took up most of the bedroom. A door across the room led to the bathroom where I could see his and her sinks. A second door to the left led into a walk-in closet. The room was so welcoming and warm, that I instantly felt safe. I walked to the bed and ran my hand along the sheets. “It’s beautiful.”

  He was still standing in the doorway, but was smiling, the full smile he so rarely wore. “I had the sheets sent from Paris specifically for you.”

  He started to walk into the bedroom when someone called from downstairs, “Ares.”

  Ares sighed loudly. “He’s going to be a pest.”

  I walked quickly to him, feeling his irritation. “Ares, I love you and…”

  Ares shook his head and kissed my lips, stopping me from continuing. “Don’t worry, Artemis. It’ll be fine.” He rested his hand against my face and gave me his full smile again. “You’re so beautiful.”

  A blush covered my cheeks, which made him laugh. He kissed my cheek and then yelled, “Koda!”

  Koda bounded up the stairs, taking them two at a time. He stopped at the door. “You rang?”

  Ares stepped away from me slowly and stared at Koda. “You’ve been reassigned.”

  Koda’s eyes widened in shock and his voice rose a few notches higher. “What?! You’re reassigning me?! What did I do?”

  Ares placed a hand on Koda’s shoulder and smiled reassuringly. “Brother, calm down. I’m reassigning you to be Artemis’ guard.”

  Koda exhaled and put a hand against his chest. “Oh thank the Mother. I thought you were kicking me out of the pack!”

  Ares shook his head. “I couldn’t kick you out of the pack. Besides, I trust only a few with her. Guard her while I speak to Achilles.”

  Ares kissed my cheek one more time and then walked quickly down the stairs. I watched his naked backside as he took the stairs. Koda cleared this throat. “Earth to Artemis.”

  I blushed again. “Sorry, Koda.”

  He walked into the bedroom and hopped up onto the bed. “They’re going to be talking for a while.”

  “Why does Ares hate Achilles so much?” I asked as I sat down next to Koda on the bed.

  Koda leaned back against the pillows and headboard. “That is a long story that Ares is better to tell you. I’m not trying to hide anything from you, but there’s a lot to the story that I don’t know.”

  “Is he bad?”

  Koda laughed. “Bad? Well, it depends…he’s not evil, if that’s what you mean.”

  “What do you think they’re going to decide?” I asked as I leaned back against the pillows next to Koda. His closeness was comforting, his scent, a mix of wolf and forest, was relaxing.

  “I don’t know,” Koda said honestly. Koda stood up off of the bed and walked through the door that led into the closet. “You seem to be adjusting quickly,” Koda said from inside the closet.

  I looked down at my naked body and shrugged. “It just seems natural. I mean, I’m not going to walk around town naked or anything, but you, Matt and Ares are going to be seeing me naked a lot and, well, I just feel different now. It’s like the connection with Ares has made me more mature in some ways. I’m not saying I’m completely mature, but in some aspects I think I am. I don’t know, you probably think I’m being ridiculous.”

  Koda walked out of the closet and tossed me a fluffy white robe. “I don’t think you’re being ridiculous. I think you’re right. It may be your connection, or it may just be Ares.”

  I raised an eyebrow at him as I slipped the soft robe on. “Ares?”

  “An alpha male has an intense effect on those of his pack. The alpha who cares for you after your first change, shapes you. Ares is a supreme being. He’s kind, loyal, sympathetic and good. Sure he can be intense, angry and scary at times, but overall he’s smart and level headed and very mature.”

  Ares stepped into the bedroom, wearing a pair of pants. “You flatter me.”

  Koda rolled his eyes. “I wasn’t saying it for your sake.”

  Ares leaned against the bed post with his arms crossed. “We’re still at a stalemate. I’m not sure what we’re going to decide.”

  I crawled across the bed to sit beside where he was standing. “It’s alright.”

  He smiled and kissed my cheek. “I’ve got to go speak with the King. Promise to stay away from Achilles?”

  I nodded my head. “I’ll stay here in the room with Koda.”

  Ares looked at Koda. “Don’t let him near her and don’t let anything happen to her while I’m gone.”

  Koda bowed at the waist. “Of course.”

  Ares rolled his eyes at Koda then kissed my lips. “Before I go, I want to show you something.” He took my hand and I hopped down from the bed to follow.

  He led me into the walk in closet and I stared in shock at the size of it. I’d thought it would be the size of a normal closet, but the room was as big as the living room at Darren’s house. He led me pa
st rows of pants, shirts and suits for men and to a back section that was recently added on. I knew it had been added on because there was still sawdust on the floor from the cabinets being put in.

  Ares opened the doors to the cabinets, revealing rows of dresses, shirts, pants, undergarments and shoes. “Whose are these?” I asked in shock as I touched a soft white dress that stood out among the others.

  “It’s all yours,” he said softly.

  I turned to face him in shock. “Mine? What do you mean mine?”

  “When I started dreaming about you I called here and had this area built for you. Then, when we were in Paris, I called again with your size and had these clothes and other items placed here.” He looked at the dress I was still touching. “I bought that for you in Paris.”

  I smiled. “You’re full of wonderful surprises, Ares. Thank you.”

  He took my hand. “There’s more.” He led me out of the closet, past Koda and to the bathroom. The bathroom was painted and decorated in a warm blue tone. The his and her sinks each had a toothbrush and holder next to them. Ares opened the cabinet doors under the sinks and pointed in. I looked inside and gasped. It was stocked full of feminine products, hair care products, hair brushes, curling irons, and devices I couldn’t name or even imagine how to use. “I wanted you to have everything you needed. I want this to be your home as much as it is mine.”

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “Thank you. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

  I kissed him and he rubbed his thumb down my cheek. “Why are you crying?”

  I laughed and wiped at my eyes. “Sorry, it’s not you. I just…with Darren I never felt loved. Sure he provided all of the necessary items for me and he kept me safe, but it was never a loving home. It wasn’t really even a home to me. But with you…I feel loved and this feels like home to me already.”

  Ares kissed both of my eyes softly, stopping the tears. “I’m sorry your childhood was hard. I promise that I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe and happy. I love you, Sunshine.”

  I smirked. “Sunshine?” He’d been trying to come up with a nickname for me, but I’d rejected “baby” and a few others I simply refused to let him call me.

  Ares frowned. “You don’t like it?”

  “Why Sunshine?” I asked as I played with his hair.

  “Because you gave me sunlight in my darkest day. I thought I was going crazy before I met you. Now, even with all that is happening, every time I look at you, I feel happy and warm. So, yes, ‘Sunshine’ is your name.”

  I kissed his lips quickly. “I like it.”

  Matt cleared his throat. “Darius isn’t going to like you being late.”

  Ares sighed. “Duty calls.”

  I kissed his cheek before walking out of the bathroom and towards the closet. “I promise Koda and I will stay in the room, away from Achilles until you get back.”

  Ares stopped at the bedroom door and turned back to me. “After I return we’ll be going to dinner. The whole town will be there. Will you wear the white dress?”

  I saw the hopeful look on his face and curtsied, bowing my head. “Of course, my Prince.”

  All three men laughed. Ares rushed over and kissed my lips hard, making my heart race. “Don’t forget your necklace.”

  I touched the diamond heart necklace which was on my upper chest. It had been a present from Ares, a sign so that everyone would know that I had his heart alone. “I’ve still got it on.”

  Ares smiled happily. “Good. I should be back in an hour or two.”

  I hurried into the closet and to my cabinets. I’d never had so many clothes before. I took down the white dress and stroked the soft fabric. It had spaghetti straps, a v-cut neckline and an hour glass shape like I had. I hung it on a hook on the wall and stared at the assortment of shoes. “Koda,” I called softly.

  He walked silently into the closet. If I hadn’t been watching for him, I never would have known he was coming. “Yes?”

  I pointed to the cabinet. “I need you to help me figure out what to wear with this dress.”

  He smiled. “No problem.” He stopped in front of the cabinet and whistled. “Wow, he went all out for you. Not that I suspected he wouldn’t, but this is amazing.”

  “I know. I’ve never owned so many clothes before,” I said dreamily.

  He looked at the white dress and then at me. “Hm…alright, here’s what we’re going to do.” He took out a pair of white two inch heels and set them on the ground, underneath the dress. “Those.” He started riffling through the underwear and I stared in shock at the thongs and lingerie in the pile. I’d never worn lingerie before. He picked up a white silk thong and set it on a chair that I hadn’t noticed was next to the dress. “This.” He turned to me now and frowned. “You’re too big busted to go braless.”

  I frowned. “Thanks.”

  He shrugged. “Just being honest.” He turned back to the cabinet and pulled out a white strapless bra. “Perfect.”

  I stared at the completed outfit and smiled. “You’re good.”

  He smiled wide. “I know. Now go take a shower before you put all of that white stuff on. You’ve got dirt all over your legs.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Yes, father.”

  He smacked my arm playfully. “You want to look great for Ares, right?”

  I nodded my head. “Right.” I gingerly took off the diamond necklace and handed it to him. “Keep it safe while I’m in the shower.”

  He took the necklace slowly and held it in one palm. “I promise. Now hurry. I want to tell you some things before we go to dinner.”

  I jogged to the bathroom and took off the robe. I started to reach for the door to shut it, but knew if Koda was supposed to be protecting me that he’d want it open. Plus, I felt safer having it open. The tub to the left of me was giant, big enough to fit all four of us in comfortably. “Koda, is this a spa or tub?” I asked curiously.

  He laughed. “It’s a spa.”

  “Why is there a spa in the bathroom?”

  “Don’t ask me. Ares designed this house,” Koda said loudly.

  The shower had no door, consisting of one long tiled wall with a shower head, which came out of the middle with a large drain in the middle of the floor. If I had been less modest I would be running to shut the bathroom door now. I turned the shower head on and quickly scrubbed my hair and body. The shampoo and soap didn’t have a smell, which was surprisingly refreshing to my nose. I hadn’t realized how much the scented soaps bothered me until then. After drying off, brushing my teeth and blow drying my hair I finally felt clean. Clean for the first time in weeks. I strolled across the bedroom. “It’s great to be clean.”

  Koda grunted. “Sure, rub it in.”

  My foot hit the floor awkwardly as I tried to stop in mid-step before turning to him. “What?”

  He sniffed his arm. “I stink, but until Ares comes back I can’t shower.”

  “Sure you can. I’ll just do my hair and makeup in the bathroom so that you’ll be protecting me while you get clean,” I said with a smile.

  He stared at me in shock. “You’d be willing to do that?”

  “It’s not that big of a deal. Let me put on my underwear and dress.” A patch of sun was shining on the dress as I walked in. It looked too perfect for me to wear, but Ares wanted it on. The underwear felt somewhat uncomfortable as I put them on, but after a minute I barely noticed them. Of course there wasn’t much fabric to notice. The bra fit well, but without straps I felt awkward. Finally, I slipped the dress on over my head and shimmied it down my body. It was snug, but not uncomfortable. After smoothing the dress down again, I walked out of the closet and twirled in a slow circle. “What do you think?”

  Koda was sitting perfectly still, I couldn’t even see his chest rising or falling with breath. “Wow,” He said softly. He walked slowly towards me, making me stop twirling and blush. He smiled, but his eyes looked sad. “You’re beautiful, Artemis. Ares
is a lucky man.”

  Achilles spoke from the doorway, making me jump since I hadn’t realized he was there. “Does Ares know that you have feelings for Artemis?”

  Koda frowned. “Of course I have feelings for her and Ares knows. She’s part of my pack.”

  Achilles smiled and it took my breath away. He looked like a Greek god. Wait? Achilles was a hero in greek myths, right? Was he… “Achilles?”

  Achilles looked at me and his smile faltered. “Yes?”

  “Are you the Achilles?” I asked nervously. Being around him was uncomfortable, but not in a fearful way. He made me want to relax and be near him, which wasn’t normal. Even Ares didn’t feel like this to me.

  Achilles smiled. “That is a long discussion that you and I will be having at a later time.”

  Koda grumbled. “Speaking of that, I need you to go back downstairs.”

  Achilles frowned at him. “Ares gave you orders to keep me away from her?”

  Koda nodded his head. “I’m sorry, but he is my alpha and his orders were clear.” Achilles looked like he wanted to argue, but Koda whispered, “Please.”

  Achilles sighed and rubbed his temples. “You were always my favorite, Koda. What do you want me to do, Artemis?”

  “I promised Ares I would stay away from you, please leave,” I said quietly.

  Achilles bowed at the waist in a graceful motion that made me stare in awe at him. “As you wish,” he said before turning on his heel and heading down the hallway. The tone in which he said the words made me think of Wesley from Princess Bride and made me shiver involuntarily.

  Koda handed me the diamond heart necklace and whispered, “It’s a good thing Achilles is a reasonable male.”

  I clipped the necklace in place and walked towards the bathroom. “Come on. I want to be ready by the time Ares gets here.”

  Koda followed me in and started undressing. I pulled out the hair straightener and the box of makeup I’d seen earlier. Koda started the shower behind me and began singing. If he hadn’t been such a talented singer I would have laughed at him, but his voice was amazing and after a moment I hummed along as he sang. My hair didn’t take long to straighten, but I was having trouble deciding what makeup to use. If I used too much makeup I would smell funny, but I needed something to spice myself up.