Pertemis: A Wolf’s Tale

Chapter 28 Tale of Jealousy

Artemis’s point of view

Rage, anger, mad, all kinds of angry emotions were boiling within Artemis. How dare that good for nothing, idiotic, moronic man left. The moment she found out is absence, and the scent of Aphrodite all over the room, it all went down. She couldn't find him, couldn't track him down because Aphrodite had blocked his scent. All she could do was to wait and that sent her to Hades. She ran straight to her tent and jumped on her bed, pounding the bed with all her strength. Concurrently, a pool of sad emotion was stirring within her. Why did pereus has to leave? She drown her sorrow on the pillow. She didn't understand why he left. She was to generous for him. She even let him to sleep on the same bed with her. Now, the only respectable and tolerable man will be corrupted by aphrodite. She was soon drowned in a salt water lake as she continued to sob over the loss of perseus. He wasn't bad at all. He did everything she instructed him to without complaining. It took her another hour before I finally tire out from all the crying.

If only she had told him something about her feeling, he wouldn't have left. If only she could be nicer to him, at least decrease the chores or let him have a bit of freedom. Now he was gone, it was to late for her to do anything. He would decide to stay with Aphrodite. He'd no reason to come back, if he wanted more chores and ranting.

That night was not the best night of her life. The room felt so cold without Percy, and the rain outside just worsen the situation.

Artemis was still angry at him, for his impulsive decision to leave and now letting her be in this situation. Lightning occasionally lit up the dark room, Artemis hugged her knees as tear suddenly flowed down her cheeks.

She was mad. She wanted him there so she could shout, could hit, could scowl at him. But most of all she missed his touch. She tried not to shiver, even though the animal fur blanket was wrapped around

her. The bed, the sheet and bolster were too cold for her to sleep, in addition of the thunder outside. Artemis didn't know what to do but to wait until her eyes close.

It was about three in the morning, and suddenly she heard the flap being swept aside, thunder rumbled at the same time.

Artemis was still awake and she was aware or who had entered her tent. She was about to sit up and ranged at him, but he slid on the bed and wrapped his strong arms around her waist, pressing her back closer to him.

He was wet, all his body probably from the rain, but the mattered that had her concern was that stench of blood and dust on him.

He didn't say, just buried his face to the back off her neck. His breathing came uneven from exhaustion. At first she thrashed, and struggled and kicked to be out of his grip. She wanted to hit him, to yell at him so bad. But his arms just kept tight around her, his hand rested on her belly and his breath at her neck sent chill down her spine despite her temptation was to kick him out of the tent, but she seemed to enjoy it so much.

After awhile of trashing and struggling, Artemis became tired as she gave up and decided to hug her bolster. Due to her angry was not satisfied, she couldn't sleep but sob at the bolster.

She knew he had done something, something that caused the stench of blood and monster dust. She wanted an answer, but she knew he was tired.

His grip was loosing at her waist as she knew he was deeply as sleep. Artemis risked to turned to face him.

She saw dust and blood covered his face. He was half naked, only in his boxer. His torso was had burnt and minor cuts. His face was deadly, serious and brutal even he was sleeping. Artemis dared to

couch his cheek with her hand, she kept staring at his close eyes, hoping them to open.

Although she was mad, still she had relieved that he had returned. Guessed things would be explained tomorrow. Artemis hesitatingly pressed her soft lips against his forehead and laid down intimately close to his face. With his arm still around her waist, slowly, Artemis dosed off from the familiar warmth she received every night.

The next morning came as she awoke by a the bird singing from the outside. She sat up, only to be pulled down by Percy arm. After awhile of struggling, she gave up and just stared at him sleeping instead.

He looked so peaceful now, not like last night. Guess sleep can somehow ease the brutal beast within him. Slowly, his eyes flung opened and the first he said made suddenly got her angry.

"Hello Artemis"

It wasn't that the thing he said, but the tone was so carefree that nothing had happened. Like he didn't care that if she was worried and all. With all the angry, she slapped him across the cheek so hard that the Fates would've been proud.

"Artemis what the hell!?" He yelled, holding his cheek.

"Hello Artemis?" she spatted at his face after she had sat up. "You wen out for a whole fucking day without even consulting me! And you said like nothing happened!?"

"I had a mission to do ok!" he sat up as well and tried to defend himself.

"What mission do you have with Aphrodite!?" She spatted at him. "Besides rolling in her bed!"

"If you think I went to bed with Aphrodite and get the blood and monsters dust all over me" He glared at her. "Then you must be more ridiculous and stupid than I am!"

"That's what I don't understand!" she snarled. "Is this a kind of set up to fool me?"

"No! You never understand what the fuck is going on!" He flared as Artemis leaned back. His vein turned visible as his eyes glowed red. "I decided to help some demigods being surrounded by monsters, instead of being here as your slave happy? It's not like you care much anyway! I'm a male right? Is that what you hate a lot about me so what ever I do would not appease you!"

"Percy I-" she tried to said in a softer voice but he was on the flow.

"If you think I was just like other male, I could've just stayed with Aphrodite forever instead of coming back here. She treats me way better anyway and fine I admit it. I like her, I like Aphrodite even if she's not using her power on me, I still like her!"

Artemis eyes were filled with betrayal. She knew the moment Aphrodite showed herself, one day Perseus would fall for her. But it happened sooner than she expected. Her heart felt like being stabbed, it ached so much that she just wanted to rip it out. She was angry, yet sad. She was lost and out of her disoriented mind, she roared in range.

"Get out of my tent you fucking moron!" She punched him on the chest as suddenly tears streaking down her cheeks. "You disgust me! Out of my sight before I shoot you to dead."

"It's not like I want to stay next to you anyway" he muttered and walked out without even turning back.

Artemis didn't know what to do. It was anger that controlled her, it was anger that ruin their bond. He was gone, now to better or worse she did not know. But she knew that he didn't have the heart of staying back anymore. Artemis swept everything to the floor on the nightstand by her hand, as she screamed. She blasted a ball of energy that destroyed the table completely. She breathed out hard and cried on her pillows, wetting it as the sorrow flowed in.

Percy’s Point of View

Stupid, impulsive, crazy moody Artemis. He thought bitterly as he punched the water. After awhile, Percy climbed out from the stream and fired himself. All the angry was swept, but mot completely by the cold water of the stream. He like water, it cooled him down most of the time.

He didn't want to return to that tent, where that particular crazy goddess still staying within. He threw a rock across the stream, watched it jumped on the surface.

He shouldn't have agreed to stay with Artemis. She never liked him anyway, it was a fantasy in his sleep that one day they would turn into something more intimate than now. It was ridiculous to even begin with. Dating a man hating goddess and worst of all she had to date her half-brother.

When he told her he like Aphrodite, he was actually meaning it. Being with her he felt a feeling of being loved by someone. Not the love of his mother or aunt Hestia, but a loved from an opposite gender. Yet somehow, his heart just kept pulling him back to that auburn hair, that silver eyes and that...Snap out of it Percy! She's not the one! He screamed internally. Yet part of him still tried to counter, like 'what about the vision you saw in the future with her?' Sometimes he'd have a legit answer for it as he was wounding at the time, that would have been a hallucination. But part of his heart, deep down still believed it was Fates that had set them up.

No matter. He'd anger her and once you anger a goddess, especially THIS goddess. There's no turning back. Guess he just had to take refugee to Aphrodite or aunt Hestia. Perhaps find away to return to Delos, being scowled by Leto. Worst case scenario, he had to sleep outside. But as long as not staying with that crazy goddess, he would gladly accept sleeping in the cold.

"Drowning your sorrow again?" He turned back and found Annabeth with Thalia besides her.

"Don't tell me Artemis sent you guys out to punish me" he tried to make a joke, but he had no heart.

"Milady would do it herself" Annabeth took a seat next to him while Thalia sat besides her.

"What did you do this time boy?" Thalia chided in.

"Well I went to do a help Aphrodite saving some demigods" he said casually, "because she couldn't help them due to this 'ancient laws' and Artemis thought I did something corrupted. So much for being good."

"Hah you should've thought going out with Aphrodite would bring misunderstandings." Thalia said. "And besides how could we know if you were telling the truth."

"Go to camp half blood or the SPQR camp thing and ask someone named Leo, Jason, Reyna, Frank, Hazel and Piper" Percy rolled his eyes. "Ask them did anyone fall out from the sky and helped you guys to escape."

As he mentioned the name, both girls went rigid as their eyes widened. Suddenly, a sudden sadness washed over both as Annabeth's eyes turned teary, before Percy could ask. She ran away leaving only Thalia looking at her sadly.

"Did I do something?" He scratched his head. Annabeth was one of his closest friend at camp. Seeing her cry hurt him a lot.

"No it's just the memory" Thalia sighed.

"Care to share?" He asked soft. He wasn't close to Thalia much, considering she always shot arrows at him if he camp within the 5 radius. But seeing her sad didn't settle his heart.

"It's ok if you don't want to" He suddenly blurted out. "I can't leave you alone."

He was about to set his butt to leave, but Thalia did the unexpected.

"Stay" she told him. "I think it should be time for you to know"

Percy sat down and carefully listened to her.

"The group of demigods you just mentioned were our closet friends." Thalia began. "Annabeth used to be in that too along with..."

The was a lump of emotion in her throat that she tried to swallow, tears swelled up as she looked at the water.

"Along with Peter Johnson (???)."

"Wait I heard Hyperion spoke of him before I killed that Titan" Percy said.

"He was a legend Perseus" Thalia said. "Slayer of Kronos and saviour of Olympus and all. But with me, he was like a brother sharing the same blood. The last war with the Giants, he pulled down Gaia to oblivion with the rest of her children."

A moment of silence as Thalia tried to control her breathing. Two streams of tear already shredded down her cheeks.

"We were all heartbroken. Especially with the group that had been on the Argor carrying the mission to stop her. Annabeth couldn't take it so she joined the Hunt."

"No wonder she doesn't hate male lien you guys" Percy tried to lighten the mood a little. Thalia smiled, at least she appreciated that a little.

"Oh trust me when it comes down" Thalia said. "She can be worse than us."

"But she seems nice and all" Percy said. "She didn't treat me bad when I first arrived."

"I don't treat you that bad!" she complained.

"Yup absolutely not" Percy said cheerfully, a hint off sarcasm. "Except shooting arrows within five miles, being leader of pranking Percy group and did I mention your clothes are the dirtiest amongst the hunters?" novelbin

"Lucky you are not dead or fatally injured" she mentioned.

"Nearly to the point of fatally injured" Percy contradicted her. "Remember the cage and wolfsbane?"

"Oh jeez" Thalia rolled her eyes. "Stop being a whiny and grudge holder. You should be thankful that you are allowed to live with us. Not many males can have that"

"Mean there were some males lived here?" Percy frowned.

"Long story short" Thalia said. "They came here by order or have a little connection with Artemis."

"I didn't know Artemis was that fond to male"

"No she does not" Thalia confirmed. "It's just depend on the situation. Like now she's covering you form the chase of the Olympians. You should be thankful."

"Right thank you for the chores and prank and slave treatment." Percy said, giving Thalia a sarcastic bow.

"Stop whining already" Thalia said. "You know Milady really hates whinnies"

"She's already hated me" Percy said as he turned his gaze to the water and threw the rock on the surface again.

After a while, he had a weird feeling and out of the corner of his eyes. He saw the impossible. Thalia was smiling at him.

"Uh is there anything on my face?" He looked at her weirdly.

"No, nothing wrong" Thalia shook her head and focus on the view in front of them again, which was the other side of the stream with trees and animals.

Percy still frowned at her when he saw the corner of her lips still switching upward.

"You remind me so much of Peter" she finally spoke. "You guys have the same characteristics, personalities and hobbies. Heck even your scent and appearance is nearly identical to him."

"So that's why Annabeth opened to me first?" He asked.

"Perhaps" Thalia said, still looking at the stream.

"Then why didn't you" Percy grimaced. "I mean if I reminded you of Perter, you should've opens up with me right. Didn't you love him?"

"I loved and I was angry Percy" Thalia looked at his eyes as she threw a rock across the lake. "I was angry that he left without a goodbye. I was not supposed to be here right now, he volunteered to do that job and he died because of it. I was supposed to be in his place that day. When I first saw you, I didn't know anything more but anger. I wanted to put it on Peter but he wasn't there and you being alike to him. You became the bowl where I pour my sorrow and anger."

Silence emerged as he stared at Thalia.

"That just makes no sense at all" Percy said after awhile of thinking.

"Oh I forgot to mention you two are both Kelp Head" Thalia sighed.

"Huh?"

"Never mind" Thalia rolled her eyes as she sighed and waved her hand in dismissal.

"So why are you thing to me now" He said. "Aren't you supposed to be hating me and start shooting arrows at me or something"

"We can learn to let go Perseus" Thalia told him. "As I've let go of Peter, therefore I don't have a grudge with you anymore. Besides I think you have suffered enough."

"You are don't hate me anymore?" He grinned. "Like you will open up with and don't want to shoot arrows at me?"tooo

M

"No I still want to shoot arrows at you because of your annoying grin" Thalia spatted. "But as much as I hate it, I've to l Ce admit that I don't hate you anymore and....I'm...sorry for the last prank"

"All don't worry" Percy waved his hands. "Knowing you guys went out finding me day and night. I've long let that go"

"You just mentioned it few moment ago" Thalia glared at him.

"You know I was joking right" he rolled his eyes back.

"Yeh I know" she slapped him on the back that nearly made him head over into the water.

"Come!" Thalia stood up and swept the dirt off her pants. "I've accepted you, so you must fight one of us to make your stand here."

"Huh why?" Perseus followed her.

"It's a tradition we made up" Thalia smirked. "Besides I know you did something stupid that has angered Milady. Since you are still angry at her as well, maybe some exercise can ease some of it in your head. Also I don't want to talk with you whole day. Your stupidity gives me a headache."

"Hey I can be smart too you know" Percy protested.

"CAN BE" Thalia emphasised the word as she turned back to him. "But it doesn't show. But who cares what you think anyway? Kelp Head is still Kelp Head. Maybe this sparring can make you tire and exhaust you for the big chores. A punishment for angering Milady."

"You don't know who caused the fight!" Perseus exclaimed exasperatedly.

"I don't care" Thalia huffed.

"I didn't agree to it. And now I'm saying no." Percy said, smiling back at Thalia

"Aww? The Mighty Werewolf Perseus Phoebe is scared of little old Thals."

"Who says I am I scared? You are so on Sparky Brain." He retorted immediately, only to cover his mouth in regret. Thalia started laugh at him

"Told you you're an idiot." She added, and laughed even harder at Percy. How did I get goateed into this? He mumbled.

"How about this Sparky Brain, if I win you have to sharpen the arrows for me." He asked back.

"How dumb do I look kelp head? You think you can use back the same tactics at me?" she sneered at him

"Aww little old thals is scared of a little labour." He goateed back. She is going to fall for it. He smiled evilly within. He gleed at her, goading her further.

"Like I said, not going to work. Good try though." She shoots back at him. Damn! Great now I have to fight thalia AND do my chores, Percy sighed in his mind.

"Come on kelp head, cheer up. You at least can let off some steam too." Thalia slapped him on the back.

"You seriously should stop the slapping" Percy whined. "I may get internal lung bleeding one day"

"Whine whine" Thalia rolled her eyes, AGAIN.

"You try having to do so many chores for the next few years of your life. And now I have to waste even more energy fighting you." He said sadly. He really needed all the energy he need to sharpen those arrows. It's crazy to have to sharpen thousands of arrows in a few hours.

"Well, then at least enjoy this fight first. If you don't give it your all I am going to beat you up like a pulp." She "persuaded", giving him an elbow to his side.

"I think staying at the infirmary for the next few days sounds good to me." Percy mumbled.

"I bet with you Artemis won't let you rest unless you are unconscious." She said. He sighed, she probably right.

They reached the arena and started to warm themselves up. The hunters slowly came in and took their seats as they watched with expectations. Percy and thalia got into their starting position and were ready to fight.

"Power allowed?" He asked her.

"Besides turning into a wolf which I do not recommend here" Thalia sneered. "What kind of power do you have?"

"Uh summoning food?" He scratched his head.

"Right, really useful in battle" Thalia sighed. "As you wish for the powers"

Thalia summoned her bow immediately as the hunters cheered. Percy smirked as he thought. Arrows against sword in melee combat. You'll see Thals.

Percy pulled out his pen and uncapped it. Riptide flung into its mighty form. The young hunters gave out an 'awe' as they started cheering for him.

"Where did you get that?" Thalia widened her eyes in surprise.

"Let just say a reward from rescue mission" Percy smirked at her.

They waited for declaration and finally it came from Zoë.

Thalia notched an arrow and shot at him, he deflected easily with the sword. He lunged at her, only to have Thalia jumping back and kept jumping away. She fired another arrow, Percy tried to deflect again, but the moment his sword touched it, electricity shock him that he nearly wetted his pants.

Percy managed to hold back the sword and glared at Thalia. He forgot that daughter of Zeus, she could create electricity and metal conducts it too.

Thalia kept firing again, and Percy expected them to be charged so he just had to dodge. But dodging arrows from a experience hunter wasn't easy. Eventually, arrow stuck at his thigh that got him to his knees.

"Yeah Thals" Phoebe cheered. "Finish him!"

Artemis after her crying all morning had gotten tired and got on her feet. The camp was surprisingly empty today, not one practice shooting or running around. That was until she heard a cheer at the arena area.

Leaning against the door, she saw Percy was being fired by Thalia. She smiled to himself seeing him being punished. That's right you moron, at least my hunters can give you a lesson. She had to admit

his reflex was fast. He dodged arrow after arrow. But when an arrow hit him at the thigh, Artemis suddenly let out a gasp and nearly ran in to help him.

"Stupid Artemis" she mumbled bitterly "he's not for you to care anymore"

The crowd cheered as young hunters closed their eyes. Thalia aimed an arrow at his shoulder and fired. Percy hair had time to put his arm to defend, but suddenly a wall of fire lit up from the crowd that burnt the arrow to ashes.

Everyone quite down as Artemis widened her eyes in shock. Percy slowly opened his eyes and started inspecting himself, but non arrow hit him.

"H-how did you do that?" Thalia stuttered.

"Do what?" He looked at her confusingly.

Thalia notched another arrow and shot at him again, Percy due to his reflect raised his arm to defend his face. The arrow against was burnt by a wall of fire.

He smirked as realising his power and slowly stood up. Artemis had to admit he was a pretty good fighter and powerful with Hestia. She knew even Artemis fighting herself would be no match to him. Also with the supernatural strength of a werewolf, he would be tougher than Ares.

As expected, Thalia was soon defeated and was pushed on the ground with his sword pointing at her. The young hunters cheered as they started collecting from the hunters having grudge against him. Artemis couldn't help but smiled a little.

But then, something shine that blinded her eyes. She followed to its source and her blood boiled.

She didn't know why she didn't notice it before. Percy was holding the sword that had Aphrodite scent all over it. With the fight in the morning, she was already mad about him. Now seeing him possessed

something from anymore woman made her couldn't stand it anymore. Artemis leaped ran straight from the door and charged at him with her hunting knifes in her hand. He's going to pay for it. She screamed internally. He turned over and she gave him one swift kick in the chest. She followed up with a fury of attack. Thalia and the hunters looked at her in shock. Artemis gave out a battle cry and charged again.

she kept thrusting her dagger at him. The only thing in her mind was to kill that bastard.

"What is wrong with you artemis?" he asked, still trying to block her attacks. She ignored him, to hades with this male. She thought he was special. He gained her respect once, but now... AH! He managed to disarm her and twist her hand to her back. Artemis tried to break free, but hades his grip was tight.

"What did I do this time? Haven't we got enough this morning?" he demanded.

Idiot, stupid male! AH! She let loose a wave of power and forced him back. She took the chance and attacked him with her fist and knife.

"Milady stop!" Thalia and Ananbeth screamed trying to stop her.

Percy was still stunned by the blast and couldn't block or dodge her attack. In her deep anger, Artemis thrusted one last time with all of her mighty that the blade piercing through Percy's flesh.

"Ahhh" A roar that shook the arena, everyone gasp at her.

Her mind slowly came back to her senses, only to received a betrayed look from Percy. Tears swelled up his eyes, yet he held that stare. It was cold, anger and full of betrayal.

Artemis breathed out as she had realised her mistake. She let go off the handle, her hands coated in his blood.

"Oh my gods" words tinkling at her lips as Percy dropped on his knees, blood started pouring out from his mouth.

"Oh my Percy!" Annabeth and Thalia screamed as they rushed at his side.

Artemis was still stunned, her legs just planted on the ground as she stared down at him. He looked up, two stream of tears streaking down yet he didn't say.

And before Artemis could do anything for him, Percy felt on the ground unconscious with her silver dagger at his torso.

N/A sorry for the long update. There you have it. Enjoy.

Percy’s Point of View

Artemis’s point of view