The True Alpha Guardian of the Hunt

Chapter 12

Scottie's POV

The decisions on which demigods go where were left to Annabeth, so I know that I can trust her decisions. I'm sending Derek and Peter to the mystical version of Mount Othrys in California, Malia and Cora to Beacon Hills since nobody knows those woods better than Malia and Cora can keep up with her, Kira and I are heading to Mount Tam, Jackson and the Twins are heading to the Empire State Building, Isaac and Braedon are heading to keep an eye on Camp Jupiter until the barrier can be built, and Jordan will stay here to keep an eye out until the barrier is built here. I told Annabeth where I was putting my pack and she looked confused.

"Why is only one person staying to guard Camp Half-Blood?" She asked curiously.

"Because Jordan is by far my strongest pack member, he's a hellhound." I answered. "He's stronger than me, which probably isn't saying much, but it's the best I can do with the people I have."

"You saying he's stronger than you is saying a whole lot, you beat our best fighter in single combat." Annabeth said with certainty. "If you trust that he can handle it, I'll also trust in him."

"I mean I could always have Kira stay with him if that'll make you and the others feel better." I suggested.

"But then you'd be alone out there." Annabeth countered but all I did was shrug. "Fine, I'll have Thalia and Piper go with you if you leave Kira here with Jordan."

"I know who Thalia is, but who's Piper?" I asked curiously.

"A daughter of Aphrodite, though she's nothing like her mother or siblings, also a member of the seven." Annabeth answered.

"Alright, I guess I know my plan." I said, turning to leave but being stopped by Annabeth's hand on my shoulder.

"Are you alright?" She asked me, looking like she knew something about me that even I didn't know. "You sound so resigned, ready to die."

"I've been ready to die ever since Peter bit me." I answered. "No, I don't want to die, but I'm not afraid of it."

"Alright, but know that you can talk to me whenever you want, you're my sister even if we didn't know it until like a week ago." Annabeth said softly, causing me to give her a gentle smile and small nod of reassurance. "You just hit me with the mother face, didn't you?"

I didn't answer as I was already leaving the Big House. I went towards the cabin I've been staying in with the hunters and found Hazel laying on my bed, not that I mind, looking bored out of her mind. Artemis is standing towards the head telling her a story of the hunt, like she's trying to convince her to join.

"Scottie, so what's the game plan?" Hazel asked quickly, stopping Artemis' retelling of a tale.

"Me, Thalia, and Piper are heading to Mount Tam to check on Atlas." I said, and Artemis looked beyond mad.

"No!" Artemis shouted and stormed out before she flashed away.

"What's going on, do you know why she reacted like that?" Hazel asked me, but I was in stunned silence. "I guess I'll go ask around."

3rd Person POV

Before Hazel made it to the door three hunters rushed in, curious about what happened. Thalia, Rena, and Phoebe all spotted the shocked and frozen look on Scottie's face along with the curious look on Hazel's.

"What happened?" Rena asked curiously, trying to get answers from Scottie, who was unresponsive.

"Missions were decided, Artemis didn't like the location Scottie was assigned." Hazel answered, a touch nervous with Thalia and Phoebe staring her down.

"And where is Scottie going?" Thalia asked calmly.

"You, Scottie, and Piper are going to Mount Tam." Hazel said, in almost a whisper from fright since Thalia is scaring her with the way she's acting.

"I understand what's going on." Thalia said while shaking her head, Phoebe was also worried since she knew Zoë as well. "The question is, has Artemis told Scottie what happened to the former lieutenant of the hunt?"

"Not that I know of, neither of them have mentioned anything about the former lieutenant." Hazel answered, calming down since Thalia has seemingly truly calmed down now. "Why, what happened?"

"Zoë was the name of the former lieutenant, she died on Mount Tam." Thalia answered briefly. "It's not my place to tell you any more than that, but you needed to know that much at least so that way you can understand Artemis' reason for getting so mad."

"It's not like we've really got much of a choice, we need strong people to go because of what's up on that mountain." Phoebe spoke up with a sigh. "On that mountain is the Hesperides and the dragon Ladon, not to mention the Titan Atlas."

"I know why we're going, and I know why it has to be us, I just wish we didn't." Thalia said with a sigh of resignation. "I just wish nobody had to go to that accursed place."

A flash occurred outside of the cabin and the door all but slammed open. Artemis walked in, still not looking even a bit happy, a box in her hands. She looked up and froze when she noticed that Scottie hasn't moved, nor has her face changed, since she left. Although, Artemis was only frozen for a mere moment before she approached Scottie and gently cupped the side of her face with one hand.

"I'm sorry for the way I reacted." Artemis spoke softly. "It wasn't fair to you when I haven't told you what I lost on that mountain."

Thalia cleared her throat to get Artemis' attention, alerting her to their presence since she didn't notice them even when she almost ran them over.

"Lady Artemis, when should Scottie and I leave for our mission?" Thalia asked formally.

"Tomorrow morning, that way Scottie is able to gather herself before you take off." Artemis answered before taking Scottie's hand and dragging her to the seat, not knowing why she wasn't responding.