Percy Jackson: The Wolf Curse

Chapter 36: A Way To a Man's Heart is Through His Stom-Mother

[New York City:][Rachel's POV:]

I forgot how much I hated cities, so many futures smushed together in a heap of depression and divorces, demigods may have a 80% chance of dying young.. But at least they aint being ruined in marriage.. Makes you wonder how the fuck Hera hasn't lost it yet.

The air was stagnant and the roads were filled with litter. Seriously, was it that hard to throw shit away? People like this are the reason Gaea always wants to kill us all I swear!

"Ugh, I wish this prophecy thing came with a navigation system" I had gotten myself lost in New York. No one had told me where Percy had lived, just that it's here. Somewhere. I thought if his kids could find the place how hard could it really be?

"Hey watch where ya walking red!" I would if there wasn't a person in every frigging direction! I feel like a gone-off taco in this city. Percy better appreciate this..

I walked off ignoring the small rude woman hoping to find some semblance of the apartment. New York is, however, huge. Luckily my determination was bigger.

[Alaska:][Percy's POV:]

"Just relax, tell yourself you are in no danger, allow your body to rest and breathe" spoke Artemis in my ear, her voice was ever soothing. I took a deep breath and just emptied myself, letting the stress I had unknowingly accumulated wash through me. Fidi was safe, I was safe, Medusa, Arae, Reyna, Anna and Emily were safe.

The danger is gone.

Almost instantly I felt my body relax, tension gone, like a taut rope had been given slack, gradually the trees I once saw over began to tower me once more until even Artemis could see over my back again. Back to the height I originally was when Lupa found me that fateful day. I could shrink further and grow though I'd probably need to do some meditation or some crap to prevent myself from being stuck as a giant again.

"There you go, there's the still oversized wolf I came to lo-admire" It was good to be back. I grew just a little more so that Artemis could ride on my back again then we took off towards deeper forest roughly south? Of the no longer tight fit canyon cave.

"I missed this" she spoke in a sombre tone, I felt like I agreed, but the reason why was still blurred in memories. Just a vague image of dashing through the Autumn woods 3 or 4 comfortable weights hugging my back in shelter from the brisk air. No real destination, no purpose.. Just freedom. I remember the soft chuckles of a child older than Fidi and Emily, and another just about the same in age as them.. My daughters? One I guessed to be Artemis and lightning personified. The last one made my fur ruffle up.

"I missed it too, I don't know what is going to happen once this is all over.. But anyway let's just find us some Game, Show me just how the Goddess of the hunt hunts atop her wolf" The mood was dampened, but luckily Artemis' competitiveness came to the rescue.

"Oh? Are you challenging me to a hunt Wolfboy?" a dangerous proposition no man would ever dare to do. Luckily I'm a wolf.

"Why yes, yes I am why? Too difficult for you?" turning my head as I spoke, I spotted her ever growing grin and excitement. The sight sent adrenaline rushing through my veins like a river rapids on fire.

"Oh you are going to eat those words" and so with emotional baggage left behind the hunt truly began. My snout held the low ground logging into the history of the forest. I could smell every animal that had been here on the last day. Squirrels, birds, a bear or 2.

No more words where needed, I knew she was on the lookout for tracks, recently damaged tree bark or any amount of motion. A tap of her foot was all I'd need to know she's found something. It was natural to me, a memory of the past my body remembered more than I did.