Artemis

Chapter Four

Thump thump thump.

The knocking on the door disrupts my reading, and I uncurl from my apparent favorite spot, the loveseat. As I walk to the door a couple more thumps are heard so I speed up, swinging it open.

The man from earlier stands, cold eyes glinting.

"You're needed in the hub," the man shares.

"For what?"

"Not sure. Just hurry," he snaps.

I don't even know this cruel mans name, so I voice this question.

"Alexander. I'm one of the head warriors. I have more important things to worry about than babysit a girl," he snaps.

See? Zeus does care about us. He assigned a HEAD warrior to watch over us, Hera speaks up. At this I get angry. Why can't he do it himself? We are his mate. Alexander suddenly growls lowly at my spacing out.

"I apologize. Hello, Alexander, I'm Artemis," I tell him.

He gives a swift nod of the head before gesturing out the door. I follow his stiff walk and smooth down my blonde locks aimlessly.

At arrival of the Hub, I admire the sheer size of each building. There are restaurants and boutiques which shock me. Such a tyranny of a pack didn't strike me to have these luxuries.

I glance at the small gathering of wolves by a stone slab in the center. Among them is my mate. I see him visibly tense as he catches my scent. I can't help but admire his uncanny looks. He is gorgeous, his cruel demeanor darkening his already dark features. His chiseled jaw clenched and muscles protruding everywhere. Good Goddess.

"Come here," his booming voice commands, snapping me from my ogling. It doesn't slip by me that he refuses to call me by my name which he has never asked for.

I walk over to were he is huddled and keep a comfortable distance, hormones raging. Stupid mating bond. I wait for him to elaborate his need for me at the Hub.

"You need to be formally introduced to these men. They will be rotating shifts to be with you from now on, mate." He states.

"I don't need a babysitter," I shoot back.

"Let her learn the hard way," Alexander pipes up, sadistically, his wolf not agreeing with my disrespect to his Alpha. Zeus's eyes flash black and he growls at Alexander.

"Do not speak, dog," he growls at the Warrior. Alexander bows in submission, a look of distaste pointed at me.

Zeus continues, "You have no choice, Artemis. There will be one with you at all times." I feel a pang of hurt. Why can't he be with me? I'm his mate for crying out loud!

"Why can't you?" I blurt irrationally. Stupid stupid stupid.

Zeus narrows his eyes. "It's better this way," he says with no emotion. Better? I need my mate. Or more, Hera needs her mate. I once again curse the Goddess for coupling me with this dictator, but can't help and feel wounded.

"State your name and position to her," Zeus says in a strange tone, after I mask the clear hurt on my face.

A burly man with shoulder length brown hair turns down his mouth and starts to speak.
"Jethro, Warrior." I nod at him and slip a small smile, hoping he would return any form of kindness. Of course, that didn't happen.

Next was Beta Gabriel, whom I was sure was Zeus's brother, considering they had many similar features. "Gabriel, Beta," he pushes out. I nod and look to the next man. He was tall, but not as tall as Gabriel or my mate. He had dark blonde hair and amazing golden eyes. This man was quite the looker.

He's horrendous compared to Zeus, Hera informs me. I couldn't help but to agree.

"Names Dez, Third Commander. Pleasure to meet you, Luna," the man casually speaks, with a small smile. I am beyond shocked at the newfound discovery of a not completely cruel wolf in this pack. I smile hugely at him, showing all my brace-perfected teeth. Zeus narrows his eyes at this exchange. I ignore the Alpha.

"Hello everyone, I'm Artemis," I speak finally, Hera urging me to do so. Not knowing what else to say, I blurt, "You're land is breathtaking. Absolutely picturesque." At this I get a halfway decent reaction with almost inaudible murmurs of thanks.

"We're done here," Zeus snaps. "Beta, you have first shift with her. Switch duties every six hours with one another." He finishes. Yet again, it irks me that he can't seem to stand to say my name.

Gabriel sighs and nods, approaching me with a look of loathing. What I ever did to him, I don't know.

But I do know if I can't get anywhere with this pack or Zeus, I need to leave. Hera whimpers at this, but she is also insulted by the treatment being receive, especially from our mate.

As I notice everybody has left and Gabriel is rolling his eyes waiting for me, I trudge along behind him. I assume we are returning to the mansion until he tosses this sentence over his shoulder.

"Today you will train with us."