Zeus [Book One] - Rewriting

Twenty-Five

a/n: sorry it's shorter than previous chapters.

Zeus
| twenty-five | 

The next few days were tense as the pack waited for news of Ares. Ever since he was placed into a coma, Athena hadn't left his side, despite the protests of her friends. Helios had tried several times to persuade her to get some rest, but his attempts were futile as he was simply greeted with a blank expression.  Anya had been avoiding Zeus and Apollo had locked himself inside his room, Pan being the only wolf who was allowed to enter. 

"I didn't mean to upset everyone." 

Artemis turned to see Hermes standing in the doorway of her bedroom, a nervous expression washed over his features. Sighing, she pushed herself up into a sitting position, a frown on her face as she looked up at her mate. "It's not exactly your fault. Athena was just worrying about Ares, she'll calm down soon." 

Hermes nodded his head, "I don't think she should have spoken to the Luna in the way she did, though." Artemis bit at the inside of her cheek as she watched him take a step closer. 

"I guess not," She said after a moment of silence, the two wolves staring at each other. "But Athena was upset, Anya understands." 

Hermes rose an eyebrow. "Okay," He said softly, running a hand through his dark hair. "Listen, I wanted to talk to you..." He watched as Artemis motioned to the bed, moving so that she was facing him. Once he was settled on the bed, he bit at his lip, his pale eyes settling on the girl before him. "I wanted to talk about the whole mate thing..." 

The emotionless expression on Artemis' face had him squirming as he swallowed. 

"I want to try and start again..." He started, Artemis peering back at him. "I want to be your mate." 

Artemis remained silent as she watched him. Hermes frowned as she cleared her throat, "I need time." Hermes felt his heartbeat quicken, fear of rejection washing over him. Artemis heard it, but made no move to comfort him. "I don't know if I'm ready to be your mate. You easily gave up on me before, how do I know you won't do it again?" 

Hermes argued back. "It's not exactly like you fought for me either," He spat, standing from the bed. "You gave up on me as well, yet I'm the bad guy!?" His voice rising as he stared down at her angrily. Artemis refused to meet his eyes. Hermes took a step closer to her, "You know what you are, Artemis Winter-Moon?" He asked, "You are a coward." 

Artemis stared up at him, her ego wounded as she stared up at him. "How dare you?" 

Hermes laughed humourlessly. "How dare I!?" He took another step closer, his tall frame towering over her. "You talk to me about giving up? I begged to come back. I even ran away! And each time I tried to get back to you, they would drag me back home, kicking and screaming, and then I spent the rest of my time wondering why the fuck you didn't come for me!" 

Artemis remained silent. 

Hermes threw his hands up in frustration. "You can't even fucking answer me now!" He panted, breathing heavily as he stepped away from her. "You don't want to be my mate? Fine. I don't think I want to be yours either." 

Artemis opened her mouth to stop him, but Hermes left the room before she even got a chance, slamming the door shut behind him, the noise making Artemis jumping at the sound. 

The she-wolf didn't get a chance to relax when her door was flung open again, revealing Athena who glared down at her cousin. "How could you?" 

Artemis sighed, "It's none of your business. You wouldn't understand."