Apollo's Wolves

Chapter Seventeen -- Amari

"Well, I just wanted to apologize to start off," Brindin tells me quietly, playing with his fingers.

I stand there, confused. "Apologize?" He nods. "For what?"

"Back when we broke up, I lied to you about the reason why," he explains sheepishly.

I cross my arms over my chest and tap my foot on the ground. I abhor liars. "You lied about what, exactly?" You can hear the irritation seeping from my words as I glare at him.

He takes a deep breath and shuts his eyes really tight. "The reason I ended our relationship was because one night, you were sneaking out of camp and I followed you. When I followed you, you transformed into a monster and I freaked out. I became scared and panicked, which made me break up with you." He says this all in a rush, probably hoping that I can't understand what he's saying.

Unfortunately for him, I can. "YOU WHAT?!" I bellow angrily. "How could you be so shall-" I'm cut off when he puts his hand over my mouth to keep me quiet.

"Please let me finish!" He begs. "When I'm done, you can yell at me all you want."

I nod, still glaring at him. He doesn't take his hand off my mouth, though.

"I know what you're going to tell me. how could I be so shallow, right? I know. I'm completely ashamed of myself. I should have confronted you about it instead of just running away. I can't imagine how hurt you must have felt when I did that to you. The more I thought about it, I realized that you must have had a good reason to keep quiet about your werewolf genes. You probably would've told me eventually. You have no idea how sorry I feel and felt. I've wanted to talk to you for a while now, but have been scared that you'd totally reject me after hearing the real reason we broke up. Please, forgive me for judging you based on appearance! I'd love to get back together with you, if you'd have me." At the end of his little speech, he's slightly teary eyed; he also removes his hand from my mouth.

"How could you be so shallow?! You knew me! you knew that I never wanted to hurt you! I strove to never hurt a single fly! I definitely wouldn't have hurt you! I was so hurt when you just up and ended our relationship that I thought was going so well. I thought that I had offended you in some way, or that you'd found someone better! You caused me to seriously doubt myself! And, you know that I hate liars! I abhor them, Brindin! I would've been okay with you knowing that I was a werewolf. Then, half the crap that's happened over the course of the last couple of weeks wouldn't have been so bad!" By the time I'm done, I'm breathing heavily and staring at a sad looking Brindin. "Are you still scared of me?" I ask softly, realizing that I could have just scared him even more.

He looks up at me with wide eyes. "Of course not! I know you would never hurt a fly! I was too quick to judge. Please believe me when I say this!" He exclaims, grabbing my hands and bringing them up to his lips and kissing them.

I blush. "Then I see no reason why we can't get back together," I say quietly, smiling shyly at him.

His eyes snap up to meet mine as his mouth gapes. "Really?" He asks.

I laugh and nod. "Really!"

Brindin goes to hug me when someone jumps out from behind a bush. "None of that now!"

I scream and shift in surprise at the mop of black hair. Percy! I growl.

"Beautiful!" Brindin breathes, running a hand through my fur.

If I was in human form, I would be bright red.

"What were you two doing?" Percy asks.

I growl at him and take a step in his direction.

He gulps and turns around. "I think I'll just be heading back to the mess hall," he mutters before taking off.

I bark and take off after him, hearing Brindin right on my heels.

"What's going on?" Annabeth asks.

"Percy startled Amari," Brindin replies.

Annabeth smacks Percy upside the head. "I could've told you that something like that would happen," she tells him.

Everyone laughs as he sits down and pouts. I shift back and take my seat, digging into my food once more.