Alpha's Blood (Book One)

Family drama

    The trip back took lesser time than expected as Artemis was lost in thought. Had she really stood up to Brock like that? Did she really have an entire army following her now? Every so often, she had to look back to make sure she wasn't dreaming but when she did her mother's darkened and hateful glare met her gaze. It was official, Ashanti was mad as hell. When they arrived at the territory, the wolves who had stayed watched in awe at the cave entrance as the new wolves made their way inside. Hades stayed beside Artemis and so did Ashanti, her head high as if she was proud but deep down Artemis could see the anger boiling inside. It was only a matter of time before her mother lectured her about being pregnant with his pups. Closing her eyes she nudged Hades to join the rest before turning to her mother.
    "Go on, tell me how pathetic I am to lay with an enemy." Her voice held no emotion as she looked to her mother. The sky was slowly getting darker now as a chilly air filled the space around them. Her emerald eyes stared directly into her mother's waiting for the cream colored she-wolf to speak.
"I have nothing to say, other than you'll make a great Alpha." Stunned, Artemis let her face soften and fill with sadness. Did this mean Ashanti was backing down..? It did and what confirmed it was how Ashanti lowered her self to Artemis, submitting to her as her ears pinned back. Tears filled her mother's eyes as she looked away her lips parted just barely as she fought the sobs. "I was wrong about you, I thought you were not experienced enough to lead the two packs, but I was wrong. Yes I am disappointed you laid with the enemy, that you are his mate but in the end it helped you join the packs together."
Artemis stood there stunned at her mothers words, the tears her mother's eyes held slowly falling down her cheeks. Without warning, the white she-wolf rushed forward and laid her head over Ashanti's neck in an embrace. Her own tears started to form now as a warm presence approached them. Kirsi's scent swallowed them whole as they pulled away to see the fox like white wolf, her chains glowing in the moonlight. Another prophecy? This couldn't be good if it was. As she turned to face the oracle fully, Artemis felt Ashanti leave her side and head back down towards the pack.
"No it's not another prophecy, but a simple visit." Kirsi spoke softly as her eyes studied the white alphess. It was as if she had read the thoughts of Artemis but that was impossible. The oracles eyes looked down at the belly of Artemis, a smile on her face. "I also come with a gift."
From behind the white wolf, a purple colored young female emerged her eyes a brilliant shade of violet that made the air in Artemis's lungs disappear. Before her was a guardian, but so far from the temple? Why?
"Amber is giving you a gift as a reward for joining the packs, take three trusted warriors and your mate to the temple at dawn." The purple wolf spoke gently, "My name is Amethyst, but you knew this already. I am the next prime goddess."
All Artemis could do was nod as Kirsi and this she-wolf headed off into the night a strange feeling left in her chest as she looked to the sky. The night was only getting weirder by the moment and before she could turn to head to the cave, a loud snarl filled her ears. The sounds of barks and a scuffle made her heart skip as she recognized the wolf who made those barks.
   Artemis pushes herself forward, despite her throat clenching in fear of the sounds. Her eyes search the area around the packs cave when they landed on her mother and sister, both at each other's throat. Snapping her jaws, Artemis ran towards the scuffle and slammed her shoulder into her mother's a loud snarl escaping the white female.
   "What is the meaning of this?" Her words held a sense of dominance in the tone, her eyes starring hard at her sister.
Hestia gave her sister a scoff before rolling her eyes. "You mated with the enemy, yes. But mother is wrong..She thinks you will destroy this pack. I had to defend you sister."
Ashanti have a snarl as she forced herself to stand and look at her two daughters. Snapping her jaws she looked Hestia in the eyes. "You and Artemis are not my pups. I supported you joining the packs but to mate with the male alpha before this was done! I am ashamed! And you, Hestia, disappoint me most of all, defending this horrid she-wolf!"

To think her mother was just complementing her and was oh so proud, thought Artemis, her eyes rolling.

Hestia gasped as her ears went back in pain, her eyes widening as she backed up. Her tail tucked between her legs and her breathing began to grow ragged. Before Artemis could speak, Hestia bolted and ran towards the willow. Artemis rounded on her mother, who moments before had given Artemis words of encouragement and joy but now seemed like she was loosing her mind, her lips curled in a snarl as her eyes narrowed. Lifting her tail, she raised her head in a show of dominance. "You do not speak to her in such a way!"
"I speak to her however I see fit. And you too! Lead this pack into destruction, I'm leaving."
Artemis let out a heavy bark before nodding, "So be it, not only are you leaving but now that I am alpha, you are exiled. Do not return or I will order for you to be killed."
Ashanti gasped and gave her daughter a look of pure pain before nodding and backing away, her eyes falling to the ground. She turned to walk away, her tail dragging against the ground as she headed out of the packs territory. Now that the past alphess was gone, Artemis stood higher but yet pain still filled her chest. She had turned her own mother away, yet she didn't regret it. Her ears fell as she looked to where her sister had ran off too, her paws leading her forward to her sister without hesitation. Of course her sister had come to the lake, the place that always made them both feel at peace. Artemis let out a yip, letting her sister know she was coming to her, yet Hestia gave no acknowledgement. Sorrow filled the pearly shewolfs lungs and she stopped to stand before her sister, on the lakes edge. With her ears perked, and eyes filled with worry, she waited for her sister to speak.
Hestia lowered her eyes and looked down at her own paws before pinning her ears back and standing. "I thought she was okay with what had happened...I'm sorry, Arty. I don't think I should stay in the pack, I'll just bring everyone down, especially now that the other pack has joined ours. I don't want you to convince me to stay, I want to go on and make my own pack..find myself a male and settle down."
Artemis looked at her sister, her tail low and her ears now slowly pinning down against her own skull, "I won't stop you if you really wish to leave, but just know you don't bring me down. If you ever want to come home, I am here."
Hestia nodded and turned away from her sister, her tail low and tucked slightly between her legs, "Goodbye, sister. You will lead this pack beautifully."