Olympus' Biggest Mistake

Chapter 9

After spending a rather long week with the hunters, successfully keeping them away from Lycaon, and convincing Lycaon the hunters are no longer a threat, Percy adjusted to being Jack. His bond with Thalia was on another level then ever before, and the hunters adored him. This was his new family, he loved them all like sisters, and Kayla was especially so his little sister.

Jack and the hunters concluded their search for Percy was at a dead end, as if he just vanished from the earth. Although glad he didn't have to see Annabeth when Thalia went to visit, he felt bad for keeping who he was from Thalia. In a way, it hurt him to lie to her all the time. Well, kind of lie to her. Most of what he told her was true, just twisted so that his true identity wasn't revealed.

That night Artemis was called to Olympus and bring her new wolf recruit to the gods. Thalia obviously had to tag along, not that she didn't want to, but it might be a big deal to Zeus that is daughter was linked to a wolf. The flashed into the throne room of the gods with Artemis at her full size on her throne while Thalia and Jack stood in front of her throne.

"How goes the search Artemis?" Poseidon voiced his concern for his lost son

"I am sorry uncle, his trail went completely cold shortly after we arrived. His scent disappeared, and it seems he hasn't made contact with the mortal world either." Artemis responded, sorrow laced in her words. After all, Percy Jackson was the only decent male on the planet and she honestly like his personality.

"He's still out there." Poseidon said in almost a whisper but loud enough. "I felt his power grow stronger, perhaps he has the power to be untraceable?"

"If that's the case, then he should be perfectly fine and able to keep himself safe." Thalia spoke out for Jack. "That's what Jack says. He should be left alone."

"So this is the new alpha wolf you have in your hunt daughter." Zeus said. "Where did you find a wolf with the kind of power to speak to our minds?"

"He was blessed father, by a goddess." Artemis stated in defense of Jack.

"Where did you go when your started your search for the boy in San Francisco?" Zeus questioned, his voice demanding an answer.

"What do you mean father? We never left, my hunter and I are still camped there." Artemis asked confused by his question.

Apollo rose from his throne to face his sister. "What he means is that we couldn't see you." Realization dawned on Artemis as she remembered not seeing her hunters. "I drove the sun chariot above you to check on my cousin but I couldn't see you Arty." The fear could be heard from his voice as he spoke.

"I know what you mean Apollo." Artemis responded. "A celestial dead zone." She said flatly, as speaking matter of factly.

"Dead zone?" Zeus questioned. "How do you explain a large area on earth being invisible to our eyes?"

"Our godhood." Artemis stated simply. "Our seats on Olympus cause power on the earth to be out of our reach of influence. As Alaska is out of our influence and we have no power there, areas of earth are also out of our reach for the sake of a balance."

"I see. So, there were more dead zones than I assumed." Zeus asked himself rhetorically.

"That's where I was when I went after them, unable to see or feel Thalia's presence."Artemis explained. "A dirt path began in a dense forest which led to a clearing." She gestured towards Jack. "That where I thought perhaps he was the reason it was a dead zone, but he was only blessed by Lupa as a regular wolf. Not of Lycaon's pack, he intimidated their king with this blessing to ensure our safety and the safety of demigods as well."

Zeus rested his chin on his hand. "Then why does he only speak through Thalia?"

"He serves me father, it seems he only speaks through me or his partner." She answered nervous about his daughter being a dangerous wolf's partner. "That is why I had to bring my lieutenant with us, they need to remain together."

"He chooses who he wants to speak through, yet he need remain by her side. Why is that necessary unkown wolf?" Jack knew Zeus' question was directed at him directly. He was going to stick to his new family under Artemis only, not the gods he served before. "Answer me directly you mutt, you have that power so show respect to the gods before you."

Thalia spoke once more though a bit scared Jack was asking for a death sentence. "We are entirely linked father. Jack says we must build our bond by staying by our side." She raised her head as she spoke her mind with confidence. "With Jack by my side we ca both ensure the safety of my sisters and my lady. Her victories are ensured with the help of our combined power, a duo with a power unmatched."

"If he is as powerful as you claim him to be, then what's to say he wont bear his fangs towards us?" He asked, always the paranoid one eager to keep his throne unchallenged.

"Jack serves lady Artemis, so if she serves the council then he does as well through Artemis." Thalia responded to Zeus for Jack. Although truthfully, Jack has no intentions of serving the council much at all, something within him breaking and becoming cold.

Zeus stood up before the council, his voice directed at both his daughters." Be sure that he stays in his place below the gods not matter his power." Jack's tail began to flare up in anger of Zeus' arrogance, his claws slowly digging into the marble floor. "Council dismissed." He and all the other gods flashed out, except of course for Hestia.

"It's okay Jack." Thalia soothed while wrapping her arms around Jack, or at least as much as she could reach. "I know my dad can get arrogant and rude sometimes but just have to prove him wrong." She was right and Jack knew.

"Lets go home, I'm fine." Jack said quietly in her mind, visibly relaxing completely. "Sleeping outside again today?" He asked teasingly.

Thalia playfully slapped his chest before as she replied. "I can't help it if your a comfier bed then the queen sized one in my tent."

Artemis flashed them back to camp to spend the night and perhaps another day to relax in the paradise they decided to camp at. They ate their full, Jack played with the wolves and the younger hunters, Artemis participated in their happiness, and the night went without incident. Kayla and the young hunters loved using Jack as their playground and giant teddy bear toy. Artemis suggested that her lieutenant help convince her sisters to build a permanent base to return to for more peaceful days. Thalia cuddled into Jack while he curled around her protectively, his nose enjoying the fact her woodsy mixed perfume kind of scent quickly led him to sleep.