Running, the word ringing through my stressed brain like church bells in the afternoon. Sounds of the crunching leaves underneath the bottom of my shoes. Where did things go wrong? It feels as though just the other afternoon these very same shoes were planted in the soft white sand of the beach. I knew that it had been much longer than that, being so far into the forests of New York, bordering on the outskirts of Vermont.

The trip up and away from the prying eyes of the ever present Gods had taken too long as it was. My senses peaked as I slowed, trying to feel if there was anyone or anything still chasing me. Something might have been, however the other sounds of the forest were playing tricks. Birds continued to sing, leaves rustled in the wind creating an almost soothing atmosphere. That was of course, knocked away from me when the aching began once again. Aching, everything was sore after the full moon. It always did, why would anyone want this curse was something I would never figure out.

What was it about this tingling within the blood that drew people towards it? The ferocity that reared it's ugly head whenever anything mildly annoying popped up in life. Certainly not that. No, was it the immense feeling of pleasure when you were finally able to soothe that other ache. The primal need for the scent of blood to fill the air. I definitely hope not. However, after having done it to survive these cold nights of New York, I began to understand. Too many feelings would come to play, joy and hunger for more being the first to show.

Hate. Almost certainly a horrible word, too dark to use on many things. A guttural feeling that was too primal to use nowadays. But I felt it, the burning behind my face and the rush of relief when you finally escape the reason for such an intense emotion. Yet, hate is what I felt when the memories of my blood being tainted come to the forefront of my mind. Such an ache for vengeance is something, that in my short life, I'd never felt before.

No, not even when I witnessed the deaths of my fellow half-bloods. Nor when the sight of my friends lifeless bodies littered the streets of a frozen New York city. Anger for sure, but hate no. I understood the reasons for what the Titans and enemy demi-gods did. Our parents were certainly not good. Their own agendas held more precedence than any of our own. Yet, I stood with them and so did many of my friends. For what reason? Loyalty. They made us, and in however sick and twisted way they could remove us. Send us down into whatever blasted place they wanted.

When I had been undoubtedly more with them, my actions were rebellious to an extent. My words harsh at times, with beings unfathomably more powerful than I. A mere insect in their immortal eyes, something that deserved nothing. A useful tool to remove the other pesky annoyances in their drawn out lives. I don't hate them, nor dislike. Definitely some extensive words could be used for some, but for the most part they were, -slightly- my family.

Right now though, I couldn't be bothered to try and speak to any of them. Well, apart from my father. The only to ever stick up for me in the eyes of the other gods. Actually, a few more did as well. However they weren't him, I'd never feel close to any of them. Poseidon, however ruthless to some was rather gentle to myself. Looking into his eyes, the same color as my own, pride was very visible when he gazed at me. It was an odd feeling, to be looked at with such an emotion.

Completely opposite to my uncle, and a few more that sat on their thrones that day. The day that I was given only a few more months to live before they hunted my down. The only reason for them giving me months was because of my actions in fighting against the Titans. Which, I suppose was a nice gesture of them. It doesn't change that I'm utterly pissed at them, but still.

Sitting on a fallen, rotten birch. My eyes drifted up to the pale moon. A sight that was often becoming the better part of my nights. Emotions brimming, my hands clutched at my sweat stained shirt as I fought off the incoming water works. Gone were my friends, gone was my old life. Running has been all I'd known for the past week. Feelings, and emotions were running rather high. Though I'm unsure if it's because of the new taint running through my veins or because of the stressed that life had just put my through once more.

Sounds rang in the distance, I knew them to be not of nature. Forest creatures made much softer noises when traversing. No, they were bipedal and moving quickly. Loud pants echoed in my ears and I figured that they were most likely the hunters of Artemis and they were gaining on me. With a long ache in my legs and chest, I stood and faced the direction of the cacophony that was the human movement. No time left, no energy left. I was beaten.

Though it did bring me slight satisfaction that I had been able to evade the hunters for possibly a week? Looks like the gods reneged on their word, how surprising... Glinting of silver under the lighting of the moon shone like the sun to my superb vision in the night. The tightening of bow strings and the halting of footsteps. The jig was up.

Raising my hands high into the air, in hopefully a sign of peace, and dropping to my knees with a tired grunt. Voices, even on I recognized to be that of my older yet younger cousin. Surprise, anger, possibly betrayal. The sound was easily heard in the silent forest, as if it were prepared to hear the brutal sounds of fighting, or death. It was never easy to tell with the hunters.

The slight clearing of trees that I was in the middle of being the perfect place for such an event. The fates sure were ones for keeping things visible by anything with ichor. A short, silver-crowned huntress with auburn hair slowly stalked out of the darkness in front of me. A small, almost mocking grin made it's way upon my face. I ducked my head in respect for the harsh goddess, "Lady Artemis. I take it that my time is up?" Slowly moving so that I could see the reaction on her unblemished face.

A rather distasteful look creeped upon her own, and a snort following it. Maybe not the right choice of words, or maybe I just don't care anymore. "Time is only an issue to mortals. Something that your stench tells me that you're not. You didn't seek it on purpose did you?" Surprised by her question, I had assumed she would rather kill than talk, my face taking a confused look for a moment before I shook my head.

"I wouldn't wish this on anyone. Nothing, there is nothing else for me. My friends, family. Even the one that I believed loved me are gone. That doesn't even compare to the insatiable feeling that growls in my gut. Lady Artemis, unless you have something to take my mind away from this. Then, respectfully, please kill me." My rant had earned quite a few annoyed looks from the hunters lurking in the shadows, believing themselves to be hidden from my view. But I could smell it, everything they felt under the trees. Nothing was sacred from my nose, and I despised it.

But the sound of a gasp, and the sight of my cousin coming into view forced me to look away from the goddess. "No, there has to be another solution. This cannot be how it ends for you. I refuse." The angry expression on Thalia's face not surprising me in the slightest, I had a feeling that was how she would react.

"Thals, you've seen what this does to people. There is no other way. These feelings are not something that are easy to control." Frowning at my cousin, a feeling of anger bubbling up in my chest that I forced back down. No reason to feel that way so close to the end of my life. My attention turned back to Lady Artemis, an unreadable expression on her face. No way to tell what she was thinking either, only the scent of pine lingered around her.

-Artemis-

Pitiful, really. That was the only way I could describe it. The young male kneeling on the dirt in front of myself and my Lieutenant. Once I had felt something almost akin to respect when I saw the hero of Olympus. But my anger at him being such a foul beast clouded my mind. Though I never let him know of my true intentions, my face staying blank as I eye'd Perseus. I could see the annoyance brim to the surface for a moment before he squashed it. He had a strong willpower, I will give him that.

There was a certain power that rose up in him momentarily, like he was trying a show of force but just as quickly as it arrived it had dissipated. He wouldn't attack us, that much was certain. Perseus just wasn't that way, mouthy without a doubt but he wasn't nearly that aggressive.

Thalia and him were speaking back and forth, and I could sense that he knew that Zeus wanted him dead. Too much power in him, added to his now strengthened body and he was a formidable opponent to any. Even some of the weaker of the gods would have a challenge facing him. Not myself, or any of the Olympians, but regardless. How could I go about getting rid of him whilst not ending his life?

"I have an idea." My eyes drifted over to the boy once again, looking into his emotion filled eyes. So much like Poseidon's it was uncanny. "You know of where Lycaon stays. Find his pack, infiltrate his leagues. Become second to none in his force and feed Olympus information." It sounded simple when spoken, but it would not be an easy task. Lycaon was a vicious ruler, one never to be trifled with. However, I knew that Perseus had it within him.

Thalia's breath hitched in her throat once I spoke of the king of werewolves, she knew just as well as I the task that was laid out for her cousin. The boy himself looked a little upset, but I couldn't tell if it were because of the job I gave him or because he'd rather be dead. It was hard for me to say, but I have a feeling that Poseidon would have my head were I to end his son's life. That was not something that Olympus would want to experience.

Perseus' eyes closed for a moment, and he sucked in a long breath. "As you wish, Lady Artemis. Thank you for hearing me out... The moon was beautiful last night, by the way." Sarcasm? Unfortunately, he could be hard to read, even for myself but that didn't stop me from narrowing my eyebrows and glaring at him. "Guard your tongue, boy. It'll get you into trouble with Lycaon. Prove yourself useful to him and to myself, Perseus. Or I will be back." A harsh tone infiltrated my voice before I spun on a heel and began to leave the newly tainted demi-god.

Thalia was not happy with me. Not in the slightest, and for that I was certain to hear some commotion from her once we returned to camp. Maybe sooner. She however, knew her place, unlike her cousin. He would soon learn his position in the world once he meets his new king.

I heard a snort leave him as he watched us walk away, his eyes nearly leaving indents in the back of my head as he watched us leave. The feeling of his hungry eyes never seeming to really leave me until we finally arrived back at the camp we were positioned at.

Stomping boots, and the increased rate of breathing led me to believe that Thalia was on her way to my tent. Sure enough, the wool tarp entrance to my tent was flung open with wild abandoned and there stood my half-sister looking rather pissed. "You know that he will almost certainly be killed by Lycaon don't you?" Her tone harsh, and rather venomous. Had she been a male, I would've smote her on the spot but luckily for her she was my lieutenant and I respected her.

"Thalia, know your place. You and I both know that this is the correct course. Do you suppose we house the young wolf? No, not only is he a male but he is also a target. At least this way we can keep an eye on him, and possibly get useful information." My voice ringing loudly within the tent, and had I not made it soundproof seconds before hand the whole camp would've heard me. They can't be allowed to know that I was soft of the boy.

My half-sister's face grew red before she breathed in a few times, steadying her breathing and calming herself down. "Milady, I apologize. It's just that he's my cousin and a good friend to me. Regardless of what he is now, or what he had been before. He's still Percy." Thalia spoke softly, the caring within her voice was something that surprised me.

I knew she and her cousin were close but I didn't realize they had been as close as they appeared. Maybe I would have to keep a heavier watch on him that anticipated. Not that I believed Thalia would break her oath to me for him, but one could never be too sure. Especially when the son of Poseidon was concerned.

Finally, a gentle smile played across my lips and I reached across the tent and held my lieutenant's shoulders. "Do not fret, Thalia. We will keep an eye on Perseus. He is, unfortunately, a valuable asset to us. Keep your chin up, and continue being strong. You're my huntress, no male should be allowed to have such an influence over you." Speaking honestly and from the heart to young Thalia, a continued to smile at her.

My words seemed to have an effect but I knew from the distant look in her dark blue eyes that she was still hurting. Her own smile graced her face momentarily before she nodded and stepped away from me and out of my grip. "Thank you, Lady Artemis. I will put my faith into you like I always have. Sleep well, milady." She bowed from the hip to me before leaving my tent. Once again alone, sitting in the light of the lantern I began to wonder if the correct choice had been made.

I was a goddess, so whether it had been right choice was regardless. No matter what I did the world would continue on as it always had. Besides, I always had sway over the ocean. Being the goddess of the moon after all gave me that privilege.

Author's note: I'd like to keep this short to not increase the word count, but because this is really my first story for the most part I'd like to say that I haven't read very many Percy!werewolf stories at all. So, I hope this doesn't read as cliche, or stolen or the like. If you think this story is such, please let me know so I can venture down untrodden territory. Also, if there are any grammatical mistakes, or flubbed names let me know so I can fix it in later chapters. I'd like this story to be as best to my ability, so I'll probably stick with around 2,000 word chapters. But, they could get longer in the future.

Thank you for reading, have a nice day!