Note/Disclaimer: I don't own any characters etc.

Prologue

"OH GODS WE ARE GOING TO DIE!" yelled Grover. Which wasn't exactly the most encouraging thing to hear, considering Percy was kinda counting on the guy to lead them to 'safety'. The thing was, sitting in the passenger seat of a broken up car, speeding along on grass and rocks, a minotaur racing behind them screaming bloody murder, Percy wasn't sure he remembered the meaning of safety. In any case, he felt positive he'd never be able to experience that feeling again. Grover then seemed to realize what he'd just screamed. "I mean, we'll be fine, just fine," he muttered weakly.

"Grover, man," Percy tried to keep the panic out of his voice. "How far are-" He winced as Grover screeched (Percy made a mental note to suggest Grover cover the song Chandelier at a later date) and swerved around a giant boulder that the minotaur had just chucked in their path. At least the car hadn't been hit. Despite his scattered manner, Grover's driving was on point and car continued barrelling along. Percy tried again. "How far away are we from… Camp… er?" He glanced back at his mom for help. She was in the backseat, looking back at the Minotaur.

"Camp Half Blood," Grover muttered, so quietly that Percy wasn't sure the goat-boy realized he'd spoken aloud. Satyr. That was what he'd called himself. "Look, Percy," he took his eyes off the road and looked at Percy squarely, which Percy found troubling because they were doing at least 180. Percy's eyes kept flitting nervously ahead, on the lookout for more rocks blocking their path. "I'm going to be honest with you. We're heading the wrong way." Percy blanched. He waited. Grover looked back at the road and actually looked slightly calmer.

Percy's first thought:what a weird time to make a joke. When he realized his friend was serious, he tried to stay calm. Percy just couldn't believe Grover's words. It was as if too many unusual things had happened and his brain just couldn't accept anymore bad news and any more weirdness.

Percy's mom spoke up. "Grover, you said you knew how to control that wind thermis." Her tone was carrying a lot of emotion and the urgency underlying it really got to Percy. His mother was worried, but worried about him. Percy vowed to himself that no matter what, he would make sure that she, at least, was okay.

"I think when the minotaur charged me it completely altered our direction. We're really in…" Grover gulped. Percy stared at him. His mom stared at Grover too. Percy couldn't believe this was the same scrawny boy that just yesterday he'd had to protect from bullies. "Sonoma."

Percy whistled. His mother was silent. He glanced at her; her face was so defeated it scared him to no end. She was a brave lady. The most calm person he knew. She normally never lost her head in a crisis. Please let this be a nightmare. He allowed himself one millisecond of self pity. Nope, unfortunately, this was all real.

"So what now?" Percy ventured. "Where is this camp?" Grover squeaked something. "What did you say?" Percy asked.

"Long Island," Grover repeated, more loudly. Percy laughed. Then, for the second time, he realized Grover wasn't joking.

"We're not going to make-" Percy stopped. There was too much panic in the car. They needed to calm down. He took a deep breath. Deep down, he was certain they weren't going to make it; all three of them knew it. The minotaur was almost upon them. But stating the obvious wouldn't help. "Okay, what about if we stop and fight? By we I mean me; I have this weird pen-sword. Riptide. And then Grover, you can take my mom-"

"No way," Grover said, "You're the one I need to protect-"

"Don't even think we'll leave you behind for a moment Perseus Jackson-"

"But-" Percy didn't get to finish his sentence because that was when the minotaur caught up and gave their vehicle an almighty shove. Percy, Grover and Sally crashed into an old mansion (which Grover had been doing his best to avoid). That was bad enough in itself, but then Percy heard howling.

Later, Percy remembered the day very clearly, even though in reality the battle happened quickly and was a big blur. He and Grover got out of the steaming car; they noted the Minotaur was jogging towards them. Clearly, it hadn't realized that by pushing the car into the ruins of this house, it had also pushed the car away from itself. Percy made sure his mom was okay and he and Grover helped her out the back, moving some wreckage aside.

The three of them stood by the car. It turned out the howling was coming from a cub, a baby wolf. It scampered from the ruins of the mansion and ran towards the Minotaur; but Percy grabbed the little wolf on instinct alone as it raced by, and firmly placed it behind him. The wolf snapped his hand and Percy yelled. Still, he just didn't feel right letting a Minotaur devour a baby wolf. The Minotaur, meanwhile, chuckled and advanced.

Sally tried to shield Percy from the Minotaur, but Percy ducked around her and attempted to charge the monster with Riptide. The Minotaur shoved him to the side and roared, advancing slowly towards him. The breath was knocked out of Percy as he crashed into a tree, but at least his mother and Grover were safe for now.

The monster's eyes danced with hunger. Grover attempted to get behind the Minotaur and distract him, but the Minotaur only stopped when the howling started again. This howling was louder than before; it chilled Percy to the bone. It hadn't come from the cub.

What surprised Percy was that the Minotaur shivered. Actually shuddered, as if it would have a reason to fear wolves when it was already a big hulking machine of a being. Then it charged at Percy like suddenly it realized it didn't have all the time in the world to make it's kill. It was exactly three meters away when Sally Jackson, who had gotten back in the car, reversed into the Minotaur, knocking it aside. When she drove forward again, Percy took the opportunity and lunged at the monster, stabbing it with Riptide. The Minotaur dissolved in a flash of light and dust.

Percy was breathing heavily; as was Grover. The cub was yapping. The omnious howling continued. Disbelief filled him. He didn't know what to think.

It took Percy a few seconds to realize Grover was urging him to get back in the car. Percy was still in shock, but he was just about to move when the giant wolf came out. Red and silver, it rippled and moved with astounding speed. Suddenly Percy missed the Minotaur.

You know it's bad when the Minotaur that terrorized you five minutes ago has got you nostalgic for simpler times. Percy and Grover stood shoulder to shoulder facing a wolf that towered above everything, standing on the ruins of the mansion they had crashed into. Grover whimpered. Sally Jackson opened the car doors and yelled at them to get inside quick; but the wolf jumped between the boys and the car.

The wolf exuded power. It poured off it's russet fur and danced in its silvery eyes. It eyed them and Percy could swear it was examining them, making a decision. Even though the wolf didn't speak, Percy heard what it had to say-the flicks and movements of it's eyes and ears, the swish of it's tail. These were a language. The words came to Percy slowly, haltingly. "Alright. I'll take him." Percy had no idea that he could understand Wolf, but there you go.

He glanced at Grover. "Did you just… hear that?"

Grover bleated. "Um, yeah." He faced the wolf. "Sorry, take who? Because I'm not really that delicious-I'd taste terrible, honest!"

The wolf snorted. "No, not you." Percy found it difficult to gauge the wolf's tone, but it wasn't amused. The eyes were piercing and firm. "I have no interest in fauns. I will take the demigod." There was that word again; demigod. What he apparently was. Stunned silence followed the wolf's words. Sally Jackson met Percy's gaze; she was clearly as confused as he and Grover.

"Um, thanks, but no thanks." Percy backed away slowly. He needed to get to his mother, and the three of them had to boot it out of there.

The Wolf didn't growl. The Wolf simply stared at him keenly. Then it glanced at his mother and Grover. "I value courage; your mother and faun show it. So do you. I will only offer you this choice one more time. Come with me. Perhaps you will make it to camp; a camp where you will be safe, a camp for demigods." The wolf glared at them now, as if this were very important information. "Accept my offer and you will be safe, for now at least. You will be trained. Decline, and you can attempt to make it to… well. I foresee you won't survive such a long trip, especially considering your parentage. Either way, all of you must swear on the Styx that you will not repeat what I have told you." The Wolf glanced at Percy's mom. "I do not show mercy. But I do repay favours. Your son saved my cub, albeit inadvertently. I can now save yours."

Percy, Sally and Grover stared at each other. Percy knew this was not the right place, this was not where Grover had meant to take him-that was clear enough from Grover's expression. He wasn't certain they could make it to the "right" place, but he didn't like the thought of going with this wolf either. Percy tried to read his mother's expression, but it was inscrutable.

"What's … Who are you?" Percy asked, stalling for time.

"I fear I am altering the course of your life. For better or worse, I am your saving grace. I am Lupa."