Chapter 11

I Find a Lil' New Friend

Tyler steadies me from running into him, and lets out a light laugh. "Hey Lela. Now what was it you want?" He glances behind him at the Apollo cabin then at me apprehensively. My gaze follows to a small little girl who is about in early grade school. The young girl has golden blonde hair that shimmers whenever the light catches itself into the ringlets surrounding her face. Like her siblings she has enchanting blue green eyes. She clutches the windowsill struggling to gaze over it at Tyler and I.

"Is that your sister?" I smile at her while she tries to decipher why I am taking to her brother so long or- "She is my half sister if you need to be technical, and her name is Helen." Tyler glances back at her giving a one second gesture, and she nods politely while disappearing under the windowsill. I instantly miss the little cutie, but shake the thought from my head.

"Anyway… You know how you helped me with the Apollo charm?" Tyler nods not quite paying attention. "I need some help for my Artemis charm…" His eyes land on mine his complete attention now focused on me. "Artemis charm?" Now it's my turn to nod, and he bites his lip. "But Artemis is not fond of her brother or may I say boys…" Tyler trails off and goes back to biting his lip. "I promise it will not hurt you, Tyler." I beg and try to do my best "baby seal" eyes look that is similar to the "puppy dog" eyes. He laughs, "That will not work on me Lela." A short curse flows out under my breath making Tyler laugh.

"So, will you?" Tyler shrugs and laughs. "Why not." I smile and jump up and down excitedly. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" I hold up my bracelet and inch away from his cabin. Tyler looks at me then his cabin, "Let's go into the forest." "Really?" I ask remembering his little half sister. "Yes, I am positive."

We make our way past the outline of the trees, but are still able to see the cabins. "Okay lets do this." I mutter and press my fingers tightly around my charm, in the shape of the moon in crescent form. I gasp as a silver bow and single arrow emerge from the charm. They hit the grass softly and I remain frozen. I manage to hear Tyler say something to me, but a memory crashes into my head.

Everything is dark. I hear the curse coming from Drake as we dash down the lane. My legs carry me far enough to the trees before something slices into my skin. I cannot help but crumble to the ground blood pulsing from my leg. "Drake!" I scream and he is by my side wrapping his hand around the weapon lodged in my calf. "This will hurt, Lela" Drake whispers and pulls it out fast and quick. A scream catches in my throat, and I gaze at the perfectly made arrow. It is drenched on the tip by a red liquid, my blood. Its color in the dark illuminates, a deep gold. The color of Apollo.

I blink furiously my leg throbbing at the remembrance of the incident. Tyler looks at the bow and arrow now in his hands. The arrow is not drenched on the tip by my blood, but makes me gulp staring at it. I had always preferred knives, always.

"I think we need to shoot it." He mutters looking at the arrow and bow. My memory flashes for an instant in my head, and trembling overtakes my shoulder. Though, I hide it when Tyler glances at me. Sadly, I am not quick enough. Tyler looks at me then the arrow. "Would you like me to shoot it?" I smile weakly and sigh, "Yes please."

He nods giving me a second glance then notches the arrow into the bow. The arrow is then pulled back, and Tyler aims with one eye closed. I look at his perfect stance, form and shake my head in awe. Tyler notices and grins then releases the arrow.

It soars threw the air and hits a tree right in the center. A glittering light pulses from the arrow, and a silver deer springs out from the tree/arrow. Tyler drops the bow his eyes wide, "Wow." He mutters, and I glance back at the deer. It's eyes directed at me, and I find myself shifting uncomfortably. "Not that I am not thankful, but I really would've wished for one of her Hunting wolves-" The same light pulses from the deer and it shimmers decreasing in size.

"What the-" "It's changing." Tyler interrupts. I look at him skeptically then back at the deer- no a wolf. My eyes widen and I step closer to Tyler staring at the baby wolf "Tyler… I do not think…" Trailing off seems like the best answer as the baby wolf wags it's tail giving me a heart-warming doggy grin. "Oh gods I cannot look at that cute face!" I curse stepping back and turn not facing the dog anymore.

Instantly, it appears in front of me not even making a sound. I step back while Tyler steps forward kneeling down and allowing the baby wolf to sniff his hand. The pup sniffs then licks his hand lightly giving another doggy grin. "Aw, Lela he is so harmless…" Tyler grins and pets him the baby wolf moving his leg slightly showing it's a good spot to scratch. I watch them and shake my head, "How do you know it is a male-" At that exact moment the baby wolf stocks over and does his "business" male style for a dog on a tree. "Well that settles that." I mutter.

Tyler bursts out laughing. My eyes wander to him as the pup saunters back over to him, and rolls onto his back. He scratches the baby wolf's stomach, and I find myself staring at the pup. It has eyes like a husky, the icy blue that captures you, and its fur is a mixture between a deep gray and soft white. Slowly, my legs carry me over to the pup, and I stroke his back. Tyler grins still petting the pup, and scratches behind the pup's ears.

The baby wolf's eyes lock into mine making my body feel light, and overcome with a burning sensation to love this pup. I cannot help, but look away while sliding down to my knees. Deep inside I know if I do not look at the pup I will not have feelings for him, but also in my heart I am being tugged into the soul of this pup. He licks my non-moving hand while Tyler takes my other hand placing it on the pup's head. The wall I build between people, and animals' shatters into pieces as I put my forehead down between the places of the baby wolf's ears. I sigh into his velvet, soft fur, and pull my face back up to reality.

Tyler smiles lightly stroking the baby wolf's soft fur. I do not know if it's the fact that a baby wolf is sitting in front of me, but my heart contracts and opens filling up with an odd feeling. My face burns scarlet, my crush reappearing on the boy sitting across from me.

"Lela?" Tyler asks. "Hmm?" I answer not meeting his gaze knowing I am going to melt instantly into a puddle if I even glance at him. "It's getting dark." The remeberance of reality surges forward like a tidal wave, and I nod my head furiously up and down. He touches my shoulder lightly and I glance up at his smiling face. "See you later Lela and…" Tyler trails off looking down at the puppy. Gulping I open my mouth and say softly "I do not have a name…" I frown pondering considerable names then it hits me. "How about you name him?" This takes Tyler by surprise. "Me?" "Yes you, Tyler." He looks at me as a curved up line spreads into his cheeks. "How about… Hunter?"

I cannot help but smile with his contagious grin, but a dimple pops onto my left cheek catching Tyler's attention for a second. He lightly touches the slight indention. "You have a dimple?" I feel my cheeks burn. "Yes, and Hunter is absolutely perfect." I look away my face burning furiously like a wildfire, and try not to let him see my wide smile.