Hey guys, whatzup, I know it was a long wait, but here is the next chapter! Please enjoy and thank you all for reading and reviewing this story!

I do not own Percy Jackson, all rights belong to Rick Riordan

Percy just narrowly avoided getting bitten in the arm, the beast were so big they could very well just take the whole limb off. He figured out pretty quickly he was the one that the wolves were after. His two friends were doing their best to hold their own against a couple of the pack members who were keeping them separated from the son of the sea god. It was hard for Percy to see the wolves that surrounded him in the darkness, but he still gave the bolder ones who rushed to attack him strong thwacks to the head with the hilt of his sword. They yipped and fell back, but the she-wolf continued to watch him with interest.

"Any plans, Wise girl?" Percy shouted to his friend.

The daughter of Athena was too busy to do more than give an annoyed grunt and dodge her attacker. Grover threw his can at a wolf, but the aluminum cylinder just bounced off of its head harmlessly. Percy tried to think of a way to get the wolves to cease their attacks. He wasn't confident enough in his ability to dodge, Percy glanced at the she-wolf who seemed to be evaluating him. Had the wolf actually been talking just before the attack?

It wasn't like the animals being able to speak would be the weirdest thing that that has happened to him. Percy scowled up at the She-wolf, it seemed like the others were guarding her while also going after him. Going after her may be the only way to get all of the pack members to stop attacking him and his friends. Just as one of the wolves came at him, sweeping low with its jaws to bite his legs, Percy waited for a moment before using all his strength to jump up and onto the wolf's back. It was just as shocked as him as he ran and leapt off of its back.

He continued to run towards the Alpha, dodging snaps and countering with a swift flick of his blade to send his attackers running in pain. Now, Percy didn't condone animal cruelty, but he wasn't about to let himself be severely injured for his morals. The She-wolf made no attempt to move from her spot. She continued to stair at him with large, dark eyes. To Percy, it almost felt as if she were expecting him to go after her.

"Percy!" Annabeth screamed, "Watch out!"

The teen turned in time to see a wolf he had already slashed come back for seconds. Percy quickly dodged, jumping to the side and giving up his endeavor to get the pack leader. The wolf curled his lips up and showed off his blackened gums. It was hard for the fourteen year old to believe that he lasted three minutes against a whole pack of the wolves, and it seemed as if he'd be puppy chow at the rate they were going. He refused to quit, however, if he wasn't going to make it to the She-wolf, he'd have to keep fighting until he couldn't fight anymore.

The wolf gave a growl and tried to charge, but the voice from earlier interrupted it, "That's enough! The boy has proven himself to be strong."

Percy watched as the attacking wolf gave a huff before returning to the darkness with all of the other pack members. The only one who remained was the leader. She circled the son of Poseidon for a moment, sniffing at his clothing and hair. He knew it would be a bad idea to react at all to her prodding. Grover made some kind of worried noise off to the side and Annabeth looked like she was about to scream bloody murder.

"You smell strong, though the lingering stench of a mortal lingers and dulls your true sent." The wolf said. "Do you know who I am, pup?"

Percy shook his head. "That's Lupa. You're the mother of Romulus and Remus, and the wolf goddess. You have trained many of the Roman campers. Am I correct?"

"Yes." Lupa glanced at Annabeth with an uninterested expression, as if she would have preferred to introduce herself. The wolf then looked back at Percy. "I haven't seen a demigod with so much potential like you, but you're sloppy, you need training, or you won't survive."

The son of Poseidon looked down at his redden bronze blade. He wasn't even sure how he was able to fight so well, or how he even knew what to do. Percy had only had a few brief training sessions, even then he had been sloppy and slow. But he didn't have time to train, his mom needed him, he needed to solve the riddle of a prophecy, and free the trapped souls. Percy hesitantly recapped Riptide, even with it he would be unable to defeat Lupa, he knew if she wanted to she could already have torn out his throat before he would have a chance to consider fighting her.

"All due respect," He began as he stuffed the pen form of his sword into his pocket. "I have more important things to do than train right now."

Annabeth gasped, "Percy!"

"It's quite alright," the She-wolf almost seemed to be laughing, like a doting mother over her adorable accident prone son. "I like it when I am given rather willful pups. They make good pack leaders."

Percy didn't care about leading anyone, he just wanted to save his mom. Lupa gently bit at the sleeve of the teen's shirt and began to tug him into the woods. She gave a brief order for Percy's friends to follow, but did not wait up for them as she continued to lead the son of Poseidon farther into the forest. He wondered where she was taking him to, though he continued to follow mutely. Behind them, Percy could hear Grover and Annabeth mumbling to each other while tromping over fallen twigs along with other things on the forest floor.

By the time they reached a cave entrance in the clearing Percy's legs felt like they were going to give out on him. Who knew he was getting so tired? Lupa nudged him inside and waited for Grover and Annabeth to enter as well before following. The cave was large and dark, he could smell wet soil along with the stench of wet dog. He resisted the urge to cover his nose. Grover coughed unsurely behind him

"Where are we?" Grover questioned nervously.

"My den, you three shall sleep here with my pack for the night." Lupa explained gently as she returned to Percy's side. "Then you may continue your quest to find the god of war."

Percy frowned, how was it Lupa could for sure say who exactally they were looking for, he didn't even know. He hadn't even said anything about the prophecy. Grover sped up his pace and managed to find Percy so he could grasp fearfully onto the back of his shirt. Not too long after Annabeth did the same to goat boy. It took a lengthy amount of time before the trio and Alpha wolf reached a large opening in the cave. Percy could tell because the air no longer felt so dense.

A light suddenly came from behind him, apparently when he hadn't been paying attention, Grover had gotten the gumption to dig through Percy's back pack. Percy felt like an idiot for not thinking about searching for a flashlight earlier, surely he should have known Annabeth was smart enough to pack at least one. Grover flashed the light farther into the cave, weary wolves lifted their heads. Some were cut up (thanks to Percy) and others were unmarred. A short growl from Lupa made them return to their resting state.

"This way, Pups." Lupa began to walk to a part of the cave that wasn't as crowded with her pack members and then she curled elegantly onto the ground. Percy, Annabeth, and Grover all sat near her in a semi-circle.

"You said something about finding the god of war, you mean we need to find Ares?" Annabeth asked. "What for? He's betrayed the gods and disappeared. The grey sisters said we needed to go to California, why would he be there?"

The wolf tilted her head, "You're a very inquisitive one, aren't you?"

"I'd just like to understand why we need to find Ares." The daughter of Athena pressed, a ghost of a blush graced her cheeks. "Why is he important?"

Percy frowned, "And how do you know all of this stuff about our quest anyway."

"I am a goddess and also not clueless." The She-wolf snorted. "War has been out of sorts for the better part of two years. He is the key to completing the rest of your quest. You must find him."

Annabeth opened her mouth to ask more questions, but instead a yawn cut her short. It was a contagious yawn, Percy also found himself following her example and stretching his tired limbs. His eyes became very heavy, he hadn't had sleep since earlier that day or had they stayed up past midnight? After a full day of waiting, then running, then nearly being captured by three hags, and finally having a short battle with a bunch of wolves, Percy was ready to call it a day. Annabeth must have felt the same way because she rested her head on his shoulder.

"Why?" the daughter of Athena slurred sleepily.

"You should follow your faun friends example and sleep, Pups." Lupa instructed and curled up. "Goodnight."

Percy looked over at Grover who was curled possessively around the still lit flashlight. The sight would have been funny, if it weren't for the fact Percy was exhausted. Lupa was right, they needed rest. Before he knew it, Percy was laying down on the stone floor of the cave. He slipped into a deep sleep without too much trouble.

I hope you liked this chapter, even if it wasn't too action packed. Please review and tell me what you think.