Chapter 5

Earlier

Percy POV

Werewolves of all shapes and sizes clawed their way through the forest as Lycaon was leading them in the direction of Artemis' camp, but I knew it wasn't a good idea to attract their attention at the moment, especially when I hadn't gotten a firm grip on my powers yet.

"How did Lycaon reform so quickly? Don't monsters take, like, a few months to reform?"

Yes, I have zero clue as to how he came back so soon.

"Any theories?"

If I had to guess, I'd say Tartarus permitted a faster regeneration.

"He can do that?"

If he generated enough consciousness, he could.

"That's a very specific guess."

Suddenly, a distant sound of female voices and wolves snarling caught my ear. I leaped through the trees, following the noises until I reached a clearing. A group of about 30 Hunters was surrounded by dozens of werewolves. Their bows were drawn but they were severely outnumbered.

A pang of guilt shot through my heart. In my heart, I wanted to turn my back and leave so I could save Zoe, but I couldn't just let these people die.

Yes, you can. Just walk away from this, go back to camp, and wait for your opportunity to grab Zoe and get the fuck out of dodge. We can't fight off this many werewolves.

I closed my eyes before taking a deep breath.

"Maybe not divided, but if we merged, we could stand a chance, I know it!"

The werewolves were closing in on the Hunters, froth oozing from their mouths.

What's in it for me?

Making a deal with a werewolf didn't seem like the best idea, but I saw no better option. "If I ever die, I swear on the Styx that when we enter Tartarus, you can take full control of my mind for the rest of eternity. When we reform, my body is all yours."

I could feel Fenron salivating at the prospect of having a physical body all to himself.

Hm, that sounds delicious. Knowing you, I'm sure you will die soon, and when you do, your body will be mine. I agree to your terms.

I closed my eyes and channeled Fenron. The werewolf formed before my eyes, though his body seemed to be more real than before. "Hurry, I have to save them so I can help Zoe!"

Don't worry your tasty head off. This will only take a fraction of a second in the real world.

"Channeling you always takes a few hours!"

Time is very fluid here. I just chose to hold your consciousness here longer in hopes of weakening you.

A ghostly door with chains wrapped around it rose from the floor. Fenron nodded to it. In order for us to merge, you must let the guard around your mind down.

"How do I know you won't just take over my mind completely if I let my guard down?"

You're going to have to trust me on that.

I took a deep breath before I let the walls I had put around my mind crumble. The chains began to fall away as the door opened wide. Fenron lunged inside of it and I gasped.

It felt like I was riding in the elevator and the cord snapped. My insides felt like they were floating as adrenaline rushed through my veins. I felt my body adjusting itself into that of a true werewolf, muscles beginning to swell and claws growing even sharper.

Power had never felt so good.

A savage roar escaped my mouth before I shot down from the trees, crushing five of the werewolves into a messy, bloody pulp.

Instincts took over as I began to ravage my way through the hordes of wolves. My now-perfect bond with Fenron seemed to have granted me with more strength, height, and viciousness than the other wolves had by themselves. I could vaguely register silver arrows thunking into the bodies of the wolves but I focused on rendering the insignificant dogs to pieces.

I tore out a wolf's jugular and swallowed, relishing the taste of bloody meat. A crazy laugh escaped my lips as a howl, the boundaries of my mind had been blurred and I was an absolute animal.

With only a handful of survivors left alive, the rest of the wolves bounded away yelping in fear. I let out a long howl before morphing back to my human form.

The hairs on my neck bristled as I saw dozens of silver arrows aimed at me. I unsheathed my claws and snarled at the Hunters in warning. "Hold your fire!"

Thalia stepped in front of them. "He saved our lives, and we have more important things to worry about!"

She pointed in the direction of where the wolves had disappeared. "They're headed back towards camp, and Lady Artemis is there alone with Zoe!"

I felt my blood go cold. Zoe was incapacitated and she would be dead if Artemis didn't decide to kill her first.

Now is the time to leave.

Adrenaline shot through my body as I sprinted towards camp. I stopped and I growled at what I saw.

Zoe had been backed into a corner by droves of wolves and Artemis had been pinned down by a man with pelts on his shoulders.

Lycaon.

I had a flashback of myself defeated and bloody on the riverbank. His claws had been raised the same way they were now. Instinct shifted my body into my wolf form as I launched myself at him. I bit down on his head as we toppled to the ground. I felt his hands grip my head before I ripped his head mercilessly off his head.

I didn't bother turning towards Artemis before I bounded to Zoe, tearing apart the wolves that were desperately trying to attack her. I stopped my carnage as Zoe grabbed the last wolf's torso with her mouth before shaking it into pieces. Her volcanic eyes met mine and I heard her gasp.

"Percy." A shiver ran down my spine at the tenderness with which she said my name.

She morphed back into a human and I did the same before she pulled me into a hug.

"Thank you. You-You saved me from-"

"Shhhh," I whispered. "It's ok. You're alright now."

She looked up at me. "You-You're so much taller. You shifted into your wolf form so easily…"

I rubbed my neck. "Yeah, long story short, I managed to convince Fenron to merge with me so I could help you."

Zoe shook her head. "I don't even want to know how you convinced that rabid dog of yours to do what you wanted."

Suddenly, Artemis cleared her throat.

I turned towards her and unsheathed my claws as I stood in front of Zoe, protectively. Artemis was surrounded by her Hunters and their bows had all been drawn.

"Girls, lower your weapons. I-I would like to thank you for all your, ah, your help," she managed. "Despite the fact that I still do not approve of your relationship with Zoe, I will let you two go." She snapped her fingers and the wounds on Zoe's body began to heal.

Weren't you going to kill Zoe? Since when were you concerned about her well-being? I thought to myself, confused as I inhaled before exhaling deeply.

"Thank you, Lady Artemis, but I would appreciate if you'd promise not to hunt either of us down again."

Artemis nodded. "As much as it pains me to say this, the Hunt is-is in your debt. Thus, I swear on the Styx that the Hunt will never go after either of you as payment for your efforts."

Thunder boomed overhead and I grinned at Zoe. "Just like that, we crossed a major enemy off our list."

Artemis looked like she was trying to swallow a bullet. "You are free to go." Her tone didn't leave us with many options.

With that said, Zoe and I morphed into our wolf forms before we sprinted back into the forest.

The fire crackled as I warmed my hands. Zoe had gone hunting again, though since the hunters and 90% of the werewolves in the forest were no longer a threat, I let her go without any worry.

You did pretty well out there. For a boy.

"Aw, thanks Fenron, I didn't know you cared."

I don't. That's why I will devour your soul when you die.

That shut me up real quick. I thought about the implications of the oath I made. If I died, that was it for me. No Elysium, no afterlife. I would simply cease to exist as Fenron ran around in my skin creating gods-knew what havoc.

"Hey." I nearly fell off the log I was sitting on in surprise. Zoe had come back with a large moose.

"Oh, uh, hey Zoe."

She ripped the moose apart into sections. "You were busy thinking about something?" It wasn't a question.

"No, nothing really. Just thinking about what happened today." Not a lie, just not the whole truth.

Zoe cooked the moose meat and I took my usual thigh. We ate in awkward silence and I could feel tension thick enough to cut through with my claws. "Is something wrong Zoe?"

She nodded before flopping down next to me, a guilty look prevalent on her face.

"Listen, I, uh, I have something to ask you."

I looked at her, puzzled. "Yeah, sure."

"I'm not sure how much of this you know, so I'll tell you the whole story. I was hunting for food when I got hit in the shoulder with a silver arrow. The Hunters chased me through the woods before I was cornered. Artemis and I both knew we were near the house, so she gave me an offer; if I went with them, they would leave you alone. I did."

She held up her hand before I could even say anything. "Don't thank me yet. Let me finish."

"When we got to their camp, I was put into a cage and Artemis began talking to me. She questioned who you were to me, and when I told her that I cared for you a lot, she compared you to Heracles, pointing out the fact that you did nothing to save me when you were nearby. I felt betrayed, and to make matters worse, Artemis was claiming that you were only using me to further your powers. And I believed her."

I couldn't find anything to say. "Zoe t-"

"Is that all you're using me for? To further your powers. I know it's not fair for me to ask you that, but I care about you so much, and if you don't, I fully understand, and-" I cut her off by pressing my lips onto hers, unable to stop myself at first.

I instantly pulled away; my face flushed with embarrassment. "I would never use you, Zoe. I'm not staying with you to further my own power; I'm staying with you because I care about you."

I turned around and started walking back to the house when I felt a pair of slender arms wrap around my body before resting across my chest. "I should've never doubted you, Percy. I-I love you. I loved you when you tried to save me from my father and I loved you when I saved you from Lycaon."

She took a deep breath. "I've spent most of my life despising men, but you were different, and I want you to be with me." I turned towards her before engulfing her in a hug, resting my chin on top of her head. "I love you, Percy. I'm never going to let you go."

Being with her felt so right. She smelled like the woods and I felt my inner animal leap with excitement. "I love you too, Zoe, and I'm not going anywhere."

(A/N: I was going to end it here but since I love you guys this will be a line break)

3rd POV

Artemis stewed on her throne as she waited for the Council meeting to begin, glaring at Zeus' empty seat every minute. How dare he send her best friend to Tartarus when she clearly deserved to be in Elysium?!

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck the throne and Zeus appeared in his usual storm-gray suit, albeit a little wrinkled. His hair seemed disheveled and there were red marks on his neck.

Hera glared at him in disgust. "You are late, husband. Now, if you'll please start this meeting, some people have other things to be doing."

Zeus nodded, his eyes a little wild. "Are there any problems to be addressed by the Council?"

Artemis shot up from her seat in an angry flourish. "How could you, Father? I have never seen less arrogance and short-sightedness in the men I've turned into jackalopes!"

Zeus' nostrils flared. "You insolent pup, know your place!"

"The Underworld is not your domain to interfere!"

Zeus slowly sat down, a wary look on his face. "What, pray tell, do you mean by that?"

"You sentenced my dearest friend, Zoe Nightshade, the huntress who died while fighting her own Titan father, to Tartarus after she earned Elysium! How could you do that, Father?!"

His eyes narrowed. "Watch how you speak to me. She was the spawn of a Titan and a threat to Olympus. In times like this, we can afford no extra enemies."

Artemis' eyes erupted into silver flames. "She was a loyal hunter for thousands of years and even chose to fight her own blood in order to protect Olympus, and you strip her of her sacrifice?"

Zeus fidgeted in his throne. "How did you find out about this?"

"Zoe was transformed into a werewolf in Tartarus and-"

"She will seek revenge upon Olympus, daughter! You must hunt her down!"

"I will not!" Artemis gritted her teeth. "She is not seeking revenge against you. Believe it or not, your paranoia is unwarranted. I've sworn on the Styx not to hunt her or Perseus."

"Perseus?" Poseidon had been lazily staring at the prongs on his trident but his focus was now directed to the conversation. "Why is Perseus with Zoe? Annabeth handed him over to the telekhines!"

"Zoe saved him from death by transforming him into a werewolf as well. Before any of you blow your caps off, they saved the Hunt and me from certain death. They are not against us."

"Saved you? Saved you from who?" Zeus demanded.

"I was attacked by Lycaon and all the minions he had to offer. Perseus and Zoe helped fend off the wolves and Perseus even ripped of Lycaon's head himself."

Poseidon stared at his hands. "As a son of the sea god, I should be able to feel his presence if he was alive. I could no longer sense his presence on Earth when Annabeth handed him over to the telekhines, so why can't I sense him now?"

Artemis shrugged. "That's something only Perseus himself knows." She said before turning to her father. "You will swear on the Styx not to hunt them down or harm them as they've proven their merit and loyalty by saving me."

"Never," Zeus growled. "I won't let two godlings turned werewolves roam the Earth freely for Kronos to recruit. They will die."

"If you lay a hand on either of them, I will personally ensure that you are short a hunting goddess in this upcoming war," Artemis said.

"Why are you so protective of these-these monsters?"

"You have punished them enough and they deserve to be left alone. I swear on the Styx my threat is genuine."

Thunder boomed overhead and Zeus gripped the armrests of his throne. "Very well, daughter," he snarled. "I swear on the Styx they will not be harmed by me or any other gods under my orders."

The resulting thunder sounded like an atomic explosion as the entire room shook. "Council dismissed." Zeus flashed out and the rest of the gods followed suit.

Poseidon walked up to Artemis, a pleading look on his face. "Artemis, please help me find Percy. I need to talk to him." He tried to persuade her.

Artemis shook her head. "As I recall, when Annabeth came to Olympus with her proposal, your initial disagreement somehow led to a vote in favor of her plan. It's not my place to help you."

She flashed out before reappearing in her camp. Thalia walked up to her. "My Lady, can I talk to you for a second?"

Artemis nodded and flashed them to her tent. "Thalia, before you say anything, I truly apologize for tying you up. My anger and paranoia got the best of me and I don't want to be Father."

Thalia shrugged. "It's fine. You just tied me down to a bed with some ropes. Honestly, it was pretty comfy."

Artemis smiled. "I managed to get Father's word that he won't hunt down Zoe or Perseus."

Thalia nodded before a curious look appeared on her face. "Zoe turned Perseus into a werewolf, didn't she?"

"How did you know?"

"Well, when I met Perseus in the woods, he said that he got bit by a random werewolf, but when the two of them were here, I saw how close they were."

Artemis nodded. "That's right."

"How is Zoe a werewolf? Atlas killed her when we fought against him and Luke."

A dark look appeared on Artemis' face before she explained what had happened to Zoe.

"How could Father be so-so-"

"Arrogant? Paranoid? Prideful?"

"Yes!"

"He has been like that for centuries. Quite ironic since Kronos ate his siblings in fear of being usurped." Artemis supplied.

Thalia stewed as she thought about the flawed personality of her father. "Do you think...Do you think that Zoe and Percy love each other?"

Artemis picked up an arrow and studied the shaft. "I do. Zoe seemed to care a great deal for him, and I saw the look on Percy's face when he saw that Zoe was being overwhelmed by Lycaon's minions."

"Don't you care one of your longest-tenured Hunters loves a man?"

Artemis put the arrow down. "I lost the right to be concerned about her well-being when I killed her a few months ago. It is her life and I no longer have a place in it."

"You killed Zoe?"

Artemis' eyes closed as she remembered the look of betrayal Zoe had on her face when she had been pierced by an arrow. "I would prefer if we didn't speak of the matter."

Thalia nodded as she left the tent. As soon as she left, Artemis buried her head into a pillow, tears streaming down her face as she remembered what Zoe told her. "I blindly accepted your murders, Artemis, but how many innocent lives have you taken? Fathers, brothers, sons, thousands of lives gone simply because you didn't understand them. Once I came back and you no longer understood what I was, you shot me without a second thought."

A/N: Sorry I've been away for so long. School and work is a killer, on top of writing for my other stories in addition to this one is a lot. But I will try to keep my updates a little more consistent.