Zoe stormed into the house to find Piper standing innocently by the window, her phone in her hands.
She glared at her.
"What", Piper said, refusing to meet her eyes.
When Zoe didn't answer she caved, "Fine, Annabeth sent me to come check up on you." She gave Zoe a mischievous smile, "I guess Percy beat me to it".
Zoe's glare didn't waver. "Fisrt of all, he just happened to be out there".
Piper started to talk but Zoe cut her off, "SECOND!" She emphasized, "You promised you would stop trying to hook us up".
There was a brief pause, Zoe's look of the damned never stopping.
Piper put on her pouty face, "but you guys just look so cute".
Zoe let out a frustrated sigh and walked past her. If she was reacting this way from Zoe having a normal conversation with Percy. There was no way in hell she was going to tell her about the plans she just made with his mom Sally.
Zoe walked back into the pool room to find it empty.
She looked around confused for a bit, until she heard chanting coming from another room downstairs. She wasn't able to make out the words, but they sounded excited.
As she started making her way out of the room she ran back into Piper who just pointed her thumb towards the basement, "Everyone is downstairs to see the arm wrestling match".
Zoe must have had a weird look on her face because Piper instantly answered, "Boys".
Zoe just grimaced and nodded as she followed Piper downstairs.
As they approached Zoe could finally make out the chant everyone was singing.
"FRANK'
"FRANK"
"FRANK"
The stairs lead into another massive dining room that looked like it was converted into a old gym. From what she could see free weight stood resting along the wall, with several different weighted plates stacked neatly in the corner.
The middle of the room looked cleared out as Zoe finally got close enough to see what was happening.
A massive silver back gorilla stood on one side of a stack of 45lb plates and Leo stood on the other side with his shirt off, flexing for the crowd of a total of like 8 people.
The gorilla snorted and set his elbow on the table hard earning a loud thud across the room.
Zoe saw Leo walk up confidently as she tore her eyes away to look at Hazel, "Is that?" she pointed to the gorilla.
"Frank", Hazel nodded, she had a bundle of clothes in her arms that Zoe could only assumed were the gorillas.
"The boys talked him into it", Hazel said with a shrug, "I swear this happens every year."
Zoe looked back to the match, Leos hand and a bit of this wrist was taken up by the meaty, hair hand of his opponent.
Luke stood in the middle, holding their hands together and checking the angle to make sure everything seemed right. When he seemed satisfied enough he took a small step back and released there hand, "GO". Luke shouted.
Instantly Leos bicep flexed as his skin took on a small red color from the strain of pulling while his hand didn't move an inch.
Zoe heard her sister give a small "Oh honey", as Frank didn't look like he was giving any effort at all.
After 30 seconds, Leo looked up to meet Franks gorilla face, "OH come on man your not even trying".
Zoe wasn't sure if a gorilla could smirk or not. But Frank looked like he tried his best as his muscles flexed and Leo was pinned in an instant.
"That's about what I expected", Luke said as he crossed off Leos name on a white board.
Zoe studied it for a bit, apparently this had been going on for a bit and that was the loser bracket Frank had just one. There were several name circled and crossed off before that deciding the final bracket.
Only three more were left, Jason vs wade. Luke vs Percy. and one more that was blank for the winners of the two.
She was brought out of her attention when Leo came walking up the Calypso who was next to Zoe, "Five more seconds and I would have had him". he said shaking his head.
Calypso ruffled his hair as he put back on his shirt that she was holding for him, "You definitely had him, there's always next year." Her eyes lit up, "Maybe we can talk him into turned into a different type of gorilla"
Leo matched her excitement, "Yeah! That might work".
As they walked off to discuss different gorilla breeds, Zoe brought her attention back to the match.
Percy and Luke were standing on either side of the plates stretching. Wade giving Luke a pep talk as Jason was on the other side doing the same.
Percy kept rolling his shoulder with his hand on the front trying to loosen it up before bringing both hands above his head to stretch.
He had ditched his jacket he had been wearing for his Michael Myer's costume and was wearing a Walmart brand dark green shirt that was a bit to tight for him.
Zoe would blame all those years with Piper and Annabeth's influence on her as her eyes flicked down watching the muscle of his slightly toned lower midsection flex as he yawned reaching up even further. Zoe eyes trailed the line of hair that disappeared under his dark jeans back up to wear is went under his shirt when she saw the beginning of scars at the bottom of his ribs.
Percy was a wolf, he could heal from almost anything, and he definitely didn't have those scars when they were kids. She would have to ask him mom about it when she saw her. Because there was no way in hell she would allow herself to have another conversation alone with him any time soon. Not until she got these thoughts under control.
As Zoe was having a battle with her inner hormones she so confidently thought she had locked away, Percy was wondering how he even got in this mess.
One second he was eating chocolate covered chips, the next he's watching a silver back gorilla arm wrestle. His life was exciting like that.
After a few hard slaps on Luke's shoulder by Wade, he sat and and Percy followed his suit. The two wrapped their hands around each others gripping tightly, Zoe could see Luke's hands turn white as he smirked at Percy.
"You ready?" he said confidently.
Percy fingers were tapping Luke's hands before settling to a comfortable enough position for him. "Good enough for me?" he gave a nod to Wade as he grabbed there hands centering them.
Percy put his head down with his eyes closed, his leg bouncing endlessly on the floor. Breathing in and out really heavy, psyching him self up as if he was about to lift a couple thousands pounds.
Wade let go of there hands, "GO!"
Instantly his leg stopped bouncing and there hands tightened together. Both boys arms flexed from the pressure. Luke looked up surprised, a vein starting to bulge on his forehead, "Son of a bitch", his head dipped down as he pushed himself, "your stronger than you look Jackson".
They held fast in the middle before Luke's end started to dip down, slowly at first.
A low growl came from Luke's side of the plates, Percy looked up to see Luke's eyes glowing vibrant yellow.
There hands started shaking, evening back out and had just started dipping into Luke's favor before Percy slammed Luke's wrist onto the table with a loud 'BANG!'
The crowed cheered as Jason clapped Percy on the back and the boys shook hands, Luke was looking at Percy in shock and renewed interest. "How often do you work out man? Your bench must be insane, I mean next to Wade I'm the strongest in my pack".
Percy was still grinning from his win as he shrugged, "Not as often as I should". He have emphasis by smacking his stomach, "The only thing keeping me from losing my abs completely is those wolf genetics".
"You ever consider applying for Othrys?" Luke asked him, "We could always use more wolves, especially with all the attacks on rivals packs lately. Have you found a pack since you moved here?"
Percy seemed a bit uncomfortably by the question, "Uh, no. Me and Jason stick together, its not worth putting in the effort. Plus Jason's strong enough for a whole pack" Percy said clapping him on the shoulders with both hands as he sat down opposite of Wade.
Percy leaned into Jason whispering, "Please don't lose, id rather fake lose to you then him".
There was no way a beta the size of Percy would be able to beat Jason or Wade in an arm wrestle. Lucky for him, he wasn't a beta.
Unlucky for him, an alpha without a pack would be hunted down and killed for his power in an instant. So when Jason asked him to join the competition he said he couldn't win it.
Jason grinned up at him, "I knew you were holding back", he whispered back, "And are you sure you can actually beat me?"
Percy gave an innocent shrug as he stepped back, letting Luke take the lead on starting the match.
Percy was staring at the twos connected hands, until he let his eyes focus past them to find Zoe standing on the other side of the circle they had made.
Percy hated the way he could immediately feel his heart beat in his chest just from looking at her across the room.
But he couldn't stop himself from eyeing her from head to toe, as if seeing her for the first time again. Like he had when he opened the door for her at his work.
She had grown up a lot since he last saw her. Sure she was pretty before, but like middle school pretty. Now with them both being 23, she was far above pretty. Even with her hair sticking up in weird angles from wearing a witches hat all night.
Percy wanted to go up and make fun of her for it, just to start a conversation with her maybe argue a little bit. Just like old times. But he dismissed it and looked away. Zoe made it clear that she wanted nothing to do with him
Percy looked back at the match to see Jason struggle, same with Wade. It looked to be an even match.
Wades arm ripples with muscle. It honestly looked like a bundle of ropes wrapped around a skeleton. Dozens of veins protruded from his skin.
Percy glanced at Zoe again and he was looking at Wade in disgust. he couldn't blame her, being that shredded was pretty gross. Zoe must've felt him staring because she glanced up at him and their eyes met.
Percy pointed to Wade, and then to his own flexing arm mouthing "You see his arms?", to her.
Zoe wrinkled up her nose and shook her head at him.
"Oh come on", he mouthed back to her. Percy gave a dramatic presentation of his own arm, "The dream".
Zoe looked away for a second to hid her smile. She looked back at Percy mouthing, "good luck with that".
Percy winked at her and then looked back at the match only to find Wade looking at Zoe and then back at him. Only for a second until, Jason slammed his wrist onto the plate from his lapse of focus.
Wade looked pissed as he stood up from the chair and walked out of the room Luke following him. Percy didn't miss his glance at the two of them.
Jason stood up from the table and shook his arm a few times, "Man I didn't think that was ever gonna end".
Piper was the first one next to him, smiling up at him. "That was the first time I've seen Wade lose."
"I can see why", Jason said rubbing his bicep. "Strong dude".
Jason turned to Percy who was still looking towards where Wade and Luke took off. Annabeth was now heading in that direction.
"You ready".
Percy seemed to snap out of trance, "What? Yeah! I guess".
Percy walked to Wades spot on the plate, "lets get this over with".
He took grip on Jason's hand testing it. With Wade and Luke gone Piper stood over the two of them lining it up, She had one eye closed and her tongue stuck out one side of her mouth. "I think that looks right".
"I don't think it needs to look perfect Pipes. Just say-"
Piper interrupted Jason, "GO!"
Percy rubbed his shoulder before letting out a big yawn. Percy knew his shoulder was already healed but he felt like it was still hurting.
He had underestimated just how strong Jason was, and he guessed Jason was planning on him putting up more of a fight because the moment Piper said 'Go' Percy was pinned in an instant and there was a loud pop from his shoulder.
The party had long died down.
Percy had already said his goodbye's to all his new friends he had made and even accepted Katy's number that she insisted he take. He was sitting against Jason's truck waiting for him to come out.
Knowing his friend he knew it would probably take a while, but Percy didn't mind too much, he enjoyed the alone time outside. It reminded him of the simpler days of being over seas.
Laying on the ground at night looking up at the stars with his platoon. Always having a mission, a goal to work towards. He really missed it.
Flashback
"Hey asshole", a voice said to his left.
Instinctively Percy caught the canteen out of the air that was about to hit his face.
He saw Tyson walking into their tent grabbing a few of his things from his cot.
Percy sat up unscrewing the lid and taking a small sip while giving him a look of confusion, "Where do you think your going?"
Tyson shrugged, "They got me stationed up on that hill for the next two days until Briggs gets back".
Percy set the canteen down pulling a shirt over his head, "Briggs isn't back yet?"
Tyson shook his head, "With that maniac Lycaon out there, they need a wolf at every base."
"They need a pack at every base", Percy said under his breath.
Lycaon was a monster. People called them monsters but he really gave them the name. He calls himself a god, and alpha of alphas. Slaughtering anything and anyone he wants. He'd record himself turning and literally ripping American soldiers in half.
Briggs and a couple of the other alphas from their squad had a lead on him, but he was supposed to be back yesterday. His squad leaders weren't telling him anything about it, probably to stop him and Tyson from going searching for him.
Tyson finished tying his bag and turned to Percy, "Remember if you get scared at night" Tyson put on a fake crying face, "I'll be right at the top of that hill".
"Shut up", Percy said giving his friend a hug, touching his forehead to Tyson, before breaking away.
"Stay safe brother", Tyson said clapping him on the shoulder before turning to hop in the back of a truck that.
Flashback End
The front door slammed shut and Percy looked up expecting Jason but it was that blonde girl.
Percy thought for a second, 'Annabeth'. He thought.
She looked thoroughly upset, she sat on the steps with her head in her hands.
Percy slowly walked up to her, "Uhhhh", he gave a small wave, "You ok?"
Annabeth's head snapped up, her eyes were red from holding back tears, "Oh Percy, what are you doing out here? I thought you left?"
"Still waiting on Jason", he shrugged and sat awkwardly there for a second. "I can go back inside if you need a be alone-"
"No no", Annabeth waved her hand wiping her eye with the other, "I'm fine, just got in a dumb argument with Luke".
"Every time his dumb brother is over its like he's a completely different person, its like he as to show off or something", she said looking at her hands that were now covered in mascara.
Percy sat down next to her and clasped his hands together, "I don't have to much room to talk because I just met you guys, but Luke doesn't seem like that bad of a guy."
"And honestly, having brothers make you stupid, I was the same around mine. I also didn't have a girlfriend to piss off at the time", he said and Annabeth let out a small laugh.
"He's definitely good at pissing me off that's for sure. Where are your brothers now? Zoe never mentioned you having siblings?'
Percy's face darkened and memories that he unhealthily liked to keep buried came rushing back to him as he tried to think of what to say.
Annabeth read his face, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't of asked".
"Its fine, uhhh" Percy shook his head again. Jason and his mom constantly tried to get him to open up about this this topic, why was he suddenly having the urge to talk about it now.
"I'm an only child, but my pack", he paused, "My brothers-"
The door behind them opened aggressively, "What do you think your doing with her!?"
Wade stood behind them looking between the two of them. Annabeth looked at Wade and then to him and scooted away fast, "relax, it's not what it looks like!.
Wade wasn't having any of it as he rushed forward pushing Percy hard before he could stand up sending him sprawling down the steps and onto the drive way. he could feel his elbows scrape the concrete as they burned.
"WADE!" Annabeth yelled but he kept advancing "You think its fine to hit on my ex and then turn around and make moves on my brothers girlfriend?"
Percy could feel the pull of the wolf inside him itching to get out, to transform and rip this guy limb from limb. but he pushed it down and stood up taking a deep breath. brushed some rocks off his arms that had embedded themselves into his skin.
"I don't even know who your ex is" Percy said stepping up to him. Wade had a good 5 inches on him and was probably twice his size. But Percy met his eyes with the same steely glare Wade had. "I was just checking to see if she was ok, but if you touch me again." A ripple of black went across his skin.
Percy went to walk back inside to find Jason when Wade grabbed his shoulder but Annabeth stepped in between them. "Wade knock it off", she slapped him hard.
His eyes glowed yellow, "Annabeth MOVE", he said pushing her aside.
He obviously hadn't meant to do it aggressively, but she lost her step and smacked her elbow into the stone steps hard making her yelp.
Percy did a complete 180 shoving wade, taking him off his feet as he hit his back on the pavement rolling over his head landing on his stomach.
He was on his feet in a second and speared Percy to the ground. his head smacked the concrete as he fought back a groan, Percy elbowed Wade in the side making him release him enough for Percy to get his knee to his chest to shove Wade off.
Percy stood up quick and made the mistake at looking at Annabeth when Wade swung at him.
Claws pierced his flesh deep across his neck and face taking him off his feet as he slammed into the cars making the alarms go off. Blood splatter against them and the pavement. Percy felt his breath leave him.
He lost it.
That animal. The feeling inside him constantly wanting to be let out of its cage every full moon broke free. Something he promised himself would never happen again.
Percy took a deep breath like he had been drowning. He had blacked out, he knew he did.
The porch light felt too bright as he fell to his knees in the grass looking at his hands, they were covered in blood.
Percy struggled to breath again, the wolf inside him begging to take control. To finish what it had started.
Percy's hands went over his ears hoping to cover up the noise of the monster screaming to let it free. Finally his vision cleared enough, to see Wade on the ground unconscious, slashes and bite wounds all of his body with Calypso, Annabeth and Leo pressing towels into his skin to stop the bleeding. Luke lay to his left looking similar but not as bad.
One of his arms was a bloody, shredded mess with a few gashes on his face and chest.
Percy pushed the wolf back down and struggled to stand up again, Annabeth cause his gaze and she looked scared of him. Percy was sure he looked just as scared as she was. "I need Jason."
He groaned and fell back down to his knees, his skin turning a darker color before going back to normal. His whole body was on fire, he didn't know how much longer he could fight it.
Percy dug his nails into his hand, feeling them pierce his skin bringing him back to present. "Your not monster" he whispered to himself.
"Your not a monster"
Percy punched the pavement cracking it.
"Your not-"
He felt a hand on his back.
"Jason?" Percy said taking labored breaths, "I cant- I can't breath.
He felt the hand slide along his back to his shoulder till it grabbed his own hand. He looked over to see Zoe crouching next to him.
He let go of her hand, "not safe" he breathed out as his skin turned to lava again, a few of his bones gave that awful popping sound of him starting to change but he fought it.
"Look at me" Zoe said grabbing his hand again rubbing his back. "What was the first thing I said to you when we first met?"
Percy looked at her like she was insane, he was literally seconds away from shifting and the only one strong enough to stop him was maybe Jason.
Zoe squeezed his hand hard, "Do you remember?"
Percy was tracing every detail of her face as he thought, "You said- you said I was in your swing". he breathed out.
"First grade recess and you sat in my favorite swing".
Percy swallowed the lump in his throat as he took a shaky breath, "I got there first".
"Deep breaths", Zoe whispered and he set back off his knees his claws slowly retracting. "It was my first day, how was I supposed to know it was yours". he said.
"That didn't matter to first grade me" She said, "But you refused to move, and you sat there and argued with me the whole recess".
"And the bus ride home", Percy said getting on one of his knees. The feeling of the wolf inside him trying to break out was slowly slipping away.
Percy looked around the yard, Wade had been taken inside but Luke and Annabeth were in a heated discussion on the porch. His arm was wrapped in a bandage but he looked better than he did when Percy first came to.
The door swung open fast and Jason came rushing out without a shirt. His face white as a ghost, some color flooded back when he saw Percy standing.
He ran up to them and Percy felt Zoe's hand slip out of his, "I'm gonna go talk to Annabeth".
She walked away as Jason ushed towards him, "What happened?'
Ok so it'll make no promises for updates any time soon, I know it sucks but my motivation and time to do this is pretty much non existent. I plan to sprinkle in more details about Percy's past life through flash backs about how he became and alpha and why he lost control like that. next chapter will primarily be Percy and Zoe because I said there relationship is gonna escalate and that I'm probably gonna change the rating on this story cause you know, there 23.