A/N: Hey Peeps CasualGryphon back again. Hope you're enjoying the story so far and I have more for you yet! I'm curious to see how much you guys are enjoying the story so far so I'm gonna encourage you to review if you can just so I know what I'm doing right/wrong. That being said welcome to Chapter 2!

Obviously I am not Rick Riordan so I do not own PJO or HOO I am a simple Gryphon. I own any original plot and/or characters.

Chapter 2: Serendipitous Encounters

Artemis was typically rather wary of anyone or thing following her. Mostly because she was the Goddess of the Hunt, she was supposed to be the one doing the following, not the other way around. That being said, she was entirely sure the wolf she had seen was definitely remaining within close proximity to the Hunt. However, this could not be confirmed as she had only caught a stray glimpse of a large black figure every now and again. Further ruining her typical behaviour, she was not in the slightest bit worried about it.

One time she had even found remnants of golden dust lying around the edge of the area the Hunt had been camping in before going off on a small excursion for some fruits and herbs to go with dinner. Another time had been when the hunt was trapped in the middle of at least 40 rogue monsters and got out with minimal scratches and a few unconscious maidens. The curious part is that the dracanae who were meant to be acting as archers towards the edge of the forest had left no trace of their presence. Their bows, arrows, and odd daggers seemed to have all vanished rather than drop as the typical spoil. On the walk back they noticed they were missing a sister, presuming she had gone ahead to make sure nothing was waiting for them at the camp and they continued onwards.

When they had arrived Atlanta was passed out lying beside a pile of spoils that seemed to be the dracanae weaponry. When she came to a half hour later, all she could remember was being hit by a cyclops club while she was bringing up the rear of the Hunt prior to the ambush, and then a wall of black and liquid silver before waking up. Most of the Hunt was confused as to who or what it was that saved Atlanta, but Artemis had her suspicions.

In her curiosity she left a venison steak out towards the edge of the camp one night as she was on duty and kept a keen eye on it from her chariot just in case the lupine guardian angel decided to show his furry face. As it was nearing the end of her shift, per se, she let loose a quick yawn only to open her eyes and find the dish she had left the venison steak on missing. When she arrived back at camp the dish was placed in the sink of the kitchen tent and licked clean of all traces of the steak.

She couldn't help but keep thinking this was definitely not your average wolf. She wished she could meet her Hunt's escort but at the same time she was slightly miffed that something was protecting her girls. Granted she was thankful for Atlanta's rescue, she was giving this wolf too much thought. Sure he wasn't normal but why should she care about another random beast that could possibly be a monster?

"Milady?"

Artemis jumped at the sound of her lieutenant's voice

"Apologies for startling you, but we've been waiting for your order for our next move. You've been staring off in the distance, something on your mind Milady?"

Artemis met Thalia's gaze and considered ranting about the mysterious beast. She quickly thought better of it as talking about a 10 foot tall, multi-tailed, void black, hyper intelligent wolf that managed to stay within close proximity to her Hunt without her knowing would likely make her sound crazy. Instead, she chose to bring up the less savory topic, her family was procrastinating.

"Yes, unfortunately with the mounting war upon the Titans, the Olympians are having too many meetings without any true progress as Father assumes we can win this war without asking for demi-god help. In the meantime though, feel free to take a break with your sisters and have a bit of-"

Whatever she said was cut off by a joyous squeal. Glancing at her Lieutenant she quickly took off from the edge of the camp where she had been contemplating the wolf.

Speak of the devil. However what she found was an angel instead.

She and Thalia arrived at the edge of the clearing after following the happy squeals, joyous laughter, and bubbly giggling. They found the wolf very happily prancing around with a 9 year old blonde girl on his back. She was being bounced around as he trotted, and hung on tight, letting out the odd squeal as he lunged covering 10 feet in easy, lazy bounds. His lustrous tails trailed behind him as he shook and shivered, lightly jostling her. She simply enjoyed herself, hanging on to the huge wolf, her grin threatening to split her face.

He stopped quickly and threw her a look. She made a confused face before understanding dawned on her. She grinned, nodded, and shifted up closer to his massive neck. She got a grip before he took off a brisk jog straight towards the biggest tree in the area. A solid Spruce with a trunk that was a least 8 feet across.

Thalia yelped in fear as he didn't slow down, instead he sped up and jumped. It was an impossible sight as he soared regally through the air, tails flowing gracefully as he made contact with the tree forepaws first. He didn't bother slowing down as he ran up the tree. Thalia's face went from fear to confusion to awe in seconds flat. The wolf kept going for about 20 feet up the tree. And then sprung backwards. His tails quickly cushioned the young girl to his back as she laughed happily as they flew through the air. He twisted and spiraled through the air eliciting squeals of happiness from the youngling on his back. After one last barrel roll the wolf flipped and landed lightly, not a sound was made, not even the crinkle of leaves as they set down. The tails removed themselves from the young girl.

She sat up giggling uncontrollably and promptly slipped right off the wolf's back.

Artemis instinctively sprang forward out of the underbrush to catch her. Turns out she didn't even need to as two of the prehensile tails swished out and caught her and let her slide down to the ground giggling the whole way.

"Thanks Noir," she managed to get out between giggles. The newly named Noir swung his head to where the little girl landed near his side and gently nuzzled her. She contently wrapped her hands around his muzzle and snuggled into his huge head. She soon erupted into more giggles as he lifted her up while she was still on his muzzle. She was now 10 feet up, perched on his muzzle. He closed his eyes and she scrambled up onto his head and sat happily on his neck and tickled his ears. They flicked around as he held a wry grin. Or as much as a wolf could. Artemis straightened and adjusted her stance. In doing so, she stepped upon a rather inconveniently placed stick that did not snap and draw attention. Rather it rolled beneath her and she fell unceremoniously on her rump with a startled, "Umph!" Thalia had followed her Mistress when she rushed forward to catch the little girl. Now both lieutenant and leader were stuck out in the open where the wolf had trained his liquid platinum eyes upon them.

The little girl upon his head looked up wide eyed, and with a startled, "Eep!" slid down his head onto his back where she was quickly engulfed in his tails for safety. She tentatively peeked out from behind the tails.

"Wh-Wh-Who are y-you?" She stuttered out.

Artemis was about to reply when she was once again interrupted.

"Milady!" was chorused as her Hunters popped into the clearing and took one look at the wolf before arrows were drawn and loosed.