June 1991

The man looked up at the sky, admiring the vast expanse of stars in fascination, and singling out all the constellations that he knew, each triggering a different memory. He did this to feel calm, it was one of the ways that he could really relax. However, looking into the realm of his grandfather, he felt nervousness gather in the pit of his stomach. He knew that the wrath of the lord of the skies was not something to take lightly.

Eventually, the man turned back and walked into the cave. The hearth in the middle of the cave lit everything up with a warm orange glow, sputtering and crackling as it did so. At the end of the cave, laying on top of a layer of thick animal pelts, was a woman. She was beautiful, with long flowing black hair and light blue eyes and a piercing gaze. In her arms was a baby, wrapped in cloths and looking at his mother in wonder. The man approached them, his face lighting up in a smile as the baby stared at his hands.

'No more than a few minutes old, and he is fully aware of his surroundings! No doubt he will have his mother's ferocity. He will be strong, Lupa. Fear not for him'.

Lupa sighed sadly. 'I am not afraid that he will not be fit to survive. I am afraid he will not be allowed to. Zeus' temper flares when his orders are disobeyed'.

The man squeezed her hand in a reassuring gesture. He sat down next to her, and she nestled herself into him, the baby sat between them. The man stared at the now glowing embers, light reflecting off his flaming pupils. As he sat there, he knew that he would not allow anyone, not even the king of the gods, to harm his son or the woman he loved so dearly.

'Zeus will not find out,' he said confidently. 'The boy must go with you, live amongst the pack. He will be too noticeable on Olympus. Train him, teach him. I will visit him as often as I can, I promise'.

Lupa did not respond, only leant further into him. The man looked at his son, who was trying to move around . He had his black hair, Lushous and dark. It is unusual for babies to be born with hair, but he was far from a mere mortal. The most captivating thing, he thought, were his eyes. They were light blue, just like his mother, but were ringed with a fierce red around the irises. As he watched, the boy curled up on the floor, and closed his eyes. Slowly, his shape began to morph, and the man gasped as hair stared to sprout from his bare back. Where the boy had been peacefully asleep a moment before, now lay a small wolf pup, with fur black as midnight.

When she saw this, Lupa's eyes lit up and she cracked a wolfish grin.

'A beautiful wolf form. I dare say he got that from me'.

The man laughed, shaking his head in disbelief at the now snoring little wolf. Lupa then turned to him, looking lovingly into his eyes.

'Thank you for being here. I know it was risky for you, and I think it is only right that you should name him'.

The man was taken aback, but nodded. He looked to the small pup, feeling a surge of protectiveness for his newborn son.

'Perseus', he decided. 'Let him take the name of the hero who lived a happy life'.

Again, Lupa didn't respond, but nodded in agreement and stared lovingly at their son. Phobos did the same, his flaming red pupils taking in every moment he could. He knew that he would remember it for the rest of his immortal life.

—

Lupa raced through the forest, her sleek wolf fur reflecting the moonlight that trickled it was though the towering trees. She ran as a silver blur, weaving around the trees and jumping over obstacles with inhuman reflexes. Of course, being a goddess, she had even faster means of travel, but she preferred to run. She truly felt free.

In her jaws was her newborn son, still asleep even as he whipped past the trees. Lupa had never felt so protective of someone before. She cared for the Roman demigods, but they would need to attain the necessary strength to survive on their own. She would guide them, but never show any sort of emotional attachment other than what was required as their mentor. But towards this child, her first true son, she felt love in a way she didn't think was possible.

As she heard the howls of wolves in the distance, she started to worry. She knew her son would rise through the pack rapidly. She knew she was stronger than any other she had ever seen, probably to surpass herself, but she still felt the need to nurture him and protect him. As the Wolf House towered into view, she forced these feelings down. The pack was awaiting her arrival, and she could afford to show no weakness. As she came into the Clearing, she deposited her son at her feet, and prepared to introduce the newest addition to the gathered pack of wolves.