Chapter 19: Chapter 18

Storm's Pov

"Beep! Beep! Beep!"

What is that sound?

"Beep! Beep! Beep!"  Where am I? It's dark in here. Groaning, I try to open my eyes but they feel heavy and that beeping sound is not helping me concentrate.

You can do this Storm, just open it and then you can find out what is making that sound.

I try once again, fluttering my eyes until it opens but closing it back from the brightness. I sigh opening it slowly this time adjusting to the lights around me.

White walls? Where am I?

"Hey." a voice drawls out slowly. Turning my head to the side I frown looking at the heart rate monitor, I slowly trail my eyes over the IVs connected to my hand, my chest covered in a bandage and finally my leg wrapped in a cast.

I lean my head back when my eyes connect with a pair of blue ones searching my eyes, a concentrated look on his face as he leans closer.

"What are you doing?" I mumble my voice groggy, leaning back again but he comes closer cupping my face and squishing my cheeks together.

"Well I thought being in a coma for a year would change you but hmm." Ollie mumbles leaning back with a frown on his face and he shrugs.

I blink, staring at him, blinking once more before looking around me in shock.

"What did you just say?" I whisper staring at him in shock and he crosses his arm in front of his chest nodding his head.

"You've been in a coma for a year." He repeats. My breath comes out short as I start hyperventilating, the machine beeping even faster and Ollie stares at me in shock jumping from his seat.

"Hey! Hey calm down, we don't want Arte-

The door suddenly bangs against the wall, the person he didn't want to come appearing as she grabs Ollie by his shirt flinging him across the room, through the wall, his back crashing against the vending machine, the nurse standing near yelps in surprise running away.

I freeze staring at the hole, Artemis standing protectively in front of me as she growls.

"Artemis." I whisper and she tenses up, turning around slowly a choked sob escaping her and she rushes towards me flinging her arm around my neck tightly.

I groan, coughing and she let's go quickly cupping my cheeks, her eyes searching frantically all over my face. "I'm so sorry. Are you okay? Does anything hurt? Should I call the doctor or something? Tell me, do you need anything food, water, something talk to me Storm. Wait why aren't you saying anything?" her eyes go wide and she cups my chin forcing my mouth open as she looks inside.

"What if you lost your voice?" I try to pull away but she tightens her grip. "Oh my gosh you did!! I can fix it I promise just-

I cover her mouth staring at her in shock. "W-water?" I croak out pointing to the cup on the table and she quickly let's go handing me the cup and I take a sip, feeling it cool down my parched throat.

"I'm fine." My voice raspy and I clear my throat. She sighs resting her forehead against mine.

"I'm so sorry Storm." She whispers her voice cracking and I frown pulling back to stare at her.

"I'm fine, really it must have been painful to be without me for a year." I mutter catching the tear before it drops

"A year?" She frowns staring at me in confusion and I furrow my brows nodding.

"Yeah, a year. That's what Ollie said." I mutter. Her chest vibrates as she growls from within, eyes shifting between red and violet and I take her hand squeezing it lightly and she snaps her gaze to me.

"It's okay. I'm here." I mumble and she takes in deep breaths closing her eyes before opening them bringing it back to her original color.

She sighs, running her fingers through her hair. "You've been out for two weeks but it felt like a year." She mumbles tracing random patterns on my hand and I frown taking her in. The bags under her eyes look darker, dull violet eyes stare at our hands, brows pulled together and her hair looks as if she's been running her fingers through it because of how disheveled it looks.

"You haven't been sleeping have you?" I mutter, lightly tracing my fingers under her eyes and she looks away nodding her head.

"I couldn't sleep knowing you where in here." She mumbles closing her eyes tightly. My face softens as I tilt her chin up.

"I'm sorry." I mumble placing a kiss on her forehead and she sniffles wrapping her arms around me and I wrap mine around her waist pulling her flush against my body as I lightly run my fingers through her hair.

Ollie steps in dusting his shirt and hair as he glares at the both of us. "Oh wow, just have a moment and leave poor Ollie to die." He says sarcastically pulling out a piece of broken wood from his hair.

Artemis pulls back glaring at him. "You're lucky I didn't throw from the top of the building." She snaps and he raises his hand in surrender taking a seat on the chair placed at the corner of the room.

"Whatever. Anywho I called the doctor, he should be on his way." Just then a guy steps in freezing on the spot when he looks at the hole, pursing his lips as he brings his gaze to Ollie.

"What did you do?"

Ollie scoffs, staring at him in disbelief. "Why would you think I did something? Maybe it was your Alpha who did it."

The guy chuckles shaking his head. "I know Alpha Artemis might be part but you must have done something to warrant it."

He scowls at him. "Just look at your patient Rick." He grumbles.

Rick shakes his head, stepping close as he offers me a friendly smile. "Hello Alpha Storm! My name is Rickard Knight and I'll be your doctor." He introduces and I nod my head at him.

"Right, well Alpha Artemis do you mind if I check him?" He questions looking at her cautiously and she frowns staring at me for a minute before nodding.

Rickard steps forward a friendly smile on his face. "I'm just going to make sure everything is fine okay." I nod my head and he does the usual checkups, Artemis' eyes following his movements and Ollie standing at the corner with scowl on his face as he glares at Artemis.

Guess he's still bitter about being thrown across the room and hall.

He stands up, writing something on the clipboard before looking up again. "Well everything is fine." He grins and Artemis sighs in relief squeezing my hand tightly.

"I'm going to check your wounds okay." I frown pursing my lips when everything from that day comes back. Artemis grabs his wrist stopping him just when his fingers make contact with the bandage around my chest. She growls eyes glowing and he steps back slowly raising his hands up.

"Don't touch him." She snaps

"Artemis." I drawl out turning her around so she can face me. She narrows her eyes at Rickard before slowly looking at me, her eyes softening. "It's okay, let him check me okay."

She pouts but relents nodding her head and Rickard sighs stepping forward once again. He slowly unwraps it from my chest and I wince slightly, Artemis frowns clenching her fist tightly as she glares at him.

It's taken of and I look down staring at my chest in disbelief. How is it possible? There is so scar, no cut, nothing. It's as if there nothing even happened. He does the same to the cast wrapped around my leg and I have to hold in the gasp.

My leg should be broken by now, heck there should be crutches beside my bed but my leg looks just like me chest. Nothing, no bite mark to show that a wolf sunk its teeth on my leg and the bruises Ollie gave me have disappeared.

He grabs my leg and I get ready to scream from the pain but nothing. No pain.

He smiles in satisfaction, placing my leg gently on the bed. "Well you've healed up nice. Everything seems to be normal but for safety measures try to stay off your feet for a couple of days and I'll send medication for when your head hurts."

My head? I don't remember hitting my head on anything.

Artemis growls turning to glare at Ollie and I follow her gaze staring at him confusingly.

He smiles sheepishly, rubbing his neck, a nervous look on his face as he avoids Artemis' glare.

"What happened to my head?" I mutter and she scowls looking at Ollie.

"He banged your head against a tree when I specifically told him to not chase the squirrels." She snaps

Ollie scowls. "In my defense Knox didn't listen when I told him. You know how much he's obsessed with them."

She huffs, looking away from him and I shake my head furrowing my brows.

"When can I take him home?" She asks and Rickard shrugs.

"Whenever you want. He's practically healed."

"Ollie follow him and bring a wheelchair on your way back." She orders and he groans grumbling under his breath before following Rickard out of the room.

She sighs running her fingers through her hair staring at me with concern. "I'm really sorry you had to go through that Storm."

I smile shaking my head at her. "It's not your fault." I murmur reassuringly and she frowns staring at her fingers.

"Yes it is."

I furrow my brows, making a move to sit up and she helps me, putting a pillow behind my back. I cup her cheeks my eyes searching her own as I rub the pads of my thumb lightly across her cheeks. "You're not at f-

"Yes I am!" She snaps pulling away from me. She gets up running her fingers through her hair, frustration and anger clear on her face. "I should have known. I should know when my mate is in trouble so I can protect you but I didn't!"

"You can't blame yourself for something that was out of your control." I retort.

She scoffs, glaring at the wall behind me."It wasn't out of control Storm. I could have being there within seconds before they could have attacked but I wasn't, I had to hear it from Ollie's brothers that you were in trouble and if I had come late." She chokes on her words, closing her eyes tightly.

"If I was just a bit late, gosh you would have been dead." She whispers brokenly, her shoulders slumping as she stares at the ground, a look of defeat on her face.

I frown looking at her. "Come here." I murmur and she shakes her head looking away from me. I groan, running my fingers through my hair. "Artemis, come here." I repeat firmly and she sighs stepping closer to the bed, head still lowered.

I shift a bit making space on her bed and when comes closer, I grab her wrist pulling her to me and she yelps in surprise placing her hand on my chest to steady herself.

"Storm! What are you doing?" She snaps pulling away from me and I glare at her wrapping my arms tightly around her waist as I pull her closer, making sure to trap her legs with mine.

She struggles against me and I huff tighten my hold. "Relax." I whisper and her body obeys, relaxing in my arms and laying her head on my chest.

"Good girl." I murmur kissing her hair and she sighs wrapping her arms tightly around me. I sigh, running my fingers through her hair as I close my eyes breathing in her scent.

Fuck she smells so good.

"Artemis." I mumble and she hums in response, her fingers tracing random patterns on my chest. "How is my leg fully healed?"

She tenses up for a minute before relaxing again. "When you got here, you had lost a lot of blood so I gave you my own and since I'm an Alpha it helped speed up the process."

I frown. "But it shouldn't be healed completely. I don't know how this works but I know that humans don't heal that fast and even so shouldn't I have stitches somewhere?"

"The doctors here are good." She answers quickly and my frown deepens.

What are you hiding from me?

"Don't worry about it, the most important thing is that you're okay." She murmurs cuddling close to my chest and I sigh squeezing her tightly.

The door opens and Artemis pulls away sitting up straight as she blushes.

Ollie looks between us, wiggling his brow suggestively. "Whatcha you doing?" He questions a sly smirk on his face.

"Nothing." Artemis replies quickly looking everywhere and I chuckle staring at her amusingly. Her eyes flicker to mine, narrowing them and I wink.

She lowers her eyes, blushing once again.

"You guys make me sick. I hope I don't meet my mate soon if I'm gonna act like this." Ollie groans wheeling the wheelchair inside. He pats the seat an excited grin on his face. "Hop on, let me take you for a ride."

I raise my brow at him and he smirks. Artemis rolls her eyes, moving to smack his head and he pouts.

"You guys really should stop hitting my head." He grumbles rubbing it and she rolls her eyes at me again.

"Just help him."

Artemis and Ollie bickered on the ride back home. They couldn't settle on what song to listen to so I got annoyed with them and turned off the radio.

It was peaceful and quiet until Ollie started singing the wheels on the bus. Let's just say I wouldn't ever want to go on a road trip with him and if Lyle and Jay were here, I'd probably throw myself out of the car.

Artemis house comes to view and I sigh in relief. The moment the car stops, I quickly open the door stepping out without even waiting for them.

"Storm be careful." Artemis rushes moving to stand beside me and I roll my eyes. So much reversed roles.

Ollie steps out, a grin on his face. "Welcome home."

I scowl at him. "I'm never sitting in a car with you again."

He shrugs winking at me before opening the front door. I wrap my arms around Artemis shoulder and she wraps hers around my waist a smile on her face.

"Come on." She mumbles and we step in freezing on the spot at the number of people in the house. A familiar brown haired woman steps out from the crowd, wrapping me in a hug and I'm force to let Artemis go.

"Welcome home honey." Elizabeth murmurs. The initial shock disappearing and I return her hug.

"Thank you." She pulls away cupping my cheeks before a small smile makes way on to her face.

Edward steps forward regarding me for a minute before nodding. "Was hoping you'd die but oh well this works too."

I choke on nothing staring at him in shock and Elizabeth scowls slapping his chest. "Ed." She scolds pursing her lips at him, a disapproving look on her face and he winks, walking away from us. Justin and Axel both pat my back and Damien gives me a nod.

Selena steps forward wrapping me in a hug, before pulling back slapping my arm, a glare on her face and Artemis growls stepping in front of me.

She rolls her eyes at her. "Relax Artemis." and faces me with a stern look. "Don't ever scare us like that okay." She scolds and I grin nodding my head.

She huffs walking away from us.

"Well that was something." I mutter and Artemis nods her head before turning to face me.

"I'll get them out of the house, why don't you go upstairs and freshen up. When you're done come back down." She says softly and I nod, leaning down to place a quick kiss on her cheek.

Stepping out of the shower, I stare at my reflection running my eyes over my chest and flexing my leg.

No pain.

I frown staring at the light scar on my palm from when Artemis used the knife to cut me. Even when her blood healed me, it still left a trace but with this, there is nothing.

No mark on my chest to prove that a wolf cut me, no signs of pain on my leg heck the bruises Ollie gave me have disappeared. It's like my skin is brand new.

What did you do Artemis?

Shaking my head to rid the thoughts, I step out of the room freezing on the spot when I find Artemis standing in the middle of my room her eyes going wide as it slowly trails over my body.

I clench my jaw, mentally groaning from how much her stare is affecting me. Her eyes trail lower to the towel wrapped around my waist and she gulps licking her lips.

Fucking torturous.

She slowly looks up and I smirk raising my brow at her. "Having fun?"

She nods her head absentmindedly still staring at my chest and I chuckle. "My eyes are up here you know."

She shakes her head, pressing her lips together as she looks down, a blush forming on her cheeks. I smirk taking slow steps to her and she looks up eyes widening before looking down again.

I stop in front of her, tilting her chin up so she can look at me. "You're beautiful." I whisper and she hiccups blinking rapidly at me.

I smile. "I'm gonna change." She nods still staring at me and I raise my brow at her. "Aren't you going go leave?" I ask and she nods her head but makes no move to leave.

Okay then.

I face her, bringing my hands to the towel, the smirk still on my face before letting go, the towel dropping to the floor.

"Oh my goodness!" She yelps turning around immediately and I burst out laughing watching her.

"Don't be shy. It's all yours." I murmur deciding to tease her a bit by stepping close to her. She tenses up when I wrap my arms around her waist, bending to rest my chin on her shoulder.

"Storm." She drawls out.

"Artemis." I whisper, trailing my nose along the side of her neck, breathing her scent of vanilla. She smells like her shampoo, I should probably take it again.

"You're naked." She murmurs titling her neck to give me more space and I hum kissing behind her ear, goosebumps appearing on the skin.

"But you aren't." I point out and her breath hitches.

I feel heat rushing through my body and I groan when her ass brushes against me.

Down boy, now is not the time to be horny.

She gasp wiggling her self and I tighten my hold on her, releasing a harsh breath my jaw tightening. "Artemis stop." I say in a warning tone and she freezes.

I close my eyes tightly, releasing her and taking a step back. I pick out my clothes, thinking of grandmas and Lyle's ugly face to calm myself down. Feeling calm and dressed up, I grab her shoulders turning her around but she brings her hand to her face covering her eyes.

"I'm decent now." I mutter but she shakes her head at me.

"I'm not falling for that again." She replies and I frown.

What the heck does she mean again.

"Artemis." I grit out and she shakes her head. I raise my hand prying hers away from her face but she shakes her head keeping it there.

I press my lips into a thin line before smirking. "Ouch!"

She immediately takes her hand off, staring at me worriedly. "Are you okay? Which part hurts?" She rushes out frantically eyes searching my face and I grin.

"Got you." She frowns when she realises I'm okay, pursing her lips at me as she crosses her arms in front of her.

"That was not nice of you." She says softly and I shrug.

"Maybe but it got you to look at me." I reply and she sighs pushing her hair from her face. "Now tell me what you meant by not falling for that again?" I question, sticking my tongue inside my mouth as I wait for an answer.

She scrunches up her face in confusion. "What are you- oh." Realisation dawns on her.

"Yeah oh." I mimic raising my brow at her. She grins sheepishly scratching the back of her neck.

"It's nothing really." She murmurs stepping back from me.

I frown, biting my lips. "Artemis, who have you seen naked?"

She shrugs opening the door. "I'm surrounded by werewolves. When we shift our clothes disappear."

I purse my lips at her. "I know that but the way you said it didn't feel like that."

"Oh well." And with that closes the door. I frown.

Who did she see naked? Past boyfriend or something?

Later that night, Artemis and I decided to build a fort and watch a movie. With her laptop in front us, I stare at her watching how she laughs when something funny comes on, how she frowns when one of the characters do something and when she rolls her eyes when they act stupid.

Watching her like this, all I can think about is the fact that she saw someone naked.

She brings the popcorn to her mouth, stopping mid chew and slowly turns to look at me. "What?"

"Who did you see naked?"

She raises her brow rolling her eyes at me and going back to chewing basically ignoring my question.

I purse my lips at her, snatching the popcorn away from her. She glares at me making a move to grab it but I push it back from her reach.

"Storm." She says in a warning tone and I raise my chin at her. "Give it back."

"Not until you answer me." I retort.

She growls, eyes glowing and I flick her forehead really hard. She cries out rubbing it as she glares at me.

"I've told you it hurts." She whines and I roll my eyes.

"You're a werewolf." She pouts looking away from me.

"Who did you see naked?" I ask again taking some of the popcorn and she narrows her eyes at me.

"If I answer will I get it back?" She questions and I nod smiling at her.

She sighs. "Alex, the Alpha I went to meet. Now gimme."

I purse my lips at her frowning and I crawl out from the fort with the popcorn bowl. "How come?"

She huffs, crawling out as well hands on her hips as she glares at me. "You promised you'd give it back if I answered you." She accuses making a move to grab it and I raise it up above my head.

"How come?" I ask again and she jumps trying to reach it. Huffing she blows her hair from her face looking around the room for a minute before grabbing the pillows stacking them on top of each other.

I snort watching as she steps on it to try and reach the popcorn. "Why are you so freaking tall!" She snaps clearly frustrated that she can't get to it.

"Answer me and you get it." I retort.

"What is this, twenty one questions." She huffs getting down before kicking the pillows away, moving to step on the couch.

I smile at her attempts but it gets completely wiped off when she jumps on me, wrapping her legs around my waist and I quickly wrap my arms around her waist to keep her from falling, stumbling slightly.

She stretches her hand reaching for it and I raise it a bit higher.

"Storm." She whines and I smirk winking at her.

"It's a simple question Artemis just answer it." I mutter raising my brow at her and she regards me for a minute, eyes sparking with something and I freeze staring at her blankly.

She wraps her legs tighter around me, slowly trailing her fingers through my hair before resting them on nape of my neck. I gulp tightening my hold on her when she leans closer rubbing our noses together.

"What are you doing?" I murmur staring at her lips tilted up in a smile, looking up and I suck in a breath from the hooded look on her face.

Trailing her nose along my cheeks, she places a kiss there before leaning back brushing her lips along mine own not kissing me fully and I squeeze her waist tightly.

"Don't tease me." I murmur and she shakes her head, tugging on the ends of my hair when I try to kiss her.

She brings her lips to my ear biting gently on my earlobe and I groan clenching my jaw.

Fuck that's my sweet spot.

Her lips brush along my ear. "Taking what is mine." She whispers and hops down, crawling back to the fort, the popcorn bowl in front of her.

What just happened?

She looks at me innocently. "You seem a bit out of it. Is everything okay?"

I stare at my hand wondering when I lowered the bowl for her to reach. I smirk to myself, that sly little wolf.

"Game on Artemis." I say biting the insides of my cheeks, staring at her for a minute before crawling back in and throwing my arms around her. She looks at me cautiously and I turn to face smiling innocently. "You look beautiful."

She hiccups, eyes going wide and I kiss her forehead pulling her closer to me.

******

Artemis is being clingy and weird. Don't get me wrong I don't hate it, in fact I enjoy her being around me all the time but it's weird because she keeps on spacing out whilst staring at my neck.

Like for instance she made this weird but tasty dish that I can't even remember the name for lunch and when she was done, she leaned closer lightly tracing my neck and her eyes glowed up.

I want to ask her why she's doing that but I think I have an idea just not sure if it's true or not. She rarely leaves the house and if she does, Damien is either watching over me or another person I met recently Ace.

Ace is like Damien in terms of body structure but character wise he is worse than Ollie. It's fun having to listen to him talk but it gets annoying when he never shuts up. I've had to take a lot of medicine from the headache he gave just from listening to him rant about his mate leaving him.

At first when I heard his mate rejected him, I honestly felt bad but then it just became unbearable to listen to because everytime Artemis mind links him to check up on me then it becomes a freaking problem because he'll remember her and just go into a full blow rant.

Today is Thursday and Artemis is in her room getting ready for us to go to the pack house. I'm thinking of ways to tell her that I need to return back to college because I've spent a month and half over here that and Lyle texted me saying he's been collecting my assignments for me because he told the professors that I have a terminal disease.

I hate schoolwork and I hate it even more when it piles up, then I'll just feel lazy to do it until the due date. So I'm currently staring at the staircase waiting for Artemis to come down so I can break the news to her that I'll be leaving on Friday.

The sound of shoes against the floorboards greets me and I quickly look up, sucking in a breath from how perfect she looks. Her hair placed in a messy bun, a black and white tank top and shorts exposing those tanned legs of hers with a pair of converse adorned on her feet.

How can she make such a simple outfit look so perfect.

Grabbing her hand when she gets closer pulling her to me and staring fondly at every inch of her face committing it to memory so I never forget and I never will.

"Beautiful." I murmur tucking the loose strands behind her ear and she lowers her eyes, lashes brushing against her cheeks slightly as she smiles and blushes.

"Stop it." She mumbles hiding her face in my shirt and I chuckle wrapping my arms around her.

God, I'm gonna miss holding her.

"It's true, you look so beautiful. I bet your past boyfriends have told you that." I reply. Way to casually bring it up Storm.

She pulls back a small smile on her face. "Never being in a relationship."

My jaw drops as I openly stare at her. "What!"

She shrugs walking to the door but making sure to grab the keys on her way out."Yup. Never had a boyfriend."

Impossible.

I follow her out, locking the door as I grab her wrist before she can open the car door.

"You're kidding right?" She shakes her head smiling at me and I scoff. "But how? Have you seen yourself Artemis? If we weren't mates I'd still date you."

She giggles rolling her eyes at me. "Thank you but I was busy running a pack and I wanted to wait for my mate." She mumbles the last part shyly and I grin at her leaning down to kiss her cheeks.

I grab the keys from her, unlocking the door and helping her inside before going to my side. Backing out of there, we finally hit the road and I smile to myself remembering what she said.

Wait a minute, if she hasn't been with anyone that means.... I slowly look at her my eyes widening.

"Are you a virgin?" I gasp out and she turns to me raising her brow.

"Yeah, so?" She drawls out staring at me cautiously and a full blown laugh escapes me.

"That's amazing!" I exclaim a grin on me face as I glance in her direction to see her staring at me weirdly.

"Are you okay?" She asks cautiously lifting her hand to touch my forehead and I pull it away, intertwining our fingers together and placing it on her lap.

"I'm more than okay." I say, winking at her and she nods slowly, looking at me one last time before shifting her gaze to our hands, a smile lightening up her face.

I'm definitely more than okay because that means I get to be her first- wait a minute.

"Does that mean I'll be your first kiss?" I question and she nods playing with our fingers. I smile but don't say anything.

We finally reach the pack house greeting Damien and Scott on our way in and heading straight to her office.

"There's something I want to talk to you about." I mutter rubbing my neck and she nods her head opening the door.

I snicker when Ollie gets up from her chair, quickly moving to sit on the arm chair and Selena rolls her eyes at him.

"She has seen you already so why pretend." She mutters giving him a bored look and Ollie shrugs getting comfortable in the chair.

"Ollie." Artemis says softly moving to sit down, a serious look on her face and he stands up, arms clasped behind his back as he stares at Artemis.

"Alpha." He responds and it gets me everytime I see him so serious. He's always playful but when it's business it's business.

Artemis looks through her drawers pulling out a file and laying it in front of her nodding at Ollie to pick it up and he steps forward looking through it before a bored look appears on his face.

"Nope." He states flatly putting the file down and I frown staring at it in confusion.

What's in there?

Artemis sighs. "Please." She begs and he shakes his head taking steps back and Selena grabs the file staring at it before she burst out laughing.

"This is good." She giggles looking at him in amusement and he scowls at her.

"No it isn't. That is going to take me almost two weeks." He snaps glaring at the file and Artemis groans standing up.

She stands in front of him cupping his cheeks and I bite the insides of my cheek staring at the hand on his face.

"I know your history between them is not great but we need the alliance." She pleads softly staring at him and giving a puppy dog look.

Ollie groans closing his eyes tightly, raising his head to look up. "I hate it when you do that thing with your eyes. Makes it hard to say no." He grumbles opening his eyes again and Artemis juts out her lower lip.

"Fine!" He snaps stepping away from her. She grins clapping her hands excitedly.

"Good, take Scott with you." She says and he groans and without so much as glancing back, he leaves the room, the file in his hand.

I'm so confused right now.

"You're kind of mean to do that you know." Selena says making herself comfortable.

"He is good with his words and they owe me a favor." She shrugs sitting back down and I clear my throat looking between them.

"What just happened?" I ask staring at Artemis and she purses her lips. I look at Selena and she avoids eyes contact getting up from her chair.

"Well that's my cue." She mutters and quickly rushes out from the room. I stare at the door before raising my brow at Artemis.

"You said you wanted to talk about something." She says quickly changing the subject and I press my lips together.

"What aren't you telling me?"

She sighs staring at her fingers before looking up. "It's best if you didn't know."

I sigh nodding my head. I'll get the answers from someone else. She smiles pleased with my answer and I give her a small smile of my own.

I step closer to her, pulling her from her chair before sitting down myself and placing her on my lap. She blushes looking down and I tilt her chin up so she can look at me when I tell her.

"I'm going back." I murmur softly waiting for her reaction and it's quite instant.

She tenses up, a blank look on her face. "No."

I press my lips together. "Artemis." I drawl out giving her a pointed look and she gets up creating enough distance between us.

"You aren't going anywhere." She says shaking her head and I sigh running my fingers through my hair.

"I wasn't really asking Artemis." I retort and she glares at me.

"And I wasn't giving you an option." She fires back. "You are my mate and there is no way I'm letting you go back there."

I stare at her in disbelief. "You can't be serious Artemis!" I snap getting angry with her. "We made a deal that I spend a month here which clearly it's been more than a month and then I go back."

"That was before you got hurt!" She yells eyes glowing and I step back in shock, a flame igniting within her eyes but it disappears before I can get a really good look at it.

I close my eyes sighing, I must be seeing things.

Opening them to find her brows furrowed, a glare on her face with arms crossed in front of her.

"I'll be leaving on a Friday just thought you should know." I say looking away from her and she growls.

"I won't allow it!"

I snap my gaze to her, a scowl on my face. "You can't tell me what and what not to do Artemis. If I have to go then I will go, I honestly don't get what your fucking problem is?!" I tell her furiously, tugging on the ends of my hair in frustration.

She scoffs. "My problem." She repeats standing in front of me as she jabs her finger at my chest. "My problem is you need me to protect you! What if something happens and I'm not there, what if just like in the forest you get attacked and I find out about two days later and my biggest problem is you don't even have my mark so I wouldn't even know what is happening!" She says calmly, a dead contrast to the fire behind her eyes.

I scoff stepping away from her. "So this is all about the marking thing." I murmur staring at her in disbelief.

"Yes it is a big part." She states flatly, face blank as she observes my reaction.

"Unbelievable." I mutter throwing my hands in the air.

"I will do anything in my power to protect you and if I have to mark you against your will then so be it." She says eyes shifting between red and violet.

"I told you how I felt about it, you can't just mark me to keep me here." I retort staring in shock when her eyes finally become red.

"Hello Mate."

Red.

"Red." I whisper stepping away from her as she grins at me, her canines flashing in the light.

"The one and only." She says taking in everything around the room with a hint of curiosity within her eyes before finally snapping her gaze to mine halting me in my tracks.

She pouts looking at me. "Where are you going?"

I gulp watching her cautiously and she tilts her head to the side regarding me for a minute before she smiles nodding her head.

"I'm happy I don't scare you." She muses taking a seat on the couch and crossing her legs over the other.

I square my shoulders looking her dead in the eye. "Why are you here?"

She chuckles pointing to her self. "Oh me well." She begins getting up as she approaches me slowly. "I'm here to make sure you understand what Artemis is saying."

I scoff staring at her. "So what you're going to convince me to change my mind?"

She smiles shaking her head, stopping right in front of the desk which is acting as a barrier between us. "I don't convince people. I take what I want no questions asked." And just like that she leaps over the table pinning me against the wall and the air gets knocked out of me from the force she used.

She clicks her tongue staring at me. "Sorry that must have hurt." She mocks not looking sorry at all and I frown staring at her, this is not Artemis at all.

I struggle against her, trying to release her hand wrapped around my throat but she laughs shaking her head at me. "I don't think you fully understand this. I'm much stronger than you and the more you struggle, the painful it gets so be still."

My eyes widen in shock when I find myself obeying what she is saying, my muscles going slack and she smiles at me cupping my cheeks her eyes softening just for a second.

"This won't hurt at all." she murmurs bringing her head to my neck, taking a whiff of my scent before she freezes pulling back, her jaw tightening as her eyes shift between red and violet.

I stare at her, watching her struggle against her self before she looks up and I gasp, violet eyes staring at me pleadingly. "I'm so sorry Storm but I need you to run." she says staring at me pleadingly and growls taking hesitant steps back.

I frown stepping close to her as I cup her cheeks. "What's wrong Artemis?" my voice dripping with concern and she closes her eyes tightly, her entire body shaking as she looks at me.

"Red is being a female dog." She murmurs softly. "And I need to teach her a lesson so please run and don't worry I'll be fine."

I shake my head and she frowns cupping my cheeks. "I'm serious Storm, if you don't want to get marked against your will then run as fast as you can, I suggest you go to Elizabeth. She's at the lake with her mate." She says sternly, eyes shifting again as she growls, the entire building shake.

I step back watching as she struggles and she turns to me glaring. "Run Storm!"

So that's what I do, I run as fast as I can passing by everyone single one and even Selena who gets one look at me face before she's rushing upstairs. Opening the door I follow the path to the lake and true to her words I find Elizabeth and Edward there.

Elizabeth stands to her feet when she sees me, meeting me halfway way there and Edward steps behind her, eyes wide and alert as he looks around.

She cups my cheeks staring at me worriedly. "What's wrong Storm?"

And that's when we hear it, the most loudest growl I've ever, ringing out through the entire forest and I see Edward clench his fist tightly as he tries not to fall on his knees and so does Elizabeth.

"Red is throwing another tantrum isn't she." Edward mutters after sometime when he regains composure.

Elizabeth frowns staring ahead, her voice filled with concern. "I hope Artemis calms her down."

I really hope so.

I don't know how long I stayed with Elizabeth waiting for Artemis to come. The screams kept on coming and anytime I tried to go back Edward would stop me saying that there's nothing I can do.

I fucking hate this, feeling powerless to help her.

It's almost dark when everything is deathly quiet and I don't even know what is worse.

"Relax Storm. She'll be fine." Elizabeth murmurs placing a comforting hand on my shoulder and I shake my head running my fingers through my hair, rubbing my face in frustration.

"It's been too quiet." I murmur stepping away from her. She sighs looking at Edward before cupping my cheeks.

"I understand how you must-"

"No you don't!" I snap glaring at her and she jumps back in shock placing her hand on her chest.

Edward takes a step forward pursing his lips at me, a blank look on his face. "I suggest you mind the way you talk."

I look down feeling ashamed. "I'm sorry Elizabeth. I didn't mean to snap at you."

She shakes her head smiling at me. "It's alright." She murmurs assuring but it's not, nothing is fucking alright.

I'm so worried about and I feel it's all my fault. If I hadn't said that then she wouldn't be in this situation and fuck I don't even know what the heck is wrong. I can't wait much longer, I need to go and see her right now.

"Storm where are you going?" Elizabeth rushes out panicking.

"I'm going to see her." I mutter brushing past her and she grabs my wrist stopping me.

"You can't. It might be dangerous for you." She says hurriedly tugging my hand and I gently pry her fingers off.

"I don't care." I mumble.

"S-

"Let him go Lizzy." Edwards says calmly and  and I send him a grateful nod. He frowns at me, lips in a thin line. "Be careful."

"Ed." Elizabeth says softly staring at me worriedly and I smile nodding my head before sprinting to the pack house.

I'm coming Artemis.

Nearing the pack house, I see a figure slumped against the walls grabbing it for support and loses the footing, stumbling to the ground. The person gets up eyes tightly closed, fist clenched and takes slow steps forward muttering something under the breath.

The person takes in a deep breath, finally opening the eyes and I gasp.

Artemis.

As if she heard me calling out to her, she quickly looks up snapping her gaze to mine and her eyes widen.

"Storm." She whispers taking steps towards me and I quickly run meeting her half way before pulling her into a hug. She chokes on her sob, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck and I bury my face in her neck pulling her close to me, making sure there's no space between.

"I'm sorry Artemis." I mumble squeezing her tightly and she shakes her head standing on her tip toes to get a better grip.

"Don't apologize." She says softly pulling away but I shake my head stopping her from moving any further as I tightly wrap my arms around her waist bringing her flush against my body.

"Let's just stay like this." I whisper closing my eyes tightly and she nods breathing in my scent before relaxing in my arms.

It might have been seconds, minutes or hours of us standing in each others arms but I don't care. I'm just glad she's in my arms, where she'll always belong.

"Uh Storm." She murmurs her breath hitting against my skin and I shiver in delight pulling her closer. It feels like its not close enough.

I hum in response, placing a kiss on her neck and she shivers tugging on the ends of my hair.

"I-i." Her voice cracks and she clears her throat. "We should go back inside." She says softly and I shake my head.

"No." I mumble.

"Storm." She whines pulling away from me and I pull her back.

"You're staying in my arms." I reply and she huffs clearly annoyed with me.

"And I would but my legs are hurting me and- oh my gosh!" she yelps when I suddenly lift her up causing her to quickly wrap her legs around my waist, locking her ankles behind me.

I smirk at the surprised look on her face tucking her hair behind her ear. "Hi." I whisper and she grins ruffling my hair.

"Hi."

"Now what was it that you were saying?" I muse and she rolls her eyes at me.

"Just walk Wyatt."

My brows shoot up, an amused smile on my face. "So we're on last name basis."

She nods smiling at me an innocent grin on her face, a much different contrast to Red.

I frown opening the door to the pack the place empty and I'm guessing they are having dinner right now. I walk towards the dinning room but Artemis grabs my shoulder shaking her head at me.

"I asked Selena to send our food upstairs."

Entering her office I freeze in my tracks at the amount of damage done to it. Her bookshelf and desk broken in half. My eyes shift to the smashed window and I purse my lips looking around me, the only place that hasn't been touched is the couch.

"What happened Artemis?" I whisper looking around me and she lowers her eyes to the ground, playing with sleeve of my shirt.

"I don't want to talk about it." She murmurs avoiding my gaze and I frown releasing an annoyed sigh before gently placing her to the ground. She steps back eyes still lowered as she wrings her fingers together.

"Why?"

She looks up, forehead scrunching up in confusion. "Why what?"

I close my eyes, releasing a sigh before I look at her. "Artemis I'm not stupid and I know something happened between you and Red."

She presses her lips together, running her fingers through her hair brows pulled together as she stares at the ground deep in thought. Raising her head to look at me before she sighs, shoulders slumped in defeat. "She wanted to mark you against your will and even though I want to, I just can't take that away from you. So she didn't understand hence why she took control."

I frown. "But you were able to take back control?"

She nods. "Yes I did and she basically was throwing a tantrum. That is why I made you leave else if she had somehow found a way you might have ended up in a hospital and quite honestly I don't think she wants that."

"What made her act that way?" I mutter taking a sit on the couch and Artemis shrugs sitting beside me.

"You said you were leaving Storm." She mumbles.

"Yes.." I trail not sure where she's going with this.

She release a harsh breath, clenching her fist. "You were going back to the human world Storm and after what happened, Red got terrified and let me tell you she hardly does."

"I can take care of-"

"I know you can." She cuts me off sighing once again. "I know you can but I can't really protect you in the human world and even if I can, the only way is for me to mark you so I can tell when you're in trouble or something."

I frown staring at my fingers, am I really prepared to have someone bite my neck. If I do get attacked like she said well I definitely know I can't do much if it's a werewolf. A knock on the door breaks me out from my thoughts and Artemis sighs getting up to open it.

Fuck this is frustrating.

I watch as she gently sets the tray between us, a sad look on her face as she stares at the food.

She looks up, smiling at me but I can't tell they don't reach her eyes. "Let's eat and then head back home so we can get ready for your departure tomorrow."

My face softens. "Artemis." I whisper and she shakes her head pressing her lips together.

"It's okay Storm, we'll find a way to work it out." Her voice cracking at the end and she clears her throat picking up the fork and bringing the food to her lips.

Would it really be okay?