Storm's Pov
We're driving to my parents house for Christmas. Well technically we're going to spend an entire week there which includes christmas too as well. I went back to the apartment with Jay and Lyle just to make sure everything was okay and I had to applaud Artemis for clearing up the whole thing. What I probably will never understand is how no one on my floor remembers or has an idea of what happened that night.
College was a hassle and I'm so glad for this Christmas break. Although, I'm a bit worried about Artemis.
She has been a little- okay maybe a lot distracted ever since she came back from the Alpha meeting. She spaces out a lot, there's always a permanent frown on her face and has been a little bit skittish.
I take my eyes of the road to watch her, her elbows propped up on the door with her palm facing upward as she rest her chin on it and just staring out the window with her brows furrowed.
Taking one hand of the wheel, I place it on her thigh and she jumps, staring wide eyed at me with her hand clutching her chest.
"You startled me." She murmurs taking deep breaths through her nose before dropping her hand.
I purse my lips at her, focusing my attention back to the road. Artemis never gets surprised or heck even startled.
I've tried to bring up what happened but she brushes it off as nothing and it's starting to piss me off.
"Artemis."
"Mmm."
Running my fingers through my hair, I stare at her for a second, an annoyed sigh escaping me and my grip on the wheels tighten as my knuckles turn white. "What happened at the meeting Artemis?"
"I told you already, nothing really happened."
My jaw tightens and I wet my lips, glancing at her only to see her staring at my knuckles with a frown before she looks up and sighs.
"It's really nothing Storm, just a bunch of jerks thinking I don't deserve to be the Alpha." She mutters looking away from me.
I frown, the tension in my body slowly leaving. "Is that all?"
She hesitates for a brief second before nodding. "Yeah everything is fine."
Sighing, I take her hand, placing it on my lap and giving it a gentle squeeze. "You know you can tell me anything right?"
She returns the squeeze and I shift my eyes to see a small smile on her face.
"I know."
Smiling, I raise her hand to my lips placing a kiss on her knuckles before dropping it back to my lap. "Good."
The remaining trip to my house, the car is quiet. Each of us lost in our own thoughts, I know Artemis lied to me. Maybe what she said about people not thinking she deserves to be the Alpha might be true but I know there is something else.
All my life, I've being able to tell when someone is hiding something from me. My mom said because of that, it's difficult to surprise me because I'll bombard you with questions or leave it and investigate myself, you could say I hate being kept in the dark and Artemis is doing exactly that.
I clench my jaw, looking away briefly from the road taking deep breaths before focusing my attention back on it.
"Are you okay?" Artemis questions softly and I sigh shaking my head.
I can feel her penetrating stare on the side of my face but I ignore it, staring straight ahead.
She sighs squeezing my hand. "Talk to me Storm."
I chuckle, my grip tightening on the wheel. "We're almost on my street."
I watch her from the corner of my eye to see her nodding, her brows drawn together as she stares at our intertwined hands on my lap.
"I-"
"You-"
We speak at the same time and she giggles. "You first."
Shaking my head with a smile on my face. "No you go first."
She sighs relaxing back in her seat, raising her legs up and folding it underneath her. "I know that I've been off lately and it's probably frustra-
"It's more than frustrating Artemis." I say cutting her off to stare at her. She looks down, playing with the hem of my shirt and yes she's wearing my clothes even my basketball shorts and has her beanie on.
Does she look good in them? Yes she does.
I sigh, letting go off her hand for a minute to push my hair from my face but she grabs my wrist, stopping me.
I raise my brow in question and she shakes her head, taking the extra hair tie from her wrist. She leans forward in her seat, her alluring scent surrounding me and I take in deep breaths allowing it to bring me comfort that I know she can provide.
She gathers the front part of my hair, raising it up and ties the band around it. Artemis kisses my cheek, sitting back down and I look into the mirror. The hair that flops on my forehead has been raised into a small ponytail at the top.
"I'm really sorry Storm, I wish I could-." She stops herself from saying anything and I sigh nodding my head without saying anything.
Turning on the corner, I smile to myself when my house comes to view. Guess someone cleared out the snow from the driveway.
Packing the car, I rest my forehead against the wheel, a tired sigh escaping me before glancing sideways watching Artemis chew on her lower lip.
Raising my head up, I bring my hand to her chin gently pulling her lip from her mouth and she stares at me, eyes showing nothing but worry.
I stare at every inch of her face before letting go of her chin and then unlocking my door. She follows suit, coming to my side as she places her arm on my wrist stopping me from opening the trunk.
"Please talk to me Storm." She pleads and I sigh looking away from her.
"What do you want me to say Artemis?" I question shifting my gaze back to her and she lowers her eyes, brows drawn together in concentration.
She looks up, opening and closing her mouth and I sigh gently prying her hand from my wrist and taking out our stuff from the trunk.
"Storm just-" She begins but closes her mouth again.
I stare at her for a minute, waiting for her to speak or something but she remains quiet just staring at the ground in concentration.
"Let's just forget it." I reply shaking my head at her when she suddenly looks up, eyes widening in a slight panic. Ignoring it, I walk to my front door and I hear rushed footsteps behind me before she cuts me off, blocking the doorway with her outstretched arms.
I purse my lips at her. "Artemis move."
She shakes her head stubbornly and I clench my jaw, glaring at her."Please move."
"No." She retorts and I narrow my eyes at her making a move to side step her but she blocks my way, quickly stepping forward and wrapping her arms tightly around my waist as she buries her face in my chest.
Her action causes me to tense up and I hold in my breath feeling every part of me heat up just by her touch.
I gulp, mentally hopping she can't her my racing heart but I doubt that.
"She nuzzles her face against me, releasing a sigh and squeezing me tighter to herself. "I haven't been the best mate but please Storm-" She chokes on her words and I drop the bags quickly wrapping my right arm around her as the cup the back of her head stroking her hair lightly.
"Hey, hey shush." I murmur kissing her hair. "It's okay don't cry."
She shakes her head against me. "I just need you to trust me okay and I promise after our time here, I'll tell you the whole truth."
I freeze, pulling back from her to stare into green eyes. "What?"
She looks down, nodding her head at me. "I haven't been completely honest with you but just let's enjoy this time before I tell you everything."
After she says that, something weird happens. I feel something close to emotions coursing through me but I don't think they are mine.
I frown at her, my mind moving fast on what she lied to me about. She gives me a pleading look and I sigh nodding my head, offering her a small smile.
She smiles back breathing a sigh of relief.
Picking the bags once more, I face her a grin on my face. "My mom is a hugger." And with that I open the door, only to be pulled down with arms wrapped tightly around my neck, as the smell of lavender wafts through my nose.
"I missed you so much my baby!!" My mom squeals hugging me and I wheeze out raising my head to stare at my dad standing behind her with a small smile on his face.
"Help me." I mouth and he shakes his head quickly, raising his hands in surrender.
I narrow my eyes at him, patting my mom's back. "L-let go mom." I wheeze out but she ignores me pulling me down to her level and the air gets knocked out of me.
"M-mom." I try again
"I haven't seen my child in a long time so please let me enjoy this." She mutters and I sigh letting my body go slack. There is no way she's letting go, so it's better if- Artemis!!
"Mom, mom, mom."
"What? Now I can't hug my son in peace?" She scolds in annoyance and I chuckle.
"I brought someone-" She immediately lets go, pushing me out of the way and I stumble forward, using the wall to support myself. Whipping my head around just in time to see her pull Artemis into a hug.
Her eyes widen as she stares blankly in front of her before bringing her gaze to mine. I smile giving her an encouraging nod and she blinks, slowly raising her arms to wrap them around my mom. She hesitates for a brief second, a frown on her face before she sighs fully sinking into the hug.
She must be feeling overwhelmed since it's probably her first time being hugged by a mother figure.
A hand squeezes my shoulder gently and I bring my gaze to my dad, as he stares at them. "She's beautiful."
I smile nodding my head.
"And she's gonna die from how tight your mom is squeezing her." He adds and my eyes widen, quickly rushing to them and pulling them apart.
Artemis breathes a sigh of relief, no doubt getting air back into her lungs.
My dad steps behind my mom, slinging his arm over her shoulder and I know it's to prevent her getting closer.
She looks at us, a smile on her face. "I'm sorry about that but I was just so excited to meet you."
Artemis grins, shaking her head. "It's okay."
I wrap my arms around her waist, pulling her close to me and place a kiss on her head. She looks up smiling at me and I wink which makes her blush.
Bringing my gaze forward, I freeze when I see my mom staring at us with a creepy smile on her face and dad is just outright smirking.
I narrow my eyes at them and just when I'm about to speak, I hear footsteps rushing down the stairs before a body literally tackles me to the ground.
"Storm!!!" Snow yells in my ear and I groan.
"Get the fuck off me." I snap and he shakes his head relaxing his whole body on me.
Damn he's heavy.
I grunt at the force of his weight, wiggling my body to try and push him off but he still remains like a log. I huff staring up at the ceiling closing my eyes in frustration when an idea hits me.
Snow hates being tickled.
Without so much as a warning, I bring my fingers to his side and he instantly jumps off, clutching his side and glaring at me.
"You son of-
"I dare you to finish that statement Snow." My mom snaps narrowing her eyes at the back of his head and he tenses up, slowly turning around to face her.
"I was gonna say you son of a beautiful mother that loves us a lot." He mutters sheepishly.
My mom narrows her eyes at him, giving him a disbelieving stare."Uh-huh."
Rising to my feet, I glance at Artemis to see her staring at my family with a smile on her face and I step closer to her, grabbing her hand and giving it a light squeeze.
She smiles and I grin at her.
"Guys." They all turn to face me and I smile, pulling Artemis in front of me as I wrap my arms around her waist. "This is Artemis and she's my girl-
"Are those your clothes?" Snow pipes up watching Artemis with a frown and I purse my lips, tightening my jaw in irritation.
She looks down and looks up smiling sheepishly at him as she shakes her head. "No it's Storm's."
Snow freezes once she speaks and then slowly looks at me. "I approve."
She blushes and he steps forward about to grab her cheeks but I catch his wrist in my hand glaring at him. "Six fu-"
"Ahem." A throat clears and I smile sheepishly at my mom. This is gonna be a long week.
"No touching." I correct and she nods her head before clapping her hands, pushing Snow out of the way and tugging Artemis hand.
She stumbles forward staring at my mom in shock. Yeah my mom is strong for her size.
She grins at her, linking their arms together as she stretches her hand towards my dad. "Car keys."
"What!" I yell staring at my mom in shock.
She raises her brow at me. "Is there a problem?"
I stare at her incredulously, pointing to Artemis. "Yes there is a problem! Where are you taking my ma-girlfriend too?"
Artemis smiles at my slip up and my mom shrugs, turning around to glare at my dad. "Where are the keys Greyson?"
"I'm not going to give them to you Summer." He states flatly and my mom narrows her eyes at him.
"Why not?"
He shrugs. "They just got here and I think they need-"
He gets cut of when my mom leans forward whispering something into his ear and his face pales along every word she utters.
She steps back, smiling in satisfaction when he quickly puts his hand in his pocket, taking out the key and handing it to her with shaky fingers.
She beams at him patting his cheek. "Good boy."
I block their way, narrowing my eyes at my mother. " I'm coming with you."
She chuckles, kissing my cheeks and proceeds to push me out of the way stepping out of the house. Artemis turns to face me with a helpless look and I'm stuck between going after her and letting her spend quality time with my mom.
The farther they move, the tighter my chest becomes making breathing a bit difficult. What is happening?
"You know mom just wants a shopping buddy right?" My dad says from my left side and Snow stands to my right as we stare at their retreating backs.
Snow chuckles, shaking his head. "Naa she's gonna tell her embarrassing stories about you."
My eyes widen at the thought of that, she wouldn't dare.
"Or maybe she is going to play detective like the last time." Dad adds and my heart drops to my stomach, my face paling at the questions she would ask.
Without a second thought, I quickly rush out only to be stopped by hands grabbing onto me.
"Let me go." I snap struggling against my dad and brother. I need to get to her, she can't leave.
They grunt, struggling to keep me in place.
"Fuck Storm, since when did you get this strong?" My dad grunts putting me in a headlock and I try not to push him.
I can't let them leave, no. It seems Artemis feels my distress because she quickly opens the door before my mom can back out of the driveway, running towards me with, her face showing nothing but worry.
"Let me go." I mutter and my dad does. Crossing the distance between us, I pull her in my arms wrapping my arms tightly around her waist with my face burried in her neck.
She wraps hers around my neck, standing on her tip toe and placing her chin on my shoulder and I feel the tightness in my chest slowly loosening as breathing becomes easy as well.
To be honest, I don't know why I panicked. I felt myself almost being detached from her when she left and this has never happened before.
"What's happening Artemis?" I whisper pulling her flush against me. I need her closer, this not enough.
"You might get upset with me but I think I'm finally accepting the bond." She replies and I tense up.
"What do you mean?"
She sighs trying to pull away from me but I shake my head pulling her close. "Just stay here."
She places a kiss on my mark and it throbs, my body heating up from. "I'll explain once I get back from wherever your mom is taking me but hold on and try not to mope around."
I sigh, nodding my head. She pulls back cupping my cheeks and I lean forward, tilting her chin up and placing my lips on hers.
"I'll miss you." I murmur against her lips and she pulls back staring into my eyes with a sad smile.
"Ditto." She replies and quickly rushes back to the car. I watch them drive away till they are finally out of sight and I sigh, running my fingers through my hair but stop once I realise it's being tied up.
Someone whistles behind me and I tense up, slowly turning around to face them and I purse my lips at the matching smirks on their face.
They look so alike doing that.
"Don't you dare say a word." I grit out and my dad zips his lips wiggling his brow suggestively at me, grey eyes shining in amusement.
"Whipped!" Snow hollers loudly and I growl chasing after him into the house.
It's been almost two hours since they left and the pain in my chest hasn't subsided.
It's starting to irritate me.
"You okay son?" My dad questions and sigh shaking my head. Snow snorts from the other side of the room, his attention focused on the game he's watching.
"He misses his wittle girlfriend." He mocks in a baby voice and I narrow my eyes at him, quickly grabbing the pillow and throwing it at his face.
It hits the side of his face and he whips his head around smirking at me. "You're whipped and that is a fact."
"I am not whipped." I defend and dad chuckles squeezing my shoulder.
"You are and there's nothing wrong with it."
I'm ready to protest when I hear the front door open. I quickly rise to my feet, heading straight for them.
"And he claims he's not whipped." Snow snickers and I flip him off subtly before mom can see it.
They step inside the house, hanging their coats and Artemis turns around, her eyes lightening up when she sees me.
I sigh in relief pulling her in for a hug and she returns it.
"Calm down would ya." My mom mutters and I raise my head from her neck pursing my lips.
"You kidnapped her for the rest of the day when we got here so you don't get to talk."
She rolls her eyes at me, walking past us and that's when I notice the bags in her hand. I raise my brow in question at Artemis. "You guys did shopping?"
She nods her head quickly. "Yup and I got you something but it's gonna have to wait till Christmas."
Fuck! I forgot about getting her a gift.
I grin kissing her cheeks. "Can't wait."
She smiles blushing and I grab her hand pulling her to the living room. She makes a move to sit beside me but I grab her wrist, pulling her to my lap.
"Storm!" She yelps in surprise struggling in my hold and I tighten my arms around her, resting my forehead on her back.
"Be still." I mutter sternly and she tenses up before relaxing. "Good girl."
Dad and Snow stares at the both of us with matching grins and I narrow my eyes at them. "What?"
"Nothing." Snow mutters still grinning at me and I roll my eyes flipping him off.
Mom enters the room, taking a seat beside dad and she faces us with a smile on her face. "So Artemis is my son treating you well?"
She looks over her should briefly and smiles. "Yeah he is Mrs Wyatt."
"I told you to call me Summer." My mom scolds glaring at her and she smiles sheepishly.
"Sorry."
I rest my head on her shoulder, closing my eyes for a moment as they continue asking questions.
"Are your parents okay with you being here?"
Artemis tenses up and I rub soothing circles on her back. "It's okay." I whisper and she sighs finally relaxing.
"My parents died a long time ago." She replies and I raise my head watching as they stare at her with sad smiles on their faces.
"Well you're always welcomed here." Dad says his face softening and my mom nods her head in agreement.
I don't know how but I'm able to feel the sadness coming from Artemis and I sigh tapping her thigh. "Come on."
She scrunches her face in confusion but gets up nonetheless. Taking her hand in mine, I pull her towards the door. "We're heading out for a bit."
My mom walks towards us, pulling Artemis in a hug as she whispers something in her ear. She smiles one last time and steps back. "It's cold so you should take the jackets."
I nod, grabbing everything and we head out.
The air is cold and I grab her hand stuffing it in the pocket of my jacket and she smiles laying her head on my arm. "Where are we going?"
I shrug, sniffling a bit. "Just walking around till you feel better."
She sighs squeezing my hand. " Thank you."
The night is silent and Artemis shivers a little cuddling close to me.
"I thought werewolves are natural heaters?" I question and she chuckles nodding her head.
"We are but the weather is still cold."
We continue to walk around, just enjoying the calmness of the night before we stumble on our local park and I pull her towards the bench.
Sitting there in silence, she stares at the sky, a small smile on her face. "There are no stars tonight." She mutters.
Her eyes shift to violent and I gaze at her, my chest tightening at how beautiful she looks. "I'm staring at one now."
She lowers her eyes, a blush coating her cheeks and I raise my hand tilting her chin up so I can stare at her. "Don't ever hide from me Artemis."
Her eyes dart between my own and she nods, leaning forward to place her lips on my own. "Never."
I pull back, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her to my side. She lays her head on my shoulder and intertwines our fingers together as she rests them on her lap.
"I'm the reason why the bond wasn't really strong." She whispers and I frown allowing her to continue. She sighs lifting her head from my shoulder and runs her fingers through her hair.
"It's different with us because I'm werewolf and you're human. You have been nothing but honest to me and I'm pretty much able to feel your emotions but that is not the case for you." She explains and my frown deepens.
What is she talking about?
She looks at our intertwined hand. "I told you I haven't been really being honest with you and as a result our bond was just one sided but I think it's time you know the truth."
"Are you going to tell me?" I question without glancing at her.
"I will but not today. When we get back to the pack." She says and turns to face me. I glance sideways to see her staring at me with a sad smile.
"You have to promise me one thing." She mutters and I frown nodding my head.
"What ever happens please don't hate me." And she looks down, a choked sob escaping her lips. "I don't want to loose you Storm but I feel that this might do just that."
My face softens and I cup her cheeks forcing her to look at me. "Hey you aren't going to loose me." I mutter rubbing the pad on my thumb on her cheeks.
"B-but-" She stutters and I pull her closer resting my forehead on hers as I breath harshly through my nose.
Damn it's cold.
"You aren't going to loose me Artemis." I murmur making sure to put emphasis on every word. "If worse comes to worse I'd probably won't talk to you." I tease.
She giggles and I smile staring at her. "That's what I want to hear."
She sighs nodding her head and I lean back darting my eyes between her violet eyes. "Remember you always belong in my arms."
She grins. "Always and forever?"
I smile nodding my head. "Always and forever Artemis."
A/N: What do you think Artemis is hiding from Storm?
Anywho, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Leave a comment, vote and share if you want.
Peace out ;)