Storm's pov
The next day, Selena came back looking tired and almost worn out. She reported that her mission was successful and for some reason, Artemis doesn't want me to know who she has asked for help from.
The pack has been busy with everyone preparing for the upcoming war especially Artemis. She's been making so many calls to other neighbouring packs and even though she keeps a calm facade, I know that deep down she's extremely worried. This time it's different for her because she has people she cares about, people who are relying on her and if action is not taken quickly, she would loose everyone.
"Deep breaths and let go."
"Don't just rely on your strength, work on your agility."
"Damn it Axel! Don't just stand there, duck!"
"Ollie be serious!"
We're at the training grounds currently and Artemis is supervising. Everyone is on edge with what is happening and they know they can't afford to be relaxed. Artemis moves from group to group, making corrections, instructing them and pushing them to their limit.
I lean against the tree with my ankle crossed over my leg and arms folded in front of me. My eyes follow her wherever she goes and I can't help but sigh in awe of her. She looks like a true leader right now.
"She won't disappear little brother so it's okay to blink." Sunny's irritating voice snaps me out and I roll my eyes.
"I should be saying that about you. The moment Ollie went shirtless you have been drooling." I say, disgust clearly written on my face. She scoffs and glares at me. Chuckling at her, I let out a sigh and the smile slowly withdraws from my face as I continue staring at them training.
"What's wrong?" Sunny questions and rests her head on my shoulders as she also stares ahead of her. I bite my lip, looking at the way Artemis commands them. Her hair is in a loose ponytail and strands of her hair frames the side of her face.
She grabs the arrow from the person she's teaching and as she aims, she continues to instruct her before she lets go. It smoothly moves and hits the target precisely at the center.
"Impressive." Sunny mutters and I can only nod. Everything has been happening way too fast and for some strange reason I feel this time its not something that we can control.
"Do you regret knowing about this?" I ask Sunny after sometime and it's quiet. I look down to see her lips pursed and her brow furrowed before she shrugs and looks at me.
"Honestly not really. I mean yeah I was kinda of hoping to get a normal guy to be with but guess normal is overrated and weird is the new thing, so no Storm, I have no regrets because I feel like I'm actually living my best life right now."
I frown, thinking about her words. I don't regret knowing Artemis and who she is. If anything I'm happy that I get to be with her but I feel like time might not be enough for us. Who knows what will happen tomorrow or the next day.
I feel a gaze on me and look down to find Sunny staring at me with a sad smile on her face.
I quirk my brow staring at her with a questioning look and she shakes her head, squeezing my arm. "Don't worry, everything will be alright."
The sound of a branch snapping grabs our attention and we quickly look up, jaws dropping at the sight in front of us. Esme has her hands on her hips and Ollie is lying on the ground with a pained look on his face. I look behind to see the tree snapped in half, the grass where they are standing is burnt and half branch up in flames and I can only shake my head at the duo.
"Oh my gosh!" Sunny yelps and quickly runs forward. She drops beside him and slowly puts his head on her lap checking his body for injuries.
Artemis walks over to me and I wrap my arm around her waist, pulling her close to me as I bury my face in her neck and breath in her scent.
She shivers and leans back lifting her hand to the back of my head and runs her fingers through my hair.
"I've missed you." I whisper into her ear and bite her earlobe. She sighs, her grip tightening as her body slowly relaxes against me.
"Ditto." She replies and I smile against her skin, tightening my arms around.
When we're together, words are not needed and the silence is perfectly comfortable. Sometimes I wonder if I even deserve her? I wonder if I deserve to be her mate? But at the same time, I can't imagine myself without her. The thought alone is frightening and I hope this war won't separate us because I can't be without her.
"Hey Storm, Storm what's wrong?" Artemis speaks up frantically, panic clearly written on her face when she turns to look at me. I lower and shake my head but she cups my cheek forcing me to look at her.
"Don't cry." She whispers sadly and I raise my hand, patting my cheeks only to find them wet. When?
She hugs me and I quickly tighten my arms around her, squeezing her body close to me, relishing the feeling of her soft body in my arms. Gosh I love her so much it's hurts.
"Tell me." She demands and I bury my face in her neck.
"I can't loose you." I whisper and her breath hitches before her arms tighten around my waist. "I can't afford to Artemis. The thought of it alone just hurts me so much Artemis, I don't know what to do."
"You won't loose me Storm and if anything I'm terrified I'm going to loose you." She mumbles softly. "This war, Ares, Arson, it's really not the same because this time I have so much I can loose but for them I willing to be strong."
I pull her even closing, trying to mesh our body together and I sigh. "We're in this together Artemis. I got your back and you've got mine okay."
"Okay." She retorts and I sigh once again. I should be strong for her, for us.
Just then a throat clears and I reluctantly pull away from her only to see Selena staring at us with a smile. "There are people here to see you."
We rush back to the pack house and enter her office, only to freeze when we see them.
"Artemis!" An excited voice claims and quickly rushes to her. Artemis crouches down and pulls him into a hug.
"Riley, my gosh! I missed you so much!" Artemis exclaims and I smile at the pair. He pulls back with a grin on his face and I raise my brow realizing that he seems to have grown a lot since we met him.
"I missed you A. Mama says we can stay in your pack!" He exclaims and I look at him in surprise. As if feeling my gaze, he looks over and his eyes lit up.
"Storm!" He yells excitedly, wiggling his body from Artemis hands and running up to me.
I laugh lifting him up and he wraps his arms around my neck. "Hey Riley."
His baby blue eyes shine brightly as he continues grinning. "Did you hear? I'm going to be a member of your pack!"
I chuckle at his enthusiasm. "Really?" He bobs his head up and down and I smile, ruffling his hair. "That's awes-
"Riley!!!!" An overly excited voice screams from behind us and if I had blinked I wouldn't have noticed the body rushing and taking him from my arms.
Ollie throws him up and Riley giggles excitedly. A throat suddenly clears and it's then I notice the other people in the room. Alpha Alex, Riley's mom and Hazel.
I frown when I see Alpha douche staring at Artemis and I move to stand in front of her, blocking his view and the smile drops from his face.
He raises his brow at me and I smile back at him. "Your eyes were wandering a bit too much."
"Insecure much." He retorts and I chuckle.
"Nope just didn't feel like getting my hands bloody." I smile calmly and he narrows his eyes at me, a growl escaping him.
"Watch your words human." He growls, eyes turning black and I scoff at him, rolling my eyes.
"Woof, woof asshole." I mock and he takes a step forward only to be held back by Hazel. He glares at me and I smile mockingly at him. Who the heck does he think he is?
Fingers intertwine with my own and I briefly look down and look up, to see Artemis shaking her head at me, a small smile gracing her face and my expression softens before I raise our intertwined fingers and place a kiss on each of her knuckle.
She blushes at my actions and I smirk but it's wiped off when Alpha douche opens his mouth.
"Do you mind, we need to talk to Alpha Artemis." He says.
"No one is stopping you." I lazily drawl out, still staring at her and lean forward, kissing the corner of her lips.
Artemis slaps my chest, her face turning even red. "There are people here Storm." And she pulls away. I pout before rising to my full height, wiping out every expression from my face and stare at the people in the room calmly.
Artemis clears her throat and faces Riley's mom. "I'm really glad you guys agreed to stay here. I'll let my gamma show you to your rooms."
Just then Selena walks in and Riley with his mom follow them out. The door shuts behind us and Artemis walks to her chair, taking her seat and I stand behind her. My gaze travels through the room and I raise my brow at the way douche is glaring at me.
He probably is murdering me in so many ways in his head right now.
"Alright what do you have to say." Artemis speaks up, pulling his attention away from me.
He straightens up and stares at her. "I've heard about the disappearing of pack members and I know something big is going to happen. My pack has equally being affected."
Artemis just stares blankly at his face before she sighs. "I'm going to be honest with you Alpha Alex. There is a war coming and it's my fight but I can't do it alone-
"I'm willing to help." He cuts her off immediately and I roll my eyes at him. Of course he is.
Artemis purses her lips, a frown on her face as she stares at him. "This isn't just any war Alpha Alex. It's dangerous and the witches are included."
At the mention of the witches, he clenches his jaw, eyes turning black before he takes deep breaths and stares at Artemis with a determined look. "The more I should help you and besides you've helped me a lot."
"You know we need people Artemis." Ollie pipes up and even I don't doubt it. She sighs but then nods her head.
"Fine but I don't know how well your pack warriors fight. Get the ones who are willing and come back here." She says and he nods his head.
Later that night, Artemis and I were at the field of flowers. Lying on our backs, we faced the dark sky without stars.
"No stars today." I say and Artemis hums in response. I look sideways to stare at her, a serene expression on her face and it calms me. She opens her eyes and bright violet eyes gaze at me with tender expression.
"Do you think we can win this?" She asks and I look up at the sky not saying a word. She doesn't also say anything and then a quiet chuckle escapes her lips.
"Mom, dad, I hope you're watching me. I'm going to end this once and for all." She silently promises and I squeeze her hand letting her know, we're in this together.