After lunch, Artemis excused herself from the group with the promise of coming back to see them later. It seemed that all of them with the except of two whom were still unsure, wished to undergo the surgery to have the chips removed. It appeared that she wasn't the only one felt uncomfortable with allowing the humans to still have that leverage over them even if they would never know about it.

But it was more than just a chip and an invasion of privacy. It was never having full control over your own life and never being free. As long as that chip remained in their neck, they allowed the humans to exercise power over them, never fully ridding themselves of the past. It would always hold them back, not allowing them to fully move forward with their lives.

She made a mental note to speak to the doctor who removed her chip. There were quite a few of them but she was sure that he would be able to rise up to the challenge, even if it did take a few days to get around to everyone. Hopefully by then, the remaining two would make their decision.

But for now, she was headed back to the front of the pack house, hoping to spend some time with Diana.

Artemis had too much time on her hands without Sol to keep her busy. However, luckily for her it seemed that they had returned earlier than he had mentioned this morning. After finding Diana to be taking a nap, she had planned to head out to the dungeon but just as she had stepped out of the pack house, her eyes fell on the human Poppy whom seemed to be running as fast as her petite legs could carry her, running into the woods.

She knew that Poppy wouldn't be able to escape, especially not with the extra security that the Alpha had organised now with the threat of the hunters.

But once Artemis realised why Poppy was running towards the forest, she found herself running behind her, sprinting past her until she jumped into his arms not at all caring who was watching or what they thought.

Sol stumbled back and braced one of his legs back so that he would not topple over with the impact of her basically throwing herself at him, but he didn't mind in the least. It didn't take him a second to wrap his arms around her, hoisting her up slightly higher so that she would be able to wrap her legs around his waist. Burying his face in the crook of her neck, he allowed himself to indulge in her sweet scent.

He was home.

Tightening her arms around his neck, she squeezed him tighter almost afraid that if she were to loosen up then he would slip through her fingers and she would be forced to go back to life without him. It sounded dramatic but she couldn't help how she felt.

"You're back early." She found herself whispering into his chest as she nuzzled her face further into him, not believing that he was actually there with her, holding her.

He hummed in response and pressed a kiss just below her ear, his lips lingering there. "I wanted to surprise you," he whispered against her skin, his voice rough and gruff, his hot breath fanning over her neck and her collarbone, sending shivers down her body.

She found herself gasping as he nipped at the skin under her ear, teasing her, his naughty antics hidden by her fiery red hair he had missed so much. None of the other warriors or even Alpha's for that matter could see what he was doing to her, how he nibbled on her neck and how his tongue slithered out of the warm cave of his mouth to taste her skin, soothing the sting of the bite he had just marred her smooth, perfect skin with.

Artemis shivered and her eyes fluttered closed as her hand wrapped around the back of his neck, holding him in place fearing that he would move away any minute, leaving her hot and bothered. On that thought, she tightened her hold on him. That was exactly the kind of thing he would do.

"You knew?" She managed to whisper the words as he placed open mouthed kisses up and down her neck.

The male wolf merely growled lowly against her skin, his hot mouth trailing down from her neck to over her collar bones, his answer positive.

Placing one last kiss in the crook her neck, his lips lingering there with a promise of a permanent mark in that spot sooner in the future, he lifted his face and shot her a devilish grin, his tongue peeping out of his mouth as he licked his bottom lip, savouring the taste of her skin that still lingered on him.

Her face flushed as she followed the movement, but snapped out of the daze when she was met with Clark whom clearly thought he was a comedy genius. The Beta of the Lupine Woodland pack, a father and a husband, stood with his back to her, his arms reached as far over his back as he possibly could as she mocked them, feigning kissing sounds as his hands roamed over his own body.

A light, airy sound escaped her mouth as she laughed at Sol's best friend who was imitating them kissing when in fact, there was no mouth on mouth action. A sliver of disappointment ran over for a moment but she pushed that thought to the back of her mind.

As soon as all this was over, there would be nothing holding her back from expressing her true feelings to him. She would be damned if she let this prime Alpha male slip through her fingers, especially since she was crazy about him.

Sol watched her in curiosity before he followed her gaze. Glancing over his shoulder, a chuckle escaped him as he spied his best friend from their diaper days mocking them. Typical Clark.

Artemis laughed, pulling away from Sol slightly as her eyes ran over the rest of the group. There didn't seem to be anyone injured but they did appear to have returned with a few less warriors. That did worry her slightly.

"Sol?" She called out to him as he was speaking quietly to Clark.

He hummed in response and turned to face her. "Yeah?"

Her owns ran over the group once more. There were definitely a few warriors missing. "I think you guys left behind some of the warriors," she informed him, concerned for their wellbeing. They may be werewolves and they may be highly skilled in fighting as warriors, but they were human hunters and she didn't trust them one bit. If they got the chance, those warriors would not live to see another sunset.

She watched as Sol nodded. "A few of the warriors stayed behind to spy on the base."

Her eyebrows furrowed together. "Is that safe?"

He seemed to think over the matter for a few moments before he gave her his answer. "Not exactly, but it'll be good in terms of keeping an eye on them."

"Don't worry," Clark piped up. "They're highly trained and skilled. They'll stay safe and do their job at the same time. There isn't anything to worry about." He attempted to reassure her, not wanting her to worry about something that just couldn't be helped.

It wasn't the safest decision but it needed to be done. Keeping an eye on the humans while they had no idea about it gave them an advantage, one that they definitely needed since these humans were much more trouble than what they were worth.

Artemis nodded and sighed. "Diana's taking a nap with Gideon."

She watched as the Beta's eyes lit up at the talk about his little family. "Thanks, Artemis." He smiled at her before speed walking towards the pack house with the intent of climbing into bed with his beautiful wife and mate and adorable son. He may have just been away for a few days, but he had missed them so much.

It was good to be back.

The other wolves in the group had all dispersed and headed to their respective homes, Sol and Artemis being the only ones left now.

Throwing an arm over her shoulder, he allowed her to lead him to the guest cabin that she had been staying at while he was gone. "Alpha Brandon hasn't given you any trouble, has he?" He asked, already feeling his wolf tense and get into defence mode, ready to confront the Alpha as soon as he confirmed him to be the bitter, childish man he had learnt him to be the past couple of weeks.

Alpha Brandon may have been friends with his father and one of the Alpha's that he remembered for his childish, but he was absolutely terrible under pressure. It was almost as if he crumbled whenever things got too tough and, in this case, Artemis was the easiest to blame simply because she was the easiest target especially since she was so different.

Sol suspected that it had more to do with him being jealous of her healing powers than what it did with her colourful past. Either way, he did not appreciate the way the Alpha treated Artemis.

Alpha or not, he would not stand for it. He was just glad that he hadn't accepted the Alpha position from Brandon when he had offered it all those months ago. What a mistake that would have been.

"He's been avoiding me."

"That's better than him being an asshole." He muttered under his breath but she must have heard him -which wasn't surprising with her werewolf hearing- as Artemis chuckled and wrapped her own arm around his waist, leaning into him as they walked back to the cabin.

"I've missed you," Sol whispered to her later that night as he joined her under the bed sheets after a warm shower and a freshly cooked meal Artemis had made for him. Throwing his arm over her waist, he pulled her delicate body closer towards him, eliminating any space between them, both their heads resting on the same pillow. Their faces were only mere inches away from each other, her head resting on his arm which he had laid under her head.

It was considerably early to be heading to sleep but Artemis didn't even blink when he announced that he was going to be heading to sleep. She was already tucked into bed dressed in one of his sweatshirts, waiting eagerly for him.

It wasn't a good night's sleep if he wasn't there to hold her whilst she slept.

"I've missed you more," she exhaled as she closed her eyes, snuggling closer to him, her nose grazing the crook of his neck as her fingers fisted the sheets, pulling them all the way up to her chin.

"Impossible," he muttered against her forehead as his eyes closed on their own accord before he drifted off to sleep.

Sleeping on the floor in the middle of the woods was nothing compared to having Artemis wrapped around him, knowing that she was safe and sound, and in his arms.

However, she wasn't in his arms when he awoke which puzzled his groggy mind at first as he searched under the covers, coming up empty. It was just him.

She wasn't even in the house, his wolf senses told him.

He wasn't at all happy about that, especially not since they were still at the Lupine Woodland pack, Alpha's Brandon's pack. The same Alpha Brandon whom seemed to detest Artemis with a passion.

After brushing his teeth and a quick bathroom pit stop, he pulled on a pair of sweatpants and a pair of socks on his feet, his chest completely bare as he stepped out of the cottage. He yawned as he brushed his fingers through his hair simultaneously. Even in his groggy state, he followed her scent to find Artemis standing in the centre of a group of werewolves whom he recognised to be victims of the hunters, just like her. Though she stood in the middle fighting a wolf whom appeared to be twice her age.

His eyes followed every movement as the male wolf, a warrior it seemed, swung his right fist at Artemis, aiming to hit her face but clearly holding back some power. Little did he know Artemis was a little power house. It would take more than just a measly, half-hearted punch to get her on the ground.

Though the warrior didn't seem to pick up on that as she dodged his every attack, playing the defence just like he had taught her. With her small frame and quick feet, it was very easy for Artemis to tire out her opponent and it seemed that, that was the tactic she was going for that morning.

He stood back and watched proudly with his muscular arms crossed over his bare chest, watching closely along with the rest of the wolves as Artemis trained hard. He appreciated her movements and her game plan, but he didn't appreciate the way the warrior seemed to have taken a liking to her, teasing her almost, a playful smiling tugging at the corners of his lips as he entertained her. It was almost as if he believed that he was keeping her occupied, tiring out with his measly attacks. Sure, he was a warrior and a skilled one at that but in that moment, he was no match for Artemis.

He should have known better than to underestimate his opponent, especially when Artemis grew impatient and knocked him right off of his feet with a kick to each knee, one following swiftly behind the other. As the warrior crippled to the floor in a heap, Artemis grabbed him a headlock, refusing to budge even though he struggled greatly. When he finally gave up, she stood with triumph in her eyes, clearly overjoyed with being able to take down a highly skilled and talented warrior as easily and quickly as she had.

She felt even prouder of herself when she noticed Sol watching her from the side lines, pride evident in his eyes.

-

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Layla Knight

29.09.18