Page 24 of Protected By Artemis

He laughed, shaking his head. “How could I forget?”

As he continued eating, she settled back, watching him with a satisfied smile. “So, what’s the plan for the meeting?”

He took a sip of coffee before answering. “First, we’ll go over the current issues facing the packs: security concerns, territory disputes, and things like that. Then, I’ll bring up the bombing. I want to see if anyone slips up or gives any clues.”

“And how do you plan to approach it?”

“I’ll play it cool,” he said. “Ask the right questions, observe their reactions.” His phone buzzed, and he quickly read the message. “Xavier says no new leads yet, but he’s still digging. I’ll need to be extra vigilant during the meeting.”

She nodded. “There’s a plus-one social that I’m going to. I just want to check it out, though, of course, I’d rather like to check out the other alphas and see if anyone is guilty.”

“You still have a role to play. Remember?”

She pursed her lips and glowered at him. “Yes, I know. Maybe the other mates and bedmates actually know things. Couldn’t hurt finding out, right?”

“Sure,” he said, smirking. “I have to change for the alphas’ meeting.”

She noticed that he had finished most of the food she had brought him, which made her feel good. But then she realized she needed to change too. This time, she chose a floral mini sundress that she paired with sandals. When Cade came out of the bathroom, she noticed he was staring at her legs again. When their eyes met, she saw him try to shake it off.

“Well, I guess I’ll see you after lunch?” he said.

“Sure,” she replied.

He started to walk out of the bedroom, and she said, “I think you’re forgetting something.” He turned back as she walked up to him. “Aren’t you supposed to scent me?”

“Oh, right.”

“But I think since we cuddled earlier, a hug would be okay?”

“Hmm, sure,” he murmured.

Artemis walked closer and pressed her body against his, wrapping her arms around his neck. He held her close, his arms around her waist.

She knew that this wasn’t necessary. But she remembered the last time and how good it felt to have his hands on her. “On second thought, I’d like a kiss,” she said.

He hesitated, and she thought she had pushed too far. But then he looked into her eyes, and she could feel a pull between them. He finally leaned in and pressed his lips to hers, a soft, lingering kiss that sent shivers down her spine. She tangled her fingers in his hair as she deepened the kiss, her tongue twining with his. When they finally pulled apart, they were breathless. He rested his forehead against hers. “That was…unexpected,” he said against her lips.

“Sometimes, the unexpected is exactly what we need,” she smiled.

He chuckled softly. “You’re something else, Artemis.”

“Don’t you forget it.”

“I’ve noticed that you’ve gotten me to do things that I normally wouldn’t be doing. Shouldn’t be doing,” he said, giving her a look.

She laughed, and she felt his breath hitch. “Well, I’m glad you’re finally having some fun in your life,” she teased.

He smirked and walked out of the villa. She looked in the mirror. Her lips were a little swollen, and she was flushed. It was getting harder not to kiss him. Every time he got close, the warmth of his body, the scent of him, it all made her resolve weaken. She knew she shouldn’t keep letting herself fall like this, but it was impossible to resist. His kisses were amazing, the kind that sent warmth flooding through her, the kind that made her forget everything else.

How many years had passed since the last time she kissed someone? It was probably centuries since she couldn’t even remember what the mortal looked like; it was just a fuzzy image in her memory. She shook her head and straightened her hair. “Let’s see what these plus-ones are like,” she said to herself, grabbing her phone before heading out.

She decided to walk by the beach, taking in the serene view. It had been a while since she had felt the soft sand beneath her feet, the salty breeze in her hair. She watched the waves crash against the shore. Here, on this beautiful island, she found a sense of peace she hadn’t experienced in a long time. But she knew she couldn’t completely escape her thoughts.

As she strolled along the shore, she couldn’t help but reflect on her life over the last couple of years. So much had changed since Hades married Persephone, and Zeus’s duplicity was exposed—how he had cheated to ensure he would rule Olympus. With Zeus locked away, the Olympian council was now down to eleven. She wondered what would happen to the balance of power and how the dynamics would shift.

The past year had brought even more change, with Apollo and Geri falling in love. She was genuinely happy for her brother. He had finally found someone who saw past the facade of the happy-go-lucky playboy. She saw the love between them, how they looked at each other with a future full of hope and dreams. They were building a family, a new chapter for both of them. It warmed her heart to see Apollo so settled and content.

A group of seagulls squabbling over a piece of driftwood, echoed in the clear morning air. The simplicity of the scene contrasted sharply with the complexities of her divine life. But even here, on this beautiful island, she couldn’t completely escape her thoughts. The prophecy of The Fates weighed heavily on her mind, a constant reminder of her unique position and the choices she had made since that day she’d found out the worstnews of her life. The day The Fates told her the words that would forever shape her immortal life.

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