Page 25 of Protected By Artemis

“Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt, you shall bear no brood like yourself, as you are now,” said The Maiden.

“Only mortal children from your womb,” added The Mother.

“And none shall taste the sweet apple of immortality,” concluded The Crone.

As she’d told Cade earlier, she was the goddess of chastity, the eternal virgin. It wasn’t just a title; it was a shield she had willingly embraced. The Fates had told her thatta pedia tiswould be mortal, and she couldn’t bear the thought of watching them grow old and die while she remained untouched by time. It was easier to keep her distance, to avoid the pain of loss altogether. It was the reason she remained a virgin. She could’ve slept with mortals or even with any of the gods. She shivered. None of the Greek gods were worth her time.

Ew, no thanks.

She sighed, pushing those thoughts aside. She needed to focus on the task at hand. Finding the culprit behind the bombing was paramount, and the sooner they identified the guilty party, the sooner she and Cade could return to their respective worlds.

But that kiss, or rather, those kisses.

It had been a while, and kissing Cade was unlike any she had in the past. The way her body reacted to his scenting her made it feel like a kiss was inevitable. It wasn’t just a kiss but felt like something more.

There was something about him, something that stirred emotions she had long buried. The warmth in her chest when she thought of him, the way he looked at her earlier—it all made her wonder if maybe, just maybe, there could be something more.

She shook her head and reminded herself that he was an in-law and it would be best to keep things as drama-free as possible. Yet, a small part of her was reluctant to leave this newfound connection with him behind. It was an unusual feeling for her, one that she was still trying to understand.

Reaching the end of the beach, she turned back toward the resort. There was work to be done, and she was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. After all, she was Artemis, Goddess of the Hunt. No matter what happened, she would protect those she cared about and bring justice to those who threatened them.

The part of the resort where the socials were being held exuded relaxation, an area with wide open space, cozy bean bags, and a serene Buddha statue. It felt like a sanctuary, a place where mortals gathered to find peace, likely doing yoga or meditating.

A few women and men were already there, mingling and relaxing. She took a deep breath, readying herself for the inevitable judgment from the mortals who would see her youthful appearance, blonde hair, and slim figure, and probably dismiss her as just another “dumb blonde.” She often wondered why she looked the way she did; not all gods appeared as young as she did, not even Apollo.

Shaking off the thought, she reminded herself of her true strength. If only they knew how skilled she was with a bow and arrow or a spear. She didn’t need a rifle or any modern weaponry to take down her prey.

An older woman with silver hair and a kind smile caught her eye, and she decided to approach her. The woman seemed like she might be a mate of one of the alphas. As she neared, the woman greeted her warmly. “Hello there, I’m Candice from Washington, the Olympic Peninsula,” she said, her voice as welcoming as her smile.

She introduced herself as a bedmate of Cade from Anchorage. “Ah yes, Cade. He’s mighty fine, isn’t he?” Candice quipped with a playful wink.

She laughed, finding herself instantly liking Candice. “Yes, he certainly is,” she replied, feeling at ease.

Candice mentioned she had visited Anchorage and enjoyed her time there, sparking a conversation between them about the city’s beauty and charm. They chatted about the stunning landscapes and the unique lifestyle of Alaska.

As they spoke, a woman with stunning dark hair and plenty of curves called for everyone’s attention. She introduced herself as Pauline and welcomed the group warmly. “This is all informal, just something to do while the alphas are busy,” she explained, her voice smooth and inviting. “But the spa is available for massages or any other service you might like.”

The group appreciated the gesture, and some immediately headed into the spa. Candice shook her head. “You know, I have a massage appointment later in the day with my Alpha. How about you? Any interest in a massage?”

“No, not really.”

Candice raised an eyebrow and leaned in, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “You know, Pauline has always had a thing for Cade.”

Artemis smiled, finding the gossip amusing. “Really?” she said, taking the bait. She had to find out more.For the investigation, of course.Maybe Pauline was a spurned lover who wanted revenge.

Candice nodded, clearly enjoying the conversation. “Yes, really. Pauline’s pack is close to the Andersen pack. But even with all her maneuvering, Cade has only ever seen her as a friend. Sometimes it’s a little sad, but she keeps trying, and he keeps treating her like a friend.”

“So, they’ve never?—”

“Nope,” Candice said. “Never, as far as I know.”

Artemis glanced over at Pauline, who was busy chatting with some of the other guests. She wondered what Cade didn’t see in her. Pauline was undeniably attractive, with her dark hair and striking features. But there was a certain cunning in her eyes that made Artemis wary.

“Maybe he just isn’t interested,” Artemis mused aloud.

Candice shrugged. “Maybe. But it’s not like Cade to overlook someone so determined. Pauline’s tried everything short of outright declaring her feelings. And who knows, maybe he does know and just doesn’t reciprocate.”

Artemis nodded thoughtfully. “Could be. I wouldn’t know.”

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