Chapter 2

A whole month has gone by since Grandma Shuu discovered Kasper stowed away in the Human World. Grandma Shuu let kasper stay nearby and didn't try to chase him away. She has kept her promise and continued to give him clothes and food and he has gotten stronger ever since. As Kasper continued to get comfortable in his hole underground he had also started going out and doing work everyday on other farms in the area so that he could earn money. He knew that one way to help his mother and niece is to work to earn money, that is one knowledge he brought with him from the Beastworld, all Beastmen do all kinds of work for a living.

Today started off like any normal day for Artemis. She got up and ate a nice breakfast. Then she ran out to work on their fields. Artemis was able to get Grandma Shuu to retire from the fields years ago as she got older. Once she took over the work she was able to plant and care for more food even though it was all a lot of work. Not only did they have a small field to grow food. They also had their own lake to provide water and a few animals like cows and chickens to provide milk and eggs. Artemis got halfway through the hot day and finally decided to rest and take a lunch break sitting under a shady tree for fresh air and shade from the hot sun. Her dress was soaked with sweat so it clung to her body anywhere it could. As Artemis sat there fanning herself with her straw hat a small black wolf slowly approached her and she immediately noticed him. She could tell that this wolf was smaller than the wolf she'd previously seen around. She figured now she had to really be careful feeding and talking to these wolves.

"You better run before Nana catches you in these fields" Artemis warned him. Artemis showed no signs of being scared at all so the wolf was reluctant to turn away but kept trying to scoot closer to Artemis so she couldn't help but feel sorry for it. "You look so scared and alone. Where's your pack?" she asked the poor wolf. The wolf must have understood her words and became saddened because he started to whine and scoot even closer to Artemis "Poor boy. I don't know if nana would let me keep you. I think you shouldn't stay here" Artemis pleaded with the wolf but he was too stubborn and didn't want to move so Artemis gave in and started to pet its head. "Ok ok I'll see what I can do" Artemis said shaking her head. She knew Grandma Shuu was not going to be too happy about her bringing home a wild animal.

Artemis decided to continue with her chores on the farm and skip lunch time. She figured she would try bringing the wolf home at dinner time instead. As Artemis opened the gate and walked into the yard she called for Grandma Shuu, "Nana I'm home!" She called out. Artemis wasn't sure whether she wanted to barge into the house or wait for Nana to come to the door in case she decides not to keep the wolf. In the brief moment while she was thinking Artemis heard fierce growls coming from the wolf at her side. "Calm down boy. Nana is harmless really" Artemis said trying to console the wolf. But he wasn't listening. He could sense another wolf present and he was now determined to protect Artemis. Realizing that the wolf wasn't growling at nana but some other danger Artemis became alert and started looking around until the other slightly bigger black wolf came into view. Now both wolves are in a growling match with each other completely ignoring Artemis.

"What is going on out there?" Grandma Shuu demanded coming out with her big wooden spoon. But she was too late. The two wolves began fighting and pouncing on each other, biting and tearing at each other's flesh. "Now I know good and well there are not two of you " Grandma Shuu said to herself. "Stop it right now" Grandma Shuu said in her authoritative voice she never had to use with Artemis. Both wolves immediately stopped fighting and turned to face her with their heads down like two children roughhousing. "Kasper, didn't I Tell you to stay out of sight?" Grandma Shuu pointed the wooden spoon at him. Kasper shapeshifted into human form without thinking and began apologizing to Grandma Shuu kneeling on the ground "mother this feral beast keeps stalking her. Finally I had the chance and I just had to get him away from her". Artemis squealed and covered her face "Nana" Artemis yelled running behind her. "Did that wolf just turn into a NAKED man!!" Artemis exclaimed. "I know honey. That is your uncle Kasper. The other one though, I'm not sure I know you son" Grandma Shuu said, eyeing him suspiciously "show yourself" she demanded pointing her spoon at him in a threatening manner. The smaller wolf shifted and immediately tied his animal fur skirt around his waist, "what is going on?" Artemis asked. "Who are you?" Grandma Shuu asked him. "I am Apollo. Her twin brother" Apollo said pointing at Artemis. "Twin brother" Artemis said, Grandma Shuu didn't need to know anymore. Not only did this Apollo resemble Artemis a little but he had her blood running through his veins and she could tell. Suddenly Artemis fainted. Apollo caught Artemis before she hit the ground. "You two are both a bunch of trouble makers," she said, shaking her head. "Here carry your sister inside Apollo" she said to him. Apollo gently carried Artemis in his arms into the little teepee. Grandma Shuu instructed the two men to wait outside while she washed Artemis up and changed her clothes.

Artemis woke up completely silent. She didn't say not a single thing. Grandma Shuu hated when Artemis would get into her non speaking moods. She would stay silent all day but Grandma Shuu knew she had to break the silence. "I'm sorry honey. It's time for you to know the truth. You're big enough now" Grandma Shuu said to her. Grandma Shuu called Kasper and Apollo into the teepee to sit in front of a warm fire. "Kasper, meet Artemis, your niece. Artemis... This is my son Kasper. Your mother's younger brother" Grandma Shuu said formally introducing them to each other. Artemis smiled wide and childlike. "I have an Uncle?" She asked, looking at him. "Apollo. How did you come about? When I went to find my daughter I didn't see a little boy. I only found Artemis in her arms crying, forgive me or else I would have saved you as well." Grandma Shuu said to Apollo. "It's ok nana. I was still inside of my mother when she was killed. I grew up with a doctor who told me I had to crawl my way out of my mother and she didn't survive that. The doctor kept my identity hidden until one day a mean sorcerer came to our door and killed the doctor. I ran away but then next thing I knew I was here staring at my sister." Apollo said. Kasper stepped forward showing interest in this doctor. "What doctor?" Kasper demanded "John. He was an Eagle and we lived in a tree for most of my life" Apollo said. "Oh I remember John. He was the son of our royal doctor" Grandma Shuu said "Nana. My parents were murdered?" Artemis asked innocently. "Yes dear. I'm sorry. They were taken from you as soon as you were born. And poor Apollo came into this world all alone as well".

"John told me that he made the mistake of letting my mothers secret out. He thinks it was a group of purebred females who did that to her out of hate and jealousy" Apollo said to them. "What?" Everyone replied all at once. Apollo nodded. "John said when he saw mother screaming as i made my way out he felt absolutely terrible and cared for me out of guilt. He made sure I knew everything he knew and made me keep my promise that I would one day find my sister and protect her with my life. I've found you Artemis and I won't ever leave your side" Apollo said kneeling to His sister. "Brother" Artemis said, putting her hand on his shoulder. When she touched him she felt a shock of electricity go through her whole body and she shivered. This shock convinced her that Apollo was her brother.

"Good good Apollo. I feel even happier knowing you're here. Your sister is a Princess after all and needs protection no matter where she is" Grandma Shuu said, nodding her head. "I will protect them both, as their uncle it is my duty since their mother is no longer with us" Kasper said, kneeling as well. "Very well then. Your very first bodyguard's Artemis" Grandma Shuu said to her. "But Nana. What does this mean? I'm a Princess" Artemis said. "Yes dear. I was a Princess as well. We are part of the royal family in the Wolf Kingdom." Grandma Shuu told Artemis. "You're our most valuable Princess since no one else has birthed a female until you were born. No matter what your origins, the royal family is willing to accept you" Kasper said to Artemis. "What do you mean until?" Grandma Shuu asked Kasper. "Three years after you left with the baby Princess a new mating season came and months later a dozen female wolves were born. None since then" Kasper told Grandma Shuu. Grandma Shuu nodded her head "the same thing happened when My daughter was born. About a dozen females were born as well" Grandma Shuu said. "I guess now that you both are here, that completes our little family" Grandma Shuu said.

"Well well. Yes, Isn't it quite the family reunion" a sinister voice said interrupting the conversation they all were having. Kasper and Apollo wasted no time to shapeshift and get infront if Artemis and Grandma Shuu. A dark figure came forward with a huge cloak over their head. "Ohh yess a wonderful reunion" the sinister voice said "Bukhar Blackfinger. The most evil or sorcerer ever to exist between both universes" Grandma Shuu said. Even Apollo started to whimper and took a step back further towards Grandma Shuu and Atremis. Artemis was too intuitive. "Is this the man you were running from Apollo" Artemis asked him and he nodded his head in response. "The family of royal abominations. I get to finish you all off here all together" Bukhar beamed with confidence. Bukhar reached into his sleeve and pulled out a walking stick that turned into a staph with a dark orb at the top of it. Bukhar started to chant a spell making the orb glow with dark murderous intent. "You will do no such thing" Grandma Shuu responded pointing her wooden spoon at him. Which then turned into a staph of her own with a bright orb on top of it. Grandma Shuu said one word and stomped the staph into the ground making the ground shake.