Chapter 9
While her uncle and brother were playing behind her back, Artemis continued to come out of her shell more. She hung out with Jenny a lot more and tried to enjoy as much sun as possible before the weather started to change and it got too cold. Today both her guardians were preoccupied so she didn't have anybody watching her back and Danny was off somewhere doing his own thing as well so he wasn't following Jenny around either. Jenny begged Artemis to go with her to the lake to lay under the sun, she really only wanted to attract the attention of males and Artemis was not that type of person. Jenny suggested that they play in her personal flower garden that she has in the woods behind her hut. Artemis had already gotten bored with Jenny but went with her anyway to pacify her. "I wonder what my brother and uncle are doing. They really have been gone all morning" Artemis said as the duo made their way up the road. "Don't worry. They're probably out doing men things. Danny has started to leave the house more too. It's annoying and his attitude sucks even more lately" Jenny said. At this point the two were standing outside Jennys home. "Hey Princess. I know this nice big berry patch where all types of juicy berries grow" Jenny beamed. "Oh Jenny, we're already here. Haven't we done enough exploring today" Artemis pleaded "But Princess those berries are very hydrating and nutritious. Even all of the elders use them to make wine. We can sit and eat some with some nuts that are already peeled by Danny" Jenny pleaded as well. "Fine, fine. Let's go. But after this I really want to get back home" Artemis said. "Ok, ok I promise you we will be done for the day after this" Jenny said smiling from ear to ear. Jenny grabbed Artemis' hand again and started to pull her into the direction of the berry patch.
It took a while to get to the berry patch by foot and Jenny finally let Artemis rest. When they got there Jenny sat her on a bench made of stone with a stone table in front of it. The entire berry patch was breathtaking and full of colors. Artemis relaxed and smiled. "Come. I'll show you how to pick berries" Jenny said, pulling her out of her seat. "Jenny, hold on. I know how to pick berries myself. I work on my own farm too you know" Artemis said, pulling her hand back. "You forget that I'm older than you and I'm not stupid. Although Nana pampers me, I take care of myself very well. You can't keep tugging me around like I'm a baby" Artemis firmly said to Jenny. Jenny's face went from happy to red. "I'm so excited to have a friend that I keep forgetting that you're also a Princess!" Jenny said, lowering her head. Jenny curtsied and said "Princess, please sit down and rest while I pick us some berries to enjoy" Jenny said gesturing back to the stone bench. "I don't want to be treated this way. No one knows I'm the Princess. I don't even live in the castle" Artemis said, clearly frustrated. "Calm down, calm down. Your anger is going to attract your guardians here and ruin our playdate" Jenny pleaded. "I'm not really having a good time if you're still gonna stand there like that. I didn't tell you to bow, Jennifer" Artemis said. "Here. Snack on these and I'll be right back" Jenny said handing Artemis a bag of seeds and nuts and then dashing off. Artemis sighed and waited until Jenny came back. When she did she had a grass basket filled with all types of colorful berries. "Jenny, how did you do all of that so quickly?" Artemis asked, surprised. Jenny sat the basket on the stone table and began setting out all of the berries. "We can save some for later too" Jenny said smiling. Jenny noticed that Artemis did not touch the nuts she gave her and wondered why. "My brother made sure that only the things you liked were in there so that way you wouldn't go completely hungry while you were out playing with me. I promise you these were not randomly picked off of the ground by me. Or do you not want them because he picked them himself?" Jenny speculated. Artemis noticed the bag of nuts again and grabbed them. "No it's not that. I'm just tired and distracted. Next time make sure you come get me before I practice so I wont be so tired and irritated" Artemis said. "Oh ok I understand. So I think my brother is starting to like you. First the gifts he secretly handmade. Now he picks your favorite nuts so that you won't go hungry. I invite him out to play with us all of the time but he declines. He'll give me a few gold nuggets and a bag of nuts and tell me to go away". Jenny said. "I can say the same about Apollo" Artemis said "but I think when they are not with us they are out playing together they're probably the best of friends" Jenny said "how do you know they hang out together?" Artemis asked "Danny comes home smelling like Apollo…" Jenny said, shrugging. Artemis laughed and picked through the nuts popping a few into her mouth "Jenny, you even know my brother's scent! Do you like Apollo the way Danny likes me?" Artemis asked "Do you like my brother the same way he likes you?" Jenny asked in return "good one. Very good. But no. I do not wish to mate with your brother" Artemis said. Jenny frowned. "What's so bad about mating?" Jenny asked.
"Ha ha ha! See brother. I told you there were females nearby" a grisly voice said out loud somewhere close by. Artemis looked around then looked back at Jenny who looked frightened. "Let's go Jennifer" Artemis said, clearly pissed off. "Wait wait wait don't run little wolves!" The man said quickly coming from behind a berry bush. He was a very huge man with Tiger ears and a Tiger tail followed by two other Tiger Beastmen. "What is a Tiger Beastman doing within the Wolf Kingdom?" Artemis asked authoritatively. Most times when Artemis Spoke she didn't even realize that she spoke with the grace of a Princess. The Tiger Beastman smiled brightly and intoxicated. "Hunting little Wolf. And we have found our prey" he said "I think not!" Artemis said grabbing Jenny and turning to run away. The Tiger Beastman grabbed Artemis arm and flung her into a bush. "Princess!!" Jenny called for her. "Help! Help!" Jenny yelled as the Beastman grabbed her and started to drag her away. "Shut her up!" the first Tiger Beastman demanded, stalking towards Artemis. Artemis stood up before the beastman could get closer. She was expecting a fight but instead the beastman reached into a pouch on his waist and pulled a fisted hand back out. Then he lifted his hand to his mouth and blew a pink powder at her. "That'll keep you happy" the beast man said watching her try to brush off her face and try to keep her balance. This powder was definitely some type of strong drug. It made Artemis' head feel heavier and she felt like she was spinning in circles, but she stepped forward and willed herself to shapeshift. With each step she continued to take she was slowly shifting until she was standing on all four legs staring down at the Tiger in front of her. Artemis growled down into the Tiger's face before she swung her arm and knocked him into a big tree nearby then she howled into the sky before stalking towards the Beastmen still holding onto Jenny. Suddenly her wolf gave into the powder and began trying to grow, leaving Artemis in an internal fight with herself. She couldn't control herself and was stuck in huge wolf form again towering over everyone. "Oh my!" Jenny gasped. She had never seen such a huge wolf let alone a female wolf and females sometimes find it harder to shapeshift than males who can change at will. "Artemis help" Jenny yelled for her. In wolf form Artemis shook her head trying to break the hold of the powder that was blown in her face. She couldn't focus her vision and couldn't be still. Her whole body was on fire inside. Jenny howled again calling for her brother and uncle. She knew she needed back up.
"No one can resist passion powder little Wolf Princess" The ugly Tiger beastman, said caressing her tail "ugh your disgusting" Artemis said in wolf form. "Artemis, your wolf can talk!" Jenny shouted. Artemis tried to shake the Tiger off her tail to no avail; he wouldn't budge. Artemis continued fighting to control herself but only managed to shift into naked human form with the Wolf ears and tail along with elongated fingernails. "There she goes!" the Tiger said, laughing again. Artemis might have been a little cloudy still but she still remembered how to fight. She turned around and started throwing blows onto the Tiger beastman quicker than he could have ever expected. Artemis closed her eyes and continued to swing and hit the beastman until he became bloody even though his wounds healed almost immediately "Danny finally your here!!" Jenny yelled "Apollo! Help us please!" Jenny yelled out. Apollo appeared at Artemis' side with a spear and started to fight the Tiger with her. Artemis looked over at Danny and Jenny and saw them being overpowered. "Go help them, I got this one and Kasper is coming too" Apollo said. Artemis left Apollo's side and went over to pull Jenny away from the fight. "Don't move Jennifer" Artemis said sitting her on the stone bench. Artemis ran back over to help Danny and she didn't hold back. Together they took down one beast but while they did that the other beastman had reached into a pouch of his own and was ready for when they turned around. The beastman blew the powder into both Danny and Artemis' faces and then turned to run away as they succumbed to the effects of the powder.
Kasper finally appeared and immediately killed the first tiger beastman to help Apollo out. "Artemis, Danny what's wrong" Kasper asked, holding onto her shoulder to keep her steady. "Artemis!" Apollo said to her "those beastmen blew this pink fruit powder in their faces" Jenny said standing up. "Oh shit, let's get them to the cottage," Kasper said, picking Artemis up and leading the way. Apollo grabbed hold of Danny with Jenny and followed suit. "Artemis is going to be really mad at me isnt she" Jenny asked "I'm mad at you" Danny said slurring his words "why do you insist on putting her in danger and bringing her away from home" Danny scolded "I'm really sorry I am" Jenny pleaded. Artemis groaned and heaved in Kasper's arms. "Hold on, Artemis, we're almost there!" Kasper said to her.