Chapter 10

Kasper finally made it back home to the little cottage and Grandma Shuu was waiting at the doorway. "What happened?" Grandma Shuu asked. "She was poisoned with some kind of powder," Kasper told her while taking Artemis inside. "Those beasts said it was passion or something like that,'' Jenny informed "OkayI believe I have a remedy for that.. She will be fine. I just need to look through my herbs" Grandma Shuu said, turning to her herb cabinet. As soon as she turned away though Artemis shapeshifted into her huge wolf jumping around in the little cabin "not again" Kasper said running to open the door. "Lets go Artemis" he said to her, showing her the outside "isn't she gonna run away?" Jenny asked "no she just needs room to move around in this wolf form" Grandma Shuu said to her. Artemis hopped outside and shook her fur loose, taking a deep breath. "It's ok, Artemis." Apollo said standing in front of her. "Princess Artemis" Danny chimed. "Danny be careful. You both are under the influence of a rape drug" Grandma Shuu said, warning him. "She is fighting it pretty well but I'm not sure about Danny boy here" Kasper said "I'm fine" Artemis said Shapeshifting back into her human form and stretching. Apollo gasped and turned his head then remembered to turn Danny's head away too.

"These beasts are too cruel. How are they just roaming around our Kingdom" Jenny complained. "That's why we keep her close to home. No offense Jenny but she is a Princess she can't act so carelessly" Apollo said to Jenny. "So are you a Prince?" Jenny asked him sheepishly "he is. So am I and my mother is a Queen as well. We're a royal family even though we may not act like one" Kasper said to Jenny. "I promise from here on out I will take better care of her. Putting her in danger puts myself in danger and what happened today was scary" Jenny said. "Jennifer!" Artemis said, spotting her in between Danny and Apollo. "I'm sorry Princess I really am. Next time I will listen to you" Jenny pleaded. " Artemis honey. Let's get you in a dress ok" Grandma Shuu suggested. Artemis looked down and realized she was still naked. Suddenly she didn't even care. She looked around at everyone who had worried looks on their faces and she became cold all over. Artemis stood there naked showing all of her luscious curves and assets. Her breasts were huge. Bigger than any beast females and any of the human females that have been brought here. Her waist was curvy despite her bigger size and her hips were as wide as the earth. Her natural hair couldn't decide if it wanted to be curly m, frizzy or straight. She had long white twisted locs flowing down her back. Her skin was unblemished, soft and dark. " I feel like everytime you shapeshift your human appearance changes a little more each time." Grandma Shuu said. "What's new this time Nana?" Artemis asked her. "Your hair has changed color." Grandma Shuu told Artemis. Danny was the main one who couldn't keep his eyes off of her. "Princess Artemis. You are the most beautiful female I have ever seen. But you should really cover up" Danny said, finally sounding sober. Suddenly they heard Eagle cries circling above. "Not those things again" Kasper said looking up. "I thought your father was gonna deal with them?" Grandma Shuu said, looking up. "We need to call for help. They're not here to fight. They want Artemis" Kasper said.

Danny and Apollo immediately stood guard around Artemis. "Jennifer, I need you to go call for help. Now!" Grandma Shuu demanded. Jenny hurriedly ran through the gates and started calling for help. "Get her inside now" Grandma Shuu said, ushering Artemis forward. Danny and Apollo grabbed each of her arms and started walking her into the house. That's when the Eagles flew down to attack. One Eagle kicked Apollo out of the way. Another kicked Grandma Shuu back into the house. Another Eagle went after Kasper. Artemis lunged forward to help Grandma Shuu up off the floor instead she was snatched off of the ground again. "Why are all of you Beastmen so crazy and unruly!" Artemis yelled as she scratched at the Beastman's foot as hard as she could. "Artemis let go!" Danny yelled. Artemis looked over and Danny was hanging from the Eagles' other foot. "What's wrong with you too" she yelled at him. The eagle shook and dropped the two wolf beasts in its claws. A different Eagle caught Artemis and another caught Danny. "You!" Danny growled. "I'm here to help. I'm not with these bastards'' Bowen said to Danny as quickly as he could. "Well hurry up and get me close to her" Danny demanded.

They all flew for a while passing Artemis back and forth because she kept abusing each Eagle she came across and then they finally landed inside a huge tree except for Danny. This band of Eagles had all created a nest together. They were ferals after all. They must have left their Kingdom after failing to find mates. Either way Artemis was not willing to become their toy or food. As they shapeshifted into a group of naked men surrounding her she knew was still skilled in fist fighting and if all else fails she could just shapeshift and bust her way out of this nest. "Whoever touches me loses an arm!" Artemis said, ready to defend herself. A brave Eagle Beastman stepped forward and Artemis quickly grabbed him and twisted his arm sideways. His bones separated at the elbow and he let out an ear piercing screech. Artemis kicked him out of the nest to fall out of the tree. "Worthless" she spat. Artemis flexed her fingers and her claws grew out of her fingernails. Artemis howled so loud the whole nest rumbled. Instead of waiting for another attack she went after the men herself. She shed blood off of her next victim by scratching his whole chest open with both sets of claws. She grabbed his throat and squeezed until his throat burst open. She tossed him to the side and went after the next.

"Whoa it's a bloodbath in here" Bowen exclaimed as he and Danny walked into the nest. "Danny!" Get me out of here" Artemis yelled running towards him. "You did all of this by yourself before he could figure out how to jump in and help out. Are you ok Princess?" Danny asked her. Danny picked up some furs thrown around on the floor of the nest and grabbed hold of Artemis. There's a lake nearby. You can go wash up in it. Get on my back" Danny said before shapeshifting. Artemis hesitated but then she hopped on and grabbed hold of a handful of fur. Danny gracefully leaped out of the bird's nest and landed on the ground then he dashed toward the lake he saw as he was flying over on top of Bowen. When they finally made it to the river Artemis jumped off of Danny and jumped into the water and started scrubbing blood and feathers off of herself. Danny shapeshifted back into human form and washed the furs in the water so he could make a dress for Artemis. "I still can't believe it," Danny laughed. "Your uncle and brother would be so proud of the way you defended yourself" he added. "I know, I know. I don't think any of us knew I could get that pissed off but I could and that is what happens when I do" Artemis said. Artemis looked over at Danny who was focused on tying the furs together for her. "Thank you Daniel for risking yourself to follow me all the way here" she said to him with a small smile. "Anytime Princess" he smiled back at her. Artemis felt butterflies frittering in her stomach. When Danny calls her 'Princess' it feels like a nickname and not a title.

Interrupting Artemis admiring Danny, Bowen flew down to join both of them. He carried a bundle of sticks in his arms. "I'm going to light a fire to dry you off and keep you warm," Bowen announced. "Thank you Bowen. Although you no longer claim loyalty to the Eagle Kingdom you still are around to make sure they don't harm me" Artemis said to Bowen. "Princess, it's my honor to keep you safe," Bowen said, smiling. You go ahead and warm up now so we can get you back home" Danny said, hanging the dress he made over a tree branch to dry. Artemis nodded. "Are you hungry? I can find you something to eat" Bowen offered. "I'm not hungry. I'll eat when I get back home" Artemis said, shaking her head.

When Artemis finally made it back home she was greeted by Grandma Shuu, Apollo and her uncle Kasper. Beyond the front yard past the gate were a lot of people outside speculating. "Oh you've finally made it back!" Grandma Shuu said, pulling Artemis into a tight hug. "What is going on out here Nana?" Artemis asked, looking at all of the people standing out there. "The King will be here soon," Granda Shuu said, nodding her head. "Come inside. I made you something to eat".Grandma Shuu said tugging her inside of the little cottage. "I'm not hungry, Nana. I am tired though," Artemis said. "I can make you a pot of tea while you get settled into bed." Nana said to her, ushering her inside. As Artemis made her way inside she was grateful that Danny made her a dress before returning. She had hoped that no one else would see her bare naked.

"Prince Kasper. Prince Apollo. You should've seen it. Princess Artemis was like a Goddess. She slaughtered a whole treehouse of Eagles" Danny whispered to Apollo. "What?" Kasper asked Danny, shocked. "She killed them all with her bare hands," Danny said, nodding. "I'm impressed," Apollo said. "She kind of scares me more now…" Danny shivered. "Hey, hey don't turn back now, you've made necklaces and dresses for my sister" Apollo accused. Danny stood up straight and cleared his throat. Clearly a show of masculinity. "Don't worry. I think you caught her attention today" Apollo said roughly patting his back. "I have no intentions of turning back. Jenny, go back home. Wash up and lay down. It's going to start getting colder at night time so light a big fire and bundle up until I get back" Danny said authoritatively to his little sister who nodded and disappeared through the woods. As soon as Jenny was gone a group of wolf beastmen came into the yard. The Wolf King was amongst them.

"Father! Artemis is back" Kasper said to the Wolf King. "Great. great. I am happy to hear that. Aren't you happy Eagle King" The Wolf King said, looking down to his feet. The wolf guards moved aside and revealed the Eagle King James cowering and kneeling at the Wolf king's feet. "Princess. We have bothered you again. I Hope you can forgive us this last time." James pleaded yelling outside of the cottage he was on his knees bowing over and over. " My Niece turned your Eagle Kingdom down already. But you keep pestering her and trying to force a mark on her" Kasper growled at Eagle King James. "I thought for sure that Bowen would keep his word and mate with the Princess. I told him he needed to do so quickly before the others became restless and look what happened" King James said coughing. "So this is how you rule over your Kingdom?" The Wolf King asked him. "My Wolf Kingdom's Princess does not need you to decide for her. I can do that. As a matter of fact, who was the Wolf beastman who saved my Princess?" The Wolf King said out loud. Apollo pulled a frightened Danny to the front. "Grandfather it was Daniel from up the road" Apollo said as he and Danny kneeled in front of the Wolf King. "Daniel, my boy. Do you wish to become mates with the Wolf Princess" Wolf King asked him bluntly. "Forgive me for being straight. I am in love with the Princess. I only wish for her to accept me on her own terms so that she could be happy on her own terms. Not forced into a relationship with someone she doesn't know" Danny announced "Very well said. I will heavily reward you for your bravery today" The Wolf King told Danny.

"As for you and your people. If they ever act so stupid again in my Wolf Kindgom I will skewer you all and feed you to the mermaids!" The Wolf King yelled at the Eagle King. "My King, since you spared me from death today, I do not wish to come back and ask for more. You have my word we will not lay a hand on the Princess from here on out" the Eagle King James pleaded. King Maximus backhanded the Eagle King and sent him back to his Kingdom. "Filthy" The king said, wiping his hand on his fur skirt. "Is what you said true Daniel? Will you not force the Princess? Give her time to adjust and get comfortable?" King Maximus asked Danny. "I want her to accept me and not rip off my head" Danny replied, rather bluntly. The Wolf King laughed loudly and started to walk towards the little cottage. "Ah'Shuu how is my little Xhi'er doing" King Maximus asked a little quieter standing at the door. "My King" Grandma Shuu said standing in the doorway. "The Princess is too tired and decided to rest for the day" Grandma Shuu told him. The King Nodded and then walked away. "First he dared take away my daughter. Now he dares to take my Xhi'er. What type of fool does that Eagle King take me for? And on top of that Ferals are roaming freely through my Kingdom!" King Maximus spewed as he left the little cottage.

"Go home and check on your sister. Make sure your mother isn't losing it too" Apollo told Danny who nodded and then walked away. "Boy. Every few weeks we have to go chasing Artemis. But everytime she gets stronger and stronger. She doesn't need our help, just our protection" Kasper said to Apollo "Yes, and this time the Eagle and the Wolf boys really showed their potential to Artemis. They don't need our help anymore either" Apollo said to Kasper who nodded in response. Inside Grandma Shuu was tucking in Artemis who was obviously shocked after what she had just been through. "Papa was here?" Artemis asked. "Yes honey. He wanted to see how his 'Xhi'er' was doing. And he was very furious with the Eagle Beastmen this time." Grandma Shuu said to her "I was too" Artemis said looking down at her hands. "Sometimes dear. We have to protect ourselves in that manner. It was a matter of life or death for you and your instincts kicked in and saved you. You should never doubt your gut and always follow it" Grandma Shuu said, holding Artemis' hands to stop her from looking at them. Artemis nodded and closed her eyes. She felt much better and more calm as she started to drift off to sleep. Grandma Shuu kissed Artemis' forehead and left her alone in the little cottage to sleep.

Outside she sat down and sighed. "My poor Artemis," Grandma Shuu said. "Nana is Artemis Ok?" Apollo asked. "Yes. She's just shocked, that's all. She'll be ok after she sleeps" Grandma Shuu said "I hope so. I hate to see her all worked up like this" Kasper said, sitting down next to Grandma Shuu. "That little Jenny is a little troublemaker isn't she. She's too careless with a Princess" Kasper said after thinking on it for a moment "I do think she is a little too careless. It's her mother that worries me more. She spends too much time trying to match them two to us" Apollo said. "Have you ever even had interest in Jenny?" Kasper asked him. Apollo shook his head dreadfully. "Well then that's too bad" Grandma Shuu said, shaking her head. "My main focus right now is Artemis. Once I get her settled then I can relax and settle down myself" Apollo said. "We were thinking the same thing" Kasper said. "Well then hurry up and get her settled" Grandma Shuu said, standing up and walking into the little cottage. Kasper and Apollo were left staring at each other contemplating their next move. "We can show Artemis how we find our gold. After that, Its up to that Eagle and Wolf Beastmen the take it from here" Kasper said. "Otherwise she'll move out to live on her own and never mate ever" Apollo said before he shivered. "I don't think that will happen" Kasper said, shaking his head "Do you think she will be able to handle it if we pick up the pace on things?" Apollo asked. "Artemis could be adaptable at times. We just have to be clever and careful" Kasper said.

By the time Danny had made it back home Jenny was still crying at her mother's feet. "Jenny dear, you're just not fit to be a Princess' friend. It's a shame. If I had known there would be a Princess in your generation I would have raised you with much more etiquette and grace instead of letting you run free with your brother" Jenny's mother said to her. Danny rushed to his room, packed his things and then left jumping out of his window so that he didn't have to see his mother and his sister's faces. 'I can't live with them anymore. Especially if I want any chance at becoming mates with Princess Artemis,' Danny thought to himself. Danny hated the thought of not living up the road from the little cottage anymore but he also remembered that Artemis will soon have a home of her own. He could live close to there until she finally moves in. He searched for the perfect spot to set up. Danny ended up finding a small lake and decided to put together a small hut to sleep in. Danny set his stuff down and went off to find tree branches and vines to make rope. He also set up a fish trap in the lake to catch his dinner while he worked in his hut.

Bowen always stuck close by lurking around Artemis. She has started to notice it herself too. He was currently perched in a tree watching as the spectators finally left from in front of the house. Bowen had heard everything that was said at Grandma Shuu's little cottage, even the conversation where Kasper mentioned teaching her how to dig for gold and gems. When Bowen had dug through the mountain for Artemis he had already found a whole little sachet full of gold and gems. He was only waiting for the right opportunity to give it to her hoping she'd accept it. After the spectators were all gone Kasper and Apollo went inside and then came back out with blankets. They must be settling down. Bowens job for the day was done. He flew over to his tree house and shifted into a human. "Uncle James is lucky I didn't catch him or else I'd just feed him to the mermaid's, that vile creature!" Bowen said to himself as he got comfortable in his nest.