Chapter 18

Artemis and Jenny did a spectacular job cultivating the eight cubs over the past few weeks. They all are now a month old. All of their eyes are open except for the little Princess who was born with her human eyes already opened. They were trotting around on all four legs following each other everywhere. Artemis and Jenny had to make the cubs mini cloaks and mittens so that they could run outside and play during the last few weeks of winter. They were getting good at running around and messing up the houses. Artemis and Jenny couldn't wait for the warm weather to come so that the cubs could run and play outside. Thankfully every couple of days the King would come by and roll around with all eight cubs. He enjoyed being around them and playing with them. He was so excited he had put all of his efforts into throwing a royal naming ceremony for the new additions to the royal family. He sent out the strongest hunting party to collect lots of food for the ceremony. He hired the best clothes maker to put together a nice wardrobe for Artemis and Apollo's family's. Invitations were sent out all across the entire kingdom inviting everyone to Wolf City to celebrate life. After the naming ceremony The King decided that he would host a mating ceremony to bring more people together again and strengthen the Wolf Kingdom. It was a perfect idea due to the fact that this was happening right around mating season when the weather changes. The snow has already started to melt but the weather is still cold and grizzly so winter will last for maybe a few more weeks. Today is the day before the naming ceremony. Artemis, Apollo, Kasper and their mates were sitting down together in the family room having a family meeting. They talked about what repairs needed to be made once the snow is completely gone, there was also discussion about building a pond. They discussed the foods they could dig up and the ones they could start planting. They talked about what new foods to feed the cubs since they stopped breastfeeding but were still too small to go out and hunt on their own.

In the middle of their discussion footsteps could be heard outside rushing up to Artemis' cave. It was so loud it put everyone on alert. Danny, Kasper and Apollo stood up and left the family room to go see who was coming with such urgency. Danny peeked before opening the door and saw a Wolf Beastman so maybe there is no threat or urgency. "I have come to deliver a message to Princess Artemis from the King!" The Wolf Beastman said, breathlessly kneeling in front of the doors. Danny opened the door and looked out at a handful of men standing outside. "What is this?" Kasper demanded stepping forward. "My Prince we are sent by the Wolf King to escort you all to the castle for your safety. The Tiger Queen is creeping up onto our borders!" the Wolf beastman announced. "That wicked whore" Kasper spat. The men went inside to inform the women. "This woman is going to make me do some unspeakable things. Let's hurry and get our cubs to the castle!" Artemis said, standing up. Everybody quickly gathered their cubs and a few extra clothes and blankets then they all climbed into Artemis' carriage. "Those Bison's will not be quick enough. Four of us can shapeshift and we will get you there much faster" a Wolf Beastman suggested. Kasper nodded his head and then closed the huge furs covering the windows of the carriage. After the bison's were put back into their barn the four Wolf Beastmen shapeshifted and then strapped on the harnesses. The Wolf Beastman didn't lie either. Within no time they were at the back entrance to the castle being greeted by more Wolf Beastmen with an older man standing in front ready to welcome them. "My Princess, Prince Kasper. All of your chambers have been prepared. Please come inside and get comfortable" the elderly man said, bowing his head. The men got out first so that they could help the females get the cubs out of the carriage and once inside they took off their cloaks and mittens and let them roam freely inside the castle. "I assure you Princess Artemis. The little ones are very safe as long as they stay inside. We are bringing in a few nanny's to help you look after them" said the elderly man. "Thank you but where is my grandfather?" Artemis asked. "I am here" The King said, coming into the huge hall. "Father!" Kasper said, kneeling in front of the King. Once he did everyone knelt with him and bowed their heads. "I am glad you all decided to come here for safety. I don't want any more tragedies so I want you all close." The King said, putting his hand on Kasper's shoulder. "You are here because the Tiger Queen has been spotted making her way back to the Wolf Kingdom. She has brought her Tiger Army with her as well as a Snake Beastmen Army" The King told them. "Where did she find the Snake army?" Apollo asked confusedly, "I may be wrong, but if she becomes mates with the King then she controls the Snake King and his army" Kasper said. "She is really annoying papa. This story of taking revenge for her brother is getting old too" Artemis said, stepping forward. "I know. She threatened you last time. If she thinks she is coming back to follow through she has another thing coming. Especially if she goes head to head with you Xhi'er" The King said to Artemis. "She is no match for Princess Artemis! Even in human form the Tiger Queen could never get the upper hand on her" Danny announced "Good. Kill her!" The King said, holding his fists up. Jenny and Little Wen excused themselves to follow the cubs and get more acquainted with the castle. The Old man led the group to a huge wooden table with huge chairs. Everyone sat down while they waited for refreshments and talked.

"I also have a surprise for the Tiger Queen. I have enlisted in the help of the Ape Kingdom. The First Prince of the Ape Kingdom has found interest in building an alliance with the Wolf Kingdom and has gone to discuss this with his father. They should return any day now with good news or bad news. Hopefully it's good news followed by an army!" The King shared. "They must have been scouting us the first time the Tiger Queen came to our Kingdom," Kasper said, scratching his head. "They were. And they personally came to me to discuss an alliance with me. That is how I came up with the idea of having a mating ceremony after the naming ceremony." The King said. "Artemis nodded her head and she went over the facts again. "I'm still stuck on the fact that the Tiger Queen may have a Snake King mate?" Apollo said out loud. "That is a good question but it still means something bad" The King responded. "That also means that she has two mates. The First Prince of the Wolf Kingdom and now the Snake King. This is a pattern with a bad Omen." Artemis said. "We should start looking to form new alliances with other Beast Kingdoms as well" Kasper suggested. "One day you'll make a great King, my youngest Prince. I have started to do that. I sent Yozar off a few nights ago to recruit whoever he sees fit to help us win." The King said, admiring Kasper.

(Meanwhile in the Bear Kingdom)

"I am but a mere human. A wizard maybe. But even I get tired of traveling by foot!" Yozar complained. Yozar had been traveling yet again, this time to find allies for the Wolf Kingdom. There is one more Kingdom that is as strong as Ape Kingdom and just as secluded which is the Bear Kingdom. The Bear Beastmen are very strong and very crafty and their cave houses are extravagant. They hunt all throughout the warm weather to save for winter. Right now all of them should be inside enjoying the peace and warmth they have created. Yozar went straight to the biggest cave which indicated the Bear King's Castle. "My King! I am Yozar, witch doctor of the Wolf Kingdom. I have come with an urgent message from the Wolf King!" Yozar yelled out loud standing outside of the cave. The ground shook as the Bear King made his way to the cave entrance. "Yozar? I haven't seen you in over twenty years!" A female voice said on the other side of the cave door. The door slowly opened and Yozar was greeted by a tiny woman sitting on top of a huge Bear Beastman. "Tiny Tena" Yozar said, giving her a respectful bow. "How have you been?" Tiny Tena asked Yozar, smiling. "I picked one of the most worrisome Kingdoms to watch over. Thankfully I can manage" Yozar said leaning on his walking stick.

"Come inside. My King awaits" Tiny Tena said, nodding her head and gesturing for him to come in. Yozar bowed again and then stepped inside, dropping his bag and stick at the door. "How urgent is the news from the Wolf King may I ask?" Tiny Tena asked Yozar as they entered the nice dining room with the actual Bear King sitting at the table. "My King," Yozar said, kneeling right there. "Rise Witch Doctor Yozar. What can I do for you and the Wolf King on this cold Grizzly day?" The Bear King asked, smirking. The Bear King was as old as the Wolf King and sported short dark brown hair. His eyes were huge and dark brown as well. The Bear King's bear ears were popping out and his hands were bear paws instead of human hands. "The Wolf Kingdom is on the verge of being attacked by the Tiger Kingdom any day now, My King. The Tiger Queen is bent on killing the Wolf Princess" Yozar told them. "I won't Involve my Kingdom into any petty wars Yozar. It sounds like two females competing for a title." The Bear King said, scratching his head. "Why does the Tiger Queen want to murder a Wolf Princess. She's already Queen?" Tiny Tena asked. "Exactly. It's the pettiness of the Tiger Queen that has brought war upon the Wolf Kingdom." Yozar said. "A female Wolf from our Kingdom went and became mates with the previous Tiger King. She came back to fetch her female cub but the cub had already mated with the Wolf King's grandson Prince Apollo. The Female Wolf and the Tiger King still attempted to abduct her and marry her off to one of the Tiger Prince's. But Apollo's twin sister Artemis came in with her mate and gave them a warning to leave the Prince's mate alone. The female was too bold and had her King order an attack on the Wolf City which resulted in the twins grandmother and the King's mate being murdered. Artemis cut the Tiger King's head off and beat the Wolf female into a pulp with her own hands." Yozar said to them. "Well that sounds reasonable to me. What does the Tiger Queen think she has to do with it?" The Bear King asked. "Again exactly. Although she was the Tiger King's sister she became the Tiger Queen and mated with the Wolf King's First Prince and they came back to the Wolf Kingdom to face Princess Artemis unsuccessfully because the Princess is more powerful and the Tiger Queen was wise enough to back off but now she has come back. With an Army of Snake Beastman as well" Yozar said disdainfully. "This is real ugly Yozar!" Tiny Tena warned him. "Yes it is indeed. But we have already partnered with the Ape Kingdom and the Lion Kingdom. We won't completely be alone in this war. The Tiger Queen is no true Queen and she abuses her power and authority to attack the Wolf Kingdom again and again" Yozar said to the Bear King and Tiny Tena. "Luckily for the Wolf Kingdom we already have an alliance. I would defend your Kingdom regardless of the situation. All you have to do is ask." The Bear King said. "What do you mean there is already an alliance?" Yozar asked, confused. "Your Kingdom's second Prince, Prince Adam has come into my Kingdom and mated with my Bear Kingdom's First Princess and is second in charge of my Bear Army" the Bear King announced. Yozar nodded his head understanding. "The boy has turned himself around I hope. As much as he hates his father. I'm sure he hates his first brother more" Yozar commented.

"Don't worry, witch doctor. The Bear Kingdom will lend a hand" the Bear King announced. Yozar bowed and let out a sigh of relief. He has successfully completed his mission for the Wolf King. Now he has to make his way back to the Wolk Kingdom before the Tiger Queen does. Yozar picked his walking stick up and grabbed his bag at the cave entrance and began walking all over again. "Please stop! Please let us go! This is wrong!" Yozar heard female voices yell. "Someone's in trouble?" Yozar said, listening. Tiny Tena emerged from the cave to listen as well. "What is going on in our Bear Kingdom?" She asked, looking around. "Shut up you whore's. You have no home any more. There is only fire and blood!" A husky male voice roared. This outburst brought most of the Bear Beastmen out of their caves in Bear form. They started poking their heads out looking around and appearing from behind trees looking around. Suddenly three females ran into the Bear Kingdom with their hands tied in front of them. Their clothes were ripped and they had bloody marks on them from being whipped. "Help us! Help me please!" The females yelled out. This time the King ran out in Bear form as well. "My King. A few females seem to be in some trouble" Tiny Tena informed him. The King walked out further to get a better look and sure enough a Tiger Beastman was chasing three female's through the trees.