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Time dragged on, but Ares never stopped rubbing my hair. The vehicle finally stopped

and I sat up stretching my arms above my head. Ares frowned. “You didn’t sleep?”

I shook my head. “No, but it was relaxing.”

He smiled at me and it was so gorgeous that my heart skipped a beat. Koda cleared his

throat pulling me out of my trance. “I’m hungry.”

Ares sighed. “You’re always hungry.”

I looked out the window and gasped, “My town!”

Ares smiled. “We need to rest for a day and I thought you might like to get some of your

other things from your house.”

I climbed out of the SUV and looked around the deserted streets. The only lights were

coming from the pub and I could hear everyone talking loudly from inside. I turned to Ares and hugged him. “Thank you.”

He kissed my cheek softly. “I’ll have to remember to do things like this more often.”

I looked at his naked chest and frowned. “Maybe you should find a shirt first?”

Ares frowned. “Are you embarrassed by my body?”

I laughed. “Definitely not! I just don’t want to have to beat all of the girls off of you when we go inside.”

He smiled. “Aw, you’re jealous.”

I snarled. “Don’t patronize me.”

Koda tossed Ares a shirt from inside the car and Ares quickly put it on. I started walking towards the pub before Ares could tease me anymore. I turned around before opening the door to make sure that Matt, Koda and Ares were fully clothed then walked into the pub. Everyone

ignored me as they watched the news of another attack. I walked to an open booth and waved at the waitress Darcy. She smiled at me and nodded her head. I waited until all of the guys sat down then sat on the edge seat beside Ares. He smiled at me and continued whispering to the others.

The news story ended and Jason, Skankzilla’s dad, turned off the television.

Darcy hurried over and smiled at me. “Hey Darlin’! I was worried about you and your

dad when you both disappeared.”

I smiled. “Oh we just went camping. You know how Darren loves camping.”

She laughed. “So what do ya’ll want?” I rolled my eyes and Darcy laughed. “The usual?”

I nodded my head. Ares nudged me and I sighed. “Darcy this is Ares, my boyfriend.”

Darcy looked him over with lust in her eyes. “You do know how to pick them. Well what

do the rest of you want?”

I looked around the pub as the others ordered and caught Skankzilla glaring at me and

storming towards me. I tensed and felt my lip pull up in a snarl. I quickly pulled my lip back down and smiled at her. She put her hands on her hips and glared at me. “Where’s Bret?!”

I batted my eyelashes. “Why would I know that, Skankzilla?”

She growled at me and it sounded so pathetic that I almost laughed. “Listen you hooker

trash. I’ve taken your crap because of Bret, but if you’ve done anything to him…”

I stood up an inch away from her face. “You’ll do what?”

She stuttered and took a step back. “I…I…” Ares cleared his throat and Skankzilla

looked around me to him. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw him. “Oh, hi.”

He smiled. “Bret moved. He said to tell you he’s sorry he didn’t say goodbye.”

She stepped around me and flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Oh, well I’m Trish.”

Ares winked. “I’m Ares, Artemis’ boyfriend.”

Skankzilla’s eyes widened in shock and disbelief. “You’re dating
her
?!” Ares nodded his head and she asked, “What did she have to do to date you?”

I reached back to punch her when Billy grabbed my arm. “Calm down Artemis. She’s not

worth it. You know she’s just mad that Bret left without saying bye to her.”

Ares glared at Billy’s hand on me, but stayed perfectly still in his seat. I pulled my arm away from Billy’s hand gently. “You’re right Billy.”

Skankzilla turned to talk to Koda, but he waved his hand dismissively at her. “Beat it,

Skank.”

Billy looked at the four men sitting at the table with me and frowned. “Who’re they?”

I smiled. “Billy this is Ares, Koda, Matt and Victor.”

Billy nodded his head at them. “So, are you staying or you on your way out?”

Ares was still glaring at Billy angrily and I remembered that Billy had tried to shoot them while they were wolves. I shook my head. “Just stopping at my house for some things and

staying the night. We’ll be leaving tomorrow morning.”

Billy smiled at me. “So, you’ll be here tonight? You could come over…”

Ares shook his head. “She’s taken, boy.”

I glared at Ares. “Ares, I can handle this.”

He folded his arms across his chest and continued to glare at Billy. Billy frowned.

“What’s he talking about?”

I sighed. “Ares is my…I’m dating Ares.”

Billy looked Ares up and down. “How long?”

I frowned. “What?”

Billy looked at me. “How long have you been with him?”

“Not long.”

Billy shook his head. “Artemis he’s…” He pulled my arm gently turning me away from

the table. I heard Ares grow softly, but it was too low for Billy to hear. “Artemis I don’t like this guy.”

I smiled and patted his back. “Good thing it’s not up to you then. It was nice seeing you Billy, but my food’s here.”

I turned to sit down and Billy grabbed my arm hard, pulling me back toward him.

“What’s does he have that I don’t?”

I stared down at his painful grip on my arm and opened my mouth when Ares spoke

slowly beside me. “Manners for one. Release your hold on her before I lose my temper.”

Billy smiled smugly. “And why should I worry if you lose your temper, huh freak?”

Ares smiled and the promise of pain was plain on his face. “Try me.”

Billy started to tighten his grip and I punched him in the face with my other hand. He let me go and stumbled backwards falling against the bar. Ares pulled me back against him. I glared at Billy. “You were always so jealous. I thought it was just of Bret, but you’re just too insecure.”

Billy glared at me. “You’ve always just been Bret’s pet freak!”

Ares moved across the aisle faster than I could see and picked Billy up by his throat

holding him up with one hand. “I would prefer it if you refrained from insulting my girlfriend.

As you can see I lose my control when that happens.’

Ares dropped Billy to the ground and Billy gasped for breath. J.D. started to move

towards us, but Jess grabbed his arm and shook her head. I smiled at Jess and she smiled back.

She pointed at Ares then put two thumbs up nodding her head smiling. I smiled back at her and pulled on Ares’ arm. “Come on, let’s eat before it gets cold. He’s just a loser like Bret.”

Ares looked at my arm where a small red mark still sat from Billy gripping me. He kissed

it softly. “Do you see what I’ve told you? I’m fast, but not fast enough at times.”

I kissed his cheek. “It’s alright.”

He sat down and I could see the judgmental eyes of the others in the pub glaring at me. I sat down and we ate in silence. The noise started up again in the pub, but I could hear every painful comment from everyone talking about me. I finished my burger and chocolate shake and walked out of the pub.

Jess walked out behind me and smiled. “Hey.”

I smiled at her. “Hey. Sorry about that.”

She shrugged. “Why are you apologizing to me? That’s the most excitement we’ve had in

a long time! And your boyfriend is sexy! Man! I couldn’t believe how he held Billy up with one hand.” She said in awe.

I giggled nervously. “Yeah, he gets real angry when people hurt me.”

She sighed. “I’m sorry about how we treated you before Artemis. You don’t have to

leave you know?”

I shrugged. “No worries.”

Ares walked out of the pub and wrapped his arms around my waist. The feel of him

holding me released all of the tension in my body. Ares asked, “So, have you told her your good news?”

I frowned. “Um…no.”

Ares started pouting. “Well that’s one way to hurt my feelings.”

Jess gasped, “Are you pregnant?”

I yelled, “Hell no!”

Ares frowned. “What she meant to say is that we’re engaged.”

Jess looked at my hands. “I don’t see a ring.”

Ares sighed. “I told you to let me get you a ring.”

“No you…”

He pinched my stomach and smiled. “She was very worried about Darren finding out.

But we’re eloping.”

Jess frowned. “Eloping? I thought you said you haven’t been with him for very long?”

Ares laughed. “We’ve known each other a while, but we’ve only be dating a little while.

We’re family friends.”

Jess smiled. “Oh. That’s cool. Well I hope you have fun. Maybe we’ll see each other

again soon?”

I shrugged. “Maybe.”

I walked away from her and Ares followed me silently. Koda, Matt and Victor caught up

with us when we were at the feed store. I stopped and turned around to glare at Ares. “What the hell was that?!”

He frowned. “What?”

I yelled in frustration, “Eloping?! What is it with you and making sure everyone knows

I’m yours?! Can’t you just let me deal with them?! I mean its bad enough that I’m stuck with you…” I gasped. “Ares, I…I didn’t mean that.”

He shook his head. “Yes you did. I’m sorry. That boy just set me off.”

“We better get to the house. I’ve got a lot of hunting to do.” I said, happy for the subject change.

Koda asked, “Hunting?”

I smiled. “Come on.” Ares walked back with Matt and Koda talking quietly to them.

Victor walked beside me and whispered, “You shouldn’t be so hard on him. He’s trying.”

I scoffed. “So am I Victor. This isn’t easy.”

Victor nodded his head. “Think how hard it is for him.”

I frowned. “What do you mean?”

He sighed and rubbed his temples. “Ares is the second fiercest warrior of all of the

werewolves in the
world
. He doesn’t bow to anyone except the King and now he’s got you to deal with. You’re pigheaded, strong willed and he’s been bending over backwards to try to make this easy on you when it’s tearing him up inside.”

I stopped and stared at Victor. “How?”

Victor sighed again. “Being tied or having a match requires almost constant touching in

the first few months and most often requires you to seal the bond. You’re young and

inexperienced so Ares isn’t pushing you, but you keep pushing him away and refusing to touch him and we all know you would refuse to seal the bond. It’s eating at his control. If we aren’t careful he could snap.”

I frowned. “So, I’m causing him pain?”

Victor nodded his head. “More pain than you could imagine.”

Ares frowned when he saw us standing still. I whispered, “What do we have to do to seal

it?”

Victor smiled. “I’m sure you can figure that out.”

I groaned. “No! No way Victor!”

He shrugged. “Would it be so bad?”

I watched Ares walking gracefully towards us and felt my lower body tighten. Ares

stopped walking and stared at me in shock. I groaned and covered my eyes with my hands. “No, anything, but that. Not yet. Can’t we just cut each others palms and press them together or something?”

Victor laughed quietly. “This is why he is giving you space, but just think about the pain you’re causing him. I’m not telling you to do it tonight, but it will need to be done soon. The sooner you seal your bond the safer you both will be.”

Ares frowned. “What are you two talking about?”

Victor smiled. “Nothing.”

I shook my head and jogged towards my house. Headlights raced down the street towards

me. I stopped jogging and the truck skid to a stop in front of me spraying gravel. Ares pulled me backwards and I sighed. “He wasn’t going to hit me.”

Billy climbed out of the truck with Jake and Jeff. Ares shook his head. “We need to go.”

I saw the seriousness on his face and wondered what was wrong. I looked at Jake and Jeff

and noticed they were holding bats. I asked, “What are the bats for boys?”

Jeff smiled. “In case things get out of hand.”

I smiled. “Do I really scare you that much, Jeff?”

He frowned. “What?”

Jake, one of Bret’s other good friends laughed and tossed his bat into the truck bed. I

smiled. “Thanks Jake.”

Jake winked at me. “You ever need a change of men, call me.”

I rolled my eyes. “You know you couldn’t handle me.”

He sighed. “Too true.”

Ares frowned. “Is there something I don’t know about?”

I shrugged. “Just that I’m too scary for the boys here to deal with.”

Ares snorted and stroked my cheek. “Scary? Not hardly. Sexy? Definitely.”

Billy asked, “Artemis what’s happened to you? This isn’t like you? Why are you with

these scumbags?”

I frowned. “Nothing’s happened to me. And they aren’t scumbags.”

Billy rolled his eyes. “They are obviously much older than us and I’m sure Ares is really after your
heart
.”

Ares snarled and I put my hand on his chest stopping him from moving forward.

Jeff smiled. “Silenced by the bitch? Wow, that’s a new low.”

I pointed at Jeff. “You! You sleazy jerk. You have no room to call me names. I’ve seen

the girls you go out with and the diseases you give them. And I didn’t silence him. He is just letting me fight my own battle. And whatever Ares is after is none of your…”

Jeff smiled. “So you’ve already given him what he wants. Interesting.”

I snarled and leapt towards him. He swung at me with the bat and as I put my hands up to

block it Ares moved forward grabbing the bat from Jeff’s hands. Jeff’s eyes bulged as Ares took the bat from him and tossed it into the truck. Ares pushed his finger into Jeff’s chest making him step backwards. “Just because she has better taste then to date you does not mean she’s given up anything, which, not that it’s your business, she hasn’t. If you ever try to lay a finger on her again, I’ll kill you.”

Billy pointed at Ares. “And he’s better than me how?”