Artemis POV
As the party raged on and my friends were playing beach volleyball, I went for a quick swim to cool off. We had been playing for a while now and I was covered in sweat. The ocean is my happy place, I lose myself in it. When I swim, I lose my sense of time and place, and that’s exactly what happened. Next thing I know Ethan is shouting for me to come back.
“Have you grown fins yet? Get out of there!” Yells Kane.
“No dad jokes please,” I retort.
As I made my way back to shore, I notice our group had doubled in number, and I began to wonder who else had come down to the party.
Then the most amazing scent invaded my senses. It smelled like pinewood and cinnamon, with an undertone of sandalwood, my mouth completely watered, but as I get closer to the shore one of my favorite scents in the world hits me, my brother’s. Tones of bergamot, ginger, and cedarwood, my brother has always represented home, warmth love, care, and safety to me. And he was here, with the 2 biggest pains in my ass, his two best friends: his beta Logan, and his gamma Aaron. Fucking great! But what truly caught my attention were the other 3 people with them, especially the guy with the yummy scent.
“We know who he is…remember?” Says Selena through our mind link.
“Jaxon Cross!”
“Uh-huh,” she mocks.
“Holy cow I never thought we would ever get to see him again.”
“I never doubted it,” she snickers.
Jaxon Cross, where to begin? Oh yeah, 6’5, 215 pounds of pure lean muscle, tanned olive skin, dark brown hair, perfect thick dark brows, and the most beautiful dark green, hazel eyes, I’m telling you cats would be jealous of those eyes. His face was sculpted by the gods, I swear. Modelesque cheekbones, lusciously red plump lips. Jaxon and his broad shoulders, tiny waist, and amazing ass were every woman’s dream come true. And he was here on the island, at my party, with my brother and his friends. But wait, why do they look so friendly, and comfortable?
Oh god please don’t tell me they’re friends. Now I’m royally fucked, and been spotted by my brother, this day just keeps on getting better and better. Hey, screw it, here we go, time to get out of the water.
Aaaand, he looks furious?
What did I do now?
“Luna!” he courtly greeted.
“Alpha Valencia,” I nod.
After our 30 second stare off we broke down in laughter.
“Hello big brother!” I scream while running into my brother’s arms.
He twirls me around while in a bear hug and replies, “hi baby girl.”
“I missed you so much. When did you get here? Why didn’t anyone tell me you were coming?”
“Hey, hey, hey! One question at a time, I missed you too, and don’t go biting anyone’s head off. I wanted to surprise you.”
“Yea, and we needed a vacation. Your brother here is running a sweatshop with us,” exclaimed Logan. “We couldn’t pass on the opportunity. 2 birds, one stone.”
“I missed you too Logan,” I said while flipping him the bird and making my way over to Aaron.
“Come here baby girl,” says Aaron opening his arms for a hug. “Happy birthday your majesty,” he says as he gives me one of his iconic forehead kisses.
My brother stretched out his hand to me and said, “let me introduce you to some really close friends of ours.
I couldn’t help but sneak a peek at Jaxon as I made my way to my brother.
“Baby girl meet one of my best friends Jaxon Cross, alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack, and his beta Gabriel, and his gamma Leonardo. Gentlemen meet the price jewel of the underworld, and the queen of the werewolves, my sister Artemis, or as the elders like to call her the ultimate Luna.”
“Wait hold on… YOUR sister is the Luna of all Lunas?” asked Gabriel.
“That’s one hell of an introduction,” I say rolling my eyes. “Nice to meet you,” I say while shaking hands with Leonardo.
“Yes, that would be me,” I say while rolling my eyes, and shaking hands with Gabriel.
“Alpha Cross,” I say while reaching my hand out to greet Jaxon.
“Luna!” He exclaims while reaching for my hand and bowing.
The moment our hands made contact I saw stars, I forgot how to breathe, the butterflies in my stomach were going haywire. Every single cell in my body was on high alert. The electric current shooting up my arm was seriously freaking me out. I felt like my heart was going to pop out of my chest.
“P-please call me Artemis or Art,” I say stuttering.
And he gives me a beautiful smile. Gods I think my heart just stopped.
“Drinks anyone?’ I call out.
“That sounds great,” says Gabriel as we made our way back to the lounge beds.
“I get them!” Shouts Liam.
“You’re the best!” I called back.
I sit down next to my brother, and his pain in the ass best friend just had to…”
Hey baby girl, can you cover yourself up?” asked Logan.
Scowling I got up from my seat to go grab my cover up when I noticed Jaxon in a shitty, broody mood and scowling at his friends. So, I just turned around smiled to myself, and popped on my cover up leaving it open in the front and going back to my seat.
“So, I invited Jax and the guys to come earlier 1, so we could be here to celebrate your birthday with you, and 2 and most importantly, so you get to meet one of your suitors. Of course, giving my friend the upper hand,” said Aidan.
Earth, please open and swallow me whole, my face is on fire.
“So, you’re here for the courting induction ceremony?” I asked while tilting my head.
“Yeah, I’m here in representation of my pack, as a single mate-less alpha.”
“Cool,” I say while blushing.
Cool? Did I just say cool? What is wrong with me? When did I become the bashful maiden?
I don’t know what happened next, but Jax, Gabe, and Leo all exchanged a strange look, that I could not figure out for the life of me. And now Jaxon was smirking at me … what the hell?
So, I excused myself and walked over to the buffet table to grab some fruit. Next thing I know I was engulfed in pinewood and cinnamon, and I swear my knees were ready to give out. I was close to hyperventilating. How embarrassing!
“Sorry about that, big brothers can be annoying, or at least that’s what my sister says,” said Jaxon over my shoulder as he reached around me for a plate.
He was standing right behind me, breathing near my ear. He took a deep breath and hummed in contentment.
“It's ok, I’m kind of used to those three,” I said a little flustered.
After grabbing a plate, Jaxon came around over to my right side asking, “why do I feel like I know you? Where and when did we meet before?”
Well shit! That would be because we’ve already met. But how can I explain to you that we went on 3 dates, and I had your memories erased?
Fuckkkkk!
Artemis POV 6 months ago – Flashback – It was the weekend of the grand opening of our latest design project in Bal Harbor, Miami and I had flown in on Wednesday to make sure everything was going according to the plan and to give the décor my final touches. Ale and I have been working on this project for the past year and a half and we are extremely proud of the outcome. As I drive in on my white Ferrari 488 Spider to the front of the Oceana apartment complex the most wonderful scent hits me like walking in on a brick wall, and I feel my knees go weak. I start turning in my seat looking for the source and my eyes land on the most beautiful man I have ever seen. Holy fuck I start sweating and heat takes over my body, I’m squirming in my seat trying to control the burning sensation I’m feeling in my core. My instincts want to have me go run to him and jump his bones, plus the fact that he is staring right at me does not help my case. “Selena, why do I feel like this? What’s happening
ARTEMIS POV “Sooo?” Ale dragged. “We have a date tonight,” I said smiling. “I’m so happy for you, just remember this is all for fun, we don’t know what the future you’re your lovely aunty fate holds for you.” And as I contemplated what she said I realized how right she was, but what the heck. A girl deserves to have some fun. And so, I nodded to Ale and went into my room to get ready for my date. EEEKKK! I took about an hour and a half to get ready and as I stood in front of the mirror I realized; damn I look good. My hair is pulled back into a fluffy high ponytail to give my face full exposure and let’s be real here a good ponytail is literally a facelift, not that I need one, but a girl can’t complain. I kept my makeup simple just to enhance my features and topped it off with my favorite red Armani lipstick. I decided to wear a white halter-midi dress with simple Cinderella clear Amina Muaddi’s, and a white baby Hermes Kelly. I think I hit my mark, I look chic and sophisticated.
JAXON’S POV While I was busy finalizing all the due diligence to have everything ready for my absence this coming weekend, I received a call from my best friend Aidan, the alpha of the Blue Moon pack, inviting me to celebrate his sister’s birthday in Isle Radha. Ok, for starters I’ve always been under the impression that Aidan was an only child. Then, isn’t Isle Radha the location of the coming courting induction ceremony? I agreed to meet with him and head to the island first thing Friday morning apparently the celebration would take place prior to the evening’s events so I don’t see a problem with heading there a few hours earlier. I called my best friends Gabriel my beta, and Leonardo my gamma to my office to update them on the change in plans. “So, we are heading out first thing tomorrow morning, apparently is Aidan’s sister’s birthday, and he is has asked us to join.” “Uh? He’s not an only child?” they asked in unison. “Apparently not!” They were cool with it of course; we ar
ARTEMIS POV (The Gifts) The rest of the afternoon was spent talking, joking, and laughing. Around 5pm Eli came down to the beach looking for me, “mi niña it’s time to go, you need to start getting ready.” Ugh, I turned to everyone and said, “Thank you guys for an awesome time, I love you all. Alpha Cross…” “Please call me Jaxon or Jax.” I nodded, “Jax, Gabe, and Leo, thank you for coming, it has been so much fun. I’ll see everyone tonight at the welcome ceremony.” Everyone started to pack up to head back to their perspective rooms to get ready for tonight. I had this urge to turn around and get another glimpse of him, I guess we both had a similar urge because I could send his eyes on me, and he had been doing that a lot today. Our eyes locked, and I could feel all the intensity, fire, and lust running through them. I was entrapped, captivated, lost in his gorgeous green eyes. ‘Art, do you think he remembers you?’ asked Selena. ‘He seems to have an inkling but no I don’t think h
Artemis POV “How’s my princess?” “Princess? Dad I’m not some prissy girl.” Hahaha. Shaking his head he says, “you’re right. You’re not that, but you are the future queen of the underworld, and the princess of all Lycans and werewolves. Tonight, you officially become their queen. The queen of the supernatural world.” “A queen looking for and in need of a king … great!” I interrupted while rolling my eyes. “Sweetheart,” he signs. “You don’t need a man to protect you, but you do need a partner to help you maintain the balance between both worlds.” Opening his arms wide he says, “come here baby.” Here is the thing about my dad, he is an exact just older replica of my brother; 6’3, broad built, in great shape, salt and pepper hair, all in all my dad is a very good-looking guy. Please don’t tell him I said that I would never hear the end of it. At his 65 years of age, my dad doesn’t look a day over 40, I swear. That’s why women break their necks whenever he walks by. To me my dad is a
ARTEMIS POV ‘It’s time,’ Selena says. ‘We have to go; you need to get outside quick before the process starts.’ Taking one last look in the mirror I prepared myself for what’s to come, and although many would say that I’m ready, nothing could every properly prepare me for this moment. As we stepped back into the hall, all I heard was one unison gasp, and then the rumors broke out. I could sense their curiosity and smell their fear. But I know what I must do, with a flick on my wrist, the sliding doors open leading out towards the beach, indicating my way. But, right before my feet touched the sand, an overwhelming feeling of hesitation overtakes me. Suddenly I felt my brother reach for my hand, only to hiss and retrieve his hand that had been burned. “I’m sorry,” was all I could say. Shaking his head he says, “it doesn't matter, we are here with you every step of the way.” Releasing a breath, I didn’t even know I was holding, I looked over to my right and saw my dad there with a
JAXON I don’t know what happened by Art brought about memories from the opening of my last investment project in Bal Harbour, A weekend that I’m still trying to remember. I remember the softness of her skin, and the fullness of her lips, but what I can’t remember is her name or her face. How is that possible? Sadly, we’ve had to refer to her as my mystery girl. After we got back from the beach, I took a shower and laid down to rest a bit. What I didn’t expect was the dream. It almost felt like a memory of us dancing, I could feel her body, I could hear her laughter clearly, but her face was blurred. I stand corrected this isn’t a dream, but a nightmare. Ever since I’ve been feeling off, and not in the mood to deal with tonight’s circus. But here we are as they announce Art’s arrival. I bow and as I look up, I remain speechless. She looks like an angel dressed in all white and gold. Angel? Why does that endearment sound so familiar? “I know most of you believed me to be a myth. B
ARTEMIS To wake up in my bed this morning still fully dressed completely threw me for a loop. Last I remembered I was before the court of Gods one minute and then I was falling. ‘He caught us,’ says Selena. ‘Who, Aidan?’ ‘No Jaxon!’ ‘I think that was a dream. You heard him yesterday; he is only here because he must represent his pack. That’s it!’ ‘I don’t know, I think there is more to it . . .’ ‘No there isn’t, let’s just drop it ok. We must start getting to know the other alphas.’ ‘Ok, but something tells me we are missing something.’ I wish . . . Ok it’s time to get up, I need to go for a run and train. I need to get him out of my head. Immediately! I quickly got ready and headed downstairs to grab a water bottle, While I was expecting to see Eli, I did not expect to see Jaxon. “Morning Eli,” shocked I drew to a halt. “Good morning, Art!” he replies. “Good morning, Alpha, I wasn’t expecting you so early.” “I just came to check on you and make sure you’re ok.” Gabriel