36 Chapter 36: A Way To a Man's Heart is Through His Stom-Mother

[New York City:]

[Rachel's POV:]

I forgot how much I hated cities, so many futures smushed together in a heap of depression and divorces, demigods may have a 80% chance of dying young.. But at least they aint being ruined in marriage.. Makes you wonder how the fuck Hera hasn't lost it yet.

The air was stagnant and the roads were filled with litter. Seriously, was it that hard to throw shit away? People like this are the reason Gaea always wants to kill us all I swear!

"Ugh, I wish this prophecy thing came with a navigation system" I had gotten myself lost in New York. No one had told me where Percy had lived, just that it's here. Somewhere. I thought if his kids could find the place how hard could it really be?

"Hey watch where ya walking red!" I would if there wasn't a person in every frigging direction! I feel like a gone-off taco in this city. Percy better appreciate this..

I walked off ignoring the small rude woman hoping to find some semblance of the apartment. New York is, however, huge. Luckily my determination was bigger.

[Alaska:]

[Percy's POV:]

"Just relax, tell yourself you are in no danger, allow your body to rest and breathe" spoke Artemis in my ear, her voice was ever soothing. I took a deep breath and just emptied myself, letting the stress I had unknowingly accumulated wash through me. Fidi was safe, I was safe, Medusa, Arae, Reyna, Anna and Emily were safe.

The danger is gone.

Almost instantly I felt my body relax, tension gone, like a taut rope had been given slack, gradually the trees I once saw over began to tower me once more until even Artemis could see over my back again. Back to the height I originally was when Lupa found me that fateful day. I could shrink further and grow though I'd probably need to do some meditation or some crap to prevent myself from being stuck as a giant again.

"There you go, there's the still oversized wolf I came to lo-admire" It was good to be back. I grew just a little more so that Artemis could ride on my back again then we took off towards deeper forest roughly south? Of the no longer tight fit canyon cave.

"I missed this" she spoke in a sombre tone, I felt like I agreed, but the reason why was still blurred in memories. Just a vague image of dashing through the Autumn woods 3 or 4 comfortable weights hugging my back in shelter from the brisk air. No real destination, no purpose.. Just freedom. I remember the soft chuckles of a child older than Fidi and Emily, and another just about the same in age as them.. My daughters? One I guessed to be Artemis and lightning personified. The last one made my fur ruffle up.

"I missed it too, I don't know what is going to happen once this is all over.. But anyway let's just find us some Game, Show me just how the Goddess of the hunt hunts atop her wolf" The mood was dampened, but luckily Artemis' competitiveness came to the rescue.

"Oh? Are you challenging me to a hunt Wolfboy?" a dangerous proposition no man would ever dare to do. Luckily I'm a wolf.

"Why yes, yes I am why? Too difficult for you?" turning my head as I spoke, I spotted her ever growing grin and excitement. The sight sent adrenaline rushing through my veins like a river rapids on fire.

"Oh you are going to eat those words" and so with emotional baggage left behind the hunt truly began. My snout held the low ground logging into the history of the forest. I could smell every animal that had been here on the last day. Squirrels, birds, a bear or 2.

No more words where needed, I knew she was on the lookout for tracks, recently damaged tree bark or any amount of motion. A tap of her foot was all I'd need to know she's found something. It was natural to me, a memory of the past my body remembered more than I did.

After a while of tracking from us both a musky almost deer or horse like smell but stronger infiltrated my senses, a picture of a winged horse came to mind which I promptly dismissed not wanting to lose this scent. I went to signal my findings to Artemis, but she had already noticed it. Antler scratches on a tree. A deer? No bigger, perhaps a moose.

I got low and began following the scent, Artemis Dismounted and began tracking as well, occasionally redirecting when the scent trail would go dead and I did the same when the tracks disappeared.

Eventually both the tracks and the smell became strong and prominent. The moose was near. No longer needing the tracks, Artemis remounted and instructed me to go downwind. Here I could smell it without even trying, but more importantly, it couldn't smell me.

"I see it" Artemis spoke, her face still in that excited grin, but her voice was pure serious focus. I could easily jump in and sink my teeth into its neck, but this wasn't my hunt alone.

I lowered my body further, practically laying down, giving her a clear sight of the target. Artemis may be weakened here, but nothing would be enough to stop her summing her bow being practically part of her.

It was a short notched bow, the riser (handle) seemed as though it was made of the purest silver engraved intricately with scenes of the moon, deers, infants and the forest.. It almost looked as though they were alive and moving around the bow to help her aim. The string is a silver tightly binded thread, beaded with various small colours and engravings of what looked like her past hunters near the notch. Finally the arrow seemed to be made of pure moonlight, but I could also see the Silver core inside of it, a braided shaft with a simple pointed end instead of an arrowhead and a twisted metal fletching that ensured it flew straight and true.

The arrow was already on its journey by the time I had taken note of it all, a thud and a wail. The moose was down with an arrow in its side, a direct hit to its heart through its ribs, sure a headshot could be possible, even easy for Artemis. But a single move from myself or the moose, a single gust of unexpected wind, and it'd be a horror show of pain and suffering. Hunting is more than just skills, its ethics and consideration.

I ran in moments later to put it out of any misery.

"Ah that felt good, Hunting without you is just not the same Damian" I agreed, the rush, the wait, the tension… It was more invigorating than anything I'd ever done.

"I agree, that was a rush! Let's get this back. If medusa's cooking can't change your views on monsters I will drag my giant ass through New York" an easy bet.

"Now that I'd pay to see, hurry up then!" haha, I love this woman…

Wait what?

[Camp Jupiter:]

[Mary's POV:]

"AY, you best watch where ya swing that beam, don't want this pier collapsing before it's even complete ya hear me!" The new Rome pier is a new venture and one full of risks. We were going to start trading with the outside mortal world! I missed the seas but sailing this river would be a close second. Hmm I can already feel the wind on my face and the mist dampening my clothes and soon even the ocean will welcome me back. Sometimes I wonder if Hecate adopted me from Neptune's doorstep, but I do feel that mystical bond to the night and its many mysteries, not to mention communicating with the unpassed dead can be useful in finding valuable sunken loot.

Reyna had left me as acting leader while she went off to snog a dog, she can fool camp but she can't fool me. I didn't want the job at first, but no one else had the ovaries to do it. A bunch of tossers, the lot of 'em I say. Keeping this camp afloat is no easy task, but since when did we Romans ever shy away from difficulty? I do hate the paperwork though, far too much for far too long so I haven't done so much as a page of it in 3 days. Instead I let a legacy of Minerva handle it and focus on important matters. Like this pier.

"Err, ma'am? MA'AM!" I looked towards the source of the quiet voice that had broken me out of my thoughts, seeing nothing, until I looked down at the little whippersnapper of a boy. Ah the messenger kid.

"Oh sorry, I didn't see you there lad, what dya need my boy?" I asked him, bending down to see him clearer. His face flushed red, boys and their hormones…

"Oh um, I was.. right . there's a pack of wolves bearing the insignia of Lady Diana on their collar at the gates" Lady Diana's wolves? Why would they be here?

"Well? Why are ya here then? Go bring them to my cabin! And then fetch Lady Lupa" he nodded his little head fast and rushed off at speed. Heh child of Hermes I bet, still Diana's wolves? What could they possibly want with us? If only Damian were here to translate.. I wouldn't need to disturb a literal Goddess for translating.

I left my beautiful pier project and made my way to the camp.. I could make a call to mother for a translation spell or whatever she calls it now, well I if drachma wasn't as scarce as that Percy Jackson fellow.

Upon entering the cabin, I noted the wolves were already here and sniffing around intensely. Especially around where Damian used to reside.

"So, care to explain why ya digging around my praetors home?" I asked, hoping by some miracle they actually understood it and could answer before Lupa arrived.

[Karla's POV:]

[A minute prior to Mary's arrival]

HE WAS HERE. I know that scent, and that is his scent. No doubt, trust me I know his scent very well. It's a good scent.

"Girls, split up and sniff for clues. He's been here" the question was why? Why was Damian here? I had come here expecting to be directed to Lady Lupa who could help us, not find his scent in another female's den.. The implication made my snout part in a low growl. He is the hunts!

"His fur is all over this room!" shouted Anya and oh boy was it, I had to resist the urge to roll in i- er clean it up.

"So he was here.. This scent is old, he hasn't been here in some days if not weeks" stated Bell, the triplet with the strongest nose of us all. Still subpar to Damian's but comparing anything to him was pointless; the guy was number 1 in everything but etiquette.

"So he is either elsewhere in camp, or has already departed from here" it was infuriating to think we could've missed him.

"So, care to explain why ya digging around my praetors home?" spoke a voice. Not one I recognise either, that boy who led us here had left already, likely scared of us.

I didn't reply. I mean, it's not like I could. Wolf here I no speak human. My Lupa I'm turning into Damian aren't I?

"I thought not.. Right, well we best just wait for Lady Lupa to arrive, as unfortunately, our praetors Reyna and Damian are away on a mission" Damian?!? A Praetor?? What has that lovable idiot of an alpha done now?

[Blofis Residence:]

[Sally's POV:]

"What has that idiot son of mine done?" I asked myself for the nth time today. Why did I, a goddess trying to hide her second life, have to have a child that can't avoid the limelight he doesn't even want??

Since Artemis had left in a rush after her brother; Estelle, Aria, Coral and myself had settled around the living room and dining room. Aria, Estelle and I were playing Monopoly.. Which Aria was dominating and I was.. Not. Hey, I have a monopoly of agriculture so I automatically win. Coral was watching how it's made on the tv, I cyclops' and their manufacturing obsessions..

"Better to ask what Dad hasn't done…" Spoke my grandbaby Aria, in a chuckle with Coral agreeing from the sofa, her eyes glued to the Tv.

"Ain't that the truth! Tou-chan is a magnet of danger and women" Coral bellowed with her deep yet silky voice.

"For your father, Those words are a synonym my dear" I fear for that boys love life.. And even more for his sex life, perhaps I should pick up some condoms from the corner shop for his return.. He's already two kids and I doubt he needs any more any time soon.

A knock at the door broke me out of my musing. Who was it this time? Athena? Zeus himself?

I stood up from the dining table, walked over to the door. Hoping by some miracle that it was Paul back from work early. Nope, standing at my door was the vessel the Delphi Rachel. Not who I was expecting.. But better than another God I suppose.

"Hi Mrs Blofis, could I come in?" Why was she here?

"Er sure come in.. any reason for the visit?" What could she possibly want with me?

"Well, It's about your son…" Of course it is.. I am definitely adding Condoms to my next shopping list. That boy is going to be the death of me.