Artemis and Apollo (Storm Ridge series book 1)

Chapter 1

(Apollo's POV)

the morning was bright, making my eyes hurt even worse. last night was Dorian' big birthday, he turned 18, the whole pack turned out for it since today he would be sent to Romania to start his Alpha training with his grandfather.

I forced myself out of bed and stretched. throwing on a pair of black sweatpants I left my room and went for the kitchen, I needed coffee. I was definitely not a morning person and practically growled good morning to the few pack members I passed. my sister on the other hand was the complete opposite, I swore she rolled out of bed like some Disney princess.

speak of the devil, as soon as I hit the bottom step I could hear her in the kitchen, I could also smell something delicious. as I walked in I could see Artemis standing at the stove, her long brown hair pulled back in a messy bun and flour coating her pj's. with a grin I snuck up behind her and swiped her coffee cup from the counter.

"Apollo!" she squealed and jumped almost a foot in the air.

"cooooffffeeeee." I growled jokingly as I took a sip.

"fine," she sighed and rolled her eyes before going to get a new cup, "if you were anyone else, I would have kicked your butt."

the other girl in the kitchen had been very quiet through all this and I forgot about her until I went to turn around. I bumped right into the little girl, knocking her to the ground with a tiny squeak.

"Apollo! you big brute!" Artemis scolded.

"I'm real sorry..." I apologized and offered a hand to help her up.

"its ok Apollo, but you owe me three pancakes." the little girl giggled and wiggled her eye brows.

the little girl was Cora, the youngest child of the Alpha. she was eight and practically and kid sized mirror image of the Luna. she was also basically attached to my sister's hip, she followed Artemis everywhere and because of that Alpha Ruger named my sister as Cora's personal body guard.

"I'm sorry Cora, you know how I am in the morning." I rubbed the back of my neck.

Cora climbed onto a stool at the counter and waited while Artemis finished the pancakes and sausage.

"how's my favorite grump, this morning?" came Dorian's voice as his hand clapped my shoulder.

I grumbled, "I would be better if the sun came up later. or if my sister would hurry up with those pancakes." I immediately regretted the second part as a half cooked pancake smacked me in the face.

everyone burst into laughter and I sighed, I would miss this. Dorian would be leaving in a few hours and I was going to miss my best friend. but I shook myself out of the thought, I woke up early on purpose to make the most of the time I had left. Dorian was two years older than me and I promised myself by the time he returned I would be worthy of being his beta just like my dad.

Artemis finished enough pancakes and sausage for all of us and we all settled in at the counter. Artemis and Cora filled what could have been silence with there constant chattering, but I enjoyed it. as I glanced at Dorian, though I noticed the way he was looking at her.

(Dorian's POV)

I could feel the emotion coming off of Apollo, pure protective brother. I couldn't blame him but I also couldn't help myself. with her beautiful hair messy and pulled back and the spots of flour all over her purple tank top and pajama pants, Artemis just looked amazing. she was three years younger than me but with my wolf now awake it was hard to hide my attraction.

"you will have your own mate in time." my wolf told me. I knew it was true, Artemis most likely wasn't my mate but I loved her all the same.

after breakfast we all went and dressed then met up outside for a training session, Artemis' favorite thing to do for some strange reason. sometimes I wished Apollo felt the same, he was a good fighter but his sister had the dedication and being honest she was always the better fighter between the two. today though I paired myself with Apollo, knowing my little sister would want to be with Artemis.

I watched the two girls going back and forth and enjoyed how careful and patient Artemis was with Cora. my parents couldn't have picked a better body guard in a million years.

after a while the girls devolved into a tickle fight,no doubt started by Cora. while Apollo and I felt like a world away as we continued our sparring match, he felt serious and I really had to focus.

I was distracted for a moment after hearing Artemis squeal and Apollo sent me flat on my back in the dirt. he was glaring at me as he stood over me.

"leave my sister alone." he growled protectively down at me.

my anger flared and I swept his legs out from under him, "don't think just because we're best friends you can talk to me like that. I care about her just as much as you do, stop acting like I'm the big bad wolf trying to eat her." I snarled back.

shortly after my dad came out with my mom and brother. it was time to go.

within a few minutes everyone was gathered in front of the house, waiting for the goodbyes. my mom gave me a giant hug and a gentle kiss on the cheek. my younger brother fist bumped me. when I came to Apollo I jokingly punched him in the arm to tell him everything was cool with us and he pulled me into a quick bro hug. then there was Cora, standing in with Artemis' hand on her shoulders while she sniffled. I knelt down to give her a big hug but she launched herself at me and started batting at my chest and crying.

Artemis gently pulled my sister off me, looking back over her shoulder to nod a goodbye at me. her copper eyes swimming with pain. I wanted so much to run up to her and give her a hug, to tell her how much I would miss her and make her laugh one more time. but I couldn't, I had to let her go and get ready to become the next Alpha.

I didn't know then that I wouldn't see any of them again for seven years, or how much everything would change. if I had known I would have stayed, I would have told Artemis everything I had kept to myself. but I can't change the past.