The Forgotten Goddess

Artemis' Hounds

“Morning.” The beautiful voice pulls me out of my reverie. After the dream, I had a very restless sleep. I kept waking up and finally gave up around 6. It’s 9 now and I have been staring at the ceiling for three hours, trying to make sense of the dreams.

I turn to Rayne so see her staring at me with a small smile on her lips.

“Morning, sleepyhead.” I grin before leaning in and pressing my lips to hers. Last night was amazing and I don’t remember feeling so satisfied in a long time now. 

“As much as I like this, I am hungry.” She whispers against my lips. I hum and pull back. A little sad about it but she was right, I was hungry too.

“I can make us something. How do pancakes sound?” I ask, making her eyes light up.

“Great!” She grins. I giggle as I pull the covers off and get out of the bed, stretching out the sleepiness from my body, “Damn… You know what? Come back. I can eat you for breakfast.” My head snapped up at her words and I turned around abruptly, knocking her hand on my waist off in the process. 

“What did you say?” A chill ran down my spine as the dream comes back to me. She looks at me with wide and confused eyes.

“What happened? Are you okay?” She asks, reaching her hand out to hold mine. I take the outstretched hand and intertwine our fingers. Worry and concern colors her pretty, blue eyes. Her whole body is tensed but she relaxes as soon as I take her hand. 

“Yeah… I am fine.” I pull my hand out of hers and grab her discarded hoodie off the floor. I pull it over my head and gesture to the door, “Come down whenever you are ready.” 

“You look like something is really bothering you. Can you please tell me what it is?” A voice pulls me out of my head and I turn to look at Rayne standing beside me, dressed in the  black tank top that she had under her hoodie and the white jeans as last night.

I didn’t even realize she was here. God, I am such a bad host.

For some reason, I cannot get those dreams out of my head. They feel like a memory rather than just a dream. They are too real. The feelings that they carry make me feel like I have experienced it all.

“Do you ever have dreams that just feel so real? Like memories?” I turn to face the blue-eyed beauty. She shrugs at me before moving to the pot of coffee on the table. 

“I don’t have dreams. I mean I rarely remember them when I wake up.” She mumbles as she pours herself coffee. I hug my mug tighter, taking a sip. “Is it the dream about Artemis? Did you have another?” Her expression looks stony and sad. I nod, biting my lips. "What happened this time?"

“I don't... I don't want to talk about it. They just feel too real to be dreams, you know?” I mumble.

“What else could they be if not dreams? Do you have any theory?” I shrug and look at her helplessly. 

“Does past life sound crazy enough?” She chuckles softly before walking over to me. 

“Nothing sounds too crazy when it comes from you.” Tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear, she caresses my cheek. I blush and lean up to peck her lips, “So, pancakes?” She asks. I chuckle. 

“Yeah. Go sit at the table.” I mumble, pushing her away. 

“So, let me get this straight. Your parents are divorced. Your dad is an asshole and you ran away from home last year. Your mom and older brother are pretty chill with you living alone so they provide for you.” George asks as we sit in the park. 

After breakfast, Rayne and I thought we should have a picnic in the park since the weather is really nice today. I am feeling so much better now. Rayne has been very understanding and gave me as much space as much I wanted. 

We still haven’t talked about what we are but I think our connection and chemistry speaks a lot on its own. I know we have to have this discussion but I don’t want to do it right now. Not till I figure out what these dreams were all about.

Which is why I have an appointment with my therapist today evening. I have to figure these dreams out. They are just too much. I am literally losing my mind.

“I ran away because my dad slept with my girlfriend. Mom and Rowan are helping because they feel bad for not being there for me.” Rayne explains slowly as she looks at my brother seriously. Eric sighs heavily, 

“I am so sorry for that, Rayne. No one should go through that.” Shrugging, Rayne lies down with her head on my lap. I run my hands through her hair. She told me this while we had breakfast today when I asked about her parents. All I could do was hug her tightly and promise her that I was so gay that I will never do that to her.

“It’s not your fault. And I am not looking for pity. I am over it now. I am in a good school. I have good grades. I have an amazing and beautiful girl on my arm.” I smile and peck her cheek. “I am in a good place now.” 

“Well… I am glad you two are together. Just treat my sister right and we’ll be fine.” George turns to me, “And Alex. Congrats to you. You finally have found someone to put up with your crazy ass.” I raise my two middle fingers at him as Eric bursts out laughing. 

“Now, you won’t be our third wheel! You have your own boo thang now.” 

“Ugh.. That sounds so bad, Eric.” I wrinkle my nose at him. 

“Alright. Stop annoying my girlfriend. Let’s play some ball. Come on.” Rayne sits up, grabbing the basketball she had brought along. My stomach had filled with butterflies the moment she started the ‘G’ word. I grin dopily at her as my brother and his boyfriend walked away to the room. 

“Girlfriend, huh?” A blush found its way over Rayne’s cheek, making her elf like ears red. 

“I mean… I thought it was very natural to say that. But if you don’t want to be my girlfriend… It’s cool too.” I couldn’t help but giggle at Rayne’s flustered self before kissing her passionately. I tried to pour all my emotions in it. 

“Can’t you just ask me without stuttering? I thought you were a top.” I tease her. Her eyes narrow at me before she gets in the kneeling position with one leg propped up. 

“Will you, Alex Newman, be my girlfriend? I will make you the happiest girl in the world and promise to f**k you good every night.” I couldn’t help but burst out laughing. Rayne chuckles too, “That top enough for you?” She raises her eyebrows. I giggle as I lean forward, holding her face between my hands and pressing my lips against hers in a sweet kiss. 

“Yes. And yes. I will be your girlfriend.” I mumble against her lips. Rayne pecks my lips. 

“Let’s go, Sterling! You can suck faces with my sister later!” George yells. I laugh and let her go. 

“Go before he kills you.” 

"How dare you make a joke of me like this?! I loved you with all I had and you betrayed me!” I sob loudly, falling at my Lady’s feet. Artemis has only ever gotten angry a few times since  I joined the Hunt but it was never directed at me. Nor was it ever fueled by heartbreak and pain. 

"My Lady… I swear to Zeus, I didn't betray you! You are the only one I have laid with!" I sob as the other huntresses hold me down. 

"Don’t you dare take my father’s name in vain!” Lightning flashes overhead. Thunder rolls deep, shaking the ground beneath my feet. All I can do is sob and cry as the huntresses drop my arms. I grab my huge belly before glancing up at the blue-eyed Goddess. She sneers down at me with the same eyes that once held nothing but love and affection for me. “I am going to give you one chance to get out of my sight. If my hounds or I catch you, you are dead, Kallisto. Run.” She growls. I stagger to my feet with all the strength that I have just as Artemis reaches for her arrow. 

Even though I want to die, give up my life because I feel utterly defeated, I cannot. I have a life inside of me now and I have to keep living for the baby. So, I turn around and flee towards the forest with my heart in my throat. 

I can hear the hounds behind me and fear lances through me as I realize that Artemis actually followed through with the promise. I was thinking she wouldn’t. That she would maybe find a little mercy owing to the time I spent together but it’s Artemis we are talking about. She is ruthless to people who wrong her. 

But… I swear it was her in the field. I swear I have never laid with anyone but her. 

My eyes snap open from the dream. The lush green forest and the howls of the hounds fading to the back of my mind. I sigh and sit up. I had fallen asleep. The sun has started to set and this part of the park is empty except for us. I can hear Rayne and the guys still playing. I roll my eyes to where the three stand around arguing about something on the court. I rub my eyes, groaning when Artemis’ blue, angry eyes flash before me. The look stabbed my heart with intense pain, making me wince and rub my chest.

A rustling in a bush before me, makes me open my eyes and I blink twice to clear my vision. Red eyes. White canines. Again. But this time, the huge wolf-like creature is moving towards me. Froth and saliva dripping down its bare canines as a loud growl rumbles in it’s chest. It’s ears are pinned to it’s ears as it advances on me. I gulp, preparing myself to scream as the wolf gets ready to launch itself at me. Fear lances through me and I scream, tears pouring down my face. 

Two words flash through my mind as I take in the canine before me. 

‘Artemis’ hounds have found me.’