The Half-Blood

The Black Dahlia

Artemis jumped to her feet. "No, you won't!"

"I will."

"You're blackmailing me!"

"Yes. Number one: because it's the only way to get you out of here. Number two: Tomorrow you'll regret missing this party, and you'll look like a princess full of herself. Number three: I love you. I don't know what you're feeling right now, but I do know that everything you've left behind will probably haunt you for the rest of your life. You should start talking to me, to your mates, and trust them."

"What's a witchy-connection?" asked Mayson in a serious voice.

"You two have a lot to talk about, my dear Gamma."

"You're a b***h."

"Yes, I am. People have to be b***es sometimes when they have crazy friends."

“Artemis, what is Tara talking about?”

“Details of the night of the witches' attack... I haven't told you everything.” She confessed.

“I'll give you 30 minutes. If I don't see you coming, I'll pick you up,” he closed the call.

The Moonrivers had chosen the Black Dahlia for the party. The "haunted" setting seemed perfect for the occasion. Besides, there was a beautiful porch overlooking a forest. There would be a full moon that night, and after the party everyone could run free in wolf form, as was the tradition.

Mayson went to the bar to get a drink. A girl approached him. Artemis watched them from a distance, winking and smiling; the girl stroked Mayson's forearm, and they walked away together. Tara frowned at Artemis. "Does it bother you?" she asked.

"What?"

"That he's flirting with someone else?"

"No, why should it? He's not my boyfriend. I'm single."

"Your face would say yes, single-Mis."

Tara approached the bar, dragging Artemis behind her, "Two of the strongest drinks you can make!"

The bartender prepared two glasses. "My creation, it's a bomb. Of course, all for free tonight. Welcome to Eaglemoon, girls". He squinted in Artemis' direction.

"Thank you!" the two girls said in unison.

"You're Artemis, aren't you? I'm Jason," he told her, holding out his hand.

"Yes I am, nice to meet you," she shook his hand. "I hope to see you often," he smiled at her.

Artemis glanced at Tara. "I already know him." Tara said.

"Do you come here often?" Artemis asked.

"Not much, Mom." They drank.

"Oh my Goodness, that's really a bomb." Artemis staggered.

"Maybe a little too much for you," Tara said, straightening her up. He walked over and started untying her braid.

"What are you doing?"

"You're a little too much Lara Croft on a mission. Loose looks better on you." Artemis' hair exploded in a cascade of red curls, even more wavy from the braid.

Jason sniffed the air in her direction. Tara caught him out of the corner of her eye.

"Everyone's out, shall we go?" she took Artemis' hand.

"I want to stay here," Artemis replied, "It's cold outside," she told Tara.

"Don't you like crowded places?" asked Jason curiously.

"Not much. I'm not used to it."

Artemis took one of the black flowers from the small vase on the counter. "A witch passed through here."

"Many years ago, a witch owned this place."

"I can feel..." she turned the flower between her fingers, suddenly it was surrounded by a golden light and turned red. Jason swallowed nervously, met Artemis' eyes and smiled at her.

"You'll get used to it," Tara said, winking at Jason.

"Just a little bit of color," she replied to his expression, and placed the flower in the vase.

"Wow, I've been thinking a lot about your arrival here. I mean, everyone is talking about you, of course," he said, embarrassed, "Your father is a legend among werewolves."

Artemis gave a hint of a smile.

"His death was a tragedy for all werewolves in the land. I am very sorry, it must not have been easy for you, you were just a child."

"Thank you," Artemis said. No one from her old pack had ever offered their condolences. "Yes, it was very difficult..."

"But you are here," he said, opening his arms, "your father's deeds will always echo and follow you. You have a great legacy."

"I wish I could do great things of my own one day," she smiled at him.

"I'm sure you will accomplish some extraordinary things." Artemis was shaken by an icy gust of wind from outside. Jason reached for something behind him.

"Put this on, I won't need it," he handed her a brown leather jacket.

"Don't worry, I'm fine."

"I insist."

"Thank you," she put on the jacket, which was huge for her, and tried to get warm.

Tara looked at Artemis in shock.

"What?" she asked her.

Tara picked up the phone and wrote a message to Artemis: "Your mates will smell another male on you and go crazy. Didn't your mother-in-law teach you that?"

"I have no mates," Artemis replied. Tara stared at her with a raised eyebrow.

"One more, please," she said, raising her glass.

"You're tough," he winked at her. Artemis wanted to get drunk and have a good time, so she would not have to think about her problems for the evening. She saw one of her problems return, always with that woman in tow. She was as tall as Mayson, her slender figure swathed in a little black dress; her blond hair pulled back in a chiffon, red lipstick and haughty gaze. Mayson nailed Artemis with his gaze and approached. He looked beautiful that night. He was wearing a white shirt, the three buttons on the top undone, revealing the lines of his pecs. He was wearing shiny black pants and his usual leather jacket. He had filled his top knot with hair jelly and combed it back, but a few strands fell down the side of his face.

“Hello, Princess,” Mayson told her as he leaned against the counter, “Welcome to your party, I hope you like the location,” Mayson had a contrite expression.

“Not much and the company leaves a lot to be desired” Artemis replied to him, casting a glance at the woman with him.

“Emily, this is Artemis Rufus,” Mayson said, turning to the blonde girl at his side.

“It's a pleasure to meet you,” she held out her hand. Artemis reluctantly shook it. “My pleasure.”

"Emily helped me plan the party," Mayson said. Artemis saw his eyes darken.

"Then thank you, Emily, for tonight," Artemis said.

The woman noticed the red flower in the vase on the counter. “Jason, did you add that one?”

“No, it was...”

“My fault,” said Artemis, raising her hand. “Everything is very black here. I thought I'd give it a splash of color.”

“A sign of your passage.” said Emily, grabbing Mayson's forearm and stroking it with her other hand, “But this club is known mostly for those. It's one of the most sought-after locations, could you please not edit it?” she said, annoyed. I'll tear those bony arms off her, growled her she-wolf.

“Are you an event planner?” asked Artemis, smiling.

“The best.”

"I'm curious. What's the story of this place, Emily?"

"A crazy old witch named Dahlia opened this place about twenty years ago, called it Dahlia's Dream, and before she left town, filled it forever with black flowers and renamed it The Black Dahlia. She had an obsession with black and macabre "witchy" things." She is as stupid as she looks, said her she-wolf. Artemis burst out laughing.

“What is there to laugh about?”

"Nothing. How did you two meet?” she said, pointing at them.

“We grew up together,” Mayson replied.

“And how many times did you have s*x together?” Emily was about to answer, but Mayson intervened. Tara looked at them amused.

“Excuse me Emily, Mis and I have things to talk about before the party begins.”

"I have nothing to say to you," Artemis replied, annoyed, and turned back to the bar.

"You have a lot to tell me instead," he said through gritted teeth. Artemis drank her second cocktail quickly.

"I can tell you this. Tonight, just as you're going to have fun with that dead cat, I'm going to have fun with Jason."

"You will not go near her, and you will avoid giving her any more alcohol," Mayson growled; Jason recoiled in horror, "you will apologize to Emily, who has bent over backwards to help me organize this party." He told Artemis.

Emily put a hand on her hip and glared at Artemis. Artemis laughed nervously. There was confusion in her mind at that moment, and alcohol was not the problem. There was her disappointment and sadness, there was her she-wolf's anger and jealousy, there was Odette's thoughts about werewolves bouncing around in her head.

Tara took a look at her friend: she was gone, drunk. The full moon seemed to make Artemis more aggressive, the evening could take a turn for the worse.

"It is also my welcome party. I like it. And I'd like to see no heads flying today," Tara said, looking at Artemis.

"You are right, Tara. Forgive me," Artemis said guiltily, "I shouldn't have come. I will find someone to take me home, have fun," she told her smilingly. Tara had no time to reply; Mayson grabbed Artemis' wrist and led her into the storage room.