Artemis Rising

Special Present

"Where are you going at this hour little one?" My mother's voice froze me in my tracks 

Damn I thought I'd be able to leave and come back before anyone noticed, should have known better in this house.

"I just have to go get Apollo's present from town. It just arrived and I want him to have it at midnight. It's only right." I smiled at her and prayed that she let me go alone so no one else would have to come with me. I wanted it to be a surprise because it was the best thing I could ever give my twin.

"Fine but Margo will go with you. There are things going on you are not aware of yet and I want you to have a guard with you just incase." She snapped her fingers and Margo appeared out of no where it seemed like.

Damn, fine at least it was Margo. She was my best friend and only a year older then me. "Okay, that's fair at least I can spend time with my bestie." Margo walked over to me and we fist bumped like usual.

"So where are we going?" She asked

"Into town to Mr. Albescu's shop. I had something brought in from Romania for Apollo." before we could reach the door, but mother's hand was on my shoulder

"I love you my little moonlight, always remember that and always remember you are stronger then you know and braver then you think." She kissed my forehead and spun away without another word.

"weird" Margo and I said together and shrugged. We jumped up into my Jeep and cranked up the music and started singing and dancing our way into town.

Once we arrived in town everyone moved a little quicker and cast their eyes down.

"I will never understand why everyone does this to us. We have done nothing to anyone of them, but be apart of the community and contribute like everyone else." I shook my head.

"It has something to do with when Drex first came into town I heard." Margo said as we hopped out of the Jeep and headed towards the shop door.

"Drex and in my father's second, our pack's Beta Drex? Girl your off your rocker. That guy is the most obedient man I have ever seen." I gave her a side stare and we both just burst out laughing.

"Good evening ladies, how is the soon to be birthday girl feeling?" Mr. Albescu raised an eyebrow. Unlike many in this town he knows my families secret. After all he is from Romania and grew up with the legends, but he is a trusted friend of the pack and helps us get things most can not.

"I am doing well, I got your message about Apollo's gift. I'm surprised it came in this early." I opened the box he handed me.

"It's beautiful" Margo said

"You really think he'll like it?" I asked

"Are you kidding, he will love that!" Margo went to touch it but cringed back when she got near the blade "Though I'm not sure he'll be able to handle it, is that silver?" 

"Haha! yes, there a sheath that will cover the blade for him. Mr. Albescu could you place it on for us?" I asked

"Why of course my dears." He slipped the cover over the blade and when he did the image was complete. It was of two wolves howling at the moon.

"Let's get back, it's almost time for the ceremony to start." Margo always the punctual one

"Sure..." As I was speaking I got this rush of rage, fear, urgency, panic. "something is wrong with Apollo" I rushed out the door and to my car and drove as fast as I could to my twin.

Pulling up to the gates they were wide open

"what is going on? They are never open." Margo said on alert

We kept driving towards the pack house, all the while seeing bodies scattered every where, small fires were burning homes or what was left of them. Slamming my car in park I jumped out and ran into the house.

"MOM! DAD! APOLLO! Anyone!!??" Margo and I ran the stairs, ran the rooms. No one, there was no one alive. We were on our way to my father's study and that's when I saw her body. Laying so still halfway to the door.

"Mom" I whispered