19 Chapter 19: New Adventures

[Aria's POV:]

The mission to find Grandma Sally was going to be harder than we thought. We didn't know where to start looking, what to say when we found her and how to prove she was our grandma! I was panicking to make a long story short.

"Onee-chan, calm down. Lets just go to Daddy's old home like you told me" oh yeah probably should start there now that I think about it. I think Dad's silly choices rubbed off on me, woe is me…

"Good idea sis, but we'll need a map. I haven't been there since Dad first found me" I knew just where to get one.

[Very Smol Time-skip:]

[camp Half Blood:]

"Aunty Thaliaaaa" that's right, my aunt Thalia, soon second mother when dad gets back an grows an extra pair, She is weak to our presence, as is everyone in the hunt.

"Hey Aria, what's up?" time to execute plan puppy eyes! It's a multipart plan Coral and I made against dad. Though it works against pretty much everyone. Minus mu- Artemis, she became immune.

"We want a map!" part 1, ask simple questions so they only know what they need to.

"A map? What do you want a map for?" Here's the tricky part: you have to be curious, but not show too much of your actual motive!

"I REALLY wanna see one! me and Coral wanna plan a small American holiday!... for when daddy gets back..." sprinkle some woe is me and they'll start to break. And if that doesn't work… Unleash the big sad eyes. None can withstand its power!

"Hmm I can ask Chiron for a map of America I suppose" dam, that's a big map.. Better than nothing I suppose. Seems I can sheath the puppy eyes for today.

"Yay!" acting childish is so worth the benefits. Thalia walked off to the big house with us in tow, hold on grandma Sally we're gonna bring you back!

[Med's Food an Fuel:]

[Medusa's POV:]

"Damian, can I speak to you for a moment?" I still felt guilty for this, they were the first demigods to show me any such kindness in a very long time. But the man's orders were not to be ignored, the power irradiated from his voice alone terrified me more than the feeling of a hot blade at my neck…

"Hmm? Sure" really? He said yes to that with not even an ounce of suspicion? This guy is gonna guilt trip me to death at this rate.

We moved away from the table, I noticed the belladonna spawn was about to interject, but a look from Damian seemed to do the trick in calming her, seems he isn't just some pet to her if she listens to him like that. We walked round the back of the counter and through the staff door into what was now my home since I had reformed.

"So, what is it you need to ask?" I noticed just how relaxed he was, as if he felt I could do no harm or that I wouldn't.. I only wish I knew which of those was true myself.

"I wish to join you on your travels, my daughter has been cooped up in this place all her life.. I want her to see the world, to see adventure. It may be dangerous, but I feel this will be our only chance to escape being seen as nothing more than monsters" while my reason for even asking was to trick, Every word I had spoken came from my heart. I'm tired of living in fear, hades I'd even give up revenge for another shot at harmonious peace.

"Are you sure? Alaska is cold and Last I checked snakes are cold blooded. Could be deadly to you" Alaska? Damn it, he was right. But unlike snakes, we had a lovely invention on our side. Clothes.

"That's what clothes are for" I replied back somewhat snarkily, It was a stupid question afterall.

"Well, I don't see a reason not to, but this is not gonna be easy to convince Reyna about. Plus it's a tight fit as is with our current surprise occupants" If I weren't under orders, I'd probably have given up here, but I was so I couldn't. I did have a solution however.

"I may have a solution to that problem, follow me" I led him through my home, past the various decorations I had amassed over my life, jewels, gems, dresses and of course statues. I made sure to avoid the rooms with those. I doubt he'd believe I actually bought those and not petrified them like I had done so many before, and not for lack of trying. This place is barren of civilization.

Exiting the building by the back door, we arrived at the parking area, small in size, but still useful. I waited for Damian to arrive by my side before indicating towards my solution. A camper trailer.

It wasn't much to look at but it was long and stable, sure it wasn't technically legal to be inside one while it moved.. But demigods seldom care for petty things like the law. Plus It was enhanced to remain stable even over the harshest of terrains, not even Typhon's winds could blow this over it was probably safer to be in than the car itself.

"Well that works and helps us with sleeping expenses too" well I think he is on board.

"You go on in, I'm gonna start cleaning out the trailer" this was a lie, the trailer was spotless since I had basically nothing else to do around here. Once the wolf had left, I proceeded on inside and took a seat. All of this was happening so fast, too fast, usually such a thing wouldn't be a problem living as a monster, but then again I'd usually be fighting for my life at this point so I guess I'd just take what I could get.

I really didn't want to do this, to break his trust, to prove his faith in me wrong.. But I had to protect my daughter.. I don't want to do this so I need to be stronger if I want to escape whoever is instructing me. I won't be able to strengthen myself, but maybe I can strengthen my allies.. I just hope they are allies.

After a moment of silence I decided a plan was needed, a plan to help the demigods and ensure my daughters safety. It was risky, but that wolf was my daughter's best shot at happiness.

"Who can I ask for help?" I found myself saying, it was a weird sentiment, a few years back I'd have never even considered asking for help. I went through names of powerful monsters and semi-evil gods alike, but unfortunately they all hated demigods too much and or didn't like me for that matter either. Eventually one name sprung to mind, a friend of mine, maybe not so much to demigods especially Athenian children, but honestly that was a positive in my eye.. Ugh I hate those fake born kids.

Yes, I was sure she'd help; we were practically sisters, in a weird way, I just had to find a reason for us to go there; it was not on route, but not out of the way either. So I got out a map and started planning our detour and reasons.

[Percy's POV:]

I was happy Medusa wanted to come, slightly suspicious, but happy. She had no motive against the titans and if it was me she wanted to kill I had been the easiest target since I stepped in. The camper trailer was an added bonus since the journey for sure was gonna take a few days, or weeks even and while I was happy to find a nice cosy tree to sleep in. Reyna, Anna and little Emm would be uncomfortable cooped in that car for warmth. Luckily It was a large fifth? wheel trailer that I think would hook up like a truck trailer? I don't know much about that stuff. I seemed very roomy though and I like roomy. Roomy is good.

Once I sat back down at the table, Reyna was on me faster than I was on the hunt. Why did that sound oddly weird to think?

"What happened?!? Are you ok??" It was nice to see her worry for me, but slightly annoying. I was a big wolf, I could take care of myself. Unless it was against Reyna… who is in front of me and after what I'm about to say. I will be.

"Yeah I'm good, I spoke with Medusa. She wants to join us on our journey.. And I said yes." I figured nothing I say will save me from death so I might as well get it over with.

"YOU DID WHAT?!?!?" yeah I saw that one coming.. The entire table went silent for what was the most awkward 15 seconds of my current memory. After that she stood up, eyes boring into my soul and said.

"Outside. Now." dam I'm a dead wolf. Please burn, no incinerate... no Obliterate my toga after I'm dead!

"Yes ma'a-" my wolf instincts had already responded to her dominant tone and I found myself walking to the doors before I could even finish the word. Thanks instincts. Just thanks.

"What were you thinking?? Was you even thinking at all? Medusa. Is. a. MONSTER. Even if she is acting kind all it takes is one slip of the shades and we're immortalised, and not in the way I want to be, heck even if she is being genuine we have no more space in the car thanks to our stowaways -" Blah Blah blah nagging more nagging a lecture.. probably 2 more Blahs… make that 3.. I had tuned out as usual once the main points had been made. I know it's rude, but no creature on earth could withstand her lectures trust me. Eventually she stopped and I felt like celebrating the resurrection of my hearing.

"One, she has a camper trailer thing for space. Two, I'm on this journey to save lives. Medusa may not be endangered, but this is no life. She at least deserves a chance to have a life again to not fear having her head turned into a weapon. And her daughter doesn't deserve to have to watch that. The more lives I can save on this trip the more successful it is" I only hoped that'd be enough.. I really don't want another ear rape..

"Fine, you make a valid point, I'll allow it, BUT she stays in the trailer when we're driving and in the car when we sleep. Fidi can stay in the trailer with us at night, I'm suspicious, but not evil.." I could tell It was her inner tsundere speaking she would probably not actually force them to do anything. She would never have given in so easily if she actually distrusted them as much as she claimed to. So It would seem our group had gained two snakey companions, this journey was turning out more fun by the minute. Now how in the Pluto do I attach this hitch thing to the car? Sorry how the Pluto does REYNA attach the hitch, I have paw excuses. Heh poor paw.

[Karla's POV:]

Things.. Weren't going well for us wolves of Artemis. Unlike normal mortal wolves, we wolves of Artemis actually did have alphas in our pack and for good reason. They are the anchors to our instincts. No alpha = no self control = extreme wild aggression. Not a good thing.

I used to be the alpha of the pack, not by choice, but duty. I wasn't unhappy with the job, but It wasn't what I desired in life either. Then came along Damian or Percy as he turned out to be called. though we still prefer to call him the former. He was the first male wolf to be accepted into our pack; stole our hearts as he did the hunters and got, unwillingly, promoted to alpha. He may not have wanted the role, but it suited him well and I could tell he secretly enjoyed it; likely his only reason to reject being our courting claims to him. The hunt may be sworn against men, but we sure aren't.

Damian was paws-down the best Alpha we could wish for and best mate if he'd ever accept, which he would eventually. I spent many heat cycles dreaming of such a thing… I get a little heated just at the thought. The other wolves feel the same way. We had gathered here by the beach to discuss our plans, plans to find our alpha, no our mate for without him we're falling apart. Our instincts are going wild.

Wild for him.

"We will get him back and he will be ours again. And no one will take him away from us again!" there was only agreement.

We're coming alpha.