Trial Period (2)

Artemis' POV

After changing out of her work clothes into an off the shoulder t-shirt and jean shorts, Artemis made her way to the kitchen where Xander was putting frozen pizzas into the oven. The trio were too lazy to cook so had decided to settle for frozen food.

Artemis grabbed some plates from the cupboard and asked, "Where's Jayce?"

"Putting his books in my room." Xander replied as he threw away the pizza packaging.

"You guys are sharing a room?" Artemis asked, putting the plates on the counter.

Artemis knew that the house only had two bedrooms, her room originally being a guest room, but was a little surprised Xander was willing to share his room. It was the one place where she couldn't go near in the house.

No one was allowed inside his bedroom, not even close friends. So, it was surprising to hear that Xander had allowed Jayce to use the room.

"Well, he's just using it to store his stuff and use the bathroom seeing as he's going to be staying here for a week. I'm making him sleep on the couch though. It's that or outside…" Xander muttered.

Artemis laughed and said teasingly, "Guess my room is a no go zone."

Xander stared at her, shock on his face The shock soon turned to a glare. "Artemis!"

"Okay…Okay…" Artemis laughed even louder. "No boys in my room."

"What's going on?" Jayce asked, suddenly appearing.

He wrapped his arms around Artemis' shoulders, hugging her from behind. He buried his head into her shoulder, nuzzling her. Artemis let him, starting to guess that Jayce was one who liked physical contact.

Because whenever he was around her, he seemed to want to hold her or touch. Not that he had done anything inappropriate. All his touches had been pg13, making Artemis's wolf frustrated that they couldn't be more intimate with their mate.

He was the complete opposite of Xander, who seemed to avoid touching her unless it was necessary.

"Nothing much…You just can't come into my room." Artemis answered, turning her head to the side to look at Jayce.

Jayce looked up and pouted. "Not even for cuddles?"

"No. You can stick to the couch." Xander rolled his eyes.

Jayce huffed, muttering about unfairness as Artemis giggled at him. She was starting to get comfortable around the two, the awkwardness among the trio slowly dying.

"Anyway, what do you guys want to watch?" Xander suddenly asked.

"Anything's fine with me." Artemis said.

"Oh then let's watch MA." Jayce said, perking up. "I heard it was good."

"A fantasy?"

"You got a problem with that Xander." Jayce asked, letting go of Artemis and straightening up.

He looked ready to get into a fight with Xander, making Artemis put a hand on his chest to stop him.

"Is there something you wanted to watch?" Artemis asked Xander.

"Not really…" Xander murmured.

"Then I guess we're watching MA." Artemis smiled. "Jayce and I will set up the movie then…"

Before Xander could respond, she turned around and placed her hands on Jayce, pushing him towards the sitting room. Not that she could move him, more him allowing her to push him around.

The two soon made it to the sitting room, Artemis making a grab for the remote control. Turning on the tv, she flicked through the movies and shows, soon finding MA. Placing the remote back down on the coffee table, she directed Jayce to a cupboard to get a blanket.

When he came back with the blanket, Artemis placed it on the couch, wondering how they were going to sit.

However, before she could think about it further, Xander called out, "Pizzas done."

The two made their way back to the kitchen, seeing Xander take the pizzas out of the oven. The smell of melting cheese and meat made Artemis' stomach growl and mouth water. She had only had a peanut butter sandwich for lunch, her wolf hungry at the sight of meat.

"Looks like we have a hungry wolf in the room." Jayce joked, hearing her stomach growling.

Artemis glared at him, lightly slapping him on the arm. "Shut up!"

Xander shook his head at the two as he placed the pizza on the table. "Don't worry there's enough pizza for three wolves."

"Good because Artemis looks like she could eat a whole pizza by herself."

Artemis pouted. "Watch me do so. And I'll make sure you don't get the pizza with meat on it."

Artemis quickly took a seat at the counter, making sure Xander took the seat next to her. Keeping to her word, Artemis made sure Jayce got pizza slices with few meat pieces on them, Xander watching the two with humor.

After a few minutes of silence and satisfying her hunger, Artemis said, "Let's play twenty questions."

The two males looked at her, pizza slices stuffed in their faces. Jayce quickly finished his and replied, "What?"

"You know the game twenty questions. You ask each other questions. I thought it would be the best way to get to know each other, seeing as you and I know next to nothing about each other."

"Okay. Ladies first then."

Artemis turned to look at Xander and he nodded his head in agreement.

"Alright then. First question, what's your job?"

"Lumberjack." Xander quickly answered.

"Well, I don't have a job right now because of pack business. But I used to do risk management for an insurance company." Jayce answered.

"So you are really a nerd." Artemis smirked at Jayce's answer. "Are you going back into it once you deal with your pack?"

"I never denied I was a nerd and yes."

"Surprised you are a risk manager." Xander murmured.

"What's so surprising about it?" Jayce questioned.

"Well seeing as you're a reckless person it comes as a surprise."

Artemis smiled, trying to stop herself from laughing as Jayce cried out in outrage, "Well, at least I have a degree!"

"Why are you trying to show off? I have an honors in business and sustainable development." Xander rolled his eyes.

"Then why are you working as a lumberjack?" Jayce asked, confused.

"Remember how the forest region is owned by the supernatural groups living in the area."

Jayce and Artemis nodded their heads.

"Well, humans like using pine and wanted to get into the region. The problem is nature is the source of our power so the leaders of the supernatural groups got together to keep the humans out of the forest.

Three companies were formed in the area, the most powerful of each supernatural group owning a company. One for the vampires, witches and werewolves. The wolves company is owned by my pack so the pack runs it, thus most of us are lumberjacks.

It's also the other reason for the territory war a few years ago…Land isn't the only thing at stake."

Xander paused for a second, looking at Artemis. She knew what they were going into was a touchy subject for her and Xander wanted her approval before continuing. She felt a little uncomfortable, not really wanting to hear about the territory war.

Xander sensing this said, "Anyway, I run the business as the CEO and we make sure the humans get their pine wood while making sure the forest doesn't get too destroyed. All three companies have a policy of planting two trees for every one that we count. It's partly why I studied what I did."