Chapter 30

The problem with the Silver Wolf Beastmen was still unsolved leaving many unanswered questions. Where is their nest? Who is in charge? Will they take revenge for the two men that were killed by Danny and Bowen? Artemis was overcome with fear. She met with her mates and her grandfather and demanded answers and action. She wanted her Kingdom and her family safe. Bowen and Thomas sent word off to their fathers in hopes of getting some extra hands. King Maximus and Yozar sent word off in hopes of getting some help and information as well. Artemis told Thomas to build a schoolhouse on the castle grounds and teach all of the children there even if he had to go out personally to get the children that lived a little further out. King Maximus agreed to pacify Artemis but offered to assign a group of his Wolf Beastmen to come and transport the children on school days. Kasper, Apollo, Bowen and Danny all agreed that there should be some sort of border along the lines of the Kingdom to protect Artemis and her people so they started discussing that amongst themselves in hopes of quickly getting it done. Artemis still was unhappy but she was not disappointed in how they all came together to work on finding solutions. After spending the majority of the morning talking with everyone they all had to disperse so that Danny could prepare lunch for Artemis and the children. Bowen took Artemis to her chambers to get her washed up and changed while Thomas went to gather all of the cubs. "Yesterday was a close call, my Queen. Princess Winter feels deep regret for what happened as it was her idea to go out there and find the eggs." Bowen said softly as they walked through the huge castle. "I know. I saw how she reacted yesterday. She will feel very guilty for a while. They're still so young and little." Artemis replied. "Next time I know what to do differently to keep them safer," Bowen said, nodding his head. "Next time?" Artemis asked him "well…the boys complained that they weren't doing anything challenging enough. That's how Christopher and Walker ran off fighting each other. But maybe I can come up with something a tad more exciting for all of them" Bowen told her. By this time they had reached her door and were standing there looking at eachother like two kids instead of mates and parents. "You do pay a lot of attention. I can at least give you credit for that." Artemis said smiling. "Of course. I enjoy teaching them and watching them grow up" Bowen said, smiling back. Artemis was thinking of something to say when a switch flipped inside of her body and suddenly she started to feel… Happy, and Bowen was at the center of that happiness. Artemis suddenly jumped into his unsuspecting arms. "I love you Bo!" Artemis said to him, hugging him. Bowen went to respond but was interrupted by the feel of Artemis' hard nipples rubbing onto his skin through her fur dress and when he went to pull back Artemis had a death grip on him and wouldn't let go. "Ah'Xhi!" Bowen said struggling "Ah it's too late. You're the latest victim to my heat cycle and now you're just gonna have to take it Bowen!" Artemis said firmly. In response to her statement a distinct scent started to permeate and roll off of Artemis' body. Artemis could smell it and so could Bowen. Soon the whole castle will know that she's in heat. "Daniel!" Bowen called out frantically but Danny knew that Bowen was never in any real danger so he ignored him. "You need to handle your business for once and stop handing it off to us!" Thomas called from the childrens floor. Danny could be heard laughing in the kitchen as he listened to what was going on. "You're all mines" Artemis chimed, pulling him into her room.

Artemis almost skipped lunch by spending the rest of the morning in her room with Bowen. She didn't even get exhausted and barely broke a sweat while she tired Bowen out to where he needed a nap himself. Danny brought the food up to Artemis while Bowen finally prepared a bath and some fresh furs for her. She was definitely in a better mood now and that was enough to keep Bowen happy. Secretly, he is afraid that he can't keep up with her and satisfy her well enough. At least not like Danny could. Artemis is no ordinary Wolf Female, her stamina is high and she does not need to be in heat to get excited. Bowen usually goes off on patrol until the beginning of her cycle has passed but this time he missed his chance. He thought of another excuse to get away and it just might work. Another reason Bowen is scared to mate and impregnate Artemis is because he feels that she won't survive giving birth to his eggs unlike the Wolf Cubs and Ape Cubs giving birth to them was hard enough for her. After filling her bath basin with hot water and oils Bowen stood by the door and watched her eat. "Since the Wolf cubs are almost mature enough and you're in heat now, I think it would be best if I take the boys to King Maximus for a few days," Bowen said. "Damn," Artemis complained. "Can't we just stay separated inside the castle?" Artemis asked him. "Bowen is right. But he's also trying to run away from you for a couple of days. We could send Thomas and a few guards. But Jenny and Little Wen should be right behind Artemis with their cycles too so they'd be sending their oldest cubs away as well" Danny said. "Of course," Artemis said, rolling her eyes and folding her arms across her chest. "Think of it this way. Our Prince's will be old enough to find their own mates soon so they do not need to get confused by their own mother" Danny tried to explain. "Okay. I get it but I don't like it. I almost lost two of them, you know!" Artemis said throwing her hands up in the air. "Don't worry. Your Papa and Thomas will take good care of them trust me" Bowen said trying to comfort her. "We'll sit and have a big meal with them before we send them off. They will miss you just as much as you'll miss them" Danny said, rubbing her shoulders for comfort.

Danny did what he said and spent the whole day cooking a huge meal consisting of everyone's favorite foods. The boys were confused and upset at first but the men all sat down and talked with them giving them a lesson about coming of age. Thomas led the conversation since he is more versed and educated and he did a good job starting the conversation off and Of course the children would always have questions. "So mother is going to have cubs again?" Princess Winter asked them. "Not really." Bowen replied. "And we have to have mates of our own now?" Walker asked, referring to a statement Danny made earlier in the conversation. "Yes and no. When it is time, you will know what to do. Hopefully you don't embarrass your Queen Mother by frolicking and playing with the precious females in her Kingdom!" Danny replied. "I have to mate with a female?" Princess Winter asked, all three men sat and chuckled at her question "No. But as my first born White Wolf Princess you will have only the finest men as mates and your Prince will be a White Wolf Beastman" Danny said to her ruffling her hair. Princess Winter actually looked a little disappointed in her father's answer but she nodded anyway. "My first born children are not children anymore. You're teens now and soon you'll be adults. I only want you to grow, learn and live for me" Artemis said admiring the scene in front of her. "I hope my daughters are as beautiful as you and Princess Winter, mother" One of the boys said to her. Artemis smiled and rubbed his head. "I hope you all have beautiful children and make me a happy Grandmother" she said to them. "Don't worry about us mother, we'll take good care of ourselves" Christopher said speaking up. "I'm sure you will". "We don't have to worry about Young Ezekiel. Lately he splits his time with his brothers and then his sister, then with us." Bowen said to Artemis. "We have me and the other nanny to help out with the Ape cubs" Thomas offered. "Just try your best to relax, mother!" Princess Winter said, hugging her. "Yeah, and we'll help clean up before we leave," Walker announced.

Artemis sighed and hugged her Wolf Princes one more time before going back to her room. Bowen was not too good at comforting Artemis so Danny went and followed her. "I can't believe they're growing up so quickly," Artemis said to Danny. "They won't be so young much longer. Soon they'll be courting female's trying to find their own mate" Danny said. "I don't want to think about that for now but hopefully they find beautiful and gentle mates," Artemis said. "I'd hate for them to come across a cold and aggressive female. You are the only female I've ever known who wasn't born that way. Besides, If they turn around and upset you…" Danny said, shaking his head. "Yes. That would not be good" Artemis nodded. We'll worry about that when the time comes" Artemis said. "You should go inside and relax. Almost half of the children are gone" Danny said, gesturing to her room door. "I don't think I'll be able to, I am not in pain or anything. I think I'd like to sit with the girls" Artemis said. "That reminds me. I need to make you some medicinal tea and herbs. Me and Bowen and Papa John worked on them together so I think they'll work great this time." Danny said excitedly. "Bowen told me that when you go into heat it's worse than the other females. We don't like to see you bleed so much and be in so much pain" Danny added. "I know. I don't like it either. I appreciate you working hard to make me feel better, My King" Artemis smiled caressing his cheek. "I am going to go get changed and then find Jenny and Little Wen" she told him. Danny replied by nodding his head and placing a quick kiss on her forehead.

As everyone went their separate ways for the day Artemis sat with her two favorite females. Jenny was currently sewing furs for her cubs and mates. Little Wen was reading through her own medical books and going over notes. "Yozar has given me plenty of books to read concerning my powers and ancestors. I read them all but my powers do not work for me. I always make a mistake if I do make something happen" Artemis told them as she sewed furs with Jenny. "You may just be a late bloomer. I think you are extraordinary with or without powers!" Jenny said to Artemis. Artemis shrugged her shoulders and continued sewing. "Both of your eldest boys should be mature enough soon," Little Wen said casually changing the subject. Artemis gave her a deadly look and Little Wen simply shrugged her shoulders. "Everything will be okay when they come of age anyways" Jenny said happily. "Me and Apollo have talked about this recently. He wants to take the boys to teach them all about being men." I don't know yet where they will go and if I'll ever see my boys again after that. Then Apollo said that I will have to teach our daughter about being a Woman" Jenny said. Artemis cringed and sighed out loud. "I forbade this kind of talk around my mates and children. I will forbid it with you two too!" Artemis said irritated. "It's only natural!" Little Wen shrugged again. "Am I not your Queen? Will no one obey my wishes and keep bringing this subject up?" Artemis asked them. "Okay, okay. I know it upsets you, I'm sorry" Little Wen finally said. "I'm bored now because you two spoiled my mood" Artemis said. "We can go find something else to do. Lets go pick more flowers or go find something to snack on!" Jenny offered. Artemis nodded and set down her sewing project.

Finding and picking flowers were Artemis and Jenny's favorite activity to do together. Little Wen always ruined it by looking for medicinal herbs and flowers and leaving them behind to find Bowen and Papa John. Little Wen Promised that she would stay with them this time so that they could help her pick non-medicinal flowers for her living quarters inside the castle. They went off with Jenny and Little Wen's second mates Drako and Theo since Kasper and Apollo went to take their older boys to King Maximus as well. Thomas was busy with the Ape cubs. Danny was busy cooking and cleaning and Bowen was with the Wolf Princes on their way to the Wolf Kingdom to spend time with Wolf King Maximus. Even Little Ezekiel was busy with his brothers and his sister. Artemis didn't want to ask any of them to stop what they were doing and escort her to pick flowers so she grabbed two of the Wolf Beastmen who were standing guard at one of the exits. Their names were Eric and David and they served under King Maximus for years so they were older and more experienced. Artemis simply asked them to go and they agreed with joy. They left the castle and made the journey to the flower garden Jenny planted. She took all of her mates and cubs and designed a huge flower garden. It had made her so happy and she enjoyed being admired by the people in the town passing by. "You're like a little cub when you're excited. Does that garden really make you happy?" Drako asked Jenny as she hopped along. "Yes it does! I thought of it all!" Jenny chimed. "My Queen, If I was fortunate enough to have a mate and cubs my daughter would be the same age as you now. It honors me to serve under you after serving under your grandfather all these years!" David said, smiling and throwing out his fist. "I am happy to hear that you are content with your position here in the White Wolf Kingdom. I hope you continue to have a prosperous healthy life here with us!" Artemis replied, smiling back. "Did you know her mother or father?" Little Wen boldly asked him. "Yes, my Princess. Since they all were little cubs running around the Kingdom being naughty together!" David nodded. "I'm sure her brother, uncles and Grandfather are content with you here as well or else they wouldn't have put someone so experienced to guard her castle." Little Wen said, bowing her head to him. "I originally would have been posted anywhere as long as I was here in this Kingdom. But your Grandfathers and uncles did tell me specifically what to do and I will do so. Even if that means taking you on Walks" David said proudly. Artemis could feel the pride and the love he felt for her family and it filled her up and made her smile.