Chapter 43

"Alexander, are you ready to get married?" Artemis asked the man because of an interesting wish that fell upon the ancient tree. She had become bored when the day was drawing closer to nighttime and started to listen to the wishes of humans. Apparently, the princess was back and was wishing for Alexander's return so they could get married.

"What are you talking about? I am always busy so how can I get married and I don't have anyone to be my wife." Alexander hoped she wasn't planning on getting him married. How would that benefit her in any shape or form?

"Turns out you do but you are not aware of it. There's a young girl really excited about marrying you because the king just gave her permission to. Her wishes are filling up the tree and it's starting to become annoying. How do you know nothing about your own marriage? Did no one mention it to you before I kept you here? How interesting," Artemis mused wondering if he had fallen into an arranged marriage.

"Catherine," Alexander sighed immediately, knowing who Artemis was referring to now. How could Darius wait for him to be out of the palace to arrange a marriage with his sister? A marriage that Alexander would object to either way. He was not going to be used to satisfy Catherine's crush. He turned her down many years ago and told her to find someone who truly cared for her.

"The king is abusing his power yet again to make his sister happy. Are we really surprised? Well, are you surprised? They'll need to offer me something really valuable in exchange for the groom. I don't just have Alexander Mclane, the great general of the palace but the future husband of the princess. I truly struck gold by picking you as my captive," Artemis chuckled feeling on cloud nine. He was double important to the king now.

Alexander wasn't sharing the same excitement as Artemis because he wasn't planning on getting married to Catherine. Not now, not ever. What on earth was Darius thinking? Was this some sort of punishment for their last conversation? "I'm not getting married so don't get excited."

"What do you mean you are not getting married when the princess is so sure of it?"

"The king can be in control of who his sister marries as that is his duty but it was up to me to decide whether I accept the proposal to be married to her. I don't plan to because I do not have any feelings for her. It has always been her longing after me." Catherine's love for him made his love life hard to manage.

Artemis felt the need to slap some common sense into Alexander because he had all these opportunities to raise his position in this kingdom but kept turning it down. First his father and now the princess. If he ever had to go against the king, it was best he kept important people around him. 'You need to utilize the things being offered to you."

"You can say that because you have not been around Catherine and you're not the one she is interested in."

"People get married all the time and hate each other. You-Aurora?" Artemis asked, puzzled when she heard the girl's familiar voice make a wish. It had been so long since she heard the young girl since she left to be with Vincent and those humans. It seemed like she was in trouble. "What other mess have you placed yourself in?" Artemis muttered.

To help the young girl, Artemis sent a light that would take her from where she was to a safer spot. Aurora was starting to wake up now and it would not be too long before she came to visit the forest. "Welcome back Aurora," she said, happy the girl was finding herself again. Maybe this was the time she would finally wake up.

"Who are you talking about?" Alexander asked when Artemis became lost in thought. One moment they were talking about his engagement to Catherine and now she was talking about someone named Aurora. He thought she didn't have anyone on the outside of the forest.

Artemis didn't answer Alexander's question and continued to sit patiently by the lake for Aurora's return. When it became late in the night, one of her pets informed her of Aurora and Vincent approaching the forest."I have guests coming shortly. Do you mind hiding in the forests? I don't want to worry Vincent that I have a human here as yet. Please go quietly."

She wasn't in the mood to argue with Alexander and thankfully, the man went without a word. Not long after, Vincent and Aurora had arrived in the forest. Vincent Lawernce is the alpha of a werewolf pack and Aurora was one of Artemis's pets she created. Aurora was one of the two that appeared human-like over time.

"Good night. It's nice to meet you. My name is Aurora…" Aurora trailed off when she got closer to Artemis.

"You don't have a last name unless you agree to marry Vincent this time?" Artemis asked because she did not have a last name to give her pets or children as others called them.

"Why are you acting so jumpy? It's thanks to me you were able to escape the trap that old woman set for you and it's thanks to me you are here. You should be on your knees thanking me," Artemis stated, still looking out at the tree which was lighting up more than usual now that Aurora was here. "Why are you just standing there? Come take a seat but don't place your feet in the water or the sirens will drag you down below."

"That light I saw back there was you? How did you know I needed to be saved?" Aurora referred to how she managed to escape the men chasing her a while ago.

"You made the wish and I heard it. To be more specific, that tree over there made sure I heard it. I normally ignore what the humans ask for but you aren't human therefore you are special. Welcome home Aurora." Artemis wasn't really the type of person to give hugs and welcome anyone but she was happy to see the girl was safe. Vincent's determination had paid off.