Page 23 of Artemis’ Bow (Halfling Academy #5)

I turn to where he’s pointing and ten men the size of Greyson are standing in front of the strip club with their arms folded across their chests.

All are wearing scowls except for the one in the front.

His dark hair and eyes match Greyson’s. Grant was hazy in the mist but in person he is almost a carbon copy of our shifter friend.

“They aren’t here to jump us, right?” Thad asks from the back of the vehicle.

He’s been unusually silent for the hour from the academy into the heart of the city. I’ll have to ask him what’s going on later.

“No, he won’t let his guys attack us. That’s his beta and enforcers. They’re probably just here to protect him in case things go south.” Greyson opens the door as soon as Jayden puts the SUV in park.

“We should probably get out,” I mumble.

The humans’ trepidation has only grown since we got here and my skin itches with the feel of it. It’s like ants burrowing under my skin and crawling around in my veins. They are just as scared of what we may do as the actual wolves in our midst.

“Did you really have to bring all the meatheads?” Greyson asks Grant.

“Hey, that’s unkind,” Grants says, smiling. “They were your meatheads until you found your mate and became some kind of mutant.”

I stiffen at Grant’s words even as Greyson snarls at his little brother.

“Watch it with that word. I’m not the only one who’s changed, and my mate and our friend are sensitive to being called different,” Greyson says.

“It’s fine, Greyson,” I say as I hop out of the vehicle.

“Hmmm, who’s this?” Grant grins. “Hello there, sweetheart.”

“Greyson, tell your brother if he knows what’s good for him, he needs to back off.” I raise an eyebrow at him.

“You’re barking up the wrong tree with this one, little brother.” Greyson chuckles. “Meet Beth, the beautiful demigoddess who helped Tristan out a few months ago.”

“That was you? I thought he was exaggerating how hot you are to make the story sound better. You really are as sexy as he said.”

I snatch Jayden’s arm before he can do something stupid like run Greyson’s brother through with his obsidian blade.

Raven scoffs. “Babe, I thought you said he was smart. If he doesn’t knock it off, I’m going to help Jayden beat his ass.”

“I don’t think he’s thinking with the right head at the moment, Raven.” Greyson glares at his brother. “Enough. You asked for this meeting and I’m pretty sure the reason wasn’t so you can perv on my friend, so spit it out.”

One of Grant’s Neanderthals just can’t leave well enough alone as he says, “You got friend zoned. Come over here, baby. I can show you a good time.”

My grip on Jayden tightens as he melts into the shadows and appears right behind the idiot who spoke last. His black blade presses to the guy’s throat before anyone can react and my friends circle around me, weapons drawn.

“Seriously? They are just assholes with too much testosterone and small dicks. This shit is unnecessary.” I throw up my hands.

Grant turns his glare on the guy who Jayden has pinned in shadows with his sword at his throat.

“No, they are right. Noah disrespected you and your relationship with your mate. He should be punished. I just ask that you don’t kill my right hand because when he’s not thinking with his dick, he’s actually good at his job. ”

“Jayden, put the sword away,” I say.

“Maybe just hit him in the head with the hilt,” Raven suggests unhelpfully.

“That’s not necessary,” I growl.

“It is, though,” Greyson says. “He was disrespectful and plain rude to another’s mate, and if Jayden doesn’t punish him for it, he appears weak.”

“I have him completely locked in chains made of shadows; tell me I’m weak,” Jayden seethes.

The guy, Noah, chokes and splutters before he sags against Jayden’s chains.

“Jayden, he’s unconscious,” I yell. “You better not have killed that shifter over some stupid comments.”

“It’s okay, Beth.” Greyson grips my shoulder. “I can hear his heartbeat. Jayden relaxed the chains around his throat, so he just passed out. He’ll be fine.”

“It doesn’t matter. Jayden, put him down. I think we have bigger problems to worry about than a shifter disrespecting me.” I point up at the too bright sun.

It’s mocking me as if it were Apollo himself taunting me. It’s unnerving, but Jayden’s behavior and possessiveness is worse.

“No one, whether they be shifter demigod or an actual fucking god, has the right to disrespect you the way this dog did. There’s no excuse after the countless times you have saved their asses.

They should be on their knees begging for your forgiveness,” Jayden says but still lowers the man to the ground.

“He’s not wrong,” Grant says, bowing his head. “I shouldn’t have set such a bad precedent with my beta and enforcers. I am truly sorry.”

“He’s an idiot,” Greyson growls. “You should zap him so it never happens again.”

“You wolves are all ridiculous. Or maybe it’s men.” I glance at Raven for an assist.

“It’s definitely men, no matter the species. They are all ridiculous.”

“Yes.” Adrian sighs. “We are all ridiculous, but we are also racing against a clock, so can the men who don’t have anything constructive to say shut their traps for a minute so we can get the information we need and be on our way?”

I turn my wide-eyed gaze on Adrian as he shrugs. I don’t know whether we have become a bad influence on the seer or not, but one thing is for certain; Adrian is quiet until he has something important to say, and then he can put people in their place with the best of them.

I wish I had that superpower.

“Grant, why did you request this shit show in the first place?” Greyson asks with a wave of his hand.

“You have seen that there’s no darkness, right? Our wolves are restless. I’m having trouble shifting without the balance of the moon.” Grant shakes his head.

“We’re already working on that. Why do you think we’re here racing against the clock as Adrian said?” I ask.

“I’m guessing that you haven’t seen the colossal nightmare the world has become. The natural balance of the world has tilted on its axis. Places that have never seen snow are having blizzards and the polar ice caps are melting rapidly, causing flooding,” Grant says.

“And you thought it would be a great idea to delay us by being a jackass,” Greyson grumbles.

Grant opens his mouth to say something snarky, I’m sure, but I cut him off. “Enough. We don’t have time for all the bullshit. We are working on saving the moon goddess. Is that all?”

“Yeah.” Grant clenches his jaw. “We will be on our way.”

“Hold on,” Greyson says and bows his head when I glare at him. “I promise I have something constructive to say.”

“Fine, but if you delay us, Raven is going to kick your ass.” I shrug.

“Yup,” Raven agrees.

“What did you mean that you’re having trouble shifting?” Greyson asks.

“It started when the moon didn’t rise. The pups can’t shift at all, and I can’t force their shifts either.

There were several in shifted form when it happened, and they are stuck in wolf form.

But as time has gone on, some of the weaker wolves have reported they can’t shift either.

It’s becoming more difficult for the dominant wolves now. ”

“What happens if a shifter can’t shift?” I ask, dread pooling in my gut.

“They become more animal than man and go feral. It’s a death sentence.”