You mean the one I wasn’t given?Titus kept that to himself.
“Here at Orion Industries, we work on numerous projects, both nationally and on an international scale,” Artemis continued. It was clearly a practiced speech. “Our efforts in the United Statesinvolve the sourcing and transporting of goods necessary for the numerous projects we have overseas.”
You couldn’t just zap them?Titus thought. He nodded to show he was listening.
“The reason why your company came to our notice was because of the extensive transport network you currently operate, which covers many of the towns on our supply chain route. We’re looking for reliable and cost-effective transportation of those goods from their source warehouses, usually to the closest port or airport, depending on the final destination for those goods and the nature of the goods being transported.”
Titus tapped the side of his mug. “Basically, you want goods transported from point A to point B. That is something my business excels at. I’m not hearing a lot of specifics,” he added. “I can appreciate your caution – most company owners prefer to keep their trade secrets close to their chests – but more details would be helpful.”
Artemis flinched at the word “chests”, and Titus wondered again why on earth she wanted to do business with him in the first place. He decided to put his cards on the table. It’s not like he had anything to lose. Everything about Artemis’s attitude suggested a tense working arrangement, if they had one at all.
“Ms. Artemis,” he said firmly. “I’m aware that you’re a Greek goddess. I’m a wolf shifter, and I know you know that too. As a wolf shifter, I can’t ignore that, for some reason, my presence makes you uncomfortable. I don’t know why, and it’s not my business if you choose not to tell me, however, I have no wish to prolong this meeting longer than necessary.
“During the course of doing my research on Orion Industries, I could find no obvious reason why we couldn’t work together if the terms are favorable to both of us. But if you’re uncomfortablewith me because of what I am, rather than what I can do, then wouldn’t it make more sense for you to either use another company for your needs, or possibly delegate these meetings to some other person in your company? For example, your website mentions you co-own this company with your brother, Apollo. Wouldn’t it be more comfortable for you if your brother and I handled the details of this collaboration?”
There was a moment’s silence, and Titus wondered if he’d gone too far, but if there was one thing he couldn’t stand it was people being wary around his wolf for no apparent reason. It’s not like Artemis was in any danger of him – she was a freaking goddess. She could probably annihilate him with a wave of her hand.
Artemis’s lips tightened. “You’re very astute, Mr. Haverland, and likely that’s because of your wolf spirit. In the interests of honesty, I did ask my brother to take this meeting when he was in the office earlier this morning. However, Apollo had other things to do, apparently, and for some reason refused to meet with you.”
Titus frowned. “I can’t think what I might have done to upset your brother. I’ve never met him.” His wolf didn’t seem to like the idea that Apollo didn’t want to meet him at all.
“My brother lives in a world of his own most of the time.” Clearly, there was no love lost there. Artemis gave a good impression of looking down her nose at someone, just by thinking about her brother. “He has very little head for business, preferring to focus on the arts, music, and other more entertainment-based pursuits. While I’m sure they’re important, in a human context, I’m the one who is the business head of this organization, something he is happy to acknowledge.”
“I can appreciate that,” Titus said. “What I don’t understand is that once you learned I was a wolf shifter, and I am assumingyou didn’t know before our first meeting, but when you did learn of what I was, why did you continue to pursue a business relationship with me and my company?”
Artemis stood up, but instead of leaving the room as Titus thought she would, she moved over to stand and look out of the window. “I doubt very much that a wolf shifter would understand how difficult it is for ancient gods to blend in and live among mortals on the Earth realm.”
She pointed out the window. “I remember when this land was nothing but grass and hills. There was no one around here at all. Now the city is teeming with people and cars, buildings and roads, smog and trash everywhere I look. Not necessarily changes I appreciate, but even a goddess needs a reason to get out of bed every day, as I believe the saying goes.”
“I can understand that, but why a business?” Titus asked. “You could find a mate, have children, and live on a farm where there are fewer people. I’m sure you don’t need to earn a living like the rest of us do.”
“I find it very crass to talk about finances, Mr. Haverland, and I have never had a wish for a family of my own. When you’ve had the sort of history I’ve had, you’d realize just how dysfunctional the concept of family can be.
“Your use of the words mate is indicative of what a wolf shifter hopes for when they strike out on their own, and there are some gods that have done exactly what you suggested for me – finding a mate and having a family with them.” She glanced at him over her shoulder. “Even my father was afflicted. He took up with a tiger shifter, did you know?”
Titus shook his head. It wasn’t like there was a newsletter that went around telling mere mortals what ancient gods weregetting up to. “I wasn’t aware, but congratulations to your father.”
“Yes, well, he might be happy, but in my opinion, this mating business is becoming a bit of a plague.” Artemis turned back to the window again. “In contrast, I decided to try and do some good in this world. A cause that is made more difficult by the non-intervention laws I have to live by.”
“Non-intervention law?” Titus had never heard of that.
“A decision made by all of the gods across all of the pantheons, many, many, many centuries ago. Once the mortals of this world stopped worshipping us, then we were forbidden from interfering in their lives in any way.
“Despite that, I am not so hard-hearted or callous to overlook the plight of many in various areas of the world. I realized a lot of good could be done with an injection of money and sound business plans. That is why I started Orion Industries and why I will do anything I can to make this company work.”
Titus could appreciate Artemis’s reasoning, although it didn’t answer the question as to why she was insistent on using his company for part of her efforts. “I admire that sort of ethic in anyone, mortal or otherwise,” he said slowly. “But there are other transport companies.”
“I know, I researched them all. Many of them I discarded immediately due to their corporate nature. Out of those left, your company has the most extensive network. You are known to be fair. And if I decide to work with a company, I want to know they are the best. That’s why you’re here.”
Titus nodded, recognizing the backhanded compliment for what it was.
“As for being uncomfortable with you,” Artemis continued, “I apologize, because that’s not fair to you. This meeting…it’s as I’ve said already. Sometimes we just have to do things that make us uncomfortable. Apollo’s powers are not easily lent to business strategies.”
“He may have made you feel a bit more comfortable by being a support person for you during our meeting,” Titus suggested. The more he heard about this absent Apollo, the more he wanted to meet him. “Is there no way he can be contacted? He could sit in on this meeting, or if that’s not possible at such short notice, we can always postpone and schedule it for another time.”
For the first time since they met, Artemis smiled. “‘Should I take comfort from the fact that you appear to have more of an interest in my brother than me?”
Titus shrugged. “If that makes you feel safer, then definitely. I have never hidden who I was or the types of people I’m attracted to. I am happy to acknowledge that you’re one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen, but I have absolutely no interest in you beyond your business.”
