“So, now that the stunners”—these were the new contestants arriving at the isthmus each week to stir trouble—“are here, who do you think will be the first to break—”
“Hey guys!”
“Holy fucking shit!” Apollo nearly tossed his bowl of popcorn in the air as Artemis appeared in front of the TV. “For fuck’s sake, Artemis, don’t you know how to knock?”
His twin sister laughed sheepishly. “Oops, sorry about that.”
“What if we were naked?”
Artemis’ cheeks turned pink. “Well, it wasn’t like I planned to appear in your bedroom.”
“You don’t think we fuck all over–”
“Ew, stop.” She held out a hand. “Sorry for barging in, but—wait, is thatInfatuation Isthmus?"
“Yeah, Geri loves it.”
“I do not!” His mate protested. “I hate it.”
Artemis walked over to the couch and plopped down between them. “Did Caitlyn dump that loser Andrew?”
“You bet she did and deserved it, the bastard,” Geri said, then clamped a hand over her mouth.
“Oh yeah, she hates it,” Apollo said, which earned him a popcorn flake on the nose.
“Why you—” Geri shook her head. “Wait, why are you here, Artemis? I mean, not that I’m not glad to see you, but you rarely just pop in without a warning.”
“Oh yeah.” The goddess of the hunt snapped her fingers. “Right. I came here for something.”
Apollo cocked his head to the side. “And that is…?”
“Well…” She wrung her hands together. “I don’t know how to tell you the news, so I’ll just come out and say it. First, please know that if it were possible, both of us would be here, or we would have invited you to the Upperworld so Geri could hear it, too.”
“He?” Geri said.
“Yeah, uh. He—Cade and I are in love. His wolf chose me and wants to mate with me.”
Popcorn showered over them as Geri tossed her bowl in the air and leapt up. “Yes!” she screamed, her fist raised in the air. “I knew it!”
“You don’t mind?” Artemis said, a puzzled look on her face.
“Mind? Of course not. This is amazing news.”
Apollo groaned as he locked gazes with his mate. “Oh no…”
“Oh yes.” An evil grin spread across her lips. “You know what this means, right?”
He slapped a hand over his forehead. “That I have to get up at five a.m. tomorrow?”
“You bet your ass,” Geri said with a whoop.
“Wait, what are you guys talking about?” Artemis asked. “What bet?”
Geri sat back down. “Your brother and I had this bet, you see...” She explained to Artemis the terms of their bet. “But don’t get me wrong, Artemis, it’s not just about the bet. I’m so happy for you and for Cade. Finally, he’s found someone who loves him, and he can love. And you’ll be my sister—twice!” She embraced Artemis, who returned the hug.
“That’s great, sis,” Apollo said, as he also received a hug from Artemis. “So, I take it we’ll be asking the council permission to give Cade the golden apple at the next council meeting?” Poseidon was going to shit bricks—and Apollo couldn’t wait.
Artemis’s arms loosened as she pulled back. Blue eyes like his own stared back at him. “About that, er…Apollo you see…” She took a deep breath. “We won’t be asking the council for the apple. Cade’s the Alpha of the Alaska pack, and he can’t leave his people to live here. So, I’ll be joining him and helping him lead the pack.”
