Artemis' POV

It's been about two weeks since I last saw Zeus and I left the pride with Venus. I am sticking to the border. Believing it's safer to be closer to the pride. I've watched them from a far and notice the others seem to have fully accepted the rogues as their new kings. I can't believe them, how can they forget our true king so quickly?

I've heard Frigga calling for me. But I've ignored her. I won't return to the pride, only for Venus to be killed. I wish Zeus would reclaim his throne. Then I'd return. But he still hasn't attacked. What is he waiting for?

Anyway, it's been very hard trying to get enough food for Venus and I. As well as trying to get enough water for us both. Venus still whines for milk and I've noticed she hasn't been putting on a lot of weight. And I am starting to worry about her well being.

Zeus's POV

The dry season has began. I've been watching the pride and Artemis. I'm surprised she had managed to keep Venus alive so far. But I have noticed her condition worsening. Along with Artemis. With having to hunt everyday and failing more times then catching food. She is losing weight also, which isn't good if I want her to have strong cubs in future.

Guess I'll have to take her under my wing as a bird would say. But we can't take Venus with us. I hear a familiar sound and raise my head. I see a car of the people that had released me three years ago. They'd raise Venus and return her in future to another pride. They don't usually stay long though.

I have to act quickly. I set off for the drying stream where I know Artemis will be trying to convince Venus to drink. I arrive to see Venus pawing at Artemis' stomach as she crouched down to drink. "No young one, water" Artemis says gently and Venus mewls in protest.

"She won't survive..." I start to say.

"She will!" Artemis snaps glaring at me. "She will survive" she states.

"Let me finish" I tell her calmly and crouch down. Quenching my thirst first. "She won't survive out here" I state licking the moisture from my lips as I sit on my hind quarters. "But there is a place where she stands a chance" I add.

"Where?" she asks as Venus nuzzles her mewling in hunger.

"The place where I grew up" I state. "I did grow up here, I was returned to the wild after being raised by monkey like creatures" I explain. "They can raise her and will return one day when she is an adult" I explain.

"But her place is here" Artemis protests.

"Look at her Artemis, she is not getting the nutrients she needs and neither are you. You have to let her go" I tell her.

"I can't" she says as tears appear in her eyes. I nuzzle her gently.

"You can" I assure her. "I'll be right by your side" I say as I rub my body down her's. Taking in her scent as I do so. It won't be long now I think. Then she will be mine I add to myself.

"What must we do?" she asks. I beckon her to follow me with my tail. She picks up a whining Venus and follows. I lead her to the area with the people are.

"Wait here" I tell her and left. I go to the top of a near by hill. As she lays down with with Venus. Giving her a bath. But Venus soon made her way to Artemis' stomach and tries to suckle. As I notice the people closing in. I left to go hunt. No doubt Artemis will be hungry.

(Godly Pride) Third Persons POV

Thor and Loki have successfully cemented their status as leaders of the Godly pride. With Thor as dominate male. Loki was not thrilled about it. But knows he'd never win a fight against his bigger brother. So makes do with trying to mount the females when Thor's back is turned. After all it is instinct to pass your genes onto the next generation.

Though he enjoys mounting the two other lionesses in hear. He knows the true prize if Artemis. He does mot of the patrol. Knowing she would no doubt return once she enters heat and he wanted to have her first. To have her be his alone.

Hera misses her former mate and their daughter. Just as much as Frigga misses her adopted daughter. It won't be long until they go into heat again. Then they won't be able to refuse the new king's advances. Isis, Athena and Hathor have already allowed the new king to claim them as his lionesses. Hathor seems to be his favourite and is the new queen supporting Thor.

Prey had returned with the new kings. But it won't be long until only the small herbivores will be all that remain. Other larger ones have already started to migrate in search of food. The animals that haven't set off yet are the elephants.

Zeus' POV

I return to see Artemis alone with something around her neck. I put down the dead impala and approach her. I scent it. But it doesn't seem to be causing her pain. I take this as a opportunity to groom her. Covering her with my scent. To ward off other males and claim her as my future mate. Soon she wakes.

"What happened?" she asks groggily.

"Venus was taken and is now safe, come eat" I say and nudge her gently to her feet. I lead her over to the kill. We feast together. I then go back to grooming her.

"What are you doing?" she asks confused.

"You are sad, I am comforting you" I state and rub my mane along her back. "We are all each other has until we return to the pride" I tell her.

"When will that be?" she asks.

"Soon" I say and lick her cheek. She then starts to groom me and I smirk. She is already accepting me as a future mate and doesn't even know it yet. I can't wait to claim her. "We should move on" I add.

"Why?" she asks.

"Elephants are approaching, it is best to give them a wide birth" I tell her. She nods and I lead her away to my den. She resumes grooming me as I look out at the drying plains. She soon falls asleep on my mane and I smile nuzzling in closer to her laying my head down. Then let sleep take me dreaming about the day she'll bare my cubs and I'd be king again.

A/N

Pictures above of Artemis and Venus.