Okay, so, here we are, my lovely readers!

Chapter Fifteen: The Big Surprise

Point of View: Third Person

~Four Months Later~

Adrien is on perimeter patrol and stargazing, mainly just looking at the Huntress constellation, when a smell hits him full on out of nowhere. He is drawn by the scent and steps on Sylvia as he walks forward, his mind not on target but finding the source of that scent. Sylvia whines and Adrien doesn't respond as she growls at him.

Then Sylvia notices the look on his face and nudges all the wolves awake. Three of the younger wolves are on guard duty as the rest of the pack follows Adrien through the woods. Adrien is practically absent in his own mind and body as one thing pulls on him.

He walks for a long time and then comes to a stop when he sees a girl, the source of the scent, sleeping against the tree. He walks up to her and feels it as his soul connects to hers completely, tying him to her without hesitation. He sniffs at her and doesn't recoil at the fact it is a demigod. He figures out she is a daughter of Dionysus and he turns into his human form. He shakes her awake and she screams at the top of her lungs until her sleep filled eyes focus in on him. 

"W-who are you?" She asks.

"My name is Adrien. What is yours?" He smiles warmly.

"Rita. Why d-do you feel like that?" She asks and takes the hand he extends towards her, pulling her to her feet.

"Are you aware of who you are?" Adrien asks.

The girl nods. "I am a daughter of Dionysus. A satyr told me that when he was trying to save me, but...some weird dog that was bigger than a car and jet black got him. He told me to run and I did." 

Artemis, Phoebe, Thalia, and Atalanta crash into the clearing and rush forward immediately. "Is she alright?" Phoebe asks worriedly.

"Yes, she is fine." Sylvia answers and then shushes the HUnters, pulling them back away even though it irritates them, until Julian explains quietly to them.

"Rita, will you walk with me?" Adrien asks.

Rita nods, without giving her head permission to. She doesn't understand. "Yeah." She says, the words passing her lips without her filtering. 

He guides her by her hand further into the forest while the others go back to the camp. "Rita, it may sound frightening at first, but I really am not so bad. I was a demigod once, it wasn't all to long ago that I was." 

"What do you mean? Did something hapen?" She questions curiously, at ease even though she hasn't been in a long time. She likes that.

"Well, yes. I got turned into a werewolf." Adrien admits, smiling some and looking at the sky, the light shining on his face drawing Rita in.

His confession doesn't even phase her. "How come? And you never answered my question." 

"You feel that way because I feel the same way about you. As a werewolf, I have the ability to find a mate. Once and only once does such a thing occur." Adrien tells her.

"Oh." She squeaks, but another feeling is igniting inside of her. No one has ever been interested in her in the least bit. Now there is someone who is practically telling her he loves her and they just met not even four minutes ago. "Are you asking me to become like you, then?"

"Only if you want. I will understand if you don't want to. Or that if you need time, I will protect you until you are ready." Adrien tells her.

"Can I get to know you first?" She wonders.

Adrien smiles and nods. "What would you like to know?" 

"How old are you?" She fires at him.

"I am eighteen, the same age I was frozen at. How old are you?" Adrien replies.

"I'm sixteen. Mom and I lived on a huge farm with tons of smells. My satyr said that's why I hadn't been found before until he arrived and made me aware. We had all kinds of animals and plants. We had vegetable gardens, fruit gardens, flower gardens. It was amazing." She breathes the last sentence out. "Who's your godly parent?"

"Mine? Poseidon. I don't like him all that well." Adrien answers.

"Oh, how come?" She frowns, saddened so much for a reason she can't even begin to fathom.

Adrien launches into his entire story, telling her absolutely everything. They still walk along, holding hands, even though the sun is up. In turn, she tells him everything she can think of, admitting that she now doesn't know what to think of Dionysus, seeing as how she heard his story. She's not as excited to meet him now.

"Is that the tattoo?" She points at his chest.

He seems to realize he forgot to show her and laughs. "Yes, since I became nearly complete, you are my last puzzle piece, the swirling of the tattoo drew in every part of it and became this. It covers nearly everywhere when not in this form." He pulls down the collar of his shirt to reveal the simple yet intriguing tattoo over his heart. The human form of the werewolf in white, walking alongside the wolf spirit of the werewolf in black. The human side has a hand on the back of the wolf, fingers entangling in the fur of his animal friend.

Without thinking, Rita brings her hand up as one finger slowly traces all the little lines. Adrien watches her, amused that she seems to like learning about him. "That's amazing." She finishes tracing it.

"Thank you." He smiles, letting go of the collar of his shirt. 

"So, what happens if I say yes to becoming like you? Will I be alright or...?" She lets her last question trail off.

"I believe you will be fine. But is it something you truly want?" Adrien ripostes.

Rita thinks it over for a long while as they walk. Her mom and stepdad are dead, she just lost her new and only friend, camp sounds horrible from Adrien's experience, and she doesn't want to join the Hunt and pledge herself to Artemis. So, she weighs the pros against the cons. 'Pros: I have got nothing to lose, he will love me forever and nonstop, I could be more than just a tiny bit happy for once in my life. Cons: Other than possibly being hunted by the gods, not really any. He says he will protect me no matter what and I believe him, especially after hearing his story.' She thinks to herself. "Adrien, I want to be with you." She decides.

He smiles. "As I you, I won't let anything hurt you."

"When will it...happen? Will it hurt?" She starts to become nervous.

"Whenever you are ready for the bite, I will ease you into the transformation. Being bitten does hurt, and so does the changing, but in the end you hardly even remember feeling it in the first place. When you tell me you are ready, I will call the other pack and we will meet at the Wolf Entrance. Since you are human, I am not to take you in until you are bitten. I could, but I want to make sure. I will carry you inside and when your eyes open, you will be happier than you have ever been. That's what it feels like." He elucidates.

Her eyes sparkle at the last statement. "I am ready and it is better to do it than sit around thinking about it. I won't regret it."

"Are you certain? Though I am excited and jovial to hear those words, I do not wish to rush you headlong into a life you know very little about." He tries to make sure.

"Positive." She nods. "It's the best thing for me anyways. Not like I got much left in the ways of this life. Maybe this is what I need and what I will always need."

Adrien nods. "Very well." He leans down and kisses her cheek. "We have walked far from the group. We should head back. Would you like me to carry you? I woke you up fom your exhausted sleep."

"Um, sure?" She answers, not knowing how to react to a guy just a little bit older than her offering to carry her when she's so tired. Normally guys don't talk to her, especially the older ones.

Adriens chuckles and literally sweeps her off of her feet. He then puts her on his back and she wraps her arms around his neck. "You can fall asleep if you wish." He tells her gently before running without problems, covering the distance faster than their slow walking did. 

"Am I not heavy?" She asks in surprise at the speed he is going. 

"I do not believe it wise to answer that question. But, no, you do not hinder me." He replies.

After half an hour, he is in the camp of the Hunt and Rita is asleep on his back, unable to stay awake any longer. Sylvia bounds up to him, animated about this possible happening of chance and fate. "What did she say? What did she say?" She hops up and down.

Adrien shushes her and Sylvia covers her mouth when she sees Rita is sleeping. "She will join." Adrien informs her quietly, nodding.

Sylvia squeals and Julian comes over, looking delighted. "Truly? I am glad for you, pup. This is pleasing news, your father will be so euphoric. You must call him, right this minute."

Adrien looks at Rita and then walks over to Artemis's tent. "My lady?" He calls.

Artemis sticks her head out of her tent. "Yes, Adrien? Oh, did you bring her back?"

"Will you attend to her in the med tent while I call on my father?" Adrien implores.

Artemis nods. "Of course. Bring her and I will take care of the girl. What was her answer?" they walk towards the med tent.

"She is joining." Adrien grins.

"Joining...?" Artemis asks.

"The pack." Adrien clarifies.

"Well, I am very happy for you." Artemis smiles.

"Thank you, milady." Adrien says.

Artemis sighs. "I am just glad you are getting the life you deserve. you have been so jubilant now for a little while. It is nice that you have gotten away from all of that horrid pain." 

Adrien smiles sadly. "I know. But you must remember, I don't feel any of it anymore and it is all thanks to my father and our race. Without them I would be...lost, alone, frightened, and running or even be with them again."

Adrien sets Rita down on a cot as they enter the tent and then leaves. He phases and howls with magic entwined in it, the sound reaching clear across the distance of seven thousand miles for Lycaon to hear. 

Lycaon's pack hears it and they take off for the Sanctuary, not knowing what news Adrien will bring on the winds of his arrival. But they speed through the countryside at the call.

Adrien phases back and as the werewolves gather in the camp, Artemis comes out of the tent after a few minutes. "Are we going? Or will you return?" Artemis inquires.

"How would you like to proceed?" Adrien replies.

"Well, we will go ahead onto the next hunting sight. You can catch up to us wherever we may be." Artemis answers.

Adrien bows his head and then smiles brightly. "Of course, Lady Artemis. We will return." 

Adrien heads into the med tent and situates Rita on his back again. He walks out and stands next to his pack, all in their wolf forms. "To the Sanctuary." Adrien says. The pack howls and Adrien rockets ahead of them, not going too fast as to lose the pack or cause Rita to wake up or anything, just moving quickly. 

After a few hours, Rita wakes up and looks behind her to see wolves. She blinks and then remembers what happened before she fell asleep. Adrien is aware that she is awake but says nothing as he runs swiftly through the forest, passing through clearings and meadows. Rita is breathless as she sees the beautiful sights zoom by her, faster than some cars. But Adrien slows down, signaling the pack to slow down as well. They come to a stop and the wolves mill around to find a place to rest. He sets Rita on her feet and steadies her imbalanceas she readjusts.

He lets her hold onto his arm and she blushes a little at gripping onto his muscular forearm for support, him actually not minding. She lets go once she's okay on her own. "Where are we?" 

"Mm, Canada I do believe. The border is close. We hunted a little while ago while you were asleep. You've been out cold for about seven hours now. This is our second stop, not counting hunting."  He replies easily.

"Oh, aren't you tired?" She asks in concern. "How long have you been carrying me?" 

"A little bit." He shrugs. "I have been carrying you since we left. Our patron tended to you after I carried you into camp and then we left shortly after."

"How aren't you worn out?" She asks incredulously.

"He has incredible stamina, dear. Even for our kind." A werewolf, Sheela, answers before Adrien can.

"Cool." Rita says.

Adrien chuckles, his smile taking Rita's breath away. "I don't know about cool, but it is convenient."

"Adrien, can we hunt again?" Maxwell begs.

"It's time we did anyway. Just not in front of the human, please." Adrien consents.

"What will she eat?" Maxwell implores.

"Artemis gave me food. She popped it into my possession." Adrien sighs. He brings out a bag of dried pears and hands it to Rita. "You don't want to eat a whole lot before the change. Apparently it's pretty bad when you wake up."

Rita nods in understanding and nibbles on a pear slice. She notices Adrien watches her without be bashful about it while she just flushes ridiculously. He smiles and looks away, letting her out of his gaze. But he teases her by watching her again when her eyes flicker away. She hands back the bag, still having a few slices and he raises an eyebrow. 

"I am actually not that hungry." Rita murmrs.

Adrien nods. "I see."

"Is it fun? Being a werewolf, I mean." Rita asks.

"Very. You'll enjoy it, I am sure." Adrien tells her. 

"What's your role as one again?" Rita asks.

"Nothing much, really." Adrien shrugs.

"He's totally lying. Stop being modest, your highness." Fiona mocks in the title.

Adrien rolls his eyes. "You know I hate that title."

"Too bad, Prince Adrien, get over it." Fiona giggles. "It's going to happen." She says in a sing song voice as she comes over. "Sweetheart, your destined mate is Prince of the Werewolves and alpha to this pack. His father, King Lycaon, is alpha to another pack. Don't let him tell you he isn't important, beause that's what he's thinking. It is downright bull. Oh, congratulations, by the way. Being his means a lot of good things."

"Fiona, I swear." Adrien growls.

Fiona puts her hands up in surrender. "I can't help the truth, Adrien. She oughtta know since she is going to be yours." 

"His as in a possession or just a term?" Rita wonders.

"As in you are mine to love and I am yours. I am just as much yours as you are mine. No possession, just love." Adrien explains.

"That sounds nice." Rita smiles warmly.

"It's marvelous really." Sylvia says as she turns human and walks over, stretching. "Having a mate is the best."

"Do all of you have mates?" Rita asks.

"Eventually, all of us are supposed to find our other half, except for our King. He doesn't have one." Adrien answers.

"But how can you be-" Rita starts.

"I was turned, not born. My father cannot produce offspring with a woman. He had to find an heir and he chose me. Now, it's permanent. But yes, we all will have a mate. It is a little difficult to explain, but each three decades, one mate appears in the cycle of life for a werewolf, that way you may find one. The moment you find them, the moment that repeating time sequence rpoducing potential mates stop. You see them, you bond with them, you stay with them. If they die, they can reform, but chances are they might not make it back out." Adrien tries to explicate for Rita. "Or, if someone is turned, a potential mate can pop up around their age in appearance. Same as being born as one. Technically, I am a half-breed. If I was born a werewolf like some in our race, I would be fullblooded. Most of the werewolf race is made of half-breeds and that is where the fullblooded ones come from. It doesn't make the mmore powerful, but they don't go through the change. When the miracle of life happens within our race, it is a phenomenon that a child has been conceived. A blessing upon the race."

"And you have only been a part of the race for four months? How do you know everything?" Rita is engrossed.

"He spent a year human with us. He was almost nineteen when he was bitten." Julian tells her. 

"I learned and studied the ways of werewolves as I recovered from my...injury." Adrien tries to find the right word.

"Oh, okay. That's awesome." Rita nods. 

Adrien laughs. "I suppose. To me it meant the world." The others come in looking ready to go and rested enough. "Lets go." Adrien grins and before she knows it, Rita is on his back again and holding on for dear life.

It only takes six more hours and one break to make it to the Sanctuary, traveling quickly across the distance. Rita felt like she was flying, free from a cage she never knew she was in. Adrien slows to a halt as he comes to the Wolf Entrance. He has Rita eat the rest of the pear slices she left over from the last time she ate. She fell asleep halfway there and is now wide awake. 

Lycaon reaches the Sanctuary in another hour, coming upon the other pack. He doesn't understand the smell of human or why Adrien has his back to him until Adrien turns to greet his father. "Why is a demigod here, son?"

"He has found her." Sylvia smiles.

Lycaon looks at his son closer and sees the love in his eyes as he glances at the girl. Lycaon's eyes widen and then soften. He walks forward to the demigod and smells grapes, crisp wine on her. She smells Greek as well, Dionysus. Lycaon looks over at Adrien. "I am delighted for you, child. Have you explained to her?"

Adrien nods. "Yes, father."

I am going to end it there because I am evil enough to do it.

Sorry, my lovely readers, it isn't a joke. 

Totally is not a joke.

Keep trying.

Almost there.

Ch-oops, caught myself.

Charvank comes over and smiles at Rita. "He has found you so soon after, it seems a prayer has been answered."

Adrien quirks an eyebrow. "What prayer?" He looks at Charvank chidingly.

"We all prayed to the ancestorsthat you may find your other half soon. We could only hope and here we are." Lycaon responds.

"Well...thank you." Adrien's cheeks dust light gold and Lycaon chortles at his expense.

"What is your name, dear?" Lycaon looks at Rita.

"Rita." She mumbles.

"You know it will change once you do, correct?" Lycaon inquires.

Rita nods. "Mhmm. Adrien told me."

"And you are ready? No regrets?" Lycaon implores.

"As ready as I'll ever be. I won't regret it." She tells him.

"Alright, Adrien." Lycaon says softly.

Adrien nods and looks down at Rita. He looks at her and she tells him with her eyes that she is prepared. He leans down and then his teeth sink into her neck. He's never done it before, but it is almost instinct. His venom releases into her system and he catches her as she falls. He pulls away and lifts her into his arms delicately, trying not to jostle her.

He carries her into the Ceremony House and into the back room. He lays her down where he layed four months ago. Palena comes in, having left to go hunt before Adrien found his mate. Trailing behind just a bit. She watches Rita and gets the story from Adrien and an apology for leaving her in his excitement. Palena licks his face, acepting the apolgy, just as long as Rita makes him very happy.

After waiting for what seems like forever to him, but is actually only six hours, Rita's eyes flutter open and Adrien calls for his father. 

"How do you feel?" Adrien asks her, helping her sit up as Lycaon enters the room.

"Tired, but restless and amazing." Rita breathes.

"It is always wondrous when another female joins our ranks." Lycaon smiles widely. "They usually don't make it."

"Thank you." Rita giggles.

Rita receives a pendant similar to Adrien's, but only in color. Her pendant is a bit of a lighter blue, in the shape of a gazelle, and hangs from a black leather cord. After running with the whole entire race, learning all their names, and being welcomed into the life, she receives her name. 

Creselia

I just ended another chapter on a new name of a character. Lolz.

Just kidding. I cannot stop there. Too crazy, my lovely readers.

Lycaon, Adrien, and Creselia stand outside of the Wolf Entrance. conversing about tradition.

"You two need to go out, find your spot, have your...bout, then come back here. I sent Charvank and Olivia to inform Artemis. You must stay here for a little while after to complete your bonding to your soul mate. You'll know where to enjoy yourselves when you get there. Just don't go too far." Lycaon tries to explain it without being awkward.

Adrien is nearly completely gold and turns into a wolf after hugging his father. Creselia is a lighter shade of gold, but she hugs Lycaon too before darting off with Adrien as wolves. After a couple days, they have hunted together as tradition says to, and are now in search of the perfect place. They find it after a little while of searching. By time they get back to the Sanctuary, Artemis and the Hunt are in the Sanctuary and waiting. 

Creselia is officially known as Princess of the Werewolves alongside her Prince, her husband and mate. 

"Now it is official and you cannot argue." Fiona glares at Adrien.

"I thought it was official before." He sighs.

"It was, but now there is no dnying it. You have a mate, a wife. You can't hide your title anymore there, your highness." Fiona cackles. 

~One Week Later~

Lycaon has Adrien worried about something and no one will tell him what it is even though he goes over everything in his head. It doesn't click until he walks in on Artemis a week after getting back with Creselia, her hand on his mate's abdomen. He scrambles backwards and hides behind the wall in the hallway. He overhears the conversation.

"It is a bit different with werewolves, but I think she might be with child. I am unfamiliar with telling and it usually doesn't occur with you. However, I do believe it is highly likely. Given the immortal tellings, but you are also part animal." Artemis announcs her findings.

"How much longer until you are for sure?" Lycaon asks.

"A few more days and it will be a bit easier. But, I want to know how you feel about this, Creselia. Are you okay with having this child if it really comes down to being with one?" Artemis says and takes Creselia'shands in her own. 

Creselia nods slowly. "Yeah. I'm sure. Besides, it's life. I'm not throwing it away. Adrien is my mate and I am happy to have his child. It would be disgraceful, too, to throw somethign so precious to the community away. Even I know that, considering I don't know as much as even Adrien." 

Artemis smiles. "Good. Come back in a few more days and I will tell you more."

~Three Days Later~

"You are with child." Artemis confirms.

Lycaon grins and comes up to Creselia. "You must tell Adrien the good news."

"How will he take it?" Creselia is now worried.

"He will be perfectly happy. you might have to deal with a few things though." Lycaon smiles warmly. 

"Got to him." Artemis tells Creselia.

Creselia runs off in search for Adrien and finds him next to the lake in the Sanctuary. Sitting with his feet in the water, that is, until Creselia pulls him to his feet and he smiles, laughing at her eager mood. 

"What is it, heala?" Adrien asks, substituting love for the word in the tongue of the werewolves.

Creselia knows that one because he uses it a lot with her. She smiles hugely. "I know you were behind the wall the other day listening, Lycaon told me. But, I want you to know, we are having a child." She says and studies him, watching.

He bursts with excitement, love, and tenderness. He kisses her but she realizes jst how many other emotions there are intermingled in the action. Especially when a tear slides down his face and onto hers. He pulls away and holds her closer. "I am...there are no words for how happy I am. You don't know what that means to me. But I will tell you that no matter what, I will always love you. I just don't want to lose either of you. I don't think I could bear it."

She smiles and lays her head on his chest. "I know." She sighs in content.

~Six Months Later~

Adrien is pacing around the outside of the Ceremony House as Olivia, Sylvia, and Fiona help Artemis deliver Creselia and Adrien's baby. Lycaon is outside with Adrien trying to calm him down to no avail and Charvank is staring at the door, waiting for it to open sine it's pointless to calm Adrien's nerves.

"The baby is fine according to Artemis." Charvank reports from listening. After a while. "It sounds healthy."

Adrien's head snaps up at hearing the cries of the baby. Sylvia opens the door slowly and is grinning so wide, it might split her head. "Come on, Adrien. Your little girl is waiting for you along with her mother." 

Adrien folows Sylvia inside with Charvank and Lycaon right behind him. Adrien flits to Creselia's side, making sure she is alright before she hands him their daughter. His eyes alight with some fire and it makes Lycaon smile. But something is tugging inside Adrien and it has to do with his little girl. "What do you want to call her, heala?" Adrien looks away from his child to his mate.

"Alice." Creselia says tiredly.

"I think it is a beautiful name." Adrien tells her. 

Creselia smiles and leanss her head on his shoulder. "Good."

Lycaon comes forward. "May I hold my granddaughter?" He has tears in his eyes. He never thought he would have a son, but a grandchild? He's overjoyed and filled to the brim with happiness.

Adrien nods and sets Alice in Lycaon's arms. Artemis giggles and Alice glows silver. Adrien picks up his wife and kisses her forehead. "She's beautiful, just like her mother." Adrien carries Creselia to their home in the city and lays her in bed. He takes Alice from his father after a little bit and heads back to Creselia after Lycaon leaves, more content to live his life now more than ever. He finds that Creselia is still sleeping and sits in bed next to Creselia's sleeping form. 

Now that is an ending. Phew. See ya next chappie, my lovely readers!