I have been reading comments all day...So, I see this is one of the main ones people want updated. Let me tell you guys that you are all very interesting, my lovely readers. Though I am curious about some things, I am a little...too curious about others. Enjoy!

Chapter Ten: The Trials of Thalia

Point of View: Ebony

Why does she seem to be around me a lot more? I can see that brooding look she is giving me.

Oh well, I will just ignore her and enjoy and love my Phoebe, my special Phoebe.

Point of View: Phoebe

Is it me or has Ebony been avoiding Thalia over the past few days? Whenever she comes around, he drags me away.

It all started yesterday, ever since he broke the news to her that he truly does hate her with all his heart. Thalia has been trying to spend time with him. I know she doesn't have anything to sacrifice but her home in the Hunt. She has nothing else, not since she cast him out as Perseus, who no longer exists.

At first, she tried talking with him during dinner, so he wouldn't talk unless Artemis or I spoke to him directly, or if the other girls wanted to talk with him. Then she tried making his favorite food colored blue and he walked away as he pulled me by the hand. She's tried talking, cooking, apologizing, sticking around us, and nagging him all day. Personally, she is starting to annoy me as well. I am supposed to be spending time with him, I do not want it spoiled by her trying to make amends. I know it would help him, but I wish to see him like this and cherish it while it lasts.

A few hours ago, she followed us into the little clearing he loves to talk with me in. He carried me and jumped through the trees to get away from her. We sat and talked until lunchtime, learning more about Perseus and him learning more about me. He even explained what he understands about the bond forming between us.

I wish he could stay this little for just a little while longer. Because...in a day or two, he won't be so little anymore.

Point of View: Ebony

I sniff out the smell of a rabbit, darting towards it before my Phoebe can stop me. I catch it in my arms, holding the furry white creature. I hurry back over to Phoebe and present it to her, the little fuzzy thing shaking in my hold.

Phoebe smiles. "For me?"

I nod. "Mhmm." I smile warmly at her.

I hear the other girls giggle as Phoebe takes the bunny into her arms. "Thank you, Ebony."

I love it when she says my name, it brings color to my world. "Does Phoebe like it?"

"I love it, but it has a family to get back to." Phoebe crouches down and points as she holds my prey in one arm. I follow exactly where she points to see another full grown rabbit and fuzzy little balls, her young. "Shouldn't we let it go?"

"Family." I murmur as I take the rabbit back from Phoebe, making her grin. I walk back over to the others of its kind and gently set it down. The one I let go turns back to me, staring at me. I stay crouched, gazing right back into its knowing eyes. Then they all bounce off, watching over the clumsy little ones. I straighten and watch after them, even when they are gone. Phoebe comes over and puts her hand on the shoulder opposite her, pulling me close as I hug her around the waist.

I am nine now, I can feel it. Halfway grown and matured.

"Phoebe, can we go see Aroen? I want to see my father." I whisper.

"Of course, Ebony, let's-" Phoebe screams as she is lifted clear in the air by something I can't see as I am thrown clear across the meadow the Hunt is camped in, slamming into a tree.

"Phoebe!" I yell and search for her.

Then I see her, in the hands of that mutt.

I growl.

He sneers as the other girls are occupied. "Look what we have here."

"Lycaon." I snarl, but step back as a bigger wolf comes to stand in front of me.

"Careful now, I have never seen one of Artemis's wolves in their vulnerable age. I want to study you, child.  I want to know who you were." Lycaon's sharp nails are against my Phoebe's throat and he chuckles as she struggles in his hold. "Careful, now, pup. Let Garan bring you to me, then I will not hurt this little girl. She is the owner of your bond, correct? That is why you stand so close to her, closer than the others do the ones they are bound to. You are unique, surely the best one to study."

I see my father stalking up behind him as the others join the sides of our Hunt Sisters. I lunge at the huge wolf as I shift at the same moment my father bites into Lycaon's leg. I yelp as the big wolf pins me under its paw, still too small in my wolf form.

Phoebe gets away from the Werewolf King as Aroen distracts him, causing Lycaon to snap at him as Phoebe is released. She goes to Artemis's defense before she can be overtaken by the majority of the Pack, knowing Lycaon wants me alive and that I will be okay.

I turn back to human and the wolf above me presses his weight further into my abdomen, causing me to fight for air.

'Get off of my son!' My father plows into the wolf that keeps me pinned down, snapping his neck in his strong jaws. He comes over, but my eyes widen as Lycaon's claws slash into my father's side.

I am picked up by my neck, Lycaon's hand going around the front of it as he holds me to his chest.

"I can smell it." He breathes in my ear as my father gets up, my eyes widening. "This dog here is your father."

I dig my claws into his arm and Lycaon growls, cutting off half of my air supply.

"Oh no, do not struggle." Lycaon chuckles. "You are smaller than the pups of my kin, but not as weak. But your size hinders you. Ah, ah." Lycaon makes me gasp for air. "Not another step, old mongrel, I only came for him. He is very interesting."

My father glances at me before he lunges at Lycaon, sinking his fangs into the beast and causing me to be dropped on the ground. I hear a pained yelp. "Dad!" I turn and try to help him, but Lycaon's claws tear into my chest before he throws me into a tree, one of the branches going through my middle.

"Ebony!" Phoebe yells.

Lycaon is in an uncontrollable bloodlust and I am too small to help my father, who is going to lose. He may be as old as Lycaon, but Lycaon plays dirty and lives to survive, not protect.

Phoebe runs for me as Artemis is able to kill the few that surround them.

I look to see who it is as my father lies in a pool of blood, Lycaon ready to deliver the killing blow.

"Dad." Tears slide down my face.

But it is not Artemis's arrow that pierces Lycaon's chest.

My eyes trace the path the arrow made and I cannot believe it.

Thalia has wounded Lycaon.

The bloodlust within the werewolf disappears and he runs off before he can die, his wolves going after him.

Phoebe pulls me off of the branch and I scramble out of her arms, not caring about anything but getting to my father now. "Dad." I choke out as I drop next to him, crawling until I can get underneath one of his front legs. It seems to wake him up a little. "Dad?"

'Are you alright,...son? I saw him throw you. You're bleeding.' He responds.

"You're worse." I sniffle as I sit up and press my hands onto the deeper claw marks on his stomach. "Please don't leave me."

Aroen whines as he tries to stand up, forcing himself up onto shaking legs. 'I will not leave you-' His legs give out and he falls back onto his side. 'Alone.'

Atalanta comes over with a bag full of medical supplies, sitting next to me. "Phoebe, take Ebony away." She says sadly.

Phoebe picks me up and I struggle against her. "No, I want to stay with my dad."

"I know, Ebony, but he does not want you here to see his pain. He will be okay. Come on, let's go get you cleaned up, too. Thalia?" Phoebe calls as she presses her hands on my middle, causing me to whimper. I forgot about it.

Thalia nods and follows Phoebe into the medical tent.

I am just going to be evil and leave you hanging here, my lovely readers. ;P