Nyx POV

I woke up to the feeling of being enveloped in softness and I could hear purring coming from all around me. I realized that it was the purring that Clarke had described to me and I smiled at the thought. Everyone was happy and for the moment we were safe. It was wonderful to feel this again. To feel whole and complete.

I shifted a little and found myself nestled between Scarlett and Dani. I peered over Dani's head and saw Lexa and Clarke sleeping peacefully. I frowned a little remembering that they had told me that they were lifemates. It shouldn't bother me, but it did. I felt cheated somehow and my wolf agreed. I sighed and laid my head back down. I was so very confused right now. I should be happy for them. So, why wasn't I? I growled low at myself for feeling this way. What the hell was wrong with me? Forest Pack doesn't get jealous over relationships, but that's what it felt like. I was jealous, but of whom? The whole bonding thing, I knew I was good with. It felt right and true. So, why?

I was starting to feel angry, so I got up carefully and went to the other side of the room and sat down against the wall and stared at them. But, staring at them only made me feel worse, so I closed my eyes and took some deep calming breaths. When I felt better, I kept my eyes closed and worked it out in my head.

So, 14 years ago, Lexa, Dani and I bonded with one another. Strengthening the leadership of the pack. 9 years ago, Lexa and I claimed one another. Again, strengthening the pack. 8 years ago, shit happened and the claim was lost and the bonds weakened. I come back 8 years later after having slept with Clarke for the first time and developed feelings for her immediately. I sleep with Dani during the Harvest Moon reestablishing our bond. Everything is forgiven and I'm sleeping with Lexa again and reconnecting with her. The night before I come here, I sleep with Lexa, Dani, and Scarlett, which created a bond with Scarlett. Then I come here and fall in love with Clarke. I sleep with her exclusively until Dani comes and we start sharing her, for a lack of a better term, and create a bond with Clarke. Shit hits the fan and Lexa and Scarlett come here and ended up creating a five-way bond. Lexa and Clarke take one look at each other and it's a Lifemate bond. That was it. That was why I was feeling jealous. I'm in love with Clarke and it wasn't a Lifemate bond.

I snapped open my eyes as the realization hit me and looked at them again. I'd fallen hard for the mysterious girl at the bar and followed her here. Drawn like a magnet. After 8 years of holding myself back from ever really falling in love again, I opened myself up to it and dived in head first. It was because fate or Mother Earth hadn't chosen me to be with Clarke. I'd opened myself up and my heart had been broken, but was it really broken? I looked over all of them and realized that it hadn't, not really. If what I felt yesterday was real, they all loved me and I loved them. I just had to open my heart to one of them and the rest fell into place. I smiled then. The beginnings of hate fading away into nothingness. The jealousy receding back into darkness where it belonged. I was loved, not by one woman, but by four.

You're thinking hard over there, niron, Dani said.

I looked over at her and could see one gleaming gold eye looking at me. Why had I never noticed her eyes before. They were a beautiful amber color.

I smiled and replied, I needed to figure something out.

Did you?

I did.

Then why don't you come back to bed, sweetheart.

I nodded and got up. Dani reached up and brought me down to her where I snuggled into her arms as she kissed the side of my neck, making me sigh in contentment.

God, it feels so good to hold you in my arms again, Nyx. I've missed you.

I've missed you, too. I'm sorry that I made you swear not to tell anyone.

Forgiven, love. I'm sorry that I listened.

Forgiven, niron.

She kissed my neck again and her hand traveled to cup my breast, making me shiver in pleasure.

You're so skinny, now.

I could probably still kick your ass, though, I said chuckling.

Maybe in a few days, love, but right now you need to recover a bit more before you take anyone on.

I know, I replied sadly.

Hush, Nyx. It's alright. It's going to be alright.

I nodded and sighed as I closed my eyes and focused on her touch. I fell asleep listening to Dani's breathing and her arm wrapped around me tightly.

There was a niggling sensation in the back of my head and I swatted it before I realized it was in my head not on my head. I groaned as I opened my eyes. I looked around and saw that they were huddled around a tablet and that it was worry and concern I felt and it was coming from them. I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

"What is it," I said yawning.

They all looked up at me startled, but Clarke got up and sat next to me with the tablet in her hand.

"The day before yesterday, we found out that Jaha proposed to the Bear King to send him here to spy on us in return for Manassas after the Ice Pack takes over the territory," she said.

"Okay," I said thinking. "I take it you've got a council meeting scheduled to discuss this?"

"Yes," she replied and handed me the tablet.

I hit play and watched in horror as the Bear King approved the idea. He was sending Jaha home. To spy. On us. So, not good. So, very not good.

"And you said that it was only yesterday he proposed the idea," I asked, still thinking.

"Yeah."

"Was there anything prior to this that could give us any idea if he had tried to broach the idea before yesterday?"

"I don't believe so," Lexa said. "Why?"

"In just 48 hours the Bear King approved an idea presented to him by a human slave. It's got to be a plant. There's no way he would have made such a hasty decision like this. Something else is going on and I think he's very well aware that we're watching him."

"Which means what, exactly," Dani asked.

"Do you still have a network in Ice Pack territory, Dani?"

"I think I do. I lost contact with them about two months back. Haven't heard a peep since then."

"Shit," I said thinking hard. "Okay, if that's the case. Your network has been either compromised and they're in hiding or they're dead. Which means we have to assume that they know about the implant. If that's the case, he's waiting for our reaction to the news that he's sending Jaha home."

"Which means that we either kill him on sight or let him through," Lexa said.

"Right. He may even be used as a diversion to get our border guards to focus on him while a small team invades our territory."

"If we kill him or let him through, the Bear King can go to the Coalition and say that we either killed his property, which is a big no no, or we stole his property and demand equal compensation," I said.

"Which would mean what exactly," Clarke asked.

"Either return Jaha or provide him with another human slave on top of a heavy fine. Either way, bringing the Coalition here and giving them access to our territory. Where they will learn about the number of humans that we have contained and that I'm here."

"Neither of which can happen," Dani said.

"So, what can we do," Clarke asked.

"It's up to what both councils decide. My recommendation would be to seal off the entire territory completely by shield or ward, preferably both."

"I'm pretty sure between Raven, Monty, and Ben, the shield won't be too much of an issue."

"Except they need something physical like a wall to anchor the shield," I said glumly.

"And there's no way to get that big of a project built in time to repel any possible invaders. We also don't have enough manpower to man every inch of the territory," Dani concluded.

"Right," I replied. "The only way to get it built in time would be to have a powerful earth and metal mage working together."

"How do you figure," Lexa asked curiously.

"Easy. You have the earth mage build a living model of the territory on a raised glass surface, extending the earth downward to about 100 feet below ground. Then using the model, you have the metal mage create towering poles an equidistant apart from one another, surround the territory exactly on the border. From there, you create a ward using the poles as the anchor points. That's the wall you can build the shield on and dropping below the ground to cover the 100 feet of underground territory."

"Sealing us completely in with no way in or out."

"Not necessarily," I said. "With the ward, you create multiple entry points that is keyed specifically to the Commanding Officer of the border patrols. The entry points would be the height of our largest vehicle and the width of the physical gate. That way we only allow those who need to enter or exit the territory."

"We don't have anyone powerful enough to do that," Lexa said forlornly.

"Wrong," I said confidently. "You have me."

"Even you're not that powerful, Nyx."

"Wrong again. I have it on very good authority I have limitless power. The only thing that hindered me was thinking I had only a certain level of power."

"On whose authority," Scarlett demanded.

I looked at her and said, "Mother Earth's."

"What? Since when?"

"When Clarke killed me," I said as I stretched my legs out. "I had a very long conversation with her. That's the other reason why I didn't come out sooner, Clarke."

"And this conversation you had with Mother Earth?"

Suddenly embarrassed, I said, "It was my come to Jesus conversation with Mother Earth. She was very pissed at me from trying to run away from my problems. I swore to her that I wouldn't do that again."

"What else did she tell you," Dani asked.

"That there's something coming and I'm some sort of a savior or something like that. That I'm here to maintain a balance. Of what I don't know. That there's a reason why the four of you are here with me. Oh, and she really broke the mold when she created me. It's the reason why I'm the most powerful person on the East Coast."

"Person," Scarlett asked in confusion.

I nodded, "No one alive is more powerful or more dangerous than me. She gave me limitless powers. Once I get over the mindset of having a limit, I can pretty much do anything, including building a living model of the territory, building the towers, and setting the ward. The only thing I can't do is build a shield. That's where Monty, Raven, and Ben come in. We'll need all three of them to build it large enough and set the parameters of keeping anything out except for the wildlife, flora, and weather."

"Which means that we need to take your inhibitor off," Clarke said.

"That is the unfortunate thing out of all of this. Even I'm nervous of my own powers. Though she did say that I can learn to focus my powers without harming my own people."

"We still don't know what's coming," Dani said glumly.

"No we don't, but we can at least solve this one problem."

"Did she by chance mention what to do with the humans," Clarke asked hopefully.

"No, not really. What she did tell me was that somehow I'm supposed to save the humans and in doing so, save the pack. She's the one that told me that in order to deal with Jaha, we had to show him exactly how cruel our world is to humans."

"Which we did and he's now a slave to the Bear King."

"And in doing so, we also showed your humans how cruel our world is to their own kind. In a way, it was a win-win."

"Except that we now have them demanding that we save them," Dani said, grumbling.

"They still don't understand the why behind it," I said nodding. "There's not much we can tell them in regards to that other than it's dangerous to expose ourselves until we figure out what to do with them."

"We're actually working on a solution to that in a way," Clarke said. "The people have finally fully recovered and we have a final number of each group."

"And they are?"

"41 werewolves, 32 mages, and 138 humans."

"And you said that you're working on a solution?"

She nodded, "Mm-hm. We're creating rosters of Apex and human pairings for now, because I realized that there were going to be instances of that happening. When we've got that done, it's going to be like multiple counseling sessions. Explaining to each pair about what's happened to them. What I'd like to see happen is for the Apex/human pairs to move up to the surface so that the Apex can get proper training. I know that there will be some separations where one doesn't want anything to do with the other after they get the news. I also know that there needs to be a general assembly with the humans to explain that those couples exist and impress upon them that the Apex need the training so that they don't harm anyone by accident."

"That's actually pretty good thinking," I said as I continued to think about it. "Explain to them that you don't want to see families separated and want what's best for everyone around. Stress the importance of having Apex trained. Of course, they'll complain about allowing some humans on the surface while keeping the majority of them in the bunker. At that point you can start talking about wanting them to be back on the surface, but because of their past behavior you can't unless you have reassurances that they will not harm the Apex and are willing to work and live beside them."

She sighed and relaxed a bit and said, "That's exactly it. I'm just worried how everything will go."

"Well, we could always show them a level of trust by removing the guards from the assembly room, but have them stationed outside if it gets rowdy or dangerous. Show them that you're willing to compromise and work with them."

"Okay, good," Lexa said, interrupting, "Now, that there is some semblance of a plan regarding that, what do we do about the Bear King and his slave?"

"Call a joint council meeting to discuss what's happening," I said, sighing. "Let everyone bounce ideas off one another. Though a decision will have to be made quickly. If he's forced to walk to the Eastern border, it'll take him a couple of weeks to get there."

"Why not the Northern border," Dani asked. "It's closer to where he currently is."

"He could, but my bet is the Eastern border. Only because, that's the way he came out of our territory and that's where'd we expect him to come from. Maybe a week if he did go to the Northern border."

"It's best to be on the side of caution and say he'll be here in a week if he leaves tomorrow or the day after," Lexa said. "Which also means I have to head back to the capital and call an emergency council meeting."

"I understand," I said sadly.

She came over and sat down next to me, giving me a hug, "I know we just got you back and I wish I had more time to spend with you, Nyx, but you know that I have to do this."

I looked at her and sighed, "I know. I just wish we had a little bit more time together before shit hits the fan."

She kissed me gently, "Same here, sweetheart. I am so glad we didn't lose you."

I smiled, "I am, too. Can you stay at least one more night?"

"Yes," she said and kissed me again.

Scarlett came over and sitting down said, "I'd hate to bring you more bad news, Nyx, but I've got to get back to the city. I've been away for as long as I could."

I nodded and smiled, "I know. Thank you for coming here and helping out."

She smiled and leaned over and kissed me, "It was my pleasure, darlin'. I'll stay the night, too."

I looked up at Dani and asked, "You leaving me, too."

"Nah," she said as she joined the rest of us. "You still need me here, but Indra's got to head back with Lexa."

"That's fine by me, I don't want to have sex with her," I said and chuckled.

"Yeah, that'd be like having sex with your mother," she replied laughing.

"Wait, mine or yours?"

"That was one time, Nyx. One time and I was drunk and I only made out with her, I think," she said, suddenly trying to remember.

I shrugged, "Mom enjoyed what ever it was the two of you got into, but it was so weird. Like when's Lexa's mom tried to snag me after graduation. That was wrong on so many levels."

"You're telling me," Lexa said shuddering at the thought. "Especially since we were dating at the time."

Scarlett held up a hand and said, "Hold up, y'all. Let me see if I got this straight. Dani made out with Nyx's mom and Lexa's mom tried to sleep with Nyx. What did Dani's mom do?"

"Slept with our dads," I said giggling.

"Wait, she did," Lexa asked, shocked.

"Yeah," I replied. "That's why your mom refused to talk to your dad and Dani's mom for a whole month."

"Seriously?"

"Seriously. There was a lot of drinking that night, but oh, what a fun night that was," I said dreamily.

"How many," Dani said, looking at me sternly.

"How many what," I asked innocently.

"How many women did you sleep with that night?"

"I lost count after the first 10."

"The first…," Lexa cried. "You have got to be fucking kidding me?"

"Good God, Nyx," Scarlett said, stunned by the news. "They weren't kidding about you, were they?"

"Hmm," I asked.

"They told me how after you came of age, you were pursued by every woman in the pack, but damn girl."

I grinned wide and said, "What can I say, the ladies love me."

Lexa shoved me hard and I landed on top of Clarke, who was blushing a brilliant red. I smiled down at her and kissed her deeply. She parted her mouth willingly and pulled me closer. Emboldened by our talk, she slid her hand beneath my pants and grabbed my ass cheek. I chuckled against her lips and kissed her below the ear.

"Now, wait a minute," Lexa said and pulled me from Clarke. "She's my lifemate. If anyone's getting that attention it will be me."

I laughed and moved out of the way so Lexa could show me exactly what she meant. I watched them for a little bit and felt the desire begin to build, I looked behind me and saw that they were watching too. I chuckled and moved over to them and began kissing them in turns. Soon we were all a mass of limbs that cried out in pleasure.

"Why can't I breathe," someone said, waking me up.

I opened my eyes and moved carefully around everyone as I sat up. I looked around to see who had spoken and I smiled when I saw that it was Dani. I chuckled and helped her out from underneath Lexa and Clarke. When she was free from them, she took in a huge gulp of air which made me laugh. Everyone began to stir from the sound and I just sat there admiring the view.

"I don't think I can move," Clarke whined from where she lay, feebly trying to extricate herself from Lexa.

"Damn, I don't think I can either, sugah," Scarlett drawled.

"You alright there, Lex," Dani asked her as she helped Clarke.

"'M fine," she said, tiredly. "Jus' fine. I'mma gonna sleep more."

"Nah, nah, love," I said and helped her sit up. "No more sleep. It's time to get up."

"No s'not," she said as she leaned back on me heavily. "Ish sleepy time."

"Lex, honey," I asked concerned. "Does your head hurt?"

"No," she replied and then began to shake her head, but moaned in pain.

Scarlett came over and opened an eye lid to look at her dilation and then laid her hands on her gently.

"She's got a concussion, Nyx," Scarlett said looking up at me.

"Well, crap," I said. "Dani, did we forget to establish a safe word?"

Dani looked over at me and shrugged, "Maybe? I don't really remember."

"No, we didn't establish a safe word," Clarke said as she sat up on her own. "Were we supposed to?"

"It's kind of an unspoken rule between the three of us," I explained. "We can sometimes get a little overzealous and we started having one when I broke my back, Dani had a knot on her head the size of a grapefruit, and Lexa somehow had a slash on a thigh. In one night."

I heard Lexa sigh and say, "I did say cuttlefish, but I guess you didn't hear me."

"Cuttlefish," I asked, confused.

"Oh my god," Dani said blushing, "That was our word before you left to come here, Nyx."

I leaned down and kissed Lexa on the top of her head and said, "I'm sorry, Lex. I don't remember hearing you say that."

"I do," Clarke said, guiltily. "I didn't realize what she meant. I think the concussion's my fault."

"I don't even remember hitting my head," Lexa said.

"Well, ya did, hon," Scarlett said as she scooted back a bit. "It wasn't a bad one, but you'll have a headache for a bit now that I've got it taken care of."

"Thanks," she said and sat up leaning against me. "What the hell did we do?"

"I think the whole bonding thing is completely sealed," I said as I rubbed her back. "I've got a real strong bond with each of you now."

"How can you tell," Clarke asked.

I smiled, "Well, Dani can't stop thinking about Scarlett's tits. You're trying to remember exactly how Lexa hit her head. And Scarlett is concerned about Lexa's head."

"And you're starting to think about food," Dani said, smiling.

"I'm starving," I said matter-of-factly. "You think you can walk over to the compound, Lex?"

"Yeah," she answered, "Why?"

"I'd actually like to get out of here and into some sunshine."

"You're saying, you're not afraid to step outside the door," Clarke asked.

"Nope. I'm actually kinda getting antsy from being underground for so long. Scarlett, am I cleared medically to leave here?"

She looked me over and nodded, "Fit as a fiddle, you are, Nyx. Yeah, you're sound enough to leave. How's your noggin'?"

"Wolf pups and butterflies," I answered her. "I'm not feeling any anxiety other than the need to get out of here."

"Then let's get dressed and blow this popsicle stand," Clarke said, getting up slowly.

"Blow this popsicle stand?"

She blushed, "It means let's get out of here."

"I figured," I said as I helped Lexa stand, "but I don't remember having ever heard that before."

"Um, I spent a lot of time watching really old tv shows growing up. So, I kinda picked some weird phrases here and there, but you gotta promise me that you won't tell Octavia about this. She'll just give me shit about it."

Dani chuckled, "Your secret is safe with us, but you've now given us exclusive rights to give you shit about it."

"Shit."

"It's only fair," I said, grinning. "They give me shit over the way I like my meat. We give Dani shit for her sexual endeavors. Oh, and we give Lexa shit for…wait what do we give her shit about, Dani?"

"You know," she said thinking, "I don't think we ever did find something."

"Cause I'm perfect," Lexa replied.

"Now I remember," I said giving her a mischievous smile, "We used to give her shit about insisting that we call her Commander when we were little, just because she was going to be de Pakstoka one day."

"No," Dani said, "It was because she insisted on us calling her Heda."

"I did no such thing," she lamented. "I never insisted you calling me anything."

"Whatever you say, heda," I teased. "Come on let's get you dressed. I'm still hungry."

We all moved slowly as we got dressed, some of us limping, but we eventually made it outside of the bunker. I squinted my eyes until they adjusted, but it still felt too bright. Lexa was greeted by everyone that we passed and she just simply waved. After what seemed like forever, we finally arrived at the gates. We were greeted by more guards and then we finally found sanctuary in the kitchen.

I sat down heavily on a chair and laid my arms and head across the table and moaned in pain.

"What the fuck did we do," I bemoaned as Scarlett and Dani began making food.

"I don't know," Clarke said, her chin propped up by her hand, "But I don't think I want to do it again."

Dani snorted and replied, "Yeah, right. I may not want to do it any time in the near future, but maybe in a year I'd be game to do it again."

"Fuck, sugar," Scarlett said, "I don't even remember a damn thing that happened."

"All I know, is at some point I said cuttlefish and then whacked my head," Lexa said as she tried to stay upright.

I snorted, "Cuttlefish."

"What? It was the last word I remembered saying."

Dani snorted, too, "Cuttlefish."

Lexa just rolled her eyes and I started sniggering and then outright laughing. Clarke started laughing and then everyone got into it.

"Stop, stop," Lexa said through the laughing and tried to control herself, "Shush. We gotta be serious, don't we?"

"Sure, heda," I said and started laughing again, which got everyone laughing until something started burning.

"Shit," Dani cried out and quickly dumped the burning skillet into the sink.

"Was that food," I lamented.

"That was food," she said sadly.

"More food," Clarke asked, hopefully.

Scarlett opened up the fridge and pulled out a cake.

"Ooh, cake," Lexa said, suddenly perking up. "Gimme."

"Cake is not food," Scarlett said, holding the cake high.

"I don't care. It's cake. I want cake."

"If I put the cake on the table, Lexa, you've got to promise to share."

Lexa pouted and I impulsively pulled her lower lip out and earned a glare for it, but I only smiled, "Cake later. Sandwiches first."

"Fine," she grumbled.

I got up and took the cake from Scarlett and placed it on the kitchen counter. I glared at Lexa as she stared hard at the cake. Dani and I started making the sandwiches as Scarlett found a jug of juice and glasses to pour it in. We made over a dozen sandwiches before we were satisfied with the amount and carried them over to the table. We all bowed our head in thanks, including Clarke, and grabbed the food and started wolfing it down between drinks of juice. I felt better as I ate and started slowing down as the hunger diminished.

"Now, can I have cake," Lexa asked as she polished off the last bite of her last sandwich.

I nodded, "Sure, you can have cake, but you have to share, Lexa. The cake is meant to be shared."

"Dammit," she said, but got up and brought it to the table.

Clarke got up and got plates, forks and a knife to cut it with. Lexa cut herself a nice big slice, but Clarke grabbed it and took a bite out of it before Lexa could complain. So, Lexa cut another big piece and I nabbed it and handed it over to Dani. Lexa caught on and cut everyone a big slice.

"See, I shared," Lexa said as she took a huge bite of cake.

"Yes, you did," Clarke said and patted her on the head like you would a little kid.

Lexa glared at her, but Clarke only smiled and went back to eating the cake. We started hearing people coming into the house and I looked outside to see that it was starting to get dark.

"Damn, is it that late already," I said.

Clarke looked behind her and out the window and said, "Yep. Looks like it."

Just then Octavia, Nate and Sephy walked into the kitchen and stopped at seeing us. Sephy squealed and came over and hugged me tightly, nearly making me choke on cake. I started coughing and she quickly let me go, so I could drink something to drown the cake in.

"Why didn't you tell me you guys were coming over," Sephy said as she looked at all of us.

We looked at each other and only shrugged.

"Guess we forgot," I said around another bite of cake.

"Wait, is that cake you're eating," Octavia demanded as she came up to the table.

"Um, yeah," Clarke said, guiltily. "Were we not supposed to eat it?"

"Dammit," she said, "That was supposed to be a surprise for Cora. It's her birthday."

"There's still some left," Lexa said helpfully.

"Seriously, guys," Sephy said. "There was a note on it and everything."

"There was," Scarlett said, surprised. "There wasn't one when I saw it in the fridge."

Nate went and opened the fridge and stooped down to pick something up. He closed the fridge and held up a piece of paper.

"It must've fallen off," he said. "Now, what're we going to do. Cora's been busting her ass all week and this was to say thank you and happy birthday."

"Give me an hour and I'll bake you a better cake," Dani said, standing up. "Just don't be mad at us, please. We didn't know."

"It better be a kickass cake," Octavia said, glowering.

"Trust me. It will be."

Dani got started on the cake and the rest of us stared down at our plates in guilt. Lexa seemed unperturbed and was wetting her fingers to get the cake crumbs off of her plate.

"Seriously, Lexa," I said looking at her.

"What, it's good cake," she said nonplussed. "Since Dani is making a new one, can I have the rest?"

"No," we screeched at her and Scarlett grabbed the rest of the cake off of the table.

She held up her hands in surrender and said, "Geez, fine. No more cake for Lexa, apparently."

Sephy laughed, "God, I forgot cake is a guilty pleasure for you."

"So, I like cake. Doesn't make it a guilty pleasure."

"It does, if you won't allow Chef to make it very often," Dani said. "And when he does, he has to make a separate one just for you. Sometimes two."

"Whatever."

"Whatever my ass, heda. Just admit it or you give us permission to give you shit about it for the rest of your eternal life."

"Don't call me that," she said, glaring daggers at Dani's back. "I will do no such thing. And I swear if you call me heda one more time, I'm going to kick your ass."

Dani looked over her shoulder and said, "Heda."

Lexa screeched and tried to jump over the table to get to her, but Clarke and I grabbed her and shoved her down into the chair. Scarlett just eased out of her chair and stepped back from the table slowly so she wouldn't get caught in the crossfire.

"Dani, you know you can't pick on an invalid," I said teasingly.

"I'm not an invalid," she said to me, angrily. "I'm perfectly fine. Right, Scarlett?"

"Oh, no," she replied, "I'm not getting within ten feet of y'all. I'm just go on up to my room and clean up."

Lexa screeched at her and Scarlett took off.

"And this is why you don't have cake, Lexa," I said seriously. "You get down right mean when you do."

"Oh, yeah," she said, suddenly relaxed. "I forgot."

"Can we let you go now," Clarke asked.

"Sure, sure, I'm good now."

"Okay," I said and slowly moved my arms away as Clarke did the same thing.

Just when we were almost in the clear, Lexa lunged up again and we had to grab her again and this time we landed on the floor with her pinned beneath us.

"Jesus Christ," Octavia said as she looked on in shock. "Is she okay?"

I looked up at her and said, "Yeah. She'll be fine. Just have to get her off of the sugar high she's on."

"That's a sugar high," Nate asked with disbelief.

"Hmm, oh yeah," I said through gasps of air. "Like I said, she gets mean."

"I am not mean," Lexa shrieked.

Clarke looked at me and I shrugged, so she did the only thing she could think of, she kissed Lexa. Lexa fought it for the merest of a second before she started kissing her back and I felt her relax. I let go of her and got up shakily to my feet. Sephy helped me to a chair and I collapsed into it breathing hard.

"What the fuck," Nate said as he watched them start to make out.

"Power of a lifemate," Dani said as she poured the batter into cake pans. "Damn strong one too, if it only took less than a second."

I looked over at her and said, "Did you actually try to time that?"

Dani shrugged and gave me a grin, "Why not."

"God, you're horrible, Dani."

"I'm curious."

"Hey, I'm not sure they're gonna stop," Octavia said bringing my attention back to Lexa and Clarke.

I got up and peered over the table at them and could tell it was about to turn into something more.

"You guys might want to leave the room," I said as I walked over to the kitchen and found a large bowl to put water in.

"You're not," Sephy asked, horrified.

"I'm afraid so, sis," I replied as I turned on the faucet. "I'd get outta here quick."

She grabbed Octavia and Nate's arms and pulled them out of the kitchen.

"Don't," Dani begged. "It just getting to the good part."

I quirked an eyebrow at her and said, "You know better."

"Fine. Just let me get these pans in the oven first."

I nodded and she got them in and set the timer. She ducked behind the counter and gave me a thumbs up. I shook my head and taking the water filled bowl, I dumped it out over them. They came up gasping as the water dripped down them in small deluges. I backed away quickly and watched them warily. I could see that Clarke wanted to use her lightning on me, but couldn't because she'd electrocute herself, but Lexa had nothing to hold her back. Her hands ignited as she stared at me.

"Easy, Lexa," I said, holding my hands up. "Fire doesn't hurt me remember. And you can't light this place up either."

"Why. Did. You. Do. That," she demanded with a steely voice.

I stood my ground and replied, "You were getting ready to go all out on the kitchen floor in front of Octavia, Nate, and Seph. I didn't think you'd want them to see that."

Clarke collapsed onto the floor and started laughing hysterically which got Lexa to calm down immediately and Dani to come out of hiding. I relaxed my stance and stepped forward.

"Um, you okay, Clarke," Dani asked as she came to stand behind me, using me as a shield.

She shook her head as she continued to laugh. She said something to Lexa and got her to join in. Dani and I looked at each other very confused and could only stand there and watch them laugh their heads off.

"Um, what do we do," Dani whispered.

"I don't know," I whispered back. "I've never seen this happen before."

"Maybe, we should, um, get out of here, give them a few minutes?"

"That, um, sounds like a good idea," I said and looked at her, "Did you remember to set the timer on the oven?"

"Yeah, yeah. We've got time to clean up."

"Then let's go," I said and we turned simultaneously and left them in the kitchen laughing.

Dani and I climbed up to the third floor where our rooms were and I hesitated at my doorway.

Dani saw the hesitation and said, "It's been put back together, Nyx. You've got nothing to be worried about."

I looked over at her, "I know, it's just the memories, you know."

"I know," she said and wrapped an arm around me. "Look, I'll go in with you and you'll see."

I nodded and taking a deep breath, turned the knob and opened the door. Dani switched on the light and it revealed that everything was back in its place and in one piece. I sighed and stepped further into the room and slowly turned around, taking everything in.

"You alright," Dani asked.

I cleared my throat and thought about and said, "Yeah. Yeah, I'm alright. It's just weird knowing what happened here and then seeing everything put back like it never happened, but you know it did."

"Do you want me to stay while you get cleaned up and changed," she asked as she stepped up to me and wrapped her arms around me.

I returned the embrace and said, "No. I've got this."

"You sure?"

I smiled at her and kissed her gently on the lips, "Yeah."

She kissed me back and said, "Okay. I'm just in the other room if you need me."

I let her go and she left the room, closing the door softly. I took a shaky breath and started pulling clean clothes out of the drawers and headed into the bathroom. I took a long shower as I relaxed under the pounding water pressure. When I was done, I wiped the condensation off of the mirror and looked at myself. I probably shouldn't have, but I did it anyway and I wasn't happy at what I saw. I was nothing but skin, bone, and muscles. My stomach bulged slightly from the meal, but everything else was barely recognizable. I couldn't believe I'd let myself get this far. I couldn't believe that I'd let them see me like this. I wanted to get angry, but I couldn't. Wouldn't. I memorized myself looking like this to remind myself in the future of what happens when you don't ask for the help when you know it's getting bad. I didn't want to get like this ever again. I didn't want to put my family through this again. Or my friends. So, I swore to myself that I wouldn't.

I brushed out my hair and braided it carefully. I stepped out of the bathroom and dressed carefully as well. I felt like I was putting on armor, but not to protect myself. It was more like an affirmation. A promise. That this was a new beginning. My slate wiped clean and I was ready to move forward and put the past behind me, but not forgetting the past. I had control. Not my memories.

Satisfied, I left the room and knew that I could return here at anytime and not feel the guilt and pain that I had left it in. I smiled to myself and knocked on Dani's door. She opened it up and I slid inside, closing it behind me. She quirked an eyebrow at me and I smiled as I took her into my arms and kissed her. I walked her backwards to her bed and pushed her gently down. She looked at me, desire already burning in her eyes. I slowly undressed and when I was naked, standing before her, she reached up and pulled me down to her and into a kiss that spoke volumes of love and support.

When we came back down into the kitchen, Lexa and Clarke had vacated the space and the timer had just gone off. Dani went and pulled the cake pans out and let them cool as she got the frosting ready. I just leaned against the counter and watched her do her own special magic in the kitchen. Scarlett came in and hugged me from behind and kissing me behind the ear. I closed my eyes and leaned back into her.

"You're feeling more relaxed, darlin'," she said quietly as we watched.

"I am," I replied. "It's starting to feel like home again."

"I'm sorry that I've got to leave tomorrow."

"Don't be, Scar. You have a business to run. Just be careful. You've got a very distinctive buggy and if Ice Pack's watching the border, they can follow you easily."

"I'll be careful, Nyx. I've already called up a few friends and they've agreed to help keep an eye on me."

"Good. I don't want to lose you."

She chuckled, "It'll be a cold day in hell before that ever happens, hon. You just worry about saving your pack."

"You are my pack, Scar. So, I'm going to worry about saving you, too."

"I know. Especially, now," she said as she wrapped her arms tighter around me. "I love you, Nyx."

"I love you, too."

"If y'all are done be mushy over there, can you give me a hand," Dani said.

I laughed, Scarlett let me go and we helped Dani finish the cake.

Seph, the cake's ready, I said to her.

Great, just bring it into the dining room. The meal's just about over.

Alright.

"They want us to bring it into the dining room," I told Dani.

"Perfect. Scarlett can you give me a hand," she asked, which made me a little hurt but I understood.

I trailed behind them as they carried the huge cake out into the dining room and we were met with cheers and table pounding. We saw Cora and they headed straight for her and laid it down in front of her. As they stepped back, the entire room started singing "Happy Birthday" and making her blush. I cheered with the others as she got up and bowed at the group.

I felt Sephy come up behind me and wrap an arm around my waist and she said, "That's an even bigger cake than we had before. How'd Dani do it?"

"I have no clue, but I seriously think she should branch out from the wine and start her own restaurant someday."

"She's an amazing chef and baker."

"She is."

"I hear Lexa and Scarlett are leaving in the morning."

"Yeah. Lexa's got to head back to call an emergency Council meeting and Scarlett's got to get back to her own clinic. I'm glad that they came here to help me."

"Are you upset that Lexa and Clarke are lifemates?"

"I was, but I'm not anymore. There's a reason why they were chosen. I was just meant to bring them together."

"That's interesting. Got any idea why?"

"Not a clue. I've only been getting tiny niblets of clues as to what's going to happen. All I know, is that that it's going to involve the five of us and the pack. Beyond that, nothing but speculation."

"Well, I'm glad She picked you and not me," she said as she squeezed me on last time and let me go. "Your life is way to fucking complicated."

I smiled down at her and said, "No kidding. I don't think any could have survived this long if they weren't me. But, I know I'll get through it as long as I got my family, my friends, and my pack."

"You fucking better," she said as she looked up at me sharply. "I'm getting tired of hearing that you died, but were brought back. It's getting tiresome. I would like to enjoy what's left of my childhood of irresponsibility."

I chuckled, "I'll try, sis. I promise, I will try."

"Better. Now, if you'll excuse me I'm going to grab some cake before it's gone."

I gave her a quick hug and shooed her on her way. I looked around the room and spotted just the person I needed to speak with. I made my way over to her and grabbed her attention.

"Nyx," Raven said, giving me a hug. "You're out and about already?"

I smiled and shrugged, "Can't keep an old dog down for long, Raven. Can I speak with you privately for a moment?"

"Yeah, sure," she said and we moved into the hallway and out of earshot of everyone. "What's up?"

"I need you to do me a couple of favors," I said. "First, I need you to get with Ben and get a schematic for a power reader from him. Then I need you to amp up the readings to at least 1000 times of where it pegs out. I'll tell you why in a second. Next, I need a temporary camera implant or a camera that can withstand world ending disasters. And lastly, I need you to remove the inhibitor disc in the morning."

"And why am I doing all of this," she asked curiously.

"I need to test exactly how powerful I am. I already peg the standard power readers out, so I need something stronger to read my true strength. The reason for the camera is to record exactly what I can do when I really let loose. That's why I need the inhibitor removed."

"So, why is testing your power levels so important."

"The Bear King is planning something that involves Jaha. It would be a very bad thing for everyone in the territory and I mean everyone. I need to make sure that I can pull off something that requires a lot of power and a lot of concentration if I want to keep everyone safe."

"What is it you want to do?"

"I want to completely shield and ward off the territory from everyone, so that no one can get in except at the border gates."

"But you can't build a shield."

"I can't, but you, Monty, and Ben can. It's going to be the largest shield you'll ever make and what I want to do will build the foundation that you can build the shield on. So, can you do that for me? The reader, camera, and take off my inhibitor."

"Yeah, of course," she said, her eyes lighting up in excitement. "When do you want to do this?"

"Around 8 in the morning. Can you get everything ready by then?"

"You bet your ass I can. Where do you want to do it?"

"My hospital room in the bunker."

"Wait, in the bunker. Don't you think it'll be better to do it outside where there's space?"

"No, I need a controlled environment to do this. Once I get a ward up around the room, I can control my power from leaking outside of the room."

"I'll trust you on that," she said. "I'll see you there at 8."

"Thank you and trust me you're not going to want to miss this," I said with a grin.

"Damn, and I thought I was up there on the confidence ladder, but I think you just beat me."

"You have no idea," I said and with a quick hug I left and went to find my women.

I found them lounging in Lexa's sitting room of her suite. I leaned against the door frame and watched them a moment.

"I could swear, I've seen something like this before," I said as I walked into the room.

"Where've you been, Nyx," Lexa asked.

"I needed to chat with Raven about something," I replied and sat on the couch next to Scarlett.

"Oh, anything good?"

"Well, I think it's good, but I don't know how y'all will feel about it."

"What do you mean," Clarke asked, face creased in worry.

"Tomorrow morning, before the two of you leave, I want to test the extent of my powers."

"You can't be serious," Lexa said, sitting up straight. "You're not ready."

"No, I'm not and that's why after I'm done, the inhibitor goes right back on. This is something I have to do, in front of you and Clarke, before we have the joint council meeting."

"You want to see if you are really powerful enough to do what you suggested," Dani said as she leaned back in the couch.

"Yes," I said, nodding. "If I am, it gives us a viable solution. If I'm not, then we figure something else out. It's not going to hurt to try. It'll be in a controlled setting and the room will be warded to keep any of my power leaking through to where I could damage or hurt anyone."

"You're confident that your ward will hold you," Lexa asked.

"Yes, I have to be. If I don't, I'll bring the whole bunker down on me and the humans."

"Hold up," Scarlett said. "You want to do it in the bunker?"

"In my hospital room. It's safest place to do it."

"Oh, you have got to be shitting me, Nyx," she said, clearly exasperated. "Do you have a death wish or something?"

I turned to look at her and said, "No, I don't. If I didn't think I could handle it or that I was sure that I wasn't powerful enough, I wouldn't do it. I wouldn't risk my life or the humans to try and stoke my ego. I can do this and I will. That's why Raven is building a super power reader and a camera that will record what I can do. You guys have to trust me on this."

"Are you sure that you can do this," Clarke asked me.

I turned to look at her and replied, "Yes. I am. This is how I save our people."

"Alright, then," she said as she leaned back in her chair. "Do it."

I smiled in relief, but I could still see the worry and fear in her eyes, "Thank you, Clarke."

Lexa sighed and closed her eyes briefly and then said, "Alright, Nyx. You have my permission to do it."

I looked at her and tilting my head to the side, "I'd have done it anyway without your permission, Lexa, but thank you for giving it. I just wanted to let you know what I was planning."

She looked at me stunned, got up and walked over to me and said, "You don't need my permission?! I am your Pakstoka. de Pakstoka! You are proposing to do something that could cost us over a hundred deaths, and you don't need my permission to do it?! Are you out of your fucking mind?!"

I stood up and faced her, matching her look for look, and said to her in a cold and deadly voice, "You are only my Pakstoka, because you needed me to be your Second so that I could finish the cure. You hired me to find out what happened to your people and bring them back alive. I have done both. Of my own free will, I have decided to help you keep the Coalition out of your territory by any means necessary. Because of the shit that happened 8 years ago, I had a complete and total mental breakdown. I have died twice because of it. Just because we love one another, does not give you the right to dictate what I do or don't do. If I am willing to put my life in danger to help you keep your pack safe, I suggest you back the fuck off and let me do my fucking job. If you won't, then I'm fucking out of here and you can figure this shit out on your own. Because I am done. I didn't rebuild my life nor fight to live, just to have it snuffed out because you refused to see what was in fucking front of you the whole fucking time."

We stood there staring each other down, neither one of us willing back down. I could feel her trying to assert her authority on me, but I didn't feel even the slightest urge to accept it. Since she seemed intent on playing that way, I asserted my own dominance over her and I saw her wince at the feeling as she tried to fight it off. I took one step forward and we were nose to nose as she tried to fight me off.

There was a noise in the background and I felt myself being shocked by Clarke's lightning, but it did nothing to me. She tried again with a much more powerful shock, again nothing. A third time she ramped up even higher and again nothing. Then I felt Dani hit me with a huge blast of air and all I did was bend a little from the impact. Now, they were beginning to understand just how powerful and dangerous I was. I could feel their fear in the back of my mind through our bonds and I was sorry for it, but I wasn't going to back down, not for something this important.

I suddenly staggered as I felt my heart skip several beats and dropped to a knee. I looked over at Clarke and saw a small ball of lightning in her palm. I got back onto my feet as I looked at her and she shook her head, pleading with me to stop. I looked around and saw Scarlett and Dani trying to stand on their own two feet, fighting the wave of power and dominance coming from me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, before I reeled it back into me. There was a collective gasp as I wrapped it tightly within me. Lexa staggered and I caught her and sat her down on the couch. I felt Clarke feed me the electricity she had pulled from me. When it was done, I strode out of the room and headed to the obstacle course, where I immediately shifted and started running it.