Nyx POV

I woke up to the faint tingling of ants beginning to crawl on my skin, and I groaned in annoyance. It was almost the winter solstice and I disliked it very much. I was just glad that it wasn't one of the equinoxes and the ant sensation wouldn't be as bad as it was then.

I sat up and ran my hand through my hair as I slowly came to full wakefulness.

Lex, sweetheart are you awake?

It took a few heartbeats and then she replied, No. I didn't get to go to sleep until 4 this morning.

Okay, I'll let you go back to sleep.

It's okay, Nyx. What's bothering you?

It's almost the solstice and I know you have a hard time with it. I'm worried.

Oh, baby, I'll be okay. I've already got it planned out.

That's good. I miss you.

I miss you, too. Something else is bothering you, isn't it?

Yes. There was just something about that meeting that I can't put my finger on and it feels like it might be connected with the solstice.

Do you think someone might try to hurt me?

I don't know. I haven't told Clarke because I don't want her to worry, especially since I can't figure out what I'm worried about.

If you're that worried, I'll take extra precautions, sweetheart.

I'm gonna send Dani, Lex. I don't want you to be alone without one of us there with you.

Have you told her this yet?

No, not yet. I'll talk to her when she wakes up.

Okay. I trust you.

Thank you. I love you.

Love you, too. Can I go back to sleep now?

Yes, my love. I'm sorry I woke you up.

Never be sorry, Nyx. Never.

Okay, with that I broke the link and pulled my knees to my chest and just let my thoughts flow.

I heard Clarke groan as she woke up and I turned to look at her.

"Ow," she said, wincing as she rolled her shoulders to try and ease the discomfort.

"Are you okay, Clarke," I asked.

"My shoulders are killing me," she said and she reached up to rub one of the spots on her shoulders but stilled her hand and her eyes widened in surprise.

"Clarke, what is it," I asked worriedly.

She silently lifted her hair, exposing the area where her neck and shoulder met.

"Is it what I think it is," she asked a tad fearfully.

I nodded as I scooted closer to her and inspected the bite mark. I could tell it was mine. With a look of consternation, I gently lifted the hair on the other side and exposed Dani's bite mark.

I looked down quickly at my chest and my breath left my lungs as I sighed in relief. She hadn't claimed me. I smacked Dani upside her head and startled her awake.

She glared at me through sleepy eyes and said, "What'd you do that for? I was asleep."

"Our freaking wolves are numbskulls, Dani," I said and pointed, "Look."

She sat up and rubbed her eyes so that she could see better. She leaned close and looked at both sides of Clarke's neck.

"Fuck," she screeched and scooted back and then patted herself down checking to see if she'd been branded. She gave a loud sigh of relief and rejoined us at the head of the bed.

Clarke looked at the both of us in stunned disbelief and said, "This wasn't intentional?"

"No, it wasn't," I said apologetically. "Our wolves seemed to think it was a good idea. If you take the inhibitor off, I can heal them."

"Why would your wolves think it was a good idea?"

Just then, Dani groaned in annoyance and stood up to do a fidget dance before she crawled back into bed.

"Are you okay, Dani," she asked.

"Fucking winter solstice," Dani moaned. "It's like an annoying gnat that won't leave you the fuck alone no matter what you do."

Sudden realization hit me and I snarled in irritation, "Those fucking bitches. They took advantage of this."

"Time out, what the hell are you talking about," Clarke asked.

"Sometimes our wolf half gets ideas in it's head and does something that our human side would disagree with," Dani said. "When it comes to those times of the year, they get stronger as our human side gets weaker. The solstices are times when the balance between wolf and human are only slightly unbalanced, unlike the equinoxes."

"So, our wolves decided to take advantage of the fact and claimed you. Luckily, you didn't claim us back and I can rectify it."

"Well, what if I don't want you to," Clarke asked, looking me in the eyes and I took a sharp inhale of breath.

"Dude, we can't finish this," Dani said, poking me in the side. "Lexa will kill us."

I shook my head to clear it and said, "You're right. She would. Clarke, since you and Lexa are lifebonded, you can't accept our claims. Not until after the two of you have claimed each other."

"Why would it matter when it happens," she asked.

I sighed in frustration and replied, "Life bonds are extremely delicate until the claiming occurs. If you claim someone first that is not your lifemate, it turns the bond ugly. Instead of a loving, honest, open relationship, it becomes the opposite. Distrustful, hate, jealousy. Eventually, one will kill the other and then that one will die because lifemates don't live long past their bonded."

"Nope, don't want that," Clarke said as she moved closer. "Nope, na-uh. Don't want to die young. Give me your head, Nyx."

I snickered at the comment, but obediently laid my head down so she could take the inhibitor off me. I shivered slightly as the power settled in me and promptly laid my hands on her shoulders and healed the bites. When I lifted my hands off her, you'd never know that they were there. She leaned over and kissed me soundly and my fire caressed her and she moaned in pleasure.

"God, I forgot how good your fire feels," she said as she leaned back and relaxed against Dani.

"I barely felt that Nyx," Dani said with a smile. "There was no surge. You're gaining control."

I nodded, "I only shivered when it settled back into place this time."

Clarke looked at me dreamily and asked, "Touch me again with your fire."

I chuckled and replied, "No, my love. No more fire."

She pouted but she obliged me and put the inhibitor back on and said, "I can't wait until you don't need this anymore."

I caught her hand and kissed the inside of her wrist, making her eyes close at the feeling, "Soon, niron."

I could feel her desire coursing through our bond and continued to kiss my way up her arm until I captured her mouth. This time around, we were hyperaware of our wolves and we left her unmarked.

"Will you stop doing that, Dani," I complained. "You're just making it harder on yourself."

Dani sat back down at the kitchen table and glared at me, "How are you not bothered by this?"

I shrugged and replied, "It was never such a big deal for me, remember? Being near Clarke actually seems to be negating the worst of it."

Clarke looked up at me in surprise and said, "Being near me is helping?"

I nodded and tilted my head to the side as I looked at her thoughtfully and replied, "Mm-hm. Didn't you tell me that when Octavia and her pack were waiting for the Harvest Moon Run, they found that it helped if they were cuddling with one another?"

"Yeah, I did," she replied and then it dawned on her, "It's the human contact that helps. But I thought it only works if you're holding someone, not near someone."

"If that's the case," Dani said and then promptly lifted Clarke out of her chair and settled her on her own lap. "Oh, that's much better."

Clarke laughed and smacked Dani's hand, but stayed.

"I'd say that it's because you and I have spent a lot more time together than with this knucklehead," I replied. "You seemed to have tamed my wolf."

Dani snorted, "You mean she's got you wrapped around her little finger. Wolfie wants to keep Clarke happy."

"Shut up, Dani," I grumbled.

"I think it's kinda cute," Clarke said, smiling at me.

I blushed and replied, "Thanks, I guess."

"So, do you have a plan for the day?"

"I do," I said with a grin. "The Manassas pack are going to train their asses off to the point that they forget the solstice is tomorrow."

"Exhaustion is always good," Dani replied.

"You, Dani, are going to Clifton to spend it with Lexa."

"What? Why?"

I've got a bad feeling that something may happen tomorrow. Ever since the meeting. I want you there to protect her.

Got it.

Thank you.

"Alright," Dani grumbled. "I'll go."

"Think of it this way, Dani. We don't have to share for one night," I said with a small grin that didn't quite reach my eyes.

Clarke glared at me and said, "Hey, I'm not some toy or the last piece of meat that you have to share."

"No, you're not," I said with a wicked smile. "I just want you for myself."

Dani sniggered, "She called herself a piece of meat."

"Hey," Clarke said and bounced in Dani's lap making her oomph.

I laughed and got up from the table.

"Where are you going," Clarke asked.

"I am going to change and drag everyone down into the training room. Then I am going to kick Seph's ass," I replied as I came over and kissed her.

"Ooh, that's going to be a show," Dani said and gently lifted Clarke off her.

"Why do you say that," Clarke said as she straightened her clothes.

"Neither of them have had a chance to spar against each other, yet," Dani replied. "Nyx hasn't really had a sparring partner in a while and Seph has never sparred with someone of Nyx's caliber."

"Are you sure you're up for that, Nyx," she asked worriedly.

"It's just weight loss, Clarke," I told her gently. "I'm strong enough to fight and we won't be using weapons or powers. Just ourselves. It'll be good for the both of us."

"Alright," she sighed. "I just don't want to see you get hurt."

"That's the beauty of being involved with a werewolf," Dani said as she hugged her in reassurance. "We heal when we get hurt."

"That doesn't reassure me, at all."

"Come on," Dani said and gently tugged Clarke, "Let's gather the troops and snag a front row seat. I am not going to miss this."

"God, you're horrible, Dani," I said and rolled my eyes at her. "You just want her to hide her head in your shoulder."

Dani gave me a sly grin and replied, "Maybe."

I sighed, "Go get everyone downstairs while I change."

"God, you're sexy when you get all commanderish."

"Shut up, Dani, or I'll take you on next and that is not a word," I threatened.

Her eyes widened and she said, "I'll shut up. I do not want to spar with you."

"Why don't you want to spar with Nyx," Clarke asked as they walked out of the kitchen.

Dani leaned in and whispered in Clarke's ear and I heard her gasp. I chuckled to myself and ran up the three flights of stairs to my room.

When I got to the training room, the Manassas pack were sitting around the large central mat waiting in anticipation. Seph was already on the mat, stretching herself out. I kicked off my shoes at the edge of the mat and walked to my side and stretched. When we were ready we squared off.

"Ground rules, Seph," I called out. "Absolutely no powers, wolf or weapons. Everything else goes. Understand?"

"Got it," she said, nodding.

We approached the middle of the mat and I said, "Dani, call it."

"Go," Dani called out and we started circling one another.

At this moment, neither one of us were sisters. We were opponents and we wouldn't hold back. I feinted and she stuttered step slightly but didn't follow through. I feinted again and she attacked my weaker side. I blocked and easily countered. We started attacking in earnest and I felt myself becoming super focused on the fight. I glanced at Seph and saw that she was doing the same thing. I grinned and in the next move, I sent her sailing across the mat. She managed to flip herself in the air and landed on all fours, skidding to a stop. I didn't give her a chance to recover before I was on her again. I went to kick her but she grabbed my foot and pulled, making me lose my balance and landed on the mat with an oomph. She scrambled up and tried to stomp my head, but I rolled out of the way and knocked her onto the ground. I rolled on top of her and we started wrestling. Each of us able to to counter and escape. I broke away and stepped back a bit to get some air as I watched Seph get up warily. She charged and attacked me with a flurry of punches, most of them I blocked, but there were a few that landed true. I brought myself in close and bear hugged her. She smashed her head into my nose, making my eyes water as I felt it crack and blood flow from it, and I let her go. I wiped the blood on my arm and looked at it bemusedly before I turned my attention back to her. This time I charged her and slid when I was a few feet away from her and swung my legs catching hers, making her crash to the floor and knocking the wind out of her. I returned the favor and then flung her across the room. She got back up and and ran at me to try and tackle me. As her arms wrapped around the middle, I grabbed her around the middle and I used her momentum to to flip us over until I was on top of her. I went to punch her head, but she moved it at the last second so I only connected with the mat. She took that moment to heave me off her. I landed on my back but I flipped myself back onto my feet just in time to block a kick to my head. I punched her in her chest and she went sliding back a few feet. She leaned over and I grabbed her head to bring my knee up to it, but she blocked me and punched me in the gut.

I felt my control start to slip and I backed away from her as I got myself back under control. I looked over at Seph and noticed that she was slipping too.

"Seph, control yourself," I bellowed and she shook her head and I saw some of her control return. "Control it, Seph!"

She growled at me and came at me hard. Her punches and kicks became a blur and she was landing more and more strikes. I growled in frustration as I felt my control begin to slip again. I punched her hard enough that I felt her ribs crack from it and she flew backwards and landed on the mat hard. She rolled onto her side and tried to stand up, holding her ribs, as I stalked towards her. She got onto her feet, all control gone and I felt the last of mine leave. We were no longer sparring, we were at the point that we wanted to kill. She launched herself at me with a feral growl and I easily swatted her away. I jumped and aimed a punch at her head that would have crushed it if she hadn't been quick enough to roll out of the way. I growled at the miss and turned my head in the direction she had moved in. She was getting back on her feet and launched herself onto my back and punched me squarely in the ear. I roared in pain and and hefted myself backwards and landed on top of her. I felt something break and she cried out in pain. I got off of her and hauled her up by her neck. I stood there, slowly squeezing the life out of her as she worked on removing my fingers from her neck. It wasn't working, so she grabbed my wrist and jabbed her thumb into a weak spot and forced me to let her go. She scrambled out of the way, clutching her chest and throat as she fought to breathe. I smiled at the near demise and walked slowly towards her, intent of finishing her off. She continued to back away. I felt something in the air and I turned in the direction and flung my arm hastily upwards and blocked a knife that had been aimed at my head. The knife struck me in between the bones of my forearm and stopped a mere inch from my face. I bellowed in pain and felt myself being thrown across the mat. The impact shook me out of the state I was in and I sat up slowly as I brought myself back under control.

I felt someone approach me and I looked up to see Clarke approaching me cautiously.

"Don't," I said, stopping her. "I'm not quite back in control. Give me a few minutes and go check on Seph. She's got broken ribs and a broken nose."

"Your arm," she said.

I lifted it up and looked at it, the knife still there, "It'll be fine. Go."

She took the hint and went to the other side of the mat where most people had gathered. When I had my breathing under control and felt my own control slip back into place, I slowly got up and winced at the pain of the many punches that had landed. I wrapped an arm around my gut and walked slowly towards Seph. When I neared, the pack parted fearfully away from me, leaving me a clear path. When I got to the center, I saw that Jackson was already beginning to heal her. I kneeled down beside her and turned her head to look at me. Her left eye was swollen shut. I looked over her and grunted at what I saw.

"You lost control, Seph," I said.

"I know. I'm sorry," she replied hoarsely.

"You made me lose control. You never, ever lose control, Seph. When you do, good people die. We become the absolute worst of ourselves. We become monsters, do you understand me?"

"I do," she said softly. "You lost control, didn't you."

I nodded gruffly, "I did. Why do you think no one lived that day?"

Understanding dawned on her face and I got back up and walked away to a table that had towels laid out. I pulled the knife out with a grunt of pain and then wrapped it tight to stem the blood flow. I leaned heavily on my arms and bowed my head as I remembered that day. The looks of horror and fear, bodies trembling as I stole their lives away. Seeing the look of betrayal on my brother's face right before I tore through him. The sounds of screaming as I ripped Lexa's sisters apart with my bare hands. I felt tears stream down my face as I mourned their loss.

I felt a hand lay gently on my shoulder and my body relaxed immediately. I turned and brought Clarke into a tight embrace as I cried at the memory. She did nothing more than soothe and comfort me and it eased my tears. I lessened my hold on her, but didn't release her.

"Are you okay," she asked gently.

"No, but I will be," I replied as I leaned back and looked at her. "I was remembering and I was mourning. This time it was more cathartic instead of oppressive. I know what I did, I paid for it, I learned from it, and I'm better for it."

"Which means that Niylah really did help."

"Yes. She did. Which means I'm not going to freak out," I said with a grin and felt dried blood crack from it. "Ugh, she broke my nose."

I let her go and grabbed my nose and twisted and winced as it cracked back into place. I felt fresh blood flow and I grabbed a towel to stop it.

"How's your arm," she asked as she looked at the blood drenched towel I'd wrapped around it.

"It'll be fine," I replied. "How are you doing? I know that this wasn't something that anyone anticipated happening."

"I'm frightened, horrified, and I now have a greater understanding of how dangerous weres can be," she said shuddering. "I can see why you keep yourself so tightly wrapped up."

I nodded, "It's important to train our minds to maintain control. To keep the balance between man and beast. When we slip, things like this happen. I'm just lucky that Seph threw that knife at me and I was tossed away. I was about to kill her."

I looked up as I heard footsteps approach us. It was Jackson, Seph, and Dani. Dani of course, was shaking her head in disappointment. Sephy was limping and still had an arm wrapped around her chest. I sighed and let go of Clarke.

"How many," I asked Sephy.

"All of them," she replied, smiling at me weakly.

I grimaced, "I'm sorry. Once I lost it, I couldn't pull my punches."

She nodded, "You?"

"Only a few, but you've bruised some of my organs from the feel of it."

"And you broke both of your noses," Dani replied sourly.

"I've already set mine."

"Let me see your arm, Nyx," Jackson said.

I held out my arm and he unwrapped it. Without saying a word, he healed it and I felt the pain lessen in my torso as my ribs and organs were healed. I sighed in relief.

"What were you thinking about before you lost control, Seph," I asked her.

"That I needed to prove myself to you," she replied, quietly, head hanging down.

"Seph, look at me," I said gently and she looked up. "There's no need to prove anything to me. You've been trained by Indra, so I know you're good. I have eight years of training on you. I'm also the strongest werewolf in the territory. The only thing that saved you was throwing the knife at my head and then tossing me away from you. You cannot lose yourself like that again just to prove that you can match me in a fight."

She nodded, "I think I understand that now, but I feel like I'm living underneath your shadow sometimes. You've got a reputation of being the best, and I feel like I'll never live up to that."

"Don't," I replied, sternly. "Build up your own reputation. Just because you're my baby sister doesn't mean that you have to live up to mine. We're different people and we take our positions differently. I could never match you if I were ever to take a position of Second in a small pack, just like you could never step up to my duties. We were trained differently. So, don't try to be like me. Just be the best Allistar that you can be."

"How come you're not mad at me," she asked.

"I am mad at you," I replied, "but I also understand. There's a reason why I said no powers, wolf, or weapons. I would have killed you in minutes and I don't want to lose you like that. I wanted to see how well you've progressed and you are very good. You should be proud of that. I lost my control because I felt that I had to protect myself. When I do, I don't see the difference between friend or foe. All I see is someone that needs to be taken down. So, take it as a compliment that I felt the need to protect myself."

"You should have stopped it when you saw that she was losing control," Dani said to me.

"You're right, I should have," I replied. "This is on me."

"Why are you placing the blame on yourself," Octavia asked as she and Nate joined us.

I looked at her, considering her question and then said, "For several reasons. I issued the challenge, therefor I had a responsibility to ensure both of our safeties. If you see your sparring partner falter or you feel like it needs to end, you have the responsibility to call a halt to it. That way neither of you sustain injuries like we did. Secondly, I'm stronger than Seph. It was my responsibility to make sure that I didn't injure her severely because of my strength. I didn't pull my punches, but I still had to make sure that I didn't hurt her too severely that she actually needed to be in the medical wing to properly heal. Lastly, I'm her Commanding Officer, which means I have a responsibility to her. I can't jeopardize her ability to perform her duties. Which means that I have to look at her overall well being. If she's unable to perform her duties, it means that there's a weak spot. Which could lead to trouble."

"I also have to take responsibility for my actions," Seph said. "I'm responsible for every action I do. I didn't realize that I'd lost control, because I've never experienced it before and I didn't listen to Nyx when she told me I was. I failed to listen to my Commanding Officer. Since I'm her subordinate, it's my responsibility to follow her commands, which I didn't. I'm also responsible for her well being. If something happens to her and I find myself in a situation that I have no knowledge to keep it on track, I have to call and ask for help. Doing that means that someone has to leave their duties, which creates a weakness."

"Like when Nyx broke down," Nate said.

"Exactly that," she replied nodding. "Indra had to come here, which hindered the Southern Pack. Luckily, since she has a Second that could pick up the slack and keep the pack safe."

"So, the question I ask is what can you learn from this," I asked them.

"First and foremost," Octavia said, "Is that as leaders of a pack we must always be aware of our actions. We can't be reckless or careless or it puts our pack in danger. At the same time, it is our responsibility to make sure that each pack member is well cared for and healthy for the sake of the entire pack. The safety of the pack is paramount, always."

I nodded, glad that she was getting the grasp of it.

"We also have a responsibility to ourselves," Nate said. "That we have to make sure that we're healthy in both body and mind. We must never lose control of ourselves and if we feel like we're losing it, we need to remove ourselves in order to regain control. When we lose control, we lose ourselves. Our humanity."

"Good," I replied. "Now you have a responsibility to teach that to your pack members. When you feel yourself slipping, you lose the part that makes us human. You also lose touch with reality. Your mind only focuses on the need to protect yourself at all costs no matter who approaches you or who you come across. You see them as a threat and it must be eliminated. Your mind literally thinks that it's a life or death situation. Kill or be killed. Pure survival instincts."

"And that's always dangerous," Dani said. "The best way to describe it is that we go completely wolf while in human form. If we can't gain control of it or be snapped out of it, it could become permanent and you'll automatically shift into a wolf and that's the end of the person you once were. If that happens, it's the responsibility of the pack to take that wolf down. For the simple fact that because they've been around humans and know how to get into structures, nothing can stop them from killing whoever they see."

"Does that mean," Clarke said, worriedly, "that if you had gone full wolf, you would've been put down."

I nodded, "Yes. It's the only way to ensure the safety of the people."

She shuddered and I pulled her to me to reassure her that I was completely human. She sighed in relief as I leaned down and kissed her head.

"Now, that this conversation is over," I said to Octavia. "Get your pack to training. If you haven't noticed, the winter solstice is tomorrow. Tire them out, so that it doesn't bug them too much. If it gets overwhelming for anyone, let them shift and run until they feel better, but it's your responsibility to make sure that they shift back."

She nodded and started barking orders to her pack. I watched as they lined up.

"And that's my cue to pack some clothes so that I can reach the mansion before nightfall," Dani said and kissed both of us before heading upstairs.

I looked at Seph and said, "You, bed, now. You need to finish healing."

She sighed and followed Dani.

"You should be resting, too," Clarke said as she looked up at me.

"I plan on it," I replied, "but shower first, bed next."

"Good. I'm going to head over to Town Hall and see how everything else is going."

"Alright, I'll see you later," I said and gave her a hug as we went upstairs together.

Now that the adrenaline had completely worn off, the exhaustion hit me and I found myself dragging my feet up to my room. I took my shower and was asleep before my body hit the bed.

I felt someone stroking my head lightly and I turned over, thinking that it would be Clarke but was scared shitless at seeing the damn old woman again.

"Don't do that, old woman," I said angrily. "You can't just randomly pop up whenever you want to."

She chuckled at me and replied, "I can do whatever I damn well please, child."

I growled low and said, "What do you want this time?"

"I wanted to see how you were doing, child, now that my daughter had a chance to heal your mind," she replied with a gentle smile.

"My mind is sound and I'm working on regaining my weight," I replied, already annoyed at her presence.

"That is good to hear, but why are you still wearing the inhibitor?"

"I still feel like I don't have total control over my powers since it's been proven that I do have limitless powers," I replied.

She tsked and said, "All you have to do is go back to the way you thought before I told you."

I shook my head and replied, "It's not as easy as that anymore, Mother. They don't exactly want to confine themselves to the boundaries."

"Work on that, Nyx. What is it that you always tell others? Learn to control it, don't let it control you."

"Yes, Mother."

"Care to tell me why Cora is not a part of your family yet?"

"We've allowed her time to think over the implications of what it means to be adopted into one of our families," I replied. "This is not a decision that can be forced upon her."

"She must make a decision quickly, Nyx," she replied, staring me down and I looked down in submission. "In particular, she needs to be adopted into your family."

I looked up at her in surprise and asked, "My family? Why is that so important? You told us to inform her that she can join any of our families."

"I know, child, but things are happening in ways I didn't imagine possible and she needs to become your successor. She needs to be trained to become the Head Pack Second."

I narrowed my eyes at her and said, "What aren't you telling me, Mother? You wouldn't be visiting me like this if something bad wasn't about to happen."

She sighed, "It all depends on how you will handle a certain situation, Nyx. I can't tell you more than that. I'm sorry."

I growled in frustration and got out of bed and started pacing, "You can't keep doing this to me, Mother. You can't give me tidbits and then leave me trying to figure it out what the hell you're talking about. It's distracting and pulls my attention from what I need to focus on."

"I understand that, Nyx," she said, sighing. "I can only see so much of the future. If I tell you what I see, then you alter the course that's supposed to be. All I can do is provide you some guidance. Straight up interference with mortals is a no-no among the gods. You can guide, you can create, you can provide limited help. That's all any of us can do."

"Then why interfere at all," I said angrily. "Let us bumble our way through life and if shit happens, shit happens. I mean seriously, I feel like I've been through hell and back for my entire life. When will it stop? When can I stop and live in a bit of peace. I'm growing tired, Mother."

She stood up and placed a hand on my cheek and I closed my eyes at the comforting touch, "I know, my child. I know you're tired of all of this, but one day this will be over and you'll have your chance at peace. I am sorry that I've had to put this much weight of responsibility on your shoulders. That's why I've given you as much support as I could with the people in your life. Just hang in there, Nyx."

I sighed deeply and opened my eyes, "I'll try, Mother. All I can do is try."

She smiled kindly and said softly, "That's my girl. You are doing me proud, child. Even if it all falls apart, I'm still proud of you because I know that you tried the hardest that you could. I could ask for no better daughter than you."

"Thank you, Mother."

"You better find your bondmate, Nyx. The solstice is starting to bother you. Don't blame that on me, that would be my granddaughter, Selene."

"Very well, Mother. I'll speak with Cora about the adoption. You may want to visit her and influence her mind a bit. Would make my job easier."

"I might just do that," she said with a gleam in her eye. "Go, be with Clarke."

I bowed my head, "Yes, Mother."

When I looked up, she was gone. I sighed and dressed. Closing the door, I impulsively opened Dani's and felt lonely that she wasn't here. I focused on my bond with Clarke and it drew me to the kitchen. Walking in, I immediately felt better being near her. She was joking with her friends and I didn't want to interrupt her fun.

Clarke happened to look up and I swore that her smile brightened up the room.

"There you are, sleepy head," she said as she got up and hugged me tightly.

I wrapped her in my arms and kissed her soundly and said, "I was more tired than I realized. I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, love. I'm just glad you're here."

I smiled and said, "Oh? And why is that?"

"We're trying to convince her to take a holiday," Raven said from the table. "Since Christmas is in a few days, it would be nice to throw everything to the side for one day and just celebrate."

"That's actually not a bad idea," I said. "We usually have a week long celebration after the solstice. A chance to give thanks of another year of prosperity and celebrate the lives that we've lost over the year."

"You celebrate the people that have died over the year," Octavia asked.

"Not really the people, but their life," I replied. "We share anecdotes, stories that they've told, the way they've impacted our lives. We celebrate them to remember them as they were alive, not how they died. We've already mourned their loss."

"That's kinda cool," Nate said. "I like that, but why a week?"

I grinned and replied, "That's usually how long it takes for us to sober up."

"What are you all? A bunch of nymphomaniac drunks," Raven said shaking her head.

"Eh, sometimes," I replied. "There's usually a lot of September babies. June babies. December babies. March babies."

"And where do you fall," Clarke asked.

"July 17th."

"Which means that Lexa's is the 16th and Dani's is the 18th."

"Yep. That's why we usually had our birthday parties at the beach."

"Hold up," Raven said, throwing her hand up, "Are you telling us that the three of you are only a day apart from one another?"

"Yeah. Why," I asked, confused.

"It's just super odd that the three leaders of the Forest Pack were born so close to one another. Is it the same with your parents?"

I shook my head and answered, "No. Dani's dad is ten years older than my mom and Lexa's mom is three years younger than her."

"So it's only the three of you?"

"Yep. Then you throw in the fact that the three of us fell in love with one another, bonded with one another, and we took up our positions nearly at the same time. Spooky."

"Creepy is more like it."

I shrugged and said, "We never really thought about it. It was just one of those things. But, now I know that there was a reason why and that it involves Mother Earth."

"I am so glad, that she's not interfering with my life," Raven said as she leaned back.

I grinned at her and said, "Who's to say that she hasn't. You just so happen to be close friends with Clarke, who happens to be bonded with all three of us and is the lifemate to one of us. You just happen to be one of the strongest techno mages that I've ever encountered. The same thing goes for every member of your council. Just because Mother Earth isn't as involved in your lives, doesn't mean she doesn't have a hand in it. We're all here for a reason."

"That is some heavy shit, man," Nate said, standing up. "I need to go find something to do. Octavia, you coming?"

"Oh, most definitely," she said standing up and they both left the room, leaving Raven with us.

"You're not running, Raven," I said chuckling.

"I will, once I remember how my legs work," she replied. "I just had to open my mouth and received too much information."

"What, it's not like I gave you intimate details of my sex life," I replied, with a hint of mischief.

She stood up abruptly and said, "No, don't you dare go there. I'm gone."

I laughed as she beat a hasty retreat.

Clarke slapped me on the chest and said, "Stop it, Nyx. You know she's sensitive about that."

"I know, but it's hard when it's so easy," I said as I kissed her.

"You're horrible."

"Maybe, but at least I'm fun."

She chuckled and kissed me again, more deeply. We moved it up to her bedroom and didn't come out until morning.