Clarke POV

My hand trailed lazily down Janice's arm as we lay in my bed, snuggling tightly against the slight chill in my room, legs entangled underneath the covers. My thoughts roamed over the last few days and inevitably end to my kissing Lexa. I frowned, still trying to figure out what had felt compelled me to do it. Yes, we both had mutual attraction and we both seemed familiar with one another, but why would I do that? Why would I risk my relationship with Janice? I knew I loved Janice, even though I hadn't spoken those words yet, so why did I do it? Did I want to get it out of my system? If that was the case, I really fucked up on that account. That damn kiss sparked something in me that was primal and made me want her more.

I growled softly at my own stupidity. I told myself that I was going to keep my distance from her and make sure that I was never alone with her in the same room. I also told myself that I wouldn't go to the ledge anymore, just in case she was there. I was starting to make myself miserable and I didn't want to. Not with a beautiful woman in my arms. A woman that I loved and I hoped loved me back.

I shifted until I was leaning over her and kissed her gently. My hands roamed her body, making it shiver, as my mouth followed and waking her up in a most delicious way. Sated we fell back asleep, bodies still buzzing and curled around one another.

When I woke up again, I gazed outside and saw thick, fat flakes falling. The room had gotten colder and I could feel Janice wrapping herself tightly around me, finding comfort in my heat. I gently extracted myself and got the fire going. When it was crackling away, I climbed back into bed with her and pulled her close to me.

"God, I love the fact that you're like my own personal heater," she said sighing.

I chuckled, "I'll take that as a compliment. The snow is coming in heavily. You're not going to make back into town in your little car."

"Maybe I'll just call into work and stay snuggled in bed with you."

"You could most definitely do that, but what about dinner with your folks?"

She made a noise of irritation and I kissed her neck, changing it into a sigh.

"I guess it would be rather cruel to them if we reschedule, huh?"

"It's up to you, my love. You're the one that insisted on this."

"Well, of course, I did," she said, turning around to face me. "It's a big deal when a daughter brings home the girlfriend to meet her parents."

I made a face, making her chuckle, "Really? Do you have to phrase it like that?"

"Hey, I love you and you're important to me. I want them to like you."

I smiled at her admission and replied, "I love you, too, and I'm quite likable. We'll go, don't worry."

"Ugh, I should probably call them to double check," she said, pitifully. "But I'm so comfortable."

I laughed, "Of course you're are, but alas, we do have to get up. We've spent enough time in bed."

"Do we really have to?"

"Yes. I'm hungry and I know that no one will bring me food. Call your parents and double check and you're supposed to be at work in like an hour, so I'd get a move on if I were you."

"God, you can be so mean sometimes. Adulting is a bitch," she whined, but I shut her up with a kiss.

"Yes it is," I said, getting up. "Come on."

She glared at me, but got out of bed. I let her shower first, while I put on some clothes and headed downstairs to make breakfast. The house was quiet, but I could hear the tv on downstairs. I started breakfast and as the smells of cooking bacon and pancakes filled the air, people started appearing and making me chuckle.

"Food," Harper said, grinning at me as she came down the stairs.

"Of course," I replied. "Take care of your charges already?"

"Yeah, got up at the ass crack of dawn to do it," she replied as she poured herself a cup of coffee. "I'm gonna have to head down to the next town to get some feed though."

I nodded, "Hey, do me a favor and check on the weather. I'm not liking the way the snow's coming in."

She saluted me and turned on the big tv and switching it to the weather. I listened to it and frowned a little, hearing that a big storm was moving in tonight and it was expected to last for a couple of days.

Monty came down the stairs finally as Octavia came up them. They bumped into each other and glared for a minute, but Monty, ever the gentleman, let Octavia move first. She smirked at him and flounced her way over to the coffee pot.

"So, you sounded like you woke up with a bang," she said, smiling sweetly at me.

I laughed and shook my head, "You could say that. Jealous?"

"As if," she scoffed at me. "Are you nervous about tonight? Meeting the parental units and all."

"Too soon to tell," I replied as I continued to stack pancakes. "I'm fine right now, but I'll probably be later. Listen, I don't want you to head out today. There's a big storm coming and I don't want you caught out in it if it decides to hit early."

She looked out the windows and nodded, "I will. I'd much rather be curled up in front of the fireplace anyway."

"Good. That goes for both of you, too. Harper, as soon as you're finished eating, head to the feed store and then come straight back."

"Yes, Ma'am," she replied and started scooping up food.

"Don't worry, Clarke," Monty replied. "I'm golden, but what about you? I mean, you'll be in town when it hits."

"I'll crash at Janice's if necessary."

I looked up and smiled, seeing Janice come down the stairs. She eyed the spread as she came up and kissed me.

"You guys really do eat a lot," she mused as she picked up a slice of bacon.

We all looked up at each other, sharing a glance and then I said, "We burn through a lot of calories just about every day, love. Downside to having a very active lifestyle."

"Ah," she said, making a plate for herself, "Makes me glad that the most I do is walk around the town for exercise."

I chuckled and shook my head. As soon as I was done, we all sat around the dining room table and ate.

"Do your parents still want to do the dinner tonight," I asked as I wiped up the last of the syrup on my plate."

She made a face, "They do. And I still have to go into work, too. I'm pretty sure that it's going to be dead today. It's just too cold and with that storm coming in, no one's going to want to leave their homes."

"That reminds me, I better call Raven and tell her to get home early. Unfortunately, Nate's got night patrol."

"Sucks to be him," Octavia said as she took her plate to the kitchen.

"Be nice," I said after her.

"I'll be nice when he pays me for beating him at poker the other night."

"I told you not to play for money," I admonished.

"Well, poker is not poker without gambling."

"Next time, just play strip poker."

That made Janice pause and blush, "You won't let them gamble, but you'll let them play strip poker?"

I grinned, "Well, it's more like drunk strip poker. Always lots of fun."

"But, seriously? Are you guys that comfortable around each other?"

"Um, yeah," I said.

She shook her head, "You guys are weird. Clarke, can you drive me to work? You're right, my car is not up to navigating back down into town."

"Sure. Let me go start the truck up and get the heater going," I said, getting up and taking my plates to the kitchen.

When I was done, I called Raven and told her to come home as soon as possible. She agreed and that as soon as she was done with the car she was working on, she'd be home. I ran downstairs and checked with Nate, making sure his alarm was set just a bit earlier than usual. I did not want him to get stuck halfway down.

"Bellamy called," Octavia said, as I came back up the stairs. "He wanted to make sure that we were good and ready to ride out the storm. He also said to tell you that he's staying indoors too."

"Thanks," I said and turned to Janice, "Ready?"

"As ready as I can be," she said and wrapped a scarf around her face.

We headed out, driving slowly to navigate the turns. I dropped her off in one piece and said that I'd pick her up at the end of her shift. A passionate kiss goodbye and I was heading back home.

I spent the day, cleaning the house and keeping an eye on the storm and the time. Harper made it to and from safely and then made sure the horses were safe and sound. Monty and Octavia entertained themselves in some video game to pass the time and Nate was still sound asleep. All was right in the world when Raven got home, and yet something felt off. I couldn't place it, but there was a sudden feeling of foreboding. I tried to shake it off, but it was persistent.

I made sure that my phone was fully charged and I showered and changed clothes when it was almost time to pick up Janice.

"Are you sure that you're okay with going," Raven asked.

"Yeah, I'll be fine," I replied. "Phone's at a hundred percent. The truck is running good. I'm planning on staying at Janice's to ride out the storm. Not much else I can do to prepare."

She hugged me and said, "Stay safe. Call me when you're back at Janice's after the dinner."

"I will, I promise," I said.

Then I was out the door and headed to town. I picked up Janice and we headed to her apartment to let her shower and change. I watched the snow falling more thickly and worried. Janice came up behind me and wrapped her arms around my waist, leaning her chin on my shoulder to look out.

"Want me to call them and tell them the weather's too iffy," she asked.

I sighed, "No. The worst that could happen is that we stay there, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then we'll go," I said, turning around and kissing her lightly. "I was surprised when you said 'I love you' first. Especially, since I was going to say it."

She chuckled, "I know. I wanted to say it first."

"You're unbelievable. You're freaking competitive."

"I went to State three years in a row in high school in Track and Field. Damn right, I'm competitive."

"In Track and Field," I said, chuckling. "And now all you want to do is walk around town?"

"A girl has priorities. And anyway, you like my softness."

"That I do," I replied, squeezing her ass to make my point.

She kissed me deeply and I leaned into her, "Ready to go?"

I sighed, "Yeah."

"You don't have to sound like I'm sending you to your death. It's only my parents and grandmother."

"Your grandmother is going to be there, too," I asked, suddenly finding myself nervous.

"Of course, she lives with them. Don't worry, she's tame and likes everyone."

I groaned, but we headed out into the beginning of the storm. My sense of foreboding increased as we walked up the porch steps of her parents house, but I pushed it back to make this dinner go well.

"Mom, Dad, we're here," Janice called out.

I helped her out of her winter gear, shedding my own jacket. She hung everything up as her parents came out of the kitchen.

"Mom, Dad, I'd like you to meet Clarke," she said, pulling me forward. "Clarke, these are my parents."

I was immediately wrapped in a hug by her mom, making me smile.

"Welcome, Clarke," she said, releasing me.

"Thank you, Ma'am," I replied. "And thank you for inviting me to dinner."

"So polite," she gushed. "You can call me Susan."

"Alright," I said and turned to her father and held out my hand, "Sir, it's a pleasure to meet you."

He smiled and shook my hand, "The pleasure is all ours, Clarke. Janice speaks very highly of you. I'm Frank."

I looked over at Janice and saw her blush, making me smile, "Well, I hope I'm not disappointing you, Frank. I love your daughter very much."

"Good," he said. "Treat her well and we'll get along just fine."

"Always."

"Would you care for something to drink, Clarke. We've got wine, soda, water, tea."

"A glass of wine would be lovely."

"Janice, can you help me in the kitchen?"

I looked over at her in panic, but she mouthed that it was okay and I felt marginally better.

"Would you care to have a seat, Clarke? Dinner's not quite ready," her dad asked, pointing to the living room.

"I'd appreciate that," I said and sat down on the couch.

I watched him nervously as he sat down. There was a bit of awkward silence and then he finally spoke. For the next few minutes, we danced through the typical dating interrogation and a few of my answers seemed to surprise him. Overall, I had the feeling that I came through with flying colors.

Janice and her mom finally emerged from the kitchen. She handed me my glass of wine and then sat next to me and laid a hand on my thigh. I held her hand and took a sip. We had both survived our interrogations and we chatted as we waited for dinner. When I heard the timer go off, Susan got up.

"Would you like a hand, Susan," I asked, standing up.

"That would be lovely, dear," she replied.

Janice came too and we soon had the food laid out. Her grandmother finally came out and introductions were made. I was a little uncomfortable with the look she gave me, but I was hoping it was only because I was dating Janice. The meal went smoothly, but I had to hold myself back from grabbing more food. We chatted through the evening and then it was time to go. I looked out the window, trying to gauge how bad the storm was.

"Can we make it back to my place," Janice asked a little worriedly.

"If we leave now, I should be able to drive us back," I replied. "The engine compartment is coated with something to keep the engine from getting too cold to start. We should be fine."

"That's good. Can you help me get my coat on?"

"Of course," I said and gave her a chaste kiss.

As I helped her with her jacket, I felt someone come up on me. I looked over and saw her grandmother looking at me pointedly.

"Yes, ma'am," I inquired politely even though I was getting a bad vibe coming from her.

"May I speak with you a moment," she replied, inclining her head.

I looked around briefly, but didn't see any strangeness in this request, so I replied, "Of course."

She nodded, turned around and started walking away. I followed carefully, wondering what the hell she wanted from me that would give me such a bad feeling. She took me around the corner of the hallway that led to the bedrooms and then whipped around, glaring daggers at me. She stepped real close to me and I almost felt like I had to take a step back, but I stood my ground.

"I know exactly what you are," she hissed at me.

I stiffened slightly and I said, "And what do you think that is?"

"You are a monster. A werewolf. I know your kind," she said, her voice cold.

I said nothing and I kept my body language to show indifference though inwardly I was panicking.

She smirked and I wanted to wipe that look away, "You do not deny it. I'm surprised. Most of your kind denies their existence, but I always find out the truth."

I sighed and appeared to be bored, asked, "What do you want?"

"Your kind do nothing but hurt and kill. I will not let you do the same to my granddaughter, wolf," she sneered. "You will immediately stop seeing her and you will not go anywhere near her."

I leaned forward a little, using a bit of my Alpha influence and smiled inwardly as she shrank back, "No. I will not stop seeing her. She is a grown woman and she can date whomever she wants to. Love whomever she wants to. She has chosen to be with me. Not that it's any of your damn business, I am not interested in harming or killing her. Nor will I ever. If she wishes to continue to see me, then she will. Now, you listen to me, old woman, if you so much as breathe a word to her what I am, I will make what time you have left on this earth miserable and I will take her away from here. Do I make myself clear?"

I didn't wait for an answer and instead walked away. I schooled my features to keep an outward appearance of calm and returned to the front hallway as if nothing had happened. I put on my jacket, said good night, and escorted Janice out to my truck. The snow was coming down hard and I held onto her tightly to make sure she got to the truck safely. I helped her inside from my side and climbed in after her. The truck took a couple of tries, but it started up with the heat turned high. Carefully, I backed it out and headed back to her apartment.

"What did Grandma want," she asked.

I looked over at her, smiled, and replied, "Oh, her version of a parental warning. Treat her well. If you hurt her, I'll hurt you. You know, the usual spiel. No biggie."

She chuckled, "That's unusual. She's never done anything like that with any of my previous girlfriends."

I looked at her in surprise and replied, "I must be special then."

"I guess so. She must know how much I love you."

"Oh, and how much do you love me?"

"Very, very much," she whispered and leaned over to kiss me behind my ear.

I shivered in response and replied in a low voice, "You shouldn't do that when a person is driving in a snowstorm."

She chuckled sexily, "Oh, I think you'll manage as long as I keep my hands to myself."

A hunger took over and I suddenly could not wait to get back to her apartment.