It had been a few months since Ten, Bellamy, and Raven had presented, and the pack found themselves encountering change. It was common practice that once a teen presented, they would begin their apprenticeships. Typically, that wasn't a big deal because most presented between the ages of sixteen and eighteen. The Ark's school system was geared toward that, and those final three years were geared towards preparing the teen to become productive members. Year Ten, which was full of fifteen-year olds, was the most intense. Though this wasn't a big deal for the pack with most of them being ahead of their classmates anyways.

But two days after Ten's return, the three of them had been called to the Head of Education's office. There, they had been informed they were to take an aptitude test to determine their career. Raven, of course, tested for engineering and mechanics. Bellamy and Ten, on the other hand, there was no clear path. They were given a week to decide on an apprenticeship. After much discussion with the pack, Bellamy decided to join ArkSec, and Ten chose to split her time between ArkSec and the Liaison Office.

So, now their days were split between finishing up Year Ten and their apprenticeships. The apprenticeships usually cutting into their time with the pack. Sometimes entire days would be lost to their new duties. Raven and Bellamy adjusted quickly and just rolled with it.

Ten, though, for the first time in her life, was struggling. Learning the laws, regulations, and procedures wasn't an issue. She absorbed that knowledge like everything else, quickly and easily. Ten grew a deeper understanding of the whys behind the running of the Ark but saw where improvements and changes would bring a better quality of life without sacrificing the resources available. Ten also appreciated the time she gained getting to know her sire better since he was the head of ArkSec and her mentor.

That wasn't where Ten was struggling though. She found herself struggling with her relationship with Clarke. No longer were they able to spend nights cuddled up or making out after leaving the Pit. They were lucky if it was a couple of nights a week. Double, if Ten didn't fall asleep before nine. When they were together, they spent their time going over pack business and training. Ten going even harder with training since her wolf abhorred being stuck in an office and demanded exercise to calm down. All of it left Clarke feeling neglected and Ten frustrated.

This led to Ten begging her mother for an afternoon off. Callie could see the strain Ten's schedule was putting her daughter through. Both Callie and Kane thought the apprenticeship could have waited until Tennyson finished Year Ten, but the laws were clear. Neither one of them could show Tennyson favor by giving a lighter workload. The only thing they could do within the confines of the laws was send her home when things were slow. So, they did when they could get away with it. But seeing her daughter's face and how tired Ten was, Callie found herself relenting. Callie gave Ten the afternoon off.

Tennyson thanked her mother profusely before leaving the woman laughing and shooing her out the door. Ten found a well of energy somewhere deep within and began planning on making things better with Clarke. She was practically skipping down the halls to the Griffin residence, a huge grin on her face excited to spend some much needed time with her girlfriend.

When she neared their residence, she faltered slightly. Detecting an unfamiliar scent surrounding their door. Confusion marred her features because no one had mentioned that Clarke would be with anyone that afternoon. She had checked and asked that they be left alone for the rest of the day.

Ten pressed the chime but didn't send out a mindcall. She wanted to see the look of happy surprise on Clarke's face when she saw Ten. Well, she got the look of surprise but ended up seeing more. Confusion, surprise, frustration, embarrassment, and guilt flitted across Clarke's face before it settled on something unreadable. This put Ten immediately on edge and then movement behind Clarke caught her attention. Looking beyond Clarke, Ten saw Finn Collins sitting on the couch with barely masked annoyance.

Ten felt a myriad of emotions spring across her chest. Confusion, anger, jealousy, and hurt the most prominent.

"Ten, I wasn't expecting you," Clarke's voice drew Ten's attention back to the blonde.

Ten took a steadying breath, hoping it would rein in her emotions, but all it did was bring about the mingling scents of Clarke and Finn. It made her wolf internally howl at this pup's obvious attempt to cash in on Ten's absence.

"I know," Ten replied as calmly as she could. "I convinced Mom to give me the afternoon off. I, and the pack, were under the assumption that you'd be alone."

Guilt flashed across Clarke's face as she turned to glance back at Finn before turning back to Ten, "Um, it was a last minute decision. Finn asked if I could tutor him in Biology."

Ten nodded and bit out, "I see. I'll let you get back to it then. I'll find something else to occupy my one free afternoon off. Have a good night, Clarke."

Ten spun on her heels and walked off, fighting her wolf from attacking the pup, Finn. She got halfway down the hall before Clarke's voice stopped her.

"Ten, wait," Clarke called, running after the brunette.

Ten turned, hope blooming in her chest, "Yes, Clarke?"

"You should have called me," Clarke said with a look of annoyance.

Ten felt anger bubble up in her chest, but her voice betrayed nothing as she said, "I wanted to surprise you, Clarke. I thought you'd be happy to see me, but I was mistaken. My apologies for trying to be a better girlfriend."

"Hey," Clarke retorted and grabbed Ten's arm to keep her in place, "you don't get to do that. You don't get to be the one hurt."

"I don't?!," Ten sneered and took a step closer to the blonde, looming over her. "Don't you dare try to blame this on me, Clarke. This is not my fault! I didn't ask to present a year early. I didn't ask to be forced into an apprenticeship because of it. I didn't ask to have my time eaten up by school and my apprenticeships. It's the fucking law!"

Ten snatched back her arm, took a step back, and a deep breath, "I am trying, Clarke. I am doing everything humanly possible to spend time with you. I am trying to find a balance. Obviously, I am failing. So, do whatever you want, Clarke. It's not like I have a claim on you. You can spend your time with whoever you wish. Even if it's not me or a packmate. Goodbye, Clarke."

With that, Ten turned and walked away. This time, Clarke didn't follow, and Ten felt her heart seize painfully for a moment. Her wolf howling at her to go back and claim what was theirs, and consequences be damned. But Ten had made a promise to herself. To never be like the Ark Alphas and demand everyone's subservience. The least of all, a potential mate.

The last thing Ten heard before she was out of earshot was Clarke saying, "Let's go back inside, Finn."