Three Months After Murphy's Birthday

Tennyson was having a hard time concentrating. Through her bond with Clarke, Ten could feel that the blonde's emotions were all over the place, with mild pain overlaying everything. Not to mention, Clarke's scent had become prominent throughout the day, making the brunette jealous and horny at the same time. Work had been a disaster because all Ten wanted to do, was cuddle and ravish Clarke simultaneously. It didn't help that Clarke was whining in her head about how shitty she was feeling. If neither girl had promised to help with school work and training, they'd be closed up in one of their rooms by now.

Instead, Clarke was curled up in a fetal position with a pillow on one of the couches in the Pit, watching Ten and Octavia train. And because Ten couldn't concentrate, Octavia was slowly gaining the upper hand, having already felled Ten a couple of times. This made Ten's wolf unhappy and determined to bring the young pup down, but she kept getting distracted.

Octavia dropped to the mat dodging a kick, and swept her leg across Ten's, sending the Alpha to the mat a third time. Tennyson smacked the mat with a fist, a growl erupting from her throat, and performed a rising handspring to get back on her feet. Octavia rolled backward onto her feet and barely blocked Ten's right hook. They started trading blows more aggressively as Ten's temper began to get the best of her.

From where Clarke lay, she couldn't take her eyes off Tennyson, especially since she wore only a sports bra and loose pants. She watched Ten's muscles ripple underneath her skin as the older girl moved. Swearing that, she could see the sweat glide down the brunette's exposed flesh even from such a distance. Clarke was getting more and more turned on even as the pain she was in increased. Emitting growls whenever Octavia landed a hit or Ten ended up on the ground.

"What the hell is up with you two," Octavia grunted out as she blocked a punch that vibrated down her arm. "Both of y'all's pheros (pheromones) are stinking up the place."

"I'm trying," Ten growled. "But whatever's up with Clarke is driving me to distraction. Even my wolf is agitated. Now, shut up and let me beat the shit outta ya, girlie."

"Well, come on then, wolfie," Octavia grinned and waved her hand. "I'm right here."

"Don't. Call. Me. Wolfie," Ten snarled as she threw a combination of punches with more force than necessary.

Octavia blocked most, but a few got through, and she knew there would be bruises tomorrow. Throwing her own combination of punches and kicks, she managed to back Tennyson up. Ten was starting to get sloppy as she fought an internal battle with her wolf. It allowed Octavia to land devastating blows that did nothing to help Ten gain control over her wolf.

Then chaos. Octavia threw a left hook that caught Ten on the side of her face. It hit with enough force that Ten cut the inside of her cheek and black blood flew out as her head rocked to the side. A loud growl erupted from Clarke as she shot up and ran at Octavia, tackling the girl before anyone had a chance to react. Clarke started raining down punches while dominating pheromones filled the space. Octavia fought to both protect her head and submit at the same time. All while trying to get through to Clarke.

Tennyson shook the blow off, spitting blood onto the mat, seeing red as her wolf's anger combined with Clarke's rage. Gritting her teeth as she fought not to give in to her wolf, she pulled Clarke off Octavia and wrapped her arms and legs around the blonde, immobilizing her. Pumping out calming pheromones in the hopes it would get Clarke to regain control of herself.

Being so close to Clarke, Tennyson could smell what was happening. Clarke's scent had become stronger, tantalizing, as much as it had become dominating. Clarke was presenting and entering her Rut. The realization spread like a frozen ocean, and instantly her wolf's anger turned to despair. Her heart was shattering because it meant their time had come to an end. Her mind skipping over that Clarke's scent still appealed to her. Still called to her. It meant nothing because they could never be together.

Ten felt tears fall, and she struggled to regain some semblance of control. She needed to push her own emotions to the side to help in the current situation. But it was hard. So hard when her wolf wanted to howl out its pain and challenge the Council. Ten was struggling, and she knew she needed help.

"O," Ten called out, hoping her heartbreak wasn't carried in her voice.

"Yeah," Octavia answered around a bruising face.

"I need you to call Raven. Get her to bring Jackson and a sedative. If you can't tell, Clarke's going into her Rut. I would, but my wolf's making it hard to concentrate."

"Fuck," Octavia replied. "It's done. Is there anything I can do?"

Clarke let out a possessive growl and struggled to free herself, elbowing Ten roughly in the ribs.

Grunting in pain, Ten said, "It would be best if you left. Clarke's kinda responding to me, but you're agitating her. And from the sounds of it, you need to get yourself to Medical. Have Bell check on Murphy. If Clarke's presenting, so will he."

Groaning as she got to her feet, the petite brunette said, "I think you're right. Talking hurts."

"Then go."

I'm sorry this is happening, Ten, Octavia spoke in Ten's mind. It's not fair, and I wish we could make it better.

Me too. Go, Ten thought back.

The second Ten heard the door click shut, she pulled herself upright, still keeping her hold on Clarke. She started to rock them gently, closing her eyes as she still pumped out calming pheromones.

Kissing the blonde head she loved so much, Ten whispered, "Come on, love. Octavia's gone. It's just us. I need you to come back to me. I know it's all confusing and painful right now, but I know your strength. I need you to control your wolf. Please, baby."

She kept whispering, and slowly, Ten could feel Clarke relaxing in her arms. Clarke shuddered, and soft whimpering emerged from chilled lips. Tennyson just kept holding her, rocking them, and whispering words of love.

After a few more minutes, Clarke croaked, "What's happening, Ten?"

"You're presenting, my love," Ten whispered against Clarke's hair.

"Why do I feel so sad?"

"You know why," the older girl replied, not wanting to voice it and make it real.

"It's not fair. Your scent still calls to me," Clarke cried.

"I know, sweetheart. No matter what happens, I will always love you. We'll figure this out. I just want you to concentrate on staying calm. I know it's hard, but you need to try. Raven will be here with Jackson. They'll help you to Medical."

"I don't want them. I want you, Tennyson. You," Clarke frustratedly cried out.

"And I want you, but it needs to be this way. For now, we still need to play by their rules. I know it'll be hard to remember that. Just know that I am never far away from you. We may not be allowed to date, but I am still your Second. Abby and the Council can't take that from us," Ten replied as calmly as she could. She wanted to believe her own words, but it was hard feeling both their hearts breaking as the reality set in.

They lapsed into silence. Clarke was taking comfort in how Ten was wrapped around her. However, her mind kept going to other scenarios, which made the pain in her groin worse. Making her groan in pain and closing her eyes as her senses started overwhelming her. Only Ten's pheromones and scent appeared to ease the pain she was in, so she concentrated on that. Taking as much from Ten as she could, knowing that this would be the last time.

It felt like an eternity before the sound of the door opening and steps rushing forward registered to the girls. They had been lost in their own world, and both let out warning growls on instinct.

Raven shot out her arm, halting Jackson, "Ten? Clarke? It's only Jackson and me. We got the sedative. Can we come closer?"

"It's fine," Ten answered for them. "We're both on edge. Just keep it slow, and I'll keep holding Clarke. I don't want her to attack either of you like I did my mom."

"Good advice," Raven said and let go of Jackson.

"Clarke," Jackson carefully approached. "I'm coming up to your side now."

"Alright," Clarke shifted her head to watch him approach.

Jackson slowly crouched, producing the syringe, "This is the sedative. Tennyson's going to hold you while I inject you with it. Do you want a countdown?"

Clarke grit her teeth, "Just do it, Jackson."

Jackson nodded, glanced at Tennyson, who tightened her hold and gave a sharp nod. Jackson applied the syringe and pressed down with a quick breath, removing it as quick as he could. Clarke growled and snapped her teeth at the Beta but couldn't move because of Ten's hold. Quickly, the sedative kicked in, and Clarke completely relaxed against Ten.

Ten kissed Clarke's head and reluctantly released her hold on the blonde, "It's safe now. Raven give Jackson a hand, will you?"

"Sure, Ten," Raven sadly smiled down at the Alpha.

Together they got Clarke to her feet. Clarke didn't notice, lost in the sedative's hold. Ten watched as they walked out, sharing a sad glance with Raven before the door closed behind them. Once she was alone, Ten pulled her knees to her chest and let the tears and sobs escape. Surrounded by the mingling scents of herself and Clarke, Tennyson grieved for what was just taken from her. Her heart was shattering over and over again even as she heard Clarke's mind calling for her. For once, she let her wolf loose to howl its pain in the empty room. Reality sucked.