Chapter 1:

"I'm just saying, flirting with that chauvinistic Neanderthal is a fucking stupid thing to do." August Griffin informed his sister as they walked through the forest, hand-crafted bows pressed to their sides. Nadia rolled her eyes softly, opening her mouth to defend her new-found crush but was rudely cut off by her brother's infuriating need to prove that he is right all the time. "I don't like the way he looks at you, that's all…like he's about to offer up the fattest boar for your hand in marriage and take you away." He turned his dazzling blue eyes on his sister, meeting her equally cerulean eyes with a hint of sadness in his voice. They were both pushing nineteen and their village tradition required them to either become active warriors, or start a family. It was a matter of time before their mother's relentless antics to postpone any type of ancient ritual failed. "And as the older sibling, I declare it illegal." He smirked, a smirk that often left his mother momentarily speechless, and turned his head towards the visible gate to their village. It was made of strong wood and bone. It used to terrify the siblings when they were younger. It looked like the gates of hell.

"Three minutes older." Nadia arched an eyebrow in response to his declaration before her teeth touched her lip. It was a nervous habit she'd had since she was a child. Church, their "Uncle", informed her that it was a learned trait seeing as their mother did it constantly, but Nadia was always skeptical. If biting her lip was learned, then how did August smirk like their father? They'd never met the man in their lives. "It's just harmless flirting, anyway. I don't have any interest in marrying Rex. He's just…cute."

"Oh, yeah because guys who like to repeatedly stab animals are cute." August snorted before he shook his head and let out a low laugh, "And if mom ever found out that her sweet baby girl, that never does anything wrong, has a reckless streak—"

"If mom ever found out that her sweet baby boy was taking pot shots with those guns we found when we were scavenging last month she would kill you. So, I suggest you shut up." He gaped at her for a second before shrugging as if the matter did not really concern him. Nadia was an expert when it came to reading him, call it twin powers or her keen sense of observation but she knew she had him. "Anyway, if you insist on being a snitch I would chose a better week. You know she's preparing for that summit and as the leader of our youthful tribe, she's stressed."

Before they were born, their mother stumbled upon their tribe. According to the legend, she'd been traveling for weeks, living off the land. Their village was hidden on the edge of The Coalition's Territory. It was far enough away from Polis that they were never really bothered, but close enough that they were protected if they needed it. After their birth, their mother reformed the ragtag village. It was once a place for Nomads, Runaways, and Travelers. There weren't any built homes, or any established places for long-term dwelling. She changed that. In her time as a leader, their home has grown considerably. There were still traditions that she couldn't ignore that the people from other clans insisted on enforcing. For instance, the need for warriors and reproduction. It would be a mistake not to build an army, a bigger mistake to let their people die out.

After quiet consideration, August smirked, "I'll just save it for later."

"Hmph, you do that."

They entered the gate and nodded towards the people they'd known their entire lives. There were a few new, unfamiliar faces among the crowds. That was normal, for the most part. People still considered their village a safe place to go when they were trying to avoid their problems. When they were very young, their mother explained that their camp consisted of outcasts from other areas but everyone was accepted within their walls. They'd been exposed to different cultures their entire lives. It was an odd place, but it was home. They can remember how their mother was in the earlier years of her rule, she didn't seem to like the position at all. Still, she considered it a duty to keep the people that trusted her alive. Eventually, though, she learned to accept her role.

Occasionally, people would come into their village and refer to their mother as Wanheda. It confused them when they were younger, but when they were preteens, their mother explained her past. Ever since then, their mother has always been direct with them. Sometimes, they could see that their questions hurt her but she was honest despite it. There were countless discussions concerning the Ark in which she grew up on, the first month on the ground, her parents, her friends, her mistakes, her sacrifices, the blood on her hands, and the other part of their family. It wasn't always easy to listen to, but they respected her. They loved her.

August had the sneaking suspicion that the story of their father was a little romanticized but he didn't dare ruin it for her. He also never blamed her for leaving him like Nadia did sometimes. Nadia wanted a father. He didn't. The Ark sounded like a hell-hole, Camp Jaha sounded like it was ran by superior jackasses, and the legend of Bellamy Blake made his eyes roll. In his opinion, his mother did what she had to do to make sure they had a good life. Sure, when he was a child he thought having a father might be cool but there was always Uncle Church and his mother loved him, loved them, more than life itself. From the sound of it, even if she never left camp and even if they'd met their father, it would have been complicated. She was his mistress, not his wife. It wasn't like they would all sit around the fire at dinner, holding hands while living the idealistic family life. No, they would have been subject to dirty looks and unwanted opinions and the possible rejections from their father.

And what if he decided to have kids with his wife? Where would that leave them?

"You're more like him than you think, Auggy." Mom told him one time after he launched into a rant explaining why he was at fault, not her, and how she should never feel guilty for trying to give them a better life. Unfortunately, he favored him when it came to looks. August had dark brown hair and tan skin, although it was a shade lighter due to his mother's fair tone. At least, that's what his mom said. Grossly, their mom once added that he inherited his father's body structure as well, as if he needed his mother thinking about that man's body ever again. August had hopes that she would eventually fall in love with their Uncle but she was taking her sweet time in doing so.

It was just another reason to dislike Bellamy Blake. How was it fair for him to love another woman while his mother spent her life in romantic solitude? She deserved to be happy, too.

Nadia on the other hand, rational as she could be, was an idealist. She thought he would accept them and they would have a perfect life with the infamous individuals such as Jasper Jordan and Monty Green. Somehow, she overlooked every negative aspect of their mother's stories and focused only on the great moments. Nadia was a bit of an optimist whereas August was a slight pessimist. It worked for them, though. It was a balance that was appreciated when they had to make major decisions or weigh in on their mothers arguments. She was lucky that she looked more like their mother, although, their mom often argued that she sort of looked like their Aunt Octavia at the right angle. August hoped she was being as idealistic as Nadia, even if he liked hearing about his badass aunt and her love for the Trikru man named Lincoln—how she overlooked all the social opinions of the group and decided it was worth it. He liked knowing the someone on his father's side was above the opinions of others, just like himself.

His sister turned sharply to him, just processing his earlier statement about Rex and animals. "He's the village butcher, you ass!" Her eyes were wide with a mixture of annoyance and amusement.

"Yeah, well he seems to like his job. A lot." August responded, a small laugh under his breath.

Nadia groaned, "You're so overprotective that it gives me a headache. You don't see me voicing my opinions on your romantic life."

"What romantic life?" He smugly asked, "I'm pretty sure romance is not involved."

"Exactly. You're as big of a pig as the one Rex is going to offer up for my hand in marriage."

He rolled his eyes, "The only way he's ever going to marry you would be in his dreams. I will seriously tie him to the loose surveillance tower post and watch him squirm until he rethinks his proposal."

"You're so annoying, Auggy."

Updated. Slight changes! Stay tuned for more updates.