All is Fair in Love and War (Clexa Au)

The Challenger

The next day came almost too quickly. Clarke awoke feeling still tired and uncomfortable. The night hadn't managed to refresh her. It was her first reminder that this was another day after being exiled by her people. It started the same as always and it would end the same as always. But today, Clarke would be tracking the food rations to determine how long it would be until her plan could unfold.

She left Lexa with a stack of books to choose from, her morning ration, and a fresh water basin. She had wondered if the other pack was able to read, but Lexa laughed the question off and read a line aloud to prove it.

"We might be a wild pack, but we can still read. Most of us at least."

Clarke just chuckled her response. Lexa had been here for half a month now. She was getting used to having her here and was a little sad to have to say goodbye, but she knew it was the right thing to do.

Clarke turned to the Trikru wolf before leaving. "You know this doesn't have to be the end of a possible friendship. We can always find a way to stay in touch. Somehow. Only if you want to of course," Clarke blushed.

Lexa smiles softly. She had almost forgotten about her other life in that moment. She had almost forgotten that she was the Alpha of another pack. She was the Commander of the armies preparing to lay waste to their pack. "I guess we could. I would like that actually."

"Okay," Clarke muttered before turning to leave. She made her way out just in time to see Octavia preparing to leave the camp. She spoke briefly to a guard before slipping out. Clarke made her way to the guard to ask about it but was met with silence. Clarke would have to investigate herself. She waited a moment before creeping out behind Octavia.

She watched the younger werewolf wander into the brush and search her surroundings before picking up a white flower from a tree knot and then wandering to the next. This continued for a while before Clarke was hit with the strong scent of an approaching male. That's when she saw the man.

His skin was tanned and his build was broad and muscular. Octavia ran towards him and a smile spread across his features, brightening his previously intimidating face. He wrapped her in his arms as she threw her arms around his neck. He lifted her from the ground and buried his head in the bend of her neck. He put her down and stiffened when he caught sight of Clarke.

Clarke's senses went into overdrive taking in his every scent. He looked her up and down, clearly doing the same. Octavia stood between them, anxiously gauging the situation. She moved between them and put her hands out rom her sides.

"Hey, this is okay. I was just hanging out with a friend," Octavia spoke to Clarke.

"Who is this friend and why is he on our territory?"

"You're on our territory, not the other way around," he responded. His eyes were alight with his inner wolf. "I should be asking you to leave."

"Trikru," Clarke scoffed. We have nowhere else to go, so you'll just have to get used to us."

"Hey," Octavia barked. "Stop it. This is Lincoln." She sighed. "He's my mate."

"Your his mate?"

"Yes." Octavia responded. She crossed her arms and lifted her chin. "I met him shortly after we migrated. He hasn't ever tried to hurt me and I have never tried to hurt him. We can coexist and build ourselves off of one another."

"I agree with you, but this puts both of you in danger right now."

"These things require risks," Lincoln responded. He had calmed and was no longer about to burst at the seams. He moved forward to stand beside Octavia.