My head smacked against the training floor, making my skull vibrate.

"Come on, Nyx, is that the best you can do?" Gwen antagonistically asked, proudly putting her foot on my chest.

I frowned. "I was just warming up."

Laughing, Gwen extended her hand out to me, which I accepted as she pulled me back up. "We've been training for an hour. I'm pretty sure that's enough warm-up time."

"Rematch," I scowled as I grabbed the back of my head and stretched out my neck, ignoring the throbbing in the back of my head.

"I'm almost starting to feel bad," Gwen teased, and I knew she really didn't.

We sank into fighting positions, and Gwen playfully snapped her canines at me, making me roll my eyes. Ares mindlinked me, telling me that her left side was unguarded and keep a solid defense while attacking her left. I nodded slightly in acknowledgement, and Gwen quickly I blocked it using form that Ares had taught me. I kicked at Gwen's left, hitting right at her rib cage. "Onyx! Ouch!" Gwen groaned, clutching her side. "I thought we were friends!"

I smiled, knowing that she had done the exact same to me in our first match. I went for her left again, but Gwen had changed her guarding focus to her left, and blocked it. She threw a punch at my face, which I ducked from, as her punches were much slower than the ones I had grown accustomed to receiving from Axel and Ares.

Deciding to adjust, I threw a punch to Gwen's right, and she doubled over in pain. Not wasting a minute of time, I tackled her, sending both of us crashing to the floor, Gwen underneath me. She struggled to get me off, but I was already on top of her and held her hands down. "Ha! Got you, you read headed demon!" I laughed in a combination of relief and excitement.

"Get off me, jerk, you broke one of my ribs. You totally owe me a drink after this," Gwen whined, the sore loser she is.

I laughed as I got off of the ground, smiling as Ares told me good job, and that I was making good progress. I could tell that Ares was pleased I was able to take down Gwen.

Gwen scowled at me as she looked at the dark bruise on her rib cage. I doubted anything was broken, she was just being a drama queen.

"Sitting during training? That's at least twenty laps," I heard Cain's voice from behind us, and the three of us whipped our heads to look at the Alpha.

Ares leapt off of her place on the floor, sprinting towards the Alpha. I don't know why, but I half-expected her to attack him, so I was surprised when she jumped into his arms, wrapping her arms and legs around her mate. Cain caught her effortlessly, chuckling slightly, a deep rumble that I was surprised came out from him, as he always seemed so stoic.

"Party's over," Gwen whispered to me, jerking her head towards the Alpha. I could hear him talking to her, but couldn't quite make out what was being said. Gwen must have been able to as we got closer, because she said, "Cain, don't you know it's rude to comment on a girl's weight?"

Cain rolled his eyes, but there was an amused twinkle in his eye. "Don't start with me Gwendolyn." He turned to me and formally said, "Onyx, it's nice to see you again."

I smiled and nodded respectfully. "Alpha Cain." He smiled back and wrapped his arms around his much smaller mate. "Let's go get some food in you, pup."

I was surprised that Ares didn't look mad that he called her a pup and she didn't look like she wanted to rip his head off. All of the times I heard the word being said in between Blue Moon members, it always sounded like an insult.

But if there was one thing in the world I didn't understand, it was the Blood Alpha and Luna.

•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Thane's hand was resting on my thigh throughout lunch, and it sent little bolts of electricity though my body, no doubt from the mate bond.

It was all I could focus on as Gwen complained about the training, even as her and Cain began arguing.

I did, however, notice that Ares was careful to push the food around her plate, making it look like she had eaten more than she really had. Alpha Cain was right to have made a comment about the weight she had lost, and I felt guilty for not seeing it sooner.

They excused themselves from the table, and Cain carried Ares upstairs, peppering kisses along her face the whole time. Whatever Greyson thought he had known about the Blood Alpha and Luna was completely off. Despite the time I had seen them fight each other, Alpha Cain was nothing but gentle to his mate.

"Onyx?" Thane asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"Hmm?" I asked, not hearing whatever he said prior.

"I asked if you wanted to go tonight?" At the confused look on my face, he elaborated. "To the human club. Gwen wants to make it an outing with all of us."

"Oh, right," I say, even though I hadn't been listening to the conversation leading up to it. "Of course, that sounds fun."

Gwen squealed, and Leo winced. "Yay! This is going to be a blast. Ooh, can I do your makeup? Please let me pick out your outfit! Maybe something a little classy, wait no, definitely sexy," Gwen wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

Thane rolled his eyes. "Later. I need a moment with my mate." Worry flooded my body, scared he was mad at me for something.

"Are you mad at me?" I blurted out as soon as we arrived to his room.

He raised an eyebrow. "Did you do something to make me mad?"

"No," I defensively answered. "You just said you wanted to talk."

Thane chuckled, "Is it a crime to want a moment alone with my mate?"

"Of course not," I exhaled in relief.

"But, I do have to ask, what had you so distracted you were able to tune out Gwendolyn's incessant rambling during lunch?" He cocked his head to the side.

I winced, thinking of the Blood Luna. "Ares... Alpha Cain pointed out that she lost weight. Did you notice that she hardly has been touching her food?"

Thane stared at me for a moment, and sat on the bed, patting the spot next to him, a gesture for me to sit, which I did.

"Ares... Has been through a lot, as you know," I nod at Thane's words. The "Wilson Incident" that people always referenced vaguely. "What she went through... A lot of people wouldn't have survived. She's traumatized in a lot of ways that I don't think Cain or even she realizes. She's strong, no doubt, but after what happened to her... anyone would be traumatized. Of course, it doesn't help that she blames herself for not being able to have a pup-"And I interrupt Thane.

"What do you mean she's not able to have a pup?" I ask in confusion. It's basically guaranteed by the Moon Goddess that wolves, especially Luna's, are able to have children with their mates.

Thane winced, "Don't tell anyone about this, Onyx, they really don't want anyone to know but... The Luna is unable to conceive due to injuries sustained."

I gasp, covering my mouth with my hand. "I had no idea... That must be devastating for them... I feel terrible."

Thane pulled me into his arms. "Oh, little one. I know, it's a horrible situation. Unfortunately, it's one between them and them alone. I've recommended healers but... it doesn't look good. I'm still looking into ways to help but..." His voice trailed off, and I could hear the helplessness in his voice. "I've also been looking into how to get your Gift back but I've looked through the archives, spoken with the Elders, but nobody has ever heard of someone losing their Gift."

He ran a hand through his disheveled hair in distress. "Is that why you've been so busy lately?" I ask in sympathy, and he nods, closing his eyes. I can see the dark circles under his eyes.

"It's not your job to bear the burden of everyone else," I mumble, and we crawl under the covers. "I'm sorry... I didn't realize. You must feel like you have the weight of the world on your shoulders," I say sympathetically, stroking his hair soothingly, and he relaxes under my touch.

"That's what being an Alpha is, Onyx," Thane simply states. "It's my responsibility to take care of those around me, it's my nature."

"I don't want you to keep all of this to yourself," I tell him. "I'm your mate. Your burdens are just as much mine as they are yours."

Thane kisses my forehead. "It's okay, Onyx. I've been the Alpha a long time, I'm used to this. All I need from you is for you to feel happy, safe. That's all I need." He repeats.

We stay silent for awhile, and I look at him, realizing by his deep breathing, closed eyes, and slightly open mouth that he fell asleep.

I smile slightly at how peaceful he looks, but I can't help the guilt I feel over his anxieties. Whatever happens, we would get through it together.

Even if I never got my Gift back, although the thought was enough to shatter my heart into a billion pieces.

A/N:

Please mind your manners when commenting on Lethal. I know that the last few Lethal chapters have been filled with many exciting developments, but rude comments about when I'll be uploading next are not appreciated and in no way make me want to upload faster. Writing takes time, please respect that I will upload when I can/ want to.

VVITICUS