Chapter 2 - Explanation

Chapter Summary - Raven is introduced. Lexa makes Bellamy upset. Clarke learns of omega bonds. Clarke and Lexa talk to the evacuated Skaikru omegas. Nyko brings interesting news.

Hello readers! The response from the first chapter was insane! I'm so glad that so many of you like this story! I know that I said I would be updating sooner than this, but I got really sick this past week and wasn't able to concentrate on writing. I'm doing much better now, so hopefully updates will be more frequent.

Some more general information for you guys to know: Raven came down with the 100, but Octavia didn't. Octavia's side of the story will be explained more later in the story. Right now, you just need to know that Raven did come down with the 100, and even though she's an omega, she's been treated somewhat better than some of the other omegas because of the need for her skill set.

Also, I mention omega bonding in this chapter. It is a concept that I'm pretty sure I just completely made up. It's explained in this chapter, but it will not play a more prominent role until later in the story.

Thank you again for all the kind words! Seriously, reviews are so helpful when I'm not in the mood to write. It just makes me so happy to hear from actual people who enjoy what I'm creating. Ideas and suggestions are always welcome, so just leave a comment with what you would like to see! Trigedasleng is in italics as always. Thanks again! - Sam

Trigger Warning

"What the hell is going on?" Raven shouts.

Two enormous grounders just walked into her workshop unannounced. The two just stand there by the door, not giving an answer. Raven can feel the alpha pheromones coming off them, making her nervous. Maybe this is part of the celebration, Raven thinks, maybe the Ark alphas are giving the omegas to the grounders for the night as a thank you.

Then, Clarke walks in, instantly calming the worried omega. Clarke is one of the few alphas Raven actually trusts. The girl had gotten in trouble multiple times on the Ark for speaking out against the treatment of omegas. And, when the delinquents were all sent to the ground, Clarke tried her best as their leader to make sure there was minimal abuse.

"Relax Raven," Clarke tries to calm her. "We're getting you guys out of here. I spoke to the Commander and she's evacuating all omegas from Skaikru. The grounders don't treat omegas the way our people do. The Commander was furious when I told her. She wants all of you out of here immediately."

Raven feels a wave of relief pass through her. If Clarke says this is a good thing, Raven believes her. She nods, "Ok, I need to grab some of this stuff to take it with me. Am I allowed to do that?"

Clarke gives her small smile, "Of course. These are two of the warriors from the grounder army. I brought them here because I knew you'd need help carrying stuff with you. Just tell them what you want to bring and they'll help you with it."

"Commander, please!"

Lexa just shakes her head motions for her warriors to continue. As the omegas are being evacuated, Lexa is overseeing the removal of all Skaikru weapons. The beta Kane is pleading with the woman to let them keep a few, but Lexa has made up her mind.

"This is ridiculous!" Bellamy shouts, "You can't just take all of our weapons. We need them! You know, for food!"

"You will learn to hunt with our weapons," Lexa calmly states, practiced in the art of holding back her alpha temper.

"Why should we?" the boy questions, trying to take a guns back from one of the warriors and quickly being shoved into the wall by the Commander.

"Because you are all a disgrace! And because I said so. My word is law. You need learn that quickly before I take your anger into my own hands!"

Bellamy fights against the strong hold on his throat, but Lexa doesn't let up. Eventually, Bellamy gets weak from the lack of oxygen and gives up. Lexa finally lets him go and he falls to the floor, gasping. Taking a step back, Lexa gains back her composure. Bellamy sputters out, "We need our guns."

"No, you don't. Skaikru weapons will be banned from my lands from now on. They are what helped destroy the world. They won't become a part of life again."

"How was it?" Lexa asks as her soulmate approaches.

Clarke gives her a reassuring smile, "Fine. The omegas did not argue. Obviously they were too scared to argue, but it made things easy. There are only a few adult omegas as most are executed on the Ark for crimes they didn't commit. The alphas didn't see the need for them. There are only four or five mated omegas. Their mates are being kept away from them until we can figure out if they were abusing them. We had to bring a couple to the healer's tent because they were in bad shape, including two of the kids that had been hurt in the Mountain. But, everything went pretty smoothly."

"Good," Lexa nods, pleased. Looking around her camp, she sees the uneasy glances in some of the eyes of her warriors. They can feel the nervous pheromones coming from the tent where the omegas were, unsure as to why there is so much fear. Lexa motions for Clarke to follow her towards the tent, "We need to speak to them quickly. I do not wish for them to worry much longer. Do you think they will believe we mean them no harm?"

Clarke sighs, shrugging slightly, "I'm not sure. Some of them are probably aware of my resistance on the Ark. They'll be more inclined to trust us because I'm involved. But I know there are some younger kids that will be beyond terrified. And the ones that were in the omega ward on the Ark… they lived in horrible conditions. It will be a long time before they trust anyone but other omegas."

"Very well," Lexa nods resolutely. "You will speak first then. At least some of them will be more receptive of you than me. Remember, they will be extremely protective over each other right now."

"What do you mean?" Clarke frowns as they arrive at the entrance to the tent.

"Their omega bonds will cause them to be protective of each other."

"What is an omega bond?" Clarke asks, confused.

Lexa turns to fully face her soulmate, not understanding how Clarke could not know what an omega bonds is, "You don't know about omega bonds? Was there some sort of rule against omegas being around each other on the Ark?"

Clarke shakes her head, noticing the obvious shock in Lexa, "I have no idea what that is. And there wasn't really rules against them being near each other, it's just that most omegas were controlled by alphas and betas all the time, so they had no time to be around each other. And during heats, omegas in the sealed chambers weren't allowed to have anyone help them through heat."

"Klark, omega bonding is something all omegas experience around other omegas," Lexa begins to explain. "There is something about omegas that makes it easy for them to become close to other omegas. They have a strong connection to each other. The connection is real. It's as real as a mating bond. Obviously, it's different than that. It's not romantic at all, but it is real. It's healthy for omegas to regularly be around other omegas and feel the bond."

Clarke feels absolutely shocked. She had no idea there was such a thing, "So, all omegas have this?"

"Yes, all omegas can bond with each other," Lexa nods. "It makes them feel protective of each other. This is a potentially dangerous situation in their minds, so they will be overly protective due to the bond."

As Lexa and Clarke enter the large tent full of omegas, the overwhelming scent of terrified pheromones assaults their senses. Both pause for a moment as they hold back the urge to comfort every omega in the tent. They both remember their purpose here and continue on to the raised platform where everyone can see them.

Clarke knows she needs to speak first, so she quickly clears her throat and takes in the worried eyes of the omegas around her. Immediately, she begins, "Hi there… I know you're all very scared right now, and it's completely understandable. I know that the evacuation was abrupt, but none of you deserved those conditions any longer… I'm sure some of you know who I am, but for those of you who don't, my name is Clarke Griffin. On the Ark, I was close to execution multiple times for speaking up against the way you were all treated. I do not believe in the ways of our people concerning alpha, beta, and omega status. I think all of us are equal and should be treated as such… Now I know that most of you are probably wondering what that has to do with the evacuation… The Commander of the grounders… she and I are soulmarked… As the two of us have gotten to know each other, it has become apparent that their people are against the ways of our people and believe the same things as myself… Together, we decided you all deserved a chance to see what it is like to live in a place where you are seen as equal. So, in a few days you will all be brought to TonDC, the closest grounder village. You will all live there for the next few weeks, and when that time is up, you'll be given the choice to go back to Camp Jaha if that is what you want."

Clarke decides she's said enough; she doesn't want to overwhelm the scared omegas. Taking a step back, Lexa takes her turn speaking, "Skaikru… I want you to know that I was disgusted by the way you were regarded by your people. I am the Commander, and I can promise you that it is not like that here. You will be safe with my people. You are all equal to alphas and betas, and should be treated as such… I hope that in the next weeks you see that you are safe with my people. They have been informed of your mistreatment, and they want to help. Please understand that no one will hurt you here… Now, if any of you have any concerns, all you have to do is ask any guard and they will bring you to me. I will answer any questions you have about anything. Even if it is simply something about our culture. To help give you some more specific information, I have a few of our own omegas coming to see you next. Omegas in our culture are regarded as highly as alphas and betas. They will try to explain things to you better than I have… I hope I have at least convinced a few of you of your safety. And I hope that the rest of you are convinced by my people's actions over the next weeks… I am very sorry that you have all had to deal with such abuse for so long."

Walking out of the large tent, Lexa immediately pulls her soulmate into her arms, "That was horrible… Did you see their faces? They were so scared…"

Clarke nods, holding the woman tightly. She isn't used to seeing Lexa so shaken up. Normally, the big bad Commander is out. Seeing this version makes Clarke glad that the two waited until now to pursue a relationship together. It's given them time to figure each other out; time to trust each other.

"I know it's bad," Clarke agrees. "I've had to live every day knowing that I couldn't do anything about it, though. I'm just grateful that I can actually help now."

Lexa gives a resolute nod, finally pulling away from her soulmate, "Yes, I am happy that is true… Now, we should probably go back to my tent. I have a feeling that we will be getting a detailed report from the omegas I sent to talk to them. They will have many concerns and I would like their opinions on what to do.

As the last warrior leaves the tent, someone new is let into the Commander's tent. The boy looks to be about 20, and is obviously Skaikru. He seems to be confident, but both leaders notice his shaking hands and excessive blinking.

He walks up to Lexa, who stands in front of her throne. She wants to calm the omega, not moving to sit in her throne. Instead, staying at eye level with the boy. Lexa tries to pump out calming pheromones, and can feel Clarke doing the same. When she realizes the boy will not speak first, Lexa encourages him, "Hello. I'm Lexa. You can speak freely, I promise."

This seems to give the omega some courage because he starts talking, though in a quiet voice, "I volunteered to come speak to you. The other omegas wanted to see if you would behave differently in private. I said I would come."

Lexa gives a slow nod, "Well, that's very brave of you. Maybe one day you can be a warrior in my army. But, I can promise you that I will behave just the same in private. I do not wish to hurt you or any other omega. I only want for you and the others to be treated the way you deserve. When Clarke told me of how you have all been mistreated, I was horrified… Can I ask your name?"

"Brian… I'm Brian," he says. He can easily recognize the purposeful way she is speaking. Asking if he will give her his name instead of just asking for it gives him even more confidence, "I'm 21… I-I'm really glad that you took us from Camp Jaha."

Lexa hears the strain in his voice; the tension in his muscles as he remembers, "Of course, Brian. I hope that you and the others find some happiness here."

Letting out a glimpse of a smile, Brian crosses his arms, "Yeah, me too. Well… that's all I had to ask. Thank you for being so helpful… And thank you too."

As he glances at Clarke, she smiles at him, "You're welcome."

Brian slowly leaves the tent, a wave of relief washing over all three people involved. Lexa goes to turn around, but the tent is opened once again. This time, Nyko, the healer, enters.

"Nyko! You were my next stop!" Lexa grins, happy to see her preferred healer. Being a warrior, she saw him quite often for smaller wounds. They knew each other quite well.

The beta smiles back at her, "Well I'm thankful I came to you first."

Clarke frowns, "Why? Is something wrong?"

Nyko lets out a long sigh, "Heda… Lexa, Clarke… it's about your other soulmarked."

Thanks for reading! Make sure to leave any comments, ideas, or suggestions! - Sam