Disclaimer & Notices: See Chapter 1.
Started: December 7, 2016
Series: One Shot
AN: I'm quite behind on feedback, but I will do my best to catch up on most of it soon. I do enjoy everybody's comments and reviews. It's great to have so many readers supporting this piece because I was very unsure about posting it. Enjoy the update... and have fun! ;)
Beauty and the Alpha
by Red Hope
Chapter 9
One tap followed another one until it turned into a rhythmic but mindless tick. Each exhale of breath matched the tapping sound from the graphite pencil. All of it went unnoticed to the ear because Clarke Griffin was replaying her conversation with Anya. It had been hours since they returned from the horseback ride. After coming down from the mountain's path, Clarke had renewed pleasant conversations, mostly about Boyce. But, right now, in the small space of her shared quarters, she could only think about what she had learned about Lexa and the imprint.
After her ride with Anya, she had limped to the training field and found the commander practicing with various warriors. Similar to yesterday, Lexa fought with a rut's fire rather than with a warrior's finesse from years as Anya's mentor. However today, Lexa never took a break to speak to Clarke by the fence. Octavia had been the one to say hello. It was also how Clarke learned that the commander's mood was volatile and aggressive. Every warrior that combated the commander on the field ended the practice with bruises, cuts, and occasional limps. Nobody wanted to be the commander's punching bag.
Clarke had only stayed by the training field for twenty minutes before she left with both concern and dismay. She returned to her quarters and attempted napping only to find her sketchbook in her lap.
In days, Lexa's rut would end. Then shortly afterwards, the imprint would come to an end. Clarke should agree with Lexa's decision. She should respect it. Yet, her heart ached deeply at the idea. The broken imprint should only affect Lexa, but it already plagued Clarke now. And Anya's warning that a broken imprint meant a new one was nearly impossible.
"I'm not ready," Clarke murmured in memory. She rubbed her eyes with the pencil twined between her fingers. Allison was gone and Finn shortly followed her into the afterlife. With a drop of the pencil, she decided they were gone, mourn, and would stay in Clarke's heart. And Clarke, she was still alive on the ground with feelings for a caineblida, who was also the commander. She was ready to move on and do more than just survive. It was clear that Lexa felt the same way.
With a flick of her wrist, Clarke closed the sketchbook and tossed it to the foot of her bed. She dropped the pencil on top. She and Lexa were going to have a talk, rut or no rut. In minutes, she had on her boots and shrugged the jacket over her shoulders. She was alone in the quarters, but she used her mom's tablet to leave a note. She went out into the late afternoon. A glance at the sun told her it would be dark in an hour or more.
Clarke considered where Lexa might be at the moment. She scanned the street for any signs of Ryder, who was probably guarding Lexa. Or more so attempting to act as a barrier between Clarke and Lexa. Gradually her scan ended with the armory, which triggered a thought. Clarke reached behind and fingered her handgun that Anya had forgotten to retrieve from her after the ride. She was so use to carrying her weapon that she had not given it a thought.
With a shrug, Clarke walked down the street with searching eyes. Nobody was at the old church at the corner. At the intersection, she considered whether to go left or right down the main street. She went to the left and again continued looking for Ryder. Nearly at the end of he street, before it passed the last homes, a familiar, burly figure stood at attention in front of a wood planked home.
Ryder had his arms crossed and stony features but relaxed shoulders until the blond haired Sky leader came into view. He freed his hands and rested his fingers on a sword hilt at his side.
Clarke smirked at his unspoken challenge. "I need to speak to the commander."
"Heda is not seeing anybody." Ryder further blocked Clarke from the front door of the home. "That includes you, Wanheda."
Clarke ignored Ryder's dig by using the title. "Fine." She reached behind and freed her handgun. "We always like to do this the hard way, Ryder." She pointed the barrel at his head and said, "Now open the door."
Ryder bared his teeth and growled, "How did-"
"Open the damn door," Clarke ordered firmly. Her fingers flexed on the gun's grip. "I won't say it again."
For the third time, Ryder had Clarke's gun pointed at him. He huffed, angrily, but he stretched out his left arm. He gave a warning knock then thumbed the latch before he pushed the door open.
Clarke signaled, with her gun, for him to go in first. She took a step forward for each of his steps backwards into the home. Inside the first room, it was quiet and empty but there was a hallway to the right from the common room.
"Heda," Ryder called, "Klark kom Skaikru hir." He kept his attention on the Sky leader but heard the distant footfall coming to the common room.
Clarke trained all her attention on Ryder until Lexa entered the room. For a second, she cut her eyes to the commander and nearly choked on her own tongue.
Lexa stood partially clothed with a small towel between her hands. She still had on her boots and the black, tight pants had dried mud, most likely from practice today. Then it was bare skin and muscle until a breast wrap broke the beauty between her stomach and shoulders. However, her dark eyes slotted at the familiar scene before her. "Clarke-"
"Order Ryder to stand down," Clarke cut off.
Lexa considered the options as the gun remained pointed at her favored guard. She clenched the towel between her fingers and tried staying calm despite the heat over her skin. Whatever Clarke wanted had to be fulfilled, she knew Clarke too well at this point. With a raise of her chin, she ordered, "Stand down from guard duty. I will find you when I need you."
Ryder wanted to object, but he held his tongue. The lowered gun prompted him to leave, and he closed the front door behind him.
Lexa bitterly stared at the gun in Clarke's hand. She silently concluded Anya had given it to Clarke because there were only four people who could access the armory without Lexa's consent. She huffed in annoyance after making a mental note to lecture Anya later.
Clarke double-checked that the safety was still on since she first pulled it on Ryder. He had no idea that the safety was never turned off and that it made it difficult for Clarke to actually shoot him. With no further use for the gun, she stepped over to her right and lowered the weapon onto the table, surrendering it to Lexa.
"Why are you here? I told you we could not meet today."
Clarke felt the aggression rumble in Lexa's voice. She suppressed a shiver of reaction and remembered all of Anya's advice about Alphas. "We need to talk."
Lexa was breathing a little heavier. "I don't wish to talk."
Clarke nodded sternly and corrected, "Alright. I talk and you listen." However, she was unsure if her earlier determination was cracked by the amount of bare skin in front of her. She had imagined the lines and dips of muscle under Lexa's shirt, but they were even better in person. Her fingertips itched to trace them. It took all her strength to keep her eyes above Lexa's neck.
Lexa gave a low, frustrated growl but went back down the hallway.
Clarke hoped it was a better sign than how it sounded to her. In seconds, Lexa returned with a black shirt nearly pulled down. She blew out a soft breath in gratitude.
Lexa passed the small table that held Clarke's gun. She indicated the seats in front of the fireplace.
Clarke noted there was a sofa in the center then two chairs on either side. She opted for a chair since it was closer to the fireplace's heat.
However, Lexa ignored a seat and stood opposite from Clarke, behind the other chair. Every caine impulse screamed at her to claim Clarke. She had cooled off this afternoon but now sweat recoated every inch of skin. The damn fire made it far worse.
Every second was precious, Clarke realized. She had to get straight to what mattered the most, for them. "I don't want you to break the imprint." She ignored the displeased grumble from the commander. "I was trying to survive on the Ark. Now I'm trying to survive down here." She shook her head and argued, "I'm done just surviving."
"You are not ready," Lexa reminded. Her voice tightened with strain. She continued grinding her teeth just to hold down her Alpha. But the pain, it drilled into her gut and made her heart work more.
"I'm not ready for sex," Clarke admitted. There were so much to still learn about Lexa's body as an Alpha. "But I'm ready to start living." She stood up from the chair. "You are too... you wouldn't have kissed me otherwise." Another step brought her closer to the commander, but she gave pause when Lexa growled low at her.
"Love is a weakness, Clarke," Lexa reminded. She folded her arms, in hopes to keep control.
Clarke shook her head at the lie. She started believing it too, after Allison and Finn's deaths. That was until her decisions affected hundreds of people, including those she cared for. "You know that's not true... we both know it." Clarke narrowed her eyes and countered, "I get why you are scared to face-"
"I am not scared," Lexa snapped.
Clarke instantly responded to Lexa's anger with her own aggression. "Then fucking stop lying to yourself." She countered Lexa's growl with a threatening glare. "Wake up, Lexa." For some reason, Lexa stiffened after Clarke's last words.
"You think I don't understand?" Lexa growled. She pushed past the chair that provided a barrier. She towered over the human, who matched her stance. Her Alpha was both elated and furious at the same time. "I have been down this path and it put Costia in an early grave!" Her chest rose and fell with great weight. Caine impulses hummed in her blood, yet she still fought against it. "I will not repeat my mistake." She shook her head and bitterly added, "I am Heda. I cannot be yours when I am already my people's."
Clarke struggled at keeping her hands to herself. She finally fisted them at her side and tried calming her anger with deep breaths. She patiently countered, "You can have both."
Lexa huffed at Clarke's naive idea. She brushed past the human, trying to end the conversation.
"So that's it?" Clarke hotly demanded. Lexa faced her again and swallowed at the glisten in Clarke's blue eyes. "Costia dies, and you give up." She nodded once then huffed heavy because perhaps Lexa was hardly as strong as Clarke originally thought. She rubbed her eyes with her finger and thumb then started over to the front door. "Then our kiss..." She grabbed the handle and parted the door open. "It was meaningless," she quietly and painfully admitted to herself. Then the door became too heavy from the stronger hand that held it in place above her head. Clarke shut her eyes from the heated presence at her back.
Lexa sealed the door shut and waited as Clarke slowly turned to her. She kept her hand on the door but her dark eyes were locked on the human trapped between her and the door. "It wasn't meaningless," she whispered. Her Alpha's panic lessened when the distress in Clarke's blue eyes faded a little. "And I didn't give up. I just made a decision to protect you." She believed she would only bring pain to Clarke. As the commander, she had too many enemies and she valued Clarke's life more than her own happiness.
Clarke had one hand against the door and was frustrated with not touching the commander. Fuck it, she finally decided. She pushed the flat of her left hand against Lexa's firm stomach. "I'm not Costia," she declared in a strong tone. Her blue eyes hardened like an icy winter day. "And I am not your weakness."
Lexa trembled at the determination in Clarke. Every piece of her Alpha ate away at it. She lowered her head closer, breathing in the musky yet metallic scent that was Clarke. She had been craving it more each day. Her nails clawed against the wood door.
"We have a chance at life... together," Clarke whispered. She reached up and caressed Lexa's flushed cheek. "And now you can make a new decision to take that chance with me." She released a shaky breath when Lexa's forehead met her own. She soon found her right hand tangled in brown braids. "Beja, Leksa." She willed the person before her to open up her heart again. Clarke ached for this no matter if Lexa was human, caineblida, or something totally else. All she needed was Lexa.
Slowly a strong arm snaked behind Clarke's lower back. She whimpered when Lexa's body pressed into hers. She was anchored more safely with Lexa than she had been in days. Then Lexa sought out her lips, and Clarke guided them together. She trembled at tasting Lexa after wanting it for days. Their tongues were cautious at first then started stroking against each other. For a second, Clarke gasped for air before she sealed their lips in a more demanding kiss. A low, dangerous growl made a quiver drive down from her stomach to her knees.
Lexa tore the kiss to an end and lifted her head slightly, for distance. Clarke was panting and gripping Lexa's shoulder. She swallowed down her next growl at the passion in Clarke's eyes. "I will..." She shook her head and gruffly corrected, "We will give this a chance." A grateful sigh from Clarke made Lexa's Alpha howl. "But you have to leave for the night." Otherwise, she was certain her already brittle self-control would shatter then she would mate Clarke.
Clarke moved her hands to Lexa's hips. "I know you're in a lot of pain." Every signal from Lexa's rut were barely telling of what throbbed inside Lexa. "But I can help relieve some of that."
"Clarke-"
"Just show me what you were doing in the woods," Clarke insisted. She read Lexa's internal war of self-control versus needs. She wanted them both to learn each other's bodies. They were different races with different anatomy and needs. "I trust you... I trust your Alpha," Clarke pressed.
Lexa clenched her jaw when her Alpha happily preened at the news. She lowered her head again and struggled with her answer. She blew out a low breath near Clarke's ear. Clarke's scent continued singing to Lexa, and the agonizing throb between her legs pulsed harder.
"Slide the bolt," Lexa ordered.
Clarke twisted her head to the left and weakly managed the bolt into place. With a surge of confidence, she took Lexa's hand and led them both to the sofa. "Lay down," she commanded. She grinned at Lexa's raised eyebrow. She patiently waited for Lexa to lower into the sofa's center.
Lexa turned until she was able to sprawl along the sofa's length. Her right leg hung off the side of the sofa, boot heel pressed against the floorboards. She was pleased when Clarke climbed over her. A very soft growl shook in the back of her throat.
Clarke was happy to get the weight off her injured leg, which she had mostly ignored until now. She found Lexa supported her with a hand. Clarke placed her right hand down on a cushion, under Lexa. Her knees on either side of Lexa's leg held her balance.
Lexa expectantly looked at the human, quite intrigued by her demands. She revealed a wolfish smile when Clarke blushed back at her.
"I'll need your help," Clarke admitted. She willed her hand to not shake, but it did faintly when her fingertips grazed the first button on Lexa's pants. Together, they manipulated each button until the last one was free.
Lexa peered up into Clarke's blue eyes that had glossed with anticipation. But Clarke's breathing was quite irregular. "Clarke?" Her thick tone held concern in it. Even though she scented extreme excitement from Clarke, she also caught a hint of panic.
Clarke smiled, reassuringly. "I'm just nervous," she confessed. She cleared her throat and briefly glanced down at the opening in Lexa's black pants. "Show me," she insisted.
Lexa nodded and captured Clarke's left hand with her right. Together, they reached for the thick membrane that was a part of what made Lexa a ruusen Alpha. She held her breath when both their fingers wrapped around her cock and pulled it free from the tightness of her pants. She smelled slightly more panic from Clarke so she whispered, "Breathe, Clarke."
And Clarke took the advice. The inhale calmed her heart and nerves. She shifted her fingers around Lexa's cock. Her touch was delicate, cautious too. She relaxed when Lexa's own hand brushed against hers. She had yet to steal a glance, almost not believing what she felt in her hand.
"I kind of know what to do," Clarke revealed, "But..." She held Lexa's gaze.
"First, you can grip me harder, Clarke." Lexa's wolfish grin reappeared when shock ghosted across Clarke's features. "I won't break."
"Right," Clarke muttered. She tightened her hold around Lexa's cock. She was reward with a pleased moan from the Alpha. "Better?"
Lexa still had her grin, especially from Clarke's teasing question. "Much." She covered her hand over Clarke's own. "You can slide up and down." Together, she moved their hands up the length of her cock. Her grin started fading as they slid their hands along the full length. She inhaled sharply but willed a drop of focus. "Massaging feels good too."
Clarke was surprised by the amount of pressure she could apply. It was in fact less delicate than she expected it. Their hands squeezed and softened against the middle of Lexa's cock. Unknowingly, she had trailed her eyes down and watched their hands massaging the long length. She bit her lower lip because it was obvious that Lexa was thicker than male humans. She tried not worrying about compatibility issues. They would figure it out later.
Suddenly, the cool house felt excessively hot to Clarke. "Damn it," she muttered, "I'm getting warm."
Lexa forced herself to focus again. She released the base of her cock and grabbed Clarke's unzipped jacket with both hands. She easily pulled Clarke's one arm free but Clarke had to stop touching her to get her left arm out of the jacket. A displeased groan came from Lexa's lips until there was a firm hold on her cock again. After tossing the jacket onto a chair, she went back to supporting the Sky leader. She realized Clarke was indeed a quick study. "Clarke," she growled low.
A proud smirk pulled at Clarke's lips. She leaned down and nuzzled against Lexa's cheek. "I think I've got it now." The rest she would figure out on her own.
Lexa withdrew her hand and gripped the sofa's underside while her right arm continued supporting Clarke's weight. She grounded her teeth against the beautiful passion building in her lower stomach. Every muscle curled tighter and her next breath stilled in her chest. The only repeating thought in her mind was that Clarke was touching her. This was real and no longer a wild fantasy.
Clarke felt as if she was leaning against a rock rather than her heart's desire. She read every tension line across the commander's face. "Relax," she coaxed. She smiled encouragingly when Lexa's attention sharpened on her. "It's okay to enjoy this." She wanted Lexa to let go of the restraint. To emphasize her point, she gently tugged on Lexa's hard cock.
Lexa dropped her head back and growled, "Jok."
Clarke was pleased at the reaction. Lexa's rare curse made her stomach flutter. She continued running her hand up and down the hard length. Occasionally she slowed and worked in a brief squeeze before she continued sliding her hand.
Lexa clawed the underside of the sofa. Controlled moans escaped her while her head stayed rolled back.
Clarke remained upright and enjoyed watching Lexa under her. Each heartbeat, the commander broke away under the Alpha. Clarke stroked and massaged the passion with more demand and speed.
"Don't stop 'til..." Lexa gritted her teeth and growled more loudly.
"Until you tell me," Clarke promised the Alpha. She nearly halted her hand's movement when Lexa lifted her head and revealed the white ring around her irises.
"Clarke," Lexa demandingly snarled.
Clarke returned the speed to her hand and bit down an apology. She focused on the task in her hand rather than swooning at the powerful Alpha under her. She was matching Lexa's pants for air.
Lexa released Clarke and clutched the crimson red fabric of the sofa's back. Brief worry about gripping Clarke too hard eased from the last recesses of her mind. The sudden increased sliding of Clarke's hand against her cock freed her Alpha. She growled hard and bared her teeth when heat swelled up into her chest.
Clarke shivered at the sound, but she never slowed down. Her heart pounded at hearing the feverish yells from the Alpha. She was forced to adjust her body when Lexa arched up and cried out. She started slowing down, nearly certain Lexa was done.
"Don't. Stop." Lexa growled at her.
Clarke shoved aside her surprise and returned the speed, even if her left arm burned from the demands. She slid her hand up and down the solid length of Lexa's cock. As her hand went down, she increased her grip on the way up to give a strong pull halfway.
"Jok, Klark," Lexa growled between clenched teeth. Her fingers tore into the sofa fabric. Her Alpha was lost in the sear that burned through all her veins. She had already orgasmed earlier, but it was a small wave. Her body built a fire in her, filled her chest, and washed over in her head. She raised her hips off the sofa and met Clarke's strokes. How every movement was better than how she touched herself. Then another soft yank against her cock made her howl low.
Clarke loved every pant and growl from the Alpha. She had fantasized about this moment, and the reality was better. She savored the build up in Lexa, and she knew it was close. She slightly adjusted her body against the sofa back, prepared for what might come from Lexa's cock. With a grin, she pushed Lexa over the edge with a firm slide down the hard length and a jerk back up. She squeezed Lexa's cock when Lexa's hips pushed off the sofa. But the deafening yell made Clarke briefly close her eyes. She took that as a stop from the Alpha.
For seconds, Lexa was overloaded by heat and passion. She let her yell fade off before she gasped a few times. She felt her body tremble under Clarke. In those moments, she tried grasping that her orgasm was from Clarke. Her Alpha was howling crazily in her head.
With a strange expression, Clarke was confused by the lack of ejaculation from Lexa. There was absolutely nothing and everything was dry in the space between them. She was familiar enough with men to expect it, but she had been wrong about Lexa's biology. If she gained the courage, she would ask Lexa some time. After a several heavy breaths, Clarke started realizing her muscles were reaching their limits. She wanted to move but was stuck.
It seemed as if Lexa sensed it too. She shifted and reached for Clarke, who softly quaked above her. She moved more onto the sofa and pulled Clarke down onto her body.
Clarke somewhat rested on her side, against Lexa. She sighed contently but was still breathing a little hard. She placed her left hand on Lexa's solid stomach.
First, Lexa took her cock and gently wedged it back into her pants, but left the buttons undone for now. She then snaked her arm across Clarke's waist. A low rumble vibrated in her chest.
Clarke grinned, to herself. She not only heard the sound, but she felt it since her head rested on the commander's wide shoulder.
After a good huff to settle the last of her breathing, Lexa considered her relationship with Clarke. Her mind was less fuzzy than the start of her rut days ago. Again a rumble started at the sheer thought of having Clarke touch her.
"Did it help with your pain?" Clarke softly asked.
Lexa grinned but seriously considered it. She was still basking in the after effects of the orgasm. Yet, eventually, the pain would regenerate itself. Perhaps it would lessen overall thanks to Clarke. "It helped," she replied with a low rumble. She turned her head into Clarke's own and whispered, "Mochof."
"Pro," Clarke murmured. She sighed contently then her thoughts went to Lexa's rut. She could tell it was abrasive and wearing on the commander. She shifted again and lifted her head so she could see Lexa's face. "When was the last time you slept?" The darkness under Lexa's eyes were telling. But, Clarke was happy to see some green back in Lexa's eyes.
"Two nights ago," Lexa admitted. She admired the frown and concern on Clarke. Her Alpha loved the attention from the Sky leader.
"Jesus, Lexa." Clarke brushed back an annoying blond strand. "You... I could have..."
Lexa shook her head. She was accustom to her rut, even if it had been years since her last one.
Clarke sighed because it was done. She lowered until their foreheads connected together. She was unsure why their closeness came so natural to her, and Lexa's soft rumble eased her concerns further. Their earlier argument replayed in her head, and she tightened her closed eyes. She was worried about one thing only, which affected all the rest between them.
"Are... are you still going to break the imprint?"
Lexa's Alpha instantly snarled at the sheer idea of a broken imprint. She clenched down on her natural instinct to please Clarke.
"Lexa," Clarke shakily breathed. She cupped her hands against Lexa's flushed cheek. She had unknowingly pressed her forehead down harder.
With a clear enough mind, Lexa had a chance to actual process the future, what it meant for them, and where their relationship could go. She shifted her head in signal for Clarke to lift hers. She looked into glossy blue eyes that burned into her spirit. She pushed a few loose blond strands behind Clarke's shoulder. "Are you really ready for this?" She considered the past few days. "Especially now knowing I'm a different race?" She indicated her body, which was different from anything Clarke knew.
"It's what's in here..." Clarke tapped Lexa's brow then rested her palm against Lexa's chest. "And here that matters to me." She shook her head. "The rest we'll figure out."
"Our people," Lexa reminded the Sky leader.
"I know... I know." Clarke sighed and considered how to handle the situation. "We'll be slow and keep it private for now." She shook her head and reminded, "We wouldn't be the only caine and human couple." She raised an eyebrow and reminded, "Octavia and Lincoln."
"But I am Heda," Lexa pressed. "And you are-"
"Wanheda," Clarke cut in. She sported a grin and argued, "I think there's some political appeal to Wanheda being mated to Heda." She enjoyed the low yet pleased growl from the commander.
"Trying to charm my Alpha doesn't always work."
"Doesn't it?" Clarke countered. She chuckled at the playful growl from Lexa but became serious again. "We can handle the politics."
Lexa released a heavy sigh and stared over at the fire as she considered the future. There were so many unknowns and worries, but she agreed that they could shoulder them. She saw hope, for them both.
Clarke decided to test Lexa and asked, "Do you want this?" She placed her hand against Lexa's chest. "And I'm asking you as Lexa... not Heda."
Lexa blinked and cut her eyes to the beautiful features above her. "Sha," she whispered. Very much, she silently added.
"Then keep the imprint," Clarke softly ordered. She hoped simplifying it made it easier for Lexa.
Already Lexa had promised to give them a chance, despite the hardships and risks. If she broke the imprint, it would change every last aspect of their relationship and would be felt for a lifetime. Nor did her Alpha want to break it, ever. She softened at seeing the resolve in Clarke's eyes. After a faint nod, she promised, "The imprint stays."
A flood of relief washed through Clarke. She sunk heavily against Lexa, who tightened her arms around her. Under her confidence, she had been scared that so much would be undone between them. She was close to other people in her life, but she felt tied to Lexa. It was a strange notion considering imprinting was a caineblida state. However, Clarke wondered if somehow Lexa's imprint passed onto her on some level.
After a deep breath, Clarke suggested, "We should eat... then you should rest."
Lexa sighed but did agree it was best. Tonight she may be able to actually sleep even if the lower, gut pain softly twisted in reminder. Tomorrow the alliance meetings would probably resume again, if Marcus Kane arrived earlier enough. Such thoughts made her consider Clarke's leg. "How is your leg today?"
"Better," Clarke replied. She stiffened when a snarl filled her ear.
"You lied the other day," Lexa explained, in a dangerous voice. "You were not in such pain that we couldn't have had the meetings."
Clarke decided it was best to be honest. "No but..." She shifted and dropped her head against the sofa back, near Lexa's left arm. "You were." She smiled, devilishly at the commander's glare. "I saw my opening and took it to delay the meetings."
Lexa gave a soft chuff and started sitting up. "I can handle it."
Clarke agreed but also felt as if Lexa's rut would only steer the meetings in a different direction. "We were just arguing all the time." She took the hint to get up and climbed off the sofa.
Lexa knew it was true. She stole a second to rebutton her pants, but only could do half of them. She stood up and finished the last ones.
Clarke cringed at how tight the pants had to be for Lexa, especially now that she knew Lexa's size. Lately there was a distinct bulge in Lexa's pants that often caught Clarke's eye. She cleared her throat and gently suggested, "Maybe you should wear looser pants."
Lexa growled at Clarke before she moved around the sofa.
Clarke then smirked and muttered, "Not that I mind how good they look on you." She realized she had actually spoken it rather than thought it.
Lexa paused and narrowed her eyes at the Sky leader.
Clarke groaned and dropped her head. With her hand, she tried scrubbing the blush off her face. "I really said that."
Lexa made no further comment and went into the back of the home.
Clarke grabbed her jacket and shrugged it on by the time Lexa returned to the common room.
"I own looser pants," Lexa informed, "But they are in Polis because I haven't been in a rut in five years."
Clarke met the commander by the door. She shyly smiled and weakly offered, "Sorry." Lexa's disgruntled huff made her grin. She slid the bolt out of place and pulled open the door. She was quite pleased and extremely relieved with how the afternoon went between them. She had feared that their relationship would be undone by a final, nasty fight.
Lexa sniffed the chilly air. She left her short jacket unbuttoned and welcomed the cold against her heated skin.
It was already dark, and Clarke wondered how long ago was sunset. She nearly went to look at her watch, but recalled it was tucked away in her things back at Camp Jaha. It still felt strange not wearing her father's watch. Maybe somehow she could at least get the glass fixed so she could wear it again.
Lexa scented Clarke's slightly distraught but doubted it was something to do about them. She scanned the faces of passing villagers on their walk to the dining hall. Once at the dining hall, she bounded up the steps and held the door open for Clarke. She indeed noted Clarke's limp was significantly less than prior days.
"Chof," Clarke whispered as she passed the commander. The first smell of food made Clarke's stomach happily rumble.
Lexa had a faint grin and followed Clarke into the short line of people. Soon they were seated together at a quiet meal. Clarke stole a few glances at Lexa during the dinner. Already it seemed as if the effects from their fun on the sofa were wearing off. At least tomorrow would be the downhill side of the rut. After the rut ended, Clarke wondered how, or if, Lexa's body changed in anyway physically. Her wandering thoughts eventually looped back to the sofa in Lexa's small home. Even now, she could still feel the thickness of Lexa's cock in her hand.
"Clarke," Lexa growled, in warning.
Clarke jerked out of her memory and peered over at the heavily breathing commander on the other side of the table. She saw very little green left in the commander's blown eyes.
"Stop thinking about whatever you're thinking about," Lexa ordered.
With parted lips, Clarke nearly asked what Lexa meant by it. However, she snapped her jaw shut as she recalled the caineblidas' strong sense of smell. She mentally groaned at herself for not being more careful. "Sorry... I'm not use... to this." She was sincere in her apology.
"I know," Lexa assured. She sighed and decided a topic would help redirect Clarke. "How was your ride with Anya?"
"It was nice to ride with her," Clarke replied. "We went... east out of town." She pushed her finished plate aside and picked up the mug of water. "She took me to this plateau that overlooked the mountain range." She relaxed in the chair and asked, "Do you know what mountain range?"
"They're the Blue Ridge Mountains," Lexa answered. "They are the same ones where Mount Weather is located."
Clarke considered her mental map. "Further north." After an agreeable hum from the commander, she considered where Polis might be located from Boyce, Tondc, and Camp Jaha. "How far is Polis from here?"
Lexa was done eating. She picked up Clarke's plate and placed it on her own dirty one. "It's about a two day walk from here."
"North?"
Lexa shook her head. "It is due east from here... only a little further north."
Clarke smiled at the information. She drank the last swallow from the mug. "What's the area like? Mountainous? Flat?"
Lexa gazed across at the curious Sky leader. She had a faint smile at Clarke's keen interest in Polis. "The immediate area is flat. There's a river to the north-east and the mountains off in the west."
Clarke was lost in her imagination at the picture painted in her mind. She happily hummed and mentioned, "I'm looking forward to seeing it."
"As am I," Lexa seconded.
Clarke puckered her lips as she repeated what was around Polis that Lexa just told her. "What river is near Polis?" Perhaps it was one she would be familiar with on the old maps.
"We call it the O'mac River," Lexa revealed.
Clarke had a curious expression as she tried guessing what the American name was before the grounder's renamed it. She shook her head and let it go. She stood up because they were obviously done dinner. "I'll walk you back."
Lexa should object, but she instead nodded. She returned the dirty plates then met Clarke outside of the dining hall.
"I'm curious to see snow," Clarke mentioned on their walk.
Lexa huffed but lightened at the thought of the Sky leader seeing it for the first time. "It is pretty... at first."
Clarke chuckled and guessed, "Makes for difficult travel." She and the commander fell into comfortable silence for the rest of the walk to the home. At seeing the small house, she asked, "Do you own this house?"
"Sha," Lexa replied. She had the home all her life, but it hardly felt like hers anymore. Many of her things remained in Polis while the home in Boyce was more or less stripped of its character.
Clarke followed Lexa into the home. She briefly glanced at the handgun still on the round table. She hoped Anya survived Lexa's earful about it. She sighed and went to the nearly dying fire. She started loading a few logs into it.
Lexa admired Clarke's almost domestic-like care. She shook it off and went down the hallway to her bedroom. She found the bedroom fireplace also needed attention, which she did quickly before rejoining Clarke in the common room. She squatted down behind the knelt Sky leader and suggested, "You should return to your quarters."
Clarke sighed and made no attempt to get up. Most likely her mother was beginning to worry about her. She turned her head sidelong. "Once you lay down," she softly compromised.
Lexa was unsure why she had crouched behind Clarke other than it was her Alpha's needs. She was exhausted from fighting against herself. She continued following her instincts and slid her arms around Clarke's waist. She gave a pleased rumble when Clarke leaned back into her for support.
"If you stay any longer," Lexa murmured huskily, "I will mate you." She had a wolfish smile when Clarke shivered against her. Instantly the aching throb started heavy in her gut and between her legs.
"Alright," Clarke weakly agreed. "I'll go." She turned her head to the side. "Just promise me you'll try to sleep."
"I will," Lexa swore. She nuzzled Clarke's cheek and deeply inhaled Clarke's distinct scent. "Tomorrow will be easier."
Clarke placed her hand on Lexa's left leg and squeezed the muscle under her fingers. "I hope so." Once Lexa's arms released her, she stood up and fixed her jacket. She was followed to the door, but she faced the tall commander. "Reshop, Heda." She enjoyed Lexa's low rumble then grabbed the door's handle.
"Goodnight, Clarke," Lexa offered as Clarke exited the house. She held the door open for another moment and watched Clarke until she faded in the darkness. She expected her day to end with excruciating pain instead it was a mostly manageable ache and warmth in her heart.
To be continued.
Trigedasleng to English
Jok. - Fuck
Reshop, Heda. - Goodnight, commander.
