Chapter II – A Pack of Her Own

SIX YEARS LATER

Clarke grimaced as her mother administered the shot. Despite being on the blockers for almost two years now it was not a small needle and Clarke couldn't help but whimper slightly. She clenched her teeth and shut her eyes tight to hide the purple she could practically feel burning through her lids. She hated the blockers, in Clarke's opinion they were a stupid solution to an otherwise manageable problem.

From the information she had gathered from various sources, including her mother, Jaha, and what few history books she had managed to get her hands on, Clarke had figured out that before the Ark people had been able to control and manage their wolves not through drugs but through practice and self control. But who was Clarke to argue with the council? So she had learned to shut up and take the monthly shots.

Hopping down from the metal table Clarke did her best not to glare at her mother. Not that it mattered much because Abby had already turned away, "I have a few more patients to see Clarke, I should only be an hour or so, stay out-" Clarke rolled her eyes, "-of the way and meet me back right here" she mouthed as her mother finished.

Clarke turned with the intention of leaving the room to see if she could find Dr. Jackson. He was always nice and usually gave her a piece of candy. However as she made her way towards the door something caught her eye; a boy, as she watched he darted across the room and slipped into the storage room on the far side of the medical bay. Now, Clarke knew from personal experience that she wasn't allowed in the supply room without her mother, and if SHE wasn't permitted then that boy certainly wasn't. However, curiosity got the better of her and instead of turning around and heading back to alert her mother Clarke decided to investigate herself.

She opened the door to find the boy rummaging around the shelves in the dark. From the beam of light made by the cracked door Clarke got her first good look at him. The boy was a few years older than herself, he had curly dark brown hair and eyes to match. He had immediately turned to glare at her and was now pumping out low amounts of aggressive pheromones.

Clarke just crossed her arms and glared right back, "what are you doing?"

The boy looked slightly taken aback at her boldness but recovered quickly, "none of your business so either turn me in or leave me alone." With that he returned to his rummaging.

Clarke frowned, why would he continue to search even after she had caught him? If she told anyone he would be locked up, which he appeared to know. So then why? The only thing in here that could possibly be that important was the blocker serum. But everyone on the Ark was given their dosage every month, it wasn't just a service, it was mandatory. So why was this boy risking his freedom and possibly his life to get his hands on more?

Clarke cleared her throat, "my name is Clarke, I can help you get the blocker." She grinned when this caused the boy's head to whip up. "All you need to do is tell me why you need it."

At that his head fell and he seemed to shake himself, "can't do that, I'll find it myself."

Clarke shrugged, "then what?" She questioned him. "It's locked and you can't exactly sneak out of here dragging the whole cooler."

He sighed in defeat, "why aren't you turning me in? You could get in trouble too if they find you helping me."

Clarke shrugged again, "figure you must have a pretty good reason, but if I'm going to help you I need to actually know what that reason is."

The boy then closed his eyes and let out a sigh, "you have to promise." He looked up at her then, eyes glowing a deep red. "No one can know about this."

Clarke was a bit startled by the intensity behind his words and the fact that it had brought out his wolf told her that this was serious. She slowly nodded in answer, "as long as you have a good reason I swear I won't tell a soul."

That is how Clarke came to learn of Octavia Blake, the only current second child, and the second biggest kept secret on the Ark. Bellamy, as he revealed himself to be named, would never actually allow Clarke to see Octavia, though after a few months it became apparent that that was more due to their mother than Bellamy's own mistrust. As time went on Clarke and Bellamy grew closer and after nearly a year of helping him, and of the two of them getting in and out of trouble together, she could safely call him one of her best friends.

Three Years Later

Clarke was on her way to the cafeteria having just finished with her morning classes, Bellamy was going home to take care of Octavia today so Clarke was most likely just going to sit and play chess with Wells while she ate. Wells and Bellamy didn't really get along but they were really her only two friends, well them and the perky and excitable Beta, Chrissy. Clarke liked Chrissy even if she was a little too constantly upbeat for Clarke's taste. They had most of their classes together except of course Clarke's Alpha courses and they had become closer over the past year.

Clarke was suddenly ripped from her thoughts about Chrissy by the sound of loud shouts and jeers from around the corner. Clarke rushed around the bend in the hallway to find three older Alphas that had an Omega girl shoved against the wall. The girl had a plate of food and was trying to keep it level while simultaneously glaring at her attackers. As Clarke watched one of the Alpha boys snatched the plate of food away while the Alpha girl sucker punched the enraged Omega.

However, the Alpha girl quickly backed off clutching her nose, eyes flashing red. Clarke realized that the Omega must have head butted her on the way down. The second boy stepped in close and grabbed tightly onto the Omega's right wrist while using the other hand to grasp her neck. As he shoved her forcefully against the wall the girl's head turned and she made direct eye contact with Clarke. A rush went through Clarke's entire body and she felt a rumble build in her chest until it was loud enough that the small group took notice of her. The group of Alpha's looked momentarily shocked before starting to laugh at her. Clarke didn't care, didn't care that they were three Alpha's or that they were probably at least two years older than her. Clarke looked at the surprised expression on the Omega girl's face and she didn't care about any of it, all she knew was that these Alphas underestimated her, and they would regret it. Her attention turned back to the Alpha boy that was in the front, she didn't pause or hesitate, she just walked right up to him and kneed him in between the legs. He stopped laughing at her.

A minute later Clark and the Omega were sitting, battered and panting heavily, against the cold metal wall. The three Alphas had hobbled away equally scratched and battered. Clarke had never gotten into a fight before but she was proud. Proud to have been strong enough to help someone and proud to have kept her temper and her eyes in check. Clarke turned then to the Omega who she had helped. They had fought off the Alphas together and Clarke had never seen such determination and willpower from an Omega before, most of the Omegas she had met were quiet and shy.

This first impression was confirmed when Clarke opened her mouth to say something but was cut off by the other girl's sharp tone. "The hell you do that for? I didn't need any help."

Clarke was about to respond and ask why she was so rude when the other girl's words hit her. They were the same words that were permanently etched below her hip. At the other girl's impatient expression Clarke realized that she had just been gaping, so before the girl could say anything else Clarke smirked and replied, "You needed my help and you know it, so you're welcome."

The girl's face immediately changed from one of annoyance to one of shock and then glee.

She smiled wide, "ha, so you're my soulmate huh?" She stood up and pulled her shirt up and Clarke caught the word 'So' before the rest disappeared below her waistline. The girl pulled her shirt almost all the way to her collarbone revealing where Clarke's mark was written towards the top of her left rib cage. Clarke blushed slightly and reached up to pull the girl's shirt back down looking side to side along the hallway to make sure they were alone.

The Omega smirked at Clarke, "c'mon then, I showed you mine," she crossed her arms, "show me yours."

Clarke's eyes widened slightly, "wait you mean here? Like right now?"

The girl rolled her eyes and smirked down at Clarke, "yeah now. Why?" She waggled her eyebrows "is it somewhere embarrassing?" She snorted, "come on, we are soul mates, you gotta."

Clarke was pretty sure her cheeks were still red but she quickly glanced down the hallway again before grudgingly standing up. "Fine" she huffed. She then proceeded to turn her back to the brunette and pulled the waistline of her pants down just enough to reveal her mark.

The girl smiled and, grabbing Clarke's hand, spun her back around to face her. "That was't so bad, the way you were carrying on I expected worse." She laughed and backed up a few steps holding out her hand, "name's Raven."

At the girl's laugh Clark's embarrassment faded away and she couldn't help the large smile that formed on her face. She rolled her eyes at the extended hand but lifted her own to meet it anyway, "Clarke."

"Well Clarke, hope you're hungry cause now my food is all over the floor."

"I was actually headed there now, we can share mine." Clarke walked over to where the platter of fruit slices and oatmeal were scattered and bent to pick up the pudding cup. "Plus this is still good," she turned and tossed it to Raven before turning and walking down the hall towards the cafeteria.

She didn't turn around but did roll her eyes slightly at the sarcastic, "after you Cleopatra" that came from her newfound soul mate as the older girl jogged to catch up.

Nine Months Later

Raven and Clarke were fast friends and as the months passed they became as close as two people could. Aside from class specific courses they were together for lessons, they ate together, and pretty soon Raven was having regular sleepovers. Clark had been a little hurt when Raven had seemed less than keen on inviting Clarke to her house but that feeling had quickly changed to one of anger when Clarke had learned that the reason was Raven's mother.

Her mother, as it turned out, drank a lot and ignored her daughter more. Clarke had wanted to hurt the woman when Raven told her that the reason she didn't always eat was because her mother would sell her rations for moonshine. If Raven hadn't calmed her down Clarke wasn't sure what she actually would have done. That had only been a few months ago…

Clarke was pulled from her train of thought by Finn as he leaned over the table and snapped his fingers in her face. "Hey Princess, you daydreaming?"

Clarke blinked a couple of times and looked up in time to see Raven roll her eyes from across the table.

Finn sighed, "I asked if you were gonna eat the rest of that sandwich."

Clarke looked over to Raven, she did have her own meal today but Clarke still wanted to ask. Raven however just shrugged and tilted her head towards Finn and so Clarke sighed and pushed her tray over. She watched as Finn grabbed the half a sandwich eagerly and took a large bite. Finn got on her nerves sometimes. He was inconsiderate and kind of obnoxious, and his jokes were only funny half the time. He had his charming moments though and he was Raven's best friend, so Clarke put up with it.

The addition of Raven and Finn had brought their little group up from four to six. Although there were days when Bellamy didn't join them (only Clarke knew where he went instead) and, more recently, days when Chrissy opted to sit with a group of girls that Clarke absolutely despised. In fact, Chrissy seemed to be spending more and more time with them instead of her and Clarke hated to think that it was because of her new relationship with Raven. Raven was her soulmate but she still loved having Chrissy as a friend.

Today however all six of them were sitting in their usual spots at their small table and Clarke was happy to have Bellamy to her left, Chrissy to her right, Finn, Wells, and Raven across from her. As everyone was finishing up their food one of the girls from another table, one of Chrissy's new friends in fact, approached Raven's left side. She shooed Wells further down the bench and plopped herself down facing backwards.

"Hey, you mind if I have your pudding?" She smiled, though not in a friendly way and gestured to where a small group of her friends were standing a few feet away. One of them waved and the girl continued, "Kathrine here didn't get her rations today and she was so looking forward to a pudding."

Raven turned and Glared at the Alpha girl, "like hell, her fat butt probably already ate hers, leave us alone Mandy."

The girl, Mandy apparently, just smiled wider and did a quick check to make sure none of the lunch servers had taken notice of their little group yet. Turning back she sneered down at Raven and Clarke felt a low rumble begin in her chest, "well look who's all big and tough now that she has an Alpha friend." It was then that Clarke recognized the girl as the same one from the hallway all those months ago, on that first day when she and Raven had met, Clark felt her hands ball into fists at her side.

Raven, obviously noticing Clarke's change in posture, shook her head at her soul mate, a warning not to do anything stupid. Mandy, apparently still oblivious to the change in Clarke, glanced around at the rest of their group and paused when she came to Clarke, taking in her posture and balking slightly at Clark's warning expression. However she quickly turned back to Raven, "whatever, another time, catch you around Omega."

Raven's fists clenched and her shoulders tensed, she hated being called Omega as a derogatory term. She wanted to be seen as more than just her class type, and Clarke knew she was so much more than an average submissive Omega. For Clarke it was the last straw, she stood up sharply and, quick as a flash, was stood right in front of Mandy, and despite the older girl having a good foot of height on Clarke it was her who backed away. Raven stood and, grasping Clarke's hand, stood directly in front of her trying to get her attention. Clarke also sensed Finn, Bellamy, and Wells come to stand by her side, but Clarke was still focused solely on Mandy who was now looking wildly between the boys.

Raven was saying something but Clarke couldn't hear her, she clenched her fists and she heard the sound of the growl that had been building in her chest erupt from her throat. For a moment Clarke felt her senses sharpen. Her nose flared, and she could smell everything in the room, the food left on trays, the distinct scents coming off those around her, the metal that surround them on all sides, and the putrid perfume coming from the Alpha not four feet away. Her ears twitched and she could hear the clatter of silverware, the quiet conversation at the Omega tables in the back, even the click of shoes on the hard floor from beyond the doors at the far end of the room. Her eyesight sharpened and she could make out every detail of the group of girls in front of her and see the distinct unease in their leader as she took in the unneeded backup that the boys provided. Clarke felt the vibrations under her feet and was acutely aware of the hand that was now grasping her own.

As suddenly as it had happened her blood seemed to cool, she shifted her gaze from Mandy to Raven who was now staring at her wide eyed. Clarke opened her mouth to say something, though she wasn't sure what. She was saved from having to think of something by Raven who turned and, still holding Clarke's hand, walked confidently past the group of her tormentors, from the cafeteria, and off down the hallway. Clarke allowed herself to be pulled along and didn't spare a single glance back the way they had come. Her mind was reeling. She had lost her cool, her eyes had turned, she was sure of it. Had anyone seen? They must have. The boys were all next to her so they probably didn't see anything but the girls... Well, they had been focused mostly on the boys as they had stood up, but her growl must have turned all attention back on her. She had been so focused on Mandy, Clarke was fairly sure the girl hadn't been looking at her, but any number of the other's could have seen her eyes. She didn't remember meeting anyone's eyes directly though, that was something. Oh, but Raven, Raven was ignoring everyone else, looking right at her! What would Raven think? Clarke knew she was going to have to tell her at some point, but she didn't think it would be like this, what if she was afraid of her?

"Clarke, Clarke!"

Clarke looked up as Raven shook her slightly. She glanced around, it looked as though they were in a dimly lit storage closet. Clarke then looked up at Raven fearing the worst, but all she saw in her friend's face was concern, and maybe a hint of curiosity.

"Hey, Cleo you there? You ok?"

Clarke smiled despite herself, the nickname that the older girl had thrown at her as a joke had only gained traction once Raven had learned that Clarke's parents were both Alphas and in positions of relative power. Clarke had pretended to hate it at first but once it had gone from "Cleopatra" to just "Cleo" Clarke found that she actually didn't mind so much, so long as it was only coming from Raven. She had shut both Finn and Bellamy down hard the first time they had heard Raven use it.

Clarke looked up now and all she could feel was relief that Raven didn't seem bothered or scared in the slightest by what had just happened. Though really, she shouldn't have ever been concerned.

"What the hell was that in there?"

Raven, seeing that Clarke was focused on her, threw her hands up. "Yeah they were being jerks, but you looked like you were ready to tear them in half. I can take care of myself with those guys, you know that," she smiled and grabbed Clarke's hands. Suddenly her demeanor changed and she became uncharacteristically serious. "Also uh," she paused and bit her lip, "I saw your eyes," she hurried through the next part, "I mean I saw them for a moment right before you rushed in to help when we first met but it was only for a split second and I had half convinced myself I had imagined it." Raven took in a breath, "I mean I don't know why you hide them, though I guess you must have a good reason. They're beautiful. I'll understand if you can't tell me but I love you and I wouldn't care if-"

Clarke cut her off by wrapping her arms around her friend. Her soul mate, the person she now knew beyond a shadow of a doubt would always be by her side. Clarke pulled away and looked at her other half with tears brimming in her eyes, "I'll tell you anything, everything, forever and always."

Raven looked up and smiled, "forever and always, I like that."

So Clarke told her, about why her parents made her hide her eyes, about what the council might do to her if they found out. How, ever since she could remember it had been the number one rule, stay in control and keep your eyes hidden. She told Raven how exhausting it was to be constantly in control and how she had only ever lost control in extreme cases when her emotions flared.

Raven listened intently and asked only a few questions. When Clarke had finished her story Raven only had one left, "will you show me?"

Clarke was slightly taken aback, she had spent all her life exercising control. Clarke squeezed her eyes shut, she couldn't, she wasn't supposed to let anyone see her eyes. Hardly a day had gone by that at least one of her parents checked in to make sure no one had seen anything, make sure that Clarke hadn't slipped up. Now someone was asking her to do it on purpose? But this wasn't just anyone, this was Raven, this was her soul mate, and if Clarke couldn't be herself around Raven than she might as well get it over with and take whatever punishment would come. Because she suddenly knew one thing for certain, she couldn't keep hiding for the rest of her life.

It took a moment, Clarke had been holding part of herself back for her entire life. It had become so normal that she hardly knew what it was like to let go. She focused on Raven, on how happy she was to have found her first soul mate, how Raven would laugh and light up the room and at the same time how a single glare caused people to part around her. Clarke focused on the feeling of having found someone that accepted her for who she was, all that she was.

Clarke felt a rush of energy and slowly opened her eyes. They were met with the two glowing blue orbs of her soul mate staring intently back.

Four Years and One Month Later

Clarke was giddy, she had finished her shower and had put chips and her favorite pepper dip (a gift from her parents) out on the table in front of the couch and she had her favorite (and only) movie that she owned all ready to go in the TV. It was Clarke's fifteenth birthday and Raven was supposed to arrive any minute. Clarke had celebrated with the group earlier that day and planned on getting together with them again on the weekend for a "proper 15th" as Bellamy had put it. Tonight however was just going to be her and Raven, they were gonna watch the movie, play some games. Her mom had even managed to get Clarke a birthday cupcake, which Raven was totally gonna freak about when she saw.

Heading back around the couch Clarke walked to the far side and checked the top of the shelf again for where her gift was hidden. It was a sort of tradition that the two had started on Clarke's 11th birthday. It was the first one of their birthdays that they had spent together. So, on Clarke's birthday she had been so excited that she had given Raven a gift despite the fact that she would have only had to wait a little over a month for Raven's own. Further driving their strange custom into a tradition was the fact that when Raven had arrived she had felt horrible because as it turned out she was "so close to having the perfect gift, but hadn't quite been able to get it yet because she was waiting on someone."

So Clarke had revealed her gift for Raven and the two girls agreed that when Raven's birthday came around Clarke wouldn't get her anything and instead Raven would give her gift then. It kinda just stuck and now that was just the way that they did it.

Clarke was jared from her happy memories by a quick knock on the door. Smiling, Clarke pushed the gift that she hadn't even realized she was holding back onto the shelf and half ran to the door. She quickly threw it open with the happy exclamation of "Raven!"

She was met with a streak of brown hair and a tight hug. Laughing, Clarke blew brown hair out of her face and squeezed back. "Happy birthday Cleo!"

Clarke rolled her eyes and pulled away still grinning ear to ear, only then did she notice Finn standing a few feet back with a grin on his face. "Happy birthday Clarke," he waved.

Clarke smiled back though her spirits dropped a little, "thanks Finn, sorry bout the girls only thing." In that moment she actually wasn't really sorry at all. Really it was a lie, it was more of a 'Ravens only thing' though she wasn't going to say that. Clarke did actually feel kind of bad, it was the first year that she hadn't invited Chrissy. Oh well, she would understand, plus, she was invited to the gathering over the weekend.

Raven had darted past her when they had pulled apart and Clarke heard her flop down onto the couch in the other room. "No worries Princess, Raven and I were just-" he paused and grinned "-hanging out."

Clarke felt a slight growl rise in her chest but she quickly silenced it and smiled at him instead, "awesome, well good night and see ya tomorrow." She waved one last time before turning and pulling the door shut.

Finn had been doing that more and more, insinuating that he and Raven were becoming more than just friends. They were young, it wasn't uncommon for teens to mess around with other people before finding or becoming romantic with their soul mates. Plus Finn was one of the few who did not yet and probably never would have a soul mark. So if they wanted to- who was she to- ugh. She and Raven were best friends though and Raven would have told her if she and Finn were... Not that it would matter to Clarke if they were- Clarke squeezed her eyes shut, she liked Finn ok and he had been there for Raven before Clarke had, it was a good thing that she had had someone besides her alcoholic mother in her life. Right? So what was this pit in Clarke's stomach?

Maybe she did care... Stupid Finn

"You coming or what?" Raven's call came from the other room and Clarke realized she had just been standing with her back to the door for a solid minute.

Clarke shook herself and decided that as long as Raven was happy so was she, "yeah" she called back, "yeah I was just, never mind, coming." Flipping the light off as she passed Clarke jogged into the other room and vaulted the back of the couch. Movie time!

As the movie ended Raven let out a wide yawn, the chips, dip, and the cupcake were long gone and the two of them were snug as could be under a long, cosy blanket. Clarke was sat in the middle of the couch partially sunk between the cushions while Raven lay with her back against the arm rest and legs all the way out over Clarke's lap. As the credits rolled Clarke grabbed the old remote and turned the volume down on the TV. Turning to look at Raven, Clarke was met with an eager grin. Raven had her arms outstretched and was making a grabbing motion with both hands. "So, where's my gift? Gimme."

Clarke rolled her eyes, "now?"

"Yeah now, I'm all comfy and snug, now's perfect!"

Clarke sighed, "I'm all comfy and snug too you know."

Raven just shrugged and smiled toothily at her, "well you should have thought of that before you put it somewhere far away from the couch."

"You're impossible" Clarke grumbled, but she pushed Raven's feet off her before turning and crawling to the end of the couch.

"But you love meee!" Came the response from behind her making Clarke roll her eyes again.

Carefully Clarke reached up and first switched on the light then grabbed the gift, carefully bringing it down before turning and making sure to keep it out of sight. Kneeling back down she scooched her way over to where Raven was now sat cross legged, "you ready?"

"As I'll ever be."

Smiling nervously, sudden butterflies in her stomach, Clarke slowly let the object behind her fall so that all she was holding was the leather cord that it was bound to. Then, with a deep breath, she brought it around and held it up for Raven to see. Raven's breath caught, It was a beautifully etched piece of metal, crafted intricately to perfectly resemble a bird in flight. A raven. Raven hadn't moved or said a word, she slowly reached forward and carefully took the bird from Clarke's hands. She brought it close and ran her fingers over every surface.

Clarke licked her lips, "it's made of Maraging steel and the alloy includes chromium, my dad said you would know what that means, he helped me shape it at first cause you have to get the metal super hot but I made the mold myself and then I used some tools that I borrowed from him to carve it. Bellamy helped me steal the materials from the pile set for melting and reuse, apparently it's what they use for parts in the rocket engines. I figured-"

Clarke faltered as Raven finally looked up, she had tears in her eyes. The older girl slowly and carefully leaned to the side and never breaking eye contact she set the necklace down on the table before sitting back up. Then she did something that Clarke never expected, she leaned forward and planted her lips onto Clarke's. Clarke felt Raven's hands come to rest on her shoulders and felt the weight as she slowly leaned further forward and pushed downwards. Clarke allowed herself to be pushed all the way down to her back and Raven followed her.

They finally broke apart both breathing heavily and as Clarke opened her eyes she was met with a teary eyed smile. "Your eyes are purple," whispered Raven.

Clarke raised both hands to wipe away her mate's tears, "and whose fault is that?" She asked with a smile, and their lips clashed again.