One Year Later

The alarm blared, and a hand instantly reached out to shut it off. A loud groan of pain filled the room as the body on the small bed curled even tighter in on itself. Ten was in more pain than she had ever been in before. Worse than when two of their teachers had teamed up to test her skill level. Her head pounded in time to her heart, which was beating erratically due to the pain she was in. Her gut roiled and cramped spastically worse than any menstrual cramp she'd ever experienced. In a moment of clarity, she briefly wondered if this was what organs melting felt like before the pain took over again and left her gasping. A low whine escaped her lips, and she felt no energy to call out for her mother.

Ten burrowed deeper underneath her thin blanket and pillow, hoping to drown out all noise and light. But everything was heightened, and it all caused her pain. She couldn't think or call out. The pain was all-encompassing.

There was a soft knock on her door, but to her, it sounded like a hammer was applied. She let out a pained growl to warn whoever was on the other side off. Instead, the door opened, and Octavia's scent reached her and nearly overwhelmed her.

"Woah, what'd you do, Ten," Octavia asked, breathing through her mouth. "Drench your room in your scent? Why are you still in bed? Is everything okay? What's wrong with you?"

Rage filled Ten at Octavia's question, and in a burst of anger, she growled loudly. Octavia took an involuntary step back and, for the first time, felt an urge to submit.

She swallowed down the fear that erupted down her spine as Ten continued to growl and called out, "Callie! Callie, come quick! Something's wrong with Ten!"

Ten's eyes squeezed even tighter as pain lanced through her head due to Octavia's raised voice. Before either girl knew what was going on, Ten was out of the bed, growling and stalking Octavia.

Octavia's eyes widened in fear as she backed away, her hands raised in surrender, "Ten? What's going on? Callie!"

In a burst of speed, Ten had Octavia pinned against the hallway wall, her hand encapsulating Octavia's throat. Ten towered over the brunette, glaring down at her as she continued to growl. Octavia was close enough to see a red tint to Ten's ordinarily brown eyes, and her fear increased. A smirk grew across Ten's face, and it was one Octavia had learned to hate. Ten looked like the asshole Alphas in the Ward when they were about gang up on one of the other residents. Ten even closed her eyes in pleasure at Octavia's fear and leaned down to inhale deeper.

"Ten," Octavia whispered, trying to get control of her fear. "This isn't you, babe. Snap out of it. Please. You're hurting me."

A whine escaped Ten, and her grip loosened on Octavia's throat. Ten opened her eyes with a look of utter confusion, barely noticing that her body was pressed up against Octavia's.

"O," Ten croaked out uncertainly.

Octavia gave her a shaky smile, "Yeah, Ten. It's me."

"I don't feel so good," Ten whispered and leaned down again to rest her face in the crook of Octavia's neck as her hand moved to cup the back of her head. "You smell good, but it's not the right one."

A full-body shudder raced through Octavia at her words, some of it settling in the pit of her belly at Ten's insinuation. Octavia closed her eyes and tried not to breathe in Ten's scent. Octavia had barely hit puberty, but she was no stranger to what Ten's words meant. Especially when Ten's thumb was stroking her jaw tenderly or how their bodies were pressed tightly against one another.

"Ten, babe," Octavia cautiously intoned. "I think I know what's going on."

Ten's head snapped up and looked at her with hope, "You do?"

Octavia nodded her head slightly and licked her lips. Ten's eyes were immediately drawn to the action, her pupils dilating, but before anything happened, Octavia spoke, "You're presenting, Ten. You're beginning your Rut."

Ten tilted her head and creased her brow in confusion, and Octavia thought it was such an adorable look that she momentarily forgot that they were in the middle of a slight crisis.

"Rut," Ten replied in confusion and shook her head. "That's not…It's too soon, O. Even for us."

"Ten," she said cautiously, "look at us. You've got me pinned against the wall with your body. Your hand is cupping my head, and your thumb hasn't stopped stroking my jaw. You nearly attacked me because I made you mad. And lastly, your scent is overwhelming and calling to me. I'm feeling things I've never felt, and I've barely hit puberty. You're entering your Rut, Ten."

Ten's movements stilled as she tried to think through the pain and emotional rollercoaster she was feeling. It all made sense. The sensitivity to her senses. The pain in her gut. Going from wanting to hurt Octavia to wanting something else entirely. All symptoms of presenting and entering a Rut.

"Fuck," Ten breathed out and leaned her body slightly away from Octavia to rest her head against the cold metal wall. "You're right. I am so, so sorry, O. Clarke's gonna kill me."

Octavia let out a slow breathe of air in relief, knowing that the danger had passed. She reached up tentatively and ran her fingers through Ten's hair. Ten sighed at the feeling, her body relaxing more, and a purr erupted from her chest. Octavia giggled slightly.

"Who knew that Alpha Ten was a softie," Octavia teased lightly.

Ten huffed but continued to purr as Octavia continued her ministrations. They stood in that hallway in silence, and Ten taking comfort from Octavia's presence.

"I'm glad it was you and not Clarke, O," Ten said. "I'm not sure I would've been able to stop."

Octavia nodded, knowing how the two felt about each other, "I'm glad, too. She's not going to kill you, ya know. She's going to understand that this isn't your fault. That it's your wolf waking for the first time, and you were overwhelmed."

Ten turned her head and gave her a tender smile, "She's good like that. I'm lucky Clarke agreed to be my girlfriend. I love her."

"Such a softie," Octavia replied with a grin.

Ten let out a playful growl and then a pained whine as she hunched over in pain. Octavia just wrapped an arm around Ten and rubbed her back soothingly, trying to help her through the pain.

"We need to get you to Medical, Ten," Octavia said once Ten had relaxed again.

Ten shook her head, despondently, "I don't think I can make it. It hurts too much."

Right then, the sound of the door crashing open reached them. Octavia once more found herself pinned against the wall with Ten growling over her, but this time she felt protected as aggressive pheromones flooded the hallway.

"Ten. Tennyson," Callie's voice called out, and Octavia moved her head to look down the hall.

Callie was walking towards them cautiously; her hands held up placating and nonthreatening. Octavia could see Abby behind her with a look of barely concealed surprise and a syringe of some sort in her hand.

"Ten," Callie called out again but stopped moving when Ten growled louder. "It's okay, baby. I'm not going to hurt you or Octavia. I know what's going on, baby. You're entering a Rut."

"No shit, mom," Ten growled. "What's she doing here? Are you stupid enough to bring another Alpha around me?"

Callie glared at Ten as Abby bristled but remained quiet.

"I'm going to let that go, Tennyson Cartwig," Callie said softly yet sternly. "Jackson was in the middle of dealing with a patient, and Celeste isn't on shift yet. When I told Abby what was going on, she knew exactly what we needed to do. She has a sedative that'll ease the pain and keep you calm until we get you to Medical."

Ten continued to growl and tucked Octavia even more into her as Abby took a few steps forward.

"Dr. Griffin, stop," Octavia called out even though her voice was muffled. "Please."

Abby stopped moving as Callie turned to glare at her friend, "Really, Abby. We need to get Ten to Medical, not both of them."

Abby nodded curtly, "Sorry. I'll step back."

"Thank you," Callie replied, and no one said anything until Abby stepped closer to the door.

Ten eased up on her growling, and Octavia took a chance to say, "Callie, maybe you should be the one to administer the sedative." Those words made Ten tense and growl louder, but Octavia shushed her, "Ten, listen to me. That's your mom. You know she won't hurt either one of us. She's not a threat. You know you need the sedative. You're in a lot of pain, and your pheromones will drive everyone nuts if we step out that door. We need you calm if we're to get you to a safe place to get through this."

Ten let up on her growling and whined low.

"I know, Ten," Octavia whispered. "I know you don't like this. But's it's the only way. Let us help you."

"You'll stay," Ten whispered.

"For as long as I can," Octavia promised. "We're pack. Family."

Ten gave her a watery smile, "Family. You're a good egg, O. Whoever your mate is, they're gonna be damn lucky to have you."

Octavia felt heat rush up her chest and across her cheeks at the compliment. She ducked her head into Ten's chest to hide her embarrassment until it eased.

Lifting her head, she asked, "So, can Callie come over and give you the sedative?"

Ten nodded and tried to relax as much as her wolf would let her. Octavia scooted until the two women could see her better, relief staining both their faces.

"Callie, Ten will let you administer the sedative," Octavia told them.

"I'm a doctor, I should administer it," Abby said, taking a few steps forward.

Ten growled at the woman's movements, which instantly stilled.

"Yeah, I don't think that's a good idea, doc," Octavia smirked at the woman. "You're an Alpha. Ten's an Alpha about to go into Rut. You know Alphas are unpredictable during their first Ruts. She's doing well enough considering you're in her space, and I think it'd be a bad idea to push her any further."

"Fine," she acquiesced sullenly and held out the syringe for Callie to take.

Callie walked over to take it and immediately made her way over to Ten and Octavia.

Octavia felt Ten tense even more, and a low growl build in the girl's chest, "Callie, slow. I really don't want anything to happen."

Callie nodded and slowly approached the girls. She waited patiently beside them until Ten relaxed again. Octavia kept her ministrations as soothing as possible, and when she felt Ten's weight more fully on her, she nodded at Callie. Quick as a snake, Callie injected the sedative into Ten's arm. None of them expected Ten to grab Callie and slam her against the wall instinctively, but Octavia reacted quickly and inserted herself between them.

Long seconds went by before Ten's stance relaxed, and she stumbled back, blinking stupidly at Callie and Octavia. They rushed to her side and wrapped their arms around her to support her.

"S-, sorry, Mom," Ten slurred as her head lolled in Callie's direction.

"It's alright, baby girl," Callie replied as they began walking to the door. "You're a trained warrior and an Alpha. It was instinctual."

Ten hummed and looked over at Octavia, "O?"

"Don't worry. I'm sure we'll laugh about this years later, Ten. We can use this to gross Bell out," Octavia said, chuckling.

Ten snickered and rolled her head back to look at the ceiling as they passed down the Ark halls to Medical, "Bell doesn't like to remember that his sisters are growing up and have boobs. You have boobs. 'Roe has boobs. Harper's got boobs. Raven's got nice boobs. I got boobs. Clarke's got great—"

"Oookay, I think that's enough," Callie said, laughing lightly. "I did not need to know my daughter is a breast girl."

"But, Ma," Ten whined. "Boobs are great. They make good pillows. So warm and—"

"Ten," Octavia cried out exasperatedly. "God, you've never been this bad before. What the hell's in that sedative?"

"I don't know," Ten giggled, "but can I have some more? I feel like my head's floating, and I'm walking on clouds. I wonder if this is how the zero-G mechs feel."

Ten continued to expand on her assessment of the sedative and giggling intermittently as they slowly made their way to Medical. Octavia couldn't hide the grin that formed knowing she was getting first-hand blackmail material on the pack's Second. She just wished she had something to record this moment to share with the others later.

Abby was walking in front of them and deep in thought. This was the first time in recorded Ark history that a person of the Blood had presented so early. Not only that, but from what she had felt, Tennyson was a potent Alpha. Maybe not as powerful as Abby, herself, but more potent than the other Alphas on the Council. If Tennyson was this powerful and a leader of her pack, in Abby's mind, it meant that Clarke was going to be an even more powerful Alpha when she presented. There was no way that Clarke wasn't going to be an Alpha or weaker than Tennyson.

That made her frown in thought. If Tennyson was an Alpha and Clarke would present as an Alpha, then their relationship would have to end. She knew both girls cared deeply for each other. It was plain to read in their body language and the way they looked at one another. Unfortunately, Alpha-Alpha couples were illegal on the Ark. A part of her didn't want to break her little girl's heart like that, but with Clarke's role as the leader of her pack, Abby couldn't risk jeopardizing Clarke's eventual takeover of the Council. She would have to speak to Clarke immediately and make her break up with Tennyson. For the greater good. Not to mention, shoving it in Theolonius' face that her pup was going to be Chancellor while his red-blooded son would be lucky to be a department head.

Everyone was pulled out of their thoughts as they turned the corner and saw the sign for Medical. Abby squared her shoulders, strode purposefully through the automatic doors, and began immediately to bark out orders. The other doctors rushed to comply, and a room was being set up for the duration of Tennyson's Rut. Callie and Octavia shifted Tennyson's weight more evenly as the sedative rooted itself deeper, and she was barely awake.

When the room was ready, they guided Tennyson to the cot and laid her down. Octavia stepped back, groaning as she stretched her aching muscles. Callie leaned over Tennyson and whispered soothing words as she tucked her pup under the covers.

Callie stepped back, and Octavia stepped closer, leaning down and smiling at Ten, she whispered, "I've already informed everybody, Ten. Expect visitors on the other side of that door for the next few days. Clarke told me to tell you that she loves you and that she'll be here right after school. And she'll stay until her mother kicks her out of medical."

"You're a good friend, O," Ten mumbled sleepily. "Thank you for everything."

Octavia smiled wider, "It's what you'd do for me, Ten. But be careful, too. From what I felt, you're going to be a potent Alpha. When you're in control, work on controlling your wolf. We can't afford to tip off the Council."

Ten nodded weakly, "I will. Go. I can hear Jackson pacing nervously."

Octavia nodded and straightened up, "I'll be by to talk to you later, Ten."

Ten didn't reply, her mind already slipping into unconsciousness. Octavia sighed and walked out of the room. Immediately, Jackson entered with a cart of instruments and shut the door behind him. She heard the lock click and made her way to where Callie and Abby were speaking in hushed tones.

Interrupting them, Octavia said, "I'll let the gang know that she's in Medical and why, Callie."

Callie fixed the glare on her face and turned to smile at Octavia, "Thank you, Octavia. You handled yourself very well this morning."

Octavia blushed at the compliment, "Thanks. I think all the training you and our teachers have been putting me through for the past year is what let me stay calm. If I haven't told you before, Callie, thank you for teaching me."

"You're a good pupil, Octavia," Callie replied, pulling her into a light hug. "I'm just glad that it's helping you."

"It is," she said, smiling. "I guess I better go and get ready for school. But before I go, Dr. Griffin, how long do you think Ten's Rut is going to last?"

Abby looked thoughtful for a moment before replying, "It's rare for someone to present so young, so that may affect her Rut. But, the average first Rut last's anywhere between five to fourteen days."

Octavia grimaced at the thought of being locked up for that long, but nodded anyway, "Okay. Thanks. Don't be surprised if the gang makes appearances every chance they get. And I'll be back later after training. Clarke'll probably be here straight after school."

Abby nodded, "Thank you for informing me. I'll inform the staff on shift to expect multiple visitors, but warn your friends that she may not always be aware enough to hold conversations."

"I will," Octavia promised and gave them quick goodbyes before heading to the Ward to get ready for the day.