Clarke watched Ontari storm off, feeling a tangle of emotions. She dreaded confronting Lexa, and the thought of a clash with Costia was even more unsettling. She inhaled deeply, picking up the subtle scents in the air. Costia, she realized, was a beta. Unlike alphas or omegas, betas were more enigmatic, their feelings not as easy to decipher through scent. Clarke recalled a lesson from class: betas could complicate relationships, their biology sometimes pushing potential partners away rather than drawing them together. This made Costia's unspoken love for Lexa all the more poignant – and seemingly hopeless.
Turning to face Lexa and Costia, Clarke's gaze lingered on Lexa first. There was something about Lexa's scent – a mix of sweet but earthy tones, reminiscent of trees and wet grass. These were scents Clarke knew only from their Survival Earth classes in the Ark, where they learned about a world filled with nature's wonders. To Clarke, Lexa smelled like freedom, like a promise of happiness. She felt an undeniable pull towards her, a mix of instinct and deep-seated longing. As she looked at Lexa, understanding dawned on her. The biology classes they took – about alphas, betas, and omegas – made sense now. Clarke realized that despite any hardships, Lexa's intelligence and strength shone through. She was not just a compelling figure to the eye; she was someone Clarke felt inexplicably connected to, deep down.
"Costia…" Clarke's voice was a mere murmur. "Can I talk to Lex-"
"Look, Griffin, you need to back off, just go." Costia's teeth were clenched, her fists balled at her sides to restrain herself. "Lexa doesn't want you here."
"That's for her to decide, Greene." Clarke's voice was steady, an effort to remain calm.
"She can't make that decision right now, and you damn well know it!"
"I'm not looking for a fight, Costia. I'm really trying here, so help me please… and leave."
Clarke hadn't even noticed the powerful, threatening pheromones she was releasing. She wasn't mated yet, and it would take time for all the young ones in the center to learn how to control this.
"Then fight me." Something in Clarke snapped, a murderous glint in her eye.
She stepped closer to Costia, inhaling sharply. There it was faint but unmistakable – fear. Clarke wanted to lash out, punch her, but then another scent overpowered it: anger and resentment, potent and overwhelming, something calm too was trying to fog her senses.
"Stop it, Lexa!" Clarke's shout was desperate, raw.
"Costia, let me talk to Clarke," Lexa interjected, her voice raspy, carrying an undefinable quality that made Clarke shiver.
"No, Lexa. I won't leave you with her."
"Please…" Lexa's plea was weary, her gaze fixed on Costia.
"Move, beta. You can't do anything here, and you know it. You can't help her either." Clarke's words were barbed, deliberately provoking Costia by insinuating her helplessness.
Costia stood toe-to-toe with Clarke, their faces inches apart. Clarke couldn't suppress a growl, aware of its effect on Lexa.
"Get out of here, Clarke. Go find some omega somewhere else."
"I won't say it again, Greene. Leave, or it'll get ugly."
"Hey, hey!" Raven's voice cut through the tension. "Chill out, tiger, let's not have a brawl." Raven stepped in. "Costia, you need to back off. You're a beta; you can't grasp the whole situation. Just leave."
"I love Lexa. You don't understand. I'll take care of her," Costia's voice wavered between anger and defeat.
"She's not a prize to be claimed!" Clarke snapped, as Raven tried to restrain her.
"Don't touch her!" Lexa's voice was pained, seeing Raven's hand on Clarke. "Please, Costia, go."
"But Lex, we're meant to be togeth-"
"I'll throw the first punch, not Griffin, if you don't leave now!" Anya's sudden presence was a surprise, her scent mingling faintly with Raven's.
"You're mates," Clarke observed, glancing between Anya and Raven.
"Yeah," Raven smirked. "Turns out I'm the best one to handle this badass." She nodded at Anya, who just exhaled in exasperation.
"That's... unexpected," Clarke stammered, blushing. "You've been together in one of the rooms? Is that why your scents are mixed?"
"We were headed there, but then decided your sorry ass needed help," Anya grumbled.
"But your scents…" Lexa's gaze was still fixed on Raven, too close to Clarke for her comfort.
"They mix even before being mated. It's a warning sign to others," Raven explained.
"Why aren't you as affected?" Lexa asked incredulously.
Anya and Raven exchanged a wary look. "You're both strong, Lex. I feel a pull to you, but Raven's my mate. It's strange, but if I had to, I'd submit to you," Anya confessed, causing Clarke to growl protectively.
"What Anya means is, it's rare, but it happens. Some pairs are just... dominant," Raven clarified.
"Primes," Lexa murmured, realization dawning.
"Exactly. Every generation has its leaders, natural alphas who keep the peace," Raven added.
"Let's get you two to a room to seal the deal. We're all getting a bit too stirred up out here," Raven quipped, eliciting a laugh from Clarke.
Clarke turned to Lexa, scratching her head nervously. She extended her hand to help Lexa up, meeting her enigmatic gaze, still unsure of what lay behind those eyes.
They all started walking towards the rooms at the end of the center. Clarke could sense the whimpers of the omegas as she passed them, each sound making Lexa tense beside her. Clarke wondered if it was just Lexa's unmet need to mate or something else. The idea of Lexa being bothered by the attention of other omegas towards her sent a warm rush through Clarke's body. She liked the thought of Lexa not wanting her with others. Shaking her head, she tried to clear her increasingly foggy thoughts, feeling her temperature rise with each step.
"Can we please walk faster?" Anya almost pleaded. "Lexa, deep breaths, in and out, and for fuck's sake, get a grip on your damn pheromones."
Raven chuckled beside her.
"Can you not mock me, please?" Anya's frustration with Raven was growing. "How are you not... mad or jealous... about my sinful thoughts of Lexa?"
"Babe, didn't you listen in class?"
"No, babe," Anya replied through clenched teeth.
"Once we're mated, and they're mated, you'll feel the urge to submit to both of them, if they wish it. It's normal for you to feel weird around Lexa. You're human, an alpha, and our instincts are just surfacing. It's only been two hours, Anya, don't be so surprised you can't control yourself yet."
Raven's words sank in. Clarke realized that if she and Lexa were the primes of their generation, they'd likely replace Jaha and his mate in a few years. Everyone had thought it would be Wells, Jaha's son, one of the strongest males among the hundred. But now, as an alpha, Clarke felt different. She didn't want to be an omega, but being an alpha was overwhelming too. She could feel the pull she had on people she passed, trying to ignore it. Yet, it was hard. Her thoughts were clouding with images of making the more aggressive alphas submit, or the stubborn betas in the center. She needed to suppress these thoughts.
"Here we are, folks, time to fuck!"
"Raven!" Anya exclaimed, looking horrified.
"You'd better get used to it. Your future's filled with snarky and witty remarks." Clarke chuckled at her friend's words. She was accustomed to Raven's comments, her sarcasm, her snaps when angry. Raven might be an omega, but Clarke wondered if it would really be Raven submitting to Anya. Her friend was wild enough to make Anya the one begging. Shaking her head again, Clarke said, "Take care of Raven. She's not just my friend; she's family."
"Same to you, Griffin. You might be the prime," Anya said, stepping closer, "but I swear, I'll hurt you if I need to."
"Understood." Clarke raised her arm, a gesture of respect. Her alpha pride wouldn't let her submit, and that was that.
Raven and Anya then headed towards one of the empty rooms. The whole concept of designated mating rooms, even as a tradition, felt odd to Clarke.
"Let's go, Clarke," Lexa said, bringing her back to the moment.
Shivers raced down Clarke's spine as Lexa's presence unnerved her. Until they entered the center, she had been frightened of Lexa, dreading the possibility of being knotted by her, especially by the Lexa who threatened her so openly. Sometimes, she would brace herself, half-hoping Finn might win her over, or perhaps her mother would approve of Lexa or Anya as suitable mates.
Her thoughts were abruptly cut off by Lexa's sharp tone.
"Get in, Griffin," Lexa hissed.
Fuck, Lexa didn't reek of roughness or dominance, but she was still intimidating as hell. Clarke obediently followed her in and closed the door.
Once the door shut, everything but Lexa faded away. Clarke's senses intensified, the sensation almost nauseating. Lexa's scent was overpowering, irresistible. Clarke shuddered. These rooms were hermetically sealed; no wonder they couldn't detect other mated pairs. First matings were often intense, and uncontrolled pheromones could wreak havoc on those still seeking mates outside.
"Calm the fuck down, Griffin."
"Sorry, I ca- I mean, I'm trying," Clarke stammered.
Lexa let out a laugh, sorrowful and confusing to Clarke.
"You must be fucking ecstatic, right?"
"What?" Clarke was perplexed by Lexa's green-eyed gaze.
"Feeling powerful, huh? Happy that I'm an omega? Gonna fuck me and parade me around like some fucking trophy?"
Clarke recoiled at the harsh words. She wasn't like that, and the thought that Lexa might have ever seen her as someone who would treat her like a trophy was jarring. They were people, not prizes. Maybe Clarke had been naive in not seeing Lexa in a harsher light.
"Aren't you going to say anything? Come on, alpha, knot me! What the fuck are you waiting for?"
Breathing in was a mistake; Lexa's pheromones were a siren call. Clarke recalled a lesson from class: some omegas become irritable, stubborn during heat, but it was just the heat speaking. Lexa had never wanted to be an omega; she'd always aspired to be an alpha, just as everyone assumed Clarke would be an omega.
"No," said Clarke. "Can I hug you?"
"What?" Lexa laughed, mocking. "Hug me? Why the hell would you want that, and why would I let you, you stupid alpha?"
"Because you need me close, to help you calm down. It's your heat talking," Clarke reasoned, struggling to maintain control. She could feel the urge to dominate rising, to pin Lexa down, but she resisted. She was raised better than that.
Clarke edged closer, testing the waters. She knew Lexa might lash out any second, and her alpha instincts were barely restrained.
"Don't even think about hugging me, Griffin."
"How can we make this work if you won't even let me hug you?" Clarke sighed, frustration mounting.
Patience was wearing thin, and they hadn't even been in the room for fifteen minutes.
"Please, Lexa." Clarke shifted tactics, putting on her most pleading, puppy-dog eyes. She knew Lexa wouldn't easily relinquish control. If Raven was strong-willed, Lexa was on a whole other level.
A shift occurred within Clarke, a sense of welcome change. She took another step towards Lexa, acutely aware of the turmoil churning within her. Like Clarke, Lexa was a whirlwind of confusion, fear, and desire, all tangled together.
Gently, Clarke reached out, her fingertips brushing Lexa's arm first. The reaction was immediate – Lexa's skin erupted in goosebumps. The heat radiating from her was like an intoxicating drug. Clarke continued to trace her fingers along Lexa's arm, then lifted her gaze to meet Lexa's. Their eyes locked, battling and promising all at once.
Summoning her courage, Clarke let her fingers wander up to Lexa's neck. She wasn't sure if Lexa leaned into her touch out of desire or instinct, but the response was electric. Her palm now cradled Lexa's face, and Clarke inhaled deeply. The scent was all Lexa – a blend of pastries on a rainy Sunday brunch, the fresh, earthy smell of wet soil and trees, a field of flowers after a storm. Clarke wondered if this intoxicating sensation was unique to them or a universal experience for all mates. Was Lexa feeling the same overwhelming connection?
Unable to resist, Clarke pulled Lexa closer, perhaps a bit too roughly. She buried her face in Lexa's neck, finding solace in her scent. Lexa's hands gripping Clarke's shirt sent a surge of energy coursing through her body.
Tentatively, Clarke wrapped an arm around Lexa's waist. She didn't fully embrace her yet, needing to gauge Lexa's comfort. This was new territory for both of them. They stood there, how long, Clarke couldn't say, until Lexa's grip on her shirt relaxed. Anxiety bubbled in Clarke's chest – she didn't want to let go. But then she felt Lexa's hands exploring her torso, moving to her back. Lexa was hugging her back. The squeeze was all the confirmation Clarke needed, and she pulled Lexa even closer, leaving no space between them. Her nose nestled in the crook of Lexa's neck, inhaling deeply, as if it was vital.
Still near the entrance of the room, Clarke finally lifted her face from Lexa's neck, planting a soft kiss behind her ear. She drew Lexa in tighter, conveying a message without words – she didn't see Lexa as just someone to mate with. Clarke had never wanted that. The idea of being viewed merely as breeding material had horrified her when she thought she'd be an omega. Now, as an alpha, with Lexa as her mate, she'd fiercely protect Lexa from such degrading perceptions. The primal urge to mate was there, undeniable, but Clarke's mind remained surprisingly clear. It was contrary to what they'd been taught – that upon finding their mate, resisting the urge to knot or be knotted would be nearly impossible.
Then, her mother's words echoed in her mind. An alpha and an omega, even if mated, could resist; they had to be strong enough. They would have 72 hours of clarity to talk, to reach an understanding. Clarke wouldn't have to feel guilty for taking advantage of Lexa. She just needed to be strong for both of them, to help Lexa through this. The challenge was the remaining 24 hours – a whole day to endure.
"Clarke, please…" Lexa's plea reverberated in the charged air, signaling the daunting task ahead.
"Just try to relax," Clarke suggested, her gaze sweeping the room. A bed, a minifridge, a bathroom at the far end, and another door – not the one they entered through. She glanced quickly behind her, then back at this new door. They hadn't been told how they would exit the center, so perhaps this door would open post-ceremony. "Let's sit on the bed, okay?" she asked Lexa gently.
Lexa didn't respond verbally; instead, her whimpers grew more intense, the heat radiating from her increasingly palpable. Clarke gently guided her to the bed, sitting her down. As Clarke tried to step back, Lexa's reaction was immediate and desperate.
"No, Clarke, no, where are you going?" Lexa's eyes were unfocused, filled with fear, catching Clarke off guard.
"I'm not going anywhere, Lexa. I'm right here," Clarke reassured her, cupping her face in her hands. "Right here."
"Don't go, don't go, don't go, don't go," Lexa chanted, her voice laced with panic. Clarke was struck by the irony – not long ago, she had to coax Lexa into a hug, and now Lexa clung to her as if her life depended on it.
She pressed a gentle kiss on Lexa's forehead. "Hey, Lexa, can you let go of me for a sec?"
"No, no, Clarke, why?"
"I'm just going to check the minifridge. You're feeling ho – feverish," Clarke corrected herself mid-sentence, mentally chiding herself for almost saying 'hot.' She felt foolish, unsure why the word seemed so inappropriate in the moment.
"Why? I don't need anything from the fridge."
"We should get some water," Clarke improvised hastily. "They mentioned in class that omegas need to stay hydrated, especially now. So, yeah, water is a good idea."
Clarke attempted once more to gently release Lexa, and this time, she succeeded. A wave of relief washed over her, but it was short-lived. Suddenly, a searing pain tore through her, as if she'd been punched with deadly force. It was excruciating, like shards of glass were shredding her heart from the inside. The pain nearly brought her to her knees. Yet, amidst this agony, Clarke realized something profound: the pain wasn't her own. It was Lexa's.
She caught Lexa's gaze, filled with a sense of rejection, and it hit Clarke hard. Fuck, this was going to be tough. Her eyes flickered to the fridge and then back to Lexa. The water could wait. Clarke made a silent vow never to let Lexa feel this way again. She understood now, omegas in heat were a whirlwind of raw emotion. Acting on instinct, Clarke yanked Lexa from the bed and enveloped her in a hug. She didn't know where this surge of strength came from – perhaps an alpha thing. Burying her nose under Lexa's left ear, she inhaled deeply. Lexa's scent was intoxicating, the best thing in the world.
Adjusting Lexa in her arms, Clarke realized something felt off. Then, without fully understanding how, she found herself lifting Lexa, her legs wrapped around Clarke's waist. Carrying Lexa felt surreal; never had Clarke imagined this scenario before entering the center. Yet, it felt undeniably right, like this was their destined path. Holding Lexa, Clarke felt a sense of home.
Time seemed to warp around them; Clarke couldn't tell how long they stayed like that. It could have been hours or mere seconds. In Lexa's presence, everything else faded, leaving a sense of floating, a feeling that her sole purpose was to be with Lexa. She yearned to spend her life making Lexa feel cherished and protected. Clarke could sense Lexa's contentment, a deep connection forming between them as they both entered their respective cycles. Were they starting to sense each other's deepest desires?
Then, a wave of tension hit Clarke like a physical blow. Her heat was starting, and the realization struck her forcefully. She was exerting immense effort to not lose control, to not let her alpha instincts dominate. They weren't fully in heat or rut yet, but Clarke knew the intensity of these feelings was just the beginning.
"Clarke, please, I need you. I can't - it hurts, Clarke. Make it stop, please."
"Shhh, Lexa, just try to calm down." Clarke glanced at the bed and took a step towards it, gently setting Lexa back down. She sat at the head of the bed and drew Lexa against her chest. The feeling of Lexa's back pressed into her front felt inexplicably right.
"Fuck!" Lexa moaned. "Touch me, please."
"Lexa," Clarke let out a restrained moan, her hands sliding under Lexa's shirt, pulling her closer. Skin to skin, she thought, this should soothe her.
"No, Clarke, please, I need more, much more," Lexa's voice trembled, fear tinging her words. "You don't want me."
"What? No, Lexa, of course I do."
"No, you don't. I know you hate me. You're not like anyone else from the Ark," Lexa murmured, her voice laced with misery. "You're not going to mate with me."
It wasn't a question; it was a statement.
"No, I'm not, Lexa."
Lexa bolted upright, looking conflicted, almost broken, and on the verge of tears.
"Then why bring me here, Clarke?"
"Because you're my mate."
"What does that even mean to you?"
"T-that you're my ma-"
"Then why didn't you let me go with Costia, Clarke? Why!? If you don't knot me, I'll be a fucking joke."
"That's not true, Lexa."
"Not true? Clarke, I'm here with you. Anya and Raven can feel you. You're the prime. If you don't knot me, it means I'm a failure, a fucking broken omega," Lexa inhaled sharply. "I'm a fucking omega, Clarke. Don't you see?"
"I-Lexa, I-I don't see what's wrong with that." Clarke was struggling to follow Lexa's logic, feeling dumbfounded as her mind grew increasingly foggy. Lexa's raging pheromones were overwhelming, making her dizzy.
"Are you dumb?" Lexa's disrespect triggered a growl Clarke couldn't contain. "All my life, I wanted to be the strongest alpha, but it's you, Clarke. And now, I'm just an omega."
"You're a strong omega," Clarke murmured softly, causing Lexa to moan and whimper again.
"I feel like a mess, Clarke. I need... It's humiliating."
"It's not," Clarke said calmly. "You wanted me as your omega for your reasons, but being an omega isn't humiliating. What would you think of me if I were in your position? Are these your beliefs about omegas? Do you feel bad for your mom being an omega?"
"Don't talk about my mom, Clarke. She's a respected General," Lexa hissed.
"Yeah, I know. And I know my mom and many other omegas. They're not humiliated by any alpha."
"Really? Do you feel the instinct to present yourself to me, Clarke?" Lexa's words sent a pang through Clarke. "But you wish to have me on all fours in bed so you can mount me, right?"
"Yes," Clarke admitted in a whisper, finding it harder to speak. "But I won't do it, Lexa. I won't knot you now."
"Then why are we here, Clarke?" Lexa's eyes brimmed with tears she quickly wiped away.
"My mom said... fuck," Clarke moaned again, struggling to focus. "She said we can resist the mating if we're strong enough."
"Resist the mating," Lexa echoed in disbelief. "You actually don't want to mate with me."
The pain crushed Clarke's heart again. She leapt from the bed and wrapped Lexa in her arms.
"72 hours."
"What?"
"My mom said if we resist, they give us suppressants. We'll have clear heads for at least 72 hours, and we can talk. I won't agree to knot you while your heat clouds your judgment. I need the real Lexa to tell me she wants my knot, the real Lexa to agree to be my mate for life. Can you understand that?"
"Y-yes," Lexa whimpered. "I don't know if I can resist this, Clarke. I need you, I need to feel you."
"Shhh, Lexa," Clarke soothed, pulling her close again and breathing in her scent. "I want you, Lexa. You'll never be a joke to anyone. When we're out of here, I'll fight anyone who tries to touch you. You're mine, unless you say otherwise." Clarke cupped Lexa's face in her hands. "Look at me, babe," she coaxed, feeling a wave of heat at Lexa's smile. "I want you, just remember that, okay?"
Clarke noticed Lexa start to tremble.
"Hey, did you have breakfast?" No answer came, just a whimper. "Answer me, Lexa." The command wasn't meant to be as forceful and domineering as it sounded; she just couldn't help it, and it only made Lexa moan louder.
"No, alpha." Clarke closed her eyes. Hearing Lexa refer to her as 'alpha' in this context melted her from the inside. Everything seemed to grow hotter by the minute.
"Come," Clarke said, guiding Lexa to the minifridge. She didn't want to feel that sorrow and sadness from Lexa again; she already felt guilty enough for making her feel that bad.
Opening the minifridge, Clarke found it well-stocked, which brought her a sense of relief. Water, protein shakes, hard-boiled eggs, bread, and protein bars – all seemingly prepared for recuperation after hours of intense physical activity.
"Sit," Clarke instructed, motioning Lexa towards the bed.
Lexa glanced at the bed, then at their joined hands, and back at the bed, as if calculating how to comply without releasing Clarke's hand. It made Clarke's heart melt.
"Go sit, Lexa. I'll be there in a minute," she said gently. "Please, go sit." Clarke kissed Lexa softly behind the ear. "I want you, Lexa. It's not just my alpha side, you know? My heart wants you, too." She kissed the same spot again as her hands circled Lexa's waist. "Do you want to know how I know?" Clarke felt Lexa hum, taking it as a yes. "I can feel you. It hurts when you think I don't want you. It's like we're connected. When those thoughts aren't there, I feel warm, calm, like I'm home," she pulled Lexa closer, so Lexa's back pressed fully against her. "Fuck, Lexa, you're right. I do want to have you in bed, to mount you – not just on all fours, not the first time. No, when I knot you for the first time, I want to see your face, to say 'I love you' while I make love to you." Lexa was a mess, moaning and whimpering, but Clarke needed her to know this. She would be strong for her, not knot her today, but she wanted her, needed her like air.
"Clarke, please, don't. If you keep going, I'll need your knot, please."
"Go and sit on the bed, Lexa. Now." Clarke's tone was firmer this time, and Lexa moaned again. But Clarke gently pushed her towards the bed to emphasize her point, and Lexa obediently sat down.
Clarke felt Lexa's gaze on her with every movement she made while preparing the food. She heard Lexa's staggered breaths, the effort to contain the moans that sought escape. Those lips – which she hadn't kissed yet but intended to – were calling to her. She might not knot Lexa today, but she was determined to make Lexa feel as cherished as possible, knowing that denying the knot would be a painful decision for both of them.