Disclaimer & Notices: See Chapter 1.

Started: December 7, 2016
Series: One Shot

Beauty and the Alpha
by Red Hope

Chapter 11

Hours ago, the Trikru and Skaikru leaders had settled on what do with Mount Weather in the coming weeks. However, the plans for a new alliance required more energy, more focus, and more demand from them.

As the meeting wore on so did Lexa. Her patience became thinner as they approached the mid-afternoon. She struggled to stay open minded, but her rut's aggression was bubbling up again. Her rut forced her to think about Clarke, about sex, and mating. She struggled with her Alpha.

"Maybe we should stop here," Clarke suggested after another bout of arguments. She noticed Lexa's returned pacing between the table and throne.

"We have been here for hours," Anya readily agreed. She easily sensed Lexa's self-control was deteriorating to nothing. She hoped that Clarke could soothe the Alpha. "Heda?"

Indra inwardly sighed because the meeting's end probably meant she had to be the commander's punching bag. Yet, she sensed that Lexa's overall mood today was better than it had been in awhile.

Lexa paused a few paces in front of the table. "We will resume tomorrow." She folded her arms. "An hour after sunrise." Everyone was nodding and stood up. She started to her throne where she left her jacket.

Clarke was on her feet and studied the commander's tense shoulders. A natural urge started taking her toward Lexa until her mother stepped into her path.

"I want to look at your stitches," Abby said.

Clarke sighed and realized she had to adhere to her mother for once. Most likely her stitches were ready to be removed, if the itching was any indication.

Lexa shrugged on her jacket and turned just as Anya came up to her. Similarly, she was gravitating to Clarke, but Anya needed her. For a brief second, she held Clarke's gaze across the distance.

Clarke inwardly ached at the darkness in Lexa's eyes. Her guilt ballooned in her chest, but she had already agreed to her mother. She promised Lexa that they would meet up soon. With a slightly lowered head, she followed her mother out of the church and back to their shared quarters.

Abby collected her medical kit and scooted a chair closer to her daughter. Between the firelight and sunshine from the window, she was able to inspect the wounds from the trap's teeth. She decided stitches were ready to come out. With scissors, she carefully worked the stitches.

Always with a medical eye, Clarke watched her mother and occasionally asked certain things. She was relieved to have them out, and it seemed that the wounds were healing correctly. There would still be mild scarring and always remind her of the day she learned Lexa was a caineblida.

After they were done, Clarke was getting ready to leave. She nearly collided with Raven Reyes when she left her quarters.

"What's going on, Princess?"

Clarke rolled her eyes at the old tease. She then slightly faltered from Raven's waiting look. Somehow she felt a little shameful for going to see Lexa. She had hardly visited Raven, Bellamy, or Monty since they came to see her. "I needed a walk," she mentioned.

Raven took that as an invite to join. "Well let's limp together." She followed Clarke outside and was grateful for the cool day.

"So what happened between you and Wick?"

Raven sighed heavily and thought back on their last argument. "He's a prick."

Clarke shook her head but waited for her friend to say more.

"When I heard you were hurt, I decided to come with Kane and mentioned it to Wick." Raven's pace slowed, and she moved closer to Clarke. "He got mad and asked if I have a thing for you."

"What?"

Raven grinned at her friend's shocked look. "He was pissed that I left with you to go to the grounder camp and was jealous that I was leaving to come to Boyce... to see you." Her grin fell though. "He asked me if I had a thing for you." She shrugged and added, "I asked whether or not it mattered if I did?"

Clarke halted and grabbed the mechanic's shoulder. "Seriously?"

Raven chuckled at Clarke's awed features. "Yeah... seriously. And he blew up... telling me that it was wrong for two women to be together." She narrowed her eyes and hotly whispered, "I could have floated him myself when he started being an ass." She huffed low. "What the Hell does it matter if somebody is gay?"

Clarke sadly smiled at her friend's words. She squeezed Raven's shoulder then yanked her into her arms.

Raven was startled by the unexpected hug, but she returned it.

"Thanks for sticking up for me," Clarke whispered into Rave's ear. She ended the hug then continued walking.

"We should be with whoever we want to be with," Raven said, in conclusion. She hobbled alongside her friend through the busy village.

Clarke wholly agreed, but she suspected not all Sky people felt the same as her and Raven. She put it aside for now and asked, "What are Bellamy and Monty doing?"

"Bell was hanging out with Lincoln and Monty was taking a bath."

Clarke seconded Monty's idea. She had bathed yesterday morning and decided doing so tonight would end her day nicely. With her stitches gone, it would make it far easier.

"How are the alliance talks going?" Raven asked. She zipped up her jacket for warmth.

"They're going well enough."

Raven nodded. She scanned the village's surroundings after rushing by it all this morning. She decided it was much different than Tondc. "Is Abby being smart about it?"

Clarke shrugged then replied, "Probably better than me."

Raven curiously eyed her friend. "What does that mean?" She was somewhat worried because like others, she relied on Clarke's skills as a leader.

Clarke glanced at the passing grounder villager then waited until they were out of earshot. "Well we found out some new information about the grounders."

Raven became further concerned but waited for Clarke to tell her more.

"The grounders are another race." Clarke shifted closer to the engineer. "They're not totally human."

"What?" Raven grabbed her friend's shoulder and halted them both. "What you mean they're not human?" She slotted her eyes. "They look pretty damn human."

Clarke shook her head. "They're half human and half... something else." She glanced at a passerby then sighed at Raven's worry. "They're called caineblidas... or caine for short."

"Why does that name sound like canine... like a dog?"

Clarke shrugged at the keen observation. "The legend is that their god, Caines, was a wolf and mated with a human."

"They're fucking werewolves?" Raven tensed after she spoke too loud.

"Not werewolves... they don't change forms."

Raven huffed and asked, "How sure are you of that?" She continued through the village. "How are they different than us?"

"They uh..."

Raven rarely heard Clarke hesitate and an obvious red hue on Clarke's face made her more curious.

"They have a strong sense of smell," Clarke replied. "They're larger than us and can live longer."

Raven considered the information. She could only imagine what their people would think of the grounders being a different race. "Does Octavia know?"

"Yeah... she's known for awhile."

Raven noted a hint of annoyance from Clarke about Octavia. She shifted away from the topic. "How do you feel about the grounders?" She was unsure herself and needed time to process it.

Clarke was quiet for a moment and continued down the broken sidewalk. "I'm okay with it." She looked at Raven's profile. "They're still people that want to live... just like us."

"How did your mom and Kane take it?"

Clarke sighed and replied, "Kane seemed fine. Mom is having a harder time with it."

"Well..." Raven thought about it for a long minute. "It's not like your mom will want war. She's not a fighter."

"No," Clarke readily agreed.

"She'll adapt to it." Raven slowed when they came to the end of the sidewalk at the main crossroads. She gazed across the street to the aged firehouse.

Clarke followed her friend's line of sight to the stable. She softened at seeing Lexa and Anya standing in front of the stable's entrance. They were discussing something but both stopped and stared at Clarke and Raven.

Lexa was the first to move forward, toward the Sky people. Anya joined her.

Clarke was drawn toward the commander and Raven followed her. They met halfway in the street.

"Heya," Clarke greeted first. She looked from Lexa to Anya.

"We were just discussing the hunter," Lexa said.

Clarke recalled that they were suppose to deal with the hunter after the alliance meeting. "Right," she whispered. "I was just giving Raven a tour of the village."

"One Skaikru showing another Skaikru a Trikru village?" Anya was highly amused.

Raven folded her arms. "Well it looks like you're not doing anything." She enjoyed Anya's brown eyes darkening at her. "So why don't you show me around."

Anya parted her lips, but the commander beat her.

"Sha, Onya." Lexa's eyes twinkled at her general. "A Trikru should show her the village."

Anya pretended to grouse, but she huffed and nodded at the Sky girl. "Follow me."

Raven smiled devilishly at Clarke. "See ya later."

"See ya, Raven." Clarke chuckled at the mechanic limping off with Anya. As she thought more about what just happened, she concluded that Lexa had done it on purpose. She looked up at the commander. "Is there something going on?"

Lexa revealed a wolfish smile. She decided it was good for Anya to try her own medicine at being matched with a mate. "Nothing of concern," she promised.

Clarke gave a low hum. "I guess we should take care of this hunter." But after Lexa's nod, she noticed they were standing still.

"There is something I must show you first." Lexa turned to the stable. "This way." She was headed toward the firehouse entrance rather than the entrance to the bays where the horses were stabled. She opened the door and held it for Clarke.

Once inside, Clarke was surrounded by the scent of leather. The space inside was completely open other than black wrought iron steps that spiraled to an upper floor. All around them was various horse tack either hung up, laid down on a wrap around counter, or items set on the floor. There were a few workbenches off to her right.

"Anya said that your stirrups are too long," Lexa mentioned.

Clarke had known early on, even without being horseback riding experience. She had adjusted them as high as possible, but they were still just too long. Most likely they were designed for grounders' taller stature.

"I had a new set made for you." Lexa stepped around the Sky leader and went to a workbench.

Clarke joined Lexa and smiled at the new stirrups made for her. "Thank you." She could tell already that they would be better. She ran her fingers down a leather strap and toyed with the bronze stirrup. "This will help."

Lexa agreed too. It was unsafe for Clarke to use inappropriate horse tack.

"I figured out what I'm going to name him." Clarke looked up from the stirrups. "The horse." She grinned at the commander, who had gifted her the horse. "Alexander."

Lexa huffed and folded her arms. She debated whether to be flattered or insulted by the horse's name.

Clarke sensed Lexa's thoughts and mentioned, "And not just because it's a variation of your name. But Alexander was a famous ruler in Ancient Greece. He conquered and ruled an empire. I always admired him." She looked down at the stirrups again. She not only admired Alexander the Great but also Lexa. Similar to Alexander, Lexa was a young leader of thousands of people and trying to expand on it. Her thoughts broke when firm hands pulled at her waist.

Lexa ached from the surfaced admiration in Clarke. There were many times that Clarke sought advice from Lexa, as a leader. But now the horse's name was in honor of two people that Clarke keenly respected as leaders. A pleased hum shook deep in her chest when Clarke pressed against her.

"I hope that means you like the name," Clarke teased. She slipped her hands between Lexa's open jacket.

Lexa struggled with her Alpha. She held Clarke close even though it pained her greatly. She wanted to mate Clarke so deeply. It bore into her heart and made her Alpha whimper in need. She fought hard to stay together. There was something in her spirit that pulled her to Clarke, not just a heated desire.

Clarke hurt for Lexa and hurt from the rut's torture. In desperate need to help, she pushed Lexa against the workbench. Her previous hesitation about Lexa's body was smoldered under her new confidence. She was driven and jerked each button with determination.

"Clarke..." Lexa lost her concern when she received a fiery glance. Her Alpha howled at Clarke's strength. She should have argued further, but her rut clouded her head. She leaned against the workbench and gripped it with both hands behind her. She groaned when her hard cock was pulled free from the tight pants.

Clarke gave it an initial tug and still briefly wondered how Lexa dealt with the rut. She stroked up and down the shaft a few times. It gave her a chance to plan her next move. She edged slightly closer then slowly began kneeling down. She had never given oral sex, at least to somebody's penis.

Lexa straightened up when Clarke started lowering, hesitantly. A soft white flared around the edges of her irises. Hastily she reached for Clarke and grabbed her.

Clarke nearly had her knees pressed against the cracked concrete floor until strong hands clasped her upper arms. She was suddenly pulled back up, and she was surprised by the change. She questioningly peered up into displeased features.

"No," Lexa simply ordered. She took Clarke's hands into her own and brought them to her cock again. "Only use your hands." She sniffed a hint of startled fear from Clarke. "Beja," she added more gently.

Clarke nodded at the request. She was somewhat relieved too. After a deep breath, she tightened her grip on the thick shaft.

Lexa remained bent over Clarke so they were close. She needed to settle Clarke's earlier fears and hoped their close contact was enough. She nuzzled Clarke's exposed ear and gave a playful growl.

Clarke smiled to herself until it became more of a grin. She yanked hard on Lexa's cock and earned a real growl. She was starting to love the sounds Lexa made in her ear. She stroked at a steady pace.

Lexa was a mixture of groans and low growls. She opened her eyes and peered down at Clarke's firm hand riding up and down her cock. Her Alpha loved every bit of it. From the smells, her Alpha knew Clarke enjoyed it too. They were both becoming more comfortable each time.

Clarke pressed her right hand against Lexa's chest. "Lean back... I need more room."

Lexa was happy to oblige and resumed her earlier position. She gritted her teeth from another hard jerk to her cock. She loved it and growled deeper. She was somewhat startled when Clarke kicked at the inside of her boots. She followed the silent order to spread her legs wider. Her Alpha bathed in the more aggressive nature from Clarke.

With a firmer grip, Clarke pulled down hard on the thick length. In a short time, she had learned what Lexa enjoyed the most. She felt more confident each time with Lexa. As she gazed up, she met the Alpha's hungry gaze.

"Faster," Lexa demanded. She felt the heat in her veins and the build in her lower belly. She clawed her nails into the edge of the workbench's sides.

With a smirk, Clarke teased, "Think you can help?" Her answer was a thrust from Lexa's hips. She held her grin and shifted a step to the side so her left arm had more room. She held onto the workbench with her other hand, for extra support.

Lexa continued thrusting with each of Clarke's strokes. She grounded her teeth hard and growled deeper. Her Alpha was so hungry and this had to be enough.

Clarke matched Lexa's rhythm and every thrust up, she tightened her grip down. Together, they built the passion until it tightened and wrapped around Lexa's very core. With a constant firm hold, Clarke pushed Lexa to the final point, into the orgasm. She briefly closed her eyes at the snarl from the Alpha. She gazed up at all the control it took Lexa to hold down a yell.

Suddenly a rush of weakness filled Lexa, and she slumped against the workbench. She held herself up enough as the warming sensations rushed through her entire body. She heaved and softly panted from the orgasm.

Clarke had released the slowly softening cock. She instead moved her right arm behind Lexa's lower back, just in case. She pressed her left palm flat against Lexa's taut stomach.

Lexa straightened up but kept her knees locked for support. She bent toward Clarke and shared a gentle kiss. When it was over, she revealed her green eyes to Clarke. She mirrored the smile given to her.

Clarke brushed her thumb across the commander's flushed cheek. "Welcome back," she teased.

Lexa realized how capable Clarke was of pushing the rut away, for a little while. In the past, her rut was all controlling, even with Costia's attention. She was grateful for Clarke and what Clarke was willing to do for her. Their tentative relations were a delicate situation.

After a deep breath, Lexa pushed her cock back into her pants. With Clarke's help, the buttons were back in place. She straightened up and filled her full height.

"Why..." Clarke hesitated but nudged herself to ask it. "Why did you stop me earlier?"

Lexa sighed and turned to the human. "It is something your people do?"

Clarke flushed and nodded after a second. "Yeah... oral sex is pretty common."

Lexa considered it and wondered if that meant Clarke enjoyed both receiving and giving oral sex. "It happens among our people, but not often." She saw the curiosity in blue eyes. "I don't enjoy receiving it." She had never given oral sex either.

Clarke was mildly shocked and stared at Lexa. She shook her head.

"It's not as pleasurable as using your hands." Already Lexa was drawn back to moments ago when she was thrusting her cock in Clarke's hand. She tried quelling it. "But..." She thought about why Alphas received oral sex from their lovers. "Among our people, it is considered demeaning to perform oral sex on anybody with a mami or pisa."

It was the first time Clarke heard the Trigedasleng words for Lexa's penis. She wondered if there was a slight variation between the two words. She then tensed at the sneer from the commander.

"There are Alphas that will force their lovers to do it."

Clarke frowned and whispered, "A show of dominance." She was not completely against giving oral sex if it was something Lexa enjoyed. Yet, it sounded less pleasurable in general. She questioned whether Lexa even had any experience. She tucked away the information for later reflection.

"We should go see about that hunter," Clarke prompted.

Lexa hooked Clarke's wrists and drew their bodies together. "Clarke..." She leaned down and brought her lips near Clarke's ear. She drew lower and clamped her teeth around soft flesh on Clarke's neck.

"Lexa... later." Clarke grabbed the commander's broad shoulders.

"You have touched me several times," Lexa reminded, near the shell like ear.

Clarke chuckled and joked, "I'm saving up all these favors for another time."

"Oh?" Lexa asked.

Clarke had a grin at the rare playfulness from the commander. She was happy to enjoy it before the rut reared its head again, literally. "Yes." She ducked away before Lexa could bite her earlobe. She loved the growl but still held her ground. "Like when you train me to fight, and I need a massage."

Lexa considered the idea then revealed a wolfish smile. "Very well." She turned to the workbench and scooped up the stirrups.

Clarke shook her head and went past the taller leader. She felt Lexa directly behind her. She wondered when they had become so close and even in sync with each other. It warmed her heart and made her pause in front of the closed door of the firehouse.

Lexa pressed into Clarke's back, a last chance to touch before they were out in public. "Clarke?"

"Sorry." Yet for another moment, Clarke stayed in the doorway and held the door's bolt. She turned her head sidelong and whispered, "I really want this to work. I want us to work."

Lexa's chest shook with a pleased thrum. She bowed her head down until her cheek ghosted across Clarke's own. "I swear I will do my best."

Clarke sadly smiled and nodded. "Me too," she promised. She pushed the bolt and opened the door as Lexa straightened up.

Quickly, Lexa put the new stirrups with Clarke's tack. Then she and Clarke crossed the town until they were at the prison. One of two guards pushed open the heavy wood door then resealed it after Heda and Wanheda passed it. Lexa guided Clarke down twisty, narrow stone steps into a short hallway that had few lit torches. The hallway opened up into what seemed to be a former office space. At a dirty metal desk, a grounder was seated with his sword and a sharpening stone.

"Heda," the grounder greeted. He was instantly on his feet and slightly bent forward in respect.

"Hunta," Lexa simply told the grounder.

The grounder, Greenway, acted as the jailer and was appointed by Anya. Recently he had an influx of prisoners thanks to the fall of Mount Weather. It took him an extra moment to pull the correct key from the wall behind him. He then hurried past the leaders. His fast speed made his open leather jacket billow around him.

"Stay close to me," Lexa warned the Sky leader. She fingered her sword's hilt at her side.

Clarke swallowed a nervous breath when they approached the aisle between old, rusty jail cells. She followed behind the commander, but her curiosity had her peering into the cells. The first few cells held grounders then there were two empty ones. The next five cells' prisoners made her slow down.

Nearly all five cells held the bloody faces from Mount Weather. They were the last survivors from the security team that had received the bone marrow from Dr. Tsing. Several of the men lifted their heads at hearing the newcomers. One stood up and approached the bars as the two leaders passed by.

Clarke took two wide steps to close the gap between her and Lexa. She bit her bottom lip from asking about the Mountain Men. She had to leave it in Lexa's hands because she wanted to be done with Mount Weather.

Greenway stood beside a locked cell that contained one individual. He inserted the key, worked the lock, and held open the gate for the leaders.

Lexa immediately stepped in first and easily filled the small cell with her height and Alpha ego. She took a side step and continued holding her sword hilt as a fair warning.

Clarke stood next to the commander and heard the gate lock behind her. The jailer's boot steps grew distant. For a moment, Clarke stole the chance to take in the hunter's features. She was mildly surprised the hunter was a woman, who was weathered by mother nature's hardships.

The hunter had been seated on a wood bed until she heard the arrivals. She stood to greet her visitors and frowned at the obvious Sky person. Her brown eyes darted from the human to the commander.

"Klark kom Skaikru, this is Paris," Lexa introduced. She barely restrained her Alpha's growl. "The hunter that laid the trap that harmed you."

The hunter, Paris, shifted uncomfortably on her feet. She had heard she had trapped a Sky person, but she had no idea it had been Wanheda. Nearly all the color drained from her scruffy features. "Heda, I had meant no..." She lost her bravado under the commander's fearsome stare.

Lexa released a low, heavy breath to dispel her overly protective Alpha nature. After she flexed her grip on the sword hilt, she sharply reminded, "Klark kom Skaikru was injured by a trap that you set within the no-hunt radius of the village. The no-hunt radius is clearly indicated on the trees around the village and on village maps."

"From my understanding..." Clarke attempted in hopes to soften the tension. "The law is fairly clear. Why risk setting one so close to the village?"

Paris balled her hands at her side and glanced over at the commander, silently waiting for approval. She conceded to the commander's soft nod and looked at the Sky girl. "Animals are becoming scarcer because Tondc was destroyed along with all their food, furs, and goods. I thought it was worth the risk to place a trap in the no-hunting radius."

Clarke remembered Lexa said that survivors from Tondc were dispersed among the local villages. There were indeed unplanned people to feed and clothe because everything was destroyed in Tondc by the missile and fires. She rubbed her brow and softly concluded, "More competition." Now she felt even guiltier for taking any of Paris's desperately needed kills, especially with winter upon them. The entire situation was a mess.

Lexa heard Paris's reasoning, but her rut barely allowed it to sink deeper into her mind. She only wanted justice for the harm brought onto Clarke and to set an example to all hunters. She loathed blatant disorder such as Paris's decision. "The punishment for breaking the law is six months of your kills go to the injured person."

Paris inwardly whimpered at the impact it would have on her life and family. She had lost her mate to a reaping from the Mountain Men and only had her young child left. She knew the punishment allowed enough kills to be kept for their own survival but any extra would have normally gone toward trade.

"However," Lexa continued, "Klark kom Skaikru wishes to show you mercy. You will only forfeit three months of kills to her."

Paris blinked after what she thought was a joke, but the commander was truly serious. She looked over at the Sky girl.

"And you won't be giving those kills until the spring time," Clarke added. She nearly jumped from the displeased rumble from the commander, but she pretended to ignore it. "Since the winter months are the most difficult." She watched the relief flood through Paris's entire frame. She peered up at Lexa and softly smiled at her. "Heda felt it was best to forfeit the kills in the spring since everyone is hurting from the destruction of Tondc."

Lexa grounded her teeth at Clarke's tactic. Her chest was puffed up with unreleased growls, but they each dispelled as she looked at Paris's grateful features.

"Mochof, Heda." Paris took steps closer, but she refrained from touching either of them. She looked at Clarke and whispered, "Mochof, mochof, mochof."

Clarke smiled sadly.

Lexa shifted to the sealed gate and called for Greenway. She was still grinding her teeth together thanks to Clarke. Once the cell was open, she pulled Clarke out first and left the cell last.

Clarke waited for Greenway to lock the cell then she followed him down the aisle. She felt like Lexa was nearly on top of her, but she knew Lexa was protecting her.

"Hey, Griffin... Clarke Griffin," a man called from a cell to the right. "Hey, Wanheda!"

Clarke paused even though Greenway kept going down the aisle.

Lexa pressed her freehand against Clarke's shoulder blade, but Clarke ignored her.

Clarke pivoted and neared the cell that held one lone security guard from Mount Weather. "How did you know I was Wanheda?"

Lexa released her sword hilt and instead unsheathed her dragger from within her jacket. She edged closer to Clarke's back, the dagger hidden between them.

"They've been calling you Wanheda for awhile," the Mountain Men revealed. "Ever since you burned three hundred of their people with the drop ship."

Clarke narrowed her eyes but decided he was pointless.

"Did you find your other ships?"

Clarke paused at the question. She wanted to know about her people, and it drew her back to him.

"I know where one of them is," he said.

"Where?"

The Mountain Man chuckled and replied, "For a price."

Clarke seconded Lexa's low growl and shook her head. "I don't think so." She leaned closer to the bars. "We'll be using your satellites to find them ourselves."

"That's if the grounder clan doesn't find them first," he argued. He smiled toothily. "And you know how savage these grounders are."

"Not all of them," Clarke declared.

The Mountain Man laughed and countered, "But the ones to the north..." He chuckled again and moved closer to the bars. "Just a piece of advice, you can't train them to obey commands." He smirked when the commander behind Clarke Griffin started growling louder.

"Go float yourself," Clarke snapped. She started turning away from him.

The Mountain Men snorted at the weak curse and enjoyed her frazzled nature. "Watch your back, Griffin." He cut his dark eyes directly to the commander. "She's gonna mount you like a bitch in heat." But his smirk was cut short by the hand around his throat and blade tip pressed to his temple. He stared down at the canine teeth bared at him.

Clarke hardly saw Lexa move and spun around to find the Mountain Men dangling from Lexa's grip. She took a deep breath to ease her nerves. She needed to diffuse the situation before Lexa lost anymore control. With a firm grip on Lexa's tense arm, she whispered, "Beja, Leksa." She hoped she could reach Lexa through the Alpha's power. "Leave him for your people." She waited to see if her reasoning and soft voice soothed Lexa's aggression.

After a few more seconds, Lexa dropped the gasping human to the dirty, cracked floor. She withdrew from the bars and faced Clarke, who was sighing in relief.

Clarke looked down at the fallen Mountain Man. She shook her head at his weak attempt to divide her and Lexa, to divide Sky people and caineblida. She considered his earlier remark and slowly a sly smile pulled at her lips. She amusingly concluded, "It's obvious you have penis envy." She enjoyed Lexa's low chuckle but her smile fell.

The Mountain Man rubbed his throat, too sore to speak at the moment. He could only watch the pair finally leave his cell's door.

"And you're the dog that needs putting down," Clarke called over her shoulder. She and Lexa were finally leaving the prison after an interesting visit. Once outside, she happily breathed in the crisp autumn air. She then noticed Lexa was pacing beside the building. She neared Lexa with caution.

"Word will spread about the change in punishment." Lexa was annoyed with Clarke's change without first consulting her. And the damn Mountain Man did nothing but finely sharpen her irritation further.

Clarke could tell that any argument was a loss for them both. She decided Lexa would see reason later so she said, "Lecture me after your rut is over."

Lexa abruptly went still after the human put an end to their pending fight. Even her Alpha was taken aback by it. Her eyes comically widened at the human.

Clarke was facing the commander but was walking backwards. "I have to go." She was antsy to speak to her mother and Marcus Kane about what the Mountain Man unknowingly disclosed to her. "I'll see you tonight," she promised. Without another word, she rushed off and finally a smirk broke free thanks to the rare shock on Lexa's face. Sometimes she absolutely loved rattling Lexa. Anya was right that once an Alpha was understood that they were easy to handle.

Clarke hurried through the town until she made it to the shared quarters. She was relieved that Marcus was already with Abby, sharing tea together. Clarke closed the door and made sure to bolt it so nobody interrupted them.

"Clarke, is everything alright?" Abby started standing until Clarke sunk into an empty chair at the table.

"I think I know where we can start searching for another station."

"What?" Abby asked.

Marcus set down his mug of tea. "How?"

Clarke unzipped her jacket once she noticed the room's warmth. "Lexa and I were down in the prison and there's a few Mountain Men held there."

Abby exchanged a curious glance with Marcus.

"They're all guys from the security team and one of them said he knows where a station landed." Clarke pivoted her head between Marcus and her mother.

"Where?" Abby pressed.

Clarke shook her head and sighed at the important question. "He won't tell me exactly but he did slip up." She grinned as she considered the conversation with the Mountain Man. "I told him we were using their satellites to find the stations soon. He then said that maybe the grounder clan might find them first and went on about how savage they are."

Abby had a thick furrow across her features, still waiting for the answer.

"I argued that not all of them are," Clarke continued. "Then he said 'but the ones to the north...'" She grabbed her mother's knee and squeezed it. "There's a station in the Ice Nation. Why else would he say that?"

Marcus slumped back into his chair and considered such a thing. Very slowly a worried breath expelled from him, but his fears were sinking in deeper. "If some of our people are truly in the Ice Nation..." Today's meeting had included heavy discussion about the Ice Nation, which was a darkly driven clan. "They could be dead already."

"They could be alive." Clarke held hope that more of their people were alive and fighting to rejoin them.

Marcus toyed with his hands but asked, "What did Lexa say?"

Clarke inwardly sighed at the episode down in the prison. She doubted that Lexa had quite picked up on the Mountain Man's slip because the rut was still affecting her. "Nothing... yet." She slouched against the chair. "But I will talk to her about it."

"Do you think she knows about a station in the Ice Nation?" Abby asked.

"No... I don't think so." As the days went by, Clarke was growing closer to Lexa and the same was happening to Lexa. They were both leaders of two different races, but they were building trust.

"If there are any of our people in the Ice Nation..." Marcus hesitated to say what they all feared in their hearts. "Their queen will use them against us and maybe even against Lexa."

Clarke stared at her lap as she considered the ugliness behind the truth. She had yet to meet the queen of the Ice Nation, but she had learned enough to know that Queen Nia would seize any opportunity to wound or control Lexa. Once the Skaikru solidified relations with the coalition then Skaikru captives were even more valuable. And not only were political relations going to make Skaikru captives valuable but so would a romantic relationship between the commander and a Skaikru leader. Clarke sunk heavier at the weight pressing down against her chest.

To be continued.