A True Alpha Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Author’s note: This chapter isn’t a political statement of any kind, I just thought we needed some comic relief.

“Oh god, why does this blanket smell so good?” Raven purred on the couch, damn near burying her face into the fabric with moans that would lead anyone else to believe that she was in a heat.

“Quite the ‘comforter’ huh?” John wiggles his eyebrows.

“Its a blanket not a comforter?” Raven questioned, still balling it up to breathe it in.

“Mhmm, you aren’t getting it.” He smiled wider.

“I get it just fine, but it is a blanket, not a comforter.” Raven wore a frown hidden against the blanket.

“Don't you feel comforted?”

“Oh fuck you!” Raven growled for only half a moment before devolving into purrs, the earthy scent of the blanket calming the fury spawned by the terrible pun.

Both Indra and Lexa broke out into snickers from the kitchen table watching over the omegas.

John was beyond delighted.

“You are the worst.” Raven complained, only to get caught up in the odor once more.

“It is great tho right?”

“Yeah.” Raven purred. “I… Its like alpha, but… even though it’s not my alpha it’s not threatening.”

“Indra got that blanket for me while I was pregnant and she had to go on a business trip.” 

“I know the beautiful little hippy I married.” Indra hummed.

“It helps huh?”

“So much!” Raven agreed with John cheerfully. 

“Good, I know it can be hard being away from your alpha when you are this far along.” John empathized.

Raven moved to hug the older omega.

“Aww there there kiddo, I know how bad it can be.” 

“Thank you. I… I know it hasn't been very long, but I just miss Octavia so bad.”

“Hey, sniff the blanket.” John urged 

“Mhmm. God, what is that?” Raven mused. “God, its… like earthy and home! It isn't Octavia, but it is such a sweet substitute. What is it!”

“You gonna tell her or should I? Hippie!” Lexa teased her aunt.

“Ms. Doc over there? Nope.” 

“God it's nice, what is it!?” Raven rejoiced.

“Well, it's hemp fabric.”

“Hemp?” 

John nodded.

“Whats hemp?”

“Oh god.” Lexa hid her face into her hands.

“You did not tell me that your friends were THIS sheltered.”

“What is it?” Raven lifted her head, keeping the blanket up to her nose. 

“Lexa, please tell me you aren't as sheltered as your friend.” Indra hoped aloud.

“Costia taught me my fair share about the hemp.” Lexa sighed. “Not to mention, Clarke apparently indulges in it on occasion. And other vices… less occasionally.”

“Vices?” Raven’s head spun around. “Clarke? What does Clarke have to do with this?”

“But the reason it has kept the scent is that I wash and rinse it with some cannabis oil once every six months or so.”

“Cannabis!” Raven recoiled, feeling dirty and like she had broken so many rules all at once. “I’m breathing in cannabis oil!?”

“Yeah, nothing is quite as earthy and calming like it!” John picked up the other end of the blanket, sniffing it as well.

Raven threw the odorous blanket, backing away from it on the couch like it were a rabid animal. Even as she scooched away slowly, her eyes stuck, glued to the fabric. She silently questioned its existence, and then her own incredulousness towards it. It was absurdly comfy. Raven poked, peculiarly prodding at the protective fabric, attempting to unveil its secrets and parse out whether or not she should, in fact, be so apprehensive of the simple blanket “I!” Raven whimpered, still feeling awkwardly guilty, but also not quite ready to give up the comfort of the scented fabric.

“That’s an omega.” John patted the stressed Raven on the shoulder, doing his best to comfort her.

“So, wanna explain why you two showed up here at two in the morning with your friend and her alpha? Or why the two of you needed a place to stay?” Indra’s tone was hushed, protective and clearly not wanting to allow her omega to overhear or worry himself.

“I’ve really been striving to avoid it.” 

“Then you wanna explain why I smell blood on you?”

“I…” Lexa stalled, glancing to the couch where the omegas rested.

“They will keep themselves occupied with the blanket. But it is time you tell me what is going on. Why isn't that alpha of yours with you?”

“Indra… There is a lot I haven't told you.”

“Yeah. I figured, you've barely called in months, and when you do it's never for more than five minutes.” Indra lead. 

“I'm sorry.” 

“Don't be. Just talk to me.” 

“Clarke… she lost her baby.”

Indra grabbed her niece up in a hug. “I'm so so sorry Lexi.”

Lexa held to her aunt tight, desperate for even the smallest hints of physical reassurance which her alpha hadn't given her in months; not since she had come home from the hospital. “Indra that isn't it.” 

Indra nodded softly and patted her niece on the back gently. 

“It's my fault.” 

Indra pulled back, her stern finger flying up correctively. “No, it isn't!”

“Yes, it is Indra.” 

“Don’t you dare say that Lexa!” Indra growled harshly.

“Indra.” Lexa protested.

“No!” The older alpha hushed a yell. “After John and I lost… after we lost him, I blamed myself-”

“Indra! You don’t understand!” Lexa snapped, drawing the attention of the omegas.

“Lexa?” Raven whispered, slightly scared by the tone.

“Lexi, Indra, how about you two hold down the fort here, I’m sure Raven needs some sleep.”

“I don’t need-”

“You are growing a child, rest will help make sure they come out healthy. Come now, they need some space.” 

“I…” Raven went to protest, but yawned, her body reminding her how tired she was after having not been able to sleep all night, overly worried for Clarke. “Fine.”

“Good.” John exchanged concerned glances with Indra as he escorted Raven off to the guest bedroom.

“You need to get yourself the hell out of this hole Lexa! It doesn't go anywhere good!” 

“I know exactly where the fuck it goes Indra!” Lexa slammed her fist down on the kitchen table. “But that doesn't change that I am the one who chose this! I told the doctors to do whatever they had to in order to make sure Clarke is safe and isn’t in any danger anymore!”

“Lexa! Lower your voice!”

“Indra. She is falling apart, and it is my fault.”

“Lexa… what happened?”

“That isn’t your fault Lexa.”

“Even if it isn’t, it doesn't change that Clarke is almost completely gone, swallowed up by her bottles of vodka, and it only happened after I made that decision for her.”

Indra’s head sunk. 

“What?”

“Lexa, how we treated your cousin isn't the only thing we haven't told you.”

“What?” Lexa repeated, her more urgent tone slipping to fear.

“I made mistakes Lexa. I used whatever vices I could to deal with the guilt, and… When John tried to stop me, I hurt him. But it certainly wasn't an accident like this sounds to be.”

“I… Indra.” 

“Losing your child as an alpha…” Indra trailed off. “Well, it is no excuse. But I was lucky enough that John forgave me.”

“What… what made you come to your senses? Stop, and never hurt him again?” Lexa choked out, more afraid for Clarke’s well being than heroin.

“He came home, I saw the fear on his face, and… I never turned back, I’ve done everything I can to make it up to him since.”

“I really hope the same helps for Clarke.”

“Me too sweetie. But if she hurts you again, I’ll kill her.” 

“Thanks auntie.” Lexa hugged Indra tight

“That said, if things get better, I have an idea of how I might be able to help, especially with you two having a hard time facing each other after all that has happened.”

Lexa nodded hopeful into her loving aunt, fighting back her fears that there would be no ‘things getting better’ as hard as she could.

“Psst. Cutie.” 

Raven still hadn’t opened her eyes when she felt the alpha’s nose against her neck. “What?” She drowsily roused for her mate above her. 

“I missed you so bad last night.” Octavia nipped gently at Raven's neck.

“I’m dreaming.” Raven dismissed, refusing to open her eyes, even as Octavia’s soft hair brushed against her face making her giggle.

“Nope, you are awake.” Octavia corrected, placing her hand reassuringly on Raven’s round belly.

The omega hummed softly at the warmth of her mate’s palm. “No. I’m sleeping, but this is a really nice dream.”

“Oh really? And why are you so certain that you are sleeping?”

“Because, my alpha is still home, watching over Clarke.” 

“Well wake up sleeping beauty, because your alpha is here.” Octavia found Raven’s lips with her own.

The omega missed her mate terribly, her instincts making her melt at such a simple touches. She couldn't help but allow her lips to part happily for the sire of her child, kissing back eager.

“That’s my girl.” Octavia praised softly, rubbing Raven’s belly slowly.

“Don't you dare get me wet in someone else’s bed.” Raven growled.

“Well, then you ought not to be giving me such delightful ideas sweetheart.” O mused, nipping at Raven’s lower lip and pulling it seductively.

Raven moaned softly into the tease, only to have it slip to a whine as she felt the alpha’s hand slip lower. “B! Bad!”

“Bad what honey?” Octavia’s voice was the perfect combination of sweet and seductive.

“Don’t you…” Raven kissed back, desperately missing her mate.

“Don't I what?” Octavia enjoyed herself far too much.

Raven growled angrily.

“Come now love, It’s time to go home.”

“Home?” Raven broke from any further attempted kisses. “But… What about Clarke?” 

“Don't worry sweetheart.” Octavia caressed Raven's cheek softly. 

“Don't worry!? How in the world could I ever not worry?!” Raven sat up, no longer lackadaisically resting back and awaiting her alpha's kisses. No, now all of the fear which had kept her so wound up that she couldn't sleep all night was back with a vengeance, and not even her alpha's presence was helping this time. “After what she did to Lexa last night!? Octavia how do I have to remind you that my wrists are still purple from trying to keep her bottle away from her!” 

“I know love.” 

“And then you come back from telling them to stop yelling at each other and the next thing I know, I have to check Lexa for a concussion!” 

“Raven I know!” 

“So how can it be ok? How can anything be ok?!” 

“Ra-”

“I mean, maybe if a week had passed, maybe if Clarke was sober again! MAYBE! But it has only been a day! How can everything be ok already?” 

Octavia didn't try to speak again, more than aware that Raven's anxiety would rule any further conversation she might fight to have if she didn't do something to help soothe the omega first. So instead of speaking, Octavia pulled Raven close, holding her tight. 

The pregnant omega quickly began to pant, sniffle, then cry into her mate. She had once thought being there and watching as her childhood friend struggled to stay sober was hard, but witnessing it again, somehow worse this time, and while pregnant? Although she was proud of being a self-sufficient woman, more than able to take care of herself, today? Today Raven needed her alpha, she needed her alpha desperately. Every part of her needed those strong arms wrapped around her. Her alpha's warmth was that sole immutable sign of stability and strength, that even as her world devolved into a hell of an alcoholic best friend, sprinting for finals, and her own body changing around, down, and within her, there was still something… someone she could really on to be the same, stable and strong, always there and ready to protect her. 

“That's it, there you go sweetheart. Breathe love. Cry it out. You are safe love.” 

“O!” Raven clung tighter in appreciation. 

“Shh. Let it out.” Octavia traced her fingers along Raven’s back lovingly. 

The omega allowed herself to cry, accepting the comfort of her mate. 

“That's a girl. Breathe.” 

“T… thank you.” 

“It's ok.” 

“But, how? How is she ready for us to come home?” 

“She is. She just is.” 

“What Happened?”

Octavia urged Raven to sit up, a more serious face becoming her. 

“What is it Octavia?” Raven mimicked her alpha's demeanor as she sat up against pillows on the bed. 

“Look. No, she isn't over it yet. Hell, she is probably still a little buzzed from how drunk she was last night. But.” She took her mate's hand. “She said something to me, and… I think she is actually ready to get sober. Not because she has to, not cause someone is pushing her, and not because she is just too young to go get more booze. She is ready to get sober cause she realizes what she did. She wants to better.” 

“I mean that is good but what did she say? What convinced you so quickly that she was ready? That she had such a change of heart?”

Octavia chuckled. “You aren't gonna like it.” 

“What did she say?” 

“She told me not to take you and Lexa home.” 

“You are right! I don't like it! If she said to keep us away then I shouldn't come home. I love and miss you, but that isn't a reason to do exactly what Clarke told you not to.” 

“I know love.” Octavia massaged Raven's hand gently. “But please, just trust me, ok? I know what I'm doing ok?” 

Raven sighed dubious. 

“She is ready. She needs her family. You don't have to come home yet. I'm sure Lexa's aunt and uncle will be happy to keep you safe. But I am taking Lexa home.” 

“You really think she is ready?”

“I do love. I really do.” 

“Ok baby.” Raven kissed Octavia's cheek. “Let's go home.” 

End of Chapter 48