The Tribute (Clexa)

Chapter 8

"Why the hell are you still here sleeping on my couch?" Anya asked a grumpy Lexa.

"You know why," Lexa griped. She sat up and swiped a hand over her tired face. "Your couch is lumpy."

Anya rolled her eyes. "You've been telling me that for years."

"And you've never done anything about it." Lexa stood from the couch, popped her back in a few places, and helped herself to a cup of water from a nearby pitcher.

"You know you are going to have to go back there before Heda arrives. It won't look good if he meets Clarke before you get there." Anya said it calmly, but it had the other alpha bristling.

"You don't think I know that?" Lexa spun to face her friend and mentor. "Lumpy couch aside, I couldn't sleep at all last night, I was so worried about how today is going to go." Her eyes found Anya's copper ones. "I'm a complete failure. Heda Malachi is going to be so disappointed."

Anya's eyes turned sympathetic. "I'm not old enough to remember how it went for Sheidheda when he won the Conclave, but we've all heard the stories about how it took him to the last minute to win the heart of his omega. He wasn't like the Commanders before him. He didn't force his omega to mate with him, just as you don't plan to. A year goes by quickly when you are trying to get someone to fall in love with you. He almost didn't become Commander either." Anya nudged the slightly shorter alpha. "Talk to Malachi. If you tell him how things are going, he will listen. He had his struggles in the beginning just as you are. He won't be disappointed that right now that omega fears and detests you."

A low whine escaped the mous (almost) Heda. "I don't know what to do," Lexa groaned.

"Do what I just said, branwoda (fool). Speak with Heda, or you could even go speak with Titus," Anya suggested.

Lexa shook her head. "No way. I am not going to go talk to him. He will shame me until my head hangs so low that it scrapes the ground."

"Alright then. I have an idea. Go back to Clarke, get on your knees and submit to her."

Lexa growled. "I do not submit to anyone."

"Not even to the omega who you are falling for, and who you need on and at your side to become Heda?" Anya smirked at Lexa.

"She's not going to see it as a genuine gesture," Lexa complained, "even if I were willing to do that."

"That's a load of skrish (shit) and you know it. You told me about how she feels. From what you have said, an alpha showing an omega submission would go a long way to gaining her trust." Anya shoved Lexa out the front door.

"I am supposed to be Heda," Lexa scowled. "Even you taught me that I am not bow to anyone."

"I was wrong," Anya shrugged. "I am your fos (first) for a reason," Anya said. "Listen to me and trust me. I wouldn't tell you to do something like this unless I thought it would help, and right now, mous Heda, you need all the help you can get." Anya looked Lexa up and down. "Now get off my doorstep. You need a bath and a change of clothes. Go woo your omega. Show her that you can be humble and dashing all at the same time. Prove to her that you are worthy of her trust."

Lexa practically ran back to Indra and Nyko's home. She would have climbed back in the window of her borrowed room, but that was where Clarke was. Instead, she slinked through the front door hoping everyone would still be sleeping.

"Mous Heda, where have you been all night?" Indra barked the second Lexa stepped in the door. "You might be top alpha, but until you are Heda you are still my responsibility and you left me with the mess in the guest room. If Titus gets wind of what's going on, he will have a conniption."