The claiming ceremony

Ch.1 Today is the day

The claiming ceremony. Bellamy thought of it with disgust. Every year on the same day all the girls of 18 would be "claimed". That meant a man of the age of 20 would have to choose a woman who he felt he could spend the rest of his life with. The woman had no say in it. He hated it. and his sister would be apart of it in just two years. He wasn't going to let that happen though. He would find a way to run away with her. Leaving the woman he chose behind. Hopefully to have a better, more free life. This year he was 20. Which mean he would have to pick a woman out of a line like she meant nothing.

He couldn't bear it they made him do this. Treat people like that are just possessions. It made him feel guilty but he knew he would treat the girl well unlike most of the men. He had a small group of friends who were all on board with him they understood. Most of them were a year or two younger than Bellamy except for his best friend; Miller. He has been down for the last 3 weeks. Miller is gay but they don't care. They will make him partner up with a woman and if they do not conceive a child within the first 5 years they would be killed. Even if the girl was barren which he has been heard of before. People who had twins would give one to the barren couple faking a pregnancy to save their lives. He couldn't imagine it. Choosing between giving up a child or letting an innocent couple die knowing you could have helped.

The ceremony took place at 12:00 at night in the hall. Men would have their pick based on their rank in authority. Bellamy was head guard so he would be in the first 5. Bellamy was 3rd. He stood in line with his head down not being able to look any of the girls in the eye. Most had tears dripping down their faces or trying yet failing to keep themselves together. When his turn came he walked don the aisle of girls like the first two had except he didn't look them over for imperfections. As he was walking by one girl in particular caught his eye. She was beautiful. She cleared his throat to get his attention. He didn't know why but he felt the need to approach her. She was the only one without tears he noticed. She was strong but he could see her pain she didn't like being like this. It reminded him of Octavia. She hated when people made decisions for her. She looked up at him.

"Please." She whispered desperately. "If you don't pick me he will." She nodded her head toward the 4th man in line.

He looked gruff. He could see why she was intimidated by him. He knew one thing for sure he wasn't going to let him anywhere near this girl. He felt a strange connection to her a the need to protect her.

"He hurt me before and I know he would do it again." Her big blue eyes looked desperate.

He nodded his head "Don't worry princess I won't let anyone hurt you." He would find out later what the man did, exactly to this girl and make him pay.

He read her tag. 25. "I choose." He paused. "Her." He pointed to Clarke. The man with the sheet of paper rolled his eyes. "What's her number?" He asked annoyed.

Bellamy scowled at the man. "She is more than just a number!" Turning to the blonde girl he asked "What is your name?"

She looked confused. "Clarke." She replied.

He smirked. "I choose Clarke." He picked her up and carried her out. One arm supporting her back the other behind her knees. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Thank you." She whispered in his ear. He looked at her in her eyes.

"Let's go home."

When they got to Bellamy's house Octavia was pacing at the door waiting for him to return with the woman he choose. She hated it as much as he did but she knew Bellamy would be good to her. Whoever she was, she was lucky. When Bellamy walked through the door still carrying Clarke he was greeted by a grinning Octavia. Bellamy put Clarke down for the first time. She looked at the younger girl.