— YOU RAN OFF, YOU LITTLE BRAT! AND YOU BROUGHT A COMMANDER OF THE GUARD ONTO MY SHIP! — Baltazar shouted, breathless, face flushed with fury. — I'LL THROW YOU TO THE SHARKS, YOU SON OF A WENCH! — He slammed the table for the fifth time, grabbed his bottle of rum and hurled it against the wall. He looked absolutely deranged. I waited for the storm to pass. This kind of rage had only happened once before… also with me, actually. When I dated two alphas at once and got thrown in jail for it. The captain had truly lost his mind back then. And now I could see I'd once again reached the limit of his patience.
Alexander stood beside me, scanning the ship with interest. He looked slightly tense. I had convinced him to come unarmed—though he'd been stubborn about it. His presence here wasn't exactly welcome. If he truly wanted to meet the man who had raised me, a white flag was the only option.
— Sir, — Alexander started when Baltazar sat again, grabbing another bottle and drinking from it heavily, his breath uneven from all the shouting.
— You'll give yourself a heart attack like that, old man. — I smiled, trying to lighten the atmosphere.
— You're the damn heart attack, you disrespectful brat. After everything I've done for you, this is how you repay me? Bringing death to my door? — he growled, certain of his own doom.
— Sir, I came here without any threat. — Alexander spoke quickly, trying to remain composed. He obviously didn't enjoy being on a pirate ship in his position. I imagined it was more than a little unsettling. But he was trying his best to mediate.
— I know your type, boy. Why are you with my son? He's good-looking, sure, but that's all. — I swear I was personally offended. — He doesn't think—if he did, none of this would've happened.
— That's it, I'm done. — I kicked the table, irritated. I was trying to be nice in front of Alexander, but this old man's stubbornness tested every nerve. — Alex is my destined mate. Satisfied now?! And guess what—turns out I'm the youngest prince in this cursed kingdom! That's the mess! He's here because of that, got it, damn it?! — I pounded the table with my boot in frustration.
Alexander grabbed my waist and pulled me back before I could flip the whole thing over.
— Let me go, damn it! — I hissed, trying to break free and throw myself at that old bastard.
— Calm down, Darcy. — Alex sighed, clearly overwhelmed. Even as someone used to leading troops, this situation was on a whole different level.
Baltazar looked more stunned than I had expected. He stared at both of us in disbelief.
— Explain this whole mess to me. — he said, turning directly to Alexander, who nodded and slowly released me.
Alexander pulled out a chair and sat me down, then sat across from the captain. I crossed my arms, fuming. I wanted to seem composed in front of my fated partner, and now I looked completely unhinged. Then again, our first meeting wasn't exactly dignified. I was drunk and passed out. Yeah, maybe I shouldn't fake anything now.
— It was by chance that I found Darcy in the city. His real name is Albertin Gracy August de Raviera, the omega prince presumed dead years ago. I am Alexander Christopher Belatrinelatrin, eldest son of the Duke of Belatrinelatrin. My family has served the royal house for generations. — Alexander now spoke with gravity and a soldier's posture. — Albertin survived an attempted assassination four years ago, during a revolt that erupted on the day of the Great Hunt. It's a gathering that unites kingdoms and knights to strengthen diplomacy. But that year, the August royal family suffered a terrible blow. The only known survivor was the king's illegitimate son, William Miley August de Raviera, who now sits on the throne—though many question his legitimacy.
I watched Baltazar's expression. He was never a man who cared for politics, but now he looked tense.
— I knew Darcy well—we were engaged. I was also his sword instructor for a few months before the Hunt. — Alexander averted his gaze for a moment. — The day of the attack, I helped Albertin escape through the forest, but later heard he'd fallen off a cliff. No body was found, but survival was deemed impossible. He was declared dead. The current king kept searching for a while before deciding there was no longer a threat to his reign.
— So the one who forged this coup was the king's own bastard? — Baltazar ran a hand through his massive beard. — The people heard a different version—that a noble family from an allied kingdom attempted a failed coup and were wiped out, including the royal family. The fighting lasted over a week, and in the end, only Prince William survived.
— That's the official version. — Alexander concluded softly.
— And your family supported his reign? — That question sounded more like an accusation.
— My father accepted the duty of protecting the crown and swore loyalty to the king, as we've done for generations. — The alpha's posture became even more impeccable, as if asserting his authority.
— I see. And does anyone else know about Darcy or the coup? — Baltazar lit a cigar. I frowned slightly at the question.
— No, but I'm not here to persuade Darcy or to threaten anyone. I'm only stating the facts. I know Darcy wants to remain with the crew. — Alexander quickly jumped ahead, sensing where the conversation was headed. — I respect that entirely, but staying in Raviera's waters is dangerous.
The captain stood up at once.— Olma. — He called out, clearly aware we were not alone.
The door opened and Olma stepped in without hesitation.— Detain the nobleman until I decide what we're going to do.
Alexander raised a hand to his brow, and I stood up immediately.
— Come on, old man! I told you I'd stay. I'm not interested in any role in the kingdom or whatever else they expect. — My voice cracked slightly.
— That doesn't matter, Darcy. Even if you wanted to, you wouldn't be going anywhere. For now, I'm protecting our safety. — He motioned toward Olma, who seized Alexander without ceremony. The others escorted him down to the brig in the ship's hold. The alpha didn't resist, simply accepting what was happening for now.
— Father. — I tried to reason with him, but he turned to me sharply.
— Silence, boy. You've endangered us all. Do you really believe everything that polished brat said? I didn't raise you to be this naive. — Baltazar sat back down, finished his bottle, and threw it against the wall in frustration.
I stormed out, fuming. Alexander was my fated partner — he cared for me, he wasn't the type to spread gossip that could destroy me. I didn't believe I was being irrational. I paced restlessly until Bob placed a hand on my shoulder.
— What did you do? — he asked, alarmed. The whole crew was on edge. Whispers about my past were already flying.
I dragged the beta into my quarters.
— Remember when we joked about me being royalty? Turns out… it wasn't a joke. — I grabbed a bottle of rum from the cabinet, but Bob snatched it from my hand, demanding answers.
I told him everything I knew, my nerves barely under control. The king expected Alexander, and now the man was locked up. This could get ugly for all of us. I couldn't let anyone suffer because of me. Everything was spiraling out of control.
— I have to help Alex escape. I got him into this mess — now I have to fix it. — I said urgently. Bob grabbed my hand.
— Darcy, you don't owe him anything. — Bob looked thoughtful. — He followed you here on his own. You warned him. He's the enemy.
— What did the captain do here in Raviera to be this paranoid? — I asked, because I genuinely didn't know. — Bob, that man is my fated partner. If the stories are true, I can't let him die.
— Well… they say that about ten years ago, the captain was sailing through these waters and spotted an imperial ship. It was carrying rare spices and jewels — but the real prize was a cache of dragon scales. He raided it, killed the crew, took the treasure, and vanished. But among the dead was an alpha woman — the king's niece. That's what made it personal. He was banned from these waters for thirty years. If he's caught, it's the gallows for sure. — Bob shrugged as if recounting a local legend.
— Even so, I doubt Alexander would report us. Holding a duke hostage would be worse. He should leave, and we'll disappear. — I rummaged through my chest for something I'd picked up during my last trip.
— Seriously? Can't you just obey once? — Bob was clearly running out of patience, and I understood.
— I can't. I've never felt this way about anyone. I'd rather send this ticking time bomb away. Alexander leaves, we vanish. Simple. We never set foot here again. — I found the sleeping potion and slipped it into my pocket. Things were happening fast. I had to act before dawn.
— Are you sure this is what you want? I've heard that when you meet your destined mate, it's forever. — Bob crossed his arms, eyeing me warily. — What if he betrays us?
— I'm sticking to the plan. I'll deal with the consequences later. If it hurts, I'll endure it. I'll go back to the life we had before all this. I brought this mess on us, and I'll be the one to fix it. — I stared out the small window. Night had fallen.
As expected, they didn't let me visit the brig. Baltazar had ordered everyone back to the ship. I thought he might release Alex once we set sail — maybe I could postpone my plan — but a conversation I overheard between him and his first mate made me realize I had to act.
Why not just let the man go and vanish? Wouldn't that be easier?
— You're thinking of killing him? He's a duke. You'd be hunted across all seven kingdoms. — Tim's voice was tight with concern.
— If that's what it takes to protect us, then yes. — Baltazar said without a trace of doubt.
— And Darcy?
— He'll get over it. — The captain's cold detachment hit my heart hard. — Once everyone's back, we'll do it and leave. The cargo doesn't matter anymore. Our safety comes first.
I thought about trying to negotiate with the captain, but there was no way. I stormed toward my room and slammed the door shut. I threw myself onto the bed and screamed into the pillow, clutching it tightly as if I might explode from everything happening. Maybe I should have been better at persuading that idiot Alexander. How did he even think sneaking onto a pirate ship was a good idea? What a fool! Damn. How could someone so attractive be so clueless? But I guess I knew what he really wanted — to persuade Baltazar to let him manipulate me. It just couldn't have been a good idea, all of this. I had no leverage. I never thought the captain would go this far.
They were going to execute Alex, and it was my fault. I wasn't even in love, but I didn't want him to die. They say the pain of losing your destined mate is worse than anything else you could suffer in life — and I wasn't willing to risk that. Lose all my happiness because of someone I barely knew? No way.
Suddenly, I got up and crept through the ship. There weren't many pirates around — most were busy getting drunk onshore. Though most would return before dawn to set sail. The alarm had already been sounded.
I went down to the hold and tossed the sleeping potion at the guards. The glass shattered, and the room filled with the thick smoke of the soporific. I had to step back as one by one, they collapsed. I hurried down — the effect wouldn't last long. Alex was sitting on the floor, his hands bound above him. He looked so striking... but this wasn't the time to think about that!
I grabbed the keys and unlocked the door. I slapped him hard, covering his mouth.— You're getting out of here, or you're going to die. — The alpha looked dazed from the potion but nodded.
We headed back up, him trailing behind me to the deck. But Baltazar and Olma were waiting. It was worse than I expected. I drew my sword.
— You're so predictable. At least now I won't feel bad killing this son of a bitch. — Baltazar pulled his pistol. I stepped in front of Alex.
— Leave. Now. And never come back. — I said to the alpha.
— I can't leave you here. — He said urgently.
— For god's sake, just go. You've caused me enough trouble already. — I was in deep trouble.
Olma lunged at Alexander, but I intercepted her attack suddenly. The alpha ran to the edge and jumped into the water. The captain fired, but the shot hit the ship's wood. I dropped my sword immediately.
Baltazar came close, grabbed my shirt roughly, almost pulling me off my feet.
— You've condemned us all. — He released me with a slap on the back of my neck. — Lock him in his room until I say otherwise. Try to catch that rat before he reaches the port. — The awakened pirates moved toward the edge, starting the pursuit.
Olma shoved me back and looked utterly disappointed. I tried to say something but was thrown onto the bed, and the door slammed shut behind me. I tried the handle — no chance. I took a deep breath. I knew I'd messed up, but I wasn't coming back here anyway. Now, all I could do was wait for us to leave.
To be continued...