Which Ship?

Ethan

My unofficial aunt and uncle, Shelby and Sam, are riding with me in the SUV on the journey to the resort. Sam was once Beta for the corrupt Alpha King Gene, though Sam has always been an honorable man that I count as family. 

I’m not crazy about having my aunt in harm’s way, but there’s no stopping her from coming to see my biological aunt Kelly, mostly because Kelly’s daughter is pregnant, and they haven’t seen them in so long. 

Her son, Isaac, is set to be the Alpha in this territory once we handle the problems here. Apparently, descendants of the original rogues who took over when the place was abandoned think they can waltz in and claim it as their territory.

Not with my four fathers in charge. 

A tall man greets us on the outskirts, his hair the same shade of red as mine. He waits as our driver parks and meets me at the door almost before I have a chance to step out.

“I’d know that hair anywhere,” he says with a laugh, holding out his arm amiably. “Cousin, it’s good to see you again. It’s been a long time.”

I shake his hand firmly. “Why we don’t see each other more often, I have no idea. It’s good to see you, although I wish it was under better circumstances.”

“As do I,” he says, nodding. “I hate to bother the Alpha Kings’ army, but I thought it best that we don’t let these rogues think they can encroach on the crown’s land.”

“That’s true,” I agree. 

“Oh, where are my manners? I’ve never introduced you to my future Beta, Katherine—” He nodded toward the woman at his side with short dark hair. “And you probably remember my father’s Beta, Andrew.”

“Good to meet you, and good to see you again,” I say. I haven’t seen a pack with a female Beta before, but this woman seems certainly capable, her physique powerful and her stance confident. She nods lightly, just once, at her introduction, and I return the gesture. 

“Well, let’s get back to the compound,” Isaac says. “We’ve had a good day without any attacks so far, so we won’t need to get to skirmishing with rogues tonight.”

“My warriors will be disappointed,” I say.

He laughs and pats me on the back. “Your warriors and I will get along well. Come, we have a dinner prepared for you.”

“You didn’t need to go to any trouble,” I said. “I have a lot of warriors to feed and plenty of rations. I could dine with them.”

“My mother will kill me if I don’t feed you.” He laughed. “She’s waiting as well, along with my sister, so let’s head in.”

I instruct the warriors to follow, and we make our way toward the resort compound where the army sets up camp on the outskirts while I head over to the resort. It’s impressive, with well-manicured grounds and several buildings and outbuildings that are all in pristine shape. 

I see the clone of my hair again as a woman approaches us, holding her belly. “Ethan!” My cousin Isabelle pulls me in for a hug, which is difficult to navigate with her advanced pregnancy.

“Hmm, you look pretty far along seeing as how your mother just told me about this.” 

We both pull out of the hug to see Shelby tapping her foot with mock anger in her expression.

“I’m so sorry, Shelby,” Isabelle says, giving her a hug. 

Kelly walks up behind her and starts explaining. “We keep meaning to head back to the castle again, but something always comes up. I know I should get a message to you since we’re out of mind-link range. It’s been so much work out here, and so many people need me—” 

“Kelly, stop explaining,” Shelby says with a laugh. “Though you could send a messenger once in a while. We just miss you, that’s all.” She moves in and gives her a gentle hug. “I’d better see my niece’s little one more often than I’ve seen Isaac and Isabelle over the years.”

“You will, I promise,” Isabelle says. 

Kelly smiles. “Come on, let’s get inside. We’ve made Sam’s favorite.”

“Anything that’s food is my favorite,” Sam jokes. 

We all laugh as we make our way into a large, open living space with multiple levels. As we enter, my attention turns to a woman about my age with long, dark, curly hair that sweeps over her shoulders like silk. She walks up to Katherine and takes her weapon from her, saying a few quiet words before moving on. 

As she passes me on her way out, I lock eyes with her for a split second, her deep blue irises surrounded by flecks of silver.

***

Trisha

I take a deep breath when I get to the docks. It’s just before sunrise, and the place is already crawling with fishermen getting ready for a day’s work and sailors loading their vessels to travel either up the coast or across the ocean to the one place I’d never visited, the enemy realm.

I need to figure out where my calling is leading me. I’ve been up all night with no time for dreams, so I’ve relied on my forest sense to tell me which way to go. I’m not surprised that it led me to the docks. I know now that this is going to be quite an adventure. 

But now… which ship?

It’s clear that I’m not to go with the fishermen, and frankly I’m glad, so I must be destined for a sailing voyage. Since the Moon Goddess has led me this far, I’m sure that whatever ship I get on will be the right one. But I’m still not sure how to choose. 

There’s a white ship that catches my eye. It’s a little bigger than the others, and they’re loading some heavy crates on board. It looks a bit cleaner than all the others, so I decide to go with that one. 

I tie my hair back into a ponytail and take another breath, double checking my clothes to be sure they look a little worn out so I’ll blend in. People aren’t exactly dressed as royalty here. 

That’s what makes it so great.

I head directly toward the white ship, figuring that if I look like I know what I’m doing, no one will ask questions. Of course, there aren’t many women around here, so I sort of stick out like a sore thumb anyway, but I’ll never get anywhere if I don’t just go for it. 

I make it down to the docks and I’m halfway up the pier toward the white ship when I almost trip over a sailor untying a rope. 

“Best hurry, miss,” he says. “We’re needin’ to make quick time.”

“Who, me?” I ask. 

“Yer the lassie who bought the passage, ain’t ya?” he asks back.

I look around, seeing no other woman standing anywhere around. I look at the man for a moment. He’s very thin, like his last meal was a few days ago, yet he seems to have an air of energy that I see in our kingdom’s best warriors.

I look up at the ship he’s unmooring. It’s about half the size of the white one and dirty as a pair of socks on my brothers’ bedroom floor. There’s something about it that looks strong, though, like it’s been on a thousand voyages and can’t wait for a thousand more. 

“Well, ain’t ya?” he repeats.

Taking one last look at the white ship, I realize I’m going to have a hard time explaining why I’m there. But I actually I have a free ride right in front of me. 

Time to take a chance.

“Yes, I am,” I say. “I’m sorry I took so long.”

“Well, get aboard ‘er and let’s get goin’,” he says. 

I don’t waste any time climbing up the somewhat rickety plank, sticking next to the sailor so he can vouch for me when people start asking questions. That happens fast.

“Hey, no girlie friends,” a stern man tells him almost as soon as I’m on the ship. 

“Ain’t no girlie friend,” the skinny sailor says. “This be the gal who booked passage.”

“Oh,” the other man says. He looks me up and down. “Apologies, miss. You must be Daphne. Your father wants me to look after you, so I’ve arranged a room away from all these dirty seabies. Follow me.”

I nod, neither confirming nor denying the name of Daphne, and follow this man, who seems to be well fed and better dressed than any of the others.

I find out why soon enough. 

“Cap’n,” a man greets him as we descend to the lower deck.

The captain stops the man as he’s walking by. “This here’s Daphne, Roland’s daughter. Watch out for her, and let the others know to leave her be, understood?”

“Aye, aye, Cap’n,” the man says, walking on.

The captain leads me to a room, and suddenly I’m alone, dropping my tired body and my bag on the cot. It’s small but private, and at least I’m finally going somewhere. I lie back, exhausted, and drift off to sleep.

***

“Hey.”

I blink my eyes awake more from the smell of bad breath in my face than from the stranger’s voice. My vision is blurred at first but quickly comes into focus on the man from the hallway the night before. 

“Daphne, right?” he says.

I nod, thankful that I’m with it enough to remember my fake name. I’m glad I’m still fully dressed since he barged in like that. “Yes. What time is it?”

“Supper,” he says.

“I slept all day?” 

“Lucky you,” he says with a smirk. “Most o’the crew has to work for a livin’. Best get to the mess hall if you wanna eat.”

I nod again, getting up and throwing on a sweater and stashing my bag in the little cabinet by the cot. I follow him down a few hallways that look exactly the same. We’re still below deck, but I catch a glimpse of the open sea in the window. 

There’s no going back now.

“I’m Randy,” he says. 

“Happy to meet you, Randy.” I smile at him when he takes a second to turn around. 

“Oh, you will be, Daphne. Don’t worry. You’ll be very happy with me.” He lets out a snarling laugh that sends goosebumps up my arms at his joke. 

At least, I hope it’s a joke.