It hadn't even been thirty minutes when I heard the ship's bells signaling danger. I jumped out of bed and tried to open the door, but it was truly locked. The sounds of gunfire made my heart race. Had Alexander really alerted the guards? But half an hour wasn't enough time to reach the city, much less mobilize the military—unless this had been planned all along? But when? I was starting to panic. The sounds of shouting and commands made me break into a sweat. My breathing was erratic, and a wave of guilt washed over my chest. I was suffocating. The room wasn't small, yet it felt unbearably claustrophobic. I tried to break the door down, but brute strength was never one of my talents.
The door suddenly opened—it was the captain. He yanked me out with force. I could see two Ravieran Navy ships nearby. The strong smell of gunpowder filled the air, smoke swirling while the crew scrambled in all directions. They were trying to lift the anchor while also fighting for their lives, as the navy fired mercilessly in our direction. I thought of grabbing my sword and gun. But I could barely hear anything—just a hum, a blur of chaos.
— NO! — Baltazar shouted when he saw the desperate look in my eyes. — If they catch you, you'll die. We'll figure something out—just get out of here!
— It's my fault... I'm going to fight. — I wasn't going to just run away.
— You ungrateful brat, — Baltazar let out a bitter laugh. — Remember when I told you you'd have to take responsibility? Well, I'm taking it now, Darcy.
The captain dragged me by the shirt to the edge of the ship. I tried to break free, but I couldn't plant my feet firmly enough—his strength was overwhelming. Then he just threw me into the water. It felt just like before. That same sensation from years ago. Strange how I was falling into cold water again on such a chaotic night.
I wanted to get back to the ship, but it was impossible. The anchor wasn't lowered, and there were no ropes. I swam toward the shore, haunted by the thought that everyone might already be dead. The screams, the voices, the sound of cannons...
But as soon as I emerged from the sea, I noticed the gunfire had stopped. The lights were out, and everything was eerily silent. Baltazar had surrendered. He had chosen to give in. Damn it. I had to understand what was happening. The pounding of my heart made my legs tremble.
I headed toward the city. I needed to arrive before dawn. It was already late, and I doubted I could make it in time. I'm going to shoot Alexander in the head. That idiotic traitor. He was going to help me free the others—or I'd kill him. Torture him. Tear him apart—I didn't care.
I ran through the forest, veering off the path to avoid possible guards. It made the journey harder. I stopped when I saw distant lights. I was nervous, convinced everything had collapsed. Everything I'd known was crumbling—all because of a foolish escape. If I had stayed on the ship, none of this would've happened. These were the consequences of my reckless decision. My breath showed in the air—so cold from falling into the water and the chill of the night.
Even the sound of my footsteps snapping twigs or pressing into the earth made me afraid someone might hear. Only the hoots of owls and the chirping of crickets echoed, until finally, I saw the city lights. It was late, yet I could still hear the distant hum of the festival. I walked until I found a side fence and jumped over it without much trouble. But I had to be careful. I needed to reach the mansion of the noble alpha I had saved—and now deeply regretted.
I walked through the side streets. I felt as though I was being watched every second. I could fight. I could defend myself. Yet I still felt vulnerable. Like I'd lost my armor, and now any threat could be fatal. I had never felt so fragile and helpless. My body was frozen, lips turning blue. I moved only from adrenaline. Anxiety clouded my mind, and I couldn't stop thinking that my friends were in danger. What if Bob had died? I hadn't seen him when I was thrown off the ship. I was in a frenzy of terror.
I bumped into a few people but saw nothing but the path I needed to take.
Finally, I arrived at Alexander's mansion. I climbed the wall with little difficulty. There weren't many guards—I assumed the troops had been sent to the port. Baltazar had become a threat, and now he'd been discovered.
Some guards saw me in the garden and came toward me. The chaos of the night had caused an uproar. I punched them both, knocking them out, but the noise had already alerted those inside. Alexander came out with his sword drawn and, as soon as he saw me, ran in my direction. I punched him hard in the face, but everything went black as I collapsed onto the grass. My fist burned, and my consciousness faded.
I woke with a start. I was in a bathtub filled with warm water, completely naked. There was a man at the door speaking to Alexander.
— He needs some medication. He's been in the cold for too long with wet clothes. Keep him warm, Your Grace. — The man—apparently a doctor—left.
I stood up slowly, my legs aching. I noticed scratches from the forest brambles all over my skin. I hadn't even felt them while running.
Alexander came toward me and caught me before I could fall again. I looked at him, furious. His mouth was bruised from the punch, and he seemed puzzled by the rage in my expression.
— How could you set up a goddamn trap?! I TRUSTED YOU! I SAVED YOU! — The despair burst from my chest as I pounded his chest. The alpha grabbed my arms tightly. At that moment, I was no more than a shivering mess.
— What are you talking about, Darcy? — The older man looked genuinely confused. I felt my body trembling, tears streaming down my cheeks. I hated crying—but the adrenaline was fading, and all that tension was slowly draining away.
Alexander covered me, trying to keep me warm, and carried me to the bed, wrapping me in two thick blankets.
— ... The navy was surrounding Baltazar's ship. He threw me overboard so I could escape. But how did they know we were hiding there? I don't know... — I still felt uncertain. I suspected Alex had something to do with it, and the alpha sighed, running a hand through his hair in frustration.
— Someone must've followed me yesterday on the way back. That's the only explanation. Even if I'd wanted to report it, there wouldn't have been time—I arrived just an hour before you appeared in the garden. It was a planned operation if there were two ships... — Alex sat beside me. — I'm sorry, Darcy. I really just wanted to negotiate. My goal was never to get anyone arrested.
— Ah, shit. — I buried my hands in my face. It was maddening not being able to do anything.
— Darcy. — Alex called out, gripping my hand tightly. — I'll be meeting with the king and some other nobles in the morning. You should rest. I'll try to free your companions or at least lessen their sentences.
It was clear the alpha wasn't confident. I'd heard of the king before—cruel, brutal, and stupid. He would never free Baltazar and my brothers. That made my chest tighten even more, and I couldn't relax.
— ... I never should've come to the city, — I mumbled. — I was so stupid.
— Hey. — Alex held my cheeks gently. — If you keep thinking about "what ifs," you won't be able to fix anything. You're alive right now—we can still do something. I'll help you. I don't want to see you like this.
— Why are you doing this? Damn it. You hate pirates. You owe me nothing. They locked you up... — I started to choke on my words. The alpha pulled me into a sudden embrace.
— I like you. I know it's hard to believe. Being without my memory... And if you hadn't set me free, it would've been worse. Imagine if they'd found the duke in a place like that? They would've slaughtered everyone... But Baltazar is just doing business on the island. So we still have a chance, okay?
I began to steady my breathing, clinging to that sliver of hope.
— You need to rest now.
I obeyed after eating a warm bowl of soup. I was exhausted from everything, but the screams still echoed in my mind. Even so, the alpha's gentle hand and his scent calmed me down. The older man stroked my hair until I fell asleep and everything faded away.
I woke when I could feel the warmth of the morning sun. Alexander was getting dressed in more formal attire. Black was the dominant color—striking and elegant. I slowly sat up in bed.
— Good morning. — Alexander gave a soft smile at the disheveled version of me lying there. — I promise I'll try my best, alright?
I simply nodded. My breakfast arrived five minutes after he left. I ate everything and jumped out of bed. I made my way to the closet and picked out some nice clothes too. I had to use a belt to make them fit. Everything was loose—I felt like a child. I adjusted my dreads to cover the shaved side of my head and headed to the stables. I was going to the damn castle. I wasn't going to sit still and just hope things worked out. That tyrant king wasn't going to help at all—I knew that. Rulers hated pirates... until they needed us. Then we became their best friends. Pathetic aristocrats.
I rode toward the palace. I wasn't naïve enough to think I could sneak into the most fortified place in the kingdom, so I decided I'd knock on the front door instead. Some people looked at me along the way—guards who recognized my face—but they didn't stop me because I was still wearing noble garments, the kind made from the finest fabric. That alone made people stay out of my way. Funny—if I were wearing my usual clothes, I wouldn't even be allowed near the noble district. The Bell Square.
I got off the stallion and ran toward the gates of the imperial palace. The place was massive. The castle had tall, imposing towers. Beautiful statues perched on their ledges, and a vast courtyard where people worked constantly. Blacksmiths, stable hands, guards, and other staff. It was like a city unto itself.
— Open the gates. — I asked one of the older guards, who just laughed at me.
— And who do you think you are, boy? — he asked, thinking he was clever, already placing a hand on his waist.
— The omega prince. Albertin Gracy August of Raviera. — What a ridiculously long name. Who the hell needs that many names?
The guards fell silent for a few moments. Then, in a matter of seconds, a commotion erupted—because the old man recognized my face. It had only been four years. I was fifteen when I disappeared, so I hadn't changed that much. It's not like omegas go through the kind of puberty alphas do, where they suddenly turn into bulky, weird-looking creatures.
— Prince, — the old man said, placing a hand on my shoulder and shaking me gently.
— Stop. — I slapped the old guy's hand away—he looked like he was getting emotional seeing me again. Some of the younger guards had no idea what was going on, but a few of the long-serving city guards recognized me too. The news started to spread like wildfire through a hayfield. Great.
— Hey, old man, — I tugged the guard who seemed to be in charge of the gate before things could spiral.
— Gregor, Your Highness, — he said, smiling with genuine joy just from seeing me. Weird.
— Yeah, Gregor. Right. Now take me inside. I want in on that fancy meeting you've got going on...
The guard seemed a bit dazed by my language, but he agreed without hesitation to escort me into the castle. Just as I'd guessed, the problem wasn't with the lower-ranking folks. The real issue would be the bigwigs following my brother. Of course. The king wasn't going to show up with his court and casually announce: "Hey, I staged a coup, so if anyone from the royal family shows up alive, just kill them."
That's why Alex had been so confident about bringing me here.
I walked through the courtyard, and all eyes were on me. People seemed curious to see the prince, and some of the newer staff had no idea what was happening. The commotion caught everyone's attention. All I could think about was how I was leaving everything I'd known behind with each step I took toward the castle. But that life wouldn't matter if I couldn't save Baltazar and the others.
I climbed a shit-ton of stairs until we finally reached the main door. We entered the first hall and made our way to where the meeting was happening. The throne room.
— Hey, what's going on? The king is in an important meeting, — someone well-dressed and armored stopped the commotion at the entrance to the throne room.
— The prince, sir, he's alive! — Gregor presented me to the nobleman.
The man was stunned when he saw me. Much older—he must've been in his sixties. He wore a ring similar to the one Alexander used to wear.
— Impossible, — the old man muttered in disbelief. — Must be an impostor. — He still sounded utterly unconvinced.
I showed him my sword bearing the August family crest. Then the lunar marks on the back of my neck. Everyone could see the truth for themselves.
— Can I go in now, or are you going to keep blocking me? — I asked, moving toward the massive door that still stood in the way of my goal.
The nobleman stepped in front of me.
— Your Highness must be tired. Our king is in a meeting—it would be best if you went to your room and waited. I'm sure His Majesty will be more than happy to hear that his younger brother is alive. — The old man smiled awkwardly, and I was completely disgusted by the crap he was spewing.
— Go screw yourself, old man. — Everyone looked scandalized hearing those words coming from the court's dainty little omega. — Move, or I'll shove my sword through your gut. Move!
Still stunned, the old man stepped aside.
I kicked the door open with all my strength, and everyone turned to look at me. The king stared from his throne, wearing his beautiful crown.
— Yo, big bro. What's up?