Chapter Eleven

Oliver

 

 

 

I shake from happiness when I see Benson’s face, and tall, muscular frame. Calius holds me by the neck. Luckily, the beta captain doesn't grip me so hard that I can’t breathe.

 

“Oliver,” Benson breathes as he looks at me. Emerald is choking in his grip as she dangles several stories above the ocean. “Take your hands off of him!”

 

“Bring her back inside first,” Calius commands. “Otherwise, I’ll crush his neck right here and right now.”

 

“That would be very foolish,” says Benson. He’s right; it is stupid of Calius. Even the slightest wrong move will help the alpha win. Benson is smart, but I’m sure that Calius realizes that and probably has taken his reaction into account. The real question is: would Calius kill me?

 

“That’s the thing about alphas,” Calius begins, “your scent makes betas tremble, but it also makes you easy to track. Of course, most betas understand that following an alpha is a death wish.”

 

“I’m certain you realize that this is your death wish,” says Benson. “Kill him, and I kill you both. If you even scratch him, I’ll kill you both.”

 

Calius holds his hand steady and looks back at Emerald. The ship jolts and everyone nearly loses their footing. When Emerald sways with the boat, she screams. I can feel Calius tense with worry.

 

I stare at the alpha and then the beta captain. Benson won’t take his eyes off of me, and Calius won’t stop staring at Emerald. Neither of them want this. I don’t even believe that Emerald and Calius wanted to kidnap me. Things must be that desperate for them. Calius clearly loves Emerald, and she loves her country.

 

“Wait,” I say before staring back at Benson. “Please, bring her back inside.”

 

“He’ll hurt you,” Benson says, tensely.

 

“No, he won’t,” I say before looking back at Calius.

 

“A beta guard attacked you!” Benson barks. “I saw what happened downstairs—he had scent blocker!”

 

“They told him to be gentle,” I say. “But the creep didn’t listen.”

 

“That’s careless!” Benson roars as his eyes focus on Calius.

 

“Please, alpha,” I beg. “Bring Emerald inside.”

 

“She just shot me,” Benson says, but much more quietly this time.

 

He turns his shoulder, and I can see the streaks of blood. A sinking feeling plunges into my gut. At this point, I don’t know that I can convince Benson to free her. I’m not even sure if that’s what I want anymore.

 

So, what do I want?

 

All at once, it dawns on me.

 

“I want peace,” I say with tears in my eyes.

 

“It’s not that simple, boy,” says Benson. He looks a bit defeated, too.

 

Still, I continue. “I want a kingdom with alphas, betas, and omegas that are friends with the neighboring kingdom. Where we don’t have to worry about each other. Where alphas and omegas don’t go extinct.”

 

“It’s harder than it seems, Oliver,” says Benson, sweetly. “And today has made that even more complicated.”

 

“It was already complicated, alpha,” I say. “We just didn’t know how desperate she’s become. Please bring her back inside.”

 

Benson waits a moment and nods to Calius. The captain releases me, and Benson quickly pulls Emerald into the room. As she gasps for breath, Calius runs to be with her. Benson reaches for the gun and throws it out the window and into the sea.

 

Then, I run into Benson’s arms and press my head into his warm, muscular chest. I can hear his heart racing through his meaty pectorals. Then, I see the wound on his shoulder. Before I panic, I remember that alphas heal quickly.

 

“I’m s-sorry,” Emerald cries. “I’m so sorry, Benson.”

 

“I’ll be alright,” he says, coolly.

 

“We were desperate,” Calius explains. “Emerald knew what was expected of her; to have an alpha son. But the chances are so slim, even with you. She didn’t know what else to do to save her kingdom. They need an alpha.”

 

“You know how I feel about Oliver,” Benson growls.

 

“I do, Benson,” says Emerald as she stares back at us with red and watery eyes. “It broke my heart to do this. But I love my kingdom with every fiber of my being. My people need an alpha. This baby would give us hope.”

 

I place my hand on my stomach and Benson places his hand over mine. I can feel the little one stirring inside. The pain is gone now, but the worry isn’t. Of course, I want him to rule the lands one day. I want to raise him to be a good man, and nothing like his rotten uncles who tried to overthrow the kingdom.

 

Wait, uncles… That word rings a bell in my head. Benson’s brothers didn’t have power over the throne because Benson was the alpha. So, what if we have more pups?

 

“Alpha?” I ask.

 

“Yes, boy?”

 

“I’d like to give them a gift,” I say.

 

“What is it?” Benson asks, cautiously.

 

“Something that will help them,” I say with my chest tight. “Our second-born alpha can rule their land.”

 

From the corner of my eye, I can see Emerald and Calius light up.

 

“No,” Benson replies. “Not after what they’ve pulled.”

 

“Please,” I say, breathily. “If our son is their ruler, then our kingdoms will get along for eons. This could mean peace around the world. Isn’t that what you want?”

 

Benson stops, as if to consider what I’ve told him. I know that my idea is crazy, but it’s the best plan that I can think of. Surely, he can understand that, too.

 

“They’ve committed treason,” Benson reminds me.

 

“Out of desperation,” I say. “They didn’t want this. I know you want them dead, but our family can rule their kingdom, too. They’re essentially giving it to us.”

 

Relief spreads over me. I feel the million pounds of tension in my chest finally release. I cannot believe that my words have swayed Benson’s choice.

 

“That’s a lot to promise,” says Benson. He pauses for a moment. His eyes meet mine and I stare back at his handsome face. “But, I can see this working, too.”

 

“I love the idea, Oliver,” says Calius. “But what if he doesn’t want to? If he grew up in a separate kingdom, he might not want to rule.”

 

“If I were second in line,” says Benson. “I would want my own kingdom.”

 

Emerald smiles, but keeps her distance “We are already forever in your debt.”

 

“Yeah, you are,” Benson grumbles. “But, you’ve saved my life before, so I’m going to ignore this ordeal.”

 

“Thank you, Sire,” says Calius with a nod.

 

“I’m not your king anymore, Calius,” says Benson. “I’m releasing you—after you clean up this ship.”

 

“Clean up—” Calius stops when he picks up the scent. “I think it’s a little too late.”

 

The ship rumbles and I can smell fire. I know that it’s coming from the dining area below us. Now, we just have to find a way out of here.

 

“Can we take the lifeboats?” I ask.

 

“I don’t think we’ll be able to reach them,” says Calius. “The smoke will be too much.”

 

“There’s a staircase next to this room,” says Emerald.

 

“And I have a boat waiting,” adds Benson.

 

We quickly exit the room as hot smoke fills our eyes. I duck my head into Benson for safety. He lifts me in his arms, and I hear him groan from the bullet. I wonder if it has to be removed before the wound can heal.

 

Together, we dash down the stairs and out onto the deck. The ship seems to be tilting now, and I can hear the hiss of sprinklers coming from every room. Still, none of them are able to contain the fire.

 

Benson goes to the ledge of the boat and looks down. I can see a tiny boat with two fishermen betas. They look up at us with their arms waving. I wonder how we’ll get down there—then the ship tilts toward them.

 

Calius and Emerald yell as we begin to sway. The boat tilts again, but this time so much so that we have to jump. No one says a word, but we all plunge into the choppy, salty water, Benson grips onto me, and I hold my breath. His powerful legs kick us to the surface.

 

“Here!” he grunts, holding me up toward the boat. I can hear him groan again in pain from his bleeding arm. “Take him!”

 

The beta fishermen look at me reluctantly at first. I know it’s because I’m an omega. Still, they listen to their king and pull me on board. Calius and Emerald make their way inside, too.

 

As Benson follows behind, I notice that most of the lifeboats have been taken by the crew. Though, they are all speeding away from the kingdom in fear.

 

“We should go with them,” says Calius to Emerald.

 

“I agree,” she nods.

 

Benson pulls himself up on one side of the boat as Calius waves down a lifeboat. The ship is starting to sink next to us as bangs and explosions rumble from within. A lifeboat filled with beta crew members finds us. They stare at Benson with uneasiness.

 

Benson ignores them and thanks the beta fishermen for waiting. Then, he curls his arm around me. The fishermen look at us for a second with an uncomfortable feeling. Then, they turn to Emerald and Calius to help them on the lifeboat.

 

“I suppose the ship can’t be salvaged now,” says Emerald after securing herself on the boat. “I’m sorry, Benson.”

 

“I’ll bill you,” Benson grunts without looking at her.

 

“Can I pay you in beta workers?” she jokes.

 

He looks back at her. “Absolutely not.”

 

“It was an honor, Sire,” Calius nods.

 

I can sense that Benson has complicated feelings about all of this. I don’t blame him as I have them, too. Still, he tries.

 

“Yeah, Calius,” Benson nods while turning his back on the lifeboat. “You’re a great man. I understand what we’ll do for love. But next time, don’t be so foolish.”

 

“Never again, Sire,” Calius nods before looking at me. “Take care of him.”

 

Benson and I reply in unison, “I will.”

 

The alpha and I turn to each other and smile. I see the lifeboat speeding away as we head back to shore. I rest my head into him, feeling his chiseled, wet body. His breathing has slowed.

 

I wonder what will come of the future. I wonder how we’ll survive and what the kingdom will think of an alpha king with an omega lover.

 

Still, as the ship sinks behind us, I realize that everything will work out in time.