Chapter 3

Jack

I've never thought of myself as an emotional man.

Since I was born by the sea, the sea law governs how those of us who are from this area live and pass away. I've lived in coastal cities, on islands, and on various types of ships, boats, and barges. The Rig is equally harsh and cruel to the weak among us as those locations. It never mattered because I've always been strong.

But I've never had to capture an escaped person of this particular type.

A girl.

An omega.

Omegas are believed to be timid, submissive, and polite. They don't survive long in our world if they aren't. Elsa Woods—or Cherry, if that's truly her name—is, as far as I can tell, exactly what an omega should be. Submissive, docile, having lamblike manners.

So why was she escaping?

Why is she being treated like a criminal, furthermore?

I leave the structure they refer to as the citadel with my hands in my pockets since I don't feel comfortable with the entire affair. I have a tingly, crawling sensation on my skin. I must be getting over the wolfsbane since I want to reach out and touch something soft and lovely as the full moon emerges. My wolf has been considering going back up those stairs to get the princess in her tower, but I know I'd be in big trouble with Brian and all these irate Southerners if I even dared to consider doing so.

She must remain behind.

I better forget about her.

After our delivery, the Rig's leaders are more than gracious, and I discover Brian sipping sailors' swill in the mess with a number of the locals. Variously undressed beta ladies wander the room, with one in the corner bouncing on an alpha's cock. My body tells me that the full moon is still approaching despite the wolfsbane still being in my system, and my rut has only just been stifled.

 "Mr. Heston" Brian waves me over as he calls from the bar. His features are cracked by a grin, and his face is flushed from drinking. "Join me for a round with these fine gentlemen," he says.

These 'gentlemen' certainly don't seem fine in my opinion. I approach them with my shoulders squared and grin at them. I'm bigger than most of these alphas even when they're around me, and I enjoy it that way because I know I could knock every single one of these jerks out in a bare-knuckle fight.

I continue to stand at the bar without trying to introduce myself to Brian's companions. One of them is Lucas, the jerk who attempted to steal the prisoner from me before the contract was finished.

 "Our new friends were only expressing their gratitude to us for welcoming their lovely princess home," Brian adds.

 "Lucas, isn't that true?"

Lucas looks at me. "If you want it, the next round is on me."

I gaze at the timid beta bartender. I murmur, "I'll take water," and handsome crumpled paper money across the counter.

Lucas sneers, yet he says nothing when I decline his kindness.

"Brian, I'll see you around". Says Lucas. "Before you two depart, please let me know".

 "Seems like a storm is rolling in, so it might be a couple of days," Brian explains.

Lucas gives me a sneer as they shake hands and then stalk away.

 "Well, you didn't have to be an asshole," Brian says after Lucas leaves. He gives me the evil eye. "These guys just gave us a ton of cash, Jack—all for bringing some stupid little omega they picked up in Texas here. Easy work, good money. What is there not to like?" 

I'm agitated by his statements, but I'm not sure why. He is virtually always correct, and I have never questioned a position like this, but…

"I don't even know what she did," I confess.

"Why does it matter?" Brian laughs

I mutter, "Because I'm not just muscle, Brian.

He asks, "Or is it because you want to fuck her?"

I know as soon as I look into his eyes that he is watching me. I roll my neck and growl. "Fuck it off."

Brian shakes his head and laughs loudly. "I called. knew you had lost your conscience and gotten more bony".

"It's the damn full moon", I mutter.

 "Where's your wolfsbane?", Brian asks.

I hunch my shoulders. " I ran out, on my way over"

 "For real?" Brain scans the area. Lucky for you, there are plenty of lovely women in this area, and we are welcome to use any of the amenities on the rig.

I look around the room at the betas while I continue to follow his stare. Undoubtedly, some of them are breathtakingly beautiful. But I knew in my heart that none of them would match the heat Cherry was emitting. Even today, the thought of her juicy, sweet, fruity aroma makes my mouth swim. My fucking mind would be blown to be buried in her.

"Wouldn't be the same," I reply.

"One touch and you're an addict," Brian claims." I don't understand you alphas".

"Have you got your eye on someone?" I ask, leaning back against the bar. A lovely brunette is glancing across at Brian. She could actually do worse, especially considering that we've removed other beta females from places like this. I'd like to try that one.

" In fact, I was going to—"

He leaves his sentence unfinished. We both turn to look at the spectacle at the end of the bar when a terrified shriek breaks through the din of the commotion. The bartender is being dragged across the bar by Lucas, who has grabbed her by the hair while she screams. He drags her onto his lap and immediately starts grabbing at her clothes while slathering her with his hands. The others round her like hungry hounds ready for their next meal as she bats him away.

I give Brian a quick look.

"Don't," he exhorts.

However, I'm already on the go, have neglected to drink, and am bloodthirsty. In the blink of an eye, I dash the entire length of the bar toward Lucas, grab him by the back of the shirt, and throw him across the room. Snarls break out all around me as he bowls through a couple of other men.

I let him witness a small portion of my makeover as I squared my shoulders and showed him my teeth.

I am greater than he is.

He is aware of it.

"Leave her alone," I yelled at him. " She doesn't seem interested".

Brian laughs, "She has no option". 

He's too foolish and inebriated not to provoke me. I proceed forward," She doesn't seem interested".

He stands up and starts to move back in her direction, but I leap and grab hold of his shirt, dragging him toward me. I can see his realization that he's taken on too much and smell the stench of his fear.

"Okay, man—okay," Lucas replies. "You're free to relax."

I spoke more quietly. "You straighten up your act, or I won't stop at words the next time. Do you understand me?"

“Yeah. Yes, please just let me leave. Please, ” Lucas stutters while nodding.

I throw him on the ground, making sure he hits his behind. When I look over, Brian has already covered the bartender's ripped clothing with his jacket by draping it over her shoulders. A quiet thank you is mouthed by the terrified beta in my direction, and it hurts more than anything else that has occurred so far.

Thanking me for accomplishing the bare minimum is inappropriate.

"Let's get out of here", I groan at Brian.

"She is traveling with us".

The beta begins, "I can't leave the bar," but I firmly shake my head at him.

"Someone else can take over for the evening, "I say.

"Let's leave right away."

Fuck, I'm eager to leave this hellhole.