Chapter 72
Rachel’s POV
The ship pulled away from the harbor, cutting through the morning hist as it began its journey toward the Eastern Continent. I stood frozen at the railing, my heart pounding like a war drum in my chest.
It couldn’t be!
In the crowd of faces on the dock, I thought I’d seen a tall figure with piercing gray eyes that had turned molten gold–eyes I would recognize anywhere.
“Ma’am? Have you found your cabin yet?”
The sailor’s voice jolted me back to reality. Lblinked rapidly, scanning the dock again as the distance between the ship and shore grew wider.
“No, that couldn’t possibly be Nathan,” I whispered to myself, rubbing my eyes. “He can’t be here.”
The crowd on the dock had become a blur of indistinguishable faces. Had I imagined him? Was my mind playing tricks on me?
“Perhaps deep down, I wanted to see him,” I thought, my hand unconsciously finding the moonstone pendant beneath my blouse.
Ma’am?” the sailor repeated.
“I’m sorry,” I forced a smile. “No, I haven’t found my cabin yet. I… I was told that my cabin was No. 7, but I can’t seem to find it.”
‘Cabin Seven, right this way,” the young man said, gesturing toward the lower deck. “Let me show you.”
I followed him, inhaling the crisp sea air. Each breath felt like a new beginning–like freedom.
The sailor showed me to a modest cabin with a single bed, small desk, and private bathroom. Nothing luxurious, nothing special.
For the first time, I’m being treated like a regular person, I thought, a small smile playing on my lips. Free, independent–not an Alpha’s slave.
“If you need anything, just ring that bell,” the sailor said, pointing to a small button by the bed. “The dining hall opens in an hour for lunch.” With that, he left to attend to other passengers.
I surveyed the room, feeling secure in the knowledge that I was safe here–just me and my little baby.
After taking a warm bath to wash away the exhaustion of my long escape, I curled up on the small bed, feeling the rhythm of the waves beneath the ship.
My hand rested protectively over my stomach, where my unborn cub grew.
I never thought I’d make it this far,” I whispered to myself, a sense of pride swelling in my chest. “We’re going to be okay, little
one.
When the darkness surrounded me, a sense of peace came over me, and I soon drifted off to sleep.
“We’re free now, little one,” I murmured as I drifted off. “We’re finally free.”
I don’t know how long I slept, but I woke with a violent start, my stomach lurching as the ship rolled with the waves.
1/3
Chapter 72
Groaning, I pressed a hand to my mouth, fighting the intense wave nausea.
“Ugh…” I moaned, stumbling toward the bathroom.
I splashed cold water on my face, trying to calm my rebellious stomach. For a moment, the symptoms subsided–only to return wi vengeance the second I stepped back into the cabin.
“Fresh air,” I gasped. “I need fresh air.”
Quickly, I tied my copper hair into a ponytail and pulled on casual clothes with a thick knitted sweater that hid Nathan’s moonstone pendant.
I completed my disguise with a blonde wig and dark sunglasses before heading toward the deck.
The sun was just rising, painting the sky in brilliant pinks and oranges. I must have slept far longer than I realized.
Then again, werewolf pregnancies always made us tired and my escape had drained what little energy I had left.
As I stepped onto the deck, a particularly large wave rocked the ship, nearly throwing me off balance.
The other passengers–humans and werewolves alike–stepped back from me, clearly not wanting to be near a pregnant woman who might get sick.
So was completely alone now, far from the protection of the Ironjaw Pack.
I gripped the nearest railing, my stomach heaving as I began to dry heave. The smell of salt and sea tortured my sensitive nose.
“Are you alright, miss?”
The gentle voice came from behind me, followed by warm hands steadying my arm and back.
I turned slowly to find a middle–aged woman with friendly eyes–the same emerald green as my own–smiling at me with concern.
Something about her reminded me so strongly of my departed mother that I immediately relaxed my guard.
“I’m sorry. I think I’m seasick…” I tried to smile but quickly felt dizzy again as I began to dry heave once more.
“Oh dear, that’s not good.” She moved closer, her scent calming and maternal. “Come, let me help you sit down.”
“Thank you so much…” I managed weakly.
“Not at all! First time on a ship?” she asked kindly.
I nodded. “Yes… and this little one isn’t helping with the nausea.”
Her eyes widened as she noticed my stomach. “Kid! Congratulations on your blessing–but if that’s the case, being out here with all these strong smells probably isn’t good for your sensitive nose. Let me take you inside.”
Gratefully, I accepted her help, taking her hand and feeling an inexplicable kinship with this stranger.
We made our way through a set of double doors into the ship’s interior.
The woman quickly found a quiet spot away from the scents of other passengers.
“Lie down, dear.” She arranged two pillows, one under my head and another under my feet. “I’ll be right back.”
