The galley went quiet except for the storm's fury outside.
"I'm sorry." Sébastien said. "That's a hard way to lose someone."
"There's no easy way." She sat back on her heels, studying her work. The stitches would hold. "But thank you."
“The captain killed the man responsible,” Gris said.
Sébastien nodded. “Then justice has been served.”
“My brother is still dead,” Jeanne said.
“But not forgotten.” Sébastien touched his cheek. “I will remember him, omega. And honor his sacrifice. All the seawolves will.”
Jeanne’s throat closed up and she blinked back tears. “Thank you.”
The ship lurched violently, and Jeanne was thrown sideways. Strong hands caught her before she hit the floor.
Anatole.
He was soaked through, his shirt plastered to his body, his hair loose and dripping. But his hands were steady as he set her upright.
"What are you doing down here? I told you to stay in the cabin."
"Sébastien needed help." She gestured to the young beta. "He was bleeding."
Anatole's eyes went to the neat line of stitches on Sébastien's face, then back to her. “That will help him heal faster.” He turned to Sébastien. "Can you stand?"
"Yes, Captain." The beta got to his feet, slightly unsteady.
"Good. Get to your hammock and rest. You're off duty until that heals." Anatole looked at Gris. "Storm's passing. Should be clear in another hour."
"I'll make food once it settles." Gris said. "I think we could all use something hot."
Anatole nodded and left without another word.
Jeanne stayed where she was, her hands shaking now that the emergency was over. She'd touched him. Just for a moment when he'd caught her, but she'd felt the heat of his skin through the wet shirt, smelled his scent cut with rain and ozone.
And she'd wanted to lean into him. To let him hold her the way he'd held her during her heat.
"You love him." Gris's voice was gentle.
She didn't bother denying it. "Is it that obvious?"
"The curse knows." Gris's face was grim. "It always knows when an omega starts caring. That's when the danger begins."
"The door." She pressed her hand to her chest. "It's been quiet since the heat started."
"It'll come back." Gris gripped her shoulder. "And when it does, you need to fight it harder than you've ever fought anything."
"What if I can't?"
"Then we'll chain you up if we have to. Whatever it takes to keep you alive, omega."
“What will I face behind the door?”
“Death. Just like all the others. You need to resist its siren call.”
“For how long?”
