Sould As The Alpha King's Breeder

Chapter 32: Persnickety on the Persephone

Maeve

I stood near the railing of the ship, looking down at the boat that was bobbing on the water several stories below as Cleo gripped the ladder and slowly made her way up the side of the ship, her eyes fixed on my face.

Robbie was behind her, his voice carrying in the breeze as he encouraged her to keep climbing.

I grabbed her shoulders and helped her over the railing as she came within my reach. She was shaking, swallowing hard as her feet finally met the deck.

“That was terrifying,” she said, her voice trembling as she placed a hand over her heart.

I took her in my arms, squeezing gently before looking over her shoulder at Robbie as he came over the railing and landed with a sharp thud on the deck beside us.

A blond man was standing with his arms crossed over his chest, watching us. Watching me. I turned my head to look back at him, curiosity bubbling through my system.

He was one of those people that was truly beautiful. He looked as though he had been cut from marble by a skilled artist who crafted each chiseled feature with great care. He was deeply tanned, his eyes a vibrant hazel that were light enough to be almost golden in the fading sunlight.

This must be Cap,’ I thought, steeling my expression as I gave him a once-over. He was much younger than I thought he’d be, probably no older than Troy. And to own a boat like this? He must be absolutely loaded. Must be nice to steal for a living.

“Pull er up, boys.” Robbie said to the crew, stepping back as two men began to pull a crank that was slowly lifting the small boat out of the water. It knocked into the side of the Persephone as it climbed higher and higher with Troy and Myla still inside. The blond man stepped forward, the sunset casting a vivid red glow behind him as he gripped the railing and looked down.

I moved Cleo away from the railing as more crewmen stepped toward it, preparing to catch the small boat and lower it onto the deck.

A wiry, elderly man stepped forward, pulling on the sleeve of Robbie’s shirt, whispering something inaudible as the boat continued its ascent.

“Aye, yeah. Troy as a broken arm and the woman has a head wound. Neither could climb the ladder,” Robbie replied, his voice booming despite his attempt at a hushed whisper. Cleo paled, looking down at her feet.

“She’s going to be fine,” I coaxed, wrapping my arm around her shoulder.

“Cap!” Robbie bellowed, and the blond turned his head, confirming his identity. “Doc want’s em’ sent to the infirmary right away.”

“Of course,” the blond said, nodding in the direction of the elderly man, who nodded back and walked across the deck toward a set of large, wooden doors.

“See?” I whispered to Cleo. “They have a doctor on board. An infirmary, too.”

Cleo exhaled deeply, a little of the tension leaving her shoulders as the crewmen crowded the railing in front of us, their arms outstretched as Troy stood up in the small boat, holding Myla up to the crewmen with his good arm.

hell did you get yourself into, Troy?” said the captain as Troy climbed over the railing,

to explain, Keaton,” Troy replied, but the captain wasn’t listening. Keaton was staring at Myla as she was laid out on a stretcher, his golden eyes fixed on her face and his hands trembling slightly as he began to reach down

tell the man

She was fiercely

expression began to twist with concern as Myla was carried away and

all about?” I said,

slowly, fixing me with a steely glare. “Ah,” he said, his voice lifted in a mocking,

gaped at him, taken aback by the comment. “How dare you speak to me

suddenly we were nose to nose, his golden eyes boring down into mine. “Let’s get one thing straight,” he snapped. “I do not care that you’re a princess. You’re a

“I’ll leave then-”

Watch out for the sharks on your swim back to the shore,” he

and clearing my throat as I righted myself, tilting my chin upward in a show

so much as speak out of turn

plastered on his

you understand?” Keaton continued, his brow arched as he

a yes or no question, darlin’.” He leaned in, the

urge to take a step away from him but wanting to stand

to dust a lock of my hair off my shoulder before giving me a dramatic smile and turning

him and she nodded as he marched toward the set of doors leading down to the lower levels of the ship. He turned suddenly on his heel, Cleo nearly running into his

motioned to Robbie, who was leaning

minutes. We need to talk. And “show the princess

and Cleo disappeared below deck, the

kicked off the railing, sauntering over to me. I stiffened, squaring my shoulders. Troy noticed this and shook his

a rest, aye?” Robbie extended his hand to me, but I turned my head, crossing

much. I have a few words I’d like to say to him.. in private.” I glared at Robbie, catching Troy’s face in my peripheral. He had an odd, slightly smug smile on his face as he cradled his

his lips, arching his brow toward Troy and shrugged one shoulder. “Well, that’d be you,

right Robbie. I’m the captain of

them both for a second, then threw my head back in

Troy has been second in command since him and Cap were boys. Troy is the captain of the Persephone in his stead when Cap’s

while, aren’t you?”

the sails, not making eye contact with Troy as I passed him. “Show me to

he said, giving Troy a knowing look as he opened the

planted on my hips as I looked around the room. Troy’s room. Robbie shrugged helplessly, his palms toward the ceiling as he slowly backed out of the

miss. Was’na my