Chapter 25
Mihar shoved past all the Whitebeard siblings, ignoring their protests as he pushed the cart inside the bedroom. It was a new food cart, filled with Ace's and Marco's dinner. He had been delivering their food ever since Ace's heat started, and Mihar felt honoured that Marco allowed him inside.
Marco who was very protective at the moment. Not that Mihar had expected anything else. After all, their second in command was a protective man by nature, and his Alpha would only amplify that. It was nice to be able to go inside their bedroom and see Ace, and he thanked his Beta very much for that honour. A lot of the former Spades were pissed off with him because Mihar wouldn't 'spill the beans', but Mihar was taking this job seriously. He had been selected to bring in the food, and he would do so alone, to keep Ace and Marco as comfortable as possible.
"Hi, Mihar!" Ace greeted cheerfully.
He was cuddled beneath the pile of blankets that made the newly mated couple's nest. Marco hugged him from behind, pressed right up against Ace. Ace had tried to sit up and move closer to Mihar, but was tugged back against the mattress. Marco growled lowly, all while Ace huffed, nipping warningly at Marco.
Mihar smiled. "Hello, Ace. How is your mating gland doing?"
"Good yoi," Marco grumbled, glaring.
Ace poked Marco's forehead. "He asked me, you overprotective pineapple." Ace turned to him, grinning. "But Marco's right. The bite marks have healed in nicely. I didn't think they'd settle in so quickly."
"It always depends on the bond between the mates," Mihar said, gathering up the dirty plates to put into the food cart Mihar had brought in a few hours before. He'd pick up the dinner cart later. "You're surprisingly coherent right now."
"My heat's worn off a bit for now," Ace admitted. "It'll come back soon of course, but right now I've got a break."
"Everyone is excited to see you again. They can't wait to see you both mated," Mihar said, and that earned another low growl from Marco, who tugged Ace protectively beneath himself.
Ace squirmed. "Marco!"
"Go." Marco waved him away, wrapping his arms protectively around Ace. "Now."
Mihar obeyed, grabbing the cart. He managed a brief 'goodbye', but Ace didn't reply, too busy telling off Marco for 'being an overprotective bastard', Marco who kept growling lowly. He closed the door on Ace's soft moan of Marco's name. Mihar shook his head.
Marco was distracting Ace again.
"You're being creepy," Mihar said mildly, raising a brow at the Whitebeards who still kept trying to peek into the bedroom.
"We want to make sure they mated," Izo huffed.
"Yeah, we've been waiting for this," Haruta insisted.
"Marco's going to kick your asses when his rut is over," Mihar warned them. "He knows your scents, remember? He's smelled out who has been hanging around his room."
The small crowd grimaced. Mihar pushed on past them, taking the cart back down to the kitchen. Ace looked very happy, and Mihar had shared that news with his fellow Spade gang members the first time Mihar had been called inside the bedroom. The only piece of news he had given them. It was such a relief. Ace deserved this. He deserved to finally have some happiness after everything he had suffered through.
Ace would finally get the chance to be happy after all these years of being hounded by Teach.
The only problem now would be Teach. He'd go ballistic when he found out about this. Not that any of them really cared, because he couldn't have Ace now. He would never get the chance to mate Ace.
Mihar brought the empty plates down and handed them over to Thatch's men. Thatch sprinted over to his side, eyes burning with curiosity.
"How are they doing?" Thatch grinned.
"Good. Just like the last time you asked me," Mihar sighed.
"I'm so happy they've finally gotten to mate after all this time," Thatch beamed. "We've been waiting for this moment for years. Now my baby brother can be happy, while birdy can leave me in peace and stop mothering me."
"He 'mothers' you because you cause trouble," Mihar replied. "You do realise that, right?"
"I'll get to do all the pranks I want, and Marco will be so chilled out about it," Thatch cooed.
Thatch must have lost some more brain cells when he banged his car off that fountain last week, because Marco would never be chilled out when it came to Thatch's mischief. Nor Haruta's. The only one who got let off easy was Ace, and that was because he had been a pup at the time, when the three used to prank people together.
Now Ace would be let off easier because he was Marco's mate. There would be no sympathy for the two Alpha pranksters.
.::.
Ace huffed, shoving at Marco's head, who kept trying to give him more kisses. "You're the worst."
"You weren't saying that when I had you against the desk yoi," Marco purred.
Ace flushed, groaning. "Seriously?"
"Mhm." Marco pressed a kiss to his lips, then another.
"You can't-" Ace tried, but Marco kept pressed more sweet kisses against his lips, melting whatever was left of Ace's brain. "Just distract me- With kisses-"
His heat was calm at the moment, but Marco was still leaving him speechless. The smug asshole. He was smirking, he could feel it against his lips.
Ace quivered when Marco sucked on their mating gland, and couldn't help but cling to his mate.
His mate. His mate. His Omega was cooing gleefully at the idea.
They were mates.
But god Marco was the worst.
Marco sealed their lips together once more, and a pleasant shiver ran down Ace's spine. Whatever Ace had wanted to complain about slipped his mind. Marco's Alpha purred happily over it, but Ace paid him no attention. He leaned into the kisses instead, his Omega cooing in delight.
.::.
Sanji frowned, slowing down until he stopped. Nami stopped with him, her brow furrowing while he sniffed the air. He could smell a distressed scent, one that was obviously a mix of two others. The smell of a pup. Pups took on the scents of both their parents, or, if they didn't have their parents around, their caretaker's scent. The pup usually automatically did so, it was as natural as breathing. Sanji had done it for his mother. He had never taken on Judge's scent. His father's, Zeff's, he had taken on shyly, scared that Zeff would reject him for it at first. But Zeff had grinned so happily the day he had done so.
"Nami-san, you should go ahead and catch up with the others. I'm going to go check on the pup I smell."
"Do you need a hand?"
Sanji shook his head. "I'll be fine. Go on, I'll catch up."
He took off running the opposite way, towards some kind of colosseum. It was currently deserted, but had the smell of Alpha about it. He couldn't smell any Omega scents as he descended deeper into it's walls.
.::.
Law followed the path of destruction through his house. Buffalo was limp on the floor, along with Dellinger so Law jumped over them, continuing on. The destruction led to the Hall of Suits, the chief executives and Doflamingo's meeting room. He could hear the fighting going on, and saw Bellamy, Gladius, and Trebol attacking Kidd and Luffy, while his father lounged in his chair.
"We've come all this way and you still won't fight us?" Luffy spat, punching Gladius, but he attached a bomb to Luffy's arm who yelped, shaking his arm wildly.
Law raced in, slipping his hand beneath his hoodie to grab the bomb. Gladius' bombs stuck to skin, and well, Luffy wore a t-shirt and shorts. Law launched it out the window and dragged Luffy into cover just as it went off, shattering the glass windows.
"Ah, and here is my most rebellious child," Doflamingo grinned. "Hello, Law."
"Father," Law greeted, standing back up.
"Shishishishi, you're back!" Luffy grinned.
"Took your sweet time," Kidd smirked.
"And here I thought you didn't need my help, Eustass-ya," Law teased.
"And I don't," Kidd grumbled.
"Behehehehe, hey, hey, Law!" Trebol grinned. "Do you really think these two Alphas are any match for our boss? Really? You don't think they're going to die here?"
"I'll kick your ass, weird snot guy!" Luffy scowled.
"Alright, do you remember any of their fighting techniques I told you about?" Law asked quietly. "How Trebol uses a sticky substance to pin his enemies?"
"Nope," Luffy said. "When did you tell me any of that?"
"At so many meetings," Law groaned. "Eustass-ya?"
"Sorry, babe. I was probably too busy looking at your legs or something."
"I hate you both." Law twitched. "So much."
"I can't believe you gave away all our secrets, Law!" Gladius snarled.
"Behehehehe, and they didn't even remember any of them!" Trebol laughed.
"As amusing as this is," Father said, standing up. "I want to talk to Law privately."
"Too bad. We're here to kick your ass, Mingo!"
"Yeah, so let's get rid of these small fries-" Kidd began, taking a step forward.
In that instant, Trebol threw his sticky trapping substance on the ground around Kidd, while Gladius tossed his bombs on to the goo. Luffy yelled, but before either of them had a chance to do something, the bombs went off, and Kidd was sent crashing down to the next floor. Gladius aimed his gun, so Law swiped at him, forcing him back. Luffy's yelp had him glance back. Luffy's feet were encased in goo. Bellamy tackled Luffy down to the next floor. The guy was covered in cuts and bruises though, and Law knew it wouldn't be long until he got taken down.
"Pay attention, Law," Gladius said.
Law avoided the bullet that went off right next to his shoulder, and swiped his sword downwards. The move should have taken off Gladius' hand, but thin strings of wire caught his blade. Law barely ducked beneath his father's kick.
"Go, Gladius, Trebol. I have business to take care of," Doflamingo ordered, his voice oddly cold.
"Yes, Young Master," Gladius bowed.
"Hey, hey, Doffy. Are you going to kill him?" Trebol asked.
"I said go, Trebol."
Law managed to gain some distance between him and his father by the time Trebol and Gladius disappeared down the hole. Once they were gone his father turned slowly to him, and grinned sharply. Law's heart raced. His father hadn't answered Trebol.
"I think it's time you and I had a proper chat about your behaviour recently, Law."
"True," Law frowned. "Because I have quite a lot to say to you too."
Doflamingo sighed. "Why did you have to be such a wild child? You're way too much like your mother for you own good."
Law startled. His father didn't tend to speak too much about her, and if he did, it was usually just with Vergo. On the rare occasion Law and Doflamingo would talk, but those were small, tender moments, and at the moment, their relationship was a difficult one.
"She was always too stubborn for her own good," Doflamingo sneered. "Helping the needy, filthy, rotten poor peasants. You know what they did to her in return, Law? They infected her and Lami. They gave both my wife and daughter Amber Lead Disease."
"It was an infection. It's not like they meant to give it to her-" Law protested.
"And you're a doctor, just like she was."
Law bristled. "And proud of it!"
"And that's why, after this is all said and done. I will have you removed completely from your shifts at the hospital."
Law cursed. "Mother would never have stood for this, and neither will I!"
"And because of that, I lost my wife and daughter," Father said coldly. "My father was a worthless waste of space, so I shot him down. My mother died due to the disease and filth in this world, the same as yours. My daughter did too. Then my brother showed his true colours, the one person I thought I could trust above all, and betrayed me."
"He was a cop. Of course he betrayed you," Law hissed. "And for some reason you decided to help him still?"
"True," Doflamingo mused. "But only for your sake. I do a lot of things for your sake, Law."
He wasn't sure how to take that. Doflamingo hadn't answered Trebol, but at the same time, everything he said sounded genuine. His father wasn't the most stable person though, not emotionally.
"And I'm supposed to thank you for that?" Law said, instead of asking what his father's intentions were.
He was too scared to find out.
"Fufufufu," Father grinned. "I would appreciate that."
Before Law could reply, Doflamingo attacked. Law blocked the wires slashing down at him, and the pair of them began attacking and blocking one another's attacks. Law knew this was a bad match up. He had been off his feet for days, tied to whatever he had been seated on.
But his family had been the ones who had taught him how to fight. So fight he would.
.::.
Sani booted a tall brown haired guy looming over a pink haired pup, laughing in her face. The girl was full of fear and stress, and it made his blood boil. The guy hit the wall, grunting, while Sanji landed beside the pup.
"What the hell are you doing to her?" Sanji snarled.
The pup was whimpering, full of stress, while the fucker climbed out the hole in the wall with a groan. Sanji growled, pulling the pup back up on to her own two feet, her legs wobbled, so he scooped her up instead.
"No, Diamante will kill you-" the pup cried.
"Diamante huh?" Sanji frowned.
This was the swordsman Law had mentioned. The 'Hero of the Colosseum'.
"No need to get so defensive over her," Diamante mocked. "I won't kill her. We still need her to present after all. We're hoping to get an Omega from her, since she's such a sweet, tiny thing."
"You are so lucky my priority is the pup," Sanji sneered. "Because otherwise, I'd be kicking you to death right now."
"Now, now, how about you put her down and surrender?" Diamante grinned. "I'd hate to hurt such a pretty face. You Omegas are so valuable after all. I know I was reckless that night, all those years ago, Rebecca. Killing your mother. A shame too, because she would have been worth so much money-"
Rebecca stiffened, but Sanji ignored it, in favour of booting a piece of rubble, sending it flying Diamante's way. The bastard dodged it, cursing, so Sanji kicked more.
"Bastard! I'll teach you some fucking manners when I get the chance!" Sanji spat.
"REBECCA!"
"Dad!" Rebecca gasped.
Sanji paused, another distressed scent was entering the hallway. This time though it was filled with a protective fury that reminded him of Zeff. A one legged man rushed their way, looking relieved the moment he saw the pup.
"You're... Are you one of Usopp's friends?" the man asked him, frowning.
"Yes," Sanji startled. "You know Usopp?"
"He's a brave man," the man said, positioning himself between them and Diamante who grinned sharply. "Please, allow me to take on Diamante. I won't let him take another member of my family from me."
Sanji frowned, but nodded. "Alright. I'll keep your pup safe. I swear."
"You're not taking that girl anywhere!" Diamanate snarled, and the extendable sword raced towards them.
Sanji easily dodged the blow, and kicked the sword's flat side, shattering it.
"What the fuck?" Diamante cried.
"Piss off! You're nowhere near a good enough swordsman to take me on." Sanji grinned. "I know an even better shitty swordsman, and he'd wipe you out straight away. It's just too bad he's taking out your SMILE factory right now."
"YOU OMEGA BITCH! YOU PEOPLE SHOULD JUST LIE DOWN AND TAKE IT!" Diamante screamed, and pulled out his gun, but the other guy charged him first. "Damn you, Kyros! I'm busy teaching this damn Omega a lesson!"
Sanji rolled his eyes. "I doubt you have any lessons to give me, shitty bastard."
Sanji ran out the room, holding Rebecca close, who looked anxiously back over his shoulder. She shivered the moment they left Kyros, and her grasp tightened on his shoulders.
"Why was that creep after you?" Sanji asked gently.
"I... My grandfather was Mayor of Dressrosa before Doflamingo took over. I don't understand why he's still after me, but he's never given up," Rebecca said.
"Why didn't you just leave?"
"I was fostered by the Portgas Family for a time, but my dad came back for me after all the violence between the gangs grew worse."
"The Portgas Family?"
"Yeah, they're really nice people," Rebecca smiled. "Though, rather ill-tempered too."
Sanji winced. "Oh jeez, it's a family trait."
Rebecca looked baffled, but Sanji didn't elaborate.
The Portgas Family were none of his business.