Chapter 34
The shackles were carefully removed, Teach's hands on his wrists surprisingly soft. His thumb brushed Ace's tender wrists, before he pulled away. Ace felt hands on his ankles, unlocking them too, while Ace reached up for the blindfold, tugging it away. Teach's face was carefully blank, but Ace could see the anger in his eyes despite it.
"I can smell your scent clearly now," Teach growled lowly. "You really did mate with Marco."
"Going to finally let me go then?" Ace asked dryly.
Suddenly he was shoved back on to the pillows. Teach crowding him. Ace growled lowly in response, even as Teach pinned him down by his shoulders.
"You were supposed to be mine, Ace!" Teach spat. "But no. You had to go and mate with Marco. The weak, useless idiot with his damn family. You're supposed to have my family."
"So what are you going to do to me then?" Ace hissed.
Teach glowered, but pulled away. "I care for you very deeply, Ace. I won't let that little shit come between us and ruin what we have."
Ace sat up, scowling. "We don't have anything, Teach. All you ever do is keep me imprisoned here, and I hate it. I hate that I'm back here again with you. I think I've made that perfectly clear over the years."
Teach growled lowly but stalked away, grabbing something from the table, chucking it at him. Ace caught it automatically, puzzled. It was a box, but before he had a chance to look at it, Teach spoke up.
"Take the test, Ace."
Ace blinked, puzzled. He had no idea what Teach meant by 'test'. He glanced down at the box in his hands, and froze.
A pregnancy test.
"Wh-What?" Ace gasped.
"Your scent has changed a lot, much more than it should have despite mating with Marco," Teach said. "And your Omega is very protective at the moment. I bet if I try put my hand close to your stomach again you'll act up."
Ace recoiled at the thought, before stilling, baffled. He didn't understand why he was so opposed to Teach touching his stomach, or at least, more so than usual. Teach thought he was pregnant, but that couldn't be true.
"I... Y-You can't be serious! Th-That's just because of the bond," Ace babbled. "I'm newly bonded to Marco. I-I can't be pregnant, we used protection and I took that weird nasty medication."
"Well, I don't think either of those things worked, my dear."
Ace scowled. "You're just being paranoid and jealous. I mated with Marco, Teach. I love him, so maybe you should just get over it and let me go. I'm not mating with you, and nor am I having your pups. One day I'll get to happily have Marco's-"
"Ace. Take the damn test," Teach snapped.
"Or what? You'll hit me?" Ace growled, tensing up. "I'll break your fucking hand-"
"I'd never hit you." Teach frowned, instantly growing softer, the anger easing from his eyes. "I love you too much."
Teach approached, taking the box from him and opening it up to reveal two sticks. He held them out, while Ace hesitated at the sight of them.
"If you're not pregnant, then there's nothing to worry about. You can take the test and show me that you aren't," Teach said softly. "Prove it to me, and I'll stop going on about it."
"And..." Ace began shakily. "And what would you do if I was? Which I'm not, but still."
"I told you, Ace. I won't hurt you."
Ace's frown deepened, but he sighed and snatched up the sticks. "Fine."
He went to the bathroom but hesitated. His other half had been acting strange lately. Ace frowned, and sat on the toilet, staring at the test blankly. He wanted pups with Marco, but he hadn't thought about having them this early in his life. They had only just mated. Ace had wanted to explore their new bond, and Marco probably did too.
Ace shook his head, setting those thoughts aside.
He'd have his answer right in front of him. All he needed to do was take the test.
.::.
Teach blinked when the on-suite's door slammed open. Ace held out his hand, eyes burning.
"Give me another test."
Teach automatically handed him another. He had bought four different brands, and with each brand Ace tested, the more panicked his lover looked.
Finally Ace left the bathroom, with all the sticks in hand. Every single one said 'positive'. Ace remained stunned in place, staring blankly at the tests while Teach sighed. That was disappointing. The first time Ace had sex, and he was pregnant, despite his 'protection'. Ace's fertility must be strong. Or Marco's seeds were.
That idea infuriated him, so he dismissed the thought.
Teach stared down at Ace. "You really are pregnant then."
"I..." Ace blinked, shaking his head. "I don't understand..."
"Obviously your attempts to prevent a pregnancy didn't exactly work, love," Teach said. "You might want to sit down."
Teach approached the bar and poured himself some ale, while pouring Ace out some summer fruit juice. Ace moved about, slowly, probably still trying to process what had happened. That was when Teach heard the rustling of some clothes and cursed.
He had left Ace's jacket out, and it probably had his damn mobile in it.
Teach dropped what he was doing, and whirled round, just as Ace picked up his mobile and bolted out the door. He cursed himself for leaving it unlocked. Teach raced out after him, even as Ace put the lounges' couch in between them. Ace managed to keep out of reach as the mobile dialled, so Teach snarled, grabbed the couch and threw it away, earning a startled curse. Teach stormed over, but Ace bolted once more, heading for the stairs.
"Marco! Teach has me locked up back in his club," Ace began to blurt out, while Teach raced after him. "That doesn't matter! I need to tell you that I'm-"
Teach caught up, Ace hadn't been reckless going down the stairs, being oddly careful, so that had given Teach enough time to catch up. He clamped his hand over Ace's mouth, and dragged him back up against his chest. Ace squirmed, his protest muffled, while Teach grabbed Ace's hand, forcing the mobile up to his ear.
"Ace! Ace, what's-"
"Zehahahaha, hello, Commander Marco. Long time no see," Teach smirked. "I'm really looking forward to seeing you again."
"Teach. I swear if you hurt Ace yoi-"
"I wouldn't harm a hair on his head," Teach said, kissing Ace's hair, who tried to bite his hand in response. "I love him too much. You're the one who mated my Omega and I will make you pay for it. Once I get a hold of you, I will kill you, and I'll finally get to mate Ace myself."
Ace kicked his leg. Teach gritted his teeth and ignored the twinge of pain.
"Just give it up you bastard! Ace doesn't love you, so just let him go already. If you loved him, truly loved him, you'd want him to be happy yoi," Marco growled. "You wouldn't keep him locked up away from everyone he cares about, and you especially wouldn't force him to mate with you if he doesn't want it-"
"You know nothing about our relationship, Marco. So butt out of it. You will never see Ace again. He's mine," Teach growled. "Now stop getting in my way."
He hung up, but softened when Ace licked his hand, dragging drool and spit along it. Teach rolled his eyes.
"You're not a five year old, love." Teach grinned.
He dragged Ace back upstairs, keeping his hand clamped over Ace's mouth. He didn't want his Omega talking at the moment. Not when Ace would just hiss and snarl at him.
"I couldn't have you telling him," Teach said. "No, that would have sent the Whitebeards charging into my domain. I need to have an ambush set up first, before I use your pregnancy as a lure for them. Zehahahaha, then they can come charging in, and I can deal with them accordingly."
Ace glowered.
He dragged Ace back into their bedroom, this time locking the door behind him.
.::.
Yesterday Zoro had grown puzzled when Sanji never returned home after a couple of hours, but decided his lover probably went off to do his own thing. He texted Sanji, and got a reply about 'needing a walk'. A few more hours after that though was when Zoro had gotten really worried.
Because that meant something had gone really wrong with that doctor's appointment. He texted Sanji again, and this time his message didn't go through. He tried to phone him, but the call was instantly denied.
Zoro called Zeff as he headed to Sanji's doctors, but Zeff said he had no idea where Sanji was. Zoro hadn't been able to find the doctors, not until Perona drove by, telling him to get in her car.
The receptionist at the doctors said Sanji left hours ago. Her scent had been full of nerves, but Zoro blamed that on the sheer worry and anger he knew was rolling off him. He asked for Sanji's results, but she said she couldn't share them, despite them being mated.
She had said she could share them if his mate could vouch for him. That lots of people try to get a hold of an Omega's medical file, claiming to be related or their mate. It was annoying, but understandable. He and Perona left.
They searched all the areas where Sanji shopped, and the places where Zoro and Sanji walked.
Sanji never returned home, and his mobile never accepted any calls or texts.
The very next day he did the same thing all over again. Zoro peaked into every store, racing down the street. He took in every scent, tried to smell out Sanji's blueberry and black tea but he couldn't catch it anywhere. Zeff was out looking for Sanji now, and Perona was being kind enough to help him search too.
Zoro ended up having to call their gang, and they all began to search.
It was Kaya and Law who sent off the alarm bells though.
There was no new updated hospital information for Sanji.
Kaya and Usopp went to the doctors while Zoro continued the search. He knew if he went back there he wouldn't be nice, he would pick a fight, and he couldn't do that when Sanji was missing.
The moment Zoro's mobile rung he picked it up.
"There's a problem," Usopp said shakily. "The general practitioners, all of them and the staff are sick. The whole surgery has been locked down."
Zoro frowned. "But I was just there yesterday. The receptionist was fine. Smelled healthy if not nervous."
"I don't get it either, but we'll find out what happened to Sanji!" Usopp declared. "I'm an amazing detective after all. Have I told you about the time I-"
"Usopp," Zoro growled lowly. "I'm not in the mood right now. Sanji is missing. My mate is missing. I'm ready to start cutting down everyone until somebody tells me where he is-"
Usopp wavered. "R-Right. Yeah, my bad. Sorry. I know you're worried."
"We just need to find him." Zoro gritted his teeth.
Sanji wasn't well, he hadn't had his heat in about two months. Something was wrong with his mate and now he was missing. Zoro couldn't help own mate. His Alpha was full of self hatred, anger and despair, and it left Zoro wanting to sink to his knees. He ignored the urge, hung up the mobile, and kept looking.
What kind of lover was he when he couldn't help his own mate?
.::.
"I'm not even apart of the Vinsmoke family anymore, yet they want me to marry into your family?" Sanji frowned.
Sanji had awoken on a couch in Totto hours after he had been drugged and kidnapped. Charlotte Katakuri had waited by his side until he stirred, handing him a cup of black tea, just the way Sanji liked it.
"You're to be married to Pudding," Katakuri said. "She says you both are friends. That should make the process easier on your part."
"This is why the Vinsmoke has been after me so eagerly, isn't it?" Sanji scowled, crossing his arms. "You're wasting your time here. I'm already mated and we're perfectly happy with each other. Pudding might be a good friend of mine, but there's so way we could mate now."
"It doesn't matter. Mama has already arranged everything," Katakuri said, standing up from his seat. "If you don't marry, we will get violent. You will go along with this willingly."
"And what happens if I don't?" Sanji asked. He straightened up, and glared, but Katakuri wasn't fazed.
Katakuri tossed an envelope over, and Sanji opened it up, revealing very familiar faces. Franky, Robin, Chopper, Nojiko, Perona and Kaya. All their photographs stared up at him, all smiles.
"These people are close to gang members of the Straw Hats, or are members of your gang. The only people we have missed out are the musician as Mama enjoys his music, Portgas D. Ace and Red Leg Zeff," Katakuri said. "Mama has already sent out orders. You refuse to marry Pudding, and they will be executed. We know exactly where each of them are."
Katakuri listed all the addresses, and Sanji knew they were right. His packs' families were in danger.
Sanji gritted his teeth. "When is the wedding exactly?"
"In three weeks."
Sanji startled, but before he could even question it, Katakuri spoke up.
"Your heat will be due soon after all."
"It's been nearly two months-" Sanji began, hesitantly.
"We know all about your missing heat, Sanji. I suggest you attempt to make yourself a comfortable nest. We've left plenty of blankets and pillows by your bed."
Katakuri walked out, and before Sanji could even move, the door clicked, locking into place. Sanji leaned heavily in his seat, staring blankly at the door.
The Charlotte family must have done something to him to stop his heats. But what and how exactly? Or was it the Vinsmokes?
Sanji had no idea, and he really didn't want to find out.