Sorry for the late update! My computer has been acting funny for the past week and constantly kept slowing down whenever I tried to do anything. Writing would be one slow word at a time, and the internet just wouldn't load o.o So yeah, hopefully we're all fixed now and running again :D Was driving me crazy xD
Oh and one more month and my fantasy book, The Wardens of Strar, comes out. Oh jeez o.o My heart is doing cartwheels at the thought xD
Anyway, on to the chapter!
Chapter 35
"Pops!" Marco called out, slamming open the door.
Whitebeard startled, glancing at the doorway. He had been comforting Thatch who had been pacing his office, ranting and raving, that he never should have left Ace. That he should have been quicker. His son was blaming himself for Ace's capture, and Whitebeard was having a difficult time convincing him that none of this was his fault.
"What's wrong, son?" Whitebeard asked.
"Ace just tried to call me yoi." Marco clutched his mobile tightly, fangs bared, and eyes wild. "He wanted to tell me something important, but Teach caught him and must have gagged him before he could. He was so upset. And my Alpha's so angry!"
"You spoke to Teach?" Thatch growled. "What did the bastard say? I swear to god if he's hurt Ace I'll gut him-"
"He was going on about how Ace was his. He knows we're mated, and wants to kill me yoi," Marco's brow furrowed. "I'm not sure if Ace was trying to warn me about that, or about kind of trap? I'm worried, Pops. Ace never calls me when he's stuck with Teach, and he sounded so panicked. For him to do so is bad. Really bad yoi."
"We'll see if Haruta's informant can tell us more of the situation back in Teach's club," Whitebeard said, grimacing. "We can't charge into East Blue blindly, not without a lot of casualties. But you're right, Marco. Ace has never once called you, and you said he sounded worried. I'll send some of your more subtle siblings over to East Blue, see if they can hear anything in the rumour network."
"I'll keep my mobile close," Marco said. "In case Ace tries to call again yoi."
"We'll get Ace back home safely, Marco. I promise."
Whitebeard would do whatever it took to get Ace back home. If he had to sacrifice himself for his children, he would do so.
Marco's gaze hardened. Whitebeard's Alpha stirred, concerned by another Alpha's, his own son's, scent turning dark and foul.
"Good," Marco said icily. "Because I'll lose my patience soon, and at that point I won't care if East Blue burns. I will go to war. With or without my pack."
He turned on his heel and stalked out. Thatch felt out a distressed whine, eyes wide.
"Pops," Thatch whimpered. "I don't like scary Marco."
Pops grimaced. It was a problem indeed. Marco was usually a laid back man, but was insanely protective despite it.
The fact that he was newly mated and separated from Ace was driving Marco insane. Whitebeard had no idea how Ace, who had been encouraging the protectiveness, was coping.
He just hoped his sons would be alright.
.::.
Ace slumped against the pillows, groaning. He had been tied up for a week now, bound by thick leather straps. Teach would feed him, groom him and change his clothes. Okay, so Ace liked the new pyjamas, the specialised ones for pregnant Omegas were soft and soothing, and the scent of lavender always drifted by his senses, lulling him into relaxing. He didn't want to be changed into them while restrained though. It was awful.
Teach took off the restraints every so often, but would always tie him back up again. It was like a restraint jacket, his arms forced around him, as if he were hugging himself. Straps were fastened round his chest, keeping his arms locked in place, while his ankles were trapped together with more of the damn thick leather. They were all padded, and while his Omega found it comfortable and secure, Ace hated it. His collar was leashed to the bed, but the bright side was that he wasn't gagged anymore.
At the start he had screamed and cursed Teach out. That had earned him the gag. Ace hated the gag just as much as the restraints, because he couldn't move, nor could he voice his displeasure.
He had stopped cursing Teach out a few days ago, too tired out from all the mix of feelings. The panic, confusion, anger and joy. Spending time tied up had given him a chance to think, at the very least. So, for Ace, he was confused and overjoyed about the baby. His and Marco's baby. It had been very early, but Ace wanted a family with Marco, and knew Marco wanted a family with him.
It was just very soon.
The panic. That was from the idea of never getting free again, or being used to lead his family into an ambush. Teach wanted to use his baby to lure in the Whitebeard gang, and the thought terrified Ace.
The anger? That was all on Teach. Hence the restraints and gag. Probably also to stop him from trying to escape again. Teach would want to avoid that happening again.
The worst part about everything was that his Omega had betrayed him. Between the pyjamas and the straps, his other half felt comfortable and secured. Apparently that security meant safety, which was excellent for the baby. So the traitor had accepted the restraints.
His Omega half forced Ace to calm, when all Ace wanted to do was lash out and strangle Teach.
A bit of a conundrum really.
Pascia walked in with a tray, sitting it on the bedside table. Her eyes wouldn't meet his, and Ace sighed.
"Pascia?" Ace frowned, turning over on to his side. "Can you please untie me?"
"I'm sorry, Master Ace. I'm not allowed."
"Then can you tell me what Teach is planning at least?"
"I can't do that either. I've been ordered not to tell you a thing unless stated otherwise," Pascia said softly, eyes apologetic when they hesitantly landed on his.
"And orders remain the same," Teach said, walking in. "All you need to know is that I'm letting you keep that filthy spawn of Marco's."
"Asshole," Ace hissed.
"But." Teach smirked. "Once they are finished growing, we'll see what their secondary gender is. If they are an Omega, well, they can go to one of the factories. Zehahahaha!"
"You're sick!" Ace spat. "I won't let you. You won't touch my baby-"
His Omega growled at the thought. Nobody would harm their baby. They'd tear out their attacker's throat, and claw out their eyes. They'd show their attacker what a feral Omega could do in the desire to protect their child.
"The only pups you'll be having are mine," Teach growled lowly. "Think of this as a practise round. We'll both get to learn about how you take to pregnancy. Then, when it is time for my pups, we'll already know all we need to know to ensure a great time for you."
"I am going to stab you!" Ace snarled, struggling.
"You can go, girl."
Teach waved Pascia away before sitting down beside Ace. Teach shook his head, pushing Ace down by his shoulder once more.
"You aren't going to get free. The sooner you calm down and realise that the better," Teach said. "Once your Omega starts to no longer have to settle you down, I might untie you properly."
"How generous," Ace said dryly.
"I'm going to sit you up now," Teach sighed, his hands gently coaxing him up. "Then I'll help you eat."
"Untie my arms at least," Ace protested.
"No."
Ace scowled. "Then you better hope I don't accidentally bite your hand."
"Zehahaha, you should know better than to bite the hand that feeds you," Teach teased.
.::.
In the years since Zeff had opened the Baratie it had only ever been closed twice. Once was because of a fire Luffy and Usopp started in his restaurant. Not even the kitchen. It had been the dining room. Two was when all the staff had gotten the flu from a very unfortunate series of events Zeff never wanted to think about ever again.
It was all Luffy's fault once again.
Poor Nami tried to help, but she had gotten a horrible fever in return. Dr. Trafalgar had not been happy, and booted Luffy out when the kid tried to annoy him while he helped the chefs and Nami recover.
Now Zeff's restaurant was shut because his pack were out scouring the other city parts while Zeff spoke with Buggy. Zeff had been through about two hundred contacts so far, and nobody knew a thing.
The list of contacts was heading towards the bigger gangs, the likes of the Whitebeards, Red Haired, Beast and Big Mom's gangs. It had been a week since his son had gone missing, and he was not happy.
Zeff knew he was being fucking lied to, and once he found out who the liars were, they would pay dearly.
He hadn't been called 'Red Leg' for nothing. He would have his bloody revenge. Anyone who got between him and Sanji would wish they had never been born by the time he had gotten through with them.
"I'm still searching, Zeff. But so far there's been no word on your kid, and I don't get it," Buggy said. "The red head idiot hasn't got a clue either. Whoever took Sanji is keeping it quiet for now. I can't even find anything on the Vinsmokes, except the fact that they have been visiting Big Mom a lot."
Zeff frowned. "Big Mom? Why?"
"Probably trying to form an alliance. I dunno. Not really my main concern right now. I'm only keeping an eye on them to see if they took your kid," Buggy said. "How you holding up?"
"I can't sleep, and I barely eat," Zeff admitted. "I don't feel like cooking or cleaning. I feel like a mess, and he's my pup. The green haired brat is even worse than me."
"Seriously?"
"Mihawk is concerned. Mihawk," Zeff empathized.
"Well, that isn't good then."
"Not. Not at all. Zoro will burn himself out long before we find out who took Sanji."
.::.
Pudding wanted to roll her eyes. But no, she sat meekly in her seat, acting like the nervous, sweet teen people expected her to be. The Vinsmoke boys were muttering to each other, eyes ogling her, despite their own complaints on how she had to be an Alpha. What pigs. They then began talking about Sanji's orange haired friend, the Omega girl, the three of them gleeful.
Pudding restrained a smirk. It didn't matter either way she supposed. She only had to put up with them for a few weeks. First they needed Sanji's heat to begin, and then the wedding could go smoothly.
The red wedding.
She anxiously rubbed at her teacup, biting her lip. The boys grew flustered of course. She could smell their scents from her seat. Judge threw them all a look, while her fellow Alpha female remained posed quietly in her seat.
The invitations for the party would be sent out last minute, to keep anyone from realising they had Sanji. They didn't want the Straw Hats interfering like they did with Trafalgar Law in Dressrosa, and also like they had done with Portgas D. Ace supposedly.
Although, he was back with Blackbeard, last Pudding had heard.
No, this wedding would go smoothly. Mama would have a new family member, tied to a powerful family, even if only for a brief moment. Pudding would be married, and she was relieved that it was at least to someone she actually cared about.
"I'm looking forward to uniting our families, Big Mom." Judge grinned.
"As long as our goals stay aligned, everything should go well." Mama smiled, but it turned into a glower. "As long as you take care of Roronoa. We ended up having to collect Sanji after all, which risked our good will with Red Leg Zeff. So this time, you have to take the risk and finish off Sanji's mate. That way Pudding can claim him properly."
"Of course." Judge nodded. "We can take care of him."
"Good. I was disappointed when we had to procure Sanji ourselves," Mama growled. "But I suppose I have faith that you'll end Roronoa's life."
Mama then beamed. "That way we can have the perfect wedding, with the perfect cake. Pudding of course is going to join Sanji when his heat hits, to make it easier to get him down the aisle. It is difficult putting a baby in someone you aren't mated with, but I trust you can manage, Pudding."
"I'll try my best, Mama..." Pudding said, making sure to sound shy, forcing a blush on her face to act as if she was embarrassed.
That was Mama's plan. For her to impregnate Sanji during his heat. That way his Omega would walk down the aisle with her, despite them not being mated. They had threatened Sanji's pack's family members, sure, but back up plans were always a good thing to have.
"Roronoa Zoro has been exhausting himself," Judge said dismissively. "He will be easily taken care of."
"Remember who the boy's father is," Mama warned. "Dracule Mihawk isn't a merciful man."
"He's just one swordsman. We are Germa, a league of assassins." Judge smirked. "We'll handle Roronoa. I promise."
"Good to hear! Mamamamama, I can't wait for the day to arrive," Mama cheered.
.::.
Zoro jerked awake, cursing himself for falling asleep. He had sat down for a fifteen minute break at his father's manor, but had fallen asleep on the couch instead. He had slept for two hours. Zoro gritted his teeth, forcing himself to his feet, despite how heavy his eyes felt.
He could sleep later. Sanji was out there somewhere, his ill mate, who hadn't had his heat. That meant something was wrong, and he needed to find him. He needed to help him. He couldn't sense Sanji through their bond. He should have been at least able to feel his lover's stress. That meant Sanji's illness could have gotten worse, or someone was drugging him. Or anything.
Zoro couldn't help Sanji when he didn't know where he was, or what was happening to him. He could be hurt, and his Alpha snarled at the thought. They were napping and Sanji could be getting hurt.
He was such an idiot.
What kind of mate allowed their lover to get kidnapped and hurt?
He grabbed his swords and headed for the doorway, but his father stood in the way.
"Zoro," Mihawk sighed. "You cannot continue on like this. You need to rest."
"I need to find Sanji." Zoro scowled. "I don't understand why we can't find him, and I don't know if he's alright! Dammit! I have no time to waste here."
Zoro pushed past his father. Red wine instantly swarmed his senses, and his father's hand landed on his shoulder. Zoro tried to resist, but his father forced him to turn back around to face him.
"You haven't slept or ate properly in days. You will be useless to your mate if you starve yourself to death. How do you think that would make him feel? Sanji would hate you and himself," Mihawk scolded. "And if you don't wish to think about his feelings, then how about mine? Do you think I wish to see another one of my pups die?"
Zoro flinched. Because Mihawk had been the one to find Kuina at the bottom of the stairs, her neck broken. And he had been the one to search endlessly for Tashigi after she had been kidnapped. Their father had only came back because Zoro and Perona had still needed cared for.
Zoro had found Tashigi years later, with no memory of ever being Dracule Mihawk's daughter, of being Zoro's clumsy sister. Perona had cried for months when Zoro broke the news to her, in relief and sorrow.
Some Smoker guy had explained that Tashigi had been found being smuggled into East Blue to be sold as a slave, and had suffered a horrible head injury during the kidnapping. Smoker had cared for her, and raised her as a 'big brother' of a sorts. Smoker had even moved them to West Blue, where she would be safe from the Omega oppression, after she had been presented as an Omega.
Mihawk had expressed his complete and utter gratitude, bowing his head and everything.
Despite numerous visits, Tashigi still didn't remember them.
Zoro wavered against his father, before sighing. Lowering his head, he nodded. "You're right," he chuckled weakly. "Why are you always right?"
"Putting up with Shanks, then becoming the father of four energetic pups puts your mind to work," Father drawled. "Constantly. Especially when it comes to the girls."
Three daughters and one son. The thought made Zoro snort weakly. He shook his head, and refocused himself.
"I've napped for two hours..." Zoro said.
"We're all looking, Zoro," Mihawk said, surprisingly soft. "Go get eight hours sleep, and a decent meal in you. At that point I'll allow you to leave home again."
Zoro sighed. "Alright, but wake me up if you hear anything."
"Of course."