Captain Liam's Treacherous Mate

Liam Douglas stood at the helm of the Eala Bhan. The white swan was a rebound ship among the MacKenzie Clan. Alpha Conan had gifted it to Liam when Liam had relinquished his half of the Douglas Alpha title to his brother Rowan and his Luna, Fiona. Liam had found his heart resting on the sea, much like his mother, Alana. As a boy, Liam could always be found down near the coastline or overlooking the vast waves on the cliffs. "It has been some time since we have been home." Liam's second mate commented as he joined Liam at the helm. Liam smiled at his second mate and good friend, Leith Bell. "Ye are not excited to see yer wife and bairn are ye. Leith?" Liam jested. They both knew that Leith was holding back his excitement at seeing his wife and son after so much time on the sea. Leith was lucky that he had a wife who understood a seaman's life. More often than not, their journeys would extend longer than expected. The MacKenzie Clan did well to help the wives of the seaman. The clan was known for their ships and trading. It was a different way of life than how Liam had been raised at Douglas castle. When Liam was only ten years old, his parents, Alana and Hugh, had taken their boys with them on a visit to MacKenzie Clan territory. Alana Douglas had a friendship with Alpha's wife, Ryane. The two were inseparable during their visit. Alana's children would play with Ryane's while the two either sparred or walked the massive ships in the ship yard. One day, Alana had agreed that Liam could join her and Ryane during one of their outings. Liam had watched as the sailors readied one of the ships to leave port. Alana had a difficult time trying to get Liam to leave the ship yard that day. Ever since, Liam had joined his mother and father on their future visit to the MacKenzies. When Liam was 15 years old, Alpha Conan asked if he would like to learn how to help the sailors aboard one of the ships. The ship was not to leave the port, but Alpha Conan could show him the ropes. Liam had answered so quickly it made both of his parents chuckle. Alpha Conan had been pleasantly surprised to find that Liam was a quick study and did not groan while doing any of the tasks asked of him. Instead, Liam said with excitement, "Yes sir!" every time. For weeks it had been all that Liam talked about around the castle. His curiously only increasing for the world on the water. Alana encouraged him, whereas Hugh was a little more hesitant. Rowan and Liam were to share the Alpha responsibility as soon as one of them married. Alexia had found her mate in another clan and had asked her parents if she could relinquish the Alpha title that had originally been given to her. Alana and Hugh knew better than to stand in the way of a mate bond. They had agreed with heavy hearts. The black cloud that hung over the Douglas Clan was the loss of their second born, Seamus. He had passed away during a serious bought of smallpox. A vaccine had not been created in time to save the young boy. The boy was only six years old. After that day, Alana promised herself that she would do whatever was necessary for the happiness of her children. Life was too precious to force them into a life that they would later regret. Hugh was of the same mind but he also needed to think of the clan and who would run it after he and Alana stepped down. Alpha and Luna had been elated when Rowan had taken a wife. It was not a mate bond as that was still a rare occurrence, it seemed, but the fact did not take away from the love that Rowan and Fiona felt for one another. Fiona came from a neighboring Clan and had instantly sparked something inside of Rowan that caused him to take the Alpha title in stride. He had been ready to take the responsibility from his father and mother. Fiona was a lovely woman. She was not as feisty as Alana, but she was not a quiet damsel either. Fiona preferred to use her wits as her strength. She could always be found in a library. On more than one occasion, Rowan was known to drag his wife from the library in order to get some sleep. The last time that Liam had seen his brother and sister-in-law, they had been trying to conceive. Liam was unable to receive word if Fiona was with child or not as he had been on the sea for some time. Liam's feet finally touched down on the dock within MacKenzie land. The sudden stillness of the Earth caused him to pause for a moment. It was quite a big difference to always having to keep your balance on the ocean tides. Leith clapped Liam on the shoulder as he passed his captain. Leith wasted no time throwing his sack over his shoulder and heading towards home. Liam, for the first time, found he was jealous that Leith had someone to go home to. Someone who would be overjoyed to see her husband walk through their front door. "Liam!" Emma, Ryane's youngest daughter, waved in excitement from the top of the hill that overlooked the shipping yard. Liam gave her a large smile in return and waved. He grabbed his own bag and headed towards the stairs that led up to where Emma stood. When Liam got to the top of the stairs, Emma threw herself at him for an embrace. Liam chuckled. "Ye have grown a foot since last I saw ye." He grabbed Emma by the shoulders and set her back for a moment. Emma rolled her eyes at Liam, "Ye have only been away for seven months. I cannae grow that much in seven months." Liam chuckled again as he held his arm out to Emma. She took it gladly and began to fill Liam in on the gossip since he had been away. Emma had three older siblings, all girls. The eldest was married and moved to another clan. The second eldest was preparing to take over the Alpha title from her parents, Conan and Ryane. Liam wondered if they had decided on a husband for her. "Father and mother picked some head warrior to marry Lizzie. In my opinion, there is not much to the man, but then again, I am not the one to marry him." Liam chuckled. "Have they not married then?" Emma shook her head in answer. Liam wondered at the hesitation. He hoped that Alpha Conan was not still hopeful that Liam would marry Lizze. Liam regarded all of Conan's daughters as sisters. He had grown up with them, but as an adult he never felt a pull towards any in a romantic sense. "Father was waiting until yer ship returned before announcing the marriage." Liam rolled his eyes, which made Emma giggle. "Well, now ye are home, ye can set father straight. I do not blame ye for not wanting to marry Lizzie. She is a stick in the mud," Emma sounded annoyed at her own sister's inability to do anything that would be seen as inappropriate to a young lady or Alpha. Lizzie also could not be on the sea without getting sick. Liam and Emma walked to MacKenzie castle, which was a ways back from the shipping yard, but close enough not to need to get a horse. Emma was often the one to greet him at the docks. Liam waved to the guards as he passed through the main gate and walked into the bailey. "Liam, my lad. I see yer ship has finally returned." Alpha Conan said. He must have been sparring from the heavy layer of sweat that covered his brow. Even in his age, Alpha Conan would not allow himself to become one of those portly Alpha's that sat upon a throne and had others do his bidding. It was one of the things that Liam respected the most. "Thank ye Alpha. Tis nice to be back." Liam shook Alpha Conan's hand. Alpha Conan nodded and pointed towards the castle. "Yer bed chamber has been readied for yer return. I have also received a letter from yer brother. He requests that ye make a trip over as his wife is with child and the babe should be coming any day now." "I will spend a few days at the castle to make sure that the ship is properly cared for before returning to Douglas Castle. Thank ye Alpha." Liam bowed to Conan and he set about heading towards the castle and to the safety of his bed chamber where he was going to spend the next few hours catching up on some much needed rest.