The Current Between US

The Begging.

*Chapter 2: The Begging*

The silence after the king’s question felt heavier than the ocean itself.

Bale dropped lower, tail curling tight against the sand. His voice cracked.

“Your Majesty, mercy! I’ve served you since I was a boy. I’d never betray you—”

He started rambling, words spilling out faster and faster as fear took over.

“I was only meeting King Dave to negotiate better trade for your kingdom! I swear on my father’s grave—”

Then it happened.

His gills flared and his body spasmed. A dark cloud bloomed from his cloaca, staining the water around him. He’d lost control.

For a second, the king froze.

Then he burst out laughing.

The sound rolled through the water, deep and brutal. His guards shifted uncomfortably, but none dared join in.

Bale’s face went pale with shame, his tail lashing against the sand.

The laughter stopped as suddenly as it started. The king’s face went cold.

“Alpha.”

The leader of the guards stepped forward. A scar ran down his jaw, and his trident was already shifting in his grip.

“Torture him until he tells me the truth. Every detail about King Dave. Now.”

Bale’s eyes widened. He knew what that meant. The Alpha didn’t ask twice. He grabbed Bale by the arm and dragged him back a few feet, trident tip pressing to his throat.

“Wait!” Bale choked out, water bubbling from his lips. “Wait, Your Majesty! I have something else! Something worth more than King Dave’s little meeting!”

The king raised a hand. The Alpha stopped, but didn’t let go.

Bale gulped. “It’s about the silver comb. The long-lost comb of the royal line. It’s here. In this post.”

Beatrice’s blood went cold.

Mom’s fingers dug into her arm, nails sharp through skin. Her voice was barely a whisper, right against Beatrice’s ear.

“Beatrice… be ready to run.”

The king’s eyes narrowed. “A name. Now.”

Bale swallowed, shaking his head. “I… I can’t yet, Your Majesty. But give me until nightfall. I’ll bring you the comb, and the one who holds it. That’s worth more than any secret about King Dave, isn’t it?”

The king studied him for a long moment. Greed warred with suspicion in his expression.

Finally, he nodded once.

“Nightfall. Fail, and the Alpha finishes what he started.”

Bale sagged in relief, even as terror still shook him.

The Alpha released him, but didn’t step back.

Beatrice didn’t move.

But her tail was coiled, ready.

Mom’s whisper still rang in her ears: _Be ready to run._

And somewhere under her tunic, the silver comb felt like it was burning her skin.

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