CHAPTER 3
Theo
The atmosphere in the meeting room was thick with tension as Johnathan stood at the front, a map of the surrounding ocean and land spread out on the table. The dim light overhead flickered slightly, casting shadows on the faces of the assembled soldiers.
We had been called here as soon as we’d gotten out of bed. That afternoon we were due to leave for Zeltron, and I had noticed that Stryker had seemed confused at the sudden meeting. Jugding by how the others were acting, he wasn’t the only one.
“Listen up!” Johnathan barked, his voice cutting through the murmurs.
“We have two critical situations that require immediate action.” He pointed to the map, where red markers indicated pirate activity along the coast. “First, we have reports of pirates raiding merchant ships out in the ocean. They’re growing bolder, and we need to eliminate this threat.
I’ll need half of you to prepare for deployment at dawn tomorrow. ”
A murmur rippled through the room as soldiers exchanged glances.
It was new information. It wasn't a problem that we were originally meant to deal with.
Johnathan continued, his tone shifting to a more somber note.
“The second issue, as most of you know, is even more disturbing. Villages in the region are burning to the ground, and we’ve received reports of victims found with their skin peeled off.
We need to understand who’s behind these atrocities and put a stop to it.
The other half of you will be tasked with investigating these incidents. ”
Johnathan’s gaze swept across the room, making eye contact with several of us. “This is not just a mission; it’s a moral obligation. We can’t let these criminals operate with impunity. Now, I'm making the assignments, and you’ll be joined by troops from other units and Zeltron.”
Stryker shifted, glancing at me “he won’t pick you to fight.” he said reassuringly, in a low voice.
“What about you?”
Stryker shrugged “probably not. We’re partners, so I'm supposed to teach you.”
“Good,” I breathed.
Stryker chuckled quietly before turning back to Johnathan, who was calling names. As Stryker had predicted, we were both assigned to investigating the villages; other men were told to simply stay at Zeltron for border patrol and paperwork. Boring.
Johnathan continued, outlining the details of each mission, his tone unwavering.
“This is not just about executing orders, it’s about protecting people, and so I expect full commitment from each of you.” His gaze lingered on me for a long moment. I dipped my head and swallowed hard.
The meeting ended after Johnathan reminded us to be ready to leave by early afternoon after lunch. As we filed out of the room, Johnathan pulled me and Stryker aside.
“Are you ready for this?” He asked me, voice softer compared to earlier.
“Yeah.” I gave a firm nod, trying to sound more confident than I felt “I’ve gotta start from somewhere.”
“That you do.” He turned towards Stryker “I’m counting on you.”
“I know.” Stryker said quietly “I’ve got it.”
“Good.” Johnathan nodded “go on, you have two free hours and then it’s lunch time.”
“Yeah” Stryker nodded “come on.”
We exited the room and Stryker led me outside.
“I’ve never tracked before.” I admitted.
Stryker shot me a grin “I’ll teach you. I’ve been told I’m good at it.”
“I’ve been told you’re good at everything.”
“I am.” Stryker replied cockily “but I can’t cook to save my life.”
“Awesome.” I muttered. “So…what do you do for fun around here?”
Stryker shrugged “pubs, bars, running, swimming, training- whatever you want.”
“Might consider going on a run later.” I murmured. I paused “Stryker?”
“Yeah?”
“We’re gonna be on a ship, right?”
“Yeah.”
“So…would it be a problem if I can’t swim?” I waited for his reply with bated breath.
Stryker looked at me for a long moment “just don’t fall in.” He responded eventually “I’ll try to teach you, if you-“
“No, I know how…I’m just a weak swimmer.” I confessed in a mutter.
“You should be fine.” Stryker shrugged “we’re not the ones fighting pirates.”
“Good. That’s good.”
We continued walking in silence.
“You drink?”
"Do I?" I laughed loudly.
“Enjoy a fun night out?” Stryker winked.
I laughed again “I…not as much as I hear you do.”
It was true. The rumours spreading about Stryker's fucking around with girls tendencies had existed for a long while now.
“Hey, I’m not that bad.” Stryker huffed “it’s not like I promise anyone that I want something serious. I make my intentions clear.”
I snorted “yeah, no, same. You just do it more.”
“I’m young.” Stryker shrugged “let me enjoy myself.”
I tilted my head in agreement. It was nice that I actually got along with the lad.
“What happened with Jack?”
“Oh, nothing. I was drunk and hit on his sister and he broke my nose.”
I laughed out loud “typical.”
“I’m guessing you’ve heard about me.” Stryker raised an eyebrow.
“You’re the prince, who hasn’t? You just have quite the reputation.”
“I’m not that bad.” Stryker promised again “I’ll take you drinking soon, I swear I’m fun.”
“Don’t doubt it.” I grinned, feeling a pinch of excitement.
We stopped in front of what appeared to be a coffee shop.
“You hungry?”
“Starving.”
“I’ll get you something. It’s on me.” He added after a moment.
“Of course it is.” I shrugged nonchalantly.
Stryker rolled his eyes.
I sat at the table outside, looking up when Stryker emerged with two coffees and two pastries.
“Thanks.” I grinned “it’s cool you have a coffee shop in a military base.”
“Oh, we have everything. John says the army will spend a bit more if it means the soldiers are happier and stuff. Makes us more eager to work.”
“Mh” I recalled him telling me the same. Taking a sip from my cup, I remarked “good coffee.”
“I know.”
We ate in silence.
“So…how come you seem to know so much after just a month here?”
“I told you, I’ve been training with Johnathan my whole life. He talks about the army a lot.”
“What about when he was away? Who trained you then?”
“Men hand chosen by Johnny.” Stryker grinned “dad wanted the best for me and uncle ensured it happened.”
“Right. Prince.”
“The running route’s long.” Stryker continued, changing the subject and ignoring the comment “you a good runner?”
“I trained hard to get here.” I muttered “I know how to run and how to fight, I just-“
“No need to get defensive. I know you trained hard to get here. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
I raised an eyebrow “good.”
“You work?”
“Pub.” I said with a stiff shrug. It wasn't the grandest of jobs, but I enjoyed himself. “Don’t suppose-“
“I work loads.” Stryker chuckled before I could finish “got three jobs.”
“Why?” I gaped, genuinely shocked. If I were filthy rich like him, I wouldn’t even consider getting one job, let alone three, “you’ve got all the money you could possibly-“
“It’s not about money; I just have a lot of free time.” Stryker shrugged “bartender, huh? Make good drinks?”
“Yeah, I’m pretty decent.”
“You’ll have to make me one.”
“I will.”
We finished off and stood “I’ll probably change and go running, do you-“
“I don’t run much.” Stryker shook his head “only the typical laps during training. Have fun, though.”
I followed the cracks in the sidewalk, which zigzagged across the pavement forming a sort of natural map in the earth with greenery growing through them. I was lost in my own thoughts when I collided with a firm body, knocking us both backwards and sending the other guy to the ground.
“Watch where you’re going.” The other guy spat, glaring up at me as he got to his feet from the ground.
The glare softened slightly when he recognised me.
“I should have known.”
“Hey, Matt.” I greeted with a smirk. Looking him up and down, it was extremely clear he’d been training in the army for a year.
“How was your trip?”
“Funny.” Matthew said dryly. He peered at me “you didn’t seem like a runner.”
“I’m full of surprises.” I shrugged.
“Mh” he cleared his throat “you get assigned-“
“The villages.” I nodded “you staying for border patrol?”
Matthew grimaced “unfortunately not. Our commander has uh…told me to suck it up.”
“Ouch.” I remarked “well, sucks to be you, mate.” I actually felt sorry for him.
Matthew just grunted. He continued to look at me as if I were some kind of experiment “we’re going to the pub tonight.” He said eventually “Jack wanted Stryker to come so I assume you’ll be tagging along.”
“I’m flattered by the invitation.” I smiled sweetly "though it was executed terribly."
Matthew rolled his eyes.
“Well, perhaps I should let you continue-”
“Don’t do weird stuff.” Matthew interrupted.
I frowned “what’s that supposed to mean?”
“Shotgunning.” He said, voice sounding tight “if there had been someone there it would have been reported. You can’t be...like that. In general, and especially not out here.”
I felt confused for a long moment, then what Matthew was insinuating seemed to click.
“I’m not gay.” I said defensively, deeply offended “are you? Is that what this is about, you don’t want people finding out? You shouldn’t be here if men make you-”
“I’m not-” Matthew started, then cut himself off and shook his head “whatever, Danes. Fine.”
I staggered slightly when he rammed his shoulder into mine when he jogged past me.
I watched him go, then shook my head and went to finish my run, forcing him to the back of my mind.
It started raining on my way back, the wind blowing while I found myself jogging through a good number of puddles; by the time I'd made it back my clothes were soaked, not just with sweat but with water too, and my shoes hadn’t prevented my socks from getting all soggy either.
Stryker snorted when I entered the room and toed off my shoes.
“You fall in the lake?”
“Started bloody raining.”
“I noticed.”
I peeled off my hoodie and shirt and headed to the shower. After thoroughly rinsing off the sweat, warming up a bit in the process, and changing into joggers and a sweatshirt, I sat on my bed and sighed, the sound of raindrops splattering against the window filling the room.
“Regretting the run?” Stryker smirked.
“Nah” I shrugged “we got invited to go drinking tonight.”
“Great.” He remarked.
I paused “does that Matthew seem gay to you?”
Stryker furrowed his brow “...why?”
“He seemed to think...he was worried about seeming so.”
Stryker hesitated “it’s none of our business.”
“But he shouldn’t be here if-”
“Theo” he shook his head, scolding “he’s here to fight. And it makes no difference to me if he’s gay or not. If it disturbs you so much...I dunno, suck it up.”
“Fine.” I mumbled dully.
“Good lad. Come on, time for lunch.”
We’d been marching all day to get to Zeltron, and once we got there it was only to find that the army headquarters was pretty much the same as the Draelon one.
I didn’t spot Matthew during the march. I did, however, spot him as soon as I got to the pub: he was sitting at the bar talking to the bartender, but he only seemed to be drinking water.
“What do you want to drink?” Stryker asked over the rowdy chaos.
“Don’t mind. Whatever you have.”
I ended up with a whiskey sour. I could feel Matthew’s eyes on me but resolutely ignored his gaze. I jumped when an arm landed across my shoulders.
“Hey there.” Jack had appeared.
Stryker smirked at him “hey.”
“Want some shots with that?” Jack asked us both.
“Gladly.” Stryker answered.
I didn’t bother commenting that twenty five shots of vodka, even between three of them, was considered quite a lot. I downed a shot and turned back to look at Matthew, who was watching us with a small frown. He caught me looking and raised an eyebrow.
I turned away, feeling flustered all of the sudden.
“Matthew not drink?” I asked Jack.
He turned to look at his mate, smirking “he likes people to believe that. He thinks I'll get hammered and do something foolish, is all.”
“Huh.” I responded simply, downing another shot.
Stryker clapped me on the back “see that girl over there?”
“Mh” I followed his gaze. She was a pretty blonde wearing a showy black dress, laughing with a group of her friends.
“That’s who I'll be with if you can’t find me at the end of the night.”
I snorted, doing my best ‘are you serious?’ face at him. “I thought you ‘weren’t that bad’”
“I’m not.” Stryker shrugged “but if I'm going off to look at dead bodies tomorrow, then I'm at least having fun tonight.”
“Fair enough.” I muttered, agreeing with his point. I watched Jack follow Stryker, downed another shot and turned, only to find Matthew behind me. He gave me a mini heart attack.
“God, no need to pop up out of nowhere like that-”
“You want to finish them all?”
“You hoping I do? Want me to get alcohol poisoning or something?” I sneered back for no reason in particular “how stupid do you think I am?”
“Very, actually.” Matthew replied smoothly “seeing as that was your seventh shot on top of that fancy drink you gulped down before. Feeling a little woozy?”
Now that he mentioned it, I was. But instead of conceding him an answer I settled for scowling and knocking back another.
“I thought you were watching Jack.”
“I am. He’s over there flirting” he gestured somewhere behind himself .
“Why aren’t you over there flirting?” I smirked “guys not into you?”
He stiffened “drop it, Danes” he snapped “you can’t just go around saying that shit about people, it’s dangerous-”
“But” I cut him off, another shot going down. I noted that I was beginning to lean against the bar.
“If I do this,” I inclined my body towards him, placing a hand on his bicep and the other on his side, the alcohol fuzzing my brain.
“Danes, stop tha-”
I stepped closer still, and Matthew stared into my icy blue eyes, frozen.
My lips quirked up slightly. “It makes you nervous.”
“Danes-”
I leant ever closer “you want me to kiss you, don’t you, Matt?” I whispered, eyes glinting. My lips brushed his ear as I spoke “you like this. You can’t wait-”
Matthew stepped away from me hastily “stop it. It’s not- that's not something you can just joke about-”
I laughed loudly “who’s joking?” I wasn't. I totally wanted to kiss him.
“Quit it.” Matthew growled “and stop drinking.”
My grin just widened “who knows?”
“Danes, I'm not-”
“Come on, Matthew. You’re blushing left right and centre-”
Matthew ran a hand through his hair “think what you want” he muttered “but don’t go around blabbering about things you don’t have proof of.” And with that he left, disappearing into the crowd. I watched him leave with a funny feeling that was a lot like disappointment in my chest.