At Sea

It's so cozy in the club, Esis is a great company.
A few more of Ralph's friends with their mates join us, adding to a splendid atmosphere. They are all friendly and sociable and accept me straight into their circle. Everyone was surprised when Ralph once again introduced me as his fiancé, I guess my boyfriend was a real loose cannon and no one really thought he would settle down once. But now that he indicates he has entered into a steady relationship with me, everyone seems relieved.
But things are getting stranger each time around Ralph.
The bodyguards, a car always waiting for us at the right moment and an extra vehicle that follows us everywhere we go, the insignia I catch more often in and on the cars, make me frown. And then there are the slips from his friends. When they address Ralph, I often hear them pronounce a K, which is soon replaced by the formal Sir, only to call him by his name Ralph anyway. All a strange development.
Another point is that Ralph won't tell me much about his family in the Kingdom. When I asked questions, he always indicated that all answers would be answered in the Kingdom. He remains vague even when I ask him about his parents. All he would say is that he is their only child but has several cousins. And that he leaves the Kingdom twice a year to screen businesses related to the palace.
He also told me that Lycans very rarely find a fated mate.
Less than one percent were blessed by the Moon Goddess, the rest chose their mate. He never seriously thought about taking one, although his parents urged him to choose a wife as soon as they got the chance. They are getting older and want to see him settled before they die. Oh well, I guess I resign myself to the fact that my boyfriend wants to spend the time we have together bonding. That's okay for me, too.
It's well past midnight when we say goodbye.
I can fairly say I am tipsy; Ralph has also downed several glasses of whiskey. We had such a great time that I regret we had to break up. Everyone is besotted or near drunk and longing for a good bed. With our arms around each other, Ralph and I walk to the waiting car. During the drive to the pier, I fall half asleep against my boyfriend's shoulder. Pure fatigue has me in its grip. Besides, I should have been in my bed for such an hour already.
"Rain, I would love to carry you to the yacht, but I too, am not steady on my feet," I hear Ralph excuse himself. "To prevent us both from ending into the sea, it is better that we support each other to walk in," he chuckles now. Falling into the sea! Just those words make me sit up straight. Nope, no swimming for me on this cold evening. I rub the sleep from my eyes and step out. Ralph grabs my arm and together we walk the short distance to the boat and get in. The door slams shut behind us. "Come sleep in the room with me tonight. Then we'll share the hangover tomorrow morning and I won't have to get out of bed looking for you," Ralph implies.
I nod, tonight I really overdid it with the alcohol.
And waking up next to Ralph while my head is on crack seems the safest. So I nod and we make our way to his bedroom. I take a bath first and wear one of his sweaters. When Ralph is bathed, he goes into the kitchen looking for pills we will need tomorrow morning. As we pass the steering hut, we suddenly hear an urgent voice from the radio. Stiffened we remain standing as we learn that a storm is heading straight for the island and is targeting the pier where all the million-dollar crafts are now docked. Persons present in the ships are asked to sail fast to the other side of the island, where they will be safe. The yachts without crew are at the mercy of the storm's fury. Significant damage is expected in the harbor. Suddenly three men appear in front of us. They scared me to my core; I thought we were alone on the yacht all this time. And when the boat was moving while we were sunbathing on the deck, I thought Ralph had positioned it on autopilot. Not so, there are three more men who have managed to stay well-hidden all this time.
"Rain, go back to the room. I'll take care of all this with the men. Go to bed and tomorrow you won't even notice what was going on," Ralph indicates. He walks me to the bedroom door, kisses me quickly and pushes me inside. Then he runs upstairs with the men on his tail to hear the Coast Guard's orders.
Bobbing my head, I fall into bed.
Soon sleep comes and I slowly doze off. Somewhere in the distance, I hear Ralph giving orders authoritatively. Then, with a smile on my face, I fall into a deep sleep.

I am startled awake by a loud bang. Shocked I stayed down at first and sharpened my hearing. There are all kinds of sounds, from the wind blowing hard and hitting the hull of the yacht to rain beating at the windows. When I want to place my feet on the floor to get up, I notice that the room is up to my ankles in water. The boat suddenly begins to rock violently, making it impossible for me to get up. Leaning against the bed frame, I move to the window and look outside. It's pitch dark, the boat's lights are out.
"Ralph. Ralph!" I scream out the window. But it remains silent.
As I turn around, I see water seeping in at the door. I decide not to open it, fearing a wave of water coming in, trapping me in the room. So I climb over the bed board through the window and wriggle myself out. At such times, my petite stature comes in handy. And when I want to jump onto the deck, I see that the boat is actually sinking. I estimate the distance to the lifebuoys, but given the high waves, I doubt I'll make it.
"Ralph," I scream again, but there is no answer.
My heart beats to my throat in fear. I have little time to think further, feeling the boat sinking. Quickly I look around and suddenly see the reflective color of a lifeboat. I carefully dropped into the water so no waves would cause the boat to drift further away from me. I make it and jump in. Lying on my stomach, I see a life jacket. Hastily I put it on, but stay on my belly of worry that the boat will sink into the sea with my weight.
Again I scream Ralph's name, but still there is no response.
I feel the lifeboat drifting further away from the yacht, high waves tossing me up, only to crash me down again. "Moon Goddess, save me!" I pray repeatedly. After what seems to be an eternity, the sea calms down and I dare to roll onto my back.
And when I look up at the sky, I see it all.
Lupercalia! It is a Full Moon.
Not the day of the festival, but the moon phase that reminds me of the pain in my life.
Storm Forest, rejection, Jasper!...