Unexpectedly
I whirled around just in time to see Ethan step into the room, his tall frame casting a commanding presence. My pulse was still hammering at the sudden intrusion. His eyes closed onto me instantly, narrowing as though he could sense the fluttering in my gut.
I clenched my fists, feeling the heat rush to my cheeks. “Do you mind knocking?” I snapped, immediately hating how breathless I sounded.
He didn’t flinch. “We’re taking off soon,” he said evenly, his gaze fixed. “I came to check if you were ready.”
“I’m almost done,” I bit out, tugging the hoodie over my head to hide my flustered expression. The kiss... the memory remained, making my chest hurt in the strangest softest way.
For a heartbeat, neither of us moved. The space between us seemed charged, like something unsaid was hanging there, heavy and unresolved. I waited for him to say something as I had nothing to say.
Ethan’s eyes softened just a fraction, his voice dipping lower. “You looked... distracted.”
“I’m fine,” I repeated, sharper than I meant.
He studied me for another agonizing second before nodding slowly. “Noted.”
With that, he turned and stepped back into where he came from, leaving me breathless, my fingers still absently tracing the circle on my shoulder.
I couldn’t shake the memory... or the feeling that somehow, Ethan’s presence made it even harder to forget.
The plane shifted slightly as its engines roared to life, causing the walls to vibrate faintly. I took a steadying breath and tugged my sleeves down, concealing the birthmark on my shoulder like it was some shameful secret.
I forced myself to leave the small chamber, the air cooler in the main cabin. Ethan stood near the front, speaking in low tones with Caleb and Abel, their expressions tight and serious. Abel's pallor still looked off, his features strained despite his stoic demeanor. Whatever poison had affected him clearly hadn’t worn off completely.
Abigail was seated near a wall-mounted monitor, typing swiftly on a sleek tablet, her face illuminated by its bluish glow. She glanced up as I approached, her dark eyes sharp but not unkind. A small coy smile played on her lips.
“Feeling better?” she asked, her voice wearing a small tease. That was the Abigail I recognized.
“Fine,” I replied, though my voice sounded strained even to me.
Her gaze lingered like she didn’t believe me, but she didn’t press the issue. “We should be in the air shortly. Have a seat for now. There’s a sleeping cabin further back if you need to rest after we take off.”
Rest. Like that was even possible with my mind still reeling from everything that had happened in the last few hours coupled with the strange kiss I was hallucinating.
As I started slowly toward an empty seat near the window, Caleb’s voice cut through the tense quiet.“You sure you’re okay?” he asked, his tone far gentler than I expected.
I hadn't heard him talk much since I met him in the van. It was hard to imagine what had him suddenly friendly. So I paused, thrown off by the sincerity in his voice. “I said I’m fine.”
He nodded slowly, leaning back but keeping his sharp eyes on me. “It’s just… you really look like you need some rest.”
Yea right! Try a month-long coma, weird text threats from your crazy ex-mate, alarming dreams with doppelgangers and killer wolves,not knowing if your parents are fine, and some sorceress on your ass. “Because I’ve been through a lot ,” I admitted before I could stop myself. “But here I am. Still standing.”
Abel snorted softly, his voice rough. “Tougher than you look, then.”
I hadn't expected him to chime in. I blinked at him. Back in Springville, comments like that were usually laced with disdain and condescension not… respect. “I guess,” I mumbled, feeling awkward under their scrutiny.
Abigail arched a brow, clearly amused by my discomfort. “You’ll have to be tougher than ‘fine’ if you’re sticking with us.”
“Is that what this is?” I shot back, crossing my arms. “I’m ‘sticking’ with you now? You were so eager to kick me out last time,” I muttered to myself.
Abel tilted his head, seemingly scrutinizing me more closely. “You make it sound like you’re being dragged into something worse than where you came from.”
I stiffened. Of course, they knew I was an omega. He wasn’t wrong—but he wasn’t right either.
“My pack didn’t exactly roll out a welcome mat when I needed them most,” I said carefully, avoiding their gazes. “So forgive me if I’m a little… wary.”
Caleb’s expression softened, but it was Abigail who spoke next.
“We’re obviously not your old pack,” she said in a sassy manner yet it held more mockery to my old pack. “Things work differently here.”
“Do they?” I couldn’t help but challenge her. Perhaps I needed the extra reassurance. I needed to hear what reasons they had to be doing so much for me. “You’re risking yourselves for someone you barely know. Why?”
Her lips quivered into something that wasn’t quite a smile. “Maybe we’re just bad at following orders.”
I frowned. “Whose orders?”
Before she could respond, Khalid appeared at the far end of the plane, carrying a small, leather-bound case. His sharp eyes darted toward Abel, concern etched into his features.
“We need to talk,” Khalid said quietly, but my ears picked up the weight in his voice
Ethan straightened, his expression hardening. “About?”
Khalid’s gaze darted toward me briefly, then back to Ethan. “Her.”
Me?