I scowl at his curt deflection and step out of his reach. "You need to tell me exactly what your intentions are with me before I take another step."
At that, his jaw flinches. More faces are staring in our direction now.
"Tell me where you are taking me or I will scream," I threaten under my breath.
He latches onto the flaps of his leather jacket, tugging me close. Towering over me. My heart flutters as he dips his head down, mouth hovering against my ear. “That wouldn’t be wise. I don't take kindly to those who threaten me. Male or female, tiny as you may be.”
The low warning carries a hostile voltage. Yet I remain determined. "Where. Are. You. Taking. Me?"
At my seething expression, he sighs. “We’re going to Tukkon. That is my home.”
“Where is this town you call home, exactly?”
“What, do you want the exact coordinates?”
“I don’t know, are you always this avoidant?”
“West,” he huffs. “Near the top of Aurora’s Belt.”
Aurora’s Belt?
Oh, I'm going to kill Maurleen for talking me into this.
Chapter 6
VESSA
Aurora’s Belt is a secluded region I've never had desire to step foot on. Mountains shrouded by perpetual rainclouds that look upon an uninviting black ocean. At least that was my father’s account.
As I regard Axe on the flight deck, there’s an unmistakable warmth he exudes, beyond the sun-kissed skin and hair. I almost laugh. Those are usually trademarks of beautiful people who reside along the beaches of Montrose. The place I’d always hoped to end up, back when my dreams couldn’t get any bigger. Back when the stars were finally aligning, when I felt so close, I could reach out and grab them.
The universe had other plans, I remind myself as I grip Axe's hand and slide into the back seat of the small charter plane. Beneath my grip, his arm goes rigid as that subliminal current flutters between us.
A handsome dark-skinned pilot in his mid-thirties shifts in the cramped cockpit. He hands me a wool blanket, which I wrap around myself to help slow the chattering of my teeth. I jolt in my seat as the engine of the plane kickstarts abruptly, swearing under my breath.
Thankfully, a water jug is within my reach. The merciless drumming against my skull still hasn’t let up. In the copilot’s seat, Axe powers off his phone and stows it in a compartment rubbing up against his knees. He then hands me a set of headphones to wear and tugs on his own, adjusting the mic piece. I turn the dial on the outside to tune into their audio stream.
The pilot’s voice rings through clearly. "All systems clear. Ready for takeoff."
Secretly, I hope there’s champagne on board. Though I highly doubt there is. Before I have a chance to ask, I am slammed back against the cushioned panel. My body slumps over to the window, stomach lurching as I take one last look. Engines roar as our little plane lifts off the runway and shoots into the twinkling night sky.
It doesn’t take long for sleep to overtake me. For hours, I fade in and out of consciousness. Visceral terror swirls through my mind like a bird caught in a jet stream. The moment I force myself to blink out of one nightmare, the next one joins the queue.
A gust of turbulence tears me away. The violent bumps rattle my head, once again sending stars dancing across my vision. Rubbing my temple, I am unfortunately reminded of the purpose for this long flight. The pilot’s voice clamors through the headset, explaining that it shouldn’t be too much longer before we start our descent. The Alpha clears his throat from the passenger seat and motions to his comrade to tune out.
Axe peers over the seat. "I’ve got a few questions for you."
One of my brows tics up. "That's ironic, considering you never did answer all of mine. I thought your kind was the type to bite first, ask questions later."
He snorts. "Nice bracelets. I take it you have the second sight, then?"
My eyes drop to the silver cuffs at my wrists, the smooth embellishments of amethysts bespelled to neutralize my distinct aura. I suppose if Axe truly is my intended, he would be unaffected by the magic.
"Am I going to get my questions answered or are you going to be a typical domineering Alpha that has to hijack and steer every conversation?"
The hand fisting the leather console flexes. "You aren’t supposed to know I exist, Vespera. If I am to take responsibility for your safety, that requires gathering some background information, so I know what the hell I’m getting into."
I almost scoff.Background information. Beneath his stoic expression, the wolf is screening me for indications of a threat. Why wouldn’t he? Mate or not, I am an outsider. My safety won’t be guaranteed until his mark is placed on my neck. Until I can gage this pack's attitude towards humans, the best way to protect myself is to keep my secret tucked in tight.
