Chapter 5

(WILLIAM)

"I swear, you're the only werewolf whose mate doesn't even want him close."

"Maybe it’s because she’s not our mate!"

"Well, she is my mate, so you’ll have to live with it."

Kelly’s voice was laced with anger, and I couldn’t blame her. The scent of that other guy on her was enough to make my stomach churn. I could barely stand it, and when they kissed... I almost lost control. If I hadn’t shifted into werewolf speed, she might’ve seen my canines grow. I didn’t think about how Kelly would react to her—I only focused on making sure she stopped noticing. But now, Kelly had been complaining since 4 AM about us not being the ones to pick her up. What am I? A chauffeur? I don’t think so.

"A gentleman? Not really."

"I would be a gentleman to my mate, but not to some random human."

I shoved Kelly to the back of the car, realizing she was still glaring at me.

What do you want?

An answer would be great.

I let out a deep breath.

I’m here to drive us to the airport. We’ve got a flight to catch, remember?

But you were supposed to drive in your car, and I was supposed to ride in the SUV with my pets and Dan.

And you were supposed to come with me in my car, so I guess neither of us got what we wanted. Now we’re even.

Are you always like this?

No, Miss Peterson, today I’m in a good mood. Let’s try to keep it that way.

She opened the container, and the smell of cheese instantly filled the car. "Don’t let her eat that!"

"Come on, Kelly, go to the back!"

"If she bites, I’ll lose control!"

Damn it, I was stuck in the middle of the freeway, and Kelly wasn’t kidding. I could already feel my skin burning, the wolf inside pushing to the surface. I had to think fast.

I swerved off the road in the commotion, grabbed the container, and rolled down the window. With a quick motion, I tossed the cheese out into the tall grass. As I watched it disappear, I felt Kelly’s anger start to fade.

That was close!

Close for what? Who do you think you are? That was my breakfast, and my boyfriend made it for me!

"And with all his love, now let the birds and ants enjoy it."

Kelly, that’s why she hates us, and you’re wondering why she doesn’t like me?

Her face flushed with rage, and the scent of Casablanca lilies and rain grew stronger around us. I needed to come up with a better response than the truth—that I had a childish wolf on the inside.

Your fault. I’m allergic to cheese! That could’ve been my life... and yours! Imagine if we crashed on the freeway. You should be thanking me for saving us, and your pets.

How was I supposed to know that?

No thanks?

I’ll say thanks if you apologize for throwing it out the window like that. You could’ve just asked me, and I would’ve closed it. There was no need for all that drama.

Well, I’m not apologizing, and you’re not thanking me, so I guess we’re even.

She just glared at me with those sharp Petersonish eyes, and if looks could kill, I knew I would have been dead already. The rest of the drive was in complete silence. Normally, I would’ve enjoyed the quiet, but today the tension was so thick I could’ve sliced it with a knife.

This isn’t the way to the airport.

But it’s the way to the private airport.

She didn’t even glance at me when she spoke. “Get her to look at us!” Kelly’s voice echoed in my mind. "Better this way, Kelly. We made a deal. You keep her close and let me deal with your complaints."

"But I want her..."

"Do you want me to send her back home to her boyfriend?"

"Don’t you dare!"

I could feel the heat rising in my skin. "So keep your part of the deal! She will stay close to you, but there’s no need to interact."

I pulled into the airport parking lot and drove toward the plane hangar. Once I parked, I opened the SUV door and walked toward the plane. I saw a couple of people already unloading her luggage and saw her taking the dogs out of their cages.

Mister Parks, could you please take Nilo’s leash so I can grab Maxxx and Fritz?

Sorry, I don’t like dogs.

She looked at me like she’d figured something out. "She knows we’re werewolves. Let me out!"

"Of course, that’s not what she’s thinking. Stay put."

Sam stepped up and took the leash from her, and I continued walking toward the lounge. Inside, I saw Mark and Kyle ordering some baguettes.

So, what time does the plane leave?

When we’re ready, but first, let’s eat something. Come, we’ll put the leashes here and the cat’s carrier over there.

I decided to go with the Italian baguette. I sat next to the window, trying to ignore Kelly, who was practically vibrating with excitement. It was hard to separate his feelings from my own. I glanced over and saw Sam and Miss Peterson ordering their food.

The Italian baguette is ready, Mister Parks.

I stood up, walked to the table, and grabbed the baguette.

You can’t eat that!

Miss Peterson, move out of my way.

No! You can’t eat that!

I pushed past her, grabbed the baguette, and took a bite.

No! We need to call a doctor right now!

Everyone in the room stared at her as if she were crazy. Kelly started to get angry at the looks Miss Peterson was getting.

There’s nothing to look at here!

I used my alpha tone, and at that instant, everyone turned their eyes away. I scanned the room to make sure no one was watching, but then I felt a strange tingling in my forehead and throat. My focus sharpened, and I saw Miss Peterson clearly. "Mate is touching us!" Kelly was practically singing with joy, and it was hard to keep him in check.

Can you breathe normally? Do you feel feverish? Can you swallow?

What are you doing?

I asked as I gently moved her hands away from my neck and face.

You’re smiling? Oh my god, are you hallucinating from lack of oxygen?

I glanced around and saw that everyone was still avoiding us, thanks to my command. "Mate was touching us!" Kelly’s voice echoed in my head. "Shut up, Kelly! Why is she acting like this?"

Sorry, what type of cheese is this?

I turned around, and suddenly, everything clicked. Miss Peterson was holding the plate of my baguette and talking to the guy at the counter. He looked way too happy to be paying her attention. "Stupid humans." He extended his hand to grab the plate and touched her fingers. "Don’t let him touch her!"

"Calm down!"

Without thinking, I grabbed the plate from her hand and pulled her by the wrist toward the private room.

We need a doctor to check on you!

Was she really that concerned about me?

I thought you didn’t like me?

And I was right, the baguette had cheese in it, and she was worried because of my fake mortal allergy. "This is all your fault, Kelly, now I have to avoid cheese or look like a liar."

"She doesn’t hate you! And you’ve been a big pain. She’s going to be an excellent Luna."

"I’ve been a pain? What about you, complaining all day?"

I felt light tingles again in my throat. I glanced at her, and she had her hand on my neck again. I quickly removed her hand.

Don’t touch me, and stop acting crazy. It’s not real cheese, it’s almond cheese.

What? Couldn’t you have said that earlier?

Are you regretting trying to save me now?

No, I think even ungrateful people like you should live.

She then smiled and went back to the food court. "Yes, she would be the best Luna."

"She will never be Luna."

"Did you feel the tingles?"

"The light tingles?"

"Well, they were light, but there were tingles when she touched us!"

"When a mate touches you for the first time, you should feel an electric current and big sparks all over you, not light tingles. She’s not our mate. That’s your proof."

"She is our mate, but she’s human. Maybe that’s the reason."

"Well, I don’t need a human mate who will only give me light tingles."

I pushed Kelly to the back of my mind and walked back into the food court. I felt Sam trying to reach me through the link.

"William, what happened?"

"Nothing, just keep her busy."

I returned to my table, and Mark and Kyle sat down across from me. With just one look, they understood I didn’t want to talk about the crazy human. We ate our baguettes in peace, something I hadn’t had since the moment Kelly smelled her for the first time. I missed this quiet.

Aren’t we taking too much time? The plane is going to leave without us.

Don’t worry, Jane. It’s a private plane. It’s not going anywhere without each of us. There’s no rush. Eat at your own pace.

I felt thorns prick my back. I looked behind me, and there was Jane, glaring at me with that angry expression again. "Why is she mad?" Kelly asked. "Because you didn’t let her say goodbye to her boyfriend properly, using the excuse that the flight might leave without us. Remember?"

I pushed Kelly to the back again. It wasn’t as easy as it used to be. We were usually on the same page, but since she showed up, everything had become more difficult. "As if our life had been easier before."

"Than now? Yes."

"We lived for the job, William. It wasn’t easy, but we didn’t get involved personally with anything. Now, we can be involved in something great for us... for the pack!"

"I don’t think the pack would appreciate a human, and neither do I. Please just stay back for a while."

I closed the link and grabbed my briefcase with my laptop, heading for the exit.

We’re leaving now!

Everyone stood up and grabbed their things.

But I haven’t finished my baguette!

Jane said, voice annoyed.

Too bad for you, eat faster next time.

As I spoke, I heard a low growl and noticed the Doberman. I growled back, a low sound that no human could hear but was enough to make the dog understand who the alpha was. The dog lowered its head and whimpered. That’s how I liked it.

I turned and kept walking. Sam had the dog’s leash in her left hand, and Miss Peterson had the rest of the pets. We boarded the plane, and they took the dogs to the back.

It’s going to be just a four-hour flight, Jane. They’ll be fine. Come sit with me.

Sam said to her.

Kyle, Mark, as soon as we take off and the seatbelts are off, come sit in front of me.

Yes, Alpha.

No problem, Alpha.

I chuckled as I imagined Mark linking Kyle

to order him to add the last part. The take-off went smoothly.

So what's the deal, William?

I saw Mark punch Kyle in the shoulder as

they sat in front of me.

So what's the deal, Alpha?... Better?

I turned back and saw Sam and Miss Peterson laughing. When I returned my sight to the front, I saw Kyle eating my chocolate and Mark looking at me.

I did try to stop him, but he licked the whole piece.

it's just a bar of chocolate, relax man.

Kyle said to him.

Kyle stop pissing Mark for your fun. We need to adopt some new rules.

New rules. What is wrong with the old ones?

Nothing Mark. We are going to be around a human, and I don't want to raise suspicion.

In any case, why are we traveling with a human?

Mark said, looking with some... disgust at Jane. "Kill him now!" Kelly was getting way out of hand.

Because it's fun. It's time we hung out with some other species, and she could be the mate of someone in the pack...

If my blood wasn't boiling, Kyle's comment was about to explode. I closed my eyes so that they wouldn't see how that was affecting me and Kelly. "She is our mate, not someone else!" Kelly was about to lose it. Deep breaths, I just took deep breaths.