Chapter 16

"She will be fine, princess," Lem said.

Serena thought differently. Lily may be invincible, but it doesn't mean she cannot be detected. "Lem -".

"You have to trust her," he said quietly. "My sister knows the danger we face. We have been dodging death for quite some time, so please, trust her."

"Wait, Lily is your sister?"

"Yes, Beth and Mac are my cousins," Lem replied. He was looking at them while they interacted with Nuru and Layla. It was rare to find them with humans, other than the alpha pair and Rena, it was the first time they had any human interaction. "Each clan is tasked to be with an Alter Family."

"Does it mean that every Alter Family will have Sparks of their own?"

"Not all the time. Some families were killed before a pack was made between our species. Your family was the first one to have us. It was Celeste's family that made it possible. I am not sure who forged the first bond, but ever since, our kind was tasked to make sure your kind survives," Lem sighed, there was a deep sense of sadness in him. Like he was weary of life. "We didn't do a good job, princess, the last of the Alter Dire Wolves males died…"

"It's not your fault. Mom knew, and she did her best to let us have a good life. She knew the risk, made sure things are in order before she accepted the fate that was meant for them."

"We will do our best to make sure you are safe."

"Thank you," she nodded. Putting her trust in these tiny creatures. "Can you extend that protection to Megan?"

"The moment you and she became friends, it has already been extended, princess."

Rena looked at Megan, who, surprisingly, was on Wayne's lap. Since the helo they rented did have enough seats for everyone, Megan ended up with him. Nuru volunteered, but the moment she walked towards him, Wayne's demeanor changed. It was a test of will between the two, and the tension between them was so thick it could cut through concrete. Something must have shifted because Megan agreed.

As for her, she looked at Rooka. He was talking to Wayne over the headsets the men were wearing. She wanted to be alone even for a while, yet here she was sitting on his lap... again. The man was constantly beside her, and to be honest, she is unsure if she liked it or not.

It was like having a boyfriend/bodyguard with her 24/7. Was it irritating? Maybe. Did it feel nice? She had to consider that next question. Other than her parents, Rena never had seen a man give his entire focus on her. Even when she had a boyfriend, part of her felt disconnected from the man she called her boyfriend that time. However…

"Rena, once we reach Manila, we will be en-route to India," Rooka said. Something was bothering her, and it was at the tip of his tongue to ask her about it. But he remained silent.

I have been crowding her, he thought.

That is understandable, Rooka, Wayne replied.

Shit.

Yes, it's a good thing it's our private link and not the pack. He grinned, it wasn't like him to be so distracted that he forgot to close all his links. He glanced at the woman on his lap. She looked quiet, but something was going on in that busy head of hers. What is it about, will be anyone's guess.

Sorry, I haven't been sleeping well, Rooka sheepishly said. She was whimpering the whole night. She stopped at around five in the morning.

No wonder you look beat, you should try to sleep once we are on the jet.

I will try, I have to call some of our investors. I also need to read some documents. I was hoping to finish them before we arrived, but my mind kept wandering.

She is real, Rooka. There was a hint of a smile in his voice. You finally have her in your arms.

Let's hope I can keep her here.

Alpha, Kaz interrupted their conversation. Your father told me to remind you about a race or something. I was not sure, because he was also being vague. I told him that you will just call once we reach the jet.

Thank you, Kaz. I will. He disconnected his mental links and looked at Serena. Her eyes were closed, but he knew she wasn't sleeping. "Once we are in the jet, I'll give you your space," he whispered, kissing her forehead before tucking her securely against him.

Serena nodded. Somehow, she knew that it wasn't easy for him to give her that bit of freedom. He wasn't a dominating man, but the way he was always around her makes her wonder why.

She took a peek at him, only to find him, looking at her. There were so many emotions reflected in his eyes, not just his, but his wolf was there as well. Rena touched his face and slowly traced his lips with her thumb. Remembering how it felt against hers. She was about to withdraw her hand, but he caught it and brought it to his face again. It didn't take long for her to feel him relax, after that, he just held it there.

Rooka wanted to kiss her again. To explore her mouth. Memorize her taste, absorb her entire being into him. He wasn't obsessed with her, but being mates, it kinda sounds like that. As long as they are not fully bonded, the need to be by her side is strong. If things were different, both of them would be doing a horizontal tango, but fate has other ideas. He leaned his head against the hull of the helo, keeping her hand on his face. The more contact they have, the less aggressive his wolf is. Until it gradually slumbered. Get some rest, my friends. We might need our strength on this part of our journey.

During the whole flight, they stayed like that. To Rena, it was a confusing time, but for Rooka, it was a blessing, that even for a while, both man and beast could sleep...and that they did.