Chapter 10 – Friend
Maeve
A light knock sounded, and I heard Nan calling my name. My aching eyes reluctantly opened, and my head pounded in sync with her knocking.
To my surprise, I was clinging to my Nessie stuffy. She had been on the shelf by my dresser, and now she was in bed with me. The knocking sounded again.
“Maeve, are you okay?”
“Just a minute,” I groaned, rubbing my eyes. They were puffy and tender to the touch.
The clock on the dresser told me it was nearly noon, and the closed window told me Rex had slipped out after I had cried myself to sleep. Sighing, I forced myself up and shuffled over to the door to unlock it. I knew my grandparents had a key, but Nan had always respected my privacy.
“Oh, sweetheart,” she threw her arms around me. “Are you okay? Are you hungry? Dori stopped by with her biscuits and gravy this morning.”
“Does she know?” I asked. Her biscuits and gravy were something special, and if she had taken the time to bring me some… “The entire pack must know by now.”
“She came with Flaym.”
“Flaym better not have eaten those biscuits!”
“He didn’t,” she laughed. “Do you want to come downstairs, and I can heat them up for you?”
I nodded my head. “I just need a few minutes in the bathroom.”
Nan’s eyes moved to the bed and then to the window before she left. If she scented Rex had been here, she didn’t say anything, and I was thankful. I brushed my teeth and washed my face. My face was splotchy, and I looked like death.
“What am I supposed to do now, Nan?” I asked, taking another big bite of biscuits smothered in a crumbled sausage gravy.
“My sweet girl, you keep doing what you’ve always done,” she told me. “You live your life and do what’s in your heart.”
“That’s just it, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now.”
“It’s your life,” she replied. “You can go to school or take time off to travel. You can keep working at the library and write your own books in your free time. Whatever you want to do, we will support your decision.”
“And what if I want to go back to Scotland?”
She paused, and I could see her swallow hard before she replied. “You want to go to school in Scotland?”
I didn’t know what I wanted to do.
“I don’t know. I want to visit the old house and maybe look at the universities there.”
“Yes, of course you do,” she smiled through her sadness. “If you don’t like the schools there, you can go here.”
“Then I can attend frat parties with Dori,” I snickered.
“Frat parties with who?” She laughed.
“Nothing,” I shook my head. “Just something Dori said at dinner last night.”
“Scotland is beautiful.”
“It rains a lot in Scotland,” I forked a big chunk of sausage. “I’m not sure I’d like it very much.”
“Alpha Hamish left an open round-trip ticket and his contact information. He figured you’d like to see the home soon,” she told me.
He was right. The only thing I knew for sure was that I wanted to see the house that held so many happy memories for me—memories of my parents. I hated flying, so I never thought I’d see it again. Not only was I going to see it again, but it was mine.
“How are the biscuits?” She asked, pulling me from my thoughts.
“The comfort food of all comfort,” I replied and took the last bite.
“Sweetheart…” Nan started reluctantly, hesitation in her eyes. “I can still smell the Lycan Prince.” Her eyes dropped to my neck. The hickey could have been mistaken for a bruise, but Nan was no fool.
I let out a deep breath, sighing. “Nan, it’s nothing.” I’m nothing , I thought bitterly. Whatever happened never happened.
“I just don’t want you to get hurt,” she said softly. “He’s a royal… even if he wanted to select a chosen mate, he wouldn’t be allowed to. His family is—”
“Nothing happened last night,” I insisted. It wasn’t a complete lie, the mating happened the previous night. “He heard about my shift and came to check on me…”
“I understand. All I’m saying is be careful,” she reached for my hand and squeezed it. “He’s leaving next month with his siblings and cousins for a pack tour in hopes of finding their true mates.”
I was eighteen and human. If I was one of those rare few with a shifter mate, he would have been able to scent me. No one was sniffing around trying to claim me. Rex had been all I ever wanted… and for one night, he was mine.
Two days later, I helped Grandad load my large suitcase and large duffle bag into the car. Alpha Hamish had reserved a first-class ticket for me, and I was taking a redeye flight so I could arrive in Glasgow in the morning. Persephone held my purse open, and Brianna shoved snacks into it that her mother had sent over.
“You have the wind-resistant umbrella packed?” Grandad asked.
“It’s in the duffle bag with the extra wool socks, rain jacket, rain boots, and gloves,” I assured him.
“You packed the electrical adapter for your charger?”
“Got it,” I smiled. “I’m all set.”
After hugging Nan, Brianna, and Persephone and promising to call when I land, send photos, and write often, we were finally on our way. When we reached the main road leading us out of pack territory, I saw Rex standing under a tree. His hair was disheveled, and he stood with his hands shoved into his pockets. He looked like he held the weight of the world on his shoulders.
His eyes met mine as if he was searching for something, and all I could muster was a weak smile and wave. He lifted one hand up to say goodbye, and I held his gaze until he fell out of sight. I was a little hurt that he hadn’t come to see me since that night, but I understood why. Rex had a destined mate out there, but it wasn’t me. The idea broke my heart, but there was nothing I could do.
I may not have a mate, but there was a chance that I could find and fall in love with a husband someday. To do that, I’d have to live amongst the humans. If I ever had any hope of forgetting about Rex, I needed to put some distance between us.
We arrived at the airport, and Grandad eased the car to the departure curb to drop me off. He got out first and unloaded my luggage for me. I stacked my duffle bag on the large suitcase with wheels, then turned to hug him goodbye. It’s just an extended vacation, I reminded myself to keep from crying.
“I wired some extra money to your account.” His arms squeezed me tighter.
“You didn’t need to do that,” I heard my voice cracking.
“I love you, kid,” he murmured before he released me and kissed my forehead.
“I love you, too.”
My eyes stung, and I watched him drive off before I wheeled my luggage to the check-in counter.
My nerves got the best of me when I stepped onto the jet bridge to board the plane. This was the first time I had ever traveled alone, and I hadn’t been on a plane since Nan came to collect me. I tried not to think about my parents and the plane crash. Then, I tried not to think about dying alone. I felt so small in a big world that could consume me.
The smiling face of a flight attendant greeted me, and I handed her my ticket.
“Seven A,” she motioned for my seat in the seventh and last row of the first-class section. “Welcome aboard, Ms. MacDougall.”
“Thank you.” I shoved my large carry-on duffle bag in the overhead compartment and my tote bag under the seat in front of me. I buckled my lap belt and started taking inventory of all the goodies in the pouch on my seat. Complementary eye mask for sleeping, travel toothbrush kit, lotion, lip balm, ear plugs…
“Seven B,” I heard the attendant greet him, and my head shot up to take in my neighbor for the next nine hours.
Holy hell!
She welcomed him on board, but I didn’t catch his name because my heart was beating so hard. The man looked like he had just sauntered out the gates of Olympus. Like he had just parked his chariot on the tarmac and decided to fly instead of drive. I couldn’t help noticing how he bent slightly forward to keep his head from bumping the aircraft's ceiling.
His eyes met mine, and I realized I was staring at him. I tried to look away, but my mind wasn’t listening. His golden amber-colored eyes were only accentuated by the faded scar under his left eye that reached the top corner of his cheek. His skin was a beautiful shade of olive, and his brown wavy hair was tousled stylishly.
“Looks like this is me,” he greeted me, shoving his travel bag in the overhead compartment.
My mouth went dry, and I managed a shaky smile. I may have been a human, but I had grown up in the shifter world. I knew the Alpha King, and I had met other Alphas, Lycans, the Vampire King, and even a few mages. There was no denying this man was more than an ordinary human because I could feel the power emanating from his body.
I turned my attention to the individual touchscreen and flipped through the movie section absentmindedly. From the corner of my eyes, I could see how his long legs filled the entire space and wondered how I would get out if I needed to use the restroom. His thick, muscular thighs reminded me of Rex.
“May I get you something to drink before take-off?” The attendant stood beside him, beaming.
He turned his attention to me, “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your name?”
“Maeve,” I spoke before I could think. His voice was rugged and commanding.
“Hello, Maeve, I’m Remington,” he grinned. “What would you like to drink?”
“Umm,” I wasn’t sure what I wanted to drink. My mind was whirling, and the anxiety was doing a number on my belly.
“Maeve is a little anxious about flying,” he said, to my surprise. “How about some tea for her… do you take it with milk and sugar?”
“Yes,” I nodded. I loved my tea with milk and sugar.
“Perfect,” he continued. “I’ll have a whisky, neat.”
“How did you know?”
“Know what?”
“That I was anxious about flying.”
His eyes looked me over, and I felt his dominating power. It should have scared me, but it didn’t. “I travel a great deal for business. I suppose you can say I’m good at reading travelers.”
“Oh. What kind of business do you travel for?”
“Bars, beer, whisky…”
“Do you live in Glasgow?” I asked as our drinks arrived. He carefully took the tea from the attendant and handed it to me before he reached for his whisky.
“I’m participating in a charity event tomorrow in Glasgow.”
“Oh… is it like a masquerade or something?” I lifted my teacup for a drink.
“No,” he chuckled. “It’s a card game for gentlemen.”
“You’re flying all the way to Glasgow for a card game?” Ugh, Maeve, I mentally scolded myself. Stop your nervous chattering and enjoy your tea.
He let out a low chuckle. “I live in Edinburgh.”
“You’re Scottish?” He didn’t speak with a noticeable accent.
“No, but I like the energy and feel of Edinburgh. I have a pub on the west end.”
“A pub?”
“Dead Man’s Pint,” he rasped.
“Dead Man’s Pint?” I repeated, sounding like a damn parakeet.
“What about you, Maeve?” He sipped his whisky, and I couldn’t help but notice the way his Adam’s apple bobbed when he swallowed. “What brings you to Scotland?”
I looked down at my tote bag and thought of the plushy toy inside. “I’m here to see if I can find Nessie.”
A smirk tugs on his face, and his eyes twinkle at me with mild humor. “Loch Ness is one of the most mystical places in Scotland.”
“So I hear.”
The safety announcements rang out overhead in unison with the touchscreen monitors as the plane taxied to the runway. I double-checked my seatbelt and nervously glanced at the exit. My parents died in a plane crash. It didn’t matter that my seatbelt was on. If the plane went down, we were all going to die.
I kept my eyes on the exit, wondering if it was too late to get off. It was like getting on a roller coaster ride, only to realize that you really didn’t want to go on the ride when it started moving. My mind started racing… All these people, their luggage, the weight of the seats, engines… how many tons is it? And how the hell does it all stay up in the air?
“You’ll be fine,” his rough voice spoke soothingly. “I won’t let anything happen to you.”
I swallowed hard, unable to decide if this man intrigued or intimidated me. Something about him felt familiar and warming yet deep and powerful. The cabin lights were dimmed, the plane started to speed up, and I leaned back in my seat. I gripped the armrests for dear life as if waiting for something terrible to happen.
“Breathe, Maeve,” he said, placing a big hand on top of mine.
“My parents died in a plane crash,” I whimpered. It was foolish of me to think I could do this alone. This is why I avoided flying my entire life.
“I’m sorry to hear that,” he said, wrapping an arm around me. I let him. I closed my eyes, feeling my heart hammering in my chest so hard and fast that it made my head spin.
“I thought the only way I’d ever return to Scotland was through the low road.”
“You won’t be seeing the low road anytime soon,” he whispered. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.” He rubbed comforting circles on my back, and my senses suddenly felt numb. The numbness spread like a warm cocoon calling me to sleep. “I’m right here with you.”
I woke up to the smell of fresh coffee being poured and sunlight filling the cabin. A blanket was draped over me, my chair was reclined, and my head was nestled in a pillow. I blinked several times before I gazed up at him. Remington looked relaxed as he regarded something on his tablet. How old was he? Thirty, maybe? Through the rich stubble of his beard, I could see his jaw was sharply sculpted, and his chin was broad. His cheekbones were high, like nobility.
He must have sensed me staring at him. “Good morning, Maeve,” he greeted me, and I sat up feeling disoriented.
“What happened?” I croaked, feeling like the Sandman may have sent me into a deep sleep.
“You fell asleep just after take-off,” he told me. “I’m sorry I didn’t wake you up for the in-flight dinner service, but you looked so peaceful sleeping.”
Embarrassment flooded through me. “I’m so sorry I freaked out on you.”
“You have nothing to apologize for,” he replied. “We’re an hour away from landing. You should eat some breakfast.”
“I don’t think I can.” I searched my seat for the incline button.
“You need food to keep your strength up. It’s a long trek to Loch Ness,” he smiled and pressed the little button hiding under the armrest to return my seat to the upright position. “How long will you be hunting the infamous monster?”
“I don’t know,” I told him as I tried to tame my hair with a few strokes of my fingers.
“Do you have a mate?” He asked, and my breath caught in my throat. He knew about mates.
“Mate?” I questioned. I was human, so I wouldn’t have a mate. Was he still able to scent Rex on me?
“A mate… as in a friend,” he smiled. “You’re traveling alone, so you must have a friend in Scotland, yes?”
I thought about Alpha Hamish. “Yes, of course, I have a friend in Scotland.”
“Well, now you have one more in Edinburgh,” he told me. “If you find yourself in Edinburgh or need anything, come by the pub and ask for me.” He held out a business card, and I slipped it in my pocket.
“Do you actually work behind the bar?” I asked. Somehow, I couldn’t see him wiping down a bar top.
“I might be in the back handling business, but I can usually be summoned quickly,” he winked. “I make a great Hellfire whisky.”
The breakfast trays were better than I had expected. They included eggs, sausage, grilled tomato, toast, croissant, and fresh fruit. I was almost sorry I had missed dinner. Remington finished eating first and ordered a second coffee. We discussed universities, museums, and the weather in Scotland.
Before I knew it, we were landing. Remington had kept me talking, which kept my anxiety down. He helped unload my duffle bag and carried it off the plane.
“Do you have a ride?” He asked me as we neared passport control.
“Yes, Alp—” I caught myself. I’d almost told him about Alpha Hamish. “Umm, my friend is sending someone to come get me.”
“Very good,” he handed me my duffle bag. “Take care of yourself, Maeve.”
I liked the way he said my name—like an old, familiar friend. His powerful and confident energy reminded me of Rex.
“I will,” I smiled. “Thank you, Remington.”