Chapter 7 Piper
Piper
After the Prime loaded Matteo onto the plane, putting him in the back bedroom, and all of the enforcers had been loaded on, I said a quick goodbye and we got on our way.
My first stop was to make sure the healer was comfortable and to check on Matteo.
Moving through the plush seating, I nodded cordially to the shifters assigned to protect Alanna and me, then knocked on the bedroom door at the back of the plane.
The healer opened it, and I blinked in shock for a moment, because the bedroom was larger than I’d expected. There was a huge, dominating bed, but also a TV, a built-in dresser, an adjoining office, and a bathroom.
Matteo came slowly awake, blinking owlishly at me. “Are we airborne?”
I nodded. “Yeah, we just took off. There’s food if you’re ready for it. I can grab it for you.”
He grimaced, but his healer spoke up. “The Prime sent some light food for you. You’ve been using a lot of energy to heal, and your body needs nourishment to keep doing it.”
Matteo reluctantly nodded. I patted his shoulder and used the tiny kitchen to heat up the food that had been sent for him. It was just soup and rolls, but it looked perfect and light enough for him to eat right now without making him sick.
A wolf shifter came in, saw that I was trying to figure out how to transport everything in to Matteo, and grabbed a tray for me.
“Thanks, let me set this all on there.” I set the utensils, cold water bottle, napkin, rolls, butter, and bowl of soup on the tray. When I moved to pick it up, he politely nodded me off, then helped me deliver it. I helped Matteo sit up, and the shifter set the tray gently on his lap.
“Thanks, Piper, and...”
“Orion.” His voice was soft, more bass than tenor. He had thick, wavy, dark blonde hair and eyes that looked like stormy seas.
“Orion. I appreciate the help.”
Orion nodded and went back to his seat, while I stayed with Matteo for a bit.
He gave a chin nod toward the retreating Orion while munching on a small bite of his roll. “New enforcer?”
“Yeah. You may have been out of it for that conversation. We’re getting quite a few enforcers to protect Alanna and me. They’re all heading to Clan lands. Those from the Prime are traveling with us on this plane, and those from King Asharien are coming separately.”
His nod was thoughtful. “Sounds like it will be a full house.”
“And a baby.”
He smirked. “Wasn’t there a show in the 80’s about that?”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “How are you feeling?” His skin was still very pale, and I didn’t like it. I wasn’t sure how Riggs would react to the fact that I broke his First. Also that I wrecked his SUV and then left it at the airport. Maybe he could send someone to retrieve it.
“Like my insides are melting.”
I winced. “That’s... not great. Is there anything I can do for you?”
He finished half his soup and one of the rolls, then set it aside. Or tried to. He was too weak to move the tray, so I took it and set it outside his room on the floor.
“No, but thank you.” He made a face. “I remember that we spoke to Alpha Riggs, but I don’t remember what was decided. Is the Clan okay?”
I sat on the edge of his bed and lowered my voice, even though I knew half the shifters in the main cabin would still be able to hear me. “Barrett has been casing the Clan. They found evidence that he’d been on the property.”
Matteo’s face went cold and hard, and his gaze went distant. Immediately, I knew that he was contacting Riggs via their Clan link.
After a moment, he turned back to me. “Alpha said that he’s gotten permission for us to land in Moonhaven. He doesn’t think it’s safe for us to travel via SUV from the airport in Portland.”
I frowned. “Is there an airport big enough in Moonhaven?”
Matteo shook his head. “Not in Moonhaven Cove proper, no, but there is one on an adjoining island. It’s not used often, but it’s there for emergencies.”
“That will reduce the danger, but...”
“But?”
I made a face. “I guess I just—” I sighed. “I really hate that my mess is spilling onto everyone else. I hate inconveniencing others.”
Matteo was quiet for a moment, and then the phone rang. I glared at him, and he chuckled weakly, holding up his hands. “I didn’t tell him. It must be your mate connection.”
I snorted, pulling out my phone. This time he was calling me on my phone rather than Matteo’s.
“Yes?”
“You are not a burden,” Riggs said immediately, his voice firm.
“Well, hello to you too, mate,” I said with a smirk.
Riggs went immediately silent, and I closed my eyes, frustrated with myself. I’d spoken without thinking.
“If only you meant that.” He sounded like I’d just punched him, like he’d lost his breath.
I kept my eyes closed, recriminations burning through my mind.
“I do mean it. I recognize it just as well as you do. It’s not you I’m opposed to, Riggs.
It’s the timing.” Well, it had been the timing.
I didn’t know if I was still feeling that way or not.
Did I feel like this was the best time for a romantic relationship to start, even one with a mate?
No. But when was the best time? I shook my head. I didn’t think there was one.
“I’m not saying no. I’m just asking for a little patience.”
“So, it’s not me?” His voice was so soft I wanted to cry. I hadn’t meant to be heartless. I had only meant to survive. But in doing so, I’d hurt him. I felt a sharp pain at the thought, and my eyes burned.
“No, it’s not you,” I promised huskily.
“Okay.” He cleared his throat and spoke in a more normal tone. “The Sheriff will be your escort to the Clan property. I’m sending a few enforcers as well. You and Matteo can ride with them. There will be more cars waiting for the others that are coming with you.”
“10-4.”
He chuckled. “Stay safe.”
“I’ll do my best.”
After our goodbyes, I slid the phone back into my pocket. It looked like Matteo had fallen fast asleep, and the healer was in an adjoining office, probably making notes on Matteo’s case for his own records. So I slipped out of the bedroom and gently closed the door.
Surefooted on the moving plane, I went to address the shifters who were all sitting in the main seating area.
I glanced around, taking a quick tally of everyone.
The chairs were set up in groups of four, all facing each other.
Orion, the wolf shifter, was talking quietly with a man next to him.
Another few were seated opposite them. And on the opposite side of the wide aisle was another group of four.
All total, there were seven males and one female.
I stood in the middle to address them all.
“I haven’t had the chance to say it yet, but thank you for coming.
I’m sure once we get there we’ll all have time to pull some strategies together.
For now, I’m betting you guys are hungry.
” They were shifters, so of course they were.
“I noticed sandwich stuff and chips in the small galley when I was getting something a few minutes ago. I think they have sliced ham. Is that okay?”
Everyone nodded, looking grateful, so I headed back to the galley to make sandwiches. Orion followed.
“Can I help you?”
“I’d like to help,” he said quietly.
“Thanks. I’d appreciate it.”
We made up two dozen sandwiches, thick with ham, cheese, mayo, mustard, lettuce, and tomato, grabbed the bags of chips and cold waters, piled everything onto a rolling trolley that Orion scrounged out of a closet, then rolled it all back out to the main seating area.
The seats were nice, with butter-soft white leather, and the carpeting was insanely plush for a plane, so I was a little afraid to eat here. But we were all adults, so hopefully there wouldn’t be any messes.
Everyone attacked the food, including me as I sat down by myself at my own quad grouping of chairs.
There was a large pull-out table that I lowered from the side wall that was perfect to rest my lunch on.
My stomach had been in too much of a snarl this morning to eat much, but it felt hollow now and was growling so loudly I was surprised no one had said anything.
Orion came to stand next to me. “Mind if I sit with you?”
“No, go ahead.”
We didn’t talk, but I was grateful for the company as we both polished off our sandwiches.
Opening the bag of Hot Cheetos, I poured some onto a napkin and started munching on them.
Orion asked if he could try a few, but apparently didn’t like them because he went back to his sour cream and cheddar chips.
“We need queso,” he said.
I paused. That sounded good. “Do you think they have any?”
“Let me check.”
He came back with a jar that hadn’t been opened yet, pouring some into a bowl for each of us.
I hunted up another bag of chips from the trolley, deciding this time on the Salsa Verde Doritos. I thought they would go well with the queso.
The combo made me sit back and sigh, closing my eyes. I’d been eating on the go a lot lately. Just being able to sit down and enjoy a meal was nice. Even if it was only a sandwich and chips.
Hours later, we started our descent. The wall of black storm clouds and wind made landing challenging, but our pilots managed.
Thankfully, Matteo was sitting up and awake when I went to check on him again.
I thanked the healer, who was making the return trip to Dragonspire, then, with Orion’s help and mine, we were able to deplane and get Matteo to the waiting SUV.
Rain poured down, blowing against us with gusts of wind that whistled around the small, empty airport.
All of us got soaked in the thirty or so steps to our waiting vehicles.
Once Matteo got settled, I turned to the waiting Sheriff. From his scent, I guessed he was a lion shifter. And from his aura, I was guessing he was also an alpha.
He motioned for me to slide into the backseat next to Matteo, while Orion got into the front seat beside the driver. The Sheriff slid in on my other side, then shut the door.
Immediately, the sound of the storm quieted, and we all breathed a sigh of relief.
“A little wet here, Sheriff?” I asked with a teasing grin, and he laughed.
“A bit, yeah. I wanted to ride in with you, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind. Thank you. I apologize for all of this.”
The Sheriff took his hat off, shaking the excess water from the brim, then slapping it back onto his soaked brown hair.
His tawny green-yellow eyes looked intelligent.
The alpha aura I was sensing from him was powerful, and I found myself wondering, in comparison with others, just how powerful he was.
He held out his hand after sluicing his face dry, then wiping the water off on the seat beside him. “I’m Finn. It’s nice to meet you, Piper. And please don’t be sorry for pathetic paranormals with a screw loose.”
“Thank you for your help. We appreciate it. Will you be staying at the Lodge as well?” I didn’t think so, but I could be wrong.
He shook his head, his expression rueful. “I’m afraid I can’t, but I’m assigning a few patrols to Clan lands. It’s already been okayed by Alpha Riggs.”
“Thank you.”
Finn’s eyes slid past me to Matteo. “You don’t look so good, friend.”
Matteo chuckled darkly. “I don’t feel so good, either. Some idiot poisoned me.”
I winced, biting my lip. He was still chalk pale. The healer had told me before we deplaned that he’d done the best he could for him, but he still looked awful.
Matteo poked my leg with a pale finger. “I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine, and Riggs is going to kill me if I broke his First.”
“I second that. You look like death warmed over,” Finn said. “We should probably call Dice.”
“Who’s Dice?”
“A special class of healer. If anyone can help Matteo, I’d put my money on her.”
“Matteo, that okay?” I checked.
He nodded. His eyes were closed, his fists were clenched, and his face was tight with strain.
Finn pulled out his phone and called, putting it on speaker.
“Another Lucky emergency?” Dice said as she answered.
Finn chuckled. “No. She’s been pretty accident-free the last couple of days.”
“You know that means she’s storing it up for a really huge accidental something, right?”
Finn sighed, as though weary just at the thought.
“I know. Anyway, I called because we are in need of your medical services. Matteo was poisoned while on a mission for his alpha. It sounds like the healer who worked on him has done the best they can, but he’s still in bad shape. Can you meet us at the Lodge?”
“And be careful,” I added. I didn’t want the poor woman to get hurt trying to come help us.
Finn nodded. “Yeah, be careful, Dice. There’s a psycho we think is somewhere in Moonhaven or on Bear Clan property. I’m sure you’ve heard about it from the Council.”
“I did. I’ll be careful. I can be there in half an hour.”
“We’ll be a bit longer. Maybe forty-five minutes.”
They hung up, and I felt a sense of relief that Matteo would be getting more help from a specialist.
Finn was introducing himself to Orion. I’d felt Orion’s alpha vibes earlier, so I was surprised when they didn’t seem to have any problems with each other.
Then I wondered who was more dominant. Usually, dominance was determined by an alpha’s power, but alphas tended to keep their power under control unless they needed to release it—usually to discipline, intimidate, or protect.
I glanced between the two of them, but couldn’t tell. Now really wasn’t the time to ask, but I was curious enough that I’d ask later. Maybe I’d ask Riggs.
The rest of the ride was quiet. When we rolled onto Clan property, something inside me released. I’d been able to feel snatches of Riggs’ feelings, flashes, but nothing concrete because we weren’t mated yet.
The flashes were getting stronger, though.
I swore I could feel his presence now.
When we pulled up in front of the Lodge, Riggs was waiting by the front door with his arms crossed over his chest. Alanna wasn’t in sight; she was probably down for a nap.
On the outside, Riggs looked sure, strong, steady, but I caught a flash of vulnerability that made me try to push Finn out the door until he laughed and exited the vehicle. I scooted out quickly after him and moved to stand in front of my mate.
“I’m back,” I said softly.
He nodded, his eyes burning into mine.
I didn’t know what to do, what to say.
Slowly, he extended a hand, looping it around my belt loop, then pulled me toward him. I didn’t panic. I didn’t resist. Instead, I allowed myself to be reeled in like a fish in slow motion. Then he wrapped his arms around me and held me tight.
I sighed in relief, my whole body melting into the hug.
“Welcome home, Piper.”