Chapter 23
TWENTY-THREE
CASEY
The last few days had kind of blown apart my understanding of the world.
Jewel was sitting next to me in the car. He was looking out of the window, watching the landscape change from city to suburbs. My breath caught in my throat as he slipped his hand into mine and rested his head on my shoulder.
I still wasn’t used to feeling wanted instead of needed.
I had been firm in convincing myself that they weren’t interested in me like that. It’s how things had always gone with people I liked.
This time things were different, and it was exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
So many insecurities still swirled in my mind.
A voice that sounded exactly like Regina, my fifth-grade crush.
What? Fat Casey? Ew, no.
The secretary at the Sweetheart Academy, pursing her lips as she looked up from my application.
The thing is, becoming a Sweetheart is extremely competitive. I won’t say it’s fair, but if a pack doesn’t find you desirable, you’re not going to be considered. Male sweethearts are already at such a disadvantage. You’ve got a pretty face. Perhaps come back when you’ve lost a few pounds?
My dad, laughing as he talked to Thaddeus’s men in the cafe.
You wanted someone to work with ferals, right? He’s the full package. He knows about keeping alphas calm, and you can see you won’t have to worry about them trying to fuck him.
Cruel words that I’d kept in mind as I’d tried to guard my heart. But those memories were slowly being replaced by others.
Hugo, eyes dark as his teeth sank into my arm.
Jewel, moaning as he pressed me down in the back of the car.
Nurse Casey…You’re making me so horny.
Jade’s expression of pure love as she looked at me this morning.
Moments that were unprompted, unguarded, and undeniably honest.
I could let go of the other comments. After all, it didn’t really matter what anyone else thought.
These three people were the only ones who mattered.
They wanted me.
They thought I was enough.
So I was.
?
The roads got smaller as we reached the coastline, and the landscape was fully rural now.
We pulled down a long road that ended in a run-down dock, two seaplanes moored and bobbing on the grey ocean. There was a dilapidated shack and a hangar that was covered in rust and peeling paint.
We clambered out of the car, the dew on the grass soaking our shoes.
The air was fresh and salty, the moisture worming its way under my jacket and chilling me to my bones.
Hugo pointed to me and Jewel. “You two stay here. We’re going to talk to Jade’s contact.”
Hugo took two steps toward the hangar before Jewel caught his arm. “Why can’t I come?”
Hugo snorted. “Because I don’t want you ruining this by running your mouth.”
“I can behave—”
“No,” Hugo cut in.
Jewel sniffed. “Fine.”
We stood waiting by the car, listening to the sound of lapping waves and seagulls crying out above us. I glanced over to see Jewel standing hunched a bit, his arms wrapped around himself tightly.
“Are you warm enough?” I asked.
He gave me a smile and wound his arm through mine. “Don’t worry about me, love.”
My heart swelled, and I slung my jacket around his shoulders, anyway.
Jade and Hugo came walking back over to us, Jade looking very pleased with herself. “Right. Devon’s agreed. He’s used to running contraband, and as long as we pay him, he won’t ask questions. That being said, he wouldn’t hesitate to sell us out if offered.”
Hugo folded his arms. “Jewel—that means don’t draw attention to yourself. Get on the plane, keep your mouth shut, and keep your head down.”
“Attention? When have I ever drawn attention?” Jewel asked with mock innocence. Jade puffed up in indignation, and he rolled his eyes. “Oh my god, I’m joking. I’ll be a good boy. Just for you, though.” He gave Hugo a wink.
Two men were approaching us, and we followed them toward the docks.
I swallowed as we got closer. I’d kind of assumed they had another, bigger plane somewhere that we were going to use.
Instead, they hopped onto one of the small seaplanes.
Anxiety twisted in my gut as I looked at it—this thing did not look like it could fly. And Hugo and I weren’t exactly small.
“C’mon,” said one of the men, opening the plane’s door and stepping back. He had a long, grey beard and had introduced himself as Devon.
Hugo went first, and we both helped guide Jade and Jewel up and into the craft safely. They all looked at me expectantly when I hesitated. I gave them a wobbly smile and climbed in.
The other guy was adjusting something on the side of the place outside. My hands were shaking as I tried to adjust the belt to fit me. It was going to be too small, I knew it, and everyone would see—
“Here,” Jade said, and she took over, adjusting the strap and then clicking it into place.
“Thanks,” I told her as Jewel took the spot next to me.
We waited, the plane bobbing slightly as Devon and Larry moved around outside.
I squeezed my eyes shut.
What was taking so long?
I jumped as he slammed the plane’s door.
Devon pulled aside the curtain, so he was looking at us from the cockpit.
“Right. Flight’ll take about an hour and a half.
Don’t bother me. If the plane’s shaking, you should probably do up your belt if you don’t want a concussion.
” He grinned, showing crooked yellow teeth, and pulled the curtain closed.
The engine started to life with a loud roar, making me jump again.
Jewel nudged me as he put on some lavender-scented hand sanitizer. “You ever flown before?” He had to raise his voice to be heard over the noise of the plane.
I shook my head. He reached over and threaded his hand through mine. “It’s perfectly safe. I used to fly all the time as a kid.”
“Really?”
He nodded.
The plane had started moving and was picking up speed, and the engine was getting a bit louder. I could feel the vibrations through the metal floor and in the seat, but Jewel’s touch kept me grounded. He was tracing a circle on the back of my hand with his thumb, and it felt nice.
The bouncing stopped, and my stomach swooped as the plane tipped upwards.
I squeezed my eyes shut, my terror momentarily overwhelming me. Jewel’s fingers kept drawing circles on my hand. Eventually, the swooping in my stomach settled and the cabin stopped shaking as much. I opened my eyes, double-checking we were all still alive.
My ears popped, and I tentatively glanced out the window. The sea was far below us, then it suddenly vanished from view as we flew into the clouds.
“You did so good. I’m proud of you,” Jewel told me, making warmth blossom in my chest.
“Sorry. I probably shouldn’t have come. I’m not brave, like you guys.”
Jade snorted. “You’re one of the bravest people I’ve ever met.”
My face, which was already warm, went hot, and I’m sure I was bright red. I opened my mouth to protest, but then closed it again.
It was cold on the plane, and Jewel ended up crawling into my lap for warmth. He fell asleep with his head on my shoulder, hands resting on my chest.
Normally, he didn’t seem like a regular omega, but when he did things like this, he turned into something soft and sweet.
Hugo did a double take when he saw it, and Jade kept stealing glances.
Jewel had shown me this side of him when I’d helped build his nest, but I supposed Jade and Hugo had only seen it when he was in drop or in heat.
I felt a fierce rush of affection for him as I realized I might have been the first person he’d willingly let down his guard with.
I’d do this for him forever. He was my omega now, to care for and protect.
?
I survived the plane landing with my eyes squeezed shut and my hands aching as I gripped my seat belt for dear life. The sea was rougher here, and my stomach lurched as the plane neared another rough-looking dock.
It was still churning as I climbed out of the metal deathtrap, and even when I was ashore, the ground felt like it was shifting under my feet.
“Sit down.” Hugo’s voice was firm, and he pushed me down onto a concrete wall, guiding my head to rest between my legs. I focused on my breathing as Jade finished talking with Devon, then handed him a brown envelope.
“You okay?” she asked when she came over to us.
I nodded. “Better now.” I glanced at the plane. “Maybe… could we drive back, though?”
“Or take the train.” Jewel added. “They have first-class fare, you know?”
“Put your hat back on,” Jade told him. He huffed but complied. Jade produced a medical face mask, when Jewel took without complaint.
We got into the old car Jade had bought from Devon, and I drove us into Boston.