26. Croy
Croy
My wolf rumbled aggressively as security opened the airport’s gate.
I hated this. I hated how many people were here, and I hated that Maya had to see humanity like this.
She was so new to this world, and I didn’t want the human media to be part of her first impression—they were vultures.
Not that I could fully blame them for being so focused on Maya—I thought I’d nearly had a heart attack when she stepped down those stairs.
It was like everything had come to a damn near stop in my life. Never before had I experienced a moment like that. When her soft voice had sounded through the space, every part of me had surged towards her to the symphony of ‘mate.’ She was my mate. Mine.
Rationally, I understood that she wasn’t only mine, but I wasn’t one hundred percent positive that mattered right now.
My hand closed over her thigh as we moved through the gates, and a surge of pride hit me because I could tell my touch affected her.
Her breathing quickened and her legs shifted, making me want to stop the car and pull her over the center console.
I couldn’t though.
I knew she wasn’t ready for that, no matter how badly I wanted to sink right into her.
It was odd, seeing this group of men so damn possessive over someone.
Not only that, but it was like she’d softened the entire group.
Not to say they were cruel or mean before, but to people outside of their flight?
They weren’t exactly fantastic. I mean, Marco was well-known enough that the human crime syndicates stayed the fuck away from his territories.
I was distracted by my thoughts, not even seeing the figure that darted in front of my car until they were straight ahead.
I threw on the brakes and Maya squeaked, my teeth clenching as the paparazzi snapped photos of the two of us.
Maya watched with confusion and interest as airport security moved their slow, lazy asses to get him.
“Sugar?”
“Yes?” She turned toward me, successfully distracted from the cameras, as I drove closer to the plane. I hadn’t left L.A. in forever, but leaving now seemed like no big deal because the much bigger deal was her.
“What’s your favorite color?” I asked as I parked the car. We’d passed through another security checkpoint, so I got out and rounded the car, opening her door so she could answer me.
“Pink,” she said as I helped her out of the car. “Oh, and glitter!”
Of course it was. I never thought someone so feminine would appeal to me, considering my lifestyle, but I had to admit, the shit just made me want to wrap her up forever.
We walked up the plane steps right as the SUV made it inside the second security checkpoint, and I followed her back to a cushioned seat.
She yawned and stretched her body like a sated kitten.
“I’m glad you’re coming with us,” she whispered, tucking her head against my chest and closing her eyes, clearly content with the idea of falling asleep on me. I was glad that made her happy, because I wasn’t sure I could leave at this point.
As everyone loaded onto the plane, I shared a look with Henry because, for the first time in nearly two centuries, I was feeling something so strong I could barely describe it.