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I glance at Keenan. “He’ll have the cookies.”
The attendant hands me a package of cookies and moves away.
I munch on my snack, my worried gaze on Keenan. “Why don’t you come out from under there and have a cookie?” A feeling like I’m talking to a toddler hits me and I have to swallow my giggle.
“I can hear your thoughts,” he reminds me in a mumble from under the jacket he’s wearing on his head.
“It’s a little funny,” I say. “In the time we’ve spent together, you haven’t shown a single second of fear.”
“I’m not afraid,” he protests. “This is madness. Mortals are insane to think they should be shooting themselves through the sky at breakneck speed in a metal tube with nothing but air between them and the ground. I have always believed humans have a death wish, but this confirms it.”
It had actually been Keenan’s idea to fly to Wolf-Haven, the King having recently installed an airport outside the city. Keenan told me his preferred method of travel is via a portal created by his powerful witch sister-in-law, but apparently, she’s spending time with her mentor in a place called the Shadow Realm. I can’t wait to meet her. A person who can portal themselves anywhere in the world, any time they want, has to be a blast to hang out with. Bali for New Year’s? Yes, please!
Keenan’s second idea was for us to run to Wolf-Haven. Of course, I balked. First, I don’t run. Second, if I were to run, not saying it’ll ever happen, but if it were, it would either be for a million-dollar role or a Bloomingdale’s Black Friday sale. And third, Wesselman could call me back to set any day. We don’t have time to run to Wolf-Haven and back.
“First,” Keenan says from under his protective jacket. “You wouldn’t have done any running. I would be carrying you on my back. Second, I’m faster than you think. We would’ve been there in no time and we wouldn’t have to deal with this flying bullshit.” He growls toward the wing of the plane.
“Unless you can run as fast as this plane, it would’ve taken too much time.” Though I’m intrigued by the idea of riding on his back.
For my part, I’m very much enjoying the flight. I’ve flown plenty in my life, usually to wherever my mom was planning her next heist. But we always flew budget economy, which is a far cry from King Lock’s private jet with its cream leather seats, attentive staff and impressive entertainment center.
“What are you so afraid of?” I ask, trying once more to coax him out. “If the plane goes down, at least we’ll die together, right?”
I can feel his frown through the jacket. “That’s stupid.” He moves it aside, but still looks green as he glances at the window, then jams his eyes shut and shudders.
The flight attendant smiles kindly as she approaches with a can of Gingerale. “Your brother and sister-in-law had some issues on their first few flights too. King Lock paced up and down the plane while Queen Sarina shifted into her wolf and howled at the engines.” She hands him the drink. “This might help.”
“Thanks,” I say, hoping she’s right. “What’s your name?”
“Olivia Timberwolf,” she replies.
“Are you part wolf, too?” Realizing my curiosity might come across as rude, I add, “You don’t have to say if you don’t want to.”
She smiles at me. “I am indeed a wolf shifter. I was already employed as a flight attendant with a human airline when the new king took over. I jumped at the chance to fly on the very first dedicated shifter plane.”
Keenan looks at her. “You smell human. I didn’t peg you for a shifter.” His gaze seeks mine. “Like Rachel.”
She nods. “A lot of us who live and work among humans choose to mask our scent so we can minimize the possibility of exposure.”
Frowning, I ask, “Did you run into shifter prejudice?”
She shrugs. “Sure, sometimes. Same as you’ll get in Wolf-Haven among some of the human hating shifters. Speciesism is everywhere, right? Anyway, I should get back to work, we’ll be landing soon.”
“Thank you for chatting with us,” I say. “Come find me in Wolf-Haven and we’ll have coffee. I’d love to hear more about your life among humans.”
“It’s a date.” She winks, then adds. “I’ll look you up at the castle.”
After she leaves, Keenan growls, sinking lower into his chair with his Gingerale, “You’re not dating anyone but me.”
I look out the window with anticipation, hoping for my first glimpse of Wolf-Haven as the plane descends through the clouds. “It’s an expression, Keenan. She doesn’t want to date me, she wants to be friends.”
“No, you want to be friends, she wants a fuck.”
I turn my frown on him. “You be nice to my new friend, grumpy wolf.” Glancing back out the window, I point at the city as we fly closer. “Look, you can see the castle from here!”
Keenan leans over to look, groans and collapses back in his chair, screwing his eyes shut. “We’re not going to survive this.”
“The city is so big! I had no idea. It looks a bit like L.A. but…” I drift off.
