My animal prefers the ground, while I prefer the sky. I was probably meant to be born as a dragon shifter or something else with wings. Alas, I’m a wolf.
My beast growls inside, like he can understand bmy thoughts. Or perhaps it’s the knowledge of what I’m about to do that has him agitated.
Flipping a switch on my headset, I initiate the speaker system within the jet. “We’re about to take off,” I warn them all. “We’ll be heading straight upward, so please make sure you’re seated and your seatbelts are fastened.”
Elias already went through that spiel, buckling them all in before he deboarded, but I check the video feed just to be certain and find nine nervous Omegas strapped into the passenger bay.
“Once we’re in the air, you’ll be free to move about the cabin. The room at the back has a closet of clothes, and the bathroom was stocked to meet your needs as well. I suggest you take turns, as it’s not a large space.” I checked it before going into the cockpit. The shower is big enough for two or three Omegas, but I doubt it’ll be comfortable.
I scan the security feed, searching for any signs of distress. Apart from a few anxious glances, they all seem to be okay.
“All right, taking off in ten seconds…” I toggle another switch to initiate the system’s takeoff protocols.
An artificial feminine voice continues the countdown overhead.
“Nine.”
“Eight.”
“Seven.”
I shift my gaze away from the Omegas on the screen and focus on the controls before me. Most of this is automated, but I still have to monitor the process.
“Six.”
“Five.”
I check my belt.
“Four.”
I fix my gaze on the window as a subtle rumble begins beneath me, causing adrenaline to pump through my veins.
“Three.”
“Two.”
“One.”
The rumble grows into a roar as the jet shoots upward into the sky, the g-forces pressing on every inch of my body as we ascend at an incredible speed. It’s an initial reaction to therapid acceleration, but as the artificial gravity inside the cabin equalizes, the crushing sensation slowly lessens.
Only to heighten once more as the jet begins to arc, pushing us into our desired flight path.
I programmed it before takeoff, but I check the direction to be sure we’re heading the correct way, and we are. We’ll fly north, hugging the coastline until we reach the northernmost point of this continent and begin a path to the east.
Everything begins to settle as the jet reaches its cruising speed, the heaviness leaving my form and gradually returning me to normal. Or almost normal, anyway.
Glancing at the screen, I see several of the Omegas shaking out their arms and legs, likely having not enjoyed the experience. But no one appears to be getting sick, so that’s a good sign.
I give it a few more minutes before I click over to the speaker system again. “We’ve reached our cruising altitude. I’m not sure if Ander or Elias shared our complete itinerary, but we’ll be heading up to Nova Sector first, where we’ll be spending the night and restocking.”
I’ve never been to Nova Sector before. It’s one of the few remaining areas in the world harboring Arctic wolves, as their kind is unfortunately susceptible to the zombielike virus that wiped out most of the human population.
When Ander called to tell them he had two Arctic Omegas in his possession, the Alpha of Nova Sector had been a mixture of furious and relieved. Apparently, the two white-haired females were the only unmated Omegas in his sector.
They were also his daughters.
Thus, Ander suggested that Nova Sector be our first stop.
