“Well, it looks just as ridiculous. At least I look like I’m going on a trip, you look like you’re packed for a hike.”
I rolled my eyes but didn’t retaliate. @
We descended the stairs together, and as soon as they saw us, Sebastian and dad took Lily’s suitcases off our hands.
“Everyone ready?” Dad asked, his expression just as stern as ever.
All three of us nodded.
“Oh, look at you guys,” Grace piped up from beside my dad, and I could see tears forming in her eyes, “You look so grown up.”
“Mom, do we have to
Whatever Sebastian was about to say was immediately silenced by one of my dad’s icy glares..
“I’m sorry, I know it’s cheesy,” she said, wiping away a tear. She turned to Sebastian. “It feels like just yesterday I was teaching you to walk, and now you’re an adult. You’ve grown into such a strong young man. I know you’ll look out for your sisters while you’re gone, Sebastian.” Grace gave him a hug, and although Sebastina looked mildly uncomfortable with the emotional display, he certainly didn’t protest.
“Of course, mom.”
Grace embraced Lily next. “Oh, honey, you look so beautiful. I remember the day you were born, what it was like to hold you in my arms for the first time. You had such bright blue eyes, just like your father. I knew you were going to be the light of my life and you still are.”
Watching Grace’s emotional goodbyes to Lily and Sebastian almost made me want to avert my eyes – like I was intruding in on a private family moment that I had no business being apart of.
In some ways, I guess I was.
Grace hugged me last. It was brief and she didn’t cling to me like she had with Seb and Lily. “Clark,” she said, “I know you didn’t want to go, but this will be a good experience for you. You’ll see.” 12
“Yeah, I’m sure it will be.”
Grace retreated back into my dad’s arms, and he gave us all a small smile. “I want you three to make me proud,” he commanded but there was no hard edge to his voice, “I’ll see you kids in three days.”
*Just three days.
72 hours.
4,320 minutes.
259, 200 seconds.”
Three days is nothing. I’ll be home in three days.
I repeated that mantra all the way to the airport, and even when I boarded the plane and buckled myself into the seat.
At the time, knowing I’d be home and sleeping back my b*d within three days soothed some of the anxiety.
Unfortunately, it ended up being an empty comfort. I didn’t realize it then, but I wouldn’t be home in three days. In fact, I wouldn’t be coming home for a very long time.
If I had known then what actually awaited me at the Alpha King’s palace, I know wouldn’t have come. I would’ve done something – anything – to get me out of the trip. Maybe I would’ve faked being sick or snuck off for a couple of days, I’m not sure.
It doesn’t matter anymore.
I didn’t realize it then, but my destiny was sealed the moment I placed my feet on Canadian soil. The second that I stepped into his world, there was no longer anywhere I could run. Nowhere I could hide. He would find me and drag me back, kicking and screaming.
As I sat on the plane, contemplating which movie I wanted to watch, I was completely unaware just how much my life was about to change.
“Fate will find a way.”
Virgil
The moment my feet touched Canadian ground, there was a change in the air.
I couldn’t put words to it, but I felt it in my bones – and it wasn’t just the freezing Canadian breeze either.
As we headed to the sleek black SUV that was supposed to transport us to the King’s castle, I had the instinctual urge to run. To climb back into the plane and beg the pilot to take me home. What was wrong with me? Sure, I’d been dreading this trip for the past week, but now that I was actually here, it felt like someb*dy had shoved my b*dy into flight-or-fight mode.
Now is not the time to freak out, Clark.
Pull yourself together.
I took a long, deep breath and climbed into the SUV after Lily and Sebastian.
“Everyone ready?”
Our driver was a thin, old man with wispy white hair who barely greeted us at the airport.. He was all business, and he kept his eyes on the road as he drove. I hadn’t even realized that the Alpha King or more likely, one of his pack members – would arrange transport for us, but it made sense. The palace was in the middle of the snowy Canadian mountains, so it’s not like we could just take a taxi there. C
“How long is the drive?” Lily asked. She was seated between Sebastian and I and she was already pulling her fluffy pink travel pillow out from her suitcase.
“Two hours,” the driver replied, and his voice sounded just as old as he looked.
I guess the Alpha King isn’t big on retirement plans or 401Ks.
“Cool,” Lily muttered, “I’m going to take a nap. If my head ends up on anyone’s shoulder, too bad. You can deal with it.” Sebastian and I shared an eye roll, but neither of us said anything.
At least someone is getting sleep here.
The plane ride had only been a couple of hours, and although I had wanted to sleep, I couldn’t bring my b*dy to settle down enough. My heart was pounding and my stomach was twisted in knots. It’s like my b*dy had recognized some sort of invisible threat, but my brain hadn’t caught on yet.
There was a part of me that wanted to speak up to tell Sebastian or even Lily how incredibly anxious I was, but what was I actually supposed to say? I couldn’t pinpoint anything that was specifically causing me anxiety, and if anything, I wasn’t the one who should be worried.
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