Chapter 5

As we pull up to an enormous airplane, I can’t help but gawk.

My pack is pretty well-off, we’ve always had everything we could ever want.

But this plane is massive.

The car door swings open, yanking my attention away from the plane.

“My Lady, we must depart.” I can’t help but giggle at his old-fashioned term of endearment.

I step out of the car, only now noticing the vehicle behind us filled with his guards.

I give a wave to one of them who catches me looking.

Roman growls beside me. Possessive wolves, I swear.

He takes my hand and we start walking towards the plane.

Did I mention it’s massive?

We enter a room with a king-sized bed tucked in one corner.

A couch sits at the foot of it, facing the opposite direction, towards a gigantic TV.

I didn’t even know that was possible on planes.

I slip my hand from Roman’s and settle onto the couch.

It’s only now that I notice the seat belts. Probably for take-off.

Roman sits down next to me and buckles his seat belt.

One of the guards, a tall one with ash blonde hair and striking cheekbones, sets a cooler next to Roman.

With a quick bow and a glance my way, he exits.

“Fancy a drink?” I nod, still too stunned to speak. What just happened?

In just a few hours, my life has been turned upside down and I’m now the mate of an actual Italian Prince.

Oh god, I know how to be a luna.

My mother always let me take my warrior training as long as I also took classes on being a Luna.

But a Luna Queen?

I don’t even know where to begin.

Roman hands me a glass of what appears to be champagne.

The sweet aroma already tells me it’s good.

“I know our meeting was under less than ideal circumstances. However, it’s important to understand what we’re up against in this partnership.” He did not just say partnership.

“Excuse me? Partnership? I’m pretty sure that’s not what the Goddess had in mind when she created these bonds. This is supposed to be a relationship, where we’re equals.

“Your weaknesses will be filled by my strengths, and my weaknesses will be filled by yours. Although I certainly don’t need your strengths.”

Roman narrows his eyes at me.

I know this isn’t the right time to think about this, but he’s incredibly attractive.

His green eyes are so captivating that I get lost in them.

I see his lips move, and I can’t help but wonder how they would taste.

Damn, mate bond.

“You will be the queen. We need to ensure you’re prepared for that.” I missed what he said before that, but it doesn’t matter.

I know exactly where this is headed. This time, I narrow my eyes as I lean in closer to his face. I can feel his breath on my lips, but I ignore it.

“I’m a warrior. I’ve been training since I could walk. I can be a queen, but I won’t be one of those queens who sits on the sidelines while others fight her battles.

“And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m a half-blood. You better adjust your attitude before I burn you to ashes.”

Before I can even pull back, his hands are gripping my arms tightly.

I try to pull away, but Roman’s strength keeps me in place.

His eyes glow, the wolf-side of him surfacing in his anger.

I smirk at him.

For a moment, he looks confused before his face contorts into even greater rage.

“Listen to me, Princess. You. Will. Do. As. I. Say. Or things will get very unpleasant for you.”

A growl punctuates his words, making the threat even more severe.

I mock growl at him before I start laughing. He squeezes me tighter, just as I thought he would.

I call on my magic, making my arms burn hot.

It takes a few seconds before Roman lets go, but he does.

A hiss of pain escapes his lips as he looks at his already healing hands.

“I’m not one of your servants. I don’t care if you try to drop the world on me, literally. Don’t forget that you might have the position, but I have the power to defend myself. We can talk this out or things will get very unpleasant for YOU!”

If looks could kill, man... I’d be dead.

I wouldn’t just be dead but instantly decomposed.

For a moment, I think he’s going to grab me again, but he just walks away.

I sit there for a moment, enjoying the silence.

What the hell just happened?

I’m lost in my thoughts, my highly violent thoughts, in peace.

That is until one of his guard wolves takes a seat next to me.

He has blonde hair and blue eyes.

He’s a little small, too small for a guy, but he has a friendly smile on his face.

“I’m Dibs, the beta.” I laugh at his name. “It’s a nickname. I’m always first in line.”

His words are filled with pride. I decide that I like him instantly.

“Roman sent me here. What did you say to piss him off?” I wiggle my eyebrows at him but don’t answer.

Even though I’m currently not a big fan of Roman, that doesn’t mean I should just go around discussing our little spat with anyone. “You are quite interesting.”

“My nickname isn’t Rebel for nothing, Dibs.” We laugh together now. “So tell me about the pack, especially the warriors and their training.” Dibs gives me a knowing grin.

“Everyone is sort of a warrior in our pack. We start training at the age of six. It’s mostly play, they learn how to defend themselves.

“When the pups turn ten, they learn how to do some damage. By the age of thirteen, they decide with their parents whether they want to become official warriors or not.

“Even if they don’t want to become a warrior, they still get trained. Just not as intensely as the warriors.”

I’m staring at him with my mouth open. At my pack, they learn how to fight too, but not that intensely. Just enough to survive an attack, mostly how to hide or defend. His words spin in my mind.

“Why does Roman seem so bothered by me being a warrior, if everyone else is one too?” I voice my thoughts aloud. Dibs shoots me a sympathetic smile, but before he can respond, Roman’s voice echoes through the plane.

“OUT.” Dibs immediately rises and strides past Roman, disappearing into the back of the plane. My face is a blank canvas. Not angry, but not exactly friendly either. I’ve been told I have a pretty solid resting bitch face.

“We’re landing in thirty minutes. There’s a two-hour drive from the airport. You might want to consider taking a nap in the car.” Roman suggests. I nod in response.

A nap would give me an excuse to sit in the back.

Away from him.

I reach for the remote beside me and flick on the TV. I find a movie and pretend to be engrossed in it.

Roman settles back into the seat next to me, but thankfully, he doesn’t try to strike up a conversation.

What’s going to happen when I join the pack? Oh God, I have to meet the Alpha King.

He probably won’t be a fan of mine. And the Luna Queen will likely be less than thrilled with the constant bickering between Roman and me. Especially if things keep going the way they are now.

I can only hope there are some friendly wolves in the pack.

No one could ever replace Lucy, but it would be nice to have a friend like her there.

I know the chances of having a male friend are slim, given how possessive wolves can be, but maybe.

My mind is so consumed with these thoughts that time seems to fly by.

Before I know it, we’re landing.