The Power Within

Chapter Eighteen

I stood up and grabbed my bag. I ignored Malcom's stare as I walked back into the main area of the jet and put my bag back into the over-head compartment. I took my seat. His presence was still bothering me. His smell made me want to cuddle up next to him. I could just imagine how all those hard muscles would feel under my hands. I clenched my fists. I had to stop thinking about him like that. Get ahold of yourself! He is just a man! Nothing special about him at all.  I threw my head against the back of the seat. Stupid mate-bond. I had to find a way to sever it, somehow. There had to be a way. Maybe I could ask Chrissy. She might know of a potion or something that could help. 

Speaking of potions, I wondered if that potion Mica injected me with has worn off. 

"Do you know when the potion is supposed to wear off?" I glanced at Malcom, briefly, and then went back to staring out the window.

"What potion?" His deep voice still gave me shivers.

I rolled my eyes. "The potion that keeps me from shifting. That bastard, Mica, injected me with it a few hours before you arrived."

I looked at Malcom again when he didn't respond after a few seconds. He looked pissed. His hands were clenched, and his lips were pressed into a thin line. 

"I was not aware he injected you with anything." He said through gritted teeth. "My apologies. I told him you and your parents were to remain unharmed, no matter what." His dark brown eyes met mine. His whole demeanor changed. "You didn't put your contacts in." His voice was soft. 

It took me a minute before I could finally look away from him. The way he looks at me, no one has ever looked at me like that. I thought. And now he was apologizing for Mica. I shook my head and let out a huge huff.

"What? What's wrong?" His voice was still low.

I narrowed my eyes at him, and snapped. "You! You are what is wrong. You've kidn*pped me, along with my parents. But you keep apologizing, and saying s**t like you don't want to hurt us. You grabbed our bags! What kind of bad guy grabs people's luggage?!" I was on a roll. My mouth and my brain were finally spewing all the things they had wanted to say. "You uncuffed us, you've been sort of nice and considerate, offering my mom and dad the bed so they can rest, offering me food! Is this all a ploy? Are you acting like this to gain my trust or something? What the hell is going on?!" I was yelling at him by the end of my rant. My chest was heaving. I spared my parents a look, to see their reactions. They were looking at Malcom the same way I was, confused. 

At the sound of Malcom's sigh, I snapped my head back to look at him. "Kiley, I know you are confused and angry right now. I will explain everything once we get to the safe house..."

"Explain what?!" I yelled at him, interrupting him. I pointed my finger at him. "You said you would explain things on the plane. Well, we are on the plane. Explain away!" My anger couldn't be contained. I was fed up. My life had been quiet, predictable, safe even, to a degree. Until I woke up that day after wrecking my handsome Jake. Then everything went to the dumpster after that. Mica pretending to be my mate, and for what? For revenge, for money. I didn't even know anymore. 

"Kiley," Malcom said softly. "Please, let's get to the safe house, and then when I know you and your parents are not in any danger, I will tell you anything you want to know." He looked close to begging me. His eyes were pleading with me. 

And like a light switch being flipped, my anger was spent. Mom-ra always said my temper was like a match: it would flare up quick and bright, but burned out fast. I was still angry, but confusion and exhaustion were taking over now. I glanced at my parents. Dad just shrugged his shoulders, and Mom gave me a small smile. They were just as confused and tired as I was.

I looked back at Malcom, his eyes still on me. "Whatever." I told him with a small shrug of my shoulders. "How much longer until we land?"  

He gave me a small smile. I couldn't stop myself from admiring the way his face changed with the smile. "In about an hour and thirty minutes." He leaned back to rest his head against the back of the seat. "Thank you," He said it so softly, I almost didn't hear it. 

I shrugged my shoulders again. I didn't want his thanks. I wanted to go home. I wanted my parents to be able to go home. I wanted my nice, quiet life back. I had a strange feeling, however, that my life was about to change, drastically, and I had no clue what to do about it.