Born To Be More

Angel

Max

I’ve been in New Zealand for the past four weeks, handling business—mostly finalizing deals with a pair of clients who recently acquired a vintage cellar and vineyard down in the South Island. It’s a good move. The soil, the climate, the craftsmanship—everything here is working in our favor. I’ve also just finished setting up a satellite site to manage our exports. Kiwis are a different breed: innovative, hardworking, and loyal as hell if you treat them right.

I nod a quick thanks as I’m ushered through security. I’ve done this enough times now to have the process down to a science. Passport, scan, pat down—move along. I walk through, straightening my jacket as I head toward the gates. Same rhythm, same routine. Nothing out of place.

And then I see her.

She’s just walking out of one of the little airport shops, a carry-on bag in one hand, snacks in the other. She’s not doing anything special—just walking—but heads turn in her direction like she’s a damn magnet. She’s tall, elegant, and entirely unaware of the effect she has on the room.

My heart slams in my chest.

No. f*****g. Way.

Before I can even process what I’m seeing, her scent hits me.

Warm, wild jasmine. Something pure. Familiar and not. My wolf howls in my head like a caged animal that just saw daylight.

“Mate.”

My whole body goes still.

My mate.

I have found my mate.

Goddamn it, I wasn’t ready for this. I’m 29. Alpha of one of the largest, most powerful werewolf packs in America. The Jewel Moon Pack. We span three territories, over eleven thousand members strong. My family’s led this pack for seven generations, and I’ve carried the weight of leadership since I was twenty-two. I’ve dealt with rogue threats, expansion, full moon diplomacy, you name it—but nothing, nothing—hits like this.

Like her.

She’s the most breathtaking creature I’ve ever seen, and she has no idea she’s just turned my entire world upside down.

I move to the side of the terminal, pretending to scroll my phone, but really just watching her step into the security line. I’m careful not to draw attention, but every nerve ending in my body is hyperaware of her. Her voice, her posture, the way she brushes a strand of hair behind her ear like it’s nothing—yet it sends a jolt straight to my chest. My wolf, Tyson, is pacing, growling, demanding I get closer.

I shoot off a quick message to Luke—my assistant, handler of chaos, miracle worker.

My mate’s on this flight. I need her moved to the seat beside me.

I always book two business class seats. I don’t like strangers up in my space, and most women who sit next to me get ideas. I don’t have time for that kind of attention. I prefer control.

Luke replies almost instantly.

Done. Just need her name or seat number.

I lift my phone, subtly snap a picture of the row as she heads to her economy seat, and send it through.

I’m not proud of how stalker-level this feels, but I don’t give a damn. I need her near me. I need to know her.

I watch her interact with two guys already in her row. She laughs easily, flashing a smile that damn near floors me. Her presence is magnetic, but not loud. Graceful, natural—like she doesn’t realize she’s lighting up the plane.

Tyson is going feral in my head.

I take another pic of the seat number and shoot it off to Luke. Within seconds, he texts:

She’s upgraded. Enjoy your flight, boss.

Oh, I plan to.

I head to my seat, passing Julia along the way—one of the flight attendants, and a mistake I made six months ago when I needed a distraction and she was willing. One night, over. Apparently, she didn’t get the memo.

She gives me a sugary smile, the kind that’s meant to stir memories, but I shut it down with a nod. I’m not that guy anymore. Especially not today.

She stiffens when someone hands her a slip of paper. I catch her reading it, and her smile fades into a scowl.

Perfect.

She makes her way to me, cheeks flushed. “Max, I’m so sorry—someone’s been upgraded into the seat next to you. It must be a mistake. I’ll fix it.”

I raise an eyebrow. “It’s fine.”

“But… no one ever sits next to you.”

“I’m making an exception,” I say simply.

She doesn’t like that. I can tell. But I don’t care. My mate is coming, and no ex-fling with boundary issues is going to stop that.

Her supervisor arrives and whispers something to her. “The upgrade was personally processed. Airline exec level,” she says. “Make it happen.”

Julia’s face turns stormy, but she storms off without another word.

I sit back.

And wait.

And then… there she is.

Standing beside me.

Mate.

This is it. She’s standing beside me.

Julia tells her to take her seat with a tone dipped in vinegar. I stand to let her pass. She’s tall—taller than I expected—but I still look down on her, and I like that. Confidence radiates off her, even as she checks me out. Tyson, my wolf, howls in my head.

Mate.

She meets my gaze briefly, then quickly looks away, clearly realizing she’s been caught. I let her settle in, watching as she exhales and leans back in her seat. That sigh—it’s soft, effortless—and it gives me an excuse to look her over.

Long, dark hair. Deep blue eyes. A slim, graceful frame. A perfectly rounded ass I’m already picturing bent over my desk. High cheekbones, full lips that look made to be kissed—or bitten.

She turns slightly toward me. “Max,” I say, offering my hand.

Her fingers slip into mine, and f**k. Sparks shoot straight to my c**k.

“Raine. Hi,” she says softly.

“Hello, Raine.” I hold her hand a beat longer than I should. I don’t want to let go. She’s going to think I’m an asshole, but I’m completely captivated.

When she finally pulls away, I feel the loss immediately

Raine slips her hand from mine, and I feel the emptiness immediately. A void where her touch had just been.

Julia and her colleague begin the pre-flight safety demonstration, but I barely register the words. I’m too aware of Raine—of her watching me. And damn, it thrills me that she’s looking again.

Something’s off, Tyson growls in my mind, his tone edged with confusion. I sense her wolf, but it’s faint—like something’s blocking it. She’s not normal, Max.

Tyson doesn’t say things like that lightly. He’s powerful—blessed by the Moon Goddess herself, carrying rare jewel-blood abilities passed down through our line. If he feels something’s off, it’s worth paying attention to.

I mull over his words. Usually, when fated mates meet, it’s instant. No questions, no hesitation. The pull consumes you—you mate or mark within hours. But with Raine… I felt the spark, the connection. Yet it wasn’t like anything I’ve known. And when I first saw her, I didn’t even recognize her as wolf. I thought she was human.

The engines roar as the plane lifts off, and I glance over. Raine’s got a white-knuckled grip on the armrests, her face pale, jaw tight.

“Raine,” I murmur, keeping my voice low, “is this your first time flying?”

She shakes her head, swallowing hard. “No. I’ve done short flights around New Zealand, but I—I’ve never left home before,” she says, stumbling a little. “And… I hate flying.”

Poor thing’s terrified. Maybe I can distract her, I think, letting a smile tug at the corner of my mouth. And damn, do I have a few ideas—most of which would absolutely help keep her mind off turbulence.

The plane rattles with a small burst of turbulence.

“So, Raine,” I say, keeping my tone casual, “what puts you on a long-haul flight to New York?”

“Work,” she says.

That’s it? One word?

Most women don’t stop talking when I’m around—hell, most of them look like they’re waiting for me to notice them. And my mate gives me one word?

“She’s not like those alpha bunnies you usually bang, Max,” Tyson purrs in my head. “She’s our angel.”

I smirk. That, she is.

“So, what kind of work?” I press, hoping for at least a full sentence this time.

“Modelling.”

Again—one word. I’m both frustrated and intrigued.

Before I can ask anything else, the plane shudders through another rough patch. Raine gasps, then grabs onto my arm with both hands and closes her eyes tight. Her knuckles are white, and her face is even whiter.

Shit, she looks like she’s going to be sick.

“Angel, it’s okay,” I murmur, placing my hand gently over hers. “It’ll pass.”

She doesn’t let go, but I feel her relax slightly under my touch. The warmth of her skin against mine makes my chest tighten. I want to pull her onto my lap and soothe her, whisper in her ear until the fear’s gone—but I get the feeling she’d deck me.

Another jolt hits, and she turns an actual shade of green. Not cute, minty green either. Full-blown Shrek mode.

“Breathe,” I say softly, rubbing my thumb along her wrist.

“No,” she hisses, then yanks her hand back, grabs the seat pocket bag, and hurls.

Okay, did not see that coming.

She turns toward the window and retches again. And again.

I grab the refresher towel from the little business class kit and hold it out. “Raine, here—use this.”

She takes it without looking at me. “Thanks,” she mumbles, voice barely above a whisper.

I bite back a laugh, trying not to add to her humiliation, but damn. My mate just threw up mid-flirt. Figures.

The seatbelt sign finally turns off and the pilot gives the all-clear. I lean toward her gently. “Raine, why don’t you head to the bathroom and freshen up? I’ll get you some ginger beer—maybe a water too?”

She nods, not meeting my eyes, then grabs the barf bag like it’s radioactive and bolts toward the back of the cabin.

I chuckle, shaking my head. This flight is already turning into something else. And I’ve still got over 19 hours to get to know her. Good. I plan to make the most of every minute.

I wave down a flight attendant and order her an iced water and ginger beer. Bourbon for me. I sit back and wait.

When she returns, she looks less green. Still a little flushed, but back to gorgeous. I stand to let her slide into her seat.

“How are you feeling?” I ask.

She sighs and finally looks at me. “Embarrassed... I’m so sorry—and thank you for, well... you know.”

She’s blushing like crazy. Those soft cheeks are pink, and her eyes are a little glassy. My wolf is practically purring.

“Hey,” I say gently, “no worries. I’ve seen worse. Honestly, I’m impressed you made it to the bag in time.”

Her eyes go wide. “Oh God, that’s so embarrassing. You must think I’m a total baby.”

I grin. “I definitely think things—but a baby isn’t one of them.”

Her mouth opens, like she’s going to fire something back, but she stops. Then… she smiles. A shy, real smile.

And I melt.

“You have a beautiful smile,” I say before I can stop myself.

She freezes. s**t. Too much?

She’s watching me like she’s trying to figure me out. Good luck, angel. I’ve spent years building walls no one gets through.

But maybe... just maybe... she will.

We’ve got nineteen hours.

Let the games begin.