Save Me

Chapter 2

She checked over my ticket before smiling at me and nodded. "Your brother can sit with you, Miss Thorne." She replied, glancing at Ezra from the corner of her eye.

I turned around to face Ezra and put my thumb up at him. "Come on, Bro. This generous lady said you are allowed to sit with me." I grinned.

"Mr. Thorne, you're welcome to sit anywhere you want." She enunciated, flirting with him.

I chuckled, shaking my head. I walked past the desk, glancing back at Ezra, who was busy flirting with the woman.

I grinned, heading towards the tunnel. "The plane isn't going to wait for you," I called out.

I strolled down the tunnel leading to the plane as Ezra caught up with me. At least my flight will not be boring; Ezra is actually kind of funny.

"Thanks, Sis." He quipped, nudging my shoulder and smirking at me.

"Don't mention it." I chuckled, shoving him playfully.

We arrived at the plane and waited in the queue. "It's so busy," I whispered as a shiver ran through me.

"It's because these tunnels are so small. We'll be on the plane in no time." He replied.

After waiting for five minutes, we were finally at the doorway. "Enjoy your flight." The flight attendant smiled at us as she ushered us on.

We smiled and thanked the woman before we made our way to the back of the plane. I placed my bag in the overhead compartment and then turned to Ezra.

"Your window seat, Sir." I bowed playfully.

"You're the best." He crowed, flailing his arms about.

"Jesus, Ezra. Sit down and stop acting like a p-child." I scolded, rolling my eyes.

By the look on his face, he caught my slip up. He won't have known what I was going to say. The expression was like he knew what I was about to say, but he never acted on it. Instead, he held his hands up in defence with a grin on his face and flopped down onto his seat.

One of the flight attendants began explaining the emergency procedures. I played around with a magazine while listening to the guy. Ezra flicked through the channels on the portable television on the back of the seat in front of us.

"Do you want to watch a movie to pass the time?" He questioned.

"Sure." I nodded.

He passed me some headphones with an amused smile on his face.

"What?" I questioned, raising my brows at him.

"We're watching Happy Feet." He smirked.

The plane engines roared to life as the seat belt sign dinged. I made sure I was securely strapped in, then shoved the headphones on my head.

"Okay. Happy Feet it is." I sighed.

I didn't get far into the film before my eyes started drooping. I tried keeping my eyes open, but it was useless. The last thing I remember was little Mumble first dancing before I succumbed to sleep taking over.

Someone gently shaking me jolted me awake. It took me a while to remember I was on a plane.

"Amaris, we're landing," Ezra whispered.

I'll never understand why when someone is trying to wake you up, they whisper. I sighed and nuzzled my head into the chair. This is actually more comfy than I remember.

"You comfy there?" Ezra chuckled.

My eyes snapped open wide when I realised my head was resting on Ezra's shoulder. I shot up and felt my cheeks heat up in embarrassment. I have to admit, though, that the most peaceful sleep I've had in years; something about him is so comforting, and it's f*****g confusing.

"Don't worry about it. You were having a nightmare, I think." He awkwardly rubbed his neck. "I didn't have the heart to move you when your head fell on my shoulder. You seemed to calm down." He shrugged.

I took a deep breath and beamed at him. That is probably the kindest thing someone has done for me in a while.

"Thank you." I expressed.

As soon as we hit the tarmac, I sucked in a breath and gripped hold of the armrest.

"You don't like landing?" He asked.

I nodded. I couldn't say what was wrong. I couldn't tell Ezra I was scared of being surrounded by wolves again; he'd probably think I'm insane.

I stood up and dragged my bag down from the compartment. Ezra tapped me on my shoulder as he stood up. I turned and lifted my brow.

"So this might sound a little creepy, but do you need a ride?" He asked with a chuckle.

I rolled my eyes and smirked at him, placing a hand on my hip.

"Dude, we're strangers. You could be an axe murderer for all I know." I joshed.

He laughed, then sighed dramatically. "Ezra Fox at your service." He bowed playfully. "I promise I'm not an axe murderer or any type of murderer for that matter."

His last name sounds so familiar. I can't figure out where I know it.

"I bet that's what all murderers say." I winked. "See you around."

I waved my hand over my shoulder as I went towards the exit. I made my way off the plane and headed to the airport. I spotted Uncle Tristan standing beside the conveyor belt, holding a sign with my name on it.

I went over to him, and he dropped the sign and scooped me up into his arms.

"I have missed you so much, Amari," he whispered, hugging me tightly.

He pulled back and trailed his eyes over me.

"Why can't I sense your wolf?" He asked with a puzzled expression on his face.

I picked my necklace up and smiled, "my necklace."

My necklace is one of a kind. It masks my wolf scent. As long as it hangs around my neck, no other werewolf can sense me, and that's the way I like it.

"Oh, I forgot about that." He said with an awkward smile.

"I missed you, too." I sighed.

He gave me a peck on my cheek before I grabbed my suitcase off the belt. Uncle Tristan took it from me while we headed outside to his car. He unlocked the car and took my suitcase around to the trunk.

I opened the door and climbed in, pulling the door closed behind me. With a shaky sigh, I fastened the seat belt around me before taking a deep breath. I focused on my breathing, trying to calm myself.

Uncle Tristan climbed in beside me and smiled before turning on the ignition and fastening his belt. The car smelled of home; it smelled of my dad.

It's only a matter before I have to face what happened; before I have to face my past, and I am utterly terrified.

I'm sorry, Dad, I'm coming home.

Chapter 3

We pulled away from the car park, and I admired the scenery as we drove. I have to admit, I have missed this place.

"How is everyone... back home?" I asked apprehensively.

He kept his eyes fixated on the road. I noticed his knuckles turning white. I know this is a hard time for him too. I'm kicking myself for not being here when it happened. I wasn't here for any of them.

"Everyone is as good as can be." He stated.

"How's Lucas?" I uttered. He exhaled heavily and shook his head. "He's still angry with me isn't he?" I asked sadly.

"Yeah, he's still a little angry." He admitted. "I know, I just hoped he would eventually understand," I hummed.

"He does understand why you had to leave. He just misses you is all." He disclosed, "You missed some pretty big milestones in his life." He added with a sad smile.

I gasped harshly. "I was there when he met his mate, remember?" I huffed, "That was when I also met my mate. Well, one of them." I grumbled.

I held my head in my hands, bending forward. "Look I don't want to argue with you. I understand why you left and your dad did too." He returned sadly.

"Lucas got... married, Amaris." He stammered. My head snapped up, and I glared at him. "Why did no one tell me?" I shrilled. He shook his head, "Amaris, you were told. Ria and Drew said they messaged you in the group chat." He remarked.

"No, no, no." I panicked. "When was it?" I grunted.

"It was a year after they met." He confessed. I groaned and spun myself around in my seat, "But when exactly?" I exasperated.

"The anniversary of their meeting." He whispered. I whimpered a little. I ignored everyone that weekend. If I had looked at my phone without breaking into a rage, I could have seen my best friend get married. A tear slipped down my face, and I quickly caught it. I took a deep breath and gazed out of the window.

"He knew you wouldn't come but he had hoped you would." He smiled. "I would have been there if I had seen the message," I whined. "I had just left the pack. I needed space to sort my head out." I whimpered.

"I know. I understand it was too quick for you to come back." He cautioned. "Lucas knows that too. He's just stubborn like his mother." He chuckled.

I started pulling the thread from my jeans. A habit I have when I'm nervous.

"Is my dad... Was my dad." I hesitated, "Happy before it happened?"

"Amari, he loved you and all he wanted was for you to happy." He smiled. I took a deep breath and gaped out the window, "I'm sorry I wasn't there when it happened." I mumbled.

He stopped the car and turned to me, "Have you actually said out loud what happened?" He wondered.

"No. Saying it out loud makes it real." I sniffled. "I'm not ready for it to be real." I whimpered.

Ever since I received that phone call, I've not said it out loud. I haven't spoken to anyone about it. I feel guilty for not being there and for not speaking to my dad as much as I should have.

"Amaris, you need to accept that it happened before we get there." He affirmed. I shook my head vigorously. "There's a lot of people that are counting on you." He declared. I sighed dramatically and rolled my eyes, "I'm coming back for the funeral that is all." I claimed.

He rolled his eyes and started the car. "You need to take your place as Alpha, Amaris." He sighed, keeping his eyes on the road. Nope, not happening. Panic was starting to set in. I can't be Alpha. I can't run a whole pack; I'm not trained for anything of this.

"Amaris, what's wrong?" Uncle Tristan asked. I glanced at him, "Your eyes are red. Calm down." He said with panic in his voice.

"How long till we reach the pack?" I choked out. My whole body feels like it's on fire. I think it's because we're so near the pack. I haven't been near the pack in so long, and the power emitting from it, I can feel it from over here.

"About an hour." He replied.

I shook my head firmly and continued doing it,

"Stop the car." I blurted out.

He slammed on the brakes, I promptly opened the door and stumbled out. Uncle Tristan hopped out after me and yelled, "Amaris! Wait! We still need to talk!" But I was already halfway across the field.

'Maybe we should go back.' Aurora whined.

'No. We shift and run the rest of the way.'

I leapt over a fallen log, shifting mid-air.

As soon as Aurora's paws connected with the dirt, she stretched and let out a powerful howl. It's been a while since we last shifted. She hasn't been for a run for a good few weeks. I sat back and let Aurora take control.

'It's on all you, Rory. Lead us home.'