THE MISSING PIECE

CHAPTER 6 - LET THE TRIP BEGIN

ZACHARY

“I swear that you are the only werewolf whose mate doesn't even want him close.” “Maybe it is because she is not our mate!” “Well, she is my mate, so you will have to live with it.” Kygo sounded mad, and I don't blame him. She stank of the other guy's scent. I almost barfed at the scent, and in the kiss scene, he almost took control. If it weren't because I ran at werewolf velocity she could have seen my canines enlarge. I didn't think about how Kygo would behave near her, I just considered the complaints about seeing her stop. But now, he complained from 4 am that we should be the ones to come and pick her up. What I am, a driver? I don't think so. “A gentleman? Neither.” “I would be a gentleman to my mate, not to a mere human.” I pushed Kygo to the back and realized she was still staring at me.

-What do you want?

-An answer would be great.

-I’m here to drive us to the airport. We have a plane to catch, remember?

-But you were supposed to drive in your car, and I would ride the SUV with my pets and Daniel.

-And you were supposed to come with me in my car, so I guess no one had what they wanted, so now we are even.

-Are you always like that?

-No Miss Brown, today I’m happy. So let us keep me in that mood.

She opened the container and a smell of cheese filled the car. “Don’t let her eat that!” “Come on Kygo, go to the back!” “If she bites I will lose control!” Damn I was in the middle of the freeway and Kygo wasn’t kidding, I could already feel my skin burning. I need to think fast. I got off the road and in the commotion I took the container, rolled down the window, and threw it outside. As I saw the container disappear into the tall grass, Kygo’s anger started to calm.

-That was close!

-Close for what? Who do you think you are? That was my breakfast and my boyfriend made it for me!

“And with all his love, now let the birds and ants eat it.” “Kygo, that’s the reason she hates us, and you complain about why she hates me.” Her face was getting red by the second and the smell of Casablanca lilies and rain also started to intensify. I need a normal answer, and not sorry I have a childish wolf, which was the real answer.

-Your fault, I’m deathly allergic to cheese! That could have been my life and yours! Imagine a crash on the freeway. So you should thank me for saving us and your pets.

-How was I supposed to know that?

-No thanks?

-I will say thanks if you apologize for that rude behavior. You could ask me and I would have closed it. There was no need to throw it out of the window.

-Well I will not say sorry, you will not say thanks. We are even.

She just looked at me with her brownish eyes, but if looks could kill, I know I would be dead for a while now. The rest of the drive was in complete silence. Normally I would like it, but I swear I could cut the air with a knife.

-This is not the way to the airport.

-But it is the way to the private airport.

She didn't look at me when she talked. “Get her to look at us!” “Better this way Kygo, we had a deal, you keep her close and let me work without your complaints.” “But I want her…” “Do you want me to send her back home to her boyfriend?” “Don't you dare!” I started to feel the heat in my skin. “So keep your part of the deal! She will be close to you, but there's no need to interact.” I entered the airport parking lot and kept driving to almost get to the plane shade. I opened the SUV door and walked to the plane. I saw two people already taking her luggage to the plane. She was getting the dogs out of the cages.

-Mister Miller, could you please take Milo’s leash so that I can take Max and Belle?

-Sorry, I don't like dogs.

She looked at me as if she had figured something out. “She knows we are werewolves, let me out!” “Of course that is not what she is thinking, stay put.” Sabrina went and took the leash of the dog. I just keep walking to the lounge. Arriving there, I saw Nelson and Kevin ordering some baguettes.

-So at what time does the plane leave?

-When we are ready, but first, let's eat something. Come, we will put the leashes here and the cat’s travel carrier there.

I decided to order the Italian baguette. I sat down next to the window. Kygo was getting on my nerves, he was so happy I had a hard time separating his feelings from mine. I saw Sabrina and Miss Brown ordering their food.

-The Italian baguette is ready, Mister Miller.

I stood up from my place and walked to the baguette lying on the table.

-You can't eat that!

-Miss Brown, get off my way.

-No! You can’t eat that!

I just moved her out of my way, grabbed the baguette, and had a bite.

-No! We need to call a doctor fast!

Everyone was just looking at her as if she was crazy. Kygo started to get angry because of their looks at Miss Brown.

-There's nothing to look at here!

Using my alpha tone, everyone at that instant turned their eyes away. Looking around to be sure of it, I felt kind of tingles in my forehead and throat. I focused my eyesight and saw Miss Brown. “Mate is touching us!” Kygo was so happy, it was hard to keep him down.

-Can you breathe normally? Do you feel any fever? Can you swallow?

-What are you doing?

I asked her as I took her hands away from my neck and face.

-You are smiling? OMG, are you hallucinating because of a lack of oxygen?

I looked around and everyone was still unable to look at us because of the command. “Mate was touching us!” “Shut up Kygo! Why is she behaving like this?”

-Sorry what type of cheese is this?

I turned around and everything clicked. Miss Brown had the plate of my baguette and was talking with the guy from the shop. He looked more than happy to pay her attention. “Stupid humans.” He extended his hand to grab the plate and touched her fingers with his. “Don't let him touch her!” “Calm down!” I took the plate and grabbed Miss Brown by the wrist and pulled her to the private room.

-We need a doctor so he can check on you!

Was she really that worried for me?

-I thought you didn't like me?

-That I don’t like you doesn’t mean I would let you die because of some mortal allergy.

And I was right, the baguette had cheese and she was worried because of my fake mortal allergy. “This is all your fault Kygo, now I will need to avoid cheese, or look like a liar.” “She doesn't hate you! And you have been a really big pain. She is going to be an excellent Luna.” “I have been a pain? What about you, just complaining all day?” I felt light tingles again in my throat. I looked at her and she had her hand again touching my neck. I removed her hands from me again.

-Don´t touch me, and stop acting crazy. It’s not real cheese, it´s almond cheese.

-What? Couldn´t you say that earlier?

-Are you now regretting trying to save me?

-No, I think even ungrateful people like you should live.

She then smiled and went back to the food court. “Yes, she would be the best Luna.” “She will never be Luna.” “Didn't you feel the tingles?” “The light tingles?” “Well they were light, but there were tingles when she touches us!” “When a mate touches you for the first time you should feel like an electric current and big sparks all over you, not light tingles. She is not our mate. That is your proof.” “She is our mate, but a human. Maybe that’s the reason.” “Well, I don't need a human mate who will only contribute light tingles.” I pushed Kygo to the back and returned to the food court. I felt Sabrina trying to communicate with me through the link.

-“Zac, what happened?”

-“Nothing, just keep her busy.”

I went back to my table and Nelson and Kevin sat in front. With just one look, they understood that I didn't want to speak about the crazy human. We just ate our baguettes in peace. Something that I haven't had since the moment Kygo smelled her for the first time. I missed this so much.

-Aren't we taking too much time? The plane is going to leave us.

-Don't worry Grace, it's a private plane. It's not going to leave without each one of us. There's no hurry. Eat at your rhythm.

I felt like thorns in my back. I looked back and so there was Grace, looking at me with anger, again. This is going to be a long trip. “Why is she mad?” Kygo asked me. “Because you didn’t let her say goodbye to her boyfriend properly, with the excuse of the flight going without us. Remember?” Once again, I pushed Kygo to the back. He can easily come back because I’m not used to doing that. We usually are on the same side, and it is so strange for us to disagree, but since she appeared my life has been more difficult. “As if our life had been easier.” “Than now, yes.” “We lived for the job, Zac. It wasn't easy but we didn't involve personally with anything. Now we can be involved in something great for us! For the pack!” “I don't think the pack would appreciate a human, and neither do I. Please just stay at the back for a while.” I closed the link and grabbed my briefcase with my laptop and started to walk to the exit.

-We are leaving now!

Everyone stood up and grabbed their things.

-But I haven't finished my baguette.

Grace said with an annoyed voice.

-Too bad for you, eat faster next time.

As I spoke, I heard a low growl and noticed the Doberman. I let out a lower growl, low enough that a human couldn’t hear it but powerful so the dog would understand who was the alpha. The dog lowered his head and whimpered. That’s how I like it. I turned around and continued walking. Sabrina had the leash of the dog in her left hand and Miss Brown had the rest of the pets. Boarding the plane, they took the dogs to the back.

-It’s going to be just a four hour flight, Grace, they will be fine. Come sit with me.

Sabrina said to her.

-“Kevin, Nelson. As soon as we take off and the seatbelts are off, come, and sit in front of me.”

-“Yes, Alpha.”

-“No problem… Alpha”

I chuckled as I imagined Nelson linking Kevin to order him to add the last part. The take-off went smoothly.

-So what's the deal, Zac?

I saw Nelson punch Kevin in the shoulder as they sat in front of me.

-So what's the deal, Alpha?… Better?

I turned back and saw Sabrina and Miss Brown laughing. When I returned my sight to the front, I saw Kevin eating my chocolate and Nelson looking at me.

-I did try to stop him, but he licked the whole piece.

-It’s just a bar of chocolate, relax man.

Kevin said to him.

-Kevin stop pissing Nelson for your fun. We need to adopt some new rules.

-New rules. What is wrong with the old ones?

-Nothing Nelson. We are going to be around a human, and I don't want to raise suspicion.

-In any case, why are we traveling with a human?

Nelson said, looking with some... disgust at Grace. "Kill him now!" Kygo was getting way out of hand.

-Because it’s fun. It’s time we hung out with some other species, and she could be the mate of someone in the pack…

If my blood wasn't boiling, Kevin's comment was about to explode. I closed my eyes so that they wouldn't see how that was affecting me and Kygo. "She is our mate, not someone else!" Kygo was about to lose it. Deep breaths, I just took deep breaths.

-Don´t say stupid things, Kevin. We are the royal pack. Humans as mates is a strange thing to see, and it only happens in weak packs.

I felt my claws growing... I had to calm Kygo down.“You know what he is saying is true Kygo, calm down!” I didn't feel the heat in my blood going off. “Look at this on the bright side, we are only visiting strong packs, so no one would think of her as a possible mate.” “But they should! She is perfect!” “Do you want them to think of her as a possible mate?” “No!” “So then be happy, that's how they see her, now stay calm!” I felt my body relax. At that moment, I opened my eyes. And try to take the conversation back to where it started.

-Going back to the new rules. You shouldn’t call me alpha or use hierarchy names near humans. Humans don't do that.

-And what are we supposed to call you?

-How do you prefer Nelson? Although I have been telling you for years that you can call me by my name.

-Finally, you said something I like, Zac.

Nelson stood up and growled at Kevin.

-Don’t be disrespectful to your alpha!

I turned and saw the girls still laughing.

-New rules man, you are breaking them!

Kevin said with a smoking voice to Nelson.

-Sit down now Nelson! And even though we are not using hierarchy names, you need to respect Nelson as the third in command.

I said that, using my alpha tone, and he immediately sat down.

-I know it’s going to be hard…

I said.

-Not for me.

-If you keep interrupting the Alpha... Kevin, I swear I will put a parachute on your back and push you through the emergency exit.

-That would be awesome! Is it possible? Can I do that?

-Nelson, just bear with this a little. You are one of my best men. I know you can do it.

I said to him, because his face looked as if he was suffering.

-Why do we even need a human? It's not like she is useful.

I didn't feel Kygo. I'm getting good at this thing of pushing him to the back and closing the link.

-It’s for training Kevin and his behavior near humans. Now that he is becoming a great warrior, the possibilities for him to travel more and to be out of Aegean Moon territory by himself or with other members are higher. So, socializing with humans is a fundamental skill.

-I like what you are saying finally, someone…

Kevin said, interrupting me... That kid needs a lesson.

-That's why you and I will go visit the packs, and Kevin and Sabrina will stay behind with the human.

I said to Nelson and he finally smiled while Kevin's smile dropped to the floor.

-What! No! I want to go visit the packs!

-I thought you said that it was fun to be with humans and socialize with other species.

Nelson said to him with a big smile.

- Come on man, I didn't know I was going to be left behind, and where will we wait? The majority of the packs aren’t near civilization or even cell phone signals.

-Sabrina will handle that. And you will have a human to talk to, no need for a signal or WIFI.

Nelson said to Kevin, still with a huge smile.

-It´s not fair!

He stood up and went back to his place. I saw Nelson smile at me.

-Well, taking in mind that humans will keep Kevin away from me, I will tolerate this situation, Miller.

-My last name?

-It’s in my veins to be respectful to my alpha. I can’t use your first name.

-Don’t worry Nelson.

His family has been the third in command since the beginning of the pack. It's the only one in the pack apart from myself that has pure blood of the royal Aegean moon. Other pack members, like Nate, my beta, had a mother from another pack. Or Sabrina, who was originally from a pack of another country, and met Nate in an alpha reunion. Actually, I remember how everyone thought she would be my mate. Sabrina is one of the most powerful warriors even in the royal pack, but she with Nate just made sense.