Chapter 32

32

O ctavia

I reach into the small cooler bag, which is filled with various food items and frosty drinks. It was handed to me by one of the pilots before I boarded the jet plane. The cool air inside the cabin is a welcome respite from the heat outside. I was informed that there is a restroom in the rear of the plane. I look around the interior and am struck by the luxury. I'm sitting in one of eight oversized seats that resemble plush recliners more than traditional aircraft seating. The cream leather is soft to the touch and perfectly complemented by shiny wood accents. It feels like I've stepped into a high-end living room instead of a plane. Then again, this is a private jet. It makes me wonder who flew in it to the island and why.

I'm going home.

I'm leaving.

My throat suddenly feels dry, so I take a big sip of my water. I close the cooler bag, pushing it under my seat, the snacks and food untouched. I feel sick at the thought of eating. Probably because I ate so much back at the castle. It's also the thought of leaving.

This is it. It's goodbye. I'll never see Creed again.

For a moment there, I was tempted to tell Star that I was taking the flight on Monday, that I would wait. Then, I reminded myself that there was no point. This isn't like one of those sappy movies where the guy suddenly changes his mind. Or one of my romance novels where there is a happy ending. This is real life, and things like that don't happen.

I need to buck up already and get on with my life. There is so much adventure waiting for me out there. There is a man in my future. I can't picture anyone but Creed right now, which is irritating, but that will change. It will! I have to be strong and positive and all that. I will be.

I take another sip of water.

The door to the cockpit opens, and one of the pilots walks out. Shit, I forgot his name.

"Are you still doing okay back here?" he asks.

"Yes, I'm all good. Looking forward to going home." If I pretend, maybe it will start feeling true.

"I'm sure you are. I would be, too."

"This jet is stunning." I look around. "I'm very lucky. Who did you bring to the island? They must be loaded."

"I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to say." He winks at me.

"Oh, okay. I was also wondering how it is that you guys fly in and out of Mistveil." This is something I meant to ask Creed, but I forgot. "I thought that nothing was allowed in or out. That the Draig…lot had patrols ensuring that nothing…" By nothing, I mean dragons, but why not airplanes, too? "Got in or out."

That instructor, Shadow, was clear that this island was on lockdown. Clearly, it isn't.

"I'm sure you also had to sign a non-disclosure agreement."

"I did, indeed."

"So did I. I can't say anything about anything. I suggest you don't either, or you'll be sorry."

"Okay. Got you." No talking about anything or else. Perhaps I should have read the small print.

"A couple of things." He looks at his watch. "We're taking off in the next eight minutes. They finished fueling early, and we've already performed the pre-flight checks, so we're good to go. It'll mean a slightly earlier take-off time, but I'm sure you don't mind?" He doesn't wait for me to respond since it's a rhetorical question. "Make sure you buckle up for take-off and landing. I'll let you know just before we start the descent."

I nod as he speaks.

"Your seat folds out easily into a bed. Use this lever." He shows me where it is. "There's bedding in this closet." He opens a wall panel by pushing on it. It clicks closed. "We'll be up front. You're welcome to come into the cockpit once we reach cruise altitude. The flight will be around four hours and ten minutes. Slightly longer than normal due to headwinds. Be aware that there will be turbulence when we fly through the mist that hangs around this island. There are always crosswinds."

"Believe me, I know," I tell him, not going into any detail. He doesn't need to know I crashed.

"Okay, then. We're all set and ready to go. I hope you have an excellent flight. We'll see you a little later."

I nod, feeling slightly ill. I click my seatbelt closed, pulling the strap tight. Then I look out the window. A minute later, the cabin lights go out. It doesn't take long before we push back. Then we are taxiing down the only runway on the island. It's lit up like the 4th of July.

This is it.

I'm ready.

I wipe away a single tear that falls, forcing myself to swallow down the rest of them. Everything is going to be just fine.

Creed

My tires screech as I pull up to the airstrip. I'm just in time to see the jet go airborne.

"Fuck!" I grunt. The time on my dash is five to eight. That's five minutes early.

Perhaps the male at the front desk got it wrong. Maybe they simply took off early. Whatever the reason, I'm too fucking late.

It's done.

Octavia is gone.

I'm tempted to shift. To chase them down. To force them to land, but I don't. I don't want to scare the humans. I don't want to scare Octavia or risk her safety in any way.

I can't do it.

I get out of my car and hang my head for a few moments. If only I'd driven straight to the castle. If only… No, that would have been wrong. I did the right thing by taking Aspen to my folks' house. I did the right thing explaining things to them before coming here. How was I to know that this was going to happen? I didn't. I couldn't have known.

"Fuuuuck!" I groan. I can't believe this. What the hell am I going to do? How can I fix this? I need to fix it somehow. I need to find a way. This can't be the end. I refuse to accept it. I'll have to find a way to get to the Mainland and speak to her.

I watch the aircraft gain altitude, and the wheels go up. I keep my eyes on the jet because a piece of my heart is inside it. The part still inside of me is breaking. I'm an idiot. Such an idiot. I let her slip through my fingers.

They're going to go through the mist veil soon. Then she'll be gone for good. Just before they do, I see it clear as day: a big black dragon breaks out of the ocean in a spray of water. It catapults up and up, water dropping down and down. Then it grabs the jet in its talons. The engine whines, and for a moment, it seems like it'll break free and continue on its path.

There are a few moments where nothing seems to happen. Then the beast drags the aircraft down with it. The engines roar in protest, but the craft isn't strong enough to compete against the powerful creature.

I'm standing there, my jaw gaping, my fists clenched. I growl low.

I would recognize that dragon anywhere. It's Tank. He's after Octavia. He's after my female.

Mine!

Save! Protect!

Mine!

Even in mid-shift, I tamp back my dragon; I need to stay in control. I need to keep a clear head if I am to save Octavia.

My clothes shred from my body as I start shifting. Within half a second, I am in my dragon form and taking to the sky. I fly as fast as I can, watching in dismay as Tank deposits the jet on the beach. By now, the engines have shut down. Whether they've stalled or whether it is as a result of the pilot's intervention, I do not know, and I do not care. All I know is that I need to get over there.

I roar when I see Tank break open the tail of the plane, crunching it open with his jaws. Octavia could be hurt or killed by such a move. What the fuck is he doing? He truly is an evil bastard who has no concern for anyone but himself.

I need to get to him before he can so much as breathe on her, let alone touch her. I pick up the pace, putting my claws out as I reach the craft. I slash at Tank, delivering a powerful blow that sends him flying backward into the surf, away from the jet. The water isn't deep. He's up in an instant, his icy blue gaze on me with a predatory stare.

Bring it, asshole!

I'm going to kill him for this.

Tank comes at me; I almost forgot how quick he is. He dodges my claws and strikes with a swift kick to my stomach. I hiss in pain but manage to keep my footing. Only just. Despite his size, Tank is incredibly agile and skilled in combat, something I need to keep at the forefront of my mind.

"Creed!" Octavia shouts from behind me. I can't look now. I pray that she remembers what I told her before. That she needs to get to safety and away from any fights, particularly fights between dragons.

I launch myself at Tank, my jaws wide open, ready to sink my teeth into his flesh and send him to the depths of the sea. But Tank is cunning, and he manages to dodge my attack. We spar back and forth, each blow more powerful than the last. The waves crash around us; the saltwater stings our eyes. We fight into the deeper water and then back out onto the sand and back again.

He goes for my torso more than once, using claw, fang, and tail, but I hold him off. My ribs are almost healed, but they're not there yet. One strike, and they'll break all over again, leaving me vulnerable.

Fuck that!

Fuck him!

I land a blow to the side of his head. Blood flows. He cuts into my right leg with his barb. It stings. I feel hot blood drip. Our fight goes on for what feels like an age.

I feel myself grow tired. My limbs start to feel heavy. My breathing starts to sound labored. Tank is also fatigued, but he's not as bad as me. He's holding his own and gaining the upper hand by the second.

No!

I can't let that happen. If I lose, he'll get Octavia. He'll take her deep into the jungle. He'll mate her against her will. I don't want to think about it. I can't, not right now.

My dragon goes nuts. He roars. For a second, it feels like I'm going to lose control of him, which I can't allow to happen. I redouble my efforts to keep control. That's when it hits me. That barbed fucking tail and on my torso, the right-hand side, too. There's a crack as my ribs re-break. White hot pain hits me, and it hits me hard. I go down onto my knees.

Fuck!

I force myself back up onto shaky legs. More pain pummels me, holding me in its grip.

Tank chuffs. He's laughing at me. He looks over at Octavia. I know he's looking at her; I can see it from the way his eyes glint. It's a greedy stare.

Mine!

Protect!

Mine!

Must protect female.

Must!

I want to pull Tank's eyeballs from his head. I want to break him, make him bleed, and then finish him with fire. How? I'm so damned weak.

I am strong!

I save female.

Protect female.

Tank turns his evil-as-fuck eyes on me. I need to let my dragon take over. I need to let him take the reins. We're stronger together. He's much stronger than I will ever be. It's hard for me to give up the control I've worked so hard to maintain. I have to do it if I'm going to save Octavia. If we're going to save her. Us. Together.

My dragon gives a rumble of approval.

As I pull away and let him in, it's the strangest thing. I feel myself grow stronger. Most of the pain subsides. A rage like I have never felt before takes over. Red settles over my vision. For a second, I panic, and then I let go. I let my dragon have the freedom he needs.