Chapter 3 THREE

Flight two six three to Exeter is delayed. Sorry for the inconvenience.'1

I grumbled and ran my hand down my face. I need this over with, so I can get back here as soon as possible. The longer time passes, the more agitated I get.

"I guess your flight too?" Someone chuckled from behind me.

I looked cautiously over my shoulder and nodded. A young guy stood behind the table. He had a rucksack slung over his shoulder and was scanning the room.

He walked around the table and stopped in front of me. "Do you mind if I sit here? It's a little packed in here." He asked.

I smiled and nodded my head, "sure."

It'll be nice to have some company while I wait for this damn airplane. He smiled brightly at me while sitting down. He picked up a menu and began to dart his eyes over it.

"Want another drink?" He offered, gesturing his head towards my drinks, "my treat?"

I gave him a small smile and shook my head, "I better not."

He nodded his head while taking two bottles of water out of his bag. He held one out to me with a grin on his face.

"Thank you," I chirped and took the bottle from him.

"I'm Ezra, by the way." He introduced himself, holding his bottle in the air.

I raised my eyebrow at him, glancing between the bottle and him. He smirked at me and quirked his brow with a soft chuckle. I knocked my bottle against his and chuckled, shaking my head.

"Amaris."

He picked up the menu and started looking at it again. "So, where are you headed? Holiday?" He asked.

I sighed heavily. "Home," I responded, staring down at my bottle.

He gave me a small, sad smile, "me too."

He took a deep breath, recollecting himself, before giving me a broad smile. "I can't wait to get home." He sighed, "nothing beats Devon's countrysides."

I choked on my drink, spluttering water all over the table. "You're from Devon?" I coughed.

"I am." He stated. "Born and raised.

′Aurora, is there no wolf scents at all?′ I asked her.

I wanted to be sure. I haven't changed much in the last three years, plus my bright red curly hair gives me away too much to be incognito.

′No wolf. No danger.′ She replied.

I let out the breath I was holding in and chuckled. "Huh, small world. Me too." I exclaimed.

"Definitely is." He chuckled.

I leaned back in the chair and nodded. I reached for the water bottle and gulped down the rest of it. As more time goes on, I'm getting more nervous and anxious. Knowing I'm closer to going home, having to sit on a plane for fifteen hours already makes Aurora and I feel jittery.

I didn't let Aurora out much, mainly with how busy Vancouver always was. I didn't live near the countryside; I stayed in the city. I knew there was less chance of me running into a wolf in the city. So Aurora is itching to be let out and to run freely.

'Flight two six three to Exeter is ready to board. Calling all passengers to gate three b. Sorry for the inconvenience.'

"Oh, that wasn't much of a delay." Ezra smiled, standing up. "I hope I have the window seat." He exulted, clapping his hands together like a pup.

I giggled and shook my head as I stood up. I followed him towards our gate while he rummaged around in his bag. He pulled out his ticket before throwing his bag on his back.

"Twenty-three b sounds like it could be a window seat." He exclaimed cheerily.

I chuckled and nodded my head. "I guess you can see over there," I mentioned, pointing towards the seating plan on the board next to the ticket desk.

Ezra dashed forward, dropping his bag on the floor next to his feet and trailing his finger along the board. I paused next to him as I made my way over to the desk.

He was frowning at the board with his finger pointing to his seat, which wasn't the window seat.

"How about we ask if you can sit with me?" I offered with a subtle snicker.

Uncle Tristan booked my ticket for me. He bought three seats together, so I didn't feel claustrophobic. I refused to let him fly me, first-class, that's expensive, and it doesn't get me there any quicker.

"You would do that?" He questioned, glancing at me with wide eyes.

I nodded and smiled before going over to the woman behind the desk. "Come on," I waved my hand over my shoulder for him to follow me.

She smiled at me as I approached the desk. "Good morning, Miss. Can I have your ticket, please?" She asked, holding her hand out.

"My uncle booked our tickets for us, and he didn't seat my brother with me." I explained, handing my ticket over and gesturing my head towards Ezra, who was standing a few feet away from me.

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, 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, 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. 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 fucking 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 him 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 into the airport. I spotted Uncle Tristan stood 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.