​

He doubled over, squeezing himself through the narrow doorway of the plane, and I panicked. Hunched over as he lumbered down the aisle, the shifter held his laptop bag tightly to his chest. It was almost comical to watch him as he gingerly picked his way between the seats, trying to make his ridiculously large frame fit in a space that was not built for werewolves.

 

I squeezed my eyes shut “Not me, not me, not me,” I pleaded to the Goddess, wrapping my hands around the silver pendant given to me by my friend Minerva. In ancient times she would have been called a witch or perhaps an alchemist. She called herself a spiritual guide and pharmacist at the local CVS. I just prayed the potion inside the pendant kept my secret. I desperately hoped for the shifter to sit somewhere else. Anywhere else. 

 

I felt a warm, large, and very stationary presence on my left. A throat cleared. “That’s my seat,” he rumbled. I opened my eyes and tried to hide my shudder. His head was angled sideways and his shoulders nearly touched the ceiling. His legs looked longer than…all of me. He gestured at the window seat. If I weren’t so terrified, I would have laughed. There was no way he’d be able to contort himself into that tiny space.

 

I looked up at him with resignation. I’d purposely chosen the aisle seat. Window seats made me feel trapped. But, unfortunately for me, I wasn’t a total asshole. I nodded and sighed. “You can have the aisle seat,” I said as I scooted into the window seat. “Thank you,” he sounded relieved.  “I really appreciate that.”

 

He settled himself in the aisle seat as best he could. I buckled myself in as I watched him under my lashes. He was so big, he blocked my view of the aisle. I knew he wasn’t doing it on purpose, but my claustrophobia started telling me I was trapped and going to die here.

 

I started running through calming exercises. Deep breaths in for four, hold for four, out for four. I kept my eyes closed, so I skipped five things I could see. I focused on four things I could touch: My jeans, the belt buckle, the armrest. I studiously ignored the warmth touching my left arm. This overgrown dog wasn’t going to be part of my grounding technique. Keep it together, Lila, I told myself. I touched the seat cushion. It was smooth leather. There. Four things touched.

 

Three things I could hear: People moving about the cabin. A woman playing “I spy” with a kid somewhere behind me. The low growl coming from my seatmate. Nope. Absolutely not. The steady hum of the plane. That was my third thing.

 

Two things I could smell: I didn’t get that far, because instead, there was a nose buried in my hair taking a deep inhale of me.

 

“What the hell?!” I yelled, “Get off me, you jerk!” I pushed him hard, but he didn’t budge. He grabbed me and pulled me towards him, a low growl rumbling in his chest. The seat belt was the only thing holding me in my own seat.

 

I yelped. I pushed the call light for help as I struggled against him ineffectively. People around us were looking, but no one was doing anything. “Get him off me!” I screamed.

 

A flight attendant rushed over. “Sir, what are you doing? Ma’am, do you know this man?”

 

“No, he’s a stranger! Get him away from me!” 

 

“Sir, you need to let this woman go. Brandon! Call Security!” the flight attendant called over her shoulder as she tried to wrestle the werewolf off me. Good luck, lady. She was even tinier than me.

 

The wolf growled at her before turning and looking back at me. His eyes had bled to gold. “Mine,” he said.

 

“Hell no, I am not yours. Let me go.” I scratched at his hands.

 

Two armed guards approached. “Sir, you need to come with us,” one of them said. The werewolf tried to pull me closer. 

 

“SIR, we are federal air marshals, and we are authorized to use lethal force if we have to, for passenger safety. Please let the woman go. We don’t want you to get hurt. Or her.”

 

The shifter froze. “Or her?” he said, baritone voice icy with rage. “Who exactly is going to harm her?” he locked in on the two of them. The younger one visibly gulped, but the older one stood his ground. I managed to get both arms out during the standoff, but I was still trapped in my seat.

 

“You are. You’re hurting her,” the first officer replied.

 

“I would never…” the werewolf turned back to me. I was cradling my forearm against my stomach. It wasn’t broken, but it was bruised. He looked horrified. “I.. I’m sorry, I don’t know what came over me.” 

 

“Sir, you need to come with us.”

 

The werewolf seemed to come to himself and took in his surroundings. “Yes, of course.” He bent to retrieve his laptop and stood up as best he could. He held his hand out to me.

 

I looked from his hand to his face. “Yeah, no.” I said and turned to look out the window. Cellphones around us were filming this whole chaotic episode. I seriously hoped this didn’t end up on social media. 

 

“Actually ma’am, we do need you to come make a statement,” the officer said.

 

“But I’ll miss my flight!” I said. 

 

“We’ll put you on the next one,” he replied.

 

“No! Can’t I just give my statement to someone when we land in Denver? Or when I come back?” 

 

“Sorry, ma’am, it doesn’t work like that. We need you to come as well,” he said.

 

“Ugh!” I let out a snort of disgust. “If I miss my cousin’s wedding, I will never forgive you!” I yelled at the shifter. Threatening a werewolf was probably the stupidest thing I’d ever done. His lip twitched, and I swore, if he laughed at me I would smack him. I reached up to pull my carryon from the overhead, but the shifter got it down before I could and slung it over his shoulder.

 

“Give me my bag,” I said, my peevishness getting in the way of the terror I should be feeling.

 

“I’ll carry it for you,” he said, then winked at me and walked off the plane. WINKED at me. The audacity! I looked at the officers, and they just shrugged. I seethed as I stomped up the aisle and off the aircraft.

 

I followed the wolf and marshals off the plane. He towered over them at nearly seven feet tall, I couldn’t believe he was flying coach. Someone that tall needed the extra legroom of first class.

 

I shook my head. Stupid, intrusive thoughts. I needed to think about next steps. I pulled my phone out to text Minerva. 

 

--

An effing werewolf attacked me on the plane and I got kicked off the flight!

 

What?! RU ok??

 

Physically, yes. Emotionally, no.

 

U survived a werewolf attack? Did it bite you?

 

Ok, wasn’t a full attack. He just grabbed me and sniffed me and wouldn’t let go

 

OMG so scary!! Glad ur ok. Why did they kick u off? 

 

Said they need my statement. Total BS

 

Surprised they could subdue a werewolf.  U need me to pick u up?

 

They said they’ll put me on the next flight, so I don’t think so. I’ll let you know

 

Am I making a revenge potion? Get me some of his hair and I will turn him into a rabbit.

 

Aren’t u supposed to turn things into gold?

 

I turn chemicals into pills. Revenge potions are just a hobby.

Bloodthirsty witch

 

I prefer bloodthirsty wench, tyvm

 

--

 

I laugh-reacted to her last text and put my phone away as we approached a small office. Minerva could always make me feel better. 

 

There was a long counter, making the tiny security office look like a rental car agency. I sat in one of the chairs lining the wall while they took the werewolf into another room. The younger officer asked me to fill out a form describing the incident and asked me a few questions. It didn’t take very long. He walked me to the airline counter to rebook my flight. “Thanks,” I said. I smiled, and I meant it. If they hadn’t gotten the werewolf off of me, I don’t know what would have happened. The officer wished me a happy flight.

 

The next flight sadly wasn’t available until the next morning. 

 

I sighed and had Minerva pick me up from the airport. We grabbed Chinese for dinner while she railed at me for not getting any of the werewolf’s hair. I told her I didn’t care, I just wanted to forget the whole thing. She examined my pendant. “It’s still active,” she said. “It should have repelled him. I’m not sure why it didn’t.”

 

I shrugged. After she left, I did the mundane chores, called my family to let them know I’d be there the next day, and watched a true crime documentary before falling asleep. I definitely did not dream about giant werewolves with black hair and golden eyes. Definitely.

 

The next morning I checked in at the airport and found out I’d been upgraded to first class. Woohoo! The day was looking brighter.

 

I wasn’t a morning person, so they were already boarding by the time I hauled myself to the gate. I stepped on the plane to look for seat 4A, and … oh no. Oh nononoo.

 

How was the giant werewolf in the seat next to mine?

 

I approached cautiously. He beamed at me.

 

“Hello, Lila,” he purred, standing up to let me pass.

 

“No. Absolutely not,” I said. “And how do you know my name? How are we assigned together after what happened yesterday?”

 

“Sir, Ma’am, please take your seats,” a flight attendant trilled.

 

“I can’t sit next to him,” I said. 

 

“This is a full flight,” she answered. “You’re welcome to see if any other passengers will switch with you after we’re boarded, but for now, please clear the aisle.” She bristled with impatience.

 

Ugh. Once again, not being an asshole bit me in the ass. I put my bag in the overhead and scurried into the window seat. The wolf shifter chuckled and sat next to me.

 

“I’m sorry about yesterday,” he said, eyes radiating warmth. “I got your seat upgraded as an apology.” 

 

“Leaving me alone would be an apology,” I huffed.

 

“I can’t seem to do that,” he mused.

 

“Why not? And shouldn’t you be in jail or something?” I asked.

 

“I spent the night in jail and had to pay a fine,” he said.

 

“How did you arrange to be on this flight so early?” I asked, eyes narrowing. 

 

“I have an admin who handles all my travel arrangements. She also arranged for your upgrade,” he replied.

 

“How did you find out my name?” 

 

“It’s on the police report, Lila. I’m Joseph, by the way.”

 

“I didn’t ask.”

 

“But I want you to know it.”

 

“Look, just leave me alone. You assaulted me, and I am already claustrophobic, I hate planes, and early mornings. This whole thing is basically a nightmare.”

 

“I will leave you alone through the whole flight if you agree to one thing,” he said. 

 

I sighed. “What?”

 

“Let me accompany you to your cousin’s wedding,” he said. 

 

“No.”

 

“Why not?” he asked.

 

“One- It’s rude to show up with a plus one who hasn’t RSVP’d, Two - You’re a stranger. Three - You assaulted me. Four - I don’t want to.” I said through gritted teeth.

 

“Is that all?” he grinned.

 

“You want me to keep going? Five - You’re a freaking werewolf, sorry if that’s species-ist. Six - I have no desire for you to meet my family. Or for them to meet you and ask -”

 

“How do you know I’m a werewolf?” he cut me off.

 

I dragged my gaze slowly up his huge, muscled body up to his eyes. I swore his biceps flexed when my eyes passed over them. I raised an eyebrow. “Really?” I asked, sarcastically.

 

“You smell like rainbows,” he whispered.

 

“I don’t think rainbows have a smell,” I whispered back.

 

“I didn’t think so, until I smelled you,” he said. “What are you?”

 

“I’m just a woman going to her cousin’s wedding. Now leave me alone.” I put my earbuds in and turned away.

 

The flight itself was uneventful. Surprisingly, he left me alone, and I ignored his arm and long leg pressing into mine. I saw him studying my silver pendant. He could tell I was something more than human, but the silver against my skin told him I wasn’t a werewolf. 

 

We landed and he got my bag before I could. I was forced to follow him and hope he gave it back when we deplaned.

 

I tripped just as I was stepping off the plane. A nearby gate agent tried to catch me as I fell, and we both went down in a tangle of limbs. My necklace caught on her nametag as we tried to stand. The chain snapped and my magic pulsed in the air. I panicked as I searched frantically. “Help me find my necklace!” I yelled at Joseph, but he stood stock still, staring at me.

 

A small child deboarding ran to me and clung to my leg. “Pretty!” she exclaimed. Oh no. This was bad. Very very bad. Her mother pried her from my leg, apologizing profusely as she led the screaming toddler away. 

I scoured the floor and found my necklace. Joseph was still transfixed, so I snatched my bag off his shoulder and hurried past him to the end of the jetbridge. My hands were shaking, and I struggled with the clasp as I tried to put the necklace back on. Children and a few adults were starting to turn towards me as my magic pulsed out in waves. 

 

Joseph came barreling out of the jetbridge, nostrils flaring. He turned and caught sight of me and fell to his knees in front of me. “Lila,” he choked out, his voice strained.

 

I finally managed to fasten the clasp and breathed a silent thank you as I felt my magic tamp back down. Children who had been heading towards me now paused, confused, and let their parents lead them away.

 

Joseph inhaled deeply, gazing at me with eyes that were both worshipful and a tad possessive.

 

“You’re a unicorn,” he whispered, reverently.

 

“Joseph,” I groaned, my secret revealed. But he didn’t make sense. He was a huge, attractive alpha wolf. Women must throw themselves at him. Not to mention, he looked close to thirty. But it was the only explanation. There was always a compulsive attraction between unicorns and…

 

“You’re a...virgin?!” I squeaked.

 

He smiled. “I’ve been waiting for you,” he slid his hands up my calves gently. “Mate.”