#Chapter 4 The Flight

Anila POV

“It will wear off within the hour,” Xaden said, a smile in his voice as he pulled me along with him and toward the door. “We are leaving now, and you aren’t going to stop us.”

I could tell Claire was struggling against this magical hold; her face was growing red as she attempted to move.

“Release me!!!” She whaled.

Xaden only ignored her though. I gave my stepmother one last look knowing that this was probably the last time I was going to see her.

I was finally free.

I didn’t say anything to her though; there were no words to say. I turned back to Xaden who was pulling me out the front door, shutting the door behind us, and separating me from the life I used to know.

There was a car waiting in front of the house and when we approached the car, the driver got out and opened the back door for us.

“Take us to the private plane,” Xaden ordered, helping me into the backseat.

“Yes, sir,” the driver said just as Xaden slid into the backseat beside me and shut the door.

His hand remained tucked in mine. It was like he was afraid someone would appear and take me away from him. I wasn’t complaining though; I liked holding his hand.

“Is this really happening?” I asked as we pulled away from the house.

Xaden squeezed my hand gently.

“This is really happening,” he confirmed. “When we get to the school we will meet with the principal, and he will get you enrolled. Some of the other professors will help you get settled in as well.”

“What about you?” I found myself asking, peering up at him.

His eyes sparkled and he leaned closer to me.

“I will remain by your side, little mate,” he whispered just before his lips brushed across mine.

Oddly enough, I trusted him, and I felt safe with him. Which was insane because I just met him today. That must have been this mate thing that he spoke about earlier. The idea that Xaden was the man I was meant to be with for the rest of my life, created and formed for me alone, filled me with so much excitement.

My heart swelled at the very idea.

The drive didn’t last long; within 15 minutes, we were arriving at the private plane and Xaden was helping me out of the car.

“Are we the only ones here?” I asked as the doors to the plane opened and the stewardess stepped out to greet us.

“The other students will be arriving tomorrow night, via another plane,” Xaden explained. “This plane belongs to my father.”

He said hello to the stewardess who instantly blushed from his attention. I felt a surge of protectiveness boiling in my chest, which surprised me.

He took me to a comfortable booth in the center of the plane and I found myself sitting as close to him as I could.

“It’s a 20-hour flight; so, get comfortable,” Xaden told me.

“I didn’t think you’d be the one traveling the nation and recruiting students,” I told him, peering up at him.

“The recruitment team usually takes the top students with them when they travel the globe because they trust us the most,” Xaden explained. “The other top students are in other parts of the world and should be arriving back at the school around the same time as us.”

My stomach began to tighten at the thought of the school. I might have been a little in over my head. I was so wrapped up in escaping my life and getting out of that house, I didn’t stop and think about what my future was going to look like.

It was not only exciting but also extremely nerve-wracking.

“This is out of my element,” I breathed. “A new school, a new place… it’s a lot.”

Xaden wrapped his arms around me and instantly felt his warmth and protection surrounding me.

“You aren’t going to do this alone,” he whispered against my hairline. “I promise.”

I believed him right away and I felt my entire body relaxing into his.

“My entire life I was told I wasn’t special,” I told him softly. “I was told I was nothing more than a disappointment. It’s hard to believe that I could be this powerful being and I never knew about it.”

“It’s the only way we could be mates,” Xaden told me. “True mates can only be the same species.”

I nodded, believing him, but I still found it odd that I never knew.

I remembered little about my father, but I knew he was mortal. I would have remembered if he ever turned into a werewolf.

“I don’t know who my mother was. Do you think I’d be able to find out at this school?”

“I can guarantee we can find out something about her,” Xaden said, nodding as he held me closer to him. He nuzzled his face in my hair, and I felt my entire body warm. “She must have been truly special to produce someone as wonderful as you.”

A smile tugged at my lips as I looked up at him.

“Nobody has ever called me wonderful before,” I admitted.

“Get used to it, little mate,” he said with a fond smile. “Because you are as wonderful as they come.”

He bent and kissed me on the lips, sending my heart into turmoil.

As content as I was in Xaden’s arms, I still couldn’t help but wonder who my mother was and what made me so special.

“So, this mate bond,” I decided to ask after a long while. “What does it mean? We were destined to be together?”

“Yes,” he answered. “The moon goddess chose you for me and vice versa. Our hearts will only ever want one another. I will always know how to find you and I will always protect you. You are my true love as I am yours.”

My face flushed from his words.

“Love is a strong word. We don’t even know each other,” I told him.

He smiled.

“We have plenty of time to get to know one another,” he replied.

“Can we date?” I found myself asking. “I mean before we jump into love. Can we take our time and date?”

He looked puzzled by my question but after a second of thought, he nodded.

“Of course,” he answered, kissing the top of my head. “We can go as slow as you’d like.”

I felt better about that, and I melted in his embrace.

For the next several hours we talked about the school and what I should expect upon arrival. It was Sunday currently, and he told me that orientation is Tuesday and classes for this semester will officially start on Wednesday.

This time tomorrow it will be Monday. We will be meeting with Principal Rapport, and he will enroll me in the school once we arrive.

I was a bit overwhelmed with the information and I was filled with nerves. But I knew with Xaden by my side, I would be okay.

I wasn’t sure when I fell asleep, but I was woken by his feather-like kisses on my cheek and when I opened my eyes, I realized the plane was no longer moving.

“We arrived,” he told me, a fond smile on his lips. “Welcome to Stardust Valley, Anila.”