Chapter 2

 We did as he told us to right as the plane picked up speed. It had been a long time since we flew and my nerves were racking up. Each of my hands were white knuckling the arm rest and when the plane started angling upward, water filled my eyes.

 “Are you okay?” Stella looked over at me. I could feel her eyes on me, but I could see the clouds getting closer and closer. My body was frozen, I couldn’t respond or move at all. “Grace, you’re shaking.”

 Stella reached over and tried to hold my hand. Rubbing my arm up and down, she tried to soothe me. My mind was racing about all the ways we could die and there was nothing I could do about it. We could hit a bird. Lose an engine. A window could burst open and I would get sucked out like a rag doll. I would have almost ten minutes to think about dying as the earth got closer.

 “Is she okay?” I heard someone talk beside me.

 “No, I think she is having a panic attack!”

 Panic attack? Was I having a panic attack? Sure, I couldn’t breathe. My body was shaking, heart was about to burst out of my chest and I felt lightheaded and dizzy.

 Someone or something got in front of me, blocking my view of the clouds. Clouds I should not be close to. Something was moving in front of me, like maybe arms or a fan? My ears weren’t working.

 My mind finally connected Stella being the person I was watching move her hands. I could hear her telling me to take deep breaths and relax. Each time my eyes would dart away from her, she would snap her fingers in my face, forcing me back to her.

 “Breathe...relax.... Take a deep breathe.... In and out.... Everything is okay.”

 My heart started calming down as all my senses came back to me. She handed me water before taking a tissue and wiped away the tears. I was still shaking, but I was coherent.

 “I don’t like this,” I said finally.

 “When was the last time you flew?” Greg asked.

 “I was a little girl.” I said, trying to remember.

 “I’m going to grab some food.” Greg walked away, clearly annoyed.

 “I don’t know what his problem is.” Stella mouthed. He was on my dad’s payroll, but wasn’t a wolf. He only thought I was the boss’s spoiled daughter.

 “I don’t really care what his problem is.” I whispered back. “How long is this flight?”

 “Like an hour.”

 “Is there a seat with no view of outside?”

 Stella looked around and nodded. Unbuckling me, she helped me stand and walk to a chair that was directly behind me, with a table between the seats. The windows were all shut already, so it appeared I could have been in a car or train. At least, that is what I told myself.

 “Here you ladies go.” Greg put down a basket of muffins and some chips. “Anything else?”

 “No.” I said.

 “Call me if you need me.” He said before walking back to the front.

 “What an ass.” Stella sat directly in front of me. My hand shook as I grabbed a chocolate muffin and nibbled on it.

 “I don’t like this.”

 “Clearly.” Stella was trying not to laugh. The plane shook, causing me to drop my muffin and grab the table for my life.

Stella leaned down to pick up my muffin. “Do you want to talk or just close your eyes and focus on your breathing?” After I didn’t take the muffin back, she put it on the table. 

 “I’ll close my eyes.” Bringing my knees to my chest, I tried to think about the ocean. The blue ocean waves or what the sun would feel like on my face.

 Every now and then, I would peek open my eyes and look at Stella. She was on her phone. Sometimes she would smile, other times she was frowning. Either way, I got annoyed at how relaxed she was.

 “Okay, we are preparing to land. Buckle up.” I was already buckled up tightly, but Stella put hers on. I wasn’t sure which is worse. The take off being so dramatic or the landing. It felt weird would drop a little as my stomach went into my throat before leveling out. We kept doing this for thirty minutes before the whole plane shook and started slowing.

 “Did we crash?” Tears filled my eyes again as I looked at Stella.

 “We landed. Take a deep breath. We are on the ground.” Relief flooded me. I survived. The plane was slowly moving, but I could feel the road under the wheels.

 “Can we drive home?” I asked, halfway sarcastically, but actually very serious. 

 “Probably not.” Stella gave me a half smile. Once the plane had stopped, she got up and grabbed our purses. Greg came by and grabbed our suitcases before opening the door. Without saying a word, he walked straight out with them.

 “I’m going to have a talk with Dad about him.” I said as I tried to stand. My legs were sore and still shaking from adrenaline.

 Stella waited patiently for me to get my balance. “I would. He has been rude for no reason.”

 Opening my water, I took a long drink before setting it down. “Ready?”

 “Whenever you are, princess.” Stella teased.

 “Bite me.” I groaned as I started walking towards the door. I expected to see a couple of different guys, but when my eyes landed on only two, I was a little confused. They were hot as fuck. One had bleach blonde hair with sky-blue eyes. He had that surfer look to him. The other was a sandy blonde with green eyes. Both had different tattoos partially visible, but their black pants and button up covered it. They looked professional.

 “Damn.” Stella said in our mind-link as I walked down the stairs. I had to repeat to myself, don’t trip, over and over.