Page 72 of The Librarian and Her Alphas

I hadn’t prepared for the sheer chaos of the airport and how many people would be in the security lines. I keep checking around to make sure the alphas haven’t somehow tracked my location, but I don’t see Damon’s towering height, Max’s mop of curly red hair, or Gunnar’s steely gaze anywhere, which relieves me.

I make it through security unscathed and only breathe a sigh of relief when I’m sitting outside my boarding gate. I have a little time to kill before we board, so I buy a new romance novel and snacks to pack into my handbag for later.

Eventually, we board, and I’m one of the first people on the plane.

I tuck myself into my seat and put on my headphones, content to watch out the window until takeoff. Slowly but surely, the plane fills up, the low noise of chatter reaching me through my music. The captain has just asked the cabin crew to arm the doors and cross-check when a strange smell reaches my nose. I sniff deeply, pausing my music to try and identify the scent.

Lemongrass.

It’s a strong, vaguely familiar scent, but I can’t place it. Someone sits down next to me, and the smell intensifies.

With a jolt, memories flood my brain as the scent strengthens. I turn slowly in my seat to find a man sitting next to me with short-cropped black hair and a single earring hanging from one ear. He turns to face me, smiling widely.

It’s him. Zorin.

All the blood in my veins seems to turn to ice at the sight of him. My memories of Zorin and his pack attacking me resurface, and my heart beats faster. This hasgotto be a nightmare. Or I’m in a nightmare.

But Zorin, sitting next to me, is very much real.

“Why, hello there, Lena,” he growls menacingly. “Long time no see.”

I jump from my chair, almost hitting my head on the overhead compartment. The flight attendants are busy going through the safety instructions and telling everyone to fasten their seatbelts, but I have to get off this plane.

My heart is beating so fast I think it might burst from my chest, but I wave at one of the flight attendants, who nods in my direction when she notices me. Once the safety demonstration is over, she approaches me with a polite yet stern smile.

“Yes, ma’am, how can I help you?”

“I need to get off this flight,” I say hurriedly, glancing down at Zorin. He’s observing me, his mouth curved in a smug smirk.

The flight attendant shakes her head. “I’m sorry, ma’am, but that’s just not possible,” she says firmly but not unkindly. “The gate has already closed, and the captain is preparing for takeoff.”

“Please,” I beg, feeling Zorin’s gaze bore into my back. “I can’t be on this plane.”

“I’m afraid it’s too late for that,” she says without sympathy. “It’s only a two-hour flight, honey. You’ll be just fine.”

I’m the furthest thing from fine, but she can’t know that.

“Can I switch seats then, at least?” I ask, beyond caring whether I sound desperate or not. I need to be away from Zorin as soon as possible.

The flight attendant sighs, the sound long-suffering and annoyed.

“Ma’am, the plane is full, as you can see.” She gestures around, and I see that every single seat is taken. My stomach sinks at the realization that there’s no way out. “Now, is there a problem here, or should I call the police?”

People are already starting to look at me and wonder what the problem is, so calling the police is absolutely off the table. I shake my head. “No, it’s fine. Thank you.”

She gives me a tight smile before turning around and heading back up the aisle. I sit back down reluctantly, well aware of Zorin and the malevolent smile he’s giving me.

“Well, well,” he says with a chuckle. “I guess you’re stuck with me.”

I swallow hard, fear churning in my gut. This was going to be a plane ride from hell.

CHAPTER23

Gunnar

At six-thirty a.m. sharp, my eyes snap open, and I’m awake.

My years in the military primed me to sleep on the go and wake up early, so early mornings are not unusual for me. What is unusual is how well I slept last night. I’m usually a light sleeper, but I was lights out after an intense night of lovemaking with Lena.

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