Page 14 of Beast

Neither of us replied.I was too tired to bother, and King was too… something.Probably just as exhausted as I was.We stepped inside the plane, and King steered me toward the back.“We’ve got the last row so you can sleep,” he said.

My legs moved on autopilot, dragging me down the aisle.I collapsed into the seat, letting out a relieved sigh.King gently pushed me down until I was lying flat, then lifted my legs onto the seat.He tucked a light blanket around me before settling into the seat across the aisle.At least, I thought he did.My brain felt foggy, and before I could even process his next move, sleep claimed me.

“Marinah,” came a small, childish whisper.I had no idea how much time had passed.

King’s pissed-off voice followed.“Ruth.What did I tell you?”

“She moved,” Ruth replied defensively.

I didn’t need to open my eyes to know what happened next.Large arms scooped Ruth up, and she floated through the air, carried away by King.My groggy mind made it seem more surreal than it was.Stretching my arms, I shifted slightly so I was more on my back, willing my body to fully respond.

King’s face appeared above me, his blue eyes flashing with a mix of amusement and sternness.“Go back to sleep,” he ordered.

I yawned and fought the urge to obey.“Hmm, I think I’m good.I could use some food.Did you sleep?”I asked, already knowing the answer.

“A bit,” he said without hesitation.

“You liar,” I muttered with a smirk.

His only response was a quick grin before he leaned down and kissed me.When he released me, I sat up, my head spinning briefly before settling.The dull ache that had been pounding through me earlier was gone.Stretching again, I looked around, trying to get my bearings.“How much longer?”

King sat down in the seat beside me.“About thirty minutes,” he said.

That meant I’d slept for over three hours.It wasn’t perfect, but it was enough to make me feel human again.As if reading my mind, King handed me a burrito wrapped in wax paper.I unwrapped it greedily and shoved nearly the whole thing into my mouth.

“Hungry?”King asked with a teasing glint in his eyes.

I ignored him, focusing on devouring the rest of the burrito.Food and I had reached an understanding.For all the calories I’d skipped during my early years of trying to maintain a figure, my Warrior metabolism now let me eat anything I wanted.My body burned it up for energy, and I wasn’t about to waste the opportunity to indulge.

King chuckled at my lack of restraint, giving me one of his signature side grins.“Once we’re on the hunt, it’ll be MREs or animals we kill in Warrior form.No fires, and we’ll be on the move constantly.”

I spoke around the last bite.“I hate MREs.Go away.”

King grinned again and handed me another burrito.If he kept them coming, maybe I’d forget about the terrible meals awaiting me in the near future.I shifted in my seat, hearing the crinkle of the bag I’d put on the floor before falling asleep.After inhaling the second burrito, I placed the bag in my lap and opened it.

No way.It couldn’t be.I froze, staring at the contents in awe.Slowly, I pulled out the most incredible, amazing gift ever.

Doc Martens.

I checked the size.Nine.Perfect.

“Boots?”King asked, raising a brow.

I tried lifting my foot, but my legs were too long, so I had to turn sideways.“Move to the other side so I can try these babies on.”I shot him a grin.“These aren’t just boots.They’re Doc Martens.The most kick-ass boots ever made.I can’t believe Maylin found them.”

King glanced at the boots, then back at me, looking unimpressed.“Shift once while wearing them, and bye-bye boots.”

I gave him a small shove to make room.Once he was out of the way, I twisted around, propped my legs up, and started pulling on the leather.As soon as my feet slid into place, I knew they were perfect.

“They don’t look any different from the military boots I gave you,” King said, unimpressed.

“Sacrilege,” I muttered, running my fingers lovingly over the leather.“These babies have PVC air-cushioned soles.They’re indestructible.”

King whistled.“One emergency Shadow Warrior shift, and you’ll learn that no footwear is indestructible.”

I glared at him, already prepared to bite off his head, but the captain’s voice came over the loudspeaker.“Please take your seats for landing.”

“I want boots like that,” Ruth chimed in from above me.I looked up to see her standing on the seat in front of us.

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