Page 51 of Beast

∞∞∞

We left two days later.I had worried we might lose Axel if he decided to stay with Garret, but it turned out to be the other way around.The settlement lost their governor, and they elected Landan to take Garret’s place.We also brought Cosway and her five kittens, or "kiddies," as everyone called them now.Ruth and Missy were adopting one, and I was hoping to talk King into taking the calico.I just hadn’t worked up the courage to ask.

Ruth was impossible the entire plane ride, and I knew training her would have to become a priority.If I didn’t, the kid was going to drive everyone crazy, and there was a big chance we would have mutiny on the island.

My thoughts kept going back to Ryan, and sadness overpowered me.When King saw my expression, he grabbed my hand and squeezed without saying anything.I stepped from the plane, my feet dragging as I thought of Ryan’s funeral.

“Marinah!Marinah!”Che yelled and threw himself into my arms.

My heart warmed.I glanced over his head at Maylin, but she wasn’t looking at us.Her focus was on Nokita.We were all stunned when he walked over, lifted Maylin into his arms, twirled her around, and kissed her.

And what a kiss it was.Maylin was visibly flustered when he set her back on her feet.Her cheeks turned red as she placed her hand on his arm, and then they walked away together.

“So gross.I’ll never do that kissy stuff,” Ruth muttered.

Honestly, I wanted nothing more than to do that kissy stuff with King.Somehow, some way, we would find time to be alone.Between the whistles we’d confiscated, the injured, and Ryan’s funeral, finding time alone would be nearly impossible but we had to.

“I’ll see you in our room,” King whispered in my ear after Che released me.

I talked to Che for five minutes before a Warrior called me over to ask a question I could actually answer without King’s guidance, and we began unpacking the plane.When I finally made it to the room, King wasn’t there.I took a long hot shower, hoping he’d join me, but it didn’t happen.I ended up falling asleep, consumed with thoughts of Ryan.

Chapter Twenty-Four

King

It took hours to solve a few issues and get things in place to put my plan into action.When I entered our room, Marinah was asleep.I quickly packed a bag for both of us.She didn’t stir the entire time.I was exhausted, but nothing was going to stop me from having this alone time with her.

Beck was attending the funerals in our absence.It was the one thing that had made me hesitate with this mad scheme.

Beck hadn’t let me dwell on it.“Take this time with your mate.You’ve got more problems than simple mating rage.When you come back, you get the hellspawn, and I’m taking Missy away.”

I just hoped Marinah would forgive me for making her miss Ryan’s funeral.His loss had hit her hard.I still remembered the first Shadow Warrior who had died under my command.It never got easier but that one haunted me in a different way.

Once I collected everything we needed, I gently woke her.“Remember I told you I was kidnapping you?”I said when I was sure she was awake.

“I think,” she mumbled groggily.

I scooped her into my arms.“It’s happening.”

With two bags slung over my shoulder and my mate in my arms, I left the room.

“I need clothes,” she whined after a moment.

“I doubt you will, but I’ve got it covered.”

She breathed against my neck.“We’re really getting time alone?”

“Yes, and if I have to kill someone to make sure of it, I will.They’ve been warned.”

“I love you.”

I held her tighter, carrying her all the way to the courtyard.I placed her on the back of my bike and situated myself in front of her.“Hold on,” I told her.

“I’m never letting go.”

“The airport?”she asked, surprised after I made the final turn about ten minutes later.

“If we don’t get off this island, we’ll never find peace,” I said.

---