Adapt (I)

I promptly empty my meal of ribs and salad onto the ground in front of me.

Logan’s hand is smoothing circles on my back. “I’m sorry. I should have warned you that the way I travel isn’t always pleasant for the passenger.”

He isn’t kidding.

Before Logan had dropped me off at Trent’s house, he had explained that the drive in the car was one of my presents for the day, and that we would be traveling back to his place via a different method – the wind. He had tried to explain it to me when I asked how the hell he does that. The information had gone straight over my head. Something about wind having inherent kinetic energy. I don’t know.

And right now, I don’t care. My stomach lurches again for something to bring up. Nothing. Nothing again. When I am sure I am not going to gag any more, I straighten. “You think.”

He pats my back. “You did well actually. Most do not withstand the travel without passing out.”

With my head spinning, I can see why. “Well, since I have clearly over-achieved today, I think it is time for me to go and lay down. Tell Margarita that I will eat her cake tomorrow.”

“Oh no, not quite. I have one last surprise.”

I screw my nose up. “Pass.”

“You will not want to pass on this. Come, let us get you cleaned.” And with that, Logan escorts me into the mansion and to my room, where he leaves me to my own devices.

I brush my teeth and wash my face. Trent’s words replay in my mind over and over.

“She obviously doesn’t know who she is.”

How right he had been. Looking in the mirror I don’t know the woman staring back at me. Her brown eyes are blood shot and have dark shadows. Her cheeks are slimmer than I remember. Her hair is a mess but it always has been.

I throw down the hairbrush, giving up on my hair and decide that only a shower can make me feel better. Under the lukewarm stream I wash away the tears I had shed and any remaining vomit. I comb away the tangles in my hair and brush my teeth again, finishing with mouthwash. Then I turn the water to hot, bit by bit, thinking that I may be able to wash away all of these feelings of confusion, and hurt, and anger.

I give up on that when I turn it to completely hot and my thoughts still crush me like an avalanche.

No matter how I look at this, my thoughts circle back to the same solution. In order to accept what I am, I have to face the problem head on. I resolve to ask Logan about my adaption tonight. As much as I detest the idea of becoming a therian, it seems to me that if I haven’t found a way to avoid it by now, I won’t find it.

Hoping out of the shower into the steamy bathroom, I dry off and change into a set of shorts and t-shirt.

I shake out my hair, allowing the soft natural texture to air dry. I put on some of the moisturizer that Margarita insists I use, and swing open the door, ready to head down-stairs to see what else Logan could possibly have in store for me.

My heart gives one giant thud when I see the broad shoulders and black hair, against the backdrop of the sunlit ocean.

“Boe?” I breath.

He spins to face me, his green eyes wide. “Scarlet?”

Unthinkingly, I rush toward him, throwing my arms around his neck, my legs wrap around his waist. He doesn’t even hesitate, his arms holding my thighs to him and meeting my kiss with all of the same enthusiasm, and more.

I had thought a lot about our previous kisses. The nervousness, the tentativeness, the unbelievable heat. They send me to sleep at night and wake me up in the morning. I miss my family and best friend every day, but Boe’s lopsided smile is what my mind spirals to when my thoughts are left to wonder.

And my memory did not do it justice.

His lips are soft yet demanding. His grip on my thighs tightens. I oblige him, locking my ankles behind his back. His tongue twines with mine and for the first time, I don’t care that I am the worst kisser in the world. I am consumed by him. I lace my hands in his hair, the heat building in my chest driving me.

Boe’s kiss softens before he pulls back to look at me. “Hang on, I have to look at you.”

I laugh.

He takes one of the hands that was supporting my thighs and cups my cheek. “I have done nothing but dream of you for the last few weeks. I need to make sure you’re not just another dream.” His green eyes roam over my face, pausing on my lips and then settling on my eyes.

I roll my eyes. “This isn’t a Mills and Boon novel.”

He laughs, the sound shaking his chest, setting the butterflies aflutter in my stomach. “Yep, that’ll do it.”

“How did you get here?” I ask, loosening my death grip from his waist. He helps to set me on my feet.

His smile tugs at my heart. “This afternoon I had this thought to go to the roof of the HQ building, where the helipad is. It seemed normal enough. I know the flight crew fairly well, and I had been sulking all day because I wanted to tell you Happy Birthday and I had no idea how to.” He pauses and strokes my cheek. “Happy Birthday, Ranger.” He places a tender kiss on my lips, only leaving me wanting so much more. “But when I got to the roof, none of the crew were there. And then I was moving through the air like I was the wind. It was... unsettling.”

“Did you vomit?” I ask.

He shakes his head. “No, but I was dizzy for a good while. And then Logan was there, telling me to stay put in a big room with a glass wall facing the sea. As much as this guy annoys me, I have to admit the whole billionaire vibe he has going on is pretty nice.”

I laugh. “I call it the Villains Lair.”

He nods. “Oh!” he says suddenly, shoving a hand into his pocket. He brings out a little velvet bag. “Logan said that I don’t have much time. Something about getting me back to HQ before someone notices me missing. So, before I forget, I wanted to give you this.” He hands me the little black pouch.

I feel the texture of the velvet, detecting something inside. “What is it?”

“It’s your birthday present. Open it.” His smirk is back, the one that he used to give me before we had first kissed.

I frown. “It’s your birthday soon. I didn’t get you anything.” I say, digging my fingers into the bag to pull out the item.

“That’s okay. I will make you feel bad about it another day.” He winks.

I roll my eyes at him, then look down at the gift in my hand.

I have never been given jewellery before. I am not really one to wear it. Caron knew how to wear accessories with ease. Me? Accessorising ended with my thumb ring and a pair of converse sneakers. I’m not sure if it is because this necklace is simply everything I would want a piece of jewellery to be, or if it is just because Boe has given it to me, but I fall instantly in love with it. It is a thin strand of caramel coloured leather, short enough to hug my neck without being a choker. Hanging on it is a delicately carved golden wing, just like the one on Boe’s dagger.

“Boe, its beautiful...” I breathe, tears welling in my eyes.

“Hey, it’s not supposed to make you sad.” He wipes at the tears in my eyes.

Suddenly, I understand what Jess was saying. It is hard to enjoy a moment when you know it will come to an end.

“I’m not sad.” I lie. “These are happy tears.”

“Good.” His eyes are shining too, telling me that he knows that I am lying, but he will not ruin the moment. He puts both of his hands on either side of my face and kisses my forehead. “I love you, Scarlet. I’m sorry that I didn’t say it before. We will get through this.”

I blink, letting the tears fall. “I love you too.” The words leave my lips and I feel another weight leave me. In place of it, hope rises. Hope that Boe is right, and we will get through this.