Ryleigh got up and sat next to Sky in the empty seat and put her arm around her shoulders.
“I don’t know, honey. I can’t answer that for you, only you can do that. All I can do is tell you how my mating is and what I witnessed with Emma. These guys fight their instincts because they don’t know any better. They live by rules and regulations. Standard Operating Procedure is their way of life. As teens, they decided women were for one thing only, scratching the occasional itch. That might sound harsh, but they also have their reasons. They didn’t want to put another woman through what many of them witnessed their mothers and others go through trying to be with a Shifter man. Cheating and heartache are only a tip of the iceberg those unions created.
“None of them are angels, and they’ve all had their fair share of women, but the one thing they haven’t had or experienced are long-term relationships with those women. We are as foreign to them as they are to us, but we’re smarter, we hold on. Here’s a good example for you; when my mate heard about other members of my group mating with other Alphas, he convinced himself I was going to freak out, much like Bas did, thinking it was all chemical or unnatural. To be honest with you, for a split-second I did question those things, but then I remembered how he made me feel cherished, loved, and safe. Not to mention the countless things he does for me on a daily basis. My Jacks is the love of my life, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
“Do I still get scared and want to question everything and everybody? You bet your ass, but my feelings have never once changed, only strengthened. I was with Jacks for almost a week before we were mated. Peyton was with Wyatt for only days when they mated fully. Emma’s mating took longer, but that was because she wasn’t in a good place when they found each other. Stick it out, Sky. I think you have the strength to do it and to prove to Sebastian how wrong he is.”
“How am I going to do any of that if he leaves?” Sky questioned. “He isn’t coming with us, Ryleigh. Bas said he’s broken, that’s why he doesn't want to be around me. He stated that I don’t calm his beast like you do with your mate.”
“Oh my, he is so messed up,” Ryleigh declared. “I do soothe Jacks’ beast somewhat, but that’s only when we’re together. The bond needs to build with time. The more we’re together, the bond grows stronger, and his beast calms more. It doesn’t happen overnight. Shoot, I’ve only been gone now for a couple of days, and he’s already freaking out. We don’t have animals inside us, so we can’t understand what it’s like for them, but from what Jacks has told me, it’s a constant battle.”
“I want to help him, be there for him, but how do I do any of that with him constantly pushing me away?” Sky asked. “The first time I saw the man, a longing for him smacked me so hard and profound, it scared me, and I ran. The first time he held me, I melted, never having felt something as good as that in my entire life. And the orgasm, damn, that practically stopped my heart. Everything with him is so intense and wild, but it’s also calming and sweet. Do you know I can become fixated on a design and not stop for days? Bas walks into my life, and I can't even concentrate; it's overwhelming, but wonderful at the same time.
“I work with some pretty attractive men, Ryleigh, and never once have I had this kind of a reaction or feelings for any of them. Shoot, I know his brothers, and I thought they were nice guys, but I didn’t want to climb them like a pole. What’s wrong with me?”
“Absolutely nothing, Sky. You’re reacting to the mating draw that’s all. Once it’s completed, it will still be intense, but not all consuming. Thankfully, though, the orgasms are just as good, if not better with the deeper connection, so enjoy that. I certainly do. You just have to give this relationship the time to build.”
“How do I do that if he isn’t with me? I told you he plans on leaving me with you and Cash.”
“Oh, I highly doubt that, Sky. Jacks has ordered him in, and if I know Cash, which I do, he isn’t going to let him turn tail and run. Just wait and see.”
Cash pounded his way into the plane, and Ryleigh noticed Sky’s flinch.
“Don’t pay any attention to him, Sky. Cash has been in a snit for a while now. It doesn’t have anything to do with you.”
Cash stopped in front of Sky and held out the hand that he denied earlier.
“Hey, Sky, sorry about the rude reception out there. It didn’t have anything to do with you. I hope I didn’t offend you in any way.”
Sky shook his hand and took a closer look at the man. He was still scary, but whereas his eyes were cold and distant before, now they projected warmth and kindness.
“No offense taken, Cash, it’s nice to meet you too.”
“Listen, ladies, I’m going to do the preflight checks, then we’ll be off the ground headed toward home,” Cash announced.
Sky looked down at her lap. She didn't want to face Ryleigh and tell her the hope she had just given her was gone. Bas really was leaving her. He wasn’t on the plane and Cash was getting ready to get the show on the road.
Cash put his finger under her chin and lifted her head up so that she was looking him in the eyes.
“I have given your man a couple of things to think about before he makes another bad decision. He should be along shortly. Don’t give up, Sky, he’s worth it. What you two can have together is worth it. Hold on with both hands and don’t let go. Understand what I’m saying to you?”
Sky nodded to Cash, not knowing what else to say.
A couple of minutes later Bas got on the plane and shut the door. He stopped in front of her, the look in his eyes reflecting regret and shame. She could also feel those things through their bond, but Sky wasn’t ready to forgive and forget, just yet. He needed to grovel a little or maybe just stew in his own juices. She would forgive him, but the forgetting would be hard, no matter what any of them said. Bas had hurt her deeply.
Chapter 23
Cash was in the cockpit, and there was a door closing him off from the rest of them. When his voice came over the loudspeaker to buckle up, Sky was thankful Ryleigh remained by her side. She was offering her silent support, but also her friendship. Sky needed those things right now.
The takeoff was smooth, and she and Ryleigh chatted about the other members of Alpha Team, NAC, and The Holly Group. Bas had told her a lot, but it seemed there was a hell of a lot more to learn. She didn’t know how she fit into all of this. Sky designed and built bikes, it was her passion. How was she going to do that when she wasn’t ever going to be able to leave these people?
Their flight had been going smoothly right up until they hit some turbulence. Sky wasn’t an experienced flyer, but she had felt this before going over the mountains on the way to Salt Lake City one time. When Bas got up a few seconds later and made his way to the cockpit, she was still pretty comfortable with what was happening.
Ryleigh grabbed her hand and squeezed it. It didn’t even alarm her until she said, “Sky, we need to get some things together. Something isn’t right.”
“What the hell are we supposed to get together? We’re on a plane flying thousands of feet above the ground!” Sky exclaimed.
Bas came back into the area and started pulling packs out of the compartments. Sky could feel the plane turning and descending at the same time. What was happening?
“Ladies, I need you to get up and put these on,” Bas said, holding up what appeared to be backpacks. “Cash has lost one engine, and now, we’re losing fuel fast. If that fuel is leaking anywhere near the still functioning engine, we’re going to have some major problems on our hands. Cash also can’t engage the autopilot, so he’s going to hold this bird steady until we can make our way out.”
Make their way out? What? Why? If the plane was going to crash, wouldn’t they be safer in it instead of outside of it landing God knew where? All these questions were running through her mind, and Sky was frozen in her seat.
Bas approached Ryleigh, “Ryleigh, we need to do a tandem jump; belly to belly to protect the baby.”
Sky watched as Ry
leigh got up and started to put on a harness.
“No, Bas, you’re going to have to take Sky down,” Ryleigh declared. “I have jump experience, and I don’t think she does. The baby will be okay.”
“Fuck, Rye, listen, we have no idea what we’re jumping into. Cash had to deviate his course because of storms. We’re going to be landing in an isolated part of Canada. That means trees, rocks, snow, and who knows what else. You can’t risk the baby.”
It looked like Ryleigh was going to argue, so Sky unbuckled herself and got moving.
“I can do it, just tell me what I need to know,” Sky interrupted.
Bas handed her the parachute and helped her to strap in.
“Okay, honey, I’m going to open the doors. Rye and I’ll go first. Count to five, then follow. The wind is going to be strong, but once Cash gives the signal, I need you to dive, just like you would off of a diving board, head first and fast. Give yourself a little room and momentum. Once you’re airborne, first and foremost, don’t panic; put Rye and me in your sights, and watch. As soon as you see my chute, you need to count to five, then pull this,” he said, pointing to her ripcord. “When the chute expands, it will jerk you hard as it pulls you up, but don’t panic. Lift your hand up and use the handles to guide yourself toward us, kind of like a chopper,” Bas smiled.
Okay, Sky could do this. She could jump out of a perfectly good plane and land on the ground safely. Yep, she could do this... nope, no fucking way! Sky started to hyperventilate, and Bas slapped her cheek.
“Listen, babe, I can’t coddle you. We don’t have any other choice. We need to get this done so Cash has time to get out of the plane. Harness some of your anger and use it to get you through this. Once we’re on the ground, I’ll let you throw the biggest fit anyone has ever seen. Sound like a plan?”
Sky nodded, and Bas kissed her on the forehead. She watched him strap Ryleigh to his chest. When Cash’s voice came over the loudspeaker, she stood behind Bas, waiting for him to open the door. She would do this for Ryleigh, her unborn baby, and Cash. Taking a few breaths, she centered herself. Sky had a couple of moments of doubt when Bas opened the plane’s door, and the wind rushed in. This was insane! Once she saw Bas’s body leave the aircraft in a dive, she counted, did exactly as he instructed, and jumped.
Sky’s heart was beating so fast and hard, she could feel it in her head. She couldn’t help but think human beings were not meant to jump out of airplanes, and she was also pretty sure she had peed her pants a little. This wasn’t cool. She was falling so fast, the skin on her face felt stretched. She watched as Bas opened his parachute and started counting. At five she reached up to pull her ripcord, but she couldn’t find it at first. It took her a couple of additional seconds to locate the cord and pull. She expected it to be easy, but she really had to yank the sucker. Her parachute opened, and just as Bas said, it sent her back up like a rocket.
What he hadn’t prepare her for was how fast the ground would be approaching. She tried to steer just like Bas had said, but she was finding it hard and was moving off course. Her descent had slowed, but not nearly enough. What was she supposed to do when she hit the ground? How hard and fast was she going to hit the ground?
Sky pulled the down on the handles as she approached the ground. It seemed to slow her more. Unfortunately for her, it didn’t slow her enough, and she landed with a thump. The chute caught and it pulled her up again like a rag doll, only to dump her back to the unforgiving earth. She saw Bas running her way, but he wasn’t fast enough to stop another pull upward. He was yelling, but Sky couldn’t hear what he was saying because of the ringing in her ears.
Before she could hit the ground again, he grabbed her, pushing her to the ground and started to gather up the cords of the chute, pulling it towards him. Sky hurt and didn’t even try to move from the fetal position she was in on the ground. Bas maneuvered her body, taking off the harness and checking her out. He was talking, but she still couldn’t hear what he was saying. Bas sat her up, looking into her eyes, and feeling around on her head. After a couple of seconds, he shook her.
“Sky, baby, talk to me?”
“My name might be Sky, but that is a place I never want to go to again.”
Bas laughed and hugged her close, “Okay, babe, no more ‘Sky’ diving for you, I promise. However, you did well for a first-timer,” Bas said with a grin.
Bas helped her to stand. Her knees were still wobbly, and her feet felt weird being on the ground. She took a couple of steps, but her legs would quit shaking. Bas picked her up and took her over to where Ryleigh was standing. She was staring at the skyline, and the look on her face was one of complete horror. She pointed, and Sky looked that way, only to see the plane they were just on collide with trees off in the distance, then flames shooting out everywhere.
“Fuck!” Bas screamed. “Shit, you two need to stay here and find some shelter or something. I need to go and check on Cash.” Seconds later Bas’ bear erupted from his body, and the bruin took off toward Cash and the fire.
Ryleigh wasn’t moving or saying anything. Sky was sitting on the cold ground, looking around. There wasn’t anything to see except snow, trees, and more trees. Where exactly were they supposed to find shelter? Sky wasn’t even dressed for this type of weather, wearing only a hoodie, t-shirt, and jeans. Ryleigh had on a sweater and jeans, but neither of them was going to last long if they didn’t do something fast. It was frigid out here.
Sky gathered everything in her and stood, coming face to face with Ryleigh. Ryleigh had tears in her eyes, and she was still pointing towards the fire. Sky tried saying her name a couple of times, but wasn’t getting the woman’s attention. Taking her shoulder, Sky shook her and said her name again, and this time Ryleigh looked at her like she hadn't seen her before and said one word.
“Cash?”
“I know, Rye, but Bas is going after him. We have two choices here: we either need to go toward them or away. I don’t have any experience with this, so you’re going to have to tell me what to do. Shit, Rye, I don’t even know where we are or what direction we should go.”
Grab the parachutes.” Ryleigh thankfully took over, issuing commands. “We can use the fabric as added insulation. I think we need to walk toward Bas and Cash. We should all stick together. It’s safer that way.”
Sky wondered about that; Bas had taken off and just left them. She understood his need to check on his friend, but leaving two vulnerable women in the middle of the wilderness should have at least crossed his mind. They didn’t even have proper clothing, tools, or anything. Sky started to pat her pockets down. She found a pencil in her back pocket and a lighter in the front pocket of her jeans. She didn’t have anything else. She noticed Ryleigh was doing something similar and came up with a pocket knife and some keys with a little flashlight attached.
Sky gathered up the parachutes while Ryleigh cut the cords, winding some of the cord up and handing it over to Sky. She put it in the front pocket of her hoodie, not knowing what else to do with it. They wrapped themselves up like mummies in the parachute material and tied it off, so it would be easier to walk, then started out in the direction Bas had gone.
It was cold, but between her clothes and the parachute, Sky wasn’t freezing. Well, her feet felt like they were, but that was because she was only wearing tennis shoes. Ryleigh’s feet had to be burning because she wearing flat ballerina shoes. Sky looked down and noticed that the tops of Ryleigh’s feet were red, but she had never once complained and just continued forward.
“Rye, wait a minute,” Sky stopped. “Let’s put something else on your feet. The parachute material will slip, but if I cut off some pieces from my t-shirt, it will at least offer you some protection from the snow and cold.”
“It's fine, Sky, let’s just keep going.”
“It’s not fine, Ryleigh. Do you want to lose your feet to frostbite? They’re red and swollen. Come on, let me do this for you. When Bas and Cash get back to us, we can do something else. But
for now, let’s just do this much. It will only take a minute, and we can’t be that far behind them.”
Sky knew she was pulling at straws. They weren’t close to Bas or Cash. Things always looked like they were just right up ahead when many miles could be separating them. Shit, they’d already been walking for what felt like hours.
“I say we head over to those trees and try to find a dry spot to sit in for a while,” Sky suggested. “I’ll take off my t-shirt, and we can wrap your feet. I also think we need to melt some of this snow and get us something to drink.”
Ryleigh wasn’t saying much and let Sky lead. Sky found a couple of evergreens that had some space underneath them that wasn’t snow covered. Sky sat Ryleigh down and got to work. Ryleigh’s feet were a mess. They were so swollen, Sky was afraid to take her shoes off. She removed the parachute material and her hoodie. The chill from the air made her teeth chatter when she removed her t-shirt. No time for modesty. She didn’t even care that Ryleigh could see her boobs. Sky hated bras and only wore them when she absolutely had to. She didn't find that need often as big bulky hoodies could hide her unharnessed breasts, so no one was the wiser. Right now, though, the extra material would have been nice. Even the underwire would have come in handy. Maybe she should reconsider her stance on bras. Yeah, still not happening.
Sky gathered some pine needles, the remaining pieces of her t-shirt, and a few rocks. She made a little pile, and noticing some dried leaves closer to the tree, grabbed them as well. Sky used her lighter to get a small fire going with the things she’d collected. Leaving Ryleigh to rest, she walked around the area and grabbed sticks and anything else she found she thought would burn. There wasn't much that wasn’t snow covered and wet. Carting her newfound treasures back to their makeshift campsite, Sky noticed Ryleigh appeared to be sleeping.
NAC & The Holly Group - Box set: Alpha Team Page 101