The ride to the airport was quick with Deimos on a call while I finished up the leftover papers I had to read and sign and within an hour and a half we boarded and settled down in the aeroplane.
Deimos sits next to me as Elriam and Ragon sit opposite us. My eyes wander around. I never thought airplanes had actual seats. I thought wolves sit on the ground. This airplane is quite big for just the four of us. Are more wolves coming? Are we waiting?
“Deimos.” I softly call out to him.
“Hmm.” He replies his eyes glued to his laptop.
“When are the others coming?” I whisper as he looks at me from beneath his black-rimmed glasses.
“Who?” He asks frowning.
“You know who. The other wolves who will be flying with us.” I reply. He frowns further in confusion until a look of understanding crosses his face.
“This is my jet, Lumina. That means it’s only for my use.” He explains as my eyes widen.
“You own this? This large… bird? And I didn’t know?” I ask him as he chuckles.
“I didn’t think it was important. I don’t own it anymore. We own it. Now if you don’t have other questions may I continue my work?” He asks playfully.
“You may.” I smile and look out the window.
As the aeroplane starts to move. I look forward to Elriam and she looks at me. We both understood each other’s anxiety. I look at Ragon seated to her left as he calmly sips on his tea flipping through the magazine in hand.
The airplane starts to pick up the pace and my eyes widen. “D-Deimos it’s going too fast,” I whisper looking at him. He frowns in reply.
“Lumina it’s just about to take off. That’s all.” He explains. Ragon looks between Elriam and me confused.
The jet begins to shake violently forcing out a loud sound. My body shakes up and down as I am thrown about by the force. “Deimos! What’s happening?” My hand shoots out and clutches onto his arm. My stomach turns and I feel like puking. I am scared.
I look at Elriam her eyes are squeezed shut as she clutches the armrests tightly. Ragon has his hand on her shoulder telling her something. The shaking gets worse and I let out a small scream.
“Lumina calm down. We are almost there okay. It’s okay, I am here. Shhhh.” Deimos lifts the armrest bringing me to his chest as I squeeze my eyes shut clutching onto his shirt. His hand softly slides across my hair.
The shaking stops and I feel like my body is being lifted into the air. I feel weightless as though I am floating. Deimos doesn’t let go of me still keeping me in his arms.
After a while, he finally whispers, “Lumina, look. Look out the window.” I shake my head no and snuggle deeper into him. He softly pushes me away as I protest against his arms. “Trust me.” He says and I finally open my eyes.
Looking out the window my eyes widen at the view of the clouds. “Elriam are you looking at this?” I ask her my mouth wide open eyes glued at the puffy white clouds.
“I am.” She replies perhaps in the same position I am in.
The sound of Ragon’s laughter disrupts me as I stare at him. “You both looked like pups just then. Luna, you were screaming Deimos! Deimos! on one side and…..” Ragon stops as laughter erupts from deep within his belly. “And Elriam was praying to the goddess to spare her life and forgive her sins.”
Elriam smacks the back of his head as a deep blush envelope my face. I don’t look at Deimos. I am embarrassed. Very embarrassed.
Deimos softly kisses my left cheek as I quickly turn my head to face him. His lips meet mine kissing my lips softly. “I am glad you are feeling better now.” He whispers and I nod smiling.
Ragon continues laughing his head pushed back, hands and legs failing around. I glare at Deimos as he clears his throat. “Okay, that’s enough,” Deimos says to Ragon in response to my glare.
“Come on, Alpha tell me you didn’t find that funny. Just a little bit.” Ragon asks Deimos.
Deimos’s stern and calm face slowly twists showing a hint of a smirk as I scoff. Ragon picks up his laughter once more.
“Come Elriam, let’s go sit elsewhere leaving these useless males alone!” I huff and walk away to the other seats with Elriam hot on my trail.
“Lumina, we are just messing around. Come back.” Deimos calls after me. “Ragon stop getting me into trouble.” He says as Ragon chuckles in response.
The rest of the journey was beautiful. I was surrounded by music and laughter. We played cards, talked about our dreams and our pack’s future. Deimos taught me some basic Italian words and Elriam even took her revenge by mixing salt in Ragon’s cup of water. And as he choked and spit it out Elriam and I laughed and laughed. I didn’t even know how much time passed.
“Elriam remember that one time when you-.” Our conversation halted when Deimos uttered the words, “We have arrived.” I look out the window and my mouth opens wide a little. The twinkling lights seem like stars from above. The sea meets the land like art and I cannot help but be overwhelmed by the view that blesses my eyes.
A new place. For the first time, I have arrived in a new country. A beautiful country. I am happy. Putting my palm on the surface of the window I whisper smiling softly,
“Ciao, Italia.”
(“Hello, Italy.”)