Akio returned and hustled them onto the plane where she strapped in. The melatonin she’d taken just an hour before began to make her eyelids droop, and it wasn’t very long until she gave in and let herself sleep.

Josh kept an arm around her as they flew. Reassured by the slow, deep rise and fall of her chest. Gage had told him once she slept, her magick would begin to heal her and replenish from the shock of what she’d experienced at the murder scene.

Their bond, golden, brilliant and strong, hummed between them, and his wolf eased back. A little. He’d been in a high state of agitation since he’d seen her slump over and their bond had gone pale and thin.

“She’s going to be all right.” Akio handed him a cup of coffee. “So strong, this one. Witches have a spine of steel. She’ll get along well with Renee and Kendra, the witches I know in Boston.”

“Renee is Jack’s mate and Kendra is her sister, right?”

Akio nodded. “Kendra is mated to Max de La Vega, who is the Alpha of the jaguar jamboree in Boston. She took on a jaguar without being bitten. Her magick just sort of…absorbed it. Insane how powerful these two sisters are. I’d wondered if they were an anomaly. Neither of them operated within a clan or a coven. But I’ve met other witches since, and the women most especially seem to have the hearts of lions.”

Josh snorted. “Too bad they don’t have the physical strength of one. She’s so fragile. It fills me with terror. You only saw pictures of the results of what they did to Allie. My wolf is not happy at all. Keeps sending me mental images of that as he snarls.”

“Not like you’re going to be able to manage her.” Akio grinned before it faded. “We’ll keep her safe. You have my word that I will do all I can. Do you think she’d ever consider taking on the change?”

Some mates who weren’t wolves opted to be bitten and go through the change after they were claimed. It made them physically stronger and longer-lived as well. She’d already have a longer life as she was a witch, but the physical strength was something he really liked the idea of.

“I might suggest it. In the future. She’s had enough to deal with lately.”

Akio nodded. “Would you two consider staying in my home while you’re in Boston? It’s safer than any hotel. I’m near the pack house and so I can easily up the number of guards. And I’ll feel better, safer, if she’s safer.” He paused. “I know this is hard for you. She’s yours. I don’t dispute that. But she’s mine too in many ways. I just want to protect her.”

Josh understood it, though he couldn’t have before Akio became their anchor. This male wouldn’t ever get between Josh and Michelle. But he loved Michelle because of their bond and would die to protect her. That meant a lot. And he didn’t feel threatened. Not like he did when other males came around. His wolf recognized Akio as theirs in some sense.

Josh nodded. “I’d appreciate that.”

She woke up to Josh kissing her softly. “Hello, beautiful. We’ll be landing in a few minutes.”

She stretched, feeling a lot better after sleeping pretty much the entire flight. “I’m sorry, did I drool on you?”

He laughed. “Not that I noticed. You didn’t even stir as Akio and I talked. You were out. How do you feel?”

“I’m glad I slept. I do feel like my magick has recharged. I’m not feeling dirty the way I did before. Or weighted down by whatever I brushed up against.”

“Good.”

She stood. “I could totally get used to private-plane travel.”

Akio approached, smiling when he caught sight of her awake. “I was just checking with the pilot. You look better.” He hugged her before setting her back to look her over carefully.

“I’m fine. Though I will clean up a little before we land.”

“Bathroom is through there.” Akio pointed.

She grabbed her purse and headed back. Nicely, it wasn’t one of those teeny bathrooms they had on commercial flights. This one was roomy, and in the medicine cabinet, it had toothbrushes and other things she’d need to freshen up with.

She brushed her teeth and washed her face, moisturized and dealt with her hair. She was going to meet the king, or supreme Alpha or whatever he was called officially, and that was important to both Josh and Akio so she didn’t want to look like she just fell out of bed.

Thank goodness she’d tossed her makeup bag into her purse before she’d left so she could do some basic foundation, blush and some lipstick. By the time she joined Akio and Josh as they’d announced their descent and to get strapped in, she felt a lot more human.

Josh smiled as she took his hand.

“Are you nervous about flying?”

“No.” And she realized he must have felt it through the bond. “No, I’m just…I want to make a good impression on Cade and the rest of the wolves. It’s sort of like meeting the family, I guess.”

“Beautiful, they’re going to love you. And they’re your family now too. Nothing to be nervous about because you’re wonderful. You’re going to like Cade and Grace a lot. I promise.”

It seemed a lot to promise but she let it go. She wasn’t a wolf, after all. But she did love Josh and she hoped they could see it.

Akio leaned out to squeeze her knee. “They’re going to love you. Josh radiates joy. You’re the reason. If for nothing else, they’d love that. But as it happens, though I’m obviously biased, you’re pretty amazing. And courageous. They’re going to appreciate your coming all the way across the country to talk to Cade and Grace in person.”