Outback Love

"You're in Charge Now"

Blane was showered and packed and ready to leave for the private airport that housed the company plane. His sister had, again, begged to accompany him on this trip. In the end he had promised to scout out the best locations for them to return for a holiday later in the year.

He was sitting at the large granite counter in the kitchen when his sister’s friend came downstairs.

“Alpha Blane.” She purred seductively. She was wearing about as little as she thought she might get away with, a thong and tank top.

“Bethany.” Blane muttered diverting his eyes. This had been his life since he was 16, girls and women throwing themselves at him. Amongst the other pack leaders, it was referred to as ‘The Curse Of The Alphas’. Although to be fair, they didn’t all see it as a curse.

Blane just wasn’t interested. He had no interest in starting something with a woman he would have to break off when he found his mate. It all just seemed like hard work

He was particularly disinterested in his sisters 18 and 19 year old friends. Blane was 28 years old and a successful businessman. He had no need for flings with children.

“Its Brittany!” She squealed in her horrible whiney voice.

“Sorry.” He murmured as he put his empty glass on the sink and picked up his briefcase.

“Leaving so soon?” Brittany asked, shifting so her tank top pulled over her breasts.

“I am, next time you stay here bring appropriate clothing.” Blane warned her darkly. “I don’t appreciate under dressed children in my pack house.”

“I am not a child!” Brittany raged as she stood up and followed him towards the door.

Blane got in the passenger seat of his car and threw his briefcase into the back. Luke opened up the back and placed his suitcase in.

“Alpha.” Luke nodded.

“Beta.” Blane mumbled in return.

“Have some company last night?” Luke asked.

“You know me better than that. She’s one of Ems whiney friends.”

Luke chuckled as he started the car. “The Curse of the Alpha huh?”

Blane grunted in response.

“Why can’t there be a curse of the Beta?” Luke grumbled.

“Like you don’t get your fair share.” Blane reminded him

“Weathers not looking to good Blane. That storm front coming in looks nasty. Are you sure about leaving today?” Luke was worried.

Blane shrugged. “This weather isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, and I would rather risk the storm front than the snow front. The sooner I get going, the sooner I reach tropical Australia.”

“Good point.” Luke laughed.

As they pulled up Blane groaned. “What the hell is Arthur doing here?” He asked.

“What are you talking about?” Luke asked.

“That horrible green sports car belongs to Arthur McAllister.”

Luke’s eyes widened as he took in the car. “Surely he doesn’t think he is going with you?”

“I have no issue with setting him straight.” Blane growled. He had been looking forward to getting away and not dealing with people like McAllister for a whole month.

“Blane!” Arthur called out as they walked towards the hangar.

“Come to see Blane off Mr McAllister?” Luke asked.

Arthur pointed to the suitcase sitting on the ground in the hangar. “Thought I might keep you company Blane. I want to see for myself where my billions are being spent.”

Blane smiled. “Arthur, that’s not really how it works. There’s Visas and approvals to enter the country.” He began.

Arthur put his hand into his jacket pocket and pulled out his passport and some paperwork. “Had it all rushed through last night.” He smiled.

The pilot came around from the side of the plane. “Good morning, Mr Wright I just wanted to let you know we are cleared to leave immediately. There is some concern about the storm front coming and they have asked for all planes to leave before it hits. We wouldn’t want to see ourselves grounded.” He smiled.

Luke walked back to Blanes car and got his suitcase out of the back. He carried it to the plane and handed it to the pilot.

“Uhh hmmm” Arthur began nodding towards his suitcase.

“Arthur, it would be incredibly inappropriate for me to just turn up with an extra person. And then there is accommodation.”

“I had my PA merge our itinerary, so I now have accommodation booked wherever you do. Don’t worry, separate rooms unless you feel the need to party together.” He winked.

Blane looked at Luke in alarm.

“Mr McAllister, I’m sure Blane has no intention of partying, he will no doubt spend the whole time working hard to make your money work for you. You know how he is. Perhaps you might prefer to take the wife away for a holiday?” Luke interrupted.

“Or perhaps I can take my billions elsewhere…” Arthur threatened as he walked towards the stairs of the plane.

“Luke.” Blane growled.

“What do you want me to do Blane? Drag him off the plane. He is one of our biggest contributors.” Luke began.

“Because we made him filthy rich. He came to us with millions, and we turned it into billions.” Blane growled in frustration.

“Maybe call your dad?” Luke suggested.

Blane gave him a withering look. Blane had learned years ago if he gave his dad an inch his dad took a mile and then kept going. He couldn’t ask his dad for advice without expecting months of interference in return.

“I’ve got nothing Blane, I’m sorry.” Luke shrugged.

“It’s a business trip, it isn’t for pleasure. I will have to deal I guess.” Blane muttered stomping his way up the stairs.

“Good luck.” Luke smirked as he waved his boss goodbye. Blane was going to need it.

Blane boarded the aircraft and sat in one of the armchairs as the pilot started the engine. The plane was built for comfort with a bedroom and ensuite at the rear. It had multiple revolving armchairs that could be moved towards the centre for a meeting or to face the front.

Arthur came out from the bedroom. “Nice Blaney Boy, I bet there’s been a party or two happen in that bedroom.” He sneered.

Blane smiled cursing his luck yet again. A month was a long time to have to deal with Arthur.

“You need to take your seat and buckle in for take off.” Blane instructed as Arthur stood in the doorway of the bedroom.

“Oh, of course.” Arthur said, sitting down.

“You know Blaney Boy, with your looks and my money we are in for one hell of a holiday. You can reel the women in with your looks and I can keep them there with my money.” Arthur crowed.

“Arthur, you do understand that I am independently wealthy right? The plane you are sitting in belongs to me, I wear $5000 suits and own a $20 million property.

Arthur waved his hand dismissively.

The pilot alerted them that he was preparing for take off as the plane taxied its way down the runway. This had always been Blanes favourite part of flying. Something about the take off exhilarated him. He wasn’t an adrenalin junkie as such but there had always been something about the take off he had loved.

As soon as they were in the air Arthur returned to the bedrooms ensuite.  Blane laughed to himself, maybe there was something about flying that didn’t agree with him.

When Arthur reappeared his eyes were glassy and unfocused.

“Dammit Arthur, do you have drugs on board?” Blane demanded.

Arthur shrugged. “It’s only a little for personal use.” He winked.

“Arthur, the Australians have no tolerance for this s**t. Dump it, now!” Blane commanded shaking his head.

“I’ll dump what’s left when we land.” Arthur shrugged.

Blane took out his briefcase and rifled through, looking for a report and some notes he needed to read before landing.

“Actually Blane, I thought we could go over the itinerary I have planned.” Arthur began.

Blane slammed his briefcase shut, glaring at Arthur icily.

“Arthur, this is a business trip. It is not a drug fuelled bachelor party. It is my job to make you more money, not to baby sit you or party with you” Blane roared.

Arthur put his hands up submissively. “Ok, no need to get angry.” He mumbled.

Blane glared at him and went on with reading the paperwork while Arthur returned to the ensuite. Blane had ruined his buzz.

Blane was awoken some time later by a sharp bump. He got out of is seat and walked towards the cabin.

“Alan, is everything ok?” Blane asked as he opened the cabin door.

“Sir, it’s a nightmare down there. I’ve just been alerted to the fact that we can’t land where we had originally planned to. There’s a thick blanket of smoke coming from one side and a hurricane coming from the other.” The pilot replied.

“How is that even possible?” Blane asked.

“It’s Australia sir. Part tropical, part desert. They have bush fires every year and hurricanes are common through what they refer to as the ‘Top End’. Unfortunately, right now they have both in the state we were supposed to land in. They are diverting air traffic.”

“To where?” Blane asked.

“To wherever is safe to land. I am awaiting further instructions.” The pilot replied.

Blane nodded as he looked out of the planes forward window. He could see the thick pillar of smoke and in some cases the flames.

“That is the most frightening thing I have ever seen.” Blane murmured wide eyed.

“That’s says a lot coming from an Alpha wolf.” Alan chuckled.

Blane smiled.

The plane hit more turbulence and Blane quickly sat, buckling himself in.

“Look.” Alan said pointing the right of the plane.

Blane looked to where Alan was pointing at the huge wall of weather coming their way. 

“Alan, can you land this thing?” Blane asked watching as the weather front began to combine with the smoke.

“I’ll do my best Sir.” Alan replied.

“Air wolf one, Air wolf one you must divert. Change your course to the following setting.” The call came over the radio.

Alan put the new setting into the planes controls and pulled to the left, away from the storm front.

“Air wolf one, continue on that setting. There are no available airports at this time. If you continue to that heading, you will find yourself in desert terrain. You can land safely there, and we will send someone out to collect you. Stay with your plane, I repeat, stay with your plane. You can die in 6 hours in that heat.”

“Understood, we will do as directed. See you on the ground.”

“What’s happening?” Blane asked.

“We’re going to do a desert landing Sir. They have to keep the airports free for commercial aeroplanes, so smaller planes are often diverted. I did some reading about this before we left, it is common for smaller planes to land on roads and in deserts in the outback.”

“Is it safe?” Blane asked

“Safe as houses sir, we may just have to fix the landing gear if it gets a bit bumpy.” Alan replied confidently.

Blane nodded as he watched the storm front.

“Sir, why don’t you go back and buckle up. See if you can get the overpaid buffoon to do the same.” Alan smiled.

Blane stood up and went out to his armchair. He neatly tucked the papers away in his briefcase and buckled himself in.

“Arthur?” Blane called out.

There was no reply. Blane angrily unbuckled himself and stormed into the bedroom to find Arthur passed out on the bed.

“Arthur!” Blane roared angrily. There was still no response.

The plane lurched suddenly, and Blane fell into the wall of the bedroom.

He stood up as the plane lurched again. This time he was able to grab the doorway and stay upright. Arthur had been thrown onto the floor from the turbulence. Blane moved towards him quickly to help him up when he felt it. The planes position had changed, and they were no longer moving forward.

An alarm sounded throughout the plane and Blane again looked down at Arthur. For the first time he realised there was blood coming from Arthur’s nose.

Alans’s voice interrupted his thoughts as he spoke over the intercom.

“Sir, we have lost control. Brace and may the Goddess have mercy on us all.”

Blane made his way to the closest armchair and buckled himself in. His last act before impact was to mind link Luke.

“Look after the pack Brother. You’re in charge now.”