The Domestic Dragon

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Alenia's POV

"C'mon, wake up," A male voice spoke while my body shook slightly. "We've landed."

I struggled against the heavy weight on my bones until I realized it was just the weariness in my muscles and I just needed to get over it. I opened my eyes and looked over to Michael, who was also groggy but awake. 

"Thanks, Sam," I said. My words were stopped by a large yawn and Sam didn't look surprised at all. In fact, he looked worried but altogether just happy to see me. "Oh my god-" I exclaimed when I realized this is my first time seeing him in person, and recognizing it. Everything after my mother is a blur. I started to cry without realizing it and he frowned, but it was Michael that comforted me. I was still wrapped in his arms but his grip on me tightened and I accept the wave of comfort that he magically sent my way.  "Thanks," I said, knowing that I couldn't cry just yet. 

"Anytime," Michael said. He shifted and I sighed, getting up and stretching. I'd never been in an airplane before then, but I could tell that they weren't great for resting. 

"Where is everyone?" I ask as Michael and I exit the empty plane accompanied only by Sam, Daniel, Christine, Hank, Katie, Wes, Tom, Jamie, and her parents Theo and Dr. Kalie.

"They're all settled in the refuge center about 20 minutes away," Sam said. We walked down the metal stairs and found ourselves in what was obviously a military base. I locked eyes with Naomi momentarily but did not give any other sign that I recognized her even as we walked to her. 

"Why didn't you wake me up? I should have been there for that," I asked, frustrated. No one had really gotten a choice in the break out, the very least of my obligations was to lead them to safety. 

"You needed rest, so I ensured their safety," Naomi said. 

"You had no right!" I snapped, "We brought them here, we were responsible for their safety."

"And I assumed responsibility, as their matriarch," Naomi had the same look of irritation she always had when I snapped at her. I growled from low in my throat, I had never been this mad at her.

"Let's get something straight," I said, storming up to her and not caring that I was on her soil in her country. "We," I gestured to the comparatively small group of fighters that hadn't left without us. "Broke out from that experimentation facility, not you. And for the record, I am the newest Jones matriarch and I am the one in charge."

"The Jones matriarchy has not yet fallen on your shoulders." Naomi said, clearly taking my challenge only half seriously. "I have not ceded the role and until then I am the matriarch and I will maintain responsibility for the safety of my people."

"On those grounds alone I would challenge you and win." I snapped. How dare she act as if she were the protector! She had abandoned so many, left so many to the cruel grasp of the Church that she lied and claimed she had ended. "But I don't care to, as long as you stay out of our way but if you dare take control over the people you abandoned I will take over your title and your people." My voice had gotten dangerously low and I recognized the signs from when I had used my roar before. I refocused myself, now wasn't the time for that.

"Alenia! You will treat your mother with respect!" Sam snapped from behind me, obviously angry that his daughter had threatened his wife.

"I did," I snapped. "But she died a better woman than Naomi could ever dream of being and now I have to be a big girl and do what needs to be done."

"Sam, it's fine," It clearly wasn't. Despite her words Naomi was practically seething, her usual facade had fallen. 

"Alenia," Kalie asked from behind me and I turned to face him and the rest of my exhausted allies. "You and Mike need to go to the hospital and, considering how involved everyone here was, it couldn't hurt to give everyone a thorough review."

"Is there a medical wing at the refuge?" Michael asked Naomi.

Naomi didn't look happy that Michael and I needed medical attention but, honestly, what had she expected? Did she not notice the blood on my body? Did she think that the task she had left to us was as simple as skipping through a park?

"Yes," She said. "But it is probably busy with patients right now. There is a hospital on base, they're good at fixing up woulds that have been partially healed in battle." If Michael's wound felt anything like mine, and I assumed it did as the bullet had actually lodged itself in his leg, he would need that. She started to walk there immediately, and she walked fast. I frowned, Michael can't possibly walk that fast, so I trailed behind with him and made sure that she didn't get so far out of my sight that we get lost.

"Naomi loves you, you know," Michael said. He knew I was walking slower for him, I was sure, but didn't say anything. 

"I really could care less," I said, trying not to think about the obvious disappointment in Sam's voice not long ago. "The Jones' aren't really my family. They can't replace what I already have."

"I'm not saying that," Michael said, struggling to keep up. I frowned and slowed down, "I just think you should know that they aren't faking loving you like a daughter. So even though it was sexy as hell to watch you yell at Naomi, maybe hold off on the death threats. They hurt them more than you realize."

I got uncomfortable thinking about it, I have- had  a mother and there is no way that Naomi would ever replace her. Instead I latched on to the other thing he said, "Sexy, hu?"

"Oh yeah," Michael replied. His smirk was dangerous and I felt my heart race. We hadn't done this before, teased each other in this way. I blushed but forced myself to keep looking at him. He stopped walking and so did I, remembering the room that Naomi had just entered and no longer worried about getting lost. "So, I know now isn't the time, but I'm going to combust if I don't say something."

I frowned, is everything okay? Is he upset about something? Does he not want me to take over my birthright? Has he changed his mind about taking down the rest of the 'schools' and, ultimately, the UHA itself? There was so much he could need to know, so much that was coming up for us. We were about to burn through a systematic cruelty that was supported by generations of the harold people and that moment was the last moment he could back out and leave me sobbing and alone. My heart jumped out of my chest when he finally spoke.

"I love you, too."

My face broke out into a wide grin and I charged into him. He wobbled a little before kissing me back, his grin clear against my lips. My arms wrapped around his neck to pull me closer to him, his arms wrapped around my waist to do the same. That time I recognized the emotions. The love that ran through everything, the awe at who I am, the excitement that I was his,  and the possessiveness that only served to make me kiss him harder. 

"Michael," I said when we broke for air, smiling brightly. "If we're being honest, I've loved you for a long time."/

"Like a sister?" He teased and I giggled. Me. Giggled. Wow, I must have been drunk or something. Drunk on love... God I was an idiot.

"No, not like a sister," I said. I glanced over to the closed door that I knew everyone else was behind. "We'd better get back with the group."

Michael pouted but his face was still gleeful. "Not until you say it."

"Say what?" I asked. 

"That you love me," Michael said and I grinned. 

"I love you," I said and I meant it with every fiber in my being. I turned and walked into the hospital to see an enraged Naomi Jones. A language I had to struggle to understand hit me and suddenly my face burned. The pain spread throughout my body, a wire cage wrapping around my wings and fire and skin, pulling into me. I screamed out and fell to my knees.  My hands clutched the right side of my face and I felt wetness, not sure if it was tears or blood but not having the strength to open my eyes and check. The last thing I heard was Michael's booming voice and I passed out knowing that he wouldn't let this be the end. 

"What did you do to her?!"

Author's Note And we're at the end!

Author's Note: 9/14/2020: Okay, I can't let this story go- sequel up by the end up the week and planning on bi-weekly updates (though this isn't set in stone). Can't wait to show everyone the next chapter of their lives!