Page 12 of Griffin (Pecan Pines #3)

Chapter 12

Griffin

I sat down in my office chair, the faint hum of the bar’s cooling system filling the silence. My conversation with Michael lingered in my mind.

I could still see the look in his eyes when he spoke about Todd—a blend of loyalty and trust that made my wolf restless.

I knew I couldn’t let my feelings about Todd—whatever they were—jeopardize what was growing between Michael and me.

Shaking my head, I pulled out my phone. When I tried calling Cooper earlier, the line had been busy. I decided to try again, so I scrolled to his number and pressed dial.

The line barely rang before Cooper answered.

“Griffin,” Cooper drawled. “Took you long enough to call me back.”

I tensed, my grip on the phone tightening. My wolf bristled at the tone, a flicker of unease curling in my chest.

Cooper’s words reminded me too much of Ryder’s old tactics—passive-aggressive digs designed to keep us on edge.

“You shouldn’t keep your lead alpha waiting, Griffin,” Cooper added, his voice dropping just enough to make me second-guess myself.

I opened my mouth, unsure whether to defend myself or just apologize, but before I could say anything, Cooper chuckled.

“Relax, I’m kidding. You’re wound tighter than a spring.”

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I’d been holding, leaning back in my chair.

“Damn it, Cooper,” I muttered. “You’re going to give me a heart attack.”

“That’s the goal,” he replied, laughing again.

The tension in my chest eased, and I shook my head. Of course, Cooper wasn’t like Ryder. The two were polar opposites—one ruled by fear, the other by mutual respect.

Still, the brief thought unsettled me—a ghost of the past I couldn’t quite shake.

“So, what’s this about?” I asked, steering the conversation back to business.

“Right, down to business,” Cooper said, his tone shifting. “I’m calling all the enforcers for a meeting next week. We’ve got some big things to cover, including the upcoming regional pack summit.”

That caught me off guard. “The summit?”

“Yeah,” Cooper confirmed. “I know it’s not something we want to deal with right this moment, what with everything that went down after Ryder. But we’ve got to show the other packs we’re back on our feet. Stronger than ever.”

I ran a hand through my hair, feeling a pang of guilt.

Between Michael and the mess with his stalker, I’d completely lost track of the pack’s larger issues.

“Which pack is hosting this year?” I asked.

“We drew the short straw,” Cooper said, a wry edge to his voice. “We’re hosting.”

Of course, we were. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.

“I see. No wonder you’re calling for a meeting,” I said.

“Exactly. I want to get all the enforcers on the same page before we announce it to the pack. We’ve got to be united, Griffin. No cracks in the armor,” Cooper said.

“I understand,” I said. “I’ll be there. Do you need me to bring anything?”

Cooper hesitated for half a second, then said, “Those spicy BBQ chicken wings of yours wouldn’t hurt.”

I laughed, the sound surprising even me. “I’ll see what I can do.”

“Good. I’ll see you next week, Griffin,” he said.

“Alright,” I promised.

Cooper ended the call, leaving me in my office with my thoughts spinning.

Despite Cooper’s lighthearted teasing and our brief moment of laughter, the weight of his news finally set in.

Hosting the upcoming regional pack summit wasn’t something the pack could screw up.

The summit was more than just a gathering of nearby packs; it was a show of strength, unity, and leadership.

After Ryder’s catastrophic reign and eventual defeat, our pack was still clawing its way out of the chaos he’d left behind.

Hosting the summit wasn’t just a logistical nightmare—it was a statement.

We couldn’t let the other packs think we were weak or disorganized, not when we were finally finding our footing under Cooper’s steady leadership.

And yet, for a while now, my mind had been elsewhere. In truth, it had been occupied by Michael.

I rubbed a hand over my face, leaning back in my chair. The memory of our earlier conversation played on a loop in my mind.

The way Michael’s eyes softened when he spoke about Todd.

The quiet vulnerability in his voice when he talked about their history—it painted a picture I couldn’t ignore.

Todd wasn’t just Michael’s manager; he was woven into Michael’s life, a constant presence who’d helped him carve out his place in the world.

If I wanted to be a part of Michael’s life, I had to accept that Todd was part of the package. That didn’t mean my misgivings disappeared. Far from it.

Todd knew Michael first. He’d been there for him, supported him. That much was clear.

But my instincts, sharpened by years as an enforcer, told me there was more to Todd than Michael realized—or maybe wanted to admit.

My wolf didn’t trust him, and honestly, neither did I.

The thought made me tightened my jaw. It wasn’t just jealousy, though I wasn’t immune to that.

It was the lingering feeling that Todd’s influence over Michael wasn’t entirely selfless.

I shook my head and stood, pacing the small space of my office. Cooper’s call had been a wake-up call in more ways than one.

I couldn’t afford to lose focus, not when the pack needed me at my best.

But at the same time, I couldn’t ignore what was happening in Michael’s life—or the pull I felt to protect him.

Deciding I’d stewed long enough, I left the office and headed for the kitchen. Michael wanted to go back to Cinderfield soon. Despite my initial resistance, I’d come around—not because I thought it was a good idea.

My wolf growled at the mere thought of him returning to the place where his stalker had gotten too close.

But if we went back, I’d have a chance to take the measure of Todd for myself.

To see if the man Michael trusted so deeply was really what he seemed—or if there was something darker lurking beneath the surface.

I grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, twisting off the cap and taking a long drink. The idea of facing Todd wasn’t appealing, but it felt necessary.

“Griffin?”

I turned to find Noah leaning in the doorway, arms crossed and a curious look on his face.

“You’re brooding,” he said, a teasing smirk tugging at his lips.

I grunted, leaning against the counter. “Just thinking.”

“What did Cooper say?” Noah asked.

I told him everything. I hid no secrets from my brother.

“So what are you really worried about? The summit or Michael?” Noah asked.

“Both,” I admitted.

Noah stepped into the kitchen, his expression softening.

“Look, I get it. The summit’s a big deal, and so is Michael. But you’ve got to find a way to balance it, man. The pack needs you. And so does he—whether he’s ready to admit it or not.”

“I know,” I said, my voice low. “I’m working on it.”

“Good.” Noah clapped me on the shoulder, his grin returning. “And hey, don’t let Cooper stress you out. He’s not Ryder.”

I huffed a quiet laugh, shaking my head.

“Yeah, I know. It’s just… sometimes it’s hard to forget what things were like under Ryder. But Cooper’s different. I get that,” I said.

“Damn right he is.” Noah’s grin widened. “And about Michael? Maybe don’t wait too long to tell him how you feel.”

I watched him leave, his words lingering in the air like a challenge.

Michael deserved more than hesitation or half-measures. If I wanted him in my life, I had to be all in.

That started with Todd. With making sure Michael was safe, no matter what.

The drive to Cinderfield wasn’t just about Michael’s work or his past. It was about proving—to him and to myself—that I could be the partner he needed. Someone he could rely on.

My wolf growled in approval. For once, I didn’t argue.

The soft hum of my truck’s engine filled the driveway as I parked and made my way into the house.

My duffel bag sat open on the couch, half-packed, waiting for me to finish preparing for the trip to Cinderfield.

I tossed in a few more essentials: a couple of shirts, my favorite worn jeans, toiletries.

I paused, running a hand over my stubbled jaw, debating if I should bring anything extra for Michael.

Yeah, I’d probably overpacked already, but it never hurt to be prepared. Finally, I zipped the bag shut and slung it over my shoulder.

Packing hadn’t taken long, but it left me restless. My wolf stirred uneasily.

Michael was on my mind, of course, but so was the upcoming pack summit. Everything felt like it was piling up, and I needed to clear my head.

That’s when it hit me—visiting Dad might help. It always did, even if he couldn’t respond.

The drive to the hospital was quick, familiar. The receptionist at the front desk greeted me with a soft smile as I entered.

“Good evening, Griffin,” she said.

“Evening,” I replied. “Any changes in his condition?”

Her expression remained kind but steady, the same as always.

“No changes. He’s stable, but still the same,” she said.

I nodded, my chest tightening as I thanked her and headed toward my dad’s room. Inside, the room was quiet save for the gentle beeping of machines.

My father lay there, as still as ever, his strong frame looking too small against the hospital sheets. Seeing him like this never got easier.

I sank into the chair beside him, leaning forward to rest my elbows on my knees.

“Hey, Dad,” I said softly, my voice breaking the stillness.

For a moment, I just sat there, staring at him, searching for any sign of change. But as always, there was nothing. Still, I talked.

“So, the regional pack summit’s coming up,” I began, my voice casual, like he could respond.

I went on, “The pack is hosting it this year. Can you believe that? Ryder would’ve refused to host anything and probably screwed it all up, but Cooper’s got it handled. The guy’s solid, nothing like Ryder. I think we’ll pull it off, even if it’s going to take a lot of work.”

I paused, glancing at the machines monitoring his vitals, the steady rhythm grounding me.

“And then there’s Michael,” I added, leaning back in my chair. “He’s... different. Special. When I’m with him, pack issues, you being here—it all feels lighter.”

I rubbed a hand over my face, sighing.

“But it’s getting serious. I didn’t expect that. Didn’t think I’d find someone who’d make me feel this way. And honestly? It scares the hell out of me. What if I mess this up? What if I can’t give him what he needs? You’d know what to say if you were here. You always did.”

My throat tightened, and I swallowed hard, willing the emotion back down.

“Anyway,” I said, forcing a small smile, “I’m heading to Cinderfield with him tomorrow. I’m finally going to meet this manager of his—Todd. I don’t trust the guy, but Michael does, and that’s what matters, right? I’ll figure it out. I just…wish you could tell me if I’m doing this right.”

Leaning forward, I pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I miss you, Dad,” I whispered. “I’ll come back soon.”

With one last look, I left the room. The nurse gave me a sympathetic nod as I passed, and I returned it with a faint smile.

Back in my truck, the weight in my chest lingered, but I felt a little lighter knowing I’d shared my thoughts with him.

It wasn’t much, but it was something. As I started the engine and pulled away from the hospital, my focus shifted.

Cinderfield was going to be a big trip—for Michael, for me, and for everything we were starting to build together.