Page 19 of Griffin (Pecan Pines #3)

Chapter 19

Griffin

T he bad feeling in my gut intensified as I exited the hospital. The crisp evening air did nothing to clear the tension coiled in my chest.

My phone vibrated again in my pocket. Pulling it out, I saw Colton’s name on the screen.

Colton was a pack member and also my neighbor. I hesitated. Should I let it go to voicemail?

Maybe it was just pack business that could wait. But something nagged at me. What if it wasn’t?

I swiped to answer. “Colton, what’s up?”

“Hey, Griffin,” he said, his voice cautious. “I thought you should know—I was out for a walk and saw Michael letting someone into your house. He looked… uneasy. Like he didn’t really want them there.”

My stomach dropped. “What did he look like?”

Colton hesitated, then said, “Tall, lean build, dark hair. Kind of smug-looking. He looked like an outsider.”

A chill crawled down my spine. Todd.

“Thanks for letting me know,” I said tightly.

“Do you need backup?” Colton asked, concern lacing his tone.

“I’ll call if I do,” I replied.

I hung up, my heart thundering in my chest.

That bastard was in my house—with Michael. My wolf stirred restlessly, rage building as his instincts surged forward.

Without hesitation, I climbed into my truck.

Instead of taking the familiar road through town, I veered onto the rugged backroads that cut through the woods.

The narrow, tree-lined path was barely visible in the fading light, but I didn’t care.

Every muscle in my body was taut, adrenaline rushing through me. My wolf clawed at my skin, desperate to break free.

When I finally reached my house, the sight of the open front door made my blood run cold. Michael never left the door open. Ever.

I stepped out of the truck, quiet as a predator on the hunt. My senses sharpened, ears attuned to every sound, every whisper of movement.

I crept inside, my boots barely making a sound on the hardwood floor.

The house was eerily silent except for faint voices coming from the backyard.

“I don’t understand, Todd,” Michael’s voice carried, panic evident in his tone. “What aren’t you telling me? Let me go!”

The raw fear in his voice shattered my restraint. I moved toward the sound, slipping through the open back door.

There they were.

Todd had a firm grip on Michael’s arm, his face twisted into something dark and unrecognizable. Michael’s eyes darted toward me, wide with relief.

But it wasn’t just Todd’s grip that caught my attention—it was the scent of blood.

My gaze dropped, landing on a splash of red against Michael’s pale skin. The growl that tore from my throat was low, guttural, and full of warning.

Todd’s head snapped toward me, his expression souring.

“Why do you keep appearing at the most inconvenient moments?” he sneered, his voice laced with irritation.

“Let him go,” I demanded, my voice a low rumble.

Michael trembled slightly, his eyes pleading. “Griffin?—”

Todd ignored him, his smug smirk returning. “Or what?” he taunted.

Then I saw it. The fingers gripping Michael’s arm weren’t fingers at all. They’d elongated, twisted into talons that pressed dangerously into Michael’s skin.

I remembered seeing a hawk flying overhead at that ice cream place in Cinderfield. Something clicked into place. Todd was a damn shifter.

Michael had joked once that Todd claimed to be “99% human, 1% shifter.” That had been a straight-up lie.

“I’m only going to warn you once,” I growled, my voice rough as gravel. “Let him go.”

Todd’s smirk deepened, his grip tightening.

“And if I don’t?” Todd asked mockingly, his eyes glinting with malicious glee.

“Let’s settle this,” I said. “Just you and me. Michael doesn’t need to be involved.”

“Fine with me,” Todd said.

The moment Todd shoved Michael away, my heart leapt into my throat.

Michael stumbled, his eyes wide with shock, but before I could reach for him, Todd was already rushing at me.

His talons extended, sharp and deadly, swiping through the air. I barely ducked in time, his talons missing my face by inches.

My wolf roared inside me, the protective instinct surging with the force of a tidal wave. Enough.

With a snarl, I let the shift take over. My bones snapped and reformed, muscles swelling as thick fur coated my body.

My vision sharpened, every detail of the backyard coming into vivid focus, and the metallic tang of Michael’s blood hung heavy in the air.

Todd didn’t wait. He lunged again, his claws partially shifted and glinting in the dim light. He moved fast, but I was faster.

I dodged his next strike and countered with a swipe of my own, claws raking across his shoulder.

He let out a guttural cry, staggering back, but he didn’t retreat.

“You think you can take him from me?” Todd spat, his eyes wild. “He’s mine!”

I didn’t waste my breath responding. Instead, I growled low in my throat, circling him.

My wolf wanted blood, wanted to end this threat to our mate once and for all, but I forced myself to stay focused.

Todd wasn’t just desperate—he was dangerous.

Todd came at me again, slashing wildly. I deflected his attacks, though one of his claws nicked my side.

The sting barely registered over the adrenaline coursing through me.

With a well-timed strike, I slammed into him, sending him sprawling to the ground. But Todd wasn’t done.

Snarling, he pushed himself up, his movements erratic. His gaze darted past me to Michael, who was still standing frozen a few feet away.

Todd’s expression twisted into something truly unhinged. Before I could stop him, Todd bolted past me, reaching Michael in a heartbeat.

He grabbed Michael, yanking him close, and pressed one of his talons against Michael’s throat.

“Michael!” I barked, my heart pounding like a drum.

Todd’s grip was iron, his face a mask of deranged fury.

“Stay back!” he shouted. “I won’t let you have him! He’s mine. Always been mine.”

Michael’s chest heaved, his eyes locked on mine, wide with panic.

“Todd…” Michael whispered, his voice trembling. “Don’t do this.”

For a moment, I saw the realization dawn in Michael’s eyes.

Maybe he hadn’t wanted to admit it before, but now it was undeniable. Todd wasn’t just some jealous friend. He was his stalker.

Todd’s gaze flickered to Michael, a twisted sort of affection crossing his face.

“Don’t worry, Michael. I’ll follow after you. If we can’t be together on this earth, then we’ll be together in heaven,” Todd said.

Panic surged through me. My wolf clawed at me, begging to be set free, to rip Todd apart, but I forced myself to stay still.

I couldn’t risk making the wrong move. Michael’s eyes darted to mine again, pleading. Then he looked back at Todd, his voice soft.

“Todd,” he said, his tone shifting. “What… what if I came with you instead?”

My stomach sank.

Todd narrowed his eyes. “Don’t lie to me.”

“I’m not,” Michael said quickly, his voice steady despite the fear I could see in his trembling hands. “You’re right. You’ve been there for me all this time, and I’ve been ungrateful.”

Todd’s grip loosened slightly, his fevered gaze locking onto Michael.

“I’m your number one fan, always loyal. That’s why my username is MichaelForever. I’m forever yours,” Todd said.

Michael nodded slowly, his voice almost a whisper. “I know. Maybe you’re the one for me after all.”

Todd’s grip slackened, the talons pulling away from Michael’s throat. His crazed expression softened into something almost tender.

My wolf tensed, every instinct screaming at me to move, but I waited. Michael had a plan. I had to trust him.

“See?” Michael whispered, inching closer. “You were right all along, Todd.”

For a second, Todd looked almost at peace. Then Michael drove his elbow sharply into his ribs. Todd let out a choked cry, doubling over in pain.

Michael tore away from him, running toward me. But Todd wasn’t done.

He lunged after Michael, snarling like a feral animal. I didn’t think. I moved. With a roar, I pounced, my claws sinking into Todd’s back as I dragged him to the ground.

He thrashed beneath me, his talons swiping at anything they could reach, but I pinned him down. Todd was too dangerous to let go.

He didn’t hesitate to threaten Michael, so I did the only thing I could to ensure he would never hurt Michael again. I closed my fangs around his neck and tore out his throat.

I waited a beat longer before shoving his corpse away, my wolf still bristling with fury. I shifted back, my breath heaving as I turned to Michael.

I was a little worried he’d change his opinion of me after seeing what I’d done. What I was capable of.

“Are you okay?” I asked, my voice hoarse.

Michael nodded shakily, his eyes filling with tears. There was no judgment or fear in his gaze, and that gave me a measure of relief.

I pulled him into my arms, holding him close as my wolf settled, finally at peace knowing Michael was safe.