Page 12 of Midnight Hunt (Wolves of Midnight #4)

11

VIOLET

Over the next few days, we put all our effort into finding Desirae.

Practically all two hundred members of Midnight Pack were on the lookout for her and the two males who’d set the silver trap, convinced they were the ones who took her. We hadn’t found evidence of a struggle or even their scents, but chances were, she’d been kidnapped by them.

As we waited for a ransom note or call detailing their demands, a call came in that was entirely unexpected.

“This can’t be a coincidence,” I told my brother the second he ended the call. “Another hybrid missing? That’s three attempts in one week, which means they have to be connected.”

“I agree,” Kolton said, running a hand through his hair until a dark strand fell onto his forehead. “But that means your theory about this being a challenge is incorrect. The newest disappearance has nothing to do with our pack, and the only reason why the missing female’s alpha contacted me is because he heard about how I tracked Nora down when she went missing—which he mistakenly thought I could do with all hybrids, not just my soulmate.”

“Okay, so this isn’t about your alpha position,” I mused, wearing a path in his office rug as I paced. “Maybe this has nothing to do with Midnight Pack and everything to do with hybrids. But what do they want with them?”

I stopped pacing as a thought came to me, one that immediately filled me with dread.

“What if witches are behind this? What if they’re trying to exorcise hybrid wolves again?”

Feeling sick to my stomach, I crossed my arms with a shiver.

“Let’s not jump to conclusions,” Kolton quietly said. “Everyone involved in that situation was taken care of, and we haven’t seen a single witch in months.”

I nodded, only feeling a little better. There were still two hybrids missing, though, and I’d almost been the third. Whatever the abductors were doing with them, it couldn’t be good.

We received another call hours later, this time from a pack in Canada. Same story. A hybrid pack member had gone missing, and they were hoping that Kolton had information.

When we received a third call in less than twenty-fours, this time from a pack in Minnesota, we all came to the same conclusion.

They were targeting female hybrids specifically.

Four were missing now—that we knew about anyway. Kolton and I started making calls, and by the end of the week, nearly a dozen disappearances had been reported.

Female hybrids were missing everywhere. A few had escaped and shared stories similar to mine, but their would-be-captors had been different.

Whatever was happening was bigger than we’d thought. Our pack had only been one target, but it seemed like they planned on targeting every pack that had female hybrids.

On Saturday morning, Kolton announced his intention to hold an emergency Alpha Meeting. The goal was to unite in our efforts to track down the missing pack members, but there was risk in holding such a meeting. Community rules stated that all packs worldwide were to be invited, and if one of those packs was behind the disappearances, we’d be broadcasting our plans to them.

“It’s worth the risk,” Jagger commented after Kolton told us. “The missing females could be anywhere, and we need access to other pack territories if we’re going to find them.”

“Yeah, but the other packs weren’t exactly willing to help us the last time we held an Alpha Meeting,” I reminded them.

“Last time, hybrids were still in hiding,” Kolton replied. “Last time, they had no reason to help us.”

I raised an eyebrow. “And this time?”

“This time,” Griff spoke up, “the entire werewolf community has been affected. They need our help just as much as we need theirs.”

When we all agreed to move ahead with the meeting, I spent the entire morning and afternoon working on invitations. It was nearing evening when a text lit up my personal phone. I quickly checked it and froze.

We need to talk , was all it said.

Seeing that it had come from Reid, panic fluttered in my chest. I grabbed the phone and quickly responded, Sure. What’s up?

In person , he immediately texted back.

The panic intensified until I thought my heart would burst. Cursing under my breath, I stood from the office chair and went in search of Kolton. Thoughts of what Reid wanted to talk about followed me the whole way, making my body tremble with nerves.

Was he tired of waiting for my reply? Did he need me to make a decision now?

I’d been so busy the past few days that I’d barely given a thought to his last words to me. Since then, we hadn’t texted or called each other. It would have been too awkward.

He was waiting for me, as usual, and apparently wasn’t willing to be patient this time.

I couldn’t blame him, though. He’d been incredibly understanding about Sable’s dislike of him and Griff’s closeness to me. But the only way we were going to become closer was if I spent more time with him.

He’d been more than patient with me these past eight months, and it was time to tell him my decision.

I found my brother in the kitchen helping Mom cook dinner. Nora and Griff were in the kitchen too, each holding a baby. When I entered, Griff’s head snapped up, and our eyes met. A second later, he looked away.

It had been like this between us ever since I’d told him what Reid had said. Other than to discuss the hybrid disappearances, we’d barely spoken to each other these past few days. I felt an ache in my chest every time he intentionally avoided me, but I understood why he was doing it. Still, I already missed our conversations and, dare I say it, his teasing.

Feeling that ache start to form again, I blurted while I still had the nerve, “I’m heading to Boston.”

Everyone stopped what they were doing to gape at me, even Griff.

Before they could start arguing with me, I rushed to add, “Only for a day. You’ll barely even notice I’m gone. Reid and I really need to talk in person.”

Kolton opened his mouth, clearly about to tell me no. One look at Nora, though, and he slowly shut it. Setting down the knife he’d been chopping onions with, he instead said, “I’ll let you go on two conditions.”

“Name them.”

“You take the jet.”

“Done.”

“And you let Griff go with you.”

Now it was my turn to gape. “You’re joking, right?”

“Deadly serious. It’s too dangerous for you to travel by yourself right now. Griff goes, or you don’t.”

I threw a pleading look at Nora, but she just gave me a sympathetic smile and shook her head.

Great. Just great.

Kolton was calling my bluff. He thought I would back down rather than face an awkward as hell situation. They’d all noticed how tense things were between me and Griff ever since the football game. They also knew that Griff was the main reason why Reid had asked me to move in with him.

Well, the joke was on him, because I didn’t break that easily.

“Fine,” I said, lifting my chin. “But I want to leave within the hour. Reid has a game tomorrow.”

Kolton’s eyes widened a fraction, but he just nodded and withdrew the phone from his back pocket. “I can have that arranged. I’ll tell Randy to expect you at the airfield in an hour. You can leave your Jeep overnight in the hangar.”

“Thanks, Kolton,” I replied, remaining stoic despite how shocked I was that he’d agreed. “I’ll go pack an overnight bag. Meet you in the foyer in twenty minutes, Griff.”

He nodded without comment, and I quickly left the kitchen before Kolton could change his mind. Twenty minutes later, Griff and I were in the foyer saying our goodbyes.

“Keep the tracking on for your phones and call immediately if you suspect you’re being followed,” Kolton said. He looked like he wanted to say more, but once again, he glanced at Nora—probably to have a quick telepathic conversation through their soulmate bond—and changed his mind.

Despite how protective he was feeling, I knew my brother was trying his best to let me spread my wings. Yes, I was still his responsibility and hybrids were still going missing, but I had a life outside of the pack now.

Well, more or less, depending on how my upcoming conversation with Reid went.

Before leaving, I made sure to hug every single family member, even Jagger. If these disappearances had taught me anything, it was to remind me that everything could change in an instant. Nothing was more important to me than family, and I couldn’t imagine being separated from them. Which made this trip to see Reid that much more terrifying.

He’s a good male , I kept reminding myself. Whatever my decision about moving in with him was, I knew he wouldn’t tell me to stay away from my family.

Well, maybe Griff , but that was different. Griff and I were . . . We were complicated.

Glancing his way, I saw him share a bro hug with Kolton, then nod at whatever my brother murmured in his ear. Probably something about keeping an eye on me without sabotaging my relationship with Reid any further. This relationship wasn’t like my past ones. I didn’t need to be protected from it.

Although, what happened between me and Griff earlier this week had nothing to do with protecting me.

Quickly looking away before I could start thinking about it again, I swept one more lingering glance over my family, then turned toward the door with my overnight bag. Griff joined me with his own bag, and we headed for the garage in silence. I had no idea what the sleeping arrangements would be once we got to Boston, but that was the least of my concerns at the moment.

I was essentially bringing my ex to my boyfriend’s place, even though Griff and I had technically never dated. If that wasn’t bad enough, I still hadn’t made a decision about moving in with Reid.

I knew one thing for certain, though. This trip was going to suck.

Sure enough, the drive to the airfield was spent in awkward silence. Our contract pilot, Randy, was already there, busily inspecting the family jet before takeoff. I parked my Jeep inside the open hangar and grabbed my bag, sharing a few pleasantries with Randy before climbing into the plane. As I claimed a seat, Griff chose to remain outside until we were ready for takeoff. I couldn’t tell if he was making sure we weren’t followed or . . .

Trying to keep his distance from me.

When we were finally ready for takeoff, he chose the seat directly across the aisle from mine, sitting down without a word. Desperate to break the silence, I opened my mouth to say something lame, only to close it with an audible click. As the jet took off down the runway and lifted into the air, Griff slouched in his seat and shut his eyes.

A slow, torturous half hour ticked by.

I tried to speak into the deafening silence between us but failed miserably several times. Finally, I couldn’t stand it any longer and snapped like a rubber band.

“Are you mad at me?” I blurted, knowing that Griff was still wide awake despite his relaxed position. “I’m sorry you got dragged along on this trip, but I hate when we’re not speaking. It’s agony. We’re supposed to always be there for each other no matter what. We’re friends, Griff. Family . You said that would never change, even if I—”

“Don’t say yes,” Griff quietly interrupted me with his eyes still closed.

I blinked at him in confusion. “Huh?”

Finally, he turned his head and opened his eyes to look at me. “Don’t move in with him.”

My mouth slowly fell open. He might as well have slapped me. Punched me. All the air left my lungs, and I couldn’t breathe.

Before I could say anything, he faced forward again and closed his eyes.

The rest of the flight was spent in silence but for a very different reason this time. My brain was whirring, frantically trying to figure out why Griff had said that. I could have asked him, but I was too afraid of his answer.

No, not afraid. Terrified .

A town car was waiting for us when we arrived at the airport, and when I saw Reid leaning against its side, I wanted to curl up and die on the spot. I’d texted him earlier, warning him that Griff was coming with me, but I’d somehow thought the two males wouldn’t see each other. Now, I realized how stupid that thought had been.

“Hey!” I brightly called anyway, approaching Reid to give him a hug. He pushed off the car to accept my embrace, but I noticed right away how stiff he was. When I pulled back to give him a quick kiss, I found his gaze locked on something behind me. I flicked a glance over my shoulder and spotted Griff only a few yards off, staring at Reid with equal intensity.

“Reid,” he said, his face devoid of its usual smile.

“Griff,” Reid replied back, his tone clipped.

My mouth dried.

Crap. Coming here like this had been a bad idea. A really bad idea.

I could practically eat the tension, it was that thick.

“Um, Griff can take a different car,” I said, instinctively knowing that something had shifted between them. They were sizing each other up like opposing teams did before a football game, seeing each other not as friends but as competition.

It didn’t help that I was wedged between them like the frickin’ ball .

“No, I can’t,” Griff said, planting himself directly behind me. “We travel together, Kolton’s orders.”

I opened my mouth to object, only to close it when I saw him set his jaw like stone. He hardly ever pulled the rank card on me, but I could sense him doing it now. He was above me in the pack hierarchy, and if I pushed him, he would push right back.

I tried to swallow and failed, stuck between feeling annoyed and turned on. Realizing what I’d just admitted, I quickly looked away, only to discover that Reid was carefully watching me.

Okay, this was far worse than I imagined. I hadn’t counted on them both acting so . . . so male . Any second now, I expected them to start fighting over me like I was a slab of meat.

Yeah, that wasn’t going to happen.

“Fine,” I said, throwing up my hands and stepping away from them both. “I’ve been around dominant males enough to know when they’re about to go dickhead on me, and I’m not sticking around for the show. Sorry, Reid. We’ll have to do this another time.”

I turned and headed back the way I’d arrived, so frustrated that tears blurred my vision.

“Vi, wait,” Griff called, his beseeching tone making me pause. He released a pent-up sigh, then quietly said, “I’ll behave.”

Surprised, I peered over my shoulder at him. “You’ll let me speak with Reid alone without interference?”

He nodded.

“And you’ll take a different car?”

His expression flattened. “You know I can’t do that, Vi. Kolton would kill me.”

“True,” I said, and he smiled a little.

“He can come with us,” Reid spoke up, surprising me further. I glanced at him next, then froze, not expecting him to look so sad. He smiled a little too, but it didn’t reach his eyes.

Swallowing with difficulty, I faced them again and uttered a soft, “Thank you.”

They nodded, and without a word, we all piled inside the town car. Griff sat in front beside the driver, leaving me and Reid in back. Knowing that the driver was human, I decided not to catch Reid up on the hybrid disappearances. Instead, we spent another trip in uncomfortable silence.

By the time we made it to Reid’s apartment building, I was dying to speak with him, if only to finally clear the air. We’d never experienced this level of tension in our relationship before, even when we’d discovered just how averse my wolf familiar was to us dating. She’d been surprisingly quiet during the trip, though, which only amplified my agitated state.

I was sick to death of everyone being so silent lately.

The second we entered the lobby of Reid’s apartment complex, I shared a look with Griff. A hard one. A pleading one. He studied my face for a long moment, then blew out a breath and said, “I’ll wait here. Call if you need me.”

Need .

The word felt weighted. Intentional.

Turning away before I could think about it too much, I joined Reid in the elevator. As we ascended, I expected him to relax now that Griff was no longer with us. Instead, he looked even more tense, a muscle in his jaw feathering as he stared daggers at the floor number panel.

“Reid,” I began, unable to bear the silence any longer. “It’s just us now. Speak to me.”

I reached between us to capture his hand. When my fingers touched his, he went stiff as a board. My heart sank, and I let go.

“Reid,” I tried again, suddenly uncertain how to make this better. There was probably only one thing that could. One word . An answer to the question he’d asked me. A response he’d patiently waited for and was still waiting for.

I opened my mouth to speak but nothing came out.

Seeing the look on my face, he shook his head with a light scoff. “That’s what I thought.”

Confused, I blinked up at him. “Huh?”

“You don’t want to be with me.”

My eyes widened in shock. “ What? Reid, be reasonable here. I didn’t even say anything.”

“Exactly. You didn’t say anything.”

“Reid, I . . .”

Before I could say more, he leaned forward and pressed the emergency stop button, then turned to face me. “Look, Vi, I care about you. It’s why I decided to tell you face-to-face that I can’t drag this out any further. I want to be with you, I really do. You don’t see me for my money and fame, and I’m so grateful for that. But the problem is, you don’t see me at all .”

“That’s not—”

“Let me finish, Vi. I know your head wants to be with me, but your heart doesn’t. I could see it the moment I asked you to move in with me. You’re not ready.”

“But—”

“And I don’t think you’ll ever be ready so long as Griff is in your life.”

“Griff? This is about Griff? Let me explain—”

“There’s nothing to explain,” Reid gently, albeit firmly interrupted me once more. “I saw all I needed to see at that game the other day. Today only confirms what I already knew. I’ve lost.”

“ Lost? But I’m not—”

“The way you talk to him, the way you laugh with him, the way your wolf readily accepts him. I can’t compete with that.”

“But that’s not fair,” I argued, growing desperate. “We’ve known each other since we were babies. We’ve grown up together. Griff is practically my brother.”

Reid shook his head. “You don’t look at him the way you would a brother.”

I opened my mouth again, but words failed me.

“You keep saying your wolf is struggling to accept me, Vi, but I think it’s because you are struggling to accept me.”

“Reid, please don’t do this. I just need a little more time.”

“I’m sorry, Vi, but it’s over. I’m competitive like all dominant males are, but I know when to admit defeat. I won’t fight for someone that doesn’t want to be fought for. It never really felt like you were mine anyway. It always felt like you were . . .”

The air rushed from my lungs, but I managed to whisper, “Like what?”

His expression softened, and he raised a hand toward my face. At the last second, he stopped and lowered his arm. Sighing, he quietly replied, “Like you were his.”

My entire body froze, overcome with shock. I tried to deny his words, but no sound left my lips.

He tilted his mouth into a sad smile. Without a word, he reached back and restarted the elevator. When we landed on his floor and the elevator doors opened, he stepped out and faced me once more.

“Go home, Vi. It’s where you belong,” he said, the words filled with conviction. Finality.

Not waiting for my reply, he turned and walked away, leaving me alone to face the cold hard truth.