Page 3 of Midnight Hunt (Wolves of Midnight #4)

2

VIOLET

I knew I wasn’t thinking clearly. Knew I’d basically just committed relationship suicide.

But all I could focus on was the need pounding through my body. A need so intense that I could barely function when Reid found me half an hour later still sitting on the floor of his apartment.

I told him about the attack, but it hadn’t made me feel any better. I knew he was worried and confused. Knew that I’d completely ruined our romantic evening by making that one call. A call I should have made to him .

Still, all I could think about was the fact that Griff was coming. Three little words, and he’d rushed to my aid, just like he always did. I waited for the guilt to hit, but the only thing I felt was relief.

He was coming. Nothing else mattered right now.

Forty-five minutes later, my keen hearing picked up the sound of footsteps approaching the apartment. When I heard more than one pair, I leapt to my feet, ready to fight again.

Reid turned toward the door as well, instinctively putting himself between me and the threat. He knew that I’d called Griff, but he shouldn’t be here yet. The drive from Lake Placid was over four hours long. There was no way he could have—

I nearly jumped from my skin when a loud bang rattled the door.

“Open up, Vi. It’s Kolton.”

At the unexpected sound of my brother’s voice, some of my panic faded, but I continued to shake as Reid strode forward to open the door. The second he did, a tall figure barged inside, forcing him to step back.

“Where is she?” the blond male demanded, even as his brown eyes quickly scanned the room and collided with mine.

“Griff. She’s—” Reid started, but the male shoved past him before he could finish.

A second later, I was being crushed in an impossibly tight hug, one that lifted me clean off my feet.

When his spicy clove and cinnamon scent surrounded me, the desperate need that had plagued me for over an hour immediately started to fade. I gripped the back of his shirt, relieved that my hands no longer shook. Sable heaved a sigh, one that warmed my insides and chased away the last of my terror.

Finally , she whispered, contentedly settling into the embrace.

Neither Griff nor I said a word, but we didn’t need to. All we needed in this moment was each other’s touch. For as long as I could remember, it had always been this way between us. One hug, and everything bad just slipped away.

Even though our relationship was strictly platonic now, his closeness soothed my nerves like nothing else could.

“What happened?” I heard Kolton question Reid.

“She was attacked by two males on the street, both werewolves. Apparently, one of them followed her from the stadium, but I don’t recognize him from her description,” Reid answered Midnight Pack’s alpha. “I was still at the stadium when they—”

“Why weren’t you with her?” Griff interrupted him, lifting his head from the crook of my neck to glare at my boyfriend.

“We decided to meet back at the apartment after the game. She had an errand to run.”

“And you let her go, just like that?”

“Of course.”

“But we entrusted her to you. It’s your job to keep her safe . She shouldn’t be wandering the city by herself.”

“Vi is a grown woman and doesn’t take orders from me,” Reid replied, a slight edge to his voice. “I don’t know how you do things in the Midnight Pack, but in the Lunar Falls Pack, we allow our females to come and go as they please.”

“Even the unclaimed ones?”

“Yes.”

Griff scoffed. “Some alpha you’ll make some day.”

“Okay, enough ,” I finally interjected before things could escalate.

When I started to pull away, Griff reluctantly let go of me. At the loss of his touch, Sable released a low whine. Ignoring her, I faced the guys, surprised to discover that Jagger had come as well. I took in his familiar light brown skin and serious blue gray eyes, noting that he must have given his black hair a fresh shave while I was away. He stood just inside the apartment like a silent sentinel, the diamond studs in his ears contrasting sharply with his black attire.

“Reid isn’t to blame for what happened,” I continued, relieved when my voice remained steady. “It was my idea to meet back here after the game. Besides, he’s right. I’m a grown woman and can take care of myself.”

“We know that, Vi,” Kolton calmly replied, even as his dark amber eyes narrowed on the tear in my Rebel’s jersey. “Griff was just worried. We all were. We’re not used to you being so far away from home, and this attack has us all on edge.”

At his confession, I deflated like a balloon, realizing just how homesick I’d been now that they were here. I hurried across the room to hug my brother, and as he folded me into his arms, I soaked up his steady strength before murmuring, “Please don’t tell me you guys took the jet.”

“Of course we took the jet.”

Groaning, I stuck out a fist behind Kolton’s back. “Hey, Jag.” The pack’s second in command silently bumped my knuckles. I knew better than to attempt a hug with him. “Sorry I freaked you all out. You really didn’t need to come. I’m perfectly fine.”

“I smell blood,” Jagger quietly remarked.

“Where?” Griff demanded. In an instant, he was across the room and tugging me from Kolton’s arms.

“Griff,” I groaned again, batting his hands away as he tried to find my injuries. “It was just a few cuts and bruises, and they’ve already healed. No need to fuss.”

Peering around him, I gave Reid an apologetic look. He’d seen the guys in protective mode before, but this was excessive. Still, my heart warmed at the realization that they’d missed me too.

“I’ve already contacted Alpha DeRosa, but I’ll need to see him while we’re here,” Kolton said, his tone all business. “I could use your help if you have time, Reid.”

“Sure,” my boyfriend immediately replied. “He’ll want a full report anyway. I was about to contact him myself.”

“Good. If Vi’s attackers are members of his pack, I have no doubt that he’ll properly punish them, but I need assurances that this won’t happen again while Vi is visiting his territory.”

“I’ll go too,” I started, only for Kolton to shake his head at me.

“Reid, Jagger, and I can take care of this. Griff will take you home. Gather your things. The jet is already waiting for you.”

“But you need me to describe what my attackers looked like to Alpha DeRosa.”

“Reid can do that. Until we get to the bottom of this attack, I don’t want you here any longer than necessary.”

“But I’m fine ,” I pressed, frustrated that he was pulling both the big brother and pack alpha card on me. “Once Sable got involved, there was no way they were getting me into that SUV.”

“They tried to kidnap you?” Griff roared, nearly making me jump. “That’s it. You’re not staying here another minute. Let’s go.”

He snagged my arm, but I jerked it free and shouted, “Wait!” When they all blinked at me in surprise, I inhaled a calming breath before saying, “Can we slow down here, please? I know you’re all just trying to keep me safe, but if I leave the way you want me to, it’ll make me look weak. Let me go on my own terms. I want to drive my Jeep home.”

Griff looked ready to argue, but it was Kolton who shocked me by replying, “Fine, but you’re not going alone.”

“I’ll go with her,” Griff immediately offered.

“Done,” Kolton said before I could protest. “Once Vi is packed, we’ll make sure you two get to the Jeep safely before meeting up with Alpha DeRosa.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Griff replied with a nod.

When they all looked at me again, this time expectantly, I rolled my eyes and moved to collect my things. I was used to being bossed around by dominant males, but I didn’t expect to be bossed around here . Although Reid was also a dominant male and would become alpha of his hometown pack soon, he was pretty chill.

He and Griff were alike in that way—except that Reid didn’t go ballistic when another male messed with me. Griff, on the other hand, revealed just how dangerous he could be the moment a male even looked at me wrong.

He’d never made a jab at Reid before, though. Until now. It worried me more than I wanted to admit. Griff tended to chase off my suitors when he didn’t approve of them.

Because none of them were right for you, including Reid , Sable butted into my thoughts.

Hush , I replied, entering the guest bedroom where I slept while I was here—since Sable wouldn’t let me sleep with Reid. You’ve never liked any of the males I’ve been with .

Not true .

I snorted. Fine. Name one .

She didn’t respond.

See? You’re too picky .

Am not. You’re just blind .

Okay, stop , I groaned, grabbing my suitcase to plonk it onto the bed. Reid is amazing, and I have every intention of rescheduling our sexy evening. Once my attackers have been dealt with, I’m coming right back here to spend a hot night with my boyfriend. It’s been way too long since I’ve gotten any .

Yuck , she said with a disdainful sniff.

Get over it. You owe me. We’re leaving for home even earlier than planned .

I felt her perk up at that.

Truth be told, I was excited too. This was the longest I’d been away from my niece and nephew, and I couldn’t wait to breathe in their intoxicating baby smells again. Despite my reasons for leaving early, I was more than ready to be reunited with the rest of my family.

Five minutes later, I was packed and wearing a fresh plum-colored top with a deep V-neck. The scratches I’d received in the attack were scrubbed clean, and not a single mark marred my deep olive skin. Thanks to my supernatural healing, there wasn’t even a bruise on my cheek from the brutal punch. I’d taken a few seconds to sweep my hair up into a high ponytail and rearrange my bangs so they fell perfectly straight once more.

Looking in the mirror, it was like the near-abduction had never happened.

Except that everything had changed in the blink of an eye. Reid and I were no longer going to take the next step in our relationship tonight, and I was running home with my tail between my legs.

Angry that the two male bastards had ruined my romantic evening, I swept from the room with my luggage and beelined toward my boyfriend. He was deep in conversation with Kolton when I interrupted by pulling his head down for a kiss. As our lips fused together, I felt him stiffen in surprise. Not caring that we had an audience, I stood on tiptoe and deepened the kiss. A moment later, he eagerly responded, raising his arms to pull me close.

True to her word, Sable didn’t try to break us apart. Taking full advantage, I allowed the kiss to last for several long moments.

A throat suddenly cleared, and I broke the kiss to whisper against Reid’s lips, “Sorry I’m leaving this way. I’ll make it up to you.”

He pulled back to meet my eyes. At the promise he saw in them, a slow smile stretched his mouth. “Looking forward to it.”

Returning his smile, I pecked him on the cheek and stepped back. The second I did, a huge hand engulfed mine.

“Okay, we’re out of here,” Griff said, practically dragging me toward the door. When I stumbled a bit, he reached back and plucked the suitcase from my hand.

“Griff,” I protested, trying to wiggle my hand free. His grip only tightened, so I gave up with a sigh.

Arguing with a male werewolf in overprotective mode was pointless. I usually did it anyway but didn’t feel like putting up a fight at the moment. The attack must have taken more out of me than I cared to admit.

When we reached my car, though, I finally put my foot down. “I’m driving.”

Griff opened the driver door for me without comment.

Pleased, I climbed inside my purple ride and started her up. As Griff placed my suitcase in the back and claimed the front passenger seat, Kolton said through my open window, “No detours, Vi. Head straight home. Call me if you think you’re being followed.”

“I will.”

“I won’t let anything happen to her, Kol. You have my word,” Griff said as he shut his door. “She won’t leave my sight for a second.”

Sensing yet another dig at Reid, I pursed my lips. The minute the coast was clear, Griff and I were going to have words .

As we exited the parking garage, I opened my mouth to give him a piece of my mind. Before I could, a plastic bag rattled. I glanced over just as Griff pulled out the lacy little nothings I’d purchased a few hours ago.

“Griff!” I swiped at the lingerie and missed.

“A present for me? ” he gushed, holding the apparel just out of reach. “You shouldn’t have.”

“It’s not for you, dummy.”

“Well, it was on my seat.”

“I . . . Just give it to me, will you?”

Not surprisingly, he ignored me. Now that it was just us two, he was back to his usual obnoxious self. If there was an olympic medal for teasing, Griffin O’Neal would win gold every time.

Humming, he inspected the lingerie more closely before saying, “I like the strappy purple one best. You can see right through it. Which one do you like, Sable?”

“GRIFF!” I barked. “Don’t you two dare team up on me right now. I’m not in the mood. Besides, this is totally inappropriate.”

Sable snickered, clearly amused.

“I bet Reid the Steed hasn’t seen these yet.”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but, no, he hasn’t.”

“What a shame.”

At his sarcastic tone, I threw a sideways glare at him. “I thought you liked Reid.”

“I do.”

“Then what’s with the verbal jabs and the nickname? You always give the guys in my life lame nicknames when you start disliking them.”

Shrugging, he tucked the lingerie back into the bag. “Okay, fine. I’m pissed he wasn’t there when you were attacked.”

I blew out a frustrated sigh. “We’ve already been over this. It was my decision to leave the stadium without him.”

“I know, but . . .”

When he didn’t finish, I glanced at him again. “But what?”

“But,” he slowly said, fisting the bag in his lap, “I should have been there for you.”

I opened my mouth, only to snap it shut. Oh. He wasn’t really mad at Reid, then. He was mad at himself for not being here.

“Griff . . .” Unsure what to say, I closed my mouth again.

Silence settled between us. After several moments, he quietly said, “You scared the hell out of me with that phone call, Vi.”

Without thought, I reached between us and found his hand. “I’m sorry,” I said, glancing down as he threaded his fingers through mine. A familiar warmth spread up my arm at the contact. We hadn’t held hands in months, not since I’d started dating Ried. Although I knew it was nothing more than a friend’s comforting touch, an instinct poked at me to pull away. Ignoring it, I focused on the road again and said, “I shouldn’t have called.”

“Yes, you should have. We made a promise to always be there for each other, remember?”

A slow grin tugged at my mouth. “Even if I date non-dickish guys?”

He lightly scoffed and squeezed my fingers. “Yes, Vi. Even if you date non-dickish guys.”