Page 59 of Griffin

It was charged, defensive, territorial—and not in the way a protective friend should be.

My wolf growled low, deep in my chest, the kind of sound I could feel more than hear. It was a warning, primal and unrelenting, and I couldn’t ignore it even if I wanted to.

Todd had rubbed me the wrong way from the moment he stepped into the picture, and our interaction at lunch had only cemented that feeling.

Todd’s behavior wasn’t the kind you brushed off as harmless quirks. It was the kind you watched carefully because it could easily turn into something more. Something dangerous.

I shifted on my feet, glancing at Michael’s profile as he stared straight ahead, his expression unreadable. Did he feel it too, deep down?

That tension Todd brought into every room he walked into? Or had he grown so used to it over the years that it blended into the background, unnoticed?

My gut told me this wasn’t just jealousy. It wasn’t about me being new in Michael’s life and feeling threatened by someone he trusted.

Todd wasn’t just off. He was a problem waiting to happen.

“Michael, I hate to ask this, but… did you two ever date? Or, you know, hook up?” The question hung in the air, heavier than I intended.

Michael’s face flushed instantly, a deep red spreading to his ears.

“What? No. Never. We’re just friends. Always have been.” His voice was sharp, defensive, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of disbelief that I’d even asked.

“Where’s this coming from?” Michael demanded.

“It’s just… the way Todd acts around you. It doesn’t feel natural.”

“Not natural?” Michael repeated, his tone incredulous. “How exactly does he act around me?”

I hesitated, trying to choose my words carefully.

“The shirt thing, for one. And the fries,” I said, realizing how petty it sounded as soon as the words left my mouth.

Michael’s brow furrowed, and he crossed his arms over his chest. “The fries?”

“Look,” I said, exhaling slowly. “He acts possessive. During lunch, it was like he was staking some sort of claim on you. Don’t you think?”

Michael shook his head, his lips pressing into a thin line.

“Possessive? Griffin, he was just worried about me. You know, with the whole stalker situation? Besides, you’ve known Todd for, what, one meal? I’ve known him for years.”

His words were like a punch to the gut. I knew he was right—Todd and I didn’t have history, and I had no right to judge their friendship so quickly.

But still, the way Todd acted… it didn’t sit right with me. My wolf growled softly, pacing inside me, but I forced it back. This wasn’t the time to let my instincts take over.

The line inched forward, slower than molasses. Michael tapped his foot, his jaw tight as he stared at the menu above the counter.

I couldn’t tell if he was really studying it or just avoiding looking at me. I sighed, shoving my hands into my pockets.

“I’m not trying to start anything. I just… care about you. And something about him doesn’t sit right with me,” I said.

Dang it. I was making this worse, wasn’t I?

Michael turned to me then, his gaze softening slightly, though the tension didn’t fully leave his face.

“Griffin, I appreciate that you care. I really do. But Todd’s like family. I need you to trust me when I say there’s nothing to worry about,” Michael said.

I nodded slowly, biting back the urge to argue further. “Okay. I trust you.”

The words felt heavy, but I meant them. If Michael said there was nothing to worry about, I’d take him at his word—for now.

---