Page 68 of Griffin

Michael lingered in the doorway, his expression softening as he took in the sight of my dad. I gave his hand a gentle tug, and he stepped closer.

“Dad,” I said quietly, my voice steady but low. “I want you to meet Michael.”

Michael glanced at me, his eyes searching mine for a moment before he turned to my dad.

“It’s nice to meet you, sir,” he said, his tone sincere.

I half-expected something—anything.

For Dad to open his eyes, to sit up, to give Michael that protective once-over like he always did when I introduced him to someone new.

I could practically hear his voice in my head, asking a million questions, testing Michael’s resolve.

But Dad didn’t move. Michael shifted beside me, his gaze softening as it settled on my dad.

For a moment, he seemed hesitant, like he wasn’t sure what to say. Then, with a deep breath, he began to speak.

“You probably don’t know this, sir,” Michael started, his voice low and a little unsteady, “but Griffin and I met in the most unexpected way.”

I watched him, my chest tightening. Michael didn’t have to do this—he could’ve stayed silent, left the moment as it was.

But instead, he chose to fill the quiet with something meaningful.

“It was at a convention,” he continued, his words slowly gaining confidence. “I was exhausted after a whole day of networking and trying out new games, and I just wanted a moment to myself. Then, I sensed someone watching me. The next thing I knew, I was being chased. But Griffin, even though he was a stranger, decided to help me out.”

His lips quirked into a small smile, and he glanced at me briefly before turning back to my dad.

“I mean, you should’ve seen him chase that stalker off. I was drawn to him before I even realized it.”

My heart thudded heavily in my chest. I stayed quiet, letting him talk, but my wolf stirred inside me—calm, yet alert, listening to every word.

Michael chuckled softly, the sound filling the room.

"I kissed him in the cab. Can you believe it?" he admitted. "It was probably the most embarrassing moment of my life. And just when I thought I’d never see him again, Casey brought me here to Pecan Pines—to his bar."

I felt a lump forming in my throat as I listened to him recount our meeting.

He wasn’t just telling a story; he was weaving a connection, one that reached out to my dad even though Dad couldn’t respond.

“And from there, we just… clicked,” Michael said, his voice softening.

He hesitated, his hand brushing lightly over mine. “I didn’t know what I was missing until I met him. He’s patient, protective, a little stubborn sometimes…”

I raised an eyebrow, smirking.

“But he’s also one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve ever known,” Michael finished, his voice trembling just slightly. “I’m really lucky to have him in my life.”

I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Watching Michael speak to my dad like this—like he was fully alive and part of the conversation—it did something to me.

It broke something open inside of me, something I hadn’t even realized was locked up.

In that moment, it hit me like a freight train. This wasn’t just some casual relationship, something fleeting. Michael was it.

He wasn’t just my boyfriend, my partner. He was my mate.

I’d known Michael was incredible. From the moment we met, he’d surprised me, challenged me, made me laugh.

But now, watching him pour his heart out to my dad, showing a level of kindness and vulnerability most people wouldn’t even think to offer—it made me proud.

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